This is the last lazy post.
C.S. Lewis is my favorite author.
His ‘Laws of Nature’ article is compelling WITHOUT the visual aids.
If you’ve not read anything from Lewis (other than Narnia) this is what you’re missing:
Just One More Lazy Post
Christian Comedy for Hire
If you like my blog even a little bit, then you should know I do Christian Comedy live shows! It’s all the faith and fun you read here, but on stage, it’s even more hilarious. Hire me for your next corporate bash, church event, or school function, and let’s make it a night of laughs with my unique brand of Christian Comedy!
Three Little Pigs
Three Little Pigs in Shakespeare is available as a children’s book. Get the illustrated story based on my viral comedy routine from Amazon.Ā Makes a great gift for the word-lovers in your life.Ā
You gonna keep lurking forever or are you gonna join this exclusive clique?
Stop procrastinating. Click This.
50 Responses
Perhaps. But I wouldn’t want just anyone to know my new secret identity.
I’m so confused. I take back the Cyndi Lauper “True Colors” lyrics that I posted for Ark. I’m serious.
How sensitive are you to derogatory references to Southern state dwellers? We could whip up something hurtful about people who live in Alabama…
I’m good with it.
But how do you think Ark is going to feel when he realizes he was unable to answer a simple yes or no question from a citizen of the Southern U.S.? Will he even know what we’re talking about? I hope I don’t have to prove that Alabama exists.
Btw – If I recall, and please correct me if I’m wrong, Johannesburg is in Pennsylvania.
The Christian formerly known as SeƱor
LOL! I know Alabama exists. That’s all that matters!
Sweet Cheeks and I will get to work coming up with a new, insulting title for you. Be at peace, my friend.
Sweet Cheeks –
As we all know – Ark won’t even answer a simple yes or no question (I know Ark … “SeƱor Dipshit – to which question are you referring?”).
If Christ is not real – we are fine just the way we are – no change is necessary. Nothing matters. However – if Christ is real – we must relinquish control to Him. Even the slightest possibility of relinquishing control makes the Arks of the world angry. The mere thought of Christ makes the Arks of the world angry. Ark so far has chosen to fight against Christ (as far as I know – he’s not fighting the Hindu goddess Durga).
Often overlooked in the Gospel of Matthew is the mention that some of those that actually witnessed Christ following his resurrection had doubts.
Matt. 28:17 – “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”
Seems like an odd detail to place in a made up story. Unless this was an actual event that was so far beyond nature and known scientific discovery (even to this day) – that some of the very people witnessing it simply could not comprehend it.
Point being – Christ Himself could appear to Ark or any other non-believer and perform miracle after miracle – to only be told it wasn’t enough – or the miracles weren’t performed in an acceptable manner – or that credible scientists have disproven miracles – or whatever. At best – Ark’s current attitude would most likely only draw a begrudging acknowledgement. Ark would still have to make a choice though.
As C.S. Lewis wrote in the Great Divorce, āThere are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.”
SeƱor
SeƱor,
I hate to break it to you, but you are not the only person to have been assigned the nickname SeƱor Dipshit. Apparently, Ark’s lack of creativity makes him incapable of thinking up more than one name to call those with whom he disagrees.
I think He’ll is where there will be no communication other than online commentary. Everyone will type feverishly into the discussion stream. Nobody will read anyone else’s posts because everyone else is an idiot who doesn’t understand how to properly phrase a question.
*shudders*
I actually think there’s a lot of truth in that mental picture.
Not that Hell is LITERALLY like that, mind you. š
But conceptually, you’re on the right track…
What!?! To whom else has he lavished the same praises!?! I feel as if I’m being cheated on. ‘Tis a sad day en la casa de SeƱor (or something like that).
Would it make you feel better if Sweet Cheeks and I came up with an insulting moniker just for you?
If you are reluctant to answer here why not pop over and try my challenge – it is perfect for you all things considered.
https://attaleuntold.wordpress.com/2016/09/17/open-challenge-for-any-christian/
With all due respect, unless this is a response to the C.S Lewis video, I’d rather gouge out my eyeballs. š
Here’s an interesting Einstein quote.
