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“No man is an island, entire of itself,” wrote John
Donne back in the 17th century. He was right.
We might think we are independent and that our thinking
is all our own work. But we are all deeply affected by
the outlook and opinions of the society around us.
One of the most fascinating studies I did at college was
about how the church’s outlook, practice and even some
of its secondary beliefs have been deeply affected by
society over the centuries. We look, for example, at 19th
century missionaries and wince when we see that, in
addition to their sacrificial dedication (many of them
died in the process) to spread the gospel, they also
embarrassingly spread British imperialism and
colonialism. But when we point the finger, three
fingers are pointing back at us! We are ALL creatures of
our age and we tend to be blind to it.
In the West we are very affluent by world standards and
we are constantly bombarded by materialism in TV
programmes and adverts. Our generation is subject to
more powerful mass communication than any in human
history. The advertisers are trying to convince us that
we can’t do without possessions that we don’t really
need at all. Such is the power of propaganda that it
often works, and we trot out to buy them (or to the
computer and order them). The lifestyle of people on TV
has a similar effect on us. If we are honest, we rather
want to be like them, with big houses and sleek cars,
etc. If one brand doesn’t suit us we can go to another
shelf and get one that does.
Human beings have always been materialistic but we are
rich enough to excel in materialism. Has it brought
happiness? Our better nature knows that it hasn’t
really and that good relationships and fulfilling
activities are far more important. After all, the
suicide rate amongst people who win lots of money is
very high. But we have an addiction problem and part of
us thinks materialism might bring happiness.
It is possible to be very respectable, upright and
religious yet not to realise that materialism can be as
fatal to spirituality as immorality. Material affluence
can become a god. And that is not consistent with
dedication to the only true God after all.
The danger today, in our supermarket culture, is that we
are in life for what we can get out of it. We can be in
relationships for what we can get out of them – so if
our present partner no longer satisfies us we discard
him/her for a better model. We can live in society for
what we get out of it and finish up grumbling and
complaining when we don’t get what we want. It is
possible to go to church for what we can get out of it,
and if it’s not entirely to our liking, we might stop
going.
Some are even involved in Christianity for what they get
out of it. After all, Christians receive a lot:
forgiveness, healing, comfort, answers to prayer,
fellowship, special experiences and, above all, eternal
life.
But Jesus turned all this aspect of 21st
century culture on its head. He said: “Whoever finds
their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life
for my sake will find it.” He added: “"Whoever wants to
be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their
cross [make sacrifices] and follow me.”
Our motive should be to thank God and bring blessing to
others. But, in so doing, as St Francis of Assisi said:
“It is in giving that we receive.” So:
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If we concentrating on giving to others we will
receive, not least, fulfilment
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If we concentrate on giving to our partner we will
deepen the relationship
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If we concentrate on giving to God (our love, our
time and obedience to his will) we shall receive
many blessings.
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If we concentrate on going to church to give (in
service to God and others) we shall receive rich
satisfaction.
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If we concentrate on giving our lives to Christ in
faith we shall receive eternal life.
That’s what Christianity – and life – is all about.
Tony
Higton |
Do
We Believe in 3 Gods?
