The Oneness of the Body of Christ

Posted on May 25, 2008
Filed Under Personal, Worldview | 6 Comments

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:22-23

I have always loved meeting new Christian brothers and sisters. Much of this has been shaped by my Air Force experience, where I would travel to some distant location, look up the name of the local Officer’s Christian Fellowship leader, call them on the phone and, if the timing was right, find myself that evening in a home with loved ones, though I had never met them before. This is the sweetness of the oneness in Christ—the fellowship of believers. I have experienced this unity and communion even when I was with believers that I couldn’t understand their language or the words of their worship hymns. I love it and I am fascinated by it.

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit a stranger’s home, filled with more strangers, and leave again with the sense that I had just met a bunch of long lost friends. They had recently finished going through the Truth Project and I had been invited to join them for dinner and a time of Q&A. I have done this on occasion, when the tyranny of my schedule can be broken. What a delightful evening. There were high school students along with adults, each with wonderful testimonies of what God had done in their lives.

I am deeply humbled by what the Lord is doing in small home groups all over this nation and even some remarkable places around the world..from the Far East to Europe, from Central America to soldier’s tents in Iraq.

When Jesus was conversing with the Father in John chapter 17, He prayed:
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

This is the heart of our Lord and it is the heart of our Father, because it springs from His Triune nature. Unity, fellowship, communion, love, oneness…all of these, and more, are part of the consistent vision that He has called us to. Gathering in small groups offers the opportunity for believers to fulfill that vision when they pray for one another, encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens…and laugh together, cry together, hold each other up.

This is the sweet fellowship of the saints.

If you aren’t experiencing it, I encourage you to make it a priority in your life.

An Open Dialogue with Rich

Posted on May 21, 2008
Filed Under Worldview | 58 Comments

I don’t know if “blogville” allows what I am about to do or not, but I am excited to give it a try.

Rich has been submitting comments on the issue raised in the movie “Expelled” and I decided that our current format doesn’t really lend itself to a meaningful dialogue. So, I have asked Rich if he would be willing to enter into a one-on-one exchange and I am delighted that he has agreed. Rich holds a board position within the American Scientific Affiliation.

Let me first set the ground rules.

This will be a dialogue strictly between Rich and me, so the administrator will not publish any comments other than ours. We will try to keep them short (250 words or less) and to the point. I’m sure Rich’s schedule isn’t any less hectic than mine, so we will be patient and simply wait for the other person to respond when they can free up the time to do so. Each of us will have the right to end the dialogue at any time. When our dialogue has ended, we will open up the comment line to anyone.

Okay. Let me go back and set the stage for all of this. About a month ago, I wrote a blog encouraging people to see the movie “Expelled”. Rich wrote in with a dissenting opinion. I wrote a blog in response to Rich, he countered with several comments, and since I didn’t feel we were really connecting on the issue…here we are.

So, let me begin by letting Rich introduce himself and then respond to this question: “The movie raised the issue that there appears to be a line within academia and science that people are not allowed to cross. That line, although somewhat fuzzy, is one that doesn’t allow evidence to be raised against evolutionary theory. In some cases, it seems that the consequences to do so are fairly severe. In your initial response to me, it appeared you were saying that you thought this premise was false and that the hostility toward dissent doesn’t exist. Is that a correct understanding of your position, or have I woefully misunderstood your whole point? If so, please forgive me.”

Response to Rich Re: My Blog on the Ben Stein Movie

Posted on May 17, 2008
Filed Under Worldview | 40 Comments

Thank you for your comments.

If I may summarize your remarks, it appears you believe the Ben Stein movie was false because, from your experience, you don’t see that kind of hostility. You conclude with:

“What is desperately needed is people who are truly dedicated to the truth and not just promoting ‘their side’. Believers in science are caught in the middle and while you think you are doing us a favor, you are not.”

I appreciate your comments and was excited to see that you are a regional board member of the American Scientific Affiliation. Because of that, I will assume you would be comfortable talking about this in a logical or ‘scientific’ manner.

It appears you are saying this:
Premise A is false because my personal experience doesn’t validate the supporting evidence.
However, I’m sure you would agree that our personal observations are not sufficient to invalidate a premise (except for a negative premise: i.e. “No one eats chocolate ice cream” can be falsified by “I eat chocolate ice cream”). Using our personal experiences to invalidate someone’s premise and research would be akin to saying that studies showing sexually transmitted infections (SDIs) are at plague levels in the United States is false because I see no evidence of that in my family or circle of friends. This is a common logical fallacy that, unfortunately, we all use occasionally. Many deny God’s existence because they haven’t personally seen Him.

