Is God up for debate in our culture? Actually, yes. And it is creating a fascinating, feisty, and needed interchange of ideas. Click here to read an article on the God Debates.
For a wonderful book to read exploring the God question, check out my review here…
“After much discussion, debate, and reflection, the proper course has become clear. The majority of Americans from across the political spectrum, and from all backgrounds and beliefs have come to a consensus that we should pursue this research…that the potential it offers is great, and with proper guidelines and strict oversight; the perils can be avoided…” (President Obama’s speech on CNN).
Article on reversing ban
Bioethics is in the news quite a bit lately. From designer babies to stem cells; we need to know how to think about these issues.
Notice the argument (or lack of one). A majority of people? Truth and the status of the embryo is the question; not how many noses we can count in favor of a particular position. A majority of people can be and often are wrong.
Fact: these are human embryos. they don’t become human, they are human. They may be really small humans, but they are still human. Why is it that some humans can be killed–in the name of research–so that others might be cured (without their consent).
Here is a short and easy to understand introduction to the topic of Stem Cells.
Have scientists been successful in using embryonic stem cells to treat disease?
“Though embryonic stem cells have been purported as holding great medical promise, reports of actual clinical success have been few. Instead, scientists conducting research on embryonic stem cells have encountered significant obstacles—including tumor formation, unstable gene expression, and an inability to stimulate the cells to form the desired type of tissue. It may indeed be telling that some biotechnology companies have chosen not to invest financially in embryonic stem cell research and some scientists have elected to focus their research exclusively on non-embryonic stem cell research.”
For more on this issue, see Biotechnology and the Human Good. Also,
Embryo: A Defense of Human Life by Robert P. George & Christopher Tollefsen
This one is not going to go away.
We need to go to school. We need to learn from Jesus. Indeed, he invites us to learn from him:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”–Matt. 11:28-30
“A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”–Luke 6:40
But will power will not get it done. Trying harder in the spiritual life will lead to frustration and disappointment. Dallas Willard observes: “We cannot behave ‘on the spot’ as Jesus did and taught if in the rest of our time we live as everybody else does.” Amen. We need to train for the spiritual life; not just try harder.
Paul tells us to “train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Recently, I taught an equipping seminar on this topic called Soul School: Learning From Jesus How to Live. Understanding the training vs. trying distinction has been one of the most liberating expereinces of my Christian life. Spiritual disciplines and practices are for us; not God. It isn’t about performance, legalism, or guilt–it is about transformation.
(Description) How was Jesus able to do what he did? What did he think about? What practices and priorities did he arrange his life around? What does it look like ‘to train’ for the ‘Jesus way of life’? Being a disciple means becoming like our Teacher. The fundamental question you and I have to answer each day is…does Jesus know what he is talking about? If you have ever wondered about how spiritual disciplines work (without being motivated by guilt), then this seminar is for you.
I am speaking on this topic this Thursday at Fellowship Bible Church Brentwood, click here for details. If you are in the area, come on out.
Here is a 2 minute video of Tim Keller on the New Atheism. It is important that we engage the issues and arguments (i.e., not demonize critics of Christianity), but do so with gentleness and respect (cf. 1 Pet. 3:15-16):