The Virgin Birth and Miracles
I grew up hearing the Christmas story and reading about the miracles of Jesus. Then I became a scientist and a Christian at almost the same time.
I remember hearing atheists using science as some kind of club to beat religion. This always bemused me, as it is like using Mathematics as a weapon against English or Art.
For me, the universe is like a giant tapestry. Look at it from one side and you see beauty, patterns, colours, stories and much more. Look behind and you see a complex weave of thread and the "mechanics" behind it all. To me, science is the exploration of what is going on behind the tapestry. That some use that understanding to try to disprove that the tapestry was ever created has always bemused me.
I completely understand why many people are agnostic or atheist. We are so influenced by our parents, friends, school teachers, role models etc. that each of us goes through life with the inherited views on much of what is around us. Few of us take the time to challenge these things. While I believe in God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I do so with a questioning faith. Many times I've asked God "why?" and when I read something in the Bible I don't just accept it at face value, but I remind myself that it is a collection of translated sacred texts that need careful interpretation to discern what God would say to us through them.
I always understood why a non-believer would struggle to believe that the Virgin birth was a real event. I completely understand why they would doubt that a resurrection or miracle could actually take place.
(On a side note, one of the things that I think damages Christian witness most is when a believer tries to prove God by describing some kind of miraculous event and they claim there is no other way it could have happened, but by God. That is laying down a challenge to a scientific mind and where does it say in the Bible that the mechanics of all God's workings could never be understood?)
But what confused me most was Christians who did not believe in the Virgin birth or the resurrection. There are some who see the virgin birth as just meaning that Mary was a young girl, and who think Joseph was probably the real father, but it didn't suit the writers so they wrote another angle into the story. Some say the resurrection is a symbolic story rather than a literal one.
I wonder if this might in part be a counter response to the dogmatic unquestioning if-it's-in-the-Bible-it-must-be-true-and-needs-no-interpretation attitude of some? Perhaps a way of reconciling a faith we love to a universe we (partly) understand is to reject literal understandings of much of the Bible.
However, as a scientist, I actually find that science helps me have more faith and I actually believe in a literal virgin birth and literal resurrection.
Firstly, there is an importance, I am led to believe, to a Jewish audience, that sin is passed down the generations through the male line from Adam. The virgin birth would have been a proclamation to the Jews that this child, this man, was not born with sin (and therefore would be a perfect and flawless sacrifice when he gave himself up to take on all the sins of man, according to their custom of giving up meaningful sacrifices as part of their covenant with God to show their thanksgiving, their awareness and repentance of their sins and their total dependence on God).
Secondly, I have no problem theologically if science were one day to discover how God actually got Mary pregnant without a biological father. There have been many "miraculous" things that science has begun to understand over the millennia. Take for example the regular message that by trusting in God and lifting our anxieties to him, we find peace and comfort. Psychology has shown us that the things we think about have an impact on our emotions. There is a deeply mechanical (for want of a better word) process to prayer and faith, but this understanding doesn't diminish in the slightest our need for it or the wisdom God gives us in commanding it.
When faced with amazing "I can't believe it!" events, rather than jump to a conclusion that it probably didn't happen, I remind myself that if our earth were a few centimetres out of its orbit of the sun then life as we know it would not exist. I remind myself that the beautiful child I see living in my house did not even exist a few years ago, but this sentient, conscious, delightful being was created into existence... It's a scientific miracle!
I remind myself of the beginning of our universe. Either it was suddenly created out of nothing in a Big Bang, or it has always been and is always growing (growing into what we might also ask?). The world around us is so full of amazing things we barely understand. Each year we understand a fraction more through the wonders of science. I remind myself to never try to prove God by something I don't understand ("if we can't understand, it must be God"), and I cringe when I hear Christians try to engage with others that way. We don't demonstrate faith by arguments. There is a place for logical arguments and apologetics but we demonstrate faith (and by this, I mean our relationship with God) by love. It was the greatest commandment Jesus gave and remains the best form of evangelism.
I believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus because of the witnesses and accounts of the gospel. It was also something he predicted and Jesus was an entirely trustworthy man. It also was core to his message of salvation and hope. But also, as a scientist, I have no reason to doubt that it could actually happen. If my wife and I can create a child, if the sun can rise and set, if the world can actually support sentient life, if humanity can evolve into what we know it to be today, then why would I have a problem with Jesus being put to death, found to be dead (the piercing of his side and the fluids that emerged were physical proof he no longer lived), being buried and then rising again to show that God had conquered death and by putting our faith in Jesus we need never fear!
You see, I don't believe miracles are there to prove to a scientific mind that God must exist. I think they are there to remind God's people that we can depend on him completely. If Jesus can turn water into wine, then he can turn my despair into hope. If Jesus can feed the multitudes on only a few small loaves and fish, then God can use a small number of Christians to feed the needs of a starving world (literally and metaphorically).
I actually think there is a danger in Christians beginning to doubt the miracles of God. It is understandable to find them hard to believe (we are skeptical humans after all), but if we are not careful, we might start to doubt that we can actually depend on God. We might lose confidence in hope. We might doubt salvation. We might drift away from the rock and find ourselves buffeted by the waves and storms with nothing to offer the world in terms of witness and confidence (a word that actually has faith at its root).
I don't write this to condemn or judge Christians who don't believe in miracles or the virgin birth. But I do hope to encourage some who doubt because of reaction to the over confident bragging of some, that it is actually okay to believe in the miraculous without leaving our brains on standby, and we don't need to ever convince a world of miracles. Leave that to God. Instead, let us unite, whatever we believe on smaller issues, to show a world just how big and inclusive God's amazing love is!
Saturday, 28 September 2013
Saturday, 17 August 2013
What makes my skin crawl actually reminds me of grace
On the news recently was a piece about Pentecostal pastors in England telling members with HIV to stop taking medications and instead rely on God's healing. And ill people became worse.
And it became a news item because it was scandalous news. And as a Christian who believes in miracles and healing, I agree it is scandalous. Not speaking about any case in particular, there is a real danger that when healing by faith doesn't appear to work, we tell people that they didn't have enough faith, or that there must be some kind of sin in their life holding back the power of God.
However, the truth is that we all have sin in our life, and nowhere in the Bible do we read of Jesus telling people to stop any kind of medical treatment. It's not an either or... Either have faith or get medical treatment. We should pray for wisdom and discernment and also listen to the advice of medical experts. And we should pray for healing of mind and body.
But it's yet another example of a horrific impact on the witness of the Christian church. Add this to the list of things such as sexual abuse in Christian schools or abuse by monks, nuns, priests, the apparent intolerance of homosexuality.
If I wasn't a Christian, I'd want nothing to do with the Church!
And yet, the stories we don't hear... The love, the mercy, the compassion, the feeding the poor, the giving comfort, the amazing, selfless acts of kindness and generosity. The list of positives far outweighs but is sadly not as newsworthy.
But after my anger at the news item of the pastors telling people to stop treatments died down, I spoke to God. I told him how frustrated I was and how angry I was at the poor witness of Christians throughout the world (myself included). How were we to convince the world that being a Christian is worthwhile?!
And after listening patiently to my rant, I got a sense of a reply. I got a gentle reminder that no-one is perfect. In fact, no-one is actually good enough. And this doesn't stop God loving us one little bit. God isn't calling us to good behaviour. He's calling us into relationship.
It was a reminder that Jesus is calling everyone into closer relationship with him, not just the "unsaved". We need to love and show forgiveness to our brothers and sisters as well as the world. And we need to show love and forgiveness to ourselves.
My anger helped remind me of Grace. Thank you God.
