The world today, and for the past centuries, has been faced with at least three religious views. One of those views is paganism, another is ration­alism, and the third is Christianity. What is the difference? Is there any difference? At this point we suggest that there are indeed differences in them, and aside from the obvious points in which they differ, there are some more basic things with which the three are at odds. Let us look at these fundamental differences.

First, we look at paganism. Here is a religion of the senses. It demands gods that may be seen by those who wor­ship those gods (Psa. 115:1-8). But such gods are helpless to save. To the contrary, look what they lead men to (Rom. 1:29-32)! Modern day ritualism and much denominationalism are not much more than "refined" paganism.

Rationalism is a religion of reason, and is but a step above paganism. Pa­ganism glorifies in the flesh, while rationalism glories in the pride of life. It is human reasoning that ultimately dooms man (1 Cor. 1:19-25).

Then, Christianity is a religion of faith. Christ's kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36). Hence, it is not , but spiritual; it rises above the sensual and rational (Rom. 14:17).

In turn, these three systems ask three basic questions. First, paganism asks which? It seeks to satisfy the flesh, and then is forced to seek out which things will do that. Here is why there is a diversity in paganism. The Greeks were eaten up with it.

Then, rationalism asks why? It must have everything solved; there must be an answer to every question. The fact is, there are some questions that man cannot solve in every arena of life. Some pride themselves in saying, "I must have the why of everything." That man is either doomed to disap­pointment or comes to some erroneous conclusions!

Finally, Christianity asks what? It has respect, not to philosophy or pleasure, but to duty. The greatest question of all the ages is simply, in man's rela­tionship to his God, "what must I do ..." (cf. Acts 9:6; 16:30).

Do these things help us to understand and appreciate Paul's statement: "For we walk by faith and not by -sight" (2 Cor. 5:7)? Faith is always superior to sight. It offers a higher and more ex­alted view of matters that are truly important. Faith is more truthful than sight, for true faith is based upon an infallible word. Faith will be there when sight and rationalism are gone! -Bill Moseley

 

 

 

I heard it on the news one morning ­and I still can't believe it. Some guy had a friend whose bedroom was on the second floor and he decided to do something "different" to call on her. Got himself a length of aluminum clothesline pole, and decided to pole vault through her window. Now that's real original! First, the pole breaks, he flattens himself against the side of the house, crashes to the ground, all the while trying to hang on to the box of fried chicken he was going to give her. All the racket disturbed the neighbors, who at least had something to eat when they investigated all the goings on.

Then I wondered - "does this guy have the ability to laugh at himself about his dumb stunt?" Here is something that would go a long ways in remov­ing the sour disposition some have towards life. We need to take our­selves seriously - but not too seri­ously! To laugh at others, and yet not be able to laugh at ourselves is a sure fire method of being unhappy in life. The old "proverb" says it all: "Blessed is the man who can laugh at himself, for he will never cease to be amused."

A good laugh is always worth a hun­dred groans in any market - even if we are the object of the hilarity! – Bill Moseley