What Happens When a Civilization Ignores God? (The Bible Already Told Us)

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Hi All, I think most people take civilization for granted. We have all been reared since infancy in a world where we can enjoy the fruits of centuries of progress. For example, many Eastern, African, and Aboriginal peoples must still walk long distances with large pots to capture water for the day’s chores while we have been living off the Romans’ development of infrastructure so the water comes to you for a couple of millennia. But it isn’t simply practical convenience that makes a civilization. As I discussed in my most recent podcast linked below, civilization can be described as the richness of life. That feeling you have knowing you are part of something that seeks out the best in ourselves and marks it for the world to see. Or, to quote T.S. Eliot from his book Christianity and Culture, “Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living. And it is what justifies other peoples and other generations in saying, when they contemplate the remains and the influence of an extinct civilization, that it was worth while for that civilisation to have existed.” Yet, are we passing down those values and concepts of beauty that have been cultivated by our forefathers? Today’s society values new and edgy rather than long-standing tradition and the tried-and-tested. We like the excitement of the unfamiliar and become shocked when they birth disaster. Just look at the transgender calamity of the last ten years. Will anyone think a thousand years from now that cutting off functional organs in our children was something that made it worthwhile for our civilization to have existed? A central point Eliot makes in his essay on the “Three Senses of Culture” is that the development of culture can never be separated from a society’s religion. Religion refines culture as it informs us as to what is the good to which we should aspire, what is the truth about the world and how it works, and what should classify as beautiful.  In other words, how we can aim to grow into better versions of ourselves. It is our faith that shapes and molds the values to empower our civilization to greater heights and the legacy of Western civilization shows this. The crisis in failing to pass along the truth of Christianity means we are truly in danger of warping our cultural understanding of the good, the true, and the beautiful. And that means the Christian west is in danger of becoming as extinct as the Aztecs or the Babylonians—an interesting museum piece, but not much more. MINISTRY UPDATE – Dare to Defend Coming to Kalamazoo! I’m very excited to announce that our next Dare to Defend Conference has been set for September 25 and 26 in Kalamazoo, Michigan!  The theme of the conference is Dare to Defend: The Facts of Faith in a World of “My Truth” and will feature speakers such as Dr. Tim McGrew, Dr. Doug Groothuis, Dr. Bradley S. Belcher and Rob Bowman and myself. We are putting together the website now and tickets should go on sale beginning April 1.  Here’s a short description of what you’ll be experiencing: In a culture that says truth is personal and faith is private, can Christianity really stand up to scrutiny? Dare to Defend: The Facts of Faith in a World of “My Truth” is a powerful weekend designed to equip everyday believers and students with clear, compelling reasons for confidence in the Christian faith. Explore the historical evidence for the Resurrection, the reliability of Scripture, and how to answer the toughest cultural challenges posed to believers today. Learn why Christianity is not built on wishful thinking or emotional preference—but on clear evidence that can be examined and defended. If you’ve ever wondered whether your faith can withstand tough questions, join us this September. I’m busy with several different writing projects as well.  I’ve finished a rough draft of a book telling the true story of an Iranian woman’s journey from Islam to Christ, and showing how she survived and overcame both depression and physical abuse by discovering Jesus and his healing.  I’m also a co-editor on an upcoming compilation tentatively entitled 8 Things The Church Must Answer Now: Christian Apologetics for Our Cultural Moment. I will be contributing two chapters, one on the threat to the traditional family and one on the pervasive abuse of language to score political points. Both these projects are extremely important, especially with the headlines we read today. Please keep these in prayer.  