Prepared To Give An Answer

"Did Jesus' Disciples Make It All Up?" by Pastor Adam Barton of Akron Ohio

The English author Henry Fielding once remarked that the "greatest things in the world are subject to the greatest abuse; and religion is no exception to the instance."

 

We've all seen news headlines of those who profess to follow God are caught taking people's well intended money and using it to finance their own luxurious lifestyle. We've seen preachers that appear more consumed with their own personal glory than for God's. Jesus said that the Pharisees of his day were guilty of seeking their own glory.  They loved for men to call them "Rabbi."  They loved having the best seats in the house at weddings and other events.  Others throughout history have claimed to be prophets or to have had a special connection to God and used their power and influence to get people to do what they wanted.  There's nothing new about "God" being used for financial gain, personal glory and social coercion.

That being said, think about this...

 

Some skeptics of Christianity have claimed that the disciples and gospel writers simply made it all up.  Walking on water, raising the dead, claims of diety, the resurrection--all just a hoax.  If this indeed was the case, if Jesus was not really the messiah, if Jesus never performed miracles, if Jesus never raised the dead and himself conquered death, then why did the disciples make up a new religion?  What did they gain from such a hoax?

 

After all, had the disciples and gospel writers benefitted financially from fabricating a new religion, we could see why perhaps they chose to do so.  If they were held in high esteem, treated with great honor and able to use their political power to control those around them, we would have reason to be suspicious of their radical claims about Jesus.

 

Well, you can see where we're going with this.  During the time of Christ, his followers gained nothing from a worldly perspective for what they claimed--in fact, just the opposite.  Their lives were put in jeopardy. They were persecuted and despised. They gained nothing financially and probably were worse off than what they were before they met Christ (especially Matthew the tax collector).  They were beaten, chained and killed for their beliefs.  They even went beyond their previously established beliefs--beliefs that not only were sufficient to secure their eternal destiny, but beliefs, if altered, could mean stoning in the present life and hell/separation from God in the next.  Why change or alter your faith if it's already working for you?  Why subject yourself to the cultural backlash and theological consequences?

 

The best explanation seems to be that they must have truly seen something amazing. 

 

That is the most logical reason to account for thousands of Jews in Jesus' time deciding to follow and worship him as the Messiah.  They must have seen him feed thousands from a single boy's lunch.  They must have seen him tell a storm to "stop".  They must have seen him beaten and pierced to death, buried, and then...

 

Considering what the lives of the earliest followers of Christ were like, it's hard to imagine any other reason to account for their claims other than the fact that what they saw was true.

 

Pastor Adam Barton

Akron, Ohio

 

Pastor Adam Barton Akron Ohio "Does the Scientific Elite Believe In God?"

Let's be frank, it makes us feel better when people that we recognize as highly intelligent professionals share our views.  Whether the issue is politics, raising children, artistic taste or the very existence of God, there is a natural tendency to see what the "pros" think.  After all, that's how we learn and grow much of the time.

It is often regarded that science and religion are somewhat, if not entirely incompatible, and that most scientists do not in fact, believe in god and faith.  Elaine Howard Ecklund however, just finished conducting the first systematic investigation of what scientists think about God and religion.

I'd like to quote and extend courtesy to the Templeton Foundation for their review of her book, "Science Vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think" Oxford University Press, April 2010.

 
    "In her research, Ecklund surveyed nearly 1,700 scientists and interviewed 275 of them. She finds that most of what we believe about the faith lives of elite scientists is wrong. Nearly 50 percent of them are religious. Many others are what she calls "spiritual entrepreneurs," seeking creative ways to work with the tensions between science and faith outside the constraints of traditional religion.

The book centers around vivid portraits of 10 representative men and women working in the natural and social sciences at top American research universities. Ecklund reveals how scientists—believers and skeptics alike—are struggling to engage the increasing number of religious students in their classrooms and argues that many scientists are searching for "boundary pioneers" to cross the picket lines separating science and religion."

We should not be surprised by Ecklund's findings.  In one respect, the scientific community has more reason to believe in a creator since they are more acquainted with the incomprehensible complexity and design of creation.  From Einstein, to Hawking, many of the world's top scientists acknowledge in some basic way the existence of God and/or the creative force behind all the natural laws we see in action.  Dr. Francis Collins, who led the Human Genome Project and is considered "one of the most accomplished scientists of our time" (Endocrine Society) considers scientific discovery, "an opportunity to worship" as stated in his 2006 book, "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief".

