FAITH FILES

HAPPY birthday, Wikipedia!

The online encyclopaedia has just turned 20. It has grown over the years to hold over 50 million articles on almost any topic you can think of.

It is the go-to resource for many people needing quick information about a given subject.

But it is also a battleground of ideologies.

In theory it should be neutral and factual. But because it is open to anyone to become an editor, certain controversial pages can see edits being made in favour of particular viewpoints.

Covid conspiracies are a case in point, where safeguards are needed to counter false information about vaccines.

Sometimes we buy into things because we want them to be true, regardless of whether there’s anything to back up the belief.

It’s the same with faith. There have always been competing religions with vastly different outlooks and beliefs. How do we know which one is true?

Of course, some have tried to fudge things – if it works for you, it’s fine. But actually many religions’ claims are mutually exclusive – especially Christianity.

Jesus said no one comes to God except through Him. Either that’s true or it’s not. You can’t pick and mix with that.

When I went to Bible college, I soon realised that I had to stand on my own faith. Away from home, I couldn’t rely on my parents or anyone else.

Of course I had already decided to follow Jesus, but this was crunch time.

I spent the next year, and indeed the rest of my life, studying the claims of Jesus and wrestling with the tough issues. Yet I’ve become more and more convinced that it actually makes sense.

Yes, there are times I’ve doubted, or had to adjust what I believe in light of new understanding. But the basis for belief – the Bible – remains the foundation.

What foundation are you building your life on?

Tim Gossling