Hello from the New York Public Library! I was just in the neighborhood and decided to take my own tour of this fabulous building… and also take advantage of the free wifi. I am sitting in what they call the “reading room,” and reading my devotional book. Looking around, I am having an out of body experience; fascinated by the walls, carvings, and décor of the room! A tour guide and some 20+ people just stopped by my table and I overheard the guide explaining the old catalog card system. It is amazing how the amount of records and data they were able to keep organized before computers! In this very room, there were over 9000 catalog cards, each card holding between 15-17 titles. Speaking of records and historical information, I now have a smooth transition into today’s reading.
In chapter 2 of The Case for Faith, Lee Strobel addresses the on going debate of miracles. In my last entry I talked a little about proving miracles against science. As I continue reading in this chapter, Strobel gives accounts of historical records that give evidence for such miracles. In the gospels, Matthew, Mark, & Luke provide similar accounts of Jesus’ miracles…. But what about miracles in other religions? For example, Islamic tradition says Muhammad ascended to heaven on a mule, healed broken bones, fed large groups with little food, and that he was responsible for many other mystical accomplishments. How can Christians say that their stories are more significant or truthful than the teachings in the Koran?
As I continued reading, I stopped and pondered this question? The Islamic teachings come hundreds of years after Muhammad’s life and thus cannot be compared to the gospels that are written from the actual eyewitnesses of Jesus’ miracles. It is like the game of telephone, as the story is passed down the assembly line, certain details are extracted or exaggerated. One generation says the doctor put bobby in physical therapy and after months and months of tears, struggles, and fighting, bobby was able to move his legs. Then the next generation gets the same story but that Bobby was able to stand, then its Bobby can walk, then Bobby can run, and by the time we skip 20 generations: “The doctor placed his hands on Bobby’s legs and he ran a marathon the next day!” That may be exaggerating a little, but you get the idea.
The next question Strobel addresses to Bill Craig, “If God loves you and he has the power to heal you, why doesn’t he make your physical afflictions disappear?” I recently had a discussion with a friend in New York about this topic. This friend told me about a family that was destroyed from multiple members battling cancer. “How can a loving God allow so much pain?” This question keeps coming up in my readings or daily conversations. A few entries back, quoted Romans 8:28-
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (New Living Translation)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)
I have looked up several versions of this verse. In every translation it says all things WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD… not ALL THINGS ARE GOOD. Bill Craig says, “ The apostle Paul had what he called ‘a thorn in his flesh’ the he asked god three times to remove.” God’s answer was this: 2 Corinthians 12: 9-
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (American Standard)
“I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” (NLV)
Craig continues answering the question and shares that as a child he had asked God to heal him, but He didn’t. He goes on: “as I look at my life, God has used this disease in so many remarkable ways to shape me and my personality. Because I couldn’t play sports, I was driven into academics. I really owe my existence as a scholar to my having this disease.”
None of the testimonies from this book give an explanation as to why God uses suffering to make us stronger, or why God does not always reveal his plan, but they all share a common them: Suffering, Pain, or struggles working together for good! What a miracle.
“Christian faith is not merely believing there is a god. It is believing that there is a god no matter what the evidence on the question may be. ‘Have faith,’ in the Christian sense, means, ‘believing that there is a God without regard to evidence.” Critiques of God
Faith is commitment to something you believe to be true. The definition of faith does not include a reason. One person may believe in Jesus because they have a personal connection with a God who speaks to their heart. Another may believe after an intellectual investigation of the evidence. Neither of these individual come to faith until they are truly committed to this belief. However; In The Case for Faith, the phrase “if God exists…. Then xyz…abc…. Must be true or is possible.” For individuals needing a rational explanation prior to “committing,” this “If” stirs even more questions.
In my next entry I will continue with this “If.” Craig addresses the topic with five main arguments.
1) God makes sense of the Universe’s Beginning
2) God makes sense of the Universe’s Complexity
3) God makes sense of Objective Moral Values
4) God makes sense of the Resurrection
5) God can Immediately Be Experienced
A more personal update:
It is amazing how God can make connections in my personal life through spending time with him and digging in his word. I recently joined a bible study with 14 New York women and we are walking through Genesis. Who would have thought I could relate the story of Noah to my personal life?
Recently I have found myself frustrated with God. “What do you want me to do… Things are not going as planned…. This is not as easy as I had hoped… Are you trying to teach me something… where do you want me to get involved… Can I or will I make a difference… Can I really do this, I often feel that I am failing?” These are all questions and thoughts that have daily been running through my mind. I find myself frustrated because I do not get any response? GOD I AM WILLING TO OBEY JUST GIVE ME DIRECTION!
While meeting with my new small group on Monday evening I had an “ah ha!” moment. God gave noah specific instructions: “make the arc this big, use this material, bring this as food, only take this many of each animal.” It was so perfectly clear what he was and was not to do. Even if we date back to Adam and Eve, God told them specifically: “You can eat from any tree except the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.” Again, very clear and specific. As I read God’s instructions I find myself envious. “God, where are my directions?” Our generation is so full of distractions. Even while I was in bible study, I had my iphone in my lap. It is so hard for us to turn off the TV, put down the phone, and set all drama aside. We hear multiple voices and look for guidance through all sorts of methods. Back to my “Ah Ha” moment, Maybe I need to slow down. The more I stress about my situation, relationships, money, time…. The less likely I am to hear God. Noah did not have all the distractions we have today. He was able to truly rest and seek the Lord. This week, I am going to detoxify my life.
“Lord you know my situation and my struggles, I have tried to figure it out on my own and I end up stressed. I am going to trust that you have an awesome plan. Satan is not going to get me down and make me axious. Please guide me and keep me focused on you, because truly, you are all that matters!”
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25
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