Christian In A Secular America 6

WELCOME!WELCOME!

Parkside Bible FellowshipAdult Summer Sunday School

August 16, 10th Session

WELCOME!WELCOME!

Parkside Bible FellowshipAdult Summer Sunday School

August 16, 2009Session

IN THE NEWSIN THE NEWSIN THE NEWSIN THE NEWS

1. Gay / Lesbian Parade and Festival in Reno yesterday.

2. The Real Truth Behind WOODSTOCK

• 40 yrs. ago this weekend.

IN THE NEWSIN THE NEWSIN THE NEWSIN THE NEWS

Gay / Lesbian Parade and Festival in Reno yesterday.

The Real Truth Behind

40 yrs. ago this weekend.

SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK ‘N’ ROLL�Counterculture----

�Disillusioned with �Movement toward a new society�Movement toward a new society

Greater freedom Question authoritySexual RevolutionCommunal livingCo-habitationUse of “mind-expanding” drugs

SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK ‘N’ ROLL----Hippies

Disillusioned with TRADITIONAL VALUESMovement toward a new societyMovement toward a new societyGreater freedom Question authoritySexual RevolutionCommunal living

expanding” drugs

EstablishedEstablished

Key Concepts Key Concepts To To

Moral RelavatismMoral Relavatism

The Real Truth About Woodstock

Moral relativism is the view that ethical

standards, morality, an

wrong are and therefore subject to a wrong are and therefore subject to a

person's individual choice.

We can all decide what is right for

ourselves. You decide

and I'll decide what's right for me. Moral

relativism says, "It's tr

it."

The Real Truth About Woodstock

Moral relativism is the view that ethical

and positions of right or

wrong are and therefore subject to a wrong are and therefore subject to a

person's individual choice.

We can all decide what is right for

de what's right for you,

and I'll decide what's right for me. Moral

true for me, if I believe

it."

IN THE NEWSIN THE NEWSIN THE NEWSIN THE NEWS1. Church and State Issues

• Principal and Athletic Director Face Criminal Charges for Prayer at LuncheonCriminal Charges for Prayer at Luncheon

2. Euthanasia in the News

• Sarah Palin: Health Care Creates Death Panels

• Death Panel Is An Absolute Outrage

• Let Live Or Let Die

IN THE NEWSIN THE NEWSIN THE NEWSIN THE NEWSChurch and State Issues

Principal and Athletic Director Face Criminal Charges for Prayer at LuncheonCriminal Charges for Prayer at Luncheon

Euthanasia in the News

Sarah Palin: Health Care Creates Death

Death Panel Is An Absolute Outrage

Something To Think About1. Health Care Plan.2. Utilitarianism

"the greatest good for the greAlways act in the way that Always act in the way that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number.

3. Imago Deiasserts that human beings are created in God's image andvalue independent of their utility or function.

Host of BreakpointChuck Colson

•Defend the Truth

•Live the Faith

•Advance the Kingdom

Something To Think AboutHealth Care Plan.Utilitarianism: is described "the greatest good for the reatest number of people".

Always act in the way that Always act in the way that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number.Imago Dei is a concept that asserts that human beings are created in God's image nd therefore have inherent value independent of their utility or function.

God’s Word forbids murder.

• Abortion

• EuthanasiaEuthanasia

• Suicide

However, Capital Punishment (Death Penalty) does not.

forbids murder.

All fall into the category of murder!

Capital Punishment (Death Penalty) does not.

of murder!

Euthanasia1. From the dictionary• A good death or dying well

• A peaceful and painless death to end a painful an

• A peaceful and painless death to end a painful an

2. Society• Physician Assisted Suicide

• Mercy Killing

• Death With Dignity

• Quality of life vs.

From the dictionaryA good death or dying well

A peaceful and painless death to and incurable disease.

A peaceful and painless death to and incurable disease.

