I explained it to my daughter this way:
- You're my daughter and I love you, so if you were to die, or someone were to hurt you, I would be terribly upset and sad. Your mother and I would grieve any harm that came to you. We would do anything in our power to keep that from happening.
- I love you when you're inside our home, but if you go outside in the yard, I love you just as much. You're my daughter whether you're inside our house or on the other side of the door.
- When you were a very little baby, I also loved you very much--when you were in the crib, and when you were in my arms. If you start going back a day at a time, you eventually come to the day you were born. I loved you then.
- The last seconds, right before you were born, when you were on the other side of your mother's womb, I loved you. And you were still my daughter. And the day before that, and the day before that. Which day weren't you my daughter?
- There was never a moment after you were conceived that you weren't my daughter. Never a time that I loved you differently. And I would grieve any harm that came to you out in the yard, inside our home, at your birth, or in your mother's womb. Same daughter, same love.
What do you believe?
Friday, April 14, 2006
Evolution and faith in schools?
From a Christian worldview, the evolution and schools debate is pretty easy to describe.
- Since we now know that evolution is a theory, but not a science (science can produce evidence, test for repeatability, and answer for conflicting evidence), evolution should simply be taught as a theory -- rather than an unchallengable truth. Scientists usually agree that theories should be taught as theories..
- Evolutionary theorists should also be identified by that title, and not as "scientists" in school literature. Why mislead teachers and children?
- Textbooks should be updated to remove the false evolutionary claims that have stacked up and been propogated for decades, despite evidence to the contrary (e.g. "Piltdown man," and "tails and gills during the early weeks of human gestation")
- Textbooks and curriculums should simply acknowledge that there is no true "evolutionary" path demonstrated for any animal, of any kind. Instead, simply explain the scientific evidence that there is a "sudden appearance" in the fossil record of complete, finished species - and no fossil evolutionary trail of how one "kind" mutated into another. Cats have always been cats; slugs, slugs; birds, birds; reptiles, reptiles, etc.
- Have the public debate acknowledge "irreducible complexity," that the "simple cell" is actually a high-tech factory of complexity; and that no molecular biologist today actually believes a cell could come into being by chance - without the equally complex building blocks of amino acids and proteins...which need cells to produce them. A scientist would ask, "how could you generate the first cell, if you need that cell to produce the components that combine to make it?"
- Why censor experts and textbooks that disagree with evolution? We don't censor magazines and internet sites in school libraries, and yet we censor intelligent arguments about evolution...
In the end, evolution in schools isn't really about what Christians think the Bible says about it - none of the problems with evolution that I noted above require belief in God - it just points out that evolution is faulty science (actually not really "science" at all, by definition).
Let's call evolution what it really is: theory - or better yet, faith...believing in something that you can't see or prove. At least in that, evolution has a lot in common with Christianity...
What do you believe?
- Since we now know that evolution is a theory, but not a science (science can produce evidence, test for repeatability, and answer for conflicting evidence), evolution should simply be taught as a theory -- rather than an unchallengable truth. Scientists usually agree that theories should be taught as theories..
- Evolutionary theorists should also be identified by that title, and not as "scientists" in school literature. Why mislead teachers and children?
- Textbooks should be updated to remove the false evolutionary claims that have stacked up and been propogated for decades, despite evidence to the contrary (e.g. "Piltdown man," and "tails and gills during the early weeks of human gestation")
- Textbooks and curriculums should simply acknowledge that there is no true "evolutionary" path demonstrated for any animal, of any kind. Instead, simply explain the scientific evidence that there is a "sudden appearance" in the fossil record of complete, finished species - and no fossil evolutionary trail of how one "kind" mutated into another. Cats have always been cats; slugs, slugs; birds, birds; reptiles, reptiles, etc.
- Have the public debate acknowledge "irreducible complexity," that the "simple cell" is actually a high-tech factory of complexity; and that no molecular biologist today actually believes a cell could come into being by chance - without the equally complex building blocks of amino acids and proteins...which need cells to produce them. A scientist would ask, "how could you generate the first cell, if you need that cell to produce the components that combine to make it?"
