Don't Put This on the Poster

Yesterday morning, I was reading my devotion from the One Year Mini. There was a section of the devotion that stuck with me throughout the day. It centered around the issue of faithfulness and address the question: Is God's rescue of us dependent on our faithfulness to him? Part of their response read:

"If God always rescued those who were true to him, Christians would not need faith. Their religion would be a great insurance policy, and there would be be lines of selfish people ready to sign up.

We should be faithful to God whether her intervenes on our behalf or not. Our eternal reward and rescue from God's judgment are worth any suffering we may have to endure first."

I read this, and I see the wisdom and truth in this statement. I realize that our needs are not always what God has in store for us. I realize that life is going to have its ups and downs, and we will make our way through regardless. It is our faith in God that sustains us through life.

With so many churches struggling to find new members and struggling to keep their current members, I can't help but focus on this image of lines of people being ready to sign up. Aren't folks looking for a sure thing? If God provided everything they needed, I suppose everyone would want to be Christian.

I also suppose many atheists would argue that if God exists, and he is a good and just God, he would provide everything that we need. Why would he want to see us suffer?

The writer tells us that what waits for us after this life will be way better than anything bad that might happen to us. I certainly believe it. I know many others that do...but many that don't. How do we help non-believers to understand the "eternal reward" waiting for them in Christ?

God Delusion, Part I

I wrote quite awhile ago that I had purchased the book The God Delusion. Among the atheist community, this book is often cited. I thought it would be useful for me to read the book simply to know how they argue against the existence of God. My years in high school debate taught me that you need to explore opposing viewpoints.

I have made my way through almost on half of the book. Did I think the book would convert me to atheism? No. Did I think the book would be challenging for me? Yes. Is it OK for us to have some doubts in our faith? Yes. This book has certainly been challenging for me to read.

So far, this books comes down to science vs. faith. This is not a surprise. Dawkins, at great length, discusses the ability of science to explain how our world works, specifically as it relates to the ideas of evolution, natural selection and the formation of our universe. Through his detailed explanations, he asserts that there can be no other reasonable explanation for how we got here.

When you talk about faith, it is just that. To Dawkins, the Bible is not a legitimate book for argumentation purposes. Thus, the discussion is over. Dawkins simply asks for scientific proof that there is a God. It's not there. Thus, there is no God. Prayer doesn't really work. Creationism has no evidence.

How do you argue faith? I can see a prayer answered. I can see the beauty of creation. I can appreciate my conversations with God. I can see the Holy Spirit at work. I know these things exist, and I look for strength from the Holy Bible. It brings me great confidence and great strength.

While in college, there was a time when I considered myself an atheist. I was miserable and directionless. Since renewing my relationship with God and living a life of doing my best to love God and love one another, I am happier, less worried and find more meaning and joy in life.

I wish that Dawkins and others could have that in their life as well. Yet, I realize that there will be folks with his views and, as a Christian, I am still called to minister to them. While difficult, I realize it is something that we are called to do.

*** Stay tuned for future reflections on this book. ***