Homosexuality and the Church

A good friend recently asked me, “Why do homosexuals hate Christians so much?”, and further, “Why do they play victim every time I try to express my own opinion?”

            In response I inquired, “Well, do you feel any hostility towards homosexuals?”

            “No, not really”, he said. “However, I do grow in hostility towards them, because of the way that I am treated as ignorant and judgmental. He then proceeded, “If I am treated like shit for my beliefs as a Christian by homosexuals, why should I even care to try and understand homosexuality?”

            “Hmm, I suppose I could understand your sentiments.” I responded. “However, let’s think of this in the reverse.  What is the history with homosexuality and the Church?” In saying this I mean, what is the historical Christian discourse with homosexuality?”

            “Well, I know biblically it’s wrong” he quickly retorted. “Nevertheless, the Church really hasn’t been the greatest friend to homosexuals. It seems that Christians have been quick to marginalize them.”

            I nodded in agreement. “Yes, I agree that we haven’t been the greatest neighbors to homosexuals have we?”

 

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40

            It was this conversation that moved me to reflect more deeply upon the struggle between homosexuality and the Church today.  The Church’s hatred and judgmental actions of the past and present have become a terrible stigma to the name of Jesus Christ.  How saddening is it that we, as believers of Jesus Christ, have turned His name into a person who hates and despises. Jesus was once asked, “Which is the greatest commandment?” And his response, in paraphrase, “Love God, and secondly, love your neighbor as yourself”.  As Christians, what are we going to say to the all-mighty God on judgment day when He asks if we kept His commandments?

 “Well God, I loved you with everything I had and I loved the neighbors that I got along with.”

I have a feeling God’s response will be a little something like this:  “Seriously? The ones you got along with? Do you really think that you loved me by loving those that you got along with?  My Son told you, ‘Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these[1], you did not do for me.’[2]

Ouch! What would we say to that? Perhaps, “Oh, I’m sorry God. I missed that part. I must have skipped right over it.”

God might say something like, “No, clearly you never knew Me, because if you truly knew me, you would have loved the least of these. Step back, I never knew you.”

*

How can God be so cruel?  No, I think the right question would be, how could we have allowed our hearts to grow so far from Him?

The Christian doctrine of transformation directly understands that the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in the hearts of those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  If this is truth, would not our actions reveal the love and grace of our loving savior, Jesus Christ?[3] Even further, is it reasonable to say that the Holy Spirit has indwelled in our hearts, if our actions do not reflect God’s peace and love?  Or is it possible that we have denied the Holy Spirit entirely, because what Jesus calls us to do is simply too uncomfortable?[4] 

Why is it that Christians often believe they can pick and choose which passages of scripture they will abide by, while jettisoning other passages that may be uncomfortable for them? Is this truly the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ? No, in the words of the President of World Vision, Richard Stearns, “There is a hole in our gospel”.[5]  Jesus did not say, “Take or leave the things I say, as long as you believe in me”.  He said more clearly, “Die to yourself and pick up your cross daily to follow me.”[6]  I love Paul’s reflections in his letter to the Church at Galatia; you can truly see that he has internalized what Jesus had taught, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”[7]  What?!  “No longer do I live, but Jesus lives in me.”  Have we, as Christians, truly internalized this?  If we have, it better reveal itself in the way that we love one another and our neighbors.  If not, unfortunately, we are no better off than the demons.

“Love God and Love others”

*

            In reference to the turmoil still brewing to this day in the Holy Land., Jostein Gaarder remarks, “Down here, Cain and Abel have not finished killing one another.”[8]  Whether or not this statement resonates well with you, some may find it provocative and disturbing in ways; however, it carries a significant underlying message that is remarkably profound.

            Now, stepping away from biblical theology for the time being, without disregard, let’s unpack the psychological development taking place between people who are homosexual and people in the Church. In mentioning Gaarder’s remark in reference to the turmoil in the Holy Land, I intend to draw a parallel with the Church’s relationship with homosexuals.  Let me explain. 

