The Height of Vanity

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 ©