thestream--2020-04-03--Are You Ready for the Question, ‘How Can a Good God Allow a Pandemic?’

At last !
You ’ re having lunch with a friend !
We were all beginning to think that day would never come .
But all is not fun and games , because your friend wants you to explain the horror we ’ ve just been through .
“ How could God have allowed the pandemic ?
” And he ’ s serious .
He really wants an answer .
It isn ’ t because he ’ s trying to sort out his own life , after experiencing huge personal loss .
( You ’ ve checked to be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuinely wondering how a good God could allow something as destructive as the coronavirus .
He ’ s asked the question .
What answer can you give ?
You could resort to , “ Well , you know , I read something about that on the internet back in March while all this was going on .
I know it doesn ’ t mean God isn ’ t good , and it doesn ’ t mean He ’ s not in control , either.
” You could say that , but don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satisfied with it .
The slang word “ lame ” was invented for just such an answer .
Wouldn ’ t you rather be ready for the question ?
Because I can assure you , a lot of us are going to hear it .
We ’ re already hearing it — from teenagers in the home , to co-workers meeting on Zoom , to the people standing their carefully measured six feet behind us in the checkout line .
The Oldest Answer is Still a Good One It ’ s one version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil : How can an all-good , all-powerful God allow evil and suffering ?
The question has been around since at least the Old Testament book of Job .
The story we read there is instructive .
Job is a righteous man living a blessed and prosperous life .
He doesn ’ t know that Satan is taunting God , saying that Job only follows the Lord because he gets a good life out of it .
God gives Satan permission to destroy Job ’ s possessions , his children , his health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , and his wife ’ s as well .
Friends come , and offer all kinds of explanations for why Job was suffering so — mostly that he must have done something bad to deserve it .
Job himself complains to the Lord , but he never breaks faith with Him .
Neither Job nor any of his friends has any clue of what ’ s going on behind the scenes : the conversation between God and Satan , or the often-overlooked fact that God would use Job ’ s story to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of years .
So they all get it wrong .
They just don ’ t know .
At the end , God breaks in , and in a long and majestic passage He tells Job exactly that : Job isn ’ t God , so He ’ s not going to understand everything God does .
That ’ s a great starting point for your answer to your friend : We ’ re not God , and when it comes to understanding why He does what He does , we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complain that God ought to make Himself and His ways easier to figure out , but that would be equivalent to asking God not to be God , or asking that He make us gods alongside Him .
It ’ s not that we ’ re clueless .
We do have some partial answers , but it would be a huge mistake to pretend we have it all sorted out , or to let our friends and family tell us we ought to be able to have it all sorted out .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our status : We ’ re not God .
If partial answers are all we have , partial answers should be good enough .
Four Important Differences Between God and Us So what does it mean in this case that we ’ re not God ?
Here are four things you can explain , as you and your friend finish your soup and sandwich .
• We only see a few years at a time , whereas God sees eternity .
When we think of short-term sacrifice for long-term good , our idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreseeable future .
With God it ’ s also in the foreseeable future , but not foreseeable to us , so He is able to see good coming from pain , in ways we can not .
• We ’ re biased .
It ’ s easy to think that “ good ” means taking care of our security and comfort needs , and enjoying some pleasures along the way .
We forget that “ good ” also means having true virtue and character .
• We have too small a picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
God makes it clear He wants to build souls — fully developed , fully mature persons according to His own eternal design — not just for years or decades , but for eternity .
See Paul ’ s goal in Gal .
4:19 , for example : He ’ s laboring for Christ to be “ formed ” in them ; that the character of Christ would be built in them .
• God sees and understands cause-and-effect patterns we could never begin to grasp .
Occasionally hints of discernible patterns hover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human lifespans , and never with full clarity .
That last one needs a bit more definition .
The medieval Black Death , for example , killed up to one-third of Europeans .
It had to have felt way , way more horrific than we ’ re going through this year .
What the people couldn ’ t know at the time was how it would lead to a huge restructuring of Europe ’ s society , setting millions of serfs free , and establishing the middle class for the first time ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know its effects in the rest of the world . )
Other plagues have had other world-changing effects .
Might that have been part of God ’ s purpose for them ?
Maybe ; but still , who are we to say ?
Even if so , we ’ d still have only partial answers .
If there ’ s anything to be learned about suffering from the book of Job , that ’ s it : We ’ re not God , we were never meant to be , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualifications .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
Partial answers are better than none , though .
