Reality!

It was 'way back in 2004 that, while on holiday in Germany, I was introduced to two young Christian women who were planning to launch a church-based magazine. They asked if I would be willing to contribute to the first issue and, believe it or not, I agreed to do so. The theme of the issue would be, I was informed, "Reality". That was as much guidance as I received!

I was reminded of that time when I heard that someone whom I know well had purchased a pair (?) of "virtual reality" 'spectacles (I know that there is probably an official description but ... !!!). In that article I quoted one of my contemporary pupils who said that "Reality is the opposite of being fake. It is something that is genuine; something real." Not bad for a young lad of 16 years of age!

Of course, the corollary of the first part of his offered definition is that that that which is not "reality" (e.g. "virtual reality"!) is fake! This, I would go so far as to suggest, makes it sound like something that comes from "... the father of lies." (Jn.8:44), who "... prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.." (I Pet.5:8).

That article from so long ago, started off: "Virtual reality; reality checks; reality TV shows.  These are expressions that, in recent times, have become part of everyday speech.  But what is ‘Reality’?" Is it confined to philosophical abstracts - as Plato might have suggested; material objects - as proposed by the 18th century Moderates;  or cosmological theories - as proposed by the late Stephen Hawking? Stephen Hawking actually states, in "Black Holes and Baby" that "I still believe that the Universe has a beginning in real time,at the Big Bang. But there's another kind of time, imaginary time,at right angles to real time, in which the universe has no beginning or end." This, it seems to me, suggests what theologians would refer to as 'eternity' - and eternity is the dwelling-place of the Creator God Who is outwith our own time/space continuum.

Or is there a reality that goes beyond even the comprehension of of mankind; something beyond the physical and material; beyond either our reasoning or our imagination? Is true reality to be found in that dimension that we refer to as the "spiritual"?!

If, indeed, the spiritual dimension is true reality, then it follows that ultimate reality is that Being Who exists eternally, in a state of total self-sufficiency; Who is neither created not indestructible; and for Whom, in the English language, we use the nomenclature "God". Indeed, another definition of reality could be: "All that is the way it is" or, in Biblical terminology: "I AM that I AM" (Ex.3:14).

In the article, I again quoted Stephen Hawking: "The boundary condition of the universe is that it has no boundary.The universe would be completely self-contained, and not affected by anything outside itself. It would neither be created nor destroyed It would just BE." I continued: "Take out the reference to 'the universe', and replace them with equivalent references to God and, with one exception, we would have a not unreasonable definition of the 'Immortal, ineffable, God only wise; In light inaccessible hid from our eyes' Who is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Christ."

At the end of the article I referred back to that quotation, and emphasised that "one exception". I wrote: "That exception is the words '... not affected by anything outside itself.' Because the core of the Christian Gospel is that Almighty God is affected by something outside Himself. And that something is your sin, and mine. But, being the One Whose very essence is love - and neither the sentimentalism nor the eroticism, that is passed off as love in our modern culture; but the unconditional, immeasurable, unending love that is expressed by the Greek word «agape» - He was not prepared to let our sin cut us off from His love, and from a living relationship with Himself. His justice demanded that punishment be meted out. His love took that punishment upon Himself as, in the Persona* of the Son, He hung on a man-made cross, and died the death that we deserved. He paid the price that we might go free, and now offers salvation and real life - '... life in all its fulness.' (Jn.1-:10)."

Reality? For the disciple of Jesus, at least, it is found, as is that salvation, in Jesus the Christ alone. May He be more real in your life than this post you are reading - and everything else in your experience.

* This is not a typo! All is explained in the chapter on "The Trinity" in my first book - 'Great Words of the Faith'. Remember, I have no financial interest - ALL royalties are sent directly to Release International in support of the Persecuted Church. Thank you for purchasing.

Where, death, is your sting?

As far as I can recall, the first piece of poetry that I ever wrote was for my maternal grandmother - on a card that was placed on a wreath at her funeral service. It read, very simply: "Today are met both joy and sorrow. Gran's gone just now; we'll meet tomorrow." Okay, hardly worthy of the Poet Laureate - but those simple words contained a great truth; one of which I was reminded again this morning when my wife and I were informed of the death of a dear friend of many years. 