So, the proper way to invalidate the premise of “Expelled” would be to show that the evidence brought forth is false. In other words, you would need to frame your argument this way:
–A. The movie’s premise is that there is hostility in the academic and scientific realm that muffles those who desire to question Darwinian theory, sometimes resulting in those questioners losing their jobs.
–B. The movie presents evidence for this premise by interviewing people who have lost their jobs because of questioning Darwinian theory and interviewing individuals who hold that hostility toward those who raise the questions.
–C. The movie’s premise is false because the evidence is false. Either Ben Stein made the stories up or the people themselves are lying or delusional.

Now, I could have misunderstood your argument. It is possible you were thinking more along one of the following lines:
–1. I agree that the evidence is valid, but I dispute the implication that it is widespread. If so, you would need to show from more than personal experience that it isn’t. The producers have a web site where they have allowed others who have been affected by this hostility to post their stories. Many have done so.
–Or 2. I agree that the evidence is valid and it is widespread. What I am arguing is that bringing up this problem just makes things worse. In this case we are dealing with a personal opinion. I think that most historical data will show that problems don’t get better if we ignore them (i.e. an alcoholic or spousal abuse).

By the way, I would be very interested to see some of the data you refer to:

“A large percentage of those who see evidence that evolution is an accurate description of nature are theists and even Christians.”

This kind of survey is extremely interesting to me and I would love to see the data. How many “scientists” hold to theistic evolution, atheistic evolution, or have serious doubts about evolution? Then correlate those answers with their various views of God, the Bible, etc.

Also, you refer to Alister McGrath and say “he is ALSO a theistic evolutionist…” If by that you are saying you hold to a theistic evolutionary position, then that could be one of the reasons you haven’t personally experienced any hostility. The hostility the movie addresses deals not with a hostility against Christian faith, but against those who question Darwinian theory.

So, regarding your statement:

“Most of the interactions between believing and secular scientists are cordial and believers like myself can express our Christian faith openly without fear of persecution.”

This could be very true as long as the expressions of your Christian faith don’t question evolution. And theistic evolutionists, by and large, don’t question the theory of evolution and therefore wouldn’t experience the consequences shown in “Expelled“.

Anyway, I’m simply offering a reason why your “personal experience” might not match the evidence shown in the movie.

One other comment, if I may. This is in regards to your statement:

“From my own experience, what is portrayed in the movie bears little resemblance to what is going on in the scientific community because the atheists are just a noisy minority.”

I’ve already dealt with the problem of falsifying a premise based upon personal experience, but it is the second part of your evidence that I want to address: “because the atheists are just a noisy minority.”

I don’t dispute that “atheists” are a statistical minority, but this implies that a noisy minority can’t exert a great influence. We have historical evidence to show that to be false. The homosexual community is a very small and noisy minority but they are having a tremendous impact upon our culture. Richard Dawkins book “The God Delusion” was on the New York Times bestseller list for nearly a year. Sam Harris’ “The End of Faith” and “Letter to a Christian Nation” were also prominent on the bestseller list. When Time featured a debate between Dawkins and Collins, they made this statement: “The market seems flooded with books by scientists describing a caged death match between science and God—with science winning…”. Surveys point to the alarming reality that 50% to 90% of the Christian youth who go to college walk away from their faith. We may not like to talk about this “battle”, but ignoring it ignores the tragedy of the casualties. I get to know 88 students every semester who come from universities all over America, and I can tell you horror stories of their “battle” on the campus. I interviewed one girl who was so openly criticized and belittled and harassed by her professor because of her Christian faith that she had to finally drop the course. I know another girl who was told by her major professor that she needed to either drop her Christianity or drop her major in Social Services. This is the reality of the battle. It does exist. A recent survey showed that 53% of university professors hold an unfavorable/hostle view toward evangelical students (Institute for Jewish & Community Research).

If there isn’t a battle going on here, there is a lot of evidence that is very puzzling at the least.

Well, I truly do thank you for your comments. If I understand part of your argument properly, I heartily agree that the debate must be carried out with civility. The Christian’s responsibility is to be attractively winsome in every interaction with outsiders. I hope to hear from you again…especially to see some of the survey data.

My last comment is this. You state that the movie has failed to bring about an open and honest debate on this issue. I somewhat disagree. You and I are doing that right now. I would hope that every Christian in the scientific and academic arenas would be able to discuss this issue. I would hope that every Trustee or Board member of every college in America would ask this question: “Is this going on in our university?” I hope that someone will develop a survey for non-tenured professors that asks these three questions:
–“Do you feel that you or your colleagues can openly question Darwinian evolutionary theory on this campus without fear of reprisal?”
–“Do you think such a position would be allowed to be published in refereed journals?”
–“Do you think such a position would have a negative effect on being tenured?”

