Chapter 1: The Nature of Goodness and Power

Goodness is a delicate concept. One of the key challenges in fully understanding goodness or love as an existential principle is its inherent resistance to clear definition, which paradoxically makes its opposite—power—more enticing. In psychological terms, this force can be described as the surrender of desire to the dominance of the ego. While hate may result from conflicting desires, power dismantles the value associated with goodness in order to acquire it as a possession.

Our primary challenge lies in the fact that goodness is difficult to define compared to the tangible rewards associated with value. Money, for instance, is easily measurable and its benefits are apparent.

This phenomenon is illustrated by the historical example of the Monks of Lindisfarne, who were brutally attacked during the first Viking raid in Northumbria in 793. Their demise revealed the apparent weakness of peace in the face of those willing to embrace violence.

Even though we in the modern West like to believe we've moved past such violence, one could argue that since the Industrial Revolution, we have merely substituted violence for other forms of power—namely technological and financial.

In fact, money's measurable nature relates intriguingly to the scientific materialism of an era fixated on the tangible and objective. Although it originates from the desire for abstract truth, science often serves as a means to attain power, as evidenced by the atomic bomb and the smartphone.

It is challenging to contend that power is not ultimately more dominant than value. The prevalence of scientific materialism as a philosophy can be attributed to its visible effectiveness. The faith it dismisses necessitates a more nuanced acceptance of truths that science, with its empirical focus, cannot address. Since prayer cannot halt an atomic bomb, we in the West have adopted the belief that power overtakes value to such an extent that the latter seems contrived and meaningless.

This manifests in various societal shifts, such as the decline of marriage and the rise of pornography. The products of a sexual revolution that prioritizes pleasure over sexual values reflect a profound misunderstanding of why we should care about these values. Sex is deemed good, while marriage and cultural prudence are viewed as constraints—so why refrain from indulgence?

This quandary echoes the narrative in Genesis 3, where the serpent questions, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Eve, seeing the tree's fruit as desirable, is tempted. The serpent suggests that God is withholding knowledge, claiming that eating the fruit would make them like God, able to discern good and evil.

As consciousness arises in human history, it's not the emergence of power we witness. Power governs nature, from the Peregrine falcon to the lion's jaws—evolution is ruthless. Although values may bind society in a competitive landscape, they can only be defended with a fierce attitude towards outsiders.

When self-awareness arises, we recognize our actions, indicating that consciousness is not merely a manifestation of power but rather the emergence of value, coupled with the temptation to yield to power. The story in Genesis 3 resonates through history, illustrating the challenge of prioritizing value over power.

Throughout history, power has often dictated terms, from the Babylonians and Assyrians to the Romans and Vikings. Humanity has frequently seized what they desire by force.

In our civilized societies, we judge these empires as morally wrong. We condemn slavery, oppression, and conquest. Yet, if science posits that power renders value obsolete, why not view historical figures like Caesar as heroes for their conquests?

We struggle with these reflections, largely because we find ourselves in an era devoid of clear answers about existence and purpose. Our reactions to historical violence often stem from instinct rather than understanding. However, an alternative narrative has shaped our values—one that asserts power is not the ultimate victor.

The story of the crucifixion illustrates the power of the Roman Empire. Crucifixion was a brutal, humiliating punishment reserved for slaves, showcasing the conquerors' dominance over subjugated societies.

In the first century AD, a new faith emerged, proclaiming that a sinless man willingly endured this suffering to bring salvation to the world. Early Christians taught that Jesus, by undergoing the most degrading death, empowered the weak and marginalized. He instructed his followers that he would one day return to judge them based on how they treated society's outcasts.

Throughout history, Christians embodied this mission, often rescuing abandoned infants destined for death or exploitation. They were pivotal in establishing medical care, beginning with the first Christian hospital in Caesarea. Even as Christianity spread through the Roman Empire, the moral imperative to care for the vulnerable persisted, speaking to a conscience that more powerful societies often ignored.

For example, Bartolomé de las Casas condemned the violence perpetrated by the Spanish in the name of faith as "unjust, impious, scandalous, irrational, and absurd." In the 20th century, Martin Luther King Jr. invoked biblical prophecies to advocate for civil rights, emphasizing a vision of equality that transcended societal barriers.

The early apostles presented a counter-narrative to Genesis. They referred to Jesus as the "second Adam," positing that, in God's eternal time, love—not power—would prevail. An ancient Christian hymn found in Philippians declares that Jesus, though divine, humbled himself, even to death on a cross. This humility led to his exaltation and recognition as Lord.

Early Christians did not merely present Jesus as an exemplary man; they proclaimed him as God Himself, who transcended all power and identified with the lowly. For believers, moral values are real and everlasting.

Even today, many modern Christians, particularly those defending "cultural Christianity," view these values as crucial to countering the rise of power ideologies and moral decay. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a recent convert, cited the threats posed by authoritarian regimes, global Islamism, and "woke ideology" as motivations for her conversion.

While such arguments have merit, they diverge from the original teachings of first-century Christians. Jesus instructed his followers to "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God." The early church lived in expectation of persecution, believing either in Christ's imminent return or in the ultimate realization of their values in eternity. The Apostle Paul emphasized that for him, living was Christ, and dying was gain.

At the heart of Christianity lies a profound mystery, extending beyond mere "cultural Christianity." It was a radical faith that asserted a journey toward an existence rooted solely in value. Paul expressed this in Ephesians, declaring that what he once regarded as gain he now considered loss for the sake of knowing Christ.

Thus, the current "culture wars" distract from the deeper understanding of reality. Power and value are fundamental aspects of human existence, and the legacy of humanity's choices remains. Godwin's law, which highlights the ease of invoking historical evils, serves as a reminder that moral violations of true worth exist.

For believers, this distinction transcends culture. J.R.R. Tolkien suggested that Christian history is characterized by a series of defeats leading to ultimate victory, indicating that while power may appear inevitable, value endures. In the realm of faith, love, truth, and goodness are eternal and fundamental.

How do we know these values are real? To modern ears, the answer may be elusive. We know them intuitively, through what Christians refer to as "faith," through love and hope. Goodness cannot be quantified, owned, or appropriated; it exists in the essence of all things, providing the foundation for everything we experience.

The Kingdom of Heaven Suffers Violence and the Violent Take It by Force - YouTube

This video explores the concept of force in relation to spiritual and moral values.

091025am - Violent Men Take It by Force - Matthew 11:12 - YouTube

This video discusses the implications of Matthew 11:12 and the relationship between violence and spiritual truth.

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