What is wrong with the world?

I recently came across a simple quote that captured my attention. The more I gave it thought, the more my mind raced through the implications of the questions imposed in this statement. The quote is by Tim Keller stating: 

“Every world-view must decide what is wrong with the world and what to do about it.”

The more I ponder this, the more I realize how important someone’s answers are in defining their perspective through which they view the world. Not only one’s perspective, but also their actions in life are determined by their response to the two questions posed in this statement.

Q #1) What is wrong with the world?

Q #2) What do I do about it?

These two seemingly innocent and simple questions define the way in which we interact with other people, the decisions we make for our future and our general outlook on life. Upon further inspection, these questions are immensely profound and important. These are questions, which are worth making sure we answer correctly.

Isn’t it interesting how all of us inherently know that the world is not as it should be. Without anyone having to tell us we know that life and this world are hard, painful, unjust, corrupt. There are many problems and things that do not function as they “should”, whatever that means.

Lets begin with the first question. Whether you realize it or not we all respond to this question. The way we live is dependent on it. Some of us try to simply get by, accepting that the world is a hard place we try to pass through it without making any ripples; our objective is to just get through the day.

Alternatively others of us realize the long-term insignificance of our lives therefore, we choose to grab every passing pleasure out of life while we can. Concluding that the world is cruel and life is short, we exploit and take advantage of every fleeting good time, while we can. Still some of us see the injustice of the world and try to ignore it, we try to live in comfort avoiding confrontation, challenge or concern. As long as we can stay safe and comfortable in our own little world, we don’t need to give thought to our own issues or the issues of others. I say we because, I personally take all of these positions at different times. It is easier to find escapes and masks for our questions and discomforts rather than come to terms with them. The truth is that it is much less intrusive to ignore these questions rather than deal with the responsibility of what answering them may require.

Simply answering the question is not enough, the way in which we do so is also very important. Consider different movements through the world and history, many people’s actions are a response to how they answer this question. For example, Hitler answered this question, Martin Luther King Jr., Buddha, The Klu Klux Klan, and UNICEF.

These people and organizations all answered this question. I do not agree with all of their responses. However, it does give us perspective that all of these people, although they have many different approaches are all in their own minds working toward their response to this question. Some of the worst actions may be perceived as correct due to someone’s response to this very question.

The atheist answers this question.  They determine that their life is a random occurrence of nature; therefore their actions in life are ultimately nature taking its course and free will is an impossibility. This is a not an easy reality to come to terms with however; it is a well thought out one. The atheist recognizes the world is corrupt. The atheist has a comprehensive understanding of the reality of the world. They have pondered this first question. Although living without freewill is not comforting, it is a reasonable response compared to the alternative, the alternative being;

If God is good, he is not in complete control, likewise if God is in complete control, he is not good.

I hope these illustrations show that these are questions worth pondering. The way that you answer them will have a dramatic effect on how you engage the world.

I have considered the weight of these questions and I have come up with answers.

Here is my response to these questions:

Q1: What is wrong?

The short answer- Sin.

A common critique of Christianity is that it does not deal with reality. People have a happy-go-lucky attitude and give simple pat answers to those who are suffering. People who are hurting receive a simple “God has a plan” or “I’ll say a prayer for you”. These words ring hollow when compared to the great tragedies of the world. A mother grieving the loss of a teenager who has just committed suicide does not feel comforted by hearing that “it will all work out for good”.

Hollow words have no meaning unless met with genuine understanding and care. Contrary to what some people think the Christian worldview does not ignore hardship or pain. In fact it is the opposite, in actuality the Christian should have a clearer picture than anyone of just how violent, unjust, painful, and corrupted this world is. They understand why the world is as it is.  There is reasoning for it. The world and all people are sinful and broken.

Not only should the Christian understand this conceptually, they should understand it personally. No matter how it may be advertised, the Christian life is not one free from suffering. We are never promised freedom from pain, grief or persecution in this life. Simply look at the stories of the bible; the people who choose to serve God do not then live happily ever after. They leave their jobs, loose their money, get separated from their families, are humiliated, tortured, and killed.

Listen to the cries of Job, no one can claim that he is not experiencing suffering. This is a man who had done nothing wrong, yet lost everything including his children, wealth, reputation and health.

“And now my life seeps away.

Depression haunts my days.

At night my bones are filled with pain,

Which gnaws at me restlessly.

With a strong hand God grabs my shirt.

He grips me by the collar of my coat.

He has thrown me into the mud.

I’m nothing more than dust and ashes.

I cry to you, oh God, but you don’t answer.

I stand before you but you don’t even look.

You have become cruel towards me.

You use your power to persecute me.

You throw me into the whirlwind

And destroy me in the storm

And I know you are sending me to my death-

The destination of all who live.”

Job 30:16-23

This gives us a different image than the typical Ned Flanders idea we keep in our heads of someone claiming to follow Christ. The bible never promises freedom from suffering. If fact Jesus asks people to count the cost and really think about how much they will have to give up to follow him.

In Matthew 10:17 Jesus says; But beware! For you will be handed over to the court and will be flogged with whips in synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers.

He goes on in verse 38 to say: “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life you will loose it but if you give up your life for me you will find it.”

Jesus promises us that there is difficulty ahead. Sometimes we paint the picture that the Christian life is all rainbows and butterflies, but that is not what is promised.  Jesus does not offer us a life without suffering however, he does promise us freedom in our suffering.

