Ambush (21 page)

On the other hand, if this universe was not created and God does not exist, then that might really change how you view your existence and how you live.

Sometimes science is presented in such a way that it suggests there is no God. To make any decision, it helps to know as much about the situation as possible. As you decide for yourself, I'd like to show in the Robot Wars series that many, many people—including famous scientists—don't see science this way.

As you might guess, I've spent a lot of time wondering about science and God, and I've spent a lot of time reading about what scientists have learned and concluded. Because of this, I wrote a nonfiction book called
Who Made The Moon?
and you can find information about it at
www.whomadethemoon.com
. If you ever read it, you'll see why science does not need to keep anyone away from God.

With that in mind, I've added a little bit more to this book—a couple of essays about the science in journals one and two of Robot Wars, based on what you can find in
Who Made The Moon?

Sigmund Brouwer
whomadethemoon.com

JOURNAL ONE
DOES GOD SPEAK TO PEOPLE?

Q: Does God speak to people?

A: I believe yes.

Perhaps not with an actual voice. But through our conscience, through quiet moments when we suddenly understand something that wasn't clear before, through the gentle instruction from other people who know him well.

But what many people struggle with is that the ways God speaks to us often can't be proven. As Tyce learns in this book, having faith in God means you decide to trust him, even when you can't see the outcome. Since scientists are used to seeing results and proof, and since it's scientifically impossible to prove God exists, some of them want to think the only things that exist are the things you can measure.

Why do so many scientists see a conflict between science (data that can be proven by A + B = C) and faith (something you feel inside your heart and believe with your mind but can't hear, taste, or touch)? It's true that believing in God means taking a leap of faith. But believing in God isn't totally illogical, as some people believe.

You see, humans are not just made of body and mind. We are capable of love. Of loneliness. Of longing. Things that can't be measured or found during a medical examination. Things that also point to the existence of a soul.

When God speaks to us, I believe he speaks to our souls.

As Tyce realized in this book, we just have to find those quiet moments where we can hear him. We have to learn to listen.

JOURNAL TWO
WILL COMPUTERS SOMEDAY REPLACE MAN?

Q: Are computers smarter than people?

A: Computers already surround us. And in the future, they'll become even more important. Just look at Tyce Sanders's world, where Lance Evenson, the chief computer technician, is the most important person on the Moon Racer! After all, he's the guy who keeps the computers running on this intergalactic 2040 spaceship.

But you know what? This mission shows that all the technology in the world can't match our human ingenuity. When the computer system is useless, Tyce's creativity—using the robots to slow down the Moon Racer—is what saves the spaceship from shooting past Earth into deep, black nothingness. Tyce's dad's quick, instinctive reactions keep the hatch door from locking them in. And Tyce even has to “rescue” the antbot by knotting threads from a regulation jumpsuit to fish the robot out of the air vent. I guess robots aren't so smart after all!

Q: Why does God want us to make good decisions?

A: Humans created robots and computers, and that's why they have problems. It's because we humans aren't perfect, either. Although we are created by God, in his image, he gives us a choice: Will we follow him and his ways or not?

Some people, like Blaine Steven, count on technology and power to get what they want. But such things can't save them from possible death. When ex-director Steven thought he might die, all of a sudden he began to ask Tyce questions about faith and God. Tyce was shocked, because Steven seemed like somebody who'd never want to know—or care—about religion.

But appearances can be deceiving. Tyce found that out the hard way. He had accused Lance Evenson, who looked like a tough guy, of being the mastermind behind the plot. When the whole time it was actually weak and drab Luke Daab who fooled them all.

We humans look at appearances, but God looks at the heart. Because God loves us, he encourages us to make right decisions. Why? Because he knows bad decisions can affect us for a lifetime and he hurts when we hurt. He also knows that such a lifestyle drives us away from him.

Q: Can you ever do something so wrong that God will never take you back?

A: Now that my wife, Cindy, and I have two daughters, Olivia and Savannah, I understand even more fully the promises that God made to us as humans. No matter what lifestyle decisions our daughters might ever make down the road, no matter how far away from us they might go, all they would have to do is turn around and reach out for us, and we would take them back with joy.

The same is true with God and his love for us. No matter how far we might stray from him, he is always waiting with love and hope for our return. (Just read the parable of the Prodigal Son for proof!)

When Jesus walked this world, he had an incredible message. You see, the religious leaders of his time taught that in order to approach God and be with him, you had to first make yourself right by paying penalties for what you had done wrong. Jesus said it was the opposite. All you need to do is approach God through his Son, Jesus, admit your wrongs, and ask for forgiveness. Then God will enter your life and transform it, giving you hope, peace, and joy for the future. Then, when life on this Earth is over, you'll find your real home. In heaven. In God's love.

And that's something only humans can experience—not computers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sigmund Brouwer and his wife, recording artist Cindy Morgan, and their daughters split living between Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, and Nashville, Tennessee. He has written several series of juvenile fiction and eight novels. Sigmund loves sports and plays golf and hockey. He also enjoys visiting schools to talk about books. He welcomes visitors to his Web site at
www.coolreading.com
.