Practical Advantages of Belief in God - Part 14

Most humans, at one time or another in their life, will become quite focused on three question. Where did I come from (personally and more generally), why am I here, and where am I going. We have discussed the “where I am going” aspect in part 1 and the “why I am here” question in part 13. What about the “where did I come from?”

The issue of where we came from is called origins. Like the other two big questions, it does effect how we conduct ourselves now. If we are just another animal, and the result of relentless biological evolution where purposeless nature has driven one species to an advantage over others, then we should expect to act inways that will advance our own gene pool. This might be at the expense of other gene pools, or it might be in cooperation depending on one’s practical view of things. However, we would certainly always be looking over our shoulder at those in other gene pools who may have come to the conclusion that, like a reality TV show, they need to come out on top of our group.

While it would be nice if we could all get along, if our understanding is that it is about natural selection, there will always be those who will ruthlessly persue an advantage in that game. If we care about our kids and grandkids, should that be our approach to life?

14. Knowing we were created by the God of eternity. If God made us, and then he breathed a special spirit into us, then we are dramatically differentiated from the other animals. It isn’t about a frontal lobe, an opposing thumb, or self-awareness. It is about having a spiritual dimension, because we were made in the image of God. He created us for a purpose. He wanted to love us, and to be an object of worship by us. Not because he needed to love or be worshipped. However, he wanted to have a relationship with us. Maybe we’ll find out why when we meet him.

Believing we were specially and specifically created by God is one of the most complex things we are called on to believe. There are various beliefs among Christians concerning how that creation took place, when it took place, and the methods involved. Some days I think the “days” of Genesis were days, sometimes I think they were era’s. In the final analysis, if God is God, he could have done it in 6 days, easy.