The BIBLE,  GOD &
 Christian Values
by Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

Have you ever wondered what righteous or wicked men and women, now deceased, would have to tell us - if it were possible - of what they are NOW experiencing in either Heaven or Hell?

What would they say? Would they bring us a strong admonition, with dire warnings? Would they share words of encouragement and blessing? Would they speak of peace, gladness, sorrow or regrets? Or might they hurl verbal accusations against theologians and pastors who had lied to them about ETERNITY and the wages of sin, which is death? (Rom. 6:23)

SATAN & HIS EMISSARIES:
TRANSLATED INTO ANGELS OF LIGHT!

I'm not referring to the hocus pocus antics of spiritualist mediums who "mutter and peep" (Is. 8:19) during their dubious séances, supposedly communicating with the dead- in violation of God's Word- and often conjure up masquerading demons who dispense only half-truths, lies and deception!

Nor am I referring to the cacophony of weird, occult spirit guides, channelers, yoga flyers, pyramid power and crystal balers, soul travelers and clairvoyants who make up the New Age Movement!

St. Paul warned that Satan has the ability to transform himself - as do his ministers - into “an angel of light” (2 Cor.11:14,15), seeking to deceive the spiritually ignorant and gullible into trusting his lies rather than believing in Jesus Christ the true "light of the world"! (John 8:12)

I am referring to the words of Jesus Christ Who said, 'I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) "Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". (Matt.11:28)

Jesus told the story of two men who died and what their final outcome was. He allowed us to look beyond the veil to see what happens at the time of expiration and 'after death'!

Lazarus was terminally ill, unable to work and had to resort to begging, in order to stay alive. The other man whom Jesus did not name, was very rich with no thought for God or anyone else. He had no compassion for the poor, as was evidenced by his treatment of the beggar who was carried daily to his gate and subsisted only on the crumbs which fell from his table!

THE HOLY BIBLE, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD IS THE ONLY BOOK YOU CAN RELY ON!

Taking his last breath 'didn't end it' for Lazarus. Jesus stated that "he was carried by the angels into paradise - Abraham's bosom" - where he was comforted. When the "rich man" died, he was undoubtedly afforded a splendid funeral, but that wasn't the end for him either! Here is 'THE REST OF THE STORY', as Paul Harvey would put it!

"And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame."

Abraham refused his plea, stating: "Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed" with no traffic allowed between the Two Places! Then the 'doomed man' became missionary-minded and pleaded that Lazarus be sent to urge his five brothers to repent of their sins, "lest they come into this place of torment"! Again Abraham had to refuse his request saying, "They have Moses and the prophets; Let them hear them".

The rich man remonstrated, saying: "Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead they will repent." Abraham got the last word, however: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, thou one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:19-31)

What will it take, to cause people to repent? To forsake their sins and be converted? To turn from their wicked ways and give their lives to God through Jesus Christ our Lord? Some are fortunate enough to get a 'FINAL WAKE-UP CALL', in the form of a national disaster, a personal bankruptcy, the loss of a loved one, a marriage break-up, a terminal illness or even a jail term!  And yet others, will still continue rejecting the Lord, until it is too late. And they will be lost forever! How sad!

PERSONAL TESTIMONIES  OF INFLUENTIAL MEN!

Some time ago while preaching in Norway, I was given a copy of the powerful testimonies of a number of very influential men, who had expressed their personal beliefs in no uncertain terms. Here are several of them.

SWEDISH AUTHOR AUGUST STRINDBERG:

Shortly before his death, well-known Swedish author, August Strinberg, made this statement. "Clearly said: I ascribe all my misfortune to this one fact, that I have been godless! An individual that has broken contact with God, cannot receive any blessings. All this talk about 'being your own man and making your own happiness' is chaff!  "If the Lord does not build the house, they labour in vain who build it. That is the whole truth!

"That misfortune can also strike a person of faith, we know. But the outcome is not the same. These accidents seem only like trials that pass over and leave peace in their wake!

"A curse rests upon everything that an ungodly person puts his hand to. If money comes his way, it will disappear like it came. Nothing remains, nothing prospers in the life of the ungodly!"

SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL:

When Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain visited Norway shortly after World War 11, he spoke at Oslo's University. Here are some of his remarkable words.

"In order to make excuses for myself, I could mention the school teachers of my youth who rejected Christianity. But I will lay the blame upon myself. Then, maybe I'll find ONE who will carry that for me. "Nothing can come against the future of a people who has the Christian ethic as their leading light. Christianity is the most secure foundation for a people!"

