The ultimate test of any system of belief is does
that system provide reliable encouragement to humanity. We have ample sources of discouragement from
relatively trivial ones to death itself.
The central challenge is to maintain the feeling of significance in the
face of forces that have no regard whatever for mankind. Just this year, for example, I have witnessed
floods and fires that destroyed the life work of people—all their significant memorabilia—without
any regard at all; events that through their utter indifference mocked the
noblest aspects of man and all that is most dear to him. The fragility of health presents a similar challenge. Mocking forces not only are constituted by
natural disasters but forces systemic of societies—like widespread unemployment,
poverty, and crime. A successful belief
system must not only give encouragement, but reliable encouragement in the face
of these forces that would lead to deadening nihilism.
A successful belief system must be ruthlessly realistic
and not paper over the challenges we face.
Without this characteristic it will be seen as little more than useless,
fanciful thinking—a cheap and unhelpful form of escapism. The belief system must have access to man’s
sense of meaning. In other words, it
must involve not only facts, but symbolism that resonates in the subconscious;
for it is not only facts that must be understood, but feelings and images that must
be mapped. I am, of course, crafted by my
own experience. I have found
Christianity unblinking in its assessment of human nature and the world yet offering
a profound sense of hope and purpose. It
is completely understandable to me that some regard my faith as out of sync
with modern man. But from my point of
view the need for salvation is an old yet ongoing fact of life.
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