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Ten Questions: #2 – Didn’t Evolution put God out of a job?

Summary

From Dawkins we read,

“Today the theory of evolution is about as much open to doubt as the theory that the earth goes around the sun” (The Selfish Gene, 1976) and “It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid or insane (or wicked, but I’d rather not consider that).” (Ignorance is no Crime, 2001).

  • The evidence for a creator is actually much more compelling than for a universe without one.
  • Evolution does not define the “trunk”, how “that being first came to life was beyond the scope of Darwin’s focus. Its existence was obviously implied, but never really explained.”
  • Things do change over time, no one denies that microevolution occurs.
  • If life began out of the proverbial primordial soup, where did the ingredients and recipe originate?

Three unaccounted for building blocks for Darwin’s theory:

  1. Matter matters.  The formation of a universe in which all organic life would reside along with the “ingredients” it would consist of;
  2. the origin of the first life itself;
  3. the encoding of information that makes all organic life possible.

Matter matters:

  • To say evolution started on its own is a huge leap.  “Randomly, without cause or purpose or outside help of any kind, it arranged itself into the exact elements and order necessary to cause self-replicating and upwardly evolving life to suddenly leap into existence.”
  • It’s possible to name an event (Big Bang, etc.) without explaining how or why it happened.
  • “Science and religion…are friends, not foes, in the common quest for knowledge” (Quarks, Chaos and Christianity, 1994)
  • In her 2010 study, Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think, Ecklund found 50% of the 1700 scientists were religious.
  • Science doesn’t have to be an atheistic endeavor. The Big Bang is a great argument for the existence of God, not against it! The fine-tuning (chapter 1) provides evidence that “has convinced spiritual skeptics that there must be an intelligent designer behind the physical universe; in fact, this evidence was instrumental in form atheist Patrick Glynn’s concluding that God does exist. (GOD: The Evidence)

The Origin of the First Life

  • Biochemist Klaus Dose concludes, “More than 30 years of experimentation on the origin of life in the fields of chemical and molecular evolution have led to a better perception of the immensity of the problem of the origin of life on Earth rather to its solution.
  • Mathematicians studying the fossil records conclude that life emerged suddenly and abundantly–bam! Even the simplest protein molecule requires immensely precise construction. Odds of this happening is 1 in 1×10^125
  • As Christians, I think we have a better explanation for that “random” occurrence.

The Origin of Information

How could nature, without intelligent guidance, take the massive informational jumps needed for life to originate?

  • Francis Collins, Human Genome Project (mapped the entire DNA sequence of the human species), describes DNA like this: “text…3 billions letters long, and written in a strange and cryptographic 4-letter code…that a live reading of that code at a rate of 3 letters per second would take 31 years.” Such a revelation prompted Collins to name his book, The Language of God.
  • The “Even if” approach
    • All three of these points powerfully demonstrate, from a scientific perspective, the need for an intelligent designer.  I don’t think we necessarily have to change people’s minds about evolution itself in order to lead them to faith in Jesus.
    • In fact, trying to do so can actually put up an additional barrier for someone who might have been otherwise ready to hear and respond to the gospel message.

Remember, it’s not our job to change their minds about every conceivable question or topic we might discuss.  Making disciples comes first, then the ongoing teaching.

Differing Christian Views

  1. Young Earth Creationism.
  2. Progressive Creationism (Old Earth Creationism)
  3. Theistic Evolution (Fully Gifted Creation)
  • Timothy Keller writes, “Since Christians occupy different positions on both the meaning of Genesis 1 and on the nature of evolution, those who are considering Christianity as a whole should not allow themselves to be distracted by this intramural debate.” (The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism).
  • For the Record: Darwin’s theory depends on God.
    • The fingerprints of God are all around us, the common thread all points back to His intelligent design
    • Over 150 years of research since “The Origin of Species” has yet to close any of the huge gaps in the theory.

