Tag: god

The Richness Within: Christ, Chorus and Christian Community (Colossians 3:16)

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. While personal devotion and individual faith are vital, the New Testament consistently paints a picture of a vibrant, interconnected community. The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Colossae, provides a powerful and practical instruction that sits at the very heart of what a healthy church community should look like. In one verse, he summarises the input, the output, and the attitude of a life centred on Jesus Christ.

He writes: “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. And sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” (Colossians 3:16).

This verse offers a profound blueprint for corporate Christian living. Let’s break it down to understand its meaning and apply its wisdom.

The Foundation: The Rich Message of Christ

Paul begins with the foundation: “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.” The Greek word for “fill” here is enoikeō, which suggests a permanent indwelling, like someone making their home within you. This is not a fleeting thought or a casual acquaintance with the gospel. Paul is urging the Colossians—and us—to allow the truth about Jesus Christ to so thoroughly permeate our being that it becomes the defining feature of our inner world.

What is this “message about Christ”? It is the gospel—the good news of His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. It is the announcement that through faith in Him, sinners are reconciled to a holy God. This message is described as having “richness.” It is not a simple, one-dimensional idea but a deep, multifaceted truth with endless depths to explore. It encompasses all of Scripture, which ultimately points to Christ. To let this message dwell in us richly means to be people who are saturated in the Bible. It informs our thinking, shapes our desires, and governs our actions. This is the starting point for everything else; a church community cannot function as God intends without a shared, deep-rooted commitment to the Word of God.

The Interaction: Teaching and Admonishing

From this foundation of a word-filled life, a specific kind of community interaction flows. Paul continues, “Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” This instruction is communal. The rich message of Christ isn’t just for personal benefit; it is designed to be shared and worked out in the context of fellowship.

“Teaching” involves the positive instruction and explanation of God’s Word. It is helping one another to understand biblical doctrine, the character of God, and the implications of the gospel for everyday life. This is a responsibility for all believers, not just designated leaders. In our conversations, we can build each other up by discussing what we are learning from Scripture.

“Admonishing,” on the other hand, carries the sense of a gentle warning or correction. It is the loving act of helping a fellow believer see where their life might be straying from the path laid out in God’s Word. This is never to be done from a position of pride or superiority but “with all wisdom.” This wisdom is not merely human cleverness; it is a divine insight, itself a gift from God, that is rooted in the “message about Christ” dwelling within us. When the Word fills us, we are better equipped to speak truth in love, both to instruct and to correct, for the mutual good of the community.

The Expression: Thankful Worship

The final part of the verse points to the ultimate expression of a community saturated in the Word: worship. “And sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

Notice the source of this singing: it flows from a heart where the message of Christ dwells richly. It is the natural overflow of a life transformed by grace. When we truly grasp the richness of what Christ has done for us, gratitude is the inevitable response. Our worship, then, is not an empty ritual or a performance; it is a genuine expression of thankfulness to God.

Paul mentions three types of songs:

  • Psalms: These are likely the Old Testament psalms, a rich repository of prayers and praises that cover the full spectrum of human emotion and experience.
  • Hymns: These were likely songs of praise directed towards God and Christ, perhaps early Christian compositions.
  • Spiritual songs: This is a broader category that could encompass any song prompted by the Holy Spirit, focusing on spiritual themes.

The variety suggests a freedom and richness in corporate worship. The key, however, is not the style of the music but the state of the heart: “with thankful hearts.” Gratitude is the hallmark of a believer who understands the gospel. It is the fuel for authentic worship and the beautiful, audible expression of a life filled with the message of Christ.

In essence, Colossians 3:16 provides a clear and compelling vision. We are to be people who immerse ourselves in the Scriptures. This deep knowledge should then lead to a community life of mutual encouragement, teaching, and loving correction. The culmination of this is a life marked by joyful and heartfelt worship, all rooted in profound thankfulness for the incredible richness of the gospel.

Reviewing House of David: A Biblical Epic with Strengths and Struggles

As a Christian, I often approach television adaptations of biblical stories with a mix of excitement and caution. The Bible is a sacred text, rich with history, theology, and divine truth, so any attempt to bring its narratives to the screen must be handled with care. Amazon Prime Video’s House of David, a new series chronicling the early life of King David, has caught my attention. Having watched roughly half of the first season, I’m eager to share my thoughts on how closely it aligns with the biblical account, its strengths as a production, and where it takes creative liberties. I hope to give you my thoughts, encouraging discernment while appreciating the show’s efforts to bring Scripture to life.

