Why Doesn't God Fix That?
9/1/2023
That's the 64,000 question, isn't it? with all of the problems there are in the world, why doesn't our all perfect overseer fix them? If you follow the Bible story - God created everything. God is perfect. Why isn't here? What sort of a cruel bastard would put his shining creation into a world full of heartache and suffering? Why is the human race the most uncivilized of all of the species on the planet? Why does he allow SoCal, or Canada, or Maui, or Australia to burn to ashes? Why do people go hungry at night?
The list of complaints goes on and on and on... which leads to the conclusion that what humans are truly the best at is - whining.
The Evangelicals and Fundamentalists have the answer locked up in the doctrine of "original sin". You know, Adam & Eve, the snake, an iPhone (or some sort of Apple...) - we disobeyed God, so now we are damned and will spend all eternity in Hell because God is a toddler in his "terrible 2s". But don't worry because God came down to have himself brutally murdered so that he can sacrifice himself to himself, so he can forgive us. If you believe. Only if you believe. If not, you're screwed.
Yeah. No.
The God of the Old Testament, Yahweh, was a thug. Not at all like Jesus explained him. Jesus called him a "loving father." He spent his time not warning about our impending damnation, but teaching us to love and care for each other. He called people to leave their old way of living and to start living as he taught, and by his example.
In his earthly ministry, Jesus only referred to Gehenna (a garbage dump outside of Jerusalem - we transmorph it into "hell") on a few occasions, and when he did, most of the time he was making reference to the Pharisees, whose arrogance and petulance ran opposite to God's desires for us.
He spoke early and often about the poor and the marginalized, he forgave "sin" with impunity. He called out people on their selfishness and pride. He turned away no one. He often turned those on the outskirts of society to follow him and made them also great teachers of these simple concepts, which were to transform here in to a better place while waiting for whatever happens later.
Jesus was not stupid. He knew which way the wind was blowing, and he knew that eventually, the powers would kill him for his teachings. When he instituted the Communion, it was to keep the memory fresh in everyone's mind the teachings that he was willing to die for. "Take care of others as I have cared for you."
So here comes a big break from dogma. "Original Sin" is not a valid concept. "Original Sin" is the creation of a people who needed to explain that even though they were "God's Chosen", they still suffered and were put upon by others. What served their time for the Hebrews was a badass God who took no prisoners and who was ruthless in war. He also was not into humoring us in our "sin". Our "sin" soon became whatever the priesthood didn't like.
Also, our "sin" required sacrifice to make apologies to God - in the form of blood sacrifice and burnt offerings, where the smoke would rise to heaven, and the priests would eat the food. And sell people the sacrificial animals. And spend the offering money. On themselves and their agenda - not on the poor and marginalized.
Jesus taught of a loving father, an open house, and how best to please that loving father - through caring for each other. Here. Now. This was the task. By our example in this, we would draw attention. By that attention others would inquire why we do what we do, and by that method, more might be drawn into the movement. This standing on the street corner yelling at people is not what Jesus wanted - even a little.
Christianity was made more of a salvation vehicle than a service vehicle by Paul. It is in placing our own reward of salvation ahead of our responsibility to service. Paul stressed his "magic words" confession of faith. James stressed that the evidence of salvation lies in the good works that bloom from an actual commitment of your life to the lifestyle that Jesus taught.
So what does that have to do with our question of the day?
You are not born damned. You are born human - with the capacity for both doing good, or doing bad. We are asked by God to "love one another as we love our self". Jesus teaches us that the best way to please God is to do this. Anyone doing this (treating others with love and respect) is doing as God desires and as Jesus taught.
Paul indicates that works are not necessary, but both James and Jesus himself indicate that a true commitment to the Christian lifestyle would have good works occurring in it as a natural consequence of your commitment (John 15, James 2).
How can one learn to show love and compassion to all in a perfect world? If no one is hungry, no one needs feeding, if no one is discouraged, no one can be uplifted. If there is no bad, how do we know good?
Perhaps, the world is the way it is by design, so we have the opportunity to learn compassion, and caring, and love in the way that God desires for the benefit of humanity in general. God didn't put us down here to be fed in our Lazy-Boy recliner while binging Netflix.
Whether we wish to credit God with creation or not, we live in a self-contained, dynamic and self-perpetuating biome that has everything we need on it. But this is not a hotel, and we are not on vacation.
Does the contractor who built your house come by to clean it? Or to fill your fridge? No because this is your home, not a hotel. It is your responsibility.
We are graced with the ability to fix almost any problem that arises, or to create adaptations when the problem is not fixable. Our complaining for to God fix everything is the supreme cosmic cognitive dissonance. The direction of God to "love your neighbor as yourself" is an implicit instruction to go out and fix these things. Us. You and me. To elevate our humanity to its best possible state, by caring for those who need our help.
The job is given to us so that we may learn to become our best possible selves. In doing so, one day at a time, one person at a time, by reaching out in love, we slowly but surely improve the world a little bit every day.
If we choose not to, we are nothing more than display animals in a divine zoo.
In Peace, Faith and Love,
Ecc. RL Brandner, New Ecclesiastes Ministries