Esotropiart

Let's face it, the Psalms are cool. The ESV Study Bible daily reading plan is cool. How the Spirit of God uses the Scripture to work in our lives and open our eyes is cool. But seriously, all that pales (well, not the Spirit, who is God) in comparison to the riches of knowing God. Let's face it, it's all about Him! What is "it"? It is everything. If there is indeed a Creator - and indeed there is - then all that exists can be nothing but all about the One who created it. All things exist by Him, through Him and for Him. In Him we live and breath and have our being.

For the last five weeks or so I've been attending a Friday night study. Daniel, a friend from church offered his home to host the viewing of a video series and discussion. We are watching Focus on the Family's The Truth Project. The thoughts I've had since watching this series deserves at least one dedicated blog entry. Nonetheless, since I haven't yet mentioned the Truth Project video night on my blog, I felt it needed a written introduction before I suddenly made random comments concerning it.

Interjection: I can tell already this article is going to be one of those jumpy ones, with no clear direction. Tee hee. Rejoice. Stale, predictable writing is boring! Be thankful I'm making your brain do some work to follow along - that is, if I haven't lost you already.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4a ESV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:18-23 ESV

Last Friday's video session was about science. One of the key Bible passages presented was the beginning of Psalm 19. I read this Psalm as part of my daily reading a couple weeks ago, and I loved it! I was glad to hear it again. The point from the passage the video brought out, along with the awesome power of the Word in Romans chapter 1, is that the case for a Creator is plain. Quite honestly, that's all I needed to hear. The rest of the video gave a bunch of examples - you've heard them all before - how and why it's obvious this world of beauty and order was designed by a Mastermind.

This temporary dwelling we live in is simply amazing. And yet so many purposely look away and turn their back on what is so plain, so clear, even obvious. The faith and wonder of a child can see it. What's wrong with adults? Has a pursuit of science clouded the minds of us who are so "learned"? It is interesting that true, pure science should point a scientist to the conclusion that is best supported by the evidence. Truth is supposedly sought, to whatever end. Yet for many, the simple and most obvious answer, one that ALL SCIENCE points them to is overlooked intentionally.

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,
there is none who does good.

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.

They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.

Psalm 14:1-3 ESV

One way of defining the word insane is to say it is the condition of a person who has lost their connection to or perception of reality. Many people who have lost their capacity to think clearly and discern imagination from reality are unfortunately bound by what exists in their mind. What is really real does not change based on their condition, but to them it does. In the same way, many supposedly learned students of science have intentionally turned their back on reason - even science itself - and ignore the obvious answer.

Personally, I find it somewhat a waste of time to attempt to defend great truth in the form of apologetics, especially when great and confounding arguments are in order. Don't get me wrong, it is a valid pursuit, even very valuable. Truth is truth. Even so, how many times has someone in this postmodern generation been convinced by an irrefutable argument? Yes, the Bible is rock solid. It is perfect. The ways of God and the case for a Creator are perfect. Science, archeology and every form of fact that is available for mankind for all times past present and future will support it one hundred percent, even more if possible. No one can refute it. HOWEVER, they don't need to, do they? They simply have the choice not to believe.

The most clear fact regarding apologetics is that people believe what they wish to believe. They will surround themselves with books, teachers, prophets, leaders, even pastors who will defend them and agree with them. It is human nature, or rather the way of the flesh since the Fall of mankind. We do not want to face our Creator as long as we live in the dark. If we admit there is a God, then everything He says about Himself is 100% truth. It can be NO OTHER WAY. If God is God, then we are not.

Why is the man who says "There is no God" a fool? Because we Christians or the authors of the Bible like calling names when we don't know what else to say to those who reject God's truth? No, hardly. This is not a name calling event. The point is this: What can be known of God is clearly seen through creation. With or without honed scientific methodology or evidence, it is plain to see. A child could see it. Such a tragedy is a form of insanity, a refusal to accept reality and the truth from what is plain to be seen. We don't need a telescope to search the endless vastness of space or a microscope to probe the endless infinitesimally small particles and spaces between them. Throw away your fancy toys and pick up the simple ones you used to play with! Give glory to God as a child, and acknowledge the obvious!

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
"Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
"As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill."

I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2 ESV

The days are short. Faith in God is waning. The darkness of this world is spreading its infectious influence (or rather influenza). People are choosing to turn their attention to the false gods of self and created things. Will the Son of God find faith when He returns? Will a single voice or hand give Him glory when He fills the sky in an instant? Surely all who are left behind will have also seen Him (every eye will behold Him). With their "grand and glorious" scientific method, they will come up with a thousand explanations for the sudden disappearance of thousands - if not millions - of people and the great vision in the clouds. Don't wait for this. Don't wait for your death, which might well be tomorrow or tonight. Kiss the Son and tremble in fear before He who is awesome. All things, including you, exist for Him and come from Him. Even so, rejoice! Though we should be considered insignificant specks to be squashed or incinerated for our imperfection, the King has offered you everything. He gave His life for you! Seek Him before you are swallowed up in the deceptive lies of this world, or even death. He is good. He is true. He loves you.

Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:6-11 ESV

So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:7-11 ESV

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

John 14:1-11 ESV