Questions for discussion

  1. Why do people tend to separate God and science as if the two cannot coexist?
  2. The theory of evolution is just that–a theory that has never been proven in all its claims. Why, then, do so many people treat it as fact?
  3. Some have said that it takes more faith to believe that there isn’t an intelligent designer than to believe that there is one. What information from the chapter would support this statement?
  4. This chapter describes three “missing elements” that have to be in place for Darwin’s theory to even be a theoretical possibility: the origin of the universe (and all matter), the origin of the first living organism, and the encoding of information in DNA. Which of these could you best use to point your friends to God?
  5. React to the statement, “Our goal…is to lead friends to faith–not to initially change their minds about every conceivable question or topic we might discuss with them.” What other social or scientific topics might this relate to? In what ways can Christians focus on Jesus and salvation first?
  6. Briefly describe the differences between Young Earth Creationism, Old Earth Creationism and Theistic Evolution.  How can we move past these differences when we talk to our friends who don’t know Christ?
  7. How would you describe the problems in the fossil records related to evolution?
« Question 1 Intro Question 3 »
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Ten Questions: #1 – What makes you so sure that God exists at all?

Summary

The chapter begins with Mittleberg’s story of how he met his wife and their loving relationship over the course of 20+ years. I wasn’t sure where he was going with that until he provided this insight: “But can I prove it to you? Can I show you our love for each other in a tangible way – one that you can see, hear, or touch? No, the love itself is invisible.” Ah…now I get it.

The fingerprints of God are more evident today than ever before, if we are willing to search for them. Here are three of the many pieces of evidence:

1: The Existence of the Universe.

Scientists have solid theoretical evidence that the universe had a beginning…it had to be started by something, some cause. The cosmological argument:

  1. Whatever begins to exist must have a cause for its existence.
  2. The universe began to exist.
  3. Therefore, the universe must have a cause for its existence.
  4. The attributes of the cause of the universe are the attributes of God
  5. Therefore, the cause of the universe must be God.

2: Our “Just So” Universe

Otherwise known as the “fine-tuning” argument. Basically, there are so many factors that had to be “just so” in order for our world to exist. “The probability of these factors converging is so infinitesimally small that many cosmologists and astrophysicists now admit that it’s more reasonable to believe that a divine designer was involved than to assume it all happened by chance.”

How can we know he’s a morally good creator?

3: Our morally good universe

On what basis is something considered good or evil, right or wrong? And where did this basis come from? Did it start with the Big Bang? Some may argue about the problem of evil in the world, but what about the problem of good? Did this motivation evolve?

  1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist
  2. But we know that objective moral values do exist.
  3. Therefore, God does exist

The cumulative case for God’s existence is more than sufficient for an open-minded person to believe that he really is there.

Conclusion

  • We believe in many things that we don’t see or directly experience
  • We sense God is real in our lives
  • Whatever has a beginning has a cause
  • Our universe was fine-tuned by God
  • Without God, there can be no objective moral standards
  • Our experience points to the existence of an invisible God and it’s explained in the Bible

Questions

  1. Why might someone think you should believe only in things you can see, hear, or touch? What are some other things you believe in, in addition to love, that you can’t see or experience directly through your senses?
  2. What are some things you can talk about from your own experience that show you—and might convince your friends—that God really exists?
  3. How does the fact that our universe had a beginning or the fact that it’s fine-tuned with such exacting precision provide evidence for God?
  4. Do you think there could be objective morality apart from God? From where would it draw its authority?
  5. How has the evidence for God presented in this chapter affected your faith? Can evidence strengthen one’s faith?
« Intro Intro Question 2 »
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Ten Questions: Intro

The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (with answers)

The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (with answers), by Mark Mittelberg

Here are my notes on the referenced book to be used for group discussion.

Introduction

Right off the bat we’re reminded of 1 Peter 3:15-16, “…do this in a gentle and respectful way.” Mark Mittelberg uses the analogy of a coach and professional athlete when he offers three keys: preparation, prayer and proximity.

