As one learns to accept the wisdom that comes from above, the result will be a change of character. As we consider some of the character traits that one will gain from a pursuit of wisdom, let us first begin by contrasting them with the negative character traits of one who rejects divine wisdom. Below is a list the wise man gives of seven abominations.
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Islam is sometimes referred to as the “religion of peace,” even though violent attacks are regularly carried out by Muslims in the name of Islam. The reality is that the history of Islam is a history of violence in order to advance the religion. What we see happening across the globe in our generation is nothing new. A century ago in his book Plain Sermons, Daniel Sommer contrasted the religion of Christ and the religion of Mohammed (Mohamet). Even then, the violence inherent in Islam was evident.
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After just a few weeks of Paul preaching in Thessalonica, the gospel had been received by some of the Jews and “a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women” (Acts 17:1-4). In an effort to try to silence this message, the Jews intended to capture Paul and Silas. When they could not find them, they took Jason and some of the brethren and brought them before the authorities in order to accuse them.
“When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, ‘These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus’” (Acts 17:6-7).
Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 56, 120, 140-142.
“Too long has my soul had its dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:6-7).
The Scriptures say there is “a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8). Neither one can be wholly eliminated, either in the context of affairs between nations or in our spiritual lives. There are times when wars must be waged and other times when peace must be pursued.
However, David found himself among those who hated peace. They knew war. They practiced war. War was all they were interested in. Peace was not to be preferred in any circumstance. When David spoke of peace, their response was one of war.
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The adherents of Islam and their sympathizers spend a lot of effort trying to paint Islam as a “religion of peace.” The well-documented history of terrorist attacks carried out in the name of Allah make it difficult to defend this position. An examination of the Quran does not help either, as it calls for Muslims to “fight and slay the infidel wherever you find them” (Quran 9:5).
The latest black mark against this “religion of peace” comes in the response to Terry Jones burning a copy of the Quran. This man is a relative nobody in a tiny church in Florida. His actions in burning a copy of the Quran are so insignificant that it is an embarrassment that the media actually reported on it. Yet they did and word has spread far and wide about this event. Since then, Muslims on the other side of the globe in Afghanistan have responded by rioting and murdering dozens of people who are connected to Terry Jones only in that they are non-Muslims (infidels).
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Isaiah prophesied of a kingdom that was to come “in the last days” – the age that was ushered in following the coming of Christ into the world (cf. Hebrews 1:2). There are several keywords in this prophecy that we must understand if we are to appreciate what the passage teaches.
“Now it will come about that in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all nations will stream to it.
“And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’ For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
“And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war” (Isaiah 2:2-4).
Let us briefly consider each of these key terms:
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The Bible describes Jesus as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This is certainly true, but we must understand that His peace is not the same peace that men often desire and pursue today. The peace Jesus came to bring was reconciliation between man and God (Ephesians 2:13-18). He dealt with the issue that was the cause of the enmity – sin (Isaiah 59:1-2). The peace of Christ is not the tolerant, non-judgmental attitude that has overtaken the religious world.
In His mission to bring about peace between man and God, Jesus was rejected by the people and crucified (Isaiah 53:3; Acts 2:22-23). Therefore, it is only natural to think that His followers would be despised by the world. In fact, Jesus warned His disciples of this:
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Peter issued this challenge to all Christians: “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15). However, many Christians feel unprepared to do this; therefore, many conversations that could potentially lead people to the truth never get started.
This book will help equip all Christians to start engaging in spiritual conversations with those around them by providing simple answers to some basic Bible questions. Being ready to give an answer does not mean having an answer to every possible question at the drop of a hat. Instead, it means being able to give a ready answer to questions that are fundamental to our faith that can open the door to further discussions and studies with those who are interested. By studying the material in this book and becoming familiar with the Scriptures cited in each answer, Christians will be better prepared and have more confidence when they discuss their faith with others.
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