Happy Evolution Sunday! Or Happy Darwin Sunday! Over 1,000 churches around the country are celebrating Darwin today. Organized by a professor from Butler University, Michael Zimmerman, Evolution Sunday is growing every year. This is the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and his Origin of Species was published 150 years ago. Check out the Clergy Letter Project on Google if you want to see who is celebrating and some of the sermons being preached to bridge the gap between the Bible and Darwin.
My question is how many churches dedicate one Sunday a year to Creation? Not just a sermon in praise of the great Creator (that should happen much more than once a year) but a sermon that explains that "In the beginning, in six days, God created the heavens and the earth and all that in them is (Gen 1:1, and Exodus 20:11)" are still the most scientific explanation of where we came from.
I was reading a book called Counterknowledge yesterday. He is blasting Americans for buying and believing things that are demonstrably not true. He attacks the 9/11 conspiracy theorists, the daVinci Code, the Chinese discovered America in 1491, Alternative medicine, the Book of Mormon, Afrocentric history books, and Creation. He views the world through a modernist view that science can determine absolute truth, challenging the post-modern "believe what you want" and the pre-modern "believe what God said."
But what bothers me is that most Christians really can't defend their beliefs intelligently. We are told to be "ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us." But our hope is based on the reliability of God's Word, the omnipotence of the Creator, the fallenness of man, and the redemption of God. If we can't defend God's Word and the Creation, than we have sidelined ourselves in the modern world. And if we can't defend the existence of an absolute truth, we have sidelined ourselves in a postmodern world. Either way, we will not be storming the gates of hell.
This isn't very cohesive, just some frustrated thoughts.
Showing posts with label world view. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world view. Show all posts
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Just some diversionary thoughts
I had an idea for a story a while back, and now it sounds like I am imitating life. I think this could make a great novel, but I don't think I could do it. Here are the Cliff's Notes for my first novel.
The revival started because of the election of '08. Christians had their choice of an extremely liberal politician, a moderately liberal politician, and a bevy of politicians who couldn't win. Frustration led to low turnouts and the election of the most liberal choice. In despair, someone suggested prayer. Emails started going out suggesting that every American pray for their country at the same time. Soon the country had been blanketed with the idea, and people started doing it. Wherever you were, whatever you were doing, when the time came to pray, you stopped and prayed for just 5 minutes for the country with every (well with a large number of) Christians in America.
Prayer worked! Non-Christians became curious about all this praying, and asked questions -- some got saved. Christians prayed more and became more enthusiastic about being a Christian. And God heard, and began to "heal their land."
As the revival spread, two things changed about America. The first was the church. Churches grew. Their members were more on fire. Those were the kinds of things to be expected. But this revival started with an email and grew on the Internet. Churches found that many of their members were attending from around the world with live streaming. Podcasts of the services were being downloaded by the tens of thousands.
Something else that hadn't been expected was the reaction of professionals who were finding Christ and the Bible for the first time. They were asking "How does being a Christian change how I do my job? Does God talk about being a doctor? a lawyer? a teacher? a soldier? a stock broker? a salesman? a scholar? a psychologist or counselor? a computer programmer? a scientist?" And the church didn't have the answer. But they did have the solution. Small groups of Christians from various professions gathered to study the Bible and find answers to the challenges they were facing. Many of them gathered in fast food restaurants or Starbucks. Others noticed what was happening and joined. They soon found Christ as well. Other groups used online conference software and met from around the country to study. Soon Christians were changing their professional world and becoming an intellectual force to be reckoned with for the first time since the Reformation.
The other thing that changed was America's political scene. It began in 2010 during the congressional races. A number of politicians ran as Christians. Some were Republicans, some were Democrats, and some were Independents. During the 2012 Presidential race, the Christians were faced with a very liberal politician, a fairly liberal politician, and a very conservative politician who couldn't win. They finally voted their convictions and the politician who couldn't win gained 10% of the vote. The very liberal politician won the Presidency and then discovered that the world had changed. Congress was made up of about 1/3 traditional Democrats, 1/3 traditional Republicans, and 1/3 Christians from both parties who refused to voted party when Biblical principles were at stake. The Democrats and Republicans joined into the Democratic Republicans (and Jefferson rolled over in his grave). The Christians united into the Biblical Party.
