At some stage most young people will have to face the issue of what to do with God when the theory of evolution is presented in high school . Has science ended the need for Christianity? Are we now so smart that we can answer all life's questions out of our science text book? Is religion for dummies? - These all become very real questions
It seems that most people approach the subject just like the state of Origin – you can go for the Cockroaches, or the Cain Toads, but not both. If you believe in science, then that rules out God and if you believe in God, then scientific understanding is seen as some kind of evil.
Are these really the only 2 options available to us? a) The world was made by God in 6 literal days, 6000 years ago and God created all life just as we know it today. or b) The universe originated from a cosmic “Big Bang” billions of years ago, and all life forms have slowly evolved from a single cell, by nothing more than chance and survival of the fittest.
Both extremes seem somehow empty. To look at the wonder, complexity, and beauty of all that is around us and then conclude that it is a giant, random coincidence surely is beyond all logic. It seems equally as bizarre to read the start of the Bible as though it was a science textbook, and to assume it is giving us the precise time and date of the origins of the universe. The bible is true and to be trusted, but it's primary goal is not to inform us of biology, physics or astronomy. The bible must be read for what it is, not made into something it was never intended to be or do. Genesis tells us “Who” and “Why”, not “How”and “When.”
There must be a middle ground that acknowledges and understands God to be the creator and sustainer of all that science can discover. Science could never disprove God and in fact every new discovery simply proves how amazing He is.
Psalm 19:1 says
“The heavens declare the glory of God,
The skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Surely science and faith must work hand in hand. We should definitely cheer on scientists to find out as much as they can and tell us all that they know, but we should also allow an understanding of God to answer the questions of purpose and meaning that is forever beyond the realm of science. Science and faith both present aspects of the truth and so should dance with one another instead of fighting. Both are hopelessly incomplete without the other. Albert Einstein once said “ Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind”. To believe in God does not mean you have to cut out your brain and feed it to the dog! God is not threatened by scientists, nor should Christians be.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Prayer
“Dear 8 pounds 6 ounces... new born infant Jesus,don't even know a word yet....Help me Jesus! Help me Jewish God! Help me Allah! AAAAAHHH! Help me Tom Cruise!...Help me Oprah Winfrey!”
Just like Ricky Bobby in the movie 'Talladega nights', people have all sorts of weird ideas about prayer. I once offered to pray for my friend’s bad back and was quite surprised when he stopped me, fearing that one day he may need a favor from God and so didn't want to “use it up” on something trivial like a sore back.
So what is prayer and why do we do it? Does it work, or does it just make us feel better about ourselves? Some people seem to treat God like a fairy godmother – “Please God make my life perfect, fix everyone around me so that no one is in any kind of pain or has any problems and make my footy team win.” Others seem to treat prayer like a trip to the dentist – they only think about it when they’re in pain, otherwise it is the furthest thing from their mind. But surely there is more to prayer than this?
The obvious question – “Does prayer work?” may actually be the wrong place to start. That question sort of assumes that prayer is its own separate thing and has nothing to do with a relationship with God i.e. I'm going to pray for something and then God is obligated to do it because I'm doing “the prayer thing.”
I bet you don't ask president Obama for anything, even though he is the most powerful man in the world, yet I'm sure his kids ask him for things all the time (and they get what they ask for!) Prayer then is all about relationship. God wants to be involved in your life, in the good and the bad, just like a loving father. He wants you to ask and He wants to answer your prayer.
I have this friend who tells me stories every time we are together of God doing miraculous things in her life and answering her prayers. In direct contrast, I also know plenty of others who complain that God ignores them. So why would God answer one friend's prayers, but not the others? I'm sure it’s the same as the Obama thing, prayer is no science but it has to be about the relationship my friend has with God. She wants to follow God and she actually listens to what he says. She has given God the right to direct her life and welcomes him doing just that! When she prays for things, it is a natural part of her relationship with God.
God is not an impersonal force to be harnessed and manipulated for our own ends. Nor is he a genie in a bottle. Prayer is not about secret formulas or making sure you say the right words, it is conversation that comes from the heart of those who trust God with their very lives.
Just like Ricky Bobby in the movie 'Talladega nights', people have all sorts of weird ideas about prayer. I once offered to pray for my friend’s bad back and was quite surprised when he stopped me, fearing that one day he may need a favor from God and so didn't want to “use it up” on something trivial like a sore back.
So what is prayer and why do we do it? Does it work, or does it just make us feel better about ourselves? Some people seem to treat God like a fairy godmother – “Please God make my life perfect, fix everyone around me so that no one is in any kind of pain or has any problems and make my footy team win.” Others seem to treat prayer like a trip to the dentist – they only think about it when they’re in pain, otherwise it is the furthest thing from their mind. But surely there is more to prayer than this?
The obvious question – “Does prayer work?” may actually be the wrong place to start. That question sort of assumes that prayer is its own separate thing and has nothing to do with a relationship with God i.e. I'm going to pray for something and then God is obligated to do it because I'm doing “the prayer thing.”
I bet you don't ask president Obama for anything, even though he is the most powerful man in the world, yet I'm sure his kids ask him for things all the time (and they get what they ask for!) Prayer then is all about relationship. God wants to be involved in your life, in the good and the bad, just like a loving father. He wants you to ask and He wants to answer your prayer.
I have this friend who tells me stories every time we are together of God doing miraculous things in her life and answering her prayers. In direct contrast, I also know plenty of others who complain that God ignores them. So why would God answer one friend's prayers, but not the others? I'm sure it’s the same as the Obama thing, prayer is no science but it has to be about the relationship my friend has with God. She wants to follow God and she actually listens to what he says. She has given God the right to direct her life and welcomes him doing just that! When she prays for things, it is a natural part of her relationship with God.
God is not an impersonal force to be harnessed and manipulated for our own ends. Nor is he a genie in a bottle. Prayer is not about secret formulas or making sure you say the right words, it is conversation that comes from the heart of those who trust God with their very lives.
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