I'm going to take a quick break from my recollections for some theological/philsophical ramblings.
I have to confess that immediately after the surgery - even my brain surgery - God really didn't enter my mind. At least, not directly. I remember trying to pray a few times, but it was so hard to focus.
But it was my embolism that really challenged my faith. It was hard to reconcile my utter lack of memories with anything spiritual. But soon I realized - because of what I was told - that there were a number of things I *should* have remembered because I was *conscious* at the time. The fact I had lost so many memories was somehow a comfort. Not only memories when I was apparently awake and responsive inside the MRI during the repair of my (two?) embolisms, but also the complete loss of memory (save for some notable exceptions) during my "awake" time during my brain surgery.
I said in an earlier blog entry that I've always been fascinated by the blend of physical and non-physical (brain vs mind vs soul). Now that I have some distance on this experience, I can give you my thoughts on it.
I am still a 'dualist.' That is, I still believe there is a separation between the soul (in the Jewish/Christian sense) and the body. The fact that I can't remember certain events is simply a function of my brain's capacity to retain pertinent information. It exists (or rather *doesn't* exist) purely in the physical realm. Therefore, there is really no good reason that I can see for abandoning my faith in a spiritual realm - and specifically in a Christian realm.
As the weeks went by, my faith became even stronger than before. It's still difficult for me to focus in my prayers. My mind wanders, seemingly with a 'mind of it's own!' But it's slowly improving.
The bottom line is this: If faith has not been a "front burner" issue for you, I encourage you to make it one, right now! I've never regretted my decision for Christ, and I'll bet you won't, either!
Showing posts with label Theological. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theological. Show all posts
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Can We Trust the Gospels?
Pastor and author Mark D. Roberts has an interesting series of blogs, based on his new book, Can We Trust the Gospels? While I haven't read the book, the series covers much the same ground I investigated when I was considering the truth-claims of Christianity 11 years ago. If you're interested in researching this topic, this would be a good place to start.
Mark is Senior Pastor at Irvine Presbyterian Church. Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He teaches classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary.
You can find a list of Mark's blogs on this topic here. Click on the title link to see the entire post.
Enjoy!
Mark is Senior Pastor at Irvine Presbyterian Church. Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He teaches classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary.
You can find a list of Mark's blogs on this topic here. Click on the title link to see the entire post.
Enjoy!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Psalm 91
When I was in Sunday School as a little boy, I was asked to memorize Psalm 91 (in the old King James Version, no less!). I don't remember if I memorized the entire Psalm, but I do recall the first verse:
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
You can find a modern English translation of the entire Psalm here.
I didn't really understand the Psalm at the time. There were words like "noisome pestilence," and "pinions," and "fowler's snare" that were well beyond my vocabulary at the time. My Sunday School teacher explained them, but I kept envisioning some monster stalking around at noon, and God swooping down like an eagle, avoiding traps, and covering the cowering Israelites with His feathered wings. It was like the poorly made, black-and-white Sci-Fi movies that were on T.V. at the time - "It Came From Outer Space;" "Them!"; "Invaders from Mars."
More than that, the entire point of the Psalm went over my head. I just didn't understand that God is making such an incredible Promise.
The final verses of Psalm 91 (in a modern translation) read:
"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation" (Psalm 91:14-16).
God has made a commitment. Because He is God, He will fulfill that commitment. He has the power and character to do so. He says He will intimately be with those who love Him. Like Romans 8:28 (which assures us that God is working ALL THINGS together for the good of those who love Him), the promise is grounded in our love of God.
How can we possibly love Someone who is invisible to us? How can we be intimate with Him, when often God seems absent in our lives - especially for those who doubt His existence in the first place?
For me, the answer is the same as with any other important relationship: We must spend time talking and listening to the other person. God speaks to us through His Word (the Bible). God listens to us when we pray.
Reading the Bible should never be an exercise in guilt or obligation. Instead, we should pray that God will reveal His Truth to us through His Word. Then, with expectation, we should open the Bible and start reading in a logical fashion - don't merely 'hunt-and-peck.' Start with one book and read it all the way through. I'd suggest starting with one of the Gospels - Mark, say. Or start at the beginning with Genesis. Don't feel like you have to read the entire book in one sitting.
Then, after reading, pray again. Ask God to confirm the Truth of what you've just read. Start to practice prayer - open your heart to God throughout the day. Ask Him for help, for guidance, for assurance. God promises that He is not far from us; that He will reward those who diligently seek Him (Acts 17:27; Hebrews 11:6).
Honestly, my love for God is not exactly like my love for my wife and children. At this time, I cannot see God; cannot hug Him or be hugged by Him; cannot audibly hear His voice. On the other hand, my wife and children do not spiritually "live" inside of me the way God's Spirit does.
And it is His Spirit that testifies to me that I can trust His Promises. Because I love God, I know that He will sustain me through this trial and every other. He will set me on high. He will be with me in trouble (like on the operating table, Monday). He will rescue me and honor me, though I do not deserve it. And He will reward me with long life and His salvation - not ultimately in this life, but in Eternity.
His promises can be yours, too.
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
You can find a modern English translation of the entire Psalm here.
I didn't really understand the Psalm at the time. There were words like "noisome pestilence," and "pinions," and "fowler's snare" that were well beyond my vocabulary at the time. My Sunday School teacher explained them, but I kept envisioning some monster stalking around at noon, and God swooping down like an eagle, avoiding traps, and covering the cowering Israelites with His feathered wings. It was like the poorly made, black-and-white Sci-Fi movies that were on T.V. at the time - "It Came From Outer Space;" "Them!"; "Invaders from Mars."
More than that, the entire point of the Psalm went over my head. I just didn't understand that God is making such an incredible Promise.
The final verses of Psalm 91 (in a modern translation) read:
"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation" (Psalm 91:14-16).
God has made a commitment. Because He is God, He will fulfill that commitment. He has the power and character to do so. He says He will intimately be with those who love Him. Like Romans 8:28 (which assures us that God is working ALL THINGS together for the good of those who love Him), the promise is grounded in our love of God.
How can we possibly love Someone who is invisible to us? How can we be intimate with Him, when often God seems absent in our lives - especially for those who doubt His existence in the first place?
For me, the answer is the same as with any other important relationship: We must spend time talking and listening to the other person. God speaks to us through His Word (the Bible). God listens to us when we pray.
Reading the Bible should never be an exercise in guilt or obligation. Instead, we should pray that God will reveal His Truth to us through His Word. Then, with expectation, we should open the Bible and start reading in a logical fashion - don't merely 'hunt-and-peck.' Start with one book and read it all the way through. I'd suggest starting with one of the Gospels - Mark, say. Or start at the beginning with Genesis. Don't feel like you have to read the entire book in one sitting.
Then, after reading, pray again. Ask God to confirm the Truth of what you've just read. Start to practice prayer - open your heart to God throughout the day. Ask Him for help, for guidance, for assurance. God promises that He is not far from us; that He will reward those who diligently seek Him (Acts 17:27; Hebrews 11:6).
Honestly, my love for God is not exactly like my love for my wife and children. At this time, I cannot see God; cannot hug Him or be hugged by Him; cannot audibly hear His voice. On the other hand, my wife and children do not spiritually "live" inside of me the way God's Spirit does.
And it is His Spirit that testifies to me that I can trust His Promises. Because I love God, I know that He will sustain me through this trial and every other. He will set me on high. He will be with me in trouble (like on the operating table, Monday). He will rescue me and honor me, though I do not deserve it. And He will reward me with long life and His salvation - not ultimately in this life, but in Eternity.
His promises can be yours, too.
Friday, June 29, 2007
What is Truth?
I was talking with a friend the other day, and he said something like, "When someone says they have the Truth, it's time to get scared." He said this because of two reasons:
1. It's just not possible to know what is true; we all have pieces of the truth, but not enough to achieve certainty - especially in the area of religion.
2. Those who think they have the truth usually try to impose their version of the truth on others. This can be demonstrated in numerous ways, from the Taliban to the Crusades.
I'd like to share my answer to him and some further thoughts on this important topic.
I told my friend that truth - by its very nature - is divisive. Something cannot be both true and not true at the same time and in the same way. So, for example, there either is a God or there is not a God. You can't have it both ways. In logic, this is a truth known as the Law of Non-Contradiction. Logic is one way that we can know certain truths.
To a large extent, I actually agree with my friend's second point. Many people want to impose their beliefs on others. This fact is not limited to those with religious faith - even secular humanists try to impose their will on society. Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot each attempted to create a religion-free society. In the West today, those who embrace the idea of Relativism (that all truth is relative; that people must determine subjectively what is true for them, and be tolerant of other people's "truth"), attempt to change laws they find objectionable.