All of this to say, the scientific community is not a group, mostly made of up of atheists and agnostics.  They are intelligent men and  women who have thoughtfully and logically considered their position on God and faith.  They often give more thought to the issue than the average person because their jobs and reputations can often be put in jeopardy if they were to acknowledge belief in God--and fortunately, this appears to be changing.  I say "fortunately" not because this is a crusade against atheism, but rather, it opens the academic area up to all possible explanations and allows mankind to more honestly pursue the truth without bias or constraint.

In summary...don't let someone tell you that the scientific community as a whole doesn't believe in God.

Pastor Adam Barton

Akron Ohio

"Billboards Against God" by Pastor Adam Barton of Akron Ohio

All of us have probably driven some country highway and seen homemade signs that proclaim Jesus Christ with a passage of Scripture.  It has also been the case that some rather witty pro-God billboards have emerged in cities and towns that attempt to get people to give God some serious thought, like the one I saw in Akron that read, "I Believe in You--God."  But in the past few years there have cropped up anti-God/pro-atheist billboard signs that would have caused riots in an earlier day.

Just recently, two of these signs have been vandalized.  One of the signs reads, "Are you good without God? Millions are."  Someone apparently spray painted an addendum "Also Lost" at the end.  And just a couple of days ago, someone apparently tried to pull down a sign with what could only be a pick-up truck and a steel chain.  The sign reads, "Don't Believe in God.  You are not Alone."

Now I am not here to bash atheists, and please don't send hurtful or antagonistic comments concerning those who profess to be atheists.  Most atheists I've met are very respectful of my beliefs and those of us that believe in a God should give them respect and consider what they have to say.

But I do want to pose some questions:  Why do some atheists actually want to promote that there is no God?  What is gained by such efforts.  Why spend the money on such a message?  What is the ROI (return on investment)?

Atheists may say that what they are after is tolerance.  I would argue that tolerance for atheism is not really a major issue.  One could argue that there is as much or more intolerance towards Christians.  For example, if a science or philosophy professor at any secular University claims to be an atheist, no big deal.  If one claims to be a Muslim or Jew, nobody wants to touch that one either--too politically insensitive.  But if one claims to be a Christian, you better have a back-up plan for employment.  I've seen it happen first hand.

I am truly curious why the atheist wants others to believe that there is nothing beyond this life?  No creator, no meaningful and absolute morality, and no ultimate purpose to our existence.  I don't pretend to know the real answer to this and welcome your thoughts.

Perhaps atheists truly believe that belief in a Creator hinders science and a progressive society?  Perhaps they feel that "God" is the source of too many wars?  Perhaps personal pain or experience has led them to believe that a loving God cannot possibly exist?

Throughout my experiences as a pastor however, I have come to believe that many people choose not to believe in God, not because they think the idea of God is illogical, but because they just don't want to be responsible to God.  Responsible to live according to His laws.

God has placed an innate sense of morality and longing for the divine in the human heart.  Mankind has always been incurably religious.  We have more scientific evidence than ever to back up belief in a Creator and the vast majority of people throughout human history, including the present, believe in a Creator.  But for various reasons, some choose to deny this basic instinct.  But as to why someone would want to put forth effort to spread "unbelief", is truly curious to me.

Pastor Adam Barton

Akron, Ohio

"Is Faith Just a Personal Thing?" by Pastor Adam Barton of Akron, Ohio

I go to the local gym each morning to exercise on week days.  There are a number of elderly gentlemen I talk with in the locker room.  We see each other like clock work.  They are a joy to be around and quite humorous.  It's funny to see men in their 70's and 80's totally ripping on each other.  We talk sports, family and sometimes faith.

There is a man that goes to mass faithfully everyday before he gets to the gym.  I admire his devotion to God and faith.  He said something today that struck me however, "I think religion is a personal thing and that no one religion is better than another."  I respect this man very much, and chose not to respond.  Internally however, I really had to disagree with that statement.

Christians believe Jesus is God.  Jews however, would say that believing such a thing is nothing short of blasphemy and idolatry.  So can both of these positions be simultaneously true and acceptable?   No.  Somebody has to be wrong.

Christians believe that Jesus was crucified on the cross and then came back to life three days later.  Muslims believe Jesus was never crucified and just ascended into heaven one day when his earthly ministry was over.  Can both of these assertions be true?  No.  Somebody has to be wrong, or even both could positions could be wrong.  But it cannot be the case that Christ both died and didn't die.

Most world religions agree that God made the universe and all that is in it.  Atheism, another faith choice, states that God doesn't exist and thus had nothing to do with our existence.  Can both of these views co-exist?  I'm pretty sure not.  One of them has to be wrong.

Yes, faith is a very personal thing and it should be.  But faith being personal does not mean that it disregards logic and common sense.  It is OK to say that some things are wrong--even in matters of faith! 