- Why censor experts and textbooks that disagree with evolution? We don't censor magazines and internet sites in school libraries, and yet we censor intelligent arguments about evolution...
In the end, evolution in schools isn't really about what Christians think the Bible says about it - none of the problems with evolution that I noted above require belief in God - it just points out that evolution is faulty science (actually not really "science" at all, by definition).
Let's call evolution what it really is: theory - or better yet, faith...believing in something that you can't see or prove. At least in that, evolution has a lot in common with Christianity...
What do you believe?
How do Christians "accept Jesus?"
There are a million ways to say this, and this is just one of many.
Try sharing it with someone, in 60 seconds or less.
(Just remember, PPRR. Plan, Problem, Remedy, Receive):
“God has a Plan for your life and He loves you unconditionally—without conditions. He offers you a relationship of peace, even in restless times, and an abundantly blessed life, now and for eternity. (See Romans 5:1)
But we humans have a Problem with that plan because of sin, as Adam introduced it to the world, and as we ourselves continue with it. Sin is anything we do that is unacceptable or displeasing to God, despite his great love for us. We all sin, in spite of our desire to do better. We are unable to eliminate or rise above sin on our own, thus we risk eternal separation from the benefits of a relationship with God. (See Romans 3:23)
Fortunately, God sent Jesus to demonstrate his perfect love and to take on himself all our sins. Jesus died on the cross in our place - a substitute for our sins - a redeemer and a Remedy for our problem. (See Romans 6:23)
All that's left to do is to accept and Receive Jesus in his rightful role - the Son of God who died and rose again for our sins. Turning from sin, believing in Jesus as the way, the truth and the life seals our eternal relationship with God. (See Romans 10:9)
"Lord God, I acknowledge that I do things to displease you--that I am a sinner, but I want to turn away from this way of life to follow you. I now welcome Jesus into my life, realizing that he is the Savior of the world, having died on the cross for my sins. Please bless and guide me now and for eternity, in Jesus' name I pray, Amen!
That’s the Good News!”
What do you believe?
Try sharing it with someone, in 60 seconds or less.
(Just remember, PPRR. Plan, Problem, Remedy, Receive):
“God has a Plan for your life and He loves you unconditionally—without conditions. He offers you a relationship of peace, even in restless times, and an abundantly blessed life, now and for eternity. (See Romans 5:1)
But we humans have a Problem with that plan because of sin, as Adam introduced it to the world, and as we ourselves continue with it. Sin is anything we do that is unacceptable or displeasing to God, despite his great love for us. We all sin, in spite of our desire to do better. We are unable to eliminate or rise above sin on our own, thus we risk eternal separation from the benefits of a relationship with God. (See Romans 3:23)
Fortunately, God sent Jesus to demonstrate his perfect love and to take on himself all our sins. Jesus died on the cross in our place - a substitute for our sins - a redeemer and a Remedy for our problem. (See Romans 6:23)
All that's left to do is to accept and Receive Jesus in his rightful role - the Son of God who died and rose again for our sins. Turning from sin, believing in Jesus as the way, the truth and the life seals our eternal relationship with God. (See Romans 10:9)
"Lord God, I acknowledge that I do things to displease you--that I am a sinner, but I want to turn away from this way of life to follow you. I now welcome Jesus into my life, realizing that he is the Savior of the world, having died on the cross for my sins. Please bless and guide me now and for eternity, in Jesus' name I pray, Amen!
That’s the Good News!”
What do you believe?
Good Friday 2006
This is the third year I've attend the Good Friday noon service at my local church since moving here.
It's a spirited enactment of the passion by the junior high students, complete with soldiers, brown robed bystanders and a wooden cross.
They cleverly combine some contemporary music with participative prayers of the congregation - is it OK for me to say that I really enjoy this Good Friday service?