Maybe Planck was just more intuitive than you… and Christians and Jews and Einstein himself… all just more intuitive.
http://upliftconnect.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/einstein_quote-intuitive-mind.jpg
If you don’t at least read the question then why be so damned judgmental.
1 Peter etc remember?
Stop being such a f***ing hypocrite for your god’s sake.
I’m not trying to be condescending.
My answers to all of your questions are only important if I’m trying to get you to believe the same.
I’m not.
My goal isn’t to get you to think like I do.
I’m open to correction about Jesus. (You may recall I’ve said that.) Also, I’ve never said people are going to Hell for not believing in him. There may be Christians who believe that, but I’m not one of them.
I’d be open to a conversation with another Christian about that as well.
I believe that God is fair and just–enough so that he knows how to deal with people who are doing the best they can.
Are they living in a remote part of the world that doesn’t have the Bible, but they have used their minds to figure out as much as they possibly can about their Maker? I have a hunch that God will credit it to them as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)
Did someone die as a child? I have a hunch God knows how to deal with them.
Does someone have a mental handicap? (I mean, an actual mental handicap, like Downs Syndrome. Not a self-inflicted mental handicap, like the psychosis of a huge ego.) Well, then I have a hunch God knows how to deal with them…
You’re the one who keeps trying to tell me what I believe in order to criticize it. That’s the sign of a weak argument.
In this case, it’s the sign of NO argument.
There is a Creator. Whenever you’re ready to submit to that Truth, we can take the next step.
But you are, nonetheless.
Why only another Christian?
The average non-believer is far more knowledgeable concerning your erroneous doctrine than the average indoctrinated fundamentalist such as you.
A sure sign of indoctrination as Yahweh is anything BUT fair and just. He was a genocidal, capricious maniac.
And today,, thousands of kids die everyday simply from starvation.
And you are still suffering other from delusion or illusion.
Your personal is evidence of this.
Try to explain the Trinity.
Or how Jesus is your Creator god.
I’ve already answered the “why only another Christian?” question.
Also, all your accusations against Yahweh are unfounded and nonsensical, unless an objective Moral Standard exists. This is BASIC PHILOSOPHY, Ark.
And all of it would be much easier to walk you through, if you’d stop avoiding Lewis.
Your last two sentences about the Trinity and Jesus are more attempts to bring the conversation from your blog over here. What we’re talking about HERE is the Natural Law. Why don’t you sum up the video from above by explaining how Lewis defines the Natural Law?
Nope. Lewis fails at every turn as well.
He is a Christian.
If you cannot answer concerning how Jesus of Nazareth is the creator of the universe it simply means you do not know.
And thus you have nothing but faith.
Which means all your logic is a sham.
There is no argument that will not eventually be reduced to the question surrounding your god, the character Jesus of Nazareth.,
Everything else is simply a precursor.
Which is why deism is at last half way honest and Christianity is a disgusting lie.
And nothing… and I mean absolutely nothing you can say or write is able to demonstrate otherwise.
Lewis was a Christian.
And you refuse to start at the bottom and listen to his explanations for why.
Nothing–NOTHING–I say will demonstrate that you’re wrong and Lewis was right.
BAHAHAHAHA!
You’re the best, Ark.
Because the character, Jesus of Nazareth was a narrative construct.
Prove me wrong.
Hahahahahaha!
Oh, stop, you’re killing me.
HAHAHAHAHA!
I hope at least one or two of your Atheist Cheerleaders are reading this…
Lol!
Watch the video to start the explanation, or go away, Ark.
My atheist ”cheerleaders” know that the character as portrayed in the bible was a work of fiction. Do you seriously think they believe otherwise?
Furthermore a good fair few of them consider you are quite possibly suffering some form of mental illness/ or imbalance.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You think I have a mental illness. Yada, yada, yada. We’ve covered that.
