A Long Surrender: A Scientist’s Path from Atheism to Christian Theism by Gunter Bechley of The Discovery Institute Featured at Salvo When atheists hear conversion stories that begin with, “I was a staunch atheist and then . . . ”, they tend to roll their eyes and doubt the claim. However, this is exactly what happened to me. I had been a 150-percent atheist and materialist for almost forty years before I embarked on a spiritual journey that ultimately, after many twists and turns, led me to belief in God and Christianity. I had no life crisis, no epiphany, and no spiritual experiences at all. It was the result of purely rational, scientific, philosophical, and historical arguments that gradually changed my mind as a scientist. Here is my story. Read the Bechley's whole story by clicking here.
One of my most recent "aha" moments and spiritual highs came as a result of learning about the origin of the Celtic Cross. I first came across a talk given by Ken Boa (which will soon be on a post on this page). I later learned that Glenn Sunshine had done the research which Ken used to bring that talk to life. My epiphany regarding the significance of the symbolism of the Celtic Cross is why I placed it on the cover of my book, Lord of All. I even created a prayer using phrases drawn from my new understanding of this symbolism. I'll eventually share that prayer here. I have read Glenn Sunshine's articles at BreakPoint for many years and have found them an invaluable source to help me better understand and articulate the Christian worldview. His book, Why You Think the Way You Do is a must read on worldview thinking. I was formally introduced to Glenn through T.M. Moore at The Fellowship of Ailbe, which we were both a part of at the time. Glenn is a regular teacher/speaker for The Colson Center, a ministry associate of Ken Boa at Reflection Ministries, and has his own website and ministry, Every Square Inch Ministries, to which the excerpt below is linked. He is also part of a great podcast called, The Theology Pugcast, which covers a wide array of topics in a winsome and thorough way. The article below is about Celtic crosses in general and Muiredach's cross in particular. Enjoy. The story begins thousands of years before the first Celtic High Crosses was erected. The ancient inhabitants of Europe erected menhirs, enormous standing stones, particularly in Ireland, Britain, and Brittany in France. These stones date back six to seven thousand years, placing them in the Neolithic period. No one knows what their original purpose was, but as Celtic peoples migrated into the areas over the millennia, they became pagan holy sites. Read the whole article at Glenn Sunshine's website by clicking here.
Before we get started... I've shared this piece a number of times over the years, primarily because of the impact Ken Boa made (and continues to make) in my life. I also share it because, in many ways, his influence continues to show up in much of how I think and minister, as well as what I write. I deeply appreciate now the time and effort Ken has invested in ministry in general, in me in particular, as much as when I first wrote this. Any person who has ever taken a class I have taught has heard the name “Ken Boa” more times than they ever wanted. Ken was a mentor of mine from 1989-1992, while I attended seminary in Atlanta. I first “discovered” Ken through an audio tape (remember those?) someone let me borrow. After that, I went to the seminary library and read everything I could get my hands on. I also started attending as many of Ken’s Bible studies and small groups as I could that were spread around Atlanta. (There's a really long version of this story, but this will suffice for now.) Sometimes, at seminary, students can actually become spiritually malnourished as God becomes more of an object to be analyzed rather than a Person to be loved. Ken served as a great antidote to that ailment in my life. I enjoyed the privilege of getting to know Ken one-on-one and was even allowed to teach some of his classes from time to time. I will always appreciate the time and effort he poured into me. He must have exercised great patience in having this young seminary student trailing behind his every step. But if he did ever grow weary of me, I never knew it. He was always very gracious and helpful. After graduation I moved back to Florida and continued studying under Ken via his audio tapes and books. I have listened to his teachings and read his books over and over again. In fact, I wrote him a number of years ago and told him his influence has been felt throughout Florida, at every church I have served. (As a side note, I reached out to him during the pandemic and asked if he could share with me some details about his online teaching setup. Again, he was very helpful.) Today I can continue to keep up with Ken through his website. I can receive daily devotions and prayers, download and listen to his teaching via podcasts, read his many articles, etc. And if I want to feel even more like I’m back in one of his studies, I can join him in a class via Zoom or watch him via his seemingly countless class videos. I have mailed Ken periodic “thank you” cards as well as reached out to him with an occasional email. But it’s nice to know I can still keep up with him and his teaching. He was, and remains, a very influential mentor in my life. My ministry reveals it, as folks I have been privileged to teach and disciple can easily attest. Below is Part 1 of a Ten-Part video series entitled, The Voyage of Life. Ken has a book coming out soon based on this series. It was a moving study, one in which I took copious notes. His lesson related to the Celtic Cross especially moved me (more on that later). The Voyage of Life: Part 1 Aging Wisely by Ken Boa at Reflections Ministries Understanding the Times: Part 1 Strangers in Our Times by T.M. Moore at The Fellowship of Ailbe The Fellowship of Ailbe is a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic tradition. At the Fellowship of Ailbe website, you can find many helpful resources to grow deeper and wider in your faith in Christ. This post contains Part 1, in a series by T.M. Moore on Understanding the Times. Here's T.M.'s introduction to Part 1... Nobody likes to be thought of as strange. Click here to read the whole study and/or download this resource.
