GCI Update

The New Atheists

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I marvel at the way God created humanity in his own image, giving us rich and vivid imaginations and creativity. We can use this power of imagination and creativity to the praise and honor of God. Unfortunately, some use their God-given abilities to imagine God does not exist and they try to find ever more creative ways to prove it.

There have always been people who do not believe in God. However, in recent years, a small group who refer to themselves as the “New Atheists,” have been growing in influence. Writers like Daniel Dennet, Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris have become household names. They are vociferous in insisting that God does not exist and they ridicule anyone who believes otherwise. Some of the New Atheists are highly educated and advance what seem to be persuasive arguments. This can be disconcerting to believers, but it should not be. In fact, there is nothing new about their “new” arguments.

I have read many of the New Atheists’ books. They are usually well written, and some are quite entertaining, although others cannot disguise their anger. However, they share a common fault.

These atheists attack theism (belief in God) on the grounds that you cannot prove scientifically, beyond any doubt, that God exists. While that may be true, it does not mean the atheists have won the argument. Their job is to prove that God does not exist. If they are to be successful, they must offer a convincing and scientifically viable alternative to “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

That does not give us an excuse to hide behind the simplistic arguments of Christian fundamentalism. Our astounding advances in understanding the natural world certainly take the question of where it all came from to new levels of sophistication. However, we still cannot explain how “something” came out of “nothing.” There have been some imaginative and creative ideas, but that is all they are. There is not a shred of genuine evidence to support them.

Richard Dawkins is perhaps the best known of the New Atheists. He is a distinguished professor and scientist at Oxford University and has written several books arguing for atheism. According to Dawkins, belief in God is silly. In interviews, he says on a scale of one to seven, with one being 100% certainty in the existence of God and seven being 100% certainty that he does not exist, he places himself at six. Hmm—that actually makes him an agnostic rather than an atheist.

Before we say, “I told you so!” Dawkins explains: “I am agnostic only to the extent that I am agnostic about fairies at the bottom of the garden.” However, that sidesteps the question. His task is not to prove there are no fairies at the bottom of his garden. It is to prove conclusively that God does not exist.

Dawkins does not even interact with the arguments for God’s existence. It appears that his most formidable retort is “if God designed the universe, then who designed God?” While that might be, for an agnostic, a reasonable question, it is not a knockout blow to belief in God. In fact, it’s the wrong question (a category mistake) because such a question assumes that God is a creation, a creature—and the Christian God is not. His question is like asking, “What color is the number five?” Dawkins’ anger against religion often seems to cloud his judgment and his work is faulted scientifically by his own peers—both Christian and non-Christian.

Another New Atheist, Daniel Dennett tries to explain religion in terms of evolutionary theory. He fits into the broad tradition of naturalist explanations of religion, a tradition that includes Ludwig Feuerbach, Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud. Dennett believes that the benefits of religion originate entirely inside human minds. He asserts that there are no spiritual realities existing inside or outside of us. He advances naturalist explanations for the origins of the belief in God and gods. It is the same old circular argument, which presupposes its conclusions. Since only natural things exist then any explanation for a supposed supernatural God must be the product of purely natural causes. Dennett builds upon a suggestion of his angry fellow, Richard Dawkins, that something they call “memes” exist. These are ideas or concepts or beliefs that arise and then are passed on to others. Like genes, memes are assumed to act like a sort of cultural genetic replicator that keeps us believing in God.

Most scientists say that there is no evidence for these things. As pointed out by Simon Conway Morris, professor of evolutionary paleobiology at Cambridge, memes seem to have no place in serious scientific reflection. “Memes are trivial, to be banished by simple mental exercises. In any wider context, they are hopelessly, if not hilariously, simplistic.”

The New Atheists have convinced themselves that all Christians are trapped in false belief. They don’t like it when the flaws in their own reasoning are pointed out. They like it even less when that criticism comes from their own ranks. The late philosophy professor, Anthony Flew, had been a leading champion of atheism for more than a half-century. But in one of his last books, he came to a scientific conclusion that atheism is not logically sustainable. He held on to a kind of deism and did not go all the way and embrace the God of the Bible, but I imagine he does now.

