There’s something about me, the kind of person I am, that I can’t help but get caught up in intellectual debate.
There’s something about me, that I can’t help but ask questions such as:
“Why does God allow natural disasters to occur, and let so many people die?”
“What happens to those who do not hear the gospel?”
“How does evolution fit into the Genesis account?”
“What about morality – was it evolved? – does that make a difference to what I believe?”
I wrestle with God, because I know and believe that what He says its true. And whenever such questions are thrown at me, I need to wrestle, because such questions threaten to shake the foundations of what I believe – That all that God says is true.
I don’t stand alone in this regard. Many Christians think through these questions. To say that Christians are blind believers is disregarding the fact that so many Christians struggle over these same issues as well. We, like non-believers also ask these questions. We, like non-believers also struggle with these queries. But Christians, however, have chosen to concede that at the end of it all – only Christ’s wisdom and power will prevail.
Do I have answers to the above questions? Some thoughts maybe, some ‘answers’ maybe, but none are satisfactory to my heart. They may satisfy my intellect, but they do not take away the gnawing at the heart. I know that God alone has answers, answers that He has chosen to conceal for now. And I trust Him. The only satisfactory answer I have is that I can trust God to defend Himself.
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I used to fear reading accounts on evolution, feared the new atheism that was rising up against me. I used to fear reading arguments against Christianity, afraid that I would find some faith-shattering philosophy that would destroy me. But here’s the one comfort I hold on to, the one word of God that I cling on to:
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing
But to us who are being saved it is the power of God.For it is written:
“I (God) will destroy the wisdom of the wise
the intelligence of the intelligent, I will frustrate”Where is the wise man?
Where is the scholar?
Where is the philosopher of this age?
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
Here, in the precious words of 1 Corinthians, is a promise. It is a declaration that God will make foolish all the clever arguments of this world. No man can ever understand the mind of God. God has and will make a mockery of all of man’s wisdom.
To those who believe that they can attain their own salvation/holiness – God will make their wisdom foolish.
To those who believe that by invoking evolution, God is nullified and not required – God will make their wisdom foolish
To those who believe that they can do a better job than God (asking questions about God’s justice/love…) – God will make their wisdom foolish
How will this folly be exposed? I’m not sure exactly how. But I think the folly may be this: that no matter what philosophy one subscribes to, there can be no true peace, no true satisfaction, no true meaning in life outside of the gospel of Christ.
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Christ is the wisdom and power of God.
Everyone who opposes the gospel needs to consider Christ. Here, in the fabric of human history, is a man who performed numerous miracles – displaying God’s power. It is a man who’s teaching stumped the teachers of the law and amazed its listeners – displaying God’s wisdom. Most importantly, he was a man with purpose – He knew he was going to die and be raised again.
To all who oppose to the gospel – there is one challenge – Contend with the person of Jesus Christ! Contend with the truth claims of the resurrection! Contend with that gnawing in your heart, that guilt that you face when you sin. Sure, maybe you can explain morality/guilt/religion/belief in God as product of an evolutionary process.
But honestly, does that satisfy you?
Does that give you an answer to the evil around you?
Does that give you the confidence to face death?
I’m not boasting in myself, but in the wisdom and power of Christ.
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To be honest, I think I can no longer live without Him.
Maybe i’m foolish in the eyes of the world.
Maybe i’m weak in their eyes – a fool who believes in a lie so that he can face death with more certainty and hope.
Maybe i’m weak in their eyes – I concede to my weakness instead of believing that sheer human will can help me redeem myself.
Maybe i’m weak in their eyes – believing in someone I can’t see or hear tangibly
But i trust, that He will defend me.
I have decided that no matter what, I will trust that His power and wisdom is greater.
Even if that makes me look like a fool.
When everything ends. He will stand.
And because He stands, all who believe in him will be vindicated.
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