Atheist Paradox

It's been a while since I've been on, but I'm currently waiting on a group member to send me some powerpoint slides for a group project (Intro to Computing...last Gen Ed of my SBU career). So, as I try to avoid falling asleep, maybe I can type something that at least makes a little sense.

Earlier this week I watched the documentary "The God Who Wasn't There." Essentially, it is a film that tries to show how the Bible is contradictory and that Jesus is just a myth. Personally, I thought "Religulous" was better, but anyways...

While thinking about the topic of atheism, something struck me. I don't know if the following statements are a good argument, or if they've been discussed before, but it is just what has been going through my head.

Typically, atheists negate and attempt to refute religion on the basis of rationality and science. Basically, it makes no sense to believe in God because such faith is irrational and does not line up with "the facts." However, this seems ironic to me because, without any higher power or purpose, what basis do we have for rationality or truth?

Nietzsche understood this problem well. In his work, "On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense," Nietzsche argues that truth is merely the invention of humans. He argues this from a linguistic perspective (words have no direct correlation to reality, and therefore are nothing more than constructed metaphors). In the end, he concludes that there is nothing amazing about a person who hides and object behind a bush, leaves, and then becomes excited when he "discovers" that object. Nietzsche argues the same for truth. There is nothing amazing about the quest for truth because we are simply discovering something that we invented in the first place.

Such is a world devoid of God. If there is no higher being or purpose, then things quickly lapse into nihilism and we must recognize that there is no such thing as truth or even reason. Such things are merely the inventions of humans.

An atheist uses facts and reason to deny God. However, by denying God, one also denies the possibility of truth/reason. Therefore, if there is no truth to be pursued rationally, then how can one deny God on the basis of these things?Thus exists the paradox for the atheist.

Again, these are just ideas that I am toying with, but if they work, then perhaps it is something to be considered when discussing the existence of God.

The Evils of Globalism?

I was just reading an article about the relationship between Obama and the Catholic Church. Although I ignored much of what the article had to say, one question did pop into my mind: why do many Christians so oppose globalism?

In reading authors, like the one who wrote this article, I see a common assumption that somehow, pursuing multilateral intervention, or seeking to increase support for the U.N. is "unchristian." For some reason people tend to think that any centralization of power in the world is unbiblical and evil. In fact, within many evangelical circles simply the word "global" carries negative connotations. While I will refrain from stating my ideas about globalism (that could become a very lengthy discussion), I do find this "conservative Christian" aversion to it fascinating.

In particular, I think this attitude is due to two main factors of evangelical Christianity in America today. First, the prominence of dispensationalism provides a major source of motivation. After all, if the Antichrist is going to come to power via a "world order," then any attempt to centralize power on the global level must be in direct opposition to God. It's the work of the Antichrist, right? However, as a side note, I find this quite confusing. Shouldn't we want this since it means we'll get "raptured" sooner? Why don't we pray for this global power to arise so we can get out of here? But anyways...

Second, I think this attitude is a byproduct of our worship of America. We're so nationalistic that we hate seeing power go to other authorities or countries besides our own. Yet, while I love America, I cannot find where in the Bible I'm to place her sovereignty above the purposes of God. Sadly, many Christians today believe that U.S. sovereignty should be protected at all costs. But, what if we could lessen violence by sacrificing some sovereignty? Isn't peace one of the characteristics of the Kingdom? Perhaps we love U.S. sovereignty because of the benefits it gives us. After all, if no one limits our power, then we can always go to war and crush by might any power that might oppose our way of life. Maybe we as Christians find comfort in that kind of power.

Whatever the exact reason(s), we need to examine our assumptions. Is globalism evil de facto? If we think it is, why do we feel that way? Regardless of our conclusions about the kingdoms of the world, it is imperative that we at least recognize that the Kingdom of God is global:

"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes..." (Rev. 7:9)

Learning from Nietzsche

Nietzsche! Surely nothing good for a Christian can come from Nietzsche! After all, this is the man who boldly proclaimed that "God is dead." How can we learn anything from his nihilism?Whenever many people (especially Christians) hear Nietzsche's name, that is a typical response. The name itself carries connotations of evil and rebellion against the way things are. Yet, perhaps there is still something to be gleaned from what this German philosopher had to say.

