LETTER: We cannot be lukewarm Christians

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LETTER: We cannot be lukewarm Christians

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Letter to the Editor

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Monday, June 1. 2009

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Dear Editor:

I was a person who came to faith in Jesus through the scripture in Romans 1:20. I had been traveling the world and had seen His creation up close and personal. I could not square in my mind what science had been saying to me regarding the traditional view of old earth, fossils, and evolution, absent a creator, with what the evidence was before my own eyes: the beauty and majesty of a complicated world that seemed even to my agnostic eyes to be designed.

I feel that too little attention is paid to that verse as a gateway to His feet, and I’m eternally grateful for a Christian who was knowledgeable and prepared to respond to my questions in biblical natural history.

It was announced that that an ancient fossil scientists say represents the missing link has been found. The secular world is looking for the nails to pound in the coffin into which they have put Christianity. They say Christianity is dead, or the Bible is bunk. The latest news about an alleged missing link is yet another piece of ammunition for atheists to use. How will you as a Christian respond to Ida?

I admit, I’m not the best person at apologetics when asked about astrophysics in defending the six-day creation statement in Genesis; nor am I fluent in evolutionary biology to defend creationism and God’s direct hand in making humans.

Brethren, we may be called to defend or explain this news of so-called missing link Ida to unbelievers. We may be asked how “science” (which most secular people believe is infallible) squares with the notion of an invisible God moving His hand and speaking the world into existence. The idea of Ida the missing link will have powerful pull. How will you answer?

We must prepare. We cannot be lukewarm Christians. We should be ready to say how and why we believe as we do. I’m not suggesting we become experts in natural history nor get a degree in evolutionary biology. But if we read up one or two of the flaws in evolution theory, have at the ready one or two reasons why the Bible believed literally is truth, we can become more credible.

Five years ago, I was an agnostic adult. I was seeking meaning in something bigger than me, yet I was also curious about the world as explained through science. I asked a Christian I knew how she could believe in the young earth in the face of all this (seemingly) solid science. She responded coherently and passionately with a plausible explanation of why she believed in the young earth of God as opposed to the old earth as presented in the secular fossil record. Her response was enough to keep the door in my heart open to Jesus, and soon after being impressed with her reply, I accepted Jesus as Savior.

It makes a difference if we can articulate our faith. We all come to knowledge of our sins and the need for Jesus in different ways. My path was through seeing His attributes through His creation, His eternal power and divine nature on earth. Jude urges us to “earnestly contend for the faith.” One way is to be ready to respond to a person the Holy Spirit may put in your path, one who is curious about fossils or young earth or missing links. I pray you will be ready with a reply that very well could be eternal for that soul…and He will be glorified.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Prata

Comer

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#1 David in Comer on 06/02/09 at 06:53 AM [Reply]

I agree it's like I was saying in the other letter about dancing in church? Everyone has to find there own way to the cross I to was looking for something and didn't know where to look. It took a tragic car wreck to open my eyes? Well the wreck left me blind in one eye but I looked at it with the sense that God left me one good eye to see all the beautiful things he created and I can make do with one eye if thats how he wants it to be.

#2 Dan on 06/02/09 at 01:26 PM [Reply]

I strongly agree, a Christian should never be lukewarm nor cold. In view of the recent events where the late term abortion doctor was killed, we shouldn't be that radical either. The part that bothered me though, he was allowed to attend a Church, where everyone knew who and what he was, someone that was neither lukewarm nor cold, someone that was totally unrepentant in committing murder of the unborn. Someone that was allowed to participate in the services, as if he too was a Christian. I reckon its like many others that claim salvation through Jesus, its a lip servive only. As Christians we are warned of these types of people; yet out of our human need to fit in, and not be seen as a radical we often sell short our Christianity. We turn a blind eye to how many of our elected leaders are as evil and non Christian as the doctor was. In most cases, even moreso... for they are the ones that allowed Roe Vs Wade to happen, and someday they will give account of all the blood that is on their hands. Now as a Christian, not lukewarm, where will you be standing on that same day? How do you see yourself? Lukewarm, or a true Christian? One who understands the warnings that were given us in His Word? Or are you one that thinks you can serve both God and Mammon? That fitting in, is whats best for you? I too wrestle with these same issues.... yet I know where I will stand, and I wont be standing alone.

#3 David in Comer on 06/02/09 at 02:12 PM [Reply]

Yes and like that doctor that was killed? Even though it is a sin to kill someone or it's not right to wish someone was dead when I heard about that story I thought well he got what he deserved? But nobody deserves to be killed so I said it was hard to feel sorry about what happen? I am a Christian and am glad I don't have to sit on that jury for the man that killed him? Because I know the Bible says it's wrong to kill but the human side comes out and says it would be hard to find the guy guilty of killing him? The Christian says it's wrong but the human says he deserved it? God is the only one true Judge? I'll let him handle him when he stands before him.

#4 Bill on 06/03/09 at 11:29 AM [Reply]

You talk about the doctor like he deserved to be killed, kinda like what the Romans and Jews thought about Jesus, you know, get rid of a threat. You all shoud be embarresed and shamed. Calling yourselfs Christians, give me a break.