In the aftermath of the World War II, the Jews felt the need to retreat back to the land of their ancestors.  I could not begin to fathom the amount of pain and struggle that they had undergone. The psychological trauma the Jews had experienced in the course of the war inevitably affected their course of action, as they proceeded onward to the land of their fathers. When they arrived, we find that historically the Jews used militant force to seize many villages that surrounded Israel, while aggressively marginalizing the Palestinians that inhabited the land at the time.  The question naturally would be asked, why would the Jews act with militant force in such a way, when they had just experienced a similar act of violence?  Well, they were in the post-traumatic state of feeling threatened. In the course of feeling threatened, the Jews felt the need to act out in violence to find their safe haven, and the Palestinians became the victims without further reason.[9]  A brief summary, however, I hope eye-opening.

Now, jumping back to my conversation with a friend about homosexual’s hostility towards Christians, we can look at it in a different light. The animosity he experienced from homosexuals was merely a reaction based off the historical, and sadly modern, notion that homosexuals are merely sinners and hell-bound.  Well, frankly, I’d be pretty stand-offish too.  I can’t blame them.  Who wants to be judged by their neighbor? That does not seem loving, and even further, it is the complete opposite of the grace Jesus preached.

It seems that now we have a choice, as Christians.  The ball is back in our court.  If we, as Christians begin to be treated poorly due to these labeled preconceived notions, do we choose to hate back?  If so, this would be yet another great error for those who desire to love as Christ loved.  Further, this cycle of hate will only continue to war against God’s Kingdom.  We now have the opportunity to love, while extending grace to those who do not necessarily agree with us.  Again, this love does not have conditions. It is unconditional.  We, as Christians, love and extend grace, because we are called by our loving Savior to do so.  If we cannot live out this in our lives, we are failing the message that Jesus came to preach. After all, it is not I who came to judge, it is God who will be the great judge.  It is not I that convicts, but the Holy Spirit that will convict.  So, if indeed homosexual acts are sinful, that is up to those who partake and our Holy God.  In the same way, I will have to stand before a Holy God in account for the great many of sins that I have blindingly committed day to day.  I pray and know that our God’s grace is not limited by my blindness, because I am, indeed, human.  We have all fallen short. It is by the grace of God we are redeemed. I thank God every day for that grace and hope to share it with every listening ear. 

I challenge you, to go, and while going love every person God puts in your path.  Allow God to speak through that love.  Although you will be tempted, do not feel the need to fill the world with useless words, only speak when necessary, and do so in love. 

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[1] In considering the “least of these”, it seems that Jesus speaks considering all of mankind, not a select few that pity you, but even those that may be uncomfortable to love.

[2] Matthew 25:31-46, The Sheep and the Goats

[3] James 2:14-26, Faith and Deeds

[4] Mark 3:23-29

[5] Stearns, Richard. “The Hole in Our Gospel”

[6] Luke 9:23

[7] Galatians 2:20

[8] Gaarder, Jostein. “Sophie’s World”

[9] For further reading see; “The Lemon Tree” and “Blood Brothers”

The Hand of God

In the summer of 2002, my father became paralyzed in a tragic surfing accident.  My brother and I were 11 years old at the time. I remember not knowing what to think.  I was angry at God. I was confused and terrified.  As I continued on through the aftermath of the accident, I learned how to strategically compartmentalize these emotions, so I no longer had to wrestle with them day in and day out.  It numbed the pain.

            Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there.  Throughout the years God has continually been speaking His truth to me through the tragedy of the accident.  Recently, a friend whom many of you know, one of the protégés, Katie Juranek was healed from arthritis pain that she had experienced for the past 5 years. Naturally, in the course of witnessing the healing power of the Holy Spirit I began to question God in terms of my father’s accident. Why Katie, and not my father? 

            As I was worshiping one night with the High School students at Summit, God’s Spirit moved me to tears and revealed His truth to me.  Do you not realize my hand at work?  I called my father and mother that night to share what God had revealed to me.

My father answered the phone. After pushing through many tears, I managed to share what was on my heart:

 Dad, I know this accident has not been the most fun for you.  But I tell you this; God has used your accident to transform the lives of Jon and I.  In witnessing you continue to seek the Lord, we couldn’t help but do the same. And because of this, people are being healed.  Not a healing in the physical, but a deeper healing, people are being healed as they come to know the Truth that sets them free.  People are coming to know the Joy that only comes in the name of Jesus.  How much greater is this testimony, that because you have allowed God to work through the course of this tragedy, people are coming to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. People are set free. People have been healed.  

