Bruce Szwast September 20th, 2010

I wanted to comment on the latest ETC program but I have been busy on the 2010 Edition of the Creation Week Card. Coming out soon. Seems like the busier I am, the less I think about what is going on around me, and my busyness is about Biblical Context.

I did listen to the program and I was saddened. But then I thought this is nothing new. The Church has always struggled with the balance between Biblical Truth and relevancy. I do hate to keep talking about myself, but maybe that is most of what I know. Alas.

The 70's were a bad time for America. We had an irresponsible and damaging government in place, just like now. The Vietnam War was over, we lost, and many thought now we can get down to business; but then we realized the real war was 'secular depression'. Thank God for Reagan: "government is not the solution; it is the problem".

I was caught up in the Jesus movement. I was at the point where I needed hope and a cure for my own secular depression. Reading the Bible, attending Church, and learning about who Jesus was cured my depression. But then reality set in – the real war never ends.

I have been in a number of churches since then (max is 7 years) and left for various reasons. The most painful leavings where about the 'old wise guy left' and a new young, fresh out of seminary, whipper snapper tried to shove some theology (and blended) down my throat.

I am resigning myself to teach myself what the Bible is all about, how it fits together, how did the saints of Hebrews 11 deal with faith, how is it relevant, how is church and secular history relevant, how do we answer the hard questions, what about those apparent contradictions, what about those who distort Biblical and historical truth. This is more than enough to keep anybody busy (including now we are attending a Chinese American Christian Church – another story; well SS is about 'what to do with Numbers, besides count').

Maybe this is what I am trying to say: I needed to know the Bible is true and in the process convince others that the Bible is true. Maybe I could echo the words of Peter and the others, who did their part, and passed it on to us:

John 6:60. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" 61. Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62. What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65. He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." 66. From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 68. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."