The existence (or not) of the God of the Bible does not stand or fall on scientific proof that begins and ends with nature or creation. God is not interested in having his existence demonstrated as the result of a successful experiment. He wants a successful relationship with us as our Creator and Reconciler, and he proved himself to us through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Our eternal relationship is secure in him. And—however much the New Atheists might deny it—so is theirs.

Your brother in Christ’s service,

Joseph Tkach

Anthony Rice

Anthony and Karen Rice

Anthony Rice pastors GCI churches in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana. He and his wife Karen are celebrating 29 years of marriage. They have two children, BJ, age 28, and Miranda who is 22.

Anthony grew up in the South but his teenage years were in California as his father, Richard Rice, worked at WCG headquarters until he retired. One of his early accomplishments was learning to ride a unicycle, and when asked if there is something others may or may not know about him, Anthony said, “I hate the taste of liver no matter how it is prepared.”

After graduating from high school, Anthony went to college where he earned a degree in architecture. “I ran architectural departments for two real-estate development firms in Southern California before being called into vocational ministry in 1990.”

Anthony and Karen moved to Louisiana to serve the Baton Rouge and Lafayette churches. Anthony is among a small number of fulltime GCI pastors who have never been transferred. “I have two phenomenal congregations that are an inspiration to me each and every week!”

Anthony enjoys working with at-risk youth. This work led to one of his most memorable moments as a pastor: “I baptized Ricky Johnson, a young man I met when he was 13. He lived in one of the most dangerous parts of town, was failing in school and had an absentee father. He earned his GED at 16 and now works for a company that has sent him all over the world. He just bought his first house at age 19!”

Anthony, who has been a part of GCI most of his life, enjoys being part of our denomination. “Our denominational leadership has persevered through hardship and adversity and I am proud of the journey God has led us on.” Anthony mentions his district pastor, Mike Horchak, “who has been a friend and a great inspiration. Also I have to include Joe Tkach in this because I knew Joe long before he was our president. Joe and Tammy are still the same humble, down-to-earth friends that I knew when our kids were growing up.”

Anthony says his passion is, “Seeing Jesus at work in me in spite of all my short-comings.”

When asked when he feels closest to God, Anthony said, “I was privileged to be introduced to a Prison Ministry named Kairos about 10 years ago. A team of us spent 3-1/2 days with 42 inmates on the inside of a maximum security penitentiary. Most of the prisoners are in for life and have little or no relationship with God. How Jesus transforms lives like theirs is nothing short of a miracle. Such experiences help me to understand why Jesus said ‘When I was in prison…’”

L.A. church planting update

This update is from Angie and Saddie Tabin, the Filipino couple who are in the process of planting a church in Los Angeles, California. It is excerpted from their newsletter–to read it, click here.

Tabin family

We thank our Lord for the work he is doing in our church planting efforts here in Los Angeles. We praise our great God for all the people he is raising to support us with their prayers and resources.

As you can imagine, the journey that God has laid before us is full of joys and challenges. I do admit that sometimes it feels like we are riding a roller coaster with all the ups and downs. In all these, we find comfort and strength in our Lord Jesus. Here are examples of how God blessed us recently.

In response to last month’s newsletter (we send one out monthly), a friend sent us a cell phone and said he’d pay for our phone service for two years. He said he felt that it is his contribution to God’s work.

The newsletter also mentioned the need for our car to be fixed to solve smog problems so we can renew our registration. Once NewLife Fellowship (pastored by Bermie Dizon) heard of this need, they decided to pay for the repairs. So, we now have a newly registered car. By the way, the car was donated to us by Pastor Romy Degolacion of Christian Fellowship Church International. Other blessings came in the form of brochures and business cards through GCI pastor Glen Weber and Heber Ticas’ help.

small group meets

In August we met Eloisa with her sister and aunt. Since then I regularly phone her to ask how they are doing. In October, as her aunt and I were talking over the phone, her niece asked me if I could start another small group in their apartment. Another answered prayer! This new group has seven adults, one teen and two children. We have decided to gather every Tuesday evening in their apartment. We only recently met, yet already we feel like one big family. Love is in the air! Their kids, Mateo and Luke are fun. We get to play with them too. For two consecutive meetings now, their dad gives us $10 per meeting for gasoline. Another exciting part, we can eat Filipino food for Auntie Precy is a good cook!

