DISINTELLIGENT

     You may have been wondering what that gnawing ache of emptiness lingering at the end of last month was.  In the shuffle of extra activities, we were unable to send out the newsletter in August, and have opted to combine August and September together.  It seems fitting, since the two seem to be one big blended meld of non-stop action.

     I’ve had some interesting dialogue with some over the summer that reflect the progressive changing of thought (or lack thereof) of the tide in our culture.  I’ll call it intellectual apathy, since a good portion of it is exerted as intellectual (in language) but void of any true passion, concern and ultimately logic. 

     I have heard rumblings here and there about a documentary put out last year by comedian and television host Bill Maher, called Religulous.  If you know the man at all, it shouldn’t take too much effort to guess the premise of the film.  The film is touted as the political humorist traveling around the globe interviewing people about God and religion using his “characteristic honesty”.  I take issue with the use if the word “honesty” after taking the time to watch the movie.  Unlike the recent documentary Expelled,  taking a look into problems with the secular of intelligent design, the Religulous film severely lacks on the side of credible interviews.  The first interview of the film is in a trucker church, which are the version set up in the back of tractor trailers in truck stops.  Now I have no doubt the Lord is using this form of ministry across the country, but the stereotype fit to a tee on this one.  From there to a numbskull Senator to the guy in Mexico that believes he is Jesus incarnate to the man who plays the part of Jesus at the TBN Holy Land Experience park in FL and more,  the parody was more on Maher’s forced struggle to find the strangeness in Christian culture.  He found it in the caricatures that definitely do exist… some of which I mirror Maher’s contempt for.  They did interview one man I respect a great deal, Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis, but they spliced his segment down to Ken asking Bill if he was God.  There was more time allowed for straw men in this film than in The Wizard of Oz. 

     In the end, the only honesty that really comes out of Maher is his ability to say that he doesn’t know if God exists or not.  The problem lies in that the answer is predetermined, and the mental roadblocks won’t allow people like this to hear or understand the truth.  There is a positive side to dealing with people that portray themselves as intellectual, all the while burying their logic in vain philosophy and Discovery Channel inoculation.  Deep down they want to be proven wrong.  That is my experience talking with these sorts of people in the frigid snow for 2 hours or in their homes until 2:00 in the morning.  Another common thread that is also the case with Bill Maher is that many have attached their negative experience with religious people to their animosity with God.  We need to be keenly aware that the stereotype of Christianity is there because there are a lot of people out there representing His name that have no business in doing so.  Always remember that if you run into an intellectual and they try to debate you to not have any fear.  There is simplicity in the message of the Gospel, and the philosophical rhetoric being put forward usually boils down to good old fashioned semantics. 

     To close, they do bring up a popular topic in the film of pagan groups (e.g. Mithraism) that have their own version of a virgin birth, 12 apostles, someone dying for our sins, and other Christian concepts.  The problem; while they are portrayed as being taught prior to Christianity, there is no foundation of historical evidence that would support their claims of belief.  We have the Scriptures.  You would do well, however, to study up on this topic as you will likely come across it at some point.  Here are a few links to get you started –

http://www.carm.org/christianity/bible/doesnt-religion-mithra-prove-christianity-false

http://www.tektonics.org/copycat/mithra.html

http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Mithra-Christianity-Zoroastrianism.html

http://www.comereason.org/cmp_rlgn/cmp070.asp

http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/_PDFArchives/theological-dictionary/TD1W0902.pdf
 

Psalm 36: 1-7 (NIV)

"An oracle is within my heart
       concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
       There is no fear of God
       before his eyes. 

 For in his own eyes he flatters himself
       too much to detect or hate his sin.

The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
       he has ceased to be wise and to do good.

Even on his bed he plots evil;
       he commits himself to a sinful course
       and does not reject what is wrong. 

 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
       your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
       your justice like the great deep.
       O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

How priceless is your unfailing love!
       Both high and low among men
       find refuge in the shadow of your wings."
 

Big Outreach

THIS WEEK!

SATURDAY 10/19

     We’ve been out for the Eastown Street Fair each year in September for several years.  It is always full of great conversations, but we are turning things up a notch this year.  Usually we just wander around talking with whoever will take the time.  Last year we went around with a video camera asking questions.  This year, we’re running with a concept started by Adam Barr of Borderlands with his whatisyourwhy.org website (currently being reworked).  We are planning to have our own booth at this event in which we will have a makeshift “confessional” set up where people can go inside and share the big questions they have about God and life on camera.  This is a big undertaking for us since we will need to be out there from about 9:00am until around 9:00pm.  This will no doubt be a great springboard into the Gospel, and should be a relatively easy one.  If you can make any time to be with us even for a short period of time, we would appreciate the extra help and you will be encouraged.  Please email me with any questions – tom@truthtank.com.

The New (or not so new) Crew

     We are grateful to announce some new official members of the Truth Tank team – Ben and Star Wiersma.  They really aren’t so new, since Ben has been coming out with us almost every week since the beginning of the year.  They are quiet and reserved, yet willing to step forward and share the Gospel nonetheless.  It has been especially exciting to watch Ben plow through his fears enough to even try open air preaching a few times in G.R.  Their example should encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, or more commonly the “not my gift to share the Gospel” excuse.  They both went through the Ambassador’s Academy in California this past April as well (www.ambassadorsalliance.com) and added more confidence. 

     Please pray for this local ministry as we continue to grow.  We are asking the Lord to use us, guide us and keep our eyes fixed on Him continually.  In case you would like to see the team member requirements they can be viewed here, and please feel free to come out for any event to just check out what God is doing. 

