Union Grove Church of CHRIST
What Better Thing to do than to Study The Bible!
If you have a Bible question, we are ready to give a Bible, book, chapter and verse answer? Put your question on our 'Contact us', then 'Leave a Message' page; or contact us at ugchurchofchrist@gmail.com
Come learn GOD's word with us, as we study The Bible.
Sunday at 10:00 and 11:00 am and 2:00pm
Wednesday at 7:00 pm
What Better Thing to do than to Study The Bible!
If you have a Bible question, we are ready to give a Bible, book, chapter and verse answer? Put your question on our 'Contact us', then 'Leave a Message' page; or contact us at ugchurchofchrist@gmail.com
Come learn GOD's word with us, as we study The Bible.
Sunday at 10:00 and 11:00 am and 2:00pm
Wednesday at 7:00 pm
Only One GOD
Exodus 20:3 KJVS
[3] Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
What about world religions:
Christianity cannot be fully appreciated until it is contrasted with heathen systems.
Historian - Phillip Schaff
Subjective proof is their standing, objective proof is The One True GOD of Heavens Foundation.
-Hinduism (900 million)
Hinduism has no known founder, prophet, priest, king, or doctrine. It has been said that Hinduism is "more a culture than a creed."
Hinduism, the principal religion of East India, contains no consistent theological concept. It is a sort of pick-what-you-will philosophy. Generally, Hindus are polytheistic (worshipping many gods). It is said that the Hindu pantheon contains some three hundred thirty million "gods," which mainly are personifications of the forces of nature (cf. Romans 1:18-23). One may be a Hindu and revere a few gods, one god, or no god!
As a matter of fact, Hinduism is quite pantheistic. In India there is a sacred saying of three words: "Thou are That," which is to say, the individual soul (Atman) is to be identified with the
all-pervading "God" (Brahman). Hinduism sees the universe as "one" with God, who is totally impersonal. Such ideologies are not only God-dishonoring, they are utterly impotent to elevate humanity. Ultimately, like atheism, they make man his own god.
In contradistinction, Eastern thought does not see man as one who has departed from his Maker. Hinduism, for example, insists that the soul has always existed and will continue to exist until, through a process of numerous re-births (reincarnation), it is merged with the Soul of Souls. All of man's present circumstances—joy and sadness, wealth and prosperity, health and affliction, etc.—are Karma, i.e., the consequence of what he has done in some previous phase of his existence. Karma is thus viewed as neither good nor bad. It simply is. As one writer observes: "In the Eastern way of thinking there is ultimately no difference between good and evil; they are purely relative" (Chapman 1981, 150). So, man works his own way out of the human predicament. Such a notion is the very antithesis of Christian doctrine (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7).
-Buddhism (376 million)
In some branches of Buddhism, for instance, the very historical reality of Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha) is irrelevant. One can be a Buddhist in good standing and not even acknowledge Buddha's existence!
In glaring contrast, the gods of Eastern mysticism are no gods at all (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:5). Buddhism denies the existence of a personal God altogether (because of the seeming inequities of human suffering upon the earth). This religious system has been described as a non-theistic, ethical discipline; a man-centered, self-training program with no faith or formal worship (though many revere the images of Buddha and other "holy men" of that system). The so-called Buddha (not a name, but a title, meaning "The Enlightened One") himself is shrouded in mythological mist. The oldest Buddhist writings were not even composed until some four hundred years after his death.
The philosophy of the East can be summed up in one word: escape. It is a dismal desire for release from Karma. The Buddhist, for instance, longs for Nirvana, which may be described as something between annihilation and continued existence. Does that sound contradictory? Of course it does. But one must remember that even "contradiction" is "truth" in the oriental method of thinking.
The Buddha did not like to talk about existence after death. Perhaps his most elaborate comment on the subject was this:
There is, disciples, a condition, where there is neither earth nor water, neither air nor light, neither limitless space, nor limitless time, neither any kind of being, neither ideation nor non-ideation, neither this world nor that world. There is neither arising nor passing-away, nor dying, neither cause nor effect, neither change nor standing still (Sacred Books of the Buddhists 2:154).
One must kindly say that such a statement is utterly nonsensical.
