The problem of faith, hope, belief and knowing

This entry is part 19 of 19 in the series The problem of ...

The concern here is that when we say things like we “know” certain things because the Bible says so, we run the risk of turning people off to the message we are trying to give.  Something that was meant to be caring and loving can be construed as something that sounds uncaring and insensitive.  I think we need to remember that we believe God meets us where we are, and so when we talk with others who faith isn’t as strong as our or maybe have no faith at all, we also need to meet them where they are – not where we are.

Science vs God – The Concepts of String Theory

This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Science vs. God

Given that I’m a “lowly mortal” and not perfect – I need to be sure you get this next part.  What is suggested here is only a possibility – a possible explanation of why we might perceive these 11 dimensions.  I make no statement as to what God actually did, does or will do.  It’s an explanation of how the Bible and science might be much more in line than many people think – as opposed to the all too easy position to take that the Bible and science are totally at odds with each other.  

Evolution debate will soon be history?

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series Science vs. God

One of the warnings we get from Jesus is this – Mt 10:32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Like I said – the question of who gets credit for “evolution” – whether it’s atheistic or theistic evolution – is a huge deal.  Who gets the credit, from your point of view?

Keeping up to date

We both thought this notebook was up to date – “following the law” so to speak. It wasn’t. But – no one checked – so no one knew. And it can be that way with our lives too. If we don’t check – we can get way off the path that God has for us to follow – and not even realize it.

Are Muslim and Christian “jihadists” driving us to the End-Times? 2

This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series What God versus religion is about

In the days of Noah, people were evil in their hearts.  Tell me – how great is the evil in our hearts when even our talk of religion – what’s supposed to be our beliefs about God – turns into the kinds of things it is today?  How much evil does it take for one Catholic to call another Catholic equal to a jihadist?  How much evil does it take to have some Catholics call other Christians equal to a jihadist?

Can we know if God still cares about us?

Can we know if God still cares? Of course, that assumes that God did exist in the past. And it assumes that God still exists now. And it assumes that at least at some time in the past – God used to care. That’s a lot of assumptions. Whether you care to make none of them – some of them – or all of them – please read on and see what you think at the end.

Which came first – the chicken or the egg?

True – the chicken isn’t quite so glorious to look at as a beautiful sunset or the night sky when there’s no other lights to obscure all the stars. But is the chicken any less one of God’s creations than this planet called earth and all the stars in the sky? One minor little question though – where did that first chicken come from in order to produce the protein that was used to make the first egg?

I’m gonna be like you dad

Just in case you didn’t catch the difference there – besides the answer changing from “probably not” to “no” – two of the words were capitalized. Instead of this being about the boy and his father – it’s about God the Father and Jesus the Son.
So what happened?
If everyone wants it to be differently – why wasn’t it?

Religious Freedom in China – intro

This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series Religious regulation by government

Like the United States, The People’s Republic of China has freedom of religion.  It says so in the U S Constitution and in the PRC Regulations on Religious Affairs, so it must be true?  Right?   I mean – just look at the first amendment for the U. S. – Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Surely all those laws we have that restrict and / or control what religions can say / do / believe can’t possibly go against this amendment. Can they? In the same way, Article 2 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs for China says – Citizens have freedom of religious belief. That must be equally as true as the one in the U S, right? Actually – they are pretty much equally true.  One difference is that in the U S, we pass separate laws chipping away at the freedom of religion.  In China, the Regulations of Religious Affairs document itself chips away at the freedom […]

The more you tighten your grip, Satan …

But with the spiritual war – there’s a danger with the killer instinct.  When Satan has someone down – going too far to beat the person into a feeling of hopelessness can actually be a bad thing.  As Screwtape tries to point out to his nephew – there’s a danger.  God does His greatest works with people in those really down moments.  There’s a fine line between someone being down and out – versus down and looking for help / hope.

He has torn us to pieces and injured us. Let’s return to him.

This entry is part 9 of 11 in the series Protected from the Bible

It’s a difficult topic – partly because of the scenario in the book – but also because it so accurately describes us.  But the fact that it does teach us so much about ourselves is exactly why it needs to be discussed.  If we refuse to look in the mirror – how else can we recognize ourselves, other than by studying someone else who is essentially us?