On the other line, my father and mother were filled with joy.  In response, my father said, son, if I could go back to the day of my accident, I wouldn’t change a thing.  I would do it all over again. To now have seen what God has done through this tragedy, speaks of much greater things than to be able to get up out of this wheelchair and walk.  

Predestination and Free Will

Predestination and Free Will

            In recent years, the topic of predestination and free will has weighed heavy on my heart. I have watched families and friends that I love rise in dispute and frustration, while not accepting one another’s theological disposition. I have witnessed the Church suffer immensely, due to this continuously disputed topic in theology. Needless to say, my heart is broken, as I witness theology tearing apart the Church.  Was not theology intended to build up the Church? Jesus prayed in John 17 that we, the Church, may be one, just as the Father and the Son are one, and that we may be one in Them.

            I was raised in a home that tended to communicate the faith through a theology that promoted free will; however, it was never explicitly conveyed to me in such a way.  The Church I was raised in also promoted a free will interpretation of the faith.  As I continued on to study theology at the university level, again, I discovered a theology presented through a lens in support of free will. In my freshmen year of college, I discovered that my home church was going through a division.  Regrettably, this was due to a disagreement between the doctrines of predestination and free will.  My youth pastor, who had intended on stepping into the lead pastor role of the church, discovered that his theology did not align with what the church had been established with.  As the church body began to split between the two persuasions, the church divided, while many families and friends allowed themselves to be left angered with one another. 

            During this time, I decided to take a journey of discovery and discernment of the two persuasions.  After all, I came to the realization that I was easily convinced by both Calvin’s and Armenian’s arguments.  As I read copious books and articles, ranging from Hyper Conservative Calvinism to very Liberal Armenianism, again, I found myself jumping back and forth from persuasion to persuasion. This aggravated me.  I could not be convinced. 

            I will begin with a brief interpretation of Calvinism. “TULIP”, Calvin’s systematic attempt to unpack Predestination forms what could be easily understood as a very logical and reason based disposition[1].  He claims that we are totally deprived, which basically means we do not have the ability to choose God; therefore, we have been Unconditionally Elected, or simply, we have been chosen by God to enter Salvation.  In following, sense we have been chosen, there is Limited Atonement, which means Jesus really only had to die for those that God had chosen. Fourthly, those that have been chosen experience an Irresistible Grace through the Holy Spirit, which cannot of course be denied, because it speaks truth to a otherwise broken soul; therefore, there is a Perseverance of the Saints, which means that once an individual is saved, he/she will remain saved, there is no walking away from the faith.

            Logically, it makes sense right? And, whether you choose to believe so, or not, this argument can be easily backed by scripture. However, in the same, my heart does not rest well in this knowledge.  Jesus only died for those who were “CHOSEN” by God?  Seriously? Do you really expect me to believe in a God that would create people, with the knowledge, that He was writing their death sentence to eternity?  Even further, that He has the audacity to choose who gets to spend eternity in paradise? I mean come on, seriously? This is a pretty sad God that the Bible seems to promote. In all honesty, this “god” has no worth to me. He is merely a God reduced to theological persuasion. However, coincidently, we can hear the Calvinists screaming back at us, “But you just don’t understand, because you are deprived.  Is it not simply beautiful that while all mankind has been convicted of the death sentence, God decided to reach down and save the few.”  Interesting point, but as much as I appreciate your logic, there still remains an unsettling tone that does not capture the God of the Bible.

            Moving along to the persuasion of Free Will, we find another well thought out and reason based argument that seems to convey truth[2].  Armenian begins by asserting that we are indeed deprived, yet this does not prevent us from the power to choose Divine Grace, we have the Free Will to do so.  In so having the free will to choose grace, there is in part a Conditional Election that takes place, which implies that God does not have his hands in choosing those who are saved and not saved, salvation is left for us to choose, and it is readily available to us.  Therefore, there is Universal Atonement.  Jesus was sent to the earth to die for all of humanity, to pay for the sins of all, so that whosoever chooses to believe in Him would have everlasting life with the Father in Heaven.  With this knowledge, it would make sense that grace is resistible, meaning that we have the free will to choose grace or not to.  Lastly, Armenian’s theology would conclude with the point that we can indeed Fall from Grace, or that we can, if we so desire, choose to walk away from the grace that he/she once knew.

