Tag: scripture

Allgemein, Reflection on the Word

God‘s wisdom – my comfort

Bibs

If you have ever read the book of Job, I wonder what stuck with you.
Maybe it’s the manner in which Job deals with immense, sudden grief, or how his friends attempt to offer reason and wisdom – or maybe, how all of it seems to be happening on the backdrop of a curious scene that takes place in heaven between Satan (the accuser) and God.

I’ve often wondered what I am supposed to get out of this book from the Old Testament. Especially the finally appearance of God and his challenging Job has always left me puzzled: Is God reprimanding Job? Is this simply putting Job in his place? And what does that mean for me?
You may gather that for years the end of the book of Job left me with a slightly daunting picture a God whose response felt less like comfort and more like intimidation.  
As it is, I found myself once again reading through Job’s lament and his friends’ frustrations and seemingly incomplete wisdom. This time, however, I decided to see wether some background knowledge might help me gain a better understanding of the story.

The Bible Project has this short videos on the different books of the Bible, and they have often helped me place the things I was reading into a broader context – historical, cultural, and even in terms of traditions of translations. They also offer videos on specific themes, characters, words, and concepts found throughout Scripture.
Regarding the book of Job, they have two main video clips: one that explores the book itself – its central ideas and structure – and another that places the book of job in conversation with the other two other books of „wisdom“, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
I will share the former with you, as it opened my eyes to the question I had been missing: Is God just?

Suddenly, my own efforts to discern God’s justice and His ways become liberatingly foolish. The final scene, in which God takes the stage and confronts Job with the intricacy of His creation, evoked a very different emotion than it had before. Like Job, all I could find within myself was a sense of deep humility and awe. There is no way I can even begin to fathom all that God perceives, knows and orchestrates every moment of every day. And while knowledge has always seemed to offer me comfort or sense of security, the sudden revelation of my profound lack of understanding came with a deep peace.
A liberation from the need to reason and figure out why and how things come about – what may be and what may not. A joyful lifting of hands in surrender, deeply content in the realization that I indeed lack the means to pass any judgment on the happenings around me, and instead reflecting on how awesome and almighty my God is.

My God how marvelous are your ways.
We are in awe with your works, your intricate design
Knowing that we only have a glimps of the vastness of all you made.
May we rest in your wisdom, rest in your almighty power
And contend ourselves in looking to you.
Where our reason ends, freedom begins.
I may never know, never understand but this I trust,
You know, you are involved and you are sovereign forever.
You love me and consider me.
So, let me lie down and remember in all of life’s trials – you are God.
Thank you.

Allgemein, Reflection on the Word

Imago dei

Bibs

Trusting God to take this writing and do his work, I will allow myself to jot down some thoughts in obedience and leave them in their imperfect form in my blog.
Inspired by the very concept I’d like to share with you today.

I got a fresh perspective on my Christian walk a couple weeks ago through a Bible study I had been working through. As a part of the homework, I was asked to reflect on the idea of our calling to be image bearers of God – imago dei.1 I will give you some passages and thoughts from the study later but let me first explain: This certainly was not the first time I had read the words “image bearer” in scripture, nor was it the first time I had heard in a sermon that we are called to represent God in this world. Yet something about the message hit me different this time around.
You know those passages in scripture that you’ve read more than once and still there is a unique moment in which one of those passages suddenly becomes alive like it never did before? A precious and intimate “aha” moment with God.

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26-27

God chose to create us to bear his image, be his ambassadors, his children.
Contrast that to pagan religions where people crafted images of their gods out of wood, clay, or precious metals. They believed that their gods would then reside in these idols.
Not our God. He himself fashioned images of himself by creating us. Living, breathing image bearers that carry in them the Spirit of God.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” – 1. Corinthians 6:19

Let that sit.

