5 minute read
Evidence of faith
point to the way that scientists have shown the improbability of the Earth being in exactly the right orbit around the Sun, with a moon the right size and all the resonances within the carbon atoms being just so. They see God in the design of a universe in which it seems incredible that a beautiful planet such as Earth can exist.’
Other arguments, says Edward, are derived from morality or on the broad topic of wellbeing.
Some people may find it odd that a
Christian group is even concerned with evidence. After all, Richard Dawkins has described faith as ‘the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence’.
Edward reckons that Richard Dawkins is wrong on religion ‘because he has defined his parameters wrong’.
He explains: ‘In a narrow sense he is on to something. If the argument is about the temperature at which water boils and turns to steam, you repeat an experiment
Preaching in London’s Hyde Park in the 1960s, and hosting a Facebook Live event this month
50 times and you discover the point, and that’s scientific evidence for a theory. But when it comes to matters of faith and spirituality, you’re working with a different parameter. You can’t repeat the experiment of living today 50 times. You have just to live today in trust that you’re going to get through it. Yes, you have to make the most of sensible, rational viewpoints. But it’s not the same as a scientific experiment. ‘There are some things that the Dawkins metanarrative has struggled to work with – like regret. What does regret mean in the eyes of a scientist? It can’t mean anything. Whereas we know through daily life that things like regret and starting again really do mean something.
‘Of course there’s a real discussion to be had. Ardent atheists are not being stupid, but I would say that they haven’t allowed the scope of the discussion to be given its full breadth. I think there’s enough evidence that faith is something worth talking about.’
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jBecoming a Christian
There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God
Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen
Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International talk Team talk Team t alk ‘ ’ AFTER weeks in which people have had to live without them, non-essential shops in some parts of the UK are beginning to open for the purchase of items that suddenly seem essential again. An easing of lockdown conditions also means that zoos, safari parks and drive-in cinemas are opening their gates. It’s perfect timing for the thousands of children who won’t be going back to school until August or September. But while some families will be enjoying the Claire Brine gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters freedom to visit tourist attractions, others simply can’t afford to. People who have lost income while coronavirus has swept the nation may have no choice but to stay at home. Again. Better not put Buckaroo! back in the cupboard just yet. Last week, the BBC highlighted toys that have ‘saved lockdown’ for families with children. Monopoly and Dobble were among the top ten bestselling games. So was Swingball. The online article quoted
Do we want the exact same life? Dr Amanda Gummer as saying that ‘playing is a great distraction’ from anxiety caused by the pandemic. The founder of the Good Play Guide organisation also said that ‘families communicate better when they are doing something together’. While I have found that spending weeks at home has at times been stressful, depressing and boring, I can’t help but wonder if it has also been good for me – and others too. Some parents who might previously not have had much time to play with their kids suddenly had tons of it. Instead of learning in a classroom, children were free to learn in their homes and gardens. There was the opportunity to be creative. To talk and listen. To be still rather than dash about.
As the high street gradually wakes up in time for summer, I get a sense that things are slowly ‘getting back to normal’. But my question is: Do I want that? Do we want the exact same life we lived before? Or do we want normal to look a bit different now?
Lockdown has prompted me, like many other people, to reflect on my life and consider what I want from it. But so far, thinking is all I’ve had to do. The next few weeks are about whether or not I make those thoughts my new reality.
If I want my future to be less cluttered than before, then I need to make sure I leave plenty of room for what I consider my new essentials.
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