Creator and Culture, and Anticipating a Redeemed Earth

A Christian I met in passing once told me it troubled him that he really didn’t long for Heaven. Instead, he yearned for an Earth that was like God meant it to be.

If this earth is headed for destruction, should we care for it?

For too long, evangelical Christians have neglected our God-given calling to care for the planet entrusted to us. One reason may be that our eschatology indicates the earth is headed for ruin anyway, so there’s no point in trying to rearrange the furniture on the Titanic.

God rejoices in all He has made, and so should we

Keep in mind God’s Word: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). This is not our place to trash. It’s God’s place to treasure. To care for the world is to care for its people.

Atheism and Christianity: Two Views on the Value of Life

Over the years my reading has included several bestselling books by atheists, who relentlessly condemn Christianity. The subtitle to God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens is "How Religion Poisons Everything." That's right: everything. (I guess that would include the life's work of Bach, among others.)

Despite some witch hunts and inquisitions, I'll take Christianity's track record against atheism's any day. (Lenin, Stalin, and Mao come to mind).

The atheists love to talk about how rotten Christianity makes people feel. If only Christianity weren't around, everything would be better.

Let me summarize the secular ...

Creation Points to God’s Greatness and Beauty

Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” The entire creation declares what God is like. That includes animals.

Animals that make you smile or say wow

When revealing his greatness to Job, God shows pride in his creative works, and mentions many animals—including the lion, eagle, and ox. He takes special delight in horses, saying, "Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting?" (Job 39:19-20) He also refers to one of his stranger creations, the ostrich: "The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully..." (Job 39:13)

Here are photos of some of the more bizarre looking animals God has made. Some make me ...

Do you believe God created the earth in six literal 24-hour days?

First let me say that many sincere people believe in the Bible and also believe in an old earth. They do this via the gap theory or day age theory or some other means of interpretation.

Secondly, let me say that I am not certain about the age of the universe, the age of the earth, or when the first humans walked the earth. I have read very persuasive scientific arguments for an old earth, and have read some counterarguments that may have merit. I don't feel qualified scientifically to make the judgment.

Time for a Dog Blog

My wife Nanci showed me this dog video. If you love dogs like we do, you’ll love this. Makes me smile and thank God for the wonders of His creation. When the dog in the video does what he was made to do, he pleases his master and glorifies his Creator. Psalm 148:10-13 puts it like this:  

Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted.

A Dog Named Friday

As you may know by now, Nanci and I love dogs. They are God’s creation, and many of us enjoy them and other pets. Nanci looks regularly at the website Dog of the Day and often emails me a link to the day’s dog. This one, about the dog named Friday, made us smile. The following is the August 27 entry. If you’re a dog lover, the story is worth reading.

Albert Mohler on the Importance of the Creation-Evolution Debate

Last year I led a group of men in a study of Francis Schaeffer’s classic Genesis in Space and Time, and Lee Strobel’s excellent The Case for a Creator. It is vital that we be aware of the importance of the biblical doctrine of creation. Also see the excellent chapter on creation in Doctrine, by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears. Here are some significant thoughts from writer and thinker Al Mohler about the importance of this issue.