Pastor’s Message

August 2022

Ministerial Musings from Pastor Dave

I just started reading a new book, “How (Not) To Be Secular”.  You’ll be hearing more about it in sermons and Bible class.  It is really insightful.  The author begins by talking about the nature of our secular age.  

He notes that those most secular in our culture aren’t looking for answers religious people typically ask.  They aren’t even asking.  While we ask about God, faith, heaven/hell, etc. that rarely, if ever, pops up on their radar.  They are more about “fulfilling longings” and finding “significance”.  The book states, that this secular culture is not in the same world as ours “just minus God”.  Rather, it is an entirely different world they live in.  We will flesh that out at a later time.

That is really a sad state.  Think of it this way.  Imagine some of these secular people looking at a gorgeous sunrise.  They find joy in it and that fulfills some of the longings they have and that gives them a sense of satisfaction with their lives.

But, they gaze at that beauty is absolute ignorance.  They are like people viewing a masterpiece of art yet not caring to know about the artist.  So they view the sunrise and don’t even know THE ARTIST even exists.

For those in an art museum not knowing the artist doesn’t matter too much unless they are curious people.  They will never have a relationship with the artist.  However, there is a big loss when it comes to not knowing THE ARTIST behind the sunrise.

He made you.  As your Creator He upholds your life.  He has expectations how you use the life with which you have been gifted.  You will even have to give an account about how you have used it.  Even more, you will miss out on knowing His love.  Behind the sunrise is a God not only of justice but love.

To the secularist I say, you will never know nor experience the fulness of your humanity in your ignorance.  In not knowing God, you do not know yourself, that you were created in the image of God and His greatest art.

One day you will rise to be either an “immortal horror” or and eternal glorious being (C.S.Lewis).  On the last day, those who know God in true faith, will be restored to their full humanity by the grace and power of God in Christ.