{"id":1633,"date":"2011-11-30T07:18:06","date_gmt":"2011-11-30T12:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/godonomics\/?p=1633"},"modified":"2011-11-23T09:54:08","modified_gmt":"2011-11-23T14:54:08","slug":"god-glues-us-to-his-trustworthiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/godonomics\/2011\/11\/god-glues-us-to-his-trustworthiness.html","title":{"rendered":"God Glues Us to His Trustworthiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u00a0took\u00a0a\u00a0friend\u00a0to\u00a0lunch\u00a0recently\u00a0to\u00a0talk\u00a0about\u00a0his\u00a0faith\u00a0journey.\u00a0The\u00a0subject\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0and conception\u00a0came\u00a0up.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0wondered\u00a0if\u00a0I\u00a0believed\u00a0in\u00a0life\u00a0beginning\u00a0at\u00a0conception.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Was\u00a0I “anti-abortion?”\u00a0I\u00a0said\u00a0to\u00a0him\u00a0what\u00a0I\u00a0always\u00a0say\u00a0to\u00a0that\u00a0question…\u00a0“I\u00a0believe\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0woman’s\u00a0right\u00a0to choose\u00a0~as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0it\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0end\u00a0a\u00a0human\u00a0life….”\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0paused.\u00a0\u00a0What?!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Instead\u00a0of\u00a0framing\u00a0the debate\u00a0“choice\u00a0vs\u00a0life”…\u00a0I\u00a0reframed\u00a0it\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0“we\u00a0agree\u00a0on\u00a0choice…\u00a0tell\u00a0me\u00a0about\u00a0life.”\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0told\u00a0me that\u00a0he\u00a0didn’t\u00a0think\u00a0life\u00a0began\u00a0until…\u00a0“well,\u00a0I\u00a0don’t\u00a0know.”\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0was\u00a0sure\u00a0we\u00a0shouldn’t\u00a0do\u00a0“too\u00a0many abortions”\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a02nd\u00a0and\u00a03rd\u00a0trimester.\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0asked\u00a0him…\u00a0“Why?\u00a0If\u00a0it’s\u00a0not\u00a0a\u00a0life,\u00a0what’s\u00a0the\u00a0big\u00a0deal bout\u00a0taking\u00a0it\u00a0out\u00a0anytime\u00a0between\u00a0conception\u00a0and\u00a0birth…\u00a0You\u00a0just\u00a0told\u00a0me\u00a0it’s\u00a0just\u00a0a\u00a0piece\u00a0of tissue…\u00a0A\u00a0wart\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0removed…”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0smiled…\u00a0“Okay\u00a0I\u00a0admit\u00a0it…\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0not\u00a0consistent.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0able to\u00a0share\u00a0with\u00a0him\u00a0why\u00a0the\u00a0Bible,\u00a0history,\u00a0philosophy,\u00a0and\u00a0SCIENCE\u00a0clearly\u00a0teach\u00a0that\u00a0life\u00a0begins\u00a0at conception.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Bible\u00a0teaches\u00a0liberty\u00a0and\u00a0choice,\u00a0but\u00a0choices\u00a0have\u00a0limits.\u00a0\u00a0Everyone\u00a0would\u00a0agree with\u00a0that.\u00a0\u00a0We\u00a0can\u00a0exercise\u00a0liberty\u00a0as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0don’t\u00a0kill\u00a0others?\u00a0\u00a0Our\u00a0conversation\u00a0allowed\u00a0him\u00a0to think\u00a0about\u00a0“what\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0“person.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of\u00a0course,\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0passionate\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0sanctity\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0\u00a0personally because\u00a0my\u00a0son\u00a0Quinn\u00a0barely\u00a0escaped\u00a0death\u00a0as\u00a0his\u00a0birth\u00a0mother\u00a0walked\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0planned\u00a0parenthood abortion\u00a0clinic\u00a0October\u00a02009\u00a0saving\u00a0his\u00a0life.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0so\u00a0thankful\u00a0to\u00a0God.<\/p>\n

We\u00a0learn\u00a0that no one\u00a0is beyond help.\u00a0\u00a0Since\u00a0God came\u00a0to “glue\u00a0us” back\u00a0to\u00a0Him.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Our\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0be \u201cglued\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0stickiness.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0God\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0No\u00a0one\u00a0is\u00a0beyond\u00a0hope\u00a0and\u00a0help. Not\u00a0one\u00a0person\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0life,\u00a0no\u00a0matter\u00a0what\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0done\u00a0is\u00a0beyond\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0repair.\u00a0\u00a0The same\u00a0with\u00a0any\u00a0situation,\u00a0If\u00a0God\u00a0can\u00a0solve\u00a0the\u00a0\u201chow\u00a0do\u00a0you\u00a0make\u00a0a\u00a0son\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0given\u00a0eternally\u00a0with a\u00a0child\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0born\u201d\u00a0puzzle\u00a0that\u00a0confounded\u00a0people\u00a0for\u00a0hundreds\u00a0of\u00a0years,\u00a0he\u00a0can\u00a0solve\u00a0and\u00a0make good\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0doubts\u00a0and\u00a0concerns\u00a0confounding\u00a0you\u00a0right\u00a0now.<\/p>\n

So,\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0piece\u00a0of\u00a0EPOXY\u00a0EVIDENCE\u00a0THAT\u00a0CAN\u00a0STRENGTHEN\u00a0YOUR\u00a0FAITH\u00a0IS 1)\u00a0The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0is\u00a0Two Parts.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0That\u00a0reminds\u00a0us\u00a0that\u00a0God\u00a0came\u00a0to\u00a0Glue\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0Himself.\u00a0\u00a0So,\u00a0The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0is\u00a0Two\u00a0Parts,\u00a0but\u00a0The<\/p>\n

Second\u00a0Piece\u00a0of\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0Evidence\u00a0is...God\u00a0Has\u00a0a\u00a0Unique\u00a0Start.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What\u00a0do\u00a0I\u00a0mean\u00a0by\u00a0unique\u00a0start?\u00a0\u00a0Well,\u00a0the\u00a0way\u00a0we\u2019ll\u00a0see\u00a0the\u00a0God\u00a0of\u00a0two\u00a0parts\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0look\u00a0for\u00a0his\u00a0unique start…\u00a0A\u00a0virgin\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0with\u00a0child.<\/p>\n

