Apologetics

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Reasonable and Unreasonable Service: Comparing the Catholic Inquisition, Islamic Jihad, and the Seventh-day Adventist Health Message…

The modernity of our age has brought about not only progress technologically and economically speaking, but also on the field of philosophy. What many modernist thinkers believe to be the democratization and secularization of our social institutions, they also feel to be liberalization from what has been termed as ‘spiritual clutches’. But other than atheism, anti-theism, a more rebellious, feistier and hardliner position against religion and the concept of deity, has risen and with it new arguments also which has its foundations on the academic background and intellectual experiences and conjecture of its proponents against faith and spirituality. Most famous among them perhaps are those considered as the four horsemen of the new atheists—Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens. With published books to their credit, they have taken these scholastic attacks against religions and the concept of deity to a whole new level. A few worth mentioning are Sam Harris’ ‘End of Faith’ (2004) and ‘A Letter to a Christian Nation’ (2006), Richard Dawkins’ ‘The Blind Watchmaker’ (1987) and the ‘God Delusion’ (2006) and maybe the most poignant and provoking among the titles is Christopher Hitchen’s ‘God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything’ (2007). Although I am not promoting their books nor their philosophy, admittedly, these academic and scholarly literary works are quite alarming for their implications and impact not only on secular institutions but on the profession of Faith itself. With all these arguments leveled against religious institutions, even to the point of pointing slanderous accusations against God Himself, the believers are taken on the defensive. And this is something to be taken seriously not only academically speaking but for its practical spiritual implications, especially doctrinal issues.

At this point, we need to be reminded of the great value of Apologetics as an integral part of the Christian Doctrine in itself.

Apologetics (əpɒləˈʤɛtɪks) - reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.

Apostle Peter emphasized the need for a more logically sound defense of the Christian Faith and this famous verse in one of his letters; this could be the impetus behind modern Christian Apologetics. He wrote in 1 Peter 3: 15 (King James Version), “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” At this day and age, as previously mentioned, poignant and rigorous accusing finger has been pointed at religions in general, and Christianity in particular. Although Jihadist movements (Jihad means holy war) are obviously not part of the Christian realm, nevertheless, its smudges will leave its mark on religions in general. Be it expressed at the same time that, apologetic endeavors on the Christian Part is in no way a defense or justification of every other atrocities and crimes made in the name of religion. However, this is one of the purposes of the article—to provide sound apologetic argument for the existence of organized religion and not just defend the plausibility of God’s existence.

Christ’s own Prophecy: “…Did we not do many mighty works in your name?” (Matthew 7: 22)

What the atheists are trying to argue is that religious faith has ‘proven’ itself detrimental to human well-being, both to those within the fold and those from without. Unfortunately enough, they have much to quote from, including citations of historical references of the Inquisition, crusades, holy wars, mass suicides—all invoked as support and evidence of the truthfulness of such asserted claim.

What they might be unaware of is that the use of violence and threat of force as part of religious experience and profession of faith, conversion and persuasion via ad baculum, has already been prophesied by Jesus Christ himself as one of the future blunders among the laity and clergy. In John 16: 02, Jesus said, “They will put you out of the Synagogue; in fact, and a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.” (NIV)

The verse has a number of constructions and hermeneutic applications but the meaning is clear from its first spoken henceforth—the future of Christian life from then on will be intermittently riddled with severe persecution from within the church and from other religions.

Christ has given a fair warning to his followers then and future ones that there will come a time when men of great religious fervor will do horrendous atrocities in the name of, and for the sake of, their love for God and in the best hope and earnest assumption that one’s deeds are indeed service to him.

It should be noted that in all translations, the verse always states, “…[they] will think they are doing God service.” It never stated that ‘they know’ they are doing God service.

As Apostle Paul writes in Roman 10, “They have of zeal of God, BUT NOT according to knowledge.”

The inquisition is perhaps the best illustration that serves to conjure that horrific imagery of what was then deemed as ‘Holy Service’ to God as well show some of the material tools utilized for that purpose. But like Cain’s offering, such misdeeds are far different from God’s will as expressed from his specific instructions. Notwithstanding such deliberate or unintentional ignorance, the zealous assailants might one day face God and ask, “Did we not do mighty works in your name?” (Matthew 7: 22).

Reasonable Service according to God’s Terms…

While some spiritual leaders are in the dark, spiritually and doctrinally speaking, in their definition of what service to God is, the bible has laid down one basic principle for our guidance.

In the very first verse of Romans 12: Apostle Paul writes, “I therefore beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE.” (Author’s emphasis)

What a sharp contrast it is. While the church of Middle Ages assumed violent and torturous expression of intolerance as divine service, Apostle Paul remarks that it is preserving the sanctity of our physiology which is the true reasonable service. In other words, it is by keeping our bodies, as the temple of the Holy Spirit, in the best healthy condition as much given to us, that we can best serve God and in accordance to his terms.

