What Eric Metaxas Got Right

I have seen a lot of talk these days questioning how people can believe conspiracy theories that are going around, like QAnon type stuff. I see comments like, "Well they even believe that donkeys can talk", referring to Numbers 22 where Balaam's donkey actually talks, asking what he has done to deserve being struck three times. I even see Christians saying similar things, making it sound silly to believe the Bible at face value. 

And then there is the discussion revolving around science vs. faith. Especially during the first few months of the coronavirus, some people seemed to feel as though quarantining because of the virus or wearing a mask were fear-filled, faithless actions. However, others reminded that such protocols are just based on an understanding for the natural world and how viruses spread, just as other practices no one questions are based on science, and not challenged by fearlessness or faith. Examples include brushing our teeth, wearing seat belts, using birth control, and refrigerating meat. Why would this be any different? 

Well, I am 100% confident in claiming that science actually proves the existence of God the creator as described in the Bible more than it disproves him. I love the study of science and find it at no way interferes with my faith. At the same time, I believe the Bible at face value, although some parts are to be considered in context, such as parables where Jesus exaggerates to make a point, or uses an illustration to portray an idea. I guess there is also a question as to how many years the Bible actually spans. But do I believe that Balaam's donkey talked and that God literally split the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through? Yes, I do! 

Before you think I'm gullible, I should maybe mention that I'm a pretty educated person. I was an interview away from entering Virginia Tech vet school before I followed my heart and dedicated my life to serving Haitian immigrant youth in the Dominican Republic. I got my Bachelor's degree before moving here, having received just one B throughout my years at Virginia Tech. While I took that path and moved to another country, I went onto get my J.D. from Concord Law School and my M.Ed. from Regent University. If you doubt the quality of the law degree I completed through an online program, (Purdue Global), in order to move through the program, students are required to travel to California to take the baby bar exam, which I passed on my first try. I also became fluent in Spanish and Haitian Creole along the way. I did this while raising more than a handful of children, three of which I birthed, and living in challenging conditions, one could say. 

I say none of this to brag. I only say it to give glory to God and value to my claims. So how could I believe in miracles such as the Red Sea splitting when they go against the laws of science? If you've read my other recent posts, you've probably seen me refer to Phil Vischer and his children's program Mr. Phil TV. I'm kind of a fan. Well, Mr. Phil explained to my kids recently in one of his programs that miracles are supernatural acts, which means they are beyond the laws of science, and science cannot explain them. Science only explains what is natural. The tools we use to understand the supernatural are revelation and testimony. The Bible is a book full of this. But after the Bible times ended, the testimony and revelations have continued. We can hold modern day testimonies and revelations up to the Bible as a reference to see if they align. As far as these recent conspiracy theories floating around and the divine favor over Donald Trump, I've tried to apply the Bible to these in this post and this one. 

Mr. Phil TV bible and science lessons together

I wrote in a post several years ago that I disagree with humanitarians who tell Haitians that magic does not exist in an effort to get them to accept a scientific explanation for their ailments. I definitely agree that magic (voodoo) is given credit for way more than it probably should be in the Haitian culture, but I would not tell someone that it flat out doesn't exist. I have had plenty of supernatural experiences that I will never forget and no one will ever convince me that they did not happen. So why would I flat out negate someone else's experiences? I would try to give them a better understanding of science, but not try to convince them that the supernatural does not exist. This post is a small testimony on my part as to why I will never doubt, but there is much more where that came from. 

When I was a student at Virginia Tech, I listened to a speaker named Lee Strobel who wrote a book called A Case for a Creator. He was an atheist journalist who set out on an investigation to disprove Christianity, but was converted in the process, and published a few books as a result. Then when I graduated from Regent University just eight months ago in May, 2020, the graduation speaker was Eric Metaxas. He impressed me as he excitedly spoke about how the more science develops, the more we see how specifically created the earth was to be able to support life. You can read a Wall Street Journal article he wrote about this here, but I'll also share this quote:

"Today there are more than 200 known parameters necessary for a planet to support life - every single one of which must be perfectly met, or the whole thing falls apart... Can every one of those many parameters have been perfect by accident? At what point is it fair to admit that science suggests that we cannot be the result of random forces? Doesn't assuming that an intelligence created these perfect conditions require far less faith than believing that a life-sustaining Earth just happened to beat the inconceivable odds to come into being?"

Eric Metaxas is a graduate from Yale University and has made the New York Times bestseller list several times. The article that I just shared is said to be the most shared Wall Street Journal article of all times. I highly appreciate his faith and his intellect. However, if you Google search his name, you'll see that his reputation has taken a blow lately because he displayed unwavering amounts of belief in God's favor over Donald Trump and confidently stated that God would intervene. Trump would remain president for another four years. Obviously that didn't happen. I know some Christian voices who now are saying that their timing was off and believe that Trump will serve a second term in 2024. Nonetheless, let this not speak anything about the existence of God or the gift of Jesus, but about the validity of the revelations of these Chrisitian voices.   

This article provides more details, but Metaxas is quoted saying, "We have enough evidence in our hearts" referring to proof of voting fraud during the 2020 election. After saying something like that and being incorrect, I think we can rightfully conclude that the person's heart was not actually in alignment with God's heart on that issue. I am not saying that my heart perfectly reflects God's heart by any means. I pray that he is always protecting it and cleansing it so that it does to the best of its ability, no matter what it takes to do that. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." 

If there is one thing I have learned from my Jehovah's Witness friends, it is the value of studying the Bible with an intellectual approach, as opposed to an emotional one. I would say that they have an opposite approach when compared to Pentecostal or charismatic Christian churches. They believe the Bible at face value, but are very reserved about even praying and worshiping, as they feel they are often used for show and perhaps monetary gain. I studied with my friends for years, per their invitation, but remain non-denominational. I feel as though they have many interesting, bible-based theories, but I am not going to bet on any of them because I don't know the right answer. I am also not going to judge other denominations or keep a distance from them, as they feel is necessary. What I do know clearly is what Jesus responded when he was asked what the greatest commandment is. This is what I offer to God through Project Esperanza: to love him and love others. And these are the verses that help me to understand what that means and how to do that. 

In conclusion, faith and science are not enemies. God is for everyone. We are all lovingly created in his image. He can spread the Red Sea if he wants, when he wants. But even if he doesn't, miracles happen every day. As Eric Metaxas got right, our existence and ability to discuss this is proof of that. May his kingdom come.