“Christianity, then saw the battle for human virtue as no longer one of head versus heart (becoming more rational), nor mind over matter (getting more technical mastery over the world). The battle was over where to direct the supreme love of your heart. Will it be toward God and your neighbor, no matter who that neighbor is? Or will it be toward power and wealth for yourself and your tribe?”- Timothy Keller
Timothy Keller continues Chapter 2 of Making Sense of God as he notes that Augustine marked an epoch in the history of human moral consciousness. Because, for the first time, love replaced self-control and rational thought as the supreme goal of life. Thus, according to the Bible, a personal, rational being (God) created the natural world. As a result, personal, rational people could study and understand it.
Therefore, as Pastor Keller explains:
“In general, Christianity brought an unprecedented idea of the importance of the individual. . . . Christianity . . . promises immortality of the individual person . . . as long as he is saved by the grace of God. It also understood the elitism of antiquity. ‘Salvation’ for the Greeks had to do with philosophical contemplation, something only people with leisure and training could do. For Christians, however, salvation came through dependent, trusting faith that Jesus had saved them, doing what they could not do. That was something anyone could do. In this sense it was much more egalitarian that other kinds of ancient and classical thought.”
In conclusion, Pastor Keller challenges the popular notion that modern secularism created the concept of human rights. Over and against the oppressive control of religion. For, in reality, Timothy stresses, this concept arose not in the East but in the West. And not after the Enlightenment, but within medieval Christianity.
Finally, the Bible teaches that the great human struggle takes place within our hearts. That through the power of the Holy Spirit we respond to Christ’s love and grace.
Today’s question: What makes Jesus the supreme love of your heart? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Dogmatism, truth, skepticism”