This is not the place to respond to Relativism, but I'll simply point out that it is logically self-defeating. The statement: "All truth is relative" is absolute. If ALL truth is relative, that necessarily includes the statement itself, in which case NOT ALL truth is relative. Thus, the basic tenet of Relativism is both true and not true at the same time and in the same way. This is a violation of the Law of Non-Contradiction.
Regarding Christians that have tried to impose their beliefs on others, such as during the Crusades, one simply has to ask if they were acting according to the teachings of Jesus? The answer is an emphatic "No." There is no Biblical justification for spreading Jesus' message by violence or even political activism. The focus is on personal witnessing (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15). Thus, while some people calling themselves "Christians" may have used violent means to enforce their beliefs on others, the root-cause is not the tenets of Christianity, but their own pride and lust for power. In other words, what the Bible calls "Sin."
In my previous posts on Significant Faith, I tried to explain how faith in God can be based in fact. God has given ample evidence for His existence through His Creation. But I also stressed that, ultimately, assenting to the truth of that evidence involves not only drawing one's own conclusions, but also the active work of God in our hearts.
In his book, Reasonable Faith, Christian philosopher William Lane Craig draws a distinction between "knowing" something is true and "showing" something is true. We can know something is true, ultimately, because God lives in us and reveals it to us; but we can show it is true to someone else because our faith is based on knowledge - on facts and logic - that can be demonstrated to be true.
Here's how Craig explains it:
"My friend, I know Christianity is true because God's Spirit lives in me and assures me that it is true. And you can know it is true, too, because God is knocking at the door of your heart, telling you the same thing. If you are sincerely seeking God, then God will give you assurance that the gospel is true. Now, to try to show you it's true, I'll share with you some arguments and evidence that I really find convincing. But should my arguments seem weak and unconvincing to you, that's my fault, not God's. It only shows that I'm a poor apologist, not that the gospel is untrue. Whatever you think of my arguments, God still loves you and holds you accountable. I'll do my best to present good arguments to you. But ultimately you have to deal, not with arguments, but with God himself'" [William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, (Revised edition, Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1994), p. 48.]
1. It's just not possible to know what is true; we all have pieces of the truth, but not enough to achieve certainty - especially in the area of religion.
2. Those who think they have the truth usually try to impose their version of the truth on others. This can be demonstrated in numerous ways, from the Taliban to the Crusades.
I'd like to share my answer to him and some further thoughts on this important topic.
I told my friend that truth - by its very nature - is divisive. Something cannot be both true and not true at the same time and in the same way. So, for example, there either is a God or there is not a God. You can't have it both ways. In logic, this is a truth known as the Law of Non-Contradiction. Logic is one way that we can know certain truths.
To a large extent, I actually agree with my friend's second point. Many people want to impose their beliefs on others. This fact is not limited to those with religious faith - even secular humanists try to impose their will on society. Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot each attempted to create a religion-free society. In the West today, those who embrace the idea of Relativism (that all truth is relative; that people must determine subjectively what is true for them, and be tolerant of other people's "truth"), attempt to change laws they find objectionable.
This is not the place to respond to Relativism, but I'll simply point out that it is logically self-defeating. The statement: "All truth is relative" is absolute. If ALL truth is relative, that necessarily includes the statement itself, in which case NOT ALL truth is relative. Thus, the basic tenet of Relativism is both true and not true at the same time and in the same way. This is a violation of the Law of Non-Contradiction.
Regarding Christians that have tried to impose their beliefs on others, such as during the Crusades, one simply has to ask if they were acting according to the teachings of Jesus? The answer is an emphatic "No." There is no Biblical justification for spreading Jesus' message by violence or even political activism. The focus is on personal witnessing (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15). Thus, while some people calling themselves "Christians" may have used violent means to enforce their beliefs on others, the root-cause is not the tenets of Christianity, but their own pride and lust for power. In other words, what the Bible calls "Sin."
In my previous posts on Significant Faith, I tried to explain how faith in God can be based in fact. God has given ample evidence for His existence through His Creation. But I also stressed that, ultimately, assenting to the truth of that evidence involves not only drawing one's own conclusions, but also the active work of God in our hearts.
In his book, Reasonable Faith, Christian philosopher William Lane Craig draws a distinction between "knowing" something is true and "showing" something is true. We can know something is true, ultimately, because God lives in us and reveals it to us; but we can show it is true to someone else because our faith is based on knowledge - on facts and logic - that can be demonstrated to be true.
Here's how Craig explains it:
"My friend, I know Christianity is true because God's Spirit lives in me and assures me that it is true. And you can know it is true, too, because God is knocking at the door of your heart, telling you the same thing. If you are sincerely seeking God, then God will give you assurance that the gospel is true. Now, to try to show you it's true, I'll share with you some arguments and evidence that I really find convincing. But should my arguments seem weak and unconvincing to you, that's my fault, not God's. It only shows that I'm a poor apologist, not that the gospel is untrue. Whatever you think of my arguments, God still loves you and holds you accountable. I'll do my best to present good arguments to you. But ultimately you have to deal, not with arguments, but with God himself'" [William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, (Revised edition, Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1994), p. 48.]
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Isaiah's Message of Hope and Comfort - Part 3
Isaiah Chapter 40 concludes with one of the most powerful and majestic promises is all of Scripture. It is a promise I've been holding onto in recent days:
"Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD ;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom" (Isaiah 40:27-28).
Here, Isaiah assures his readers that no matter how far away God may seem, He is in reality not far from each of us. He is the all-powerful Creator God; nothing is hidden from Him and He regards every aspect of our lives as significant. Jesus says:
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-31).
As a balding guy, I always have to smile when I read about the hairs of my head being numbered - an easier task now than it used to be! But Jesus' point is the same as Isaiah's: God is intimately involved in our lives. While we may not always understand WHY He allows certain trials and challenges into our lives, if we love God, we can trust that He intends these for our good (Romans 8:28). If He cares about an almost worthless sparrow, how much more does He care for His children; and if He is powerful enough to have created everything with a mere word, He is certainly powerful enough to accomplish his good purposes in our lives.
"Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:30-31).
The promise expressed in these two final verses has always moved me. I quoted them in the Tribute to my father that was read at his funeral (see here). In that context, the promise was that my father - his body formerly wracked by Parkinson's and other ailments - was now with his Lord, restored to strength and vigor. Now, I find a healing promise in these words. The healing may or may not come in this life; ultimately, from the perspective of Eternity, it really doesn't matter.
But I also, in a very real sense, feel like I'm soaring with eagles' wings right now. I feel lifted by the love and encouragement of all of you. Even if you don't believe in God - or in the God of the Bible - I know that He is using you in a powerful way in my life, right now. Of course, if you do, then you know what I'm talking about.
So, I'd like to thank you, once again, for your kind thoughts and prayers. And I'm so very grateful to God for His promise of hope and comfort that I'm feeling in a tangible way as I write this.
"Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD ;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom" (Isaiah 40:27-28).
Here, Isaiah assures his readers that no matter how far away God may seem, He is in reality not far from each of us. He is the all-powerful Creator God; nothing is hidden from Him and He regards every aspect of our lives as significant. Jesus says:
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-31).
As a balding guy, I always have to smile when I read about the hairs of my head being numbered - an easier task now than it used to be! But Jesus' point is the same as Isaiah's: God is intimately involved in our lives. While we may not always understand WHY He allows certain trials and challenges into our lives, if we love God, we can trust that He intends these for our good (Romans 8:28). If He cares about an almost worthless sparrow, how much more does He care for His children; and if He is powerful enough to have created everything with a mere word, He is certainly powerful enough to accomplish his good purposes in our lives.
"Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:30-31).
The promise expressed in these two final verses has always moved me. I quoted them in the Tribute to my father that was read at his funeral (see here). In that context, the promise was that my father - his body formerly wracked by Parkinson's and other ailments - was now with his Lord, restored to strength and vigor. Now, I find a healing promise in these words. The healing may or may not come in this life; ultimately, from the perspective of Eternity, it really doesn't matter.
But I also, in a very real sense, feel like I'm soaring with eagles' wings right now. I feel lifted by the love and encouragement of all of you. Even if you don't believe in God - or in the God of the Bible - I know that He is using you in a powerful way in my life, right now. Of course, if you do, then you know what I'm talking about.
