Why should I believe?

About FAITH:

 

Just telling someone you have ‘faith’ isn’t enough.

 

 Consider  1 Peter 3:15   “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”   “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”  (Rom. 1:20). 

 

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed;…”  (Acts 17:11-12). 

 

This is a reason why I get so compelled to reach out to all nations over the  Internet, (ref: Mat. 28:19).   For example;   when Larry King on CNN asks Joel Osteen , and his wife, or other celebrity preachers, “Why should I believe?“  Their answer is  that they have ‘faith’. (It makes me want to scream!).  A lot of people have ‘faith,’ but all people are not saved.  Muslims have ‘faith’.  Buddhists have ‘faith.’  Larry King also asks his famous celebrity preachers, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  and “If God is real, why does he let these things happen?  Isn’t he supposed to be a ‘loving God?” 

 

These are good questions, and deserve good answers.   “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  (Mat. 5:13-16).  –dc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes; Richard, –There IS a God!

Jon, (and Richard Dawkins),
Absolutely: –there is a book you can read!
There really IS a God!

“Creation–Eternal Design or Infinite Accident? ‘The SOURCE,’ by JOHN CLAYTON, and Nils Jansma,
HOWARD Publishing Co., ISBN 1-878990-89-6. Science and Faith/Faith
 

I am presenting here, following, the copy from the paper leaf cover of this hard-cover book:

Is it really possible to reconcile the facts of science and the biblical teachings of creation?

Not only is it possible, but the book you hold in your hands shows that good science is not an enemy of faith in God. In fact, the God of the Bible invites us to learn about him through his creation. The evidence in this book shows that the intellectual position of the believer is more rational and better supported scientifically than that of the atheist.

In addition to special-subject appendixes and illustrations to simplify important concepts, you’ll read chapters like:

     * The Cosmos and the Creation
     * Let the Earth Speak
     * Ask the Animals
     * What is Man?
     * The Nature of God
     * God’s Permission of Evil

After reading this book, you will see that only one conclusion can be reached: God is real, and He is the God of the Bible.

JOHN CLAYTON, is a scientist and former second-generation atheist, came to believe in God while attempting to prove that the Bible contradicts known scientific facts. Instead of disproving the Bible, he found it to be absolutely reliable. An award-winning science teacher, popularly recognized by the American Association of Physics Teachers and the National Association of Geology Teachers, Clayton has earned national prominence for his knowledge and skill in dealing with matters of faith and science. Today, Clayton travels the United States, speaking to university and church audiences some forty times a year, answering the question “Does God Exist?”

NILS JANSMA, is a practicing engineer working in San Diego, California. He has a master’s degree in both science and geotechnical engineering. At present he is enrolled in a Christian apologetics Ph.D. program.

What is the orgin of the world and of life itself?

* Did a series of ACCIDENTS and evolution bring about the world as we know it?
Or is there a design and PURPOSE behind it all?

*And if there is a design, is there an ultimate DESIGNER?

A number of years ago, John Clayton, a second-generation atheist and respected acientist and teacher, set out to disprove the Bible from a scientific point of view. Instead, his six-year study brought him to a profound faith in the God of the Bible.

Now, in this highly informative and easy to understand book, John Clayton and Nils Jansma–a geotechnical engineer and geologist–present convincing evidence that the Bible and the facts of science agree. As the public moves away from a belief in God as Creator of our heaven and earth, it becomes imperative that all believers be well informed on the vital subject. This book will become a resource you will use again and again.

“With unfailing intellectual honesty, John Clayton pierces the clouds of tradition that obscure what the Bible actually says, showing that what it says agrees with rigorous scientific facts. In The Source he shows that good Bible study and good science do not conflict. Based on his own studies, he changed from a militant atheist to a believer in the God who reveals Himself in the Bible.”
—Robert H. Towell Sr.
Consultant to Department of Energy on Transportation of Radioactive Materials.

“Clayton has the ability to describe complex scientific data and principles in ways that both educate and stimulate an open mind to rethink conventional wisdom. He then postulates an explanation that genuinely makes sense of the many unique and mysterious attributes of our world.”
—Danny C. Rich, Manager of Research: Datacolor International

“John Clayton is the best scientist I know at presenting the case for science and faith. Every Christian needs this information, in specific scientific form, as a ready resource. This book provides this much-needed help.”
—Dr. Carl Brecheen, Professor of Bible; Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Tesas.

“John Clayton is a man who pursues truth in both science and religious faith in an unusually insightful and gifted way. In my view, his ability to educate and challenge in fair, understandable, and honest ways is unmatched.”
—Richard Lee Brown, Management Consultant, Registered Professional Engineer.

In conclusion here; I will admit that I have not yet read all of Richard Dawkins’, renouned atheist, entire new book. I am familiar with his earlier books. However; I do highly respect what renouned scientist and ex-atheist John Clayton has to say about Richard Dawkins writings, along with other scientists and experts in their fields. I claim to be no expert myself, but I do have the God given ability to THINK. I am not a scientist, but I listen to scientists. I look at and consider all the evidences. Bring on your evidences, that support your faith, and let us have a look.  –dc

(John Clayton’s web-site: www.doesgodexist.org)

Flip a coin 1,000 times to see if prayer really works?

  Flip a coin 1,000 times to see if prayer really works?

 This is in regards to today’s DR Letter to the Editor, entitled: ” DOES PRAYER REALLY WORK? Let’s flip a coin and find out.” by James Trotman, Morristown.

 Well, I do say that this gets my head gears turning. Maybe this method sounds logical to an unbeliever, but the idea of Chief Justice John Roberts flipping a coin 1,000 times while the devout of all faiths pray for “heads,” shows a big misunderstanding about prayer and faith. Who or what are you praying to?, –the air? Do we think creation came to be, and is held together, by chance? Do we believe that man can make a mockery of God?

If a person, or group, is going to pray to God; than I would suggest that a prerequisite might be, is to first get to know God. What is the nature of God? How does God work? How does God think? How does God hear and answer prayer? “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).
 
With over 15,000 references to God, the Bible is the best book to read to find out about him.

 Does prayer have anything to do with faith?
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

 Now, the second point in this letter To the Editor, talks about the separation of church and state according to our Constitution.

 It is obvious and clear, that our forefathers were writing about separation of church and state. They were not writing about separation of God and state. To think otherwise, is to deny all the many and overwhelming evidences adorning our federal buildings, currency, and monuments, along with the practice of prayer in the schools and federal buildings at that time.
 
When determining truth, is it not rational, logical and honest, and indeed correct and righteous to look at the examples of the interpretations applied by the very authors who wrote our Constitution? To ignore the examples set down by our forefathers is nothing more than a blatant disregard for truth. Our forefathers would be ‘rolling over in their graves’, so to speak.  –dc

 

 

 Myth Man, the Spoiler; knows not.