During the Presidential race, the revival hit talk radio. With talent on loan from God now dedicated to God, talk radio no longer had one half of it brain tied behind its back. The discussion that had gone on in small group Bible studies were now on the radio three hours a day and more.
By 2014, the Bible Party controlled both houses of Congress. The government almost came to a standstill, as the President vetoed almost every bill from Congress and Congress ignored his liberal agenda.
Finally in 2016, an openly Biblical candidate took office as President, narrowly defeating the Democratic-Republican. The Biblical candidate, President HDH, backed by a majority in both houses, began to remodel America using a Biblical worldview.
1. Dismantled the Department of Education, returning education to the States and local communities. The Secretary of Education was just an information disseminator.
2. Over 8 years replaced the entire tax structure with a 10% sales tax on everything but food and used items. No business taxes, estate taxes, etc.
3. Over 8 years welfare was eliminated and HDH put the pressure on the churches and individual Christians to support the poor or help them overcome their problems
4. Held a public debate on Creation- Evolution on prime time TV/radio using the best minds on both sides so the whole country had a chance to determine the truth
5. Proposed an eleven amendment for the bill of rights -- the Right to Life
6. Etc.
The revival started because of the election of '08. Christians had their choice of an extremely liberal politician, a moderately liberal politician, and a bevy of politicians who couldn't win. Frustration led to low turnouts and the election of the most liberal choice. In despair, someone suggested prayer. Emails started going out suggesting that every American pray for their country at the same time. Soon the country had been blanketed with the idea, and people started doing it. Wherever you were, whatever you were doing, when the time came to pray, you stopped and prayed for just 5 minutes for the country with every (well with a large number of) Christians in America.
Prayer worked! Non-Christians became curious about all this praying, and asked questions -- some got saved. Christians prayed more and became more enthusiastic about being a Christian. And God heard, and began to "heal their land."
As the revival spread, two things changed about America. The first was the church. Churches grew. Their members were more on fire. Those were the kinds of things to be expected. But this revival started with an email and grew on the Internet. Churches found that many of their members were attending from around the world with live streaming. Podcasts of the services were being downloaded by the tens of thousands.
Something else that hadn't been expected was the reaction of professionals who were finding Christ and the Bible for the first time. They were asking "How does being a Christian change how I do my job? Does God talk about being a doctor? a lawyer? a teacher? a soldier? a stock broker? a salesman? a scholar? a psychologist or counselor? a computer programmer? a scientist?" And the church didn't have the answer. But they did have the solution. Small groups of Christians from various professions gathered to study the Bible and find answers to the challenges they were facing. Many of them gathered in fast food restaurants or Starbucks. Others noticed what was happening and joined. They soon found Christ as well. Other groups used online conference software and met from around the country to study. Soon Christians were changing their professional world and becoming an intellectual force to be reckoned with for the first time since the Reformation.
The other thing that changed was America's political scene. It began in 2010 during the congressional races. A number of politicians ran as Christians. Some were Republicans, some were Democrats, and some were Independents. During the 2012 Presidential race, the Christians were faced with a very liberal politician, a fairly liberal politician, and a very conservative politician who couldn't win. They finally voted their convictions and the politician who couldn't win gained 10% of the vote. The very liberal politician won the Presidency and then discovered that the world had changed. Congress was made up of about 1/3 traditional Democrats, 1/3 traditional Republicans, and 1/3 Christians from both parties who refused to voted party when Biblical principles were at stake. The Democrats and Republicans joined into the Democratic Republicans (and Jefferson rolled over in his grave). The Christians united into the Biblical Party.
During the Presidential race, the revival hit talk radio. With talent on loan from God now dedicated to God, talk radio no longer had one half of it brain tied behind its back. The discussion that had gone on in small group Bible studies were now on the radio three hours a day and more.
By 2014, the Bible Party controlled both houses of Congress. The government almost came to a standstill, as the President vetoed almost every bill from Congress and Congress ignored his liberal agenda.
