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Preface
The title Questions in Religion
encompasses the full arena of questions which may arise
in religion or religious pursuits or even searches or
research arising within the scope of religion. Thus,
the title’s perspective is broader than questions about
religion, though questions about religion would certainly
fall within the scope of questions in religion. Even
questions pertaining to cults, pagan religions, philosophical
concerns and, yes, even atheism, find relevance under
this same umbrella. Thus, it isn’t difficult to understand why
we chose the title Questions in Religion, especially
since the intent is to cover the full gamut of research and
concerns.
The Principal
Text
Plowing the
Field
Questions aren't necessarily
bad. As a matter of fact, without the quest to discover,
the curiosity to uncover and pursue, life could scarcely find
fulfillment. It isn't that we ask no questions, but that
we discover the right questions to ask. If any
avenue of inquiry is worthy of questions, then by all means,
why not religion?
First, may we allow
ourself to indulge in any dark corner of our minds
concerning the validity of religion? Surely everyone of
us has certain conflicts or passions which tend to dispute
religion at some juncture. Therefore, before we can
easily discover the reality and abiding hope of a
particular religion, it may well be advantageous to plow the
ground, to turn up the soil that preparation may be forged to
understand what THE TRUE RELIGION actually is.
This is to say assuredly that
apologetics plays an invaluable
role.
Let us consider these
questions:
- If there is truth to
be known, how can we know it?
- If there is a
God in Whom truth is centered and truth reflects
His character and essence, how can we know
Him?
- What is the duty of
humanity? Can any person discover God through
intellect and tools of intelligence (observation, logic,
reasoning, testing, etc.)?
- How do we gain understanding
with respect to those enigmas which appear to defy the
existence of God: Presence of evil, pain, suffering,
death, loss, loneliness, etc.?
Certainly, anyone would be remiss
to suggest that the struggle with such questions constitutes a
breach of respect for the sacred. The Psalms echo with
replete inquiries reflecting such concerns.
Arise, O Lord, in Your anger, Lift Yourself up
because of the rage of my enemies... (Psalm 7:6).
The book of Job also stands as a classic search with
keen disturbance regarding evil and plights of the dedicated
soul. On the other hand, the one who persists in his
quest to see the light does not walk the threatening darkness
alone. He who loves truth will sooner or later reach
that disposition where darkness dissipates.
However, we need to make a
necessary distinction, for the claim within ourselves that we
really pursue truth may arise from impure motivations and
clouded perceptions. The reference to
truth within this context must not
be confused with the multicultural expressions and
mixture of human frailties attached to the definition.
Ultimately, the truth with which we seek to deal here
goes far deeper and extensively beyond faulty perceptions than
the flimsy references exuding from a fallen human
nature. Hence, truly to pursue the truth
rises from an uncompromising and unmitigated
honesty that rarely, if ever, finds demonstration within the
scope of humanity. Only one Man has ever laid claim to
such honesty with unprecedented authority, and those of us who
have encountered Him understand why! Therefore, as we
speak of those who love the truth and pursue it in the context
of our own world at large, such status must of necessity be
considered relative to the ultimate expression demonstrated in
that one Man.
Relevance
May we hone our
sensitivities in the search to uncover truth wherever truth
lies. Allow us to open with the following brief story,
which, we believe, will afford the basis for our
journey: This brief story illustrates the relevance of
truth surging from the abyss of human desperation. Following
this account we will zero in on some provocative
questions.
In a war-torn and poverty-stricken
country a celebrity fought to restrain the tears at seeing
people all along the street obviously starving. She found
herself especially disturbed to see a little girl tugging at
her dress while her watery eyes looked up at her in a
desperate plea.
"Please, Miss," she
spoke in broken English, "do you have some food?"
The celebrity gazed
at the starving little girl and could not bring herself to
speak for a moment, but she struggled to swallow the lump in
her throat and managed to whisper, "I will take you to get
something to eat."
"Please to thank
you," the little girl responded, "but could I take the food
with me?"
"Oh, it's all right,
honey," the celebrity assured, "I'd be pleased to have you eat
with me."
"Oh, Miss," the
little girl cried, "you don't understand. The food is not for
me. It's for my little three-year-old brother who is now too
weak to walk. You see, he is all I have left and I am trying
to keep him
from dying." --Unknown
Source
It is said that stripping from life all that
embellish and excite life with genuine hope leaves the
very core of the character, the distinct foundation upon
which all other addenda attach. If the character
reflects purity, the attachments do not determine the
course.
Question: Since this little
girl obviously faltered from malnutrition herself, did she not
embrace a concern for something she perceived to be greater
than herself? Was she not willing to sacrifice herself
for that only little brother she had? Of course, the
story revealed the answers to these probing questions to be in
the affirmative.
If this is indeed the case,
what is the truth for this little
girl? Facts may easily be repeated in a detached, almost
cynical, fashion, but when life and all the elements connect
in a series of events, as with this story, facts give way to
the deeper, underlying reality which unquestionably reveals
the dimensions of purpose and direction. Indeed, there
always remains the other than
awareness that life can never be divorced from that greater
power and underlying sustenance inherent within the natural
and supernatural disposition of ultimate reality.
Having thus made this declaration
without equivocation, we must readily concede that not
everyone rushes to espouse this perspective, but the rejection
of the very existence of truth can only lead to a
contradiction impregnated with ultimate meaninglessness.
Consider this:
The Barbs of Relativism: If
ultimately there can be no such thing as genuine truth, is it
the truth that there is no truth, and if such a statement is
true, does not that absolutely contradict the statement
itself? Further, a statement cannot be entirely true and
entirely false both at the same time! Such defies
logic.
Moreover, if there can
be no absolute truth and ultimately meaninglessness will be
everyone's destiny, what point is there to make such a
statement that there is no absoloute truth, since there can be
no sense or benefit derived from employing such a statement if
one believes that nothing really makes sense anyway. The
very statement contradicts the perspective
embraced.
