Psalm 14
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
The concept of atheism is curious. In modern usage, the word refers to someone who doesn't "believe" in God. Most people have bumped into atheists. They come in all shapes and sizes with all manner of reasons for disbelief. Experience suggests, however, that it's not so much God that people reject, but the people and the institutions who claim to represent God.
The word "atheist," however, means literally that someone is without God. The implication is that whether God exists or not, the atheist chooses to do without. And, as our psalmist suggests, here is a fool indeed.
It is not so much that people who believe differently are fools. Nor is it the case that such people are corrupt and prone to abominable deeds. But there is a point to be made here. That point is that many who dismiss God aren't saying that God doesn't exist. They just want the job themselves. In a culture brainwashed to believe in the supremacy of the individual and brought up to think that freedom is the license to do anything we want, this sense that there is nothing bigger, larger, or more powerful than ourselves is ominous.
Consider the case of certain nations who see themselves as all powerful. Since there is no belief in anything more powerful, corruption does indeed ensue as no-bid contracts are handed to buddies and friends, and once unthinkable deeds like torture become the order of the day.
Here it is in a nutshell. Those who do not acknowledge a power beyond themselves are not merely fools. They are dangerous.
In his paraphrase of Psalm 14, Eugene Peterson puts it wonderfully. "God sticks his head out of heaven. He looks around. He's looking for someone not stupid -- one man, even, God-expectant, just one God-ready woman. He comes up empty. A string of zeros. Useless, unshepherded sheep, taking turns pretending to be the shepherd."
In our narcissistic reality, it is all about us, isn't it?
Addressing a concern in a recent meeting, a parishioner actually said, "I'll begin with how I feel, because if it feels good to me it must feel good for everyone else." This person was completely serious! If he/she felt fine then of course it must be okay for everyone. What folly! What delusion! And yet, it is the air we breathe. Whether it is a nation blinded by power or an individual drunk on the selfish illusions of culture, we do take turns pretending to be the Shepherd.
And while we dance to this frightening rhythm, God is neither fooled nor pleased. It turns out that God not only exists, God is paying attention. Our arrogance does do damage. Our delusions of power do lead us into corruption and injustice, and we are held accountable.
The word "atheist," however, means literally that someone is without God. The implication is that whether God exists or not, the atheist chooses to do without. And, as our psalmist suggests, here is a fool indeed.
It is not so much that people who believe differently are fools. Nor is it the case that such people are corrupt and prone to abominable deeds. But there is a point to be made here. That point is that many who dismiss God aren't saying that God doesn't exist. They just want the job themselves. In a culture brainwashed to believe in the supremacy of the individual and brought up to think that freedom is the license to do anything we want, this sense that there is nothing bigger, larger, or more powerful than ourselves is ominous.
Consider the case of certain nations who see themselves as all powerful. Since there is no belief in anything more powerful, corruption does indeed ensue as no-bid contracts are handed to buddies and friends, and once unthinkable deeds like torture become the order of the day.
Here it is in a nutshell. Those who do not acknowledge a power beyond themselves are not merely fools. They are dangerous.
In his paraphrase of Psalm 14, Eugene Peterson puts it wonderfully. "God sticks his head out of heaven. He looks around. He's looking for someone not stupid -- one man, even, God-expectant, just one God-ready woman. He comes up empty. A string of zeros. Useless, unshepherded sheep, taking turns pretending to be the shepherd."
In our narcissistic reality, it is all about us, isn't it?
Addressing a concern in a recent meeting, a parishioner actually said, "I'll begin with how I feel, because if it feels good to me it must feel good for everyone else." This person was completely serious! If he/she felt fine then of course it must be okay for everyone. What folly! What delusion! And yet, it is the air we breathe. Whether it is a nation blinded by power or an individual drunk on the selfish illusions of culture, we do take turns pretending to be the Shepherd.
And while we dance to this frightening rhythm, God is neither fooled nor pleased. It turns out that God not only exists, God is paying attention. Our arrogance does do damage. Our delusions of power do lead us into corruption and injustice, and we are held accountable.
