August 25, 2006
What if Jesus Appeared in the Sky Every Night?
I'm always fascinated by the question of how many people would ever really believe in Christianity in general. And I think you can touch upon it by asking the question: what if Jesus appeared in the sky every night at 7:00 PM and explained why you should believe in Him. This would be the most blatant exposition of truth available. How many would believe?
The tendency is to say "almost everyone," but unfortunately this is not true. A segment of the population would suggest this nightly occurance was simply gas in space that seemed to look like Christ. Or another would suggest that it was mass hypnosis and we weren't really seeing Jesus. But the worst - the saddest - of God's creatures would admit that this was Jesus and proceed to twist His words in a way to suit their lifestyle. So that they do not have to change for any reason.
I think God believes (and knows) He has given us exactly the proofs we need to believe. He has appeared over time to His people culminating in an actual visit to earth in the flesh where He was killed for our sins. He left behind a Church which wrote a book explaining exactly what happened while Jesus was on earth. How much more should He do? God of course could make us believe, but we would then be robots incapable of truly and freely loving Him. And frankly, how many more would believe with anything short of making us robots? In our day and age faith is no longer a function of knowledge. You can read history, science, or philosophy and get to God. The information is available that will help you believe.
But ultimately faith is a function of morality: we don't want to believe because it would curtail our sins in an unacceptable way. We would rather not believe and keep on doing what we prefer, than to believe and be forced to change. Even among those who attend church and say they believe, so few are willing to actually make a sacrifice for God. To live a better, more holy existence because of their belief. Would an apparation in the sky help? I don't believe so, but if it would it has happened. Repeatedly. And been studied scientifically (many of the scientists studying the apparations have converted). So if that's what it takes for you, go look into it. Otherwise ask yourself: why do I expect so much from God and so little from myself?
God bless,
Jay
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jay
Nice thoughts... You note "faith is a function of morality." I think you and I agree faith is a function of grace. I don't think they are mutually exclusive statements. How would you meld those two comments in your experience?
In Love
when we were one
Posted by: when we were one at August 25, 2006 11:20 AMThere was a time when I would have said that Jay is making wild and fanciful speculation when he says that people would make up silly excuses not to believe in the face of "hard evidence".
Then I read a bit about the events surrounding Bernadette of Lourdes. Well documented events that go on even today that defy scientific explanation.
Hoax theories, hallucination theories, natural explantions all abound. Then a few "debunkers" investigate and get converted upon realizing that it is not a hoax or hallucination and that there are no natural explanations. Then the Church starts investigating and it is even more rigorous and skeptical than the amateur debunkers (after all the Church has much to lose if it is a hoax but says it is not than if it just ignores the claims) - but in the end conclude that the usual explanations just will not do. And then people just cling to their half-baked pet theories without investigating.
In the end one realizes that those who reject God have more blind faith than the people they scoff at. Reminds me of the Pharisees who refused to believe that Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath because everyone knew healing was forbidden on the Sabbath and so God would never allow such a thing to happen.
Posted by: Burnt Marshwiggle at August 25, 2006 03:52 PMI always think of Fatima and the miracle of the sun.
I have a co-worker who I discussed this with once. I told him about the missionaries that even today are performing miracles. After explaining a recent 'fish and loaves' type miracle that I knew of, his response was, "Well, I don't think God cares enough about us to really come down and add a few beans to a pot." When I challenged him on what he though was really happening, he didn't give a response, but just side stepped dealing with the issue.
I can accept a person who's a skeptic and says, "I don't think that really happened" or give some other reason, but I find many non-religious simply ignore that you even said anything.
Posted by: DJ at August 29, 2006 02:40 PM
