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Issues In Perspective - THE BENEFITS OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY
THE BENEFITS OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY |
| Published June 27, 2009 |
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Every religious discussion ultimately comes down to the question of truth. Christianity is either true or it is false. There have been a series of recent studies that point to the results, intended or unintended, of belief. Biblical Christianity is not a subjective feeling, it is objective truth, a belief that Jesus Christ actually died on a cross for sin and rose again. That belief system has changed millions of lives forever. But are there some measurable and tangible results of this belief system called biblical Christianity? Several thoughts.
- First, Andrew Newburg, America’s leading expert on the neurological basis of religion, has co-authored a new book, How God Changes Your Brain. He asserts that prayer, for example, can alter the neuron connections of the brain, leading to “long-lasting states of unity, peacefulness and love.” He also claims that his research indicates that strong religious beliefs enhance “social awareness and empathy while subduing destructive feelings and emotions.” Such belief also enables humans to “imagine a better future.” The Bible calls that hope. But I would argue that, despite these apparent benefits of faith, maturity in Christ is not about escape or even happiness; it is about self-sacrifice and a transformational other-centeredness. As columnist Michael Gerson claims, Newburg is saying something valuable, but “religious belief is not about self-actualization.” For me, biblical Christianity is about dying to self, so that Christ can live His life through me, even though that might bring the benefits that Newburg’s research is showing. See Michael Gerson in the Washington Post (15 April 2009).
- Second, the research of Harvard sociologist Robert Putnam demonstrates that Americans who are a part of a community of believers are nicer, happier and better citizens. They are more generous with their time and money. They join more voluntary associations, attend more public meetings and are three or four times more socially engaged than the unaffiliated. Americans are in search of a faith that combines grace, hope and reconciliation. That message of compassion and healing is exactly what Jesus offered and is still offering. That community of believers changes people and changes culture. That is not a new idea but each generation must discover its newness and its power. See Michael Gerson in the Washington Post (8 May 2009).
Third, a new book by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, God is Back, sees competition within Christianity as a positive thing. In contrast, Islam discourages competition, indeed reacts violently against it. This is rooted in the history of Islam. Its founder, Muhammad, was a political and military ruler. Tolerance and competition between worldviews was not something he advocated. Furthermore, “when the Saudis create a theocracy in which they enforce the law of the Quran in the most ruthless manner, . . . there is an absolute, indistinguishable world of alliance between church and the state.” In that kind of system, there is no room for competition. But in a democratic republic, as in America, the various ideas and worldviews associated with religion are dynamic and positive—or at least they should be. They write: “Everybody should be allowed to bring their most profound beliefs [to the public square]; for many, many people, their most profound beliefs are based on their faith, and no one should question their right to bring those arguments and to engage in political organization on the basis of those arguments.” The public square should not be empty of religious beliefs and worldviews. Those variety of beliefs enhance and strengthen our Republic. It is a pity that those who represent the Postmodern view of tolerance are rejecting this great strength of our Republic. See the interview with Micklethwait and Wooldridge in World (20 June 2009), pp. 31-33. |
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