CHRIST IN WINTER:
Reflections on Faith and Life for the Years of Winter…
Where you start determines
where you end.
If you start with the
omnipotence of God, you end with predestination. God knows everything, so God
knows if you’ll go to heaven or hell. If you start with the mercy of God, you
end with universal salvation. If you start with the love of God, you end with
free will, because love that is forced is not love but rape.
In politics, historically,
in America, conservatives start with the individual and liberals start with
society.
Traditional conservatives believe
in original sin, that we are born with a tendency to selfishness. So to have a
good society, individuals must learn to rein in their selfishness. That takes personal
character, learning to resist greed and lust. Growing individuals into moral
responsibility will make society good. You can’t have a moral society without
moral individuals. Society, via government, cannot create citizens with good
character, for character comes from within. I believe that. That’s why I am a
conservative.
Traditional liberals
believe in original sin, that we are born with a tendency to selfishness. Some
individuals will learn to overcome their greed and lust, but others will not.
So a civil society is required, with laws that require people to consider the
needs of others as well as their own, regulations that keep the strong from
exploiting the weak. I believe that. That’s why I am a liberal.
I start with Christ, who
believes that the Kingdom of God, where God reigns, is possible on earth, as it
is in heaven. That’s why I am a Christian.
Old people usually think
that we are past the starting point, almost past the expiration date.
But: “It’s only too late
if you don’t start now.” Barbara Sher
And: “You’re never too
young or too old to give your life to Christ. After that, what else is there to
do to get ready to die?” Paul Tournier
It’s never too late to get
to the start, if the starting line is love.
JRMcF
“All we ask [in old age]
is to be allowed to remain the authors of our own story.” Atul Gawande, Being Mortal, p. 140.
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