Be My AI: A wooden slingshot lying on sandy ground in a desert-like environment. The slingshot is positioned upright, casting a long shadow due to the low angle of the sun, which is either rising or setting in the background. The ground is covered with small pebbles and a few larger stones scattered around. In the distance, there are blurred silhouettes of hills or mountains under a clear sky. The lighting creates a warm, golden tone across the scene.

A Faithful Foundation with Creative Flourishes

House of David centres on the early years of David, the shepherd boy who becomes Israel’s greatest king, with the first season building towards his iconic confrontation with Goliath. The show draws primarily from 1 Samuel 13–18, faithfully depicting key moments such as Samuel’s anointing of David and David’s role as a harpist in King Saul’s court. The prophet Samuel, portrayed by Stephen Lang, is a commanding presence, embodying the gravitas of a God-ordained seer. King Saul (Ali Suliman) and other biblical figures, like Jonathan and Michal, are all present, grounding the narrative in the scriptural framework. For those familiar with David’s life as depicted in the Bible, the core story is recognisable, and the show strives to honour the essence of these events.

However, the Bible provides sparse details about David’s early life, leaving gaps that House of David fills with creative storytelling. This poetic licence is understandable—television demands a fleshed-out narrative to sustain an eight-episode season. For example, the show introduces subplots, such as a fictional romance between David and Michal that unfolds earlier than in Scripture, and explores David’s family dynamics, including a tradition suggesting he was an outcast due to his birth circumstances. While these additions add drama, they occasionally stray from the biblical text. The David of Scripture is marked by unwavering faith and courage, but the show sometimes portrays him as rebellious or uncertain, which feels inconsistent with his biblical character. As long as these embellishments don’t contradict the Bible’s core truths, I find them generally acceptable for a dramatic adaptation, though they require discernment.

I found some of the shows portrayal of David a little inconsistent at times. Even as a young man, watching the flocks, my impression from the Bible is that he had unwavering courage. The show often depicts him as quite fearful, and although he faces those fears Even tackling a lion, the show does not depict him as the man I imagine from reading the Bible. I am the 1st to admit that could be my problem, and perhaps there is some realism in a younger David learning to face his fears and develop courage as he matures. But it’s something to look out for and consider. 

Strengths: Engaging Storytelling and High Production Value

One of the standout qualities of House of David is its production quality. Filmed in Greece, the series boasts stunning cinematography, with sweeping landscapes and detailed sets that immerse viewers in the ancient Near Eastern world. The costumes and battle scenes are meticulously crafted, lending authenticity to the period. The acting is another strength—Michael Iskander’s portrayal of David captures his musicality and heart, even if the character occasionally deviates from the biblical archetype. Ali Suliman’s Saul is particularly compelling, portraying a king torn between divine calling and personal pride, a dynamic that mirrors 1 Samuel 15’s account of his disobedience.

The show’s pacing is steady, allowing relationships—such as David’s friendship with Jonathan or his tensions with Saul—to develop naturally. It explores themes of faith, obedience, and destiny, which resonate deeply with Christian viewers. The inclusion of David’s love for music, with Hebrew psalms woven into the narrative, adds a spiritually rich layer, reminding us of his role as the “sweet psalmist of Israel”.

Areas of Concern: Darkness and Supernatural Elements

House of David doesn’t shy away from the grittier aspects of the biblical world. The battle scenes, while not gratuitous, are reasonably violent, reflecting the harsh realities of the time. This aligns with the historical context but may be intense for younger viewers, so parental discretion is advised.

More concerning is the show’s emphasis on witchcraft and supernatural elements, particularly among Israel’s enemies. For instance, a subplot involving the Amalekite king Agag casting spells and references to giants as descendants of fallen angels lean heavily into fantasy. While these elements draw from biblical and postbiblical traditions, they risk sensationalising the narrative, making it feel more like a fantasy epic than a historical drama. The Bible mentions spiritual forces, but House of David amplifies these, sometimes veering into speculative territory, such as an early meeting with the Witch of Endor, which is entirely fabricated.

