Church Meeting Devotions: The God Delusion - Psalm 35 v 20

Psalm 35:20    They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.

The Sunday School class that I’m currently teaching is studying the book “The God Delusion” written by British atheist Richard Dawkins. It’s a fierce attack upon religion and especially the Christian faith. Throughout the book Dawkins questions why we should placate church people’s views in society. After all, he concludes, a belief in God is akin to believing in fairy tales, so why should 21^st century civilization have anything more to do with churches, priests, religion, or faith?

Much of Britain has been affected by Dawkins’ thinking so that less than 5% of the population regularly attends church. Fifteen years ago, it was around 12-15%, so in the intervening years, the Christian church has declined by about 66%. In fact Britain has become so secular that it is now seen as a mission field by African and Asian Christian groups.

I think that we’re beginning to see something similar over here. Church has become just another leisure pursuit, lifestyle choice, or extra-curricular activity in the lives of many people. Even when we try to update date our worship and make our message relevant, the daunting truth is this: we are non-essential to 21^st century living.

This bothers me at times, and not because congregational numbers are dwindling of allover the land. I’m perturbed because we went through all of this 80 years ago, in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Decadence and a dwindling faith brought about reactionary politics and before we knew it, the world was at war with fascism and communism. Jews and Christians were attacked and falsely accused by reactionary governments in Germany, Japan, Russia and China. Millions of people lost their lives. Are we destined to experience the same this century? God forbid!

I teach an atheist’s book in our Sunday School class so that people may be better prepared for what could lie ahead of us. It’s far better to know what our opponents are thinking and expressing, rather than fool ourselves that we are spiritually invincible and beyond being influenced or distracted by militant atheism. We only have to look at what’s happening in Europe to see what could occur here.

Prayer:                        Lord God, we pray for Christ’s Church and our Christian faith. We ask that You strengthen our resolve in the face of opposition. We pray that You give us the words to effectively counter anti-religious and atheistic ideas. Help us to prepare our hearts and minds, spirits and souls for the years ahead and days to come. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org. He writes the devotional blog “Heaven’s Highway.”

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing called “Sunflowers.” You can view a larger version online at the following link: Sunflowers. You can also view most of his art at his current website: Stushie’s Art

Church Meeting Devotions: Textbook Mythbusters

Mark 11:6       They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

There’s a controversy brewing here in Knoxville which will probably become national. A biology honors textbook has a line in it which defines Creationism as: "the biblical myth that the universe was created by the Judeo-Christian God in 7 days." A local father has asked that the book be banned because it is biased against Christianity.

I was asked to give my opinion about it by the local TV station. I told them that I don’t believe that banning textbooks was a good thing. After all, the Church is in the business of teaching faith, not our public schools. If we are so insecure about what we believe and that the mere word ‘myth’ shatters it into a million pieces, then do we have any depth to our faith at all?

I’m all for freedom of religion and freedom of speech. If we ban the textbook in Knoxville, then we are giving in to fear and not truly expressing our faith. If we want to control our public schools so that Christianity is given a special status, then we no longer have freedom of expression and we may as well start burning witches again on Market Square.

I firmly believe that God created the Universe and that it is sustained by His will. I cannot scientifically prove that as a fact, but I feel it one hundred percent as an act of faith. I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior and I try to live my life according to His words and ways. I am not perfect. I still sin. I still make many mistakes. The fact that a school textbook refers to my beliefs as a mere myth does not unsettle me at all. I will continue to preach and teach that God made the world and that Christ is my Savior. To paraphrase Jesus: “textbooks may come and go, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, every generation has its crosses to bear in the world. Every Christian is confronted with words and ways that will challenge cherished beliefs. Remind us that the battle has already been won and that the power of Easter’s New Creation cannot be diminished by mere words. Help us to express our faith through conviction and depth, and not by fear or anxiety. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s digital glass drawings called “creation.” If you would like to view a larger version, click on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/3640187690/sizes/l/