PRESIDENT DWIGHT EISENHOWER:

In a radio and television speech, US President Eisenhower said: "The Christian Faith is the surest strength and the greatest preserve that America has. On the battlefields we learned that there are no atheists in the foxholes!

"In the highest sense, the Bible is to us the unique repository of eternal spiritual truths. In the most tangible sense, it is the ultimate and indispensable source of inspiration for America's life in freedom."

PRESIDENT GEORGES CLEMENCAU:

The French President, Georges Clemencau was an atheist and God rejecter. Shortly before his death in 1929, he wrote this letter to his friend, Gustav Herve (1871-1944), French politician & publicist:

"Dear friend! I will soon leave this world. You know that during my entire life-time I have run roughshod over Christianity, and similarly, so has my republican government done!

"I am now convinced, however, that it is impossible to build an ordered society upon unbelief. If I had understood this earlier, I would have without fear of being ridiculed stood in the breach for it, like you are doing. "I hereby give you full authority to officially make known my testament, as an educational lesson for the next generation."

PRINCE OSKAR BERNADOTTE:

At the conclusion of a speech, Prince Bernadotte (1859-1958) of Sweden, stated: "To all here present I wish to testify, that the greatest thing in my life is to be a witness for Jesus. A person could easily believe that someone in my position should always be happy, but that is not the case. "Being in possession of the very choicest of what this world has to offer, wouldn't give an individual peace. The heart of man longs for something better!

"Immediately, after receiving the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart, that restless longing for something more was gone. My desire and goal in life is to be a witness about His love in word and deed. "And I wish to say to all who listen to these words, that it is a joy to serve Him, a great - great joy."

HERE ARE SOME MORE POWERFUL WITNESSES FOR JESUS AND HIS GOSPEL, WHICH PROVE THE ENNOBLING AFFECT CHRISTIANITY HAS HAD AND CONTINUES TO HAVE UPON INDIVIDUAL LIVES AND SOCIETY AT LARGE!

CROWN PRINCE HAAKON MAGNUS:

In an interview with NRK TV Oslo, on July 20, 1991, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon stated: “Jesus is my hero, my role model”.

The interview took place on Haakon’s 18th Birthday and his declaration about Jesus was in response to a question he was asked about whether he had any other role models outside his immediate family.

He said, “I believe that Christianity is a very fine model, whether people are religious or not. In many ways Christianity is the strength that carries us in Norway. Especially when times are tough and difficult, it is important that people know that there is a spinal-cord in our faith, nationally”.

When asked if this faith was important for him personally, Haakon answered: “Yes, since very young. I have a very strong relationship, especially with the New Testament. I remember my confirmation was a strong experience for me - not just the ceremony in the Palace Chapel, but also preparing for it”.

THE NORWEGIAN ROYAL FAMILY:

Norway’s Royal Family has always had a strong Christian influence on that nation! As the Nazis were invading Norway, during World War II, King Haakon was forced to flee with his family and the entire government to England.

Speaking to the Norwegian people on BBC radio from London on Christmas Eve 1940, the king stated: “Men have removed my name from the official prayers of the Norwegian Church. I include in my prayers, my Christmas wishes and thoughts for all the Norwegian people, that you will join with me and mine in a red-hot prayer for the future of Norway”.

KING OLAV V:

When this godly man was crowned in 1958, he said: “It seems only natural to me that the king should pray for forgiveness for his deeds”.

Several years before his death, King Olav spoke in ‘King Haakon’s Cathedral’ in Copenhagen. His closing remarks were: “I pray that this Church will continue to be a great blessing to the Danish people, even until the Coming of Jesus Christ”.  When the service was concluded, the Bishop asked King Olav if he believed in the ‘Second Coming of Jesus Christ’, to which the king answered emphatically, “JA VIST!” meaning “YES, OF COURSE”!

HIS MAJESTY KING HARALD:

During a 1995 interview, King Harald expressed himself thusly: “It is good to receive letters from people informing me that they are praying for me. There is power in the ‘folded hands’, and when that power is concentrated on the work of the king, clearly it feels good”.