But one may scramble to
his feet with what he perceives to be full gear, howling like
a wicked wind intent on demolishing every structure, to the
very destruction of the foundation, "But since there can be no
ultimate meaning, it is to our own credit to create meaning,
even if such eventually vanishes into the abyss of
meaninglessness!"
Yet, is such a search
for a counterfeit meaning not corresponding to the demand for
meaning and order? The urge to order and arrange the
world in which one treads says something, does it not?
What reality demands
that something be created, unless instinctively
there comes within one's world of awareness that which affords
the very demand? If one concludes that this urge to
counterfeit meaning merely expedites survival in life,
what indeed is that he seeks to counterfeit if real meaning
cannot exist apart from the flimsy invention? Can there
exist a reality unattached to anything other than the mere
invention of the person? Such reasoning would in itself
defy logic. Something can not exist without external
context that provides an attachment; at least, such a
proposition can not be sustained in any research or
laboratory. What one suggests by such an unfounded
conclusion that the counterfeit can exist apart from that it
is counterfeiting emerges into the absurd. The very existence of the counterfeit proves the
existence of the genuine!
Theoretically, if one
really believes in ultimate meaninglessness, he would say
nothing since there could be no real point in saying anything
whatsoever! Otherwise, recognition that something moves
him to acknowledge that there can be no ultimate truth defies
the existence of the very something that moves him, for that
would imply some meaning from beyond!
Meaning Compliant with
Reality: Well, be that as it
may, getting back to the little girl, the events definitely
showed movement with underlying meaning. The girl could
not have concerned herself with all the hypothetical and
philosophical approaches springing from an ivory tower of
mental gymnastics. She found herself in the midstream of
life, caring not to promote some detached and distorted avenue
of escape. She did not once reveal an inward look or a
cautious step in which she refused to place herself at
risk. She couldn't care less for herself, for her life
found meaning only as she could secure the one whom she loved
deeply. While her life proved anything but pleasant, she
was driven by a force beyond herself, that of outgoing
love,
Hence, genuine truth can
be no illusion, no faint hope of the weak. Life
itself defies such a conclusion!
These events in the story reveal
through the expression in words, deeds, and demeanor a shift
from the fact of events to the underlying meaning, that which
motivates, the force that could not be restrained by the
pressures and obstacles resisting the movement. Simply,
communication that goes deeper than words or action took
place. To wit, the celebrity presented both a risk and
an opportunity with respect to the little girl's cry for
help. The little girl made herself expendable
for the sake of her dying brother. The brother
became the overriding concern. All else paled in
importance by comparison.
Truth
Truth will always
reflect a vastly greater dimension than the facts which
provide expression pointing toward that truth (see "A
Case in Point for Events that Shape Life" on the
Focus on Events
page for this
website; click this link to go there). Truth
remains independent from all avenues and bias proposed to
interpret it; yet, the mind should be absolutely open to all
avenues of light which may uncover the
reality independent from human bias and
predispositions. Dr. Phillip E. Johnson has published
two great books that deserve attention: Darwin on
Trial and The Wedge of Truth, both highly
recommended for the earnest and serious researcher, but
especially The Wedge of Truth speaks to the basic
mindset to espouse truth and divorce faulty presuppositions
that force research into predetermined categories to support a
popular bias among those who refuse to consider all
evidence. One of the unrelenting bias reflected in many
theories and research by these so-called science based schools
begins with the absolute assertion that there can be no
supernatural intervention into the natural order of things,
that the universe is its own reason for
existence.
For those who desire to
follow apologetics closely, Ravi
Zacharias can challenge our thinking as few
others can. Click on this link to discover doors
that can unlock new dimensions for
us. Let us pursue the many recordings dealing with
various aspects of the subject.
Another valuable and
relevant link addresses this very issue quite
convincingly. Click here to meet Josh McDowell
and his expertise
on the subject of truth. He asks the
questions: Is it true because I believe
it? Or Do I believe it because
it is true? Perspective makes all the
difference in the world!
Southern
Baptist North American Mission Baord
provides an
in-depth study through this link which sets forth a convincing
presentation concerning sects and cults. This report reflects a
well-balanced assessment, which offers analysis and insights
that allow one to approach the truth through the maze of
claims and counterclaims.
Moreover, truth
not only pervades the totality of reality, but also demands
the focus of all creation. Those who either ignore truth or
turn aside with deliberate hostilities to embrace philosophies
or distortions underpinning misperceptions of what genuine
freedom means will sooner or later meet with serious
consequences. Furthermore, society’s very survival depends,
not only on recognition of this principle, but on a mindset
reflecting this principle. Falsehood and deception have always
been the hallmarks of deteriorating societies which embrace
the notion of liberty to the exclusion of
accountability and responsibility.
Unfortunately, societies of past
history reveal a strong tendency to undergo a cyclic
movement from breaking the bonds of tyranny or repression, to
freedom, to irresponsible and arrogant abuse of freedom, to
anarchy, back to dictatorship. No previous society has ever
survived indefinitely. Dare we think that we will be the
one exception?
Relativism in society:
Such advocates as these who embrace irresponsible
and excessive freedoms include the proponents of
relativism, an arbitrary declaration that absolute
truth does not exist. Such mindset provides fertile ground for
pluralism. Indeed, from this perspective each
individual person must create his own truth, which is
to say that each one determines for himself what
individualized brand of truth he proposes to work for
his own value system, Thus, whatever is considered right for
others may not necessarily be right for him. No one has a
right to judge others. That is to say, exclusivity must be
abolished.
While this subject has been
explored elsewhere within pages of this website, it might
prove helpful to expand our scope beyond what has already been
covered. Also, see Focus on
Events page.
Allow us to illustrate the case in
point. Everyone would agree on certain basic laws of physics.
Take, for example, gravity. Should any person entertain
foolish notions that since there can be no absolute truth, he
may leap from the very top of a tall building without
hesitation. After all, if he chooses to accept that which only
meets his own notions or definitions of what is true for
himself, he may conceivably conclude that he does not
acknowledge gravity. Gravity will have no effect.
