In The News
A REALITY CHECK: # 2
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In a prior article, I reflected on the evidence of creative design in the universe. Nevertheless, it appears as if something has gone wrong. Recalling the observation of a critic, "I could have created a better world in which to live." Not actually, but with the realization that there are unfavorable aspects evident in the course of time.
While in fact, Scripture informs us that God did create a more favorable environment. In the beginning, the earth was formless and empty. Whereupon, God began to bring order out of chaos. With the addition of light, the appearance of dry ground, vegetation, etc. After which, he placed humans in a garden paradise.
So things could have continued except for the defection of Adam and Eve. With their failure to recognize the importance of God is the equation of life, they erred in tragic fashion. This had adverse consequences of cosmic proportions
Most obvious, it had a negative impact on human disposition and behavior. Fast forward. The terrorists employ children to set off an explosion in a market place, indiscriminately injuring and killing whoever might be present. For instance, a friend who has received recognition for her extensive humanitarian labors was injured on one occasion, but survived.
Perhaps less obvious, our corporate efforts are compromised by persons in positions of authority. Then, when confronted with their faults, they are often deceitful. Conversely, to deliberately diminish the reputation of others in Jewish tradition is considered a form of theft and thus prohibited.
Then there is the chaotic threat of nature itself. As when a volcano erupts, resulting in death and resulting in destruction. As when the water level rises, flooding homes and causes persons to flee. Consequently, we confront chaos in personal, social, and environmental contexts.
Armed conflict serves as a prime case in point. There are fundamentally two approaches that have been advocated in Christian tradition. First, there is some form of pacifism. For instance, some would allow for participating on a non-combatant role, while others would rule this out as well.
Second, there is the just war theory. What constitutes a just war differs in some respects. For instance, some include the provision that it must include a viable way of terminating the engagement. Advocates of this theory may cite John Calvin’s observation that it we can save a life, and fail to do so, we are guilty of homicide. In any case, it is generally agreed that the just purpose for armed conflict is peace in its broad sense of well-being.
The critic often reasons in the following manner: if God were omnipotent, he could eliminate this chaos, and if he were benevolent he would do so. Since it continues, he is either not omnipotent or benevolent, or simply does not exist.
This fails to take into consideration that life currently is depicted as a time of transition, between paradise lost and regained. Meanwhile, God is working out his redemptive purpose in far less than favorable situations. As characterized by C. S. Lewis, this involves complex love. That is, love expressed in a fallen context.
A realistic appraisal would seen to discourage utopian thought. Life as we experience it is deeply flawed. As a result, we ought not to expect too much or too little from our efforts to deal with existing circumstances. More explicitly, we should recognize the importance of God’s involvement and cooperate in any way possible. This makes provision for the fact that while we are not God, we are created in his image. The ramifications of which are extensive.
Furthermore, we can experience an earnest of things to come. In good times and bad, encouraged and sustained by God’s grace. Thus providing a continuity in the midst of change. As we are reminded, the more some things change, the more other matters remain constant.
All things considered, this world is not our home. It is just a period of transition. While in preparation of that for what awaits us. At such time, chaos will assuredly give way to God’s gracious order. While inciting the petition, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20).
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