Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Pluralism

It's been several years since, but I'd like to share a dream I had back in college (around 2008).  It goes like this: I had walked into this building.  There were winding halls, doors everywhere, and it was dimly lit.  I was only with about 2 other people, and we were frantically trying to find a way out.  Everywhere we turned, it seemed as if we were getting even more turned around and lost.  Finally, we turned a corner and we could see the light from an open door.  Elated we ran out of the building.  After I had walked out of the building, down the 3-4 stairs I beckoned for another person to come out.  They hesitated, and I kept going.  They eventually came out of the building too.  Now I was running.  The wind picked up, and what had been sunshine and blue skies had begun to change.  The wind picked up and dark clouds encroached like a storm coming at high speeds.  I turned around, and looked up.  The clouds were coming from behind me, moving towards me and the building which I had fled from.  When I stopped for that moment, I looked at the building.  There was a sign on top of it.  
                                                                PLURALISM.

Since this dream I have not truly understood what it meant, if God was trying to speak (which I believe God does speak through dreams as per my personal experience) or warning me of something in the future, or of my own self. 

When people think of pluralism, we often think of diversity, acceptance of multiple views, state of society, etc.  However, in the Merriem Webster Dictionary it is also defined as "a theory that there are more than one or more than two kinds of ultimate reality".  This got me thinking a little bit.  In my view, it comes across as very New Age.  Perception is reality.  You create your own truth.  Everyone is right in his own way.  If you don't agree or accept then you're intolerant of other views, etc. 

This is so dangerous.  In essence, this theory or ideology diminishes a need for God.  The Lord says, "I am the way, the truth and the life..." (John 14:6). 
Today, we can see it all around in our society.  The consequences: the blurring of the line between right and wrong; truth and falsehood.  We are living to an ever-graying culture, taking a dip in the waters of luke-warm.  Living for self, for false gods and for our own pride.  Ego has gotten so big, that now, to save face, we are all right, all the time.  Anything goes...right?

Perhaps in the eyes of the world; however we are called to live a life which glorifies God, a life of righteousness.  To be in relationship with Him, and live like we spend time with Him.  Now we all mess up--thank goodness for grace, which through Jesus filled the gap between life and death; now everlasting life. 

Take heart.  Seek God and you will find TRUTH.  Don't live a luke-warm lifestyle.  Stand tall even if you're standing alone, right?  Truth is you're technically not alone, but stand.