Saturday, July 11, 2015

Are we Blind to Sights, Sounds and Scents

Justice Anthony Kennedy, in reference to a Planned Parenthood v. Casey court opinion wrote: “at the heart of liberty is the right to define one’s own concept of existence, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life.” Is this not the height of ill-defined or vague jurisprudence? It is apparent that vague spirituality has accompanied such vague jurisprudence. It has been said by liberal theologians that "we can all stand in a hallway of religion without going into particular rooms"—but remove the rooms and the hallway is no longer a hallway, just an empty space. Does it not become apparent that once beliefs are no longer important and only actions are real, the reason to act dissipates or fades?
In short, radical self-government (autonomy) has left us blind to the sights, sounds, and scents of everyday life. We have become no more than litter being swept away by the flood waters of life. The Bible repeatedly shows us how to remove ourselves from life’s undercurrents by looking beyond ourselves, listening to the sounds around us and yes, inhalation of breath to sense the scents of life. Do this and one is likely to reap contentment: “If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them…you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely. I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.”
Ancient Israel had such peace only briefly—and taught us in the process that long-term peace comes only with Christ. And what of the alternative? Lack of fulfillment and absence of joy, but something even worse: “If your soul abhors my rules…I will visit you with panic…I will set my face against you” (Leviticus 26:3-6, 15-17).
Has America abandoned its special place among nations? Are we to suffer the same brief peace as ancient Israel? Has this nation’s people turned its back on God of the Bible and our forefathers? I fear the flood waters are rising fast, the banks are about to be breached and many will be swept away by the deluge.


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