Sunday, June 17, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Why Does It Matter What We Believe?
Our culture is one that says it gives equal value to all beliefs. You hear people say things like "Who are you to judge?" or "That might be true for you but it's not for me." or "Jesus works for you but you shouldn't force him on others." We see cars with the coexist bumper sticker where the letters are the various symbols from world religions with the implication being that all religions are equal or say the same thing. However, our culture doesn't actually believe this in practice. If you want to test this try giving an opposing opinion to someone who clings to 'all beliefs are equal' on gay marriage, abortion, or any other hot social issue. Guaranteed they won't think your belief has equal value and you're likely to be labeled or thought of as intolerant or bigotted no matter what side you're on.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think all beliefs are equal or true. I respect that others have a different belief but that doesn't mean I accept it as true. That's because truth is true no matter what anyone believes about what's true. For instance it's never ok to torture 2 year olds for fun. Even if someone believes it's ok, that doesn't mean that it's actually ok.
I had a conversation with a Wiccan one time and it was her belief that we each got to decided what was right and wrong. I asked if it was ok if someone decided it was right for them to rape her. Of course she objected and said it's against the law so it wouldn't be right. I asked then if it were legal to rape her would that make it right. She said well it's not legal. I said then based her belief killing Jews was ok. She of course said no it's not, I don't think that's ok! I said well Germany's leadership decided it was ok and they killed millions of Jews and it was legal in Germany so by your belief it must be ok. She initially said it wasn't her business because they could do what they wanted. I challenged her on this and said so you have no problem with the holocaust because Germany decided it was ok? She back tracked and was stuck in her own contradictory belief. I said would be ok if it was legal to kill Wiccans? At this point she just wanted to stop the conversation and I let it go.
The reason she was stuck was because her belief system didn't even hold up to it's own standard. She didn't really believe that what each person, state, or government decides is ok just because they agree on it. There is never ever a time where it's ok to torture a 2 year old for fun or kill Jews because they're Jews, but yet her belief system when taken to it's natural conclusion allowed that it was ok if enough people in a social group decided it was ok.
Beliefs when taken to their logical conclusions matter. Beliefs which are contradictory or opposing can not both be true at the same time. Jesus can't be the only way and not be the only way at the same time. He either is the only way or is not the only way. I think the evidence says that He is the only way and therefore anything that contradicts that is false.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think all beliefs are equal or true. I respect that others have a different belief but that doesn't mean I accept it as true. That's because truth is true no matter what anyone believes about what's true. For instance it's never ok to torture 2 year olds for fun. Even if someone believes it's ok, that doesn't mean that it's actually ok.
I had a conversation with a Wiccan one time and it was her belief that we each got to decided what was right and wrong. I asked if it was ok if someone decided it was right for them to rape her. Of course she objected and said it's against the law so it wouldn't be right. I asked then if it were legal to rape her would that make it right. She said well it's not legal. I said then based her belief killing Jews was ok. She of course said no it's not, I don't think that's ok! I said well Germany's leadership decided it was ok and they killed millions of Jews and it was legal in Germany so by your belief it must be ok. She initially said it wasn't her business because they could do what they wanted. I challenged her on this and said so you have no problem with the holocaust because Germany decided it was ok? She back tracked and was stuck in her own contradictory belief. I said would be ok if it was legal to kill Wiccans? At this point she just wanted to stop the conversation and I let it go.
The reason she was stuck was because her belief system didn't even hold up to it's own standard. She didn't really believe that what each person, state, or government decides is ok just because they agree on it. There is never ever a time where it's ok to torture a 2 year old for fun or kill Jews because they're Jews, but yet her belief system when taken to it's natural conclusion allowed that it was ok if enough people in a social group decided it was ok.
Beliefs when taken to their logical conclusions matter. Beliefs which are contradictory or opposing can not both be true at the same time. Jesus can't be the only way and not be the only way at the same time. He either is the only way or is not the only way. I think the evidence says that He is the only way and therefore anything that contradicts that is false.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Finally Settled In
The past 18 months have represented a lot of change. We moved 4 times and 1,200 miles, changed jobs, sold a house, built a house, and just generally uprooted our lives to be closer to most of our family. It's something we'd talked about doing for a long time but when it actually came time to do it, it was much harder than we expected. We had to leave our daughter and her family, really great friends, the church we'd attended for 13 years, and countless other things we enjoyed in our 16 years in Colorado.
We'd prayed for a long time to get here and God granted our request. It wasn't exactly how we'd envisioned it but it rarely ever is. It was grander than we'd asked for and at the same time it was harder than we'd asked for. I think sometimes we forget that growth is a process and with growth comes pain. Sometimes a lot of pain and sometimes a little pain but growth rarely comes with no pain.
I won't list all the things God has done for us because some of it is personal and writing about it in a blog like this can come across in a way it's not intended. I'm more than happy to share it more personally and individually with those that want to hear it. What I will say is that all the glory goes to God. He made us be patient and He did it on his timeline not ours. Prayers aren't always answered or at least the answer isn't always 'Yes', many times it's 'No' and many other times it's 'Not now'. God is not a genie where we rub the lamp, make our wish, and it's granted. When we ask for those things that are in accordance with His will and purpose for our lives I believe he grants those things for us.
