You, the Evidence.

You. Yes, you; sitting there reading this blog. How do you know that you are really sitting there reading this blog? Well you can see the computer screen full of letters and words in front of you. You can feel the seat beneath you. If you look around you can see your surroundings; whether you are in a room at a desk top, or at a coffee house or park on a lap-top. You can hear the sounds of people and/or things around you.

But everything you observe, you observe with your five senses - sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. And all of your senses depend on your brain and nerves to operate in an orderly, systematic manner. How do you know that they do operate in an orderly manner? How do you know that your five senses are reliable as means of observation. You might test one against another, but how do you know that any one of them is reliably relaying accurate information about your surroundings? As C.S. Lewis wrote, "All possible knowledge then, depends on the validity of reasoning...Unless human reasoning is valid no science can be true (Miracles; chapter 3, paragraph 5). 

And elsewhere he wrote, "If the solar system was brought about by an accidental collision, then the appearance of organic life on this planet was also an accident, and the whole evolution of Man was an accident too. If so, then all our present thoughts are mere accidents - the accidental by-product of the movement of atoms. And this holds true for the thoughts of the materialists and astronomers as well as anyone else's. But if their thoughts - of materialism and astronomy - are merely accidental by-products, why should we believe them to be true?".
     
Atheism claims that your brain and nerve system are the product of random, unguided, unintelligent processes. But how could random, unguided, unintelligent processes produce an intricate system that can observe and interpret information in an orderly and reliable manner? It is simply irrational to believe that such order; such systems, and complex, intelligible information arose from random, unguided, mindless processes. If anyone believes that their brain is the product of such processes, and yet considers their brain to be a reliable means of observation, then they are not a rational thinker. Their worldview is irrational.

The truth is that you yourself are the only evidence that you should reasonably need in order to believe in God. It is only because you and your brain (which is merely the physical representation of your metaphysical mind) were purposefully made by an orderly Creator, sovereign Lawgiver, and loving God, that you are able to think and make valid observations about your surroundings. In fact, God is love (1 John 4:8). And He created all things to operate in an orderly, rational manner. "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints" (1 Corinthians 14:33). And He created humanity in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27) for the purpose of love (Matthew 22:37-40).

All of your bodily functions; the ability to feed yourself, absorb nutrients, and expel toxins are designed by God for your good. The ability to breathe air; your lungs, your blood which then carries oxygen to the cells and tissues throughout your body, the heart, veins, arteries, capillaries working to pump the blood throughout your body, all of these were purposefully designed by God who is love, for your good. If your cells, tissues, organs, systems are in working order, that is because God made, and allows them to continue working. And that is something for which to be grateful.

According to some atheists, to say that God designed and sustains it is all just an "argument from silence" or "ignorance". According to them, it amounts to saying, "I don't understand how this could have happened so it must have been God". However, it is not an argument from ignorance. It is an argument from valid observations about the functions of the human brain and nerve system; as well as the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. We creationists understand just fine that the universe (including the human brain and biology) operates according to orderly sets of laws, being made of intricate and orderly systems, encoded with intelligible information.

And if anyone says that "God designed it" is an argument from silence or ignorance, we creationist can just as easily say that "random processes did it" is an argument from ignorance or silence; because the wicked are ignorant of the Word and the power of God so that they are spiritually deaf to His truth (John 1:1-5, Matthew 22:29). In fact, I say again, if anyone believes that their brain is the product of random, unguided, unintelligent processes, and yet considers their brain to be a reliable means of observation, then they are not a rational thinker.

Sir Charles Bell (anatomist, surgeon, physiologist, and theologian; 1774-1842) wrote, "If we select any object in the whole extent of animated nature, (that would include your physical body) and contemplate it fully and in all its bearings, we shall certainly come to this conclusion: that there is Design in the mechanical construction, Benevolence in the endowments of the living properties, and that Good on the whole is the result". Concerning anyone who fails to recognize and appreciate design in nature, Bell wrote, "is not his insensibility to the Giver of these secret endowments worse than ingratitude?" (emphasis added).

There are some who consider all the brokenness in the world; sickness, disease, handicaps and suffering of every kind, to be an argument against God. But the truth is more complex than that. The brokenness that we find in the world is only recognized as brokenness because of its sharp contrast with the order and design that we also find prevalent in the universe. And so we can see that the world's brokenness is evidence of the Fall of Humanity, recorded in Genesis chapter three. 

Now this does not mean that all specific cases of suffering, disease, and death is punishment for a specific sin committed by a specific individual or group. Rather, it simply means that the only reason that suffering, disease, and death exist in the first place is because of sin in general. As the Scripture says: "So, in the same way that sin entered the world through one person, and death came through sin, so death spread to all human beings with the result that all sinned" (Romans 5:12; Common English Bible).

