Bringing Clarity to Uncertainty in Our Church

Tag: Faith (Page 2 of 4)

Why Doesn’t God Always Stop Suffering?

If God is all powerful and all good why doesn’t he intervene to stop suffering? This is a question on the mind of many in the developed West.

“Better than I deserve!”

On a daily basis I come across several people in my job. When I greet them I typically ask, “How are you doing?” or “How is your day so far?” The typical response I get is, “Busy!” followed by a string of negative things. Even things that seem to be positive and self imposed such as taking children to recreational activities, seem to be infused with negativity and suffering.

I contrast this with my experience in working in developing countries and with the homeless. The first favela I entered on a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I encountered a young woman who was paralyzed from the neck down. She had no wheel chair or any effective means of transportation. I remember walking into a room where she laid on a sleeping cot placed on the ground. She smiled, laughed, told jokes and was so thankful to be alive with her family. She may never know this, but she was the first to force me to question what it means to be fully alive.

Courtesy of Flickr.com by mclolumnasana

Courtesy of Flickr.com by mclolumnasana

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Conquering Suffering: 3 Things I Learned From Witnessing Pain

When loved ones, close friends, or someone we admire dies we experience great sadness. For me, when someone close to me dies, initially a heavy burden of sadness weighs on my heart. But it is not long before the sadness is overwhelmed by peace.

This might seem inappropriate or even deranged, but allow me to share three reasons that suffering has taught me about authentic peace.

Courtesy of Amit Kujur from Flickr.com

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Is Our Faith in Vain? How Can We Know That Jesus Rose From the Dead

Everything OR Nothing

The resurrection of Jesus is the climax of the Christian faith. Everything hinges on this one historical event. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead then our faith is vain. The Apostle Paul admits this in the Bible: “…and if Christ has not been raised; then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” (1 Cor 14:14). Paul is seemingly inviting people to examine for themselves the evidence for the resurrection. He wouldn’t have done this if he wasn’t 100% sure of it.

On the other hand, if Jesus did rise from the dead. Then he is truly the Son of God; he is the embodiment of Truth.

Courtesy of Good Free Photos from Unsplash.com

Courtesy of Good Free Photos from Unsplash.com

So let’s accept Paul’s invitation and explore one of the most convincing pieces of evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. I invite you (believer or not) to dive into the evidence I present. If you don’t like the evidence feel free to present evidence to the contrary, but don’t run from the evidence.

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Did Jesus Really Die on the Cross?

Last week before Good Friday I was scrolling through my social media feeds. As I was scrolling down an image caught my intention. In the photo there was a statue of Jesus Crucified with blood dripping down his face and limbs. Beside the statue was a man posing mocking what the statue represented.

Initially I was offended, but as quickly as the feeling of offence came it dissipated even faster. Why be offended? Afterall, it’s explicitly written in the Bible that Jesus was mocked, humiliated and died a death reserved for the greatest of criminals in ancient Rome. If it happened then, it will today.

My confidence as a Christian convert from atheism comes from two things: First, my real life changing experience of Jesus Christ in my life and in those Christians whom I met as an atheist. Second, the overwhelming evidence of Jesus’ resurrection. In this moment I would like to focus on the latter; the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. I will discuss two popular objections often brought up by skeptics and atheists. Due to length required to give this objection respect I will focus on one of two objections against the Resurrection. My next post will focus on a second.

Courtesy of Simoen Muller from unsplash.com

Courtesy of Simoen Muller from unsplash.com

Objection 1: Jesus didn’t really die on the cross.

A common objection proposed by skeptics is that Jesus didn’t die on the cross. Jesus survived the crucifixion, rescued by his followers and continued to live until his natural death. One Indian scholar I read even suggests that Jesus went as far as India where eventually he died a natural death. When examining the historical and archaeological evidence I’m afraid this argument would not be given the light of the day in a modern courtroom. Let’s explore ancient crucifixion.