And it became a news item because it was scandalous news. And as a Christian who believes in miracles and healing, I agree it is scandalous. Not speaking about any case in particular, there is a real danger that when healing by faith doesn't appear to work, we tell people that they didn't have enough faith, or that there must be some kind of sin in their life holding back the power of God.
However, the truth is that we all have sin in our life, and nowhere in the Bible do we read of Jesus telling people to stop any kind of medical treatment. It's not an either or... Either have faith or get medical treatment. We should pray for wisdom and discernment and also listen to the advice of medical experts. And we should pray for healing of mind and body.
But it's yet another example of a horrific impact on the witness of the Christian church. Add this to the list of things such as sexual abuse in Christian schools or abuse by monks, nuns, priests, the apparent intolerance of homosexuality.
If I wasn't a Christian, I'd want nothing to do with the Church!
And yet, the stories we don't hear... The love, the mercy, the compassion, the feeding the poor, the giving comfort, the amazing, selfless acts of kindness and generosity. The list of positives far outweighs but is sadly not as newsworthy.
But after my anger at the news item of the pastors telling people to stop treatments died down, I spoke to God. I told him how frustrated I was and how angry I was at the poor witness of Christians throughout the world (myself included). How were we to convince the world that being a Christian is worthwhile?!
And after listening patiently to my rant, I got a sense of a reply. I got a gentle reminder that no-one is perfect. In fact, no-one is actually good enough. And this doesn't stop God loving us one little bit. God isn't calling us to good behaviour. He's calling us into relationship.
It was a reminder that Jesus is calling everyone into closer relationship with him, not just the "unsaved". We need to love and show forgiveness to our brothers and sisters as well as the world. And we need to show love and forgiveness to ourselves.
My anger helped remind me of Grace. Thank you God.
Sunday, 21 July 2013
our sense of identity
Some recent discussions among some Christian friends of mine were on the subject of being Counter-cultural. One said that he believes maintaining integrity with the Bible means always being counter-cultural.
This stirred another musing and reminded me of my undergraduate psychology studies of Social Identity Theory.
As human beings, a large part of our sense of identity comes from comparison with our in-group (where we belong) and our out-group (the others!).
As a travelling Scot, I know only too well that this identity is fluid. In the city where I live, there are divides depending on where we live. Jokes are made about the other end of town. This can be a strong identity, especially during sporting events. Warmth towards our in-group (as long as they don't violate our core values, but we'll be much more forgiving) and hostility (at times) towards the other group.
Until we have an inter-city rivalry. Then, we shift our focus and our local differences diminish (along with some hostility) and we face a new "common enemy".
Until we look south (or north or whatever direction your nearest rival nation is). Then we have a sense of national pride. This can continue, and no doubt would do so in the event of extra-terrestrial contact...
But how does this relate to Christians? Well, in our national Church, we've been debating the issue of homosexuality. This has caused division, pretty much into 2 camps, with some brave exceptions of those resisting the divisive nature of this debate. As long as the focus remains on a single issue, where people are predominantly in one camp or another, then an in-group and out-group can start to emerge. I've noticed this first hand. I've started to feel more than usual warmth towards other Christians who I might not normally spend much time with, because on this issue, we are on the same side of the fence and I feel a need for emotional support and a sense of community. However, I've equally felt an increase in hostility and irritation towards other Christians on the other side of the fence, and I have begun to associate many traits I disapprove of with membership of this group.
The rational, educated part of me knows what is going on, but the emotional part of me still feels it.
I believe this is in part because I am getting my sense of Christian identity from community membership that is fluid and easily divided. Bring up another debate (like switching sporting events) and I would no doubt find my sense of identity shifting slightly once more as the defining lines are readjusted.
Christians can run the risk of having 2 groups... The us and them, the saved and the non-believers. On the one hand, this can help remind us of our mission of reaching the world with the message of God's love. However, it can easily shift to a condemnation of non-Christian behaviour and a reluctance to associate with the out-group. Just look through the book of Acts and you will see that this is not a new phenomenon as the Jewish believers were struggling to know how to worship alongside the previously unacceptable gentiles (probably one of the best examples of an in-group and out-group bias).
