The Truth Series: What is Wrong with Our World? (Part 3)

I haven’t always been a disciple of Jesus. Needless to say I’ve done more than my share of wrong—I’m still a work in progress.

Way back in my senior high years my friends and I drove from the small town of Vanderhoof to, what we saw as, the big city of Prince George looking for a party. We found what we were looking for. An 18 year old girl, who’s family was away, got the bright idea to throw a party. By the time my friends and I arrived the inside of the house was damaged beyond repair, at least before her parents and siblings would return. I can only imagine how they would feel upon their return!

We typically don’t realize it, but this story is symptomatic of a greater, much deeper, ubiquitous problem: moral evil, the bad things we do to one another and our world every day (racism, greed, etc.). Moral evil is by far our biggest and most painful problem, even more than natural evil (earthquakes, cancer, etc.).

Seeing we usually miss connecting the dots from the micro issue of a house-wrecking party to our bigger problems, we need to ask the question: Why is our world in such a disastrous mess? The Bible provides a clear answer in Isaiah 53:6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way … .

The tragic reality is that we are estranged from our God and his ways, and the consequence is that we are making a dreadful mess of the world God originally made to be very good (Genesis 1:31, Romans 1:28-32, 3:23). Sadly, living on our own terms, we all play our part in one way or another.

Quoting the French mathematician and philosopher, Blaise Pascal, the late theologian, J. I. Packer, wrote: “It may fairly be claimed that the Fall narrative gives the only convincing explanation of the perversity of human nature that the world has ever seen. Pascal said that the doctrine of original sin seems an offence to reason, but once accepted it makes total sense of the entire human condition.” (Concise Theology)

Be not dismayed nor hardened! The second half of Isaiah 53:6 prophesied the astounding good news of Jesus, … and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. The key is, when we face our issue for what it is, alienation from God, we can know his solution, redemption in Jesus.

The Truth Series: A Firm Foundation (Part 2)

Sooner or later everyone wrestles through the truth about meaning, purpose, value, and love. But how important is such a pursuit?

Years ago, in a small northern town, I followed the construction of a four car garage. The completed project looked great. I was envious as I had to work on my own vehicles outside, rain or shine. However, it was not long before the garage began to sink, sag, break, and fall apart! Confused by the quick dilapidation, I talked with another who had tracked the project and wondered the same thing. Going over to have a look, he discovered that the structure had been built on cinder blocks on top of the ground! It had no foundation! It was a nice garage ruined, and it was eventually removed.

Our lives are like this garage. So if we’re to face life with confidence we must carefully discern what makes for a sure footing.

Consider the simple, yet profound, declaration of Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” But how does this help our search?

One prominent philosopher wrote: “If there is no God, then meaning, value, and purpose are ultimately human illusions. They’re just in our heads.” (William Lane Craig, On Guard, 30.)

The bottom line is that a universe like ours—one of meaning, purpose, value, with self-conscious creatures like us who have a capacity and need for love—can’t be explained apart from God. Sheer evolutionary processes and forces will not produce creatures like us and a world like ours. Believing such is like building a nice house without a foundation.

God is that solid footing we need (Romans 11:36, Matthew 7:24-27). Yet, to benefit, we must personally know God as our Shepherd and Overseer (1 Peter 1:25).

It is my delight to share with you that the God of Genesis 1:1 is who we meet in Jesus Christ. In John 3:16 Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The eternal life of which Jesus spoke is what it means to know God (John 17:3).

If you are struggling with where to find real love, purpose, and meaning then consider exploring further what the Gospel of Jesus is and what it can mean for your life.

The Truth Series: What is Truth and Where do I Find It? (Part 1)

I remember hearing a hilarious anecdote several years ago.

There was a police officer parked out of sight at a four way stop. It was a popular place for motorists to run the stop sign. Early one morning, as predicted, a fellow was on his way to work and he hardly slowed down as he went through the intersection. The officer pulls out with lights on and, at the flick of the siren, he pulls the driver over. The officer asks: “Do you realize that you drove through a stop sign without stopping?” The driver replies “I slowed down and that is as good as stopping.” The officer responds: “Actually, it is not and here is a warning.” Early the next morning it is the same police officer, driver, and traffic violation. The officer pulls the driver over and says: “You went through the stop sign again without coming to a stop.” The driver reacts: “I don’t see an issue, I slowed down, looked both ways, and that is as good as stopping.” The officer responds: “It is not and here is a ticket.” It’s the third morning and, you guessed it, it’s the same scenario. The officer pulls over the driver. The driver lowers his window and blurts out: “Slowing down is the same as stopping!” The officer continues walking up without a word, grabs the driver by the shirt collar, pulls him half way out of the window of his car, and begins beating him with his billy club. As the officer is doing this he asks the driver: “Do you want me to slow down or stop?”

This fictional story humorously illustrates that when hard pressed we will acknowledge truth. Thus, believe it or not, at any given time, enduring, universal, and non-negotiable truths exist.

Strangely, finding such truths can be discouraging amidst the many conflicting voices. Yet, what resolves the issue is the realization that truth is a matter of coming to know God and learning to see life his way (John 17:17).

In fact, the good news is that God is seeking those who will worship him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24), and that he has given us his beloved Son, Jesus, as the way into his presence (John 14:6). We have but to ask God who is near (Acts 17:26-27).