            Of course! Here is the logic that I was waiting for! Again, I find myself throwing two thumbs up, as my mind is logically persuaded in this well-delivered argument.  Is this not a beautiful picture? Jesus died for all of humanity. We all have the choice to accept His truth, so that we may have eternal life with the Father. This is truly, “good news”. However, where is God in all of it?  Did God merely, plan out an opportunity for us to know Him, while stepping back to watch?  While if we decide to choose Him, than He will step into the picture? So, you’re telling me that the God of the Universe, whom sent His Son to die on the cross out of His unconditional love for us, has decided to now sit and watch us choose salvation? This does not sit well with me. In my state of fallen depravity, as I have come to realize, how can I choose to serve the Holy and Living God on my own accord?  Wait, I have to leave everything to follow you God? Everything? Well, as great as that sounds God, I think I’ll take a rain check. I’m not interested. Right now, I have all this other stuff to manage.

              Again, whether you choose to agree, or not, this argument can very well be solidified by the backing of scripture. Nonetheless, I am again left dissatisfied as I continue to wrestle with this theological persuasion of how God works out Salvation.  I regret that this theology may also be convicted of the same crime: reducing God to the powers of persuasion. 

It is not my hope to adequately articulate how God works out salvation in this broken world.  However, I do know that He does, and it is good.  As I continued to wrestle with these two theological agendas I find myself more and more uncomfortable with either persuasion. Each lack what the other gives. Even further, each of the two arguments have withheld the test of scripture throughout history, which is precisely why the two theologies still remain in discussion today.   Tell me, do I need to settle on one side or the other? Shall I create my own theology to disprove the rest? No, and no.  Again, I would only allow my mind to be hypnotized by the power of persuasion. We should not hope to reduce the Living God to the confines of human discourse and persuasion.  It is not my intent to completely discredit logic, but while logic may be a helpful tool, it cannot conjure a sufficient definition of the God who spoke the world into existence.   

            For the sake of communicating the gospel and to engage in healthy theological discussion, I proceed further in expressing where I have come to rest in the knowledge of how God works out Salvation.  If I may provide for you a disclaimer, that in so doing, I humbly regret, that in some way or form, I reduce the Living God to a form of persuasion.

However, I hope to emphasize the mystery of How God is at work in the world.

            I believe there is middle ground here.  As both sides become easily polarized, while coincidently, being strongly rooted in scripture; it only makes sense that both contain within themselves some form of truth. After all, who am I to say that I have obtained the knowledge to adequately articulate who God is?  I am not willing to do that.  I do not have a word or phrase that will provide any logical argument that will suit our craving to know, because God is in Himself, and is a mystery. I chose the term mystery, so that I may humbly admit that I do not know how the God of the universe works out the entirety of Salvation.  However, I know that He does.  He did send His Son to die on the cross for humanity, which means that Salvation is made available, but apart from that knowledge God is mysteriously working in the world that HE spoke into existence.

Further Reflections I have encountered…

Disclaimer: I do not promote that I have discovered the truth in the problem that these two arguments present.  I, also, do not believe that such an answer is made readily available if we hope to rely upon logic, reason and persuasion. I merely proceed forth acknowledging the mystery of how God works, while hoping to evoke concepts of truth that may aid our understanding in the desire to know who and how God works.

God created time[3].  In fact, He spoke the concept into being.  Therefore, God remains outside of time. If God were to be bound within the constraints of time, subsequently, God would be limited to the mere historical knowledge attainable by man.  In Jeremiah 1:5, God expresses that even before Jeremiah was born, He knew him and set him apart as a prophet. If the God of the Universe was bound by time, how does He come up with a statement like this?  If we understand the scriptures to be the infallible Word of God, subsequently, we must admit that God remains outside of time[4].  Therefore, as we commit to God being outside of time, withholding knowledge of the future, the terminology of “set apart, chosen, ordained, and called” must be reinterpreted through this lens.