To be perfectly honest, we have
really never witnessed masses who have such conviction in the
absence of absolute truth as to display such disregard for any
of the laws of physics. Those we have read about in the
newspapers or have seen on television news who resort to
plunging themselves from a tall structure deliberately
seek to commit suicide and not to defy the laws of
physic. Foolish indeed, everyone would allow. But wait. If
physically we operate daily within the context of gravity
without so much as a thought to its effect upon us, where do
we draw the line when we move into principles and directions
that remain just as real but somewhat less obvious, more
subtle or even less tangible?
Do we not see? While we
function within the context of a circumference greater than
ourselves, we do perceive ourselves to be a part of a larger
world. Even the most aggressive terrorist in the world
who deludes himself into believing he is the hub upon
which all the universe turns moves from the present point
toward goals. He may abuse, exploit, manipulate and control
people toward his own illicit ends, but he nevertheless
perceives himself as being a part of a larger picture. Else,
he would have a tendency to retreat into a fantasy world
divorced from any contact with people, events or things and
suffer a substantial break with reality.
Hence, the context bears a cardinal
pivotal point in establishing the presence of absolute
truth!
In our age of technology and
scientific breakthroughs, we have witnessed the awesome
effects of movies. We can view in slow motion the speeding
automobile in collision, enabling the human eye to see details
which could not be observed in motion filmed by normal speed.
In like manner, we can actually see how a bulb opens into a
beautiful flower in film that has speeded up the motion. Does
not this suggest relativism?
Indeed, everything in the whole
universe can be perceived to be relative. But let us not halt
at this level. We observe our world in real time. When we use
film either to slow down or speed up the unfolding events, we
do so to bring into real time to observe what takes place when
the perception of time is either slowed down or speeded up.
Therefore, both the slowed-down motion picture and the
speeded-up motion picture place events into real time that
gives a closer analysis to the details of the actual short or
long time the events unfolded. Hence, the motion pictures are
relevant to the real time frame in that they have been
transformed into a useful tool to see things that otherwise
are too fast or too slow to observe in real time length.
To state the matter a bit
differently, we do not live our lives in a slowed-down version
or a speeded-up version, but have the ability to create that
tool which adds to our understanding of events that happen too
fast or too slow for clear analysis. Consequently, the
relative nature of the tool becomes useful on the absolute
time frame upon which normal human activity takes place. This
rightly suggests the question when relativism comes up,
relative to what?
On the contextual level, even lower
absolutes become relative to broader expansions that point to
higher absolutes. The time-space continuum itself
points to a far greater context.
Referred to as infinity, this
absolute cannot be other than a nebulous concept and/or a
mathematical conjecture. The finite world cannot house that
which exceeds its own circumferences. Thus, we have absolutely
no measuring rod or point of reference to indulge ourselves
within realms totally beyond our finite world that we may even
catch an inkling of such a reality.
Allow a simple illustration. If we
desired to find a comprehensive definition of the ocean, we
would exercise poor choice to ask a fish, even if it were
possible for the fish to communicate. Why? Unlike humans who
are able to understand the ocean in a certain measure by
visiting the ocean, even to its depths, the fish has no point
of reference beyond the ocean itself by which to develop
comparisons and relationships to other realms beyond the
ocean.
Thus, the ocean must be understood
within the context of its broader relationships.
Those who would contend that
we simply move the lines back and back beyond the knowable
when we speak of an ultimate Being, God, would ask, But
where did God come from?
This question betrays a flaw in
thinking. Like the fish that does not find itself qualified to
provide a comprehensive definition of the ocean, humanity
seeks to capture the infinite within the context of the
finite. Could we get beyond ourselves and our universe, we
would find ourselves into dimensions which would become
evident of a supernatural expression with a unique frame of
reference, within which completeness and wholeness would leave
no more question that God Himself is His only reason for
existence. He is the ultimate glue, the binding reality Who
holds the whole creation together (…He is before all
things, and in Him all things consist—Colossians
1:17).
Yet, God, the ultimate
reality, Who is Truth, allows the universe to
degenerate! However, such degeneration does not come as a
reflection of the constitution of purpose, meaning and
direction God designed. What do we say with respect to this
evil which
has intruded into the very creation of the Creator God
Himself? Yes, why does God allow evil at all?
While we intend to deal at some
length with this aspect later, here is something which will
crack the door a bit for us. Why do we love our own
families, wives, children or friends? Can we say
that we love them because we are required to do so?
If we could possibly be forced to exercise love,
would that external expression really be we ourselves? What we
are seeking to communicate is this: Can love be expressed
without a choice? If people loved us without a
choice, we could never be absolutely sure whether
those people would definitely love us if those very
persons had a choice in the matter?
Of course, no law can make us love.
Laws can demand that people act as though they loved a
ruthless tyrant. In such cases, people are reduced to puppets
for fear of torture and death. They reflect only the demands
of the dictator.
What are we saying? God demands not
love, but loves us unconditionally. Listen to Paul’s words:
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that
while we were still sinners, Christ died for all—Romans
5:8. Then, when we
reciprocate God’s love through our own kindled love for Him,
we do so freely, without losing our own identity.
Thus, God is no tyrant, forcing us
to act as puppets in His hand. Love must come from the
genuineness of the deepest recesses of our beings.
Of course, such a concept baffles
the human mind. Nevertheless, when we do have the
liberty to choose, people often choose against God and in so
doing, choose against the Truth, Who is God! Genesis,
chapters 1-3, records the creation and the fall of
humanity through Adam and Eve. Having a choice to
continue in their unique and wonderful relationship with the
Creator, they chose against the Creator by usurping the role
of God Himself by becoming their own gods, to decide for
themselves alone what is right or what is wrong, rather than
obeying their Creator.
Herein, we are brought to the point
of considering the very origin and nature of
evil.