In October we had a Christian version of Halloween trick or treat. We invited two families and two members of our church for a dinner and a social gathering at our home, just to get acquainted.

We have come to know a lot of seniors in the Glassell Park area of Los Angeles. In August we attended one of their gatherings for the first time. Then in November, we received a card inviting us for a surprise birthday party for one mother who will be celebrating her 70th birthday. We connect with Filipinos though these types of events. Another is through distributing free bagels.

In answer to our prayers, God is sending to us people who are hurting, lonely and who don’t know the solution to their problems. Our prayer is that God will send us a team to help us work with what Jesus is doing in this church planting effort. Please join us in praying for the formation of our core team—gathering people who have the passion and time to commit themselves to this kingdom work. We plan to invite 30-40 people to share in our mission and vision of church planting here in Los Angeles. Please pray for the success of this team-building plan.

Myanmar (Burma) update

The following update is from Rod Matthews, GCI mission director in Southern Asia & South Pacific.

The atmosphere of oppression is lifting in Myanmar (Burma). There’s a sense of new energy around Yangon. But visitors are constantly reminded of the economic time-warp the country has been in for decades. For example, in 1970 the government changed from driving on the left to the right side of the road. But most vehicles are old and still have the steering wheel on the right (wrong) side even though everyone drives on the right. The old buses (and most are) have the doors on the traffic side instead of the curb side. Few have been able to afford a new vehicle for decades. Most of the new vehicles still are right-hand drive having been imported from countries that drive on the left such as Thailand or Japan.

The Shwedagon pagoda complex towers over the low-rise buildings in Yangon, its gold-leaf-lined domes reflecting the sun in all directions. The contrast with the rest of the city is immense. However, the opening up of the country is gathering speed after a change of government in 2010. In this largely Buddhist country with 56 million people and more than 100 ethnic groups, less than 5% are Christian. Most of those come not from the Burmese but the ethnic Chin and Karen peoples.

GCI’s fellowship in Myanmar has long had two congregations, one in the southern Irrawaddy delta area and another in the far northwest of the country in Chin State – an area that has been out of bounds to foreigners and is quite remote. Both were established through contact arising from the Plain Truth magazine decades ago. Last year I reported on a trip I made to our southern congregation of about 35 people with Malaysian regional pastor, Wong Mein Kong. They meet in a home in a small village surrounded by rice paddies.

At that time we also met with two leaders from small ministries in Yangon, and since then we have been receiving increasing numbers of emails from other ministry leaders, mainly in Yangon, who have seen our website and desire further contact with GCI. In fact, so many that we decided to conduct a seminar in Yangon to which we invited them all, to explain more about GCI – what we could offer and what we couldn’t, our philosophy of ministry and theological foundation – and also help them get to know one another.

Yangon seminar

On Saturday, October 13, over 40 people gathered in a building housing a small seminary run by Pastor Hung Ling, who offered us his facility. Many were his students but about ten ministry leaders attended, most of whom we had never met in person before.

Mein Kong and I explained more about our fellowship, its scattered nature but international perspective, its blessings which we strive to share with as many as possible mainly through our website, and in honesty, what God has not enabled us to offer such as regular financial support.  We outlined our approach to mission and our Trinitarian theological foundations. We provided lunch for everyone through Pastor Hung Ling’s staff. An enthusiastic Q&A session in the afternoon ended a profitable day.

orphans

From this meeting we were invited to preach at services the following morning in Pastor Joseph Lal’s small congregation which included about 15 orphans he cares for with his two sisters.

In the afternoon we visited and taught at the Youth Education Centre (YEC) run by the parents of Nyein Thu, a fine young man who attended the seminar and has been a big help to Wong Mein Kong in making pre-trip arrangements in Yangon in past years.

YEC students and staff

YEC is both a home for needy young people and a boarding house so rural students can attend schools in Yangon. Nyein Thu is desirous of continuing his education so he can serve as a Christian counselor in a country in great need of such expertise.