So, what does it mean to bear God’s image in this world?
Well firstly, an image will let you get a glimpse of the original. Now here’s were the challenge comes in: Do people experience and see the almighty, loving God through you?
This question humbles me and reminds me of my many shortcomings and dependance on Jesus to shine through me.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” – 2. Corinthians 4:7

Having this hope that we may still bear his image amidst our failings, we cease to desire attention ourselves. Instead, we delight to see people turn their gaze to our heavenly Father in response to our obedience and conduct.
Perfectly loved, redeemed, and desired I may be, but this life is not about me. A daily battle against my selfish inclination.

From spiritual to practical. There is also an aspect of responsibility that clearly transpires from the passage in Genesis. God created us to be co-laborers with him.
Oh, how many times have I fallen into believing that I need to somehow work for God – leaving me frustrated and drained.
Instead, Jesus clearly showed us what it means to join the Father’s work:

“So Jesus replied, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.’” – John 5:19

Are you grasping how dependent we are on God?
Which brings me to another aspect – Jesus. God himself through His Son not only showed us what it truly means to be an image bearer but has made a way for us to actually step into that calling.
And what happens when we set our minds on bearing His image? In our dependance, we find Him: the one who knows us, created us, and in whose presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” – John 17:3

The Westminster catechism puts it like this:

“What is man’s chief end?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.”

We strive to give Him glory in all we do, whether writing a blog or meeting with friends. Setting our minds on Christ, we rejoice in the love He has shown us and the fellowship we can experience with Him.

I pray that His word may lead us into more knowledge of Him and His desire for us. That we may step into the life for which He died for us to have, and enjoy Him here on earth and then forever more.

Amen.

  1. https://youtu.be/eW7qqn8D4pE?si=atGPZkBSplTL5dJl ↩︎
Reflection on Life

Creation Tales of Today and the Lies They Tell

Bibs

An Essay

Introduction

The Big Bang Theory[1] and Darwin’s Theory of Evolution[2] both have proponents and critics in the scientific world today. Critics argue based on fossil findings or complexities that beg for an intelligent design rather than pure chance and natural selection[3]. Recently this theory of intelligent design has gotten attention, with scientists like Stephen Meyer bringing forth scientific evidence that point to an intelligent force behind the created universe[4]. While these efforts take a step towards theism, they do not acknowledge the Christian God or Christ Jesus as the author of life.

So I’d like to take a different angle in this short essay. Rather than approaching these theories from a scientific perspective, as intelligent design attempts to do, I will look at the lies that surface beneath the narrative of these theories, the effects on our lives if we believe them, and contrast them with the truth that I believe we find in God’s word.

No creator – Mere physics

The Big Bang Theory tells the story of a universe whose formation is the result of the laws of physics that by chance brought about the universe we can behold today. This includes us humans too. No supernatural force, no creator, mere physics. If chance is the governing principle behind our very existence, what deeper purpose do we have than to live today and die tomorrow? Being born blind, in poverty, or in an abusive home is just simply unlucky.

A person with a comparatively privileged starting point may have a stronger inclination to accept this narrative than a person with an “unlucky” starting point.  The latter may wonder about the “why” and pursue to find meaning while the former may be comfortable to rest on their privileges.

If we believe that all is born out of a series of “lucky chances”, what holds us accountable for the choices we make in life? The laws of physics that supposedly govern the creation process do not regulate human interaction. With no “higher force” there is no absolute morality, meaning that right and wrong are relative and subject to change. And if we agree on the premise that human reasoning is fallible, then so is their perception of what is right, wrong, and good.

Scripture provides a different narrative:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genisis 1:1

“By wisdom the LORD founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.” – Proverbs 3:19

In the beginning God.
A creator with a purpose, a will, and a plan.
All that is seen, and unseen is created out of “ex nihilo” – out of nothing.
Ironically, the very skies the Big Bang theory looks to for proof are the ones pointing to God:

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”
– Psalm 19:1

If there is a wilful directed act of creation, everything receives a purpose.
No longer can the “privileged” person rest on his lot in life without wondering what his response should be while the “unlucky” person is encouraged that there is more to his circumstances than meets the eye.  God has given his creation a blue print for life and clarity as to what is right and wrong – absolute morality. There is no question about purpose or what may be good and true.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

Purpose is at the heart of what drives people. If we believe the lie that the heavens are merely a witness to observable physical principles and void of a creator, subject to chance and continuous change, there is no stability or accountability.

