Basis for Faith

In my continued exasperation in the realm of those who argue over the issue of intelligent design, I have come across two interesting figures; George Coyne, the Vatican's top astronomer; and Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn of Austria. Both are men from the Catholic Church, and both have taken interesting stances on the ID debate, at least from a believer's perspective.

Coyne argues that ID isn't science, an interesting argument that never seems to get backed up by much in the way of actual argumentation. Schoenborn goes even further, stating that the Biblical theory of creation cannot be a scientific one.
Now why bring up a couple of prominent religious figures into the ID issue? Not to poke holes in the evolution argument (they do that on their own), but to ask the question, "what do we base our faith on?"

The reason I ask this is this; if we base our faith, even regarding something that relates to science; if we allow modern or current scientific theories to impact our faith, we have a very unstable baisi for our faith. In the same way I would even argue that at times citing science to prove certain areas of scripture to be true can be dangerous. If science today proves something true, then tommorrow if scientists change their mind and decide it is not true, do I follow suite and change my mind as well? This makes for a very shaky foundation for faith. Seldom however, does science ever disporve scripoture.
Consider: in the early 1990's there had been no previously discovered evidence to the historicity of King David. However, in the mid 90's a tabelet mentioning the "house of David" was unearthed, giving archiologists their first likely evidence that David was a real king. For the Christian who believes that scripture is the word of God and infallible, there was never a question.
Likewise; science has changed in so many things in the past 100 years, that it would be more than a little foolhardy to assume that scientists now know all that there is to know regarding creation or anything else in the Bible. Does the fact that popular science and the Bible disagree on things meant hat here is nothing scientific about the Bible?

Well, in a sense yes; in that there are no formulas and no explanations for how God created such fascinating things as whales, macaws and dung beetles. But in other ways, the Bible is strongly supportive of much science. Much of the book of Leviticus could be defined as a survival guide for desert living for the next forty years. Things such as infectious diseases and spreading mold were dealt with in effective ways that several centuries later could have prevented the bubonic plague from ravaging Europe.

In wonder then, if as popular science again changes it's mind, if Coyne and Schoenborn will change their views as well. How can we claim to believe in a god who exists in the Bible as a loving, compassionate god; and yet fail to recognize that god as being creator and redeemer. When we leave out aspects of God's nature that make Him God, we turn God into god, and He becomes nothing more to our minds than another religious idea. We cannot presume to throw out those parts of God, orHis word that do not fit with our presuppositions of who He is. There is only one true characteristic of God, and that is God.

Been Awhile...

It's been awhlie since I've last blogged, but I'm still here. Simply astounded at God's grace when it comes to bringing us through difficult times. Not to go into any detail here, but I've been going through some personal struggles lately and I know it is God's grace that continues to bring me through.

I was reminded by one of my readers (or maybe I should say my one reader) that I haven't written anything here in a while. Considering it now, I don't know if that's because I've had nothing to say, or because there seems to be so much to say that I simply don't know where to start! The intelligent design debate, always a key issue for me, especially in the States, continues to rage on all over the place. One of the things I have to give the States credit for is the fact that htere is a debate. In Canadas it seems that there's not enough interest in Intelligent Design, or in God for that matter or truth, to even begin such a debate.
The same sex marriage issue has popped up in Maine, where it seems that gay rights activists are not planning to push for same sex marriage just yet, although many acknowledge that it wouldn't take much to get the ball rolling, just one couple to bring it to court.
Toronto of course is still in shock from the recent gang shooting that took place outside a church during a funeral. Some things just go on senselessly and violence begets violence.

So aside from depressing everyone, what's the point of my brief rant on recent events, notably the more discouraging ones?
That despite all of this, God is still in control!
Now I could go on about God's judgment on our nation and society's depravity, but you've probably already heard about that today, and if you haven't figured it out by now, me telling you again isn't going to help!

Rather, I desire to encourage people, especially believers, that the plight of our wicked society is not a hopeless one. It is one that the people of this nation have brought upon themselves, and certainly is deserved, but not one that is beyond the effects of God's grace.
What can we do? We can pray. Never forget that our god is the God who hears the prayers of His people and is fully capable of answering those prayers. Pray for our leaders and politicians. Just imagine the efect on our country if Paul Martin (the Prime Minister, not the pastor) were to suddenly become converted.

We can read our Bibles and take great comfort from what is written there. Can't find comfort or encouragement in the Bible? Try reading Psalms, remembering what David went through at times; or Job, and uhnderstand how bleak his life looked; or read the New Testament and all the wonderful truths regarding salvation and God's compassion on His elect. If these can't bring you some measure of comfort, not much will.

Finally, don't be so bleak about things all the time. There is still joy to be found and things to encourage us even here in Canada. We still have freedom to worship. We still have the right to possess Bibles. I don't know how long those rights will continue, but we should thank God for them while we do have them. Take the joy that can be found in scripture out into the world, to the workplace, to the bus stop, to wherever you go. Our joy in Christ should be such that even the most desperate situations in our lives cannot outweigh our joy for long.

Remember that the greatest battle of our lives, that against our sin, has already been won for us by Christ. What are all of the concerns of the world compared to that? Praise Him in all things. Amen!