I was interested in the concept of faith in something. This sounds so bleak when I say it, but we need some delusions to keep us going.
– Woody Allen
For Allen and the growing number of Americans that view religion as not important or delusional, they have it backwards. Having no faith in God and putting faith primarily in oneself is the ultimate delusion. It is a grave mistake to believe that all you need is yourself – your own goodness, education, wealth or personal effort. The wisdom writings in the Bible address this, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5) It is also eternally dangerous to believe God does not exist. The Bible strongly states, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1)
Throughout history there have always been people that did not believe in the Lord God. Either they did not believe in any god or believed in a different and false god. The position of Allen is nothing new.
Throughout history how has the one who made the heavens and the earth responded to such deeply held views? Has He turned His back on them and refused to engage at all or lashed out in anger? Not at all. God Himself says to the atheist, agnostic and all who do not trust Him, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) When God says “reason together” it means He is intentionally reaching out to help you understand Him.
How is He doing that? Through His Son. He has revealed Himself in Jesus, who stated very clearly for those wondering who He was and who God is, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (Jn. 12:44-45) Do you want to know if God exists? Look at Jesus.
Christians talk much about the death and resurrection of Jesus. What does it reveal about God? It is written that Jesus “was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Is. 53:5) In the face of your arguments against God, He sees within you a sickness that comes from a life of sinful choices, and while you debate against Him, He has sacrificed Himself on a cross that you might have His perfect peace.
Woody Allen commented on death in his interview, “I’ve experienced that thing where you wake up in the middle of the night and you start to think about your own mortality and envision it, and it gives you a little shiver.” In the face of death and dying the Lord God points all people to His unique Son who said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." (Jn. 11:25-26).
A prayer for you – Lord God, some may wonder if you exist. Today, reveal yourself to them through your unique Son. Let them see who you are in His teaching, miracles, signs and wonders. In His holy name. Amen.
Legendary filmmaker Woody Allen has written and directed nearly 60 films and won four Academy Awards. In 2010 he released the film, “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.” Dave Itzkoff, a New York Times columnist, interviewed Allen about the film and his life. Itzkoff noted the supernatural is important to the movie, which opened the door for Allen to comment about his view of faith. Allen said, “I was interested in the concept of faith in something. This sounds so bleak when I say it, but we need some delusions to keep us going.” Allen is not alone in his sentiments. The Gallup organization conducted a religious survey finding that more Americans agree with Allen today than they did nearly 70 years ago. In 1956 96% of U.S citizens identified with the Christian faith. Since then, that number has plummeted to 68%. In 1954 0% of Americans considered themselves atheists, agnostics or people who just simply were not religious. However, for the last seven decades the number has skyrocketed with 22% claiming that spot. (Image by Unsplash)
For Allen and the growing number of Americans that view religion as not important or delusional, they have it backwards. Having no faith in God and putting faith primarily in oneself is the ultimate delusion. It is a grave mistake to believe that all you need is yourself – your own goodness, education, wealth or personal effort. The wisdom writings in the Bible address this, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5) It is also eternally dangerous to believe God does not exist. The Bible strongly states, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1)
Throughout history there have always been people that did not believe in the Lord God. Either they did not believe in any god or believed in a different and false god. The position of Allen is nothing new.
Throughout history how has the one who made the heavens and the earth responded to such deeply held views? Has He turned His back on them and refused to engage at all or lashed out in anger? Not at all. God Himself says to the atheist, agnostic and all who do not trust Him, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) When God says “reason together” it means He is intentionally reaching out to help you understand Him.
How is He doing that? Through His Son. He has revealed Himself in Jesus, who stated very clearly for those wondering who He was and who God is, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (Jn. 12:44-45) Do you want to know if God exists? Look at Jesus.
Christians talk much about the death and resurrection of Jesus. What does it reveal about God? It is written that Jesus “was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Is. 53:5) In the face of your arguments against God, He sees within you a sickness that comes from a life of sinful choices, and while you debate against Him, He has sacrificed Himself on a cross that you might have His perfect peace.
Woody Allen commented on death in his interview, “I’ve experienced that thing where you wake up in the middle of the night and you start to think about your own mortality and envision it, and it gives you a little shiver.” In the face of death and dying the Lord God points all people to His unique Son who said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." (Jn. 11:25-26).
A prayer for you – Lord God, some may wonder if you exist. Today, reveal yourself to them through your unique Son. Let them see who you are in His teaching, miracles, signs and wonders. In His holy name. Amen.
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