Recently a brief commentary by a national television network focused on
Christian faith. It asked, "How did September 11, 2001 affect faith in
God?" Included was a statement from a member of a Christian rock group.
Before September 11, he toured America using songs to urge people to trust
our good God by placing full confidence in Him. The events of September 11
resurrected an ancient question in his thinking: "How could a good God allow
us to suffer such incredible evil?"
In recent years our American culture's growing emptiness motivated many to
renew their search for God. That is good. Many began that search with
seriously distorted views of God. That is bad. Why? Seriously distorted
views of God produce flawed expectations. Failed expectations attack faith.
Consider some insights.
Insight # 1: In many somewheres on earth, horrible evils of great magnitude
occur daily. The AIDS epidemic in some African nations daily results in
unbelievable acts. Atrocities in nations torn by warring factions produce
acts of horrible violence we never experience. The realities surrounding
starvation in some nations exceed our comprehension. Injustices within some
South American nations add layers of intolerable misery on top of
intolerable misery. Americans may not be accustomed to acts of great evil,
but much of the world is. For many people, faith in God must exist as great
acts of evil occur.
Insight # 2: Too many American Christians are prey to a spiritual predator.
Too many hold a uniquely American definition of salvation. Our definition
produces a uniquely American view of God. While we pay verbal tribute to
eternal aspects of salvation, our salvation expectations focus on "life
now." Salvation expectations commonly include these: no "untimely" physical
death in my family; no catastrophic illness in my family; no poverty; steady
lifestyle improvement; constant upgrades in my opportunities; and achieving
my basic "this life" goals. We resent public appeals to a "health and
wealth" gospel, but often we cling to a "health and wealth" gospel
privately.
Insight # 3: Too many American Christians believe they have the divine right
to a physically desirable "good life." Physical life is not a journey
through this physical world to a home in God's world. Physical life is the
destination. Since "we only live once" we must make physical life
enjoyable. A sobering statement: "Child, remember that during your life you
received your good things ..." (Luke 16:25).
Perhaps great acts of evil terrify us because we distort God and redefine
salvation.
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