Parenthetically, no matter
how eloquent the most informed and persuasive Christian
apologist may wax, there forever remain inexplicable gaps
which leave the human spirit still groping in the dark with
respect to final and comprehensive resolution to all problems
of evil in this world. That does not suggest that some evil
cannot ever find resolution, but we may need to await the
Creator’s intervention to render the evil forever harmless and
give us a gratifying scope within the infinite dimensions to
understand all the whys and
wherefores
of evil.
To reiterate, the origin of evil
came through the fall because God gave humanity a
choice. To some people, this statement lacks punch, but it
does represent a logical strategy with respect to the absolute
difference between God and His creation. Do we not see? The
creation is not God, nor is God the creation. Should the
ideological bases of such distortion be pursued seriously,
evil would become an intricate and inseparable component of
reality, revealing the pollution of deity, leaving the whole
universe forever in the grips of evil, an inescapable
conclusion based on the logical reasoning of this shadowy
approach. Many eastern religions seek to resign to that
philosophy through semantics, attributing to the good and bad
a role to balance existence. Little wonder that the only
escape from evil is eventually to reach absolute oblivion,
loss of any and all consciousness. After all, life is to be
escaped, from their perspective.
In recent times the shadow of
eastern religious tenets has given birth to a myriad of
religious sects in the United States, as well as other
nations, sects such as the New Age movement, with the
proclamation that the all is
God. One must
only scratch the surface of these so-called "new movements",
which, ironically, have roots in the most ancient of religious
expressions, to discover the embedded evil rising to a
prominent role in the whole theological system.
Furthermore, let’s cut to the
core. Let's look around and take a moment to compile some of
the endless examples of the horror invading our consciousness.
Little innocent children targeted for abusive action, sexually
assaulted, kidnapped, tortured and murdered pervade the
airways almost like expected news, the usual daily dose.
As if this in and of itself alone
is not enough, let's go further and take a moment to assess
the suffering of the elderly, carted off to inadequate nursing
homes to be ignored and despised. Then, let's take note of
homeless people scorned, some of which have encounter
circumstances too great for them to cope with, sheltered under
bridges or in boxes, an eye sore for those who frown upon what
they call lazy, filthy bums.
Again, consider those who find
themselves distressed because others have misjudged them or
prejudged them. Add this to the court cases in which justice
underwent contempt in favor of protecting the guilty at all
cost, turning victimizers loose, often on a minute
technicality, to place society at high risk. On and on we
could go, but is not the point well
made?
Thus far we have presented the
problem somewhat in perspective. We have suggested certain
reasons for evil in our world, but now please bear with us. We
seek to get to the very elementary reasons.
Consider what would happen if
pain never entered the human experience. Survival would most
certainly be in question, for pain, as well as much of our
consciousness of other evils, crashes into our awareness with
the necessary communication that something is wrong and
demands attention. Pain communicates in a way that mere words could
rarely achieve. If we experience severe pain in our backs, we
curb our activity accordingly and seek to find out just what
causes such a pain. The pain prods us to act such that we
protect our bodies from further degeneration.
The same may be understood with
respect to emotional disturbance or mental anguish.
Communication takes place. Such problems compel us to seek
help, to discover what it is and to correct the problem as
much as is possible.
If we turn to the Scriptures,
we learn in short order that many of human ills result from
our rebellion against a righteous and holy God. Every action
brings consequences, whether good or bad. In this manner, we
experience the communication of God through judgment. God’s
judgment cries out to us in no uncertain terms, No, this
shall not be! Evil can never find permanent residence in God’s
domain. Consider this admonition: Behold, all souls are
Mine (God’s), the soul of the father as well as the soul of
the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel
18:4).
Apart from communication, reason
and sense would be difficult to extract from suffering and
loneliness or emotional and mental distress. But it really
isn’t very difficult to place all these mishaps within the
scope of communication.
Then why do innocent people suffer?
In an indirect way, those victimized from all sorts of evil
without having had themselves soiled by any kind of evil
participation have also a communication that something needs
to be changed. A bad politician needs to be voted out, where
such can be done. An abusive father needs to be incarcerated
or provided effective counseling.
A sad appendage to the scenarios
herein encountered by many of us represents what may be
understood as an inexcusable case. A sweet, innocent and
caring little girl will never be able to play with other
children, for from birth she has no legs or arms. What did she
do to deserve such an estate?
It is not helpful to say to the
parents that innocent people are victimized by the
fall. While such a statement reflects reality, why must
the innocent suffer? Why do people perish in floods, storms or
earthquakes, people who had nothing to do with the natural
order of things accounting for the disasters?
No answer could ever be forthcoming
if we had hope in this life only, but still there is a
communication here as well. Nature cannot be our fortress or
security. Only the One Who created nature can be our
security.
Moreover, God has
never kept silent regarding all these evil avenues. He spoke
in His Son, Jesus Christ, Who died on the Cross to become our
judgment. For all have sinned and come short of the
glory of God—Romans 3:23. That is to say, sin and evil have in some measure
tainted every person who has ever lived upon the face of the
earth. When we call a person innocent, such as a little child,
we speak in relative terms. Not a one of us escapes this
judgment. Only one Person Who has ever set foot on earth has
been completely, perfectly innocent. Yet, this one Person
became our judgment so that we could be liberated form guilt.
Ironically, He who knew no sin became
our sin, to die that
we might in turn live. He alone had
every right to refuse to suffer, but
love drove Him to the
Cross.
The communication of the
Cross shouts loud and clear. Death has been
defeated! The
fear of death or pain need no longer dictate our actions or
reactions. We begin to find purpose and meaning in suffering
and difficulties in life, for the light from beyond the
universe reaches into the void of our beings with purpose and
meaning. Yes, if need be, we, too, can go by way of our
crosses, whatever unfolds in events. Love dictated the Cross.
Our love dictates our sacrifice, also. Only through
self-giving do we find genuine liberty and life.
Have problems
with that? Indeed, some
would lament that Christianity poses a more serious problem.
Look at the battles of history, the Crusades, for example.
Many atrocities have been committed and endorsed by religion,
even the Christian religion.