Will you summarize C.S. Lewis’ point about the natural law in the above video? (I’m going to PRESUME you won’t.)
Only if you exp[lain how Jesus of Nazareth is the creator of the universe.
Me: we have to start at the beginning. Watch the video.
Ark: JESUS! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Me: No, philosophy is first.
Ark: I don’t do philosophy.
Me: Watch the video, for an introduction.
Ark: JESUS! YES OR NO?!?!?!
Me: You’re not ready to talk about Jesus. You have to recognize that God is real first.
Ark: Yes or no?! JEEEEEESUUUUUUUUUS!
Me: Lol.
So, I take it you are unable to answer?
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John,
Thanks for sharing the video. I wish I had a mind that worked with the clarity and wit of C.S. Lewis.
I did hear Jesus throughout the video, though implicitly. He is the One outside of the frame Who fills the frame, as all things were created by Him and through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16).
Scientist did not create the laws of physics, they just discovered them, observed how they see things work, and then formulate a “law” based on their repetitive observations and mathematical proofs. Now where I come from, laws do not exist eternally, whether they are speed limits, or the downward force of gravity on an object. There is a writer of the laws. Man makes those pesky speed limit and taxation-type ones, while the Almighty writes the ones that govern how the universe runs, and how man must behave. While the laws of science and those of governance have a different definition (codes vs. observations), the word law was chosen to use for both.
I checked out the etymology of the word law. I found: “Old English lagu, from Old Norse lag āsomething laid down or fixed,ā ” Note the passive tone. Laid down or fixed by whom, ultimately? God, says me. (As a side note, then, if we are saying “He laid down the law”, we are really saying that “he laid down the laid down thing”. Just saying…)
The question then arises about the “why” of the laws of the universe. We know that gravity exists and has some effect on objects, but we do not know the why.
On the “Universe Today” page (http://www.universetoday.com/75705/where-does-gravity-come-from/), they write, “So, what is gravity and where does it come from? To be honest, weāre not entirely sure.” So they still seek to see how it really works and why… but I know.
Psalm 8:3-4 says “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”
I long for a day when the men of science once again seek to understand the universe with the intent of seeing how its Maker knit it all together, so they could give glory to God in His creation.
To make my post a novelette, here are some quotes from some mighty men of science:
Copernicus – āTo know the mighty works of God, to comprehend His wisdom and majesty and power, to appreciate, in degree, the wonderful working of His laws, surely all this must be a pleasing and acceptable mode of worship to the Most High, to whom ignorance cannot be more gratifying than knowledge.ā
Bacon (Francis, not Kevin) – āGod has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book he wrote, namely Scripture. But he has written a second book called creation.ā
Kepler – “I was merely thinking God’s thoughts after him. Since we astronomers are priests of the highest God in regard to the book of nature, it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God.”
Galileo – āThe laws of nature are written by the hand of God in the language of mathematics.ā
Descartes – āBy ‘God’, I understand, a substance which is infinite, independent, supremely intelligent, supremely powerful, and which created both myself and everything else [ā¦] that exists. All these attributes are such that, the more carefully I concentrate on them, the less possible it seems that they could have originated from me alone. So, from what has been said it must be concluded that God necessarily existsā
Pascal – “In every man’s heart there is an emptiness that only God can fill with his son Jesus Christ.” and “We understand nothing of the works of God unless we take it as a principle that He wishes to blind some and to enlighten others.”
Newton – “In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God’s existence.” and “Gravity may put the planets into motion, but without the divine Power, it could never put them into such a circulating motion as they have about the Sun; and therefore, for this as well as other reasons, I am compelled to ascribe the frame of this System to an intelligent Agent.”
