O you of little faith

If there has been any theme that I feel God has been consistently setting on my heart this month, it has been that of faith. I have spent some time trying to explore the distinct spiritual and religious climate of Cambodia, a sure departure from most anything I’ve experienced (in my vast exploration of…the US and Philippines). Now, I certainly don’t want to propose the illusion that I am any expert on the matter, and those with more exposure can feel free to dispute any or all of my claims, but this what I’ve observed. Of course, even if my contemplations are based on entirely spurious observations, I know I can credit them with personal conviction and growth if nothing else, so all is not lost.

Hanging out with students after church
Between students and other miscellaneous contacts throughout the month, I had a couple memorable conversations constituting an exploration of the gospel story. Coming from an American evangelical background, I quickly realized that whereas I may be used to coming in and breaking down misconceptions about the person of Jesus, the responsibility here is moreso to build up conceptions from next to nothing. Throughout the course of various explanations, a consistent sentiment is the respect for this person of Jesus, but less of a concept of taking a step of faith to trust Him. It has come off to me as a very intellectual culture, with most of the people I talk to intent on collecting as much knowledge as possible to make the most informed decision. Now, I certainly don’t want to discredit this sentiment entirely; we are surely called to count the cost and understand what a commitment to Jesus means. However, there must be the step of faith, “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). If we waited until we understood God completely, we’d be waiting in the grave.

This past Sunday, I was asked to give the weekly bible teaching at the church service held where we teach, which many of our students attend. As these thoughts have been brewing for a while, I certainly felt a prompting to speak on some of these matters. I read from Matthew 14, of Jesus walking on water and Peter’s step of faith, trusting in His Lord to do the impossible. I see a culture studying Jesus from the railing of the boat, admiring His ability to tread the waves, but with no expressed interest to join Him out on the water. Now, I will be certain to recognize this admiration, but I feel like if anything this is a more dangerous sentiment than blatant rejection. The undertones of relativism are undeniable, with a wide-spread respect for diversity of belief, subsequently denying any claim of absolute truth. Now, this observation may in part be due to recently finishing “Think” by John Piper, in which he expresses his necessarily harsh assessment of relativism.

Perhaps the greatest deception of relativism, which I’ve certainly recognized in conversation, is an air of false humility. However, Piper distinguishes that “in claiming to be too lowly to know the truth, they exalt themselves as supreme arbiter of what they can think and do. This is not humility. This is rooted in deep desire not to be subordinate to the claims of truth. The name for this is pride.” Similarly, I think I have further seen that there is no greater freedom by resisting absolute truth, just a greater “bondage to the craving for the praise of man and the pleasures of security.“

As I said in the beginning, these observations have certainly afforded me a fair share of conviction. If I am to err anywhere, it is most assuredly on the side of over-intellectualizing and over-analyzing. I am certainly guilty of studying the truths and allowing them to grow stale in my mind without appreciating their reality in my heart. Again, Piper’s words seem appropriate (I apologize for the repetition, apparently this book was pretty influential this month):

“If thinking has the reputation of being only emotionless logic, all will be in vain. God did not give us minds as ends in themselves. The mind provides the kindling for the fires of the heart. Theology serves doxology. Reflection serves affection. Contemplation serves exultation. Together they glorify Christ to the full.“

“Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and
with all your soul and
with all your mind and
with all your strength.”
Mark 12:30

“O you of little faith,” (Matthew 6:30, 16:8)….get your feet wet.

Couple other Piper quotes on relativism that somebody out there might care to peruse:
“People don’t embrace relativism because it’s philosophically satisfying. They embrace it because it is physically and emotionally gratifying. It provides the cover they need at key moments in their lives to do what they want without intrusion from absolutes.” (Ch7)
“Nobody is a relativist when his case is being tried in court and his objective innocence hangs on objective evidence. The whole system of relativism is a morally corrupting impulse. It brings with it duplicity and hypocrisy. It is a great bluff. And what is needed in our day is for many candid children to rise up as in the fairy tale and say, “The king has no clothes on.”” (Ch8)