In general I agree with your insight here, ForGod'sSake. The only qualification I'd make is "true vs. false" is not logically the same thing as "good vs. evil." It seems to me "true vs. false" indicates rational categories, but "good vs. evil" indicates ontological categories. In other words, the two sets of terms distinguish between the different states of knowing and being. We Christians may sense ourselves moving along a linear path towards good or evil, according to our free choice. But without God to draw us, our propensity/susceptibility to evil will tend to overwhelm us, ineluctibly it seems.
To put it another way, God is not "in" the same temporal universe that we inhabit, so to speak. Yet our spiritual life is conducted "at the intersection of time and timelessness" (as T.S. Eliot put it): the "time" of our existence, and the "timelessness" of God's Eternal Now — if that makes any sense at all.
God is Being, God is Life: Who lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
You wrote:
It may be why most of us I'm sure have noticed that people of faith are a happy, serene and contented lot for the most part. Whereas unbelievers, unfamiliar with the grace and glory of our God seem to live in a constant state of confusion without even being aware of it. Truly an unhappy and discontented bunch of busybodies who think they have the answers when in truth, they don't even know the questions.I have noticed that most Christians I know are cheerful, serene, basically happy people — and so many non-Christians nowadays seem to have all kinds of axes to grind. Yet as you wrote, they do not have the answers — they don't even know what the relevant questions are. And seemingly aren't interested in finding out.
Peace!
Your astute observation brings to mind the consideration of "outcomes" before we proceed with words or actions. Should children be protected from the truth at times? I think the answer to that is likely yes, but are there also times when other adults should be protected from the truth? By omission; also a probable yes. By commission is a little tougher call but I can see where your point about truth vs lie set against good vs evil are on separate planes.
Yet our spiritual life is conducted "at the intersection of time and timelessness" (as T.S. Eliot put it): the "time" of our existence, and the "timelessness" of God's Eternal Now — if that makes any sense at all.
Whew! I'll have to study on that but it does put God in some perspective, at least as much in perspective as we can grasp. Infinitely unknowable but eminently reachable. His grace is a marvelous thing!
But without God to draw us, our propensity/susceptibility to evil will tend to overwhelm us, ineluctibly it seems.
No truer words...
Thank you for your beautiful essay-post, dearest sister in Christ!