There are material dimensions to our life. We are flesh, not just a spiritual soul. We know about physical beauty and wealth. If you are wealthy and the right race, does that prove that God loves you? In reality, the physical world is morally neutral and can be an asset or a liability. A disability can lead either to self-pity or courage. Sex can either be an act of love or manipulation. Wealth can be a power to help others or a path to greed. We have to accept ourselves and who we are. Thus, we have to let God shine through us. We must bring our senses of touch, smell, and hearing into our faith. We have to appreciate the beauty in the world around us. Christians believe in an incarnation theology. Jesus was truly in this world. Do not fear the body, imagination or the aesthetic sense. Your imagination uses myths and images to help you describe God, whether it be in music, art, or literature.
our life
What is truth?
The Christ story is true because the Bible tells me so. Like Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator, we ask “what is truth?” Is this scientific truth? No. A peak experience in our life, like falling in love is true, but not scientifically verifiable. There are different contexts for truth. There is a difference between truth in court and truth in a laboratory. There are different kinds of truth. We say, “So help me, God.” Stories, like the parable of the Good Samaritan, are true stories, but do we have to say every part happened exactly the way that the gospel story says that it did. We are influenced by our culture and education. Thus, we share our culture. Otherwise there is no trust, only disbelief. Is truth always black and white? There are degrees, levels, and kinds of truth.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 