Faith, Science, and the Sovereignty of God

 

Summary

In our discussion today, we delved into the profound implications of faith, science, and the nature of evil, exploring how these elements intersect with our understanding of God and the universe. We began by considering the philosophical wager of Blaise Pascal, which suggests that living a life of faith is a win-win scenario. However, the Apostle Paul presents a more sobering view in 1 Corinthians 15:19, emphasizing that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile, and we are still in our sins. This underscores the critical importance of the resurrection as the cornerstone of our faith.

We also examined the limitations of science in addressing questions of origin and existence. While science can provide evidence of design, it cannot fully explain the divine or the miraculous, such as creation itself, which is a divine miracle beyond empirical observation. This leads us to the necessity of revelation, particularly the biblical account of creation, as the only reliable source of understanding these mysteries.

Furthermore, we discussed the role of evil in God's sovereign plan. While God allows evil to exist, He does not create it. This distinction is crucial in understanding God's holiness and righteousness. Evil serves a purpose in God's plan, ultimately manifesting His glory and righteousness. This understanding helps us navigate the complexities of suffering and the presence of evil in the world.

Lastly, we touched on the importance of doctrine and unity within the church. While doctrinal differences exist, particularly in eschatology, the core tenets of our faith unite us. It is essential to approach these differences with grace and patience, allowing for growth and understanding within the body of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Resurrection's Centrality: The resurrection of Christ is not just a hopeful belief but the very foundation of our faith. Without it, our faith is in vain, and we remain in our sins. This truth challenges us to live with the assurance and hope that the resurrection brings, impacting every aspect of our lives. [01:21]

2. Science and Faith: While science can point to evidence of design, it cannot fully explain the divine or the miraculous. This limitation highlights the necessity of revelation and faith in understanding the mysteries of creation and existence. We must rely on the biblical account as the ultimate source of truth. [03:02]

3. God's Sovereignty and Evil: God allows evil to exist but does not create it. This distinction is vital in understanding His holiness and righteousness. Evil serves a purpose in God's sovereign plan, ultimately manifesting His glory and righteousness. This perspective helps us navigate the complexities of suffering and evil in the world. [11:10]

4. Doctrine and Unity: While doctrinal differences exist, the core tenets of our faith unite us. It is essential to approach these differences with grace and patience, allowing for growth and understanding within the body of Christ. This unity strengthens our witness to the world. [22:15]

5. The Role of Suffering: Suffering and trials are not outside of God's control but are part of His sovereign plan. They serve to refine our faith and draw us closer to Him. Understanding this helps us find hope and purpose in the midst of pain and challenges. [49:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Question on Resurrection and Faith
- [01:06] - Pascal's Wager and Paul's Perspective
- [02:10] - Science and Intelligent Design
- [03:35] - Limits of Empirical Science
- [05:06] - The Necessity of Design in Science
- [06:45] - Creation and Science
- [08:09] - Intelligent Design vs. Biblical Account
- [09:51] - The Role of Evil in God's Plan
- [11:10] - God's Sovereignty and Evil
- [13:02] - The Importance of the Law in Gospel Presentation
- [16:26] - The Source of Evil
- [18:06] - Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology
- [20:13] - Unity in Doctrine
- [22:15] - Handling Doctrinal Differences in the Church
- [25:40] - The Role of Doctrine in Church Unity
- [30:02] - Christian Growth and Legalism
- [32:29] - Prophets and Revelation Today
- [36:44] - God's Wrath and Sovereignty
- [41:27] - Suffering and End-of-Life Decisions
- [43:02] - Addressing Personal Evil and Pain
- [47:30] - Responding to Tragedy
- [51:28] - Addressing Eastern Thought and Reincarnation
- [53:36] - Christian Responsibility to Culture

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 15:19
2. 2 Timothy 3:16
3. Romans 9:22-23

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Observation Questions:

1. According to 1 Corinthians 15:19, what are the implications if Christ has not been raised from the dead? How does this affect our faith? [01:21]

2. In the sermon, how is the relationship between science and faith described, particularly in terms of understanding creation? [08:31]

3. What distinction does the sermon make between God allowing evil and God creating evil? How does this relate to God's sovereignty? [11:10]

4. How does the sermon suggest we handle doctrinal differences within the church to maintain unity? [22:15]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the centrality of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:19 challenge believers to live differently? What does it mean for our daily lives? [01:21]

2. The sermon discusses the limitations of science in explaining divine mysteries. How does this perspective influence the way believers should approach scientific discussions? [08:31]

3. In what ways does understanding God's sovereignty over evil help believers navigate personal suffering and global tragedies? [11:10]

4. How can the church balance the importance of doctrine with the need for unity, especially when faced with differing eschatological views? [22:15]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life. How does the assurance of the resurrection impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? [01:21]

2. Have you ever encountered a situation where science and faith seemed to be in conflict? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience? [08:31]

3. Think of a time when you faced suffering or witnessed evil. How did your understanding of God's sovereignty influence your response? [11:10]

4. Are there doctrinal differences within your church or small group that have caused tension? How can you approach these differences with grace and patience to foster unity? [22:15]

5. Consider a personal trial you are currently facing. How can you find hope and purpose in this situation, knowing that suffering is part of God's sovereign plan? [49:25]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with understanding or accepting God's will. How can you seek clarity and peace in this area through prayer and scripture? [46:57]

7. How can you actively contribute to unity within your church, especially when faced with differing opinions or interpretations of scripture? [22:15]

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection as the Foundation of Faith
The resurrection of Christ is not merely a hopeful belief but the very cornerstone of Christian faith. Without the resurrection, faith is rendered futile, and believers remain in their sins. This truth challenges individuals to live with the assurance and hope that the resurrection brings, impacting every aspect of their lives. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 15:19, underscoring the critical importance of the resurrection. It is a call to live in the light of this transformative event, allowing it to shape one's actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. [01:21]

1 Corinthians 15:17-19 (ESV): "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? Can you identify one area of your life where this truth needs to be more evident?


