Dec ’98
Have We Lost Our Identity?
The question is 2 + 2 = ? Some kid writes 5. Is that the answer? The teacher gives it a big red X and hands the test back. Now the kid looks at the red X and says, “You may feel that 2 + 2 = 4, but for me, 2 + 2 works as five. Five makes it good for me, especially now.”
Now we know that we can not get away with that in math class. The whole basis of mathematics falls when the fundamentals are changed. We know that math will stand for only one truth: 4. But when we look at religion, we say that there is no truth. You may feel that Christianity is good for me but it doesn’t work for you. My position is not valid for yourself. Five makes it good for me. The problem is we don’t have a teacher giving us a red X when we are wrong.
With religion, with theology, with ethics and morality, we like to look at relativism. It is easy and simple. It is okay for them, but I don’t like it so it is not for me. It is as if every decision has no real true choice but only possibilities. What is a right action for one is not all right for another; the possibilities are different in each predicament. One man with a nagging wife can run to the bar to drown her out of thought, the other can beat her into submission and one may try to talk to her and give her a positive attitude. Now immediately, you have come to the conclusion that only one of those options is close to the right option.
Why? Why does one way seem to be the right reason to do something even though the other options do not really receive condemnation? In a way, you are stating that there is some moral absolute in the circumstances even if you choose not to live by them or even recognize them.
When our culture deals with religion, there seems to be no truth in spiritual matters. Most believe that all religions are good and all are valid. My Grandfather and Dad believe that it is like some spiritual mountain. All religions start somewhere on the mountain and though some roads may take longer, all the religions get you to the top of the mountain to heaven or nirvana etc.
The only problem is that there is no truth in that. That is just playing ‘if that religion is good for you then it is fine for you, but I just don’t believe that way so for me it is not valid, right now.’ That is spiritual relativism and it is just like saying that the answer to every math problem is five. That works for me even if it doesn’t work for the mathematicians or contradicts logic and science. What do they know anyway?
You can not say that Christ was God and be a Christian, redeemed by that same God and also not believe that Christ was God. Only one answer can be correct. Now if Jesus was not truth, maybe Mohammed spoke truth? Maybe it was Buddha? But there was only one truth they all sought and not all of them found it. I do believe they were struggling with the absolute just as we all do from time to time, but if I believe Jesus was God, then, He was the absolute.
If Jesus was the absolute, then He is the truth for all of us. There is no more spiritual relativism. I can not believe Jesus was God so much that I, in my belief, can make Him God. Just the same, you can not in your unbelief make God not exist. It is a matter decided separate from our own perspectives. No matter what we believe, we can not change what is absolute.
Truth cares little for the subjective perspective. Truth is black and white. Truth is pure, and innocent in its purity. Truth is 2 + 2 equaling 4. You cannot bend all laws and rules by the subjective will to create the product of 5. It does not matter if the majority of people like 5 better than 4. Truth overrides subjectivism.
Now, I don’t know if I have proven God in this argument. All I have justified is that the truth of God’s existence and who He is… is well beyond how we feel about it.
And now I shall break with reason and say, I have encountered God, and thus I believe in Him. I have faith in His person and work. And He shall forever exist… and I shall forever argue that God exists as long as 2 plus 2 is true.
That is good for me and you.