Friday, 27 January 2012 06:45
The Colorado Coalition of Reason claims that he is. This week they posted this assertion on three billboards in Boulder along with the request: "Choose reality, it will be better for all of us." Why did the group take this action? Their website explains: "We are concerned when religious people feel they have not only the right, but the obligation, to force their religious views on others."They add: "We don't ask you to stop believing in your version of a super-natural being. We do ask that you consider not forcing your religious views on others." So they have created billboards which force their religious views on us. Is this not a bit contradictory?
Last night it was my privilege to share a public forum on the existence of God with Dr. Steve Sverdlik, a philosophy professor at Southern Methodist University who has become a good friend. Steve believes that there is no God and that all "miracles" have natural explanations. He pointed to the rising interest in non-theism today, including the fact that the first "humanist" student organization at SMU began this year.
Those who deny God's existence typically agree with the Colorado group: theism is irrational. They are a "coalition of reason," in contrast to the non-reason of believers. If an all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God exists, we wouldn't need to debate the fact. Everyone believes the sun exists; why aren't we equally sure its Creator is real?
My response last night was that faith is a relationship. As with all relationships, it cannot be proven or disproven, only experienced. We examine the evidence, then step beyond it into a relationship which becomes self-validating.
If you needed proof that this essay was worth your time, you wouldn't have read this far. You considered the evidence--you've been reading for years, someone recommended this essay to you, etc. Then you stepped beyond what you could prove into that which you could only experience. If I needed to prove I'd be a good husband before Janet married me, I'd still be single. A relationship with God works the same way. No one can prove--or disprove--his existence. But everyone who asks him to forgive their mistakes and become their Lord will experience him personally.
How is this rather esoteric conversation relevant to your life this morning? Why do you need a more personal, intimate, transforming relationship with your Creator? What struggle, fear, decision, guilt or grief do you need him to help or heal? Jesus is not an "imaginary friend"--he is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). He is watching you read these words and is praying for you at this moment (Romans 8:34). His omnipotence is as close as your knees.
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Three times distinctly, and other times in an understanding, He has met me and given Himself to me. There is no way a natural man, who is God's enemy, could find Him, for He has to reveal Himself to them. Religionis man trying to find God, but Christanity is God reaching down to the elect and revealing Himself to them for salvation.
He came to me one night in a church service, and convicted my heart of my need of Him. He came to me when my wife died, and when I did not know how to face anything there, or what to do, He came in and talked to me personally, giving me a great understanding of what the future held. He came to me again, a few days later, and held all the hurt and loss of my wife passing away, in His great and mighty Hands, not to be released ever. He came again after I remarried, and me and my wife were having great difficulty in our relationship. He directed me specifically not to leave my wife. I knew the voice, I knew the Person who spoke to me that morning in the shower. I said, "OK, Lord, if that is what you want, I will do it." Things have over the years gotten better between me and my wife, but it did not miraclously change, but He had a mission for me. And He has blessed beyound measure. I could list some of them, but it would take all day and all this article to just begin to do that. So there is a God. He just does not mess with those who call His existance into question. They think they are so smart, however, He reveals Himself to those who are babes, not the intellectual, and wise in their own eyes. Thanks be to God for His Unspeakable Gift to me, Jesus Christ the Righteous, and my Savior and Redeemer. Praise His Holy Name!
The existence of God is a proven fact. He has dealt with others before us whom we know personally. The testimony of two or three establishes a thing.
Further, he has made appearance throughout history to various persons and identified himself to them, and allowed himself to be heard and seen and touched in the person of the Son.
But, the bottom line "proof" comes in the form of testing the faith it takes to act on the promises of his word. As soon as you test him, he proves reliable and true.
My father has a PhD in Genetics, so as a scientist he has encountered many with similar views as your friend. This is one of only 3 books that my father ever felt was worth a second read and he has recommend it to several.
Hope you and your friend will read and it will open meaningful dialouge. I truly look forward to your daily emails and have shared them often, thank you for your love of our Lord and using your talents for many to enjoy.
The humanists REJECTION OF GOD is in itself the best proof of God's Word; because humanity -since Eve and Adam- chose to believe THE BIGGEST LIE OF ALL,that we humans CAN BE LIKE GOD knowing good and evil.
Tragically, they are so trapped by that lie; mainly because they bouhgt it totally and want to live for themselves and according to their worldly desires.
This is the typical response of our Postmodern society that has produced a relativistic culture that allows one's faith, so long as it is kept upstairs in your personal life--Do not bring it downstairs in the "marketplace of ideas." (Read "Total Truth" by Nancy Pearcy).
Wake Up Christians!! We are in a Spiritual Battle! The idea that "God said it--I believe it-that settles it" may be good enough for you and me, but it is not good enough for the unbelieving Postmodern world. Know what you believe, and why you believe it. Then, 1 Peter 3:15 is our 'battle-cry.'
I seize the opportunity to thank you and all the team including Janet for ALL your labour, it is never taken for granted and always appreciated!
akeem,
London, UK
Thank you for your daily essays .
Following that emotional experience, we visited the "Mall" in Washington and toured the new World War II Memorial. It is a beautiful, impressive structure, except for one thing which to me was a glaring error of omission. Inscribed on one wall of the memorial and etched in stone is an excerpt from the ending words of Roosevelt's speech: "With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph" [omitted: "--so help us God."]
Those omitted four words in Roosevelt's skilled manner of speaking, provided an appropriate, emphatic, and unforgettable climactic ending to the speech which was very much needed for the occasion. This omission detracts from the urgency and spirit of the moment and the dedication of the people. It is another example of the widespread effort to remove any reference to God in our modern day lives. I was very emotionally upset when I saw this on our National Memorial to the heroes of World War II.
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