I would love to see the results. Maybe that is something the American Scientific Association would want to conduct. Who knows? It may support your position. It may not. I’d like to see.

Thanks again!

Happy Mothers Day & Do Washing Machines Really Eat Socks?

Posted on May 8, 2008
Filed Under Personal | 27 Comments

My dear wife is still in Texas helping our daughter and son-in-law during their “new baby” time. I am glad that she is able to be there. One of the downsides of our mobile society is the geographical separation of the extended family. In the not too distant past, it was easy and natural for family members to help each other out because they lived close to one other. Unfortunately, that is a rarity today.

However, in her absence, I’m fending for myself here in Colorado. And whenever I do this, I end up with a greater appreciation for all that she does for me. I know that most of us have a tendency to take these things for granted and it is not until they are taken away that we suddenly recognize how much we should have been expressing our appreciation for them. I often wonder how much I take the Lord’s blessings for granted and, like a spoiled and ungrateful child, fail to acknowledge and thank Him for His goodness. It may be worth pondering all of that this Sunday as we take some official time to thank the mother’s in our lives.

Well, that recognition came into focus last night. In our family, my wife has taken on the primary responsibility in the laundry department, so it has been a while since I had single-handedly done battle with the washer and dryer. I had returned from some lengthy traveling with a load of clothes to wash and so I climbed into the ring for what I thought would be a short bout. And, it was—until I began to fold and put everything away. That is when I found myself with two odd socks—“odd” meaning socks without mates.

Now, this situation isn’t actually new for me. I have often experienced the weird phenomenon of “losing socks in the wash”. It wasn’t all that unusual for only half of a pair to return from an encounter with the “machine”. I had heard others complain about it, but I had never heard anyone explain it, except to shrug it off with a resigned statement that washing machines simply “eat” socks.

But now, it had happened right under my nose. Surely I could find the answer. The trail was still warm.

So, I conducted an intensive search. I opened up the washer lid and carefully examined the inside of the tub. They weren’t there. I looked in the dryer. I even used a flashlight and turned the drum all the way around. Not there. I looked on the floor. I looked in the little gap between the washer and dryer. I then checked the laundry hamper. Empty. I scanned the floor between the hamper and the laundry room. Nothing. Then, as if something might have changed, I did the whole search over again.

Where were those two socks?

I have long known that there was something strange about washing machines.

Several years ago my wife tearfully told me that the diamond was missing from her wedding ring. We followed the normal pattern, of “when did you first notice it was gone” and “where was the last time you saw it”, which are pretty difficult things to ask in this situation. A newly engaged woman may gaze repeatedly at her new diamond ring, but after several years of marriage it doesn’t often draw your attention. However, we did narrow it down to the strong possibility that it had “popped out” within the few previous hours. That led to a retracing of her steps and a meticulous examination of every inch of rug and floor along the way, including the removal of the drain traps under the bathroom and kitchen sinks. Nothing. Then the memory surfaced of hearing something “clink” when she was putting the clothes in the washing machine. Could that have been it? Well, it wasn’t long before I had the thing disassembled—agitator, tub, drain hoses. I even pulled out the pump and shook it, with the hope of hearing the rattle of this precious little rock, whose purchase had taken the bulk of my money—which isn’t saying much. My wife and I used to “pool” our nickels and dimes to pay for an order of onion rings.

Well, each new idea of where it might be hiding brought renewed hope: “Maybe it got caught in some of the clothes and made it to the dryer!” Up we would jump, with flashlight in hand. But there was nothing there but a few pieces of lint.

We finally resigned ourselves to the reality that it was gone and eventually the days wore away the sadness of the loss. “We’ll get another one” I said cheerfully, but we both knew it wouldn’t be quite the same. The original had a flaw in it. Not visible, but a flaw that allowed us to buy a “nice” diamond at a price within my very short reach. (isn’t it interesting how “flaws” can eventually become part of why we cherish something?)

I don’t remember how many months passed, but it was a significant period of time. I don’t even remember who first heard the scraping noise in the washing machine as we were pulling out the clothes. But it had been long enough that we weren’t even thinking of any possibility other than that it must be some small pebble rolling around the bottom of the tub. I could hear it, but for some reason was having trouble seeing it. I quickly grabbed a flashlight, which produced a sparkling glint and I remarked to my wife that it wasn’t a stone, but a small piece of glass. You can imagine both the shock and joy we felt when I pulled it out and there between my thumb and forefinger gleamed my wife’s diamond.

