The Limitations of God

By Ted Johnson

In the beginning, there was God. This is the starting point for all else that you will explore. This simple sentence is the most powerful definition for who, where, when, why, and how. This is a journey that takes you through all the vantage points of life and existence. This forbidden territory is a place where we look at creation and the by-products and merge an explanation via science, the supernatural, and humanity. The dogma on either side of this age-old debate between science and scripture is addressed and possibly resolved.

The aforementioned encapsulates what you will read, while stimulating deep emotion on a topic that churns with controversy and conflict. This is a book that will make you look at yourself and your personal convictions. As I discuss issues related to our self-worth and purpose, other doors are opened to questions yet answered. This book introduces both the creator and creation from the very beginning. You will find support for both.

For the believer, it will serve as a tool to strengthen and reinforce your conviction. For those who are not yet convinced that a creator exists, I offer evidence that illustrates life as a plan and not an accident. I have also incorporated into the book, several human-interest events all based on truth and real-life events. All things written, leading to the final reality that has a somewhat poetic ending. An ending that personally brings a sense of understanding and peace that is spiritually calming.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524558543

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Ted Johnson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Rev. date: 11/15/2016

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Contents

Preface

Chapter 1 Who Is God?

He Declares

God’s Design

Beliefs

Life and Death

I Don’t See God

Chapter 2 Why Science?

Two Worlds

The Vast and Aged

How It Started

It’s All Relative

It’s the Little Things That Count

The Impact of Discovery

Chapter 3 Can I See Nature?

Genesis

Big Bang Theory

The Definition of Time

Gravity

The Designer

Chapter 4 What Is Humanity?

The Discovery

Life Equations

His Abundance

We Can’t Be Alone

If It Starts, It Will End

The Message

Summary

Acknowledgments

References

Preface

If for no other reason other than its controversial title, the world you are about to venture in is a place few will contemplate and even fewer will go. This will take you out of your box of comfort.

This exploration is one that I don’t take lightly or as a passing thought. It is something I have deep belief in and passion about. I also have some reasonable evidence to support a lot of what is presented. I will admit that some things presented are a leap of faith, while others are absolutely undeniable. Engraved in each of us is a desire for wholeness and continuity that make us fit in with the grand design of existence!

This is an exploration of mixtures. To put it in simple terms, the equation of the universe is a beautiful collage of God, science, nature, and humanity. Don’t let any of these things and the notion of some type of merger scare you away. The way I see it is that these are realities of existence. If you look at each component as a single concept, your mind has little or no problem conceptualizing it. It is only when we put these together on one canvas that the picture becomes blurred and uncertain. It is my heartfelt belief that after this journey is over, at the very least, you will view everything differently. However, if you will allow some logic and common-sense application, maybe you will see some parts of what is said to be of real substance.

I don’t want anyone to be misled about who I am. I am not an astrophysicist or a clergyman or a naturalist or a man on some sort of save-the-world crusade. However, I am a person with some formal education. I did graduate college. I do have a Christian background. I have a love and great appreciation for nature and its beauty. Lastly, I do believe that all life is precious and with purpose.

I might further say that I consider myself to be a success and a productive member of human society. I have no sociopathic background or tendencies. I’m a dedicated father and a friend to a number of people. My chosen career is saving lives as a public servant. I enjoy my job even with all the tragedy that comes with it. I like to believe that I make a difference.

Now that you know a little about me, maybe this may settle you as we go into this voyage. I am no different from any other that walks under this sun. On the other hand, I am unique from any other in existence. What a profound paradox being part of creation!

I went to a young man’s funeral once. Something the minister said in his eulogy will never leave me. He said, To each of us a gift is given. It is our mission in life to discover that gift and present it to the world. The statement simply expresses to us that, if you fail to deliver your gift to the world, it will never be seen in its unique form the creator intended. Therefore, that gift is lost forever!

It is my hope to bring together different aspects of our existence into one unified understanding of this world we live. I hope that in some way we are able to use the above boldface titles interchangeably and see how they all fit together.

It is hoped that my gift is a unique clarity and understanding of our place among the immense and the magnificent.

Chapter 1

Who Is God?

He Declares

The Bible introduces all of creation to God by the very simple passage, In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth. There can be no stronger statement from a grand designer. I dare not challenge anyone’s faith or belief system, but one has to be in awe of this absolute declaration of who and what He is.

In the beginning God…—this is so powerful and grand it has caused me to sit and ponder deeply about the being that declares all through Him. In my deep thought, I have contemplated about who He is, what He is, and how to account for His existence—an existence that I myself absolutely cannot deny.

My physical senses, my intellect, my common sense, my heart, and my own existence all converge to confirm His existence. I find entirely too much order in a realm that just pulsates with the propensity for disorder. It is as though some force is holding it in place for some purpose yet known to men.

However, much of what I’m about to present is up for debate but only to a limited degree. I will credit scholars and experts from different disciplines to support some point or position being presented. I take little credit for any research in the various disciplines that I have included in these writings.

The first thing I would like to approach is the question, who is God? Biblical text tells us that God is spirit. That means He possesses no physical form. That makes all kind of sense if you think about it. Any physical form would place limitation on Him immediately. We often show God as an elderly white male with a beard and a halo of light surrounding him. He has hands, feet, forward-facing eyes, and extremities. He has a body, a head, and all other human features in our likeness. However, the biblical text states that man was made in the image of the Creator. The key to understanding this is that if man was made in God’s likeness, then that’s precisely how we should understand us. Made in His likeness does not equal looking like