Still your friend may press the question : “ That ’ s all well and good , but you still haven ’ t told me why God allowed all this pain and suffering in the first place , and why He doesn ’ t just take it away , if He loves us as much as you say.
” At this point you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Well , at least I got that far , and that ’ s not bad !
” Because getting that far is good .
Still you ’ ll want to be ready in case he presses it further .
We ’ re not quite done working on that here ; I ’ ll have more to share on it soon .
In the meantime , make sure you ’ ve got today ’ s major point well in mind : God has reasons we need not understand , nor could we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And that ’ s okay .
We ’ re not supposed to be God .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream , and the author of A Christian Mind : Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations : A Christian Parent ’ s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens , and the lead editor of True Reason : Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism .

At last! You’re having lunch with a friend! We were all beginning to think that day would never come. But all is not fun and games, because your friend wants you to explain the horror we’ve just been through. “How could God have allowed the pandemic?” And he’s serious. He really wants an answer.
It isn’t because he’s trying to sort out his own life, after experiencing huge personal loss. (You’ve checked to be sure of that.) He’s genuinely wondering how a good God could allow something as destructive as the coronavirus.
He’s asked the question. What answer can you give?
You could resort to, “Well, you know, I read something about that on the internet back in March while all this was going on. I know it doesn’t mean God isn’t good, and it doesn’t mean He’s not in control, either.” You could say that, but don’t expect your friend to be very satisfied with it. The slang word “lame” was invented for just such an answer. Wouldn’t you rather be ready for the question?
Because I can assure you, a lot of us are going to hear it. We’re already hearing it — from teenagers in the home, to co-workers meeting on Zoom, to the people standing their carefully measured six feet behind us in the checkout line.
The Oldest Answer is Still a Good One
It’s one version of what theologians call the problem of evil: How can an all-good, all-powerful God allow evil and suffering? The question has been around since at least the Old Testament book of Job. The story we read there is instructive.
Job is a righteous man living a blessed and prosperous life. He doesn’t know that Satan is taunting God, saying that Job only follows the Lord because he gets a good life out of it. God gives Satan permission to destroy Job’s possessions, his children, his health, everything but Job’s own life, and his wife’s as well.
We’re biased. We think “good” means taking care of our security and comfort needs, and enjoying some pleasures along the way. We forget that “good” also means having true virtue and character.
Friends come, and offer all kinds of explanations for why Job was suffering so — mostly that he must have done something bad to deserve it. Job himself complains to the Lord, but he never breaks faith with Him. Neither Job nor any of his friends has any clue of what’s going on behind the scenes: the conversation between God and Satan, or the often-overlooked fact that God would use Job’s story to instruct and encourage billions of people across thousands of years. So they all get it wrong. They just don’t know.
Lesson One: We’re Not God
At the end, God breaks in, and in a long and majestic passage He tells Job exactly that: Job isn’t God, so He’s not going to understand everything God does.
That’s a great starting point for your answer to your friend: We’re not God, and when it comes to understanding why He does what He does, we’re at an infinite disadvantage. We might complain that God ought to make Himself and His ways easier to figure out, but that would be equivalent to asking God not to be God, or asking that He make us gods alongside Him.
It’s not that we’re clueless. We do have some partial answers, but it would be a huge mistake to pretend we have it all sorted out, or to let our friends and family tell us we ought to be able to have it all sorted out. We’ve got to be satisfied with our status: We’re not God. If partial answers are all we have, partial answers should be good enough.
Four Important Differences Between God and Us
So what does it mean in this case that we’re not God? Here are four things you can explain, as you and your friend finish your soup and sandwich.
We only see a few years at a time, whereas God sees eternity. When we think of short-term sacrifice for long-term good, our idea of “long-term” is in the foreseeable future. With God it’s also in the foreseeable future, but not foreseeable to us, so He is able to see good coming from pain, in ways we cannot. We’re biased. It’s easy to think that “good” means taking care of our security and comfort needs, and enjoying some pleasures along the way. We forget that “good” also means having true virtue and character. We have too small a picture of how important character and virtue really are. God makes it clear He wants to build souls — fully developed, fully mature persons according to His own eternal design — not just for years or decades, but for eternity. See Paul’s goal in Gal. 4:19, for example: He’s laboring for Christ to be “formed” in them; that the character of Christ would be built in them. God sees and understands cause-and-effect patterns we could never begin to grasp. Occasionally hints of discernible patterns hover vaguely in view, but rarely within human lifespans, and never with full clarity.
