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Posts Tagged ‘do Christians oppose science? do Christians like science?’

I do love these atheist memes that make sweeping generalizations. They provide such inspiration for telling spiritually-open people like YOU a positive — and very credible — alternate to consider.

First, let’s talk about a “whiff of science”. That whiff absolutely, 100 percent FAILED to make atheists out of such scientists as:

  • Francis S. Collins (who helped map the human genome)
  • Don Page (a Canadian theoretical physicist who focuses on quantum cosmology)
  • Rosalind Picard (a professor of media arts and sciences at the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

There are many, many more who follow Jesus of Nazareth (who many people believe is the Son of God) — more than 60 living thinkers in the fields of engineering, physics and astronomy, chemistry and biomedical sciences, according to Wikipedia. I wrote about just a few of them here: https://wp.me/p2wzRb-e9

What is also interesting is that science has, indeed, killed off an entire host of so-called gods. In fact, Reddit lists THOUSANDS who are no longer worshipped around the world. My eyes glazed over just trying to take in the hundreds of Greek gods that have been dumped in the garbage bin of history.

This leaves just ONE God. The creator of time, space and the universe. Despite many, many claims made by secular scientists and celebrity atheists (such as Bill Maher, Ricky Gervais and Keira Knightly), this god and His Son remain.

Seeking another perspective, I passed this meme to my pastor friend Ross Carkner. Check out his thoughts:

Since science is always evolving, making discoveries and updating what the truth of a situation appears to be, to which understanding of scientific truth is Chapman Cohen referring to? Well, it depends!
And common sense … based on whose perspective? If I get punched while minding my own business, is it common sense to punch back or walk away? Well, it depends!
Science and common sense speak of a reality outside of ourselves … a reality to be discovered that doesn’t depend on anything, but instead depends on someone … namely THE God, creator of the universe and everything in it.
Does my life depend on the always-changing understanding of scientific truth or the uncertain opinion of what identifies as common sense? The God of the universe never changes, can be intimately discovered and can be depended on to lead us into the fullness of life.

At this point, you might be thinking “ok, fine. So this God exists. But that whole Jesus thing…I don’t know about that.” Good point. Lots of secular folks claim Jesus either never existed, or He absolutely was NOT what the Bible claims Him to be.

Well, most of that is covered in this blog: https://wp.me/p2wzRb-g3, so I won’t waste space going over it again. Just consider this: perhaps you’re reading this because your life is going along just fine, but there’s something…..missing.

There must be more to life than 75 years of sleeping, eating, working, raising children (who grow up and leave you with an empty nest) and then dying.

I’m here to tell you there IS more than that. Look into Jesus — His remarkable life, unmatched insights on truth and the human condition, His death and, finally, His resurrection. It could change your life.

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PlaceholderGod 11.13I wonder: do I lack courage or intellectual honesty?

It’s a question I asked myself after seeing this meme on an internet atheism community.

I can say for certain that there are all kinds of important questions that I can’t answer and, I suspect, no one else can, either. Questions about stuff in the Bible, for example. Or questions about why our world is shot through with disease, violence and inequality.

But if you remember where I found this piece of internet art, you can probably guess – as I did – that whoever created it doesn’t think “God” is an explanation for anything.

If your whole being is trusting in science, then maybe you hope it will eventually figure out everything. And we’ll be left with no creator.

I follow Jesus of Nazareth (who many people believe is the Son of God) and so that’s not my hope. In fact, I know it will never happen.

Let’s get one thing straight, however. I like science. I like it a lot, primarily because it’s one of the ways God shows us how He works. I have lots of moments where I’ll read about discovery in physics or astronomy and think “Ah, that’s how God did it. Cool!”.

That said, science will never answer the most basic of all questions: Why are we here? What happens to us when we die? And I’m fine with that.

These unanswered questions are important because they remind me that even after all I can find out about God from ancient texts and writers, I still know that He is a mystery. To put it another way, God is God. And I am NOT.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

That’s from an ancient, God-inspired writer and it makes sense to me.

So how do you hear God’s voice? One way is to read original-source documents about the life of Jesus  and, when you encounter something you don’t understand (and trust me, you will), ask a knowledgeable Jesus follower. Or ask me (I’m no expert, but I can give it my best shot or direct you to where you can get a credible answer). Or visit a website like the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry (http://carm.org/) and ask your question(s).

You can also start attending church. That’s where you’ll meet pastors and Jesus followers who will help you hear God’s voice.

Finally, you can pray. Prayer is a mystery (I wrote about that mystery here: http://wp.me/p2wzRb-9a), but it’s definitely worth doing, if for no other reason than Jesus, during his physical time on earth, prayed all the time.

Does all this make sense? Post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.

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