So, I'd like to thank you, once again, for your kind thoughts and prayers. And I'm so very grateful to God for His promise of hope and comfort that I'm feeling in a tangible way as I write this.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Isaiah's Message of Hope and Comfort - Part 2
The next few verses in Isaiah 40 establish the foundation of our comfort and hope in God:
"A voice of one calling:
'In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken'" (Isaiah 40:3-5).
God promises to someday reveal Himself in glory to the entire world. This is one of the central promises God makes to His People in the Old Testament: "I will be your God; you will be My People; And I will dwell with you." In the New Testament, verse 40:3 is applied directly to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth (Matt 3:3). Through Isaiah, God is emphasizing that our hope is grounded in His promises, which He - being God - can be trusted to fulfill.
"See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and his arm rules for him.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young" (Isaiah 40:10-11).
Often, the "coming of the LORD" in the Hebrew Scriptures points to God coming in judgment; here, however, the focus is on His compassion and tenderness towards those who love Him. He is Sovereign over all because He is the Creator of all things, and when He comes to rule, His "arm" will rule for Him. While "arm" may simply be a personification of power, Christians and Messianic Jews have interpreted this (and many other such references: Arm, Branch, Root, etc.) as referring to the coming Messiah. This inference is reinforced in the New Testatment book of Revelation, where the words spoken here of God are placed in the mouth of Jesus (Revelation 22:12).
"To whom, then, will you compare God?
What image will you compare him to?" (Isiaiah 40:18).
"Image" refers in this context to idols - manmade objects of worship. It is foolish to create one's own God - which is not even alive! - when the true and living God has made His existence apparent to everyone (Romans 1:18). He is incomparable in the literal sense of the word - an infinite, all-powerful Being that cannot be compared to anyone or anything else.
In Isaiah's time, people carved idols out of stone or wood; today, they create idols in their hearts: Money, fame, success, social status; pleasure. An idol is anything that replaces God, and for most of us, the most potent idol is ourselves. I know in the past, I've made idols out of many things - my mind, my writing, my education. But if we want to experience true comfort and have a hope for the future, our focus must become less self-centered and more God-ward.
"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in" (Isaiah 40:21-22).
God's promises can be trusted because He is above and outside the world. And Isaiah says that these things have been known about God from the very beginning. If God is the God of the Bible - and the Bible says over and over again that we know in our heart of hearts that God exists - we must go deep into our hearts to see if that is true.
By the way, there are hints, here, of modern cosmology, not that of 700 B.C. - the earth is a "circle," the heavens "stretched out." Pretty cool, huh?
"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing" (Isaiah 40:26).
The 20th Century philosopher Immanual Kant said he was troubled in his atheistic philosophy by two things: The Moral Law within man, and the Heavens without. Here, Isaiah appeals to the Heavens as evidence of a Creator. Yes, stars burn out and explode in supernovae, but their elements are not "missing." Indeed, as Carl Sagan famously said, "Our bodies consist of elements cooked in the hearts of ancient stars; we are truly star-stuff." We've talked before about the huge philosophical/theological implications of the Universe having a Beginning - of the Singularity.
Isaiah is not making a carefully crafted philosophical argument. His purpose is to convey the hope and comfort offered by the mighty Creator of the Heavens. This hope is grounded in God's promises, which in turn, are established by His power and character to keep them.
He is coming. He will establish His rule forever. He will gather those who love Him like sheep and tenderly lead us.
We'll finish Isaiah 40 in a future entry.
"A voice of one calling:
'In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken'" (Isaiah 40:3-5).
God promises to someday reveal Himself in glory to the entire world. This is one of the central promises God makes to His People in the Old Testament: "I will be your God; you will be My People; And I will dwell with you." In the New Testament, verse 40:3 is applied directly to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth (Matt 3:3). Through Isaiah, God is emphasizing that our hope is grounded in His promises, which He - being God - can be trusted to fulfill.
"See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and his arm rules for him.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young" (Isaiah 40:10-11).
Often, the "coming of the LORD" in the Hebrew Scriptures points to God coming in judgment; here, however, the focus is on His compassion and tenderness towards those who love Him. He is Sovereign over all because He is the Creator of all things, and when He comes to rule, His "arm" will rule for Him. While "arm" may simply be a personification of power, Christians and Messianic Jews have interpreted this (and many other such references: Arm, Branch, Root, etc.) as referring to the coming Messiah. This inference is reinforced in the New Testatment book of Revelation, where the words spoken here of God are placed in the mouth of Jesus (Revelation 22:12).
"To whom, then, will you compare God?
What image will you compare him to?" (Isiaiah 40:18).
"Image" refers in this context to idols - manmade objects of worship. It is foolish to create one's own God - which is not even alive! - when the true and living God has made His existence apparent to everyone (Romans 1:18). He is incomparable in the literal sense of the word - an infinite, all-powerful Being that cannot be compared to anyone or anything else.
In Isaiah's time, people carved idols out of stone or wood; today, they create idols in their hearts: Money, fame, success, social status; pleasure. An idol is anything that replaces God, and for most of us, the most potent idol is ourselves. I know in the past, I've made idols out of many things - my mind, my writing, my education. But if we want to experience true comfort and have a hope for the future, our focus must become less self-centered and more God-ward.
"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in" (Isaiah 40:21-22).
God's promises can be trusted because He is above and outside the world. And Isaiah says that these things have been known about God from the very beginning. If God is the God of the Bible - and the Bible says over and over again that we know in our heart of hearts that God exists - we must go deep into our hearts to see if that is true.
By the way, there are hints, here, of modern cosmology, not that of 700 B.C. - the earth is a "circle," the heavens "stretched out." Pretty cool, huh?
"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing" (Isaiah 40:26).
The 20th Century philosopher Immanual Kant said he was troubled in his atheistic philosophy by two things: The Moral Law within man, and the Heavens without. Here, Isaiah appeals to the Heavens as evidence of a Creator. Yes, stars burn out and explode in supernovae, but their elements are not "missing." Indeed, as Carl Sagan famously said, "Our bodies consist of elements cooked in the hearts of ancient stars; we are truly star-stuff." We've talked before about the huge philosophical/theological implications of the Universe having a Beginning - of the Singularity.
Isaiah is not making a carefully crafted philosophical argument. His purpose is to convey the hope and comfort offered by the mighty Creator of the Heavens. This hope is grounded in God's promises, which in turn, are established by His power and character to keep them.
He is coming. He will establish His rule forever. He will gather those who love Him like sheep and tenderly lead us.
We'll finish Isaiah 40 in a future entry.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Isaiah's Message of Hope and Comfort - Part 1
One of my favorite books in the Hebrew Scriptures is Isaiah. My favorite chapter in this Prophetic book is chapter 40. You can find the full text, here.
The previous 39 chapters in Isaiah are largely concerned with God's judgment of Isarael because of her stiff-necked rebellion and her turning away to the false gods of the surrounding pagan nations. But in chapter 40, Isaiah takes a turn, and the rest of the book speaks largely of God's compassion for His people, His invitation for Israel to return and be forgiven, and His ultimate salvation and restoration for all nations who love the true God.
Chapter 40 is a message of hope and comfort that is particularly meaningful to me right now. It begins:
"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:1-2).
The God of the Bible is loving and kind. But He is also Holy - morally perfect in every way. He is the standard by which we measure right and wrong. He has established certain Laws for us to follow, the most famous encapsulation of which are found in the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). I've pointed out before that His intention in giving us His Law is for our good (Deuteronomy 10:13), though we often don't see it that way.
Since God is perfect in every way, He is a perfect judge. This aspect of God's character is not as appealing as His perfect Love. We're happy to have a God who loves us; we don't like the idea of a God who will judge us. But judge us, He will - in this life or the next. Perfect justice demands a judgment.
One of the most natural instincts in people is the desire for justice - for others! Look at the reaction to the OJ trial. There was outrage in certain communities when OJ was accused in the first place ("No justice, no peace!"), and there was outrage in other communities when he was aquitted ("He got away with murder!").
People inherently want justice - they want to know that evil will be punished and righteousness rewarded. One of the key messages of Isaiah 1-39 is that God is a God of justice. But God is also merciful. He understands when His people fall short of the mark. So, He has provided a way of forgiveness. As a Christian, I believe the way of forgiveness is ultmately through the provision of God's Messiah, Jesus Christ. But in Isaiah, the Messiah is only hinted at (Jesus would not arrive on the scene until some 700 years later).