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The End of Reason

Walking Among Counterfeits

Numerous times I have had the experience of walking through a distinct mall in Lima, Peru called “Polvos Rosados.” Essentially it’s a giant dome with hundreds of vendors selling counterfeit versions of popular products. Counterfeits of expensive luxury brand watches, counterfeits of clothing brands such as American Eagle, Adidas, and Giorgio Armani, and occasionally the questionably acquired latest electronic gadget such as IPads, MacBooks, and smartphones.

To notice the difference between a counterfeit and an original when it comes to some of the products it would take a professional. For instance the luxury watches (Omega, Rolex…etc). Several vendors will carry similar, if the not the exact same counterfeits, but each vendor will insist that their fake is a more realistic fake than the one being sold around the corner.  

Courtesy of Roy from flickr.com

Courtesy of Roy from flickr.com

Counterfeiting Truth

It seems that in the West (Canada, U.S., and Most of Europe) we live in an era where we are being sold several versions of counterfeit morality. Each insisting that their moral reasoning is more true than the other. Insisting that their fake is less fake than the next person’s.

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A World That Forgot How to Love

I love you, you love me we’re together a happy family.” As I’m sure you know, these are the popular lyrics of the childhood friendly purple dinosaur, Barney.  

As a child when I first saw Barney singing this song as he danced away with children my own age around him I felt very weird about watching it. There was something wrong with the lyrics (never mind a grown man in a purple dinosaur costume dancing). As a five year old I couldn’t put a finger on what was bothering me about it. But one thing I did know was whatever “love”  Barney was singing about wasn’t real love.

In hindsight, this love was very superficial. It totally ignored the reality of authentic love. The ugly side of it that requires real sacrifice, perseverance, and faith. It didn’t give me hope a child. I couldn’t relate it to my experience.

God is Love?

It seems it’s this “Barney type of love” is what our culture chases. One that is ultimately rooted in comfort with no sense perseverance or sacrifice. And if I may say, a love that is delusional.

Courtesy of Mayur Gala from Unsplash.com

Courtesy of Mayur Gala from Unsplash.com

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Should You Express Your Faith or Belief System In Public?

Some time ago a young woman to expressed to me her offence at seeing some Muslim men on the streets of Niagara Falls praying in a public square. In brief, five times a day Muslims are mandated to turn towards Mecca (in Saudi Arabia), kneel, bow, and stand as they recite the Salah. She was of the opinion that people should keep their faith or belief systems in the private realms of their life.

Should people be allowed to publicly express their faith through word or action?

Courtesy of Unsplash.com  by Leon Seierlein

Courtesy of Unsplash.com by Leon Seierlein

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[First Periscope Post] From Unbelief to Belief

This is my first Periscope post as part of my weekly blog posts at greg.garda.com. Just click on the link  of the picture below to view the video.

[First Periscope Post] From Unbelief to Belief

Courtesy of Terry Hancock from Flickr.com

Courtesy of Terry Hancock from Flickr.com

In this post I briefly give my testimony on why I went from unbelief in God to belief in Him. I touch on one major intellectual struggle I had: Why is there so many accomplished intelligent people in different disciplines from science to philosophy to social sciences who believe in God with great confidence. In fact, their disciplines often lead them to conclude that it is more reasonable to hold that God does indeed exist.

“What” Is God? 3 Places In The Bible That Reveal to Us God’s Nature

In my last video blog post, What God Is Not, I addressed a major categorical mistake that new  atheists (Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens…etc.) make when describing God. I don’t want to dwell on something I already spoke about, so if you’d like the context for this blog post you’re welcome to view the video here.

Today I wish to direct you to three sections in the Bible that clarify how Christians (and Jews) actually understand God’s nature. Let’s get going.

Courtesy of Joshua Earle from Unsplash.com

Courtesy of Joshua Earle from Unsplash.com

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What God Is Not

Check out my new blog update. This is my first blog video titled “What God is Not.”

I learned today that it’s not easy to shoot a quality video. Much respect to those who do this on a regular basis. Forgive me for the focus part way through. Cheers!

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