[121]. A Message From A Poem – From Where Did God Originate?

[121]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FROM WHERE DID GOD ORIGINATE?

The real title of this poem is HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS, AND IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER but the title is too long for SermonCentral to accept, so I changed the title.

This is a dialogue poem. There are 4 speakers. Speaker 1 is a Rationalist. Speaker 2 is an Atheist. Speaker 3 is an Agnostic. Speaker 4 is a Christian. Each argues his position.

The poem centres around the question about the existence of God and the physical, material universe. The Rationalist and Atheist and Agnostic and Christian all have different perspectives on this. The final say will be the Christian who ends with, “It was through Him; through His spoken word, that nothingness heard.”

The book of Colossians deals with Gnosticism, that philosophy that was gaining acceptance in the first century and grew in strength after that. It was a problem for the church. Touch not; taste not, etc. The teaching contained such things as the emanations of God. There are groups of Gnostics still around today.

This poem connects with Colossians.

{{Colossians 1:16-17 “FOR BY HIM ALL THINGS WERE CREATED, BOTH IN THE HEAVENS AND ON EARTH, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN CREATED BY HIM and for Him, and He is before all things, and in Him ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER.”}}

{{Colossians 2:20-23 “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself TO DECREES, SUCH AS, “DO NOT HANDLE, DO NOT TASTE, DO NOT TOUCH!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) - in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, THE APPEARANCE OF WISDOM IN SELF-MADE RELIGION and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”}}

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HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS, AND IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER

SPEAKER 1 (Rationalist)

“Where did God originate?” the question was asked by one.

“Something had to make something, so what was there before ‘none’?

I mean, if God had always been, how did He get there in the past?

Is it possible that something that was not made, can last?”

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SPEAKER 2 (Atheist)

“There is no god,” bawled another, as he smugly looked out.

“Look around you. Things just develop. Of that there’s no doubt.

God is a fanciful invention to explain what’s clear.

Leave people be and don’t contrive rubbish for them to hear.”

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SPEAKER 3 (Agnostic)

“I disagree,” claimed one more, “for existence means fact.

Lots of order and physics into this world has been packed.

This mastermind or builder is far removed from men’s thoughts.

He is unknowable, and in the remote distance, as nought.”

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SPEAKER 4 (Christian)

Academia will argue, disagree and debate,

But not one of them pays attention to one’s certain fate.

“God’s existence” is but a deflection from repentance

That is required by God for mankind’s full acceptance.

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One can not prove God’s existence as two plus two make four,

But His evidence is all around, and what need you more?

Open your eyes and see the universe and nature too;

The intricate designs and complexity, not a few.

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SPEAKER 1

“To your God, do not attribute your pre-supposed reason.

Things just came about and function so, each in its season.

What you call faith is your crutch to manage what you don’t know.

We don’t have that problem. We co-exist in a shadow.”

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SPEAKER 2

“I’ve already said, there is no god. Things just made themselves.

Only the fool is not satisfied, and into things, delves.

Without you Christians, this world would be a happier place,

For you are restrictive; the error and truth you won’t face.”

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SPEAKER 3

“Things did not make themselves. To hold to that is just nonsense.

Your argument quickly degenerates into silence.

As I said, there is a mastermind, but one we can’t know.

You simply have to accept that, not debate to and fro.”

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SPEAKER 4

Gentlemen, all three of you are wrong. Now let me explain -

There is a God but it’s faith that allows us to sustain

Our solid belief in a Creator, who made each thing.

From Him, all life, goodness, and physical creation spring.

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Without faith, it’s impossible to please God we are told.

Faith is commitment, and that’s resting in God’s word we hold.

The word of God is the anchor for faith that is secure;

That through the ages of eternity will still endure.

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Back to the question, “From where did God originate?”

For thinking Christians the answer through faith will resonate.

In the fullness of God, Jesus is the eternal Word.

It was through Him; through His spoken word, that nothingness heard.

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R E Ferguson Finished 19 May 2024 AABB 14 throughout