Problem: When the psalmist considers the ultimate judgment that will be brought against Babylon, he appears to rejoice that babies will be injured. How could a man of God rejoice over such a tragic and cruel event?
Problem: This psalm, like many others in the OT (e.g., Pss. 35; 69), pronounces curses on one’s enemies. Thus they are called imprecatory (cursing) psalms. David says, “Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow” (109:9). By contrast, Jesus said, “Love your enemies … and pray for those who … persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). How can the God of vengeance of the OT be the same as the God of love of the NT (1 John 4:16)? Continue reading →
Problem: This verse, and several others (cf. Ps. 78:69; Ecc. 1:4), speak of the earth being “established forever.” By contrast, the Bible also teaches that the heavens and the earth “will perish” (Ps. 102:26) or “pass away” (Luke 21:33), being “burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
Problem: The psalmist commands, “Worship Him, all you gods.” Yet the Bible elsewhere insists there is only one God (Deut. 6:4). Continue reading →
Problem: Over and over the Bible speaks of the innocence and guiltlessness of little children (cf. Deut. 1:39) who do not “know to refuse evil and choose the good” (Isa. 7:15), and who are part of the kingdom of God (Matt. 18:3–4; cf. Rom. 9:11). Yet, in this verse David insists that “the wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.” But, if a baby is morally guiltless, then how can he or she speak lies?
Problem: The psalmist said, “they are in great fear where no fear was.” But how could they be in fear if there was no fear there?
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Problem: David said he was “brought forth in iniquity,” but Solomon taught that “God made man upright” (Ecc. 7:29). Which is true?
Problem: Since this verse speaks of one coming with the “sword” to subdue his enemies, Muslims sometimes cite it as a prediction of their prophet Mohammed, who was known as “the prophet of the sword.” They insist it could not refer to Jesus, since He never came with a sword (Matt. 26:52).
Problem: According to Psalm 121:4, God shall “neither slumber nor sleep.” Yet, in this verse the psalmist calls on God, “Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord?”
Problem: David declares here, “I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.” But this is obviously not always true. Many of the starving thousands in the world today are Christians. Even the Bible spoke of “a certain beggar named Lazarus” who was in heaven (Luke 16:20). David’s statement seems to be clearly false.
Problem: The psalmist affirms that “evildoers shall be cut off.” Elsewhere (Ps. 73:27; Prov. 21:28), it says they will perish (see comments on 2 Thes. 1:9). But, does being cut off forever mean they will be annihilated?
The characteristics of the world’s largest cult.
By Dr. Stan Fleming
“Oh what a tangled web we weave when at first we practice to deceive.” This old adage would be a perfect epitaph inscribed on the tombstone of Joseph Smith. What started out as a profiteering scheme, by a young man known for his occult activities and tall tales, has now become a multi-billion dollar religious organization known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) whose main headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Today, it influences millions of people and is trying desperately to present itself as part of mainline Christianity. But what is it really?
Problem: The subtitle of Psalm 34 states, “A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.” However, David’s act of madness, recorded in 1 Samuel 21:13, took place before Achish, not Abimelech. Is this an error?