Physician Assisted Suicide

Death With Dignity

Quality of life vs. Sanctity of Life

3. Medical World• Active euthanasia occurs in those instances in which someans, such as a lethabout someone’s death. “about someone’s death. “ASSISTED SUICIDE

• Passive euthanasia instances in which someone simply refuses to intervene in order to prevent someone’s death. Natural death is not imminent.

Medical Worldoccurs in those

someone takes active ethal injection, to bring

about someone’s death. “PHYSICIAN about someone’s death. “PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE”

Passive euthanasia occurs in those instances in which someone simply refuses to intervene in order to prevent someone’s death. Natural death is not

3. Medical World• Letting die* involves the withholding or withdrawing life-prolonging and lifesustaining medicationsan irreversibly ill patient an irreversibly ill patient imminent even with treatment.

*The difference between Euthanasia and Passive Euthanasia,

death is not imminent

Medical Worldinvolves the withholding or

prolonging and life-ns and technologies from

irreversibly ill patient with whom death is irreversibly ill patient with whom death is imminent even with treatment.

The difference between Passive and Letting die is in

Passive Euthanasia, a patient’s death is not imminent.

RelativismRelativismRecognize worth of Recognize worth of human life varies human life varies

Death With Dignity Death With Dignity is JUSTis JUST

Respect a person’s Respect a person’s

RelativismRelativismRecognize worth of Recognize worth of human life varies human life varies

Death With Dignity Death With Dignity is JUSTis JUST

Respect a person’s Respect a person’s Respect a person’s Respect a person’s desire to live or diedesire to live or die

Bring children into the Bring children into the world only if wantedworld only if wanted

Do not discriminate on Do not discriminate on the basis of speciesthe basis of species

Respect a person’s Respect a person’s desire to live or diedesire to live or die

Bring children into the Bring children into the world only if wantedworld only if wanted

Do not discriminate on Do not discriminate on the basis of speciesthe basis of species

AbsolutesAbsolutesTreat all human life Treat all human life as of equal worthas of equal worthNever intentionally Never intentionally take human lifetake human life

Never take your own Never take your own

AbsolutesAbsolutesTreat all human life Treat all human life as of equal worthas of equal worthNever intentionally Never intentionally take human lifetake human life

Never take your own Never take your own

Bring children into the Bring children into the

Do not discriminate on Do not discriminate on

Bring children into the Bring children into the

Do not discriminate on Do not discriminate on

Never take your own Never take your own life prevent others’ life prevent others’ from taking theirsfrom taking theirs

Be fruitful and Be fruitful and multiplymultiply

Treat all human life Treat all human life as more precious as more precious

than any nonthan any non--human human lifelife

Never take your own Never take your own life prevent others’ life prevent others’ from taking theirsfrom taking theirs

Be fruitful and Be fruitful and multiplymultiply

Treat all human life Treat all human life as more precious as more precious

than any nonthan any non--human human lifelife

As with Abortionand Suicide is man

(seizing) the sovereign will and authority of God.

It is man desiringto decide who lives and who

doesn’t.

It is a rebellion against God’s authority.

Abortion, Euthanasia, is man usurping

) the sovereign will and authority of God.

ing to become God, to decide who lives and who

doesn’t.

It is a rebellion against God’s authority.

Job 1:20 - 22

20Then Job arose, tore his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER LIFE AND DEATH LIFE AND DEATH

worshiped.

21And he said: Naked I came from my mother's womb, And nthere. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.

22In all this Job did notwith wrong.

re his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and


Naked I came from my d naked shall I return

there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has Blessed be the name of the

not sin nor charge God

Psalms 139:16

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written. The days that were ordained for


written. The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there

Deuteronomy 32:39

The Lord says, See now that He! There is no god besides me, death and I bring to lifeand I will heal, and noof my hand.

Your eyes have seen my unformed ; And in Your book were all

written. The days that were ordained for


written. The days that were ordained for re was not one of them.

The Lord says, See now that Imyself am ! There is no god besides me, I put to

death and I bring to life, I have wounded no one can deliver out

Genesis 9:6:WhoeverBy man his blood shalimage of God, He made man.