Writing is hard work! FINANCIAL UPDATE As you might imagine, all the projects described above require significant time and resources. God has faithfully sustained this ministry for thirty years, but continuing this work has often required stretching our resources. That’s why I’m preparing to launch our Defenders Campaign, seeking individuals who recognize how important this ministry is in helping Christians think clearly and engage our culture. A Defender is someone who commits to supporting this ministry monthly. There are several giving levels to choose from, and Defenders receive exclusive access to our Dare to Defend Library—a collection of videos, notes, and resources not available to the general public. You can become a Defender today at: https://www.comereason/defenders/ Or, if you prefer, you can make a secure onetime gift through our giving page: https://www.comereason.org/support/ Either way, your partnership is a tremendous blessing to this ministry. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR STORY One of the most encouraging things for us at Come Reason is hearing how God uses this ministry in people’s lives. Many readers have told us that our talks, articles, and videos have helped them better understand Christianity and engage others with confidence. If Come Reason has impacted you, would you consider sharing a short story with us? Even a few sentences can make a difference and may encourage others in their faith journey. Here are a few prompts if helpful: What questions or challenges were you facing before encountering Come Reason? How has that changed? Was there a particular talk, article, or video that made a difference to you? How has Come Reason helped strengthen your confidence in your faith or conversations about Christianity? Have you seen something you learned here influence others in your life? If you were describing Come Reason to someone new, what would you say about its impact on you? You can simply reply to this email and share your thoughts. With your permission, we may share a portion of your story in a future newsletter to encourage others. Thank you for being part of the Come Reason community and may you be blessed this month! Blessings, Lenny What Happens When a Civilization Ignores God? The Bible Already Told Us In this episode of the Come Let Us Reason Podcast, Lenny Esposito explores Deuteronomy 4 and Moses’ warning that cultures survive only if they listen to God’s Word, remember the lessons of the past, and pass those truths to the next generation.Drawing from thinkers like C.S. Lewis, Chesterton, and Roger Scruton, this episode examines how the erosion of Judeo-Christian foundations threatens modern society—and why the biblical warning is more relevant today than ever. Watch ➤ If You Burned Every Bible, You’d Still Be Stuck with Jesus — Here’s Why What if someone destroyed every Bible ever printed? Would the case for Jesus disappear with them? Cold-case homicide detective J. Warner Wallace  argues the answer is a definitive no. In this compelling episode, Wallace applies the same investigative technique he used to solve decades-old murders to one of history's most contested questions: who was Jesus of Nazareth, and does the evidence demand a verdict? Using what he calls the "fuse and fallout" method Wallace traces the historical shockwave of Jesus's life through science, art, music, education, and world religion. What he found surprised even him. Watch ➤ Positioned for Miracles: The Faithful Steps God Uses to Do the Extraordinary Do miracles still happen today? And if they do, why do some believers seem to experience God’s power while others never do? In this episode, we explore how ordinary, covenant-rooted faithfulness positioned Israel to experience extraordinary results — and what that means for believers today. If you’ve ever longed to see God move in your life, this episode will help you understand the practical steps Scripture models for being fully used by Him. Watch ➤ What Drives a Cult Leader like David Koresh? Thirty-three years ago on March 16, the U.S. Government surrounded the compound of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, sparking a stand-off that would last 51 days. It tragically ended in gunfire with 75 of the 84 people inside dead, including children. Just what motivates a cult leader like Koresh and why would people follow him to their deaths? Read More ➤ How Can I Know I'm Going to Heaven? Can just praying a prayer get you into heaven? In this article, Lenny answers a young person who is questioning her faith and wondering if God is real, how we can hear from Him, and how we can know where our eternal destiny lies. Read more ➤ Upcoming Speaking Events: Christianity, Superhero Movies, and the Problem of Evil March 16, 2026 Turining Point USA CBU Meeting 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ This Changes Everything: The One True God April 12, 2026 The Church Family Fellowship 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ Why Doesn’t God Make Himself More Obvious? April 19, 2026 The Church Family Fellowship 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ Michigan Dare to Defend Conference: The Facts of Faith in a World of “My Truth” September 25 -26, 2026 Oakwood Bible Church 855 South Drake Road Kalamazoo, MI 49009 Details ➤ SUPPORT COME REASON 1. T. S. Eliot. Christianity and Culture: The Idea of a Christian Society and Notes toward the Definition of Culture. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1949.  100.

