Thought for the Week
I believe our modern culture is taking the road followed by ancient Rome. One that embraced two continually escalating ideologies: pantheism (everything is divine) and paganism (design your own god). The merging of the two led to the conclusion that life is a BYOG (bring your own god) party, and no belief system is any truer than any other. The cultural milestones on the road look like this:
- Previously, we allowed diversity; now we celebrate it, affirming that all beliefs are equally valid.
- In doing so, we lose our former understanding of the distinction between rights and truths, i.e. that the right to believe something does not make it true.
- We denounce “exclusionists” who disagree with this revised definition of diversity, labelling them judgmental and intolerant, and take steps toward (ironically) excluding them from public discourse.
- As a result, the jaded intelligentsia, perceiving that if everything is true, then nothing is true, reject all beliefs. Hence, they cross what philosopher Francis Schaeffer called “the line of despair.”
For life without truth is not freedom. It is despair.
Pontius Pilate, the governor of ancient Judaea, had jettisoned, as had the Roman masses, any innate sense of how to discern truth from lies (the yardstick Jesus called “righteousness”). “What is truth?” he asked Jesus. It was a rhetorical question–Pilate did not believe there was an answer.
He’d crossed the line of despair. But there is a way out (which, according to some ancient writers, including Augustine and Eusebius, Pilate eventually took). Jesus said, “When you abide in my word [when you “live” there], you are truly my disciples — and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
Our world isn’t ready for the exclusivity of those words. But, like Pilate, it needs them all the more. It needs to see truth in action. Needs to see what real disciples, “Jesus-shaped” people, look like. Our neighbors, culture, society need to see that they can be free, that there is a way back from the line of despair. Not everything is true, but something is, someone is. And that Someone…
Is still setting people free.
Great post. 🙂
Thank you.
Inspiring post, Mitch!
Thank you, Susan.
Only one comment Mitch? Yes, this is a great observation and more importantly you have pointed us to the only one who is our answer to despair. Thanks!
My privilege, Pete!
Well said, Mitch; and I agree. Have you seen the Russian film Viking (2016)? It relates the story of Prince Vladimir of Novgorod, which is the beginning of the Rurik dynasty, which in turn established the foundation of Russian culture. It is quite well made, and in the telling it demonstrates a shift from paganism to (orthodox) Christianity.
No, I haven’t seen it, Ed. I’ll look for it. Thanks!
Excellent analysis. I can definitely see what you mean with the way society seems to be moving.
What is most shocking to me is that I have also been influenced by these trends, even though I thought I was separate from them. I see this when I want to testify of objective truth, but in recent years have felt a growing self-consciousness about doing so, a cultivated anxiety about crossing the societal expectation to be a relativist.
I completely understand, Abe.
Your post echoes our pastor’s message on Sunday. The road to despair is too often too easy. As Abe Austin notes, it becomes difficult to testify to the truth in modern society. It’s one of the reasons I left academia; the scoffing of my colleagues was just too much to bear. We need to support each other in our efforts to speak the truth, loudly and clearly!
So sorry you were driven away from academia, Gail. I’ve witnessed that a number of times, but haven’t experienced it to the extent you did. And, yes, we do need to “support each other in our efforts to speak the truth, loudly and clearly!”
well said Mitch. a beautiful and thoughtful post. I enjoyed reading it.
my general observation is that The West is simply a victim of her own success, stressed under the weight of her largesse and cultural influence.
this wealth has enabled the marriage/ascendancy of cosmopolitan and bureaucratic chauvinism, thinking it a superior replacement to the ideals (not necessarily the concrete application) of yeomanry.
the ideologies, i feel, aren’t a product per se but rather a desperate compensation for past ideologies that can no longer prove their efficacy in today’s world.
if they coalesced at a specific point in time it would have been in those quiet hours of some august afternoon when we collectively romanticized the summer of our existence – consequently forgetting about the walls held together by the blood of men who died to extinguish the fire of the barbarians. and not understanding the myopic worldview of the sons and daughters of said barbarians – even willfully letting many of them through the gates.
i’ve often wondered, in this respect, if we are really like Rome….or have we allowed beautiful words to calcify into strict dogma vulnerable to a seemingly benign gift that rots us from the inside…like Troy. Mike
Great share, Mitch.
Thank you, T.
You’re most welcome.
Oh, i am blessed 😇
So happy to hear that, my friend.
SUPER post!!
Thanks, sis.
Amen
Yes…
“Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt” – Gandalf
And only One can see that far.
Amen, Todd.
Truth challenges a man to question his own direction. Truth is a light, when all other paths are darkened, Jesus is the Way.
Amen, Pete.
Excellent! May we hold to Christ and the truths He taught us.
Amen, Joseph.
“For life without truth…is despair.” Like always, Mitch, your perception and wisdom are perfectly penned. As Pete said, you’re pointing to the only answer and real truth to despair! THANK YOU, dear friend. You’re a blessing!
My privilege, as always, dear friend–and likewise!
💚
I really think this is what is happening in the world right now. Especially with that Trump Situation being more of an event that crosses the lines
Great wisdom today. Do you suppose we just reverse things when they don’t go with public opinion? Maybe something like there’s nothing new under the sun?
Very likely, Kathy.
verses 33 & 34 as you quoted verse 32
Great post
Thank you, L.G.
Indeed, thought provoking………..
I feel this, Mitch. I have also struggled with how Christians are portrayed in a negative light as compared to devout people of other religions. Almost all major world religion has a prohibition against homosexuality, but if you ask most people what religion is intolerant of sexuality, at least in the United States, they will respond, they will respond “Christian.” I also grown every time someone in the literary sphere “makes it big” with a bestseller and you read their book only to discover they have implicitly (or explicitly) insulted Christians in some way in their writing while either not addressing or even loading other religions.
WELL said, Mitch. The rise in depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide speaks to the despair that many people are experiencing. It breaks my heart. On the other hand, if they accept Jesus’ invitation to come into relationship with him, he provides rest from futility, worry, stress, fear, and more (Matthew 11:28). There’s much to be gained by just giving Jesus a chance!
Amen, Nancy.
🙏🙏 he comes for the broken ❤️🩹 and sets us free 🕊️
He does indeed, Morag.
Yes Jesus set me free 52 years ago. Free to understand God loved me and wanted to be a part on my life. God made the world for this reason but the highest percentage of the world are going their own way and seeking their own gods. This way ends badly, as if someone does not love Jesus here they would not love Him in eternity. If someone doesn’t love His followers here the would not want to be with them for eternity. So our eternity begins here not after death. Chose you this day Who you will love. If Jesus then love Him if thie world and the things of this world follow them. My hearts desire is that you find the amazing love of God through Jesus.
http://www.afreegift.us
Amen, Mitch! 🙏
An accurate description of the way things are and the way they are continuing to go. Thanks for sharing.
Well-said, Mitch. The truth claims of Christianity are exclusive–but oh so freeing!
Yes! And thank you, Keith.