Monday, June 21, 2010
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Q: Can Christianity and Science be equally yoked?
This is a review of the T3 seminar held in CBC SP, 16th January 2010
Dr Ron Choong is like a mini celebrity where intellectual thoughts and Christianity are concerned. So it’s not surprising when those of us who went for his T3 (Thinking Things Through) seminars recently came out a little wobbly – but wholly enlightened. The three topics “Science & Christianity”, “What Do Christians Really Believe?” and “Understanding Genesis 1-11: Who Wrote What, When, Where and Why?” were dissected and presented in a clear and sometimes tongue-in-cheek manner.
Among the questions that were tossed about during the 6-hour seminar include:
• Where did Noah keep the Dinosaurs?
• How did Jonah survive in the belly of a big fish?
• Should we take everything in the Bible literally, or are some stories mythological, rather than historical?
• Do babies have to repent before they can go to heaven?
• What happens to those who have never heard the gospel?
• What is the difference between volitional sin and being sinful by status?
• If we believe that we were created by God, can we still believe in evolution?
• Is the notion of Christian creation Trinitarian rather than monotheistic?
So did we leave feeling smarter? Maybe. Did we leave with more questions than answers? Yes. Does it really matter in the end? Nope.
For the believer, no explanation is necessary. But to the skeptic, no amount is sufficient. This is not to say we advocate blind faith as Christians. It is important for us to read through the Bible and ponder its messages, ask challenging questions and (try to) responsibly interpret its meanings.
In a nutshell, the T3 seminar was eye-opening and engaging as it challenges our perception of the Bible and Christianity. Personally, I think having lots of questions about the Bible and Christian beliefs will not make us waver in our faith. In fact we will only strengthen it.
Answer:
As for the answer to the question about science and Christian beliefs, I have always had a sneaking suspicion that they should not be so stringently separated. Science can be used to explain the world that God has created.
Dr Ron Choong provided a good answer: Science should not be seen as a specific problem for theology to tackle, but as a source of general insight to enrich theological understanding. So to ignore contributions of science neglects a potentially helpful theological resource. In fact, the Bible is a product of human sciences.
So yes, science is compatible with the Bible.
Dr Ron Choong is like a mini celebrity where intellectual thoughts and Christianity are concerned. So it’s not surprising when those of us who went for his T3 (Thinking Things Through) seminars recently came out a little wobbly – but wholly enlightened. The three topics “Science & Christianity”, “What Do Christians Really Believe?” and “Understanding Genesis 1-11: Who Wrote What, When, Where and Why?” were dissected and presented in a clear and sometimes tongue-in-cheek manner.
Among the questions that were tossed about during the 6-hour seminar include:
• Where did Noah keep the Dinosaurs?
• How did Jonah survive in the belly of a big fish?
• Should we take everything in the Bible literally, or are some stories mythological, rather than historical?
• Do babies have to repent before they can go to heaven?
• What happens to those who have never heard the gospel?
• What is the difference between volitional sin and being sinful by status?
• If we believe that we were created by God, can we still believe in evolution?
• Is the notion of Christian creation Trinitarian rather than monotheistic?
So did we leave feeling smarter? Maybe. Did we leave with more questions than answers? Yes. Does it really matter in the end? Nope.
For the believer, no explanation is necessary. But to the skeptic, no amount is sufficient. This is not to say we advocate blind faith as Christians. It is important for us to read through the Bible and ponder its messages, ask challenging questions and (try to) responsibly interpret its meanings.
In a nutshell, the T3 seminar was eye-opening and engaging as it challenges our perception of the Bible and Christianity. Personally, I think having lots of questions about the Bible and Christian beliefs will not make us waver in our faith. In fact we will only strengthen it.
Answer:
As for the answer to the question about science and Christian beliefs, I have always had a sneaking suspicion that they should not be so stringently separated. Science can be used to explain the world that God has created.
Dr Ron Choong provided a good answer: Science should not be seen as a specific problem for theology to tackle, but as a source of general insight to enrich theological understanding. So to ignore contributions of science neglects a potentially helpful theological resource. In fact, the Bible is a product of human sciences.
So yes, science is compatible with the Bible.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Are you willing to look stupid for God?
Many a times, I have heard people declining to play a character in a play, or declining to do some public presentation etc, because they are afraid they will look stupid. I am also guilty of that of course. I would not want to give a public speech without lengthy preparation, because I may stutter, say all the wrong things and in short, appear foolish. The only time I am willing to look stupid would be when I’m acting (especially for children, who are more forgiving).
But the point I am trying to make is that there is a passage in the Bible that made me think: Are we willing to look stupid for God? In 2 Samuel 6, King David broke out into a dance in praise of God, dressed only in his undergarment (ephod). His wife Michal saw him and scolded him for making a fool of himself in front of everyone, exposing himself indecently to the slave girls. But David argued that he was willing to look like a fool to show his joy to the Lord.
Guess what happened to Michal? She remained childless throughout her life as a result of her unjustified criticism.
So we should let hair loose once a while when praising God. Dance a little during worship. Jump like a kid if you wish to. Cheer like a hooligan even. Just be honest and open up. God won’t mind – I think He’ll be pleased.
But the point I am trying to make is that there is a passage in the Bible that made me think: Are we willing to look stupid for God? In 2 Samuel 6, King David broke out into a dance in praise of God, dressed only in his undergarment (ephod). His wife Michal saw him and scolded him for making a fool of himself in front of everyone, exposing himself indecently to the slave girls. But David argued that he was willing to look like a fool to show his joy to the Lord.
Guess what happened to Michal? She remained childless throughout her life as a result of her unjustified criticism.
So we should let hair loose once a while when praising God. Dance a little during worship. Jump like a kid if you wish to. Cheer like a hooligan even. Just be honest and open up. God won’t mind – I think He’ll be pleased.
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