The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly is an iconic western movie of the 1960s starring Clint Eastwood. It anchored a string of successful sequels because, in theme, it related metaphorically to reality. Its lessons can be applied today. The good is the attempt to find purpose in principle and unity while defending fairness and justice. The bad is the unchecked evil nature of man. The ugly is the process and struggle of this system of things to produce justice and righteousness. In the human experience, they are interrelated.
They are each omnipresent, constantly interacting in world society.
The royal wedding was congenial. The pageantry honored England’s history. The ceremony was respectful of Great Britain’s religious heritage. The royal couple modernized the monarchy in appearance and culture. The union of Harry and Meghan was inclusive of racial diversity. Their marriage unified England and its generations. Their vows enriched common identity among the population. Great Britain and America were bound for a moment in a royal kiss.
The tragedy of the school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, is horrifying beyond description. The grief and loss are unimaginable. Unrestrained evil shocks the senses. Even with every reasonable attempt made to protect the innocent, acts of terror continue to haunt us. More steps must be taken. Is it enforcing gun control? Is it regulating violent video games? Is it sensitizing youth to the dignity of life? Is it broadening programs for mental illness? Is it doubling down by parents to counsel their children? Is it strengthening family values?
The answer to all these questions is yes.
Ongoing, in our daily consciousness, is the invective dialog in Washington, DC as the Establishment and President Trump battle over government protocol and constitutional division of power. In the means and process, democracy struggles.
What is the intertwinement of these events in human activity? Moral principles are personified. The royal wedding enveloped hope of an identity to which each of us as individuals, regardless of nationality, background or ethnicity, could relate. The response of security and police in Santa Fe was a spontaneous reaction to defend the children and teachers from harm without consideration for their own safety. In Washington, DC, the Establishment, the Department of Justice, and the presidency are on trial in the court of public perception. The Constitution holds each to a discipline of restraint based upon the equal application of the rule of law.
Not to be lost or denigrated in this discord is the power of prayer and its hope realized.
There are well over 1,000 recognized religions in the world. All can be broken into three basic categories. One, life exists as the accidental happenstance of an undefined universe. Two, a mystical force caused the universe, and thus life, to be created. Yet mankind is left to its own intellect to reach a higher understanding. Third, the universe and mankind were created by a purposeful God for a principled purpose.
Categories one and two rely upon the intellect of mankind to both define and implement righteousness. There are two problems with this thesis. First, depending upon mankind’s intellect to define eternal principle, when mankind’s intellect is limited in grasping the boundaries of the universe, is incomprehensible. And second, expecting mankind to stand down on principle to avoid war and conflict is naïve. For, as the horror in Santa Fe illustrates, evil exists in many manifestations and will always challenge the good and the effort of people to protect what is right. History is the testimony that such mentality is fraught with failure.
Stephen Hawking, the renowned physicist, was a committed atheist. He believed that life was an accident and the earth produced humanity by and through a unique set of circumstances. He believed that gravity is the great uncaused cause. He did not know for sure how the universe began, or more importantly, why. He made no attempt to explain the existence of the universe spiritually. At least he was not a hypocrite.
Faith in a purposeful God, who cares about and orchestrates the ultimate outcome of the great human experience, is a rational, humbling and obedient-to-principle cause. Such faith is based on a written word. The Bible establishes a template for the proper conduct of human affairs. Biblical philosophy stands the test of both the empirical and spiritual challenges of history.
There are other religions with written words. All require an act or service of the follower to receive the defined spiritual reward. Only Christianity offers grace by a simple act of acceptance and obedience of will. Christian prayer is the faith that the Lord thy God will aid in the defense of principle and righteousness for the advancement of His Kingdom.
Apposite means relevant, appropriate or apt. Faith in a caring purposeful creator that instills a divine purpose in each individual for the spiritual pursuit of happiness is apposite faith.
Managing one’s emotions through hopeful events, tragedy, and constant conflict, is achieved through the revelation that eternal principles are derived from an eternal God.
There is no honor in being a liegeman for a fake god or an unproven principle or purpose. Only in devotion to a caring God and a cause greater than oneself can one find peace in the dystopia of this system of things.
Citizen obedience to eternal principles renders the vision of national identity.
May our prayers for peace and continuity between all races, nationalities and generations be our hope.
And may this hope be our confidence.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?