19\u00a0Then\u00a0Joseph\u00a0her\u00a0husband,\u00a0being\u00a0a\u00a0just\u00a0man,\u00a0and\u00a0not\u00a0wanting\u00a0to\u00a0make\u00a0her\u00a0a\u00a0public\u00a0example,\u00a0was minded\u00a0to\u00a0put\u00a0her\u00a0away\u00a0secretly.\u00a020\u00a0But\u00a0while\u00a0he\u00a0thought\u00a0about\u00a0these\u00a0things,\u00a0behold,\u00a0an\u00a0angel\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Lord appeared\u00a0to\u00a0him\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0dream,\u00a0saying,\u00a0Joseph,\u00a0son\u00a0of\u00a0David,\u00a0do\u00a0not\u00a0be\u00a0afraid<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0to\u00a0you\u00a0Mary\u00a0your\u00a0wife, for\u00a0that\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0conceived\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0is\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit. <\/em><\/p>\n

21\u00a0And\u00a0she\u00a0will\u00a0bring\u00a0forth\u00a0a\u00a0Son,\u00a0and\u00a0you\u00a0shall\u00a0call\u00a0His\u00a0name\u00a0Jesus,\u00a0for\u00a0He\u00a0will\u00a0save\u00a0His\u00a0people\u00a0from their\u00a0sins.\u00a022\u00a0So\u00a0all\u00a0this\u00a0was\u00a0done\u00a0that\u00a0it\u00a0might\u00a0be\u00a0fulfilled\u00a0which\u00a0was\u00a0spoken\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0through\u00a0the prophet,\u00a0saying:\u00a023\u00a0Behold,\u00a0the\u00a0virgin\u00a0shall\u00a0be\u00a0with\u00a0child,\u00a0and\u00a0bear\u00a0a\u00a0Son,\u00a0and\u00a0they\u00a0shall\u00a0call\u00a0His\u00a0name Immanuel,\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0translated,\u00a0God\u00a0with\u00a0us.<\/em><\/p>\n

What\u2019s\u00a0fascinating\u00a0to\u00a0me\u00a0about\u00a0this\u00a0passage\u00a0is\u00a0how\u00a0a\u00a0deep\u00a0theological\u00a0doctrine\u00a0about\u00a0God…\u00a0is\u00a0the answer\u00a0to\u00a0some\u00a0very\u00a0practical\u00a0relational\u00a0problems.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joseph\u00a0and\u00a0Mary\u00a0are\u00a0in\u00a0anguish.\u00a0\u00a0A\u00a0divorce\u00a0is imminent.\u00a0\u00a0Hearts\u00a0are\u00a0crushed.\u00a0Future\u00a0plans\u00a0have\u00a0crumbled.\u00a0They\u00a0are\u00a0both\u00a0scared.\u00a0Confused.\u00a0Hurt.\u00a0 And they\u00a0are\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0middle\u00a0of\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0will??!! God\u00a0comes\u00a0to\u00a0Joseph\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0pain,\u00a0relational\u00a0chaos,\u00a0and\u00a0says… You\u00a0can\u00a0trust Me\u00a0right\u00a0now.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0some\u00a0Christmas\u00a0Evidence\u00a0to\u00a0Strengthen\u00a0Your\u00a0Wavering\u00a0Christmas Faith.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0tells\u00a0Joseph,\u00a0\u201cdo\u00a0not\u00a0be\u00a0afraid…\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Why?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0gives\u00a0Joseph\u00a0evidence\u00a0#2…\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Angel\u00a0Says..<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0Has\u00a0a\u00a0Unique\u00a0Start.\u00a0A\u00a0Virgin\u00a0Birth\u00a0Composed\u00a0of\u00a0Two\u00a0parts.\u00a0\u00a0One\u00a0part\u00a0is\u00a0Mary….\u00a0The Second\u00a0Part\u00a0is\u00a0\u201cThe\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit\u2019s\u201d\u00a0doing.<\/p>\n

Part\u00a01:\u00a0\u201cThat\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0conceived\u00a0in\u00a0Her\u00a0is\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit\u201d<\/p>\n

Part\u00a02:\u00a0\u201cShe\u00a0will\u00a0bring\u00a0forth\u00a0a\u00a0Son\u00a0and\u00a0HIS<\/strong>\u00a0name\u00a0is\u00a0Jesus\u201d<\/p>\n

Unique\u00a0Start:\u00a0\u00a0\u201cA\u00a0Virgin\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0with\u00a0Child.\u201d<\/p>\n

So\u00a0the epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0will\u00a0have\u00a0a unique start.\u00a0He\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0born\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0virgin.\u00a0 Now why\u00a0will\u00a0this\u00a0strengthen\u00a0our faith?\u00a0\u00a0How\u00a0does\u00a0the\u00a0evidence\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0Unique\u00a0Start\u00a0(a\u00a0Virgin\u00a0Birth)\u00a0strength\u00a0our\u00a0faith?<\/p>\n

GOD\u00a0GLUES\u00a0US\u00a0TO\u00a0HIS\u00a0TRUSTWORTHINESS<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u00a0can\u00a0trust\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0promises.\u00a0We\u00a0can\u00a0trust\u00a0what\u00a0he\u00a0says.\u00a0His\u00a0promises\u00a0and\u00a0predictions\u00a0come\u00a0true.\u00a0\u00a0They are\u00a0True.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0However,\u00a0the\u00a0last\u00a0few\u00a0years,\u00a0Jesus,\u00a0the\u00a0Bible,\u00a0and\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0word\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0under\u00a0attack\u00a0from\u00a0all sides.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0One\u00a0famous\u00a0skeptic\u00a0and\u00a0self-proclaimed\u00a0\u201cexpert\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0Sam\u00a0Harris.\u00a0\u00a0Same\u00a0Harris\u00a0would\u00a0look\u00a0at\u00a0this Christmas\u00a0Evidence\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Epoxy God\u2019s\u00a0Unique\u00a0Start\u00a0and\u00a0say,\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0true.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0And\u00a0all\u00a0of\u00a0our\u00a0students\u00a0who head\u00a0to\u00a0college\u00a0will\u00a0come\u00a0across\u00a0this\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0objection.<\/p>\n

