Walk with me as I think “out loud” about this vast question.*<\/p>\n
It takes a certain amount of arrogance to suggest that faith in Jesus is all you need. Who am I (or anyone else) to assert that I (or they) know enough to tell anyone else what to do with their lives?<\/p>\n
After all, I have limited experience with life, and I certainly have enough struggles of my own, in spite of my professed faith and my supposed dependence\u00a0on God. Shouldn’t my life be perfectly together if God is all He’s cracked up to be?<\/p>\n
With all the tragedy and uncertainty in the world<\/strong>\u00a0(read the daily news: epidemic diseases, war and unrest, economic instability, terrorism, environmental crises);\u00a0and in individual lives<\/strong>\u00a0(look around your own experience: sickness, death, trauma, doubt, failed relationships, job loss, discouragement, money troubles);\u00a0how can anybody<\/em> have any<\/em> hope? I certainly can’t say I have tried every solution in order to\u00a0know empirically and conclusively whether\u00a0this or that philosophy or religion or lifestyle is the answer or is not the answer<\/strong>. How could I? How could anyone<\/em>?<\/p>\n I have recently heard this idea painfully\u00a0and variously expressed by\u00a0several people:<\/p>\n I agree: It sure would be easier if He did! But what if He doesn’t–or doesn’t appear to be doing it?<\/p>\n The\u00a0ministry I work for (FaithSearch<\/strong><\/em> International) exists to “proclaim the Gospel with evidence.” In short, we propose that there are good reasons and plenty to believe that the New Testament as we have it today is a historically reliable document, capturing eyewitness accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus. (You can read an accounting of this evidence in the book Surprised by Faith<\/em><\/a>, available on the FaithSearch<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Web site. Let me know if you’d like to get a copy.)<\/p>\n These questions are not new. Jesus pointed out that Israel wanted a sign; Jonah; resurrection. That they had had signs and still did not believe and follow God was painful to acknowledge.<\/p>\n A series of incomplete jottings:<\/p>\n Proverbs 30:2-6<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2\u00a0<\/span>Surely I am more\u00a0(A<\/a>)<\/span>stupid than any man,<\/span> 5\u00a0<\/span>Every\u00a0(H<\/a>)<\/span>word of God is tested;<\/span> Walk with me as I think “out loud” about this vast question.* *This post is being written over the course of several days\u00a0weeks months\u00a0as my thoughts congeal. It is being liberally edited and rewritten as new thoughts, ideas, verses, reactions, … Continue reading \n
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\nAnd I do not have the understanding of a man.<\/span>
\n3\u00a0<\/span>Neither have I learned wisdom,<\/span>
\nNor do I have the\u00a0(B<\/a>)<\/span>knowledge of the Holy One.<\/span>
\n4\u00a0<\/span>Who has\u00a0(C<\/a>)<\/span>ascended into heaven and descended?<\/span>
\nWho has gathered the\u00a0(D<\/a>)<\/span>wind in His fists?<\/span>
\nWho has\u00a0(E<\/a>)<\/span>wrapped the waters in\u00a0[b<\/a>]<\/span>His garment?<\/span>
\nWho has\u00a0(F<\/a>)<\/span>established all the ends of the earth?<\/span>
\nWhat is His\u00a0(G<\/a>)<\/span>name or His son\u2019s name?<\/span>
\nSurely you know!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nHe is a\u00a0(I<\/a>)<\/span>shield to those who take refuge in Him.<\/span>
\n6\u00a0<\/span>(J<\/a>)<\/span>Do not add to His words<\/span>
\nOr He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"