That last one needs a bit more definition. The medieval Black Death, for example, killed up to one-third of Europeans. It had to have felt way, way more horrific than we’re going through this year. What the people couldn’t know at the time was how it would lead to a huge restructuring of Europe’s society, setting millions of serfs free, and establishing the middle class for the first time ever. (I for one still don’t know its effects in the rest of the world.) Other plagues have had other world-changing effects.
Partial Answers and the Major Point
Might that have been part of God’s purpose for them? Maybe; but still, who are we to say? Even if so, we’d still have only partial answers.
If there’s anything to be learned about suffering from the book of Job, that’s it: We’re not God, we were never meant to be, and we fall infinitely short on the job qualifications.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Partial answers are better than none, though. Still your friend may press the question: “That’s all well and good, but you still haven’t told me why God allowed all this pain and suffering in the first place, and why He doesn’t just take it away, if He loves us as much as you say.”
At this point you’d have good reason to say, “Well, at least I got that far, and that’s not bad!” Because getting that far is good. Still you’ll want to be ready in case he presses it further. We’re not quite done working on that here; I’ll have more to share on it soon.
In the meantime, make sure you’ve got today’s major point well in mind: God has reasons we need not understand, nor could we understand, because He alone is God. And that’s okay. We’re not supposed to be God.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream, and the author of A Christian Mind: Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens, and the lead editor of True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism.


thestream--2020-04-03--‘I Felt Attacked by Satan’: Luis Palau Finds Peace, Joy Amid Cancer

One of the most difficult parts of human existence is coping with loss , terminal illness and other life difficulties .
Famed evangelist Luis Palau knows this all too well .
Palau , 85 , lost his father at a young age and quickly came to Christ — and ministry .
He ’ s spent his entire life preaching the good news that heaven is a reality , and that Jesus deeply loves every man , woman and child .
But , when Palau was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2017 , he had to go back to basics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and journey .
Palau said that for about a week “ it seemed like Satan was attacking me .
You know , telling me , ‘ What makes you think that you have eternal life ?
Sure you spoke it to millions of people , anyone can do that , ’ you know ?
And I felt attacked by Satan , sort of making me doubt .
… It shakes you up .
And then you go back to the book , ” he said in a Pure Flix Podcast interview .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 , 10 over and over .
… If that doesn ’ t convince you that eternal life is a gift of God , and it ’ s total provision for our assurance , nothing will .
And it brought total peace.
” Listen to Palau speak about his cancer diagnosis , life and legacy : As a preacher , he said he ’ s always heard from those who fear illness , death and the afterlife .
But he explained that his own diagnosis and battle gave him a fresh perspective on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ One of the glorious things that we have to say to people is , ‘ Yeah , this world is a mess.
’ I mean , families break apart .
That ’ s why many are desperate .
Yes , drugs seem to be a palliative , but it doesn ’ t work .
It just doesn ’ t work , and it destroys you , ” he said .
“ But the point is , you know , when we tell people the joy we have in Christ , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know ?
That we can trust in the Lord .
So we need to encourage Christians along those lines.
” As for the evangelist ’ s own story , he ’ s elated to see it told through the feature film , Palau , a new movie available for streaming or purchase that chronicles his life from Argentina to Oregon and back again .
Palau called making the film a “ humbling experience ” and emphasized that it wasn ’ t his story being told , but that of Jesus Christ working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m trusting the promises of the Lord .
He ’ s been good to me since I was a little boy — awfully good , a wonderful Father , ” he said .
“ He ’ s come through for me .
And I don ’ t see why He wouldn ’ t come through for anybody who believes in Him and trusts Him.
” Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
And Palau also had a word for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ways through life .
“ Trust the Word of God .
Rejoice in Him everyday .
Share as much as you can and make it a proactive form of lifestyle to share the Good News , to find opportunity .
And that , to me , is the legacy.
” Please continue to pray for Palau , his family and his congregation during his cancer battle .
Billy Hallowell has worked as a journalist and commentator for more than a decade .
He is the director of communications and content for PureFlix.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the former faith and culture editor at The Blaze .
If you ’ re looking for more inspiration , you ’ ll find faith and family-friendly content over at PureFlix.com .
