Essay - Honesty in our approach
Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 2:06 pm
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Essay – Honesty in our approach
I was raised as atheist. I did not realize it that much, but I assumed or easily inclined to thinking that Christians are simply wrong. That people always needed to have some “higher power” above them. That they invented God to satisfy their needs. In fact, many people did invent their gods. All gods from history and presence cannot be existent. At the least, teachings about them are not compatible. So, all cannot be right. Even Bible speaks about people creating gods and worshipping them (see for example golden calf in Exodus 32). But, does it mean that God does not exist? It does not. In fact, it may mean, that humans have hidden knowledge about God’s existence (Romans 1:20; Genesis 1:26-27). They may intrinsically have the need for God. So they create their own. But why is that? Why do they create their own gods instead of worshipping the One? Bible tells us that people corrupt themselves (Exodus 32:7), are disobedient (Ephesians 2:2), suppress the truth (Romans 1:18), blind their minds by the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
When I was a child, having been influenced by my surroundings (and by my own bias), I thought that it is a part of evolution process that people invented their gods. That higher on the “evolution ladder” are those who do not believe in God. I know many other who think the same. But is it honest? Do evolutionists even know what the goal of evolution is? Is it our survival? Is spirituality needed? Or was needed? Why?
I ask because it is so easy just to dismiss something.
Many think we were not that knowledgeable and intelligent so we ascribed to the works of gods natural events like raining, thunderstorms, lightings, etc. Yes, now we know better the mechanisms behind the weather. But still even to this day there are many highly intelligent people who believe in God. Maybe I could give you names. But maybe it will be better if you search yourselves. Physicists, biologists, psychologists, archaeologists … all kinds of people from all kinds of branches of science. Why do they believe in God?
Many people think we are just crazy, having some psychiatric illness. This is nothing new for us, nor for the Bible (Acts 26:24, Mark 3:21, John 10:20). We know we can be treated badly, even persecuted and hated (2Timothy 3:12, Matthew 5:44, 1 John 3:13, John 15:18, 2 Corinthians 12:10). But what is an honest approach? Certainly not accusing us of being crazy. Or mocking us as for example Mr. Dawkins who seems to be master in it.
Once on Facebook I saw a video from Dawkins' website shared by one my FB friend. It was nothing but mere mocking. I commented that it is silly to which my FB friend replied: "Yes, it is silly". But he had in mind that the "it" meant Bible (they were mocking Bible and Christianity). So I said further: "I mean the video is silly". My FB friend was surprised. Maybe he thought that someone who studied theoretical physics would not defend Christianity – silly stuff for him. Maybe he thought something else, but the fact remains that I was treated with disdain and with the behavior 'I know better than you'. Hmm, such are fans of Mr. Dawkins?
When I was an atheist, I thought that we-atheists are wiser and more intelligent than them-Christians. Why did I think that? Well, of course, not everybody is like me. I thought it because I was influenced by my surroundings. It was passed on me. But I let it to be passed. I did not really explore it. I should have searched for intelligent Christians, befriend them, talk to them. Much later, I did this. But it was after a group of missionaries came into my town.
I was raised and lived in atheistic world where christianity is something like non-existent. We were supposed to study, have good grades. I even did not know I have talent for art. We were raised up in one direction.
There is one thing on my heart I wish to tell you: If you think you are the most intelligent in your surroundings, please go and find some Christian who will meet your intellectual needs. And not only that. Your personalities should match. It is somewhat disturbing when you do not understand each other. And please, find someone who is loving, peaceful, patient, kind, faithful, gentle, self-controlled, because such is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Many people think that Christianity cannot be right, because there was/is so much evil done by Christians. Yes, indeed, there are people calling themselves Christians and behaving in an unchristian way. I do not dare to judge them. God knows best. But the Bible tells me there are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ (2Corinthians 11:13-15). We are warned of such people (Matthew 7:15, Titus 1:16, 1John 4:1) and we are warned to be such people (Matthew 7:21-23).
My mother always suspected believing persons I befriended of being members of some sect. She was scared all the time when she learned I have Christian friends. Yes, there are sects. That is a fact. And they do harm. But not everybody belongs to a sect. There are Christians. They do exist.
Also, even Christians themselves are not sinless. Apostle Paul speaks of himself having not became perfect (Philippians 3:12). He wrestled with his sins, with his flesh (Romans 7:14-25). But we do not enjoy committing sins. When we recognize we have sinned we feel sorrow. And this sorrow produces a repentance (2Corinthians 7:10). We are not alone in this battle. God gave us the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will teach us (John 14:26), help us in our weakness (Romans 8:26), give us power and hope (Romans 15:13), through Him God poured His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5).
So how to know which Christians to befriend? (If you want to befriend them.) Well, test spirits (1 John 4:1), test everything (1Thessalonians 5:21), examine their teaching by examining the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Examining the Scriptures may not be an easy task. So, be patient, ask various people about it, be respectful, willing to listen and learn.
It never helps (prove me wrong) to say, "You must be crazy!"
One is also to be honest to himself. It never works if you push yourself into a belief. C. S. Lewis wrote in his book Mere Christianity:
It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling.
Since I was born, I longed for the truth. I remember very well how once I complained to my Christian friend that if there is a God why He could not kick me. I searched the truth, I wanted it much, yet I did not know God. Now I see how the long waiting 'has done me some kind of good'. I went through very hard times, but the result now is that I am more stronger, more understanding, more compassionate, more grateful, more depending and more faithful.
God promises that if we search for Him with all our hearts and all our souls we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29, Proverbs 8:17, Lamentations 3:25, Matthew 7:7-8, Jeremiah 29:13). This is a great promise, if not the greatest. We are to explore our hearts. We are to understand what we really long for. I would recommend anybody to read Christ's words and see whether it touched his heart.
And one day, when the time comes and the waiting ends, you will know it.
(c) 1over137
