The following post is from this past March and I'm bringing it back for a short time. The accent to belief in God is everywhere in America but knowledge of Him is scant and often erroneous. An easy-believism has settled in that not only does not have specifics as to what it believes....it often disparages any attempts to ascertain doctrinal truth. The ubiquitous 'God bless America' has become our new liturgy. We will surely find out that believing in a creator is important only if it humbles us before that Creator and leads us to regeneration.
In Awe Of An Empty Tomb
I have three books sitting next to me on the table as I write and I wasn't in the bookstore looking to find another but the title sort of jumped out at me and then after reading the rather incredible bio on the author...I bought it, a trade paperback, and went home and read it. The title and the author's name do not matter for this post is not so much about scientific calculations as it is about gospel miscalculations.
I will say this about the book....it was very good. A top tier scientist in America was defending through scientific inquiry not only the existence of God but the omniscience of God. It was remarkably well written and I'll probably pass it on. In fact I had a good friend in mind when I bought it, for this is a topic that is keeping him from considering the Bible.
So where's the problem? What I saw in amongst this author's professional litany of eloquent, often profound evidence on the existence God, was a few troubling statements that indicated that something was terribly missing. Nor could I find that which was missing on the author's large web page. I'm purposely being vague because the point I'm trying to get across is that the doctrines of creation and salvation are not....six of one...half dozen of the other. One might err on the first but dare not err on the second!
I felt that I needed to write this post. All Christian belief is in vain if one is not born again or born from above. All the assent a human mind can give to the existence and even majesty of God is worthless without regeneration. What saddened me in the book was that knowledge itself seemed to be pursued, even glorified, as much or more than the God that that knowledge affirmed.
So...to the college student that does not lack in theological confidence even though there has only been a few short years since they were building with Legos.....to the engineer who can build a bridge of steel but not one from sin to redemption....to the lawyer who understands the law, who can at times seek mercy for a client, but has never seen his own need of mercy.....to the scientist who feels that a great intellect in the study of the heavens automatically transfers to a study of heaven....to these and anyone who has not at first trembled before a Holy God....who do not open a Bible as one would a treasure chest....who do not run back every day to see the jewels....who do not know that love for your neighbor includes weeping for them to come to a saving knowledge of Christ....to these readers....they should know that today is the day....that tomorrow may never come.....but that a judgement will!
Know this also...He turns no one away who truly seeks Him. You need not fear that.....rather fear the heart of fallen man....and take the new one that is offered.....by grace alone....through faith alone....in Christ alone!
Golgotha was under the vast and magnificent canopy of stars on that day..... yet even the grandeur of the universe pales in comparison to the emptiness of a nearby tomb!
In Awe Of An Empty Tomb
I have three books sitting next to me on the table as I write and I wasn't in the bookstore looking to find another but the title sort of jumped out at me and then after reading the rather incredible bio on the author...I bought it, a trade paperback, and went home and read it. The title and the author's name do not matter for this post is not so much about scientific calculations as it is about gospel miscalculations.
I will say this about the book....it was very good. A top tier scientist in America was defending through scientific inquiry not only the existence of God but the omniscience of God. It was remarkably well written and I'll probably pass it on. In fact I had a good friend in mind when I bought it, for this is a topic that is keeping him from considering the Bible.
So where's the problem? What I saw in amongst this author's professional litany of eloquent, often profound evidence on the existence God, was a few troubling statements that indicated that something was terribly missing. Nor could I find that which was missing on the author's large web page. I'm purposely being vague because the point I'm trying to get across is that the doctrines of creation and salvation are not....six of one...half dozen of the other. One might err on the first but dare not err on the second!
I felt that I needed to write this post. All Christian belief is in vain if one is not born again or born from above. All the assent a human mind can give to the existence and even majesty of God is worthless without regeneration. What saddened me in the book was that knowledge itself seemed to be pursued, even glorified, as much or more than the God that that knowledge affirmed.
So...to the college student that does not lack in theological confidence even though there has only been a few short years since they were building with Legos.....to the engineer who can build a bridge of steel but not one from sin to redemption....to the lawyer who understands the law, who can at times seek mercy for a client, but has never seen his own need of mercy.....to the scientist who feels that a great intellect in the study of the heavens automatically transfers to a study of heaven....to these and anyone who has not at first trembled before a Holy God....who do not open a Bible as one would a treasure chest....who do not run back every day to see the jewels....who do not know that love for your neighbor includes weeping for them to come to a saving knowledge of Christ....to these readers....they should know that today is the day....that tomorrow may never come.....but that a judgement will!
Know this also...He turns no one away who truly seeks Him. You need not fear that.....rather fear the heart of fallen man....and take the new one that is offered.....by grace alone....through faith alone....in Christ alone!
Golgotha was under the vast and magnificent canopy of stars on that day..... yet even the grandeur of the universe pales in comparison to the emptiness of a nearby tomb!
