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THE ULTIMATE GIFT: FAITH
on December 22, 2008 8:45:10 | 2623 times read
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By Cal Thomas, Tribune Media Services
Thomas, Cal
Examples of faith abound at this time of year. There is the faith children put in Santa Claus to bring them stuff that magically no one seems to have paid for. Call it a "bailout" for kids.
There is adult faith which believes that a Bernard Madoff can do what no one else can: guarantee a consistent rate of return on money invested with him while others who invest the legal and old-fashioned way experience the normal ebb and flow of the stock market.
Then there is the messianic-like faith many have placed in Barack Obama, the faux messiah of our time, who has been sent by the political gods to deliver us, if not from our sins, than at least from George W. Bush. Those who place their faith in Obama see him as god-like and Bush as the devil. These metaphors serve them well as substitutes for the genuine articles, in whom they either do not believe or have re-created in their own image.
A Broadway play and film called "Doubt" has won fans, many of whom probably do when it comes to God. Bill Maher made a movie about faith, mocking those who believe in God and ignoring the warnings, "The fool has said in his heart 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1) and "the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing" (1 Corinthians 1:18). If Maher thinks the Christmas story is foolish, isn't that evidence he is perishing?
Shoplifting increases during the Christmas season and so does its spiritual equivalent: those who want the blessings of Christmas without paying the price. Laura Miller, a staff writer for Salon, engaged in this practice in a New York Times column, "It's a Narnia Christmas." Miller said about the C.S. Lewis classic, "That I'm not a Christian doesn't much hinder my enjoyment of either the holiday or the book."
Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" series was not meant solely to entertain, though entertaining it is. The books are metaphors for great truths. Elsewhere, Lewis writes that those who claim Jesus as just a great teacher have it wrong. Lewis said Jesus is either who He said He is -- the Son of God -- or a liar, a fool, or deranged. Call him anything you like, said Lewis, but don't call Him a great teacher. That is an option He does not allow. Besides, how can anyone be a great teacher if he teaches something that is not true?
The mockers and doubters, like the poor, have always been with us. They have nothing new to say. Their unbelief is as familiar as it is predictable.
Faith is a gift, the ultimate gift. It is of far greater and eternal value than anything to be found under a Christmas tree. While clothes and toys wear out or are forgotten, faith lasts. It has the additional benefit of already having been bought and paid for by Someone else. It is the "substance of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith cannot be taught (though teaching plays a role). No one is argued to faith, which is why it is fruitless to debate those who lack it. Better to demonstrate the faith one has than berate and belittle people who do not yet have it.
Christmas offers an opportunity to again consider what matters most. Especially this year with the anemic economy and multiple challenges to our misplaced faith in prosperity and politicians, now would be a good time to consider the song lyric: "Fame, if you win it, comes and goes in a minute. Where's the real stuff in life to cling to?"
The answer to that question is to be found where it has always been: Start in the manger and then move to the cross and the empty tomb and consider the carol, "where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in."
You don't have that kind of faith? You asked someone for a Christmas gift, didn't you? Ask God for the ultimate gift.
(Direct all MAIL for Cal Thomas to: Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y. 14207. Readers may also e-mail Cal Thomas at tmseditors@tribune.com.
(c) 2008 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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Comments (5 posted)
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Posted by TryLogic, December 27, 2008 6:18:18Posted by Pierre, December 24, 2008 6:25:39 “I have faith that someday God will reveal to me why I am so blessed. I also have faith that everyone will share in the blessings I have been given.” It is quite normal to be thankful for events in life that make one feel “blessed” or “lucky!” It can be learned from experience that positive thinking in all matters we face is always better than a negative attitude. But it seems somewhat arrogant or out of touch with reality to believe that a God is sitting around and passing out or denying “blessings” based on some method that has to be revealed in the future in order to explain why certain individuals benefit and others don’t. As a non-believer I have tried to be responsible about all matters of life including health and moral responsibilities. I have been lucky so far….just yesterday a truck hit ice on a bridge, hit the bridge….became airborne….rolled 360 degrees in mid air and landed behind my car……the drivers of the truck were not hurt….but they would have killed me if I had left on my drive 10 seconds earlier than I did! It was not a blessing from God….it was luck in the game of life. No different than a bus load of church believers being hit, killed, or spared by a reckless or unlucky driver. And then….this short list of my deeply religious friends…….a 40 year old woman living in wheel chair with MS and recently diagnosed with spinal cancer…..her sister recently diagnosed with MS…her father died last year after having 4 different painful episodes of cancer….her uncle lived a horribly debilitating life with Muscular Dystrophy……her mother may get some relief from these bad memories by the on set of Alzheimer’s. I have a dear musician friend that died at 34 years of age from breast cancer while praying and begging God for one more chance to continue her dream of being a successful singer and performer. And then there is a dear friend that had two beautiful daughters that became deaf at young ages to be helped by science and medical implants…and then both died shortly there after .. a few months apart from the ravages of cancer. I see in his eyes, not someone that is blessed, but a father that has had his heart ripped out by the cruelty of life. To me….these good people didn’t experience your compassionate blessings from God. So are you one of the special ones…..or just lucky like me? It seems like a little more reason and logic is needed on the subject of “blessings and faith.” TryLogic
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Posted by seevee, December 25, 2008 4:56:26Your essay reflects the common dismissive attitudes and hypocricies of many in the Christian faith. You first dinigrate those of us who do believe in Obama. Most do, not because we swallowed the koolaid flavored wafer, but because we admire his judgement, intellect, and basic goodness. It is telling that you refer to Obama as the "faux messiah". In the past, Christians have executed those accused of being false messiahs, the Muslims, being a few centuries behind Christians in shedding some of the more unpleasant customs of the true believers, still do. Rather than follow your own advice that it is better to "demonstrate the faith one has than berate and belittle people who not yet have it," you berate and belittle Bill Maher and Laura Miller. In your world Faith and Hypocricy often walk hand in hand.
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Posted by Pierre, December 24, 2008 7:25:39I have faith that someday God will reveal to me why I am so blessed. I also have faith that everyone will share in the blessings I have been given. Thanks Cal, for all you do and try to do. Merry Christmas and God bless.
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Posted by TryLogic, December 22, 2008 2:17:06This is a great country. My faith has both feet on the ground. I have faith that through the strength and freedom existing in our democracy we will be able to help the enslaved people of the world eventually enjoy more freedom and liberty. I have faith that people of common good [regardless of religious belief] will stand strong against the violence and oppression of totalitarian regimes that challenge all freedom loving people. I have complete faith that all man made religions will eventually be exposed for the falsehoods they promote in order to gain power over others. Religious faith is built on the one thing we all have in common…the fear of the unknown…and the fear of dying. Selling fictitious and questionable salvation solutions is obviously a great business! Religious "faith" is self defined by believing in a god or a supernatural event that can not be proven. Religions believe that accepting chosen gods reinforced by legends and myths is quite admirable and then readily condemn those who choose to live within the natural and reasonable boundaries that we can clearly define. I have absolute and total faith that no one can clearly justify their chosen god…….without asking others to accept an unexplainable “leap of faith!” Religions are part of freedom……separation of church and state guarantees that freedom. TryLogic
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Posted by ZooPatron, December 22, 2008 8:53:56You're right. George Bush isn't the devil. Just one of his stooges.
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