Sign up for your one-month free trial to stream thousands of movies , TV shows and more .
This article was originally published on Pure Flix Insider .
Visit Pure Flix for access to thousands of faith and family-friendly movies and TV shows .
You can get a free trial here .

One of the most difficult parts of human existence is coping with loss, terminal illness and other life difficulties. Famed evangelist Luis Palau knows this all too well.
Palau, 85, lost his father at a young age and quickly came to Christ — and ministry. He’s spent his entire life preaching the good news that heaven is a reality, and that Jesus deeply loves every man, woman and child.
But, when Palau was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2017, he had to go back to basics and deeply grapple with his own faith and journey.
Palau said that for about a week “it seemed like Satan was attacking me. You know, telling me, ‘What makes you think that you have eternal life? Sure you spoke it to millions of people, anyone can do that,’ you know? And I felt attacked by Satan, sort of making me doubt. … It shakes you up. And then you go back to the book,” he said in a Pure Flix Podcast interview. “I read Hebrews 7, 8, 9, 10 over and over. … If that doesn’t convince you that eternal life is a gift of God, and it’s total provision for our assurance, nothing will. And it brought total peace.”
Listen to Palau speak about his cancer diagnosis, life and legacy:
As a preacher, he said he’s always heard from those who fear illness, death and the afterlife. But he explained that his own diagnosis and battle gave him a fresh perspective on how to interact with those so afflicted.
“One of the glorious things that we have to say to people is, ‘Yeah, this world is a mess.’ I mean, families break apart. That’s why many are desperate. Yes, drugs seem to be a palliative, but it doesn’t work. It just doesn’t work, and it destroys you,” he said. “But the point is, you know, when we tell people the joy we have in Christ, the best revenge is a joyful heart, you know? That we can trust in the Lord. So we need to encourage Christians along those lines.”
New Feature Film
As for the evangelist’s own story, he’s elated to see it told through the feature film, Palau, a new movie available for streaming or purchase that chronicles his life from Argentina to Oregon and back again.
Palau called making the film a “humbling experience” and emphasized that it wasn’t his story being told, but that of Jesus Christ working through him on this Earth.
“I’m trusting the promises of the Lord. He’s been good to me since I was a little boy — awfully good, a wonderful Father,” he said. “He’s come through for me. And I don’t see why He wouldn’t come through for anybody who believes in Him and trusts Him.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And Palau also had a word for others who might be struggling or working their ways through life.
“Trust the Word of God. Rejoice in Him everyday. Share as much as you can and make it a proactive form of lifestyle to share the Good News, to find opportunity. And that, to me, is the legacy.”
Please continue to pray for Palau, his family and his congregation during his cancer battle.
Billy Hallowell has worked as a journalist and commentator for more than a decade. He is the director of communications and content for PureFlix.com, the former senior editor at Faithwire.com and the former faith and culture editor at The Blaze.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, you’ll find faith and family-friendly content over at PureFlix.com. Sign up for your one-month free trial to stream thousands of movies, TV shows and more.
This article was originally published on Pure Flix Insider. Visit Pure Flix for access to thousands of faith and family-friendly movies and TV shows. You can get a free trial here.


thestream--2020-04-04--The Accidental Homeschooler: Actress Sam Sorbo Teams up With Texas Homeschool Coalition to Provide R

The Accidental Homeschooler: Actress Sam Sorbo Teams up With Texas Homeschool Coalition to Provide Resources, Support During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Coronavirus is making homeschoolers out of ordinary parents .
They ’ re “ accidental homeschoolers , ” Actress and wife of actor Kevin Sorbo , Sam Sorbo , told The Stream .
But there ’ s no need to fear .
Texas Homeschool Coalition ( THSC ) and Sam , a homeschooling mom herself , have teamed up to offer help for newly minted homeschooling families through a new website called coronavirushomeschooling.com .
“ Relax , you ’ ve got this , ” said Sam .
The new website offers “ emergency COVID-19 daily home education lesson plans ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also working hard to build lesson plans for 6th through 12th grade .
All of this is available for free .
Parents of kids sent home because of coronavirus shouldn ’ t be afraid .
“ There ’ s an entire community out there that ’ s rooting for them , ” Sam said .
“ They ’ re loving the opportunity to help you.
” And the coronavirus homeschooling curriculum plans the whole day .
