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Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13, ESV).
Often, during a walk, I compose a mental list of why I believe in God and the Bible.
I’m constantly reading both reasons for hope and attacks on that hope. In 50 years, the more I think about them, none of the intellectual attacks on my faith stick as sane or rational (though some can be confusing at first).
Composing a “walking list” in review of my current readings (and experiences) allows me to defend the faith, increases my hope, grows my faith, and makes me sober-minded in expectation of the return of Jesus.
Here’s the list that I composed during a walk yesterday. . .
#1 ~ Prayer
A recent poll revealed that 44 percent of Americans pray.
That’s millions praying today in just the United States. Add to this the number of people praying today throughout the world, and consider the estimated 108 billion people who have lived throughout history — that’s billions who have prayed.
We are made in the image of God, and with God the “Word” (John 1:1), the desire to communicate with God is built into our DNA. The billions who pray aren’t delusional!
#2 ~ Bible
No archeological discovery has ever disproved the historical accuracy of the Bible.
The Bible mentions about 400 towns and cities. Including the names of kings, historical events, customs and traditions of ancient cultures, and detailed descriptions of various buildings and gardens, how does the Bible, without abundant paper or electronic means of accurate recording, get it right?
The inspiration of the Spirit!
#3 ~ Cells
Pick a part of your body, any part, and be assured it’s made of cells — intricate microscopic machines more powerful than the computer or device that you use to read Interruptions.
When Chuck Darwin concocted evolution, his premise for evolution was simple things become complex things. But through powerful microscopes, we find something else — complex to complex. We now know that any part of your body that you chose, no matter how complex, contains individual cells as complex as that part, whether a hand, brain, toe, or eye.
Only God creates from complex to complex!
#4 ~ Hope
In over 50 years of ministry, having officiated hundreds of memorial services, I’ve noticed a difference between the service for a believer and one for a non-believer.
With a believer’s memorial service, there’s more peace in the audience.
The peace doesn’t come from irrational wishful thinking but a palpable presence of the Spirit of God. A solemnity of spirit pervades with the passing of a saint into glory, and it can be sensed.
David felt it too, and he wrote Psalm 23 to comfort us. . .
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me (Psalm 23:4a).
This is my current “walking list” apologetic for belief in God and the Bible. Please remember that Jesus will arrive shortly!
There will be no excuse for unbelief.