Street Report

by Jason Porter

     What an honor it is to serve my Redeemer, Jesus Christ. For the better part of the past ten months I have been out almost weekly with the Truth Tank team. So much has happened for the Lord that would not have if I had stayed home. Things that will count for eternity. I will attempt to briefly share some main thoughts and lessons.

     First of all, I am the most unqualified person in Ottawa County to be on the street; my fear of public speaking was equal to facing death. But guess what? Christ’s command to spread the Gospel still stands. How can I confess Christ, but then present excuses of why I am not doing His will? What excuse did Jesus have at Gethsemane? Do I really believe then if I am not willing to carry out my orders? How then can I confront the lost on the street with the prospect of Judgment Day? “Oh Lord, search me, and have mercy on me, a sinner.” Examine myself first!

     It is easy to say we believe while sitting in church, back at camp. It is a much different thing to take that belief, faith, and obedience in Christ to the world and suffer persecution for it. If you step out in faith, you will grow so much, and examine yourself more closely, beg God for provision, study harder, confront sin in your life, pray for greater faith, and trust in Jesus Christ more. That has been my experience over the last few months.

     Before I ever attempted to take the Gospel to the streets, my mental imagery was of holding mean signs and having people curse and throw things at you. Experience has proved to be the opposite. Yes, there is absolutely some negative feedback. Death, eternity, and judgment day is a hard message. But I have been utterly amazed how many people appreciate the work of the Gospel. I have gotten hugs, handshakes, tears, and prayer requests. Genuine thanks from some. To God be the glory! His Word does not come back void. A few weeks ago I strongly shared the Gospel with two guys; and they were really thinking and asking questions. The next week they came back to talk with me and even brought some friends!

     I am so glad I was out there to share with them. What if I had never been obedient?! I have dozens and dozens of similar episodes. For me the fear of man “What are people gonna think of me?” melts away when I think of that person on judgment day without Christ. Don’t think of yourself. Think of the other person. Think of Christ and what He had to overcome. Sound the alarm in desperate compassion! Pull them from the cliff, rescue from the flames, and snatch them from the jaws of death. Dig in, in front of the gates of Hell, train hard, judgment is coming for us too. Get in the fight, time is short. And just think, I almost didn’t even bother to talk with those two boys.

     Let me assure you as well, it is not all hugs and handshakes. A week ago I was confronted because of the Gospel of Christ, three on one. I was surrounded by a rabid agnostic mocking me, and two guys cursing God and me, and calling lightning down on themselves. I think those situations are good training for the days of persecution to come. Read, pray, train, step out in faith, get in the fight. Somebody out there needs you!

Zoerman Baby

     Everyone on the Truth Tank team is having babies!  The Zoerman’s added Brooke Andrea to their family on August 21st.  A baby girl amongst 3 brothers is pretty fun.  Dr. Zoerman practically delivered this one since she came before the doctor could arrive!  We have more Truth Tank babies coming soon too - the Sullengers, Porters and Wiersma’s all have babies on the way.  So, join the team and get pregnant… 
  
 

Must Listen Audio

     Tim Keller is one of these guys today that really speaks to a broad range of people.  Newsweek has called him the C.S. Lewis of the 21st Century, as his ability to approach secular issues with integrity and palatability is definitely unique.  I have sent this youtube.com clip around to Christians and Atheists alike as a reference, and has finally made it here.  It is approximately an hour and a half long, but worth the time.  The first few minutes are intro, the next 40 or so are the lecture and the remaining is question and answer.  This is at UC Berkely and is titled, “Belief in an Age of Skepticism?"  from March 4, 2008 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9fmKSwuoDE

     Also, I just discovered free itunes tracks from Tim Keller, a series titled, “Preaching Christ in a Postmodern World.”  There are totally free if you have an iTunes account.  Link - http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/rts-public.1674108893
 
 

CONSUMERS OR CREATORS

     I have made mention of this curriculum from Borderlands in the past, and wanted to make another point to spotlight it again.  Our small group will be finishing up the series this week, and have enjoyed it a great deal.  We just started this group, and has been a great fit for a starter course.  It combines a short video segment, and then delves into Scripture and discussion.  The main question in the series is, “Will I be just one more consumer of what culture sells, or will I be part of creating a new kind of world?”  If you’re looking for a good study guide for small group format or just interested in personal study, this is a great resource.  Other friends, Kevin and Sherry Harney, who are 2 of the top study guide writers in the country, have put together the guide portion of this material.  It is an exploration of life, faith and culture, looking into becoming those that would influence culture rather than being shaped by the culture marketed to us.  You can purchase the guide with DVD for $15 with additional guides for $5 (better priced than most in the stores, and better material).  View more details on the web at www.borderlandsweb.com/blog/consumers-or-creators/.  To order, email Adam at atbarr@borderlandsweb.com or call him at (616) 826-3468.  You may also contact me for more info (tom@truthtank.com). 
 

Questions & Objections

"Why are there so many

different religions?"
 

     It has been well said that "religion" is man’s way of trying to deal with his guilt. Different religions have different ways of attempting to rid their adherents of sin and its consequences. They fast, pray, deny themselves legitimate pleasures, or chasten themselves, often to a point of inflicting pain. They do this because they have a concept of what they think God (or "the gods") is like, so they seek to establish their own righteousness, being "ignorant of God’s righteousness." The Good News of the Christian faith is that no one need suffer the pains of religious works. Christ’s blood can cleanse our conscience from the "dead works" of religion (Hebrews 9:14). Jesus took our punishment upon Himself, and He is the only One who can save us from sin and death.

Excerpted from The Evidence Bible

In their own words

Bill Maher

“We are a nation that is unenlightened because of religion. I do believe that. I think religion stops people from thinking. I think it justified crazies.”