FAQ's
Some of these questions are controversial so here are the ground rules: I believe the Bible is the Word of God, so whenever the Bible speaks clearly, I will share that. If it is uncomfortable, I will still share that and stand true to what the Bible says. If the Bible doesn’t speak clearly about a topic, I’m going to look for principles to apply to the question. We can disagree because we don’t have to agree on everything, but we do have to disagree in love.
WHERE ARE DINOSAURS IN THE BIBLE?
There is lots of debate. There are several verses in the Bible that seem to mention dinosaurs. For example, there is a Hebrew word “tannin” that is translated as sea monster, dragon, serpent, or some type of giant reptile. This word is mentioned 28 times in the Old Testament. There are a couple of other words in the Bible that are related potentially to dinosaurs. In Job 40, there is a creature named “the behemoth”, and in Psalm 104 and Isaiah 27:1 there is a creature called “leviathan.”
HAS SCIENCE MADE FAITH IRRELEVANT?
There is a goofy story about a mother whose 7-year-old daughter came running inside the house and asked: “Mommy, where did I come from?” Mom took a big breath, and awkwardly talked about birds and bees and this can all lead to a tiny baby that becomes a little girl like you. Daughter had a shocked look on face and said: “Well, Jimmy next door said he comes from Iowa.”
We have all asked that question: Why am I here? Where did we come from? The Bible gives an answer to where did we come from?
“IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH.” GENESIS 1:1 (NIV)
The Bible goes on to tell us that God created the heavens, the skies, the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth, and all living things - including human life, which was made in the image of God. But science would say: the universe came into existence about 14 billion years ago, that the universe, through a Big Bang event, was formed about 4.5 billion years ago. And that we as humans are almost genetically identical to other primates or apes.
So, lots of people assume that science has replaced the need for any kind of religious faith, meaning that you’re EITHER a person who lives by scientific evidence or you’re a person of faith who lives by blind faith.
It’s my opinion that science and faith don’t have to be picked one over the other. I think they are actually two different but both valid ways for knowing things. Scientific knowledge is based on the scientific method, where you test a hypothesis and make conclusions based on repeated results, but there are clear limits to this kind of knowledge. For example, how do you prove the intrinsic worth of a human life? How do you scientifically verify what it means to be a good person?
WHAT ABOUT EVOLUTION?
Big topic. I have my opinion. (1) Some people say young earth, some say old earth, (2) some say creation started with a big bang, some would say God did it, some say it’s evolution, some say God alone, some say God did it through evolution. It is a fact that our human DNA is 99% the same as a chimpanzee. But here’s the thing: We are radically different from chimpanzees. Has anyone read a novel or a book of poetry written by a chimp? Where are their food banks, hospitals, and universities? Have they ever started a world war? No.
A couple of things: Evolution and creation don’t even answer the same question. Evolution asks how and when. Creation asks by whom and for what. Dallas Willard said: “In order for evolution to occur, creation has to already be there.” It is like the following story: God is approached by a scientist who said, “God, we decided we don’t need you anymore. These days we can clone people. We can transplant organs.” God: “You say you don’t need me. So let’s put your theory to the test. Let’s both make a human being just the way I did with Adam.” “Fine,” said the scientist. The scientist bent down to get a handful of dirt, but God stopped him and said: “Nope, you get your own dirt.”
Ultimately, I don’t believe anyone truly believes in evolution totally when it comes down to it. Because if they do–why go to whatever lengths we need to go to help a small child with a life-threatening disease? Shouldn’t they think: I believe in evolution, therefore I believe in the survival of the fittest. We inherently know life is precious and can’t be reduced to “survival of the fittest.”
Why are we here? Where did we come from? Those are important questions. Richard Dawkins, an outspoken atheist makes this conclusion: “The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.” That’s one opinion. That’s one step of faith. My faith is different. Even though we are really small in a really big universe, you still matter. You are of great worth. You are each here for a reason, because there is Someone who made something from nothing, not because of blind, pitiless indifference but because of His creative and life-giving love.
“WHEN I CONSIDER YOUR HEAVENS, THE WORK OF YOUR FINGERS,THE MOON AND THE STARS, WHICH YOU HAVE SET IN PLACE, WHAT IS MANKIND THAT YOU ARE MINDFUL OF THEM, HUMAN BEINGS THAT YOU CARE FOR THEM?” PSALM 8:3-4 (NIV)
We are really, really small but we still matter. Why? Because in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Bottom line question: How will you answer the questions science can’t answer? Like: Why are you here? What does your life mean? How will you direct your life? Where is your faith?
WHY DIDN’T GOD FINISH CREATION ALL AT ONCE?
Genesis 1-2 leads us to several questions. One key question is: If God is all-powerful and all-knowing, why didn’t He bring about a fully developed and complete creation in an instant? It’s a good question.
