SPIRITUAL GROWTH - Finding the balance between Science and Existential Faith in God

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Finding the balance between Science 

and Existential Faith in God

Stes de Necker

The most rewarding form of Christian life is when faith and reason are both fully part of our lives.  It is not only rewarding in the sense that a Christian can experience the joy of practical faith within the framework of intellectual integrity, but also in the sense that such a person could be successful in his or her existential desire to make a difference. 

Although we understand that all human knowledge is partial and temporary, we also know that people's intellect require a true conviction of the trustworthiness of the Christian faith. At the same time, their spiritual needs require a solid foundation in practical faith. But how do we accomplish this balance?

During the modern epoch, some thinkers not only expressed dismay at the over-accentuation of reason, but also argued for some synthesis between opposites. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), expressed his rejection of the non-existentialist reason-dominated state-Christianity of his time in a very powerful way.  He proposed a synthesis of the "Apollonian" (rational) and "Dionysian" (non-rational, unconscious, including intuition). Nietzsche accentuated the instinctive drives within the framework of the "Dionysian"; it is passion that drives this synthesis. 

Later Carl Jung (1875-1961) also formulated his theories on the synthesis of "consciousness" (rational) and "unconsciousness" (non-rational, including intuition). 

It is interesting that these men saw themselves as philosopher/scientist-psychologists. They had a deep conviction that the intellect should be integrated with the more basic aspects of our existence, leading to "wisdom" (Nietzsche) or a "deeper consciousness"/an integrated self (Jung).

These insights are valuable to Christian living. Both the intellect and the deeper non-rational faculties should be integrated to form a "complete" person.  Reason and intuition (faith is intuitive trust) are not disconnected faculties - they are interconnected in a fundamental way, so that their development and integration into a balanced harmony forms part of the process of spiritual growth. 

Intellect and our deeper non-rational faculties, must clearly manifest in our Christian life - our rational arguments about God should be founded in the intuitive trust in God's supernatural revelation in Scripture and in Jesus Christ, whereas our intuitive experience of God should be founded in our rational notions about God's existence and His workings in humans. 

It is only when both the intellect and the inner intuitive experience of God are synthesized, that the ideal of the Christian who is both "wise" and "spiritual" could be realized.  It is only when the church accentuates both the practical experience of existential faith as well as intellectual excellence, that it will have a real and lasting impact on society. 

Existentialist faith is the trust in God which is practiced and experienced in all aspects of our daily life. This faith normally flows from a particular commitment to God. For such believers, it is a way of life - spirituality is at the center of their whole existence. For them it makes little sense to speak about spirituality without a very real experience thereof. For these Christians, spirituality is experience - the experience of God and his presence in a very intimate, intuitive way. 

Existential faith also includes the desire to make a difference (which is in fact a very basic human desire). Within the Christian context this manifests itself primarily as the desire to bring others to faith in Christ. To share one's experience and motivate others to also commit themselves to God.

Existential believers usually find themselves confronted by a particular barrier - most people do not easily believe if they are not truly convinced.

They must believe that the Biblical message is truthful and trustworthy (see Romans 10:14; 1 Tim. 1:15). And to be convinced - especially in the clinical scientific era that we live in - these Christians need to argue, to use reason, to convince others. Although their faith is founded in an existential relation with God, they need reason to bring others to a similar faith. Like Paul, when he argued with the Greek philosophers in Athens.   

The desire to make a difference, the passion to be useful to God, should be present if we want to grow towards wholeness - this is what brings value and meaning to our lives.  In each of us this passion manifests itself in many different ways, leading us along many different routes.  No two persons follow the same route. It is a live long journey, which is never fully accomplished. 

There could be times when the apparent conflict between faith and reason will lead one into the dark valley of doubt.  It is important, however, to keep the practical experience of faith alive.  It implies that one should keep praying - even when you feel no desire to do so. This is what fuels the flame of faith even in the darkest hours of the intellectual struggle about one's faith.

This is the time when a Christian gains insight and it is this insight, that enable us to sensibly integrate our faith with our reasoning and which allows us to grow spiritually. 

With ‘intellectual’ faith comes freedom from all the rules and regulations of legalistic faith. This freedom must however remain contained within the boundaries of a spiritual relationship with God. 

Through intellectual spiritual growth comes the personal intuitive knowledge of God and it is this intuitive knowledge, that enables us to survive and be victorious in all circumstances. 

As we develop our own personal perspectives, the potential for conflict with traditional communal views, will force us to involve others in our own process of growth - some will resist change, but others will accompany us on the way.

With time every Christian should develop into “spiritual-wise” persons who could contribute in a very unique and special way, to the growth of the Christian community.

In this way we would follow in the footsteps of those believers who's lives and wisdom had a meaningful impact on Christianity.