| Using common logic to embrace Christianity

Seeds of Faith

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Terry Wayne

The Bible speaks of faith being so powerful that measure of faith equal to a mustard seed would enable you to move a mountain. That would certainly be an awesome amount of power. So, how likely is this statement?

There are two factors at work here. First, a mustard seed is generally 1-2 mm in size. Pretty small. Secondly, the plant that develops from that seed is the largest of garden plants – more like a shrub.

If we look at that Bible passage logically, we can recognize that there are two equally powerful messages. The first and most obvious is the message that faith is such an incredible power that it is beyond our comprehension. The only way to begin to appreciate that power is to visualize how much energy would be required to move a mountain. Today’s science tells us that the incredible energy available at the atomic level of matter is also beyond our comprehension. We have to ask ourselves, “who would have had such knowledge in Biblical times?”

The second message, that such a small seed could ultimately produce such a large plant, is equally telling. That message speaks to the potential of even the smallest measure of faith.

The conclusion we can draw is that faith is something we should learn to appreciate. While we might attempt to use our logic to embrace Christianity, ultimately we will be better served to make the effort to develop faith. The more we grasp the enormous power faith can deliver, the easier it is to accept and embrace the full message of Christianity.Logic demands it.

The Music of Faith

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Terry Wayne

The ongoing debate of whether or not humans were created or evolved may never be resolved this side of death’s door. To those who would argue that human existence is merely the result of a long series of evolutionary events, turn up the radio and listen to this evidence. The logic of pure evolution would suggest that all living creatures developed both physically and mentally to adapt to conditions and ensure survival. If that is true, then there would be little reason for a spiritual “link” to a higher power or creator.

How then do we explain our enjoyment of music? Music has no practical application to our survival (with the possible exception of country music). Music soothes the spirit, quiets a troubled mind and brings tears of remembrance. Music relaxes, inspires and brings a feeling of euphoria. Music triggers memories. Music makes us feel loving or loved. But music doesn’t fit into the “flight-or-fight” scenario nor does it teach us how to cultivate crops. So, there doesn’t seems to be much support for an appreciation of music as a result of evolution.

Consider how much music plays a part in your life and then answer this:

Is appreciation of music a product of evolution or a sign of divinity?

Accepting the Unproven

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Terry Wayne

One of the “tools” of the logic of doubt is mindset that we cannot embrace that which we cannot prove. Fortunately, we have daily reminders that we regularly accept concepts that we have no way of proving other than mathematical calculations. We read reports about the discovery of planets orbiting stars that are light years away from our own planet. While we might see the light from such a distant star, we cannot see any planet in its orbit around the star.

We rely on very precise measurements of the intensity of the starlight, and precise mathematical calculations to make that judgement. When science tells us that such planets exist, or they tell us of the distance to a distant star, we accept that information despite the fact that there is no way to verify the claims with direct observation. We trust the “experts” to tell us the truth.

Ironically, we doubt the information provided by the “experts” of the Bible. If we consider that the observations described in the Bible were passed down by those who witnesses to those events, it would seem that we should give more credibility to that information than to information derived from mathematical guesswork. We must judge the accuracy of information in the Bible by factors other than direct observation in the same way we judge the reports of our contemporary scientists.

In short – we already accept the unproven in matters of astronomy, so we have a precedent that can be applied to biblical concepts. Logic demands it.