“The God Who Is There”

I was recently scrolling through social media (yes, I have one account), and I saw this question posed as a headline. “Something that proves low intelligence.” Directly below there was only one answer showing. “Religious belief.” My instinct was to dig deeper, to see what else was said, to view the personal information of the person who posted, and then to respond. My second instinct was to put down my phone. Fortunately, I followed my second instinct.

But I’ve thought about that post several times since then. Could this be true? Have religious people (and specifically Christians) set aside their brains in order to follow a fairy in the sky that does not exist? First of all, from a historical perspective it is not true at all. Yes, there are those who have sought to pit science against religion, and who have referred to any and all who believe in God as ignorant. But the truth is that the first scientists were, for the most part, committed Christians. The same is true about some of the finest mathematicians and writers and thinkers of all time. No, it cannot be said that all religious people are lacking in intelligence.

But I will tell you this. Even some Christians wonder about this. And in their practices they actually seem to confirm it. Have you ever had a worship leader say to you, “Now empty your mind of everything and simply focus on God at this time.”? I have wanted to scream, “NO!” at the top of my lungs.

It is true that we are called to worship with our hearts and emotions. But we are also to worship with our brains. You cannot understand the Bible unless you engage it intellectually. The Bible calls for us to, “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.”

I believe that God created us, heart, soul, mind and strength. I believe that He has given us the capacity, not only to love Him, but to think. And I believe that when we truly think about our world as it exists, that the only logical conclusion is to declare that He not only exists, but that He loves us, is interested in our lives, and wants us to love and follow Him. I am committed to that belief, and intend to share it with others to the best of my ability for the rest of my life.

When you go to church, don’t check your brain at the door. Trust the Lord. Believe in His Word. He really is, as Francis Shaeffer once wrote, “The God Who Is There.”