| Using common logic to embrace Christianity

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Ghosts, God and Gospel

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Terry Wayne

One of the more contentious topics in any deep discussion of Christianity is the concept of ghosts as the spirit manifestation of those who have died. It is safe to say that many, if not most, clergymen take a firm stand that ghosts are not benign traces of lost loved ones, but more likely a demonic spirit intent on deceiving the living.

In truth, there are passages in the Bible that caution against communication with ghosts.

With the possible exception of the Catholic church belief in purgatory, the prevailing belief is that death is a one-way journey with no stops along the way. This would seem to eliminate the possibility of ghosts being the spiritual residue of departed souls who have unfinished business or pressing concern for those left behind.

If we rely on tales of hauntings and stories of what is known as poltergeists, there is some credence to the idea that ghosts may be evil spirits. Yet, at the same time, some accounts appear to describe spirit beings who have just lost their way and have no malicious intent.

Many of us have personal or family experiences that not only seem contrary to the evil spirit concept, but serve to give us hope.

So, what is the reality, and how does that impact our belief system? Continue reading →

God Particles and Mystery Energy

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Terry Wayne

As the community of science continues to probe the meaning and nature of matter, it conveniently ignores the possibility that the answers they seek are simply the work of God. The international effort results in the construction of greater and more powerful machines designed to dissect the structure of matter down to the smallest element.

While they seem to have made great progress, the deeper they go trying to solve this mystery, the more complex the answer becomes.

The scientific community does try to keep us informed – or perhaps it is just bragging. It is becoming more common to see little news pieces pop up on internet sites, detailing the latest discoveries or theories regarding the nature of all matter and/or how that matter came into existence via the “big bang.”

The problem is that the common reader can’t begin to understand what they are talking about. Such news reports are sprinkled with terms like quarks, leptons, electrons, muons, hadrons, and other exotic names. To complicate things even further, science now tells us that quarks come in a variety of styles such as up, down, strange, charmed, top and bottom.

Confused yet? Wait! There’s even more to add to the mix. Continue reading →

Everyday Signs

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Terry Wayne

There’s an old expression – “can’t see the forest for the trees.” It’s something we are all guilty of, having our nose buried so deep into things that we can’t see the big picture.

And nowhere is that more true, than in contemplating the question of creation by God versus the idea that we, and all we see, is the result of some cosmic accident.

It’s a common phenomenon. We have trained our brains into ignoring common signals such as the white noise of traffic on the highway or the gentle caress of air on our skin as we walk along. These signals are so common that we tune them out. Realistically, it is something of a defense mechanism to keep us from being overwhelmed by sensory input.

But there is a downside.

The process of filtering out common sensory input also blinds us to the miracles that they represent.

If we make the effort to step back from those trees of our busy lives, we might catch a glimpse of the forest of miracles that frame our existence. We might even find the answer to that persistent question – are we, and all we observe, merely the end result of a series of cosmic accidents? Or, are we the result of an elaborate plan of an incomprehensible God?

The answer may be staring you in the face. Continue reading →

Who Wrote the Bible – and Why Does It Matter?

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Terry Wayne

Many of us assume that the books of the Bible were written by the person whose name is associated with that particular book. We might also assume that the books of the New Testament were accounts written by eyewitnesses to Jesus’ ministry.

Bible scholars may have a different view.

Bible scholars analyze the writings in various ways to determine who wrote them and when they were written. They will study the vocabulary, the style, and references within the text. They will compare the Bible texts to other writings of the time.

The books of Luke and Acts are believed to have been written by a companion of Paul, Luke the physician. Luke was not an eyewitness to the events he describes. He was recording the eyewitness accounts that were described to him.

If we take a step back and look at the first books of the Bible – Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, which are attributed to Moses, we encounter another logical speed bump. If God created the heavens and earth as described in Genesis, it is a pretty good bet that Moses could not have been an eyewitness. Also, the span of time described in those books is clearly not compatible with the lifespan of Moses.

So, what does this say to the credibility of the Bible? Continue reading →

Which Church Is Right?

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Terry Wayne

At some point in your life – or perhaps several times – you may be wondering which church to attend, or whether to attend one at all. If someone isn’t knocking on your door, or a friend concerned about your spiritual health inviting you to accompany them to their church, you may just feel a need on your own.

The need or compulsion to connect with the higher power we call God is certainly nothing new. It’s a pretty good bet that human beings have felt that urge ever since they became self-aware. It is equally likely that the frustration with seasons, droughts, floods, death and natural disasters would force even the earliest humans to seek relief and answers from some higher power.

