I knew I would be swamped and that getting this part of my response to Clark’s intimation of dead end faith would take a while, but not quite this long. For that, I apologize.
For what it is worth, this is not so much a rebuttal as an explanation as to why I believe he is mostly right, but still have faith in God.
While it is not within the realm of the scientific methodology to approach the question of God and faith, logical reasoning must still be used. Science, which is the study of our universe and everything in it, should not be rejected. Instead, the knowledge we gain from scientific methodology and observation should be embraced as we approach a faith in God.
The very first step of the spiritual quest should be “Is there a God?â€. This question should not rest on the authority of the Bible or any other scripture, but on its own merit. This is because scripture goes further and begins to define God. The Bible, written by men, cannot prove to us that God exists. The belief in God, and that God interacted with people, comes before the belief in scripture. As well, belief in a god of the gaps, one that can be extrapolated by miraculous intervention during the creation process (such as the concept that irreducibly complex systems prove an intelligent creator) is a poor foundation upon which to base a belief in God. Science can, and often does find a natural explanation for previously unexplained phenomena. This is not because science is seeking to disprove God, but because science is seeking to understand nature.Â
A belief in God is basic, yet cannot be known, so it can only be an assumption about the nature of the universe. Making this assumption (or the one that there is no god) is a leap of faith. It is after one has made the leap of faith in God that we can then ask “Is this what God is? Is this what God wants me to be? How does God interact with me, other humans, and nature?†The answers to these questions should not contradict what we and other humans have observed.
Furthermore, when we base our faith in God on the authority of what others tell us that we also find ourselves on shaky ground. Sometimes this is a stepping point, but we should not remain there. If these others whom we have believed prove to be wrong in some ways, then how can we trust them to be right in this way? We must gather information, study, and have faith for ourselves. If we determine that something is true, we should not say it is true only because so and so said it, or simply because it came from the Bible. It is true based on its own merits of being consistent with our experience, both spiritual and temporal, direct and indirect.
A testimony of scripture is separate from and should come after a testimony of God. I do believe that scripture is an important part of developing a relationship with God. I do not believe the Bible to be wholly literal, nor that it was ever meant to be that way. What little I know of ancient Hebrew culture and language contradicts a literal Bible interpretation. What I know of nature contradicts a literal, Ussher inspired Bible interpretation. However, I believe the Bible to be an accurate record of God’s dealings with the Hebrew people and of the Savior. It is simply that we must read the Bible with the understanding that ancient people wrote what they experienced and observed. This will necessarily be accurate only in context of their culture and the original language.
This kind of faith is exciting to me. I understand nature to be within God’s creation, reflecting God and those laws he operates under. This opens the possibility of scientific and rational exploration that enhances rather than contradicts a testimony of God. It expands the scope of God’s work and majesty, making creation a 15 billion year enterprise with numberless worlds. This is beyond our ability to truly comprehend, as befits deity, and yet it is not supernaturally paradoxical, as befits our experience.
Seeking to prove God by miraculous intervention is sign seeking. It is only when we seek to reconcile our understanding with what we observe and experience that we can come to gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of God, existence, ourselves and how the three interact. Such a line of questioning resolves many of the supposed discrepancies between science and religion.
2 responses to “I don’t believe in “god of the gaps””
The answer to the age old question for me is very easy. Is there or isn’t there a God? I could tell you but you wouldn’t believe me so you have to find out for yourself.
I have been on a number of blogs saying about the same thing. With a great deal of frustration. This time I am going to take whole different aproach to what I have been writing. This time I have some questions for you to think about.
First, Would God talk to someone that is now living? Second, Lets say God told this person a number of things that could change the world as we know it. Would you want to know what God said? Third, If God told this person the date of Judgment. Would you want to know when that was? Fourth, If God told him/her they are on his Left side, Who would that be?( I really don’t know the answer to that question either.) Fifth, If Jesus said that someone changed the words in the bible would you believe that?
Sixth, If Jesus said his parents are Joseph and Mary, and that his parents are just like everyone else’s (not divine) is that believeable? Seven, If God talked to someone that is living right now and he told that person the meaning of Revelation. And that Revelation is really going to come true, would you believe that? Eight, If this person could prove that God talked to them, would you be interested in seeing the proof? Nine, If God talked to you would anyone believe you? by: Melanie Stephan (Answers to 1 to 8 are all true)
I have been to so many sites. I wonder if anyone is listening. This is so frustrating telling people about the news. People wonder why God does not talk to them. He just did, through me. I hope someone else has a Key besides me. I think if Jesus came back no one, not one of you would believe it was him. I would know if it was him or not. Most of you think you all know everything. I have been to every Jesus site and I have read every different opinion there is. All of you think you have some kind of wisdom. I’ll tell you all right now God thinks all of you are full of it. It means crap. That includes me too, no one is excluded. Most of you think your important sitting in your fancy cars talking on your cell phones. Know what Jesus thinks of that? Don’t get me wrong. I love you and so does Jesus, even more than I do. Most of you just look pretty stupid pretending to be important. Sorry to go off on all of you but it has been a hard frustrating day doing Gods work.
I have a very big story to tell all of you. It kind of answers all of your questions about whether or not there is a God. My story is that God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost talked to me. I have proof. Now God talked to me just like he talked to Abraham, Daniel and John in a series of dreams. In the dreams I was told the meaning of First is Last and Last is First. Birth is Last. Now Jesus told me a number of things but it is to long to write here. Another point is that Jesus talked to me, not any other God. Logic would say that since there is one God, and one Son all others are false prophets. Now for all of you that want proof. You really don’t want God to talk to you. It has been very difficult for me. Everyone has been calling me names like crazy, looney, etc. No one believes me and I have proof. You would think that people would like to see the proof. They don’t care to see it and they don’t want to know what else God had to say to me. So even though I have proof it seems that God wants you to find out the truth for yourselves. He said look and you will find. Now I study plants, my studies lead me to believing in God. My question was, ‘How do plants know about insects and animals?’ They make flowers for the insects to come and fruit for the animals to eat. How can they possibly know about animals, they don’t have a brain? God does. I just couldn’t see this as being coincidential. Now I don’t go to Church and I didn’t read the bible before the Holy Trinity dropped in on me. My thought was that the Pope or someone in the church would be a better choice that me, I am no one important. Then I have been reading some of what other people have been writing about the Church. Maybe God does not agree with the Church either. Another thing, Jesus told me the meaning of the Numbers. Most of us think we know everything. He said that there are a Number of people that are full of Crap, that includes you and me. Thank you for letting me write on you site. Melanie Stephan