Clearly the Bible is a supernatural book. There are many references to God in the show, and we know from the biblical text that the enemies of Israel did worship false idols and have detestable practices which led to God‘s judgement on them. So I’m not criticising the show for supernatural elements, Merely pointing out that we ought to handle this material with care. 

A Reminder to Return to Scripture

I haven’t watched The Chosen, a series often compared to House of David for its biblical storytelling, but I assume it shares a similar approach: blending scriptural fidelity with dramatic interpretation. House of David is an engaging watch, and I’m eager to finish the season. Its success—reaching #2 on Prime Video’s most-watched list and drawing 22 million viewers in its first 17 days—shows its broad appeal. However, as Christians, we must use such adaptations as a springboard, not a substitute, for studying the Bible. Shows like this can spark interest in Scripture, but they also remind us to verify what we see against the Word of God.

In conclusion, House of David is a visually stunning, well-acted series that largely captures the spirit of David’s early life, though it takes notable creative liberties. It’s a compelling blend of faith and drama, but its darker themes and supernatural flourishes require discernment. I encourage viewers to enjoy it as historical fiction while returning to 1 Samuel to anchor their understanding in truth. Let’s use this series to deepen our engagement with the Bible, ensuring we know what is—and isn’t—biblical.

Transcription of Beyond Doubt: John 20: 19-31 

For those who prefer to read rather than listen, please see below an edited transcript of my sermon which I shared with you yesterday. 

Peace, Power, and Purpose: Meeting the Risen Lord

Good morning. It’s wonderful to share some thoughts with you today. I was due to speak a little while ago but was unwell, so I’m really pleased to be here now.

Thinking back, I believe I spoke around Easter last year too.
Last year, we looked at the resurrection story through the book of Luke, focusing on the road to Emmaus. This year, we’ve been considering it through John’s Gospel, and today’s passage (John 20:19-31) actually overlaps a little with the end of that Emmaus story, describing events later on that same Resurrection Sunday evening. The disciples from Emmaus may well have been in the very room we read about today. What we know for sure is that Thomas wasn’t with them. We’ll explore more about Thomas, also known as Didymus (the twin), in a few minutes.

There’s a lot in this passage, perhaps more than we can fully unpack in one go, but I hope we can learn a great deal from this powerful story.

In the Locked Room

The passage begins on the evening of that first Easter Sunday. The disciples were gathered together, having been through the tumultuous events of Holy Week. They had witnessed Jesus’ actions in the temple, seen him wash their feet, and then watched him be arrested, illegally tried, crucified, and die.

That very day, they’d also heard the astonishing reports from the women at the tomb – that Jesus’ body was gone. John tells us he and Peter had run to the tomb themselves and confirmed it was empty. Some had even reported seeing the Lord.

Now, huddled together in a locked room, they were terrified. They were afraid of the Jewish leaders who had been willing to kill their leader and wouldn’t hesitate to kill them too. So they were locked away, probably praying, certainly fearful.

Suddenly, Jesus appears among them. He comes and stands right there. There’s some discussion about whether this was a truly supernatural appearance, like a sudden ‘poof’, or if perhaps Jesus simply used a key to enter the locked room. The text itself simply says he “appeared among them”.
However, regardless of how he entered, the event itself is undeniably supernatural. Just a day or two before, this man was dead, crucified. They had seen him die. And now he stands before them, alive. If that isn’t supernatural, I’m not sure what is.

He shows them his hands and his side, displaying the wounds. There is no mistake; this is Jesus, resurrected from the dead.


Peace Be With You


Three times in this passage, Jesus says to the disciples, “Peace be with you.” Considering their backdrop of being locked away and terrified, Jesus appearing and offering this peace is incredibly comforting and reassuring.

They had been unsure about who he was, much like the disciples on the road to Emmaus initially didn’t fully recognise him. By showing them the wounds, Jesus demonstrated his identity. Just as perhaps the Emmaus disciples recognised him as he broke bread (maybe seeing his hands then), Jesus confirms he is the one who was crucified. This is no hoax, no trick.