OBJECTION:\u00a0Sam\u00a0Harris\u00a0says\u00a0that\u00a0though\u00a0the\u00a0writers\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0gospels\u00a0of\u00a0Luke\u00a0and\u00a0Matthew\u00a0cite\u00a0the\u00a0Greek rendering\u00a0of\u00a0Isaiah\u00a07:14\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0basis\u00a0for\u00a0their\u00a0declaration\u00a0that\u00a0Mary\u00a0conceived\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0virgin,\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0a \u201cmistranslation\u201d\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0original\u00a0Hebrew\u00a0text\u00a0of\u00a0Isaiah.\u00a0The\u00a0Hebrew\u00a0word\u00a0that\u00a0Isaiah\u00a0uses\u00a0is\u00a0almah,\u00a0which Harris\u00a0says\u00a0\u201csimply\u00a0means\u00a0\u2018young\u00a0woman,\u2019\u00a0without\u00a0any\u00a0implication\u00a0of\u00a0virginity.\u00a0Thus,\u00a0he says,\u00a0\u201cthe\u00a0dogma\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0virgin\u00a0birth,\u00a0and\u00a0much\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Christian\u00a0world\u2019s\u00a0resulting\u00a0anxiety\u00a0about\u00a0sex,\u201d\u00a0is due\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0mistake.\u00a0<\/strong>Has\u00a0Harris\u00a0ever\u00a0studied\u00a0the\u00a0very\u00a0complexity\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a0subject?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0HA.\u00a0\u00a0First\u00a0of\u00a0all,\u00a0The Christian\u00a0world\u00a0and\u00a0teachings\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Bible\u00a0are\u00a0not\u00a0anxious\u00a0about\u00a0sexual\u00a0intimacy\u00a0-at\u00a0all.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Bible teaches\u00a0that\u00a0intimacy\u00a0is\u00a0sacred,\u00a0powerful,\u00a0critical,\u00a0and\u00a0an\u00a0act\u00a0of\u00a0worship\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0context\u00a0of\u00a0marriage.\u00a0\u00a0So, Sam\u00a0needs\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0some\u00a0more\u00a0research.\u00a0But\u00a0to\u00a0his\u00a0argument,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ravi\u00a0Zacharias\u00a0answers\u00a0this\u00a0question brilliantly\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0book\u00a0THE\u00a0END\u00a0OF\u00a0REASON.\u00a0Ravi\u00a0says,\u00a0\u201cIs\u00a0Sam\u00a0Harris\u00a0aware\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0nature\u00a0of\u00a0Hebrew prophecy\u00a0and\u00a0its\u00a0genre?\u00a0Does\u00a0he\u00a0know\u00a0that\u00a0there\u00a0are\u00a0numerous\u00a0examples\u00a0of\u00a0Hebrew\u00a0prophecies\u00a0that\u00a0have a\u00a0\u201ccompenetration\u201d\u00a0of\u00a0two\u00a0fulfilments\u00a0\u2013\u00a0one\u00a0in\u00a0part\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0other\u00a0in\u00a0whole?\u00a0The\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0understood compenetration\u00a0and\u00a0how\u00a0it\u00a0worked,\u00a0and\u00a0Matthew\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0Hebrew.\u00a0If\u00a0Isaiah\u00a0had\u00a0used\u00a0the\u00a0typical\u00a0Hebrew word\u00a0for\u00a0virgin,\u00a0betulah,\u00a0it\u00a0would\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0the\u00a0wrong\u00a0word\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0situation.\u00a0The\u00a0immediate\u00a0fulfillment of\u00a0the\u00a0prophecy\u00a0comes\u00a0in\u00a0Isaiah\u00a08:3,\u00a0when\u00a0Isaiah\u2019s\u00a0wife\u00a0gives\u00a0birth\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0son.\u00a0The\u00a0people\u00a0had\u00a0asked\u00a0for\u00a0a sign\u00a0that\u00a0God\u00a0would\u00a0indeed\u00a0send\u00a0the\u00a0Messiah,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0birth\u00a0of\u00a0Isaiah\u2019s\u00a0son\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0immediate\u00a0sign\u00a0that the\u00a0greater\u00a0prophecy\u00a0and\u00a0promise\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0virgin\u00a0birth\u00a0would\u00a0be\u00a0fulfilled.\u00a0After\u00a0all,\u00a0what\u00a0good\u00a0to\u00a0them\u00a0would a\u00a0sign\u00a0be\u00a0that\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0given\u00a0until\u00a0seven\u00a0hundred\u00a0years\u00a0later?\u00a0So\u00a0Isaiah\u00a0used\u00a0the\u00a0word\u00a0almah,\u00a0which\u00a0is literally\u00a0translated\u00a0\u201cyoung\u00a0maiden\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0can\u00a0include\u00a0virginity.\u00a0Therefore,\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0very\u00a0word\u00a0he\u00a0needed\u00a0in order\u00a0to\u00a0cover\u00a0both\u00a0situations\u00a0\u2013\u00a0 that\u00a0of\u00a0Isaiah\u2019s\u00a0wife\u00a0 and\u00a0of\u00a0Joseph\u2019s\u00a0fianc\u00e9e,\u00a0Mary.\u00a0But\u00a0even\u00a0more\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0point,\u00a0the\u00a0doctrine\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0virgin\u00a0birth\u00a0is\u00a0based\u00a0on Mary\u2019s\u00a0own\u00a0admission.\u00a0Joseph\u00a0wished\u00a0to\u00a0end\u00a0his\u00a0marital\u00a0contract\u00a0with\u00a0Mary\u00a0because\u00a0he\u00a0was\u00a0perplexed until\u00a0the\u00a0angel\u00a0appeared\u00a0to\u00a0him and\u00a0verified\u00a0Mary\u2019s\u00a0story.<\/p>\n

Since\u00a0I\u00a0think\u00a0in\u00a0pictures,\u00a0let\u00a0me\u00a0give\u00a0you\u00a0a\u00a0picture\u00a0to\u00a0describe\u00a0what\u00a0Ravi\u00a0calls\u00a0\u201ccompenetration.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s like\u00a0two\u00a0mountain\u00a0tops.\u00a0\u00a0A\u00a0prophet\u00a0sees\u00a0the\u00a0Straight\u00a0line…\u00a0he\u00a0sees\u00a0two\u00a0things\u00a0that\u00a0appear\u00a0as\u00a0one\u00a0to\u00a0his sight\u00a0line.\u00a0\u00a0So\u00a0he\u00a0is\u00a0describing\u00a0something\u00a0that\u00a0will\u00a0come\u00a0true\u00a0in\u00a0one\u00a0point\u00a0in\u00a0history…\u00a0And\u00a0again\u00a0in another.\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a01st\u00a0and\u00a02nd\u00a0coming\u00a0of\u00a0Christ\u00a0for\u00a0example.\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0prophet\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0see\u00a0the\u00a0valley\u00a0in\u00a0between. In\u00a0this\u00a0case,\u00a0God\u00a0gives\u00a0Isaiah\u00a0the\u00a0perfect\u00a0language\u00a0to\u00a0describe\u00a0mountain\u00a0top\u00a0#1…\u00a0Isaiah\u2019s\u00a0son\u2019s\u00a0birth… And\u00a0the\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0understand\u00a0the\u00a02nd\u00a0more\u00a0miraculous\u00a0fulfillment\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Messiah\u2019s\u00a0birth. The epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0can\u00a0glue\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0trustworthiness.\u00a0\u00a0We\u00a0can know the epoxy\u00a0God had two parts.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0Had\u00a0a\u00a0Unique\u00a0Start.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We\u00a0can\u00a0trust\u00a0the\u00a0evidence\u00a0and\u00a0put\u00a0our\u00a0trust\u00a0and\u00a0hope\u00a0in\u00a0God.<\/p>\n

