I just read a recent report by the Pew Research Center concerning America’s religious landscape. It appears that general belief in a supreme being has been declining in the nation. For example, to the question: “Do you believe in God or a universal spirit?” an affirmative answer decreased from 92% in 2007 to 89% in 2014. The decrease was even more substantial with the question: “How certain are you about this belief?”—from 71% in 2007 to 63% in 2014. Also, personal affiliation with a specific religious group is down from 83% to 77%. Concerning Christianity, specifically, its “share” in American population declined from 78% to 70%.
A supposed “silver lining” in the research results is that “in some ways Americans are becoming more spiritual. About six-in-ten adults now say they regularly feel a deep sense of ‘spiritual peace and well-being,’ up 7 percentage points since 2007 [from 52% to 59%]. And 46% of Americans say they experience a deep sense of ‘wonder about the universe’ at least once a week, also up 7 points [from 39% to 46%] over the same period.”
On the one hand, the feeling of a “deep sense” of spirituality is a good thing, worth celebrating, for it suggests that many are still open to spiritual matters, and therefore to conversations about God. On the other hand, it is perhaps worth reflecting on what exactly does one mean by “belief in God.” For it seems that spirituality is approached from a very subjective perspective. It’s all about whatever “deep sense” I “feel” about the mysteries and pursuits of life. The point of reference remains myself.
So when I add God into the mix, what role exactly does he play in the whole scheme of things? If I maintain the same mindset, where I remain in the center of the universe, then the entity that I call “God” does not seem very god-like at all. He becomes just an extension of my wishes and desires. He exists simply to affirm what I already have set for myself. In the end, I am God. Now that’s a scary thought. If God were anything like me, then the world is in trouble. But God is not me. Thank God!
When I declare that I believe in God, I am affirming that there is a personal being apart from me. And I believe in the God of the Bible, supremely revealed in Jesus the Christ. This God has absolute authority over all things, and over me in particular. Therefore, how I conduct myself and live my life is to be determined by what he declares the way things should be. If he is God, he has the authority and the right to do so. And if I say I believe in God, I will submit to him and to his ways.
—Keith Y. Jainga