I know it’s the 21st century, but here’s the thing: I’m a Christian. By definition, I have old-school beliefs. That might be a newsflash to the critics, who often react to biblical, traditional and altogether unsurprising beliefs with dropped jaws, as if Christians haven’t preached these things for two thousand years: “Do you seriously believe that?”
Yes. Yes, I do.
I still believe the Bible is the word of God. It’s true and inspired and relevant. Even the boring parts, the bloody parts, the make-you-red-in-the-face parts. Call me crazy, but when it comes to the reliability of Scripture, I trust that God is sovereign—from the first time Moses’ pen touched the parchment until the canon was closed.
I still believe in miracles. Seas parting, lame walking, the whole shebang. These miracles, divine interruptions in the clockwork of the cosmos, are the “mysterious ways” in which God moves. I won’t demote them to mere metaphors. The same God who raised Lazarus to life has the power to raise me up on the last day. Metaphors can’t do that.
I still believe in prayer. The kind that made the sun and moon stand still. The kind Dad says at the dinner table. The kind that cures cancer. Prayer is not a last resort, or “the least I can do,” but a real means to a real end. Amen!
I still believe in heaven and hell. Perhaps not the scenes we see in Dante or Giotto or Bosch, but make no mistake, I still believe. Don’t be surprised if I talk about them like they’re real places in space and time. Jesus did.
I still believe the gospel. Christ paid the penalty for my sins through good old-fashioned blood sacrifice. Strange, I know. But stranger still, God counts his Son’s righteousness as my own and welcomes me into his kingdom, not because of my good works, but because of his grace. It’s an old story, but don’t call it outdated. I still believe it and I’m not ashamed.
Maybe you still believe, too. Welcome to the band of fools. We’ve been singing the same tune for two millennia. We still believe and preach some astounding things. You’d think the world would know by now.
Looks like we’ll have to keep surprising them.
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