Exodus 20:13: You shall not murder.

THE BIBLE SPECIFICALLY THE BIBLE SPECIFICALLY

CONDEMNS THE TAKING OF LIFE CONDEMNS THE TAKING OF LIFE

Exodus 20:13: You shall not murder.

Matthew 5:21: You have heard that the ancients were told, YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER and Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.

er sheds man's blood, all be shed, For in the

image of God, He made man.

You shall not murder.

THE BIBLE SPECIFICALLY THE BIBLE SPECIFICALLY

CONDEMNS THE TAKING OF LIFE CONDEMNS THE TAKING OF LIFE

You shall not murder.

: You have heard that the YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT

and Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.

1 Corinthians 6:19-2019Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you have been bought with a price:

OUR BODY AS WELL AS OUR SOUL OUR BODY AS WELL AS OUR SOUL

AND SPIRIT BELONG TO GODAND SPIRIT BELONG TO GOD

20For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Galatians 2:2020I have been crucified wlonger I who live, but Chlife which I now live in ththe Son of God, who loveup for me.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your

For you have been bought with a price:

OUR BODY AS WELL AS OUR SOUL OUR BODY AS WELL AS OUR SOUL

AND SPIRIT BELONG TO GODAND SPIRIT BELONG TO GOD

For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

with Christ; and it is no hrist lives in me; and the the flesh I live by faith in ved me and gave Himself

Romans 11: 3333Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR EVERYTHING GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR EVERYTHING

EVEN WHEN WE DON’T EVEN WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT PURPOSE UNDERSTAND THAT PURPOSE

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!



Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

James 4:13-15 13Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and su



we will go to such and suyear there and engage inprofit.

14Yet you do not know whtomorrow. You are just a va little while and then vanishes away. 15Instead, you ought to sawill live and also do this or that.

Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow such a city, and spend a



such a city, and spend a in business and make a

what your life will be like a vapor that appears for

a little while and then vanishes away.

say, If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.

2 Corinthians 1: 88For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively,

SUFFERING HAS A PLACE IN SUFFERING HAS A PLACE IN

GOD’S ECONOMY GOD’S ECONOMY

Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so tof life;

2 Corinthians 12: 6-8 6For if I do wish to boast I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively,



Asia, that we were burdened excessively, o that we despaired even

st I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

2 Corinthians 12: 6-8

7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for thisfrom exalting myself, t



from exalting myself, tthorn in the flesh, a metorment me to keep me from exalting myself!

8Concerning this I imptimes that it might leave me.

8

Because of the surpassing greatness of his reason, to keep me lf, there was given me a



lf, there was given me a messenger of Satan to

torment me to keep me from exalting

mplored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

Romans 5:12: 12Therefore, just as through one man sin

entered into the world, and death through sin,

and so death spread to all men, because all

AS A RESULT OF ADAM AND EVE’S AS A RESULT OF ADAM AND EVE’S

SIN, DEATH IS INEVITABLESIN, DEATH IS INEVITABLE


sinned;

Romans 6:23: 23For the wages of sin is d

of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Therefore, just as through one man sin

entered into the world, and death through sin,


AS A RESULT OF ADAM AND EVE’S AS A RESULT OF ADAM AND EVE’S

SIN, DEATH IS INEVITABLESIN, DEATH IS INEVITABLE


is death, but the free gift

of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hippocratic Oath

“I will never give anybody if asked for it, nor will I

make a suggestion to this effect.” make a suggestion to this effect.”

Every PhysicianMedicine Takes This Oath.

Hippocratic Oath

e a deadly drug to

anybody if asked for it, nor will I

make a suggestion to this effect.” make a suggestion to this effect.”

Physician Practicing Medicine Takes This Oath.

Dr. Keith Essex, proSeminary provides

guidelines when confronting death.

1. Death is inevitable--Ecclesiastes 3: 2to give birth and a timeto give birth and a timeand a time to uproot what is planted.