Finally in 2016, an openly Biblical candidate took office as President, narrowly defeating the Democratic-Republican. The Biblical candidate, President HDH, backed by a majority in both houses, began to remodel America using a Biblical worldview.
1. Dismantled the Department of Education, returning education to the States and local communities. The Secretary of Education was just an information disseminator.
2. Over 8 years replaced the entire tax structure with a 10% sales tax on everything but food and used items. No business taxes, estate taxes, etc.
3. Over 8 years welfare was eliminated and HDH put the pressure on the churches and individual Christians to support the poor or help them overcome their problems
4. Held a public debate on Creation- Evolution on prime time TV/radio using the best minds on both sides so the whole country had a chance to determine the truth
5. Proposed an eleven amendment for the bill of rights -- the Right to Life
6. Etc.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Welcome
This week someone suggested that I needed to write a book because it is hard too process all the information in one message. Also, I have wanted to start a website, but I don't have the time to design and maintain one. At least not yet. So this blog will be my way to start a webpage and a book at the same time.
My topics will be organized, Lord willing, around the following theme.
CREATION
Design -- the design we see in our world points back to the great Designer of Genesis 1-2
Decay -- the decay we see in our world (science points to the Second Law of Thermodynamics) directs us back to the fall and curse in Genesis 3
Destruction -- God destroyed the world and sinful man with a worldwide, yearlong flood. This can still be seen in rocks and fossils. I like talking about the Ark also.
Dispersion -- The Tower of Babel led to the dispersion of mankind around the world. The Echoes of Babel can still be heard. I include a study of Chinese language and the Ice Age in this topic.
Dinos -- Dinosaurs are cool. They also point to almost all the topics from Design to Dispersion.
Digs -- Archaeology gives support for God's Word but it also fills in some of the background about the Bible stories.
Diversions -- Jokes, Fake ads, Short Stories
APOLOGETICS
Divinity -- Jesus was God-man. That fact is under vicious attack today. The evidence, however, is still there.
Documents -- Another fact under attack is the reliability of the New Testament. This is an extremely exciting topic to me. The evidence is overwhelming.
HOLINESS WORLDVIEW
Downstairs/Upstairs -- Both the world and the church have accepted the concept that truth is established by science, observation, experience while religion is just an experience.
Worldview -- Being a Christian is not just adding a new background to your screen, or adding a new piece of software, it is changing your operating system (hopefully from Microsoft to Mac). Being a Christian affects our view of every topic in our lives.
I need a "D" word for that last one. I also need your comments, especially as my blogs get started. That will help me refine my writing and thinking before I publish it as a book.
Welcome
Steve aka Jubal
My topics will be organized, Lord willing, around the following theme.
CREATION
Design -- the design we see in our world points back to the great Designer of Genesis 1-2
Decay -- the decay we see in our world (science points to the Second Law of Thermodynamics) directs us back to the fall and curse in Genesis 3
Destruction -- God destroyed the world and sinful man with a worldwide, yearlong flood. This can still be seen in rocks and fossils. I like talking about the Ark also.
Dispersion -- The Tower of Babel led to the dispersion of mankind around the world. The Echoes of Babel can still be heard. I include a study of Chinese language and the Ice Age in this topic.
Dinos -- Dinosaurs are cool. They also point to almost all the topics from Design to Dispersion.
Digs -- Archaeology gives support for God's Word but it also fills in some of the background about the Bible stories.
Diversions -- Jokes, Fake ads, Short Stories
APOLOGETICS
Divinity -- Jesus was God-man. That fact is under vicious attack today. The evidence, however, is still there.
Documents -- Another fact under attack is the reliability of the New Testament. This is an extremely exciting topic to me. The evidence is overwhelming.
HOLINESS WORLDVIEW
Downstairs/Upstairs -- Both the world and the church have accepted the concept that truth is established by science, observation, experience while religion is just an experience.
Worldview -- Being a Christian is not just adding a new background to your screen, or adding a new piece of software, it is changing your operating system (hopefully from Microsoft to Mac). Being a Christian affects our view of every topic in our lives.
I need a "D" word for that last one. I also need your comments, especially as my blogs get started. That will help me refine my writing and thinking before I publish it as a book.
Welcome
Steve aka Jubal
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