Good news, Creationists!

Finally! There is hope! If you believe that God created the earth in six days (hmm...isn't that what God said He did?), then it is not your fault. According to atheist Paul Bloom (professor of psychology at Yale and author of "Is God an Accident?"), if you believe in something other than evolution, it may be an inherited trait.

I wonder if this has anything to do with what God said in Romans 1:

"...what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made..." Romans 1:19-20b, NKJV

Sounds like God intended everyone to have this inherited trait. I am very curious--is God sitting on His throne having a good laugh at an atheist proving His point?

By the way...does that mean that belief in evolution is an acquired/learned belief rather than a natural/inherited belief? Evolution has always seemed like a bit of a stretch to me. I'm glad someone has finally figured out why!

Illinois Law vs. Personal Conviction

On Monday, Walgreens placed four Illinois pharmacists on unpaid leave for refusing to fill prescriptions for the so-called "Morning after" pill (also called "Plan B") which is designed to prevent or even terminate pregnancy. Illinois has a standing law, the "Right of Conscience Act," which allows healthcare professionals to make decisions based upon their own convictions. This past April, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich issued an emergency action ruling to prevent pharmacies from turning away women with prescriptions for the drug, "without delay."

I am no lawyer, but in my simple way of thinking, these two laws/regulations/actions do not fit together. Apparently the four pharmacists had similar thinking. They chose to follow their personal convictions regarding the matter and did not fill the prescriptions.

Professor Chris Lynch of the SIUE College of Pharmacy says, "The pharmacists' responsibility to themselves, their moral responsibility to themselves, should be superseded by their responsibility to their patients' healthcare."

What do you think? As Christians who believe in the right to life (you should...God believes that life begins at conception), what is the biblical thing to do? Should a physician's responsibility to his patient supersede his personal conviction? In this instance is it right to obey the authorities, or to follow your convictions that are based upon God's written Word?

The Theology of a Thunderstorm

The weather in Racine has been interesting of late...not necessarily unusual, just interesting. We have experienced warm weather for this time of year, then snow, then rain (actually, a thunderstorm in the middle of the night -- yes, I was awake ), then a warmer day, and now back to normal (temps in the 30's).

As I was awake listening to the thunderstorm a few nights ago I was struck by the oddity of thunder and lightning in November (or, almost December). That made me think about the different human explanations of thunder and lightning in relation to God. Some of them are, "Thunder is God laughing in heaven" or, "Thunder is the sound of angels bowling in heaven." I'm sure there are others even more strange. From there my sleep-deprived mind wandered to thinking about thunder and lightning and the Bible. I wondered what the real relationship between a thunderstorm and God is biblically.

So, if you are interested, here is a brief excursus on the theology of a thunderstorm:

Points of Interest (not exhaustive):

1. Logically, thunderstorms probably began with the flood. Prior to the flood there was no rain (Gen. 2:5-6), thus thunderstorms would have been initiated with the flood. This isn't looking good--thunder and lightning associated with God's judgment on sin???
2. Exodus 9:23, 1 Samuel 2:10, and 1 Samuel 7:10 mention thunder coming from God as part of His judgment upon certain people groups. Strike two...?
3. Job 28:26 states that God creates the path for the lightning. Is this good or bad? At least He is in control of it!
4. Job 40:9 and Psalm 77:18 and Revelation 14:2 compare God's voice with thunder.
5. Job 36:32 says that God's hands are covered with lightning.
6. Daniel 10:6 says that God's face is like the appearance of lightning.

Conclusion: Thunder and lightning were created by our Almighty God and are directed by His power. Biblical history declares that God has used these elements as part of His judgment and discipline. These thoughts naturally instill some fear and awe within human beings. That being so, what better way for God (who is indescribable) to "describe" Himself to us in order that we may seek to know Him in His greatness, worship Him in His glory, and fear Him for His power.

And we live in the United (free) States?

Christians, please take note! This notice shocked me, both as a US citizen and as a believer in the Lord Jesus. If this ruling stands, God's standards for parents to instruct their children in the ways of the Lord at home will become even more important (if that were possible):

In Fields v. Palmdale School District, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled that parental rights stop at the "threshold of the school door." Other than the prevention of treason, the court said that parents have no constitutional right to object to a sex survey given to children as young as seven. The survey required a "Yes" or "No" answer to questions such as: "Can't stop thinking about sex."

The petition describes the ruling as one of exceptional importance to parents and children. If the ruling stands, the petition states that public schools must come with a warning: "CAUTION! Your parental rights are severed when you drop your child off at school. You will have no input whatsoever or right to object to any instruction or materials, sexual or otherwise, presented to your child during the school day. With the exception of treason, the school has absolute authority to teach whatever it decides, no matter how objectionable or inappropriate, to any child, at any age, at any time, in any manner."

