Real-life things are not simple, even if they seem to be on the surface. For example, one might call a child's action simple, but once examined closely it is clear to see that there is imagination, neurons, thoughts, and complexity behind that action. Lewis uses the example of a table; in appearance it would seem simple, but when broken down one would be able to discuss what the furniture is really made of-all of the atoms and how the light waves rebound from them and what that does to the optic nerve and what that does to the brain. I do not believe religion to be simple either. People complain that if there were a God, then he would've made religion easier or more simple to understand. Life is full of mysteries and complications, and as curious humans who thrive on discovery and constantly seek to know, we must be prepared when life is complex and intricate. We are not surprised when science shows us the minute details of how life works, and we even ask for more than simplicity, not being satisfied with simple answers but wanting to know more. Therefore, if we ask for more than simplicity, it is ridiculous to sugar-coat religion or complain that it should be more simple. Lewis states, and I quite agree, 'This idea of God makes religion seem as if it were something that He only invented rather than His statement to us of certain quite unalterable facts about His own true nature'. Once we understand that religion is more than what we can grasp, that it is the very story of God revealing His nature, then we can understand better how God and religion go hand in hand.
There are only two views that address the facts (that there is obvious bad in the world and that humanity seeks meaning) that we know of the universe: Dualism and Christianity. Dualism, which believes in two independent powers, is quite close to fulfilling what we know about life, but there is a glitch: if Dualism is indeed true, then the bad Power must be a being who likes badness for it's own sake; just because. However, we have no knowledge of anything being bad just because it is bad. All that we know on earth that we consider bad is bad for a reason. As Lewis puts it, 'You can be good for the sake of goodness, but you cannot be bad for the sake of badness'. Goodness is itself in existence, while badness is goodness that has gone wrong. Therefore, badness is not independent, but rather is dependent on the good Power that is bigger than it. 'To be bad, badness must exist and have intelligence and will, but existence, intelligence, and will are in themselves good'. Christianity makes sense in this way, labeling badness as a parasite that was once good and is fallen. Although both Dualism and Christianity view these spiritual Powers as being in a battle, they differ when Christianity says it is a civil war, a rebellion, and that the universe is a place that is occupied by the rebel. Our world has been invaded and is enemy occupied territory. This is why Christianity works, because it acknowledges good and bad in accurate ways as well as defines our knowledge of the universe in spiritual terms. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has entered that territory-literally landing and taking on human flesh-and called his soldiers to fight. We are fighting behind enemy lines. Don't we see evidence of this? When things go wrong and we are desperate to make it right, for what purpose is that? Why do we strive for goodness, and by that acknowledge that badness exists, if there is no reason to? Why do we say that darkness is bad and light is good? Why do we strive for hope in a fallen and broken world if those exact attributes are non-existent? We strive for hope because it exists and because it is better, stronger, and more powerful than the darkness that is the outcome of this fallen world. Let us recognize this! We need to flee darkness and love light. We need to acknowledge the God that is the source of light. We need to know that this world is enemy occupied territory. An invasion has taken place, but the good news is that it can be and has been overcome. The irony perhaps is specifically how we are called to fight: through love, peace, patience, humility, and other characteristics that exhibit God's character. I'll post on that later. For now my prayer is that all of humanity can acknowledge good and bad and intentionally choose what is good, what is right, and what is pure. Let hope rise and darkness tremble.