It is not my intent to strip words of their definitions; however, it is my hope that we do not allow our concept of God to be limited by language. Language was intended to be a tool used to communicate. However, language does not have the ability, nor the capacity within itself to adequately define an object, thought, or emotion. It is merely an aid to our understanding and desire to communicate. Think for a second.  Is it possible for another individual to capture a thought/idea that has originated within your own mind? Through the usage of language as a tool, an individual has the ability to grasp a form of that thought/idea; however, the thought/idea becomes fragmented through language, because it loses your emotion, motive and desire for it. Nevertheless, language can often distract our ability to comprehend, more than it might perhaps aid.

The language of being “Chosen and Set Apart” speaks a beautiful truth.  It carries the emphasis that God has laid claim on His people, He is dedicated and passionate for His people, and He cares not only for the entirety of His people, but for each individual. How incredible is that?  To worship the living God in the knowledge of being Chosen is a beautiful and wonderful thing, and humbling at that.  

It has become increasingly evident that I am, in fact, deprived, while unable to work out my own Salvation.  Paul claimed to the Church at Phillipi, “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose”.  According to Paul, as it is written in the Holy Scriptures, the realization of the ability to even desire to do His good purpose comes directly from Him, in His Spirit, through the power of His Son. Again, how magnificent is it that God continues to work among us, so that we may carry out His good purpose.

In coincidence to the realization of God directly working in our lives, while carrying out our salvation for His good purpose, it is necessary that we do not forget the gift of free will that has been bestowed upon mankind. In the wonder and beauty of His magnificent creation, God decided that His creation would not be complete without gifting man with the will to choose. Unfortunately, the outcome of this didn’t turn out so well, as Adam and Eve decided to choose against God’s will[5]. However, providentially, God had a plan.  In God’s omniscience, He knew the course that His creation would take.  Subsequently, He provided the answer that would reunite mankind with Him, as we have come to know in His Son[6]. 

Are we predetermined by God if we will be saved? In some form, or way, in accordance to scripture it seems as though we are.  How God “determines” remains a mystery to me.  Has mankind been handed the gift of free will? Yes, indeed we have, as we have seen beginning in the Garden of Eden, and further carried out throughout Salvation History.  It seems as though a paradox has arisen. Is this unsettling to me? In some ways, yes, but I must admit that this is due to my humanity.  I am subject to the craving of knowledge through reason and logic.  However, God defines Himself.  As the theologian N.T. writes confesses, “The Gospel, is a power that has been let loose in the world, and cannot be reduced to any form of persuasion, or conviction of the messenger”.[7]  Therefore, even through my desire to know how God works, I must find rest in the mystery of His salvation. I fear that if I do not accept His mystery, I will inevitably reduce the living God to systematic and logic-filled theology[8].

Have you ever stopped to wonder about the disciple’s journey to faith?  In Mark 1:17-20, we find that Simon, Andrew and James had an immediate reaction to the call of Jesus to follow Him.  Jesus said, “Come, follow me”, and they went!  What?!  So a man named Jesus walks by, (and while they may have had some knowledge of who Jesus was, this was never mentioned) and he decides asks these men to follow Him? I’m sorry, but if some random guy, or even, a supposed miracle worker walks by and says, “Follow me”, I’d definitely have a few questions to ask him. So, why did they simply abandon everything? They walked away from their livelihood, their family and their inheritance. Seriously? Are they insane? They must have been.  Or, perhaps, maybe there is something else going on here. Maybe a “power has been let loose” (Holy Spirit) and they had no other choice but to follow Jesus. For some odd reason to them, it just made sense.

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[1] Scripture references for Predestination:

Job 14:1-5, Psalm 65:4, Psalm 130:13, Proverbs 16:33, Isaiah 14:24-26, Isaiah 46:8-9, Luke 22:20, Acts 2:22, Acts 4:27, Acts 13:48, Roms 8:28, Ephesians 1:1-14, Ephesians 2:10

[2] Scripture references for Free Will:

Proverbs 12:24, Joshua 24:15, Luke 13:3, John 3:16, John, 7:17, John 8:24, John 8:32,  Acts 2:38, Romans 13:2, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Thessalonians  1:8

[3] Genesis 1:1-5

[4] Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139, Colossians 1:15-17, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 1:2, Revelation 20, Revelation 21

[5] Genesis 3:1-7

[6] John 1:1-18, Colossians 1:15-20, Old Testament Prophecies of the coming of the Messiah

[7] N.T. Wright, Commentary on Colossians

[8] It is not my intent to discredit logic, reason and systematic based theology. However, I do hope to emphasize that these are merely tools to obtain knowledge, so they hold great significance as we seek to know God. Nevertheless, if we begin to rely entirely upon these tools to define the Creator, Himself, we are at a loss. The tools of a carpenter cannot build the carpenter, himself.