Boyle – “And when with excellent Microscopes I discern in otherwise invisible Objects the Inimitable Subtlety of Natureās Curious Workmanship; And when, in a word, by the help of Anatomicall Knives, and the light of Chymicall Furnaces, I study the Book of Nature, and consult the Glosses of Aristotle, Epicurus, Paracelsus, Harvey, Helmont, and other learn’d Expositors of that instructive Volumne; I find my self oftentimes reducād to exclaim with the Psalmist, How manifold are thy works, O Lord? In wisdom hast thou made them all.” (sic)
Faraday – “Electricity is often called wonderful, beautiful; but it is so only in common with the other forces of nature. The beauty of electricity or of any other force is not that the power is mysterious, and unexpected, touching every sense at unawares in turn, but that it is under law, and that the taught intellect can even govern it largely. The human mind is placed above, and not beneath it, and it is in such a point of view that the mental education afforded by science is rendered super-eminent in dignity, in practical application and utility; for by enabling the mind to apply the natural power through law, it conveys the gifts of God to man. ”
Kelvin – “With regard to the origin of life, science…positively affirms creative power.” and “Overwhelmingly strong proofs of intelligent and benevolent design lie around us…the atheistic idea is so non-sensical that I cannot put it into words.”
Planck – “That God existed before there were human beings on Earth, that He holds the entire world, believers and non-believers, in His omnipotent hand for eternity, and that He will remain enthroned on a level inaccessible to human comprehension long after the Earth and everything that is on it has gone to ruins; those who profess this faith and who, inspired by it, in veneration and complete confidence, feel secure from the dangers of life under protection of the Almighty, only those may number themselves among the truly religious.”
Dave
Job 11:7 (ESV) – āCan you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?”
Perfect Dave. Thank you.
SeƱor
Kevin,
Thank you, sir.
Dave
Colossians 3:17 (ESV) – And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I had a lot of these quotes already–but I’ll have to add the rest to my collection. š
One of my favs is:
āReligion and natural science are fighting a joint battle in an incessant, never relaxing crusade against skepticism and against dogmatism, against disbelief and against superstition. And, the rallying cry in this crusade has always been, and always will be: āOn to God!ā –Max Planck, Winner of Nobel Prize in Physics.
Thanks for joining us in the crusade; specifically on the front against skepticism/disbelief. Science AND religion are important. Science AS a religion is intellectual suicide. š
Later in life, Planck’s views on God were that of a deist.[34] For example, six months before his death a rumour started that Planck had converted to Catholicism, but when questioned what had brought him to make this step, he declared that, although he had always been deeply religious, he did not believe “in a personal God, let alone a Christian God.”[35]
Cool fact! Deism is still a thousand times more reasonable than Atheism.
I have no problems with deism. What I want to know is how exactly do you make the leap from deism to Jesus of Nazareth being that deity.
Let’s see some honesty and integrity from you by you answering that question.
Sorry, I’m on my phone now, so I don’t have time to feed you any Truth. (Sitting in church, being indoctrinated, etc.)
But if you mean to say “I’m a Deist,” we’re ready for the next step!
Otherwise you have to explain how you can say something like, “I have no problem with Deism” without actually being one.
Simply because there is no evidence for any deities as there is no way to prove there aren’t deities.
It is simply a belief with no accompanying doctrine (Atonement , human blood sacrifice, mental /child abuse, Hell,dinosaurs on frakking arks, octogenarian Israelite mountain climbers etc)
In general, it does not impinge on life in any noticeable way.
So, over to you …
Let’s see how much you respect 1 Peter 3:15.
If there’s no evidence for any deities, then you should have a problem with Deists.
What do they see that you don’t see, huh?
Why should I have a problem with deists?
Did you not read? They have no doctrine.
So, how do we get from a deity to your your deity.
One more time: Deists believe in a deity. That’s where the name comes from.
Planck and I have something in common. We both believe in God, except he believed God wasn’t personal and involved in the world.
If you don’t have a problem with Planck’s Deism, why aren’t you one?
What did he see that you don’t?
Because I do not consider the evidence convincing enough, and I prefer the view of the 85% of the top scientists.
So, now you know I have no gripe with deism tell me how you manage to get from a deity to your deity.
We haven’t gotten to “a deity.”
