I just finished presenting a weekend science and faith seminar for high school students and adult youth leaders. Quantum physics, dark energy, irreducible complexity and they were ready for more. What a great group of young people!

We know that America respects scientists as the most trusted profession according to the latest Harris polls. We also know that there really is no such thing as science. There are fields of sciences but certainly no unifying variable. One field generally has a limited view of the other. The speculation, uncertainly, lack of evidence, and the like in the various sciences make trust in the physical resurrection of Jesus according to historical evidence look like no big deal. And then there is the sure experience of disciples of Christ for about 2000 years. Knowledge based on the evidence of experience. Where else would I go for meaning, purpose, and hope? I have no idea.

All CSI, all the time. Grissom, Catherine, Warrick, Sarah, Greg, and Nick. I have no idea who they are, but I do know that this show is like the Simpsons. It’s on all the time and on every channel. I know. I haven’t watched a full episode, but my wife and daughter are fascinated. It’s on all the time. The only thing I can figure is Nancy is an expert at puzzles and Kristina’s goal is medical school and pediatrics. Also, I guess a show basically about dead bodies might be interesting to the niece, granddaughter, great granddaughter, and great-great granddaughter of funeral directors.

But, here is what I am thinking. A team of people are spending an hour examining the evidence and coming up with the best possible explanation for something that happened in the past but was not directly observed. This is called, “Forensic Science.”

Boy does this sound familiar. Examine the evidence and come up with the best possible explanation for something that occurred in the past which cannot be directly observed. Sounds a lot like intelligent design. I haven’t heard anyone talking about “Intelligent Design Science” lately. Interesting.

“Every night in every home.” This is the branding phrase for Faithinkubators, a leading kid and youth ministry system for congregations. Every night (or morning for that matter) parents check in with their children. Not a very revolutionary system. Just effective. Both parents and kids share in this.

Share highs and lows (“What’s the best thing that happened to you today? The worst?”)

A verse from the Bible

What does the verse have to do with your highs and lows (or life in general)

Pray for each other

Bless each other for the day

Actually talking about what’s going on in life? The wisdom of scripture? The personal connection of praying for each other?

Nah. I’ll just buy him another PS 2 game.

I posted yesterday that Jesus never apologized for anything. Of course, the reason he never did might have something to do with the fact that he never wronged anyone. But, there were certainly people who were offended by Jesus. He didn’t find it necessary to apologize for causing offense to be taken. And another thing Jesus didn’t do. He didn’t apologize for the “feelings” of the lepers, tax collectors, Gentiles, and all others that were ostracized by his Jewish community. He reached out to the outcasts, but he didn’t give an apology for the way they were treated. He didn’t ask for their forgiveness for the actions of his fellow Jews.

Which brings us to Christianity. It is not my place to ask for forgiveness from the work of some people in the name of Jesus. Yes, there were preachers who supported slavery, for instance. They were wrong. There is no mandate of slavery in the Bible. Slavery was an economic reality of biblical times, but it was not commanded by God. God did not condemn those who would free slaves. Ultimately, it was Christians who brought abolition of slavery into the world. As a Christian, I simply side with those abolitionists.

I am responsible for my sins. I seek forgiveness from God and those I have wronged. But, I cannot ask for forgiveness for the sins of others, only my own. Now, Jesus could ask for forgiveness for the sins of others. He did it once. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” In fact, he did more than that. He took all sin of all people upon himself. “Father forgive them.” That’s why we call him “Savior.”

I was reading Colossians 3:21 this morning to our boys, when David asked me to say that again. “Fathers, don’t aggravate your children…” I paused, knowing where he was going with the question. Last weekend he had a couple of turnovers (basketball) in a close game and I yelled (screamed, actually) at him from the sideline. I felt better, but of course, it didn’t help him.

“The Bible is talking about like the game this weekend.”

“Yep.”

“Like when you yelled at me.”

“I’m sorry I yelled, David, but you always ask me to tell you what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong.”

“But not yelling.”

“Ya, I’ll do better about not yelling.”

It dawns on me; there is no record of Jesus apologizing. He never said he was sorry for anything. No wonder it is so hard to say I am sorry. I think I am the Messiah, after all.

Watching the Iraqi people vote in a democratic election for the first time in over 50 years, is just another reminder how precious freedom is to human beings. There is something about being able to make choices that inspires people to brave hardship and suffering. Creatures who live by instinct take the most convenient and efficient route. Democracy is yet another example of the uniqueness of creativity and imagination for humans.