#4.1 David in Comer on 06/05/09 at 08:33 AM [Reply]

O.h.and I guess you are perfect? The Bible also says:"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" Ok Mr.Bill let me ask you a question If someone killed your family could you say O.h.well and invite them out to eat or would you want to get even with them for what they did??
I was saying the Christian side of us says one thing but the human side says something else like he deserved what he got. The Christian person says forgive but the human says get even.

#5 steve on 06/21/09 at 09:54 AM [Reply]

I think what you are saying is totally backwards. The HUMAN side of you knows that it is pre meditated murder of the doctor, the Christian side of you thinks he deserves it.

#5.1 David in Comer on 06/21/09 at 12:27 PM [Reply]

No steve I am going by the Bible it says"Thou shall not kill" so that means mueder is wrong so that is the Christian side and the human side asys he deserved it.The Bible also says"Vengance is mine sayth the Lord" that means if somebody does something to you then that don't give you the right to get revenge on that person. A Chirstian is supposed to abide by the Bible but human nature wants revenge.

#5.1.1 Jean on 07/13/09 at 02:34 PM [Reply]

It is true that The Bible tells us not to commit pre-meditated murder & also that vengeance belongs to the Lord. However, the Bible also says in Exodus 21:12, "He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death." & in Numbers 35:30, "Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die."

The verse in Numbers sounds like our jury trials w/ 12 or so witnesses, doesn't it? So, nowadays we don't do our proper duties as instructed to by God, because if we did, all pre-meditated murderers would be executed; therefore, there would be a lot less murders happening & there would be no such thing as abortion...a legal one anyway.

As a Christian, I know that the person who killed this "abortion MD" did wrong because he didn't leave vengeance to the Lord, but rather took it in his own hands & commited pre-meditated murder. As a Christian, I can also say that I believe this "abortion MD" got what he deserved; God knows I think this too...I can't say that I'm sorrowful that he is dead; the reason for his death is irrelevant to me. After all, if we had done things God's way, this guy would've been dead a long time ago, of course if he commited the crimes, that is.

#5.1.1.1 Madison County Resident on 07/14/09 at 02:45 AM [Reply]

I agree with you Jean on one hand I think this doctor got what he deserved but on the other I know the guy that killed him did wrong?I say it's human nature to get vengance on your own and I've heard people say if your a Christian you don't let human nature come in? I say if God wanted to prevent us from having emotions and human nature he wouldn't have given us a mind we would all be like mindless robots?

#5.2 Jean on 07/13/09 at 01:56 PM [Reply]

-To Steve(Comment-#5):
"I think what you are saying is totally backwards. The HUMAN side of you knows that it is pre meditated murder of the doctor, the Christian side of you thinks he deserves it."

-This comment deserves a standing ovation & I am giving you one....Even though I'm not sure of your intent & motivation in making this comment, it is correct nonetheless. ~~From a Christian & God bless!~~

#6 steve on 06/21/09 at 10:12 AM [Reply]

Also, this article was about how this person reconsiles new scientific discoveries in the fossil record with her faith in Religion. The new earth, or young earth (whatever) theory where Dinosaurs and Humans co existed, etc.
I would ask her:
Do you believe man landed on the Moon?
Do you believe man can split an Atom?
Do you believe man has mapped the Human Genome?
If so, then why can't you believe that man can accurately determine the rate that carbon deteriorates for the purposes of dating the age of Fossils(Carbon 14 dating system)?
Selective Science,I guess. Surely it would be less difficult to believe than the other examples of Scientific achievements listed.

#7 Jean on 07/13/09 at 02:45 PM [Reply]

I just wanted to say that I am a Christian & I also believe that the earth is billions of years old, not very "young".

I've heard that a lot of Christians believe that the world is only 6,000 years old...and even that they don't believe that dinosaurs existed. I don't know if that's true or not, but guess it would have to be if they think the earth is only 6,000 years young.

I don't understand why some people think that you can't be a Christian & "believe in science" too? I've racked my brain trying to figure this out, but I just don't see where the two things, Christianity & Science, conflict!

#7.1 Madison County Resident on 07/14/09 at 02:32 AM [Reply]

I think that's where they came up with the seperate Church and State thing? I don't know how much of science is true but I believe the Bible on how we got here? The Bible has been around alot longer than the science books and I don't think we come from Monkeys or the Earth was fromed by a big bang of 2 Asteroids? That's where the whole science part falls apart. If we did come from Monkeys that would make the Bible a lie and God a lie and he can't lie he is the only perdect being that has ever been or will be? The Bible says "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth(no big bang) and he created Adan from dust from the ground(no Monkeys) and seen Adam needed a help mate so he created Woman from Adam's rib and called her Eve. And it says we were created in Gods image so He has to look like a man.
Science could come up and say man was created from a fish and there would be some idiots out there that would believe it.
I went to school and passed science but I looked at science like it was a Fiction book it makes a good story and you have to learn it to pass but YOU don't have to believe everything in the book.
The Bible is different if you believe one scripture you have to believe it all?

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