John Updike's novel Roger's Version...
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John Updike's novel Roger's Version is the story of a theological professor engaged in an extended dialogue with a young research assistant. The assistant, Dale Kohler, applies for a grant from the seminary to prove the existence of God via the computer. He is positive that the moment has arrived when all the scientific world will have to admit that God is truly a fact. The professor, Roger Lambert, is convinced such an approach is meaningless. Dr. Lambert would have to tie the faith to the solid revelation God has made in the Scriptures. The contest between the student and professor makes interesting reading, because this tension is not without its parallels. There are many versions of the attempt to give witness to God apart from the distinct revelations God has given of himself. In spite of Dale Kohler's good intentions, the truth is that people are not persuaded to be believers through the computer or any other means apart from the Holy Spirit. The early church realized its dependence upon the Holy Spirit from the beginning. The believers learned the hard way that their witness could be easily misunderstood, or they could misrepresent the witness. The lesson from Acts illustrates how the apostolic witness returned always to what God has revealed through God's Son. -- Huxhold