KEY\u00a0TAKE-A-WAY:\u00a0\u00a0CHRISTMAS\u00a0EVIDENCE\u00a0INCREASES\u00a0CHRISTMAS\u00a0FAITH.\u00a0WE\u00a0CAN TRUST\u00a0THE\u00a0EVIDENCE\u00a0AND\u00a0PUT\u00a0OUR\u00a0FULL\u00a0CONFIDENCE\u00a0IN\u00a0GOD\u00a0THROUGH\u00a0CHRIST.<\/p>\n

What\u00a0does Christmas\u00a0faith\u00a0look\u00a0like?\u00a0Lee\u00a0Strobel examined\u00a0the evidence\u00a0as\u00a0an\u00a0atheist\u00a0for\u00a0Christ. He\u00a0was\u00a0struck\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0Confidence\u00a0of\u00a0one\u00a0family\u2019s\u00a0trust\u00a0in\u00a0Christ…\u00a0There\u00a0confidence\u00a0in\u00a0God brought\u00a0him\u00a0to\u00a0faith\u00a0in\u00a0Christ\u00a0too.<\/p>\n

Against\u00a0the\u00a0backdrop\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0Christmas\u00a0season\u00a0encrusted\u00a0with\u00a0self-centeredness\u00a0and materialism,\u00a0churches\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0tremendous\u00a0opportunity\u00a0to\u00a0crack\u00a0open\u00a0the\u00a0hearts\u00a0of\u00a0people\u00a0in\u00a0their community\u00a0through\u00a0humble\u00a0acts\u00a0of\u00a0generosity\u00a0and\u00a0sacrifice\u00a0that\u00a0truly\u00a0reflect\u00a0the\u00a0attitudes\u00a0of\u00a0Jesus.\u00a0 These\u00a0counter-cultural\u00a0expressions\u00a0of\u00a0giving\u00a0and\u00a0caring\u00a0can\u00a0capture\u00a0the\u00a0attention\u00a0of\u00a0even\u00a0the\u00a0most cynical\u00a0skeptics,\u00a0as\u00a0I\u00a0personally\u00a0found\u00a0out\u00a0when\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0an\u00a0atheist\u00a0and\u00a0working\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0reporter\u00a0at\u00a0The Chicago\u00a0Tribune.\u00a0More\u00a0than\u00a030\u00a0years\u00a0later,\u00a0I\u00a0still\u00a0remember\u00a0the\u00a0simple\u00a0but\u00a0profound\u00a0Christmas lesson\u00a0I\u00a0received\u00a0from\u00a0a\u00a0poverty-wracked\u00a0family\u00a0living\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0hardscrabble\u00a0West\u00a0Side\u00a0of\u00a0Chicago.\u00a0 As I\u00a0describe\u00a0in\u00a0my\u00a0new\u00a0book,\u00a0THE\u00a0CASE\u00a0FOR\u00a0CHRISTMAS,\u00a0the\u00a0Tribune\u00a0newsroom\u00a0was\u00a0eerily\u00a0quiet\u00a0on\u00a0the day\u00a0before\u00a0Christmas.\u00a0As\u00a0I\u00a0sat\u00a0at\u00a0my\u00a0desk\u00a0with\u00a0little\u00a0to\u00a0do,\u00a0my\u00a0mind\u00a0kept\u00a0wandering\u00a0back\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0family I\u00a0had\u00a0encountered\u00a0a\u00a0month\u00a0earlier\u00a0while\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0working\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0series\u00a0of\u00a0articles\u00a0about\u00a0Chicago’s neediest\u00a0people.\u00a0The\u00a0Delgados\u00a0—\u00a0sixty-year-old\u00a0Perfecta\u00a0and\u00a0her\u00a0granddaughters\u00a0Lydia\u00a0and\u00a0Jenny —\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0burned\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0their\u00a0roach-infested\u00a0tenement\u00a0and\u00a0were\u00a0now\u00a0living\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0tiny\u00a0two-room apartment.\u00a0As\u00a0I\u00a0walked\u00a0in,\u00a0I\u00a0couldn’t\u00a0believe\u00a0how\u00a0empty\u00a0it\u00a0was.\u00a0There\u00a0was\u00a0no\u00a0furniture,\u00a0no\u00a0rugs, nothing\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0walls\u00a0—\u00a0only\u00a0a\u00a0small\u00a0kitchen\u00a0table\u00a0and\u00a0one\u00a0handful\u00a0of\u00a0rice.\u00a0That’s\u00a0it.\u00a0They\u00a0were virtually\u00a0devoid\u00a0of\u00a0possessions.\u00a0In\u00a0fact,\u00a0eleven-year-old\u00a0Lydia\u00a0and\u00a0thirteen-year-old\u00a0Jenny\u00a0owned only\u00a0one\u00a0short-sleeved\u00a0dress\u00a0each,\u00a0plus\u00a0one\u00a0thin,\u00a0gray\u00a0sweater\u00a0between\u00a0them.\u00a0When\u00a0they\u00a0walked\u00a0the half-mile\u00a0to\u00a0school\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0biting\u00a0cold,\u00a0Lydia\u00a0would\u00a0wear\u00a0the\u00a0sweater\u00a0for\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0distance and\u00a0then\u00a0hand\u00a0it\u00a0to\u00a0her\u00a0shivering\u00a0sister,\u00a0who\u00a0would\u00a0wear\u00a0it\u00a0the\u00a0rest\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0way.\u00a0 But\u00a0despite\u00a0their\u00a0poverty\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0painful\u00a0arthritis\u00a0that\u00a0kept\u00a0Perfecta\u00a0from\u00a0working,\u00a0she\u00a0still\u00a0talked confidently\u00a0about\u00a0her\u00a0faith\u00a0in\u00a0Jesus.\u00a0She\u00a0was\u00a0convinced\u00a0he\u00a0had\u00a0not\u00a0abandoned\u00a0them.\u00a0I\u00a0never\u00a0sensed despair\u00a0or\u00a0self-pity\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0home;\u00a0instead,\u00a0there\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0gentle\u00a0feeling\u00a0of\u00a0hope\u00a0and\u00a0peace.\u00a0I\u00a0wrote\u00a0an article\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0Delgados,\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0I\u00a0quickly\u00a0moved\u00a0on\u00a0to\u00a0more\u00a0exciting\u00a0assignments.\u00a0But\u00a0as\u00a0I\u00a0sat\u00a0at my\u00a0desk\u00a0on\u00a0Christmas\u00a0Eve,\u00a0I\u00a0continued\u00a0to\u00a0wrestle\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0irony\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0situation:\u00a0here\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0family that\u00a0had\u00a0nothing\u00a0but\u00a0faith\u00a0and\u00a0yet\u00a0seemed\u00a0happy,\u00a0while\u00a0I\u00a0had\u00a0everything\u00a0I\u00a0needed\u00a0materially\u00a0but lacked\u00a0faith\u00a0—\u00a0and\u00a0inside\u00a0I\u00a0felt\u00a0as\u00a0empty\u00a0and\u00a0barren\u00a0as\u00a0their\u00a0apartment.