God Issues Today: "What You Can Do With a Little Stucco"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

If you can't believe in Nefertiti, who can you trust? The Egyptian queen has long been heralded as the icon of beauty; her bust was one of the most copied in all of ancient art. Now we learn in today's New York Times that the original sculptor may have modified her features, akin to airbrushing in a magazine today. He likely enhanced her cheekbones, smoothed wrinkles around her mouth, and fixed a slight bump on the ridge of her nose. Outer layers of stucco were apparently used to trick the world. You can fool some of the people all of the time . . .

Appropriately, April Fool's Day is tomorrow. Some have called it the national holiday of atheists, but I disagree with such sentiment. While some are skeptics for the sake of being skeptical, many have genuine and honest issues with God. They have been hurt deeply and wonder how an all-loving, all-powerful God could exist and allow their pain. Or they have raised very real intellectual questions which no one seems able to answer.

Christopher Hutchens, for instance, was very gracious and personable with those of us who participated in our recent debate. During the actual event, he was as sharp and pointed as his reputation suggested. But at no point did I think that he intended to be hurtful or malicious. His issues are very real to him.

I have replied that faith is a relationship which requires commitment transcending the evidence and becomes self-validating. No relationship can be proven with absolute certainty in this life. However, our relationship with our Maker will in fact be verified one day beyond any question.

When our Savior returns to the planet he created and once inhabited in the flesh, every person will be sure beyond any shadow of a doubt that God is real and Jesus is Lord. But God is graciously giving you another day to trust in him by faith, another day to step into a personal relationship with him and experience the verification which comes to those who meet God for themselves. One day time will run out, and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11). As C. S. Lewis observed, when the author steps onto the stage, the play is done.

Until that day, there is nothing more a supernatural God can do to prove his existence through natural means. Asking the infinite, perfect God of the universe to prove himself to our finite, fallen minds is like asking him to make a square circle. Even God is not obligated to do what is logically impossible. But he will reveal himself personally to anyone who asks. Is he waiting on your next prayer? Let's conclude tomorrow.

Note: Many of you have asked where you can view a video of Saturday's debate. Christian Book Expo officials tell us that it will be posted on "Tangle" (formerly GodTube) in the next few days. I am grateful for your interest.