© 2026 Come Reason Ministries PO Box 20527 Riverside, CA 92516-0527 || www.comereason.org

30 Years Online: What God Has Done From Dial-Up to Now

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January 2026 Hi All, Happy New Year! 2026 is upon us and looks to be quite a celebratory year. The Winter Olympics will be held in Italy, the FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles, and the year marks several notable anniversaries, such as 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Another noted anniversary is that 2026 marks thirty years since the launch of Come Reason! It was just after buying the family a new computer system for Christmas in 1995 that I decided to learn more about this new internet and build a website. Back in those days, I only had a dial-up connection with a modem, and our service provider was the local newspaper. Still, it gave us some server space, and I wanted to try to create an online “Bible-Answer Man”-type site that took the Bible seriously. However, to do so, one needs content. Back in those days, there used to exist small, local public message boards known as Bulletin Board Systems, or BBSes. You’d use a floppy disk with the software to dial into the server, where there were different groups chatting on different topics. It was the precursor to online forums. I logged into a Christian board and found a discussion between a Christian and an atheist where the atheist offered his objections to belief. I responded to each objection and sent him my replies. He wrote back, and we had another exchange. Those initial interactions are still part of the site, and you can read them here. Others then wrote in, and the site was off and running. I hadn’t planned on this becoming my full-time occupation—when I started, I didn’t even know the word apologetics—yet God has graciously blessed the endeavor, and now, thirty years later, I’m still engaging with people all around the world online and in many different formats! It is truly and only by God’s leading and grace that I’ve been able to do what I do, and through His blessing I can continue to do so! I’m currently studying the book of Deuteronomy. There, Moses recounts to the children of Israel all the Lord has done to protect them in their wilderness wanderings. But he mostly spends his time instructing them on how to successfully establish their new kingdom in the Promised Land. He tells them it is God’s land and they can have great success if they keep moving forward. That’s my attitude as well. Some of you reading this have been following the ministry since its inception. Others are new to the newsletter. I’m incredibly excited not only to celebrate thirty years of ministry but, more importantly, to see what the Lord is going to do this year. It’s the growth of His kingdom that interests me the most, and while marking the faithfulness of God through the trials and challenges of the past is important, continuing to be faithful to His call is even more important. I simply cannot wait to see what God does next and how His faithfulness will be shown. MINISTRY UPDATE One of the areas I truly enjoy is the in-person time I get to meet and interact with Christians at various speaking events as well as our Dare to Defend conferences. I’m discussing possibly three conferences this year at different venues and covet your prayers for these. It would be so exciting to bring top-tier Christian speakers to audiences across different parts of the country. Do you know of a church in your area that may be able to host one of these events? Get in touch! And if you want to experience what a D2D conference is like, you can buy access to stream any of the prior events. See https://www.comereason.org/daretodefend/ for a list of speakers and topics. HELP ME HELP YOU! Do you have a winter event coming up at your church, or would you like your group to hear more about how to better understand the times and share their faith? Now’s the time to reach out! I have several openings for winter months, and I’d love to come out and talk to your congregation or group, large or small! Get in touch (just reply to this email), and I can even supply you with ideas and some of the most popular talks I’ve given. I’d love to add you to our schedule! FINANCIAL UPDATE First, I want to thank all my supporters so much for standing with me these past decades. (Decades? shudder I’m old!) Without you, this ministry simply could not exist. I’m basically a missionary, seeking to evangelize those who are neighbors, family, co-workers—people with whom we associate daily and who are desperately held captive by the lies of the enemy and this world’s deceptions. But as I seek to reach them, I need other faithful friends who are willing to stand together with me in those efforts. It is an unfortunate truth that as the costs of ministry keep rising, the need for more support rises as well. Last year we had a slight budget shortfall. I want not only to meet our budget this year but also to be able to grow the ministry without worrying about how to pay for it. Your gift, no matter the size, can help this ministry move forward. Just visit https://www.comereason.org/support/ to make a New Year’s gift today. In an upcoming newsletter, I will let you know more about how we will mark this thirtieth anniversary of ministry. Until then, please feel free to write and let me know how I can pray for you! Blessings, Lenny The Gospel That Toppled Empires (and Confronts Culture Today) The book of Romans wasn’t written in a vacuum—it was delivered into the heart of a divided, hostile empire. Long before Rome persecuted Christians, Paul sent a letter that would redefine faith, grace, politics, and morality. In this episode, we explore Romans 1:1–7, the explosive power of the gospel, and why its message still confronts cultural chaos, identity politics, and moral confusion today. From Nero to now, Romans refuses to be tamed. Watch ➤ Is James Gunn’s Superman Still a Moral Hero? Superman has always stood for more than power. He’s represented restraint, sacrifice, and a vision of the good. But in a culture that no longer agrees on moral truth, even our heroes are being redefined. In this episode, we’ll compare James Gunn’s new iteration of Superman with earlier portrayals, uncover the philosophy shaping modern storytelling, and explore what all of this means for people of faith engaging culture today. Watch ➤ Why Everyone Loves Christmas (Even Atheists) — The Power They Can’t Escape While Christmas may have been co-opted and commercialized, since the roots of its modern incarnation, the core of the holiday and those celebratory aspects lie in the Gospel story. There’s simply no escaping the wonder of Emmauel: God with Us. As Christians we don’t have to shun the trappings of 21st century Christmas, but we must emphasize the transformative nature of the nativity and leverage it to transform ourselves, our communities, and our world. Watch ➤ Is There More Than One Genesis Account of Creation? In studying creation accounts, many skeptics will claim that The Bible holds two different creations accounts - the six days of Genesis 1 and a different version in Genesis 2. Are these accounts contradictory? Read More ➤ Yes, Jesus Existed! Even Romans Outside the Bible Wrote About Him Are the Bible writers unreliable when it comes to Jesus's lie and ministry? For the "Jesus is a Myth" types, they like to charge that Jesus never really did exist. They tell he was made up by those in the early church to gain adherents. Yet, even Jesus's enemies mention him in their writings. Read more ➤ Upcoming Speaking Events: The Responsibility of Service January 18, 2026 The Church Family Fellowship 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ So Close and Yet So Far February 22, 2026 The Church Family Fellowship 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ Seeing is Believing March 1, 2026 The Church Family Fellowship 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ SUPPORT COME REASON

