Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Stakes are High


I’m glad at the way it came out, but at the conversion moment, what I heard was God saying, “Put down your gun and we’ll talk.” C.S. Lewis.

There are many worldviews about life, death, and what happens to us thereafter. Whether by choice or default, you and I believe something that frames how we view the world and live our lives. If you are one who doesn’t want to resort to default, then how do you go about investigating the truth of the claims of the various worldviews? With such a multitude (Christianity and other religions, atheism, etc.), it can be quite confusing and overwhelming. And although nothing can force you to inwardly believe one way or another, the consequences are staggering. At the very least they may last a lifetime and at the most they could last for eternity, which is a very long time.

Caravaggio - The Incredulity of St. Thomas
My worldview should be evident from my blog, namely that I am a follower of Jesus (1). In my last post, both my wife and I commented about events in our lives that have confirmed to us the reality of God’s working in our lives. However, I know that until you experience it yourself it is difficult to accept as true. Even Jesus’ own disciple (Thomas) refused to believe the other disciples when they told him that Jesus had physically appeared to them after his resurrection. Thomas told them that he would not believe unless he saw and put his fingers in the holes in Jesus’ hands and side (from his crucifixion). Remarkably, Jesus did appear to Thomas eight days later and told him to examine his hands and side…and to believe. Thomas replied “My Lord and my God! (2)

I say remarkably for a reason, because I am going to propose a bold challenge to you. If you want to know whether God is real, you don’t have to take my word for it. Ask him to reveal himself to you. In his book "Walking with God, John Eldredge writes "In the beginning of our story...in the garden called Eden...the first man and woman...communicated with [God] directly. For this we were made. And this we must recover. Intimacy with God is the purpose of our lives. It's why God created us...not simply to believe in and obey him...though those are necessary too"

Now just a bit of clarification, Jesus has never appeared to me physically like he did to Thomas. But he has revealed himself to me (see my last post for specific examples, in the comments below the post). He has done so to countless others too (3).

I offer just a few of thoughts to consider along with that challenge. If you decide to ask him, ask with earnestness. Be open to the possibility that he exists, watch for his response (he usually does so in a whisper rather than loudly), and be patient. I don’t know how he will reveal himself to you but I have no doubt that he will.

Also, be aware that we live in an age of cynicism, which makes expecting Jesus to reveal himself to you or even believing in him challenging. This is because of thinking that has crept into our culture from the Enlightenment that has relegated God and prayer, along with things like beauty and love, to the realm of “feelings”, as opposed to the realm of “facts”.  According to this line of thinking, facts are those things that are public and real - true for everyone (e.g., science, physical objects, history), while feelings are things that are only true for me and thus, should be kept private. Therefore, God has been defined as not real and accordingly should be eliminated from public discussion and not taken seriously. This is secular humanism, by the way, which is a religion in itself as I have discussed in previous posts (e.g., The Decline of the Secular University, Science and Christianity, What is Truth?, Do I Really Matter?).

I will acknowledge that oppressive legalism has unfortunately plagued the contemporary institutional church. I believe legalism is why so many are turned off by the "church". Legalism, however, is a religious fog that veils the striking beauty of the Gospel of Jesus, both to people already inside as well as to those who are outside the church. This does not make untrue the freedom, healing, love, peace, etc., that are available from God. One just has to be aware of the putrid existence of legalism.

There was a man named Saul who hated Christians to the point that he murderously persecuted them in an attempt to snuff them out. In a stunning change of heart, Saul became one of history’s greatest advocates for Jesus Christ and his church (4). You may recognize Saul as Paul, who wrote more than half of the New Testament. Paul, by the way, used his harshest words against the legalists of his day. He said that what they offered was “dog dung” compared to the life offered by Jesus! (5) To those of you who don’t believe that God exists and therefore, believe the sacrifices asked of us by Christianity are a waste of precious life, you may be surprised that Paul agrees with you to a point. Paul said: “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (6). However, and this is crucial, Paul went on to boldly proclaim:  “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (7). He knew, because Jesus had revealed himself to Paul on the road to Damascus! Later, Paul reaffirmed this belief in a trial before King Agrippa and Governor Festus, when Paul said: “…Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true…” (8).

Christianity is a radical worldview, but would you want to believe in anything less? It is a worldview that has been embraced by millions. It isn’t “insane” like Festus accused Paul of.

I urge you to investigate these claims seriously. Put them to the test before dismissing them. The stakes are too high not to try. Jesus is real!
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Footnotes:

(1) I recommend the books: “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis, “The Reason for God” by Tim Keller, "He is There He is not Silent" by Francis Schaeffer, and “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel, which have excellent, in-depth discussions from the ground up about why the authors chose the Christian worldview; Lewis and Strobel were atheists before converting to Christianity.
(4) See Acts 9:1-21 for an account of Saul's conversion.

(5) Philippians 3:2-9, see also Galatians 5:12, where Paul said: "Why don't these agitators [legalists], obsessive as they are about circumcision, go all the way and castrate themselves!"
(6) 1 Corinthians 15:19

(7) 1 Corinthians 15:20a

(8) Acts 26:23-25
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