I am the One

I love humanism, both secular and religious. The idea which says that, despite the facts of history and human experience, mankind is his own saviour. I love the concept that we are in control of our own destinies. No matter what catastrophe may be fall us, we will triumph over adversity. The phrase "a triumph of the human spirit" makes me quiver with pride and excitement. I love the way humanists believe in the omnipotence of education and the innate goodness of all people. I love the way this philosophy, with its champions of rationalism and moral altruism, manifests itself in the entertainment mediums of popular culture.  I love the show, Supernatural. Only that last statement was true.

In season 4 of the super cool demon hunting adventures of the Winchester boys. Dean Winchester, having been rescued from Hell learns that he broke the first of 66 seals which are the locks on Lucifer's cage. A demon who Dean is torturing, tells him that Dean is the fulfillment of a prophecy concerning the Apocolypse. It says that the first seal shall be broken when a righteous man sheds blood in Hell. That's Dean. (I'm not sure why a righteous man ended up in Hell.) Dean is then told that God rescued him from Hell because he has to stop the Apocolpyse. Only the guy who started the chain of events can end it. Dean doesn't even believe in God, despite meeting the angel Castiel, but if he doesn't step up, the whole world is doomed. Dean Winchester, an ordinary man, albiet a very resilient, handsome one with good taste in music, cars and women, is going to be the Saviour of the World. At least, Dean is humble. He spends a lot of time running from his calling, refusing his destiny, and insisting that he is not "the One."

How many stories have champions who save us all? How many times have you heard them referred to as "The One"? How many times have human strength, courage and ingenuity been the sole cause of our liberation, our deliverance? How good are we? Us humans? We can do anything!

Pathetic self delusion. Willful blindness. Arrogant folly. Absolute nonsense. That's what I really think of humanism. Supernatural may be a fun show but it is fantasy, and so is the belief that we are masters of our own destinies. Every breath we breathe depends on the grace of God. Whatever goodness is in us, is God in us.

The Need for God

There are numerous misconceptions about Christianity which are held to with religious fervour by members of society. One popular view sees Christianity as a set of restrictive rules and regulations presided over by a cosmic killjoy. In another, a person says they are a Christian because they try to do what is right, and not hurt people. Both of these views should be completely rejected as false by Christians.

Recently I heard a new and interesting theory on what constitutes religion. This young lady, a lapsed Roman Catholic, said to me she believed she was religious, or even Christian in her case, because she sinned and religion depends on sin. She reasoned that if she was not committing any sin, she would have no need to confess and therefore no need of religion.

I told her that I believe religion is based on need and to suit my purpose here, I am referring to both good and bad religion (Jesus talked quite clearly about both). Men have always looked to something or someone bigger and more powerful than themselves for answers, for meaning and direction in their lives. Honest men have always felt and still do feel, overwhelmed at times by the the enormity and complexity of the world around them, and the various problems which have faced them.

Only when a person hits rock bottom, when everything else they have is stripped of value, when they feel lost and realize their desperate need for salvation, will they look up and see their Saviour: Jesus Christ.

I'm not telling you that you have to become a Christian, even though I would like you to, but I am asking you to accept the facts about Christianity. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Christianity is about God's plan to fix this messed up world which is full of broken people. Jesus said that he is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through him. Christianity is about God reaching out to us and saving us from our pride fuelled self destruction. Christianity is all about Jesus Christ and everyone needs a saviour.