We live in a society which is slowly becoming more progressive and
humanistic. Whether you call it postmodernism, or subjectivism or relativism,
we continue to elevate the self-importance of human existence, accomplishment
and thinking. Yet, we are mere specks in the broad expanse of the universe,
mere blips in the endless march of time, and little more than a tiny footnote
in the history of this beloved sphere. Whether created, transplanted, or the
fortunate winners of an evolutionary lottery, we humans seem to have a
constantly eroding layer of communal humility in light of our brief tenure here
on earth. We have convinced ourselves that we are, at least figuratively, at
the center of the universe … as if it was our destiny not only to exist, but to
rule this planet. This haughty approach to our tenuous toehold on this little
rock in the abyss of time and space should be a bit embarrassing. Because
whatever your world view may be, we humans are just plain lucky to be here at
all, let alone to be blessed with all that this world has to offer our species.
Now it would be disingenuous not to disclose that I’m one of those
supposed narrow-minded, fundamentalist religious people who actually believe
there is a God who had a hand brining about this world and continues not only
to take an interest in our existence, but to actively interact with us lowly
humans. How crazy is that? I would argue about as crazy as thinking some
combination of warm, murky water and chemicals could swirl together into a
functioning life form and eventually grow into us. Is the idea of God creating
man from dirt really any more far-fetched than nothing creating man from dirt?
Even the most basic bacteria, despite its simplicity, still contains a highly
developed cell structure with a variety of interactive parts which are required
for it to exist as a legitimate life form. No matter how much you cook or swirl
chemicals together, or bombard them with cosmic rays, you just can’t get the
kind of amino acids or building blocks of life to actually build life from what
is lifeless; let alone the intricate, interdependent biological processes which
support life as we know it. However, we simply refuse to accept that maybe,
just maybe, a God might be involved. But never fear, scientists are still working
around the clock all over the world with hopes of proving that God wasn’t
necessary and, therefore, God doesn’t exist. To date, however, the theory that
there is no God is still supported by less evidence than the theory that there
is a God. If you like, we could just agree that the jury is still out. Or do
you believe that your theory is absolutely and unequivocally right and that we
shouldn’t even allow any conversation about a God or creation. If so, I believe
that would make you a narrow-minded fundamentalist as well. Funny how that
actually works both ways.
But all that being said, even if we merely
evolved and boot-strapped ourselves to the top of the food pyramid, that would
only make us the smartest animals so far. Or to quote Lilly Tomlin, “Even you
win the rat race, you’re still just a rat.” We might be the best rats invented
to date, but that would be all we’re qualified to brag about. In fact, based
upon the theory of evolution, better rats will eventually evolve who may
supplant us as rulers of the earth. Better rats who would out-compete us or
out-produce us or out-think us, and who might even eat us. For to assume that
we are the pinnacle and purpose of evolution, or that we have any kind of
divine right to remain on the throne of nature indefinitely runs counter to the
vaunted principals of natural selection. Any discussion of rights or purpose,
or even meaning, would bring us back to some kind of truth that might point to
a God or higher power. If we cling to evolution, then we have to toss art and
science and philosophy and morality and music and literature out the window
because our sole reason for existing is to pass the genetic baton onto the
next, and hopefully better, generation so that they can do the same. That’s all
there is. Evolution says that you’re only the king if you have bigger teeth or
a bigger brain, and that another king will eventually eat you and take your
place. If you don’t believe that, you may need to believe in God.
Either way, it’s still the height of vanity to
assume that we’re actually something special … unless we were created in God’s
image and that counted for something. But even then we’d be wise to remain
humble in the face of eternity. Let’s keep these conversations going, because
there’s much to talk about and discover.
The
Height of Vanity
In this postmodern world we share
Every effort has been made
To remove the Lord from everything
We think and do each day
We’ve driven him from government
From schools and conversation
From intellectual gatherings
In every corner of our nation
We’ve blotted out the name of God
Wherever it was found
From every corner of our culture
Where once it did abound
For political correctness
For fairness and tolerance
We think that Jesus and the church
Must be hemmed in behind a fence
Of philosophical obscurity
Where subversive thoughts are sent
So that science may reign supreme
Throughout the social establishment
Then we wonder why there is unrest
Hate and violence and divorce
We ask what’s wrong with this world
And how things have taken course
But no wonder if we’re spiraling
Into darkness and decay
If the world is getting worse
Year by year and day by day
Can we remove the earth’s Creator
Who understands all things unknown
Can we dethrone the King of heaven
Who placed each continent and stone
Can we eradicate eternal truth
Or the source of morality
And make everything subjective
To the whim of humanity
It’s madness to assume that we
Could cast God from the world he made
And place ourselves upon the throne
Which was before creation laid
We simply can’t un-God this world
And it’s the height of vanity
For man to claim the crown of God
And supplant his majesty
By Frank Carpenter ©