That said, isn’t it interesting that the Christian faith works so effectively in people’s lives without a democracy? The only vote Jesus gives is “yea or nay” in our trust of him. When we come to faith, we live under an eternal monarchy. Oh, we still get to vote. We vote to not reject King Jesus every day, but instead follow the lead of his Spirit. We vote to not ignore the influence his love has on us which causes us to want to reach out and be a benefit in the lives of other people. As Moses instructed (Deuteronomy 30:19) long ago, once again this morning, we are invited to “choose life.” Life with God is lasting freedom.

Looking at the devastation of the recent earthquake and resulting tsunami, how could a loving God allow this to happen?

Great question. First a practical response. Without major plate tectonics (earthquakes and such), we would not be here. We need the land mass it generates, the changes in the atmosphere it causes to protect us from the growing brightness of the sun, and the nutrients that are circulated. Without plate tectonics we would have a sterile planet. Also, when the earliest life formed on earth about 3.8 billion years ago, there were five times as many major quakes. With the God of creation, one can say he is so benevolent to wait so long before introducing humans to planet earth when the tectonic activity had settled down.

From a human perspective, two things come to mind. First, we live where we live. There are four of these major earthquakes and resulting tsunami’s every century, on average. Educating your populace is a government’s responsibility. Along this same line, God already “instituted” an early warning system with tsunamis. A full 20 minutes before a tsunami hits, the ocean’s waters recede extremely further than any tide cycle. This is why shell fish, coral, and live fish were exposed to an extent not witnessed before by the people affected. Many of the dead were simply trying to reap this “miraculous” harvest, or were overcome by their own curiosity. This is why animals, without the creativity and imagination of humans, were much less likely to die.

Natural disasters are awful tragedies, and our prayers and our aid go out to our fellow humans. God certainly knows suffering and is there with those who suffer. This is also another opportunity for us to realize how fragile and brief our lives are in this created world. We look forward to the days that will have no end in the new creation where we will live safely and joyfully with Jesus forever. Now, we reach out and invite others to trust in Jesus and experience his presence now and forever, as well.

Contradiction- “A statement cannot be both true and false at the same time and in the same respect.”

So, two statements which share the identical time and context are offered. In contradiction, one would be true and one false. Where are there contradictions in the Bible? There are certainly difficulties and challenges to our understanding to be sure, but specific contradictions?

I’m still looking…

I find the article, “Thinking about The Trinity: One What and Three Whos,” by Kenneth Sample, helpful. Some of what is revealed concerning the Trinity is a mystery. We are trying to explain God in our dimensions when God has more dimensions available. The question is whether human beings will accept God as He actually reveals Himself to be, mystery included, or only settle for a being they think they can fully comprehend. Of course if the human mind can comprehend God, can he be much of a God? As C.S. Lewis points out, some concepts of God are easier than others: “If Christianity was something we were making up, of course we could make it easier. But it isn’t. We can’t compete, in simplicity, with people who are inventing religions. How could we? We’re dealing with fact. Of course anyone can be simple if he has no facts to bother about!”

One what and three who’s

In terms of what God is (essence), God is one; in terms of who God is (subsistence), God is three. To put it in the negative, it is not three different gods (tritheism), for that would divide the essence. Rather it is only one God (monotheism). And it is not one single solitary person (monarchianism, modalism), for that would blend or confound the persons. Rather it is three distinct and distinguishable persons (triune).

The way God is one, he is not three. And the way God is three, he is not one.

Isn’t saying, “Jesus is the way” offensive?

Isn’t saying “Jesus isn’t the way” offensive? Either salvation is through Christ alone, or it isn’t. Someday we will find out. In the meantime, to have a point of view and support it with principled, reasoned thinking is quite appropriate. We learn to live with our disagreements. That’s called “tolerance.” Remember.

Tolerance= I respect you as a human being and I respect that you have a point of view and I think your point of view is wrong.



One thing we cannot do to try to smooth over this “Jesus is the way” challenge. We don’t have the option of saying, “There are many ways.” “Many paths.” For example consider the claims of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

The main and earliest statement of faith of Christians is, “Jesus is Lord.” “Jesus is God.” This is considered blasphemy in Islam and Judaism. To say, “Jesus is God,” in either one of these faiths is a serious violation.

On its core teaching, Christianity is totally contradictory to Islam and Judaism. Either Jesus is God or he isn’t. One day we will find out. In the meantime, we need to be tolerant.