-Confucianism (394 million)
Confucianism has no historical credentials to establish it as a divine system. The teaching of Confucius basically was neither religious nor philosophical, but merely social. The truth is, there was very little religious impulse at all in the attitude of Confucius regarding life.
Confucianism, taking its name from Kong-fu-tse ("the prince of wisdom"), who lived five centuries before Jesus, is another form of idolatry. Basically it is grounded in the notion of reverence for parents and superiors. It involves, therefore, the worship of ancestors. Parents are to be respected (Ephesians 6:1ff), but they are not gods. Confucianism's moral base is wholly materialistic, having no foundation grounded in the character of the true God.
These three:
On the other hand, to the Eastern mind "truth" need be neither logical nor consistent. To the Buddhist, for instance, the notion that "God is," or, that he "is not," is an equally valid belief. There is no ultimate "truth" by which this statement is to be measured. For the Eastern mystic, the propositions that "God is" and "God is not" are simply parts of the one universe as a whole. This sounds totally foolish—and it is; but to one who is conditioned to think in terms of non-logical processes, it is not a bothersome thing at all.
If it is the case though, that "truth" is merely subjective and relative, why would a Buddhist or Hindu ever work to convert others to those systems? Such makes no sense whatever. It is entirely inconsistent. But then "inconsistency," we are told, is a portion of all that is within the universe, and thus is truth itself! It hardly goes without saying that countries who have adopted this mode of thinking generally are some of the most disadvantaged in the world.
Anyone who is able to assess the evidence, and draw reasonable inferences, must conclude that the religious systems of the East are wholly impotent. They deny man's true status as a creature who needs to be reconciled to his God. And so, as a consequence, they see no need for a Savior; and even if they did, their systems provide none. They have no way of obtaining release from the real and universal emotion—the guilt of doing wrong. Would that they might open their eyes to the Savior whose gospel is for every creature (Mark 16:15-16).
-Islam (1.3 billion)
For example: The Qur'an does not have a profound literary style. It is characterized by numerous grammatical aberrations. Moreover, as McClintock and Srong observed:
"it is exceedingly incoherent and sententious, the book evidently being without any logical order of thought either as a whole or in its parts" (V.151).
Internal errors in the quran:
-"Will they not then ponder on the quran? If it had been from other than allah they would have found
therein much incongruity (don't match)."
-Inheritance laws, the proportions do not add up. Surah 4:11,12,177
-Remarriage of parties involved in infidelity; they could only marry a non-believer. Yet elsewhere believers are forbidden to marry unbelievers. Surah 24:1-10; surah 2:221
-A wolf speaks to Jacob and says, " i did not devour your son", that being Joseph.
Surah 12:13-17 references this jewish legend.
-a supposed divine message, and yet allah talks of muhammad forgetting the commands. Surah 2:106; 87:6,7; 6:68. Both allah and satan are equally blamed for muhammads forgetting.
The so-called prophecies are merely vague political speculations that do not even begin to rival biblical prophecy — either in precision or in chronological proximity to the events they supposedly depict (cf. 30:2-4).
Scientific accuracy can hardly be claimed when the Qur'an suggests that the human fetus results from "sperm" that changes into "a clot of congealed blood," which then becomes bones, later to be covered with flesh (23:14).
The Qur'an is morally flawed in numerous respects. For example, those who oppose Mohammed should be subjected to "execution [i.e., decapitation], or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hand and feet from opposite sides" (5:36).
Women are treated shamefully in the Moslem religion. If a woman is guilty of "ill-conduct," she may be admonished, deprived of sex, or beaten — in moderation (4:34).
-Atheism (1.1 billion)
Atheism is a religion. Its based on humanistic ideas. Man is the highest form of life and we are moving upward. Yet we see man depreciating in health and life qualities. Disease, immune deficiencies, intolerance to foods, diabetes, etc., etc.
We saw its errors in "Does GOD Exist"
-Natural laws proclaim GOD exist.
-Thermodynamics, biogenesis, and the following arguments: teleological, cosmological, and moral; proclaim GOD exist.
-Environmental evidence proclaims GOD exist
-the sun is shrinking
-earths magnetic field is weakening
-population statistics
-and many, many others
-earths environment is finely tuned to support life
-Only One GOD
Christianity (? 2.1 billion)
When GOD chose to show us the weakness and passing away of the Old Testament, HE showed us the superiority of JESUS, (Heb.1:5-2:8; 3; 4;). We do the same by showing the weakness of the world religions.
