Is the Christian Faith Supposed to be “Blind”?

By J. Warner Wallace, Cold Case Detective
Special to ASSIST News Service

MISSION VIEJO, CA (ANS) -- Sometimes Christians have a mistaken definition of “faith”. 

Because faith is sometimes described as believing in things that cannot be seen, Christians often think of faith as an act of believing in things that have no evidential basis. In essence, some Christians believe that “true faith” is believing in something in spite of the evidence or believing in something when there is no evidence to support the belief in the first place!

But this is not the Biblical definition of faith. While it is true that God is a Spirit and cannot be seen, it is not true that there is no evidence to support the existence of the unseen God. While we may not see anyone throw a rock in a pond, we may indeed see the ripples that the rock created on the surface of the water and come to the belief that someone threw a rock into the pond on the basis of this evidence. In a similar way, there are many good reasons to believe that God exists, and the Biblical model of true faith involves examining the evidence for God's existence. Let's examine the Biblical model of evidential faith:

Christians Are Called to Use Their Minds

God tells us that we are to love Him with more than our heart. We are to have a relationship that is emotional and intellectual (Matthew 22:37-38).

Christians Are Called to Understand the Value of Evidence

God has given us a number of good evidential reasons to believe that He exists and that Jesus is who He says He is. We are not called to have blind faith, but to have a well-reasoned, evidential faith (Acts 1:2-3, Acts 17:2-3, Acts 17:30-31).

Christians Are Called to Examine Their Beliefs

God wants us to know what we believe and why we believe it. We're not called to numbly trust everything that might be taught in our world today, even if some Christian teacher is the source! We're expected to be critical, skeptical and thoughtful (Acts 17:10-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, 1 John 4:1).

Christians Are Called to be Convinced of What They Believe

God wants us to be certain and base our certainty on evidence that can be articulated to others who may have doubts (Romans 14:5, 2 Timothy 1:8-12, 2 Timothy 3:14).

Christians Are Called to be “Case Makers”

Once we have examined the evidence and have come to the conclusion that Christianity is true, we are called to be ready to make a strong defense for what we believe (1 Peter 3:15).

The Christian life is a rational and reasonable life that is rooted and grounded in the evidence of the Resurrection and the truth of the Bible. Christians are saved by placing their trust in Jesus, but Christians become a powerful force in their world when they commit themselves to being “case makers” for what they believe. Christians can be “case makers” precisely because the Christian faith is an evidential faith. When we, as Christians, argue for the truth of the Christian Worldview, we are not sharing an opinion.

There either is a God, or there is not. Jesus is that God, or He is not. Salvation comes through Christ alone (as Jesus Himself maintained), or it does not. This is not a matter of opinion, personal preference or wishful thinking. The Christian faith is grounded in evidence that can be assessed and evaluated. The Christian faith is an evidential faith.

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J. Warner Wallace is a detective (currently working cold case homicides), a missions leader and a church planter. He earned a Master’s Degree in Architecture (UCLA) and a Master's Degree in Theology from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. J Warner is the director of Please Convince Me Ministries and hosts the www.PleaseConvinceMe.com website, blog and podcast. He can be contacted by e-mail at: jim@pleaseconvinceme.com
 

Author Rick Lawrence Explores God's 'Sifting' to Discover Why We Suffer in this Life

DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Worn down by the troubles in your life? Overwhelmed by piled-up problems? Worried about others who are hurting? In his book, Sifted: God's Scandalous Response to Satan's Outrageous Demand, Rick Lawrence offers fresh biblical perspective on pain, based on a single Scripture snapshot: Luke 22:31-32. 

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." These two simple verses from Luke's account of the Last Supper launch a profound exploration of the meaning of trouble in a Christian's life. Suffering is inevitable, and if we're honest, the explanations commonly offered often just don't hold up or help very much. But Jesus' perfect metaphor of sifting provides fresh perspective on why we suffer and what the sifting process can reveal in our lives. 

Peter was to be "sifted like wheat" -- shaken hard, beaten, and finally separated from his false identity. Satan was the one causing it, but Jesus would allow it. Lawrence's verse-by-verse exploration offers insight, comfort, challenge, and a call to greater intimacy with the God who allows our pain because He wants us to know who we really are and what we can become.

If we believe that Christians are still sifted today, why do we so often judge those who are experiencing hardships? They must have done something wrong. God must be punishing them. But suffering is inevitable, whether it comes in the form of life-shifting catastrophe or the drip-drip-dripping of daily troubles. Sifted will encourage those who are facing trouble now and those who will face it in the future. It will encourage us to see our pain as a means to greater knowledge and intimacy with Christ. Lawrence offers a rigorously honest, deeply challenging, yet powerfully comforting exploration of the trials that beat us down, the good God who allows our troubles, and the incredible beauty the process of sifting can reveal in us. 

