Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Is Europe so Liberal?
Europe is debating placing in its constitution special protection for its "Christian tradition." It has reacted very strongly to the influx of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and South American immigrants. Just this week a new proposal has been introduced to campaign against the flood of immigration. This is a very conservative value. In fact, it sounds like the current debate in the USA over immigration.
I want to make some things very clear. I am not a liberal. I am just skeptical of certain attitudes in conservative circles. I want people to follow the law. I also think that the law needs to be simplified. In both the USA and the EU, I sense a bit of a fear for a loss of identity. The fact is that that identity only existed in theory anyway. The traditions only came over long periods of time and great changes spanning generations. This is not a question of protecting a tradition, but a question of an insecurity in an insecure world.
This comes from a basic misunderstanding of what truth is. The truth is true, not because we defend it, or make laws about it, or fight wars, or establish it by winning debates. The truth is true because God declares it to be true. No matter what happens or changes, I can be confident that God will do what He says He will do.
Right now, the world is especially afraid of people certain of their beliefs. The big lie is that faith is certain ignorance that drives men to destroy other people's lives. Paul was accused of turning the world upside down, but he never was violent after his conversion. He never encouraged violence after his conversion. On the contrary, he was persecuted for his claims, not his acts. This is true of all the great New Testament theologians. Biblical Christianity is the safest theology from this standpoint. It does not exist to conquer earthly kingdoms. Christians are merely called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the most remote parts of the earth.
I am so certain of my beliefs, that I am willing to debate them with anyone at any time (the old always ready idea). This is not the highest level of security. I am so certain of my beliefs that I do not need to force others by law, war, terrorism, or whatever. They have to answer to God themselves. This is the highest level of security. We just need to keep speaking the truth in love. I could try to come out in favor or opposition to some immigration policy here in Europe or in the USA. What I find interesting is that the idea of conserving traditions very strong. It is not liberal thought, and it is a mark of a very insecure people.
I want to make some things very clear. I am not a liberal. I am just skeptical of certain attitudes in conservative circles. I want people to follow the law. I also think that the law needs to be simplified. In both the USA and the EU, I sense a bit of a fear for a loss of identity. The fact is that that identity only existed in theory anyway. The traditions only came over long periods of time and great changes spanning generations. This is not a question of protecting a tradition, but a question of an insecurity in an insecure world.
This comes from a basic misunderstanding of what truth is. The truth is true, not because we defend it, or make laws about it, or fight wars, or establish it by winning debates. The truth is true because God declares it to be true. No matter what happens or changes, I can be confident that God will do what He says He will do.
Right now, the world is especially afraid of people certain of their beliefs. The big lie is that faith is certain ignorance that drives men to destroy other people's lives. Paul was accused of turning the world upside down, but he never was violent after his conversion. He never encouraged violence after his conversion. On the contrary, he was persecuted for his claims, not his acts. This is true of all the great New Testament theologians. Biblical Christianity is the safest theology from this standpoint. It does not exist to conquer earthly kingdoms. Christians are merely called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the most remote parts of the earth.
I am so certain of my beliefs, that I am willing to debate them with anyone at any time (the old always ready idea). This is not the highest level of security. I am so certain of my beliefs that I do not need to force others by law, war, terrorism, or whatever. They have to answer to God themselves. This is the highest level of security. We just need to keep speaking the truth in love. I could try to come out in favor or opposition to some immigration policy here in Europe or in the USA. What I find interesting is that the idea of conserving traditions very strong. It is not liberal thought, and it is a mark of a very insecure people.
