Rusty loves to read and listen to Ravi Zacharias. So far I've only read one of his books, and I really enjoyed it. But sometimes it just hurts my head. Haha! I really have to concentrate on what he's saying. Lately I've been a bit more focused so I decided to give his books another try.
I picked up Recapture the Wonder which is the latest one that I bought for Rusty. I don't think Rusty has even read it yet. It's been good, but what I read this morning really went along with the conversations we find ourselves having with our friends and acquaintances here.
Ravi is focusing on things that people try in their pursuit of recapturing wonder. He's dealt with sexuality and money and then turns his focus to religion.
He writes of a Western philosopher, Charles Hartshorne, who celebrated his 100th birthday in 1998. U.S. News & World Report conducted an interview with him and titled the article "A Hundred Years of Thinking About God." After 100 years his main reflection was: "We live in a century in which everything has been said. The challenge today is to learn which statements to deny." But how do we know what to deny? Ravi writes: "To face the question honestly in the context of religion is to recognize that whatever else one may say about religion, religious belief in its most basic imperative controls the believer's world-view and behavior." Of course Ravi is not talking about a hypocritical belief but one that is sacred and life-changing for the person.
But it's what Ravi writes next that brings me to where we live and work. "Look at the trappings of religion and you will see what it has done. Elaborate ceremonies, 'necessary' rituals, sacred objects, protracted festivals, huge imposing structures, all of these have been used and abused to instill fear and awe into the consciences of people. The danger with this is that as these ceremonies and festivals and structures are woven in to the fabric of one's routine, they gradually become part of a cultural expression until religion and culture become completely intermeshed. A collision course is set and emotions rise to the top with a vengeance because conversion has been made synonymous with a denial of culture. But that is only part of it. Ceremony lifts the mind of the individual into thinking in transcendent terms and the wonder that results becomes the source of meaning. I have seen this happen time and gain. The plunder is deep when the soul is captured by a belief that is rooted in falsehood."
Yesterday Rusty had a conversation with a friend with another acquaintance listening in about religion and being a true believer. Many people follow what we would call superstitions even though they know scientifically that these things are impossible. They do it because it's part of their tradition--their culture. Ravi says that "once the heart has been trained to submit to a habit it is hard to change because the repetition of a ritual engenders a state of mind that brings a sense of peace, lifting it to the semblance of wonder." So people can return to those rituals, acts, traditions, etc. and feel a sense of wonder. It reminds me a lot of comfort food; maybe they're returning to their childhood and making themselves feel safe again. Here's what Rusty wrote about their conversation: "It brought up an important issue that they understand science and believe it, but their traditional beliefs are stronger she says. She does not practice ________, but holds to the traditions. She knows the issues facing her about sin and judgment, but cannot let go she says. The coffee shop lady says she believes the same thing. They added that there is no real heaven or hell. They are only bad attitudes. I used some logic to show them both that that thought is illogical. They agreed, laughed nervously and changed the topic."
By our own efforts we cannot produce a truly spiritual life. The wonder is not about a ritual, culture, prayer postures, superstition, etc. It's all about a relationship with Jesus Christ, but many people fear the backlash that may result from their conversion. Different religions enjoin different routines most of which have to be strictly followed. Converting to another religion often brings about separation from one's family or even death for some people. "Is it any wonder that any presentation of a counterperspective on God is seen as an attack upon one's culture?"
Please pray for the people of this country and for us. We know we're in over our heads, but we serve a big God. He's able to do the work here. We're just thankful He gives us the opportunity to be a part of it.
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