Sam wants parents to know they are absolutely capable of homeschooling their children .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want parents to know you can do this.
” She reminds parents that they taught their children manners and how to tie their shoes .
“ Who taught you to do that ?
So , we don ’ t feel inadequate for certain things , but we do feel inadequate to take over for the school.
” Part of that is because the education system has taught us they know how to do it best .
But that isn ’ t true .
“ Homeschool students average 30 % to 35 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutionalized kid .
So , the data actually bears it out.
” She continued : We understand that you are caught in this space where the schools have taught you that you are inadequate .
We are trying to tell people you are more than adequate and homeschooling is much easier than you think and it is greater .
It is a greater gift than you could ever dream .
Even if your kid ’ s school sent work home , the website can still be useful .
“ We are offering support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Homeschoolers are extremely generous with their time and their resources .
They really seek to help other people because we feel like homeschooling is the answer.
” Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
“ We are rolling out new resources every week , for children of all ages , so that parents have the vibrant , comprehensive , necessary resources to teach at home , ” Sam said in a statement .
“ COVID-19 may shut down our schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to stop , as we empower parents to take the reins and continue their childrens ’ education at home in the coming months.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

Coronavirus is making homeschoolers out of ordinary parents. They’re “accidental homeschoolers,” Actress and wife of actor Kevin Sorbo, Sam Sorbo, told The Stream. But there’s no need to fear. Texas Homeschool Coalition (THSC) and Sam, a homeschooling mom herself, have teamed up to offer help for newly minted homeschooling families through a new website called coronavirushomeschooling.com. “Relax, you’ve got this,” said Sam.
The new website offers “emergency COVID-19 daily home education lesson plans” for kindergarten through 5th grade. The THSC is also working hard to build lesson plans for 6th through 12th grade. All of this is available for free.
A Homeschool Community
Parents of kids sent home because of coronavirus shouldn’t be afraid. “There’s an entire community out there that’s rooting for them,” Sam said. “They’re loving the opportunity to help you.” And the coronavirus homeschooling curriculum plans the whole day.
Sam wants parents to know they are absolutely capable of homeschooling their children. “I’m here to empower parents. I want parents to know you can do this.” She reminds parents that they taught their children manners and how to tie their shoes. “Who taught you to do that? So, we don’t feel inadequate for certain things, but we do feel inadequate to take over for the school.”
Part of that is because the education system has taught us they know how to do it best. But that isn’t true. “Homeschool students average 30% to 35% higher academic achievement on testing than an institutionalized kid. So, the data actually bears it out.” She continued:
We understand that you are caught in this space where the schools have taught you that you are inadequate. We are trying to tell people you are more than adequate and homeschooling is much easier than you think and it is greater. It is a greater gift than you could ever dream.
Learning Shouldn’t Stop
Even if your kid’s school sent work home, the website can still be useful. “We are offering support as well and we are a community. Homeschoolers are extremely generous with their time and their resources. They really seek to help other people because we feel like homeschooling is the answer.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“We are rolling out new resources every week, for children of all ages, so that parents have the vibrant, comprehensive, necessary resources to teach at home,” Sam said in a statement. “COVID-19 may shut down our schools, but the learning shouldn’t have to stop, as we empower parents to take the reins and continue their childrens’ education at home in the coming months.”
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


Scary, Scary Ordinary

To be honest , quarantine isn ’ t much different than my usual routine .
I split my days between caring for a toddler and working from home .
I ’ m used to monotony — both the comfort and restlessness it alternately brings .
But even as an introvert , I miss the things we ’ ve lost .
Hair appointments .
Long days of errand-running .
Dinner out on the weekends .
Hosting friends .
Visiting family .
In an effort to help slow the spread of the pandemic turning our world upside down , I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the fact that my day-to-day doesn ’ t look that different than it did a month ago , losing the ability to abandon the day-to-day , even for an evening , has altered my attitude more than I ’ d like to admit .
At the beginning of March I finally got around to reading Tish Harrison Warren ’ s book , Liturgy of the Ordinary .
I had no idea how applicable it would be .
As my fairly boring existence went from lifestyle choice to government mandate , Warren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practices in everyday life ” took on new relevance .
“ Alfred Hitchcock said movies are ‘ life with the dull bits cut out , ' ” Warren writes , accurately noting that “ we tend to want a Christian life with the dull bits cut out.
