"That's a good question that I don't have an answer for. However, there are really smart people who "discovered" the scientific facts behind evolution, so, even though I don't know the answer, I'm sure the answer is out there."
The response left me feeling dumber for having heard it, and from that point, I understood that I was in a faith-based class with people unwilling to even acknowledge difficult questions or address hard issues. Scientific method was chucked out the window and replaced with presuppositions established to "prove" an agenda rather than open-minded, honest research.
My experience in church wasn't much better. It was certainly no bastion of free-thinking, question probing, thought provoking research, and open debate. Like me, most people have felt like they have to check their brain at door of church, and accept an absent-minded religion, and journey into blind faith.
Unlike the pillars of great faith that I was following, I personally struggled with (and continue to struggle with) doubts and questions. I'm desperate to research, study, and prove whether my beliefs, presuppositions, and convictions are accurate and true.
Are we allowed to ask hard questions? Can we question, research, investigate what we believe, and then seek truth? Yet I felt like I couldn’t ask questions, and that questioning and researching means I lack faith.
Wrestle through questions. Questions force us to search out truth- wherever truth is found. Many people refuse to ask questions or allow us to doubt, but in turn rob us of opportunity to find truth, and establish our own deep convictions and life- transforming faith.
Read Matthew 2:1-2. Who were these Magi? Wise Men, Magi (Greek root ‘magic’), from the East (Arabia, Persia). Most likely a class of the Medes, scientists, portrayed as astrologers (studied the stars), and definitely not Jews or believers of the Messiah. Popularly held to be three (based on 3 gifts), and as kings in light of Isa. 60:3.
Imagine that? Unbelievers who study science, astronomy, and literature seeking "truth" and find Jesus/ God.
Read Matthew 2:3. King Herod responded to their search for truth with fear. His power would be challenged. Way of life threatened. Response to this Invitation from God to discover Jesus? Fight, resist, and destroy!
Read Matthew 2:4-6. Didn’t want to know Truth (the one with a capital T), but were content with knowledge, empty religion. Rather than accepting the Invitation to know God, they chose ignorance, lies, and false meaning. Those who should have known, Priests and teachers, didn’t know and weren’t looking.
Read Matthew 2:7-12. Magi questioned, searched, journeyed to accept the Invitation to find TRUTH, and they discovered THE Truth in Jesus!
God meticulously orchestrated, scripted every intimate and cosmic detail of The Invitation so that all men could meet Jesus and know Him personally in relationship.
What example and challenge do the Magi provide to us? Seek TRUTH
Christmas embodies The Invitation of God to seek truth, and when seeking truth we find truth, not in physics, chemistry, mircobiology, astronomy, even astrology or literature. All “ologies” are a branch of theology. All truths point to the ultimate Truth.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6, NIV. (Bold and Italics mine)
How do you respond to the reality of TRUTH embodied in a child, revealing God among men, who came to be know personally by us?
- Like King Herod, do you resist and fight against Truth, because He doesn’t fit your agenda, and will remove you as king of your own life?
- Like the scribes and religious teachers, do you ignore Him, because He’s inconvenient, doesn’t match your perception of what Truth should be? Do you approach your studying to prove your hypothesis and advance your agenda, or open to what your study teaches you?
Read Matthew 2:1-2 again. The Magi studied, investigated, pursued truth, and when they discovered that Truth in the coming of the King, they chose to journey to find Him by following a star.
God took the time to script His coming, His Invitation with great detail, even in the stars. Astronomy pointed to the ultimate Star!
Their trip from Persia (or Arabia) would have taken 5-6 months.
How far will you go to accept God’s meticulous Invitation to meet Him?
Seeking Truth Leads to TRUE Worship
We all seek to "worship" something- superstars, models, money, job, possessions. It's part of our human nature? Read Matthew 2:10-11 again.
For the Magi, extensive research and study, a year’s journey through deserts and difficult terrain, to accept the Invitation to meet a pauper child in the home of a carpenter?
How long did they stay? Long enough to explain their purpose and give gifts?
Did they think it was worth it? They bowed down and worshiped him. Their seeking led them to TRUTH in Jesus. Seeking culminated in the ultimate understanding, discovery, and revelation.
Read John 4:23-36.
God seeks us as we seek truth. This woman intuitively knew that the Messiah would embody Truth, and that He would lead her to true worship. Jesus said that time has arrived.
We seek truth so that we can truly worship- God.
The more we seek truth, ask hard questions, research, examine, and investigate the greater our worship. Our view of God isn't diminished through questioning and studying, but magnified.
Deep research into examining the interworkings of our galaxy leads to a greater wonder of God!
The microscope doesn't negate God's handiwork, it reveals His perfection. Ophthalmology doesn't darken our eyes to see God, this science illuminates our eyes to the wonder of God.
TRUTH SEEKING LEADS TO TRUE WORSHIP! Ask away. Study, research, learn THEN worship the true God who meticulously crafts truth to lead us to the ultimate Truth found only in Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment