Philosophers

John Calvin:

“[Philosophers] are like a traveler passing through a field at night who in a momentary lightning flash sees far and wide, but the sight vanishes so swiftly that he is plunged again into the darkness of night before he can take even a step – let alone be directed on the way by its help.” (Institutes of the Christian Religion)

Evolution or Design?

Science and Evolution:

Let us examine the evidence to see which universe really exists. Is it the random, accidental universe of evolution, or the complex, specific, intelligent universe of design? Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) really influenced our world in 1859 when he wrote his famous book, “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life”. Darwin believed that variations occur randomly within a species, and the ability to survive depends on the species ability to adapt to its surroundings. In essence, he thought that this process of natural selection (small changes to the pressures of the environment over long periods of time) accounted for the slow evolution of everything in our world. He alleged that all life progressed from simple cells to the life forms we see today. His ideas were based on an unproven assumption. Darwin assumed that there was such a thing as a simple cell. He looked through the primitive microscope of his day and observed what appeared to be a little blob of protoplasm. Looking at this, it wasn’t hard to imagine that this little blob could evolve from a small assemblage of amino acids! However, there was much more to see than Darwin guessed! (continued tomorrow. . . .)

His Coming Forth is from of Old, from Ancient Days!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 ESV)

On this first Sunday of the Advent season, let us examine the first chapter of John to help us understand that it was God the Son Who entered our time and space (His creation) on that Christmas morning so long ago.

John declares that Jesus existed in the beginning, eternally before being born of Mary. Micah prophesied this: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2 ESV) Isaiah also said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV)

Zechariah foretold, “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.” (Zechariah 2:10-11 ESV)

Jesus affirmed that He existed in Abraham’s day. (John 8:56-58) In His prayer before He was arrested He prayed, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” (John 17:4-5 ESV)

John points out that, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3 ESV) Paul confirms this: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17 ESV)

Jesus is God the Son. (John 1:1-2, John 8:58) Jesus is life, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17 ESV) Jesus is our hope, “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.” (John 5:21 ESV) Jesus is our light in a world of darkness. Paul writes: “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” (Ephesians 4:17-19 ESV)

In our culture, it is very clear that most people have turned their backs on the life and light that Jesus offers. Indeed, many today try to erase His name from History.

During this first week of Advent, think on the glory of the eternal Jesus; God who became man in order that we might have hope, life, and light. He was no mere man who began His existence when born of Mary. He is the One, who is spoken of as, “whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2 ESV)