In Chapter 40, God begins with words of comfort. He says that His punishment will cease, and invites His People to return to Him, and He will not only forgive them, He will restore to them "double" for all their sins. I know as a father, there are times when my children do something wrong and I punish them. Sometimes they just take their punishment stoically; others times they grudingly apologize. But sometimes, they will come to me, truly broken and contrite. In times like these, I'm moved out of compassion to relax their punishment a bit. This is a small echo of how our Heavenly Father deals with each of us. He is always ready to forgive us, and that forgiveness is never a mere restoration to our prior state; it always involves a further reward (ultimately, the believer's reward is Heaven, which is far, far beyond anything we deserve):
"He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:9-14).
Knowing that I have not always lived up to the standard of the 10 Commandments brings the realization that I deserve justice. But knowing that God is merciful and forgiving, gives me great comfort and an assurance that no matter how things turn out in my present situation, I will dwell in His house forever (Psalm 23).
More on Isaiah 40 in future blogs.
The previous 39 chapters in Isaiah are largely concerned with God's judgment of Isarael because of her stiff-necked rebellion and her turning away to the false gods of the surrounding pagan nations. But in chapter 40, Isaiah takes a turn, and the rest of the book speaks largely of God's compassion for His people, His invitation for Israel to return and be forgiven, and His ultimate salvation and restoration for all nations who love the true God.
Chapter 40 is a message of hope and comfort that is particularly meaningful to me right now. It begins:
"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:1-2).
The God of the Bible is loving and kind. But He is also Holy - morally perfect in every way. He is the standard by which we measure right and wrong. He has established certain Laws for us to follow, the most famous encapsulation of which are found in the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). I've pointed out before that His intention in giving us His Law is for our good (Deuteronomy 10:13), though we often don't see it that way.
Since God is perfect in every way, He is a perfect judge. This aspect of God's character is not as appealing as His perfect Love. We're happy to have a God who loves us; we don't like the idea of a God who will judge us. But judge us, He will - in this life or the next. Perfect justice demands a judgment.
One of the most natural instincts in people is the desire for justice - for others! Look at the reaction to the OJ trial. There was outrage in certain communities when OJ was accused in the first place ("No justice, no peace!"), and there was outrage in other communities when he was aquitted ("He got away with murder!").
People inherently want justice - they want to know that evil will be punished and righteousness rewarded. One of the key messages of Isaiah 1-39 is that God is a God of justice. But God is also merciful. He understands when His people fall short of the mark. So, He has provided a way of forgiveness. As a Christian, I believe the way of forgiveness is ultmately through the provision of God's Messiah, Jesus Christ. But in Isaiah, the Messiah is only hinted at (Jesus would not arrive on the scene until some 700 years later).
In Chapter 40, God begins with words of comfort. He says that His punishment will cease, and invites His People to return to Him, and He will not only forgive them, He will restore to them "double" for all their sins. I know as a father, there are times when my children do something wrong and I punish them. Sometimes they just take their punishment stoically; others times they grudingly apologize. But sometimes, they will come to me, truly broken and contrite. In times like these, I'm moved out of compassion to relax their punishment a bit. This is a small echo of how our Heavenly Father deals with each of us. He is always ready to forgive us, and that forgiveness is never a mere restoration to our prior state; it always involves a further reward (ultimately, the believer's reward is Heaven, which is far, far beyond anything we deserve):
"He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:9-14).
Knowing that I have not always lived up to the standard of the 10 Commandments brings the realization that I deserve justice. But knowing that God is merciful and forgiving, gives me great comfort and an assurance that no matter how things turn out in my present situation, I will dwell in His house forever (Psalm 23).
More on Isaiah 40 in future blogs.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Significant Faith - Part 4
Throughout the Bible, believers are called to obey God. God does not ask us to obey Him because He is dictatorially self-centered: His way or the only way. He has created us with the capacity to not choose His way - to be like Frank Sinatra and "Do It Our Way."
But our way will ultimately lead to misery - if not in this life, in the next, where God will honor the choices we make here. If we have chosen to live without Him on earth, He will make that state permanent after we die.
The Bible is clear that God asks for our obedience because He knows better than we do what will truly satisfy our deepest desires, how we can have real and lasting peace, how we can be reconciled with Him - despite our previous rebellion - and achieve the relationship He so longs to have with us. God intends our obedience for our own good (Deuteronomy 10:13); He intends to richly bless us, if we follow the guidelines He has laid out for us (Deuteronomy 28:2).
Significant faith comprises one final element, beyond knowledge, assent, and trust: Commitment.
Commitment
Commitment means acting on what we know to be true and in which we have placed our trust. The Apostle James writes:
"For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead" (James 2:26).
The 'works' James is talking about are anything we do that provide an outward demonstration of our inward commitment to trust and obedience in God. The New Testament is clear that such 'works' do not save us - salvation is a gift of God, based solely on faith (Ephesians 2:8). We can do nothing to earn God's favor - to cause Him to love us any more than He does today. Even before we come to significant faith, He loves us with an infinite love that arises out of His very Being ("God is love"; see also Romans 5:8). But significant faith will inevitably produce works - acts of selfless love, kindness, gentleness, self-control, charity, forgiveness, patience, and endurance.
Of course, such works do not come all at once, or easily, even with commitment. The walk of significant faith is a long, slow one, for most of us. But God has promised that if we remain committed to living out our significant faith, He will bless us by shaping us into the person He intends us to be (Philippians 1:6). And this shaping process can sometimes take the form of trials - like the one I'm going through right now. But such trials can produce a stronger faith and a deeper commitment (1 Peter 1:7).
The commitment to obey God is usually the biggest stumbling block to significant faith. I've written previously that it was certainly that way with me - I knew the God of the Bible was real, but didn't want to submit to His authority over my life. I still wanted to be Frank Sinatra. But what turned me around was the simple realization that if God was who He said He was in the Bible, He would not ask me to do anything contrary to His Good Purposes. And those things that I was clinging to amounted to nothing of value. I realized that I was like a little boy whose father wished to give him a dollar. "Let go of the penny in your hand, and I'll give you this dollar." But the little boy clung to the penny, believing it to be more valuable than the dollar - not trusting that his father knew what was the greater blessing.
Conclusion
Thank you for allowing me to share some thoughts with you about Significant Faith. Sharing one's faith is integral to Christian theology - it is something we are commanded to do (Matthew 28:19), but not in an offensive or pushy way. The Apostle Peter writes:
"Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15).
Sharing one's faith has been likened to having a cure for cancer - one having such knowledge would have a moral obligation to tell everyone dying of cancer about it. In a sense, everyone lacking significant faith in God is dying spiritually. Significant faith is the cure.
So, if you've gotten this far, thank you again. It's not my way to push my faith on anyone; nor am I so proud as to think I have all the answers. But I think God has given me a unique platform, at least for the moment. Peter says that we are to give an answer to those who ask.
So, if you have questions, ask away!
But our way will ultimately lead to misery - if not in this life, in the next, where God will honor the choices we make here. If we have chosen to live without Him on earth, He will make that state permanent after we die.
The Bible is clear that God asks for our obedience because He knows better than we do what will truly satisfy our deepest desires, how we can have real and lasting peace, how we can be reconciled with Him - despite our previous rebellion - and achieve the relationship He so longs to have with us. God intends our obedience for our own good (Deuteronomy 10:13); He intends to richly bless us, if we follow the guidelines He has laid out for us (Deuteronomy 28:2).
Significant faith comprises one final element, beyond knowledge, assent, and trust: Commitment.
Commitment
Commitment means acting on what we know to be true and in which we have placed our trust. The Apostle James writes:
"For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead" (James 2:26).
The 'works' James is talking about are anything we do that provide an outward demonstration of our inward commitment to trust and obedience in God. The New Testament is clear that such 'works' do not save us - salvation is a gift of God, based solely on faith (Ephesians 2:8). We can do nothing to earn God's favor - to cause Him to love us any more than He does today. Even before we come to significant faith, He loves us with an infinite love that arises out of His very Being ("God is love"; see also Romans 5:8). But significant faith will inevitably produce works - acts of selfless love, kindness, gentleness, self-control, charity, forgiveness, patience, and endurance.
Of course, such works do not come all at once, or easily, even with commitment. The walk of significant faith is a long, slow one, for most of us. But God has promised that if we remain committed to living out our significant faith, He will bless us by shaping us into the person He intends us to be (Philippians 1:6). And this shaping process can sometimes take the form of trials - like the one I'm going through right now. But such trials can produce a stronger faith and a deeper commitment (1 Peter 1:7).