© 2026 Come Reason Ministries PO Box 20527 Riverside, CA 92516-0527 || www.comereason.org

Gen Z are leading a faith renewal!

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December 2025 Hi [[data:firstname:"All"]], Merry Christmas! Have you ever noticed some people can be difficult to buy for? Choosing gifts has always been a mixed bag, but let me suggest one you may not have thought about for those young adults in your life. How about a new Bible? Don’t scoff! The Los Angeles Times recently reported that “Bible sales were up 11% this year over 2024, part of a continuing boom in Bible sales. That includes 2.4 million sold in September as part of a surge that coincided with the death of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk.”1 But it isn’t only the “Kirk effect.” Bible sales have been growing steadily since 2021. And it isn’t only Bibles that are seeing a resurgence. Barna reports young people are leading the way in a return to church attendance, too. “Millennials and Gen Z Christians are attending church more frequently than before and much more often than are older generations. The typical Gen Z churchgoer now attends 1.9 weekends per month, while Millennial churchgoers average 1.8 times—a steady upward shift since the lows seen during the pandemic” (emphasis mine).2 Further, the Religious News Service notes how Christian clubs on college campuses are booming, too.3 What’s going on? Many believe that Generation Z—teens and young adults born before 2012—are looking for true connection and meaning. COVID and Zoom schooling left them disillusioned with only virtual interactions, and they are seeking big ideas and real relationships with people. I’ve been seeing this in my own ministry as our different social channels are gaining attention, especially when I address fundamental issues such as clips about the Bible, God’s existence, atheism, and the value of family and children. Gen Z is hungry for real answers to an otherwise artificial social life. Yet, we cannot call it a full-scale revival, as another trend we’re seeing—and this one more alarming—is that college-educated Gen Z women are now the ones leaving the faith the fastest.4 While young men are more and more attracted to the faith, young women, specifically those who are educated through the secular university, are becoming non-affiliated. Sociologist Ryan Burge believes that what’s happening is those who are claiming Christianity are becoming deeply committed, strong Christians, while those who in the past had taken on the name of Christian because they were raised in a particular denomination are disavowing themselves of that label. In other words, the lukewarm are disappearing. Still, I want to give those who are running towards Christ the best opportunity to grab hold with both hands, and that means reaching them not only in their hearts, but in their minds as well. You can help, too! Check out our first story below and see why this point in history is a real Christian Turning Point and how your support can make a huge difference in their lives. MINISTRY UPDATE As noted above, there has been a lot of engagement and discussion on the various social platforms. I engage with both believers and non-believers on TikTok, X, and Instagram, but it is on YouTube where most of the interactions occur. Right now, I publish two short clips every day as well as our weekly long-form podcast. These are also spread over the socials. Please be sure to subscribe, comment, and like the videos, as that helps them become even more visible. I’m working on plans for our Dare to Defend Conferences for 2026, and it looks like there may be more than one as we are looking at different locations across the nation. Want a conference near your town? Reply to this email and get in touch! Want to see what the D2D conference is like? You can purchase prior years and stream them! See https://www.comereason.org/daretodefend/ for a list. Again, don’t forget the launch of our new online curriculum entitled “Uncovering the Hidden Riches of Christian History.” I’m very excited about this project. It looks good and the content is really top-notch! It’s also a pretty unique approach to online learning. I wanted to create something that would be easy enough for a casual believer who wants to know more about Christianity’s development and influence upon our world while still being able to scale up to a rigorous, challenging study of theology, worldview, and history for homeschoolers. It can also serve as a great small group plan for Bible studies. Check out the intro video and outline at the website to hear more. You can also take class #1 for free! HAVE ME COME AND SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT! Do you have a winter event coming up at your church or would you like your group to hear more about how to better understand the times and share their faith? Now’s the time to reach out! I have several openings for fall and winter months, and I’d love to come out and