She has been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease, as did the late Stephen Hawking. However, that was not the only thing that they had in common. It wasn't that my friend ever had the celebrity status of Stephen Hawking. He was known all over the world; she only to her family, her friends, those whom she served for many years in Nepal, those who knew her at a personal level. No, the other thing that they had in common is that both were sinners in the sight of Almighty God.

That, of course, is also where there was a major difference. To the best of my knowledge, Stephen Hawking did not acknowledge his sinful nature, not least because of his declared personal conviction that the Creator God does not even exist. My friend had confessed her sins, and sinfulness, and accepted the salvation that was made possible for her through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. She is with Him today - not because she was a good and faithful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother; not because she served for all of those years in Nepal; not because she was kind and helpful (but with, at times, a "wicked" sense of humour!). She is with Him because of the grace of Almighty God, and nothing else.

When I e-mailed her husband, this morning, I reminded him of Paul's words "...  we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope." (I Thess.4:13). The point that I made was that we do grieve! He no longer has the physical companionship of his wife of so many years; their adult children no longer have a mother with whom they may share. However, our knowledge of his wife's life in Jesus assures us that, to use the now well-known words of the late Billy Graham, "She is not dead. She has simply changed address, and is more alive now than ever she was on this earth."

It was Billy Graham who also said that our last breath in this life is immediately followed by our first breath in the next - the fuller life that is assured for those who die (physically) in Jesus. Paul made the same point to the Corinthian believers: "...  we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (II Cor.5:8).

Whilst I was never a committed "Trekkie", I did enjoy the early series of Star Trek. However, the opening sequence was in error. It is not space that is the "final frontier", but death! It was Benjamin Franklin who said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." and, as the Rapture is delayed, that is most certainly true. Of course, I at least know beforehand what taxes I have to pay, and when they are due. Death is not always as considerate! It can come at any time, and tomorrow is not guaranteed to any one of us - rich or poor; male or female; famous or unknown; black or white; religious or atheist. The important thing, therefore, is to be ready for whenever it comes!

How can we be ready? By following the example of my late friend, and coming to the foot of that cross of which many will be thinking especially deeply on Friday, there to confess our sins  and claim the salvation that is available to all who will come to the One Who hung on that cross, in repentance, and faith, and yield their lives to Him.

Have you done that? If you have, then death holds no terror for you, and you may state with Paul: '"Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?" ' (I Cor.15:55). If you have not, then I urge you to do so, and to do so while you have time. Stephen Hawking, as far as I know, did not do so and, with all of his great intellect, has now entered a Christless eternity. Do not join him there. 

Screwtape on Democracy!

During this year, I am using a book of Daily Readings from the works of C.S.Lewis as a part of my personal devotions.  Some of it, of course, is very difficult to fully understand (he was a "rather clever chap"!).  However, there are some of the excerpts that are all too easy to grasp.  Such a one was the reading for today.

It's an excerpt from "Screwtape proposes a toast".  For those who are unfamiliar with any of the works of C.S.Lewis (apart from the Narnia Chronicles, of course!), Screwtape is a senior devil who passes on advice to his juniors (see The Screwtape Letters).  The passage to which I was directed this morning is on the topical topic of Democracy!  Here is the final paragraph:

"You are to use the word purely as an incantation; if you like, purely for its selling power.  It is a name they (humans) venerate.  And of course it is connected with the political ideal that men should be equally treated.  You then make a stealthy transition in their minds from this political ideal to a factual belief that all men are equal.  especially the man you are working on.  As a result, you can use the word democracy to sanction in his thought the most degrading(and also the least enjoyable) of all human feelings ... The feeling I mean is of course that which prompts a man to say I'm as good as you.  The first and most obvious advantage is that you thus induce him to enthrone at the centre of his life a good solid resounding lie."

That, it may be argued, is the problem with modern democracy.  It moves the goalposts.  The American Declaration of Independence to which I referred earlier this month, has those well-known words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, ..." However, is this really true?  One does not require the brain of Einstein to know that it is not.  I am certainly not considered by anyone of whom I am aware, to be the "equal" of Bill Gates (certainly not by my bank manager!).  I am not the intellectual equal of Stephen Hawking; I do not have equal political influence to the Prime Minister; I am far from the spiritual equal of many of the believers whom I am privileged to know!

