The statistics are in from the 2021 census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS: source]. Only 43.9% of Australians now identify with its most common religion - Christianity. This is down from 50% in 2016, 60% percent in 2011, and 71% not long before that. That's what I would call a 'free fall' - … Continue reading What is Happening to Christianity?
A Map of Life’s Journey
In a few months time I will be 58 years of age. As I grow older, I find myself reflecting more on my life. Where I've come from, where I've been, where and who I am now, and where I am going. I also observe other people in their own journey as they seek to … Continue reading A Map of Life’s Journey
Has Science Buried God? with John Lennox
Unfortunately, many people today see science and faith as enemies rather than friends. Thankfully, there are an increasing number of scientists and intellectuals who are speaking out about their faith. John Lennox is one of them. John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, is an internationally renowned speaker on the interface of science, philosophy … Continue reading Has Science Buried God? with John Lennox
Science and Faith – Sir Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton was one of the fathers of modern scientific revolution. Interesting, he said that his greatest passion was the Bible over and above science. “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by those who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.” His curiosity about the world … Continue reading Science and Faith – Sir Isaac Newton
Christmas Resources
Believe it or not, Christmas is only four weeks away! For followers of Christ, and especially for those of us who pastor a church or speak from time to time, Christmas presents another excellent opportunity to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ. But how do we share this timeless message in new and fresh … Continue reading Christmas Resources
Communion on the Moon
A few months ago I was privileged to meet Charlie Duke, the tenth person to have walked on the moon. At the event I attended, he shared some amazing stories about his experiences in space. What was most moving for me, was hearing him speak about his conversion story and his current relationship with Jesus … Continue reading Communion on the Moon
“Who is this Man?” by John Ortberg
With over 1,500 new books about Jesus being published every year, why read another book about Jesus? John Ortberg's latest book Who is this Man? The Unpredictable Impact of this Inescapable Man is well worth reading as it gives us a fresh and inspiring look at Jesus and his impact on history. New Testament scholar and … Continue reading “Who is this Man?” by John Ortberg
A Fresh Look at Religion
With the recent Global Atheists Convention in Melbourne, it's worthwhile thinking about religion, including science and faith. Some people think that religion is dangerous and has done a lot of damage in the world. Obviously, there is an element of truth in that. However, Jesus never came to start a religion and his intention was never … Continue reading A Fresh Look at Religion
C.S. Lewis – Objection #11: Christ
Finally, C.S. Lewis had to come to grips with answering the common question: "Isn't Jesus just another good, moral teacher?" Since there is little likelihood that Jesus' claim to deity is legend or myth, we should expect to find something in his words and actions that suggest he thought of himself as divine. Jesus' self-perception … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Objection #11: Christ
C.S. Lewis – Objection #10: Other Religions
C.S. Lewis also grappled with the validity of other religions - There are so many religions, how can you say which one is right? Are all religions really the same, or is there a difference? How can we say which one, if any, is the right one? Lewis felt it was atheism that wrote off all … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Objection #10: Other Religions
C.S. Lewis – Objection #9: Relativism
Another objection to faith that C.S. Lewis struggled with was the question: Aren't morals relative? More than two-thirds of Americans deny any belief in absolutes and the statistics would be very similar in other countries. An an atheist, Lewis denied that there were any moral absolutes. When he became a Christian, he insisted that Christian … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Objection #9: Relativism
C.S. Lewis – Objection #8: Postmodernism
A good question at this stage in our overview of C.S. Lewis' objections to faith and how he overcame them is, "Is what was true for C.S. Lewis necessarily true for me?" Post-modernism denies meta-narratives: any narrnaitve, story or account of the world that claims to be absolute or all encompassing. It sees no facts, … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Objection #8: Postmodernism
C.S. Lewis – Objection #7: Wish Fulfillment
C.S. Lewis also struggled with the question of Wish Fulfilment: Isn't belief in God just a crutch for needy people? Some people believe that humanity invented God out of need - to cope with the uncertainties of a confusing and often dangerous world. The psychological explanation for God is one of the most common arguments … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Objection #7: Wish Fulfillment
C.S. Lewis – Objection #6: Miracles
C.S. Lewis also struggled with miracles: do you believe in the miracles of the Bible? A miracle is something that comes to us from beyond the world. It is an event that can't happen, but it does. It can't be explained scientifically. Lewis gained attention beyond his academic circles through his unflinching affirmation of the … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Objection #6: Miracles
C.S. Lewis – Objection #5: Imagination
C.S. Lewis struggled with Imagination: Isn't faith merely imaginary? Reason and imagination were important to Lewis because they had once been separated in his own life but were later brought together. For him, meaning often came through imagination. For some, imagination can seem like an escape from reality. In contrast, Lewis believed that stories can … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Objection #5: Imagination