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 We hear a great deal about religion being either 'head' knowledge only or 'heart' only (feelings). Perhaps true Christian faith is both a blend of head and heart. Today people often go on their emotions - sentimentialism - and we have many religions that foster 'feelings' out there today such as New Age and occult forms of spiritualism. The saying, " if it feels right it must be right" is not always right since some may feel it is right to hurt and destroy. Biblical faith is not a wax nose that can be twisted to one's own liking just as truth is not determined by counting noses. This 'one way' view (religion is subjective and feeling only) is not the only one out there. Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with the living and true God who has revealed Himself in nature and Scripture. In life there is truth and there are absolutes that we can know - reason tells us this. Gravity will not go away becasue we choose not to believe in it today - just jump off a 19 story building and you will have your answer if you live! As faithful followers of Jesus Christ we want to cultivate a faith that uses both heart and mind... after all, God created the known world and universe and gave us minds and reason to explore it.

 

The best way to grasp the way reason and faith work together is to see faith like motercycle travel. One man wants to enjoy the journey and does not care about the way the cycle works; he is the romanticist. The other guy is the nuts and bolts guy, he wants to know the 'how' and 'why' of the cycle. On the trip the romanticist has a breakdown and the cycle stops and ends the journey. This is a good time to have the nuts and bolts guy around to repair the works and get it moving again.

 

Contrary to the critics of faith out there, Christian faith is both heart and head and the marriage between reason and faith are not exclusive of one another. Many churches present themselves as 'thinking churches' because they doubt and question - making doubt a dogma has become popular today. The thinking here goes, "I doubt therefore I am thinking". But thinking can include doubt and questions which lead to answers (nuts and bolts). Trusting the Bible and having faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior does not mean one has to abandon reason and thinking.

 

True thinking people also want answers rather than being on an endless journey with no destination. Some say it is the questions not the answers that are more important - if no answers than why any questions? Some say it is the questions not the certainty that counts in faith, why question if no certainty can be obtained. Contrary to their philosophy, they themselves are posing an answer that certainty is not important - are they ceratin about that? When you are talking to your doctor about your health you want answers and when you are 35.000 feet up in the air in the airplane you want a pilot who believes in the absolute laws of physics ! Why do we want less when it comes to faith matters?

 

We welcome questions and we love the journey here at First Church as well. We also want to have some answers and understand the nuts and bolts of our faith. Heart and head find a marriage which leads to authentic faith and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ the only savior of humankind. We too are a thinking church. Belief in the essentials of Biblical Faith does not rule out exploration into faith issues. If you desire a church grounded in sound Biblical faith and want to exlplore your questions you will be welcome here. There is a saying that goes, "if you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything". We stand for Jesus Christ. In a world that offers anything when it comes to religion, we hope to offer the uncompromising Gospel of Jesus which gives meaning to life in all its realms.  We hope you will join us on a journey with a destination. True faith loves truth and truth is based in God who defines truth. We desire to discover not create our own truth. We hope you will discover the joy of loving the truth that is found in Jesus Christ. Join us some time and please do Bring your heart and mind with you.

 

In Christ Jesus Alone

 

Pastor Dean

 

 

 

 

Pastor Kucera studied for his B.A. degree from Judson Baptist College with a Major in Philosophy and Religion and Minor in Fine Arts. He studied for His Masters in Divinity from Both: Covenant Theological Seminary (Presbyterian Church in America), St Louis MO, and University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (Presbyterain) , Dubuque. IA. Pastor Kucera went on to study for His Doctorate at the U of Chicago. His interest in Psychology led him to study Clinical Psychology on both a Master's level (Governors State University, University Park. IL), and Doctoral level Psychology at Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Rolling Meadows, IL. Pastor has also studied in Hungary and has written articles for Hungarian Religious publications. He is currently finishing up two books. One on Christian Apologetics for Lay people and Cultural Issues and the Church Today. He hopes to finish these up and work toward publishing them. Pastor Kucera loves cooking and oil and water painting and wood working. His love for music often results in his playing both piano and organ for services and fun.

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                                                              and God has spoken !