  • Preparation:
    • There’s no substitute for reading and reflecting on some key spiritual questions before you get into conversations.
    • It will be tempting, especially as you study and get increasingly ready to answer hard questions, to talk more and more but listen less and less. You must discipline yourself to do the opposite.
  • Prayer
    • Probably the single most important part of the process
    • Remember this is a spiritual battle
  • Proximity
    • Luke 19:10 — “seek and save those who are lost”
    • The Great Commission

Our Purpose

  • NOT to address every fine point or nuance
  • NOT to exhaustively satisfy our friends’ curiosity
  • Rather, we should learn to destroy obstacles — “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…” (2 Cor 10:5)

Our Motivation

Our purpose must be motivated by love….not just to win an argument.

  1. Question 1: What makes you so sure that God exists at all–especially when you can’t see, hear, or touch him?
  2. Question 2: Didn’t evolution put God out of a job? Why rely on religion in an age of science and knowledge?
  3. Question 3: Why trust the Bible, a book based on myths and full of contradictions and mistakes?
  4. Question 4: Everyone knows that Jesus was a good man and a wise teacher–but why try to make him into the Son of God, too?
  5. Question 5: How could a good God allow so much evil, pain, and suffering –or does he simply not care?
  6. Question 6: Why is abortion such a line in the sand for Christians–why can’t I be left alone to make my own choices for my own body?
  7. Question 7: Why do you condemn homosexuality when it’s clear that God made gays and that he loves all people the same?
  8. Questions 8 & 9: How can I trust in Christianity when so many Christians are hypocrites? And why are Christians so judgmental toward everyone who doesn’t agree with them?
  9. Question 10: Why should I think that heaven really exists–and that God sends people to hell?
  10. Conclusion: The questions our friends need us to ask them.

Question 1 »

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Ragamuffin Gospel: #1 – Something is Radically Wrong

Chapter 1

In this chapter Manning provides a strong argument that the institutional church in America is moving in the wrong direction, with the wrong message and misguided leadership. “The institutional church has become a wounder of the healers rather than a healer of the wounded.” Far too much emphasis is being placed on “what I do rather than on what God is doing.”

“At the heart we are practicing Pelagians.” (see definition)2 We’ve bought into the notion that we can do it ourselves! As a parent, I’ve heard this phrase so many times and yes, I’ve even encouraged our children to “do it themselves.” At its worst, this very typical behavior can lead to the unintended consequence of instilling a value system that suggests God is not required. Pelagius committed himself to this idea in the 5th Century and was ultimately excommunicated.

In our thirst to handle things ourselves we’re faced with the harsh reality that ultimately we are not in control.  Manning quotes Eugene O’Neill’s play, The Great God Brown, so I checked out a book of his plays get the full grasp of the example. What intrigues me most is the concept of fabricating masks to portray who we want people to think we are and how this warps our reality into the form we want rather than being the creation God desires. A rather depressing play, perhaps, because it paints an authentic picture for many.

What we need to wrestle with is the concept that “God made sinners righteous through the forgiveness of sins in justification.” When we dwell on this notion, we simply must tell the world! God “has a single relentless stance toward us: He love us.” We can’t fix ourselves, God doesn’t expect that at all. He does expect us to understand our sinful nature and come to him.

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.a’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:11-13

The words of Christ are more important than anything we can write. Of all the scripture Jesus could draw upon, He chooses to quote Hosea when confronting the Pharisees. Hosea? Really? The guy God told to marry a prostitute? Through it all, God shows his unquenched desire and love for His people. That’s the theme of this chapter.  Manning points out the Greek work kalein or kaleó in the text, to call, to summon, to invite. This word is found 148 times in the New Testament Greek. Maybe we should pay attention to the invitation??

It’s all a gift. Grace.

