Glimpses of God

Glimpses of God

The what, who, why and how of some Christian beliefs.

Rex Hayward

Glimpses of God

Copyright © 2014 Rex Hayward

Smashwords Edition

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The information, views, opinions and visuals expressed in this publication are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the publisher. The publisher disclaims any liabilities or responsibilities whatsoever for any damages, libel or liabilities arising directly or indirectly from the contents of this publication.

A copy of this publication can be found in the National Library of Australia.

ISBN:  978-1-742844-15-2 (pbk.)

Published by Book Pal

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Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblical, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. ™

Other books by the author:

Daily Readings (366 devotional Bible studies).

Nipsi′s world (Twelve stories for children).

Contents

Introduction

1. The existence of God

2. The unique God

(i) Creation and/or evolution

(ii) Is God in control of everything?

(iii) Is God present everywhere, in time and eternity?

(iv) Does God know all about everything?

(v) How does God reveal His majesty?

(vi) How does God’s righteousness affect humanity?

(vii) God’s jealousy and Human envy

3. How is God one and yet three persons?

4. God the Father

(i) How has God made His love known?

(ii) How does God administer justice with love?

(iii) Where can we find evidence of God’s grace?

(iv) What does it mean to be holy?

(v) What is the work of the Father?

(vi) When does God the Father reveal His will?

(vii) How do we find the way of the Father?

5. God the Son

(i) What are the credentials of the Son?

(ii) Why are the names given to the Son important?

(iii) How did the life of Jesus show Him to be the Christ?

(iv) What does the sacrifice of the Son of God mean?

(v) How did Jesus’ disciples react to Christ’s resurrection?

(vi) When will the Son of God return to Earth?

(vii) How will the glory God the Son be truly recognised?

6. God the Holy Spirit

(i) How can we relate to the Holy Spirit?

(ii) How does the Holy Spirit connect humans with God?

(iii) When did the Holy Spirit come into the world?

(iv) How can the presence of the Holy Spirit be discerned?

(v) What are the attributes of the Holy Spirit?

(vi) What are the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit?

(vii) How should the gifts of the Holy Spirit be used?

7. Summary:

Preface

The purpose of this book is to give some glimpses of God which can be easily understood by any lay person. No doubt, the way in which it tackles questions will also interest all those grappling with perplexing questions of the physical and spiritual worlds. It addresses some difficult philosophical and theological questions as it tries to come to terms with the basic question of why things are the way they are?

It is couched in an easy to read form with a minimum of theological jargon. Bible references are supplied as different issues are addressed. No attempt is made to include all scriptural references for any particular matter as it is intended that the reader will delve deeper into The Bible and other reference material in the pursuit of answers to the perplexing nature of the world around us.

The book is by no means an exhaustive study of any aspect of God, but it does touch upon many intriguing and sometimes controversial matters. It commences with a discussion on whether there is a God or not. Then, taking the position that God does exist, it explores some Christian concepts concerning belief in God.

It does so by considering the perceived attributes of God; how the one true God is singular and yet seen by Christians as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It also deals with how that belief imposes particular responsibilities upon Christians as they attempt to profess their faith.

It is hoped that looking at things from a Scriptural perspective, whilst keeping in mind differing points of view and touching upon some side issues, will bring a better understanding of a few of the perplexing questions of life as we know it.

It should also help Christians better appreciate the position of those who have a different faith, or those who claim to have no faith. Hopefully it will enable Christians, who have difficulty in answering criticisms of their faith, give a reasonable response to questions that they may have posed to them from time to time.

It is recognised that all things will not be made absolutely clear until God reveals the totality of His will and way in His own time. Meanwhile, He has given some glimpses of Himself and His ways, in His word and in the universe. This is evident as the study of the greatest nova star to the microscopic organism opens up fields of intricate design and wonder. But here and now, as we try to know God better, we find that the more we get to know God, the more there is to know of Him.

The theme of this book is: God is aware of all aspects of life and He offers everyone the opportunity to enter into a close and personal relationship with Himself. This offer is available by acceptance of His love through Jesus Christ.

The author has used all inclusive gender terms, but there are instances where the masculine form is used to follow the Biblical text. There are a few instances where words which might be seen as gender specific are used, but it is hoped the reader will accept them as being non discriminatory.

