World Renewal International
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
How Can They Know?
My son David is a Teacher's Assistant for beginner or "baby" logic classes, as some call it, at Ohio University. He sent me an article called Darwin's God by Robin Marantz Henig that appeared in the New York Times. It is one of the more popular articles being read. It was very interesting. It raised the question "Are human beings created with a default setting in their human brain that causes them to want to believe in religion or the supernatural?" Most of the article quotes those who claim to be atheists. They were trying to answer the question "Why does this belief in God or the supernatural exist?" They all seem to agree that man functions better when he has a belief system that includes God. No society has existed successfully for any great length of time without it, so what is that all about? That's an interesting discussion for atheists don't you think?
It seems to me to be such a shame that most of these folks seem to proceed on their intellectual pursuits without seriously considering the possibility that the Bible and its truths could be a gift from God to guide us through this world. I thought of the Apostle Paul's analysis of such when he wrote to the Romans "Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities---his eternal power and divine nature----have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts are darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. " How evolutionary of them.
How sad that their resources of time and energy are used up, sometimes a whole life, when the answers were already there in the word of God. Whatever field we pursue, to do so without the exercise of that field in one hand and the Word of God in the other seems to end in "foolish." One of the main sources quoted was Scott Atran. At age 10 he says he believed God existed. However, he has spent his life seemingly trying to explain why people seem to need God even if he himself no longer believes God exists. He now admits that as his life is drawing to an end "the comforts and consolations of belief are alluring even to him and will probably will become more so as he gets to the end of his life. He fights it because he is a scientist and holds the values of rationalism higher than the values of spiritualism" says the author of the article. I told David that shows God has not given up on Scott Atran either. Intellectual exercise, no matter how sincerely misguided and astray, do not rid one of the "default setting" of having a heart and soul that needs God. Yes, he made us with a default setting that required Him. When we try to ignore him we act foolish and say foolish things. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:20 If the Bible is true, and we know it is, then the opposite is true. Foolishness and folly begin with a lack of respect for God and his existence. In fact the Psalmist wrote that folly is "the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve of their sayings," 49:13.
I am thankful for those, like my son, who are willing to put themselves at academic risk and in the sights of those like Altran. I am grateful for those who do hold the Word of God in one hand and the pursuit of wisdom in the other. "How can they call on the one they have not believed in?..How can they hear without someone preaching to them?..How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15. Good feet, David, good feet.
When we come to the end of the road, we all need a Savior to help us across that river. In fact, I have needed him all along the road and not just at the end of it.
"O what a Savior, O Hallelujah, His hands were nailed scared, His heart was broken on Calvary for you and me."
DID YOU KNOW? World Renewal's new orphanage in Haiti is a great need. (Pictured today) We need about $1000 each month to care for the children. We need your prayer and support. We only started the orphanage because of homeless children that were without options. For more information please contact me at 800-248-6512
Thanks for stopping by.
:: posted by Gary Wright, 2:28 PM