We have been given God in our souls and Christ in our flesh. We have the power to believe where others deny, to hope where others despair, to love where others hurt.

I really appreciate Manning’s description of how Luke paints a picture of children being worthy for the kingdom of God while the rich young ruler is found wanting and unable to comprehend the words of Christ (Luke 18:15-30). There is nothing we can do to inherit the kingdom. Children cannot because they are….children! Once we get this thought through our heads we must realize we can no longer “do it ourselves,” we must surrender, submit, confess and accept Christ. But there’s more, we need to share that with others.

After reading this chapter the most recent version of It Is Well began to play in my mind, especially the reprise:

through it all, through it all,
my eyes are on you
through it all, through it all
it is well.
through it all, through it all,
my eyes are on you
it is well with me.

Not by anything I have said or done, but by the almighty grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

« Intro

 

Notes:

1 Penitential Seasons include Advent, Lent, etc.

2 Pelagianism views humanity as basically good and morally unaffected by the Fall. It denies the imputation of Adam’s sin, original sin, total depravity, and substitutionary atonement. It simultaneously views man as fundamentally good and in possession of libertarian free will. With regards to salvation, it teaches that man has the ability in and of himself (apart from divine aid) to obey God and earn eternal salvation. Pelagianism is overwhelmingly incompatible with the Bible and was historically opposed by Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo, leading to its condemnation as a heresy at Council of Carthage in 418 A.D. These condemnations were summarily ratified at the Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431).

3 The Great God Brown, Eugene O’Neill. See link. Throughout the play, these characters wear masks that serve several purposes. They help the characters hide and thus protect their vulnerable inner selves while, at the same time, allowing them to project pleasing public images in an attempt to restore their confidence in themselves. Yet, ultimately, the tensions that result from not being able to reveal their true selves cause the characters to suffer and further isolate themselves from each other. The Great God Brown presents a penetrating study of the inner workings of the human psyche as it struggles to cope with betrayal, failure, and a search for identity.

4 joie de vivre: exuberant enjoyment of life

5 Laicization is a process which takes from a priest or other cleric the licit use of his powers, rights, and authority. Laicization occurs automatically when a priest, deacon, or monk marries or joins the military without permission. Major clerics (priests and deacons) are directly laicized through their superiors by the penalty of degradation.

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The Ragamuffin Gospel: Intro

The Ragamuffin Gospel - coverMy first post of 2016 comes at a moment where I have very little understanding of what this year will bring (I could never have predicted 2015!). God is amazingly awesome and ever in the center of my thoughts, though I’ve been more human lately than I want to admit. In addition to reading the Bible this year, I have several books that will provide different perspectives on particular topics.

As I begin, let me say thanks to the super talented Beth Ehlert, Worship Pastor at Hope Fellowship, for the gift and challenge of Brennan Manning’s, The Ragamuffin Gospel. With all the blessings that God continues to pour on me and my family, I have to admit I feel more like a ragamuffin today than I have in a long while. At times it seems like to world is winning, but this is not reality and I know that without a doubt.

Michael W. Smith’s foreword reminds us that “grace abounded more because I could find it in the darkness as much as in the light.”

Grace Abounds More

Reading the brief testimony of Rich Mullins reminded me of Psalm 144:3, of the awesome, radical and absurd love that God has for us! If we can stop for just a minute and think of how ridiculous it is to say that the creator of the universe cares about us, we should be driven to share the Good News, the Amazing News, to others so they can see your relentless pursuit of all.

Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?

This past week Beth asked me to learn a song by David Moore, 139. In reference to Psalm 139 the words of the song highlight just how crazy God is about his creation, about you and me, that he would pursue us in the highest and lowest places, that he would “lead me home.” I’m an old guy who still has a song left in my heart and a desire to share music with others, but I’m not overly talented and certainly not trained. Yet I am assured by this book that the “bedraggled, beat-up and burnt-out,” the ragamuffins, are loved by God. For that I am ever thankful. I confess that I am wobbly and weak-kneed, I know I don’t have it all together and perhaps I’m just too proud to accept the handout of God’s amazing grace.