Rick Lawrence has been editor of GROUP Magazine, the world's most widely read resource for Christian youth leaders, for 23 years and is the co-leader of The Simply Youth Ministry Conference. He's a consultant to national research organizations and a frequent conference and workshop speaker.

www.siftedbook.com

Brian Jones' Hell Is Real Talks About Why Hell Matters, Even if You Don't Believe in it

DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Recently, the media has ignited in a brimstone blaze of controversy over the question of Hell, and the idea that's generating so much attention is that Hell isn't real, and even if it were, a loving God wouldn't possibly send people there. Is Hell real, or is it a concept that is misguided and out of place in today's Christianity? Many believe the answer to this question will have profound implications on the future of the faith, and important personalities on both sides of this question are drawing lines in the sand. 

Brian Jones, a pastor in suburban Philadelphia, can relate to this controversy. Jones had a secret he'd been hiding for years: He didn't believe in Hell. In Hell Is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) (David C Cook, August 2011), Jones relates that after seminary he came to the conclusion that "the Bible's teaching about Hell was inaccurate at best and hateful at worst. What I was taught as a child was a lie, and now that I was becoming a pastor I was sure I'd never perpetuate that ridiculous myth again."

But after an amazing experience that required him to rescue several people from an apartment fire, Jones began to re-think his stance on Hell. His uncertainty on the subject led him to Scripture, and as he studied God's Word, he felt an overwhelming sense of conviction. "What I discovered shocked me. I had always assumed that the Bible contained only a few scattered references to Hell. I was wrong; it is taught everywhere." 

Jones began writing Hell Is Real with the hope that he would humorously and transparently push readers into a head-on collision with what he calls "apocalyptic urgency," the all-consuming conviction that overtakes someone when they realize that Hell is real and it is within their power to help people avoid going there. The key to this apocalyptic urgency, according to Jones, is for Christians to realize that the largest need that faces mankind is the need to be saved from God's wrath, which results in a real, literal Hell. Without the urgency that a belief in Hell instills, Jones believes that the reason most Christians don't tell their friends about Jesus has nothing to do with not knowing how -- it's because they don't think they need to. 

www.brianjones.com

A Life-Changing Experience - If You Want to Change Your Life

By Rick MarschallSpecial to ASSIST News Service

SWARTZ CREEK MI (ANS) -- Back in 2004, I was already the author of a few dozen books, and some experience as a writer of articles and interviews and columns. Now that I start thinking about it, I had done a lot of political cartoons and columns too; essays for journals and liner notes for albums. In between those things, I had been an editor, a publisher, and art director too. And I taught creative writing and ran workshops. Yes, I can keep jobs. But I just love all aspects of writing -- communicating. God had blessed me richly.

I received an invitation from a Christian Writer's Conference to speak and hold workshops. I had just been canned from a job at a Christian publishing house, and I wondered whether I would be appearing under false colors. Well, I thought, maybe I can share with aspiring writers how to cope with being let go. Frankly, I was uncomfortable.

But I opened morning devotions -- an assignment tossed to me by Director Marlene Bagnull, who always knows what she is doing, even when you feel put on the spot -- and I told the audience that I should let them know I was no longer an editor at that publishing house. that I left on account of sickness... (pause) you see, the boss finally got sick of me.

I don't know about the audience, but it broke the ice for me. To tell the truth, I was quite all right with my situation, but that didn't stop dozens and dozens (and dozens) of people that week, coming to me, encouraging me, praying with me -- strangers, aspiring amateurs, and idols in my field. It was like family. Christian conferences should be like that... Heaven will be like that... and Marlene Bagnull's Christian Writer's Conferences are ALWAYS like that.

That is a personal story. I will now tell you some "business" details that can have a very personal impact on your life.

The next of Marlene's conferences is the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer's Conference, on the campus of Philadelphia Biblical University outside Philly, Aug 10-13. Short notice, but not too late, worth the effort to attend!

"Write His Answer" is the evergreen theme, and for anyone with creative urges, a struggling career, a passion to communicate; eager to meet famous and accomplished writers, industry professionals including editors, agents, and publishers; or to network with other aspiring writers -- this conference will be pure gold. Much of the work I have done in recent years has flowed from these conferences, the contacts -- and friends -- made there.

The guest list includes (among a faculty of almost 60) Cecil Murphey, amazing author or collaborator on more than 100 books including 90 Minutes in Heaven; Ted Baehr of the Christian Film and Television Commission and publisher of MOVIEGUIDE Magazine; Dan Wooding of the essential ASSIST News Service; Steve Lawson of Regal Publishing, who will hold a seminar on Christian persecution and social justice; and professionals including Craig Bubeck (editor, Wesleyan); Dave Fessenden (editor, CLC Publishing); Hope Flinchbaugh (author and publisher, History Maker press); Jeanette Windle (missionary and author); Tim Shoemaker (author, youth minister); and Becky Spencer (singer, songwriter, author). I will speak on creative peoples' response and responsibility to a culture in decline. There will also be a day's program for young writers, a Teens Write track.

