11/18/19 George (See our conversation HERE)
Are you the science type? Do you base your beliefs on
observable data and research, requiring verifiable evidence before committing
to anything, even a belief in God?
If so, you are not alone. So much valuable knowledge has
become available through the scientific approach that it is hard to imagine
life without it.
I asked an engineer named George, whose entire career has
been built on applying mathematical and scientific principles, what it would
take for him to believe that God exists. He said probably some sort of
undeniable miracle that defies natural laws. Many people say that, so I have a
few thoughts that might help them rethink that requirement.
Jesus said “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a
sign!” Why though? What is “wicked and adulterous” about asking for a sign?
What if God did indeed grant far more dramatic miracles in life?
I believe the very fact that one would require a miraculous
sign as a condition to belief in God would undermine the type of relationship
God desires with us. Instead of God
being God and setting the terms of the relationship (“you must not eat from the
tree”), a requirement like this puts man in the position of setting the
terms. This is why Jesus, in rejecting
the demands of Satan, said “It is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the
test.’”
Why not? Because it’s
not about you or me. What if everyone
who demands a sign did, in fact, receive one? Would not those who did not
witness their own personal miracle then begin to demand one too until the whole
world – billions of people – requires a dramatic miracle? God is building a people who honor Him as
God, not individuals who expect Him to serve them, fulfilling whatever
miraculous request they have of Him.
Additionally, I don’t believe one big miracle would ever be
enough for those who require them. If
one began believing in God due to a big miracle early in life, then years
later, after decades of never experiencing another miracle, they would begin to
doubt whether that original miracle was indeed credible.
Instead of experiencing dramatic miracles individually, it
seems to me God has granted them to humanity corporately. The parting of the Red Sea and the various
miracles during Jesus’ ministry were experienced by thousands at the time, but
now we must rely on eyewitness testimony.
We believe because of the testimony of reliable people.
And who is to say that miracles aren’t happening all around
us, but we don’t always have eyes to see them?
Personally, the mere fact of creation is a sign of the creator. As scientists help us appreciate the
complexity of life, the fine-tuning of our world, and the enormity of the
universe, I am convinced more than ever that none of this could happen by
accident, no matter how many billions of years scientists say this must have
taken.
God is building a faith relationship with us. Hebrews tells us that “without faith it is
impossible to please Him” Faith is the
one great equalizer among all who would believe in God. One doesn’t need to have a scientific mind to
accept that a miracle occurred. On the
other hand, a scientific mind, combined with faith, sure can help one
appreciate miracles for what they truly are, a display of the glory and
sovereign power of the Creator and His creation.
See our conversation HERE at https://youtu.be/oTd2CatYmXY
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