A conversation posted on fb 02-12-2017

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for." (Heb 11:1) As we live and move and have our being, we place our trust in the laws of physics and the operation of man-made things. It is absolutely necessary to function. The spiritual world works in the same fashion. An older man came in the credit union this past Friday, informing me that he is a retired Army chaplain. I expressed an interest and inquired as to which church he was affiliated with now. He told me; it was a mainstream christian denomination. But he said, "I am not big into doctrine. I follow the example of Jesus in loving all people." Then he shocked me with his conclusion – "Jesus was a good man." "Man!" I responded. Then I quoted Scriptures: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." Then I added – "that is Jesus." I continued: "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." (John 1:1-3) I asked if he believed that scripture. And he replied "No." I would not have been as shocked if he had said something to the effect of "I interpret that scripture differently than you do." But instead he referred me to a book called "The History of God" by Karen Armstrong. He then told me of some famous people who are fans of this book. It was not until today that the significance of the statement finally came to me. He was elevating the words of this woman with her ability to analyze the contents of people's faith over time above the very word of God. The Bible is the content of my faith. It’s hopes have become mine. I don't completely understand it, but I'm not interested in this other book. I'll take my history lessons from the Bible prayerfully and hopefully with the help of the Spirit of God. My faith is built on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as recorded.