God, by developing His creation over time, allowed His wisdom and power to slowly be revealed. By creating the universe this way, God taught us that He can rescue us from darkness, aimlessness, and chaos. And when He does rescue us–He doesn’t do it instantaneously, but in a way that unfolds His power, His knowledge, and His love step by step.
WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?
Job asked that question in a different way:
“WHY DO THE WICKED PROSPER, GROWING OLD AND POWERFUL?” JOB 21:7 (NLT)
“THEY SPEND THEIR DAYS IN PROSPERITY, THEN GO DOWN TO THE GRAVE IN PEACE. AND YET THEY SAY TO GOD, ‘GO AWAY. WE WANT NO PART OF YOU AND YOUR WAYS.’” JOB 21:13-14 (NLT)
That is a great question and a really important question. Let me just say: there are a lot of painful things in life. Some of you are facing pain and hurt right now. So for you this is not a hypothetical question at all. I am going to answer this the best I can but my answer will not be perfect or complete because only God can answer this in a perfect and complete way.
Answers you will hear:
(1) Some people say: “Bad things just happen.”
(2) Other people say: “Well, there’s karma. You do good, you get good back. You do bad, you get bad back. So, if bad things are happening to you, then obviously you did bad things.“
Here’s the Christian perspective: I think we have to acknowledge that there is some false advertising when it comes to Christianity. Lots of teaching that life is better with God. That is a true statement depending on what you mean by better. If better means - I will always get the blessing, always get the promotion, I’ll never get cancer, I’ll never have tragedy - that is simply not true. Just because you are a Christian doesn’t mean that the rest of your life goes without struggle or hardship or difficulty. Jesus suffered and He didn’t cause any of it. Jesus said:
“I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS, SO THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT TAKE HEART! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” JOHN 16:33 (NIV)
There is not a Biblical promise that if you follow Jesus, life will always be trouble-free and no problems. If you believe that, you have a problem with someone like John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus and yet was beheaded in prison because he stood up for what was right. You are going to have a problem with Paul, who was faithful to God, wrote a lot of the New Testament, and yet was beaten and left for dead and eventually executed for his faith. And you especially are going to have a problem with Jesus who did nothing wrong and suffered for our sins. Life is better with God but that’s not talking about better being problem-free.
So let me give you the Christian perspective of why bad things happen. 3 reasons:
(1) Because our world is corrupted and stained by sin. Therefore, sinful things happen.
(2) There are times when our spiritual enemy Satan attacks us. If you are a Christian, you have an enemy who wants to destroy you. He will use drugs, addiction, greed, pride, all sorts of things to ruin you. We are in a spiritual war and we have an enemy.
(3) God has allowed a thing called free will. You have a choice. You are not a robot that is programmed to love God, you choose to love God or not. Because of free will, you can do good or you can do evil. Without free will there is no love, but with free will there also comes the possibility of doing things wrong.
*I think this question is basically flawed. The answer is bad things don’t happen to good people, because in reality none of us are good. Some of you would push back about that statement. “Wait a minute. Those other people might not be good but I’m a good person.” But in the eyes of God, none of us are good and we have to get that. Our heart is deceitful. We can talk ourselves into all sorts of things. We are flawed and sinful. Because I am my own worst enemy. I think I know what is best for me, and I don’t. I think I can handle things on my own without God and I can’t. Bad things don’t happen to good people, bad things happen to sinful people.
But some of you may be struggling with this question and think: God is not fair. And I would agree with you. God is absolutely not fair, and I am really glad. God is always good, but He is not always fair. And we should be thankful God is not fair. Because we could ask the better question: Why do good things happen to bad people? That is the essence of the Gospel message of Jesus. God is always good, He is always just, but He is not always fair. If He was fair, He would give us what our sins deserve without any forgiveness, mercy, or grace. Here’s how God is not fair:
“HE DOES NOT PUNISH US FOR ALL OUR SINS; HE DOES NOT DEAL HARSHLY WITH US, AS WE DESERVE. FOR HIS UNFAILING LOVE TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM IS AS GREAT AS THE HEIGHT OF THE HEAVENS ABOVE THE EARTH. HE HAS REMOVED OUR SINS AS FAR FROM US AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST.“ PSALM 103:10-12 (NLT)
If you think only bad things should happen to bad people, Jesus is the perfect example of the best person who ever lived, and yet the worst thing happened to Him when He went to the cross to die for you and me. Why did He do it? So that the best thing that could ever happen would happen to us, the worst people who have ever lived. Our sins could be forgiven and we could spend eternity in heaven with God, something we do not deserve and could never ever earn. Tragedy can make us question God. But it is in tragedy and difficulty and suffering that the presence of God becomes most real. He is with you, and He will bring comfort in ways that only He could do. God sees you even when you can’t see Him.