Preconceived Notions

Several years ago, I had a friendly but intense conversation with a gentleman about the nature of God. He didn’t believe in the concept of the Trinity, that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God. We spent some time discussing the most common scripture references that seem to have something to say on the subject. After our discussion had moved quickly through several of these scriptures, and the weight of the conversation was on him to explain his position, he made a comment that I have not forgotten, though most of the rest of the discussion has slipped from my mind. He said something like this, “You know, the idea that God is three persons always bothered me even before I became convinced of my view.”

More recently, I had another conversation with a young man who says he doesn’t believe that Christians should meet every Sunday as we do today.

What Atheism Lacks

For those of you who didn’t know Steve Martin was a musician (yes, that Steve Martin)…

A comical theological argument in song: Atheists Don’t Have No Songs

Thanks to Jay Guin for posting this on his blog so I could enjoy it.

An Unanswered Question

Did you know that infants recognize music? Not only do they recognize it, but they can become attached to it, even specific songs or styles of music. They “dance” to it. Many are captivated by an opportunity to punch a few keys on a piano. Are they just enthralled by noise? Are they simply responding to auditory stimuli?

Even unborn babies hear music. Some expectant mothers say that they feel kicks when music plays, or even when particular songs play. Some researchers have claimed that playing Mozart or Beethoven for your unborn baby can increase brain development. Are unborn babies merely responding to harmonically correspondent sound waves?

Isn’t it simply amazing that music can match our emotions and create moods?

Books You Should Read

It is important for Christians to be challenged by differing views. As Solomon said, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” [Proverbs 27:17] If you think you and/or your church have got all of the right answers, then it is definitely time to let someone challenge you. If you are right, then you have nothing to fear by being challenged. If you are wrong, then you have nothing to fear by being corrected.

So, I recommend that every Christian make it a habit to read books on biblical topics on a regular basis. Some might say, “Well, all I need is the Bible,” and that’s very true. The problem is that no one has only the Bible. Everyone has their biases, assumptions, and presuppositions along with the Bible.

Paul said, “Test everything; hold fast to what is good.” [1Thessalonians 5:21] Do not hesitate to test your beliefs…from the basic to the controversial to the complex. Find out what others are saying. Do not write other views off before hearing the case, and do not accept any views before hearing the case.

Here is a list of books in no particular order that I recommend for a variety of reasons…but mostly because I believe they will help you question and grow.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp
Faith and Reason by Ronald Nash
The Edge of Evolution by Michael Behe
The Christian View of Science and Scripture by Bernard Ramm
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel
Surprising Insights from the Unchurched by Thom Rainer
Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch
I Sold My Soul on eBay by Hemant Mehta
Go Ye Means Go Me by Ivan Stewart

Take some time to challenge yourself. Pick up one of these books.

It All Takes Faith

The following was a comment I left on a blog in which many athiests, agnostics, and believers were discussing belief in God.  One believer made the usual statement that we all rely on faith, but the non-believers wanted to know how those of us who use that argument reach that conclusion.  This is the clarification that I gave, I thought it would be appropriate to post it here: 

confusedchristian-
You wrote, “But in the end, it’s hard for me to be religious because God’s existence cannot be proven.”

And, yet, it is not hard for you to be non-religious even though God’s non-existence cannot be proven either.

What Are the Odds? – 1

Let’s admit, just for the sake of argument, that evolution does take place. What if tomorrow scientists came forward with indisputable evidence that species change over time? We’re talking fish evolving into land-dwelling, four-legged salamanders, and humans descending from ape-like ancestors. What would that do to your faith? After all of the discussions, arguments, rhetoric, and philosophizing of the creation-evolution debate, what would remain firm in your belief-system if evolution was a cold, hard fact? Would you lose your faith? Compromise your faith? Re-evaluate your faith?