An Angel

This past year I had the privilege of teaching English abroad at a private institution in Surabaya, Indonesia.  It was one of the most incredible and fantastic, yet most challenging and growing experiences of my life. Needless to say, living abroad in a new culture, while being away from those we love, can be a very draining experience.

After living in Indonesia for about three months, it seemed as though every frustration, insecurity and discomfort that I had continued to bury imploded through a series of events.  I awoke that morning with a fever and a sore throat. So, of course, I had already anticipated an exhaustive day ahead.  When I showed up to work in the morning, I found that my computer would no longer turn on. My lesson plans, communication device and research capability were all lost in an instant.  It happened to be on this day that I was supposed to contact my mother in the morning, so that I would be able to get the information I needed to transfer money to the states. Needless to say, this wasn’t going to happen. Nevertheless, I pushed through the rest of the work day, sore attitude and all, moving from classroom to classroom. 

When I thought that the struggles of the day had begun to settle with the ending of the school day, I arrived home to find that the charger for my Iphone had decided to stop working.  In my frustration, I chucked the charger across the room at the couch. Soft landing right?  No, it went right through the pillows of the couch and shattered on the wall.  In one day, I had lost all ability to communicate with those I love. On this day God, really?  I have never felt so alone. All I wanted was the comfort of my father’s voice, or the warm embrace of my mother’s arms. I was alone, and with no one to express my sorrows to.  With the intent to distract myself from my lonesomeness, I decided to ride to the mall, so that I could be surrounded by people. It didn’t work.  In being surrounded by so many people, unable to communicate, the awareness of being alone grew ever worse. As I distressingly carried myself into the grocery store, I heard a quiet voice from ahead, “Hey, Mr. David!”  I slowly gathered myself to see who it was that had greeted me. It was one of my students.  Her name was Angel. And with the biggest grin on her face, she was waving at me from the child’s play place.  I assure you, before that moment, I had never witnessed such sheer joy.  Suddenly, it was as if all my worries and frustrations had simply vanished. God had used this little 2^nd grader, to teach me of knowing joy in the simplicity of life.  I was reminded that day that God is always at work. Even in the smallest of things, God is with Us.

Critique on Nietzsche

Nietzsche makes an interesting metaphor and parallel to our own ability to obtain knowledge (epistemology) and further, how we come to interpret the world around us. Nietzsche uses the artist as an example. The artist paints his masterpiece desiring to relay to his audience an interpretation of reality. Whether this be literal or metaphorical, most importantly the painter is trying to relay a specific interpretative representation of reality. As the painter attempts to capture reality in his painting inevitably he falls short of the magnificence that reality is. Unfortunately, the intrinsic beauty and aesthetic sensation of reality cannot be appropriately captured in a painting. In the same way, Nietzsche expresses that we "onlookers" of reality attempt to interpret reality through the methodology of language and words. Nietzsche argues that the same concept of interpretation is occurring here. Personally, I found that Nietzsche was on to something. However, his conclusion seems to be a bit misguided and arbitrary.

Nietzsche concludes that the humanity has the incapacity and inability to interpret reality as it actually is. Each individuals lens is skewed, inevitably manipulated by conditioned interpretive habit, which coerces us to falsely capture reality in thought. This is where Nietzsche's nihilism is birthed. If no human can adequately interpret and appropriately define reality, then there must in fact be no truths. Again, Nietzsche is definitely on to something, however, he seems to miss an important facet of his metaphor.