Now I'm going to say something that would cause most of the women on "The View" to explode: "Some faiths are better than others."  The reason is very "comman sense."  For centuries man thought the sun revolved around the earth.  Then Copernicus said that it was actually the earth that revolved around the sun.  His idea was better because it more closely identified with the truth.  Without saying which is faith is the best, second best and so on, I will simply say that whichever faith most closely resembles the truth is better than the others.  What's wrong with that?

For those of us that follow Christ, the reason for our faith should go well beyond the personal.  We are Christians, not because our parents brought us up that way, or it's just the religion that suits us best.  We are Christians because we believe it is true.

The next time someone says to you that religion is just a personal thing, consider the first sermon ever preached on Christ that we find in the scriptures, "Men of Israel, listen to this:  Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know" (Acts. 2:22).  Our faith is far more than personal, it is historical!--an actual encounter with God. 

We believe because it happened.

Pastor Adam Barton

Akron Ohio

"The Fool's Heart" by Pastor Adam Barton of Akron, Ohio

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" Psalm 14:1

There are a number of apologetics related passages in the Bible and I will share some of these from time to time.  Through David, God gives us this simple verse that states how those who deny the existence of God are fools.  The context of this passage is not so much about evidence for God, but rather recognition of God.  In the very next verse it reads,

"The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God."

Of the colors we utilize in Prepared To Give An Answer, this Bible passage would best apply to the yellow/gold reason for God.  Go here to see more about how the colors work.  Throughout history, makind has instinctively sought after God, been drawn to a higher purpose than himself, and a life beyond the here and now.  Solomon, arguably one of the wisest men to ever walk the earth remarked in Ecclesiastes that God "has set eternity in the hearts of men" (3:11). 

In the popular "For Dummies" series, the opening chapter of "Religion for Dummies" reads: "If you travel to some remote part of the earth and find a group of people who never met anyone outside their tribe you will discove that these people have some type of food, some type of shelter and language.  The group would also have some kind of religion which is one of the basic parts of human life."

 We are built to naturally seek our Creator.  Even without all the evidence we discuss in Prepared to Give an Answer, there is something about our innate makeup that we should long for God.  As David says in the psalm, it would be foolish to deny or repress this basic instinct.  How have you found this natural inclination towards God evident in your own heart?

Pastor Adam Barton

Akron, Ohio

"An 'Irritated' Einstein" by Pastor Adam Barton, Akron, Ohio

 

 Let’s go back to the year 1916. A young and brilliant Albert Einstein was developing his greatest theory, one which would explain the universe, its natural laws and effects. He did not like, however, where his calculations were going.  If his theory of General Relativity was true, it meant that the universe was not always around, not eternal.  The universe rather, was a certain “age”, and that meant it had a “birthday”, a beginning! 

Up until Einstein's theory, most scientists and philosophers assumed the universe had simply, “always been there”, which meant there was no need for a God to create it. But that was all about to change.  Einstein later called his own discovery “irritating.”  Einstein would have preferred the universe to be self-existent, no beginning, no end—not reliant on any outside cause for its existence.  Einstein couldn’t escape the logical implications of his theory:

Anything that has a cause has a beginning.

The universe had a beginning.

Therefore the universe has a cause.

Einstein deduced that the universe was not static, a theory later confirmed by Edwin Hubble who found physical evidence to support Einstein’s theory.  Ok, so the universe is expanding.  So what? 

Now rewind the tape.  As we go back in time, the universe begins to get smaller and smaller until you reach a point (which science refers to as the singularity) where there is nothing—not even physical space to put something into!  Einstein’s theory, so it seems, left room for two options to choose from: 1. The universe and everything in it simply exploded out of nothing, or 2. Something or someone created the universe. 

Einstein knew his theory had great theological and philosophical implications.  Since the universe arose from nothing, the cause for the universe must lay outside the realm of space, matter, energy, time.  This cause must have unimaginable powerful to create the universe from nothing. This cause must also be self-existent, uncaused, eternal. 

This fits exactly what Scripture teaches us, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visable” (Hebrews. 12:2).  In other words, at God’s command, He made everything without anything to start with!

If you ask them, most people would say they’d have a hard time believing that something could actually appear from nothing.  It goes against common sense and everything we’ve learned through science.  But, most people are not familiar with the tremendous discovery that Einstein made, and that scientists have reconfirmed this theory over and over again.  If more people really gave the origin of the universe serious thought, they might be more inclined to take the idea of God much more seriously.  The next time someone asks you why you believe God exists, one simple thing you can say is, “I just don’t believe the universe can appear from nothing.  Do you?” 

 

Pastor Adam Barton,

Akron, Ohio