How do we justify these grave
misdeeds among those who proclaim the name of
Christ?
Indeed, a point needs to be made.
Almost as many different branches of religion under the banner
of Christianity exist as eastern religions altogether.
Dr. Billy Graham underwent fire
from the press once with respect to a scandal involving a
certain widely popular minister. Dr. Graham at first declined
to comment, but the press would not allow the matter to be
evaded.
At that point, Dr. Graham came back
with a question of his own, "You hear of airline tragedies
through the news media, but what about the many thousands of
other flights that take place successfully? Do you hear of
them through the news media?"
Certainly, the worst of so-called
Christian abuses make the headlines. Little is ever said of
genuine Christians who sacrifice greatly to assist and aid
those in distress throughout the world, many even laying their
lives on the line for the sake of Christ.
Absolutely true, the genuine
provides an opportunity for some to counterfeit! But does the
counterfeit discredit the genuine?
For a moment, let us look at the
atrocities throughout the history of our world perpetrated
against humanity by avowed atheists. Many millions under
Joseph Stalin met brutal death. Whole families fell prey to
this godless tyrant. Wholesale suffering became the hallmark
under the iron fist of this relentless sadist.
This fact, of course, cannot
justify or excuse in anywise those counterfeit Christians who
have also on a lesser scale committed acts of atrocity. But
do the counterfeit Christians discredit the genuine
Christians who faithfully follow the teachings of
Christ?
Unfortunately, in our society this dishonest practice of
allowing the counterfeit to represent the mainspring of the
Christian religion seems to be in vogue. True Christians must
often endure the scandal reflecting this gross miscarriage of
just dealings.
But Christianity functions within
the context of a broader, deeper and dynamic dimension than
the general public can perceive, except as the honest person
responds to what light he does receive. For this reason,
Christianity can not fit into the framework of the world where
self-centeredness, self-serving goals and exploitation
originates. Those who seek to live out the Christian life in
the flow of that individualistic philosophy run at odds with
the genuine Christian character. Christians who are dedicated
cannot mold into the lesser restrictions of worldly values
without sacrificing the unique character of genuine
Christianity.
A modern-day parable illustrates
this principle vividly. It is said that once long ago in the
New York City area a small church struggled to sustain its
membership. God sent an angel to encourage that church by
giving to a select member of that church a beautiful divine
truth. That truth glittered with such bright reflection that
the church member desired to share it with everyone in the
church. The first person the member met to share the beautiful
truth was none other than the pastor himself.
The pastor brightened
up and suggested to the member that he allow the pastor
himself to share the truth with the congregation since he held
that role as leader. After the pastor received the
beautiful truth, he indeed joyfully shared that truth with the
church. A discussion followed and everyone came to the
conclusion that such a wonderful truth needed to be protected
and kept for generations to come.
A committee appointed
to study the matter by consent of the church later made a
report. The church agreed with the committee that a very
special monument be built to house this beautiful truth. Over
a long period, an elaborate building was erected to house this
beautiful truth.
Only one problem came
up as people trailed by to keep viewing the divine truth in
the context of its beautiful edifice. Indeed, people grew very
worry in an effort to recall just what the divine truth had
been. All seemed lost somehow in the effort to preserve the
beautiful truth.
Does this parable speak to our
modern age? Is God’s revelation to be hoarded and enjoyed by
the church? How may it be protected and kept? Or should truth
be shared with everyone? And how may it be shared?
This brings to mind another
parable or allegory.
This parable (or allegory)
illustrates a timeless truth: Materialism looms like a
mirage promising refreshment and meaning to life, but in the
end takes on the nature of quicksand, drawing the pursuer into
its trap.
Three burley brothers, dedicated lumberjacks,
proved worthy of recognition for
their consistent hard work and productivity.
One day as Tom, Henry
and Jake completed a phase of their task, they took a break to
quench their thirst. Then, an amazing phenomenon exploded into
their consciousness. A light brighter than the sun burst into
the deep forest shadows, almost blinding them. Before they
could even speak, there came a sound, at first like the roar
of thunder, then modified into a gentle voice.
"Tom, Henry and
Jake," the distinct words sounded with a kind of echo, "your
dedication has been noticed by the king. As his messenger I
bring to you the good news of the king’s approval. He wishes
to reward you each. You will notice that you each have three
sparkling diamonds in your own bag. These stones are very
valuable. But bring them to the king, and he will reward you
more than a hundred-fold of their value. Nevertheless, the
king will allow you to keep the stones and use them for the
lesser wealth, if you choose."
"But," Tom, the
oldest brother questioned, "we have never been to the king’s
castle. We would not know the way there."
"It’s very simple,"
declared the voice. "Just beyond those near bushes to the
east, you will find a rock-paved pathway. Just continue on
that pathway until it ends at the king’s castle."
With those words the
light vanished and the voice ceased.
At first the brothers
glared into the direction the light had shown. Then each moved
toward his own bag strung across the branches of a small tree.
Sure enough, the bags contained the sparkling brilliance of
diamonds.
Since the brothers
had no family to consider other than themselves, they decided
to pack a few supplies and start down the path toward the
king’s castle. The path indeed revealed new, unfamiliar
landscapes as they journeyed day by day.
Around one curve in
the path a vast, lush landscape greeted them. A large,
beautiful dwelling drew them with magnetic invitation.
Brilliant flowers hugged the building like an adornment and
huge, old oak trees provided a cool umbrella in an inviting
fashion. Bright green grass softened the steps like a carpet
as the three brothers decided to ask about lodging for the
coming night.
The old couple
invited them in to spend the night. During the course of
conversation Jake, the youngest brother, asked many questions
about the property.
"We sure would like
to sell this place," the old man finally said. "We are getting
too old to care for all this property."
Jake opened his bag
and removed the diamonds. He allowed the old couple to examine
them. Then, Jake offered, "Since these diamonds are very
valuable, I’ll give you two of them for this property. Then, I
can live the rest of my life with what I receive for this last
stone."