However, in any "democratic" society, I ought to be treated equally with everyone else.  If I commit a crime, I ought to be punished for it - and not "let off" because I am the spouse of a former president of my country, and a current candidate for that same high office.  If I do the same work as my fellow- employee, and do it as well, then I ought to be paid the same rate - and not less on the basis of my gender.  If I spend my spare time helping those who are in difficulties of one kind or another, then I ought to be deemed as worthy of a civil honour as some failed politician, mediocre "celebrity", or "party benefactor"!

This is one of the wonders of the Christian Gospel.  We are all equal, and are treated equally, by Almighty God.  He knows that each one of us (yes, even you!) is a sinner in His sight.  He sees our rebellious nature.  He recognises our attempts to make ourselves the centre of the universe.  Yet He still loves each and everyone of us (yes, even you - again!), equally, and with an everlasting love.  He doesn't love Bill Gates more than He loves me because Bill Gates is a billionaire, and I am never going to be even a mere millionaire.  He doesn't love Stephen Hawking more than He loves me because Stephen Hawking has an IQ of around 160 while I linger at a lowly 125 (last time I checked!).  He doesn't love the Prime Minister more than He loves me because she has an authority that effects the whole of the UK while I have authority over no-one.

There is only our place where we will not be treated equally - because we will not be equal!  That is at the Great White Throne of Judgment.  John records, for us, the great vision he received while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it; from His presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done." (Rev 20:11-13).

David Robertson, minister of St Peter's Free Church, Dundee, has been mentioned - and quoted - by me before.  I was interested to read (after I had decided to publish a post along these lines) his most recent posting.  It is on the subject of hell, and he also quotes from C.S.Lewis: "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened. ” “The choice of every lost soul can be expressed in the words "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven." (The Great Divorce).

Are all people created equal?  In the sight of Almighty God, we are - and He treats us as such.

Will all people spend eternity in the same place?  No!  That is the great distinction. The written Word of God (the Bible) makes it perfectly clear.  Those who have established a living, and loving, relationship with Him in this life, through the salvation that is offered in the Lord Jesus, the Christ, will continue in that relationship (enhanced beyond our wildest dreams!) in eternity.  Those who reject - or even neglect, Him here will be rejected by Him on that Day.

Where will you spend eternity?  In the heavenly realm, worshipping the Lamb?  Or will it be in hell, with the devil and all of his minions?   I trust that, as you have read this post, you will have either the assurance of full salvation - or the desire to make that salvation your own.  If the latter, please feel free to contact me at author@minister.com or check out some of the relevant links further down the page.

To die, or not to die?

To die, or not to die?  That's a big question.  For most of us, the answer is that we wish to live for as long as possible.  However, it would appear that some of the world's legislators think differently!

At the moment, in the UK, two pro-euthanasia Bills are making their way through two different legislative bodies.  In the House of Lords, Lord Falconer's Assisted Dying Bill had its first reading in the House of Lords earlier this year, although it is yet to be scheduled for its second reading.  In the Scottish Parliament, Margo MacDonald, MSP, is making yet another attempt to legalise euthanasia by a different name, as she presents her second End of Life Assistance Bill.

When such legislation is being considered, the proponents place a lot of weight on the circumstances of a few high-profile cases that are judged to be capable of producing great sympathy for the individuals concerned.  What is not explained, by the supporters, are the additional ramifications - or, perhaps, they have not sufficiently thought the matter through!

It was in 2002 that both The Netherlands and Belgium legalised the taking of another person's life, at that person's request and with their permission (voluntary euthanasia), provided that the person is legally competent and "... in a medically futile condition of constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated, resulting from a serious and incurable disorder caused by illness or accident". (from the Belgian legislation).  Euthanasia is also allowed in certain of the United States of America, in Canada's Quebec Province, in Albania, and in Switzerland while, in some countries, it is not legal - but a 'blind eye' is turned to it.  Assisted suicide is slightly different, but the end result is the same!

Those who oppose the legalising of euthanasia/assisted suicide may cite perfectly valid religious reasons for their position.  However, there are many who also oppose it on the basis that it could be the thin end of a wedge.  Recent news would suggest that they are correct to have such fears!

