This morning presented a very interesting start to Village Church's new sermon series: Sex, God, and Gardening. For five weeks we're exploring five basic issues every human faces: God, sex, money, work, and death. The reason it's called Sex, God, and Gardening is because we were initially created for three relationships:
1. With each other (sex)
2. With God (to worship Him)
3. With creation (to subdue it)
This morning Mark spoke about God and our own idea of God. Who is he? Who do we make him out to be? What is our worldview? The question is not whether or not we have a worldview (because we all do) but rather: What do we fill it with? What kind of lense do we see the world through?
A compelling argument against atheism or secular humanism is the fact that, if we believe to be here by chance, that there is no higher moral standard, no absolute truth, and all we set out to do is to make the most out of our 80 years on this planet, why on earth would we sacrifice for others? Why do we help others? Why do we CARE? If we're here for our own gain, we shouldn't waste time living for others. We shouldn't waste time being involved in justice for others, fairness, compassion, kindness, or love. Our goal would be to hoard as much as we can and then to live for ourselves. We would be no different than animals who just don't care.
As I was listening to this this morning a thought ran through my head: Sometimes I wish I was like an animal. Sometimes I wish I wouldn't care so much. You know why? Because caring brings pain. Caring comes by means of passion and passion is pain. So yes. I understand those who want to hold to their truth of not having to care. That this is all a game of survival of the fittest because then I wouldn't have to worry about anyone but myself.
Luckily, this is all a lie. We were created in God's image (Genesis 1:26). We were created to care. Created with the ability for compassion, kindness, and love. And while this brings pain and suffering, it is well worth it. It is worth it to care for others just as God cares for us. Because this brings us closer to God. Though our understanding of Him is still quite limited, we get Him a little better, so that we may try to comprehend the depths of his grace, love, and mercy for us.
Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?"
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
I was going to post a comment about this video in the comments section of Village Church's Vimeo channel but decided to check if anyone was already talking about it first (say, on reddit). That's how I found your blog. Since I enjoy discussing these issues, I'll post here. At least I know someone will read it.
ReplyDeleteYou ask, "[W]hy on earth would we sacrifice for others? Why do we help others?" Wiki actually has a good rundown of evolutionary explanations for this. See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altruism#Evolutionary_explanations
This brief article is also helpful, as it clears up some common misconceptions about evolution: "Evolution myths: 'Survival of the fittest' justifies 'everyone for themselves'":
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13671-evolution-myths-survival-of-the-fittest-justifies-everyone-for-themselves.html
Perhaps you will find all of the above implausible or just plain wrong; that's fine. But I and many other atheists do not. If anything, you can see it as why an argument from altruism to God is unconvincing to many.
Mark Clark also brings up Stephen Pinker's article on the girl who left her baby in the garbage can. In the sermon Mark says that Pinker said, " . . . you have to kill the weakest in the litter." Mark goes on and says, " . . . And he [Pinker] couldn't believe when people pushed back and said 'don't you understand that's morally wrong?' Well no, 'cause out of his worldview this is how we live, this is natural, this is what we do."
[Taken from around 12 mins into the sermon]
Frankly, this is such a gross misrepresentation of what Pinker says that it's hard to believe Mark actually read Pinker's article. Read Pinker's article and ask yourself, "Is Mark being fair to Pinker?"
Why They Kill Their Newborns:
http://www.rightgrrl.com/carolyn/pinker.html