” I underlined this as I read on : I don ’ t usually consider making the bed and doing dishes Christian activities .
They ’ re just chores .
Boring chores .
And with everything so uncertain at the moment , they ’ re chores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a phone call .
I want to plug my ears with noise during the monotonous tasks more than ever , because listening to the silence means opening my mind to fear , doubts , and unanswerable questions .
There ’ s nothing wrong with listening to something while doing mundane chores .
But if my intent is to hurry past the mundane because it scares me ( now more than ever ) , I could be missing out on critical spiritual growth .
“ The crucible of our formation is in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to Warren .
In Chapter 2 , she discusses how she came to recognize her daily habits as liturgy — “ as something that both revealed and shaped what I love and worship.
” Then she realized that her habits at the time “ were malforming me , making me less alive , less human , less able to give and receive love throughout my day.
” Unfortunately I can say the same .
I ’ ve allowed the panic outside to dictate certain habits in our home — and definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But right now , it ’ s more important than ever to approach ordinary life in a way that makes me more alive , more human , more able to give and receive love .
In a way that acknowledges how our ordinary is “ weighty with meaning and part of the abundant life God has for us.
” I need to change the way I approach these long days , these days when nothing is certain yet everything is the same , over and over .
Support The Stream : Serving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Faith .
And No Fear .
I need to pray before gobbling up shocking headlines .
To feel the silence , and allow God to transform my heart in it .
To rely on him to sustain me , instead of turning to distractions that never satisfy .
To quote Warren , “ I need to find joy and reject despair in the moment I ’ m in , in the midst of small pressures and needling anxieties.
” To truly view the small parts of life as sacred and significant is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfort in these days of turmoil .
It helps the monotony of life stuck at home — no matter how long it stretches on — not seem so daunting .

To be honest, quarantine isn’t much different than my usual routine. I split my days between caring for a toddler and working from home. I’m used to monotony — both the comfort and restlessness it alternately brings.
But even as an introvert, I miss the things we’ve lost. Hair appointments. Long days of errand-running. Dinner out on the weekends. Hosting friends. Visiting family. In an effort to help slow the spread of the pandemic turning our world upside down, I’ve willingly given up these things. And despite the fact that my day-to-day doesn’t look that different than it did a month ago, losing the ability to abandon the day-to-day, even for an evening, has altered my attitude more than I’d like to admit.
Stuck in the Dull Bits
At the beginning of March I finally got around to reading Tish Harrison Warren’s book, Liturgy of the Ordinary. I had no idea how applicable it would be. As my fairly boring existence went from lifestyle choice to government mandate, Warren’s challenge to recognize the “sacred practices in everyday life” took on new relevance.
“Alfred Hitchcock said movies are ‘life with the dull bits cut out,'” Warren writes, accurately noting that “we tend to want a Christian life with the dull bits cut out.” I underlined this as I read on:
I often want to skip the boring, daily stuff to get to the thrill of an edgy faith. But it’s in the dailiness of the Christian faith—the making the bed, the doing the dishes, the praying for our enemies, the reading the Bible, the quiet, the small—that God’s transformation takes root and grows.
I don’t usually consider making the bed and doing dishes Christian activities. They’re just chores. Boring chores. And with everything so uncertain at the moment, they’re chores I accompany with podcasts, music, or a phone call. I want to plug my ears with noise during the monotonous tasks more than ever, because listening to the silence means opening my mind to fear, doubts, and unanswerable questions.
There’s nothing wrong with listening to something while doing mundane chores. But if my intent is to hurry past the mundane because it scares me (now more than ever), I could be missing out on critical spiritual growth.
Holy Habits
“The crucible of our formation is in the anonymous monotony of our daily routines,” according to Warren. In Chapter 2, she discusses how she came to recognize her daily habits as liturgy — “as something that both revealed and shaped what I love and worship.” Then she realized that her habits at the time “were malforming me, making me less alive, less human, less able to give and receive love throughout my day.”
Unfortunately I can say the same. I’ve allowed the panic outside to dictate certain habits in our home — and definitely the attitude with which I approach them. But right now, it’s more important than ever to approach ordinary life in a way that makes me more alive, more human, more able to give and receive love. In a way that acknowledges how our ordinary is “weighty with meaning and part of the abundant life God has for us.” I need to change the way I approach these long days, these days when nothing is certain yet everything is the same, over and over.