Recently, I read Nietzsche's essay, On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense. Indeed, the essay begins on quite a negative tone as Nietzsche laments "how miserable...and transient, how aimless and arbitrary the human intellect looks" given the fact that humanity must one day perish. After this, he goes on to discuss why "truth" is nothing more than a "social arrangement" perpetuated by the desire for power. In essence, what we call "truth" is only true because society defines that as "true."

Nietzsche's main reasoning is taken from the nature of language. Language, being a human invention, is arbitrary by nature. There is no direct correlation between words and the objects they represent. Thus, although I call my the thing I read a "book," there is absolutely no reason why I could not call it a "dog." The only reason I call it a "book" is because that is what society has decided is true. Nietzsche takes this idea further to argue that ALL of reality must be interpreted and described by words. Thus, because language has no direct tie to reality's essence, any description of truth is simply our version of reality. In the end, reality's essence can never be understood. Even if a transcendent truth exists, we can never grasp that truth.

So how does a Christian respond to this? Because, the fact is, I would agree with his observations on the nature of language. Must I accept that we can never understand or express a transcendent truth?

While I do not agree with Nietzsche's ultimate conclusions, I think that there is something important for us to glean from his work. Namely, we need an attitude of humility. Nietzsche has a good point when he argues that everyone filters reality through the lens of their own experiences and preconceptions. So, in one sense, none of us have a perfect objective view of the world. None of us have the same view of reality as the person next to us. We each have our own perspective that we work through.

I cannot help but think of Paul's words that "now we see in a mirror dimly...now I know in part" (1 Cor. 13:12). We must each recognize that, no matter how knowledgeable we are, we can never fully understand the reality before us. There will always be aspects that surpass our understanding. Therefore, this requires humility in all our interactions. If we are not all-knowing, then we must always be open to the possibility that we are wrong.

Nietzsche also railed against this assumption that our versions of truth were correct. While I disagree with his notion that truth is purely a social construct, I do agree with his frustration over people assuming they are correct. If a transcendent truth does exist, and if we can only ever see in part, then it is all the more important to make sure that we never sacrifice that truth for something that we have constructed for ourselves.

"Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse...but [they] exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures." (Rom. 1)

What have we assumed is true that is only our own creation? Do we ever think that we could be wrong? May God help us maintain humility so that we can see more fully.

Is seeking Social Justice Unorthodox?

Earlier today, I stumbled across an article by a Christian on the possible influence of the Emergent Church upon the politics of the U.S. (it was also written before last year's election). In this article, she bemoaned Emergents' rejection of "anything the 'Christian Right' may have focused on." In particular, she raged against the fact that Emergents are pursuing many forms of social justice instead of taking a harsh stance against key religious right issues like abortion and marriage. As she puts it:

"The more socially minded leaders they follow have convinced them that it is all right to set aside issues such as abortion or same-sex marriage and replace those with ridding Africa of AIDS. This cannot be ignored."

While I would agree with her that we cannot ignore the issues of abortion or homosexuality, why is the basic assumption here that it is an either-or pursuit? Why can't we take on a more holistic approach to being "pro-life" and protect life both here and abroad. Let us protect life due to natural causes and human ones. Furthermore, even if we had to sacrifice some cause, it could quite possibly be argued that AIDS or hunger or child soldiers kills many more people than the gay community. If we are truly concerned about people's souls and "spiritual poverty" as the article's author puts it, then shouldn't seeking to save the lives of those who are dying without ever knowing Christ rather than addressing our pet sins take precedence?