The petition also states: "No one believes when a child is dropped off at day care, soccer practice, or summer camp that parents cease being parents." Yet, the panel concluded that parents cease being parents during the school day. The panel made the PTA pointless. While parents may object to teaching seven-year-old Susie from a sex manual, as long as the school does not commit treason, the panel's decision says: "Parents - keep your mouth shut. Susie belongs to the school. So get lost!" The breadth of this decision is staggering. It presents an issue of exceptional importance." Source: Liberty Counsel

This ruling was upheld by a partial hearing of the Ninth Circuit Court. The ruling is being appealed to the entire Court by Liberty Counsel.

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NKJV

Practicality vs. Principle -- Updated

I have been studying Genesis 27 in preparation for Sunday evening Bible Study...fascinating stuff!!! The characters involved in this chapter are Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau. These four comprise the family from which God will continue the promised line. That promised line results in the nation of Israel and eventually our great Savior in human flesh. Looking at the results, it would be safe to assume that this family would be a great example for other families, right? Wrong. Very wrong. Instead, these four characters are a study in the lack of character.

There is one item I would like to point out here (you'll have to come Sunday evening to get the rest ): All four individuals chose to follow what is practical rather than godly principles. As one example, consider scheming, conniving Jacob. Jacob was quite guilty of situational ethics. When his mother proposed stealing the blessing that Isaac was intending to give to Esau, Jacob did not consider whether it was right or wrong, but rather the consequences of getting caught! His worry was the success rate of his mother's plan. Jacob apparently wrestled with consequences of the plan if it failed, but not the morality of the plan.

As Christians we often chastise Jacob for his lack of character--and rightly so. Jacob's life was characterized by deception. But these things were also written as an example for us (see 1 Cor. 10:11). Before we attack Jacob for his choosing what was practical over godly principles we should look at ourselves. We too look at circumstances in light of availability and opportunity. Often, that is our first thought and what is good and righteous is the second.

As a simple example, consider standing in the check-out line of a store paying for your product. You hand the cashier the money, and the cashier then hands you the change. As you are walking out of the store you realize that the cashier gave you too much money. What is your thought process? If it was just a few cents, you would probably think that it is such a small amount that it doesn't matter. But suppose it were a dollar, or even a five dollar bill. Would you think about what to do? Friends, if we spend even a few seconds thinking about whether or not to keep the money--pennies or dollars--are we not following Jacob's example and choosing practicality over principle? It seems to me that our society has been "jacobized." Sadly, Christians fit that label as well.

May I broach another sensitive subject as an example of practicality vs. principle? We are entering what may be the most commercial time of the year in the Christmas holiday season. During this time adults (both Christians and non-Christians) all over the world tell their children about jolly St. Nick and his drive to deliver gifts to all the good children of the world. If I may be so bold--how is that any different than Jacob telling his father Isaac that he was really Esau, or that God had provided the game for his meal quickly (both were lies)? Why do Christians find it necessary to lie to their children for the sake of practicality? When will we learn that God desires principled, obedient, trusting, and righteous actions at all times regardless of the situations or opportunities?

Electricity and Spiritual Fruit

Yesterday I installed undercabinet lighting in our kitchen. After installing the lights, running the wires, and all of the miscellaneous, slightly-hazardous- knuckle-scraping duties, I turned the power on to the light switch. Nothing. I found a problem and tried again. Nothing. Finally, I discovered that electricity was entering the switch, but not exiting to the lights. Verdict: faulty switch. So, I need to buy a new switch.

In spite of the fact that I hate retro-fitting something, I realized that what happened is a great picture of the Christian life. As believers in the Lord Jesus, we have the Spirit of the Living God residing within us--we have God's strength entering into us. As so often happens though, that power does not flow through us and exit out in spiritual fruit. Why is that? Is it because we have a faulty switch (that is, we are not yet saved by God's grace), or is it that we merely need to turn the switch to the "on" position (that is, willingly yield ourselves to the Lord). I believe the correct answer can be either one, depending on the situation. For example, we would have a faulty switch in need of God's creative work to make us a new creation if we have not trusted in Christ alone for our salvation. But if we have received God's Spirit through salvation, then a new switch is not needed, we merely need to turn the switch to "on." In the case of my lights, it was a faulty switch; merely turning the switch to "on" did not solve the problem. In our spiritual lives though, I wonder if that (needing to flip the switch) isn't the source of the problem. God's strength to work in and through us is there, but perhaps we need to check the switch occasionally to see if it is turned on.

Thanksgiving

Good morning! Since this blog is commencing on the day before Thanksgiving, I thought it would be appropriate to post a thanks illustration:

In regions of Mexico, hot springs and cold springs are found side by side, and because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon the women of the area often bring their laundry, boil their clothes in the hot springs, and then rinse them in the cold springs. A tourist watching this procedure commented to his Mexican guide: "They must think Mother Nature is generous to freely supply such ample clean hot and cold water." The guide replied, "No senor, there is much grumbling because she supplies no soap." (Source unknown)

God has given us much for which to be thankful, and yet we often grumble that He hasn't given us everything we want. Perhaps we need to learn from the Apostle Paul who, even though he was beaten multiple times, shipwrecked, and imprisoned could say, "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Philippians 4:11). That, my friends, is the key to giving thanks always.