Posted on 03/05/2010 9:32:59 AM PST by hope_dies_last
Faith is not the “opiate of the masses”. Karl Marx was dead wrong in his understanding of the true nature of faith and its purpose in the life of the believer. Although it is true that the world can seem like a “heartless world”, it is in this climate of disarray and suffering that our faith in God is vindicated. Faith by definition is, “hope of things not seen” and hope of “what is to come”.
Faith would not be necessary in completely predictable circumstances, and even then, a measure of faith is required to act upon the notion that a predictable outcomes will occur and these outcomes will predictably continue occur. Even more so, in an unpredictable world, faith is quintessential in a sometimes, seemingly arbitrary outcome.
Only God imparts forgiveness. It is through this forgiveness that God the Father bestows upon us, that our fellowship with the Creator is restored and the sting of death is rendered innocuous.
It is also in the face of pain and suffering that we experience, as believers and followers of Christ, faith that transcends the physical realm and all understanding and peers onward to an enduring and everlasting hope. “For what it profit a man if he gaineth the world and forfeit his own soul?” “For greater is He that is in us that He that is in the world”. Psalm 46:1, says that, “God is our Mighty Fortress, an ever-present help in time of trouble”. "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.(John 16:33"
The quote is actually about ‘religion’ not ‘faith’
They are two quite different things.
Jesus, referring to religion said, “The traditions of men make even the word of God of none effect”
I don’t recall a similar statement about faith.
Will
Marx said that about religion because he hadn’t seen a television.
It isn't much of a defense, really - elsewhere he was relentlessly anti-religious, not surprising for the founder of his own new religion.
thanks for bringing up that quote.
Mark 7 is such a powerful and interesting chapter — with Jesus taking ‘traditions of men’ and religion to task:
‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.
‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’
“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
that is why i have trouble with any church that places such importance on traditions or doctrines that are not found in scripture.
Faith are the wings of the masses.
They are two quite different things.
Excellent point. While the two are not mutually exclusive, it's more the rule than the exception.
Thank you for your comment...
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Well put.
And from a guy also used to putting thoughts and words together well:
“Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.” -Niccolo Machiavelli
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