Day 15 God is not dead

 

Young Nietzsche 1861
Two stories today.  The first is about Friedrich Nietzsche - a man about whom I knew next to nothing apart from the fact that he stated that God is dead.  But yesterday on the radio I listened to a programme which was primarily about migraines.  And through this programme I learned that Nietzsche suffered from chronic and debilitating migraines throughout his life and that the pain he suffered led him to stop believing in God.  He had been brought up in a Lutheran family and his father was a pastor.  He actually went to university to study theology.  But half way through he walked away from his faith and instead chose to develop his own theories of perspectivism - asserting that there is no such thing as truth and nihilism - there is no point or value to anything at all.

While listening to this I was wondering why some people encounter pain and difficulty and it makes them turn their back on God while others run to Him for comfort and meaning.  I also wondered how someone who starts off with a basic grounding in Biblical truth can jettison it for a philosophy of utter meaninglessness.

Second story - a christian friend of mine recently met a young couple who were going through a tough time.  Their baby daughter was very unwell and they were under a lot of emotional and financial pressure as they tried to deal with hospital appointments etc.  The Dad ( lets call him Dave) was pretty anti -God and has spent a fair bit of time arguing with my friend and telling him that all the 'God stuff' is delusion and nonsense.  However, when my friend asked church if we could help the family in a practical way by providing them with some baby stuff,  Dave was really grateful.  His opinion of God didn't change but he recognised that the church was perhaps a kind and positive presence in his community. 

Then the other day our pastor got a phonecall from Dave.  He had heard that a couple of our staff are off sick and that we were in need of some specific help - and he had the very skills we needed.  He said that he had really appreciated the help the church had offered his family so he was going to take some annual leave so that he could come and help out.  Rory said that although he appreciated the offer he couldn't possibly let this man take time off his work.  Dave said he really wanted to.  Rory said no. Then Dave said ' I really didnt want to tell you this because you know what I think about God..... but the other morning I woke up and I just knew.... I think God told me that I had to come and volunteer for your church'  😀   Rory couldn't really argue with that.  So this week our anti-God, God-hearing friend has been getting his sleeves rolled up volunteering in a God project.  And presumably trying to make sense of whats happening to him !  LOL

What struck me in these two men was the direction of travel. Nietzsche started off with God but loss and crippling physical pain led him away.  Our young Dad was adamant that God couldnt possibly exist. but in the midst of a painful and difficult situation heard God speak and recognised that His voice cant be ignored.  

Before knowing anything about Nietzsche I think I would probably have considered him as, at best deluded and at worst evil.  His philosophies were adopted and corrupted  by the Nazis and used as some sort of justification for the 'final solution' .  He doesnt get a good press.  But now Ive learned more about him Im just sad.  Sad that his Lutheran upbringing didnt show him a kind and loving Father God.  Sad that he suffered much loss as a child.  Sad that he suffered horrible migraines all his life and that his despair pulled him away from faith.  And sad that he spent the last ten years of his life completely mad, suffering from dementia and other mental illnesses - dying as a young man.  The enemy clearly had a field day not only in Nietsches life but with his legacy too - spreading the 'God is dead' mantra like a meme throughout the 20th century.  Its such a shame that such a bright mind was ruined by pain and lies.

But its never too late for a mind that is persuaded that there is no God.  Anyone who is prepared to have a debate and argue the toss with God's people is opening the door to the  Holy Spirit.  And He is speaking all the time, loudly and clearly.  Hooray!  Im trusting that our new volunteer ,as he spends more time with more of God's family this week, will be gradually wooed by the kindness of God and that he and his household are saved and healed and welcomed into the kingdom




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