"Flatland" is a two-dimensional world populated by points, lines, circles, squares, etc.  It has length and width but no depth.  A three-dimensional object, such as a sphere, can only be perceived in 2-D terms in Flatland, a point and/or a line.  Some in Flatland flat out denied that there were any higher dimensions; others worked to forbid even speaking of things "above."  A few dared to believe that there was more than the two dimensions of their flat world, and in believing were open to seeing their world from a new perspective.

While Flatland is usually used to stimulate interest in mathematics and physics, it can also apply to religious faith.  If God is n-dimensional, how would He appear us in our three-dimensional universe?  In 3-D, of course, which is why all theology is analogy at some level.  God would have to reach down to us.  We, stuck as we are in three dimensions and time, could not reach up to God.  "The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us."  

Atheism is really a failure of the imagination, and strict "materialists'" who limit their world view to three dimensions and time are actually the "flatlanders" of humanity.

I stumbled across this great little video clip of Dr. Quantum Visits Flatland.   I think it's not only a fun illustration of dimensionality, but a lovely little parable of faith.  Notice how the little circle is at first frightened by the "revelation" of Dr. Quantum, the 3 dimensional being, then curious, and finally trusting.  She is led to trust by  two dimensional evidence (he can see everything from above) and experience (he can tickle her from above).  Only when she trusts Dr. Quantum is the circle "reborn from above" to see the beauty of her two-dimensional world from a higher perspective.

"Faith is the reality of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

The Spring 2009 issue of "For the LIfe of the World," the promotional mag for Concordia Theological Seminary at Ft. Wayne, has some great short articles on apologetics.  Korey Maas discusses Lutheran apologetics.  Adam Francisco identifies the apologetic challenges of Islam and Atheism.  Angus Menuge rightly sees this as a "battle for your mind."  Mark Pearson defends the historic reliability of the new testament gospels.  John Pless locates the apologetic task squarely under the cross, recognizing it as a work of the Law to demolish intellectual obstacles to the Gospel.  All in all, a refreshing collection.

Dr. Menuge notes:  "Many of today's Christian teenagers subscribe to an unbiblical moralistic therapeutic deism.  In this vision, God is a comforting spiritual abstraction who exists to make you feel good about yourself but who does not pester you with any actual teachings or demands on your life."

Sounds like a lot of adults I know too.