• Each Christian needs to create an advanced medical directive

• Living will

• Durable Power of Attorney

professor at Master’s Seminary provides Six Biblical

when confronting death.

Ecclesiastes 3: 2: A time ime to die; A time to plant ime to die; A time to plant

and a time to uproot what is planted.

Each Christian needs to create an advanced medical directive

Durable Power of Attorney

2. Death is the enemy--The last enemy that will bedeath.

• Value the sanctity of life

• If recovery through medical treatment is a possibility,

• forestall death serving the Lord.

-1 Corinthians 15:26: The last enemy that will be abolished is

Value the sanctity of life

If recovery through medical treatment is a possibility,

th so one can continue serving the Lord.

3. Dying is a process-- Hebrews 11:2121By faith Jacob, as he wof the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22

he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and ghe was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and ghis bones.

• If disease is incurable and terminal,

• Letting Die or the natural process of dying but control pain, provide food and water, hygienic caremental and spiritual interaction.

Hebrews 11:21-22: e was dying, blessed each

of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning 22By faith Joseph, when

he was dying, made mention of the exodus of d gave orders concerning

he was dying, made mention of the exodus of d gave orders concerning

If disease is incurable and terminal,

or the natural process of dying but control pain, provide food and

are and ensure personal, mental and spiritual interaction. HOSPICE

4. Suffering is a part of life and deathRomans 8:18: Forsufferings of this prworthy to be compthat is to be revealed to us. that is to be revealed to us.

• The believer will patiently endure pain

• especially towand not let pain become the reason for EUTHANASIA

Suffering is a part of life and deathFor I consider that the present time are not pared with the glory

that is to be revealed to us. that is to be revealed to us.

The believer will patiently

wards the end of life and not let pain become the

EUTHANASIA.

5. Instead of mercy killingexhibit mercy living.

• Pray for, visit and care for the dying.

Euthanasia is NOT• Euthanasia is NOT

• Christians having strong faith throughout life and even unto death are ones who die well.

6. Slippery slope argument

mercy killing, Christians need to

Pray for, visit and care for the dying.

NOT a good death NOT a good death

Christians having strong faith throughout life and even unto death are ones who die well.

Slippery slope argument---What’s next?

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT hof just and free societies for millennia

Christians are just as confused on PUNISHMENT as is the general public. PUNISHMENT as is the general public.

The Biblical positionOld and New Testaments that God is

favor of CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

That position is supported by several extra BIBLICAL arguments as well.

has been the hallmark of just and free societies for millennia

Christians are just as confused on CAPITAL as is the general public. as is the general public.

tion is clear in both the Old and New Testaments that God is

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

That position is supported by several arguments as well.

Divided in the Christian World

AGAINST1. Believe in the sanctity

of life 2. Thou Shall Not Kill*

1.

2. Thou Shall Not Kill*3. He who is without sin,

let him cast the first stone.

4. Biblical References:• Exodus 20: 13 • John 8: 1-11

2.3.

4.•

•

•

Divided in the Christian World

FOR1. Death penalty is

retribution for shedding of innocent blood.of innocent blood.

2. Thou Shall Not MURDER*3. God created

government to carry out law and order.

4. Biblical References:• Gen. 9: 6• Ex. 20: 13, 21:12 • Rom. 13: 1-7

Is man a mere machine or a moral agent?

Man is a mere machineby and large, aremoral agents. Wh

CAPITAL PUNISHMENTCAPITAL PUNISHMENT

moral agents. Whbad, we fix the machine.

Man is a moral agent: are free moral agents. They can make choices anheld responsible for the moral

choices they make

Is man a mere machine or a moral agent?

Man is a mere machine: Human beings, are machines and not When a machine goes


When a machine goes bad, we fix the machine.

Man is a moral agent: Human beings are free moral agents. They can

and they ought to be held responsible for the moral

choices they make

1. Most Americans favorpenalty and limiting appealsdeath row prisoners.

2. Supreme Court has ruled

• 8th Amendment’s


• 8th Amendment’s punishment clausethe DEATH PENALTY.