We are offered a hand in our time of need. We are offered a way out, when we can’t do it ourselves.

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says “come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 for my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 

He is saying is that although there will be suffering in this world, through him we can find redemption and rescue from the weight of it.

I am currently in a place where everyday I am confronted with the reality of the world’s injustice and cruelty. I am working at a school for at risk children, daily I hear new stories about the children’s realities. For example one sick girl was taken to the clinic to diagnose what was ailing her. It was discovered that this girl was carrying ten sexually transmitted infections from years of being raped by her own father. This girl is ten years old.

I can look at this from my charmed life and wonder why? When encountered with the injustice of the world we must wonder why? Why would a just God allow these things to happen? Either God is good, but not in complete control, or God is in complete control, but he is not good. Why does God allow evil to happen?

We search for an answer when we are suffering. We ask why? Why us? Why this? Why now? As if an answer to that question will take away the pain that we feel. God often does not give us reasons for why we are suffering. The reason why Christians often give simplistic answers to people is because we think of God in terms of a “quid pro quo” relationship, we act nice and he gives us good things. We give answers, which offer simplistic moral advice. People make the assumption that if you are going through something difficult it is because of something they have done wrong. This limits God to only being a cosmic Santa Clause blessing our good behavior and taking presents away when we are bad. This view severely limits the actions of God and His reasoning.

We see evil because the world is corrupted, the existence of evil does not mean that God is not in control. Neither does it mean that when bad things happen to people it is because they have done wrong and are being punished. Yes, there are consequences for our actions but that does not suggest that punishment is always the reason for suffering in the world. No, God is much bigger than our simplistic view of do bad receive bad, do good receive good. If that were how we are judged we would all fail, because the standard is perfection.  

God’s favor is something we neither achieve nor deserve. As Pastor Tullian Tchividjian quotes: “The bible is not a record of good people earning God’s blessing. It is a record of bad people receiving God’s blessing, because Jesus earned it for us.” Grace shows us that there is more at work than we can comprehend. By accepting God’s grace our actions no longer become us trying to do something to make God happy with us. Ultimately even our best actions would never measure up. Instead, we are working freely because we have experienced a better reality and we want to be a part of re-creating that.

Life would certainly be much easier if we never experienced hurt or hardship. The pain of this world is mysterious and honestly we are unable to understand God’s reasoning for the tragedy he allows to happen. However, if we did live with blinders to the reality of evil in the world we would never know anything of the redemptive nature of God. It is only because of the pain and separation from God that Job is able to say in chapter 42: “I had only heard about you before, but now, I have seen you with my own eyes.” For we would never appreciate success if it were not for failure, homecomings would not be sweet if it there was never absence, and water does not satisfy if we don’t first feel thirst. One advantage of feeling the pain of the world is that we can understand his redemptive nature.  If we do not experience the pain of this world we would never understand why one-day life free from pain will be so great.

Q2: What do I do?

This question is much more difficult to answer than the previous one. There are many people who have answered the first question the same way as me however, they may answer this second question in a very different way.  Many have read the same book that I do and come away with a very different message.

Some people see the negativity of the world and perceive it as people receiving what they deserve.  

I believe that ultimately Gods work is one of redemption and restoration. Furthermore I believe that he allows us to play a part in that work.

While Jesus was on earth he preached of the Good News of the kingdom of God. This kingdom is the freedom in our suffering.  This does not simply refer to Jesus’ second coming for that is when it will be complete, but until then we can play a part in advancing that kingdom here on earth. 

For Jesus speaks of the Kingdom often and in many different terms. He says the kingdom is near, but he also says the kingdom has already come. He says the kingdom has been advancing but also that the kingdom is still yet to come. He uses many parables to describe the kingdom comparing it to such things as a mustard seed, yeast and a treasure hidden in a field. He prays in the Lords prayer Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Without sounding too much like a biblical research paper, it seems pretty evident that Jesus considers the kingdom of God central and important to his message.

When Jesus sent out his disciples he doesn’t say: tell people to say a prayer or tell them to go to church, he says, tell them about the good news of the kingdom. I believe that means through a relationship with him we can experience the world according to his kingdom. Yes, we still feel the weight of the world because we are sinful and this world is sinful, but he gives us a vision of his kingdom, which is so much greater than any passing pleasure we can gain in our lives. God’s kingdom provides a peace that surpasses all understanding, Shalom. Author Bryant Myers describes shalom as:

“Just, peaceful, harmonious, and enjoyable relationships with each other, our selves, our environment, and God. This kingdom frame is inclusive of the physical, social, mental and spiritual manifestations of poverty and so all are legitimate areas of focus for transformational development that is truly Christian.” (When Helping Hurts)

Myers, not only gives a picture of what that looks like but also includes areas that can be transformed by this truth. With a vision of a better world we understand how far this world is from that vision. Honestly, we cannot save the world. There will always be problems and they are only going to get worse.  However, we can do our part to combat that. 

There is hope! Not only for a perfect future, but also, for a better today. I believe the kingdom is near not only in time, but also in proximity. It is close at had and it is achievable. It will one day be complete but until then we are invited to be a part of the redemption by representing the God’s kingdom on earth.

My answers may seem strange to some however, I have considered the weight of these questions and they do direct the choices that I make in my life. You may not agree with my responses, but I hope that my answers do prompt you to consider the weight of these questions. The smartest people I know have learned to ask the right questions. Take some time to dwell on these questions and see how your life matches with your answers to them. 

-Chad