According to the Christian Scriptures, God is an eternal, living, Spirit Being (John 4:24), who is the Creator and Sustainer of his universe (Acts 17:24; Colossians 1:16-17). Yet, he is separate from the material creation—transcendent to it. In terms of character, he is a loving and merciful Deity, who has knowledge of, and a concern for, his creation (1 John 4:8; Ephesians 2:4). At the same time, he is a just Being (Psalm 89:14). He will deal severely with those who wantonly rebel against him (Romans 2:5; 11:22). On the other hand, God is interested in humanity's enlightenment and salvation, and has made ample provision for man, both providentally and redemptively (cf. Acts 17:30-31).
According to the Christian Scriptures, truth is objective, i.e., it originates outside of man. It comes from God as a source, and has its roots in the eternal nature of the Creator himself. The divine body of truth was progressively revealed across the centuries of history by inspired prophets who made known the will of God to man (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:10ff; Hebrews 1:1ff). Along the way, this sacred revelation was manifested in written form, culminating ultimately in the supernatural writings which constitute the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The central theme of the Scriptures is Jesus Christ, who was foretold by the prophets, and who was manifested as a human being during the administration of Augustus Caesar (1 Timothy 3:16; Luke 2:1). Christ is the living embodiment of truth, and the "good news" (gospel) regarding his mission is the "word of truth" (2 Corinthians 6:7). According to the New Testament, there is no access to God other than through Christ (Luke 10:16; John 14:6).
All responsible human beings do that which is wrong (Romans 3:10,23; 1 John 1:8,10). According to the biblical record, this is because there is a divine law from God, and the breaking of that law is an act of spiritual criminality. Violation of the Creator's will is called "sin."
Sin is demonstrated in a variety of ways. It may be reflected in a determined refusal to hear the Lord's instruction (Jeremiah 11:10; Acts 7:57), or in a disbelief of the reasonable evidence he has provided (John 16:9). Sin may be an overt transgression of divine law (1 John 3:4), or merely a neglect of it (James 4:17). It may be committed presumptuously (Psalm 19:13), or through ignorance (Hebrews 9:7; cf. ASV fn). In the final analysis, though, all sin leads to spiritual death (James 1:15).
Man is totally without the ability to provide a remedy for his sin. He is, therefore, desperately in need of a Savior. The gospel message is that God sent his Son into the world to offer salvation to the ruined human family (Luke 19:10; John 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:15). That Son, Jesus Christ, committed no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15). He was, therefore, perfectly qualified to serve as a sacrifice for sin (cf. Romans 3:24-26). In the holy plan of God, he died to pay the price of redemption on behalf of all who submit to the conditions of his will (Hebrews 5:9; Acts 2:38).
For those who die in harmony with the will of God, the Holy Scriptures promise an eternal state of fellowship with Deity (John 14:3; Revelation 21:3). But man does not become God in the final order of things. The eternal abode is called "heaven." It is a place of great reward (Matthew 5:12), where spiritual treasures are laid up (Matthew 6:20). It is a state in which saints will exist in new, glorified bodies (though not physical ones; Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:42ff). There, the redeemed will serve the Creator—forever in a state of bliss. In a word, it will be the beginning of what human existence was meant to be.
Most previous quotes are from the following article:
Jackson, Wayne. "Christianity and World Religions." ChristianCourier.com. Access date: January 12, 2019. https://www.christiancourier.
Isaiah 44:8 KJV
[8] Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it ? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any .
Exodus 34:14 KJV
[14] For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord , whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Mark 12:32 KJV
[32] And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
1 Corinthians 8:4-6 KJV
[4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. [5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) [6] But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Malachi 2:10 KJV
[10] Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Isaiah 44:6 KJV
[6] Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Isaiah 45:5-9 KJV
[5] I am the Lord , and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: [6] That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord , and there is none else. [7] I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things . [8] Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it. [9] Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Nehemiah 9:6 KJV
[6] Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
Bible Class
Sunday - 10:00 AM
Morning Worship
Sunday - 10:55 AM
Evening Worship
Sunday - 2:00 PM
Bible Class
Wednesday - 7:00 PM
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