talk to your congregation or group, large or small! Get in touch (just reply to this email) and I can even supply you with ideas and some of the most popular talks I’ve given. I’d love to add you to our schedule! FINANCIAL UPDATE It’s the end of the year, and now is the time when I look to my supporters to help judge how much I will be able to accomplish next year. I really do appreciate those who give to help this ministry reach so many, such as those Gen Zers who are searching for truth. Please consider providing an end-of-year gift at https://www.comereason.org/turningpoint, and if the Lord leads, perhaps even become one of the Defenders, those partnering with me on a monthly basis. Perhaps you can pick up some Come Reason merch at our online store, too. And as always, I covet your prayers. Please let me know how I can pray for you, too! Blessings, Lenny Act While This Time Is Unique Our culture is shifting. Young people want to find stability in faith and Come Reason Ministries is meeting that moment head-on with truth, clarity, and the hope of the Gospel. We’re already seeing incredible results: more young people are engaging with our content, asking deep questions, and discovering the solid reasons behind the Christian faith. But this turning point won’t last forever. Watch this video and find out how you can make a difference in our Christian Turning Point! Watch ➤ The Numbers Don’t Lie: The Fine Tuning That Destroyed His Atheism What happens when an atheist digs into the science behind the universe? For filmmaker Michael Ray Lewis, exploring cosmology, DNA information, and the staggering improbability of life led him on a three-year journey he never expected—one that ended with his new documentary Universe Designed. In this interview Lenny sits down with Michael to talk about how fine-tuning evidence shook his atheism, why cosmology, physics, and DNA point to an intelligent Creator and how 36 hours of interviews with Hugh Ross, Stephen Meyer, Frank Turek, J. Warner Wallace, Sean McDowell, Mary Jo Sharp, and Mike Licona formed the backbone of his new film. Watch ➤ Contradictions in the Bible? Watch These Myths Collapse in Minutes Are there contradictions in the Bible? Critics confidently claim "the Bible is full of errors," and many Christians feel anxious when challenged. But here Lenny takes those challenges head-on — and shows why most so-called contradictions collapse the moment you understand context, language, and logic. Watch ➤ Pilgrim in the Algorithm: How Digital Echo Chambers Poison Your Faith In a world where every scroll shapes our soul, what does it mean to live a godly life in the Age of the Algorithm? Drawing from Romans 16:17–27 and John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, this talk explores how today’s digital landscape—echo chambers, provocateurs, tribal identity, politicized faith, and endless distraction—creates modern versions of Bunyan’s "Poisonous People." Watch ➤ How to Quickly Debunk the Jesus-Horus Myth it's Christmastime and that means that atheists will begin trotting out the supposed parallels between Jesus and the Greek myth of Horus. The Horus-Jesus connection myth has much of what makes an urban legend appealing. Yet, all you need to do is to think a bit and the paper-thin claims of Jesus's stolen resurrection will quickly melt away. Here are five points to consider. Read more ➤ Three Essential Gifts for Christmas In order to properly celebrate Christmas, there are three specific gifts that one must have. These have always been given since the very first Christmas and the wisest among men will continue to offer them, not only in this season, but all year long. Read more ➤ Upcoming Speaking Events: The Power of Christmas December 28, 2025 The Church Family Fellowship 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ Jesus's Favorite Book January 4, 2026 The Church Family Fellowship 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ The Responsibility of Service January 28, 2026 The Church Family Fellowship 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ So Close and Yet So Far February 22, 2026 The Church Family Fellowship 4130 Adams Street Riverside, CA 92504 Details ➤ SUPPORT COME REASON References Smietana, Bob. “Bible Sales Keep Growing, Even as Many Americans Lose Their Religion.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2025, www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-11-27/bible-sales-keep-growing-even-as-many-americans-lose-their-religion. “New Barna Data: Young Adults Lead a Resurgence in Church Attendance.” Barna, Barna Group, 14 Oct. 2025, www.barna.com/research/young-adults-lead-resurgence-in-church-attendance/. Post, Kathryn. “Is There Religious Revival among Gen Z?” RNS, Religion News Service, 21 Oct. 2025, religionnews.com/2025/10/21/is-there-religious-revival-among-gen-z/. “Gen Z Women Struggle with Christian Faith and Community.” Barna, Barna Group, 15 Oct. 2025, www.barna.com/trends/gen-z-women-struggling-in-faith/.