Not created – Evolved

Charles Darwin’s Theory claims that humans are a product of evolution and natural selection. What makes us humans different from other animals are evolved traits and the cognitive abilities that come with them. Based on these differences we carry a notion of superior worth, having evolved more favourably. We can see this mentality manifested in unequal rights that are found across species, genders, and ethnicities.

And herein lies the issue. If what makes us superior or have more worth is tied to a favourable natural selection, how does this shape my understanding of identity and other humans?  Is a person with a higher IQ or stronger physique worth more than a human born with a weaker build or more limited cognitive abilities? And where does this leave humans born with a disability? We may treat people, even subconsciously, based on our discernment of their worth and dignity. One person with more “favourable” traits may much enjoy their standing and this idea of natural selection and evolution while another may wrestle with their self-worth.

Believing that this sense of superiority that we claim over other species is tied to evolutionary processes, leaves people with an identity rooted in their superior standing (“being the fittest”) among others. A worth that is dependent on comparison and triggers competition.  

The Bible roots the worth and dignity of a person in the creator’s design.

“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.”  – Genesis 1:26-27

Created in the image of God – imago dei. The Bible is clear on the source of a person’s worth by linking it back to the will of the one who created them. There is no difference between men and woman in respect to their worth and divinely granted authority over the rest of creation. God makes it clear, that humans are a purposeful design and set apart from the beginning.

Rather than a sense of superiority, scripture encourages humility and wonder in view of our creation and relation to one another and God:

“ As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”
 – Psalm 103:13-14
“For you created my inmost being;  you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:13-14

Where we derive our identity from shapes how we relate to others and the world around us. Where is the sense of superiority or self-belittling, when we understand that we are purposefully created, set apart with an inherit unchanging worth, and far inferior to the one who created us? Rather than comparing ourselves to others and competing for more worth, there is a freedom in discovering our identity and worth in the creator God.

Last thoughts

While intelligent design can offer competing scientific evidence and arguments challenging the two theories addressed in this essay, they do not offer answers to questions that arise regarding the larger narrative of life. Questions that move beyond a scientific understanding to our perception of self, others, the world, and this “intelligent designer”:

  • What is my purpose? / Why was I created?
  • How does this creator “force” relate to me?
  • What is my place in this creation?
  • Who am I?

Intelligent design and other theories end where faith begins and searches for answer to these existential questions. Scripture offers the same answer it did 2000 years ago:

“For in him (Christ Jesus) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” – John 17:3

[1] “The Big Bang Theory is a scientific definition of the origin of the universe that is widely accepted. This theory says that our universe began as a singularity. A point of extremely high temperature and infinite density and has been expanding ever since.” What is the Big Bang Theory? How did our universe begin? – Astronomy Explained

[2] “Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who proposed the theory of biological evolution by natural selection. Darwin defined evolution as “descent with modification,” the idea that species change over time, give rise to new species, and share a common ancestor.” Darwin, evolution, & natural selection (article) | Khan Academy

[3] Darwin’s Top 10 Arguments Against His Own Theory | Evolution News

[4] Where Darwinism Breaks Down | Discovery Institute

Reflection on the Word

His Word

Bibs

A fire for God’s word and the power of truth

A purpose or vison I have for this blog is to inspire a generation of believers to seek after God’s truth through his word and to experience scripture come alive and transform.

His word is a living source of wisdom, guidance and truth and has the power to speak and pierce our inmost being.