\u00a0I\u00a0walked\u00a0over\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0city desk\u00a0to\u00a0sign\u00a0out\u00a0a\u00a0car.\u00a0It\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0slow\u00a0news\u00a0day,\u00a0with\u00a0nothing\u00a0of\u00a0consequence\u00a0going\u00a0on.\u00a0My\u00a0boss\u00a0could call\u00a0me\u00a0if\u00a0something\u00a0were\u00a0to\u00a0happen.\u00a0In\u00a0the\u00a0meantime,\u00a0I\u00a0decided\u00a0to\u00a0drive\u00a0over\u00a0to\u00a0West\u00a0Homer\u00a0Street and\u00a0see\u00a0how\u00a0the\u00a0Delgados\u00a0were\u00a0doing.When\u00a0Jenny\u00a0opened\u00a0the\u00a0door,\u00a0I\u00a0couldn’t\u00a0believe\u00a0my\u00a0eyes. Tribune\u00a0readers\u00a0had\u00a0responded\u00a0to\u00a0my\u00a0article\u00a0by\u00a0showering\u00a0the\u00a0Delgados\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0treasure\u00a0trove\u00a0of gifts\u00a0—\u00a0roomfuls\u00a0of\u00a0furniture,\u00a0appliances,\u00a0and\u00a0rugs;\u00a0a\u00a0lavish\u00a0Christmas\u00a0tree\u00a0with\u00a0piles\u00a0of\u00a0wrapped presents\u00a0underneath;\u00a0carton\u00a0upon\u00a0bulging\u00a0carton\u00a0of\u00a0food;\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0dazzling\u00a0selection\u00a0of\u00a0clothing, including\u00a0dozens\u00a0of\u00a0warm\u00a0winter\u00a0coats,\u00a0scarves,\u00a0and\u00a0gloves.\u00a0On\u00a0top\u00a0of\u00a0that,\u00a0they\u00a0donated\u00a0thousands of\u00a0dollars\u00a0in\u00a0cash.But\u00a0as\u00a0surprised\u00a0as\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0by\u00a0this\u00a0outpouring,\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0even\u00a0more\u00a0astonished\u00a0by\u00a0what my\u00a0visit\u00a0was\u00a0interrupting:\u00a0Perfecta\u00a0and\u00a0her\u00a0granddaughters\u00a0were\u00a0getting\u00a0ready\u00a0to\u00a0give\u00a0away\u00a0much\u00a0of heir\u00a0new-found\u00a0wealth.\u00a0When\u00a0I\u00a0asked\u00a0Perfecta\u00a0why,\u00a0she\u00a0replied\u00a0in\u00a0halting\u00a0English:\u00a0“Our\u00a0neighbors are\u00a0still\u00a0in\u00a0need.\u00a0We\u00a0cannot\u00a0have\u00a0plenty\u00a0while\u00a0they\u00a0have\u00a0nothing.\u00a0This\u00a0is\u00a0what\u00a0Jesus\u00a0would\u00a0want\u00a0us to\u00a0do.”\u00a0That\u00a0blew\u00a0me\u00a0away!\u00a0If\u00a0I\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0in\u00a0their\u00a0position\u00a0at\u00a0that\u00a0time\u00a0in\u00a0my\u00a0life,\u00a0I\u00a0would\u00a0have\u00a0been hoarding\u00a0everything.\u00a0I\u00a0asked\u00a0Perfecta\u00a0what\u00a0she\u00a0thought\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0generosity\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0people\u00a0who\u00a0had sent\u00a0all\u00a0of\u00a0these\u00a0goodies,\u00a0and\u00a0again\u00a0her\u00a0response\u00a0amazed\u00a0me.\u00a0“This\u00a0is\u00a0wonderful;\u00a0this\u00a0is\u00a0very\u00a0good,” she\u00a0said,\u00a0gesturing\u00a0toward\u00a0the\u00a0largess.\u00a0“We\u00a0did\u00a0nothing\u00a0to\u00a0deserve\u00a0this\u00a0—\u00a0it’s\u00a0a\u00a0gift\u00a0from\u00a0God.\u00a0But, “she\u00a0added,\u00a0“it\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0his\u00a0greatest\u00a0gift.\u00a0No,\u00a0we\u00a0celebrate\u00a0that\u00a0tomorrow.\u00a0That\u00a0is\u00a0Jesus.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a free first session of Godonomics, visit: http:\/\/www.godonomics.com\/watch-session-1<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u00a0took\u00a0a\u00a0friend\u00a0to\u00a0lunch\u00a0recently\u00a0to\u00a0talk\u00a0about\u00a0his\u00a0faith\u00a0journey.\u00a0The\u00a0subject\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0and conception\u00a0came\u00a0up.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0wondered\u00a0if\u00a0I\u00a0believed\u00a0in\u00a0life\u00a0beginning\u00a0at\u00a0conception.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Was\u00a0I “anti-abortion?”\u00a0I\u00a0said\u00a0to\u00a0him\u00a0what\u00a0I\u00a0always\u00a0say\u00a0to\u00a0that\u00a0question…\u00a0“I\u00a0believe\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0woman’s\u00a0right\u00a0to choose\u00a0~as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0it\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0end\u00a0a\u00a0human\u00a0life….”\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0paused.\u00a0\u00a0What?!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Instead\u00a0of\u00a0framing\u00a0the debate\u00a0“choice\u00a0vs\u00a0life”…\u00a0I\u00a0reframed\u00a0it\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0“we\u00a0agree\u00a0on\u00a0choice…\u00a0tell\u00a0me\u00a0about\u00a0life.”\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0told\u00a0me that\u00a0he\u00a0didn’t\u00a0think\u00a0life\u00a0began\u00a0until…\u00a0“well,\u00a0I\u00a0don’t\u00a0know.”\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0was\u00a0sure\u00a0we\u00a0shouldn’t\u00a0do\u00a0“too\u00a0many abortions”\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a02nd\u00a0and\u00a03rd\u00a0trimester.\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0asked\u00a0him…\u00a0“Why?\u00a0If\u00a0it’s\u00a0not\u00a0a\u00a0life,\u00a0what’s\u00a0the\u00a0big\u00a0deal bout\u00a0taking\u00a0it\u00a0out\u00a0anytime\u00a0between\u00a0conception\u00a0and\u00a0birth…\u00a0You\u00a0just\u00a0told\u00a0me\u00a0it’s\u00a0just\u00a0a\u00a0piece\u00a0of tissue…\u00a0A\u00a0wart\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0removed…”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0smiled…\u00a0“Okay\u00a0I\u00a0admit\u00a0it…\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0not\u00a0consistent.