There are 9 big questions that are common to every human on the planet, regardless of nationality or religion (or lack thereof).
Based on the answers received from these questions, this is how we choose our belief system.
- Is there an ultimate reality - is there a God?
- Where did the universe come from?
- Are humans just physical beings, or do we have a soul/spirit?
- Why are we here?
- What is good and evil?
- Why do suffering and evil exist?
- Is there redemption?
- What happens after death?
- Is history moving toward something?
This weekend, Dave Rogriguez shared with us that “based on the science of biology and belief, we are all designed for transcendence and meaning. We are all spiritual creatures.”
This means we are hardwired to search for these answers, and it would appear so if these are the questions that all humans have.
Dave read to us the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, which you can read in John 4. But what is really interesting is what Jesus shares with the woman once she starts asking some of our “hardwired” human questions, only the Messiah can answer. He tells her:
"I am the Messiah!" which Dave says basically translates into:
• I am the answer to all of your existential questions...all 9 of them.
• I am the meaning of all things. I am the portal to transcendence.
• I am the one your right brain longs for.
• I am the attachment to God.
• I am the one who will make you come alive.
Dave concludes that “every world religion is trying to find a way into our spiritual being. Every world religion is seeking to answer the big 9 questions. There's no getting around it. Christianity pulls no punches. Jesus is the one. It points to him all over the Bible. We are all designed for transcendence and meaning. We are searching, spiritual beings. Is Jesus the answer to our search? I could be wrong, but I can't think of a more important question.”