Since we first went online with lookinguntojesus.net, one of my hobbies has been to search the net for other sites that link to us. It's neat to see some of the places that we've been listed as a link, or been referenced in some fashion. We've been listed as a source for an essay on Islamic Terrorism. A young Mennonite fellow has commented that he keeps stumbling upon us as he surfs the web, and lists us at his site as being unapologetically Christian in nature. In recent months, our site has appeared on a variety of discussion boards. A link to the baptism debate on our site appears at a Baptist discussion board, followed very shortly thereafter by a warning for those who are not strong in the doctrine of salvation "by faith alone in Christ Jesus alone" to stay away from our site. But perhaps the most popular portion of our web site, at least so far as discussion board activity, has been the Answering The Atheist segment.

Among my favourite of these discussion board appearances is the following. A fellow listed 36 Bible contradictions, a main list of 32, followed by 4 "Bonus Questions". Two messages later, a list of references to specific pages in the Answering The Atheist section of our site (bonus questions included). Awesome!!

Anyhow, all that to bring us to a post which appears later on that same page. The one who posted the reply to these supposed contradictions was accused of taking "...stuff from some random site by some ‘evangelist' with little to no credentials." That credential-less evangelist would be your's truly.

We live in a day when credentials are gold. Respect and repute is given to those who, when they sign their name, have some additional letters, not given by a birth parent, but by an institution. This ‘need' for educational crowns has long been a part of the religious world, and sadly, is present in the Lord's church as well. Not too long ago, I was asked to preach a lesson at a neighbouring congregation of the Lord's people regarding the qualifications of a preacher. Among the issues which needed attention was the incline of some to demand a Bible degree/certificate for a man to be a preacher.

Of Peter and John, it was noted by the Jewish leaders, "...that they were uneducated and untrained men..." (Ac 4:13). Today, the reaction would be to scoff and brush off these evangelists as nothing. But notice, "...they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus." They certainly did not agree with their message, but there was a measure of surprise and sobriety in seeing these mere fishermen proclaim with power the word of God.

Years ago, I was confronted by a denominational preacher at a fair booth we were operating. He took exception to the material we had available, and was ready to report me to whatever conference, mission, board or what-have-you that I was associated with. "Where'd you go to school?", he chirped. Upon learning that I hadn't gone to a Bible college, he was ready to terminate our conversation. To him, I was just some renegade with "little to no credentials".

Any who know me well have no doubt heard me jest about those who come forth from the cemeteries, uh, I mean, seminaries. I jest, in part. A Bible college or a school with a Bible department (properly operated) can be a wonderful place to sit at the feet of learned men, and to benefit from their knowledge in the word and preaching experience. But in the same breath, let me say that they can be a detriment to the Lord's kingdom.

We speak from time to time of the autonomous nature whereby the Lord established the local congregation. We understand the wisdom in this, for if a congregation in one city should fall to falsehood, it does not infiltrate the entire brotherhood. However, do we not in some small fashion enfeeble this wonderful trait of the Lord's church through a dependence upon a school for our preachers? And yet so many congregations are interested in bringing in the preachers who have "credentials", who've been to a school.

What school did Peter go to? How about Timothy and Titus? Would the best course of action for us to pursue not be that which we see by example in the Scriptures? Peter, along with 11 other men walked with the Lord, learning from Him. Timothy and Titus walked with the apostle Paul, learning from him. What we are witness to in the Bible is a mentor-like system, where the experienced guides the inexperienced, where the learned guide the unlearned. Not in the halls of an institution, but in the classroom of life. I am aware of a number of congregations where such is the case, a younger man works with the older, being trained to go forth and afford our brethren with strong, sound preaching and teaching.

What a bold trend to uphold in a day when the religious world cries for BAs, certificates, diplomas and degrees. What a peculiar thing it would be for us to be satisfied with evangelists who have little to no credentials, that is, so far as the world is concerned.

Let me suggest as we close, that our Lord was one who had little to no credentials. He went to no formal school of training to become a preacher. He was the son of a carpenter. He lived a simple life, spoke simple messages, and called for simple obedience. The "learned" of His day scoffed and sneered at Him. Who was He, that the people should listen to Him?

Jesus had the credentials that mattered. He was forthright in His teaching, and not willing to water a message down. He was a diligent pupil of God, knowing the Scriptures. He was a capable speaker, not flowery, but authoritative, for He spoke from God. He spoke from God's word, not heartwarming anecdotes which tickle the ears and damn the soul. He called people to repentance, to righteousness, to reward.

Friend, may we seek the credentials that please the Lord above!

Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Can God do anything? Some verses says yes (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27), but other texts indicate that He cannot do anything (Judges 1:19; Mark 6:5; Hebrews 6:18). Is there a contradiction?