“Awake, awake! Clothe yourself with strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old..” – Isaiah 51:9
I love studying history and watching
shows on the history channel. I find it
interesting to see where we came from, how we got here and the passion and vigor
for which those of previous generations fought to have what we now often take
for granted. I particular enjoy learning
about the history of ancient Israel and the times before and shortly after the
life of Jesus Christ. I watch as
scientists, archaeologists, studied professionals and pundits all try to piece
together an accurate portrayal of what life must have been like in those
days. Often times, I challenge their
opinions and question what they might claim as factual, simply due to emotion
and biasness that they harbor when doing their research.
Doing research is often deemed scientific and the output used to justify the hypothesis by which the research was commissioned. The truth be told though, research is nothing more than finding what you want to find to substantiate your belief system. I propose that true objectivity does not exist when we are dealing with the areas of theological beliefs, parenting and sports. Often times the person doing the research will be so strongly biased by their emotions and beliefs that it makes it impossible to discover something that would prove that belief wrong.
We take what we have and try to apply human logic to it. To most this would seem appropriate given that all things must work together in life and death. When it comes to the area of researching theological history though, mankind is at a serious disadvantage. We take logic and principals that are contained in our finite minds and apply them to something that is not contained in finite proportions. You can’t pick up the Bible and read it under the restriction that it must make sense within the limitations of our knowledge base. If you, like me, are truly seeking the will of God and the purpose for what He wants in your life, you must be able to separate your understanding from your beliefs. This is the act of faith and trust.
You can’t prove that God parted the Red Sea.
You can’t prove that God rained down sulfur and fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
Did Abraham and Sarah truly conceive in their old age.
You can’t prove that the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, simply by blowing on a horn.
You can’t prove that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, lived, died on a cross and rose from the dead on the 3rd day.
We must accept the fact that the Bible contains God’s truth. It has been handed down for generations and generations. The Torah (first five books of the bible) has been communicated in both written and verbal form from older family members to the younger generations over thousands of years. Learning from those that have gone on before maintains the original intent. The Torah outlines the laws and guidelines given to Moses, and held up by Jewish tradition to this very day. If I were to open up the book of Genesis in my English (NIV) translation, it would represent the exact details captured by Moses in the original writings thousands of years ago. It is the thread, the fabric by which my belief structure is based. If I can’t accept that God created the heavens and the earth by faith, because I trust the bible to be true, than nothing in the Bible is true.
We must never forget from where we came from as children of God. Reading the Bible to me is like reading a history book and a personal letter from God to me at the same time. I read from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy with as much faith and trust in the truth that lies therein, as if I were reading the Wall-Street Journal to discover yesterday’s news. Often times, there is more truth between Genesis and Revelations than could ever come from the news media in today’s culture. I’m so often taken aback by those that will surf the internet, discover something written by an individual and accept it as fact, gospel and complete truth. Yet, that same person will look straight at you and tell you that the Bible is a collection of fantasy stories passed down over the ages. This is a person that has no ability to believe in something intangible or to just trust by faith that the word of God is authentic and has been passed down intact from generation to generation for thousands of years. In some cases the only thing that can be done for these individuals is to pray that God opens their heart and eyes. Try as we might, there is no way to prove within the knowledge base of mankind that His word is authentic. God knows the hearts of every man, and has placed within each of us the desire to seek His truth. Sometimes, we just need to let God by God and love others as Christ loved us. Live by His testimony and share His word when allowed, but let Him remove the scales from their eyes. He’s done it before and can certainly do it again.
Doing research is often deemed scientific and the output used to justify the hypothesis by which the research was commissioned. The truth be told though, research is nothing more than finding what you want to find to substantiate your belief system. I propose that true objectivity does not exist when we are dealing with the areas of theological beliefs, parenting and sports. Often times the person doing the research will be so strongly biased by their emotions and beliefs that it makes it impossible to discover something that would prove that belief wrong.
We take what we have and try to apply human logic to it. To most this would seem appropriate given that all things must work together in life and death. When it comes to the area of researching theological history though, mankind is at a serious disadvantage. We take logic and principals that are contained in our finite minds and apply them to something that is not contained in finite proportions. You can’t pick up the Bible and read it under the restriction that it must make sense within the limitations of our knowledge base. If you, like me, are truly seeking the will of God and the purpose for what He wants in your life, you must be able to separate your understanding from your beliefs. This is the act of faith and trust.
You can’t prove that God parted the Red Sea.
You can’t prove that God rained down sulfur and fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
Did Abraham and Sarah truly conceive in their old age.
You can’t prove that the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, simply by blowing on a horn.
You can’t prove that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, lived, died on a cross and rose from the dead on the 3rd day.
We must accept the fact that the Bible contains God’s truth. It has been handed down for generations and generations. The Torah (first five books of the bible) has been communicated in both written and verbal form from older family members to the younger generations over thousands of years. Learning from those that have gone on before maintains the original intent. The Torah outlines the laws and guidelines given to Moses, and held up by Jewish tradition to this very day. If I were to open up the book of Genesis in my English (NIV) translation, it would represent the exact details captured by Moses in the original writings thousands of years ago. It is the thread, the fabric by which my belief structure is based. If I can’t accept that God created the heavens and the earth by faith, because I trust the bible to be true, than nothing in the Bible is true.
We must never forget from where we came from as children of God. Reading the Bible to me is like reading a history book and a personal letter from God to me at the same time. I read from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy with as much faith and trust in the truth that lies therein, as if I were reading the Wall-Street Journal to discover yesterday’s news. Often times, there is more truth between Genesis and Revelations than could ever come from the news media in today’s culture. I’m so often taken aback by those that will surf the internet, discover something written by an individual and accept it as fact, gospel and complete truth. Yet, that same person will look straight at you and tell you that the Bible is a collection of fantasy stories passed down over the ages. This is a person that has no ability to believe in something intangible or to just trust by faith that the word of God is authentic and has been passed down intact from generation to generation for thousands of years. In some cases the only thing that can be done for these individuals is to pray that God opens their heart and eyes. Try as we might, there is no way to prove within the knowledge base of mankind that His word is authentic. God knows the hearts of every man, and has placed within each of us the desire to seek His truth. Sometimes, we just need to let God by God and love others as Christ loved us. Live by His testimony and share His word when allowed, but let Him remove the scales from their eyes. He’s done it before and can certainly do it again.
Be
Blessed,
Rich
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