The elderly couple
radiated with glee at the prospect of moving into the city
where everything would be available to sustain them. Thus,
they accepted the offer.
Tom and Henry
expressed disappointment at the decision of their youngest
brother.
"But guys," Jake
bubbled, "this is the deal of a lifetime. Don’t you see? I
don’t need to increase my wealth by wasting time to go to the
king. This is everything I could want. I can stay here, get
married and settle down to a life of ease. I’ll never have to
swing an ax again."
And that’s exactly
what Jake did after his brothers continued on their journey.
He met the ideal lady and was soon married. They had three
delightful children. They had a life of ease and comfort, of
excitement and plenty, day after day, on and on.
"But something’s
missing," thought Jake. "Only, I can’t put my finger on what
it is. I have all that money can offer. Maybe I envy my
brothers for becoming filthy richer than I could ever hope
for. Maybe I should have gone with them. That must be it. I am
comfortably rich, but maybe if I were even richer, I’d really
be happy."
Year after year from
that time forth, Jake grew more and more restless. His wife
and children could no longer console him. Jake would continue
through life without realizing what exactly was bothering him
even though he suspected he might not be rich enough to bring
real happiness.
The other brothers,
Tom and Henry, on the other hand, continued down the path
after leaving their brother Jake behind. Eventually, Tom and
Henry came to a small village. Suddenly they came upon an old
man sitting on the side of the road with a small basked. He
had no legs and immediately was recognized as a beggar.
"Maybe we can help
this guy a little when we return from the king," Henry said.
"Then we’ll have a hundred times more and even better able to
help a little."
But Tom questioned
the beggar closely and found that he had a family dependent on
what little he was able to bring home. Then, Tom turned to his
brother, Henry, and said, "This man and his family need lots
of help right now. I am going to give him one of my diamonds,
which could provide all the help they will ever need. He does
need help right now and may not make it till we can return
this way."
"You do what you feel
you have to," Henry conceded, "but I am going to bring all
mine to the king. Then, I might be able to share a
little."
In the course of the
trip, Tom met another family in dire need and gave up his
second diamond to the amazement of Henry, who scolded Tom a
bit for his foolishness.
On down the path the
two brothers met a lady under a tree beside the path. Her eyes
were red and swollen from weeping. A young boy obviously
sought to comfort the lady. Tom stopped and questioned the two
and found that this mother had lost her husband, who was also
the boy’s father. Tom also learned that they had lost their
home and had eaten no food in a few days. They had been unable
to make payments on their house. They were forced to give up
their home and had no place to live and no way to eat, except
rarely when they received a little food from others passing
that way.
"Tom," Henry called,
"remember you have only one diamond to present to the
king."
Tom did not hesitate,
but presented the diamond to the lady, though she was
reluctant to accept. Tom urged her.
However, the lady
learned the real story from Jake. In a vision the brothers had
been promised a reward of more than a hundred-fold for the
return of the diamonds to the king. Then, she knew that Tom
would have nothing to give to the king. Thus, she would only
take the diamond if Tom would allow Albert, her young son, to
go on the journey with the two brothers to explain to the king
in hopes that the king would reward Tom also in some
way.
At first, Tom
resisted, expressing willingness to discontinue his journey,
but since the lady would only agree to accept the diamond if
Tom would continue along with Albert, her son, Tom
agreed.
Tom, Henry and Albert
soon followed the path around a curve to spot the castle in
the distance. Before long they all made their way through the
gates and entered the grounds where they were escorted before
the king.
First, Henry
presented his three diamonds to the king. Then, to the shock
of everyone, the king burst forth in a harsh tone, "Henry, you
did not return the diamonds to me. You have clung to them to
make them your own. You wanted more. That was your only
motivation. You have not yet learned the lesson that only what
you invest in others do you keep. Jake did not learn that nor
did you. What you do receive is what the diamonds are
now."
As Henry looked at
the diamonds in his hand, they began turning to
dust.
Immediately, the king
turned toward Tom and commended, "Tom, you are the only one
who truly brought the diamonds to me. Your compassion and love
caused you to invest those precious stones to meet the needs
of those you met. Those very people in need are my people whom
I love, rule over and care for. Hence, your diamonds will gain
in your life a wealth beyond the mere brilliance of the stones
themselves. Your reward will be that which cannot be destroyed
nor diminished in any way. Go in peace to dwell in the riches
of my kingdom. You will be my son and heir to the
throne."
Allow us to focus on this fantasy
with a few observations relevant to real life
situations.
The three brothers could represent
three distinct approaches to life and life situations. What is
our take on the differences in character and dispositions of
each individual brother from the other brothers?
Of course, Tom, the oldest brother,
had been around longer than the other brothers had. Do we
suppose the added experience could have been the significant
factor in the generosity and selflessness expressed by Tom?
Do we find in real life that the oldest member of the
family is always the kindest and most thoughtful of others? Or
have we observed that in reality the youngest member of
the family sometimes turns out to express concern and care for
everyone else more than the other members of the family? How
about the intermediate members of the family?
Does Jake appear to be a bit more
impulsive that the others? Did he do wrong by spending the
value of his diamonds to acquire a nice place to settle down?
After all, did not the king specifically advise that each had
a choice with respect to the diamonds and their use? How
do we see the issue here? Would we have made the
same decision as Jake if we had been in his shoes?
Anyway, what could possibly be wrong in wanting the security
of our own possessions for the duration of our lives?
But did Jake find that genuine
security as events unfolded and time for reflection proved
plentiful? Did his restlessness speak of his missing the boat,
so to speak?
Then, consider Henry, the
intermediate brother. What is our take on Henry? Did he turn
out to be the truly faithful one in that he clung tenaciously
to his diamonds, perhaps anticipating great rewards for his
faithfulness when he would meet the king? How did Henry’s
ideas of faithfulness conflict with his other brothers’ ideas?
What religious group in the New
Testament did Henry’s attitude and disposition most closely
resemble? After all, did Henry guard his possession for the
purpose of securing his future ease of life on a much higher
plateau than Jake did? He put all his stock in the future, did
he not? Otherwise, why did he consider the plights of others
to be beyond his interests?
