What are the CERTAINTIES in your life? Our tastes change over time, don’t they? I grew up as a picky eater — until I met my wife-to-be. Then I learned the discipline of a “no-thank-you helping.”
If you made a list, like Calvin, of the matters about which you are absolutely certain, what would be on that list? Hopefully, truths about the Lord and His character would top your list. What am I certain about Him?
1. He is the unchanging, perfect, merciful, holy God of the universe. Any theology that compromises one of His attributes is out of court from the start.
2. Man (you and I) is totally depraved. By “total depravity” Christians 
don’t mean utter depravity. We are not suggesting that man is as evil as he can possibly be, but that every aspect of man’s make-up (intellect, emotions, will, personality, priorities, body, etc.) has been tainted by sin.
3. Life can be meaningful when you and I are in a proper relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
4. The Bible indeed is God’s Word — and can be trusted, engaged with, and applied to every issue in life.
What are some of YOUR certainties?
Dr. Larry Dixon
larrydixon.wordpress.com 
john
April 23, 2015 at 11:35 am
Larry,
I have many certainties that are absolute certainties, like knowing that the sun will rise tomorrow, that we all will not live forever, etc, etc, but I am also certain that the 4 certainties you listed, are not certainties at all. They are only certain in your mind, and even this I doubt to be certain.
John
Dr. Larry Dixon
April 24, 2015 at 5:56 am
John: It is so good to hear from you again. Have you celebrated your 90th birthday yet? We’re going to get two more grandchildren in a few months! I’m certain that your friendship matters to me, that God loves you, and that it’s still not too late to turn to Him. But I’m just curious — why do you feel the need to challenge my certainties? Again, great to hear from you. Blessings. Larry
john
April 24, 2015 at 7:26 pm
Larry,
For me, as a Dr of Science, I seem to have a different understanding of the meaning what “certainty” is, than what you have in mind. Your “certainty” is based on faith and not on facts. Often in your replies you used the phrase “if the Bible is true…”. This suggests an element of doubt and is not consistent with certainty. Do you truthfully never have even the smallest doubt about some elements of your believe ?
I am glad to hear that you expect more grandchildren soon. My 7 grandchildren are already grown up and might eventually have children of their own. The chances that I might see some are getting smaller every year that goes by. My 90th birthday is still a little bit less than 2 years in the future, but time is running out.
Cheers,
John
Dr. Larry Dixon
April 29, 2015 at 7:10 am
John: Why would you say that my certainty is based on faith and not facts? I believe I have challenged you on that point several times in our correspondence, and yet you still seem to insist that my beliefs are without foundation (based solely on “faith”), while yours are the “certainties” of science. I think you misunderstand me when I start a sentence, “IF the Bible is true, then . . .” I’m not expressing doubt when I word a sentence that way, but rather trying to draw out an implication of what I believe (on the basis of good evidence). Of course I have doubts about things, but there are certain truths that are settled for me. One truth is that I or anyone can live his or her entire life turning away from God. Grace is offered; it can be refused. Blessings. Larry
john
May 12, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Nearly one-third of millennials say they are unaffiliated with any faith, up 10 percentage points since 2007. I wonder why ?
John
Dr. Larry Dixon
June 12, 2015 at 7:43 am
Thanks for your comment, John. I’ll be the first to admit the failure of Jesus-followers to cogently present the gospel through their words and their works. But not all churches are failing. Christianity is growing exponentially in China and Korea. I wonder why? {By the way, you’re aware of the weakness of the argumentum ad populum argument, right?). Blessings. Larry
john
June 12, 2015 at 7:22 pm
Larry,
I am pleased to see that you do respond to my posts once in a while. To describe our world as beautiful, ugly or both is very much depending on our subjective view. I look at a tree, a flower or the birth of child with wonder in my heart and my mind about the wonderful way nature works. I don’t see nothing ugly in a tsunami or in an earthquake. They are the result of geological forces due to the evolution of our globe over time. Epidemics are hard on us humans, but are natures way to keep the population at sustainable levels. The same might be said for the never ending conflicts between warring factions of the world population. Crime in any form are deplorable, but can be minimized by deterring laws. All these do in no way alter my view that we should be grateful to live in such a wonderful world.
I think you are wrong in suggesting that I revolt against the idea of another world. I reject the idea of another world with a high degree of probability that is higher than the probability of the existence (present or future) of a such an idealistic world that you envision.