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Education Ministry

Posted on April 19, 2006 ...

A couple of weeks ago, one of the major television networks concluded its evening broadcast of the national news with the following question: ?¢‚Ǩ?ìWhat would you do if your most sacred beliefs turned out to be wrong??¢‚Ǩ¬ù The anchorman then proceeded to report on three ?¢‚Ǩ?ìdiscoveries?¢‚Ǩ¬ù making the news that week: 1. The remains of a creature scientists are calling the missing evolutionary link between ocean and land animals. 2. A theory by a Florida State University professor suggesting Jesus walked on a floating patch of ice, not water. 3. The Book of Judas ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú a 2nd century document that claims Jesus told Judas to betray Him. The news anchor finished by calling these items ?¢‚Ǩ?ìDiscoveries of Biblical Proportion.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù
I do not mention these things in order to try to disprove them. The fact of the matter is I can?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t. No one can. Instead, I bring them up to talk about belief. While there is a fact about each of these ideas ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú Jesus either did or did not walk on water ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú we cannot know it for certain. Logic prevents them from both being right. Still, each side has its proponents, each believing they have the truth. About the only thing we can know for certain is that one side is most definitely wrong.
Since we cannot avoid these ideas, our best recourse is to construct a belief system based on convincing evidence. Then, and only then, may we evaluate new ideas according to that system of belief. This is not quite as simple as we want it to be. It is not enough to just accept whatever everyone else says. Remember, there was a time when almost everyone believed the sun revolved around a flat earth. No, it takes effort and thought; and a lot of it. It requires that we consider and wrestle with each new idea, weigh the evidence, and determine whether it fits within the framework of our belief system. If it does, we accept it. If it does not, we reject it. If we cannot determine, then we must be honest enough to admit it.
I happen to hold a biblical view of reality; partly because of my parents?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ influence, but mostly because I have studied it and I accept the claims of the Bible as truth. I cannot prove the Bible any more than a scientist can prove evolution; but the evidence compels me to believe it. In fact, I believe it so much that I am staking my eternal future on it. Therefore, I am not threatened by new propositions. My faith is not shaken by theories about ice, old bones, tattered papyrus, or clever bits of fiction. I do permit them some consideration because my commitment to know the truth demands it, and behind every idea, no matter how strange or unlikely, there is a real person whom God loves trying to make sense of this life.
I am not saying everyone should be like me. If you find these ideas offensive or threatening to your beliefs, you should not allow yourself to be distracted by them. But if you want to engage people who see them as believable alternatives to biblical teaching, then you must be willing to wrestle with them. As your brother in Christ and fellow seeker of truth, I want to be available to you to discuss such issues. Just give me a call. I welcome the opportunity to explore them with you. ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú Michael