Perhaps we could look at it in this
light. Jake interpreted the king’s message as an avenue to
embellish himself and find the easy life. He would not feel
badly for giving up the greater rewards to find immediate
gratification? But, did the satisfaction
endure?
On the other hand, Henry lived for
the future. Perhaps he considered it a greater merit on his
part that he protected the investment the king had given him.
Perhaps he would delight to receive the greatest reward
with pride and a bit of arrogance in reaching forth his hand
to show the king how faithful he had been.
Do we think the king himself
saw through this attitude in Henry? What, do we suppose,
the king saw in Tom that neither of the other brothers had?
After all, Tom had no diamonds to present to the king; yet,
the king declared Tom to be the only brother to return the
diamonds? Do we suppose that the king envisioned a far
greater context for right behavior than the brothers other
than Tom were willing to see and acknowledge?
This perhaps represents the key to
the whole parable. Jake and Henry revolved around self and
self interests. Those two expressed the attitude a little
differently, but each had himself always in mind.
Tom, on the other hand, functioned
within the circumference of a much broader world. People in
need were never outside the perimeters of Tom’s love and
concern. He cared not to receive the wealth at the expense of
those in need.
May we suggest that the broader
context provided greater vision and purpose for Tom? His
journey proved his true character, that of a caring and loving
person even when he perceived that he was losing the diamonds
as an opportunity to enhance himself. Yet, he gave of
them willingly and gladly to help others.
Self-centered pursuits always leave open the intrusion of
evil. Did not Tom’s two brothers, especially Henry, fail to
consider other than themselves, leaving those along their
pathway suffering in their own plights? Yet, Jake revealed
that he also was wrapped up in himself and his own specific
interests almost to the exclusion of everyone else. Did not
the attitudes and disposition of Henry and Jake invite the
evil of neglecting those in real need?
But allow us to look more closely
at this subject of evil. In reality, evil did not
intrude into the created order within the context of the fall.
The serpent, a reference to the former chief angel of heaven,
Lucifer, tempted Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-6). Lucifer
(Isaiah 14:12-15) earlier became overcome with his
pride, that emphasis upon his own separate entity from
God to the exclusion of his being the good creation of God.
Therein he sought to usurp the throne of God. Of course,
there could be no contest. Satan (Lucifer) was cast
immediately from the very presence of God.
In analysis, the individual
component of God’s creation, Lucifer, tried to reproduce
himself universally to fill all being with his image to
supplant God Himself. Thus, in tempting Adam and Eve following
his fall, he sought to destroy God’s purpose in creation.
Thus, Satan will eternally be the cardinal foe of God,
darkness opposed to light.
If we might interject a rather
crude illustration, we may better glimpse the principle. The
brakes of an automobile serves in the total scheme of the
vehicle’s functioning. Just suppose the brakes could say, "I’m
going to reproduce myself to replace all other components of
this vehicle!" Ridiculous? Quite true. The vehicle could not
function.
We must conclude, in like manner,
that on a higher and far more sophisticated level, existence
would have been doomed if by an impossible event Lucifer could
have succeeded in displacing God. Hence, as God remains
forever pure, unadulterated goodness, holiness, righteousness,
etc., forever and forever, Satan remains always His
counterpart—unmitigated evil, darkness, deception,
egocentricity, etc.
Furthermore, in our existence
within the scope of a world of polarity, good and evil, the
opposites will exist and wield a powerful influence for either
good or evil. Therefore, we must become sensitive to the
presence and pitfalls of evil such that good
may prevail through truth.
As a matter
of fact, evil is no stranger to any one of us. Within
this web page we have already dealt with the origin and
nature of evil. But allow us to reiterate from a
different avenue. Allow us to focus on evil from this
slightly different perspective, evil's very nature
and disposition. While we have indeed given attention to
the subject of evil as it has touched upon various issues as a
recognized associated influence, we are compelled to sort out
the real presence and scope of evil that we
may come to grips with this detrimental influence upon us
all.
EVIL
The acknowledgement of and reckoning with
evil has been a very difficult road within the scope of this
postmodern society. In the aftermath of the excessive
humanistic infatuation, humanity has been looked upon by a
significant segment of society as the victims of circumstances
and genetically determined dispositions. Within this
humanistic scope every human being is considered basically
good.
Let us consider this: humanism would
simply declare that, due to all the stress society and his
environment pressed upon him, Adolph Hitler rose to his
ignoble and outrageous position in Germany. In reality
this victimizer, from this perspective, became the end product
of his experiences and influences and hence a victim
himself.
We could go on with names like Joseph
Stalin, Saddam Hussein, all the terrorists of this current
age, ad infinitum. From this point of view
no one is ultimately responsible for his actions;
no one is ultimately accountable for his
choices. Humanism would stress
that guilt
can be no more than an arbitrary tag growing out of
ignorance.
Never mind those who suffer great
injustice! Ignore those who become deprived of the bare
necessities to survive! Cry not for those who end up being
tortured! Turn a deaf ear to the many who have had their close
loved ones slaughtered cruelly without just cause! Reprove
those who must wail with the depth of soul and mind for some
sort of closure, or at least some kind of
resolution!
After all the true
humanistic conclusion demands in practice, at
least, that the only ones worthy of our sympathy are the
poor victims who exercise the iron fist of tyranny against
helpless masses! Sometimes some of the
courts in our nation have joined
the humanistic mania in providing havens for those who would
destroy our democracy, granting them immunity from prosecution
on flimsy grounds; yet, in duplicitous decisions these same
courts on occasions tend to mute certain Christian expressions
in violation of the Constitution of the United States.
See Focus on
Events Web Page for further information on the courts
and their actions.
The slurs and intolerance expressed toward
the Christian stance sometimes comes from those who themselves
purport to speak for Christianity. After all, one
of the cardinals reflected upon the way poor Saddam Hussein
was placed before the cameras following his capture. This
cardinal had the audacity to declare his sympathy for this
victim. However, this same cardinal shouted in a
deafening silence regarding the more than a decade
that over a million people suffered untold savagery
under this tyrant!
