The Rose-Colored Glass is Half Full

Joram had two sons, and both were named Ahaziah.

The two Ahaziahs had some pretty remarkable parallels in their lives. They were both crowned king when their father Joram died. Both were terrible kings, following in the footsteps of their most villainous predecessor.

Both Ahaziahs were close friends and allies of a neighboring king who we will call Joram II. Both went into battle with Joram II against a foreign king named Hazael. In each case, Joram II was fatally wounded in the battle, and went home to die. Both Ahaziahs went separately to see Joram I, and unexpectedly, both Ahaziahs were murdered during the visit. Even more shocking: They were both murdered by a man named Jehu.

In all the parallels between the two Ahaziahs, there is only one recorded difference between the two: One Ahaziah assumed the throne when he was 22 years old, and the other when he was 42 years old.

Same father. Same mother. Same name. Same throne. Same friend. Same battle. Same death. Yet two different people.

Make sense so far?

You see, the elements of this story are found in the Bible. In fact, the same story is told twice, in two different places. One account, in II Kings 8, describes the Ahaziah that began to reign when he was 22 years old. The other account, in II Chronicles 22, describes exactly the same story, with the exception that Ahaziah began to reign when he was 42 years old.

You may read the accounts and think that the Bible was describing the same Ahaziah, and that a simple mistake was made in his age (22 versus 42). In fact, the Bible itself gives no indication that there were two separate Ahaziahs. However, for a fundamentalist Christian, Biblical mistakes are an impossibility. Therefore, they are required to invent a story like the one above to explain away this obvious error. This story was given to me, in fact, by one such Christian. It makes far more sense for him that “Joram had two sons named Ahaziah” than to assume that his sacred book may have a minor typographical error.

As long as he applies this sort of nonsensical approach to the Bible, a believer will always feel secure in his belief. If, however, he decides to subject his belief to the type of reasonable analysis that is required in the rest of his life, perhaps he will begin to understand the error of his belief.

– George Cummins

Over the past few years I have been involved in many discussions with Christians, many of whom at one time considered me a brother. As we discussed the path I have taken and as I presented my questions to them, one phrase was uttered again and again:

“You think too much.”

They feel that I have arrived at my present state of non-belief as a direct result of over-thinking the situation. They imply that if I would just think less and believe more, all the problems with the faith would go away.

Apparently, Christianity is best swallowed with as little thinking as possible.

Too much thinking and studying tends to reveal the “rough edges” of the system. Many Christians, when presented with evidence that would tend to prove their belief wrong, are content to ignore the facts and press on with a smile. In many of my conversations, I have come away with an overwhelming sensation that Christians tend to hold to the oft-clichéd position: “Don’t bother me with the facts; my mind is made up.”

I have collected some of the quotes I received, and I present them below for your consideration.

Learning can be harmful to your belief

“Once people decided they don’t need God and separate themselves from Him, that’s when people die. Learning has nothing to do with it.” Darveiye Flemming, 2/17/10

“In all of that reading and studying, you have become belligerent against the God who loves and saved you.” Heidi Drahos, 2/17/20

The facts are not very important

“In all honesty I wonder if God doesn’t allow a lot of these apparent numerical contradictions, just to see if we are willing to be obedient to him.” Bekah Keppel, 9/29/09

“I don’t think you have a problem with seven or three, I think you have a problem trusting God.” Bekah Keppel, 9/29/09, responding to an apparent contradiction between II Samuel 24 and I Chronicles 21.

“And if you have logical arguments based on human reason or science. Save them.” Darveiye Flemming, 2/16/10

“You have the idea God and the Bible just don’t line up with logic. Which is true.” Darveiye Flemming, 2/17/10

Non-believers wouldn’t understand

“As we well know, there is no understanding apart from Christ.” Lynn Snyder Capshaw, 2/17/10

If all else fails

“I must plead guilty to circular reasoning.” R.B. Ouillette, A More Sure Word

“You accuse me of circular reasoning – I confess. I believe God.” Pastor Jim Talbert, 9/23/09

The only thing I can conclude is that Christianity is not about truth, it’s about believing. “Just believe” they say, and the truth will be revealed to you. I say find the truth and don’t let your beliefs stand in the way.

– George Cummins

Vanessa and I have been selling soapnuts for several years. We acquired the business from my mom in 2007, and it has been doing fairly well. However, both Vanessa and I have grown painfully bored with packaging and shipping the product.

Recently, I discovered that Amazon offers fulfillment services. I can send our product to them and they will package and ship it for us. Hurray! I can’t wait to get the soapnuts boxed up and sent away to Amazon.

– George Cummins

I enjoy reading between the lines.

I like listening to people’s words and hearing not only what they say, but what they mean. Sometimes the words are not enough to tell the whole story and interpretation is required.

One of my favorite pastimes is listening to preachers because they are masters of interpretation. Their job is not simply to present the words of the Bible to eager Christian ears, but to interpret those words so that they are understandable to the listeners. On occasion, however, a preacher subtly changes a meaning while interpreting, causing his listeners to hear a message different than the one presented in the text.

Today my sister posted a message from her pastor, Dan Hudson of Pathway Church. The sermon’s purpose was to identify the cost of following Jesus. Pastor Dan used as his text Luke 14 and focused on the summary in verse 33:

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

Here is Pastor Dan’s interpretation:

“Jesus wants everything. [...] It doesn’t mean you need to live in poverty. Don’t misunderstand that. But how much are you willing to give up?”

So for Pastor Dan, Jesus’ words can be interpreted to mean something considerably different than what Jesus said. Jesus said give everything up, or you can’t be a disciple. Pastor Dan says you just need to be “willing.”

That interpretation is undoubtedly gentler on the modern Christian and makes it easier to gain converts. But is the interpretation valid? Pastor Dan, is that what Jesus really said? Or is it what you wanted him to say?