Jesus only. Yeah, I know. It seems narrow. And it’s certainly uncomfortable, even for many Christ-followers. But . . . should we always expect truth to be comfortable?
Some folks think the existence of evil and suffering proves that God doesn’t exist. Actually, if anything, it more likely proves He does.
If God is as Christians claim, loving and caring, then surely He won’t hold us accountable for believing correctly. Right?
Have you ever thought about the “counter claims” between “just one true religion” and “all religions have part of the truth but not all of it”?
President Obama’s recent decision to allow for stem cell research to expand to the human embryo is a big deal. So what are the issues at stake . . . or is it just tissue we’re talking about?
The question regarding human embryonic stem cells is not whether it’s human life. The secular scientists tell us that the human embryo is both living and distinctly human. The question then becomes, what is the nature and value of human life.
Some people think it’s not cool to talk about God in public debate/discourse. President Obama talks about “separating idealogy from the science.” Sounds okay . . . but there is human life involved here.
I don’t know if you’ve seen this really cool movie entitled “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium”. While not a theistic or Judeo-Christian movie, it asks this really big question…is there more to life than what we see? Or, in the language of the movie, “Is it just a box?”
A lot of people are generally okay with Christianity but it’s the thing about “Jesus only” which is the big turn off. How can God be fair if there’s only one way to Him? Well, here’s a new take on Christ alone.
Talk about the ultimately uncomfortable topic! Hell is a myth, right? Nobody really believes this stuff, right? Well, think about this. Isn’t hell a subject so deadly serious that at least at some point in our lives we need to take a moment and think seriously about it?
A lot of people think God is a myth? Really? What are the odds of us having a universe to begin with, much less an ordered one?
For too long the church has just been “running the machinery”. We’ve forgotten about people, serving them, and going out of our way to winsomely share the message of Christ.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:24 am
While as you say, the possibility that the universe just randomly happened is theoretically possible, what is less explainable by any type of randomness is the sustainability of such a universe and specifically our own planet. In addition, the creativity of human beings seems to further negate the possibility of “random creation.” The creative attributes of God are present in people. If that wasn’t true, wouldn’t we behave more like zombies and muddle through a meaningless life? Under such circumstances, we would never consider the origins of the universe or of life itself.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Response to John Correll - very well said John. I appreciate that you are taking my thoughts one step further. As I think you grasp my point in these blogs is to resource believers as we speak to non believers. Or, to give non-believers a “video thought” whereby they might more seriously consider the claims of Christ. Thanks for your thoughts.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Nothing is perfect in this universe we live in. Complicated, yes, (to us). Perfect - not even close. To me, atheism simply means that I don’t believe in the fairy tales created by religions. It does not mean that I assume to know all the answers, such as the origin of the universe. However, rational thought and simple observation have shown me that none of the religions I have studied thus far are factual, or correct about the origins of man, or this universe. God made me an atheist.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I don’t know what religions you’ve studied or in what context. I do know what I had been exposed in the way of religions prior to becoming a Christ-follower. In retrospect I see that I had never been exposed to real Christianity, but only a charicature presented by flawed people. I find the origins of man as portrayed in Scripture to be compelling. We were created in God’s image. We fell from grace. God is at work redeeming us. It seems to me that this is the fundamental story of the human race.
March 8th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I’ve studied various sects of the Christian faith, Islamic, Buddhism, and various ancient beliefs in a historical context. Unlike you, while reading the Christian Bible, I didn’t find it to be compelling whatsoever. I don’t believe we were created in God’s image, as we are so innately flawed on so many levels. I don’t believe we fell from grace. The only fundamental parts of the stories scattered throughout the cultures of the world are based on our significant ignorance insecurities, simply.
March 8th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
So, if we’re not created in the image of God, then what is it to be a human being? The atheist answer is that we’re matter, nothing more. Perhaps we are highly developed matter or, as some think, less so. Still, we are little more than tissue an chemicals. If that’s true, please explain love to me. Or nobility. Or honor. Or selflessness. Sure, those could be the mental processes of beings functioning on a higher order. Or . . . they could be clues placed deliberately by God as He seeks to draw our attention upwards in life. Towards Him.
March 8th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
The ‘chances’ of something happening in a particular way are irrelavant when a particular outcome isn’t actually needed.
March 10th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I think it’s tough to so easily dismiss the probability argument with a “that’s interesting but no more” approach. No matter who you go to the question of the existence of the universe poses a huge enigma. It seems to me that the combination of Fred Hoyle/Emile Borel and others puts atheists in this position . . . we acknowledge that the odds of the universe coming into being are fantastically small . . . but we choose to believe it anyway. I would say that is faith and faith on a high order.
March 10th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Oh? Well take a step back and think of the chances that you were born. Fantastically small when looked at in the same way. Or did god intervene there too? If so, where’s the free will of your parents that we’re all supposed to have?
The ‘chances’ of something happening in a particular way are irrelavant when a particular outcome isn’t actually needed.
March 10th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Perhaps the question is less, “what are the chances you were born?” then it is “what are the chances that we would ever have a life producing universe? A universe at all? A sustainable and ordered universe? A universe where there was such a thing as parents, procreation, and, dare I say it, love?
March 11th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Amen Pastor Nate! Great interjection of thought w/ the number to the umpteenth power! Continue marching w/ Godspeed, one of your lambs
March 26th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Hi Pastor Nate,
I’m a Christian and a mom. I have believed in God since i was very young, but I think I have been content for most of my life to go through the motions. Recently i have been faced with the closest thing in my life to the rich young ruler’s choice, or Abraham being faced with killing his dear son, something that has just set me back on my heels and i am faced with wanting to ask honest questions that likely have no answers, maybe to convince myself that choosing God’s way and not my own is really worth it, or at least that i must do it anyway. Up to this point his way has either made sense or been the only reasonable option or some other easy thing. But now it is the hardest thing and more than i feel i can bear but still have to try. So my question is, maybe like CSLewis, where is he in pain? I think i have seen him in my own small life in undoubtable ways, miracles at times, but then where is he for the child who is murdered, the woman who is raped, the ones who despair and are left in despair. This is nothing new, but it is one of my biggest questions. Thanks for your time.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:33 am
Dear One, thanks so much for you’re your deeply honest question. Two thoughts come to mind. First of all, I would strongly encourage to spend a little time with a pastor or elder. It sounds you’re like in a very tough set of circumstances and I think some seasoned spiritual counsel is a good idea. Secondly, when it’s really tough but you’re sure it God then you just have to know that there are points in all of our lives where obedience is costly. Finally, I appreciate so much your honesty about just “going through the motions” at times in your faith. This is especially a time for you to draw near to God. The Scriptures tell us that if we “Draw near to God, He will draw near to you.” This is what “Deeper” is all about at KPC . . . developing that intimate relationship with Jesus Christ which gives us the inner resources we need in tough times. Blessings.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Just decided to watch some of Nate’s videos.
Is there a Hell? My opinion is that ALL mortals live for eternity and it is our choice (that free will God has given us) as to whether we spend that eternity in Heaven with our loving Father or in Hell with Satan. I have a passion for the misinformed and lost (this includes 2 of my 3 children) and know I must pray for them all.