In many cases, even in our own United
States, the courts must provide every right and grant
unlimited opportunities for the suspects, even
where incontrovertible evidence of guilt is present! In
these particular cases the victimizers, never the
victims, must be availed every minute opportunity or
technical loophole to use the judicial system to exonerate
themselves! NEVER MIND JUSTICE OR ANYTHING ELSE UNDER
HEAVEN THAT WOULD BRING A HALT TO THE FULL ENERGY OF THE
SYSTEM TO EXCUSE THE VICTIMIZERS! It is one thing
to execute the principle that any person within the judicial
process be looked upon as legally innocent until proven
guilty, and another thing altogether to distort, pervert and
use every cunning measure to assure that the accused be
insulated from any and every possible exposure that
would establish guilt.
If this blunt and precise statement herein
proposed seems a little awry of reality, may we exercise our
mental faculty and allow keen reasoning to sweep aside the
façade and rhetoric to cut to the very heart of the matter.
Certainly, no intransigent naturalistic humanist would dare
couch his perspective in the full current of this truth. It
would be doubtful that he cares about genuine truth any
more than he desires to commit intellectual suicide.
Lest we, however, become diverted into an
untenable avenue, allow us to clarify an important aspect
herein proposed. This observation deals with the principles of
philosophy. Such declaration does not necessarily speak to the
philosopher, except as he may become so adamantly vested with
such philosophy as to close absolutely all other possible
light from consideration. Even honest seekers sometimes tread
through philosophical jungles that tend to shelter them from
reality (we ourselves most likely included at some stretch
along the way). However, the true mark of honesty surfaces
when the seeker embraces light he had never encountered
before.
What such an unyielding humanist
seeks to do regards manipulation of facts to force them to fit
into his preconceived notions. He begins with the optimism
that evil can only be the growing pains in the process of
moving toward some final utopia. Hence, in the humanistic
perspective evil emerges as a fleeting mirage, and like a
mirage, will vanish as the process unfolds.
But the dyed-in-the-wool humanist would
move heaven and earth to rationalize, circumvent and evade the
points of reference we have given in the portrayal of
evil.
Even so, the references, such as
these we have focused on regarding the tyrants, merely present
a fleeting glimpse of the terrifying assault against the
notion of genuine evil. Does not this point up
the necessity to deal realistically and decently with the
vulgar presence of evil within our society? After all,
recognition of the reality and presence of evil is
the necessary first step in dealing effectively with
it!
But as
though this were not enough, enemies of the truth take on many
faces. Some philosophical advocates, such as Friedrich
Nietzsche and Niccolo Machiavelli, proclaimed survival of
the fittest and might makes right power
ethics. Through their persistence they sought
to reduce religion and morality to irrelevancy.
Their efforts set the ground for the rise of Nazism and the
ideology of the supper race, which influence continues
to persist in varying degrees even today.
Yet, with all said and done, a potentially
greater threat exists. More insidious inroads spring from
strong religious leaders who exercise charm and charisma to
undermine truth and establish power clutches upon followers.
They shape, mold and distort facts to conform to their own
images and cleverly displace the God of the universe with
themselves.
Of course, they would never reveal their
true intents, but they readily foster an image of pious,
religious warriors, relentlessly defending the truth to
the end.
Does this description conjure up images of
more than a few we have seen or heard of along life’s journey?
Of course, we shall do no name calling, but do we not feel
that the point herein has been well taken?
Furthermore, even fanaticism knows no
boundaries, but in recent times has through suicide bombers
brought a keen awareness to the depths people will
go. Because they cannot defend their religion
through reason and persuasive dialogue, they will resort to
anything. Simply because their beliefs cannot withstand the
light of reality, they do not even bother with an effort to
justify their demonic slaughter of women, children and those
innocent ones who do not even know what it is all about.
Thus, these extremists refuse to resort to other
than absolute, complete and brute force to bring the world
into captivity.
But what evil intent motivates these
terrorists freely to fling their lives away with no
reservation regarding their own acts of terror or the dreadful
plight of the targeted group? The most unbelievable, crass,
ugly and repugnant greed drives these fanatical devotees into
a delusion that death will appease their god such
that each man will be rewarded with lavish wealth
and seventy virgins with whom to sleep. The women also will
find great rewards, if one can imagine how such lewd
expectations could be thought of as desirable rewards. To
Christians and other decent groups, this sounds sickening, but
spiritual blindness can take people to new,
unimaginable depths.
However, let us delve into a bit of
controversial speculation. I will not be so presumptuous as to
use the pronoun we for this section, which I shall
refer to as A Parable of the Suicide
Bomber, even though there could indeed be a
substantial number who would agree with both the theology
and the manner of presentation. Those who find some
basis to part with either the theology or the method of
dealing with the matter will not produce any
ill feelings in me, for I do not have a corner on the
truth and am myself continuing to learn throughout life.
I might add at this point that I do
experience great anger toward acts of terror, but I feel a
tinge of sadness that any member of the human race could allow
himself to fall so deeply into deception. Such possibility
stems from arrogance, self-centeredness and aloofness
(Proverbs 16:18). The Bible expressly declares that God hates
such characteristics (Proverbs 8:13). The honest and sincere
person keeps an open mind to all light.
Having thus
declared my intentions with qualifications, I present with no
apology the reflection of truth in principle as I
perceive it, and revealed through the following A Parable of the Suicide Bomber.
Since this has no specific reference to any definite
historical event, we shall use no names to avoid any possible
association with real persons.
The young lad
enthusiastically prepared for his mission that would not only
bring him honor and glory from his perspective but by his
god also assure him untold wealth and young virgins to
suffice his deepest lust. After all, his god would be
compelled to honor his promise to this young man. Even though
his god expressed himself with fierce anger and took pride in
selecting whom he chose to slay or to heap great tortur |