Awesome creation

Monica and I had a fine discussion yesterday evening with a couple people about issues surrounding creation and evolution.  We used the article in The Bannerby Deborah & Loren Haarsma entitled “Speaking of Evolution…” as a launchpad wondering whether a high school or college student needs to choose between being a Christian and being a scientist as though s/he cannot choose both.

Thankfully we have thinkers and documents (ancient and contemporary) such as Guido de Brès and the Belgic Confession he helped write to give insight to our conversation.  God has revealed Himself to us in two ways –

“First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, since that universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book…  Second, He makes Himself known to us more openly by His holy and divine Word, as much as we need in this life, for His glory and for the salvation of His own” (Belgic Confession, article 2).

Creation and God’s Word are not in opposition.  They both enable us to know God.  Read Psalm 19 if you need further convincing.  Disciples of Jesus, you can be, you should become scientists!

People like Louis Giglio help me worship God when I learn something from a scientist.  I prefer worship over heated, angry arguments between Christians over matters such as evolution.  The first clip here explores outer space, the second explores one’s inner body; both clips lead me to praise our Creator God for His awesome creation (which — by sheer grace — includes me!).

Back to yesterday’s conversation about creation and evolution…  As Christians, we can agree on Who created the universe and Who redeems the universe.  From the article in The Banner:

“By recognizing these areas of agreement, Christians with different views on evolution can maintain a charitable attitude towards each other and need not break our unity as believers.  We can work side by side to advance God’s Kingdom.”

Related:
Another helpful Banner article, this one by Sigmund Brouwer, differentiating between evolution and evolutionism.
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How to make wise decisions

Yes, this may be simplistic, but it’s still helpful.  Written by Gordon S. Jackson, this came my way via NavPress’s monthly Bible Study Zone email and provides steps for making wise decisions…

1.  Is your decision in accordance with Scripture?
—– If “Yes,” then proceed to next question.
—– If “No,” don’t go any further.

2.  Does your decision find support in your prayers?
—– If “Yes,” then proceed to next question.
—– If “No,” don’t go any further.

3.  Does the advice of others you trust support your decision?
—– If “Yes,” then proceed to next question.
—– If “No,” don’t go any further.

4.  Have circumstances made it possible for you to act on your decision?
—– If “Yes,” then proceed to next question.
—– If “No,” consider the matter closed or go back to Scripture and prayer.

5.  Having reached this point, do you have a sense of peace about your decision?
—– If “Yes,” then you can feel confident in your decision.
—– If “No,” consider the matter closed or go back to Scripture and prayer.
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Praying for God’s project for the whole human race

As 1 Timothy 2 starts, Paul says we should pray for people in authority.  Paul mentions kings in particular, but we are more familiar with mayors (Carman Graf), premiers (Gordon Campbell), and prime ministers (Stephen Harper).

Speaking on this passage, I quoted a sentence from N.T. (Tom) Wright’s book Paul for Everyone: The Pastoral Letters (London: SPCK, 2003).  Here’s the entire paragraph…

“As so often in the New Testament, the call to prayer is also the call to think:  To think clearly about God and the world, and God’s project for the whole human race.  Don’t rest content with the simplistic agendas of the world that suggest you should either idolize your present political system or be working to overthrow it.  Try praying for your rulers instead, and watch not only what God will do in your society, but also how your own attitudes will grow, change, and mature” (p. 21).
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Grace and mercy

“The grace of our Lord was poured on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14).

I mentioned the other Sunday that together with the apostle Paul, disciples of Jesus can say these words.  (Stop right now and read the verse aloud, pretending that you wrote it!)  God is abundant in the grace giving department.  Consider also the mercy He extends to us, as Paul notes one verse earlier.

Grace and mercy are two words that we often use interchangeably.  I sometimes mix up which one means what exactly.  Singer Wayne Watson has cleared it up for me a great deal in his song simply entitled “Grace” (from his CD Living Room):

“Grace keeps giving me things I don’t deserve.
Mercy keeps withholding things I do.”

I quoted that when we were talking about 1 Timothy 1 the other week.  What I didn’t quote were a few lines from another Wayne Watson song that especially makes me appreciate God’s mercy.

First a little context:  People sometimes use the expression that they want what’s coming to them, that they want what they deserve.  Who hasn’t said, “I deserve better than this?”  However, texts like Ephesians 2 remind us that what we really deserve is God’s wrath.  Our holy God doesn’t have the time of day for the slightest trace of sin, but we have soiled ourselves in it.

In his song “Merciful Heaven” (from his self-titled CD), Wayne Watson sings:

“Some people want what they deserve,
but not me, no, I know my heart too well.
And I’ve just barely got the nerve
to make this one request,
and I know that You will hear me…”

Even when we were dead in our transgressions, God not only hears and sees us, He makes us alive in Christ, pure and whiter than snow!  Amazing mercy!

“…You’ve got the power and I have the need:
Merciful Heaven, have mercy on me.”
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Keep it simple

This comes from Jack Stulp from Christian Reformed Home Missions in his monthly letter/update for pastors…

The gospel is not “Believe…
—– – Reformed doctrine
—– - truth
—– - the content of seminary lectures
—– - or even the book, the Bible
———–—–—–—– …and you will be saved.”

The gospel is “Believe on the Lord Jesus,” a Person.

Maybe I should stop right here.

But I’ll ask a few questions to stimulate your thoughts.

:: -Do our young people see profession of faith as “Do I have my information in order so I can pass the test?”

:: -Do I see preaching as successful if some information is well communicated?  Or, do I pray, work, and aim for a response to a Person?

:: -Can’t I build the range of Christian truth on these words, “Believe,” “Lord,” and “Jesus?”

:: -Isn’t it so that all my life I deal with Him as He is saving me from sin and leading me to Christlikeness?

:: -As I respond to His Word, am I not responding to Him?

Now, I’ll stop.

The Word of God: “Believe on the Lord Jesus,” on Him. That’s right: “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.” (Romans 15:17).