I think it was at this moment that I began to have the first musings that there was something strange and mysterious about washing machines.

However, I did learn something from that experience that helped me. I used to believe that washing machines really and truly did eat socks. How, I didn’t know, but they just would simply disappear. So, I would throw the odd sock away. But then I began to notice that after some period of time, the mate would often return. So now, rather than throw the odd sock away, I just set them aside, because the odds are the other sock will eventually reappear…just like my wife’s diamond.

So, last night I finally gave in and accepted the fact that, yes, socks really do disappear in some strange way during the laundry process. I’m sure there must be a scientific explanation, but for now I simply conclude that washing machines don’t really eat socks…they merely borrow them for a while.

Now, the logical question is, what do they do with them in the meantime?

Happy Mother’s Day to all those mothers who contend with a whole lot more than missing socks!

Texas, Kansas & Happy Birth Day, Elisabeth! (7lbs, 4oz)

Posted on May 3, 2008
Filed Under Personal, Worldview | 13 Comments

Has not the LORD made them [husband and wife] one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. Malachi 2:15

Yesterday morning, at 6:15, Elisabeth left the safety and comfort of her mother ship and launched into her new life in the outer world with sunlight and breathing and eating and the caresses and kisses of a mom & dad & brothers & sister and for now, her Nana, my wife, her grand mother. Although I had four of my own, and this is the fourth-born of my first-born, this moment still leaves me breathless with the marvel of it all.

Elisabeth now joins her two older brothers, Judah & Micaiah, and her older sister, Kate, whom she replaced as the baby of the family.

I hated missing it.

I have been gone for two weeks, one spent at my daughter & husband’s home in Texas, hoping to be present when Elisabeth arrived. But, God determines birth dates, not calculators, and so I unfortunately missed this grand moment. I had to leave at the end of that week for a date myself with some wonderful people in west Texas and then in Kansas. Both places brought me into fellowship with brothers and sisters in whom God had done some amazing and marvelous work through the Truth Project. I heard tearful testimonies and story after story of the grace of our Lord as He continues to put His hand upon this humble effort. I met several large groups who gathered in homes of dear friends of mine to give testimony to God’s work.

I was privileged to preach at MidCities Community Church in Midland. They have been going through the Truth Project in their small groups, while Daniel, their pastor, was preaching in parallel with the “tours”. I enjoyed an exciting dinner and Q&A time that night with all of their group leaders. They are truly wonderful people.

In Wichita, I was greatly impressed as I met with the principal of Trinity Academy who had taken his entire faculty through the Truth Project and heard amazing stories of what had happened to them. I met with one of those teachers and marveled at his testimony. The school is committed to deeply integrate Christian worldview throughout its curriculum—not to simply just add Bible verses to the corkboard in the class rooms, but to genuinely weave a comprehensive, systematic biblical view of life throughout the academic content and school activities. They are also committed to take their parents through the Truth Project and have already completed it with 30% of them.

I had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Stephen Marsh, pastor of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, who will have all of his elders and deacons and small group leaders at the September Simulcast to train them to lead TP small groups next spring. He is planning for the entire church to travel that road together.

And Thursday night, after dinner at a dear friends home with about 20 TP small group leaders, we then met with nearly 150 TP leaders and participants for a two-hour Q&A session. I was deeply blessed in my time with them.

I say all of this only to share with you the great glory of what God is doing. You’ve heard me say this before, but it really isn’t about me or our team. It really isn’t. It’s all about Him.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Well, then home, finally. My wife is still in Texas where she will remain for a while to provide some help so mom & dad can concentrate on baby Elisabeth.

Which brings me back to the miracle of birth. I think I would like to take some time in the near future with you on this subject. Maybe some of our doc friends out there can help with the details. But think about what has to happen in the few moments of this transition. A baby goes from being fully connected and dependent upon mom’s internal systems to their own. They transfer instantly from getting oxygen through the mother’s blood to their own complicated system of breathing and extracting oxygen from the air. Their digestive system has to immediately kick in to begin processing food. They’ve never eaten before, never digested anything before. None of that intricate mechanism has been active yet.

I’m sure there is more, but isn’t it amazing? And yet, though all of the technical things are really quite phenomenal, nothing can match the awesome reality of a mom and dad seeing her for the first time, holding her in their arms and sensing the ongoing blessing of God and His plan to “seek godly offspring“.

Happy Birth Day, Elisabeth! I love you.

« go back — keep looking »

About

Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.