Entry #9 -- The 47th State

Although I was born in New England and raised in Florida, I currently reside in the vast state of New Mexico.  To those of you slightly geographically challenged, yes, New Mexico is part of the United States proper and received Statehood in 1912.  It is that big chunk of land that lies between Texas and Arizona on any modern USA map.  According to the 2016 World Population Review^[1], New Mexico is the 5^th largest state in area, yet the 6^th most sparsely populated territory—ranking #37 in population at just 2,135,288.  That is undoubtedly more information than you need or desire, so let me get back on track.

As I said, I currently reside in New Mexico.  Recently, I was reading a book about New Mexico and noticed several contradictions!  Here is just one example:

(p. 21)  “Commercial agriculture was not practiced…families produced what they needed, with a small surplus to enable them to afford necessary purchases.”

(p. 185)  “…they built dairies to provide fresh milk for children, had wells dug…” (One might infer that dairies, especially commercial dairies, also tend to require large commercial crops of grain.)

So how can it be that New Mexico does NOT practice commercial agriculture…yet it DOES build commercial dairies/crops?  Can this book be trusted? Is it a fraud?  Oh wait a minute, I forgot to mention that the book I was reading was an anthology—a collection of essays^[2] by thirteen different authors, spanning the sixty-five years from 1900-1965.  Furthermore, the essays range in style from narrative to documentary.  However, they are ALL focused on ONE central theme of the various components of New Mexico and its historical development.  The above quotes, although technically accurate in wording, are definitely only partial quotes^{[3 and 4]} and grossly taken out of context. The anthology is correct.

Those who would deny the validity of the Bible will often make similar mistakes.  They justify their position on the basis of the Bible apparently containing several contradictory statements. Yet they purposefully forget or refuse to acknowledge that the Bible is an anthology—a collection of works including poetry, law, narratives, documentaries, and apocalyptical writings—with approximately 40 authors spanning a history of approximately 1,500 years.  Skeptics rarely acknowledge the background of the authors, living conditions, or any other factors (e.g., geographical, economical,  political, cultural) occurring during the time of each written work.  Yet the Bible, with its variety of works and diversity of authors, has ONE central theme—it is the inspired work of God, our Heavenly Father and Creator of all that exists.

Here is an ironic twist for skeptics to consider:  God, who inspired the authors of the Bible, warned in advance—yes, thousands of years in advance—that there would be skeptics. 

One of the primary authors of New Testament writings, Paul, offers this message to Timothy:
“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:  Preach the word of God.  Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.  Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.  For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.  They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.  They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 

2 Timothy 4:1-4 (NLT^[5])

Peter also writes a similar message:

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.”  2 Peter 3:3 (NLT)

The Bible makes something else perfectly clear as well.  Those who reject truth and chase after myths will not enter the Kingdom of God.

“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”  Revelation 21:27 (NIV)

Dear Friends, you may choose to scoff at the validity of the Bible today; however, there is a day coming—and coming soon—that your scoffing will cease.  At that time you will know and acknowledge the truth:

God is real. His Word is truth.

Here is another truth.  The Bible offers hope.  Jesus, himself, states:

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life.”  John 6:47 (NLT)

God is real.  God loves you.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian

[1]        worldpopulationreview.com/states/new-mexico-population/

[2]        DeMark, Judith B., ed. Essays in 20^th Century New Mexico History. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1994. Print.

 [3]        Jensen, Joan M. “Farm Families Organize Their Work, 1900-1940.” Essays in 20^th Century New Mexico History. Ed. Judith Boyce DeMark. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1994. 13-27. Print.

 [4]        Schackel, Sandra. “Healthcare Across Cultures: Public Health Nurses in Hispanic and   Native American Communities.” Essays in 20^th Century New Mexico History. Ed. Judith Boyce DeMark. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1994. 181-197. Print.

 [5]        Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.  Print.