So here we go 2016. Another year to ponder the amazing words of Jesus Christ and hear the voice of God through the words of Scripture and perspectives of those who have committed their lives to understanding more than I can ever imagine. Teach me Lord, open my eyes and ears, make me an instrument of your peace.

Contents

Chapter 1 »

 

 

p.s., Happy Birthday Cynthia! No longer a teenager, but a beautiful daughter of God that I’m proud to call my daughter. May God continue to bless you as you grow in the faith and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Jesus Predicts His Death

It’s interesting that John tells us about “some Greeks” who worshipped at the festival. These were not Jews, but (according to the NIV Study Bible notes) people who were “attracted to Judaism by its monotheism and morality, but repelled by its nationalism and requirements such as circumcision.” These seems to describe many who want the apparently positive things about Christianity, but want to pick and choose the parts they like best to shape and mold their own religion. Perhaps this describes the “coexist” crowd or the unitarian church.

They want to see Jesus, no doubt his fame spread, stories about his words and works.  They don’t know this is his last week among them physically. Jesus provides a synopsis of what is about to happen and what must be done to secure eternal life.

Jesus’ focus is on being obedient, “Father glorify your name!” Then a voice is heard from heaven: “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Some heard thunder, others the voice of an angel, all heard something.

Jesus goes on to explain this death and resurrection with an important emphasis for the Greeks who are looking for answers:

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself

All people, Jew, Gentile, Greeks, even Americans–all people.

In one week we will celebrate Christmas. For me, it’s really not important if this is the actual birthday of Jesus, only that we celebrate he was born on earth through the virgin Mary as prophesied. That he came for us to be our savior. Jesus came to draw all people to him. It is nothing less than amazing. While this is hard to believe for many, may we who believe be given the gift of sharing his love through Christmas.

Bible Gateway Links:

John 12:20-36

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Second Clearing of the Temple

Palm Sunday marked the triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem just days before his crucifixion. Just after his entry he clears the temple courts by overturning the tables of the money changes and chasing out those who were buying and selling.

Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’

The more I read about Jesus, the more my admiration grows and my faith becomes stronger. Not like a robot reading words and taking notes, but really reading and seeing Jesus as a man walking among the people, talking to them, teaching, laughing, singing, praying, eating, etc.

In these few verses Jesus shakes up the establishment where is hurts the most — in the pockets. Their receipts for this Passover week were no doubt affected. This revealed the core problem, they were focused on receipts and have lost sight of God. Do we do the same?

The week before Christmas gives us a chance to celebrate with those that know Jesus and get excited for what he brings to earth along side of those who don’t know Jesus at all. Lord I pray that we learn about you more each day, that we see clearly what it is you have offered as the greatest gift to mankind and most importantly how to share this gift with the world!

Bible Gateway Links:

Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-48

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Cursing of the fig tree for having leaves but no figs

The title of this post seems to indicate this is about a fig tree that Jesus cursed. I guess I’m a bit distracted today because that just seemed obvious and of little interest. Today, that didn’t speak to me. Tomorrow may be a completely different story. So, I have two observations to consider: 1) Jesus was hungry and 2) Pray with faith.

Both narratives make a point of noting that Jesus was hungry, his physical body needed nourishment. The humanness of Jesus in this passage is intriguing and mind-blowing at the same time. He felt compassion for those who were hungry because he experienced hunger himself.

We also read about “mountain moving” faith that is ours for the asking. Not like some wizard or magic trick, Jesus seems to calmly say,

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

This is the core scripture for the name it and claim it theologians. The Power of Positive Thinking has  been around for a long time, perhaps perpetuated by this verse. (Note: the NIV Study Bible does not provide a comment on this verse–interesting.)