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0able to\u00a0share\u00a0with\u00a0him\u00a0why\u00a0the\u00a0Bible,\u00a0history,\u00a0philosophy,\u00a0and\u00a0SCIENCE\u00a0clearly\u00a0teach\u00a0that\u00a0life\u00a0begins\u00a0at conception.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Bible\u00a0teaches\u00a0liberty\u00a0and\u00a0choice,\u00a0but\u00a0choices\u00a0have\u00a0limits.\u00a0\u00a0Everyone\u00a0would\u00a0agree with\u00a0that.\u00a0\u00a0We\u00a0can\u00a0exercise\u00a0liberty\u00a0as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0don’t\u00a0kill\u00a0others?\u00a0\u00a0Our\u00a0conversation\u00a0allowed\u00a0him\u00a0to think\u00a0about\u00a0“what\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0“person.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of\u00a0course,\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0passionate\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0sanctity\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0\u00a0personally because\u00a0my\u00a0son\u00a0Quinn\u00a0barely\u00a0escaped\u00a0death\u00a0as\u00a0his\u00a0birth\u00a0mother\u00a0walked\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0planned\u00a0parenthood abortion\u00a0clinic\u00a0October\u00a02009\u00a0saving\u00a0his\u00a0life.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0so\u00a0thankful\u00a0to\u00a0God. We\u00a0learn\u00a0that no one\u00a0is beyond help.\u00a0\u00a0Since\u00a0God came\u00a0to “glue\u00a0us” back\u00a0to\u00a0Him.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Our\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0be \u201cglued\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0stickiness.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0God\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0No\u00a0one\u00a0is\u00a0beyond\u00a0hope\u00a0and\u00a0help. Not\u00a0one\u00a0person\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0life,\u00a0no\u00a0matter\u00a0what\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0done\u00a0is\u00a0beyond\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0repair.\u00a0\u00a0The same\u00a0with\u00a0any\u00a0situation,\u00a0If\u00a0God\u00a0can\u00a0solve\u00a0the\u00a0\u201chow\u00a0do\u00a0you\u00a0make\u00a0a\u00a0son\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0given\u00a0eternally\u00a0with a\u00a0child\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0born\u201d\u00a0puzzle\u00a0that\u00a0confounded\u00a0people\u00a0for\u00a0hundreds\u00a0of\u00a0years,\u00a0he\u00a0can\u00a0solve\u00a0and\u00a0make good\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0doubts\u00a0and\u00a0concerns\u00a0confounding\u00a0you\u00a0right\u00a0now. So,\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0piece\u00a0of\u00a0EPOXY\u00a0EVIDENCE\u00a0THAT\u00a0CAN\u00a0STRENGTHEN\u00a0YOUR\u00a0FAITH\u00a0IS 1)\u00a0The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0is\u00a0Two Parts.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0That\u00a0reminds\u00a0us\u00a0that\u00a0God\u00a0came\u00a0to\u00a0Glue\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0Himself.\u00a0\u00a0So,\u00a0The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0is\u00a0Two\u00a0Parts,\u00a0but\u00a0The Second\u00a0Piece\u00a0of\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0Evidence\u00a0is…God\u00a0Has\u00a0a\u00a0Unique\u00a0Start. What\u00a0do\u00a0I\u00a0mean\u00a0by\u00a0unique\u00a0start?\u00a0\u00a0Well,\u00a0the\u00a0way\u00a0we\u2019ll\u00a0see\u00a0the\u00a0God\u00a0of\u00a0two\u00a0parts\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0look\u00a0for\u00a0his\u00a0unique start…\u00a0A\u00a0virgin\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0with\u00a0child. 19\u00a0Then\u00a0Joseph\u00a0her\u00a0husband,\u00a0being\u00a0a\u00a0just\u00a0man,\u00a0and\u00a0not\u00a0wanting\u00a0to\u00a0make\u00a0her\u00a0a\u00a0public\u00a0example,\u00a0was minded\u00a0to\u00a0put\u00a0her\u00a0away\u00a0secretly.\u00a020\u00a0But\u00a0while\u00a0he\u00a0thought\u00a0about\u00a0these\u00a0things,\u00a0behold,\u00a0an\u00a0angel\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Lord appeared\u00a0to\u00a0him\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0dream,\u00a0saying,\u00a0Joseph,\u00a0son\u00a0of\u00a0David,\u00a0do\u00a0not\u00a0be\u00a0afraid\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0to\u00a0you\u00a0Mary\u00a0your\u00a0wife, for\u00a0that\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0conceived\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0is\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit. 21\u00a0And\u00a0she\u00a0will\u00a0bring\u00a0forth\u00a0a\u00a0Son,\u00a0and\u00a0you\u00a0shall\u00a0call\u00a0His\u00a0name\u00a0Jesus,\u00a0for\u00a0He\u00a0will\u00a0save\u00a0His\u00a0people\u00a0from their\u00a0sins.\u00a022\u00a0So\u00a0all\u00a0this\u00a0was\u00a0done\u00a0that\u00a0it\u00a0might\u00a0be\u00a0fulfilled\u00a0which\u00a0was\u00a0spoken\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0through\u00a0the prophet,\u00a0saying:\u00a023\u00a0Behold,\u00a0the\u00a0virgin\u00a0shall\u00a0be\u00a0with\u00a0child,\u00a0and\u00a0bear\u00a0a\u00a0Son,\u00a0and\u00a0they\u00a0shall\u00a0call\u00a0His\u00a0name Immanuel,\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0translated,\u00a0God\u00a0with\u00a0us. What\u2019s\u00a0fascinating\u00a0to\u00a0me\u00a0about\u00a0this\u00a0passage\u00a0is\u00a0how\u00a0a\u00a0deep\u00a0theological\u00a0doctrine\u00a0about\u00a0God…\u00a0is\u00a0the answer\u00a0to\u00a0some\u00a0very\u00a0practical\u00a0relational\u00a0problems.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joseph\u00a0and\u00a0Mary\u00a0are\u00a0in\u00a0anguish.\u00a0\u00a0A\u00a0divorce\u00a0is imminent.\u00a0\u00a0Hearts\u00a0are\u00a0crushed.