Ultimate Questions

Whenever human beings spend time thinking about "ultimate questions" - "what is the meaning of life," "why am I here," "what is my purpose," "what lies beyond death," etc. - we all approach them in certain ways. Most people approach these questions from the "bottom up" - that is, they start out with themselves (or other people) and their own thoughts and experiences. That is the way the world approaches these things - primarily because they see no ultimate authority outside of themselves.

Some approach ultimate questions in a "generational approach" - that is, "I believe it because my family taught it to me." Such beliefs are not founded on any evidence beyond my family ties - and thus, while sincere, will have little influence on others outside the family.

Others approach these questions in a "traditional approach." By this "tradition," some dominant group or influence is pointed to as the authority backing up what I believe and why. These two approaches have probably dominated much of human culture and history, and fall under the category of "peer pressure" (not meant disparagingly). In the last few centuries, other approaches have come onto the scene.

With the enlightenment came "rationalism" - we can only know what we can use the scientific process to show and what "reason" leads us to. Therefore, we can't know anything about the unseen.

Later came the idea of the experiential - one can only know what one can experience, and experience can't be refuted. "There must be a god because I feel it is so" and "There is no god because I feel it is so" are both experiential arguments.

Yet finally come the "irrational" - language only has meaning as I understand it. My impressions are true because they are mine. I define reality for myself.

Notice again that these approaches are all "bottom up" - they start in some way with man and his perception of the world and reality. Unbelievers (and I'm including those of other faiths) have no other way of approaching life. In reality, none of us have any other way of approaching life - unless there is a God and He takes the initiative to reveal himself to us. Because God is infinite and we are finite, we have a problem trying to understand God. We also have a problem in that we are fallen - and the fall has not only affected our thinking, but has affected our willingness to think right thoughts. If humanity tries to "understand" who God is in this condition, separate from His revelation, we will end up with an inadequate and imperfect view of God. This is the essence of idolatry.

The conclusion hen, and the grounding of all good theology, is that we have an utter dependence on God to reveal himself to us - God must speak! All of the above approaches are ultimately fruitless in humanity's search for God, and they are yet fruitless when brought into the church as a defining authority. But when we are His, He gives us His Holy Spirit and the Word of God and reveals Himself to us. Good Theology is "thinking God's thoughts after Him" and remaining true to what God has revealed about Himself - whether it is out of line with what our families believe, the traditions we have, the experiences we interpret, or how I want to view life. Good Theology helps us to know Him as He truly is and not as the idol our fallen, finite minds make Him out to be. Good Theology, in short, leads to overflowing praise and the enjoyment of the One who has saved us!