Day 2: The Limitations of Science and the Necessity of Faith
While science can point to evidence of design, it cannot fully explain the divine or the miraculous. This limitation highlights the necessity of revelation and faith in understanding the mysteries of creation and existence. The biblical account serves as the ultimate source of truth, providing insights that science alone cannot offer. Believers are encouraged to rely on this divine revelation to navigate questions of origin and existence, recognizing that faith and science can coexist but that faith ultimately provides the answers science cannot. [03:02]

Hebrews 11:3 (ESV): "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself relying solely on scientific explanations? How can you incorporate faith and revelation into your understanding of the world around you today?


Day 3: Understanding God's Sovereignty in the Presence of Evil
God allows evil to exist but does not create it. This distinction is vital in understanding His holiness and righteousness. Evil serves a purpose in God's sovereign plan, ultimately manifesting His glory and righteousness. This perspective helps believers navigate the complexities of suffering and evil in the world, offering a framework for understanding how God can be both sovereign and good amidst the presence of evil. It challenges individuals to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem difficult or unjust. [11:10]

Habakkuk 1:13 (ESV): "You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?"

Reflection: How do you reconcile the presence of evil with your understanding of God's sovereignty? Can you identify a situation where you need to trust God's plan despite the presence of evil or suffering?


Day 4: Embracing Unity Amidst Doctrinal Differences
While doctrinal differences exist, the core tenets of faith unite believers. It is essential to approach these differences with grace and patience, allowing for growth and understanding within the body of Christ. This unity strengthens the church's witness to the world, demonstrating the love and grace that should characterize Christian communities. Believers are encouraged to focus on what unites them rather than what divides, fostering an environment of mutual respect and love. [22:15]

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: Are there doctrinal differences that have caused division in your relationships? How can you approach these differences with grace and seek unity within your community?


Day 5: Finding Purpose in Suffering
Suffering and trials are not outside of God's control but are part of His sovereign plan. They serve to refine faith and draw believers closer to Him. Understanding this helps individuals find hope and purpose in the midst of pain and challenges. It encourages believers to view suffering as an opportunity for growth and deeper reliance on God, trusting that He is working all things for His glory and their good. [49:25]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: How have you experienced growth through suffering in your life? Can you identify a current challenge where you need to trust God's purpose and find hope in His plan?

Quotes


The philosopher who's already also mentioned today, Blaise Pascal, made his famous wager that if you bet your life on the Christian faith and when you die, you find out or you maybe don't find out, but the reality is that it was not true, you haven't lost anything because you've still had a joyful life and lived it to the fullest. [00:36:32]

If Christ is not raised, the implications for that are enormous. Not only are we of all people the most to be pitied, but we are still in our sins. We've become false witnesses of God because we've testified that God raised Christ from the dead, and we have been following after a lie. [00:78:08]

Science does not possess the tools to prove or disprove the origins of life. When folks in intelligent design make arguments from the microscopic intricacy and the content of creation giving evidence of a designer, that's a perfectly legitimate thing to do, but it's another thing to say that you've got the tools of science to disprove the existence of God. [00:126:43]

There is no such thing as the science of creation. There's no such thing as creation science because creation can't be explained scientifically. Creation is a divine miracle. If you want to know about creation, you only have one source: that's revelation. So, if you're going to have a group of people together, they have to be people who believe the Book of Genesis. [00:411:19]

God is God, and he is absolutely sovereign; therefore, God allowed evil to exist. If he allowed it, he had to will it. Allowing it is simply the act of his will, okay? So that's a simple distinction without causing it, and God distances himself completely. [00:653:83]

What salvation is, is rescue, divine rescue from eternal damnation. We're not saving people from a lack of purpose. We're not giving a gospel that's going to bump them up a few notches on the comfort scale in life and make them more prosperous and happier. This is a serious rescue operation from eternal damnation. [00:801:80]

Suffering and trials are not outside of God's control but are part of His sovereign plan. They serve to refine our faith and draw us closer to Him. Understanding this helps us find hope and purpose in the midst of pain and challenges. [00:2522:48]

God is angry all the time at sin. He is angry every hour of every day at sin because all of God's attributes are always fully operational at all times. He's also loving all the time, gracious all the time, merciful all the time, etc. So you don't want to think of God as sort of getting ticked off on a certain day. [00:2233:72]

God ordains evil does not mean that evil is good. We can't call good evil and evil good. That's not what John is doing. He's saying that nothing can come to pass except through the sovereign will of God and that, in a certain sense, God wills whatsoever comes to pass, including the fall, and he wills that for his own glory. [00:2432:11]

If God didn't have anything to do with it, then nobody's in charge of the universe, and nothing makes sense. If God did have something to do with it, if he had everything to do with it, if it fit within his plan, then everything is in his control, and everything has meaning and points back to him and to his glory. [00:3025:92]

Reformation, I believe, begins in the church when those who have been revived, when those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit grow from spiritual infancy to adulthood, and they begin to manifest and exercise the godly life in their mature adulthood. If that happens in sufficient numbers, the structures change. [00:3310:44]

The Christian faith has implications for economics, for political thought, for education, for aesthetics, for every sphere of human life, which is what culture is involved with. You don't need to capture the political structures of a nation to reform the culture. I'm concerned about being salt and light, manifesting the power of the Gospel in every corner of the culture. [00:3353:40]

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Transcript
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