Lost in Translation

Being the aspiring geek that I can sometimes be, I frequently buy books that offer insights into life. Oftentimes, I find it ironic that a lot of those insights (if they are based on solid wisdom) reflect on Biblical truths. In fact, I would dare say that all true knowledge ultimately leads back to God and His truths. I'm a little excited right now, because I've happened onto a title that I think will prove to be one of those insights - it's called The Arrogance of Humanism by David Ehrenfeld back in 1978. This book, like most others for sale on Amazon.com, has a few pages excerpted to be read by potential buyers. In those pages, Ehrenfeld puts forth this notion:

"When religions decay, form usually outlasts substance: rituals continue to be observed, sometimes even intensified, but they move outside the lives of the people who practice them. In these circumstances, ritual is celebrated, but no longer believed; it may even become embarrassing. Vital religions are different. Athough the extent of ritual observance varies from one to another, all living religions are a part of daily life and their central tenets are accepted as truths that need no further verification."

We can draw a line from this statement directly to the presence of the fruits of the spirit and efforts in pursuing them as evidence of living faith (See I Cor 13:4-8; Galatians 5:22; Phil 4:8; Colossians 3:12-16). Do we see evidence that our Christian faith is making a positive difference in our lives that correlates with these scriptures on spiritual fruit?

Do we really believe what we do every Sunday, or is it a ritual observed but no longer believed. Perhaps the answer should scare us. Maybe the following questions can provide insight. (These questions are first and foremost self-directed) Why am I willing to endure high interest rates on credit cards and be inconvenienced by monthly payments on debts and only sporadically give to the work of God? Why do I not spend much time in the Word and then wonder why my faith gets weak? Why do I ask God for answers and refuse to believe His answers because they seem to good to be true? Why do I look forward to being entertained rather than disciplining myself to know God more? Why do I and so many other Christians look so similar to the world? Why, when it comes down to what God says and my feelings, do my feelings often win out? Because all too often I get into the place of preeminence in my own life. I often need a reality check. Many times I need to "get out of my own way."

Humanism is basically what it is or rather original sin gone wild. It has crept into our lives as Americans masked with prosperity, comfort, and success. It has deeply reframed our culture, is destroying families, and weakening our churches. Most universities and educational institutions have surrendered to the prowess of Humanism, and our government defends it. In fact, it will ultimately destroy us and our way of life...if we let it. Ironically, humanism is ultimately the antithesis to freedom. Romans chapter 1 describes a decadent culture (and I think we can see legitimate similarities) when it describes a people who exchanged God's truth for lies, and "worshiped the creature instead of the Creator."

Unfortunately, the tendency to anoint ourselves as God will be a lifelong struggle because of our flesh. The battle will continue, but are we winning? Can we look at the passages from I Corinthians, Galations, Philipians, and Colossians and the quote from Ehrenfeld and say that, based on the evidence, our faith makes a difference? Will this be the determining factor when Jesus separates the wheat from the tares? or the sheep from the goats? Lip service vs. life service. A couple of weeks ago we got into a discussion on Sunday night as to who we should fellowship with as brothers or sisters in the faith. Perhaps we should look for those whose Christian faith makes a difference and any signs of striving for spiritual fruit. After all, they will know (or should know) we are Christians by our love. Fortunately, Jesus is still in the business of getting people over themselves (even Christians).