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Written by Administrator Friday, 08 June 2007 08:57

Every day we find the truths we affirm from Scripture being questioned or attacked by a culture that worships self more and more and acknowledges God less and less.

Perhaps you saw the article “The Mystery of Consciousness” in the January 29, 2007, issue of TIME magazine. Dr. Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard, writes of the research and theories that are attempting to probe and explain the human consciousness. These studies are fascinating, and there is no shortage of speculation as to what the findings mean. The author himself declares, “Some of our deepest convictions about what it means to be human have been shaken.” Pinker asserts that we have only the brain – no eternal soul. But he argues that this concept should produce a new “morality” that is linked to our mortality. Because life is finite and filled with suffering, we should be more sensitive toward those around us and enjoy the brief appearance we make on this planet. As he draws his thoughts to a close, he states:

“And when you think about it, the doctrine of a life-to-come is not such an uplifting idea after all because it necessarily devalues life on earth. Just remember the most famous people in recent memory who acted in expectation of a reward in the hereafter: the conspirators who hijacked the airliners on 9/11.

“Think, too, about why we sometimes remind ourselves that ‘life is short.’ It is an impetus to extend a gesture of affection to a loved one, to bury the hatchet in a pointless dispute, to use time productively rather than squander it. I would argue that nothing gives life more purpose than the realization that every moment of consciousness is a precious and fragile gift.”

Pinker preaches a “gospel” of living for this moment – carpe diem. He believes that the Christian faith with its belief in the afterlife is a liability and devalues life here-and-now. Just the opposite is true. While any Christian would agree with him that “every moment of consciousness is a precious and fragile gift,” we contend (by the authority of Scripture) that these moments are a gift from God and that a conscious eternity yet awaits all of us. Though Pinker says that “nothing gives life more purpose than” knowing these are the only moments we have, the apostle Paul provides us with a wiser perspective, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all others” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

The fact that “life is short” may stimulate many (like Pinker) to do good works … “life beyond the grave” motivates us to personal faith and commitment to the One who has conquered sin and death – Jesus Christ.