In today’s world the spectrum of spiritual choices remains vast. For those of us who most clearly identify with Christianity, it comes down to which church doctrine we feel most comfortable with for our inspiration.

Which church is right? The answer may surprise you. Continue reading →

Brain Power

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Terry Wayne

The illustration above is typical of what you might have in your digital camera. It is capable of storing thousands of digital photos. Used in another way, that same storage device could hold a sophisticated computer program.

And while we marvel at the amazing technology that mankind has developed, we use that technology without giving it a thought.

In human terms, the advances in computer technology are mind-boggling. Most of us, using that technology, have minimal understanding of how these amazing devices work. We have even less understanding of the programming or instructions that provide the results we seek.

That might remind us of the continuing debate over whether our existence is a cosmic accident or the result of divine creation.

As much as we might marvel at the ability to store so much information in so small a package, there is even greater ability in the smallest of living creatures. Continue reading →

Earning God’s Favor

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Terry Wayne

In the logic of human experience, we would expect that we would be rewarded in our life in proportion to our faithful behavior toward our god. At least that’s been the prevailing belief throughout human history.

The object of worship has varied widely over the centuries until most of mankind ultimately concluded that there exists one universal creator. While the face of that creator may still be the subject of dispute by various factions, the concept of “earning” God’s favor remains consistent.

For many centuries, the idea that one could earn your god’s favor through sacrifice was the standard. Unfortunately, the concept of sacrifice meant giving up something of value – your finest livestock, your best crops, and in some cultures, even a human being.

So how do we view earning God’s favor in today’s world? Continue reading →

Are We Alone in the Universe?

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Terry Wayne

If pride is a sin, then we may be guilty of such when we believe we are the only intelligent life form in the vastness of the universe. We may be equally guilty if we assume we are capable of understanding God’s plan or purpose for us.

Perhaps the ultimate arrogance is to believe that a creator of the universe would build such an enormous and complex system exclusively for the human race.

We might be closer to understanding if we accept the fact that we incapable of comprehending the design and enormity of a universe of which we are the slightest and most insignificant element. As science delves deeper and deeper into the mysteries of the universe, more questions surface than answers.

We also need to accept the fact that, just because the Bible doesn’t address an issue, doesn’t mean that the issue is false.

Perhaps the most persistent question in modern times is whether other intelligent beings exist in the universe, and whether or not they visit this earth.

And perhaps the answers lie within the questions themselves. Continue reading →

God, Ghosts and the Gospel

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Terry Wayne

Sooner or later, each of us must come to terms with the discrepancy between the information (or lack of) in the Bible, and the wealth of anecdotal evidence of visits from beyond the grave. In other words – contact with the spirits of those who no longer exist in the earthly human form as we perceive it.

The Bible, it seems, offers mixed messages on the subject. Ghosts or spirits are acknowledged or referenced in the Bible, but fall into two distinct categories. Some spirits are perceived as demonic, while other spirit beings, such as angelic visitors, are seen as emissaries from God.

With few exceptions, what the Bible does not address is contact from the deceased.

In an age of advanced means of communication, most of us have had some exposure to tales of visits or messages from the departed. These incidents of contact with the other side of death’s door can be comforting to those left behind, or even beneficial when that contact involves a warning.

Hard-core theologians or spiritual philosophers may take the position that such visits are demons masquerading as deceased loved ones. Others accept the possibility that our loved ones visit to reassure those left behind that all is well.

So, what is the truth? Continue reading →

Let There Be Light

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Terry Wayne

One of the earliest and most profound verses in the Bible is in the description of the beginnings of the universe when God is reported to have said “Let there be light.”

As we ponder the question of whether or not the existence we experience is the result of creation by God or the result of a lucky combination of accidents of nature, we need to recognize the incredible collection of miracles that define us and our world.

And foremost among those miracles is light.

Light is a form of energy, and a form that we are uniquely equipped to utilize. It is a miracle that we have come to take for granted even as we take advantage of its properties and benefits.

Light is the form of energy that radiates from our sun, warming our planet in the cold emptiness of space. Light from the sun provides the benchmark that gives us a way to count the passage of time. It is the variance of light that causes the seasonal changes that keep our environment in balance.

It is the light from distant stars that was the means of navigation on open seas for early explorers. It is the character of light that allows our science to more fully understand the mysteries of deep space.

Light is the form of energy that plant life absorbs and uses to fuel the growth that becomes our food supply.

But the most miraculous aspect of light is also the greatest evidence of our creation by the power we call God. Continue reading →