The title of this blog is a question we should talk with our kids about every so often and be able to answer for ourselves. It is a question that some people think shouldn't be asked. Our bias (the way we look at the world) is shaped with culture, family that we are raised in, friends, income level of the home, and major life events. How do we know we haven't been "brainwashed" into believing in God, and for that matter, the God of the Bible.
This question must be asked even in a Christian home. Do kids believe in what their parents say because that is how they were raised, or do they believe it because they have had an encounter with God? I cover this question in the blog post The Big Lie, and it explains why young people leave the church after they leave home. They have not had an authentic relationship with the Creator.
The Bible has the authority of God, but how do I witness if someone doesn't want to acknowledge that authority? When I was a lifeguard in my early twenties I remember during a break out of the sun when I was talking with another lifeguard. "Brian" had been raised in a Christian home, but he was taking a world view that religion is something man made up to explain the unknown. It was a crutch to try and explain things not yet explained by science that eased anxiety of the unknown. He said he didn't think God existed, much less believed what his family taught him of the God of the Bible.
I instantly jumped on what Brian was saying. The sun had dried me out, I didn't have time for such foolishness. How could he not believe in God? While working at the pool we saw a glorious sunset every night, how could he not believe in God? He got to see mothers with their newborns and the laughter and joy the toddlers have when splashing in the water, how could he not believe in God? Working together I knew he really liked the ocean and I brought that the power and beauty of that too. How could he possibly not believe in God? To Brian's credit he did end up acknowledging the existence of God, and I encouraged him to talk with those he loved and trusted about the Truth of the God of the Bible. If he was wrong about the existence of God, he should look into his other belief about the Bible too.
When my sons were young I wanted to get across to them that the Bible is not a bunch of fairy tales. On different occasions when I wanted to have this talk with them I would take them out into our back yard during a wind storm. As the trees were bent, and we could hardly hear each other I would have whichever boy I was holding in my arms, look around and yell over the wind, "this is why I believe in God!" I let God's glory in creation speak. Whenever we came across something that was obviously God, I would make sure to point it out. If I was struggling with something, I would make sure to explain to my kids what God was doing for me. Do your children see you pray? Your life is why the existence of God should not be a question for your kids.
God's fingerprint is all over creation. When I was growing up, the ocean, stars, mountains, and forest were where I could go and I would be overwhelmed by the beauty and power of creation. Now when I look at the beauty in the sky, there is nothing but God. If ever a Christian doubted God, they should go to one of these places. Mankind defines creation a different way, I'm not sure how the beauty of scenery fits into evolution, because we want to be in control. We do not want to have a creator. By denying God we become our own gods. Acknowledging God is the first step, but why believe in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, the God of the Bible?
I work with a science teacher and last year he stopped me in the parking lot and asked why I had moved across the country. I told him that it was because of a lot of prayer. My thoughts were, "and it might have been specifically for you, time to witness." He said he grew up Catholic, believed in God, but didn't think any religion had it right, and all religions were basically the same. I respectfully disagreed with him and started listing examples, each time his response was something like, "Oh yeah, maybe just one." There is no religion that is true except one that follows the God of the Bible and accepts His son Jesus as the Christ. God died for us while we were still in our sin, He chose us.
Now getting back to the main point on how we can be sure that the Bible is God's word and it is the truth. The answer to this is faith. Test out what the Bible says, pray and ask questions in prayer. God will not let you down if you are earnestly seeking Him. Ask the tough questions, seek out those you trust that follow God. The truth doesn't have to hide anything, and the truth will set you free from the bondage of this world. Our sinful natures, and not having a God centered world view, will try to put you in charge and deny God, this is being a slave to sin. That is what the challenge really is about. This world and its brokenness only makes sense when looking at it through the Bible.
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