In the Beginning. . . .

       The first chapter of the Bible is difficult to understand knowing what we do about what scientist say is the age of the earth.  Many christians today would say that we should not take the story of creation literally and that God did not make the earth in 7 literal days.  One of the issues that I see in this is what constitutes a day when there is no form, structure or even light in existence?  How would time even be measured?  I don't think however that it would be difficult to create the earth in 7 days.  God is all powerful and He can do whatever He wants. 

     Then there is the issue of the first two verses in Genesis 1.  The essential truth of these two verses is this "God created the heavens and the earth."  That is the major point.  God is creator of all things.  As such, he is owner and author and the one who sits on the throne.  The "how" is much less significant than the "who".

      Many people hold to what is called the  "gap" theory.  In other words, we do not know how long of a period of time verse 1 and 2 represent.  How long was the earth there before God said, "Let there be light." verse 3.  One thing that I clear to me is that the earth was present in verse 2 and that it was covered in water.  For when we look at verse 2 we see the Spirit of God hovering over the waters.  Which makes sense when you wonder how else would something like the Grand Canyon be formed.  Why would sea shells be found on mountain tops otherwise.  These things seem to prove the truth of verse 2 rather than deny it.

      The other question is what does it mean when it says "formless and void".  You may say, "Well, I think it means what the other planets of the solar system look like."  Maybe something like Mars which means pretty desolate to me from what I have seen of pictures.  But, I think a scientist would argue that point saying that Mars and even Jupiter and some other the other planets are pretty consistent with what they show over the years.  They may play by different rules, but they are rules there none the less

     I've come to the conclusion that what it means that there was no boundaries of nature like there is now.  Even though we see those boundaries crossed many times with natural disasters like hurricanes or other disasters of nature.  It meant that the seas were not held back by coastlines.  That the heat and cool of the earth was not held back to temps that were liveable.  Literally, that there was no laws that governed creation.

    And then God spoke and created order where there was none before.  I think that also holds a lesson for us because many people try to live their lives without order and without following God's laws and then make a mess out of things.  But, when God shows us and speaks to our hearts, he gives us laws, not to hurt us, but to bring order out of chaos.

Related Links

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c003.html

Three views of creation  http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/views.htm

Spiritual Renewal

    I know it has been a long time since I have written on this blog.  One of the reasons for that is that I just started working on my Masters in Counseling degree.  This is a big change for me since I have not been in a program like this before.  There is a lot of reading and writing and it keeps me busy.  It has been busy and stressful lately.  So, I was thinking during my quiet time about spiritual renewal. 

    One story that came to mind is in Matthew 12:8-14 where Jesus heals a man with a withered hand.  This is in a section where Jesus teachings are being compared to those of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  Jesus heals the man with the withered man and then tells the Pharisees that it is lawful to heal a man on the Sabbath and to do good.

    You might wonder what that has to do with spiritual renewal.  One thing that I think it has to do with it is that we are to learn a lesson from the mistakes of the Pharisees.  They had a rigid list of rules and standards.  Jesus didn't meet those standards.  Their faith boiled down to a list of right and wrong, do and don't.  They forgot love and grace and forgiveness.  The interesting thing about it is that when Jesus healed the man they actually wanted to "destroy" (verse 14) Jesus for healing the man. 

     I think one of the ways that we pursue spiritual renewal is remembering the importance of loving other people and caring.  Caring can be an exhausting thing sometimes.  People can disappoint us.  Sometimes people do stupid things and lie and fall short.  But, you know what, all of us do that at times.  It's our job, our privilege, to show each other grace during those times.  And to treat others the way we would want to be treated.

    Spiritual renewal is not found in a vacuum where we simply focus on ourselves and ignore the needs of other people.  Jesus told us that if you want to gain your life you have to lose it.  If you want to follow Him then you have to pick up your cross and be willing to sacrifice, to surrender and in the middle of that you find renewal because you find the presence of God.