In summary, it seems that this author simply cannot understand why many of us are some concerned with these issues of social justice. Instead of recognizing how the whole Bible, from front cover to back, addresses these same issues of justice, she can only seem to relegate such attitudes to a "social gospel" or even worse to "socialism." While I admit, there is a danger of neglecting good theology for a more works based gospel or for a "social gospel," this author again makes the assumption that you can't have both. Why can't we both affirm the creeds of orthodoxy and also be prompted to seek justice and the Kingdom of God here in our world?

The last point that I found extraordinary was this author's fatalism toward social issues (with the exception of course of her own two that she thought were important.) The following is an extended quote from the article:

"It remains to be seen if these young people who are Emergent Church enthusiasts or followers of the pied pipers of the "Religious Left" will actually solve the problems for which they have a burden....But thanks to the Fall in the Garden, every square foot of grass on either side is full of weeds, and there is really no panacea for the world's desperate problems except for the Lord's return. That does not mean that until that time some of the issues being raised should not be attended to. But expectations should be kept relatively low."

So apparently, the Holy Spirit did not come at Pentecost. Apparently, the Kingdom of God cannot be seen at all until Christ's return. Apparently, Christ's first coming did nothing except ensure that we could go to heaven and be cleansed of sin. I'm sorry, but as I read the words of Christ, I have to believe that He also inaugurated the Kingdom of God. That gives us hope for today, not just for the future. Jesus also didn't wait for His return to help others; He began the healing work of the Kingdom while He was here. Granted, this world will never be perfect until Christ returns. We can't fix every problem. But neither can I simply wait around and watch a dying world continue in its pain when I have knowledge of Christ. While I will keep expectations realistic, I also know that God is breaking into our world already and that His Spirit empowers us. Thus, I won't hang my head in low expectations and brace myself until Christ's return. As our lord taught us to pray: "May Your Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven."

To read the article go to: http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-3786

The River Goddess

This past week I received an e-mail from my girlfriend who is currently in West Africa doing a semester abroad. One day, while she and her friend were walking to the market and passed by the nearby river. As they passed by, a few local women asked if they were afraid. Without thinking, my girlfriend answered that she was not afraid. The ladies replied by stating that they were and that she should be as well. Later, my girlfriend remembered that the local people believe that there is a river goddess that takes lives by drowning people. They also believe that, in certain parts of the river, a person can be pulled under the river, stay there for a week, and then come back out of the river possessed by evil spirits. Therefore, people live in fear and avoid getting too close to the river, lest they get pulled under by the goddess.

When reading this, my, and most Americans', reaction is quick: There's no need to fear a river goddess. For me, my immediate response was pity for the people's foolishness in fearing such a thing. Indeed, for the Christian, the reaction to not fear should be our response. The Bible constantly tells us to live in courage. However, after reading the e-mail from my girlfriend, I realized that my reaction was not entirely the right one. I, and probably most of you, based the reason for not fearing upon the assumption that there is no such thing as a "river goddess." Such things are just the myths of uncivilized people, right? Perhaps not so.

Such a position expresses a high level of arrogance. As I talked about in my previous posts, the Christian should realize that things like spirits and angels do exist. For all we know, there could be a river "goddess" or demon or spirit. Such an entity may not exist exactly as the natives perceive it. It may not even reside "in the river." However, who's to say that the whole area is empty and void of any unseen force. The book of Revelation reveals a world in which unseen forces of both good and evil exist. There are angels of wind, fire, and water, and likewise, malevolent forces run throughout the world.

Yet, the call to "not fear" still exists. If we cannot state with complete certainty that no such "goddess" exists, then where does that courage come from? The Bible is clear on this. For those in Christ, there is no fear of powers. Christ has triumphed over all powers, and those who "put on Christ" can stand in His strength. In the end, instead of pitying people's foolishness at believing "fairy tales," when we hear stories such as my girlfriend's, we should be grieved that they live in fear without knowing the power of Christ and his Spirit. May we have a heart of prayer for others and never neglect how much Christ has done (and continues to do) for us.

