And He Will Display His Glory

This morning I asked God to display His glory to me today. He answered my prayer, but not in the way I thought He would. Figures.

Tonight, Keaton and I attended a debate hosted by College of Charleston. Dr. Herb Silverman, a well-respected local atheist, disputed the existence of God with Mr. Jack Hoey Jr., Chief of Operations at a local mega church. As we entered the auditorium, Keaton leaned over and said to me, "If this guy [meaning the Christian] cowers in reference to creation, his whole argument will crumble." Of course, I'm used to Keaton making these extreme comments in reference to creationism, so I didn't hear his words with hungry ears. Sure enough, about twenty minutes or so into the debate (just when it began to get good), Silverman attacked Hoey where he knew he could hurt him: the Biblical account of creation. Hoey, instead of defending and trusting in the book on which he has based his entire worldview, gave a cowardly, unassertive reply that the first 11 chapters of the Old Testament are poems. Ignoring the fact that most Biblical scholars outside of Christianity interpret the intention of those passages as literal. Ignoring the fact that the fundamentals of our faith begin at creation. Ignoring the fact that undermining scripture ultimately leads to the very worldview he was attempting to dispute. Hoey focused so strongly on the aspect of a relationship with God and the Christian's responsibility to love others that he failed to correctly represent who God is. Now I'm not saying all his arguments were bad; I'm just saying I was sorely displeased with his defense of the faith. In his attempt to be relevant with the culture, he failed to give people what they need: answers. Not answers for the sake of answers, but answers that are shrouded in a deep understanding and powerful captivation with the Word of Life.

Listeners questioned him about the historical validity of the resurrection, whether to interpret scripture literally or figuratively, and about the goodness of a God who would knowingly create millions of people He knew He'd ultimately destroy. Good, thoughtful questions to which we (Christians) must seek answers. It's not enough to talk about having a relationship with God; Christians must behold His glory! The God of the Bible is far more passionate about His own glory than He is about anything else! He made relationships with us possible so that He could display His glory! It's like the pastor I heard tonight didn't understand this, or rather that he was too focused on representing a relational God (which, I agree, is important) to say hard things that the Bible teaches. Because Hoey was afraid of unpopular truth, it seemed, his arguments lacked consistency. Listening to his arguments regarding authority of God's Word felt like trying to run across a slip-and-slide: he was destined to fall.

I could go on and tell about the many areas in which this pastor compromised on his firm hold to a Biblical worldview, but that's not where most of my thoughts are right now. The question I want to ask is, "How have Christians stopped thinking?" It's like our churches, even our leaders, have becomes so "relevancy-minded" that we've left in the dust any beliefs that might culturally subject us to ridicule.

I'm sorry to say that the atheist verbally butchered the Christian tonight, and did so in a most gracious manner.

Thankfully, God doesn't rely on us to defend Him, and I'm so grateful for that. I was amazed that I could sit in a debate as bad as this one was and maintain confidence in Christ. I expected myself to get flustered and unsettled when the Christian began giving such awful answers to the atheist's most excellent questions. Instead I felt peace. What a joy to trust in His sovereignty, to know that God will claim the glory for Himself whether we represent Him well or not! And although some people may, it seems, suffer spiritual harm from the debate tonight, I know that I can trust the Lord with the souls of others. It's wonderful to rest in the reality of His character. I beheld His glory tonight through seeing His self-sufficiency and experiencing peace in His character.

Keaton and I--along with one of my best friends, Mel Martin--attended a short conference last weekend on being transformed by God. The speaker, Tim Bryant, said that change begins when we behold the glory of God. I think our faith, both the intellectual and emotional aspects, must be rooted in our beholding of God's glorious character: His holiness, sovereignty, love, and wisdom.

Keaton and I were challenged tonight. We want to behold our Creator's glory by being radical seekers after truth and after people. We want to be able to answer others' questions without compromising Christ's Word, but we also want to trust Him when we don't know the answers.

I'm so thankful that He is in control over all things: "The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all"(Psalm 103:19). My heart sings, "And He will display His glory!"