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A lot of people in our society seem to think believing in God is like believing in the pineapple – something that doesn't affect the way we see the world, or the way we act. They think that stuff about God doesn't have anything to say about the rest of the stuff that we know. Only last week, I was asked by a friend: "Isn't the Bible just a very small part of knowledge?" I'd rather think that believing in God is more like putting on a pair of glasses. It's something which you see everything else through.
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." – C.S. Lewis
So what does Christianity have to say about us and about the world we live in?
Who are we?
How are we to see ourselves as human beings? A lot of people say that "all people are equal." But how are we equal? Christians believe that all humans are made in the image of God, and that we were made to have a relationship with Him. Like God, we create things. Like God, we are emotional. Like God, we have a conscience. Like God, we are moral beings. But unlike God, our rebellion against Him has caused us to be infected by sin.
Where are we?
So what does Christianity have to say about the world around us? We live in a world which shows God's majesty, from the blooming of flowers in unseen places to the laws of nature which govern our universe. But at the same time, the world has been broken by sin. We are stewards of God's world, and so we are to care for it.
What is the problem?
There is no doubt that there is something wrong with the world we live in. Violence, war, global warming, disease, but the biggest and most common to all – death. Christians believe that all the evil in the world are a by-product of sin.
What is the solution?
With all these problems, it seems that there is great need for a solution. Christians believe that the solution to evil and death is Jesus. This was shown when Jesus defeated death through his resurrection. Jesus' resurrection also guaranteed that the world, like Him, will also be restored to perfection.
What time is it?
Where are we at this moment in history? What relationship does our current time have with the past and the future? Christians believe that Jesus' resurrection guarantees that the world will be restored. However, this has yet to be realised. "Now but not yet."
The challenge for humanity and for Christians especially, is to live in light of these realities.
Anton Zhang is studying aeronautics and arts at the University of Sydney, he is part of a family of four, his hobbies include music, hiking and fencing. He is an active part of the Christian youth work at the Padstow Chinese Congregational Church.
Anton Zhang's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/anton-zhang.html