Let's go back to Nietzsche's metaphor, and approach it through a biblically informed lens. T.S. Eliot beautifully interprets the outcome of "the fall" according to the Genesis account expressing, "you cannot say, or guess, for you know only a heap of broken images" (The Wasteland). Eliot appropriately articulates mankind's inability to adequately comprehend the world around them.  We are interpreting the world through "broken images", Eliot insists. If God created the world, therefore, the world is inevitably objectively beautified understood in some way or form.  Although the world contains within itself this objective beauty in being made by a creator with intended purpose, humanity cannot attempt to truly grasp the "trueness" of its intended beauty. Again, in accepting the persuasion of "the fall", according to Christian theology, humanity is broken.  In being broken, we can only see and interpret the world around us through a broken lens.
          So, Nietzsche was on the right track. However, he seems to have failed to observe the basic premise of his argument when delivering his metaphor to his readers. The painter painted. The Creator created. We cannot see the beauty of the original scene, which the painter had painted. We cannot see the magnificent beauty that God created in the world. We can only see through our measly distorted and broken interpretations of reality.

The Pit

Have you ever had that overwhelming feeling that the world seemed to carry on, while leaving you behind to drown away into a pit of insecurities? I have a vivid image of myself, shovel in hand, frantically digging my own pit of destruction. It’s quite odd, you know. I can see the light overhead, yet my mind stubbornly tells my tiresome arms to continue digging. The deeper I dig, the darker it gets. Soon enough, the pit has become so deep I begin to get the chills from the coolness of the soil. Again, I see the light overhead. The sun. I’m enticed by the knowledge of its warmth. Nevertheless, I continue to dig. Deeper and deeper the hole gets, yet with all of my arduous labor I am left exceedingly discontent. Why? Why do I continue this?

It’s as though I am blind, unable to see the light overhead. Therefore, unaware of the sun’s existence, its soothing warmth becomes meaningless to my restless heart. Why do I feel this way? I am not blind! I can see. I can see the light. I know of the sun’s warmth. Yet, my actions are as though I am solely controlled by darkness. Aggravated at my pathetic attempt to drown myself away into a pit of sorrows, I whirl the shovel around my head and release it into the soil that surrounds me. The shovel crashed into the soil with a booming thud, leaving a minor crevice, nearly a foot wide. I fall to the ground embracing the sentiments of distress and discontentment. The tears begin to flood. I’m broken. The darkness inhabits me. Fear. Sadness. Anger. Lonesomeness. They write my story. I’m forgotten.

Short Story

In Awaiting “The One”

I had it all planned out. The day that I would meet “the one”, as I might have said. In fact, it was as if I had convinced myself that God, Himself, had divinely bestowed upon me the wonderfully exhilarating scene that would, in time, come to pass. Needless to say, all I had to do now was patiently await the precise instant that the life-changing scene would occur.

I can vividly recollect on numerous occasions finding myself strolling around my college campus enamored with the overwhelming sentiments of joy and elation that had been aroused by this impending knowledge. It was as if I had been entranced, carrying on within the contraption of a daydream. Don’t worry though; this was no evil spell, or anything of the sort, that could have been conjured up by a witch. However, it was I who had willingly been entranced by the reverie, of which I had so elaborately constructed. You see, it gifted me an invigorating sense of hope and joy that soon awaited. For all I knew, I was destined any moment to cross paths with my long awaited love.

So there I was, strolling around campus on my way to Theology class. Following the cement path, I quickly turned the corner where the pathway meets the lawn, and boom, there she was. It was just as I had imagined. Suddenly, it was as if the reverie that I had been possessed with, was now playing out in real-time. I immediately slowed my pace. At that precise instant, I began to feel my heartbeat consciously pound at an exceedingly rapid pace, as if I had just been electrocuted with ten thousand volts of electricity.

I know, I know, ten thousand volts of electricity might be a little exaggerative, but hey, bear with me; I’m the one telling the story here.

So, there she was, casually sitting ever so elegantly up against a pleasant autumn tree. The sun’s luminance penetrated the branches in such a way that she was left radiantly portrayed, complimenting the captivating scene that she had been the culmination of. Tolstoy was right when he scripted his famous line, “He stepped down, trying not to look at her as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, without even looking”. In that moment, for me, it was this exact scene that Tolstoy had intended to capture with this intoxicating line. Her faultless beauty was truly enchanting.

