Faith Delights in Understanding

     In the last ten years, neuroscience has made fantastic discoveries concerning the brain and how it functions. For example, the prefrontal cortex (a region associated with planning and executing complex behaviors) and the limbic system (a structure that plays a critical role in emotional responses) send information to a central location known as the striatum. There, a subset of highly specialized nerve cells integrate information from both structures, associating rewarded behavior with particular cues (“That aroma means food!).

     While much of the information above is derived through PET scans and controlled testing, a critical component involved in the interpretation process is one’s worldview. The Atheist, the Pantheist and the Theist develop perspectives based upon each worldview’s presuppositions. The crucial aspect, therefore, is whether our worldview’s interpretation is firmly seated in the correspondence theory of Truth. In other words, are we saying of what is that it is, and of what is not that it is not.

      It is impossible to empirically verify 100%, and to everyone’s complete satisfaction, that a certain state of affairs obtains absolute truth. Objective reality is subjectively experienced. Hence, each person’s worldview produces variations on any theme.

     Okay, let me water this down some. Science has given to us an incredible understanding of the world we live in, as neuroscience does the brains we are given. But when science seeks to cut God out, as the Atheist does, we suffer. When science attempts to equate the physical realities we study with God, as the Pantheist does, we lose more than we gain. Theism is the only worldview that states God is both transcendent (outside) and immanent (inside). Christianity is the only theistic view that states God became a man, taking on humanity’s sinful nature, and rescued us once for all.

     Faith, hope and love are not mere neuronal impulses or chemical reactions in the brain. Nor are they simply colorful brush strokes in the painting of life. They are attributes of personhood alone, which God is. Our connection with God is flavored by faith, hope and love. Our experience of God is personal.

     Neuroscience, seen from a Christian viewpoint, becomes a rich source of insight and learning. Yet, it does not extinguish faith. Rather, like spices used to make a healthy meal interestingly delightful, neuroscience adds enjoyment to our appreciation of God’s marvelous creation.

Suffering Worthy of Honor

     What am I really made of? Do I have what it takes? How will I know? No matter what anyone tells me, until I know for myself, all comments are second-hand. In order for knowledge of myself to have depth of meaning, it must be discovered first hand. The only means for this knowledge is through suffering. When I have journeyed deep into the canyons of suffering, only then will I be in a position to experience a “rising up.”

     True and authentic character is formed in the crucible of suffering. Virtue is the deep-seated alloy of iron and carbon of character. It must be refined through intense hardship. Humility, temperance, courage, wisdom and justice; faith, hope and love (the nuclei of Christlikeness) are proven in the heart of suffering. Conversely, the notion that Christian faith provides a comfortable life suitable to our tastes quickly incinerates in the inferno of extreme adversity.

     What is real, what is truly worthy of honor, is all that will survive suffering. The resurrection of Christ emulates this principle. By looking into the Passion of the Lamb, we look into the marvelous mystery of character formation. We discover death to self and resurrection to eternal salvation.


“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…”

- Hebrews 5:7-8

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the nave that is above every name…”

- Philippians 2:6-9

Hidden Mystery

     A disfigured human body hangs like an old rag doll. Badly beaten and torn, the grueling torture strangled him with asphyxiating grief. Nevertheless, he exhaled beautiful words born of sacrificial love, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." Then, in an excruciating moment, Jesus was abandoned… Somewhere deep within, he felt it; a frightening hollowness gripped his soul. A quiet moment passed. In terrifying anguish, Jesus forced the lonely words through his parched lips, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?!” Overwhelming pain squeezed powerfully. With one last breath, yet in a tone of absolute authority, Jesus asserted, “It is finished!” Dropping his head, he died.

     The sweetest, most wise man who ever lived was brutalized on behalf of those who rejected him. If anyone desired to experience the depth of intimate fellowship with another, it was Jesus. To maintain a warm, vulnerable posture while enduring overwhelming agony attests to his sweetness. His suffering literally transcends the boundaries of our understanding. To consider the wisdom of the crucifixion and the suffering Jesus experienced leaves us pondering a mystery far too deep for our simple minds to handle.

“If God is to be found in the cross, then he is hidden in the mystery; if human experience is illuminated by that cross, then the experiences which are illuminated are those of suffering, abandonment, powerlessness and hopelessness, culminating in death. Either God is not present at all in (the cross), or else he is present in a remarkable and paradoxical way.”

- Alister McGrath

“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

- Isaiah 45:3