After having reviewed Mr. Adams' second rebuttal, I would like to address the following points in this response:
Mr. Adams says that if you believe in something strongly enough, then you in essence have created your own proof. Actually, I would not disagree with his remark. People can and often do talk themselves into believing things which are not based on rational thought, and there are many religious people in this country who have done this very thing. They go to church, they have the assorted do's and dont's in their life, and on the outside, they look as good and as religious as anyone else. However, this brand of outward religion is not what having a vibrant, living relationship with the God and Creator of this universe is all about. Those who come to the Lord do not do so because they simply need or want to be better people. They come to Him because of the need in their life for Him, and then, He meets that need.
A few weeks ago, I logged onto my Internet account and started reading my email. I had an interesting message from a man named Dan Adams (at least that is what he called himself), and he was challenging me to an Internet debate about the existence of God. Before having received his email, I had never given Mr. Adams a single thought. Before having received his email, I had not known if he did or did not exist. Now, after having conducted this debate with him for the past few weeks, I know a little about him, and I am reasonably certain of his existence. Thirty years ago, my life was in a terrible mess. In the midst of that mess, something or Someone started speaking to my heart. I did not hear any audible voices. I have never heard nor seen the very God about Whom I now speak, yet that sensation in my heart at that time in my life made me realize that I had a very real need for Him in my life. Before having had that sensation in my heart, I had never given much thought to God. Before having had that sensation in my heart, I had never known if He did or did not exist. When the whole thing happened, I was not even smart enough to know how to respond to those feelings. However, I was desperate enough to seek Him, and it was out of that desperation that has come this wonderful relationship which I have had with Him ever since. As I said in my last response to Mr. Adams, the real proof for God's existence is to see His presence in those who really know Him.
Mr. Adams has suggested that the age of a particular creosote tree is a "basic, straightforward fact." He would do well to qualify his remark because the age of that tree is not a fact! The belief about it's age, just like any other belief, is an opinion based on some sort of evidence. He even said, "Every single bit of evidence points to the fact that the tree is 12,000 years old. Likewise, every single bit of evidence we have points to the fact that we are seeing light that was emitted from other stars millions of years ago." My response to these comments is that we may not have all the evidence. Another very real possibility is that we have not properly interpreted or analyzed the evidence which we do have. I might walk into a room in my house soaking wet and encounter my wife. If I am fully clothed, then she might draw the conclusion that it is raining outside without ever considering that her foolish husband has just gotten out of the shower and gotten dressed without drying off. She would see that I was soaking wet. She might even notice that it is overcast outside, and given both of those observations, she might then incorrectly decide that I had entered from outside and that it was raining. Things are not always what they appear, no matter how convincing the evidence might seem. This argument also applies to things like the Doppler effect, the Big Bang Theory, and the age of the universe. Regardless of how zealous Mr. Adams might be, none of these products of science are done deals, and all credible, knowledgeable scientists would have to agree. When they do become done deals, then we will stop calling them theories.
My last comment pertains to Mr. Adams' remarks about the Bible. He is correct when he says I believe in the inerrancy and infallability of Scriptures. Yet, even as I make that assertion, I have to admit that the Bible was not written to prove the existence of God. The Bible teaches people who believe in God how to know Him better. The Bible teaches people who want to know God how they can have a right relationship with Him. For example, in Romans 3:23, the Bible says "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." In Romans 6:23, it says "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." These verses tell someone who does not know the Lord how to come to Him, find forgiveness for their sins, and enter into a genuine relationship with Him. God is real, and He is alive. But the Bible is not where one goes to find a proof of these things. The Lord has put Himself into every Christian, He has put those Christians in this world, and it is their responsibility to show the world that He is real. If Mr. Adams or anyone else were to suggest that we have not done a very good job of this, I would probably not totally disagree. However, despite our corporate shortcomings, I am still thankful that when I close my eyes tonight it will be with the security and comfort of knowing that I know HIM.
Tom of SpotswoodGo To Next DEBATE Entry"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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