Bertrand Russell once stated, "I am an accidental collocation of atoms." On the intellectual level, he purported to view himself in a sheer materialistic way. However, in his daily life did he act like a random collocation of atoms? Did he not eat, drink, sleep, take his place in society, communicate through speech & written word, and demand rationality of a reality he claimed to be non-rational?

Did Russell have some sort of delusional disorder?

His intellectual beliefs, one could argue, seem more consistent with the gibbering psychopath who is no more rational than the physical world which 'accidentally' produced him. One could expect such a person (if behaving consistently) to be more likely to behave in a manner that was random, chaotic, and meaningless. That could be the same type of person who goes on a killing spree culminating in suicide. Or perhaps the person who obliviously sits in the corner all day and honestly believes himself to be a radish.

Well, frankly I praise God knowing that I have a purpose. I praise Him that I was pulled out of the muck & mire of sin. I praise God that He, the Creator of all things, called my by name.

As a believer, the despair and futility of Russell are swept away in the revelation of Easter Sunday.

"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. . . . But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:17-20)

Russell argues that the main reason that people believe in God is because they have been taught to from early infancy. The second being one's need to feel secure, to feel that someone in power is watching and protecting. This is not a new or original argument 'under the sun' by any means. Frederick Nietzsche was and remains as one of Christianity's most voracious critics.

Nietzsche's famous slogan ("God is Dead. He remains dead. And we have killed him!") can be interpreted as an attempt to say that God as an object for human faith is dead. Some scholars will argue that Nietzsche was describing 19th century Europe where people no longer saw fit to believe in God, where faith in God did not fit into a viable worldview. But "God is dead" also seems to imply not only that it is impossible to believe in God, but that there is no God. As G.E. Morgan writes: "Beyond question, the major premise in Nietzsche's philosophy is atheism."

Fundamentally, atheism does not require that one adopt some form of materialism, ethical skepticism/relativism, or nihilism. In some ways the connection between nihilism is valid but in other ways it is not. From personal experience, I don't think I have met one atheists who had not adopted (consciously or subconsciously) one form or another of ethical nihilism. Ask an atheists their thoughts on death and I doubt they are as joyful about it as you and I who are believers.

Richard Dawkins contends that raising one's offspring in one's religion constitutes child abuse. Christopher Hitchens states that "religion spoils everything." Sam Harris argues that "every scientific domain — from cosmology to psychology to economics — has superseded and surpassed the wisdom of Scripture." The problem with atheists is that few of them are interested in making serious metaphysical or epistemological arguments against God's existence. How often is anger rather than rationalism the primary motivation for atheists?

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God..." Ephesians 2:4-8

Only because of God's love and mercy do we have any ground for salvation.

After a very enjoyable time in Kansas visiting family this past weekend, I experienced the most joyous and convicting flight home. While flying, I have a tendency to want to talk with the person beside me but I will almost never begin the conversation. Call it shy or polite or whatever you will but this flight I was greeted by a very lovely woman filled with the Holy Spirit.

After we talked about each others background and family, we began discussing more spiritual matters. It was not long for both of us to discover our similar beliefs. We were both FIVE-point Calvinists (to distinguish from those petty 4 & overachieving 7 pointers *cough*Piper*cough*...which we joked about). Though she admittedly was a 'closet' Calvinist, it was for the best. I was excited for this fact after she told me that she taught and lead womens bible studies and wove in Reformed teachings throughout.

It was about mid-flight that she caught me off guard. "So Elijah," she says, "what are you struggling with spiritually?" I weaken and crumble at such direct questioning. Though innocent of the crime, if interrogated I will confess; bottom line. Anyone who knows me is aware that I will smile or smirk if I am accused of doing something, especially if I didn't actually do it. It is like multiple sneezes; I cannot help myself. Anyways, I told her the truth and we went on from there. Though it began awkward, the funny thing is I wanted to tell her all my problems, worries and concerns. She quickly went from a stranger to a sister in the Lord. The only problem was it was only a 2.5 hour flight.

Then I was severely convicted. She began telling me of her recent proficiency in memorizing Scripture, by the book. And her memorization partner was an 80 year old women. I flashed to thoughts of my Bible memory and quickly became ashamed. Though I gave her an excuse, I knew the truth. I knew little because I tried little. We touched down at LAX with me reviewing her xeroxed pages of the Book of Hebrews as she relayed to me the first 2 chapters - word for word.

Oh Lord, please help me to overcome my spiritual lethargy so that I may be a disciple better equipped for furthering your Kingdom and Glory!

Beverly - Thank you! You and your new baby granddaughter are in my prayers.

So, I have started this blog simply because I have nothing more exciting to do. Maybe this blog will be so exciting that it will resurrect blogging as the social/news medium it was once was. But this I severely doubt; I'm not that clever. With nothing to report on right now, the following post is from a blog/forum that I frequented in high school and, minimally, in college:

"I'm a week into the adventure of my life, College life. So far so good. It's no ordinary adventure however. Living on a campus 1/3 the size of my High school and with a student body consisting of 22 students- I'm in for a real interesting year. How so you ask?- Well, it's the colleges first year and I'm the first class. My classes either consist of 18 (the largest-Biology) or 3 (the smallest-Spanish). Its definitely a real one-on-one experience like never before. But its the type of teaching and learning that I really need.

I have learned more about my professors in the last week than I have of any previous teacher in a years time. Its that connection here that I feel I will really appreciate and expand on. Considering that I have lunch and/or dinner with either one of the professors, the academic advisor, or the President of the college himself- people are relatively close.

Not to mention the food in incredible here. I have never eaten so well in my life. How many college students do you here that from. I'm just very gracious to take part in this once in a life time experience."

Funny to see how things change, especially from that last statement. PCC was my life's greatest experience. Frankly however, I am glad to be done. I just miss those who were/are so dear to me. I am ready for something new & drastic. I need to get away.