Author Archives: Pieter Stok

About Pieter Stok

I am passionate about faith, marriage and family. My interests include reading, video editing, travel and Lego. Also, I find the older I get, the more reflective I become. Whereas once I had answers for everything and everyone, now I have more questions.

Who Made the Moon Part 2

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Pieter Stok

A continuation of my short review of Sigmund Brouwer’s book

I encourage Christians to read this book and struggle with his ideas. He challenges us to know our science before we make uninformed comments which make us look foolish. He makes a compelling argument for Theistic Evolution.

But I am uncomfortable about a number of things. The distinction Brouwer makes between Evolution and Evolutionism is weak. He suggests one comes from a world view and the other from well considered science. He fails to recognise that no human endeavour is neutral. We all come from faith and value positions (often unconsidered!) in all our life’s actions.

However the biggest problem I have is a profoundly theological one. The book fails to make room for the “Fall”. This is profound because it is the whole “raison d’etre” for salvation history: From the first glimpse of the gospel in Genesis 3 to the Cross of Christ. If there was no first Adam who consciously rebelled, why was there need for the second? I believe the historicity of the first Adam is crucial in our understanding of Jesus Christ.

Is it worth reading? I believe it is. It has challenges for the Christian to take science seriously and to engage in intelligent, not blindly emotional, debate. It challenges parents to prepare their children for the world of scientific thought. It reminds Christians that they do need to have an answer to the faith they possess in a sceptical world. These are all crucial issues which Brouwer raises and ones for which we need competent answers – if not his, then our own.

Categories: Book Review, christian, Christianity, Education, Faith, Family, Teaching | Leave a comment

A Poem on Sunday

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Thank you Father,

Thank you

For your relentless gift of love.

Thank you Father,

Thank you

For your unstinting giving

Of life in you.

With the Psalmist,

Make me wise

… then wiser

In your love.

Categories: Devotional, Faith, Poem | Leave a comment

WHO MADE THE MOON

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Pieter Stok

WHO MADE THE MOON: A Father Explores How Faith and Science Agree

by Sigmund Brouwer

In this articulate book the author sets out, for his children’s sake, to show how science and the Bible agree. It is a journey fraught with pitfalls as both conservative Christians and athiest scientists will be offended by much of what he writes.

Brouwer writes with grace and insight and one cannot argue with his sensitivity towards the topic and its emotional tensions. However, his overriding concern is that the creation debate does not thwart young Christians (in age or maturity) from growing in their faith.

With meticulous research he strives to show how the “Big Bang Theory” is supported by the creation accounts in Genesis. He adds to this the voices of other conservative evangelical Christians (such as Billy Graham) or Christian bodies that support or do not decry the “old earth” view of the creation account.

The big questions is, of course, are his views correct? Or, one could add, do his views weaken the very thing he is striving to support and strengthen – the Christian faith.

… to be continued

Categories: Book Review, Education, Faith, Family, Teaching | Leave a comment

Examen

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Pieter Stok

A question I have recently been taught to ask myself is, “Where have I seen or experienced the grace of God throughout this day?” It is an amazing question, because if you look carefully, you find God revealed in all sorts of situations, people and events.

Today was “Parent Teacher Interview day”. This is usually a time when hard questions and answers are given and taken. But even here, as parents and teachers strive for the best of a student, we see Christ appear in the words, the aspirations and the solutions.

Christ is seen in the hopes and fears of parents, in the desires of students and in the teacher’s desire to point to a destiny and purpose. For me the question is a reminder to keep my eyes and heart open for the many “Christ” moments in the day.

Categories: Devotional, Education, Faith | Leave a comment

The Love of God

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Pieter Stok

… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ … Ephesians 3:18

When I reflect on this verse, it strikes me that I am still a child in faith. How do I know? My thoughts, actions and words do not reflect someone who has begun to genuinely comprehend the vastness and comprehensiveness of the love of Christ.

To stop for five minutes and reflect on the verse above is enough for me to realise how much, not just my understanding, but more importantly my apprehension of that truth needs to grow. Then, and only then will I see Christ grow in me.

Categories: Devotional, Faith | Leave a comment

Spiritual Pilgrimage

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Today we started a spiritual journey using a book by Larry Warner – Journey with Jesus which is based on the exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. It is a form of devotional discipline which requires self examination, prayer and reflection on the Word. It is fascinating that in an era of materialism that evangelical Christians are discovering Catholic thinkers from the time of the Counter Reformation. Teresa of Avila being another.

The Christ-centred focus of these devotions I find immediately appealing – particularly as I find sitting still, reflecting and journalling such a difficult exercise. I am hoping that these will do exactly that – concentrate the mind and more importantly, the heart! The other appeal is that during the day one is challenged, in the midst of busy-ness to refocus on Christ.

So this is day one. We will see what tomorrow brings …

Categories: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Travels from Ur

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Pieter Stok

Welcome to my eclectic web pages on family, faith, recollections and aspirations. In this jumble of ideas, I invite family and friends to add their thoughts, recollections, ideas and other insights. Just go to the chapters or sub chapters listed above that you may be interested in.

Explaining the title …

It is very presumptuous to compare oneself with the patriarch Abram/Abraham, but in a very real sense we are all on a journey of faith. We all believe in something – even if it is in ourselves or the non existence of God. For me, the presence of the Christian God has been a reality from before I was born. However, that does not in itself make the journey of life easier. In fact, it creates challenges, traumas and conflicts – oftentimes with no one else but yourself. This blog reflects on this journey: physical, spiritual,and emotional.

I will add pieces and edit chapters over time.

In Christ

Pieter