The Three Things Jesus Said

In that room that night, Jesus says or does three significant things. Let’s look at each one:

“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” These words echo the sentiment of the Great Commission, although that event occurred later on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28). Here, Jesus is already giving his disciples their mission. He is sending them out into the world. This wasn’t just for the original twelve (or eleven, as it was then); it is for us too. We are not called just to gather inside the church walls, as wonderful as that is, but also to go out and tell everyone about Jesus. As one church worker I heard put it, Jesus didn’t say “Get your programme together and invite them in.” He said, “Go.” We are to go and meet people where they are, in our communities, and tell them about Jesus.

He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This might seem strange to us today, but it’s deeply symbolic. It reminds us of Genesis, where God formed Adam from dust and breathed the breath of life into him. The Old Testament word ‘Ruach’ can mean wind, breath, or spirit. Here, Jesus is breathing life and the Spirit into them. This wasn’t the full outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost (which we will celebrate in a few weeks), but rather a promise, a ‘down payment’ if you like, of the Spirit that would empower them fully after Jesus’ ascension. Jesus gives them the Spirit because this great mission he’s sending them on is not something they can do in their own strength or wisdom. It’s not about how clever or good we are at talking; it’s about the power and presence of the Spirit working through us and in the hearts of those who hear.

He says, “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” This is perhaps the most challenging verse in the passage, and there isn’t necessarily one single, easy interpretation.

Some have suggested this refers to church discipline, where the church has the authority to ‘forgive’ or ‘withhold forgiveness’ in a disciplinary sense. However, the context here isn’t really about church discipline.

Others see it as a specific, apostolic gift given only to this particular group of disciples, not extending to others or future believers. But I struggle with this too.

Consider the story of the paralysed man brought to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12). When they lowered him through the roof, Jesus didn’t immediately heal him; he said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” The religious leaders were outraged, rightly observing, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus then proved his authority to forgive sins by healing the man, demonstrating the invisible (forgiveness) through the visible (healing). They were correct: ultimate forgiveness of sins against God is God’s prerogative alone. While we forgive one another personally, we don’t have the authority to grant divine forgiveness on God’s behalf.

Also, think about Thomas not being present that night. If this was a special apostolic gift to forgive sins, it would be unfortunate for him to have missed out!
I believe the most consistent interpretation is that this verse refers to the declaration of forgiveness. As the disciples (and we) go out and preach the Good News, when people respond to Christ, believe in him, and follow him, we can confidently declare that their sins have been forgiven by God. Conversely, when people reject Christ, we can declare that they remain unforgiven, because forgiveness is found only in Jesus. It’s a power to announce the reality of a person’s standing before God based on their response to the gospel, rather than the ability to dispense or withhold forgiveness ourselves.

Doubting Thomas

The passage moves on to Thomas. John specifically notes that Thomas, also known as Didymus, was not with them when Jesus first appeared. We don’t know why – maybe he was running an errand! When the others excitedly told him, “We have seen the Lord!”, Thomas’s response was firm: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”


Because of this, he is often labelled “Doubting Thomas.” But perhaps that’s a little unfair. This is the same Thomas who, earlier in John’s Gospel (John 11), when Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem knowing it meant his death, bravely said to the other disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Those are not the words of someone uncommitted!


Thomas didn’t want to rely on second-hand accounts. He needed to see, touch, feel, and know for himself that this extraordinary, unbelievable claim – that Jesus was alive after crucifixion – was true. He needed tangible proof. His demand highlights the reality of Jesus’ crucifixion and wounding. (Incidentally, this verse also definitively counters recent claims by some scholars that Jesus wasn’t nailed to the cross; Thomas’s demand for the “nail marks” and Old Testament prophecy about him being “pierced” are clear biblical evidence).


My Lord and My God


Eight days later (a week later, if you count inclusively), the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. Once more, Jesus appears among them, presumably in a similar manner. Again, he says, “Peace be with you.”


Then, he turns directly to Thomas. “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”


The text doesn’t explicitly say whether Thomas actually touched him. What it does say is his immediate response: “My Lord and my God!”


What an incredible confession! It’s a step beyond Peter’s earlier confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. Here, Thomas recognises, after everything they had witnessed, that Jesus is indeed God in human form.


Jesus’ resurrected body, perhaps, had supernatural capabilities – appearing in a locked room, for instance. But importantly, it also carried the wounds inflicted on his earthly body. Those scars remained. One day, we too will have new, perfect bodies in heaven, free from pain and decay. But there will be one person in heaven who carries scars – Jesus. Those wounds will serve as an eternal reminder of the immense sacrifice he made for us. They are badges of honour that we will worship for all eternity.