We are still struggling some with the adjustment to our new lives but we are also grateful. We didn't earn any of what's been given to us and that's the way it works with God. We can't do enough to earn His favor but He does it anyway and many times He does it bigger than what we'd asked for. I've learned that's the way I like it because when I look back if I got exactly what I asked for I wouldn't be where I am today.
I'm hoping now that things are settled down enough that I can begin to write my thoughts again about the Christian worldview. I've definitely grown over the last 18 months and I hope to share some of that in my upcoming posts.
We'd prayed for a long time to get here and God granted our request. It wasn't exactly how we'd envisioned it but it rarely ever is. It was grander than we'd asked for and at the same time it was harder than we'd asked for. I think sometimes we forget that growth is a process and with growth comes pain. Sometimes a lot of pain and sometimes a little pain but growth rarely comes with no pain.
I won't list all the things God has done for us because some of it is personal and writing about it in a blog like this can come across in a way it's not intended. I'm more than happy to share it more personally and individually with those that want to hear it. What I will say is that all the glory goes to God. He made us be patient and He did it on his timeline not ours. Prayers aren't always answered or at least the answer isn't always 'Yes', many times it's 'No' and many other times it's 'Not now'. God is not a genie where we rub the lamp, make our wish, and it's granted. When we ask for those things that are in accordance with His will and purpose for our lives I believe he grants those things for us.
We are still struggling some with the adjustment to our new lives but we are also grateful. We didn't earn any of what's been given to us and that's the way it works with God. We can't do enough to earn His favor but He does it anyway and many times He does it bigger than what we'd asked for. I've learned that's the way I like it because when I look back if I got exactly what I asked for I wouldn't be where I am today.
I'm hoping now that things are settled down enough that I can begin to write my thoughts again about the Christian worldview. I've definitely grown over the last 18 months and I hope to share some of that in my upcoming posts.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
What do worldviews and truth have to do with each other?
A worldview is the lens through which we see the world. There are many worldviews held amongst the people of the world. There are Biblical, materialistic, atheistic, Marxist, relativistic, and the list goes on. Why does it matter what worldview we hold? It matters because when a worldview matches up with how the world actually is (aka reality) that's called truth. Believing something false can have serious consequences.
I read a poll recently (I can't remember the source) that 6% of Americans (that's over 2,000,000 people) believe lunar landings never happened and were staged in a movie studio. However, given the evidence this worldview doesn't reflect reality. Now the consequences of this worldview probably aren't too serious. It might cause embarrassment or ridicule but it's unlikely it's going to affect your health or well being. However, other worldviews have serious consequences. We all know that Hitler's worldview led to the holocaust and the execution of millions.
This is why it's important to examine the evidence and defend the truth of the Christian worldview. There is an abundance of evidence to support the Biblical worldview and the Christian worldview best explains the world around us. Others would have you believe that Christianity and science are at odds or reason is the enemy of faith. However, that viewpoint is a pretty new phenomena in terms of human history. The first scientists were Christians and the Christian tradition is steeped with great philosophers we have defended the faith going back centuries.
All of this isn't to say that all non-Christian worldviews lead to the holocaust. However, on a more personal level if Jesus was a real person in history and he was the son of God then what he had to say matters. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NLT). If that's true and Jesus is the only way to heaven then having a worldview other than that has real consequences. That's why all Christian's have a responsibility to provide answers for those who ask. Peter wrote "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way." 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT).
If you don't have answers to the tough questions do some reading and get them. There are lots of great resources out there and this blog references several of them. But know that there are answers to those questions and take hope that the Christian worldview best explains and matches up with reality. Go to the resources below and search their websites on specific questions you have. There is great material on these websites and will no doubt lead you to other great resources as well.
Resources
Please Convince Me (www.pleaseconvinceme.com)
Stand to Reason (www.str.org)
Apologetics 315 (www.apologetics315.com)
I read a poll recently (I can't remember the source) that 6% of Americans (that's over 2,000,000 people) believe lunar landings never happened and were staged in a movie studio. However, given the evidence this worldview doesn't reflect reality. Now the consequences of this worldview probably aren't too serious. It might cause embarrassment or ridicule but it's unlikely it's going to affect your health or well being. However, other worldviews have serious consequences. We all know that Hitler's worldview led to the holocaust and the execution of millions.
This is why it's important to examine the evidence and defend the truth of the Christian worldview. There is an abundance of evidence to support the Biblical worldview and the Christian worldview best explains the world around us. Others would have you believe that Christianity and science are at odds or reason is the enemy of faith. However, that viewpoint is a pretty new phenomena in terms of human history. The first scientists were Christians and the Christian tradition is steeped with great philosophers we have defended the faith going back centuries.
All of this isn't to say that all non-Christian worldviews lead to the holocaust. However, on a more personal level if Jesus was a real person in history and he was the son of God then what he had to say matters. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NLT). If that's true and Jesus is the only way to heaven then having a worldview other than that has real consequences. That's why all Christian's have a responsibility to provide answers for those who ask. Peter wrote "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way." 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT).
