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Wisdom Story
For centuries people believed Aristotle was right in his claim that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Aristotle was regarded as the greatest thinker of all time, and surely, persons continued to think, he would not be wrong.
Anyone, of course, could have taken two objects, one heavier than the other, and dropped them from a great height to see whether or not the heavier object landed first. But no one did until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle's death.
In 1589 Galileo, not accepting Aristotle's claim without testing it, summoned learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Galileo went to the top and pushed off a ten-pound and a one-pound weight. Both landed at the exact instant.
What was the conclusion of the professors who witnessed this fact? The power of belief was so strong they denied what they had seen. They continued affirming Aristotle was right.
Comments
Belief itself is neither good nor bad, unhelpful nor helpful, edifying nor unedifying. The same applies to affirmations of religious groups and holy books.
Claims made in the name of God ought to be as subject to the demands of reason and common sense as any other claim. Likewise, while religious claims receive reasonable support for their transcending reason, that does not mean they are unreasonable. That they are transcending logical reason itself needs to be given reasonable support.
Spiritual Christianity assumes the spiritual implies a level of transcendent reason that is reasonable. It recognizes authority in regard to all things is ultimately the authority of Truth. All claims to truth are subject to Truth.
We can pose logical questions to claims for transcendent truth. One question to pose is this: "Does this offer loving edification to all persons?" If the claim, in any way, is prejudicial, then, it cannot be wholly true. Another question is: "Do I find this witnessed to across the Centuries and in many different cultures?" If God is Truth, it is illogical to assume that any truth can be other than universal.
Many persons speak of following our hearts. This only works when our heart is at one with our mind. The heart, as the center of feeling and intuition, when cut off from the wisdom and intelligence of mind, can as easily misled us as the mind, when cut off from the heart.
Many are the claims of religion. ... some beautiful full-truths ... some half-truths ... some fully untrue ... The sad thing is that in religion more persons than not live by unexamined beliefs, and they will judge anyone else who challenges those beliefs. That does not honor truth, or Truth. That is not faith, for faith is not blind trust, but trust that arises with a daring openness to honor God with open heart and open mind.
Suggested Reflection
How do you discern regarding claims to religious or spiritual truth?
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Director, his speaking, doing classes, workshops, or retreats for churches or other spiritual groups. He will inform regarding how to receive his other writings or offer replies to comments or questions.
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*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, and their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Florida. He is a United Methodist pastor and vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ through contemplative prayer and living.
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