The Search for God in Zambia Today 🌍🙏

Secularism 📉

This concept refers to a worldview that excludes God from daily life and is prevalent in art, literature, media, and entertainment. As a result, values like loyalty, honesty, and justice have diminished. 😔

There is a growing hunger among people for deeper, more lasting values, leading them to search for truth, justice, and God. 🌟

The Church Today ⛪

The church today brings God to people through:

• Direct evangelization 📣
• The lived witness of believers 🙏

The church is actively involved in:

• Education 📚
• Development work 🌱
• Social services 🤝
• Opposing injustice ⚖️
• Providing for the hungry 🍽️
• Upholding Christian values ✝️
• Ministering to refugees 🏕️
• Campaigning for human rights 🗣️

Many individuals are becoming weary of secularism, reflecting on the church's contributions. Some find strength in its teachings, while others are inspired by the dedication and service of Christians, benefiting both Christians and non-Christians alike. 💪❤️

Types of Knowing 🧠

There are different ways of knowing, none of which can claim to be the sole truth:

• Everyday Knowledge: Personal and often vague, based on firsthand experience. 🏠
• Scientific Knowledge: Objective and precise, based on repeatable experiments. 🔬
• Art and Music: Influenced by personal preference and taste. 🎨🎶
• Ethics: The study of moral obligations and choices. ⚖️
• Philosophy: Evaluates the ways of thinking across various fields, including science, art, morals, and religion. 📖
• Religion: Involves faith and commitment to a belief system. ✝️

These types of knowledge intersect and interact at various points, enriching our understanding of the world. 🌐

The Bible's Revelation of God 📖

Old Testament 📜

God Revealed Through Creation (Psalm 19) 🌅

The psalmist expresses how the sky reveals God's glory and displays His works. Each day and night communicates this message without words, and their declaration reaches the ends of the earth. The imagery of the sun illustrates God's creativity and power, highlighting that nothing escapes its warmth. ☀️

Meaning: People recognize the kindness and power of the Creator through the beauty of creation, leading them to praise the unseen God. This awareness fosters a belief in God's wisdom and encourages adherence to His laws. 🙌

God Revealed Through Events (Psalm 105:26-43) 📖

This psalm recounts how God used Moses and Aaron to perform miracles in Egypt, leading the Israelites to freedom and providing for their needs in the wilderness. 🏞️

Meaning: Freedom is a vital experience for all, and God's presence is evident in His protection and guidance. Remaining faithful to God can lead to the formation of a great nation. 🇮🇱

The Resurrection of Jesus ✝️

The resurrection of Christ validates the Christian search for God. Jesus, who rose from the dead, guides believers towards God and teaches them how to live rightly. Accepting His teachings necessitates a profound transformation in thought and behavior, which often challenges human nature. 🔄

Eyewitness Testimonies 👀

The gospel accounts are evaluated for truth based on criteria such as the presence of shocking or surprising elements and the agreement of multiple witnesses on main points, despite minor inconsistencies. The disciples had no incentive to fabricate the story of the empty tomb, and there are no Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah rising from the dead. 📜

Impact on Early Christians ✨

The extraordinary events surrounding the resurrection transformed the lives of Jesus' followers, turning fear into boldness, as seen in Peter's and Saul’s (later Paul’s) lives. 💪

New Testament 📖

Jesus as the Answer (Hebrews 1:1-2) 🙏

God previously communicated through prophets, but now speaks through His Son, who is instrumental in creation and destined to possess all things. 🌌

Meaning: Christians learn about God by reflecting on His actions, with the fullest understanding derived from studying Jesus' life and teachings. 📚

Romans 1:18-32: Sin and Knowledge of God ⚖️

Paul argues that God’s anger is directed at sinful people who ignore the clear knowledge of God. They fail to honor or thank Him, leading to idolatry and wickedness. 😔

Meaning: Humans have the capacity to know God through creation but often reject this truth, succumbing to sinful behaviors instead. 🚫

Luke 11:29-32: The Call to Openness 📢

Jesus criticizes the generation that seeks signs but warns that they will only receive the sign of Jonah, emphasizing the need for faith over miraculous proof. 🙏

Meaning: Acceptance of Jesus’ message is expected, and those who are less fortunate often display a deeper willingness to trust Him. ❤️

Paul’s Teachings 📖

Acts 17:16-34: Paul in Athens - Paul discusses the existence of the "Unknown God" and explains that God, who created everything, is present in our lives. He calls for repentance, noting the proof of this truth is found in the resurrection of Jesus. 🔄

Meaning: Many acknowledge they have not yet found the real God, and this search is driven by a restlessness placed in their hearts by God. 💔

Ephesians 3:1-3: Salvation Revealed to All - Paul describes how God revealed the mystery of salvation, uniting Jews and Gentiles through the gospel, allowing both to share in God's promises. 🤝

Meaning: Throughout history, diverse cultures have expressed a belief in a Creator. Human reason leads to the conclusion that the world did not come into existence by chance, yet there remains a fear of approaching God. The good news of Jesus is for anyone earnestly searching for God. 🌟