But let’s not get distracted by those who would argue against the power of prayer. Jesus prayed often. If Jesus prayed, we should pray. He taught us how to pray. The key is obviously faith in what we ask for and faith is bolstered by hearing God through daily study of the Scriptures. As we hear his voice, we are continuously transformed, we become assimilated into his family. Our prayers then become less selfish, not about the genie in the bottle, rather we have a different perspective on life.

Lord hear our prayers today. Whether big or small, hear our prayers.

Bible Gateway Links:

Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14, 19-25

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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“Triumphal” Entry into Jerusalem

As Jesus enters Jerusalem he is honored by crowds of people who have heard or seen the great things he has done.

  • “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew)
  • “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mark)
  • “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke)
  • “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John)

Such appropriate honor and glory for Jesus’ triumphal entry! We grew up calling this Palm Sunday, the week before Easter. Waving branches and shouting “Hosanna!” in the typically peaceful church was great fun for the children and quite appropriate.

But there is a completely different perspective on this story as seen by the Pharisees, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. This was not a great entry, this was an insurrection, a travesty of justice, something that could not be tolerated.

  • “…they were indignant. Do you hear what these children are saying?” (Matthew)
  • “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” (Luke)
  • “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (John)

The hindsight of the Gospel record gives us an overview of the situation. It records the good and the bad with the advantage of time and knowledge of events that surround each step of the progression. In the moment, as life unfolds, it’s not so easy to see the distinction. We see the unspoken reaction, but ignore it until the thoughts of those offended come to the surface. The whispers in the crowd develops into a counter-strike movement that divides people.

Lord help us to keep your perspective on all matters, to remember you first as we navigate the complex sea of emotions we call humanness. Help us to keep our personal agendas aside. This Christmas, let us be known as a people that have the light of the world to shine in darkness, a gift freely given to all. I pray this light will pierce the darkest of places as well as those places who are confused, who have generated their own light with their own thoughts and hands.

Bible Gateway Links:

Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Arrival at Bethany

Just a week before Passover, Jesus arrives at Bethany. The Pharisees and chief priests are on high alert, looking for Jesus, wanting to arrest him and complete their mission to kill him. Apparently they have Lazarus in their sights as well.

Mary, the sister of Lazarus, pours expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus–crazy thing number one–then wipes it with her hair–crazy thing number two. The house is filled with a pleasing aroma. How Mary acquired such a large amount of perfume is not explained, but it must have been something that took a lot of time. Her loyalty to Jesus began before he raised Lazarus from the dead, an event that cemented her resolve beyond comprehension. I like to believe she was looking for the opportunity to do this crazy thing and the Holy Spirit prompted her to act in this place at this time.

Such extravagance sets Judas’ heart firmly against Jesus. In any ministry there are debates about what should be done, when and where, etc. Judas was probably the one that kept asking logistical, seemingly practical questions about their next steps. Time and time again, the other disciples, as well as Jesus, kept doing that which just wasn’t logical. The voice in Judas’ head must have kept moving him on a different path and this was just another example of how Jesus and “those disciples” missed the practical point of ministry. What is Jesus thinking? “Leave her alone,” Jesus replies. Judas’ mind must have been going in all directions like an OCD person playing pick-up sticks.

The crowds are continuing to swell as stories about Jesus grow. People want to see Jesus and Lazarus. The chief priests want nothing to do with this and are looking for ways to put an end to this “distracting” regime.

For on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Jesus sees it all. He sees Judas’ heart hardened completely in this moment. This has to be an incredibly painful moment for Jesus. God does not find joy in seeing the lost. I fully believe that God wants all to come to him, but there are so many who simply choose to go their own way.

Lord, during this Christmas season help us to see the plans you have for us, your plans and not ours. Show us how to take what we have, precious gifts or everyday attire and freely give them to you for your kingdom here on earth.

Bible Gateway Links:

John 11:55-12:11

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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