On Good Friday I was able to tune into the Michael Medved's talk radio show. I agree with him on a lot of things. He has considerable renown for promoting discussion and debate with dissenting viewers and guests. He's also in the mold of most conservative talk radio hosts, who draw a hard line and don't beat around the bush. This approach, that the world is ultimately black and white and that people need to be clear on what they say and mean, is refreshing, even if it alienates the "bleeding hearts." The truth is harsh in this world, and it will take more than fuzzy-headed idealism to really solve problems.
Now Michael is a big proponent of religion and a "values" culture in America. A new poll was released on Good Friday, showing that around 85% of Americans attend church in some manner at least occasionally. Fifteen percent for whatever reason resolve to never set foot inside of a church as Michael put it, and for an hour he fielded calls from those people. One caller expressed incredible disgust for Christians who basically "kiss butt" to Jesus, and couldn't stand the idea of a selfish god whose ultimate goal is to draw worship to himself. Michael, who is a practicing Jew, rebutted something along the line that the value of religion is that people seek to improve their own lives and the lives of others. He also believes the main the point of religion is for people to do good. This is the utilitarian view. While I would agree with the desirability of these utilitarian benefits, its vital to undertand the transcendental nature of a religion like Christianity.
There is an inestimable value to an ideal that defies plain logic, that challenges the mundane and overcomes hopelessness in existance. Many observers would call this kind of thing dangerous, and they would be right. Marxists in their conviction might round up and murder the bourgeoisie or violent jihadists might blow up a crowded restaurant for their cause. As a citizen of the world, I deplore these things. As a Christian, I grieve for the brokenness and lostness these phenomena reflect. All men (save one) are wretched beings, and are susceptable to perverted ideals. Yet, it is a transcendental force alone that brings meaning and sheds light on Truth.
In response to people like the disgusted caller, I would challenge them on their view of God as selfish and of worshippers as brown-nosers. Maybe you had a bad experience going to Catholic school, or your see your Baptist neighbor is a hipocrite. Setting aside resentment and bitterness, do you really believe all Christians are just trying to get on God's good side? The last I checked, that wasn't what the gospel was all about. And then, on what basis would you preclude worship as ultimate meaning? Maybe the meaning of life is to pat each other on the back until we keel over and die. Consider the following account of the very early Christian church from Acts:
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."Would you concede that there might be more to the two thousand years of Christianity than meets the eye?
Acts 5:34-39
