Wonderful article.
This article captures
the ambivalence of living with a materialistic worldview (all that is real and
matter in life is material things) and our innate yearning to have meaning and
purpose in our existence and quest for life. Materialistic or scientistic (note
not scientific) view of life doesn't give a reason for the latter - i.e. the
meaning and purpose in life, enjoyment of beauty, relationships, and the want
of experience that to the fullest.
Here the Christian
worldview makes absolute sense by reminding us we humans are created in the
image of God and possess dignity and honor that is unique and special compared
to "rest of existence: the
rocks, oceans, trees, birds, and insects." We have a longing for life- the
need for love, appreciation for beauty, want of meaning and purpose. We are
created to worship as psychosomatic (body and spirit/soul) beings integrated
never to exist in separation. Aristotle's view that we are embodied souls fits
right within the biblical view of humans as opposed to the Platonic view which
is the predominant in the Western mindset.
We are created for a
reality that is not just physical but spiritual. Christ entering into the
physical world and rising again in the physical body and ascending to a
spiritual realm is solid evidence and hope for this new reality called the new
heaven and new earth. It includes heaven and earth (the spiritual and material)
and we are taught to pray for heavenly reality come to merge with the earthly
one. The earthly reality is under corruption and decay but we are called to
renew, reform, and restore what is broken, corrupt. Such existence gives one
tremendous purpose, meaning, and enjoyment of life. Yet, the sufferings, death,
sins, and evil within and around us remind us we need to be rescued from a
predicament that is bound to decay as the gravitational force always pulling
things down. God coming in the flesh is for the very purpose to rescue us and
opening the door for us to enter into this new heaven and new earth right now.
This is the Christian Gospel - good news. We are invited to enter into this new
reality but only through a relationship with God we can do this. Faith in
Christ who broke into the material world from the spiritual is necessary to
enter into this new heaven and the new earth where all our aspirations for life
are fully realized and affirmed. Suffering and the fleeting nature of life and
its imminent end at any time reminds us to yearn for this new heaven and new
earth by relying on God instead of trusting in our own wits and efforts. It
keeps us humble.
May 31st 2020