The commitment to obey God is usually the biggest stumbling block to significant faith. I've written previously that it was certainly that way with me - I knew the God of the Bible was real, but didn't want to submit to His authority over my life. I still wanted to be Frank Sinatra. But what turned me around was the simple realization that if God was who He said He was in the Bible, He would not ask me to do anything contrary to His Good Purposes. And those things that I was clinging to amounted to nothing of value. I realized that I was like a little boy whose father wished to give him a dollar. "Let go of the penny in your hand, and I'll give you this dollar." But the little boy clung to the penny, believing it to be more valuable than the dollar - not trusting that his father knew what was the greater blessing.
Conclusion
Thank you for allowing me to share some thoughts with you about Significant Faith. Sharing one's faith is integral to Christian theology - it is something we are commanded to do (Matthew 28:19), but not in an offensive or pushy way. The Apostle Peter writes:
"Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15).
Sharing one's faith has been likened to having a cure for cancer - one having such knowledge would have a moral obligation to tell everyone dying of cancer about it. In a sense, everyone lacking significant faith in God is dying spiritually. Significant faith is the cure.
So, if you've gotten this far, thank you again. It's not my way to push my faith on anyone; nor am I so proud as to think I have all the answers. But I think God has given me a unique platform, at least for the moment. Peter says that we are to give an answer to those who ask.
So, if you have questions, ask away!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Significant Faith - Part 3
Significant Faith is not merely obtaining knowledge about God through diligent effort and becoming - through the provision of God's Spirit - convinced of its truth. It also includes the difficult concept of Trust.
Trust
One of the most famous passages in the Bible reads:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Trust does not mean stepping entirely beyond the certainty of Assent, but it does involve a conviction that God's design and purposes are ultimately beyond our complete comprehension. We can be assured of His character and lovingkindness towards us - that He is working all things for the GOOD of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) - but we may not understand exactly HOW He is doing this in any given situation. I have admitted to you that while I trust that God is working in my own situation for my good (and the good of others, such as you, if you're reading this!), I don't understand exactly how this can be. But He has graciously provided His Word (the Bible) and some indications - which I've shared with you - to assure me that my trust is well-founded.
Looking at the Proverb, quoted above, there is a contrast between trusting in God and in one's own understanding. If one examines the evidence for the existence of a Creator God and has assented to its essential truth, by definition, it would be foolish to pit our own finite understanding against God's infinite knowledge and wisdom. He is the Creator - we the creation. So, why is it so hard, sometimes, to trust Him? Why do we so often lean on our own understanding?
The answer lies in the third chapter of Genesis. Here we find the story of The Fall. Whether one believes the Genesis story to be literally true or symbolic is not important, right now. The essential element is that God originally created us in His image. "Image" can (and does!) mean many things, but I think it points to our self-awareness, our ability to make choices, our inner conviction of right and wrong (the so-called Moral Sense that is universal among humans, even those denying God's existence; secular philosophers struggle as much with human altruism as they do with the idea that the physical universe had a Beginning).
But in Genesis, we find that even though the first humans "walked with God" in an earthly Paradise, they ultimately chose not to live under His benevolent rule, but rebelled. The temptation to which they succumbed is one every person ever since has struggled with: The desire to be one's own God. We inherently want to be in control of our own lives, and fight against the notion that even the One who created us and knows us intimately should - in any way - tell us what to do.
I know when I was critically examining Christianity over 10 years ago, this point was the biggest struggle for me. I remember saying, "I've become convinced that the God of the Bible is real, but I don't want to go any farther, because I'm not sure I want to change what I'm doing."
I can tell you, now, that I have NEVER regretted that moment when I finally gave in and put my trust in God. If God is who the Bible says He is, He alone is Sovereign over all things, including our lives, because He is the Creator of all things. If God is who the Bible says, He alone understands exactly what we need to grow into His people. He has kind intentions towards us. He is truly working all things for our good, if we love Him.
This doesn't mean life will get easier - that prosperity and harmony will always come our way. Like a human parent that sometimes has to teach his children lessons "the hard way," sometimes God allows suffering and trials into our lives, as He has allowed in mine right now. But if we trust in Him and forsake our own limited perceptions, He will be faithful and use those trials to shape us into the people He knows we can be. He will certainly "make our paths straight."
Trust is a big step - but a necessary one on the path to significant faith. And it starts with humility, with admitting that even though we WANT to be the God of our lives, we really aren't. Indeed, thinking that we are in charge is an affront to the One who created us - we are simply repeating Adam's rebellion.
Like Assent, Trust requires the help of God's Spirit. If you are just starting your journey to faith, pray that God will open your heart to the truth and that He will enable you to trust Him. He will certainly honor and reward such a prayer.
Trust
One of the most famous passages in the Bible reads:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Trust does not mean stepping entirely beyond the certainty of Assent, but it does involve a conviction that God's design and purposes are ultimately beyond our complete comprehension. We can be assured of His character and lovingkindness towards us - that He is working all things for the GOOD of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) - but we may not understand exactly HOW He is doing this in any given situation. I have admitted to you that while I trust that God is working in my own situation for my good (and the good of others, such as you, if you're reading this!), I don't understand exactly how this can be. But He has graciously provided His Word (the Bible) and some indications - which I've shared with you - to assure me that my trust is well-founded.
Looking at the Proverb, quoted above, there is a contrast between trusting in God and in one's own understanding. If one examines the evidence for the existence of a Creator God and has assented to its essential truth, by definition, it would be foolish to pit our own finite understanding against God's infinite knowledge and wisdom. He is the Creator - we the creation. So, why is it so hard, sometimes, to trust Him? Why do we so often lean on our own understanding?
The answer lies in the third chapter of Genesis. Here we find the story of The Fall. Whether one believes the Genesis story to be literally true or symbolic is not important, right now. The essential element is that God originally created us in His image. "Image" can (and does!) mean many things, but I think it points to our self-awareness, our ability to make choices, our inner conviction of right and wrong (the so-called Moral Sense that is universal among humans, even those denying God's existence; secular philosophers struggle as much with human altruism as they do with the idea that the physical universe had a Beginning).
But in Genesis, we find that even though the first humans "walked with God" in an earthly Paradise, they ultimately chose not to live under His benevolent rule, but rebelled. The temptation to which they succumbed is one every person ever since has struggled with: The desire to be one's own God. We inherently want to be in control of our own lives, and fight against the notion that even the One who created us and knows us intimately should - in any way - tell us what to do.
I know when I was critically examining Christianity over 10 years ago, this point was the biggest struggle for me. I remember saying, "I've become convinced that the God of the Bible is real, but I don't want to go any farther, because I'm not sure I want to change what I'm doing."
I can tell you, now, that I have NEVER regretted that moment when I finally gave in and put my trust in God. If God is who the Bible says He is, He alone is Sovereign over all things, including our lives, because He is the Creator of all things. If God is who the Bible says, He alone understands exactly what we need to grow into His people. He has kind intentions towards us. He is truly working all things for our good, if we love Him.
This doesn't mean life will get easier - that prosperity and harmony will always come our way. Like a human parent that sometimes has to teach his children lessons "the hard way," sometimes God allows suffering and trials into our lives, as He has allowed in mine right now. But if we trust in Him and forsake our own limited perceptions, He will be faithful and use those trials to shape us into the people He knows we can be. He will certainly "make our paths straight."
Trust is a big step - but a necessary one on the path to significant faith. And it starts with humility, with admitting that even though we WANT to be the God of our lives, we really aren't. Indeed, thinking that we are in charge is an affront to the One who created us - we are simply repeating Adam's rebellion.
Like Assent, Trust requires the help of God's Spirit. If you are just starting your journey to faith, pray that God will open your heart to the truth and that He will enable you to trust Him. He will certainly honor and reward such a prayer.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Significant Faith - Part 2
We talked yesterday about how significant faith - a faith that can not only withstand adversity, but actually grow through it - is grounded in knowledge. But simply knowing some facts is not enough to produce significant faith. We must DO something with those facts. The first thing we need to do is decide if we assent to or agree with them. This can be a big decision, and it is at this point where so many turn away.
Assent
The Apostle John, near the end of his Gospel, wrote:
"These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (or the Messiah), the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).
John claims to have written historical facts about Jesus of Nazareth in the first Century AD. His purpose in doing so is to produce faith - not blind faith or even passionate wishful thinking, but a fact-based faith of significance. He calls his readers not only to understand what he has written, but to assent to its truth. It is not my intent here to defend the historical accuracy of John's Gospel - others have done so far better than I can. If you're interested, you can read Craig Blomberg's The Historical Reliability of the Gospels, and The Historical Reliability of John's Gospel, and the fantastic new book by Richard Bauckham, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses.
