Posted on 06/23/2013 9:01:59 PM PDT by ReformationFan
I enjoy collecting information about studies that relate to some aspect of the Bible. Over and over, social science data tends to confirm the Scriptures.
A new study verifies the truth revealed in Paul’s statement in the Bible that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Paul didn’t say that money is the root of evil---although I’ve heard people misrepresent the Bible as supposedly saying that. Nor did he say it’s the lack of money that is the root of evil, although I’ve heard some people say that’s what it should say.
Yet I’ve known some poor people who were very greedy, and some rich who were not.
Well, a new study validates what the Bible said 2,000 years ago---not that it needs validation---that the love of money is indeed a corrupting influence.
(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...
Couldn’t even read the article as a half-dozen popups flew in before I could click them off.
Yep. Townhall has a lot of popups.
Money can not buy happiness. But it sure as hell can rent it!
That's true: The Bible does not need validation. Rather, it needs demonstrable proof (see my tagline).
Regards,
When we look at what a joke our society has become, we can look back at Biblical principles and run down the checklist one by one, seeing how we have strayed from every command. No wonder we’re floundering.
“individuals who could gain monetarily through unethical behavior were more likely to demonstrate that behavior than those who weren’t offered a financial gain.”
This is very true for the majority, but may not be true for all. In fact, the worst crimes in history have not been committed for monetary gain. They have been committed for sexual gratification and sadism. Hitmen don’t rape their victims before cutting them up and putting them in the refrigerator to eat later. Jeffrey Dahmer did.
Never make the mistake of thinking darkness requires some bribe or outside factor. Darkness can take root in the soul alone, and its roots run deep. Evil recognizes no race, gender, income level, or age. It only recognizes mankind.
I read a good news article today. It was about the Mississippi State baseball team which is in Omaha. It said that every day the team meets to have Bible study, pray, etc. After reading that, I sure hope my DAWGS win. Before everyone gets to practice or a game, a few go to the locker room and prays for each individual player at their locker. A cousin posted a link to it and said how thankful she was that her sons had such good role models. Why isn’t this kind of news reported? I know, I know.
What “demonstrable proof” would you need in order to accept the Bible as the word of Almighty God?
I have popups turned off on my PC and didn’t get even one. The article, however, didn’t say much more than what you already posted. Big surprise! A few people would kill a stranger or be a prostitute for a week for $10 million!
You’ve got it wrong. The Bible does not need proven. It needs to be read and loved and adhered to.
What demonstrable proof would you require to accept that, last night, an angel appeared at my bedside and told me that Gilgamesh was an actual historical figure, and that he really did search for an herb that would grant eternal life, but that a serpent stole it from him, and that I am DAMNED forever unless I believe that - and, oh, also: 1) God cares about your sexual preferences; 2) God takes roll-call in Church on Thursdays; and 3) You have to give 10% of your income (tithes) to support the Gilgamesh Church and keep me living in the style to which I, as High Priest, am accustomed.
Regards,
Naw, that wouldn't even come close. There are a number of "proofs" that helped me to know the Bible was supernatural. One, there are prophecies that God gave to the Jews so that they could know he was the true God. He told them:
I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. (Isaiah 42:8,9)
I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze. Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, ‘My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.’ You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them?
“From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, ‘Yes, I knew of them.’ You have neither heard nor understood; from of old your ears have not been open. Well do I know how treacherous you are; you were called a rebel from birth. For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
“Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together. “Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The Lord’s chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians. I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.
“Come near me and listen to this: “From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there.” And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me, endowed with his Spirit. This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48:3-17)
Almighty God wanted His creation to know that He didn't just create everything and then leave it to its own devices. He is a personal God - the only, true God. The Bible is full of historical truth, scientific truths (not known at the time but only understood much later), prophecies about the Messiah (Jesus Christ) - over 300 - so that we would know it was Him. Added to all that, there are the intangibles - the comfort, strength, power and assurance that what Scripture says IS true and DOES work.
For an example, I was seeking to know the truth about God - what was real, what was true. Even though I was brought up in a religion that claimed to be the one, true church there was something "else" that I knew deep inside I wasn't hearing. In Scripture, God says numerous times that He will be found when we search for Him with all our hearts. When we diligently seek Him, He WILL reward us with the truth. Through a series of events shortly after I prayed, "God, if you are real, I want to know it. I want to know the truth.", I read for the first time Jesus' words:
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)
My "spiritual" eyes were opened and I knew this was the truth. This started my journey as a child of God and my faith has grown exponentially ever since. Now, granted, this may not be the same experience for everyone. But this I know, God DOES answer prayer and He IS real. He WILL be found when we seek Him with earnestness and diligence. If you want the truth, God will give it to you. The Bible is the Divinely-inspired truth and every time I study it, I am refreshed and renewed in the surety that I have found the true God - revealed in nature, in His people, in His revealed word.
A real Christian needs neither proof nor evidence, which is fortunate because there is none. A real Christian needs only faith and the trust of a child. At least that what the Bible implies.
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