I mentioned, before my trip, that I was taking this book to read on the way over and back. I thought I should give you a report. Overall Dinesh did a great job with this book. I really enjoyed his approach and thoughts on the Christian-atheist debate. In much of the book he did a great job defending the Christian faith and pointing out the weaknesses of the anti-God arguments. The only part of his book where I strongly disagree is on his view of creation. In this one area I think he really missed it, but other than that I would recommend you read it. Your faith will be strengthened and you will have some new insights into how to defend what you believe.
9 comments:
I will have to get that one for Reagan. I think given where he lives now, he could use a few good arguments.
Mike, You didn't mention the specifics on what his take on creation was, but I know that I am becoming increasingly aware of how many Christians, even "well-educated" ones, are embracing the "old earth" view. Perhaps this is where this guy was coming from. It's like something changed and I missed the boat. Hmmm... Call me a fool, but I am still convinced that God's design works!
Regarding creation and its specifics, does it really matter what position one takes? I cant really see how holding one position over the other has anything to do with living a christian life. I am not really sure that literal belief in miracles stories of the Bible are the point of the stories if you know what i am saying.
Tony,
let's have some coffee and we can visit about this further. It's a great opportunity to set up a time to meet.
Anonymous,
You asked a great question- "does it really matter what position one takes?"
My simple answer is, "yes, it matters." The truth is that your view of creation reflects your view of these things- (in this order) 1. Scripture, 2. God, 3. God's character, 4. His sovereignty.
There are others, but this will get us started. I honestly believe that when God says he did something I believe him. How does that have anything to do with living the Christian life? It has everything to do with it. If I can't take God as an honest divine being then nothing else he says can be trusted, and I have nothing I can depend upon. It's simply a trust in the word of God, and in God himself. Now, I'm not using Genesis 1 for my views. I go to other places for my views on creation, but they are based on what God himself said. It does affect my Christian life because it affects my view of God- Is he big enough? Is he honest? Can I trust him? Does he really govern my world and my life? If he is not a real, literal miracle working God then what IS the point of the stories? If they are not true then they are just fables for little children who don't know any better and our whole message is a lie. Brother, it matters because it is based on the verasity of God himself. Is he a truth teller or a liar? If he's a liar, then my faith is a sham and fake as well, and this is all a big joke. Either he is who he says he is and did what he said he did or not and it does affect all of my Christian life....it matters a lot!
It was in studying Genesis (as an adult) that I became a believer in Christ. I agree with you, Mike. He is big, He is powerful, He is in control, He is faithful, He is honestly, He is trustworthy, HE IS REAL! What a cool thing!
Wow, you cant be more dogmatic than that. I guess I opened a can of worms and struck a nerve. Language is a purely symbolic system, used to communicate ideas and truths. And, it only comes to life when there is a genuine inner experience triggered from it, deep within ourselves. God chose to communicate his eternal truths to us through the stories of the Bible, we would be served well if we allowed them to change our very natures, listening with our spirit to the truths he is imprinting upon us. This is the purpose of the stories, transformation. Don’t get so caught up in specifics and literal acceptance of events long ago and far away, your just limiting the effect of god in your life. The story doesn’t do a bit of good to anyone if the essence of it is not extracted and put into play. Christ for example, the illuminator of truth himself, the divine logos of God, wont do anyone a bit of good unless they know him on a personal interactive level, unless he is transforming them from within into his likeness. The story of the cross happens everyday in each one of his followers lives, hence "pick up your cross and follow me", or "you search the scriptures but they testify of me". He is pointing to a present reality in the life of the believer, wanting them to move beyond intellectual ascent of ideas.
anonymous,
dogmatic? yes.
touched a nerve? no.
truth is important. if you want to visit about this further I would be glad to do so. it is not an existential experience, it is real and true in time and space. let me know if you want to have some coffee and talk further.
Mike,
Discussions over coffee defeat the purpose of the blog, to have dialogue in open forum for all to read and learn.
Dismissing away my point of view as nonsense existentialism is close minded. I beg of you not to turn christianity into a theology book, as if you have God fit into a nice little package for sale to the masses. I guess demand dictates supply though.
In the end, if you cant or wont open your mind to the possibility that there are other ways of comprehending God than the one you adhere to, dialogue is pointless. I was only trying to shine some light for the benefit of yourself and your followers. If you dont want it then i will shake the dust from my heels.
A good thing to read is Platos "Allegory of the Cave", it illustrates my point fairly well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato's_allegory_of_the_cave
See you on the other side
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