First of all, “What Are Evidences?” We all understand what the word evidence means when it comes to the legal system. If Bob has stolen $5,000 from Tom and Tom wants to prove he has been robbed, he will have to produce evidence to prove his charge. Likewise, Bob will present proof he did not, or could not have committed the crime. The judge and jury will then decide which man has proven his claim based on evidence.
The Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary explains evidence as: “an outward sign; something that furnishes proof; something legally submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter1.” So, Christian evidences is a study of the claims of and facts about Jesus, the Bible, the existence of God, or Christianity as a whole. Do I believe there is a God? Did Jesus really die on the cross? Are the things Jesus said true? Did God create the earth? Is the resurrection of Jesus an historical fact? This is what it means to make a study of “Christian evidences.”
How important is this kind of teaching? In a world where our eternal life or damnation depends on our status as believer or unbeliever, it is spiritual life and death!
The elders at North Second Street have invited Todd Chandler, a biology professor at Florida College, to address the truth claims made in and about the Bible. Beginning next Sunday (October 26), Todd will give five lessons in a series designed to prove our faith in a Creator God and a resurrected Savior are not wild, unsubstantiated claims but matters of fact, history, and date.
At this point, you may think, “I believe the Bible. If the word of God says it, I believe it, the end.” There is absolutely nothing wrong with that approach. In fact, no amount of evidence will replace the need for faith. Brother Chandler is not here to prove the resurrection or creation on purely evidence-based grounds. A Christian must have faith in God through Jesus and proven by works of the Holy Spirit. No one will enter the kingdom of heaven who does not have faith.
What Todd and our congregation hope to accomplish over the coming days, is prove to you that faith in God is not an unreasonable proposition. The people, facts, and stories of people in the Bible can be proven. Science does not make faith obsolete nor do we need to destroy science for belief to exist. My personal faith in the Lord God is based on what I believe to be true about God’s creation, Jesus, miracles, and the teaching of the apostles as attested by the Holy Spirit.
Make plans to be with us and invite someone you know, to learn about Deity, Design, and Darwin, October 26-28.
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