Do You Have
Do you have that one person in your life that you pray comes to Christ and for God to give you the words to help make that happen? I know you’re saying that is why it’s important to study apologetics. That is true.
In my case, it’s my son. I consider him a very smart man with a good moral center. The problem is that he’s told me he doesn’t believe in God. I believe he has forest for the trees problem.
What I mean by that is that he is immersed in his occupation in the scientific world and has a lot of scientific training (he has a PhD in nuclear engineering). Ironically, where he works, he’s considered the (educated) tool jockey by the theoretical physics PhDs and not at the top of the intellectual mountain. He is looking so closely at the trees that he fails to see the entire forest.
A few years ago, after the birth of their daughter, we had a painful discussion where they told us what they were and were not going to allow in regards to religious beliefs around their daughter. At one point, my son looked at me and asked me how could I believe in God. I attempted to make a logical argument but I felt unprepared and unequipped to make such an argument.
That bothered me a lot at the time. Recently, I’ve been putting my faith in God and the planting of seeds and learning some apologetics. I need to be very careful to not be perceived as proselytizing but, on the other hand, I have no reservation about sharing my joy when asked.
But the apologetics classes/discussions I’ve been a part of have fallen into two camps - talking to the open person who knows little or wading in hip deep into a meaty discussion of theism. I wonder if I need an apologetics class for PhDs?
Today, I was reading an article on “5 Things Science Cannot Explain (but Theism Can)”
https://www.crossway.org/articles/5-things-science-cannot-explain-but-theism-can/
To me, it would be hard to read this article and argue against the existence of God. There is so much of me that wants to email this article to my son but that isn’t planting seeds. What is it that Patrick says (that I’ve tried to adopt as my mantra) “with gentleness and respect”.
I do not know what God’s plan is and I certainly can’t change it to suite me. I must trust him and his plan not only for my son and his family but for everything. That is hard.
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!” - Psalm 31:14-16 ESV
“And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Behold, I and the children God has given me.’” - Hebrews 2:13
“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” - Matthew 6:9-13
“Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” - Psalm 118:4-9
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’? “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.” - Job 38:4-18