3. Other Americans believe that the

• 8th Amendment’s punishment is violated by the DEATH PEANLTY.

favor the death limiting appeals for

death row prisoners.

Court has ruled that the

Amendment’s cruel and unusual


Amendment’s cruel and unusual punishment clause is not violated by the DEATH PENALTY.

Other Americans believe that the

8th Amendment’s cruel and unusual is violated by the DEATH

1.The DEATH PENALTY acts as a deterrent.

•1955 to 1965: 78,500 executions in the U.S.

•1966 to 1976: 288,310 committed with only 6

FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENTFOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

•1966 to 1976: 288,310 committed with only 6

2.Death is the proper the terrible crime of murder.

• “An eye for an eye

• Victim and loved ones must forgotten.

The DEATH PENALTY acts as a

78,500 murders and 351 executions in the U.S.

288,310 murders were committed with only 6 executions.


death penalty

288,310 murders were committed with only 6 executions.

Death is the proper ““repayment”” for the terrible crime of murder.

eye for an eye”.

Victim and loved ones must not be

3. The judicial system provides death row prisoners with opportunity for appeals.

•Average stay on death row is 8 to 12 yrs.


is 8 to 12 yrs.

4. The possibility of executing an innocent person society pays for administering true justice toward the guilty murderer

arguments for death

The judicial system provides prisoners with ample

opportunity for appeals.

stay on death row


death penalty

The possibility of executing an innocent person is a price society pays for administering true justice toward the guilty

arguments for death peanlty

1. “Thou shalt not kill” commandments”.

• Sanctity of life.

•• TThe State should not be permitted to conduct executions.

AGAINST CAPITAL PUNISHMENTAGAINST CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

arguments for death

conduct executions.

• The State kills to of revenge..

2. States with no death penalty the same or less murder States with capital

not kill” is one of God’s commandments”.

State should not be permitted to conduct executions.


death penaltyarguments for death peanlty

conduct executions.

to satisfy the emotions

with no death penalty have less murder rate than

with capital punishment.

3. DEATH PENALTY has been unfairly

• those who are pto be executed.

4. Innocent individuals may be


arguments for death

4. Innocent individuals may be executed mistakenly.

• 31 known cases

• Life imprisonment allows time for new evidence to be

DEATH PENALTY has been applied

re poor are most likely to be executed.

Innocent individuals may be


death penaltyarguments for death peanlty

Innocent individuals may be executed mistakenly.

cases.

imprisonment allows time for new evidence to be uncovered

Blue states have no death penalty statute.

Yellow-green pro death pena

Reddish-orange states have

Blue states have no death penalty statute.

Yellow-green pro death pena

Reddish-orange states have

states have no death penalty statute.

nalty no executions since 1976..

ve executed people since 1976.

states have no death penalty statute.

nalty no executions since 1976..

ve executed people since 1976.

1.The Death Penalty is barbaric and unnecessary in a mature society.

AGAINST

“In order to oppose you must confront thfeel the loss, fear anbe able to look the victim’s relatives intheir eyes and say the murderer must

live…….”

The Death Penalty is barbaric and unnecessary in a mature society.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

AGAINST

“In order to oppose CAPITAL PUNISHMENT the horror of murder,and outrage, and still

be able to look the victim’s relatives intheir eyes and say the murderer must

live…….”

1. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT to act as a DETERRENTrights and freedoms of citizens.”

FOR

rights and freedoms of citizens.”

“In order to support PUNISHMENT, you m

into the eyes of the condemnedman, recognize his humanity, see

how he got to that point and tell himhe must die…..”

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT is needed in society DETERRENT to PROTECT the


FOR


“In order to support CAPITALu must be able to look

into the eyes of the condemnedman, recognize his humanity, see

how he got to that point and tell himhe must die…..”

Spiritual

Christian In A Secular America 6