I am reprising the “Ask a Bad Christian” feature after a deluge of emails asking for it. Okay, when you decide to write your own blog and pay for a server you too can call five emails a deluge. But I digress. Welcome to Round 2 of “Ask a Bad Christian”. The first question comes from the article Bad Christian disputes scientific study.

Dear Bad Christian,

When scientific research supports a religious belief, we preachers rejoice and quickly use it in our next sermon to say, “See, I told you so!” When science disproves (or at least does not support) a religious belief, we console ourselves with, “Well, beliefs can’t be quantified, but we know it’s true and that’s all that really matters.” Can we have it both ways?   Sincerely, RevWLJ

Dear RevWLJ,

No.

Sincerely,

Bad Christian

P.S. to RevWLJ…I believe that I tried to make the point that we cannot quantify spiritual things scientifically so I am on the side of not using “selective” studies that support my beliefs. The studies are interesting and make for good discussion but they are not an apologetic for either position.

Another question on the same article comes from Maddox mixed in with a dash of personal agenda.

Dear Bad Christian,

I’m not surprised by this rationalization. Of course you have to protect your beliefs if some evidence flies in the face of them; it’s human nature. But doesn’t saying that God is above this study make him a bit “irrelevant?” Maybe the quality of care that a patient receives is what actually makes the difference between survival and death, nothing more, nothing less. But no, we’d rather cling to our superstitions. So I respectfully disagree with you. The more logical answer would be that God cannot be quantified and does not like to be tested; therefore he abstained from intervening in this little study (this was the explanation I expected). The bottom line is that if believing something strongly enough makes it true, then anything can be absolutely true. Any challenge to it can be explained away by another belief. Obviously this doesn’t always work in the real world, but it doesn’t hurt to believe that good and bad things happen for a reason.   Maddox

Dear Maddox,

There is no answer that I can give that will satisfy you intellectually. My view is that saying God is above this study does not make Him “irrelevant”. That makes Him God. And that is why we will likely not agree on this topic. I believe there is a God and that His mind and His ways are beyond my comprehension. To you that probably makes me Winnie the Pooh….a bear of very little brain. My point was that science can not measure the results of faith. Period. What is rationalization to you is a personal experience to me. I do not believe that I am protecting my beliefs. I am simply believing them. If I am right they don’t need “protecting”. The idea that I need to protect God and my beliefs would truly make Him “irrelevant”.

Regards,

Bad Christian

Dear Bad Christian,

Can we please stop allowing posts about the Victoria Osteen incident? And would you please not link the article so people will stop responding?

Dave Burchett

Dear Dave,

Where have we met? That name sounds so familiar. At any rate, I would love to move past the Victoria Osteen incident. These are my final words on this issue. I believe that the very fact that we are still debating this more than three months later proves my point. If she had simply taken public ownership of her part in the fracas it would have faded away in December. And yes I know (thanks to all of you that have helped me with this) that I have a telephone pole in my own eye. Anyone who claims the name of Christ is accountable for their actions and  I continue to believe that an apology would not have been too much to ask. Thanks Dave for the question. I hope to hear from you again.

Your friend and admirer,

Bad Christian

Dear Bad Christian,

Dave, you have the best books ever! I don’ t understand…why wouldn’t people want to read them?

Patricia

Dearest Wise and Insightful Patricia,

What a great question! Why wouldn’t they? But I would never use this forum for shameless promotion of my BOOKS. Thank you for the outstanding critique and question.

Bad Christian

Dear Bad Christian,

Why the title “Bad Christian”?

Regards,

Just Curious

Dear Just Curious,

See my answer to Patricia. Need I say more?

Blessings.

Bad Christian

That concludes this edition of “Ask a Bad Christian”. If you have a question be sure to email them to “Ask a Bad Christian“ and you might be selected! Until next time remember that my ministry is to make other Christians feel superior. Smile and enjoy the journey. It’s okay to do that.