Sophistication

Rose and I love British television. She records the shows on the television in the bedroom and we watch them when I come to bed at night. The only problem is that by the time I come to bed I’m close to wanting to go to sleep. I, therefore, tend to fall asleep on the programs. She dutifully stops the tape at the point I go to sleep and we pick it up at that point the next day. 

Last night we were watching a murder mystery. A “psychic” had been killed. He took money from folks who wanted to hear from their deceased relatives. He passed messages and made them feel better about their loss. The police investigating the crime all thought this was terrible, to take advantage of the unsophisticated. None of them believed in the afterlife and thought those who did were a bit weak in the head.

There is a real crisis of faith in Europe, including Britain, these days. They view it as “sophistication” and believe their American cousins, at least those who still have some faith, as back woods hicks. The loss of faith is a terrible thing. It begins with a failure to believe in a deity and moves on to loss of belief in an afterlife and then any real respect for life at all. 

It’s no accident that those of “sophistication” not only don’t believe in God, but think abortion is just fine. In the latest evidence of their slippery slide, in a recent paper, some of them put forth the notion that it was okay for parents to kill a newly born baby, even if healthy, before the baby established any “identity.” They probably also believe that once you get to old to matter, it’s okay to kill you. 

Observing this crisis of faith emphasizes just how important faith is. I don’t understand how the “sophisticated” make it through the day. What purpose is there in today if no tomorrow is promised? If this is all there is, what’s it all worth? If what we do has no eternal significance, why bother?

Without faith I would have no reason to look forward to finishing the British murder mystery tonight and find out who killed the psychic. Nor would I feel gratitude for the faithful wife who watches these things over and over, so I can see them once.

I am thankful for my faith. It gives my life purpose. It gives my life and all life value. I don’t understand how anyone can look at the complexity and beauty of creation and not believe in something greater and something eternal. It’s just another reason why our world so needs Jesus and why we should be compelled to sing His praises and lift Him up in every circumstance, sophisticated or not.

Be back woodsy and be blessed.

Nick