Colliding Worlds (pt 2)

Well, it has been a while since my last post in which I promised a part 2, so I'll try to remember what all I had to say. As a refresher, my experience of watching the new Harry Potter film caused me to explore the theme of parallel worlds in many modern films/shows. I suggested that one possible reason for this is that our materialistic worldview causes us to long for something more (because something more actually does exist). In this post, I want to explore another interesting theme that runs alongside that of parallel worlds.

In all of these films, I find it intriguing that, not only does a parallel world exist, but this other world also poses a threat to our world. It is a world filled with malevolent forces. In The Half Blood Prince the realm of wizards and witches is populated not only by Harry and his friends, but also by numerous forces that are set on conquest and destruction. And, in the pursuit of these goals, evil collides with our world and causes harm to those of us who are powerless in the use of magic (i.e.- the beginning of the film).

Yet, again, not only Harry Potter films exhibit this theme. Most films that feature colliding worlds portray the "other" world as a threat to our own. In The Matrix, computers have created a hostile world set on enslaving humanity. In superhero flicks, the world of the mask is not just for our beloved heroes, it is also the place for the worst kinds of villains as well. No superhero becomes popular by defeating mere bank robbers and murderers. They need a SUPER villain who pulls off super-thefts and commits super-atrocities. 9 times out of 10, alien films portray visitors from another "world" coming to earth a creating chaos and destruction (the recent film District 9 is a rare exception, although there is still great fear of the aliens.) Continued examples from countless other films could back me up here, but it is enough to state that there exists a certain fear of realms that collide with our own.

So, besides the fact that conflict makes for a good plot, why is there always such hostility from the other side? One possible reason could come from the great privileges that we have here in America. We are the most powerful empire in the world. We by and large can control world affairs. We have not actually been invaded by another country since 1812. The few attacks on home soil have been just isolated incidents and few and far between. We are the richest of the world. I could go on and on. However, these few quips illustrate that we are a people who grasp a considerable amount of control within our lives. There is little that seriously threatens us. Thus, one of our greatest fears here in America is the loss of control of the "worlds" in which we live. We dread things coming into our lives that would strip away our power and have the ability to change the worlds that we have erected. We fear helplessness.

Another question that could be asked is: Why is it that the invading forces of evil are always more powerful than those of us from the normal world? A related theme to the threatening parallel world is that we need a "savior" who understands and even participates in that other world as well. Our world needs a Harry Potter who can master magic. Gotham needs a Batman. Those trapped in the Matrix need a Neo. All of these heroes are people who somehow participate in both worlds.

Yet, film often is simply a reflection of our own lives. In an attempt to avoid helplessness, we seek the power of those realms that could threaten us. To defend ourselves from economic recessions and crashes we seek to gain the upper hand through economic knowledge. To avoid military and terrorist attacks we practice preemptive strikes. To maintain our social status, we strive after social savvy and may even search for information that can be used against others. However, the reality is that no matter how hard we try, there still exists circumstances that can bring everything down. Especially when we consider the reality of malevolent powers in this world, as I mentioned in my last post, then the clouds grow even darker. Even though several mortals can learn magic, it still requires a Harry Potter, a chosen one, to defeat the forces of evil.

As we look at the Bible, we realize our helpless situation as mortals. We cannot withstand the onslaught of evil. We need someone "on the inside" who can save us and stop evil. Yet, we desire someone who is one of us as well. Even though movies may pick up on this, they are not the first. In the Gospels we meet a man who was more than just a man. In fact, He originated in that "other world" and existed there from "the beginning." Therein lies one fascinating contrast with these films. Whereas films portray a hero rising from humanity to join the greater powers, Christianity tells the story of One beyond all powers who became a lowly man. And yet, there is where salvation springs forth.

In conclusion, Harry Potter has reminded me that there is a dark reality that surrounds us at times. So often we also become helpless to defend ourselves from these forces. We can try to stop it, but it won't be enough. In the end, we need a savior to hold back destruction. Praise be to God that we have such a Savior, and not just one from among us, but the One who came down to us.