But the eyewitness accounts are the most moving element of the service. As the stations of the passion take place, the last supper, the betrayal, the scourging, the crucifiction...one "eye witness" steps up to the podium to share their perspective on Jesus - Peter explains his remorse over denying Jesus, a soldier his anguish over seeing a just man suffer, a woman her awe over his inclusive love for all people...
One by one, these young people get into character and remind me - in riveting fashion - that there was a lot more going on that day 2,000 years ago. There were real people watching Jesus suffer - including those who hated him and those who loved him.
There was probably a confusing rush of emotions and fear in the hours before Jesus died on the cross. But when it was all said and done, each person had to determine in their own heart what it really meant, and what Jesus meant to them. Just another thief dying on the cross? Or the Son of God who came to redeem our sins? That's still something we have to decide for ourselves.
What do you believe?
It's a spirited enactment of the passion by the junior high students, complete with soldiers, brown robed bystanders and a wooden cross.
They cleverly combine some contemporary music with participative prayers of the congregation - is it OK for me to say that I really enjoy this Good Friday service?
But the eyewitness accounts are the most moving element of the service. As the stations of the passion take place, the last supper, the betrayal, the scourging, the crucifiction...one "eye witness" steps up to the podium to share their perspective on Jesus - Peter explains his remorse over denying Jesus, a soldier his anguish over seeing a just man suffer, a woman her awe over his inclusive love for all people...
One by one, these young people get into character and remind me - in riveting fashion - that there was a lot more going on that day 2,000 years ago. There were real people watching Jesus suffer - including those who hated him and those who loved him.
There was probably a confusing rush of emotions and fear in the hours before Jesus died on the cross. But when it was all said and done, each person had to determine in their own heart what it really meant, and what Jesus meant to them. Just another thief dying on the cross? Or the Son of God who came to redeem our sins? That's still something we have to decide for ourselves.
What do you believe?
Da Vinci Code's claim: "the facts are accurate...."
Honestly, I haven't read the Da Vinci Code. Don't plan to.
Check me on this, but here's what I understand the author states in the preface pages:
"All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate." Dan Brown
Now, so far, I've run into many articles, podcasts and books that state in excruciating detail why Dan's claim is...well, not a fact.
I have no problem with someone writing a fictional page turner about Jesus (...think Ann Rice...), but...why try to claim that your fictional book is based on proven fact when it's so obviously not? For that, I'm taking a pass on the book and movie.
What do you believe?
http://www.leaderu.com/focus/davincicode.html
http://www.davincidelusion.tv/
http://www.rejesus.co.uk/davinci/index.html
Check me on this, but here's what I understand the author states in the preface pages:
"All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate." Dan Brown
Now, so far, I've run into many articles, podcasts and books that state in excruciating detail why Dan's claim is...well, not a fact.
I have no problem with someone writing a fictional page turner about Jesus (...think Ann Rice...), but...why try to claim that your fictional book is based on proven fact when it's so obviously not? For that, I'm taking a pass on the book and movie.
What do you believe?
http://www.leaderu.com/focus/davincicode.html
http://www.davincidelusion.tv/
http://www.rejesus.co.uk/davinci/index.html
Holy Week on DVD ?
My favorite religious movie of all time is Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_of_Nazareth_(film)
You can still find it on amazon.com and at Barnes and Nobles.
I watch it every Lent/Easter season and every Christmas.
Whenever I read the gospel accounts, many of the images come alive as depictions from the film. It's well worth the $25 DVD version, or a library checkout.
I've also begun watching Mel Gibson's Passion as part of my Holy Week reminder that Jesus died a horribly brutal death in my place.
Our forgiveness was purchased at a high price and the reminders of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter are great opportunities to meditate on that in prayer and great thanksgiving -- it is the Good News!
By the way...I always thought that Jesus was crucified from noon to 3 pm -- "from the 6th to the 9th hour.." However, check out Mark 15:25.