But is this an unavoidable issue, or can we do something about it?
There are some lovely verses in Hebrews 12 that go:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
As we run the race, we must avoid the temptation of comparison with others. This can lead to pride, arrogance and group blindness (if others we love do something, it must be okay!). Instead, we need to focus with effort on Jesus and our relationship with him. Of course, we need fellowship with others and we have a great commission and warnings about being corrupted by the world. However, it is not here that we should get our identity. This can lead to the elder brother syndrome of believing certain standards must be met in order to belong or be accepted. It can also lead to internal division (one of the acts of the sinful nature mentioned by Paul in Galatians).
Instead, we should assess ourselves individually by looking into the eyes of Jesus each and every day. Instead of looking for approval to our left or right, we need to look up for guidance, while reaching downwards and outwards with love.
This stirred another musing and reminded me of my undergraduate psychology studies of Social Identity Theory.
As human beings, a large part of our sense of identity comes from comparison with our in-group (where we belong) and our out-group (the others!).
As a travelling Scot, I know only too well that this identity is fluid. In the city where I live, there are divides depending on where we live. Jokes are made about the other end of town. This can be a strong identity, especially during sporting events. Warmth towards our in-group (as long as they don't violate our core values, but we'll be much more forgiving) and hostility (at times) towards the other group.
Until we have an inter-city rivalry. Then, we shift our focus and our local differences diminish (along with some hostility) and we face a new "common enemy".
Until we look south (or north or whatever direction your nearest rival nation is). Then we have a sense of national pride. This can continue, and no doubt would do so in the event of extra-terrestrial contact...
But how does this relate to Christians? Well, in our national Church, we've been debating the issue of homosexuality. This has caused division, pretty much into 2 camps, with some brave exceptions of those resisting the divisive nature of this debate. As long as the focus remains on a single issue, where people are predominantly in one camp or another, then an in-group and out-group can start to emerge. I've noticed this first hand. I've started to feel more than usual warmth towards other Christians who I might not normally spend much time with, because on this issue, we are on the same side of the fence and I feel a need for emotional support and a sense of community. However, I've equally felt an increase in hostility and irritation towards other Christians on the other side of the fence, and I have begun to associate many traits I disapprove of with membership of this group.
The rational, educated part of me knows what is going on, but the emotional part of me still feels it.
I believe this is in part because I am getting my sense of Christian identity from community membership that is fluid and easily divided. Bring up another debate (like switching sporting events) and I would no doubt find my sense of identity shifting slightly once more as the defining lines are readjusted.
Christians can run the risk of having 2 groups... The us and them, the saved and the non-believers. On the one hand, this can help remind us of our mission of reaching the world with the message of God's love. However, it can easily shift to a condemnation of non-Christian behaviour and a reluctance to associate with the out-group. Just look through the book of Acts and you will see that this is not a new phenomenon as the Jewish believers were struggling to know how to worship alongside the previously unacceptable gentiles (probably one of the best examples of an in-group and out-group bias).
But is this an unavoidable issue, or can we do something about it?
There are some lovely verses in Hebrews 12 that go:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
As we run the race, we must avoid the temptation of comparison with others. This can lead to pride, arrogance and group blindness (if others we love do something, it must be okay!). Instead, we need to focus with effort on Jesus and our relationship with him. Of course, we need fellowship with others and we have a great commission and warnings about being corrupted by the world. However, it is not here that we should get our identity. This can lead to the elder brother syndrome of believing certain standards must be met in order to belong or be accepted. It can also lead to internal division (one of the acts of the sinful nature mentioned by Paul in Galatians).
Instead, we should assess ourselves individually by looking into the eyes of Jesus each and every day. Instead of looking for approval to our left or right, we need to look up for guidance, while reaching downwards and outwards with love.
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