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I need to pray before gobbling up shocking headlines. To feel the silence, and allow God to transform my heart in it. To rely on him to sustain me, instead of turning to distractions that never satisfy. To quote Warren, “I need to find joy and reject despair in the moment I’m in, in the midst of small pressures and needling anxieties.”
To truly view the small parts of life as sacred and significant is to have a measure of peace and comfort in these days of turmoil. It helps the monotony of life stuck at home — no matter how long it stretches on — not seem so daunting.
Liberty McArtor, former staff writer for The Stream, is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas, where she lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with her husband and son. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor, or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com.


thestream--2020-04-04--50 Questions for Christians: ‘I Don’t Care About a Resurrection — Tell Me How the Donkey Talked!’

Part of an extended series of answers to Guy P. Harrison ’ s book 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian .
Read the series intro here .
This title is not from Harrison ’ s book , as it has been for most of this series .
It ’ s a quote from quite a different atheist , from a rather ridiculous encounter Harrison ’ s book brought to mind .
It showed how some unbelievers ’ minds can drift toward the absurdly trivial .
I ’ ll tell the story , then explain how it connects with Harrison .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Reason Rally ” on the Mall in Washington , D.C. in 2012 .
They ’ d billed it as the “ largest secular gathering in history , ” with celebrity headliners coming from Hollywood , from England , and places in between .
Some Ratio Christi friends and I showed up to hand out bottles of water and a chapter from the just-released book True Reason , and to have conversation .
The atmosphere was , in a word , dehumanizing to Christians .
“ Tell Me How the Donkey Talked !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ how the donkey talked ” — meaning Balaam ’ s donkey from Numbers 22 .
I answered , “ I ’ m sorry , but I don ’ t know how the donkey talked .
In fact , I don ’ t really see that it matters how it talked.
” “ No , tell me !
” he insisted .
“ How did the donkey talk ?
” “ You don ’ t know how the donkey talked ?
” “ No , of course not .
For all I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a boom box in his throat .
It really doesn ’ t make any difference how He did it.
” “ You mean you clam to be Christian and believe all this , ” he sneered , “ and you don ’ t even know how God did it ?
” Well , this was obviously going nowhere , so I decided to take a potentially more productive tack .
“ Look , ” I said , “ if you want to talk about something hard God did , forget about the donkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Man rising from the dead.
” I ’ ll never forget his answer : “ I don ’ t care about any resurrection , I want to talk about the donkey.
” I was dumbfounded .
I had to catch my breath .
Then I ended it : “ Well , I guess you ’ ll need to to find someone else to ask , someone who ’ s as interested in donkeys as you are.
” Guy Harrison ’ s book doesn ’ t run to the same open absurdity , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to answering his 50 questions in a weekly series here , I wasn ’ t committing to writing boring articles .
His topics are never totally meaningless , but in a question-and-answer between atheism and Christianity , I don ’ t see the point of spending much time on some of them .
• “ Would you take Jesus ’ place on the cross ?
” Some of these are too easy , some hardly relevant , some just versions of “ I don ’ t believe the Bible .
Do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we can believe the Bible , then angels are real .
None of us has what it take to take Jesus ’ place on the cross , which is why He died for us in the first place .
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Faith .
And No Fear .
He asks , “ Does Jesus heal the sick ?
” That ’ s either a repeat of his question , “ What are miracles , ” or another version of , “ Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” All these questions matter greatly in some contexts .
I do not mean to downplay that one bit .
But here it feels more like an atheist poking a stick at us .
Harrison ’ s first sentence in the Introduction was , “ This book is not an attack on Christian people.
” Maybe not .
It ’ s more like an extended , subtle snipe at Christian belief instead .
Harrison is polite , but it doesn ’ t always feel real .
He ’ s trying hard not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking down upon us benighted believers .
What ’ s the Big Deal ?
Does He Really Think This is Hard ?
Now , in a sense that ’ s understandable , even unavoidable to a certain degree .
I ’ m writing about Harrison , and I ’ m saying I think he ’ s wrong .
Where his approach bothers me most is where he dwells on either trivial questions or too-easy ones .
Why does he ask ?
Does he really think they ’ re a big deal ?
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the faith ?
Sometimes I want to answer him , “ I don ’ t know .
God could have installed a boom box for all I care.
” Because so much of it is a distraction from the real thing .
If Jesus rose from the grave , then the rest ?
