“The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent.” (Psalm 104:2)
“Christians believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. Materialists’ belief in the virgin birth of the cosmos. Choose your miracle.”- Glen Scrivener
Which is the best explanation? Which requires more faith? That the materials that make up the universe sprung up by chance and formed a universe able to sustain life all on its own, or that another directed the cosmic chain reaction that formed our universe. Was the cosmos a virgin birth, so to speak, or was it the intentional act of a necessarily existing causal agent (i.e., God)?
When I begin to doubt the existence of God, I fall back on the idea that it is a much smaller leap to believe that the universe was created by God than to believe that the universe somehow created itself. After all, how could time, matter, space, or energy come into existence on their own?
Without a cause, the origins of the universe are in infinite regress. This regression is analogous to a kid asking in infinitude, “But what was before that? What caused that?” Everything else in the universe has a cause, so why not the universe? If we can accept that the universe has a cause, there must be a reason for that cause. And if there is a reason for the universe to exist, then there must be a reason for humans to exist as well. Since we know that humans exist, it stands to reason that our existence is meant to reflect the Creator who made us.
Psalm 104:2 says the Lord stretches out the heavens like a tent. This not only nods to the expansion of the universe (way before science discovered it… pretty cool that it did, though) but also how the origins of the universe were an active, creative endeavor of the will. The universe has a cause and a purpose. Therefore, each one of us humans has a first cause. Our parents are a secondary cause (we slip right back into the infinite regress going down the parent to grandparent to …. Adam and Eve). That first cause is God. You were intentionally made with a purpose. To believe that is to believe in something far more plausible than existence being happenstance and luck.
February 19, 2023 - This Sunday At Immanuel
Sunday Morning
SERMON - This Sunday, Pastor Barnabas will continue our sermon series in Ephesians 3:14-21.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS - We look forward to welcoming new members to Immanuel on Sunday at the 10:45 AM service!
VINCE GREENWALD VOTING - Immanuel members, please keep an eye out for an email that will be sent on Sunday afternoon inviting you to vote on the appointment of Pastoral Candidate Vince Greenwald as Assistant Pastor!
Seminars
9 am: Studying the Bible Together led by Tony Shepherd in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
9 am: First Word Seminar led by Dr. Russell Moore in the Cafe
9 am: Student Seminar led by Vince Greenwald in the gymnasium (ongoing for grades 5-12)
10:45 am: Next Steps 3, led by Tony Shepherd in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
Engage
WOMEN’S RETREAT (MONDAY DEADLINE) - There’s still time to register for the Immanuel Women’s retreat! The retreat is from March 3rd to 4th at Deer Run Camps & Retreats. The cost is $85 per person. You can learn more and register here.
ONLINE PRAYER MEETINGS - Every week, Jenn Ross, an Immanuel Discipleship Group leader, facilitates two online prayer meetings that everyone is welcome to join. Join her on Sundays morning from 7:30-8 am via Zoom here.
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