As the exhilarating moment carried on, I had become desperately intuitive to every occurring thing. Like I had imagined, she was reading a book. The intensity of her devotion to her reading and the elegance at which she went about turning the page allured my heart. It was then that she began to smirk, revealing the cutest dimples that complimented her impeccably smooth complexion. Such a wondrously enchanting scene could not have been captured by any artist, novelist, nor poet the like. It was as if the entire world had been exceedingly fading away leaving only her and I to soon meet. Although she had not yet discovered me, the confidence of knowing the transpiring scene encouraged me to pursue her love.

Suddenly, her eyes evaded the pages of her book, while directly greeting my own. Her piercingly blue eyes instantaneously enamored a hope for love within my desperately pursuing heart. She than greeted our eyes union with a subtle smirk, that again revealed her ever so charming dimples. She was the one. She had to be. She was everything I could have hoped for. Light brown hair, piercing blue eyes the color of the Adriatic, not your typical Hollywood princess, but yet she captured a subtle cuteness that defined true beauty itself. In that precise moment, for me, it was as if our spirits had coalesced reciprocating the affection that I had increasingly discovered.

As I drew near, she continued in her reading, yet in the same, it seemed as though she was acknowledging my presence. Soon it came to the point of decision. Do I continue on due course to my scheduled theology class? Or, do I choose to pursue the hope of love that my reverie had provided me with? The dueling emotions overwhelmed my thoughts as I was left to meet my fate.

Reflection

The abrupt conclusion of this short story might leave its readers frustrated and discontent. However, I am here to say that this is the purpose of the story itself.

It might be appropriate for the reader to ask, “Why on earth would the author not finish such an enamoring story?” To the reader’s displeasure, the author would respond, “Why is it that I should finish such an inspiringly beautiful story?”

Allow me to explicate the intent of this particular story. In every person lies the desire and hope to one day fall desperately and madly in love with another person. We dream of and imagine the most splendidly thought out scene that will leave us forever entranced by love. Whether we acknowledge it or not, in some way or another each of us can resonate with this simple truth. We are captivated, yet perplexed by love. The hope of love entices our devotion, yet, in the same, evokes a fear of rejection.

Let me revert back to the frustrating conclusion to the story. Is not the conclusion the climax the reader had anticipated? The thrill and elation induced by the transpiring scene construes a feeling of hope and love for its reader. It is this precise moment that we all dream of and await for, because if we were to act upon our desire for love we run the risk of rejection, which inevitably fills our hearts with undulating trepidation. Although our hope for love is enamoring and exhilarating we soon allow the fear of rejection to weigh heavy on our decision to act. However, if we were to act upon our emotions we might be subsequently greeted by love.

In its conclusion, I venture to note that this anecdote captures with immensity the truthfulness of our attempt to know love. The transpired scene provides the reader with a sentiment of love imbued in their hearts, yet to be polluted by the fear of rejection and disinterest. Is this not a beautiful moment? Unfortunately, however, our minds and hearts are limited, while unable to understand love in its purest form, because of the infections produced by our fears and brokenness. Therefore, I am convinced that the purest form of love that we can experience is the immediate desire and hope for it.

This could also be correlated to our desperate attempt and desire to know God in the context of His perfect love. First, we must admit that we, ourselves, cannot fully grasp, nor comprehend the fullness of His magnificent love. Regrettably, we live and inhabit a broken and bent world. I believe T.S. Eliot captured this with immensity in his poem The Wasteland, “You cannot say, or guess, for you know only a heap of broken images”. Eliot was biblically convinced, due to the fall, that humanity has been subsequently blinded, as we can now only see through fragmented images. We may perhaps receive or grasp reflections of Truth, love in purity and flawless joy, however, we will never fully comprehend the immensity of these divine attributes due to our brokenness.

Therefore, I am convinced that love in its purest form remains in a perpetual state of hopefulness and intimate desire. In our present physical state, we lack the ability and capacity to experience such deeply regarded sentiments. Consequently, in our immediate interaction with the divinely inspired elements, we are instantaneously enamored, yet left perpetually discontent drowned in a puddle of fragmented emotions. We may be inspired by the gift of God’s love throughout numerous accounts in our life. However, we will inevitably ceaselessly crave and desire to know the immensity of God’s love in its eternal state.