So now we see that the brokenness that we find in our world is evidence of the need for a Savior. And that Savior came two thousand years ago to die on a cross for our sin, just outside of Jerusalem. And He arose from the dead so that all who trust in Him also have the hope of the resurrection from the dead and eternal life with new, perfect, immortal bodies (1 Peter 1:3-5; also read 1 Corinthians 15). 

You see, even in the midst of all the world's brokenness, Christ's love takes opportunity to shine forth. As Shakespeare put it, "How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world". Jesus set this as our example, that we should find opportunity to do the work of His kingdom in the midst of all the world's brokenness (John 9:1-5, John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16).

By the works that Jesus Christ accomplished in His earthy life and death, and by His resurrection from the dead; He has made it possible for sinners (we are all sinners, Romans 3:23) to be reconciled to the heavenly Father. That means turning away from sin, being freed from its control, and learning to live in harmony with the Divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-5). And as a result, we who trust in Christ will be restored to the perfection that was before the Fall. As Philip Yancey wrote, "Death, decay, entropy, and destruction are the true suspensions of God's laws; miracles are the early glimpses of restoration".

Made in the Image of God Part Two - The God of Music

On July 18th, 2013, I published Made in the Image of God; based on my favorite syllogism. That biblical syllogism is this: God is love (1 John 4:8). God made humanity in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27). Humanity is made by, and in the image of God who is love. And that is the reason that we as human beings even have a concept of love. 

The capacity and need for love is hardwired into us by our Creator. It is an essential part of the design of who we are. Love is who God is. And we are created in His image for the purpose of love. These days I try to repeat this syllogistic teaching, or at least allude to it as often as I can. 

After all, Jesus said "'Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40). He was quoting from the books of Moses (Deuteronomy 6:5 & Leviticus 19:18). 

And I want to point out that this is also the reason for music. God is the God of music and song. He is the God of all the universe. He existed from eternity past; before the universe existed. He created it. He owns it. It belongs to Him. It is His. Everything, and every being that exists belongs to God who is love. God who is love owns the universe. 

And so He is the God of music. In God's word, the Holy Bible, we are often instructed to use music and singing in our worship of God. The psalmist wrote:

I will be glad and rejoice in You;

I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High

(Psalm 9:2).

Praise the LORD with the harp;

Make melody to Him on an instrument of ten strings.

Sing to Him a new song:

Play skillfully with a shout of joy

(Psalm 33:2-3).

Also with the flute I will praise You -

And Your faithfulness, O my God.

To You I will sing with the harp

O Holy One of Israel

(Psalm 71:22).

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name; O Most High
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
On an instrument of ten strings,
On the flute,
And on the harp,
With harmonious sound.
For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your works;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands
(Psalm 92:1-4)

King Solomon wrote a book of the Bible that is known interchangeable as the Song of Songs and the Song of Solomon. It is an extended, poetic dialogue between a bride and groom, with choruses provided by the friends of the couple. Some theologians like to think that the Song of Solomon is an allegory, or parable of the love between Jesus Christ and the Church as a collective body. 

The New Testament does refer to the collective body of believers metaphorically as the Bride of Christ. And husbands are commanded: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25). So the poem can be read that way. But personally, I prefer to simply appreciate the Song of Songs as a glad celebration of the love between a man and a woman in holy matrimony.

In the New Testament, Christians are taught to "speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:19-20). 

And "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). 

Rather than an attempt to fabricate some illusory feeling of peace or purpose or meaning; music is meant to be an expression of the peace, purpose, and meaning that one already has from our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. Music was intended to be an expression of our love for God, and our love for each other in God. And it was meant to be an expression of our gladness, and gratitude and thanksgiving to God. And since the Fall of humanity into sin, music can also rightly be an expression of the lamentations of the human spirit in our trials and our longing for restoration in Christ.

Our holy God who is love created us with the capacity and need for love. And stemming from that, we are created with the ability to appreciate music and find in it an expression of our inward spirits; our love toward God and each other, our brokenness and sorrows, our repentance, our longing for all good things which come from God, and our praise and gratitude to God who is love. 

And in music, we can perhaps even hear some whisper of the beauty and glory and love of God who is love. As the Scriptures tell: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17).

Sadly though, in this broken world many people choose to reject God. If they use music,they use it to glorify their own fallen selves, or fallen, corrupted humanity as a collective body. They do not use it to glorify, or express love for God. And the love they do express is not a true, Christ-like love, because they reject God who is love. Jesus, the Son of God, lived a life of devotion to the heavenly Father. But their hearts are far from Him. They love the gift, but they despise the Giver.

Two thousand years ago, the Creator of all things who is love revealed Himself as a human being. Jesus of Nazareth was born of the virgin  Mary, in the city of David - Bethlehem, Israel. He took on human form and lived within the time and space of human history. But He was without sin. He lived a perfect life. And as the Christmas carol tells us, "Truly He taught us to love one another". And He taught us to love God (Matthew 22:37-40). 