Apologetic and Evangelical Value of the Seventh-day Adventist Health Message: That they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven (Matthew 5: 16)…

The Adventist Health Message, especially the preservation of the Levitican Dietary Laws, has often attracted criticism from many other denominations. Albeit all these denominational attacks, the SDA health message is actually one Christian tenet that can defend theism and religion, and for the following points:

1. Proof of God’s True Character, HIS GOODNESS AND LOVE
The preaching and practice of the SDA health message has such tremendous benefit that it has garnered the attention of two giant institutions in the United States—CNN and National Geographic.

In the year 2005 National Geographic, made a documentary on the scientific foundations of longevity, entitled “Secrets to Living Longer”. The documentary featured the so-called blue zone areas including where large concentrations of Health-principles practicing SDA’s are. In his ten-year study, Mr. Dan Buettner of National Geographic has concluded that the practice of SDA’s health message, on which are founded upon the Holy Scriptures, leads not only to longer life, but better quality of life as well. The Scriptural admonition for taking good care of our bodies adds years to our life, it also adds life to our years.

In 2006, CNN featured SDA through the report of Gary Tuchman, interviewing a few elderly Adventists who lives pass the normal prime age of others.

What CNN and National Geographic have shared to the world is but a reflection, a manifestation of God’s infinite goodness in the fulfillment of his promise in John 10: 10, “I have come that they might have life and HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY.” And abundant life really did was given to those who abide by God’s health standards.

The narrative in Daniel chapter 1 best illustrates this. Speaking in research and experimentation terminologies, when after ten testing days of comparing the sample population of those who did eat the portion of the King’s meat (control) and Daniel and his three friends whose diet is that of the scriptural recommendation (treated), it was found “…and at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” (Daniel 1: 15)

Unbeknown to some, submitting to God’s health standards and reaping the benefits thereof can be a form of witnessing, ‘evangelization by being healthy’, and it is apologetic as well. By reaping the benefits of Abiding with God’s commands, we reflect His goodness to other people, His loving character, to those who are yet to know Him, and speak ill of religion and faith. By following His health guidelines, we tell the world, THIS IS GOD’S TRUE WILL AND DESIRE FOR US SINCE THE BEGINNING, the prayer of the Apostles—THAT OUR BOTH BODY AND SOUL, THE ESSENTIALS OF OUR WELL-BEING IN ITS ENTIRETY, INCULDING OUR GODLY HAPINESS, IS OF OPTIMUM QUALITY (3 John 1: 2). Though He allows it, it is never part of God’s original will that we suffer physically and spiritually.

Even the revered Joel Osteen has come to the same conclusion that keeping a healthy diet is part of Christian lifestyle and service to God. He said in National Television, “(Speaking of his previous penchant for pork meat)…but for our health’s sake, we have to make some changes. God knows what’s best for us.”

2. Proof of God’s True Character, HIS RESPECT OF MAN’S FREE WILL

Deliberate violation of God’s commands on Health has dire consequences. And perhaps the basic reason why God does not violate the Laws of Chemistry and Physics, and work miraculous healing on those who did violate the health principles, is because he respects our choice so much that He withheld his healing power from helping us though those times. In biblical times, there are numerous moments when God did intervene in the Physical Laws of Science and healed, like that of Naaman, commander of the King of Syria in 2 Kings 5. However, in these modern times, should we expect that same token of favor, most especially when there is deliberate abuse and desecration of His Temple? When we complain of the mundane and tastelessness of our vegetarian diet and murmur “Oh we remember the fish and meat that we eat back when we were still in Egypt (Spiritual Egypt in this case, Numbers 11: 5, 1 Corinthians 10: 6)”, can we really plead to God to heal our infirmaries after we suffer the pains of disobedience?

Conclusion

All these theological, doctrinal and religious debacles, between one Christian denomination and another, between the Christian Religion against other religions, between Christianity and Atheism, is like wildfire that has left a trail of undesirable marks in Human history and in current media accounts. But that same wildfire can easily be quenched by the Health message of the bible. All these debates, arguments and intellectual and philosophical and hermeneutic battles, between claims of which faith knows and reveals God best of all, can easily be resolved by the health message, because the health message can and will, as it has done so in Daniel’s time, reflect to the rest of the world, that ‘other face of the coin’, God’s goodness and perfect will for his people.

Admittedly true though, that the health message and its benefits might tempt the believer to self-exaltation, to a self-sufficient mood and euphoric feeling that ‘we were right all along’. But it must be reminded to a highest urgency, that the health message was right, because God’s word is right.

We take care of our health and hold fast to the health message, to manifest in the flesh, the plans that God has in store for us; plans to prosper us and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29: 11). We present our bodies in the highest quality as possible before the universe as proof of God’s true nature, this is our reasonable service. It is only right that we continue in this effort in edifying the Christian community, as we share to the rest of the world the beauty of our faith and its practice.

God bless all the evangelistic efforts of sharing the Health Message of the Christian Faith.

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