© 2025 Come Reason Ministries PO Box 20527 Riverside, CA 92516-0527 || www.comereason.org

Jehovah’s Witnesses and Jesus: Does Firstborn Mean Created?

 

 

One of the most popular video podcasts I’ve published on YouTube was a live discussion I had with two Jehovah’s Witnesses who visited me at my home. It attracted a lot of views from Christians, JWs and ex-JWs, many of whom were very grateful for an inside look at both the conversation and how I approached my interaction. Here are a couple:

@b-radz: Great job on this conversation. As a born in JW (currently leaving) I appreciate how you keep him talking and reasoning. Seeds were planted. He will come back to it if the Holy Spirit acts in his life. Good job.

@Silver_Sun5: Thank you for this. As someone who came out of the JW religion and discovered the true God, I really appreciate your apologetics in this discussion. Also, that deep dive into John 1:3 blew my mind, I love it!

@FreedomAndJustice4All: Masterful use of questions; just as Jesus did. Awesome

@unrecuerdo4674: This was great! I was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness family but was never baptized or a pioneer. As a shy young girl, I often felt isolated and uncomfortable, especially after meetings. I would go straight to the car and wait for my parents. My father was an elder, which added to the pressure. As a teenager, it was even harder. Because I hadn’t been baptized or actively pioneered—and because it seemed they valued works more than faith—I wasn’t invited to many youth events, which were already few and far between. This further deepened my sense of exclusion. Now, at 60, I’ve been watching Christian testimonies, particularly those of Muslims who converted to Christianity. Their stories have deeply moved me. I’ve struggled with the concept of the Trinity and even found it difficult to say that Jesus, Jehovah, and the Holy Spirit are one. Despite not being fully committed to the Jehovah’s Witness faith, those beliefs were ingrained in me. I acknowledge that I am lukewarm in my faith. Please pray for me—that I may truly follow Jesus and embrace His teachings wholeheartedly