And He taught us this love, not only by words, but by deeds. He lived a life of humility and sacrifice; of devotion to the heavenly Father, and the salvation of His creation. And then He willingly laid down His life, dying on a Roman cross for my sins and yours. 

He paid the penalty. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). And "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).

Those who hear of His salvation, and go to the grave rejecting Him, demonstrate their lovelessness toward their Creator; the hardness of their fallen, corrupted heart against God who is love, and their worthiness of the condemnation that awaits the unrepentant.

Exorcism At the Gadarenes

One day, Jesus got into a fishing boat and said to His disciples, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake", referring to the Sea of Galilee. And so they did (Luke 8: 22). It was on this excursion that Jesus bewildered His disciples when, with a verbal command, He pacified the raging sea that threatened to kill them all.

After this incident, they came to the Gadarenes (also known as the Gergesenes) which was the region across from Galilee. And when they had come ashore, they were met by a demoniac. Matthew informs us that there were two demoniacs (Matthew 8:28). But Mark and Luke both prefer to focus in on just one of them. Perhaps this is because their focus is specifically on the one, out of the two, which answered Jesus' question, "What is your name?" with the now-famous retort, "My name is Legion; for we are many" (Mark 5:9).

This man, who was from the city, had been living under demonic possession for a long time. And he had been driven, by the possessing spirits, out of his urban home. When Jesus came to him, the man was naked; and he had been living in the tombs that were in that rural area. He was living in the tombs! And his behavior was violent. All attempts by the local people to restrain him had failed.

And even though the demonic force recognized the Son God upon His arrival; (Mark 5:6 uses the word "worshiped") nevertheless, the words directed toward Jesus were antagonistic. By all accounts, the man shouted at Him, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?".

When Jesus had commanded the evil spirits to leave the man, they begged Him not to make them go into the abyss of Hell; using as their defense the fact that the day of final judgment has not yet arrived. The Lord Jesus displayed His magnanimous character by allowing the devils permission to go into the nearby herd of swine instead, as they had desperately requested. And they, of course, displayed their wicked and unrepentant character by driving the said herd of swine off a steep slope, into the Sea of Galilee.

But what I appreciate most about the exorcism at the Gadarenes is how in it Christ demonstrated His love for the man who was a demoniac. We are informed that the keepers of that herd of swine ran into the city to report what had happened. And when a crowd of locals came to the scene, they "came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind" (Luke 8:35). 

Jesus' whole purpose was to undo Satan's work, by setting at liberty him who had been a slave of demons. Satan had made this man a slave of devils; driven out of his home and out of his mind, naked and living in tombs. Now he was calmly "sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind". And as if that were not enough, Jesus proved His love when the man asked to become one of His traveling companions. Jesus told the man, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you" (Luke 8:38-39). 

The healing - the restoration of the man's life had to be complete. Satan had forced him out of his home, to live naked in the tombs of the dead. Now he was wearing clothes, which probably were given to him by Jesus and/or His disciples; and he was in his right mind. And now he needed, needed to go home. 

So that's what he did. He went home. And he told all over the city what wonderful things Jesus had done for him.

Interestingly, after Jesus had restored the man to a life of freedom, He got back into the boat with His disciples, and went back to Galilee. True, the local people had asked Him to do so, because they were afraid of Him. But I suspect that this was His plan all along. 

The whole trip across the water was just for the sake of setting a captive free. And the calming of the Sea of Galilee was a fitting prelude to the calm that would be given to the man who was troubled by demons.

And Jesus has the same love for every one of us, whoever and wherever we are. The Son of God gave His life on the cross to set us free from sin; since "every one who commits sin is a slave of sin" (John 8:34). And so from God's perspective, humans are evil spirits too (Luke 11:11-13, John 7:7, Romans 3:23).

So we don't necessarily need fallen angels to mess us up in our minds and spirits. As fallen humans, we can do that to ourselves by simply living our lives in discord with God who is love. But He loves humanity, whom He originally created in His own image for the purpose of love (1 John 4:8, Genesis 1:26-27, Matthew 22:37-40). 

We are fallen humans. But Jesus also said that "if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them - to give His life a ransom for many." (John 8:36, John 10:10, Luke 9:56, Matthew 20:28). 

We don't necessarily need fallen angels destroy our lives. But we do need the risen Son of God to save us from our own fallen, sinful nature. All we have to do is trust Him with our lives. 

"Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature

Oh Thou of God and Man the Son

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor

Thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown

Fair is the sunlight, fairer still the moonlight

And all the twinkling, starry hosts

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer

Than all the angels heaven can boast

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all nations!

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration

Now and forevermore be Thine"

"And though this world, with devils filled

Should threaten to undo us

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us

The prince of darkness grim

we tremble not for him

His rage we can endure

For lo, his doom is sure

One little word shall fell him"