“My Lord and my God,” Thomas declared.


Why John Wrote


John concludes this passage by stating, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)


John is crystal clear about his purpose. He didn’t record every single thing Jesus did, but he carefully selected specific events and teachings for two reasons:

So that you might know that Jesus is the Messiah, the long-awaited one prophesied in the Old Testament.

So that by believing in him, by putting your trust in this Messiah, you might have eternal life.
This directly ties back to the commission Jesus gave his disciples: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John wrote his Gospel so that people might know who Jesus is and believe. Likewise, the disciples were sent out to tell the world who Jesus is so that others might believe and have eternal life.


In the same way, you and I today have that same mission. We are sent out to tell everyone about Jesus, so they too might believe he is the Messiah and have eternal life. So they too might join Thomas in saying, “My Lord and my God.”
Can We Say It?


“My Lord and my God.” These are not words to be said lightly. Where is Jesus in the tapestry of your life – your work, your home, your family, your leisure? Is he just somewhere in the picture, or is he at the very top? Is he your primary focus, your absolute priority in all things? Is he both your Lord and your God?


If he is truly both of those things, then nothing else can be more important. This doesn’t mean the other things in life are unimportant – our work, family, and how we spend our time all matter. But Jesus must be our ultimate priority.


The challenge for each of us today is: Can we honestly and truthfully say, alongside Thomas, “My Lord and my God”?


We don’t have the benefit of seeing Jesus physically with our own eyes today. Thomas saw Jesus and believed. But Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”


That’s us. We haven’t seen Jesus physically, not like Thomas did. Yet, we believe. And Jesus calls us blessed because of that belief.


That seems a wonderful place to end. We are blessed because we know Jesus, and we believe in him even without seeing him. As we go out from here, let us carry the message of Jesus, encouraging others to say, “My Lord and my God,” and ensuring that we can honestly and truthfully say it ourselves, meaning it with our lives.


Amen.


Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word and its truth. Lord Jesus, we know Thomas came to you with doubts, and you graciously encouraged him. Lord, if we have doubts today, we pray that you would also encourage us. We thank you that you bless us even though we haven’t seen you physically; we know you are real. We pray, Lord, that we will keep you in your rightful place in our lives, first and foremost above everything else. We pray today that we can say, “My Lord and my God,” and truly mean those words, living out that commitment authentically. We pray that we would receive your Holy Spirit, empowering us to go out and take the good news of the gospel into our communities, our homes, our streets, our workplaces – into the lives of everyone we encounter. Help us to tell them not only that Jesus is the Messiah, but that by believing in and trusting him, they might inherit eternal life. Help us to go and make disciples. Help us to tell people how wonderful you are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Jealous God – Andy Brown

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.Deuteronomy 4:24 (ESV) God is a consuming fire; a jealous God. What does this mean? A consuming fire is a fire which devours everything in its path. It is not contained nor containable. You may have seen the recent bush fires in Australia appearing the news.…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2020/03/27/a-jealous-god/

God’s Glory or Your Comfort? – Andy Brown (Best of 2022)

This was one of my most read Pearls of Wisdom from this year.

I hope you enjoy reading it again tody

Pearls of Wisdom God’s number one goal is NOT to make you comfortable Some Christian TV channels are great, but not all of their content lines up with Scripture. You do have to be discerning. If you tune in to the wrong show or preacher, you might be misled into thinking that God’s number one…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2022/01/19/gods-glory-or-your-comfort/

Prayer and Sovereignty – Andy Brown

If God is sovereign, then what is the purpose of prayer? Why do we pray at all?

Today I share an article I wrote a few years ago, trying to address this very subject.



A couple of years ago, I was challenged about my view of God’s Sovereignty. I once believe that He did not control all things, but rather had delegated some control (for want of a better term) to humankind. Yet, a careful look at the Bible made me question this view, and ultimately dismiss it. God…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2020/07/14/prayer-and-sovereignty/

Even the Demons Believe – Andy Brown

Do you believe in God? It’s a straightforward question I suppose, but often with a complex answer. Some might respond with: Which God do you mean?I believe in a Higher Power, if that counts?There must be something, right? How might you reply to the same question? If you are reading this blog, then the chances…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2021/01/06/even-the-demons-believe/

Holy Ground (RB)

St.Monan’s Sunrise, East Neuk of Fife. Photography courtesy of Ben Bremner, https://www.facebook.com/ben.bremner3 When the Lord saw that he turned …

Holy Ground

Quote of the Week, 8/31/22

This is such a great quote, I had to share it with you!

