Prayer: Peter Butler

Prayer is a loving way Christians can care for each other. Jesus, our great God, calls for those who trust him to offer prayers to him. He can respond to our prayers by saying “yes”, “no” or “soon” (Philippians 4:6; Matthew 11:28). We are also encouraged the Jesus is work in the world for the good of his people, no matter how grim the situation may seem (Romans 8:28).

It has come to my attention that my dear brother in Christ, Peter Butler, is experiencing some hardship in his life. Peter has recently undergone a triple bypass. I ask that we join in prayer and ask God to work in this situation. Peter has emailed me some information for us to pray about:

I first noticed it about 6 months ago, with a pain in the shoulder. A friend said it was heart related, so made an appointment through my GP with a cardiologist, who gave me a stress test, and diagnosed angina. He said I'd need an Angiogram, and booked me in at Liverpool Hospital, on 22nd Feb (just after my 64th birthday). The results showed the 2 major arteries were blocked, one at 70% and the other at 65%, and I'd need a quadriple heart bypass, so they kept me in hospital for a week.

There were several miracles on the way, including that they picked it up straight away - before I had a heart attack, which could have happened at any time - and they were able to do the operation on a Saturday, which is usually reserved for private patients, which I'm not. I was in hospital for a week then released, but a few days later had to be re-admitted, with severe hiccups (a result of the procedure which deflates your lung - they put you on a heart/lung machine during the procedure), blood contamination and liver malfunction, so I had to go on an anti-biotic drip. A week later I was released again.

I've been improving very well since, to the extent that I've been able to go out with friends (I can't drive for 6 weeks) for a coffee and picnic at George's River, which has done me the world of good. On top of all this, I have to vacate the house I've been renting for 9 years next weekend (26th), so I'm having a working bee and garage sale, if anyone can help! I'm on the public housing waiting list, which they're trying to push through, and in the meantime I'm staying with a friend. I've got a lot of good friends helping me and praying, for which I'm grateful.

Thanks, Peter Butler

If you would like to get in contact with Peter, please email me at vintagejc@hotmail.com.

The Book of Obadiah

You have to wonder sometimes, who really is in control with all the wars, tsunamis, earthquakes and corruption. The Old Testament book called Obadiah goes along way at addressing these issues.

Obadiah was probably written in the mid 500’s BC by the Prophet Obadiah. He wrote this book during great heartache and pain, as his country Judah (the southern section of Israel) was conquered by the Babylonian’s. Judah’s neighbouring country, the Edomities, simply rejoiced at the misfortune that had come Judah’s way and capitalized on the situation by taking much of Judah’s wealth.

This book has many implications for our lives, as we live in a world that seems to so much injustice in it. Obadiah calls us to look to God for security and answers, and not ourselves and our possessions. This is a gem of a book! On the blog, I will expound this book in a three post series, so stay posted.

Follow the link below to access the book of Obadiah:

The Book of Obadiah (ESV)

If you would like to download a FREE and complete bible, please check out E-Sword. Over 80% of the material is free, very useful and small in size. In addition, I can send you a FREE hardcopy of the bible (simply email vintagejc@hotmail.com).

I pray the Lord blesses your time and that your study may be fruitful in Jesus name.

Science and Jesus (8): The Great Confusion!

‘Irrational, infantile, idiotic and primitive’; this is how the New Atheists have described the Christian belief system. Man like Dawkins and Sam Harris claim that ‘following an ancient book called the bible is absolutely irrational’. Harris goes as far as to say that anybody espousing a faith in a irrational God should be murdered (see Why God won’t go away for more).

The massive stumbling block for the New Atheists like Richard Dawkins is the interpretation of Genesis 1. If God created the world 6 000 years ago, in six days like Genesis 1 appears to do, then how could anyone trust this document. The major problem with this view, in my humble opinion is that Genesis 1 is not articulating the mechanism and the fine details of the process by which God created the universe, as I have explained in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 of this series, but rather, that one all powerful and eternal being named God, created the world with a purpose and for relationship.

A huge problem arises when we try to make the bible say something that it is not. It creates great problems, which in the case of Genesis 1 and creation, leads to mistrust that is unwarranted. This is what leading Christian preacher, Phillip Jensen has to say about Genesis 1, creation and evolution:

This leads me to another issue, most people who discredit and scorn at the bible have never actually read it for themselves. I experienced this when chatting to a friend, who espouses an Atheistic worldview. He made a heap of claims that weren’t even true, like the bible clearly says that the world is 6 000 years old. “Okay”, I said to him, “where in the bible does it say this”? The answer is absolutely no where. My friend was going off inaccurate second hand information. So I say to you now, below is a link to Genesis chapter 1 to chapter 3:

These are the first three chapters of the Christian bible.
Genesis 1 – 3 (ESV)

I hope this helps answer a few of your questions pertaining to a faith in Jesus and science. I will continue with a few more post on Jesus and Science, then move onto Jesus and History. Stay posted and check out for yourself the real Jesus.

Resource Review: Why God won’t go Away – Engaging with the New Atheism

To order this product:
Click Here

I recently purchased a bundle of books from Koorong Book Store. One of those books is Alister McGrath’s new book ‘Why God won’t go Away’. I must confess that this book is actually rather difficult to put down. I recommend this book to anyone who has question regarding faith and science, Atheism vs Christianity and rationality vs irrationality. I love this book and so will you.

The recent rise of the New Atheism has aroused great general interest, thrown up questions of fundamental importance, and started a fascinating conversation. Why God Won't Go Away invites us to join in.

The volume opens with a survey of the main ideas of the New Atheism, as expressed in the works of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens. We then examine the core views of the movement closely, making due reference to its 'virtual community' of websites and blogs. Subjects explored include:
• whether religion is delusional and evil
• the belief that human beings are fundamentally good
• whether we should have faith only in what can be proved through reason and science
• the idea that the best hope for humanity is a 'New Enlightenment'

The result is a lively and highly thought-provoking volume that poses a number of interesting questions.

Why is religion experiencing a resurgence in the twenty-first century, when we are meant to have grown out of such a primitive fixation?

Has the New Atheism's fascination with rationality led to a fatal underestimation of the longing of the human heart to adore?

And if, as Christopher Hitchens writes in exasperation, religion is 'ineradicable', doesn't this tiresome fact suggest that dismissing belief in God as irrational and unscientific might just be a waste of time?

Paperback, 128 pages
Price: Approx. $14.95 (Koorong)
Price: Approx. $8.95 (Amazon)

Resource Review: The Cross of Christ

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Last month, we looked at the good old celebration of Valentine’s Day and explored its links to Christianity. Christian’s firmly believe that God is love and that he clearly demonstrated his love by sacrificing his life as a human (Jesus Christ) by dying on a cross for our rebellion. John Stott, who is a world renowned theologian and scholar, writes very pervasively on the implications of Jesus death on the cross. I strongly recommend this book to all audiences, Christian and not.

The universal symbol of the Christian faith is neither a crib nor a manger, but a gruesome cross. Yet many people are unclear about its meaning, and cannot understand why Christ had to die.

In this magisterial and best selling book, John Stott explains the significance of Christ's cross and answers the objections commonly brought against biblical teaching on the atonement.

John Stott's modern classic is as sharp and pertinent as ever it was. It combines an excellent biblical exposition, and a characteristically thoughtful study of Christian belief, with a searching call to the church to live under the cross.

IVP Book, 448 pages
Price: Approx. $10.95 (Koorong)
Price: Approx. $17 (Amazon)