Comments on: Atheist vs Christian: Final Question

By: daveingland

daveingland — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:27:27 +0000

David, welcome to the blog and thanks for your thoughtful insight! One thing I can tell you as that one of the pet peeves I used to have as an atheist were people that claimed to be agnostic, yet never searched for anything. They were basically atheists afraid to claim that they absolutely believed God was not real, yet defended the absence of proof of God with a closed mind. As an atheist, I was sold-out to a world where God was not possible and that religion was basically a lie. So, there is hope for some, no matter how far away from God they may appear. It’s the awesome power of the Holy Spirit and one of the things I believe confirms that it is God’s call to man, and not our own openness that results in coming to know God. One day I started seeking to know if God was real, and about 6 months later he showed me that he was. I was kicking and screaming and in denial the whole way :)

By: David Sheppard

David Sheppard — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:31:27 +0000

The problem comes from the perspective of the individual. Atheists seem to see the solutions to the questions of life will eventually come through science. Given the advances over the past 200 years there is great optimism that solutions to the gaps will be discovered. I think that is why some of the conundrum you highlight is dismissed as a “God of the gaps” argument.
For the Theist the solutions seem plain and obvious as the author of Romans clearly states. The creation itself testifies to the reality of God and His existence.
I think one of the best arguments for Theism is found in the explanations of thought and will. Where do thoughts come from and how do chemical processes of the brain or evolution ever account for them? Isn’t it much more plausible that thought and will testify to a soul rather than a random evolutionary outcome?
As a Christian I am willing to follow the evidence wherever it leads and I’m unafraid of the outcome. Today there is a willingness on the part of Christian scholars, philosophers and yes, scientist to engage the Atheist and discuss the evidence. I don’t see that same willingness from the Atheist community. When there is a philosophical presupposition based on Naturalism rather than an objective evaluation of the data, the Atheist will hold firm to their broken model of evolution to the bitter end.
Thanks for your thoughts David!

By: daveingland

daveingland — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:28:35 +0000

Richie, a lot of our thought process behind evolution really isn’t important to those that can live a life of faith and believe in the Word of God. However, many Christians take the position of being simplistic in topics such as evolution, but then after debating with atheistic evolutionists, they begin to question their faith and end up falling away, thinking it was all just a lie. For me, coming from a position where I used to fully believe in the Darwinistic theory of Evolution, I needed to know that there was some other plausible explanation before I could believe that God created man as described in Genesis. There are many others out there going through similar journeys, so I’m just trying to be provocative and engage those people that cling to evolution and the “we’re born, pay taxes, then die” way of thinking.

Praise to you as Jesus said that those of us that see things with the eyes of a child are admired. Due to my background and the people I engage with, just saying it’s a matter of faith won’t win any arguments :)

Thanks for reading the post and sharing your thoughts! Much appreciated and much love to you and God’s people in the Lehigh Valley! Go Legacy Christian Church!

By: Richie Merritt

Richie Merritt — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:01:14 +0000

Is not evolution much like the Tower of Babel – when we as humans are trying to figure out God or be like God – which really is what led to the original fall from Heaven of Lucifer. Pride is the root of all sin in my humble opinion – in these cases, men trying to be or wanting to be smarter or greater than God. Sorry folks – it ain’t gonna happen.

Jesus said – “Come to him with faith like a child”; what does that really mean? Does it mean be inquisitive and asking? Yes…, but it also implies – Love and Relationship and very simple faith. A faith that does not doubt or try to figure out if God is really real – you just believe He is and go on from there.

I just think that subjects like Evolution, Sickness and Disease, Death/Life, etc…, are simply questions of Faith. In other words – you either “TRUST” God or you do not. It always comes down to the subject of “choice” and the loving gift the Father gave us in being able to choose (or better known as “free will”).
Sorry to be so simplistic, but this is just how I sees it my friend! :-)

Love ya bro!

Richie

By: daveingland

daveingland — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:26:06 +0000

Rick, thanks so much for your thoughts! Just to clarify though, I wasn’t open to the gospel or God until just a few months before committing my life to God. I had all the answers and knew how to overcome any evangelistic questions with disdain and disinterest. I had everything I had ever wished for in life and wasn’t looking for anything, especially change. I feel as if the Holy Spirit grabbed me and drew me to God. It seriously came out of no where. When people talk about miracles, I believe I am living proof that miracles happen today as most Christians around me during my atheist years probably believed there was no hope for me. I was very proud and enjoyed a prosperous life. In the end, I’m so grateful for Christ giving me new life and appreciate all that he is doing through people like you that keep the faith :)

By: rick osborne

rick osborne — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:00:16 +0000

Great blog David. It’s funny how clear and logical things become once we are in Christ.

I believe that there are two types of atheists. Ones like yourself who when confronted with the truth are open and willing to hear and consider an opposing idea. They are people who perhaps have never heard the Gospel and the Christian perspective explained prayerfully and intelligently. I pray that those atheists will find your blog.

The other kind are the ones that Paul talked about in Romans. They won’t listen because to believe would mean that they would have to change and they don’t want to. They decide against believing before they hear, when they hear and after hearing.

Many years ago I watched a documentary on the first moon landing. The show spent a great deal of time explaining why they put giant plate like feet on the lunar lander. Based on their assumption of the moon’s age and their calculations about space dust, they were prepared to land in many feet of dust. When they got there they found very little dust. So they reversed their moon dust accumulation calculations to redetermine the age of the moon and found it to be closer to the age creationists say it is. However as I continued to watch I heard them go on to build a new moon theory that helped them avoid the obvious conclusion that maybe the creationists are correct.

It boggles my mind but those who desire darkness and no accountability will go to great lengths to stay where they are and justify it.

I love apologetics and I believe that the story that each Christian has of a personal and daily encounter with our loving heavenly Father is the most powerful testimony to His existence. Love never fails and our testimony and demonstration of that love breaks down the toughest barriers.

Thanks again David!

By: daveingland

daveingland — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:13:37 +0000

Great thoughts Calvin…thanks for your reply!

By: Calvin Wulf

Calvin Wulf — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:44:21 +0000

The image of God is Spirit. That is what makes humans unique. Love is part of God’s nature. Humans have the capacity for love in the image of God. Other creatures have the capacity for attachment and nurture and thereby care for mates, offspring and at times other species. God is love and humans share that divine attribute. So if we are evolved in Christ then let’s prove it by loving our neighbors. Peace!