I really love the song Deconstruction on Lecrae’s new album, Church Clothes 4. He raps about how he lost his way and then came back to the faith. It reminds me of the time I lost my way. There was a period in my life, where I tried to exchange everything that was based on faith, with logic and reason. More specifically, pertaining to the existence of God and the supposed purpose of man. Moments like these can be triggered by external factors. For me, one of them was sin.
I had just started rebelling – okay not just – against the tenets of my faith. I wanted to immerse myself into every other ideal that the world had coined. But this was contrary to what God says. Also, this was a perfect way to feel guiltless from my sexual sins. If I was able to follow concepts of this world that disproved the existence, sovereignty and power of God, then I wouldn’t be obliged to follow what He said. I used my own level of reasoning to oppose my faith.
Christianity is Too Different
I am fully aware that not everyone runs away from the Christian faith in order to pursue a lifestyle which is in opposition to God’s expectations. Some simply oppose it because of what the faith portrays. A God, coming down as a man to save the sins of humanity by dying and resurrecting, so that humans can be reconciled to God. It doesn’t make logical sense. Apart from that, the critique of the faith is grounded in the beliefs that Christianity appears to exhibit, homophobia, misogyny, abuse of women’s rights, violence, polytheism, patriarchy…honestly you name it.
Christianity then seems antiquated in comparison to the age of enlightenment, tolerance and modernism that the world celebrates. It is no wonder that believers are tagged with being unintelligent, because there is no way you can follow the teachings of the Bible and still have a mind of your own that is able to reason. I thought of that too. Relentlessly. I didn’t see how a self-acclaiming believer could characterize themselves as smart or intellectual. The two couldn’t possibly co-exist.
Critiques
Through this lens of logic, the premise for critique is set. Historical proof and schools of thoughts that can be used to dispel certain criticisms, such as the invalidation of Jesus claiming to be God or even being crucified. But, it should be noted that Christianity is largely faith based. Its claim of salvation moves from just head knowledge, to an undeniable knowing that causes you to believe in the divinity and saving power of Jesus Christ.
Other social critiques, like those mentioned in the previous section, are also misunderstandings of God’s way. There is a way that often seems right to us, but the end thereof is destruction (Proverbs 14:12). As a result of trying to pursue our own way doing and thinking about things, we lose sight to the intended purpose of many created things.
Another level of critique is formed by false representations. Large portions of what Christianity looks like today and how it is perceived by some, are due to colossal misrepresentations of God’s mind and the result of man’s need to glorify themselves. Males carry a unique purpose in propagating the Kingdom of God. But, throughout scripture and in modern times, we see that men have not always exhibited positive traits. It is then safe to say that in the instruction of the Word to the masses, there can be misinterpretation. Now, this statement is not a pass for them, but it does go to show the extent to man’s flawed nature. It also shows the tendency to perverse things God has declared good.
The World Opposes
Such factors of logic, misunderstanding and misrepresentation, culminate to brand Christianity as a direct contradiction to the principles of modern society. The ways of the world seem wiser as compared to what the Bible teaches. I guess that is what makes us believers look even more foolish. Granted that so much of what we believe is viewed as an opposition to man’s freedom and autonomy. It bothers me sometimes. Some days, I have felt like a fool. I have looked like a bigger fool to the people who use the laws of this world to explain how these laws can only be the governing forces.
I am coming to a different understanding. Slowly. I can’t hold faith and my line of reasoning in the same regard.
I don’t want to point fingers to say that those who are aligned to ideologies of this world are doing so to stay in sin. No, far from it. What I am rather saying is that dutifully following the world’s ideals would blind you from following the gospel of Christianity. The ideals of this world appeal to the human mind. What I propose is to deny the ways of the world that seem wise to humans. A part of that, is letting go of how your mind sees things. This is the only way to submit to the ways and thoughts of a God who supersedes our understanding.
The Natural Man vs. The Spiritual Man
If we attempt to view God from a human standpoint, we will countlessly fail to reach a conclusion that satisfies our intellectual curiosity. Take the idea of the mercy of God. Someone who has done good all their life is expected to go to heaven. On the other hand, someone who has done bad all their life is expected to go to hell. That is perfectly comprehensible to the natural man. However, God says He will show mercy to whom He will show mercy. Sadly (or not), God’s ways are not our ways. A rapist or murderer, with countless felonies, can be forgiven just by accepting the gospel of Christ. Or, someone who has done good all their life can be condemned to eternal damnation, because they denied Christ. The natural man’s mind will fail to understand. The Ways of God.
I take solace in the assurance that the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God. It is not through anyone’s incessant explanations that will change their mind – only the Spirit of God can do that. Believers see things differently. They have a different lens; a different spirit. You can’t know God through human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:21). The natural man sees the message of the cross as foolishness. However, to believers it is the power of God.
To the Christian, who feels like a fool, take pride in the foolishness. Would you rather look like a fool to the world or to God? To the unbeliever, I pray the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ will shine upon you. I pray you will no longer be wise in the world’s eyes, so that you too can behold the beauty of Christ, with Hands Lifted High.
Verses
1 Corinthians 1:21 (NLT) – Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe
Proverbs 14:12 (NLT) – There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.