WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN (Part I)

WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN (Part I)

Some years ago, I read a rather startling anti-religious statement by James Harvey Johnson.  It was written while he was part of a group known as The Thinkers Club.  Here’s what Mr. Johnson penned:

“Religious beliefs are against common sense.  There are no angels, devils, heavens, hells, or miracles.  These superstitious beliefs are promoted for the purpose of making gullible people believe that by paying money to the priest-class, they will be favored by one of the gods.  There is nothing that is supernatural – there is nothing that is contrary to natural law.”

Incredible, isn’t it?  Nevertheless, his thinking typifies certain contemporary thinkers who characterize Almighty God in humanistic ways, as fundamentally flawed, or even non-existent.  These views are examples of the teachings of the Apostle John,  who wrote, “THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST…is now already in the world.” (I John 4:3) As a result of such satanic influences, many have great difficulty believing in the God of the Bible.

Allow me to begin today’s discourse with an interesting illustration about faith.  First remember this: Anything that is TRUE does not rise or fall because WE DO or DO NOT personally understand or accept it. 

For example, when European explorers first traveled to Australia, they encountered an incredibly unique animal.  Indeed, its very existence went against everything they ‘knew’ about animal life.  They discovered an egg-laying mammal [Note: Mammals don’t typically lay eggs] living much of the time in water, with a broad and flat tail, with webbed feet and with a snout that resembled a duck’s bill.  This animal SEEMED to be like a FISH, and at the same time like a BIRD, and at the same time like a LAND-DWELLING MAMMAL.  The European explorers named it PLATYPUS. 

When they returned home and told of their discovery, the scientific community only laughed, even though several of the eyewitnesses enjoyed excellent reputations.  So when the explorers returned to Australia, they returned with what they considered to be irrefutable proof, the hide of a dead platypus.  Nevertheless, some still refused to believe.  Intriguing, isn’t it?

Unfortunately, many people mirror the sentiments of Benjamin Disraeli, who famously said “I make it a rule ONLY TO BELIEVE in what I CAN UNDERSTAND.”  But if one believes only in that which can be personally understood, then (by extension) one must have a VERY LARGE HEAD and a VERY SMALL FAITH! 

I AM A BELIEVER.  So I thought it might be instructive and inspirational to share some personal points of faith, i.e. to delineate my specific reasons for being a lifetime Christian disciple.  There are many.

REASON #1

Although Christianity is based upon faith, it is A REASONABLE FAITH.

Quite often, the believer is accused of ‘assassinating the brain’ – just because s/he believes wholeheartedly in the inspiration of the Bible, or in miracles, or in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Many make the unwise assumption that Christian beliefs are based on sheer ignorance, that faith in something above-and-beyond is somehow blind or unintelligent.

In reality, the truth is just the opposite.  The Christian faith is an intelligent faith.  It never consists of a mindless act that is unrelated to reality.  The Bible encourages believers and unbelievers alike to use their MINDS when investigating the merits of Christianity.  Although God wants us to covenant with Him by FAITH, He has no issues or problems with our ‘PROVING’ Him. (Malachi 3:10)

There is abundant evidence that The Almighty encourages the use of our mental faculties as we embrace our faith.  Jesus taught, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” (Matthew 22:37)  To wit, Christianity is no mindless matter.  The Apostle Paul wrote, “I speak as to wise men: JUDGE FOR YOURSELVES what I say.” (I Corinthians 10:15)  Likewise, he wrote to the Church of Thessalonica, “PROVE ALL THINGS, hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21)

‘Thou shalt not THINK’ was NEVER listed among The Ten Commandments!  One of the reasons why I am a Christian is because OUR GOD (as revealed in the scripture) is a PROFOUNDLY INTELLIGENT GOD, who encourages His followers to be HIGHLY INTELLIGENT PEOPLE. 

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!