Challenge Your Faith

An atheist was camping in the woods when he heard heavy footsteps on the other side of the bushes. It sounded like something big was coming toward him. He heard a loud growling sound and decided it must be a bear. He knew better than to run, so he sat very still.

The hairy beast suddenly appeared in front of the atheist, but it wasn't a bear. It was Bigfoot! As soon as the atheist saw the enormous beast, he took off running into the woods. Bigfoot chased him and the atheist could tell the beast was gaining on him.

As the atheist ran for his life, he cried out, "Dear God, save me!"

Time slowed down for a moment and a voice from above bellowed, "I thought you didn't believe in Me."

The atheist cried back in desperation, "Please, God, give me a break. Up until two minutes ago, I didn't believe in Bigfoot either!"

The Bible doesn't waste a lot of time arguing with those who claim there is no God. But you can find one statement that clearly sums up the whole reality of atheism, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1).

Atheism makes no sense. There is more evidence to the existence of God than many of the things atheists DO believe in. Many atheists believe in global warming, yet there is significantly greater evidence of the warmth of an all-loving God. Some atheists believe we've been visited by life-forms from other planets in UFO's. I've seen one episode of "The View" and can see some logic to that. Yet, the evidence that God visited this planet in the life-form of His Son, Jesus, is more compelling than alien visits or even the existence of real, historical and famous people like Shakespeare or George Washington.

I am less concerned about atheism than I am a growing trend among those who profess to be Christians, yet do not believe the Bible nor the statements of Jesus Christ written in the Bible. How can a person be a Christian without believing the Bible which contains the story and message of Christ? How can you claim to be a follower of someone who makes exclusive claims which you do not believe? That blows my mind. It is as illogical as atheism.

Jesus said clearly, "I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me" (John 14:6, emphasis on the definite article because the original Greek intentionally places a "the" before each word).

How can that be any clearer? How does a person who claims to be a Christian decide what part of Christ he is going to believe and what part he isn't? What's the source of authority upon which to make such a decision?

If logic or intellect is his answer, then what if he is deranged or becomes deranged or allows a deranged philosopher to settle his beliefs for him? Who gets to decide the definition of sound, definitive logic? Where is his litmus of accuracy located?

My point is: There HAS to be a source of authority. To undermine the source is to step onto the slippery slope of relativism.

Relativism is grounded in mood, not truth. It is dangerous to place truth or reason on the shoulders of feelings. Feelings are not reliable. Feelings should always be on the shoulders of truth, not the other way around. There must be a solid foundation.

Relativism strenuously battles against absolute truth. Yet, I challenge you to defend your position or support your beliefs without making an absolute statement or relying upon an absolute tenet.

God has you cornered. As soon as you shout, "There are NO absolutes," you make an absolute statement.

Here's the greater challenge. Do the unthinkable. Read the Bible. Study it. Examine the life and claims of Jesus from the original source. Seriously. I dare you. You say it isn't true or accurate? Please show me where. I've studied it all my life and my faith depends on it. If there's proof that it isn't true, I'd like to know. Can you do that? Or would you rather just feel your way through life and hope you still feel good about your decision after you die?

Moods change. Truth doesn't. Oh, by the way. The first tactic the devil ever pulled on humanity was to get us to doubt God's word. Adam and Eve fell for that. And fell hard. Have you fallen for it, too?

I'm in a really good mood. Probably because I've found the truth.

Fool's Gold

"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1, 53:1...it's in there twice because God knew some would say "huh?" the first time they read it).

But, have you noticed that when that fool gets angry, he suddenly becomes religious and can talk to and about nothing else? "Where is God when I need Him?" "How could God let this happen?" "If You loved me, You would help me out of this mess!"

As a full time believer in God, I find unbelievers' views fascinating, perplexing, and often quite disturbing. I've known people who get mad at a God they only believe in when they get mad at God.

I don't know what else to call that but reverse hypocrisy. Followers of Christ are always being slammed as "hypocrites," and we often deserve it. Our lives don't always reflect our testimonies of faith.

But if I'm a hypocrite when I don't live what I believe, then what do we call a person who doesn't believe in God, yet frequently flings a complaint toward heaven? If there is no God, why ring His doorbell at the midnight hour of your suffering?

Makes no sense. In fact, it's downright fool-i-s-h. Ah! God must be right. Why would a non-existent God set up a complaint department?

The truth is...God does exist and we all know that truth innately. "What may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them" (Romans 1:19).

We don't have to like the fact that God exists because God created us with a free will. But He does exist. I don't like broccoli, but I know the vile weed exists!

We can willfully believe anything, regardless of how far it bends the needle past the stupid meter.

Maybe I'm asking too much. If the Bible says that atheism is for fools, then how can I expect a fool to act any other way than foolish?

Oh, by the way...for anyone reading this who truly believes there is no God, you might be interested to know that God Himself said, "there is no God." He sure did. You might check that verse out because what greater evidence to support your theory than for God Himself to say "there is no God?" It's in Deuteronomy 32:39.

Couldn't Resist,
Perry Crisp