From Darkness, Light

It has become increasingly clear to most that we are living in, and hopefully through, a dark age. A deep divide splits America and our differences are seemingly irreconcilable. One side advocates traditional founding values, while the other seeks revolution and Marxism.

An analysis of the influences that preceded all of this might be useful at another time, but the important thing now is that we understand this is a spiritual war, a war of belief against unbelief. We are in a battle of opposing ideologies that have been with us since the Fall of man. In this, as in every dark age, the faithful turn to the Scriptures as to a light in the darkness. 

The second chapter of Luke (2:8-12) eloquently heralds the birth of the Messiah and the hope of redemption:

Now there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! 

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He is also The Logos, the second person of the Trinity, and the Word of God incarnate.

The Prologue of the Gospel of John gives a description of the Logos and reason. It posits the Logos, through whom all things were made, as the light of reason in all men by which God’s self-revelation is understood. John 1:4 expounds: 

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 

John’s Gospel is a universal message that begins with the Son of God and the light of man, but quickly recognizes the reality of darkness. Fallen man, in unbelief, is comfortable in the dark and would put out the light, and that is what we are seeing in America today. 

In his unbelief, man fails to know God through the created order and the moral law within himself; he fails to recognize the need for redemption outlined in the Holy Scriptures. But, God does not leave mankind in this fallen and darkened condition. He comes into the world to overcome all that is false by bringing truth and grace and, with them, hope. 

As we close out the year, we all should take time to give thanks and hasten to pray that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.