Another View

Lately I have begun studying lectures of Apologetics online. While I sat in my office today getting some of my "busy work" accomplished, I listened to my newest lesson as something interesting that just seemed to click. You know, that tada moment when you just seem to get it! What the professor was talking about was rather simple, but it is something I (most of us actually) are guilty of. We as Christians have a critical heart, and miss some of the intrinsic value that a "non-believer's" artistic or philosophical works have. Yes, I just insinuated that there are works that have intrinsic and positive spiritual value that were never intended for the glory of God. Now before you jump on me let to explain. We should be critical of what non believers of Christ are creating, teaching, and changing in our world. I DO believe that everything we do should be for the glory of God, but is it possible for non-believers to also show the glory of Christ in their works, even if their works were never intended to be for God's glory? Many Christians are groomed to stand against works that have been created for anything other than the glory of God. We are taught - again- to do everything for the glory of God (as we should). We also have a tendency to instantly condemn the works or actions of others who are doing the opposite.

In the 1500's John Calvin; who was a French Roman Catholic and an innovator of intellectual religious studies through his many editions of "Institutes Of The Christian Religion". Was passionately committed to education, and during his times in Geneva he started a school system where he authored the rules for the teachers himself. One of these rules were (which I found fascinating) "The teachers were to have their students read the Greek and Roman pagan writers". He told the teachers to not criticize these writers, but to help their students see what they can learn from them, even though they weren't Believers. Calvin had also mentioned that it is blasphemy against the holy Spirit to deny pagan writers such as Plato, for they had many helpful things to say which can teach us as Believers.

When I heard this I instantly perked up. I have been alluding to this for as long as I have been a believer and have been shot down for it a number of times. I always thought that you could find good in the art and philosophy of non-believers that would ultimately benefit our understanding of the world. Thus, helping us to become more effective in speaking to others about Jesus Christ. If we do this, theoretically we should have a thorough understanding of the worldview of our future Brothers and Sisters, and therefore be more successful at efficiently assisting in a change their paradigm. For the last 5 months I have found myself drudging through the same road as many other Christians. Slowly cutting myself off to the art and philosophy of the "outside world" and focusing on just Christian art and Christian Philosophy. My reason was so that I could become more knowledgeable in my Faith. Guess what, it has worked! On the other hand, tuning out what non-believers are teaching and creating - which ultimately influences our world - is evangelical suicide. We need to understand what is going on in the world around us. What are the teachers teaching our kids, what is passing for "music" and "art" these days, why is the Government taking God out of our schools? We need to do more than "know" what is going on in the world around us. We need to try and understand it from the eyes of the non- believer.

I believe that what I stated above is true for us a Christians to be more effective in winning people to Christ. On the other hand, John Calvin gave me a different perspective through the lesson of this Apologetics lecture. Calvin passionately believed in the common Grace of God. That God is gracious to the whole human race. Not just to Christians. Just as He sends the sun and rain to shine or pour on the just and unjust - believer and non believer - , so does he give His gifts to all people. Whether it's gifts of the seasons, food, talent, or as Paul says in Acts chapter 14 "the gift of joy they experience in their hearts everyday of their lives". In chapter 8 of Proverbs it is said that God's wisdom speaks to the WHOLE human race, and by Him, His wisdom says that all nobles rule on earth and make rules that are just. If you look at governments around the world you will find that the majority of laws are just. Of course not all rules are just, nor are governments without flaws, but the majority of laws are intended to be just and good. These are not only places where Christians have impacted society, but everywhere, because of the common Grace of God who speaks wisdom in ALL humans. Believers or not.

I have only just begun to take the first few steps on climbing this mountainous giant, but one thing is for sure; this one lesson has not only reinforced my original way of thought, but it has also given me new insight on how to look at the ways of this world. We as Christians need to look at every philosophy, work of art, etc. with open eyes and ears. God has taken great care with everything he has made. Us! This holds true with non-believers as well as believers. We are to first search to see if we can see God (even if it's really small) in whatever we hear, see, or read, before we take the time to criticize. After all, it would make sense that if God is real (which He is), then we should be able to see the finger print of the Creator in everything he has created. Even the worst of people and their literature, music, paintings, sculptures, will often times possess a reflection of the Creator. I am in no way saying that as Christians we should succumb ourselves to artistic and philosophical filth, or that God accepts and encourages it. But rather that because God has had His hand in creating all of us, it would only make sense that we as "the created" would reflect some of the Grace of the Creator (a fingerprint)- even if we didn't intend to. If you take the time to look for God even in the worst of situations you will often times find a small reflection of him. We can't help it, we were created this way!

We need to learn that when we debate an issue with a non-believer, that we are slow to criticize. Try to learn from all that you read and all that you hear. Try to recognize that when we look at any aspect of human culture we need to be affirmative and say where first, does this reflect the fingerprint of God? Where do we see things here that can teach us as Believers, instead of having a knee jerk negative reaction? If this is how we view our world and the culture in it, I believe we will begin to receive wisdom from God in places we would least likely expect (such as pagan philosophers). This can only make us more knowledgeable and compassionate for the people we minister to, and does not require that we sacrifice our Christian beliefs.

Happy soul winning,

David Roediger