Of course, those who are still faithful to the Watchtower dismissed my arguments and offered some of the standard objections as to why Jesus is the second person of the Trinity: the Eternal God. One common point that was brought up in the comments more than once was Colossians 1:15, which states Jesus is the firstborn over all creation. This sounds like Jesus, being firstborn, means he was created first. But that understanding is wrong, as both the meaning of the Greek word AND the context of the passage displays. First, let’s look at the context, reading all of Colossians 1:15-17:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.

We can see here that like John 1:3, Colossians 17 doesn’t allow for Jesus to be a created being. If “all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together,” it means that he pre-existed any created thing. This means he is non-created, e.g. eternal!

Secondly, the word for firstborn, prototokos, isn’t one that must imply creation. In fact, it means first in rank. The confusion comes in because the idea of the first in rank and the first male child were almost synonymous in the ancient Near East. We see the same issue with the famous prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 where a virgin will conceive. The word for virgin is the same word you would use for any young girl, because they would be expected to be synonymous. Does that mean there were never exceptions? Of course not! And there are also exceptions to the prototokos concept as well.

This doesn’t stop JWs from continuing to push their errant meaning. Here is one exchange below along with my reply:

@jimjuri6490: If Jesus is the Firstborn of all creation, how could God work through Jesus to create Jesus? Obviously Jesus is a direct creation of God (See John 3:16). Thereafter, everything else was created BY GOD working THROUGH His Firstborn SON. Not sure what working THROUGH means? Here is an example. Acts 19:11 And God kept performing extraordinary powerful works THROUGH the hands of Paul, Similarly with Jesus. Acts 2:22.

@comereason: You don’t understand what that Greek word means.

@jimjuri6490: Please! That ruse will never work. If only Greek speakers can understand the Bible, then why have translations? 'None of the wicked will understand' promises God in Daniel 12:10. That is why people think they can take on JWs using the Bible but make a mess of it. Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you will have any success, And you will condemn any tongue that rises up against you in the judgment. This is the heritage of the SERVANTS OF JEHOVAH, If a simple Bible question is asked of you, will you be willing to answer it?

@comereason: {{{sigh}}} Must I go through this again? The word prototokos (πρωτότοκος) while it can be literally broken down to "first" (protos) and "bring forth" (tiktos) and is used to describe the first-born son of a family, holds the primary idea of one who is pre-eminent or primary. This is because the first-born son would be the next king, inherit the double portion, etc. It doesn't NEED to mean actual first at birth, as in the OT Greek version, the rabbis used prototokos in Genesis 25:33 when referring to Jacob - who was second to be born after Esau! In Revelation 1:5, Jesus is called "the prototokos from the dead." Now, unless you want to make this word mean Jesus was born from a dead woman, it obviously has a different idea. All Greek scholars agree with this point - lookup the word in Gerhard Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament as a primary source.

As to whether Jesus claimed to be God, he did. See Revelation 22:12 where Jesus claims the very names and descriptions of the Father: "Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." In order to dispel any ambiguity, he adds just two sentences later "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches." In Revelation 1:8&mndash;same book mind you—it is God who is using those names. In fact, the NWT reads specifically "I am the Alpha and the Omega" says Jehovah God, "the one who is and who was, and who is coming, the Almighty." Who is coming? Rev 1:8 and Rev 22:13 says the Alpha and the Omega. Who is coming? Revelation 1:8 NWT reads Jehovah and Rev. 22:16 read Jesus. John ends the book with "Amen! Come quickly Lord Jesus." Who is coming? God. There cannot be two Alphas and Omegas. There cannot be two beginnings and ends. These are exclusive to God, just like creation. No ruse here. You haven't done your homework.