“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8
Then Jesus said to those who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32
Someone near and dear to me has speculated more than once about the nature of heaven. To paraphrase one of their thoughts, “What if you get the heaven you believe in?” Jesus did not say much about the afterlife and that does leave much to imagine. Will Saint Peter meet us at pearly gates? Can you get there on roller skates? Whatever else heaven will be like, it will be the place where the reign of God will be in full force.
It is that kind of speculation that reminds me that Christians hold all sorts of different beliefs about the character of God, about what God values, and about what it means to live a faithful life. There is ample and growing evidence that suggests many people believe that God values the same things they value. The difficulty is in deciding which came first, God’s values or ours. That diversity may at times cause conflict among the faithful as we seek to discern in community what it means to be and remain faithful, but it also creates a rich field for study that may help us understand and overcome some of those troubles.
Neuroscience, neuro-theology, psychology and other fields of science are discovering the many ways that our beliefs affect our brains and how our brains affect our beliefs, and how both in turn affect our physical, mental, and relational well-being. It appears that what you have been taught about and what you believe about God matters for your health.
So, what is your image of God? Is God, compassionate and loving, full of mercy and slow to anger, abounding in kindness? Or perhaps, you hold a view of God as a powerful, angry, judging, and punishing deity who notes your every sin? Maybe like me, you know both images of God. The latter is the God of my childhood and that is deeply imbedded in my being. And so, as a child it was, “Thank you, Jesus, for saving me from your Father’s wrath.”
I appreciate that scripture says many things. But it says some things more clearly than others. “God is love.” “The truth will make you free.” “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” Knowing the truth - that God is love, that Jesus taught love and not fear - will set you free. You have God’s word on it. Again and again, Jesus says not to be afraid, but to love. Love God, love your neighbor, love your enemy, and even love yourself.
As it turns out, belief in a loving God is associated with being a less fearful person. Brain research shows that focusing on love and compassion strengthens the connections in the brain associated with loving and compassionate thought and action. And it is that part of the brain where we find the wiring for love and compassion that also regulates our fear response. Focusing on, thinking about, and believing in love and compassion strengthens those faculties and is a way of overcoming fear. I am delighted when science finds, as it does here, what scripture has already revealed. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” John 1:4-18.
It seems that my friend is onto something. You do, in a way, get what you believe in. The good news is that positive beliefs can be strengthened and those not yet learned can be learned. With some discipline, unhealthy beliefs can be changed - all to the benefit of our mental, physical, and relational well-being. Thanks be to God.
Grace and peace,
Fr. Bill+