Opaque Lucidity

Article Of Faith

This post was going to be lengthy, but as I get older I find that short and simple is often better than trying to cover every possibility. In short, I have a very serious question about God.

In Western society, most people who consider themselves Christians refer to God as a father. The implication is, of course, that He is male (at least our concept of him is male, although for us to be made in His image there would have to be a female side there, too, wouldn't there?). More than that, the image of God as Father implies, to me at least, protection, love, understanding and all the other qualities of a good human father. It is a comforting concept---the strong, gentle Father who guides and protects us.

And yet, we have no direct knowledge of Him. This is the core of faith, at least to my way of thinking. We are presented with the idea of a Creator with whom we are supposed to have a relationship, but we will never experience Him in the direct sense. We've all seen things that could be considered miraculous, but this is an indirect experience, like tire marks left in the snow. If what Christians believe is correct, we will not stand in His presence until we are gone from this life.

So why would a loving father require blind faith of his children? Is there some component of that faith that is essential for our salvation? We can not know the mind of God, but wouldn't humanity be in better shape if we had direct contact, in some limited form, to Him?

Some of you will answer these questions by saying that He is, indeed, all around us: in the beauty of nature, the kindness of strangers, etc. I'm not poking fun at that concept, but I could also say that these heart-warming signs are proof that we are being looked over by 15-foot tall Martians.

I have just as much direct proof as you do. Talk amongst yourselves.