\u00a0Future\u00a0plans\u00a0have\u00a0crumbled.\u00a0They\u00a0are\u00a0both\u00a0scared.\u00a0Confused.\u00a0Hurt.\u00a0 And they\u00a0are\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0middle\u00a0of\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0will??!! God\u00a0comes\u00a0to\u00a0Joseph\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0pain,\u00a0relational\u00a0chaos,\u00a0and\u00a0says… You\u00a0can\u00a0trust Me\u00a0right\u00a0now.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0some\u00a0Christmas\u00a0Evidence\u00a0to\u00a0Strengthen\u00a0Your\u00a0Wavering\u00a0Christmas Faith.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0tells\u00a0Joseph,\u00a0\u201cdo\u00a0not\u00a0be\u00a0afraid…\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Why?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0gives\u00a0Joseph\u00a0evidence\u00a0#2…\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Angel\u00a0Says.. The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0Has\u00a0a\u00a0Unique\u00a0Start.\u00a0A\u00a0Virgin\u00a0Birth\u00a0Composed\u00a0of\u00a0Two\u00a0parts.\u00a0\u00a0One\u00a0part\u00a0is\u00a0Mary….\u00a0The Second\u00a0Part\u00a0is\u00a0\u201cThe\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit\u2019s\u201d\u00a0doing. Part\u00a01:\u00a0\u201cThat\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0conceived\u00a0in\u00a0Her\u00a0is\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit\u201d Part\u00a02:\u00a0\u201cShe\u00a0will\u00a0bring\u00a0forth\u00a0a\u00a0Son\u00a0and\u00a0HIS\u00a0name\u00a0is\u00a0Jesus\u201d…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":353,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[447,448],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-celebrate","category-joy"],"yoast_head":"\nGod Glues Us to His Trustworthiness - Godonomics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/godonomics\/2011\/11\/god-glues-us-to-his-trustworthiness.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"God Glues Us to His Trustworthiness - Godonomics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I\u00a0took\u00a0a\u00a0friend\u00a0to\u00a0lunch\u00a0recently\u00a0to\u00a0talk\u00a0about\u00a0his\u00a0faith\u00a0journey.\u00a0The\u00a0subject\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0and conception\u00a0came\u00a0up.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0wondered\u00a0if\u00a0I\u00a0believed\u00a0in\u00a0life\u00a0beginning\u00a0at\u00a0conception.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Was\u00a0I “anti-abortion?”\u00a0I\u00a0said\u00a0to\u00a0him\u00a0what\u00a0I\u00a0always\u00a0say\u00a0to\u00a0that\u00a0question…\u00a0“I\u00a0believe\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0woman’s\u00a0right\u00a0to choose\u00a0~as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0it\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0end\u00a0a\u00a0human\u00a0life….”\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0paused.\u00a0\u00a0What?!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Instead\u00a0of\u00a0framing\u00a0the debate\u00a0“choice\u00a0vs\u00a0life”…\u00a0I\u00a0reframed\u00a0it\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0“we\u00a0agree\u00a0on\u00a0choice…\u00a0tell\u00a0me\u00a0about\u00a0life.”\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0told\u00a0me that\u00a0he\u00a0didn’t\u00a0think\u00a0life\u00a0began\u00a0until…\u00a0“well,\u00a0I\u00a0don’t\u00a0know.”\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0was\u00a0sure\u00a0we\u00a0shouldn’t\u00a0do\u00a0“too\u00a0many abortions”\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a02nd\u00a0and\u00a03rd\u00a0trimester.\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0asked\u00a0him…\u00a0“Why?\u00a0If\u00a0it’s\u00a0not\u00a0a\u00a0life,\u00a0what’s\u00a0the\u00a0big\u00a0deal bout\u00a0taking\u00a0it\u00a0out\u00a0anytime\u00a0between\u00a0conception\u00a0and\u00a0birth…\u00a0You\u00a0just\u00a0told\u00a0me\u00a0it’s\u00a0just\u00a0a\u00a0piece\u00a0of tissue…\u00a0A\u00a0wart\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0removed…”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0smiled…\u00a0“Okay\u00a0I\u00a0admit\u00a0it…\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0not\u00a0consistent.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0able to\u00a0share\u00a0with\u00a0him\u00a0why\u00a0the\u00a0Bible,\u00a0history,\u00a0philosophy,\u00a0and\u00a0SCIENCE\u00a0clearly\u00a0teach\u00a0that\u00a0life\u00a0begins\u00a0at conception.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Bible\u00a0teaches\u00a0liberty\u00a0and\u00a0choice,\u00a0but\u00a0choices\u00a0have\u00a0limits.\u00a0\u00a0Everyone\u00a0would\u00a0agree with\u00a0that.\u00a0\u00a0We\u00a0can\u00a0exercise\u00a0liberty\u00a0as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0don’t\u00a0kill\u00a0others?\u00a0\u00a0Our\u00a0conversation\u00a0allowed\u00a0him\u00a0to think\u00a0about\u00a0“what\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0“person.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of\u00a0course,\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0passionate\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0sanctity\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0\u00a0personally because\u00a0my\u00a0son\u00a0Quinn\u00a0barely\u00a0escaped\u00a0death\u00a0as\u00a0his\u00a0birth\u00a0mother\u00a0walked\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0planned\u00a0parenthood abortion\u00a0clinic\u00a0October\u00a02009\u00a0saving\u00a0his\u00a0life.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0so\u00a0thankful\u00a0to\u00a0God. We\u00a0learn\u00a0that no one\u00a0is beyond help.