Communication with several of these pastors continues and interest has been expressed in another seminar during a future visit to Yangon.

In Myanmar, our Discipleship 101 course has been translated into Burmese and several hundred copies already distributed. The translation is currently being revised and we hope to print hundreds more copies early next year. One young man whom we met in Yangon was so excited by our literature that he translated the booklet What Is Salvation? into the Falam Chin language and is waiting for funds so it can be printed. We also were delighted to discover that the booklet “The God Revealed in Jesus Christ” has been translated into Burmese by a lady working at YEC and after further translation verification will soon be ready for printing.

Since the use of electronic communications is quite limited in rural Myanmar, and there are frequent power outages even in Yangon, there is a big demand for printed literature which can be read with the light of a candle or kerosene lamp.

I have no doubt that as Myanmar continues coming out of its isolation, it will present some excellent opportunities in the years ahead for the spread of the gospel message and for GCI to share our blessings and establish partnerships with enthusiastic ministries who desire to be connected with the broader Body of Christ.

We thank God for inviting us to have a part in the ministry of Jesus Christ in Myanmar.

Ministry to older adults

On the Youth and Family Ministry page of GCI’s Generations Ministries website (click here), you will find a catalog of resources related to discipling people of all ages—older adults included. On that page, under the “Older Adults” heading you’ll find linked an insightful article from Regent College professor Maxine Hancock titled, “Aging as a Stage of the Heroic Pilgrimage of Faith.” To read the article, (click here).

Bonnie Albrecht

This prayer update is from Charles Albrecht (of GCI Church Administration and Development) concerning his mother Bonnie Albrecht who lives in Texas (click here for an earlier prayer request).

My family appreciates the prayers for my mother Bonnie. Since late June, she has been in the hospital and a rehab center – initially for an ankle fracture. During this time she contracted a virus in her spine similar to shingles. This led to a condition that can cause permanent spinal/nerve damage. As a result of these conditions, she has only taken a few dozen steps with a walker over the last 4-5 months.

My mom has now seen several specialists. Their opinion is that her problem is mainly orthopedic. This is welcome news. The neurologist wants her to go to an orthopedic surgeon to have her knee examined. We have also seen a pain management specialist to help her with the tremendous pain, which comes and goes throughout the day and keeps her up at night. On top of all of this, doctors discovered an unusual “bump” in my mom’s neck and have sent that out for a biopsy.

Continued prayers are much appreciated. Please pray about her pain (which is now a bit less), that the doctors discover why her knee is “frozen” and help her regain mobility, and that the bump on her neck is found to be benign (as it seems to be).

Cards may be sent to:
Bonnie Albrecht
9978 Witham St.
Dallas, TX 75220

 

NAE update

The following is excerpted from the December NAE Update.

Most Unmarried Evangelical Millennials Have Never Had Sex

The NAE commissioned a poll on what evangelicals ages 18-29 think and practice regarding sex and unexpected pregnancies. There are some surprising (and encouraging) stats. For example, the percentage of unmarried evangelical Millennials who have had sex is much lower (44 percent) than previously thought (80 percent). The poll’s findings will be released in five stages. (read more)

National Marriage Week

Plan now for National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) by launching a marriage class or event during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. A free tool kit (event ideas, curricula, press release, advertisements, etc.) can help you plan a meaningful event in your area, and you can join a conference call on Dec. 4 with NAE President Leith Anderson to find out more. (learn more)

Immigration Reform in 92 Days

A group of evangelical leaders sent letters to President Obama and the House and Senate leadership seeking action on immigration policy within the first 92 days of President Obama’s second term. (read more)

Helping Families Stay in Touch with their Loved Ones Behind Bars

When prisoners are incarcerated far from home, telephone calls are often the best way for family members to keep in touch. Prisoners who maintain relationships with their family while in prison are more likely to be rehabilitated when they are released. But phone rates for calls from prisons in some states are exorbitant – as much as $17 for a 15-minute call. The NAE has called for the Federal Communications Commission to cap rates at a reasonable level.  (read more)