...About science and the book of Genesis

My guest blogger here is Greg Russell: worship leader/associate pastor at SHV, defender of the faith, MMA guy, artist, leader, good friend.  How's that for a combination?!
You can check out Greg's blog here: http://somethingtosay-gr.blogspot.com/

…about science and the book of Genesis.

Science has advanced at an astonishing rate over the last century.  We now know many things with a very high level of probability.  What implications do these findings have regarding the Christian faith?  Has science disproved the Bible?  What about the book of Genesis, which gives an account of creation? 

Below are brief summaries of some of the different beliefs that Christians hold concerning science and the claims laid out in the book of Genesis:

Theistic Evolution

Francis Collins is the scientist that headed up the team that decoded the human genome.  He is currently the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and he is a committed Christian.  Collins believes that the creation account in the book of Genesis is a poetic story, much like the Psalms and Song of Solomon.  He does not believe that we should look to it for any understanding of the origins of our universe or life on earth.  I recommend his book The Language of God for more on his views.

Young Earth Creationism

Ken Ham is the president of the Creation Museum and the Answers in Genesis organization.  He interprets the creation account in Genesis as a literal six days, and he believes that the universe and all of life was created in that time period less than 10,000 years ago.  I recommend his book The New Answers Book 1 for more on his views.

Old Earth Creationism

Hugh Ross is an accomplished astrophysicist and Christian apologist.  He, like Ken Ham, also believes in a literal understanding of Genesis.  However, he interprets the text differently than Ham does.  Ross believes that the bible is the only religious text that accurately describes the origin of life and the universe.  I recommend Ross’ book The Genesis Question for more on his views.

I purposely chose to personalize each of the views above by including the name of one of the people that embrace them.  I did that because we humans are typically quick to polarize and pick sides rather than research the evidence and engage in civil, intelligent conversation with people of differing views, and I thought that maybe it would help make the point that we can disagree on the nonessentials and still get along.  Would you reject Francis Collins as a sincere follower of Jesus because you disagree with him?  Would you question the authenticity of Ken Ham’s relationship with God because his views don’t fit your interpretation of origins?  Do Hugh Ross’ beliefs arouse anger or distress? (not that anyone has expressed these sentiments) There are things worth fighting for, but this isn’t one of them.  Let’s love and respect each other, keeping in mind that, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Cor. 13:12)

Followers of Jesus do not need to fear truth, what others believe or what science discovers. 


Post your questions about science and the book of Genesis in the comments below, or email them to church@SHVchurch.org.

The power of resolutions

“I’ve been using the 'Magnify Jesus' devotional and having the most fulfilling times of prayer…  Things had been very dry and prayer was hard work, but that is changing.  Seriously, it has been amazing!”

I’ve heard similar reports.  Sometimes it seems like heaven is silent and waiting is the order of the day (the month and the year).  But in this season Jesus is responding quickly to our efforts!  

How?  With grace-- tangible encouragement and His empowering presence.  Why? Not sure, but it seems like more is coming (in our world) which will require more of His grace.

res·o·lu·tion  A firm decision to do or not do something

Resolutions start with an idea, a hope of something better.  When that hope turns to intention, intention turns to action, action turns to practice and practice turns to habit-- voila, something good happens!

Jesus pointed out how people were freaking out about “stuff.”  He said it was indicative of a life without God: worried, anxious and pushing too hard...

But instead of saying, “Don’t do that!” He gave us one of life’s greatest resolutions (paraphrased in the Message Version):

“Steep your life in God-initiative, God-provisions.  Don’t worry about missing out.  You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.  Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.  God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”  Matthew 6:33-34

Of course we can read and think “Ok, those are good thoughts, but how does it translate into action, practice and habit?”

We all have to figure it out at some level and make some decisions.  Thankfully Jesus is standing right there to offer tangible encouragement and His empowering presence!  And He is there to help us back up when we fall. 

Like anything of value, spiritual growth doesn’t automatically happen just because we think about it.  Resolutions have to move from intentions to actions...  

We can start by simply praying and being honest with God.  And we can hang out with others who are trying to give their attention to what God is doing.  That's where the power of being part of local church community comes in...

One guy told me "You know I'd like to be part of a local church but my life is too messed up."  Another said "I can't handle all the hypocrisy."  And still another said "I think I can do it on my own..."

Ok, there are plenty of excuses and some can be valid.  But it can't be worth missing out on the life Jesus has to give!

In the shadow of death...

"if the foundations are destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”  Psalm 11:3

January 2011: 6 killed, 11 injured,  Tucson, Arizona

October 2011: 8 killed, 1injured, Seal Beach, California

April 2012: 7 killed, 3 injured, Oakland, California

July 2012: 12 killed 58 injured, Aurora, Colorado

August 2012: 6 killed, 3 injured, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

September 2012: 6 killed, 2 injured, Minneapolis, Minnesota

October 2012: 3 killed, 4 injured, Brookfield, Wisconsin

December 2012: 27 killed, 1 injured, Newtown, Connecticut

Just 5 short months ago we witnessed the horrifying murders of 12 people, along with 58 injured in the Aurora Theater shootings.  We've been living in the "shadow of death" since that day, with a deep sense of grief, loss and anger.  People have drawn together.  Leaders across the city have been looking at ways to strengthen the fabric of our city.  Some good things have been happening...

Now we witness another horrifying and senseless tragedy.  A profound hopelessness and fear have gripped our country.

I keep wondering what would Jesus be saying?  Here are a few thoughts...

He always calls us to grieve with those who grieve.  We are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.

Secondly, He wants us to see these problems as issues of the heart.  

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  Matthew 15:19

The law can bring a stopping point at some level.  But when there is no conscience and violent imaginations are fueled daily, people are ticking time bombs.

Thirdly, in the face of heart issues He calls us to pray and turn from our own sin.  

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Fourthly, God says "do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  Romans 12:21

This is probably the most encouraging to me because God does not ask us to stand still, nor to being preoccupied with ourselves- we can make a difference!

Watching the news tonight I was blown away by the story of Staff Sgt. Jordan Pritchard , who found his old US Marine Corps uniform. It was in the attic.  The shooting massacre in Newtown, Connecticut is a thousand miles away, but what happened hit him hard.  So this week, Sergeant Pritchard is standing guard at Gower Elementary School where his 2 daughters attend.  

He's not getting paid.  He's not even armed.  He's a volunteer!  Pritchard said  "I'm doing this because we need hope man.  We need hope...  If you are able and capable of doing something you have the responsibility to act."  

Parents walked their kids into school, many with tears in their eyes, blown away as they thanked Pritchard for making a difference.

What a powerful picture!  We are all capable of doing something.  And as followers of Jesus we can step out of our comfort zones and overcome evil with good.