Almost every Christian I know thinks of their religion as one of idealism. Striving to be the best person they can—with Jesus being the ultimate example of an idealist who put those ideals into practice, even if they require sacrifice—because the collective virtue of many likeminded good folks has a positive effect on their local community and the larger region, if not the world.
This is wrong.
When we read the Bible, do we see idealism? No. Such an idea is only accepted in a culture that is already “Christianized” with a bizarre, secularized reinterpretation of scripture. What we actually see in the Bible are a host of logical, factual, like-it-or-not reasons for why obeying and trusting God is the prudent choice, not the ideal one.
Even in so-called fundamentalist communities, where the stories of the Bible are taken as literal accounts of real events, in their hearts they see stories as allegories, the teachings as platitudes, and the message as one of nice feelings and lessons that we should all learn, like fairy tales with a little moral at the end. This is an insult to the Bible and to God.
The stories of the Bible are cynical, painful, and offensive, and it does not encourage aspirational thinking, but the overturning of worldly logic to recognize that there is a very real, dangerous, divine power that governs mankind. We are not supposed to pray because it relieves our anxieties and unites us in a common mentality; we are not supposed to worship God because it establishes a principle above selfishness; we are not supposed to love our enemies because it has a ripple effect in society. We are supposed to pray because that’s what slaves do to their masters; we are supposed to worship God because He has the power to destroy our souls or give us eternal life; we are supposed to love our enemies because Jesus Christ said so, and it turns out that he controls our salvation. There is no grand philosophy behind these things. They are not the steady revelation of an ideological solution to evil in the world, or a policy that can be converted into common sense. They are the particular commands of a ruling power that is keeping track of who obeys them. You should just want to be on the list of people who obey.
The Bible itself tells you that the world is doomed. There is no reforming it. It will continue to become more evil over time, as deceivers increase and Satan gains more control. When the evil reaches its climax, Jesus will come back and destroy the armies of the world and set up a divine dictatorship.
When Jesus walks on water, is it a metaphor for staying calm in a crisis? No. It is a factual account of a real miracle performed by somebody who has the power to defy the very laws of physics. The lesson is that, if he can do that, you should be very careful to listen to what he has to say. The rules of reality do not apply to him. When Peter goes out to meet him, he experiences what is possible with his help; not by the power of positive thinking.
Do you truly believe that the impossible can be done by God? Do you believe that He is willing to do miracles in this world to prove a point for His elect? If so, do you live as if this is true from day to day?
I’m tired of hearing about ethics. The Bible is not a book of ethics. It is a book of history, prophecy, and wisdom. “But what is the difference between ethics and wisdom,” you ask? According to the dictionary, ethics is:
Motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
The philosophical study of moral values and rules
Whereas wisdom is:
Accumulated knowledge, erudition or enlightenment
The trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight
Do you see the difference?
A wise person gains knowledge first, and then gathers insights from that knowledge to inform their decisions; right and wrong have nothing to do with it. They are simply adapting to the facts. Once you know the facts of the Bible, of course you should rethink how you live! Don’t you see that even the dead can come back to life if God wills it? Don’t you see that He can multiply food to feed thousands? Don’t you see that God can instantly cause a king to lose his mind and become like an animal, and that He knows the innermost thoughts of everyone’s hearts? Don’t you see how He hates cowards and calls those who betray Him by conforming to the world His enemies? Or how Satan is given power to reign over the nations? These are not moral questions. These are the facts. Don’t ask yourself what about that is good or bad, just or unjust; just internalize the knowledge and begin deriving insights.
If you are interested in this material but haven’t read this post yet, I suggest you do:
Great article, Terry! After decades of immersion in the law and its principles, I found myself unexpectedly drawn back to my Christian roots. My journey began with a mentor's provocative assertion that the Bible serves as a foundational "Judicial Instrument," challenging my long-held belief in the purely secular nature of law. This sparked a deeper investigation into the intersection of legal principles and biblical teachings, revealing the profound influence of the Bible on the development of common law. Intrigued, I broadened my exploration, studying the works of scientists like Stephen C. Meyer and Jim Tour, who compellingly argued for the existence of an intelligent designer. As my skepticism gave way to a recognition of the intricacies of creation and the historical evidence for Jesus Christ, I realized that faith in God was not a rejection of reason but a rational conclusion supported by evidence. Books like Mere Christianity and The Case for Christ further solidified my convictions, leading me to see Jesus not just as a figure of faith, but as a historical reality whose life, teachings, and resurrection offered answers to my deepest questions. In the end, the law, science, and theology converged, guiding me to a truth that transformed both my intellect and spirit, bringing me back to the Christian faith with a renewed sense of purpose and peace. Again, for me your article is inspiring!
I understand the premise of your post. The one thing I would suggest that these things are not mutually exclusive. We are to conform to the example Jesus set for us, that doesn’t contradict your statement. God is much more complex and multi-faceted in His divine revelation to us through scripture. Christianity is not an idealism. It does, however, present us with something to aim for. If God just wanted slaves, He would not have given us free-will. Just a thought.