Sometimes You Just Have to Believe

1 Corinthians 1:25

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."

Well if you haven't guessed it by now, I am a bit of a movie buff.  Fortunately for me, my time on the bike trainer has afforded me some time to watch some movies that wouldn't interest my lovely wife (I have caught up on all of the Harry Potters) and I get to re-watch some movies that show up on AMC.  I have become a fan of the classics, such as John Wayne movies, and I really enjoyed the one I watched this evening, "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" with Humphrey Bogart ("We don't need no stinking badges!").  A few weeks ago I saw a movie that is a very good movie and can be watched by all ages.  Second Hand Lions stars Haley-Joel Osmond (the kid from the Sixth Sense).  He has two eccentric uncles he is sent to live with played by Robert Duval and Michael Caine.  The movie is entertaining and should be seen in its entirety but one of the parts that stands out to me is Uncle Hub's speech to the boy.  Watch the speech here.  I believe the video does not show the line right before the speech begins that says something like "Boy, Just because something ain't true doesn't mean you can't believe in it".

Last night we watched a show called Curiosity: Did God Create the Universe.   In the show Stephen Hawking explains from a physics standpoint how the creation of the universe likely took place.  To give a quick synopsis, Hawking suggests that there are only three things required for creation to occur.  Those three things are matter, energy, and space.  Due to the scientific achievements of Albert Einstein and his development of the mathematical equation E=mc2 (2 is square, no superscript), there are now only two items required because matter and energy can be derived from the same source.  Through these fundamental theories in physics, Hawking asserts that creation can arise out of nothingness and therefore there is no need for a creator.  The theory seems scientifically sound, and if it is on the Discovery Channel it must be! But should we put Hawking in a room with Lee Stroebel and have him debate how scientific evidence points to a creator, who would the scientific community deem the winner?  Should we care?

While discussing the show this morning, the wife and I discussed how we would handle the cross over in science and religion when it occurs with our children.  What do we do as parents when we are faced with the question of did we evolve or did we come from Adam and Eve?  You know, one of my favorite writings was penned by a man named Francis Church entitled, "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus".   This passage plays a significant role in Mr. Church's answer to young Virginia:

"You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding."
To me that is the truth in all of these questions.  Our power is our belief in God.  Just as Uncle Hub says, "This is what a man should believe, because this is what matters most".  Sure, science will continue to determine whether we evolved or whether we are direct ancestors of the two beings who walked in the Garden of Eden.  No matter how hard we try though, we will always come up short.  There will always be more questions.  It is our belief that makes it true and it is our faith in our belief that allows us to build our relationship with God.  Science is not evil.  Quite the contrary.  It is necessary.  More fantastic parts of our world and beyond will continue to be discovered because of scientific and technological efforts.  But the point is the debate will have no winner.  This debate does not even enter in to the presence of God on earth as Jesus.  We are simply discussing the origin of man, or more specifically, the origin of the universe.

So what do I tell my kids (with my wife's blessing).  I tell them that there are certain things in life that science has proven to be true.  There are certain things that still remain a mystery to people that practice scientific research. I could even share the theories with them depending on their ages, but the final statement will likely be, "I do not know whether we evolved or we are ancestors of Adam and Eve, but we can ask God when we see Him."

Bike Ride:
Didn't get any road work in this weekend.  We had 100 degree days and thunder storms on Saturday (about the time I was planning to ride) so I spent some more time getting acquainted with the trainer.  Physically, I am doing well.  My left shoulder is giving me some fits.  I have been to the doctor before for a pinched nerve and I think it is acting up.  I guess I bear down a lot on those handlebars when I am out of the saddle.  I don't think that is the appropriate form...but it is the form I have. :-)