Sean R. Reid

One of the more frustrating aspects of my journey of faith, both before and after coming to Christianity, was the seeming divide between what could only be considered “fundamentalists” in both the science and religion camps. I think Stewart nails that point to the wall here. It’s one in which I’ve made myself. At some point there is a layer of “faith” to all scientific exploration despite it lacking a deity. The scientific method is the best means for acquiring answers to many of the questions of the “how” of the world but even it has it’s limitations. Particularly when it comes to the “why” of the world, a question which religious faith is more adept at answering.  To these ends I think Stewart’s comparison of anti-matter and God, albeit a humorous simplification,  is spot on.

h/t: Huffington Post via Pete Enns

More important is the statement made by Robinson regarding the nature of this debate, “The gladiators for both sides are inferior representatives of these sides.”  I couldn’t agree more.  The longer this shallow, arguably spurious, debate continues the less quality we get from the worlds of science and religion.  It becomes folks like Dawkins and Hitchens trying to out-yell the Southern Baptist Convention and Kenn Hamm. It is a futile and stupid exercise that advances nothing aside from egos or a few more book sales.*

Thankfully there are organizations like BioLogos which bring a measure of sanity and intelligence to the table. It’s a refreshing change from the rampant stupidity.  Sadly, both sides seem to be threatened by the idea that they should be challenged to think which places BioLogos, and like-minded individuals, squarely in the cross-hairs of the aforementioned screaming hordes. I think Chaplain Mike from InternetMonk.com said it best when he referred to it as “trench warfare.”

I’m also thankful for folks like Marilynne Robinson who seem unafraid to call “bollocks” on this debate. I’ve not heard of her before watching the video but now I’m very intrigued about picking up her new book.

Hmm…did product promotion just work on me?? 

*Which I argue might be the actual reason for the debate the first place. Nothing sells quite as well as controversy, even a manufactured one.

I find myself absolutely fascinated by the discourse of intelligent design (ID) proponents.  Mostly I find myself drawn to the debates like one is drawn to a car crash. It’s been a constant source of confusion and frustration since converting to Christianity.  I have never been able to reconcile a necessity that I suddenly cease to believe all of the science that is available.  I came to know Christ because of the facts as they presented themselves in my life.  It would be intellectually dishonest of me to suddenly change my opinion without examining the evidence. It would be equally so if I were to suddenly deny scientific fact and replace it with a “God of the gaps.” I simply cannot believe that faith in God renders evolution false any more so than evolution renders God false.

Evolutionary biology has proven time and time again to be solid and good science (meaning it subjects itself to testing and scrutiny and incorporates new findings accordingly).  Unfortunately, ID just doesn’t seem to hold up under scientific investigation.  At least, in my opinion, it doesn’t hold up outside of “God spoke it so” and works accordingly through natural processes. If you want invoke an intelligent designer that created the rules by which all things are governed, I’ll agree. If you want to invoke constant tinkering and manipulation l then we’ll part company. Read more »

I’m trying to get back into the swing of regular updates.  I’ve got a few irons in the fire as of late, including the work I’m doing on the GotSpirit Network.  If you haven’t been following my Twitter feed the you should click the link and see what I’ve been up to.  Short version, for those not interested in clicking, is that I’m building a network of websites to cover cheerleading in Georgia.  What can I say, it’s my niche and I do it well.

I’ve also got a few other projects, some in my head, some in progress.  So I’ve been away from the blogging here primarily because I’m writing so much content elsewhere.  I’m hoping any writing is good writing.  Ideally I’ll improve with each character I type.

Read more »

I subscribe to a LOT of Daily Devotionals.  I like to get email that isn’t spam or work-related.  Also, as a new Christian I’m trying to devour as much as I can and find inspiration from as many Biblical based sources as possible.  So when I say a lot I mean a LOT.  Today the following questions where part of one of the devotionals:

From Proverbs 31 Ministries:

I know the site is a ministry for women but that doesn’t mean the devotionals lack any relevance for men.

“-What if you live in authenticity and discover new and lasting relationships (even with those in your own home)?
-What if you face your fears and overcome them?
-What if you unmask your emotions and actually deal with them?
-What if you tell your secrets and they no longer suffocate you in the hidden places of your heart?”

I’m the kind of guy who is either asking “what if” and worrying instead of doing or I’m just jumping in guns blazin’ with no real idea of what I’m getting into.  Regardless I myself saying later, “I shoulda/coulda/woulda.”  In both cases I’m usually acting out of fear.  It’s either wanting to run to something new, run from something old or being paralyzed to enact any change.  I can’t say I ever even CONSIDERED that option of success.

I think the “what would you do if you knew you wouldn’t fail” question has become rather cliche.  But I think those four questions are pragmatic, they are game changers.  What would happen if I faced my fears and overcame them? What would happen if I stopped being focused on failure and started expecting success?  What if I dedicated my life to being so focused on God and what he wants for me (credit: Andy Stanley) that I didn’t have a chance to be afraid??  What if asking “what if” wasn’t from a place of worry but a place of strength.

What if?