It is expected and predictable for sceptics to distort the truth of God's Word through unbelief, but there is no excuse when professing Christians explain away the miraculous in favour of naturalistic interpretations. Some seem compelled to avoid any subjects or doctrines which might offend modern (often secular) sensitivities. There are few things as stomach churning for me as the almost grovelling and apologetic, hand-wringing, or soft-selling approach to the proclamation of God's Word. There is always a place for grace and tact, but no place should be given to tamper with the true message of the Gospel to avoid potential offence of unbelievers, and in our politically correct day even Christians.
It is important we translate the meaning of unfamiliar words or terms with people, but as God's messengers we abuse our role should we attempt to dull the sharp edge of scripture intended to cut. C.S. Lewis wrote in an address titled "Christian Apologetics," "Do not attempt to water Christianity down. There must be no pretence that you can have it with the Supernatural left out. So far as I can see Christianity is precisely the one religion from which the miraculous cannot be separated. You must frankly argue for supernaturalism from the very outset." (Lewis, C. S., and Walter Hooper. God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014. page 99) The miraculous is central to Christianity because Jesus Christ is. He is revealed in scripture as Creator of all things, the self-existent I AM, the One who baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire, the Lamb of God who was crucified for the sins of the world, rose from the dead, and lives eternally. Having defeated death and Satan, Jesus Christ forever reigns supreme with all authority in heaven and earth - without apology.
How strange it is people can believe in the salvation of eternal souls through faith in Jesus but reject the biblical account of creation, the existence of Adam and Eve as actual people, the flood survived by Noah and his family, and on. Since I believe God supernaturally created the heavens and the earth from nothing, having established the many natural laws which people have discovered, it is nothing for God to go beyond man's understanding and do what we deem impossible: who but God can cause light to shine in the darkness and make life spring forth from death? The Christian life is one supernaturally created and sustained by the living God, and every follower of Jesus is a walking miracle. If we abandon the miraculous for naturalistic explanations or superstitions of a previous age Christianity is nothing more than a mirage of self-help which cannot save a soul.
It is important we translate the meaning of unfamiliar words or terms with people, but as God's messengers we abuse our role should we attempt to dull the sharp edge of scripture intended to cut. C.S. Lewis wrote in an address titled "Christian Apologetics," "Do not attempt to water Christianity down. There must be no pretence that you can have it with the Supernatural left out. So far as I can see Christianity is precisely the one religion from which the miraculous cannot be separated. You must frankly argue for supernaturalism from the very outset." (Lewis, C. S., and Walter Hooper. God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014. page 99) The miraculous is central to Christianity because Jesus Christ is. He is revealed in scripture as Creator of all things, the self-existent I AM, the One who baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire, the Lamb of God who was crucified for the sins of the world, rose from the dead, and lives eternally. Having defeated death and Satan, Jesus Christ forever reigns supreme with all authority in heaven and earth - without apology.
How strange it is people can believe in the salvation of eternal souls through faith in Jesus but reject the biblical account of creation, the existence of Adam and Eve as actual people, the flood survived by Noah and his family, and on. Since I believe God supernaturally created the heavens and the earth from nothing, having established the many natural laws which people have discovered, it is nothing for God to go beyond man's understanding and do what we deem impossible: who but God can cause light to shine in the darkness and make life spring forth from death? The Christian life is one supernaturally created and sustained by the living God, and every follower of Jesus is a walking miracle. If we abandon the miraculous for naturalistic explanations or superstitions of a previous age Christianity is nothing more than a mirage of self-help which cannot save a soul.
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