Introduction

It must be said at the outset that the writer believes that God is beyond the limits of human understanding. However he accepts that in order to come to terms with the nature of God, men and women have to use language related to human experience. This has led to God being seen by some people as some kind of super human being, but that fails to address who He is, or His actual reality. Never-the-less, there seems to be little, or no other entirely satisfactory way in which to discuss the very being of God. So, in order to catch some glimpses of God, we are forced to use language which is inadequate for the task.

The concept of God being like a wise and kindly old man who has created all things and now spends His time maintaining His creation and administering justice from time to time is completely inadequate and inaccurate. Even the Bible has difficulty in coming to terms with depicting the totality of God’s being. In earlier days, those who claimed to be God’s selected people were so in awe of Him that they would not even say, or write, His name. Instead they used a type of shorthand or code to indicate the One to whom they referred.

The first chapter of this book shows the inadequacy of English language as we explore the evidence of God’s existence and try to describe the indescribable God and His role in creation. Generally, it is now readily admitted by both scientists and theologians, that the universe as we know it, came from nothing. But what is nothing? The Bible speaks of creation from the starting point of ‘In the beginning’ but what was before the beginning of creation?

The definition of ‘nothing’ without reference to time, space, measurement or matter is virtually impossible, save that some highly sophisticated mathematical formulae suggest some sort of ‘nothingness’ is possible. It is suggested that even though such formulae have been developed that there is no way by which they can be proven in a physical sense. But, as our understanding of the world continues to move forward, who knows what lies ahead in the realm of physical sciences.

Several different definitions of ‘nothing’ are referred to later and the acceptance of the different definitions can determine viewpoints on the existence of God and creation. Viewpoints based upon ‘nothing’ spontaneously commencing an evolution of non-matter which then develops into a life form are also addressed.

The over arching principle of this book is that the existence of ‘nothing’ before the act of creation, was and is, a state without time or space. That state, is considered to be a condition of eternal infinity with reason, limitless and inexplicable power, and generated by a spiritual force that has the will and ability to generate anything out of itself. That force is indivisible and indestructible. It always has been and always will be constant in every aspect.

In order to explain the meaning of life as we know it and how it originated, that force has been called God. But that title falls short of the fullness of God, for not only is He all powerful but He interacts on multiple levels with His creation. But, because we have called that force God, it should not be considered that it is in any way an acceptance of the proposition that ‘God’ is a construction of human thought. Instead, it drives to the point that the almighty power which is beyond the understanding of humans, has been given a name of convenience, which is above every other name.

When Moses asked God His name, God replied I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14). By so doing God declared the inadequacy of the name by which humankind knew Him. The name I AM WHO I AM indicates his eternality and His everlasting sovereignty over all things. It shows that God is more than a spiritual force and how inadequate are the human terms we use to describe Him. It also points to ‘God’ being not only the eternal and ultimate spiritual force but that He has what we describe as ‘personality.’

This ‘personality’ has the characteristics of:

(i) Father, being the all powerful creator and carer,

(ii) The Son being capable of becoming human, whilst retaining His position as part of the Father and

(iii) The Holy Spirit, who encompasses the force of the Father and Son’s will, as He puts their decrees into action.

The integration and relationship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit within the unified Godhead will be addressed under the section headed ‘How is God one and yet three persons?’

If we accept that God is eternally infinite and the cause of all things as we know them to be, it follows that all things have their origin in Him and will ultimately return to Him for acceptance or rejection. This indicates there needs to be places of acceptance and rejection. Such places are generally referred to as heaven and hell. The Bible refers to both heaven and hell by many different names but leaves no room for doubting their existence. Space does not allow a detailed examination of the existence, nature and location of heaven and hell. Those matters may be investigated by reference to a good Bible concordance and commentaries.

Acceptance of God as a person as well as the eternal, almighty force with the power that created all things must bring the realisation that He is spirit. It follows that in order to be the one and only creative force, He must also be absolutely positive. That positivity is demonstrated in the totality of His love and purity. Anything less than that could not possibly be constant at all times and in all ways.

God, through His creation and sustaining power, has positively demonstrated that He has the best interests of all His creation at heart from the time of creation to the end of all time. Beyond the end of time is eternity in all its mystery.

1. The existence of God.

There are those who deny the very existence of God. Many claim that things in the world would be different if God is real. When pressed upon that contention they invariably cite the misery and suffering that has existed in the world throughout history and continues today. They virtually ignore the good and noble and look only at the negative aspects of life on earth and claim them to be evidence for their viewpoint. They say that if there is a God as scripture claims, He would not allow pain, disease, oppression and poverty to exist.