CHARLES LAMB:

In a letter published after his death, Robert Browning, the famous poet, quoted the utterances of men of genius concerning the Christian faith. Here is one from the eminent Charles Lamb, British author and critic (1775-1834):

"In a gay fancy with some friends as to how they would feel if some of the greatest of the dead were to appear suddenly in flesh and blood once more, on the final suggestion, 'And if Christ entered this room?' he changed his manner at once and stuttered out as his manner was when moved, 'You see if Shakespeare entered we should all rise; if HE appeared, we must kneel."

VICTOR HUGO:

The distinguished French author Victor Hugo (1802-1885), wrote: “England has two great books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare and the Bible made England”.

PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN:

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to mankind. All of the good from the Saviour of this world is communicated through this Book; but for this Book, we could not know right from wrong. All of the things desirable to man are contained in it”.

ALEXIS DE TOCQUILLE:

In 1931, Alexis de Tocquille was given a commission by the government of France to examine the prisons and penitentiaries of America. While in that country, he gathered information for a penetrating study of American society and politics.

This led to the publication of his two volumes on ‘Democracy in America’ (1835, 1840) which won him a reputation in Europe and a seat on the ‘French Academy’. The Encyclopedia Britannica says: “...his writings proved him to be one of the shrewdest, if more pessimistic, political observers of his century”.

Tocquille wrote: “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbours and her ample rivers, and it was not there: in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America, and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power.”

 EMPEROR NAPOLEON BONAPARTE:

Fredrick W. Kates’ article in ‘The Churchman’ states: “It is hardly to such a man as Napoleon Bonaparte one would turn for spiritual enlightenment: but it is interesting indeed to note what he said about Jesus of Nazareth and the Christian religion:

“I see in Lycurgus, Numa and Mohammed only legislators who, having the first rank in the state, have sought the best solution of the social problem”, said Napoleon, “but I see nothing there which reveals divinity...nothing announces them divine. On the contrary, there are numerous resemblances between them & myself, foibles and errors which ally them to me and to humanity.

“IT IS NOT SO WITH CHRIST”, he continued in this conversation with General Bertrand, one of his companions during the twilight days of his meteoric career! “Everything in Him astonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and His will confounds me. Beside Him and whoever else in the world, there is no possible term of comparison. HE IS TRULY A BEING BY HIMSELF. His ideals and His sentiments, the truths which He announces, His manner of convincing, are not explained either by human organization or by the nature of things.

“His birth and the history of His life; the profundity of His doctrine, which grapples the mightiest difficulties, and which is, of those difficulties, the most admirable solution; His Gospel, His apparition, His empire, His march across the ages and the realms, is for me a prodigy, a mystery insoluble, which plunges me into a reverence which I cannot escape, a mystery which is there before my eyes, a mystery which I cannot deny or explain. Here I see nothing human. “The nearer I approach, the more carefully I examine, everything is above me, everything remains grand - and of a grandeur which overpowers."

“His religion is a revelation from an intelligence which certainly is not a man. There is a profound originality, which has created a series of maxims before unknown. Jesus borrowed nothing from our sciences. One can absolutely find nowhere, but in Him alone, the imitation or the example of His life.”

IN ANOTHER PLACE, NAPOLEON WROTE:

“I know men; and I tell you that Jesus is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires, and the gods of other religions, that resemblance does not exist. There is between Christianity and other religions, the distance of infinity...”

 PRESIDENT CHIANG KAI SHEK:

Here is the personal testimony of Taiwan’s President Chiang Kai Shek to his people, after fleeing the onslaught of China’s communist chief and mass murderer, Mao Zedong.  “How I wish that all the people would read the Bible, worship and believe in the One and Only True God! The Bible which is God’s living, inspired and true Word teaches us about the triune God: Father, Son & Holy Spirit".

“The Bible also declares that we can attain righteousness by our faith in His Son Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself through His death on the cross, and shed His blood as an offering for sin. God’s righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ exalts a nation. That has been proven historically.

“Christ is FREEDOM’S rock. His love covers a multitude of sins. Everyone who believes on Him shall receive eternal life!”

 JOHN NEWTON:

One of the world’s most beloved hymns was written by John Newton. Here is the first verse of that song:

“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see.”

The epitaph of John Newton’s tombstone, in his own words give a powerful testimony of GOD’S GRACE in his life: “I was an infidel, libertine and slave trader, but by the rich mercy of Jesus I was preserved, restored, pardoned and appointed to preach the faith I long laboured to destroy.”