You are still denying the obvious, because someone told you 85% of scientists are doing the same.
So, no, we’re not traveling the road to my Deity.
We’re still at step one, unfortunately.
Go ahead and watch the video above, to hear (part of) the moral argument for God.
What the frak are you talking about now?
Do you even understand what deism is or its history?
You claim a revealed religion. One that requires the bullshit of salvation and the rest of the guilty encrusted bullshit.
I merely said I have no griopes with deism.
Where as you think all no beleivers in your god are going to farking hell!
I want to know how you get fropm a non interventionist creatoeto Jesus of Nazareth.
Nothing else.
No philosophy, no mind games and no lies.
Just answer the question as per 1 Peter 3:15
I’m not trying to get you to think exactly like I do, Ark.
My only goal is to get you to USE YOUR MIND.
Once you start thinking on your own, we can journey toward figuring out whether the Creator is good and loving and personal, or cold and distant and uninvolved, or some mix.
That’s why I’ve said over and over and over that it doesn’t matter what I believe about Jesus. To talk about Christianity would be a huge leap, as you called it.
That’s why we’re not leaping.
Why don’t you believe in the God Planck believed in?
Condescension as well?
Have I not stated quite matter of factly why I do not believe in deities?
I am sure you can spend some of that time you are wasting in church – as you are obviously not paying much attention – and trawl through the comments until you find one of several comments for why I don’t.
Maybe if your goal is to get me to ”USE MY MIND” (rich, considering your own personal history) but no matter … then simply explain why you believe in a personal, revelatory deity called, Jesus of Nazareth and how he became the creator of the universe.
Or simply take my challenge, if you are up to it.
Perhaps you could even run the challenge over here and see if any of the 15,000 followers are up to answering it?
Maybe you could offer a prize for the winner?
Perhaps you will be able to convince me after I read your explanation?
Worth a shot, don’t you think?
mrsmcmommy,
Glad to have added to your collection! There were so many I discovered that I had to pick the ones that stood out the most to me.
I am ready to be part of the crusade! I just need to make sure I find armor that won’t chafe and comes equipped with air conditioning. And possibly indoor plumbing.
I do love science. I was once a science teacher for 6th-8th graders, I especially loved the hands-on science experiments we did. Nothing got the kids to remember the core of what was taught than actual experimentation with cool stuff. For any homeschooler parents out there, I highly recommend the science kits and curricula I used: http://www.areasonfor.com/ . Check out the science kits. Really. Your kids will love science, even if they do not now.
But back to my love of science. God put me together in such an odd way that random questions pop into my head that I am compelled to investigate. When I was a communications technician at Time Warner Cable, I would share my current thought with my fellow geeks, and they got into it and helped me research stuff. Like one day, I wondered what it was about the configurations of molecules that let some flow, like water, while others are solid, like glass. Then another one made me wonder what made certain things transparent, while others are not. I also wondered what is in between molecules in a substance (that one proved to be easy… nothing. Nada. Vacuum.)
I spend hours at times learning new things via internet research just because it is fun to learn and know. I like to see how my Creator put things together, and how He set laws into place to run the universe. I think I am honoring God when I spend time checking out what He made and gaining greater wonder at His creation.
Dave
Psalm 19:1 (ESV) – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
The trouble I’m running into as a homeschool parent: so many great resources; so little time!
With the internet now, the world is our oyster. I’ll have to check out that website you included…
I recommend his book “The Great Divorce”.
God (Jesus) owns science.
~
NOW you’ve done it, SeƱor!
Four words.
Take a lesson, Dear Leader.
Apparently Ark doesn’t want to come play on this thread. He’s still stuck on the last one.
But, in honor of the comment he made about 5 minutes ago, I’d like to officially request that–from here on out–everyone address me as “Sweet Cheeks.”
https://branyancomedy.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/did-you-just-make-that-up/#comment-4939
LOL!
Wait a second. Lewis didn’t mention “Jesus” anywhere in this video?!?!
When do we get to talk about Jesus???