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Faith wrestling Reason and Squirrels. Avenue Vineyard November 15, 2009. Questions from rational and reasoned thinking. Do we have the resources for this effort? Is this really what this community/people need?
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Faith wrestling Reason and Squirrels Avenue Vineyard November 15, 2009
Questions from rational and reasoned thinking • Do we have the resources for this effort? • Is this really what this community/people need? • Will this effort just be a temporary band-aid or will it really address root causes for real change?
Questions motivated more by faith and love • What is the love of God in my changed heart compelling me to do for another, whether it makes sense or not, whether it seems crazy or not? • What is God asking us to do whether we can “see” the resources for it or not?
“1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1-2
“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” Saint Augustine
Dr. Robert Jastrow, Founding Director of NASA’s Godard Space Institute “the barrier to further progress seems insurmountable. It is not a matter of another year, another decade of work, another measurement, or another theory; at this moment it seems as though science will never be able to raise the curtain on the mystery of creation.
Dr. Robert Jastrow, Founding Director of NASA’s Godard Space Institute For the scientist who has lived by faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”
David vs. Goliath “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26b
1 Samuel 17:45-47 45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
1 Samuel 17:45-47 cont’d 46 Today the Lord will conquer you⑷nd the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
Lessons from David • had a “covenant” understanding • was motivated by God’s honor (v.26) • didn’t only rely on reason • didn’t despise what might have seemed like inadequate resources • his faith grew in process
Lessons from David • had a “covenant” understanding • was motivated by God’s honor (v.26) • didn’t only rely on reason • Didn’t despise what might have seemed like inadequate resources • His faith grew in process