Dumb things we do

Jesus wasn’t crucified debating the age of the earth, but surprisingly this has become the hill to die on for some. If our goal is to persuade people to accept the validity of the Bible and believe in Jesus, I’m unconvinced that arguing about the age of the earth is productive -- we need to ask ourselves, do we want to lead people to Jesus or do we want to drive them away?

The argument over the age of the earth is pointless, in fact it is counterproductive to stubbornly insist we know better. We risk too much credibility when we stake our identity on asserting a definitive date and we ruin our reputation by trying to manipulate this inconsequential topic into something spiritual.

The Bible is inerrant and trustworthy. It has insights on nature, weather, nautical patterns, agriculture, ancient geography, and astronomy, yet the Bible is not a science textbook — therefore when we demand people agree to a specific age of the earth (which is immaterial to salvation) we do not draw people to the cross, we drive them away.

We need to remember the Bible is an inspired book, mainly about theology and worship. The Old Testament foretold, but withheld a specific date for “when” the Messiah would arrive. The New Testament predicts Jesus will return, without offering the exact date of “when.” A similar consideration is applicable regarding our opinion on the age of the universe.

Skeptics are right to dismiss us as anti-intellectuals when we misuse the Bible to make the case the universe is around 10,000 years old. The argument that the earth is only between 6000-10,000 years old seems disingenuous to me, I doubt our true motives; instead of proving the earth is young what we are really attempting to say is, “See, the earth is too young for evolution to be true.” Ouch.

Science isn’t the enemy of faith, agreeing the earth could be older isn’t heretical, instead believers become the enemy of faith when we make unsubstantiated conjectures about irrelevant topics that the Bible is silent on. It’s possible to disprove Darwinism, we don’t need to concern ourselves with guesstimating the irrelevant age of the world to address misguided and flawed evolutionary theories.

Instead of speculating on the age of the earth we should be asking non-believers, “Why is there a universe rather than nothing?” Why did life randomly “appear” and where are the supposed transitional fossils bridging the species?

We could also ask, why is DNA so complex and deeply encrypted with information, it obviously required intelligence in its design. We could also ask, why do we possess an overabundance of imagination & intelligence? Comprehending trigonometry or quantum physics doesn’t help us gather food, reproduce, or avoid the saber-tooth tiger. Our breadth of brainpower is unnecessary in the race for survival of the fittest.

Who really cares how old the universe is -- it’s not an ethical, moral, or legal matter and we are not defending the integrity of the Bible when we argue for something the Bible is silent on. That there is a universe which began with all the laws of physics instantaneously in place reveals a conscious choice was made to begin the cosmos, requiring a Creator.

Jesus seemed indifferent to the age of the world, nor did He compel us to debate it, instead He asked that we help Him save it. Arguing about the age of rocks doesn’t draw people to the Rock Of Ages.

Our visit to Normandy beaches: 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings

Tomorrow marks the 80th Anniversary of D Day.  I feel extremely fortunate and blessed because Tammy and I along with a couple of friends recently visited the D Day site in Normandy (we went to two of the beaches, Omaha and Utah a couple of weeks ago).  I can imagine military veterans would appreciate the gravity of Normandy much more than I as a civilian who has never served.  Still, the entire unique experience was more moving than I anticipated.  

I'll share a few pictures below and a couple of impressions I had.  I do not pretend to have any profound insights, I can only say the entire experience was personally moving for me.  

(notice the manikin of Private John Steele hanging from the roof of the church) 

Before we went to the actual beaches, we visited the church in Sainte-Mère-Église.  I would draw your attention to the stained glass images in the church.  There are inlays with paratroopers and images you wouldn't expect in a church.  The people of the town were and are still very grateful for the sacrifices our American soldiers paid for their liberation. 

The land for the cemetery was given over as sovereign American soil by the French and there are over 9000 soldiers buried there.  The grounds are manicured more immaculately than any country club golf course and the atmosphere offers more tranquility than any park.    

(The ceiling of the cemetery chapel in Normandy) 

(The monument atop of the cliff Army Ranger climbed to oust German cannons at POINTE-DU-HOC)

(You can see the preparations behind us on the beach for the 80th)

The trip to the beaches and the cemetery was greatly enhanced by our tour guide, a college history professor, if you ever get to go, I recommend you go with a guide.  I had unexpected reactions at Normandy.  At the cemetery I felt unworthy of all the peace and comforts I often take for granted and with more emotions than I anticipated and I cried as I looked over the perfectly aligned military headstones of the beautifully manicured cemetery.  On the beaches, I felt cowardly, doubting I could have had the depth of bravery our soldiers had to have to storm the beaches being fired upon the way they were.  

All the cliches like freedom isn't free or the land of the free because of the brave never crossed my mind while we were at Normandy.  Instead the landscape felt sacred, to me the space was almost holy, the carnage and destruction and the loss of life wasn't lost on me, all I can say with certainty was the experience was life-changing but only because of the magnitude of it all, seeing it firsthand and not through a movie or a book.  I feel I'm patriotic but I also realize there are truer patriots buried there.  

As a child I grew up watching WWII movies on WGN channel 9 in the Chicagoland area, and I realize most of the Hollywood influences on my childhood allowed me to romanticize Normandy, I have a better perspective and a deeper appreciation of the significance of the event today.  In the end, it is a very spiritual experience to walk those beaches and to stroll through the cemetery, and it is a memory I will always cherish and one I pray that as I reflect on it it helps me to appreciate more of this life God which has blessed me with, and that I appreciate the lives lost by those who willingly faced down tremendous evil.