I used to read scripture as an act of spiritual discipline or daily routine. And while there is nothing wrong with spiritual discipline, I lacked a true passion for scripture. It felt more like studying for an exam than discovering the living word of God.
A little while back, my life had gotten very confusing and I needed direction. But even more than direction, I was desperate to hear and experience God. Most of my days were darkened by struggles with sin and a sense of failure. One evening, deeply saddened by a new wave of defeat, I took God’s word and opened it at random. I began reading in Ezekiel and like oil, the words began to calm and sooth my soul. At first there was no particular passage that spoke to me, but the mere presence of God in scripture brought me peace. And then I read the following passage which stirred something in me:

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land.”- Ezekiel 34:11-13

I remembered a passage in Isaiah that also spoke of the sheep and quickly searched for it (Isaiah 40:10-11). As I then read through Isaiah, I began seeing the promise of Christ in these scriptures. Suddenly these passages and other scriptures started to connect in my mind, pictures began to form and in me arose an excitement for the treasure I had just discovered.
From that moment on, a fire and passion for God’s word had ignited and I decided to begin reading the Bible from start to finish (Genesis to Revelation). While I had read the entire Bible before, it seemed like a whole different word this time. I found my heart jumping for joy at certain passages, while others brought in deep conviction, repentance or healing. I was consumed with pondering scripture I had read in the morning during my day-to-day life, while the Holy Spirit began to reveal things I had previously missed or not understood. A deep passion for His truth started to take over. Since then God has not only lead me into deeper truths in scripture but in the process, He has transformed my mind, heart and soul.

He has given me a new perspective, deepened my understanding of His will, love and grace and is taking me on a journey into knowing Him.

During the last weeks, there has arisen a new urgency in my heart to understand and know scripture. In the context of this fast-changing world, a lot of prophecies, end-time messages and general uncertainty has been spreading within Christian communities and even my non-Christian circle of friends. At first, I felt myself being helplessly exposed by all the messages and new “theories”. Then, God’s word began stirring in my soul, giving me a strong sense of direction, as the Lord reminded me of the following passage:

“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed […] At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:4-14

I realised that without knowledge of His word, we are much more vulnerable to any and every message that is shot our way. Therefore, I felt a great urge to call out to fellow believers, to not just settle for pre-digested messages of the Gospel (weather in the form of books, blogs, sermons, or teachings), but to return to God’s word and to search His truth. Now, I don’t mean to imply that Christian books, blogs, sermons, or teachings aren’t a valuable source for spiritual growth, wisdom, and inspiration.
But how are we to discern truth from lies, if we have no basis of truth to stand on?

It is my hope, that you will read my blog and be inspired to dig into the treasure of scripture; that my thoughts may provoke a deeper search for His truth and a redirection to God’s ways. I encourage you to see the beauty in God’s words and ways, to embark on your very own adventure in discovering the wonders of God’s word come to life and to enter into a deeper relationship with your creator, saviour and Lord.
I pray that the transforming power of God’s word that has renewed my mind and brought beauty into my life through knowing Him, may be poured out onto your soul as you open your heart to what God wants to speak to you.
For He is eager to be sought after, to reveal his will and heart, and eager to be a never-ending source of life within us.

I want to leave you with this though, especially for the times when scripture may seem confusing or you are tempted to reason or argue with God’s word:

A man was sitting on a porch stroking a cat which was on his lap. Another man passed by and stopped as he saw the cat being stroked from tail to head. He spoke and said: “Sir, I believe you are petting your cat the wrong way around”. The man with the cat looked at him and answered: “No I am not. Let the cat turn around, and his fur will be unruffled when I stroke him.”

I heard this short story in a sermon, and it has been my constant companion and reminder whenever, I struggle to understand scripture. For it reminds me that God is God, and His word is truth. And If I struggle or feel irritated by scripture, it is not for God to change who He is or what He says, but for me to search deeper, submit and search my heart for the source of my irritation. So, when we read God´s word, let us read with open hearts and minds, with the help of his Holy Spirit and with great anticipation that in our reading, we will discover truth and a personal relationship with the author of life. 

Sara Groves captures a heart for God’s word in a timeless melody.

“I’ve done every devotional
Been every place emotional
Trying to hear a new word from God
And I think it’s very odd,
that while I attempt to help myself
My Bible sits upon my shelf
With every promise
I could ever need”