It would appear that it is not uncommon for the mentally ill to be euthanised (involuntary euthanasia).  This is already happening in both The Netherlands and Belgium with, in the case of the latter, organs being harvested from the victims. In Switzerland, the Supreme Court declared it to be a constitutional right for the mentally ill to be offered assisted suicide; while Quebec's new euthanasia legislation apparently allows the (involuntary?!) euthanasia.

Those of an earlier generation may well be hearing alarm bells ringing.  This deliberate killing of the mentally ill - and those considered not to be of any 'use' - was a policy of Hitler's Nazi administration. Aktion T4 was the name used after World War II for the 'euthanasia programme' during which physicians murdered thousands of people who were "judged incurably sick, by critical medical examination". The programme officially ran from September 1939 to August 1941, but continued, unofficially, until the end of the Nazi regime in 1945.

Could such a situation re-occur in the 21st century?  Sadly, it is not impossible.   Earlier this year, witnesses appeared in the upper house of the Belgian parliament to discuss a proposal allowing euthanasia for children.  Already, under the current law, there is an exception to allow children, of at least fifteen years of age, to be euthanised, if they are “legally emancipated” from their parents.  However, Socialist Party Senator Philippe Mahoux, one of the architects of the 2002 law, is now seeking to broaden the law to include all children of any age with a serious and incurable disease and a sound mind.

With all of the, understandable, emphasis on marriage over the past year, the euthanasia Bills have received little publicity.  However, it is at our peril that we ignore the attempts, by some, to 'play God'.  It was interesting that, when Prof Stephen Hawking - himself, previously, an opponent of euthanasia - recently declared a change of mind, British paralympic star Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson criticised him, saying that weakening the law would reinforce prejudices against disabled people.

To die, or not to die?  It's much too important a question for the answer to be left to mere mortals!

Stephen Hawking pronounces!

On Sunday, Prof. Stephen Hawking will (DV) celebrate his 70th birthday anniversary.  Not bad for a man who was informed, in his 20s, that he had only a short time to live!  One in the eye, one might say, for the proponents of euthanasia/assisted suicide!

To celebrate this auspicious occasion, the BBC Radio 4 programme, Today, invited listeners to send in questions that could be put to the Professor.  However, in spite of us being informed, this morning, that the response was "overwhelming", only the selected five questions are on the Today programme website!

The first question, from Roland in Lagos, was perhaps the most telling.  The questioner asked "Was there a "time" when there was "nothing"?"  Prof Hawkings published answer is relatively short.  He states that: "The origin of the universe can be explained by the laws of physics, without any need for miracles or Divine intervention. These laws predict that the universe was spontaneously created out of nothing in a rapidly expanding state.This is called inflation because it is like the way prices in the shops go up at an ever increasing rate.  Time is defined only with the universe, so it makes no sense to talk about time before the universe began, it would be like asking for a point south of the South Pole."

Perhaps the Professor's condition (he suffers from motor-neurone disease - a degenerative condition for which there is, at present, no cure) is deteriorating, but that is hardly the sort of answer that one might have expected!  He claims that "The origin of the universe can be explained by the laws of physics, without any need for miracles or Divine intervention."  But what are the "laws of physics"?  Surely they are merely the result of mankind's observation of natural phenomena.  They can only explain what already is!  With all due respect to the Professor, he is confusing two levels of explanation.  God (the Divine Intervener) is an explanation of the universe - but He is not the same kind of explanation as that provided by physical "laws".

John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at the Univ. of Oxford, uses this illustration.  He suggests that we take the jet engine instead of the universe, and seek to explain its existence.  We may do so by referring to the personal involvement of its inventor, Sir Frank Whittle.  Alternatively, we may follow Prof Hawking's logic, dismiss personal agency, and explain the jet engine in terms of its workings - saying that it arose naturally from the physical laws that are thus expressed!

This is, quite obviously, ludicrous!  The laws of physics can explain how the jet engine works - but not how it came to exist in the first place.  That required the intelligence, imagination, and creativity of Sir Frank.  It also, of course, required physical material, that cannot be 'created' by mere 'laws'!  The Book of Genesis (Beginnings) puts it so very simply: "In the beginning, God ..." (1:1).