\u00a0\u00a0Since\u00a0God came\u00a0to “glue\u00a0us” back\u00a0to\u00a0Him.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Our\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0be \u201cglued\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0stickiness.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0God\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0No\u00a0one\u00a0is\u00a0beyond\u00a0hope\u00a0and\u00a0help. Not\u00a0one\u00a0person\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0life,\u00a0no\u00a0matter\u00a0what\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0done\u00a0is\u00a0beyond\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0repair.\u00a0\u00a0The same\u00a0with\u00a0any\u00a0situation,\u00a0If\u00a0God\u00a0can\u00a0solve\u00a0the\u00a0\u201chow\u00a0do\u00a0you\u00a0make\u00a0a\u00a0son\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0given\u00a0eternally\u00a0with a\u00a0child\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0born\u201d\u00a0puzzle\u00a0that\u00a0confounded\u00a0people\u00a0for\u00a0hundreds\u00a0of\u00a0years,\u00a0he\u00a0can\u00a0solve\u00a0and\u00a0make good\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0doubts\u00a0and\u00a0concerns\u00a0confounding\u00a0you\u00a0right\u00a0now. So,\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0piece\u00a0of\u00a0EPOXY\u00a0EVIDENCE\u00a0THAT\u00a0CAN\u00a0STRENGTHEN\u00a0YOUR\u00a0FAITH\u00a0IS 1)\u00a0The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0is\u00a0Two Parts.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0That\u00a0reminds\u00a0us\u00a0that\u00a0God\u00a0came\u00a0to\u00a0Glue\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0Himself.\u00a0\u00a0So,\u00a0The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0is\u00a0Two\u00a0Parts,\u00a0but\u00a0The Second\u00a0Piece\u00a0of\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0Evidence\u00a0is...God\u00a0Has\u00a0a\u00a0Unique\u00a0Start. What\u00a0do\u00a0I\u00a0mean\u00a0by\u00a0unique\u00a0start?\u00a0\u00a0Well,\u00a0the\u00a0way\u00a0we\u2019ll\u00a0see\u00a0the\u00a0God\u00a0of\u00a0two\u00a0parts\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0look\u00a0for\u00a0his\u00a0unique start…\u00a0A\u00a0virgin\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0with\u00a0child. 19\u00a0Then\u00a0Joseph\u00a0her\u00a0husband,\u00a0being\u00a0a\u00a0just\u00a0man,\u00a0and\u00a0not\u00a0wanting\u00a0to\u00a0make\u00a0her\u00a0a\u00a0public\u00a0example,\u00a0was minded\u00a0to\u00a0put\u00a0her\u00a0away\u00a0secretly.\u00a020\u00a0But\u00a0while\u00a0he\u00a0thought\u00a0about\u00a0these\u00a0things,\u00a0behold,\u00a0an\u00a0angel\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Lord appeared\u00a0to\u00a0him\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0dream,\u00a0saying,\u00a0Joseph,\u00a0son\u00a0of\u00a0David,\u00a0do\u00a0not\u00a0be\u00a0afraid\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0to\u00a0you\u00a0Mary\u00a0your\u00a0wife, for\u00a0that\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0conceived\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0is\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit. 21\u00a0And\u00a0she\u00a0will\u00a0bring\u00a0forth\u00a0a\u00a0Son,\u00a0and\u00a0you\u00a0shall\u00a0call\u00a0His\u00a0name\u00a0Jesus,\u00a0for\u00a0He\u00a0will\u00a0save\u00a0His\u00a0people\u00a0from their\u00a0sins.\u00a022\u00a0So\u00a0all\u00a0this\u00a0was\u00a0done\u00a0that\u00a0it\u00a0might\u00a0be\u00a0fulfilled\u00a0which\u00a0was\u00a0spoken\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0through\u00a0the prophet,\u00a0saying:\u00a023\u00a0Behold,\u00a0the\u00a0virgin\u00a0shall\u00a0be\u00a0with\u00a0child,\u00a0and\u00a0bear\u00a0a\u00a0Son,\u00a0and\u00a0they\u00a0shall\u00a0call\u00a0His\u00a0name Immanuel,\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0translated,\u00a0God\u00a0with\u00a0us. What\u2019s\u00a0fascinating\u00a0to\u00a0me\u00a0about\u00a0this\u00a0passage\u00a0is\u00a0how\u00a0a\u00a0deep\u00a0theological\u00a0doctrine\u00a0about\u00a0God…\u00a0is\u00a0the answer\u00a0to\u00a0some\u00a0very\u00a0practical\u00a0relational\u00a0problems.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joseph\u00a0and\u00a0Mary\u00a0are\u00a0in\u00a0anguish.\u00a0\u00a0A\u00a0divorce\u00a0is imminent.\u00a0\u00a0Hearts\u00a0are\u00a0crushed.\u00a0Future\u00a0plans\u00a0have\u00a0crumbled.\u00a0They\u00a0are\u00a0both\u00a0scared.\u00a0Confused.\u00a0Hurt.\u00a0 And they\u00a0are\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0middle\u00a0of\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0will??!! God\u00a0comes\u00a0to\u00a0Joseph\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0pain,\u00a0relational\u00a0chaos,\u00a0and\u00a0says… You\u00a0can\u00a0trust Me\u00a0right\u00a0now.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0some\u00a0Christmas\u00a0Evidence\u00a0to\u00a0Strengthen\u00a0Your\u00a0Wavering\u00a0Christmas Faith.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0tells\u00a0Joseph,\u00a0\u201cdo\u00a0not\u00a0be\u00a0afraid…\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Why?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0gives\u00a0Joseph\u00a0evidence\u00a0#2…\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Angel\u00a0Says.. The\u00a0Epoxy\u00a0God\u00a0Has\u00a0a\u00a0Unique\u00a0Start.\u00a0A\u00a0Virgin\u00a0Birth\u00a0Composed\u00a0of\u00a0Two\u00a0parts.\u00a0\u00a0One\u00a0part\u00a0is\u00a0Mary….\u00a0The Second\u00a0Part\u00a0is\u00a0\u201cThe\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit\u2019s\u201d\u00a0doing. 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