Over the next few posts I am going to share some of
my thoughts about America’s Culture, the Church and the massive conflicts
taking place. No podium, pulpit or sermon - Just some thoughts to help me
process what is going. I
hope you are challenged intellectually, emotionally and spiritually by what you
read. This will be several Posts long
rather than one long post.
Right now there is a great discussion going on in
America. Well – not so much of a
discussion WITH each other, but rather a lot being said ABOUT each other.
When we disagree rather than sitting down and listening, we
label, insult and dismiss one another.
Whenever a label is applied, they are “boxed up” and dismissed. “That is how they all are!” … Right? And this is true of almost everyone
today. Everyone is screaming, yelling,
talking and very few are listening.
After all that is what we see on CNN, FOX and MSNBC every night isn’t
it?
My thought is to take a step back and ask a few questions. I know there are differing opinions about
Gay Marriage, Abortion, Life and Death.
So let’s think together and see if we can understand better where we are
and why? Fair enough?
An important question is this: How do you determine what is right and
wrong? What do you use as your moral authority? What is your moral compass that guides your
decisions in life?
Some might respond and say, “There is no absolute truth!” Ok … well I disagree, but if you believe
that, what do YOU base your moral decisions on?
What determines what is right and wrong to you?
Perhaps here are some options. Some determine right and wrong by their
feelings. Those of my vintage remember
Debbie Boone’s “You Light up My Life?” – The lyric, “It can’t be wrong when it
feels so right!” Many people have made
horrible choices based on “emotions and/or feelings.” Emotions are fickle and feelings
change. Not so good I think.
Others might say, “Let you conscience be your guide!” But consciences can be dulled, broken,
twisted and when you have a group of people trying to make rules/laws – how can
it be so “nebulous” as to do what your conscience tells you.
Another option is right and wrong is determined by what is
legal. That makes some sense, but right
now our nation is having debates and laws are being changed right and left
depending on who win elections or even who is shouting the loudest! Additionally, I am not sure that all things “legal”
are good. For instance “Adultery” is
legal and most people seem to think that adultery isn’t a good thing. However, there is another problem. If laws are the ultimate arbiter of what is
right and wrong, on what “moral authority” are the laws based? Popular opinion? Whims of the culture? Actually I think that America is struggling
with that now.
Most people who don’t think about such things as these just
do what everyone else does. “Everyone
else is doing it – it must be ok.” And
every parent responds, “If all the kids jumped off a bridge – would you?” …
Probably. (Smile) Now there is something to be said about this,
because our conduct, thoughts and reasoning are connected to who we “run with.” You run with idiots you will probably begin to
think like them. Especially with teens
and young adults, many of the choices made are influenced by one’s peers.
These are all options and to some degree have some merit,
however here is mine – Here is how I strive to determine what is right and
wrong. I have chosen a biblical
worldview. Hang in there, let me
explain.
A biblical worldview means that I do believe an absolute
moral truth exists and that “truth” is understood by an honest study of the Bible. This means that I look to God and His Word as
the final answer in searching for instruction in life.
Now that isn’t always easy.
The Bible really is a complicated book – actually 66 different
books. Some are poetry, some are
narrative, some are ceremonial, some are letters and some are surreal imagery. Trying to make sense of it all is incredibly
difficult, but I have chosen to use this collection of writings to determine what
is right and wrong. Not only that, I
look to these writings to determine what is best, how LIFE is to be experienced
and understood. I wish I could tell you I
always DID what I knew to be right … but I would be lying. Knowing and doing are two different things. (Smile)
So – my question is – what is yours? What is your method? How is it that you determine right and
wrong?
Bold statement here:
You are a fool if you really don’t know.
Life is too precious not to definitively know how you process right and
wrong. I truly hope you give it some
thought.
NEXT ARTICLE: How
Did and Does Our Nation Determine Right and Wrong?
1 comment:
Very good thoughts! I think and feel the same!
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