Worship... workshops... seminars... classes... devotions... critiques of writing samples... all types of holy synergy. Get thee to the Conference if at all possible! You will profit in uncountable ways... and you don't even have to show a pink slip to show up and be blessed!

Details are here: http://writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/

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Rick Marschall is the author of 65 books and hundreds of magazine articles in many fields, from popular culture (Bostonia Magazine called him "perhaps America's foremost authority on popular culture") to history and criticism; country music, television history, biography and children's books. He is a former political cartoonist, editor of Marvel Comics, and writer for Disney comics. For 10 years he has been active in the Christian field, writing devotionals; co-author of The Secret Revealed with Dr Jim Garlow. His biography of Johann Sebastian Bach for the "Christian Encounters" series (Thomas Nelson) was released in April, 2011. His history of cartoon Advertising, Drawing Power, will be published in July 2011 by the Marschall Books imprint of fantagraphics Books. In October his major biography of Theodore Roosevelt, BULLY!, will be publ;ished by Regnery History of Washington DC. He is currently working on a One-Year CDevotional for Tyndale House; and edits the the reissue of Harper's Weekly -- the Civil War Ye ars for NOVOink e-books. Rick is a former Director of Product Development for Youth Specialties. He is recipient of the 2008 "Christian Writer of the Year" award from the Greater Philadelphia Writer's Conference, and produces a weekly e-mail devotional, "Monday Morning Music Ministry." His e-mail address is: RickMarschall@gmail.com.

Christians Remember John Stott

John Stott, an avid bird watcher,
 was a pastor's pastor. He is now with
 the Lord he served for decades.

England (MNN) ― The Christian Church has lost one of its greatest leaders: John Stott. Uncle John, as many called him, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, July 27th at 3:15 in London. He was 90 years old.

"The evangelical world has lost one of its greatest spokesmen, and I have lost one of my close personal friends and advisors," said Billy Graham, paying tribute to Stott in a press release.

Stott pastored the All Souls Church on the outskirts of London from 1950 to 1975.  It was the only church in which he served.

President of Cornerstone University Dr. Joseph Stowell says, "When you think of evangelism, you think of Billy Graham. When you think of preaching, writing, encouraging pastors, scholarship, exegesis, reliability, and moderation in the midst of crisis, you automatically think of John Stott."

Stowell says, "He could hold his own with the best of theologians, and yet he could speak a sermon in a church that would reach a whole cross-section of people who came off the streets of London to sit under his ministry."

As a pastor, Stott believed that a local church should be a primary agency of evangelism and that all its members should be involved.

While he was a friend of pastors, he was also beloved by young people.Stott spoke six times at Urbana, the world's largest student missions event between 1964 and 1979.

President of HCJB Global Wayne Pederson says Stott had an incredible impact on evangelism as chair of the Lausanne Theology and Education Group between 1974-1981. In 1974, "He was the main architect of the Lausanne Covenan. It's still being used today as the philosophy, theology and strategy for global evangelism."

Stott also spearheaded the drafting of the Manila Manifesto, a document produced by the second International Congress in 1989. It was an elaboration of the Lausanne Covenant.

Pederson says, "Many of us remember hearing his messages from Lausanne, where he poured out his love and his passion for Christ. I think his connection with Lausanne and the connection with the Urbana conferences--particularly with international students--is going to be the lasting hallmark of his life."

The World Evangelical Alliance says, "Although there are many of the 620 million evangelical Christians who have never heard of John Stott, almost without exception they will have been unconsciously changed through his presence in much of what they or their pastors have read from his pen. He will be greatly missed, but his ministry continues. The whole of the leadership of the WEA acknowledges with great thankfulness to God the legacy that John Stott has left behind to encourage and guide us."

Stott viewed his lifelong singleness as a gift from God. He wrote more than 50 books which have been translated into 65 languages. "Basic Christianity" was the best known, which has sold more than 2.5 million copies.

Stott also formed Langham Partnership International to see Majority World churches being equipped for mission and growing to maturity through the ministry of Christian leaders and pastors who sincerely believe, diligently study, faithfully expound and relevantly apply the Word of God.

While he was a great theologian and speaker, John Stott was also a kind, gentle man. Biographer Dudley-Smith wrote, "To those who know and meet him, respect and affection go hand-in-hand. The world-figure is lost in personal friendship, disarming interest, unfeigned humility--and a dash of mischievous humor and charm." By contrast, Stott thought of himself as "simply a beloved child of a heavenly Father; an unworthy servant of his friend and master, Jesus Christ; a sinner saved by grace to the glory and praise of God."

Stott died listening to Scripture and Handel's "Messiah."