CHRIST IS THE GREATEST PHILOSOPHER:
HE CHANGED MY LIFE ~ GOVERNOR GEORGE W. BUSH:

During the current Republican primary (Feb/2000), Texas Gov. George W. Bush made a very profound statement, more intellectually brilliant than many of the theologians, philosophers and politicians I have studied for the past forty years! When asked by reporters, "Who do you consider the greatest philosopher"? he answered, "Christ. He changed my heart!"

I have often used those very same words, stating unequivocally that the 'PHILOSOPHY OF JESUS' like: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart...and thy neighbour as thyself", is unparalleled among any group of secular philosophers or religious gurus you may name!

Ask yourself: "Could anyone improve upon His parable of the 'Good Samaritan' which He used to lecture the lawyer who asked, "Who is my neighbour?" The answer is, "CERTAINLY NOT!"

Let’s look at the statements and actions of some of the so-called great philosophers we have had to study over the years:

PLATO - (427-348 B.C.):

Plato, the Greek Philosopher - a student of Socrates, a Greek teacher of wisdom and ethics - in 375 B.C. stated:

“Our men & women should be forbidden by law to live together in separate households and all women should be common to all men. Similarly, all children should be held in common. No parent should know its child or child its parent.”

 Have you heard of anything so warped, wanton & twisted, coming from the pen of a so-called brilliant philosopher? Without doubt, Plato was a DEVIANT and PERVERT of the first degree!

After reading such a carnal, lustful and immoral statement about the sacred state of marriage, love and family, how could anyone trust his opinions about God, existence, the purpose of life, death or the ‘afterlife’!  The teaching of Socrates, who advocated that “virtue is wisdom”, was most certainly lost on his protégé Plato

JESUS HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT LIFE!

He said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me”. (John 14:6) He stated, “The thief (devil) cometh not but to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)  And He spoke about ETERNAL LIFE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. (John 3:16)

BERTRAND RUSSELL:

This supposedly brilliant philosopher lived to be almost 100 years of age and died as an unbeliever. And, that is sad!

He wrote the book, ‘Why I am Not a Christian’, even after having had the privilege of reading the greatest of all books, ‘THE HOLY BIBLE’, which is the Word of God.

Jesus Christ declared that “Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me”. (John 5:39), and St. Paul stated that “the scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation”. (2 Tim. 3:15)

We cannot compare Jesus Christ, the Son of God, with a SPIRITUAL ILLITERATE like Bertrand Russell, who at an advanced age - when he should have known better - allegedly dispensed advise about loosening our moral codes to give more license to “free sex”!

What an “idiot” to give such advice to a generation of young people - who were already ‘chomping at the bit’ to kick-over-the-traces sexually, causing broken hearts, broken homes, aborted babies and untold suffering for so many for years to come! They say, “There’s no fool like an old fool” and I say, “There is no fool like an old philosopher”!

JAMES RUSSEL LOWELL:

James Russell Lowell was a literary genius and one-time U.S. minister-ambassador to Great Britain. Here is his answer to a sarcastic critic:

"I challenge any skeptic to find a ten-square-mile spot on this planet where they can live their lives in peace and safety and decency, where womanhood is honoured, where infants and old are revered, where they can educate their children, where the Gospel of Jesus Christ has not gone first to prepare the way. If they find such a place, then I would encourage them to emigrate thither and there proclaim their unbelief."

I challenge any pointy-headed University professor, seminary theologian or media talking-head to come up with a better philosophy than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which changes hearts and lives for the better!

JESUS REGULARLY QUOTED THE LAW, PSALMS & THE PROPHETS!

Jeremiah stated, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (incurably sick): who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9; Eccl. 9:3)

And Jesus declared, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." (Mark 7:21,22)

Ezekiel stated: "Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions...A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

“And will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them." (Ezek. 18:31; 36:26,27)

THE BIBLE SAYS: "Therefore, if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation; behold, old things are passed away; all things become new." (2 Cor. 5:17)

Jesus Christ is not only the Savior of the world, the Great Physician and Healer of broken hearts, minds and families, but He is also the greatest Teacher and dispenser of Wisdom and Understanding this world will ever know!

AND YES, THE WORLD'S GREATEST PHILOSOPHER, AS WELL, BECAUSE HE CHANGES HEARTS AND LIVES TODAY! AND ISN'T THAT WHAT EVERYONE HOPES AND LONGS FOR?

By the Person of the blessed Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is reaching out even now to bring forgiveness, love, peace, joy & healing to each one of us at this very moment!