Faith
Who made God?
25/10/14 21:17
Good question?
First, some atheists say that we made God. What they mean is that God is an invention of the human mind.
But if we made God, then who made us? You see, trying to get rid of the Creator is not so easy!
Second, others reject the idea that any single being could create our enormously intricate universe. They say that the God we talk about is so complex that he is too improbable to exist.
But Christians are comforted by God's immensity! Indeed the Bible asks, “Who can measure . . . God?” Romans 11.33 (Bible for Today). How wonderful that he is able to deal, not just with a merely physical universe, but knows how to resolve the vast and disturbing problems man's sin and waywardness have brought to our world.
A third argument of atheists is that “if no one made God then he can't exist.” But while anything that is created necessarily has a beginning, by definition this cannot apply to the Eternal One. So it is a nonsense to ask “Who created the uncreated One?”
And God's eternal existence is clearly a necessity. If there ever was a time when nothing existed, then nothing would exist now!
First, some atheists say that we made God. What they mean is that God is an invention of the human mind.
But if we made God, then who made us? You see, trying to get rid of the Creator is not so easy!
Second, others reject the idea that any single being could create our enormously intricate universe. They say that the God we talk about is so complex that he is too improbable to exist.
But Christians are comforted by God's immensity! Indeed the Bible asks, “Who can measure . . . God?” Romans 11.33 (Bible for Today). How wonderful that he is able to deal, not just with a merely physical universe, but knows how to resolve the vast and disturbing problems man's sin and waywardness have brought to our world.
A third argument of atheists is that “if no one made God then he can't exist.” But while anything that is created necessarily has a beginning, by definition this cannot apply to the Eternal One. So it is a nonsense to ask “Who created the uncreated One?”
And God's eternal existence is clearly a necessity. If there ever was a time when nothing existed, then nothing would exist now!
* * *
The psalmist wrote this truth about God: “You have always ruled, and you are eternal.”
- Psalm 93.2 (Bible for Today)
Faith in the Truth, Part 2
20/07/14 20:00
In AD30 the Roman Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, asked Jesus, “Are you a king?” Jesus agreed. He said he was a king who came to “bear witness to the truth.” John 18.37.
This may seem a strange answer to the question, “Are you a king?” But Jesus was drawing a contrast. Pilate was part of a kingdom that didn't believe in truth. The Greek literature had closed his mind because Greek and Roman religion was based on myth. Pilate, being convinced that you can't know the truth, said, “What is truth?” John 18.38.
Notice, first, because our Australian nation was built on the assumption that the truth can be known and must rule our culture, our nation's beginnings enjoyed a strong Christian influence. So our Constitution begins with this acknowledgement - “humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God”.
Second, in a world of conflicting ideas, we have therefore had wonderful access to the truth through “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3.15.
Third, do we want our nation to continue humbly relying on God? Then let's pray that “those who believe and know the truth” (1 Timothy 4.3) will have a strong influence upon our Australian way of life.
This may seem a strange answer to the question, “Are you a king?” But Jesus was drawing a contrast. Pilate was part of a kingdom that didn't believe in truth. The Greek literature had closed his mind because Greek and Roman religion was based on myth. Pilate, being convinced that you can't know the truth, said, “What is truth?” John 18.38.
Notice, first, because our Australian nation was built on the assumption that the truth can be known and must rule our culture, our nation's beginnings enjoyed a strong Christian influence. So our Constitution begins with this acknowledgement - “humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God”.
Second, in a world of conflicting ideas, we have therefore had wonderful access to the truth through “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3.15.
Third, do we want our nation to continue humbly relying on God? Then let's pray that “those who believe and know the truth” (1 Timothy 4.3) will have a strong influence upon our Australian way of life.
* * *
“God . . . desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
- 1 Timothy 2.3-4
Faith in the Truth, Part 1
20/07/14 19:59
Some people say Christians are not interested in truth, only in their blind faith.
Such critics might say, therefore, that the great Christian theme is “amazing grace” rather than “amazing truth.”
The Bible, however, corrects this criticism, declaring that “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1.17.
First, why put our faith in the Bible? Because it is not myth. From cover to cover it is an eye-witness record. For example, God reminds Israel, “I am the Lord . . . who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Leviticus 22.32-33.
Israel experienced this mighty historical event, and God doesn't want them to forget it.
Second, Jesus too spoke about what is true. He said, “If you abide in my word . . . you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8.31-32. And he assures us that God's Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” John 16.13.
Third, Jesus' apostles were also eye-witnesses of events “which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled” 1 John 1.1.
In fact, the Bible is the world's greatest history book, recording the truth about earth's first humans, and even describing, with great accuracy, human history in advance.
Such critics might say, therefore, that the great Christian theme is “amazing grace” rather than “amazing truth.”
The Bible, however, corrects this criticism, declaring that “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1.17.
First, why put our faith in the Bible? Because it is not myth. From cover to cover it is an eye-witness record. For example, God reminds Israel, “I am the Lord . . . who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Leviticus 22.32-33.
Israel experienced this mighty historical event, and God doesn't want them to forget it.
Second, Jesus too spoke about what is true. He said, “If you abide in my word . . . you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8.31-32. And he assures us that God's Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” John 16.13.
Third, Jesus' apostles were also eye-witnesses of events “which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled” 1 John 1.1.
In fact, the Bible is the world's greatest history book, recording the truth about earth's first humans, and even describing, with great accuracy, human history in advance.
* * *
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
- John 14.6.