"Assent" implies a decision on our part. Ultimately, assent is an act of the will - as is the opposite, rejection. While believers are sometimes accused of turning off their minds and leaving them at the doors of their houses of worship (and some do!), unbelivers are usually open to the same criticism when they refuse to enter a house of worship in the first place.
Sometimes this willful rejection is simply a matter of failing to examine the evidence for faith critically. Faith in God is not a 'front-burner' issue for most people. The reasons for this attitude are varied, but are always based in an innate desire for people to be in charge of their own lives. If you think you are in control and value that control, it is easy to pass over evidence that there is a God who might want you to change some of your ways. Why pursue something that might lead to uncomfortable conclusions? It doesn't matter that God tells us in the Bible that He intends His sovereignty over our lives for our good (Deuteronomy 10:13); that is a fact left unconsidered.
Another type of willful rejection can be demonstrated by something I wrote in yesterday's entry. Some physicists (by no means all) who understand the mathematics necessitating "The Singularity" reject it - not on the basis of science, but due to philosophical or (anti-) religious considerations. In this case, rejection includes a thorough examination of the facts. But a strong bias against those facts leads to a lack of assent to their truth. Note, though, that this bias is not based on facts - it is based on one's unwillingness to follow where those facts lead.
The reasons for such considered rejection are ultimately the same as less-considered rejection: a willful decision of denial.
In one of the most profound passages in all of the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes:
"[Unbelievers] suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:18-20).
If what Paul wrote is true, God has provided ample evidence of His existence - He has made it possible to obtain enough knowledge to warrant significant faith. But Paul says that unbelievers "suppress" this truth. The word "suppress" means to actively push something down. It requires a certain effort - even if faith in God is a "back-burner" issue.
Significant faith requires not only knowledge, but an active assent or agreement that that knowledge is true. The Bible says that God will reward those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) and that He is not far from any of us (Acts 17:27). I know in my own experience, coming to significant faith was a process that took place over several months. But the direct cause was reading the Bible with the knowledge that it could just possibly be true. I had done enough investigation to satisfy myself on that point. But, in the end, it was God's active pursuit of me as I was pursuing Him that opened my heart to assent to the truth the Bible contained.
So, I cannot take any credit for my faith. God provided the evidence through His creation of His existence. God provided the historical evidence necessary to conclude that the Bible was reasonably accurate. And it was God's Spirit that whispered and prodded and eventually overwhelmed my natural rejection throughout the process.
If you'd like to explore whether significant faith in the Creator God of the universe is possible, I invite you to begin your investigation today. Make it a 'front-burner' issue. God will reward your efforts, as He did mine.
But this will just be a start. Significant faith entails not only knowledge and assent, it also includes trust and committment. We'll explore those aspects of faith in future blog entries.
Assent
The Apostle John, near the end of his Gospel, wrote:
"These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (or the Messiah), the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).
John claims to have written historical facts about Jesus of Nazareth in the first Century AD. His purpose in doing so is to produce faith - not blind faith or even passionate wishful thinking, but a fact-based faith of significance. He calls his readers not only to understand what he has written, but to assent to its truth. It is not my intent here to defend the historical accuracy of John's Gospel - others have done so far better than I can. If you're interested, you can read Craig Blomberg's The Historical Reliability of the Gospels, and The Historical Reliability of John's Gospel, and the fantastic new book by Richard Bauckham, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses.
"Assent" implies a decision on our part. Ultimately, assent is an act of the will - as is the opposite, rejection. While believers are sometimes accused of turning off their minds and leaving them at the doors of their houses of worship (and some do!), unbelivers are usually open to the same criticism when they refuse to enter a house of worship in the first place.
Sometimes this willful rejection is simply a matter of failing to examine the evidence for faith critically. Faith in God is not a 'front-burner' issue for most people. The reasons for this attitude are varied, but are always based in an innate desire for people to be in charge of their own lives. If you think you are in control and value that control, it is easy to pass over evidence that there is a God who might want you to change some of your ways. Why pursue something that might lead to uncomfortable conclusions? It doesn't matter that God tells us in the Bible that He intends His sovereignty over our lives for our good (Deuteronomy 10:13); that is a fact left unconsidered.
Another type of willful rejection can be demonstrated by something I wrote in yesterday's entry. Some physicists (by no means all) who understand the mathematics necessitating "The Singularity" reject it - not on the basis of science, but due to philosophical or (anti-) religious considerations. In this case, rejection includes a thorough examination of the facts. But a strong bias against those facts leads to a lack of assent to their truth. Note, though, that this bias is not based on facts - it is based on one's unwillingness to follow where those facts lead.
The reasons for such considered rejection are ultimately the same as less-considered rejection: a willful decision of denial.
In one of the most profound passages in all of the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes:
"[Unbelievers] suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:18-20).
If what Paul wrote is true, God has provided ample evidence of His existence - He has made it possible to obtain enough knowledge to warrant significant faith. But Paul says that unbelievers "suppress" this truth. The word "suppress" means to actively push something down. It requires a certain effort - even if faith in God is a "back-burner" issue.
Significant faith requires not only knowledge, but an active assent or agreement that that knowledge is true. The Bible says that God will reward those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) and that He is not far from any of us (Acts 17:27). I know in my own experience, coming to significant faith was a process that took place over several months. But the direct cause was reading the Bible with the knowledge that it could just possibly be true. I had done enough investigation to satisfy myself on that point. But, in the end, it was God's active pursuit of me as I was pursuing Him that opened my heart to assent to the truth the Bible contained.
So, I cannot take any credit for my faith. God provided the evidence through His creation of His existence. God provided the historical evidence necessary to conclude that the Bible was reasonably accurate. And it was God's Spirit that whispered and prodded and eventually overwhelmed my natural rejection throughout the process.
If you'd like to explore whether significant faith in the Creator God of the universe is possible, I invite you to begin your investigation today. Make it a 'front-burner' issue. God will reward your efforts, as He did mine.
But this will just be a start. Significant faith entails not only knowledge and assent, it also includes trust and committment. We'll explore those aspects of faith in future blog entries.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Significant Faith - Part 1
American humorist Mark Twain famously defined 'faith' as follows:
"Faith is believing in something you know ain't true."
I've been thinking a lot about faith in recent days. My faith - in a very real sense - has been my foundation through this trial (and many others!). But I think there's a wide misperception - characterized humorously by Mark Twain - about the nature of faith. Or, at least, the faith that the Bible talks about.
We must first distinguish the popular notion of 'blind faith' from the significant faith defined in Scripture:
Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Notice that significant faith is grounded in assurance and conviction. These are two words are antithethical to the idea of 'blindness' or taking a 'leap' into what we suspect is untrue. One of my Jewish friends described his faith as, "I have FAITH that the Lakers will win the championship next year. It's not something I KNOW, it's something I hope for." That is the way I think many people consider faith. But if the Bible is true, it is possible to enjoy a faith that goes well beyond fervant wishful thinking. Let's see how.
Significant faith consists of four components: Knowledge, Assent (or Agreement), Trust, and Conviction. I'll consider the first of these, below, then continue on with the others in future blogs.
Knowledge
The faith the Bible talks about is first and foremost fact-based:
Philemon 1:6: "I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake."
In order for faith to be effective, it must be according to what we know. The amount of knowledge necessary to engender significant faith varies from person to person. Some may need objective facts from the area of science or history; others a more personal knowledge through experiencing God directly in their lives or in the lives of those they love. But either way, significant faith is based on facts, and thus cannot be characterized as 'blind.'
Here's an example of what I mean: Several lines of evidence in modern cosmology (the study of the nature of the universe) point to the fact that the physical universe came into existence at a some fixed time in the past. This fact is mathematically necessitated and cannot be denied on scientific grounds (there are a number of physicists who reject it on self-admittedly philosophical grounds). In the early 1960's, residual effects of the 'creation event' (what scientists term "the Big Bang") were observed and measured in the laboratory.
Before the Big Bang was proven, it was possible for scientists (and others) to believe that the physical universe always existed. The need for a Creator was thus comfortably removed and the Biblical account in Genesis could be denied. But with the proof of the Big Bang came along a whole host of philosophical and theological implications, the most significant of which is the idea that if anything has a beginning, it must have a preceeding cause.
So, what preceeded and caused the Big Bang? Physicists have demonstrated - again, through the elegance of mathematics - that what they term "The Singularity" pre-existed the Big Bang. The Singularity is something about which we can say little, except that no physical laws can pertain to it. It is quite literally beyond all physical reality and beyond all possible physical reality. Again, this is not mere speculation; the Singularity is a mathematical necessity to account for the universe we now find ourselves inhabiting. Every experiment ever conducted to prove the Singularity has succeeded; every experiment conducted to disprove it has failed (for more details, see Frank Tipler's The Physics of Christianity).
