An evening with John Blanchard

On Saturday evening we had John Blanchard come to speak at West Lavington Village Hall on 'Has science got rid of God?' A pretty packed hall heard him address the question with his customary clarity and insight. Science has not got rid of God because science is the attempt to discover truth in nature. It is not suited to adjudicate on the existence of God because he is transcendent - outside and above nature. Science has its uses, but it cannot speak dogmatically on the God question. It has no explanation for why the universe exists. Science cannot tell us why the laws of nature work as they do, nor why the universe if finely tuned for intelligent life. Contrary to the claims of Richard Dawkins and his ilk, modern science has not got rid of God. If anything discoveries like the complexity of even the most simple life-forms and the anthropic principle make belief in God easier.

The veteran evangelist concluded his lively and interesting talk by setting Jesus Christ before us in all his divine grandeur. It is only in him that we can find salvation and the hope of everlasting life. If you want to know more, then 'Has science got rid of God?' is available from Evangelical Press as a book, CD, and DVD.

Day One Publications have just brought out Travel With John Blanchard, detailing the life of 'Guernsey's evangelist, author and Christian apologist'. Dr. Blanchard has the distinction of being the only living subject of the popular 'Travel With' series. He kindly gave me a free signed copy, which was nice. A couple of our members also bought me Blanchard's The Complete Gathered Gold, 'A treasury of quotations for Christians'. Considering I didn't intend to buy any books on the day, I still managed not to leave empty handed. The Lord is good!

John Blanchard: Has science got rid of God?

An Evening with John Blanchard:
"Has science got rid of God?"

Saturday 21st March, 6pm,
West Lavington Village Hall,
Sandfield, West Lavington, Wiltshire
More details and directions here.

Many people seem to assume that modern science has got rid of God. Or at least got rid of the need to believe in a divine being. We now understand so much about the world that we don't need to invoke him as an explanation for the universe. This view has especially taken hold since the publication of Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species 150 years ago. But has science really got rid of God? If you are interested in this issue whether as a believer or a non-believer then you might like to know of a special event later this month. John Blanchard, an international speaker and bestselling author has been booked to speak at West Lavington Village Hall on the question "Has science got rid of God?"

While the likes of Richard Dawkins might claim that it has, there might be another side to the story. The Bible begins with the grand assertion, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth". The fact that the universe exists, and that we are here to wonder at the meaning of it all is due to God's creative power. Time plus random forces do not provide an adequate explanation for the origin of the universe, and the teeming diversity of life on earth. But God is more than a convenient explanation for life, the universe and everything. We can have a personal relationship with him as Father through the Lord Jesus Christ who came into the world to bring us back to God.

Do the heavens declare God's glory or do we live in randomly created world that is without purpose and hope? If you are up for the challenge of thinking about this fascinating question then clear your diary for this event.

Book table

Light refreshments

Jesus: Dead or Alive? by John Blanchard

Jesus: Dead or Alive, by John Blanchard
Evangelical Press, 2009, 40pp

This is the new evangelistic booklet by John Blanchard. The author examines the evidence for Jesus' resurrection from the dead. He discusses the many conspiracy theories that try to explain away Jesus' bodily resurrection and finds them wanting. The New Testament evidence for Jesus having risen from the dead is ably marshalled and persuasively presented. The empty tomb has huge implications for our understanding of Jesus. His resurrection shows that he is the Son of God and Saviour of the world. Having broken death's power, Jesus is the giver of everlasting life to all who believe in him. I commend this clear and compelling booklet to all who wish to investigate whether Jesus is dead or alive.