Every time we mention God we become theologians, and the only question is whether we are going to be good ones or bad ones.” J.I. Packer With Love, …

Quote of the Week, 8/31/22

Magnification – Andy Brown

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! Psalm 34:3 (ESV) At a recent prayer event, we were thinking about “magnifying God”. The facilitator expressed the sentiment that to magnify something is to make it larger, so how can we make God any bigger than He already is? This stumped me. Surely God is…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2018/02/23/magnification/

Let Me Love You, Lord (A Poem)

Last week I published a post on a poem based on Psalm 150. if you enjoyed that, then I hope you will enjoy reading this to.

I might look at poverty in the eye,Suffer lack with a hopeful sigh,I may feel down and ready to cry,But Lord let me love you without asking why!I …

Let Me Love You, Lord (A Poem)

And here is a link to my poem published last week in case you missed it…

Psalm 150 Poetry

In the Beginning = God

When I was at school, I was taught various Creation accounts from a number of major religions. In science class however, I was taught only the Big Bang and evolution. As far as I can recall, science lessons made no mention of Creation as a possibility even.

Later in life when I became a Christian, I did not pay too much mind to the Creation vs. Science debate. I understood that what God wanted us to know about Creation was given us in Genesis 1 (and other places). In my mind, I did not address the broad incompatibility between the Bible’s account of Creation and what was commonly accepted science. I do now.

I can accept that perhaps God did instigate the Big Bang, if you subscribe to that theory. When it comes to evolution however, something I never questioned in school, I now have serious reservations.

I have two main objections, one scientific and the other theological.

Firstly, the scientific problem with evolution (for me at least, and those who know more may be able to fully explain it) is the age-old question of how it all began? If you can accept the process of slow change over a long time, then that’s one thing, but what was the initial starting point. Scientists have surmised a number of things but I do not think they have fully answered this question.

The problem is information. It takes a huge amount of information to build and maintain even the smallest or most basic of creatures. Where did that information come from? How did that information increase over time? Many say that mutation leads to new information being brought into the system, but I am (personally) not aware of any favourable mutations adding in useful information. Perhaps I am simply ignorant of the facts?

Adaptation is quite different. Take a bunch of long-haired dogs and short haired dogs and place them in the Artic. After a while, the long-haired dogs will thrive and the short haired dogs will die off. This is “survival of the fittest” in action, as the long-haired dogs are more suited to the colder conditions. That is all fine and quite sensible, but it is quite a stretch to suggest that, even given enough time, the long-haired dogs will grow wings or change their basic nature completely.

My second objection to evolution is theological in nature. For evolution to work, you need time – and lots of it. Evolution is a slow process, if true at all, and says that basic creatures become more complicated over time. Humanity is at the end of a very long line of ancestors who slowly changed into the species we know today.

Why is that an issue theologically? Because it means that we had to have death before we had sin. For evolution to work, ancestors need to die off, and so there is death in the world before humanity even existed. That means that death was not as a result of sin, and that is not what the Bible says.

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

Romans 5:12 (NIV)

There is, of course, much debate about all of these matters. There are Christians who believe in evolution, and there are those who do not. There are those who find their Christianity compatible with the secular scientific view, and those who do not. Creation is a fairly fundamental issue to be honest though, so I do think it is important to get it straight in your own mind.

If we disagree, let us do so amicably and as family should.

What is the bottom line though? I think it is summed up in Genesis 1 and the first words of the Bible.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 (WEB)

We may disagree exactly how this was done, but we must not dispute that it was done. God created everything, seen and unseen. He made us, and He made the universe we live in. He built the physical, and He constructed the spiritual. We can debate the method, but not the substance.

If we cannot accept this truth, then we cannot accept any truth the Bible offers.

If God created all things, and He did, then what does that mean for you today? Knowing that God made you and the world around you, how should you conduct your life differently?

Rejoice in the fact that you were no accident, but carefully crafted by the hands of God. That should make you feel pretty special, and you are!