As to 'time', the Professor is correct in saying that, before the creation it did not exist!  That is why it will, at some point in the future, come to an end.  It is finite.  But, in his book "The Universe in a Nutshell", Stephen Hawking postulates two 'time dimensions'.  One of these he illustrates, graphically, as a straight line - with a beginning and an end.  This is the time that we experience from day to day.  The other 'time dimension' he illustrates as a wavy line, at right angles to the straight line, and cutting across it.  He explains that this 'time' is different from our linear time; yet touches it at all points.  When I first read the book, I thought to myself - "He's simply describing eternity!".  So, what was 'before time' was (and is!) eternity!  Just as that which is south of the South Pole is (infinite) space!

I do have a great admiration for Prof Hawking.  However, in spite of the fact that he has made his pronouncements, I continue to believe that Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of all that is, Who inhabits eternity, and is infinite in His wisdom, power, and love, will have the last word!

The death of an avowed atheist.

The death was announced, today, of Christopher Hitchins - outspoken author, atheist, and alcoholic.  The late Mr Hitchins famously took on Mr Tony B Liar (former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), in a televised debate last year in Toronto, Canada, linking God to a "celestial dictatorship, a kind of divine North Korea".  Mind you, taking on as unprincipled a person as T.B. (no direct connection with a terrible disease - that's tuberculosis!) with his limited knowledge, and lack of theological education, seems to me to be on a par with Prof Stephen Hawking taking me on in a debate about quantum physics!  No prizes for guessing who would win that debate!

I've mentioned the well-known "Pascal's wager" on this blog before, but the death of such a prominent atheist prompts me to refer to it again. 

In its least-embellished form, it states that if a disciple of Jesus dies, and discovers that all that (s)he has believed - concerning the incarnation, the miracles of Jesus, His death and resurrection, the nature of God, the doctrine of the Trinity, etc., etc. - has turned out to be wrong, then that person will have nothing to lose! 

On the other hand if, when the atheist dies, (s)he discovers that the Gospel record is true, that the historic doctrines of the Christian are valid, that there really is a heaven and a hell, that the God of infinite love is also the God of absolute justice, etc., etc., then that atheist has lost everything and finds him/herself consigned to a lost eternity.

Christopher Hitchins now knows the truth!

Wisdom, or knowledge?

In one track by my favourite Gaither Vocal Band (that's the one with David Phelps, Guy Penrod, and Mark Lowry!) Mark Lowry sings the words: "Deep inside me, there's a yearning for true wisdom, not just learning."  Those words came to mind, on Monday, when I read the report about Prof Stephen Hawking's opinion of heaven (and, one may presume, hell!)

According to The Telegraph newspaper, the "... eminent Cambridge scientist and cosmologist has dismissed heaven as a 'fairy story for people afraid of the dark'"  He also "... rejected the idea of life beyond death and emphasised what he described as the need to fulfil our potential on Earth by making good use of our lives."

The article continues to inform us that Prof Hawking regards "... the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail." and that "... tiny 'quantum fluctuations' in the very early universe became the seeds from which galaxies, stars and, ultimately, human life began."  However, in common with all of the humanistic atheists who have become so prominent in our contemporary 'western' culture, the professor fails to go back to the "First Cause".  Something, or Someone, designed the very quantum mechanics to which Prof Hawking appeals.  The bottom line, I would suggest, is that there is either an eternal, uncreated, piece of matter from which all that is has evolved; or an eternal, uncreated, Being - to Whom, in the English language, we give the nomenclature 'God' - Who created all that is by His own power.  I know which of those two possibilities I find more reasonable, and reassuring!

There is, of course, the story that is based on the well-known "Pascal's Wager".  A certain Atheist lecturer was travelling around ridiculing those who were foolish enough to believe in the existence of a supernatural Being, and in the Bible as the Word of God.  On one occasion, as he addressed a group, he hurled a challenge at God.  "If You exist, then strike me dead!"  As he stood there, very much alive, he turned to his audience and exclaimed: "See, there is no God."

A woman rose to her feet, and spoke to the lecturer.  "Sir," she said, "I cannot answer your arguments; your learning is beyond me.  You are an educated man while I am merely a working woman.  With your superior knowledge, will you please answer me one question?"  On receiving the lecturer's assent, she continued, "I have been a believer in Christ for many years.  I have rejoiced in the salvation He has provided for me, and I have enjoyed my Bible.  His presence has been a tremendous joy.  If when I die, there is nothing - no Father God, no Lord Jesus, no salvation, the Bible just a collection of old legends - tell me, sir, what have I lost by believing in Christ during this life?"

