Thinking About Light – and Darkness

Not long ago I saw the familiar car bumper sticker that says “Co-Exist,” comprised of various symbols including a peace sign, the Islamic crescent, the Star of David, and the cross. It’s an interesting mix and an appealing idea, kind of along the lines of “Why can’t we all just get along?”

In some respects there’s nothing wrong with that. We should be able to appreciate different viewpoints, and respect those having beliefs other than our own. If we associate with and listen only to people that reinforce our prejudices, how will we learn and grow? Times when people challenged what I believed have often proved to be opportunities to revisit my own convictions and ask myself, “Why do I believe that?” But in reality, some things simply can’t co-exist.

Even a tiny candle has the power
to cast away darkness. 

Take for example, light and darkness. Complete darkness ceases to exist even in the presence of a single lit candle. Turn on a bright overhead light and, like Elvis, darkness leaves the building. True darkness has no alternative but to cower in the presence of light.

Perhaps this is why, especially on topics of profound depth and strong conviction – including faith, religion and spirituality – the notion of totally opposite points of view “co-existing” is at best unlikely and, for all intents and purposes, impossible. I submit as an example two men, both of great intellect, highly educated, and from the same part of the world.

Stephen Hawking, an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist affiliated with the renowned University of Cambridge, and acclaimed author, has said, “There is probably no heaven, and no afterlife either.” A declared atheist who believes science alone holds all the answers of the universe, Hawking has offered his opinion that, “Heaven is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.”

Another Britisher, Dr. John Lennox, professor of mathematics at the equally esteemed University of Oxford, philosopher of science, and staunch defender of the Christian faith, posits an opposing view: “Atheism is a fairy story for those who are afraid of the light.” His view is that science and matters of faith need not – and should not – be regarded as mutually exclusive.

Even the most starry-eyed Pollyanna would be hard-pressed to reconcile such contradictory perspectives. Judging from their credentials, neither Hawking nor Lennox is lacking in intelligence, reasoning powers or educational pedigree. Yet they have reached totally different conclusions. So which one is right?

We might as well ask: which is right, light or darkness?

The Bible speaks a lot about both. Jesus, never one to hem or haw on important matters, was even bold enough to declare, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). A bit later He added, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should walk in darkness” (John 12:46). According to Jesus, light is a far better choice than darkness – and stated He was the one certain way for finding light that can’t be extinguished.

Elsewhere Jesus asserted He had no intention of keeping this light to Himself – and neither should we. In fact, He assured His followers, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden…. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

It’s interesting that our society seems committed to redefining what is light and what is darkness. This is hardly a new phenomenon. Thousands of years ago the prophet Isaiah warned, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

Sadly, many in the media, the political realm, centers of so-called higher education, and in some cases, even churches, affirm a mantra that darkness is good, and therefore light should be avoided. This message appeals to what the Bible calls our “flesh” or “sinful nature,” and can be strongly seductive. So we have a choice. We can follow the path society directs, or heed the admonition of the apostle Paul: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). It’s a pivotal choice no one can make for us.

In doing so, we should keep in mind this assurance: “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18).

Seeing Life in Reverse

As my little grandson grows up, it appears his reflection
is not the only thing he'll be viewing in reverse.

Have you ever considered the fact we spend a substantial amount of time looking at our lives in reverse?

When I was a kid, I used to read Superman comics that sometimes featured “Bizarro World,” in which characters there were the exact opposite of the “real world” of Metropolis. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about mirror images – literally.

Next time you have the opportunity, take a thoughtful look in the mirror. What do you see? For me, my hair is parted on the left, but the guy staring back at me in the mirror parts his on the right. I wear a watch on my left wrist; his is on the right. If I have on one of my favorite T-shirts, it reads, ETATS OIHO. See what I mean?

Of course our brains become trained to reinterpret the reflected image so we don’t become immobilized by confusion. We mentally flip what we see so can we interpret things as they we know them to be. If we pretend to be throwing a ball with our right hand, we don’t perceive ourselves in the mirror as southpaw pitchers.

But it seems that in society, we’re not always as successful. Things that used to be regarded as good and virtuous – such as being monogamous in marriage and devout in faith – are increasingly viewed with ridicule or disdain, viewed as “old-fashioned,” even “ignorant.” Morality has been flipped.

For instance, today it’s regarded “courageous” when people declare themselves to be gay, but when someone affirms belief in traditional, male-female marriage, it’s considered being hateful and “intolerant.”

Economist, social theorist and author Thomas Sowell has pointed out many in society consider it “greed” to want to keep money you’ve earned, but not being greedy (or coveting, or jealous) to want to take someone else’s money.

Many think it wrong for people of faith to express their beliefs in a public forum, but it’s acceptable for atheists to impose their non-belief on others by suppressing religious expression.

In sports, it’s widely understood that to become more proficient, you must compete with someone of greater skill or talent. But in our educational system, we set standards at the lowest common denominator so poor achievers don’t feel badly about themselves.

The point is, we’ve grown so accustomed to reversed, mirror images of long-accepted values we’ve come to accept them as reality.

Such attitudes are hardly new. People have always had a tendency to look at things backwards. In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, the prophet bemoans, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

And in the New Testament, after describing an assortment of sinful behavior, it says, “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32).

Considering how society has reversed attitudes about many things today, maybe we are living in Bizarro World!