One of the oldest philosophical truths is: From nothing, nothing comes. That is, if there were nothing prior to the Big Bang, nothing would now exist. But in terms of physical reality, nothing existed prior to the Big Bang! Instead, when we wind the clock back to before the Beginning, what does science tell us we find? Something incomprehensible. Something beyond the bounds of what is even possible for us to know. In other words, in the literal sense of the term, something supernatural.
This fact is a long way from proving that the God 0f the Bible exists. But it is a solid foundation upon which to add other facts to establish His existence beyond reasonable doubt.
The question is: What do we do with such facts? In a recent survey, 40% of leading scientists claim a belief in God (this is roughly the same number reported in a survey conducted in the early 1900s). What about the other 60%? What about you, if you doubt God's existence?
Knowledge is only one component of significant faith. We must add the other components of Assent, Trust, and Committment. But knowledge is the foundation. It belies the notion that 'faith' is blind.
I'll continue discussing Significant Faith in my next blog.
"Faith is believing in something you know ain't true."
I've been thinking a lot about faith in recent days. My faith - in a very real sense - has been my foundation through this trial (and many others!). But I think there's a wide misperception - characterized humorously by Mark Twain - about the nature of faith. Or, at least, the faith that the Bible talks about.
We must first distinguish the popular notion of 'blind faith' from the significant faith defined in Scripture:
Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Notice that significant faith is grounded in assurance and conviction. These are two words are antithethical to the idea of 'blindness' or taking a 'leap' into what we suspect is untrue. One of my Jewish friends described his faith as, "I have FAITH that the Lakers will win the championship next year. It's not something I KNOW, it's something I hope for." That is the way I think many people consider faith. But if the Bible is true, it is possible to enjoy a faith that goes well beyond fervant wishful thinking. Let's see how.
Significant faith consists of four components: Knowledge, Assent (or Agreement), Trust, and Conviction. I'll consider the first of these, below, then continue on with the others in future blogs.
Knowledge
The faith the Bible talks about is first and foremost fact-based:
Philemon 1:6: "I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake."
In order for faith to be effective, it must be according to what we know. The amount of knowledge necessary to engender significant faith varies from person to person. Some may need objective facts from the area of science or history; others a more personal knowledge through experiencing God directly in their lives or in the lives of those they love. But either way, significant faith is based on facts, and thus cannot be characterized as 'blind.'
Here's an example of what I mean: Several lines of evidence in modern cosmology (the study of the nature of the universe) point to the fact that the physical universe came into existence at a some fixed time in the past. This fact is mathematically necessitated and cannot be denied on scientific grounds (there are a number of physicists who reject it on self-admittedly philosophical grounds). In the early 1960's, residual effects of the 'creation event' (what scientists term "the Big Bang") were observed and measured in the laboratory.
Before the Big Bang was proven, it was possible for scientists (and others) to believe that the physical universe always existed. The need for a Creator was thus comfortably removed and the Biblical account in Genesis could be denied. But with the proof of the Big Bang came along a whole host of philosophical and theological implications, the most significant of which is the idea that if anything has a beginning, it must have a preceeding cause.
So, what preceeded and caused the Big Bang? Physicists have demonstrated - again, through the elegance of mathematics - that what they term "The Singularity" pre-existed the Big Bang. The Singularity is something about which we can say little, except that no physical laws can pertain to it. It is quite literally beyond all physical reality and beyond all possible physical reality. Again, this is not mere speculation; the Singularity is a mathematical necessity to account for the universe we now find ourselves inhabiting. Every experiment ever conducted to prove the Singularity has succeeded; every experiment conducted to disprove it has failed (for more details, see Frank Tipler's The Physics of Christianity).
One of the oldest philosophical truths is: From nothing, nothing comes. That is, if there were nothing prior to the Big Bang, nothing would now exist. But in terms of physical reality, nothing existed prior to the Big Bang! Instead, when we wind the clock back to before the Beginning, what does science tell us we find? Something incomprehensible. Something beyond the bounds of what is even possible for us to know. In other words, in the literal sense of the term, something supernatural.
This fact is a long way from proving that the God 0f the Bible exists. But it is a solid foundation upon which to add other facts to establish His existence beyond reasonable doubt.
The question is: What do we do with such facts? In a recent survey, 40% of leading scientists claim a belief in God (this is roughly the same number reported in a survey conducted in the early 1900s). What about the other 60%? What about you, if you doubt God's existence?
Knowledge is only one component of significant faith. We must add the other components of Assent, Trust, and Committment. But knowledge is the foundation. It belies the notion that 'faith' is blind.
I'll continue discussing Significant Faith in my next blog.
Friday, June 15, 2007
The Power of Prayer
We've talked a lot about prayer on this blog. I've asked for your prayers - you've told me you're praying for me (even some of you who don't believe in a Personal God!). And I've detailed some specific answers to prayer I've experienced.
But why do we pray? If God is in control of all things - as I believe the Bible teaches - isn't He going to do whatever He wants, anyway, despite our prayers? Can our prayers actually influence God in some way?
I can't pretend to have anything like a definitive answer. Ultimately, God's ways are far beyond our ways, and it's simply not possible for finite beings to understand how an infinite Being operates within His creation, or how He interacts with His children.
But the Bible does provide some clues for us to at least begin to approach the matter. First, the Bible is clear: God wants us to pray to Him!
Psalm 32:6: "Let everyone who is godly pray to You."
1 Thess 5:17: "Pray without ceasing."
James 5:14: "Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him..."
Indeed, James 5:16 tells us that the prayers of a righteous man "avails much."
Second, while God will surely accomplish His purposes, He is not a distant tyrant, ordaining whatever happens from afar. Instead, He is intimately involved in our daily lives, constantly WORKING all things according to the council of His will (Ephesians 1:11). The verb "working" implies an active, involved RELATIONSHIP with the created world, and specifically with each of us - His children.
So, why do we pray when God will accomplish what He wants anyway? A friend of mine shared this story with me a few years ago, and I think it a perfect illustration. My friend - like me - has a young son. My friend would work on projects in his garage on weekends, and sometimes, his little son would come and ask to help. My friend knew that it would be easier and faster if he denied his son's request. He'd do a better job on his own. But, because he loves his son, he wanted to include his son in the project. "Sure! Let me show you how to use this tool..."
My friend's purpose was to complete the project. He could have done so with or without the participation of his son. He chose to include his son in the process. His purpose was still achieved - just not in the way it would have been, had his son not offered to help. But the process of working with his son built up their relationship, and the project - in a very real sense - reflected both the work of son and father.
Ultimately, prayer is not for God - it's for us. It puts us in the proper relationship to God - with us seeking His guidance, help, strength, healing, wisdom. Ultimately, as our relationship with God grows, He will change our desires. We will grow out of selfishness and self-centerdness and focus more on Eternal Realities - we will end up wanting exactly what He wants, for the same reasons He wants them:
Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart."
So, friends, continue to pray - not just for me, but for every aspect of your lives. If you don't know God in a personal way, pray that He will reveal Himself to you profoundly. He is not far from any of us! (Acts 17:27).
But why do we pray? If God is in control of all things - as I believe the Bible teaches - isn't He going to do whatever He wants, anyway, despite our prayers? Can our prayers actually influence God in some way?
I can't pretend to have anything like a definitive answer. Ultimately, God's ways are far beyond our ways, and it's simply not possible for finite beings to understand how an infinite Being operates within His creation, or how He interacts with His children.
But the Bible does provide some clues for us to at least begin to approach the matter. First, the Bible is clear: God wants us to pray to Him!
Psalm 32:6: "Let everyone who is godly pray to You."
1 Thess 5:17: "Pray without ceasing."
James 5:14: "Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him..."
Indeed, James 5:16 tells us that the prayers of a righteous man "avails much."
Second, while God will surely accomplish His purposes, He is not a distant tyrant, ordaining whatever happens from afar. Instead, He is intimately involved in our daily lives, constantly WORKING all things according to the council of His will (Ephesians 1:11). The verb "working" implies an active, involved RELATIONSHIP with the created world, and specifically with each of us - His children.