Matthew 28:18 – And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Compartmentalized Living Won’t Do
I remember when I first started using the phrase, “faith for every sphere of life.” It began as I started studying the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It just made sense that if Jesus Christ is the Lord of heaven and earth, then he is Lord of everything. And if he is the Lord of all there is, then I must submit to him in every sphere of my life, or else I should stop calling him Lord. Jesus said as much in Luke 6:46, Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you? (NRSV) This notion is in marked contrast to the way many people think and live, including myself in the early days of my faith. I, like plenty of others, had long been an adherent of a compartmentalized faith. Men, you especially know the drill: the Christian faith is fine for Sunday mornings, but it has nothing to do with the rest of your life. It’s embarrassing to admit, but that’s where I was. Personal, Not Private Instead, the Christian faith should be understood as a comprehensive view of life. The secular world around us, however, still prefers the church to remain silent about anything not having to do with personal prayers and worship on Sunday mornings. Faith, they say, is private. Sure, you can practice it at home, or even with other Christians on Sunday mornings, but don’t dare bring it into the public square. Jesus, however, doesn’t give us that option. The Christian faith certainly ought to be personal, but it should never be private. To paraphrase the Dutch theologian and statesman, Abraham Kuyper, “there is not a square inch in all the universe about which the Lord Jesus Christ does not declare his own.” As a United Methodist, I have rejoiced that John Wesley took just such a view of the Christian faith. He called it Scriptural Holiness and said it was his purpose in life to spread such Scriptural Holiness over the land. For Wesley, holiness was inward but also outward. It was personal and it was social. There was no picking and choosing. Faith must permeate every aspect of a Christian’s life – prayer, personal devotions, worship, marriage, parenting, work, economics, politics, education, the arts, personal morality, relationships, civic duty, and serving the community, just to name a few spheres of life. This Includes Your Life I encourage you to prayerfully ask yourself what it would mean for you to understand there is not even the smallest corner of your life about which Jesus Christ, as Lord, is unconcerned. How would acknowledging and submitting to that truth change your life? How would it bless your relationship with your family and friends? What consequences would it have for you in your workplace? Can you imagine the possibilities? Christ is calling you to follow him in every sphere of your lives. Do you hear his voice? Will you follow him? Walking Points
Prayer Lord of heaven and earth, remind me this day that there is not a square inch in all the universe about which you are unconcerned. While I rejoice that I have seen changes in my life through the gracious work of your Spirit, please show me those areas I am attempting to keep from you. Convict me of my sin and rebellion in those areas and turn my hard heart to flesh and joyful obedience. Please let my life faithfully bear witness to you as I serve as your ambassador to other men who are struggling with handing you the reigns in their lives. Together, may we extend your glorious Kingdom into every sphere of life here on earth, as it already is in heaven. In the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords I pray. Amen. |
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