It ’ s easy .
I ’ m not interested in talking about donkeys .
This series will return in two weeks to address many of Harrison ’ s remaining questions which are not so trivial .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during Holy Week , though , so I won ’ t be writing on this next Saturday .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream , and the author of A Christian Mind : Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations : A Christian Parent ’ s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens , and the lead editor of True Reason : Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism .

Part of an extended series of answers to Guy P. Harrison’s book 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian. Read the series intro here.
This title is not from Harrison’s book, as it has been for most of this series. It’s a quote from quite a different atheist, from a rather ridiculous encounter Harrison’s book brought to mind. It showed how some unbelievers’ minds can drift toward the absurdly trivial. I’ll tell the story, then explain how it connects with Harrison.
It happened at the grand worldwide atheist “Reason Rally” on the Mall in Washington, D.C. in 2012. They’d billed it as the “largest secular gathering in history,” with celebrity headliners coming from Hollywood, from England, and places in between.
Some Ratio Christi friends and I showed up to hand out bottles of water and a chapter from the just-released book True Reason, and to have conversation. The atmosphere was, in a word, dehumanizing to Christians.
“Tell Me How the Donkey Talked!”
One man demanded I tell him “how the donkey talked” — meaning Balaam’s donkey from Numbers 22.
I answered, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know how the donkey talked. In fact, I don’t really see that it matters how it talked.”
“No, tell me!” he insisted. “How did the donkey talk?”
“I don’t know,” I repeated.
“You don’t know how the donkey talked?”
“No, of course not. For all I know or care, God could have installed a boom box in his throat. It really doesn’t make any difference how He did it.”
“You mean you clam to be Christian and believe all this,” he sneered, “and you don’t even know how God did it?”
Well, this was obviously going nowhere, so I decided to take a potentially more productive tack.
“Look,” I said, “if you want to talk about something hard God did, forget about the donkey. Let’s talk about a Man rising from the dead.”
I’ll never forget his answer: “I don’t care about any resurrection, I want to talk about the donkey.”
I was dumbfounded. I had to catch my breath. Then I ended it: “Well, I guess you’ll need to to find someone else to ask, someone who’s as interested in donkeys as you are.”
Trivialities
Guy Harrison’s book doesn’t run to the same open absurdity, but it does get trivial. When I committed to answering his 50 questions in a weekly series here, I wasn’t committing to writing boring articles. His topics are never totally meaningless, but in a question-and-answer between atheism and Christianity, I don’t see the point of spending much time on some of them.
“Are angels real?”
“Is Christmas under attack?”
“Will the End Times ever end?”
“Would you take Jesus’ place on the cross?”
“Can atheists be trusted?”
“Why hasn’t the Bible convinced more people?”
Some of these are too easy, some hardly relevant, some just versions of “I don’t believe the Bible. Do you?” Because (for example) if we can believe the Bible, then angels are real. None of us has what it take to take Jesus’ place on the cross, which is why He died for us in the first place.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
He asks, “Does Jesus heal the sick?” That’s either a repeat of his question, “What are miracles,” or another version of, “Do you believe what the Bible says?”
All these questions matter greatly in some contexts. I do not mean to downplay that one bit. But here it feels more like an atheist poking a stick at us.
Harrison’s first sentence in the Introduction was, “This book is not an attack on Christian people.” Maybe not. It’s more like an extended, subtle snipe at Christian belief instead. Harrison is polite, but it doesn’t always feel real. He’s trying hard not to disclose the fact that he’s looking down upon us benighted believers.
What’s the Big Deal? Does He Really Think This is Hard?
Now, in a sense that’s understandable, even unavoidable to a certain degree. I’m writing about Harrison, and I’m saying I think he’s wrong. Where his approach bothers me most is where he dwells on either trivial questions or too-easy ones. Why does he ask? Does he really think they’re a big deal? Or that they pose some kind of problem to the faith?
Sometimes I want to answer him, “I don’t know. God could have installed a boom box for all I care.” Because so much of it is a distraction from the real thing. If Jesus rose from the grave, then the rest? It’s easy. I’m not interested in talking about donkeys.
This series will return in two weeks to address many of Harrison’s remaining questions which are not so trivial. I’m planning to put my focus elsewhere during Holy Week, though, so I won’t be writing on this next Saturday.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream, and the author of A Christian Mind: Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens, and the lead editor of True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism.