What do I believe?

A big question... anyway, as an engineer first and foremost, I look for explanations behind things and I don't just accept what someone else tells me at face value. I like to explore for myself and make my own mind up. For me there has to be strong evidence to back anything up and, no loose unexplained ends.

I certainly don't have all the answers, and I've got a lot to learn, but so far the Bible has by far the most sensible explanations. Good science means choosing the explanation that fits the most facts (however unlikely it may appear from a surface glance). Good science tells me that either an enormous string of coincidences (each with an infinitesimal likelihood of happening spontaneously) occurred, or the simple and straightforward explanation of the Bible is true.

However the Bible is not a scientific document, but rather an explanation of how and why the world was created the way it was, and what is the place of humanity. Most of all it gives me a reason for being on this earth, and that reason fits right in with everything I have experienced.

So what am I? I am a Christian. I believe in God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. Most of all I believe in what Jesus himself said – that He is the son of God, is immortal, and came down to earth to die on the cross for us. You can't believe Jesus was good/nice/clever while totally ignoring His message. It just isn't an option. So what was His message? It was that “no-one comes to the Father (God) except through me”. “I am the way, the truth and the life”. “For whosoever believes in me will have eternal life”. It doesn't get much clearer than this does it?

This statement was written 1681 years ago and sums things up for Christians very nicely.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.