In the late 19th century Friedrich Nietzsche said, “God is dead, God remains dead, and we have killed him.” While this may be true of a finite manmade god, it is certainly a most illogical statement with respect to a god who resides outside our dimensional realm (e.g. heaven.) Therein lies the catch . . .
I embrace Nietzsche’s statement with respect to the god of my youth. That god was riddled with finite attributes. It walked around carrying a big stick, just waiting to catch me making a mistake. Its insecurities were threatened by any question or insult hurled its direction. It was beyond such disrespect. It was distant and unfriendly. Frankly, I’m glad it’s dead.
On the other hand, if god is beyond our confines, then it is most definitely infinite (see Slices of God, Phase 3 for a dimensional definition of infinitude.) This god is beyond our ability to understand, except for what it has chosen to reveal to us. These revelations come via its creation and through an incarnational presence. NEVERTHELESS, we still have only finite pieces to hold on to: way too little to proclaim a comprehensive understanding of God.
I have come a long way in my journey to understand God, but am still left with incomplete and finite slices. Even though I recognize my finite limits, I still vigorously pursue truth, even in its incomplete state. Some of my non-believing friends are content with the non-existence of God. They are so content that they no longer actively pursue truth. Why bother?
Such an attitude is not disbelief; it is laziness. Knowing our finite understandings (or misunderstandings) are all we will ever have is no reason to abandon the pursuit of truth. It is simply a rationalization to stick one’s head in the sand. “Sometimes it is easier to sink our heads into the sand than to go through the pain and labor of thinking outside our comfort zones. We tend to prefer sand in our nostrils to fresh air in our heads.” (Slices of God, Phase 1)
Whether you are a believer or non-believer, your set of beliefs (or non-beliefs) has no impact on the truth whatsoever. The ultimate question is, “Are you in hot pursuit of truth or are you lazily breathing sand?”
Loving fresh air!
– Sam Augsburger