If you don't have answers to the tough questions do some reading and get them. There are lots of great resources out there and this blog references several of them. But know that there are answers to those questions and take hope that the Christian worldview best explains and matches up with reality. Go to the resources below and search their websites on specific questions you have. There is great material on these websites and will no doubt lead you to other great resources as well.
Resources
Please Convince Me (www.pleaseconvinceme.com)
Stand to Reason (www.str.org)
Apologetics 315 (www.apologetics315.com)
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Is truth unknowable?
One of my favorite movie scenes is in A Few Good Men. Tom Cruise is cross examining Jack Nicholson during a military court marshal about an incident that happened on the battle field. We've probably all seen or at least heard someone say the famous line that Nicholson uses. Here's the clip just because I love the imaginery of it.
I'll get back to the clip in a minute. A few years back my brother was out hunting with his son. They were looking for deer and my nephew spots some but my brother couldn't see them. He immediately realized that he needed eyeglasses. His vision had degraded over time like it does for most of us and it was so gradual he hadn't noticed it. The fix was easy, he went to the eye Dr. and got glasses. But it took my nephew, who had better eyesight, to point it out to him. Imagine if he went to the eye Dr. and the Dr. told him he needed glasses to be able to see things and my brother replied "That's just your perception that my eyesight is bad. How can you know that? I can see all kinds of things so I don't accept your perception." That's kind of absurd but people do that with the world around them all the time.
I first encountered this in college or at least it was the first time I paid attention to this kind of thinking. I took a philosophy class and one of the philosophiers we studied was Immanual Kant. In a nutshell Kant says we can't really know the world around us all we know is what we perceive. In otherwords we "Kant" know the truth. At the time I felt like this was a bunch of hooey because my own experience about the world told me otherwise but I didn't know how to refute it. This kind of thinking and variations of it are rampant in our society but is it actually true? Can we know truth or is truth unknowable?
Any statement that makes a claim about the world must hold valid against it's own claim. If I say "Don't believe a word I say" that statement must apply to itself. So in this example I'm asking you to "Believe me that you shouldn't believe a word I say". Believe me but don't believe me. That statement doesn't even stand up to it's own claim so therefore it's false. This is a logical fallacy because it's self contradictory.
So when someone says "Truth isn't knowable" Ask them "Is it true that truth isn't knowable?" Or "How do you know that truth isn't knowable?" This statement commits the self contradictory logic fallacy though and many times they miss the point completely. They will likely give some long explanation about how they know that truth isn't knowable. Sometimes they even think you're pulling some sort of slight of hand or tricking them but you're just applying their own statement to itself. They are telling you that truth isn't knowable but then go on tell you something that they know about truth, that it's unknowable. The statement can't stand up to it's own claim and therefore is false. In otherwords their statement can't handle the truth!
I'll get back to the clip in a minute. A few years back my brother was out hunting with his son. They were looking for deer and my nephew spots some but my brother couldn't see them. He immediately realized that he needed eyeglasses. His vision had degraded over time like it does for most of us and it was so gradual he hadn't noticed it. The fix was easy, he went to the eye Dr. and got glasses. But it took my nephew, who had better eyesight, to point it out to him. Imagine if he went to the eye Dr. and the Dr. told him he needed glasses to be able to see things and my brother replied "That's just your perception that my eyesight is bad. How can you know that? I can see all kinds of things so I don't accept your perception." That's kind of absurd but people do that with the world around them all the time.
I first encountered this in college or at least it was the first time I paid attention to this kind of thinking. I took a philosophy class and one of the philosophiers we studied was Immanual Kant. In a nutshell Kant says we can't really know the world around us all we know is what we perceive. In otherwords we "Kant" know the truth. At the time I felt like this was a bunch of hooey because my own experience about the world told me otherwise but I didn't know how to refute it. This kind of thinking and variations of it are rampant in our society but is it actually true? Can we know truth or is truth unknowable?
Any statement that makes a claim about the world must hold valid against it's own claim. If I say "Don't believe a word I say" that statement must apply to itself. So in this example I'm asking you to "Believe me that you shouldn't believe a word I say". Believe me but don't believe me. That statement doesn't even stand up to it's own claim so therefore it's false. This is a logical fallacy because it's self contradictory.
So when someone says "Truth isn't knowable" Ask them "Is it true that truth isn't knowable?" Or "How do you know that truth isn't knowable?" This statement commits the self contradictory logic fallacy though and many times they miss the point completely. They will likely give some long explanation about how they know that truth isn't knowable. Sometimes they even think you're pulling some sort of slight of hand or tricking them but you're just applying their own statement to itself. They are telling you that truth isn't knowable but then go on tell you something that they know about truth, that it's unknowable. The statement can't stand up to it's own claim and therefore is false. In otherwords their statement can't handle the truth!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Is Reason Really an Enemy of Faith?
Here is a link to an article that answers the charge that reason is the enemy of faith.
Is Reason Really an Enemy of Faith? By J. Warner Wallace at PleaseConvinceMe.com
Is Reason Really an Enemy of Faith? By J. Warner Wallace at PleaseConvinceMe.com
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