Written by

Dr. Paul Dean

We can all appreciate the lists and commentaries put out concerning the top ten stories or trends of the previous year. Such lists give us an opportunity to reflect upon triumphs, tragedies, good decisions, or mistakes. Certain events stir strong emotions once again as we relive a devastating disaster, an incredible rescue, or a miraculous survival story. We can put smaller trends in the context of a larger movement and attempt to make proper adjustments for the future. And as Christians look through the lens of Scripture, they can trace the hand of God if only generally and find a renewed sense of peace in Him regardless of what happens in this world.

That last reality is actually the point: the top story of 2010 is God’s action in our world. After all, history is His story. Jay Younts, a dear friend, reminded me a number of years ago most newscasters and news stories never tell the whole truth and never get to the real point. Nobody talks about God’s providence and what He’s doing in the midst of the latest snow storm but only of accumulation levels, temperature levels, school closings, and the like. We don’t talk about God bringing it to pass but only of low or high pressure systems. We don’t ask ourselves the question, “What’s God doing by bringing a snow storm big enough to shut down the city for a few days?” “Does He want us to think about Him; to reflect on what’s most important; or to take stock of our lives and activities in light of His reality?”

Speaking to the eminent philosophers of Athens, Paul said this:

God has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us (Acts 17:26-27).

God has determined the times and lives of men so that they would seek Him. In other words, God moves in our world so that men will seek Him. Whether the news story is a volcanic eruption that covers the skies of Europe and suspends air travel, the emergence of the Tea Party, heated debates over health care, the BP oil spill, the incredible survival of Chilean miners, continued fighting in Afghanistan, a crippling snow storm, or whatever, God is behind it all so that men would seek Him. He wants people to see the news from a different perspective – the ultimate perspective – His perspective. As I watch a news story I should ask myself, “What’s God doing? How should I think about Him in light of this? How can I seek Him in light of His action?”

So, the next time you’re watching CNN or Fox News, understand they’re not telling you the whole story; they’re not telling you the truth about God. And make no mistake: I’m not giving you a quaint way to think about the news. Everything comes down to worldview. You either have a true worldview or you don’t. You see things for what they are or you miss the point.

It’s not that I don’t appreciate journalists and broadcasters. I most certainly do. But I also know the world has a different agenda than God. People don’t understand until they’re confronted with His reality. And yes, there are Christians who work as network broadcasters for example who can’t very well give God’s perspective when they give the news. But that doesn’t mean that God is not the definitive actor and it doesn’t mean that we don’t have to seek Him in it. It’s because of God’s purpose that we’re compelled to seek Him in the midst of everything, including the evening news. It gets our focus where it ought to be and provides the benefit God has for us.

In the end, the BP oil spill was a big story, but what God was and is doing in it is more profound. When you’re reflecting on the top stories of the past year, don’t forget to seek the Lord. It’s the most important news and analysis you’ll ever hear.

Written by

Dr. Paul Dean

Have you noticed how the world treats the issue of forgiveness? On television for example, it’s almost a virtue to withhold forgiveness particularly if the offense is especially hurtful. The idea is that we somehow participate in the offense if we forgive it; or that forgiveness for certain acts is unforgivable in itself.

Of course, there are those who withhold forgiveness because they feel it’s their right to do so. “Do you expect me to forgive you” is an oft repeated line. No one questions the right of the offended party to deny the request. In fact, people knowingly nod their heads in approval and focus on what the offender deserves.

And yes, we Christians know that the offender does not deserve forgiveness: ever. We also know there are consequences for sin. Yet, what sets us apart from the world is the obligation and compulsion to forgive. We forgive others because God’s forgiven us. That’s what it means to be a Christian. We’ve been forgiven, not because we deserve it, but because God is gracious. And, because God has changed us, we can’t help but forgive others.

It’s not a virtue to withhold forgiveness any more than it’s a virtue to sin against God or hurt someone. When we forgive, we don’t participate in the commission of the offense. We do bear it though. Just as the one seeking forgiveness bears the burden of guilt, we bear the burden of not allowing our being hurt to come between us and the offending party. In granting forgiveness, we don’t let people off the hook nor do we wipe away any consequences that might be in effect. In fact, we acknowledge that there is an offense simply by saying the offending party needs forgiveness. We acknowledge it and bear it at the same time.

Now, we can’t actually grant forgiveness if someone has not sought it (though we are required to rid our hearts of ill feelings and be willing to forgive). When we do grant forgiveness, in addition to not letting the offense come between us, we’re saying we won’t gossip about it, we won’t hold a grudge, and we won’t bring it up in the future. That’s the way God treats us.

Neither do we have the right to withhold forgiveness. It’s not up to us. Nor can we let our feelings rule. We may feel so hurt that forgiveness is impossible for us. But we go to God; we get His help; we do what He tells us we must do. And, in so doing, not only do we put His character on display, but we actually feel better; we get the joy of being where God wants us to be.

We also set ourselves apart from the world, not in a prideful way, but in a way that says to the world that we do hurt each other. All of us do that. But, relationships can be restored by the power of God. That’s what God’s done for us; He’s reconciled believers to Himself and given them peace with Him and others. That reconciliation can only truly be had in Christ. The Lord Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the sons of God” (Matt. 5:9).

Do you want to promote God’s ways in the world? Then put His power on display; be quick to forgive others. That’s a real virtue. And yes, God does expect His people to forgive.