Such a position denies, albeit unwittingly, the existence of Satan and the war he wages against God. It also denies the free will of humankind collectively and individually. The contention that God does not exist because everything is not perfect in the world does not stand up to scrutiny. Indeed the definition of perfection is clouded by the expectations of the individual. It is often construed to mean that which pleases the individual, or everybody, rather than that which is absolutely right. Some say what is right depends upon the social structure of the community, or the tradition of tribe, or the environment in which one lives. Any such position removes absolutes and debases any definition for a completely sound basis for moral judgement. Without moral judgement there is no basis for right or wrong.

Whenever there is an earthquake, flood, tsunami, cyclone, storm of unusual proportions, or a bush fire started by lightning, spontaneous combustion, or some other natural means, some people suggest that is evidence that God does not exist, or if He does, He either has no control over the elements, or is malicious and uncaring. Others suggest such things are calamities sent by God as punishment.

Both claims arise from pure speculation which is coloured to support the particular point of view. Each claim ignores that the forces of nature are bound by the law of physics which God has established. That law is beyond the control of humankind. But that doesn’t stop humans trying to control nature!

However, although the laws of nature appear to be immutable, God can override them with His supernatural power. In so doing He performs what humans regard as miracles. Some miracles seem to be in answer to believing prayer, but at this point, we shall not attempt to explain just how, or why, that is so. Suffice to say that humans do not need to know how God works in all instances.

Some people who claim there is no God, say His existence cannot be proven and they deny any evidence that is before them. They dismiss the ordered structure of the universe and suggest that all things that exist have happened by chance or a spontaneous and meaningless evolution out of ‘nothing’.

They say that there is no basis, (other than chance), for the laws of thermo dynamics, velocity and gravity. They claim what appear to be laws of nature are just the consequences of accidental evolution arising from an inexplicable appearance of matter out of nothing and developing into complex organisms. Such a claim requires faith of monumental proportions which needs to be far greater than a belief in a Creator. It is interesting to note that ‘chance evolutionists’ do not question their basic hypothesis of how the ‘nothing’ they claim produced something came to be as it was. Nor do they offer proof that ‘nothing′ no longer exists, or if it does, whether it is (or whether it is not) still creating new life forms. Instead, they say there is no proof that God exists, but offer no definitive proof that He does not exist!

The vastness of the universe, which stretches beyond human ability to accurately measure it, is sometimes given as indicating that there is no God. Some claim the universe is still expanding from the ‘big bang’ whilst others claim it has limits which have not yet been discovered. Again no provable reason for a ‘big bang’ occurring in nothing is proffered. Others point to the ‘black holes’ which have been discovered and suggest that their existence indicates super gravitational pull of such power that it can overcome the outward thrust of the scattering by the big bang. Mathematical equations are developed and used to support each point of view.

The clash between evolutionists and creationists is further compounded by the dispute over the age of the earth, methods of carbon dating and other means of determining the age of relics and rocks. There are several other points of difference within those disputes. As they are so involved and really rest upon different understandings of faith, we shall consider them to be side issues to the fundamental discussion on the existence of God.

When people say they do not have enough faith to accept that there is a God, they have to exercise great faith to accept the unproven theories they use to deny God’s existence. Some will accept that there is some spiritual realm and possibly spiritual beings, but draw back from accepting the existence of a real and all powerful God.

One of the principle objections to the existence of God is the need to accept that there is an authority beyond humankind. Once such an authority is accepted, the question arises; in what form does that authority or power exist? But further objection is raised at this point by saying that even if such a supernatural force exists, it should not be considered as the God of the Bible.

Rather nebulous reasons are given for this objection for it seems as if the underlying opposition to the God of the Bible (or Allah, or some other all powerful being) is a failure to accept His ultimate supremacy in all matters. But despite this, individuals are prepared to accept the authority of those who rule over them. They are even prepared to give up their lives as they declare their allegiance to the point of death to follow humans who hold a superior rank in the order of their society or nation. But to ascribe greatness to a God beyond the realms of total understanding seems too much for sceptics to countenance as they try to dismiss the actuality of God to the realms of mythology.

The claim that the advance of science is showing God to be