Michael Tolosa

Genesis 1

Did God create the universe in 6 days? Or is a “day” a metaphor for a much longer time period. I don’t doubt that God did, indeed, create the universe. But I’m not totally convinced that He did it in literally six 24-hour days. Not that I doubt He has the power to. It’s just that science (which is the analysis of God-created nature) suggests that the Earth’s age is millions of years old, and that there were much larger time-frames between when certain things existed on the Earth. So, if the analysis of God’s creation shows that the Earth’s origin happened over long periods of time, why not believe that was so? No one’s saying God is any less powerful. Just that He chose to create the Earth in that manner. But He still created it.

I don’t believe science and God are mutually exclusive. If God created the universe, then he also created the laws of nature, and therefore the laws of science. There is a way Creationism and carbon dating can be explained without contradiction. So, with our limited knowledge of science, why not assume that the language of the Bible is metaphoric, when talking about creation? Does it hurt to allow science to educate our interpretation of the Scriptures?

To me, the time in which creation took place is much less important than the fact that God was in fact the Creator.

On another note, God clearly gives man the authority to have dominion over all the animals, plants, and living things on the Earth. This chapter makes no mention of abusing this authority — just that man does have authority. Animals do not have the same “rights” as humans.

Last time, we touched briefly on the importance of going out in pairs (because you can always bring up the topic of how the two of you know each other to the people you meet). However, going out to evangelize in pairs is also a biblical concept. Jesus sent His apostles out in pairs (Mark 6:7-13), and after His death, the apostles continued to go out in pairs (e.g., Peter & John, Paul & Barnabas, Paul & Silas).

The obvious reason for going out with a partner is for the physical and moral support. It’s tough to go out into a hostile world with the Gospel message. Undoubtedly, you will be rejected by a large percentage of the people you approach. And having someone else with you for support is paramount to keeping you motivated to press on.

So, it’s simply practical to go out in pairs.

But in my experience with approaching strangers — especially in bars — it’s even more helpful to be paired up with someone from the opposite sex. If a man and woman are together, most people will assume you are a couple. So, when you approach a group or individual, you will seem less threatening, in that they will not assume you are “hitting on them.”

If, for example, two guys initiate a conversation with a girl, the girl is already intimidated by the thought of being hit on by two guys — and her defenses go way up.

But if that same girl was approached by a woman accompanied by a man, she will be much less guarded.

The last thing we want is for people to assume we’re hitting on them. Instead, we want them to rightly assume we simply want to talk and engage in an entertaining — yet meaningful — conversation.

Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.

- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

10. Play in a Christian rock band.

9. Join a small group.

8. Teach a Sunday school class.

7. Kick a ball.

6. Break up with a girlfriend.

5. Sell all I own.

4. Invite a complete stranger to church.

3. Put a “Jesus fish” on my car.

2. Give up a profession.

1. Openly blog/tweet about 10 things I never thought I’d do for Jesus.