The room was very quiet; the audience quickly grasping the logic of the woman's question.  The lecturer answered, in quiet tones: "Madam, you won't stand to lose a thing."  "You have been very kind, and have answered my question." responded the woman.  "Permit me to ask you one more.  If, when the time comes for you to die, you discover that the Bible is true; that there is a God, and that Jesus is the Son; that there is a heaven and a hell - tell me, sir, what have you to lose?"

The Atheist was silent.  He had no answer.

Prof Hawking may have a tremendous IQ; he is certainly a lot more clever, and a lot more knowledgeable than I.  However, I do question his wisdom - or lack thereof.  Pascal's Wager is not an evangelistic tool - but it does spell out the consequences of the basic choice that each of us makes, whether deliberately, or by default.  I trust that you will make the right choice, and discover the joy of eternal life, here and now.  You don't have to be clever to be wise!

God, Dawking, and all that is!!

I've recently been involved in some discussion threads in the online editions of a couple ofthe 'quality' newspapers.  A lot of the discussion has come about from the alleged statement, by Prof Stephen Hawking, to the effect that God is no longer necessary!!

Obviously, the materialistic humanists are rubbing their hands with glee.  An eminenet astrophysicist has spoken - it must be so!!  Many of them won't even be aware that Friedrich Nietzsche, the 19th century German philosopher and author, made the claim a long time ago!  They certainly won't know that he was merely claiming that human beings are no longer able to believe in any such cosmic order since they themselves no longer recognise it!  They probably wouldn't want to know that, in the relevant book, Nietzsche has the words "God is dead" uttered by a madman!!!

Personally, I perceive a simple logic. The Creator, by definition, must be 'uncreated'. I used to inform pupils who asked me the question: "If God created everything, who/what created God?", that it was a giant cricket-bat. That led to the obvious question as to who/what created the giant cricket-bat. After a couple more, equally silly, suggestions, I came back to "God" - it's something of a circular argument!

The bottom line, surely, is that even as eminent an academic as Prof Hawking needs to accept that we have a simple choice - either an uncreated 'piece of matter/gravitational force/laws of physics/whatever' or an uncreated, intelligent, personal Being to Whom, in the English language, we normally apply the nomenclature "God". I make my choice; Prof Hawking makes his choice; and everyone else does the same.
I would have thought that it is really quite elementary!

One reader was kind enough to say that, when I wrote in the above terms, I had provided a good post!  However, (s)he did object to my statement that " The Creator, by definition, must be 'uncreated'."  Yet surely that which is 'created' is 'created' by a 'creator' - and this is true of any of the material objects with which we are familiar. It's not an original thought, but I can't imagine anyone thinking that even something as common (and relatively lacking in complexity) as the internal combustion engine having come together 'by chance'. It was 'created' by someone. We don't even fully understand the concept of time, let alone the greater concept of infinity/eternity. This, I would suggest, is because we are incapable of understanding anything that is not fully material. Yet even Prof Hawking postulates a ten-dimensional universe. What do we even begin to understand about those other dimensions?

When I look at the known (a very important adjective, in this case!) universe, with all of its, so-far, discovered laws, I am over-awed by its complexity, order, and predictability. For me, it is much more difficult, and would take a much greater 'leap of faith' to accept that it is merely the result of random coincidences (I know that I am being simplistc, but I am merely trying to make a point!).

The difficulty with the concept of a Creator God, it seems to me, is that of authority! So many want to follow Frank Sinatra and say "I did it my way". They refuse to be subject to a higher power. So, the easiest thing to do is to deny the existence of that power!

I would suggest that one of Prof Hawking's additional dimensions is the spiritual dimension. It's a wee bit more difficult to grasp than the time-space continuum with which all of us are familiar. But that is not sufficient cause to deny its existence!

Shakespeare may have been much closer to the 'truth' when he had his character Hamlet state that "There are stranger things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are thought of in your philosophies"! And, as mentioned in my last post, Einstein said “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”?