Ever Learning But Never Arriving

It seems that some secular publications have an irresistible urge to dabble with things religious now and again, as was the case with US News & World Report this past Christmas when it featured a cover story titled, “In Search of the Real Jesus.” The cover story dealt with views of Christianity held by a first and second century sect called gnostics (the “g” is silent). Gnosticism included a mixture of just about everything that came under the name of religion and philosophy at that time. Its view of Jesus was the view held by millions of unbelievers still today—that He was not the Messiah and true Son of God but merely an enlightened teacher, sort of a mystical guru. The cover story, if not outright favoring the gnostic view, at least left it an open question.

It therefore was reassuring to read in subsequent letters to the editor that there are still a number of folks who take issue with such distortions of the Christian faith. One reader wrote: “Gnosticism has always been the theology of me and self. Gnosticism's goal was to turn Jesus into a Jewish version of an enlightened Buddha, denying his Lordship, invalidating his redemptive work on the cross.” Another reader appropriately dealt with this annual masquerade of the Christian religion. In writing that he “was sorry but not surprised” to see the article, he continued: “Invariably, just before Christmas and Easter, you publish something that tends to cast a shadow on the veracity of Jesus Christ. The article that speaks of new research brings out nothing new, only age-old ideas reflecting human reason as opposed to evidence concerning the historicity of Jesus… Please spare your readers further anxiety during busy holiday seasons by not publishing these articles.” That is an admirable request but, knowing the intransigence of human pride, it will doubtless fall on deaf ears at publishing headquarters. It's a case of “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).

Earthly Happiness Can Be Fleeting

A recent study concluded that Denmark is the happiest country on earth. This has been largely attributed to its cradle-to-grave social welfare program that gives its citizens what is considered "a good life." But that happiness may be short-lived. This past year Denmark has had to deal with an international crisis brought on by some cartoons of prophet Muhammad that were published in a Danish newspaper. The Muslim world was up in arms over this affront to their prophet. As one writer put it, "Suddenly, Denmark felt dangerously exposed—a country of 5.4 million people facing the wrath of an Islamic world exceeding a billion people.” The original heated reaction to the cartoons quieted down, but the scar remains. The country is now preoccupied with how to deal with Muslims in their midst. Danes are being forced to rethink more seriously about the place of Muslims in their society. It is feared that young Muslims may become radical Muslims. "We are sitting on a time bomb," warns a Danish racism expert.

If the Danes have been a happy people, they now also are forced to rethink their "happiness." It may have been existing on rather shallow ground. Though Denmark is considered primarily a "Lutheran" country, only three percent of Danes attend church weekly, which would seem to indicate a spiritual rot in the state of Denmark. Will the fear of a Muslim threat have a wholesome spiritual effect on this kingdom? We can hope that it will lead them to see that true happiness is more than the kind that such delightful artists as Hans Christian Andersen and Victor Borge have brought to the world. Rather, may the citizens of Denmark heed the words of another of their native sons, N.F.S. Grundtvig:

"Grant then, O God, where'er men roam,

That, when the church bells are ringing,

Many in Jesus' faith may come

Where He His message is bringing:

"I know mine own, mine own know me,

Ye, not the world, my face shall see;

My peace I leave with you. Amen."

Something Doesn't Add Up

The Christian Century reported on a November poll that found 85 percent of Americans want more religious values and references to the Bible on television. They also wanted less sex and violence portrayed. Yet, in that same month the top-rated shows were Desperate Housewives, CSI: Miami, Grey’s Anatomy, and Criminal Minds, among others. If that poll is right, Americans aren't getting what they want—or maybe it means they just say nice things to the pollsters. More likely it's a case of the entertainment industry continuing to act as a lawless "law unto themselves."

Paul Madson is a retired pastor living in North Mankato, Minnesota.