Was your faith shaken?

As a response to the current controversy over the Jesus documentary (See: How strong is your faith? post), Justin Taylor posted a letter from Paul Maier: Post.

Paul Maier is a professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University.

UPDATE: Ben Witherington has a great response. Tim Challies also posts his opinion.

My opinion: I would take a biblical historian's word over any documentary producer, or even James Cameron!

How strong is your faith?

The advance of technology and science has allowed for great advances in archeology. Science has challenged and encouraged Christians about their faith throughout the centuries. But one thing remains clear, science does not determine faith. God does (Ephesians 2:8).

During the 18th century, science was held in high regard over spiritual matters. This period came be known as the Enlightenment. Out of the Enlightenment, a method called Historical Criticism emerged. As its name suggests, historical criticists used purely scientific methods in explaining, proving and disproving biblical documents. But because advances in science and archeology were not sufficient in explaining much of the bible, people began to distrust its validity. Why? It's because their only basis for believing the bible was whether science could verify it or not.

We see this happening even today with The God Delusion and other atheistic writings.

I was reading an article in the Toronto Star. Basically, it reports that a documentary filmmaker has found the lost tomb of Jesus. Apparently, he has Jesus' bones, and scientists at Lakewood University have tested it. He also claims that Jesus married Mary, and their child was actually Jude.

While reading this article, I realized that someone out there must be thinking "Maybe Jesus isn't God?" I realized that there may be some people out there that are swayed by the mere rumour that Jesus was not divine.

I would encourage you to not fall into this trap.

I am not a scientist. This is not a refutation of the documentary. I can only say, as a biblical scholar, that history is riddled with confusions about our faith. So in the midst of this, where is your faith? How strong is your faith?

Biblical marriage!

As some people have probably heard, I'm now engaged to Melissa (See this Blog).

1 John 5:9 says, "If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son."

In light of this, I would like to take a moment to give all thanks to God for his providence. He was the one who introduced me to Melissa through his servants, and he was the one who provided the love and direction in our relationship. We can only stand in awe of his divine forbearance.

Ever since I met Melissa, I've been continually refreshed by her love for God, and her passion in spreading the gospel. It was when she magnified God that I loved her the most. I also know that Melissa has seen that Jesus has forgiven me of my sins, and is continually transforming me into His image.

If anything made this possible, it is Jesus Christ. We are forever indebted to the fact that we can have a relationship because of grace. Without grace, we would still live sinful lives that would have destroyed us both. But now, having Jesus' love for God, the overflow of that love spills over from me to Mel, and Mel to me.

Thank you God, for Melissa.

For more on Biblical Marriage, see Desiring God.

It's official...

It's official... she's marrying me for my bowflex!

(See: GoldDigger!)

Faith Church is Moving (2nd Reminder)!

We are now moving to a new location... the OMF guest house. Plus, we have a new worship time... 1:30 pm, every Sunday.

It is located at 1058 Avenue Road in Toronto, just North of Eglinton.

Bus information: From Eglinton Station, take the 32 West bus or the 61a bus. Get off at Avenue Road and walk North on the West side. It's not far from there!

Parking is located at the street just North of the building.

Test of a True Family

I couldn't help but reflect on what Jose Calderon, a guard for the Toronto Raptors, said: "It's like a family here and it doesn't matter who starts and who doesn't start, we have to win."

In light of how well the team is doing in the NBA, it is no wonder that he's so upbeat about his team.

But what is the test of a true family? Is it when times are good and they stick together? Or is it when times are rough and the family supports one another?

I'm thankful for Faith Church because we've been through so many hurdles, but through God's sovereign grace we've been able to be there for each other in times of need. Other times, and this is probably because we are still sinners, we do not edify. Sometimes we inadvertently put down people when we joke. In our ignorance, we can say and do things that are hurtful to people. Though I'm glad this does not happen often, there are even times when we are blatantly not compassionate.

As we search and pray for a building to worship in, let's be resolved in searching and praying for God to build in us a oneness together in Christ.

"In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22).