So, why do we pray when God will accomplish what He wants anyway? A friend of mine shared this story with me a few years ago, and I think it a perfect illustration. My friend - like me - has a young son. My friend would work on projects in his garage on weekends, and sometimes, his little son would come and ask to help. My friend knew that it would be easier and faster if he denied his son's request. He'd do a better job on his own. But, because he loves his son, he wanted to include his son in the project. "Sure! Let me show you how to use this tool..."
My friend's purpose was to complete the project. He could have done so with or without the participation of his son. He chose to include his son in the process. His purpose was still achieved - just not in the way it would have been, had his son not offered to help. But the process of working with his son built up their relationship, and the project - in a very real sense - reflected both the work of son and father.
Ultimately, prayer is not for God - it's for us. It puts us in the proper relationship to God - with us seeking His guidance, help, strength, healing, wisdom. Ultimately, as our relationship with God grows, He will change our desires. We will grow out of selfishness and self-centerdness and focus more on Eternal Realities - we will end up wanting exactly what He wants, for the same reasons He wants them:
Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart."
So, friends, continue to pray - not just for me, but for every aspect of your lives. If you don't know God in a personal way, pray that He will reveal Himself to you profoundly. He is not far from any of us! (Acts 17:27).
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Why Me? Why Now?
I know that many of you reading this blog don't believe in God - or if you do, "God" is a kind-of impersonal creative force behind the physical universe in some way, but not actively involved in its day-to-day activities.
Those of you who are fellow Christians - or are devout Jews - know that the God revealed in the Bible is very Personal, Loving, and Involved. He is a God of relationships - zealously seeking fellowship with His creatures. But a true loving relationship cannot be coerced; so God has created us with the capacity to freely love Him - or reject Him.
If one doubts God's existence - or sees Him in a more Deistic way - the "why" questions can be brushed aside. They can be dismissed as 'bad luck' or some random act with no Divine significance.
But what about a person of Faith? Can I honestly believe that God somehow intends for my cancer to be a good thing? That He has a purpose behind it? And if so, can I understand it? Is it right to ask Him for an explanation?
As a Christian, the yardstick by which I measure Truth is the Bible. And there's a book in the Bible that specifically addresses the "why" questions: The book of Job. At the end, God confronts Job and asks him a series of rhetorical questions, that basically point to the truth that God's ways are beyond our ways. He created us; He created the world. He is in charge. We should not ask "why" - we have no right to ask such questions. Rather, we should ask, "what would you have me do in this situation? What do you want me to learn?"
There are other passages in Scripture that point to God's benevolent care for His children. Romans 8:28: "We know that God works all things for the good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." I've been meditating on this verse a lot, recently. It calls me to trust that God's purposes - even in my cancer - are intended by Him for my good. I don't understand exactly how that can be, but I think I've gained some insights I'd like to share.
First, I've been praying Mark 9:24 for several months: "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." It has been an appeal for God to increase my faith. While my faith has never waivered - and I've certainly never regretted my committment to Christ (see my testimony, here), I have doubts and uncertainties, from time to time. I've known people of great faith, and I want to be more like them. I want to feel a personal relationship with God on a deeper level. It is, afterall, the most important relationship - by far - we'll ever have!
So, when this happened, I know that - in a huge way - God was presenting me with an opportunity to grow in faith. During those first moments two Sundays ago when I temporarily lost the ability to speak, I knew something was very wrong - that I could be dying. As facts began to emerge, and I learned that I have cancer, the possiblity of death - maybe not right away, but soon - became a reality. And the biggest fact staring me in the face was: I'm not in charge! Every aspect of my existence was immediately thrown into focus: It's all in God's Hands.
Coming to that realization - not merely "head" knowledge but a true "heart" knowledge - was a great comfort to me. The God revealed in the Bible is perfect in every way. What better Person to be in charge?
Another lesson I think God is teaching me is strongly related to all this: Humility. I've always taken great pride in my intellect - in my articulateness. I didn't need to be the 'sharpest knife in the drawer,' but I was always one of them. I remember my mother telling me how proud she was that I was attending graduate school. "No one will ever be able to take your education away from you!" Well, Mom was right about alot of things, but wrong on that point: Had God wanted, He could have taken my intellect from me.
I've been reflecting on the last Sunday School lesson I was able to finish, on John 3:25-30. In this passage, John the Baptist's disciples come to him and complain that Jesus is baptizing more people than they are. John's response: "A man can receive nothing unless it is given him from Heaven."
The truth of the matter is that I did absolutely nothing to deserve the mind I've got. It was a gift from God. "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). I know that one lesson God is teaching me is humility. Pride is nothing more than idolatry - the substitution of Self for God.
So, is God working all things - even THIS thing - for my good? Yes, I believe that He is. I'm not going down the "why" path anymore. I'm asking, "what would You have me do?"
For those of you who have "your own" concept of God, a gentle warning: That's idolatry, too. You have made a God to suit yourself. I'm not saying that God will teach you the same lesson He's teaching me in the same way - no, it's a far more important issue than that. Your relationship with God will have Eternal consequences. Please, give it some thought this week, and feel free to ask me any questions you'd like.
Those of you who are fellow Christians - or are devout Jews - know that the God revealed in the Bible is very Personal, Loving, and Involved. He is a God of relationships - zealously seeking fellowship with His creatures. But a true loving relationship cannot be coerced; so God has created us with the capacity to freely love Him - or reject Him.
If one doubts God's existence - or sees Him in a more Deistic way - the "why" questions can be brushed aside. They can be dismissed as 'bad luck' or some random act with no Divine significance.
But what about a person of Faith? Can I honestly believe that God somehow intends for my cancer to be a good thing? That He has a purpose behind it? And if so, can I understand it? Is it right to ask Him for an explanation?
As a Christian, the yardstick by which I measure Truth is the Bible. And there's a book in the Bible that specifically addresses the "why" questions: The book of Job. At the end, God confronts Job and asks him a series of rhetorical questions, that basically point to the truth that God's ways are beyond our ways. He created us; He created the world. He is in charge. We should not ask "why" - we have no right to ask such questions. Rather, we should ask, "what would you have me do in this situation? What do you want me to learn?"
There are other passages in Scripture that point to God's benevolent care for His children. Romans 8:28: "We know that God works all things for the good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." I've been meditating on this verse a lot, recently. It calls me to trust that God's purposes - even in my cancer - are intended by Him for my good. I don't understand exactly how that can be, but I think I've gained some insights I'd like to share.
First, I've been praying Mark 9:24 for several months: "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." It has been an appeal for God to increase my faith. While my faith has never waivered - and I've certainly never regretted my committment to Christ (see my testimony, here), I have doubts and uncertainties, from time to time. I've known people of great faith, and I want to be more like them. I want to feel a personal relationship with God on a deeper level. It is, afterall, the most important relationship - by far - we'll ever have!
So, when this happened, I know that - in a huge way - God was presenting me with an opportunity to grow in faith. During those first moments two Sundays ago when I temporarily lost the ability to speak, I knew something was very wrong - that I could be dying. As facts began to emerge, and I learned that I have cancer, the possiblity of death - maybe not right away, but soon - became a reality. And the biggest fact staring me in the face was: I'm not in charge! Every aspect of my existence was immediately thrown into focus: It's all in God's Hands.
Coming to that realization - not merely "head" knowledge but a true "heart" knowledge - was a great comfort to me. The God revealed in the Bible is perfect in every way. What better Person to be in charge?
Another lesson I think God is teaching me is strongly related to all this: Humility. I've always taken great pride in my intellect - in my articulateness. I didn't need to be the 'sharpest knife in the drawer,' but I was always one of them. I remember my mother telling me how proud she was that I was attending graduate school. "No one will ever be able to take your education away from you!" Well, Mom was right about alot of things, but wrong on that point: Had God wanted, He could have taken my intellect from me.
I've been reflecting on the last Sunday School lesson I was able to finish, on John 3:25-30. In this passage, John the Baptist's disciples come to him and complain that Jesus is baptizing more people than they are. John's response: "A man can receive nothing unless it is given him from Heaven."
The truth of the matter is that I did absolutely nothing to deserve the mind I've got. It was a gift from God. "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). I know that one lesson God is teaching me is humility. Pride is nothing more than idolatry - the substitution of Self for God.
So, is God working all things - even THIS thing - for my good? Yes, I believe that He is. I'm not going down the "why" path anymore. I'm asking, "what would You have me do?"
For those of you who have "your own" concept of God, a gentle warning: That's idolatry, too. You have made a God to suit yourself. I'm not saying that God will teach you the same lesson He's teaching me in the same way - no, it's a far more important issue than that. Your relationship with God will have Eternal consequences. Please, give it some thought this week, and feel free to ask me any questions you'd like.
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