 Witten by

Dr. Paul Dean

In the diverse culture of America as December rolls around we hear well-wishes like Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy Holidays, Merry X-mas, and the like. These differing sentiments, including Merry Christmas, when uttered by people caught up in the spirit of the age, are not differing sentiments at all; they’re only different expressions of benign good will. On the one hand, I don’t mind that in the larger context of America. People are free to believe and say what they want. And after all, they’re being nice! But, as a people within a people, Christians have to ask a question then: What is the true meaning of Christmas (and is our understanding of it any different from our well-wishing neighbors)?

So many holidays we celebrate are simply cultural (as everyone celebrates them). Why not simply join the culture and transform the Christmas season to just that: a cultural season of good will and celebration? Why not just enjoy the things we do at Christmas? Well, we have a cultural mandate; we’re to influence others for God’s glory. One way to do that is to keep Christ at the center of Christmas (as we keep Him at the center of everything else in life). When we exalt Christ at Christmas, particularly with the body, we take a break from the cultural emphasis, our family activities, and our festivities to say to ourselves, the world, and indeed the Lord that we know why we’re here; we live and move and have our being in Christ.

But it’s more than that. Because we know why we’re here, we have hope; we have Immanuel: God with us. Our hope is rooted in what God has done for us. He didn’t have to give us hope, yet, in His infinite mercy, He did. “Long lay the world in sin and error pining;” then a ray of hope shone forth; Christ the Savior was born.

Christ alone gives hope in the midst of despair. It is He who shines in our darkness. He gives hope in the wake of failure. We’re mere mortals but God gives redeeming grace: a brilliant hope in Christ. It’s God who gives hope when we find ourselves in the shackles of sin: “Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature’s night. Thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light! My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed Thee!”

In 1939, the submarine Squalus sank in 243 feet of water. Twenty-six men perished while thirty-three were saved. Before the rescue was made, the only message that could be obtained from the foundered submarine was a terse, “Satisfactory, but cold.”  Hope engulfed the wives and girlfriends of the crew members as they believed all the men to be alive. Yet, hope was shattered as a subsequent report revealed that twenty-six of them were lost. Some of the women had false hope. Yet, thirty-three had true hope; a confident expectation they would see their husbands again. Honestly, those without Christ have no hope. The well-wishes of our cultural celebration provide momentary good will but no real hope. But we who have Christ have true hope by virtue of what God’s given us: Himself. That’s what Christmas is about for the believer. And, it’s our pleasure to share that hope with others.

So, enjoy the festivities of the holidays as a gift from God. Listen to Christmas music, eat some cookies, go to a parade, and watch Rudolph on television with your kids. At the same time, thank God for giving you the greatest gift: Himself. Then, give Him to others that your Christmas joy may be full.

Wirtten by

Dr. Paul Dean

The Washington Times reports renewed interest in not only going to Mars, but colonizing the planet. President Obama has a plan to get there by the mid-2030s, a goal reminiscent of President Kennedy’s goal to get to the moon. A recent issue of the Journal of Cosmology features over fifty articles on Mars exploration.

But there’s a twist. Dirk Schulze-Makuch of Washington State University and Paul Davies of Arizona State University, “are suggesting that colonization of the Red Planet could happen faster and more economically if astronauts behave like the first settlers to come to North America – not expecting to go home.”

The debate over sending individuals on a one-way trip to Mars and the attendant issues of space travel is fascinating. However, of more interest to the Christian is the rationale behind the scientists’ proposal. In their words, “humans must begin colonizing another planet as a hedge against a catastrophe on Earth.” A base on Mars “would offer humanity a ‘lifeboat’ if Earth becomes uninhabitable.” “We are on a vulnerable planet,” noted Schulze-Makuch. “Asteroid impact can threaten us, or a supernova explosion. If we want to survive as a species, we have to expand into the solar system and likely beyond.”

There has been a shift in our culture on the nature of and reason behind space exploration. Because God has revealed part of His glory in creation, studying the stars has been rooted in an effort to get to know God’s revelation and world better. As the Christian worldview has declined in our society, we’ve moved from that motive to a simple desire to understand the world, and then to a new pragmatic emphasis on finding a new home when this one is destroyed or used up.

This shift is revealing; those who’re concerned about such things have a one-world view. This life is all there is. When there is no hope in an afterlife, one will cling to this world as tightly and as long as possible. The same sentiment is behind the Green movement. Politics and economic considerations shift when survival of the species is at stake. Fear is a great motivator and worldview makes a difference.

Christians don’t have to fear of course; we have a two-world view. When this life is over we’re simply ushered into the presence of Christ. While we’re concerned about being good stewards of God’s creation, we recognize that this world is not all that there is. In fact, this world will burn up one day (2 Pet. 3:12). Knowing that God will bring this world to an end in His timing and way also relieves us from the fear of a random catastrophe, a rogue asteroid, or an environmental disaster. The species will survive until Christ comes again.

Let’s explore space – but for the right reason. The scientific method is the observation of God’s orderly creation. The more we know about His world, the more we benefit. And, it glorifies God to not only contemplate Him as we search out His creation, but to make use of the resources He’s given us. Those resources and derived benefits are discovered in scientific endeavor. We’re thankful for energy to run our cars and heat our homes; for computers and cell phones spawned by the space program; for medicines extracted from plants or even synthesized from other sources; and for so much more.

Will we colonize Mars one day? I don’t know; it’s certainly possible. But, it won’t be because earth is uninhabitable. When earth becomes uninhabitable, God will have done it and He’ll give us a new earth to colonize. I want a one-way ticket there.