Evidence v. Faith

Last Sunday our pastor taught over the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea as described in Exodus 14. He showed a clip from a documentary "The Exodus Revealed" by Dr. Lennart Moller from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. It detailed evidence of where the Red Sea crossing took place, including coral growth over many wheel and axle shaped formations found in the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea that fit the description of the chariots used then by the Egyptians. I attached a picture of one of the wheels on the sea floor in the Gulf of Aqaba.

I am always excited whenever I hear of new evidence supporting Biblical accounts. I am the type of guy that is always gathering data and finding tangible evidence to connect the dots. So what should Christians expect from all this evidence we find? Do we now believe something we doubted before since we have the evidence? Or do we suppose that if we show the world the evidence of Biblical events that then the world would believe, repent, and be saved?

Just like a bird or a whale praises God with its own special song, researchers and scientists can do the same thing with their work. They go on fact finding missions to bring a passage in the Bible to life with photos, data and hard evidence. It really depends on what their hearts' intentions are. But as more and more evidence is brought to the table you might think that God-ignoring science and history textbooks would see the light and "convert." This however is not the intended goal.

The goal is to bring glory to God by presenting the truth in a world that is full of lies. One of the greatest preachers of righteousness, Noah, didn't even persuade one person outside his immediate family to repent, but he lived out his faith by building a boat that looked useless to the world around him. When the flood waters came I'm sure that all his neighbors said he was right, but it was too late! I would love to see that great boat pulled from its icy home for the whole world to see, but it would change about as many minds today as it did when it was built.

Romans 1:18-19 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them." Skip on down to verse 21: "...although the knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise they became fools...." Then it goes on to say that God gave them up to their sin because they exchanged the truth of God for the lie, among other things.

If someone wants to sin, then they will dismiss all hard evidence that would bring any hint of impending accountability they owe to their Creator. If macro-evolution offers them the means and freedom they desire to dismiss God in their life, then why would they choose otherwise?

The evidence is gathered in faith and the truth is presented as an offering to God. Those who know God are blessed by it, and those who reject Him are cursed by it. Even without evidence, our God would still be God. God's work in internally changing our lives would be our sufficient evidence. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

"For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed unto Him against that day." - Paul, 2 Timothy 1:12

We need to be praying for those who are the called who have yet to come to Him, that they will quickly come to repentance. Also pray for those who are persecuted because of Him.

---Johnie