Jesus was actually crucified at the 3rd hour, about 9 am - but darkness overcame the land from the 6th to the 9th hour. Check out the accounts in Matthew, Mark and Luke to see.
I'm grateful for what Jesus did to reconcile me to a full relationship with God.
What do you believe?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_of_Nazareth_(film)
You can still find it on amazon.com and at Barnes and Nobles.
I watch it every Lent/Easter season and every Christmas.
Whenever I read the gospel accounts, many of the images come alive as depictions from the film. It's well worth the $25 DVD version, or a library checkout.
I've also begun watching Mel Gibson's Passion as part of my Holy Week reminder that Jesus died a horribly brutal death in my place.
Our forgiveness was purchased at a high price and the reminders of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter are great opportunities to meditate on that in prayer and great thanksgiving -- it is the Good News!
By the way...I always thought that Jesus was crucified from noon to 3 pm -- "from the 6th to the 9th hour.." However, check out Mark 15:25.
Jesus was actually crucified at the 3rd hour, about 9 am - but darkness overcame the land from the 6th to the 9th hour. Check out the accounts in Matthew, Mark and Luke to see.
I'm grateful for what Jesus did to reconcile me to a full relationship with God.
What do you believe?
Other Worldview Topics?
What other Christian worldview topics should we blog?
and...what do you believe...?
and...what do you believe...?
Isn't a "Good and Moral" Jesus Enough?
Many worldviews acknowledge that Jesus was most likely a good person with some good moral directives. He did in fact state the "golden rule" of 'Love your neighbor as yourself ' (Mark 12:31).
But they prefer not to acknowledge him as truly the Son of God, God with us, God incarnate - or as having risen from the dead after dying on the cross for the remission of sins.
So...by definition, Christianity is truly different from every other religion and moral worldview. Christians believe that Jesus is the risen Son of God. Not only a great and gifted teacher, but One with God. Not as some would say that 'we are all god, or parts of god.' We believe that Jesus is God.
And, if one were to believe the good and moral teachings of Jesus, you would have to reconcile that he also said, "The Father and I are one." (John 10:30); and his many miracles, even raising people from the dead! These accompany his good moral teachings.
And Jesus allowed his followers to worship him.
"My lord and my God!" Thomas said to him. (John 20:28)
The bible goes on to say, that "in him dwelt the fullness of deity." (Collasians 2:9)
And as a closing thought to this post, the Bible teaches this:
"Everyone who denies the Son, neither has the Father." (1st John 2:23).
Of course, there's nothing wrong with other worldviews disagreeing with, or debating Christian beliefs--that's diversity. But believing that Jesus is the Son of God is the Spiritual diversity of Christianity. It's either true or it's not -- but there is no 'shared truth' in the middle ground.
What do you believe?
But they prefer not to acknowledge him as truly the Son of God, God with us, God incarnate - or as having risen from the dead after dying on the cross for the remission of sins.
So...by definition, Christianity is truly different from every other religion and moral worldview. Christians believe that Jesus is the risen Son of God. Not only a great and gifted teacher, but One with God. Not as some would say that 'we are all god, or parts of god.' We believe that Jesus is God.
And, if one were to believe the good and moral teachings of Jesus, you would have to reconcile that he also said, "The Father and I are one." (John 10:30); and his many miracles, even raising people from the dead! These accompany his good moral teachings.
And Jesus allowed his followers to worship him.
"My lord and my God!" Thomas said to him. (John 20:28)
The bible goes on to say, that "in him dwelt the fullness of deity." (Collasians 2:9)
And as a closing thought to this post, the Bible teaches this:
"Everyone who denies the Son, neither has the Father." (1st John 2:23).
Of course, there's nothing wrong with other worldviews disagreeing with, or debating Christian beliefs--that's diversity. But believing that Jesus is the Son of God is the Spiritual diversity of Christianity. It's either true or it's not -- but there is no 'shared truth' in the middle ground.
What do you believe?
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