Is truth something that we each get to decide for ourselves? In this episode, Jeff explains the difference between valuing the individual and the radical individualism that is so prevalent in our world today.
Snippet from the Show
The individual matters and has inestimable value.
Shownotes
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” (Jn 14:1-6) Jesus doesn’t merely say that he is one of the ways. Jesus doesn’t merely say that he knows truth. Jesus doesn’t merely say that he has life. The one word that makes Jesus different from all religions is the word “THE”; Jesus said, “I am THE way and THE truth and THE life.
People have lost their way!
Take my yoke (my world view) Matt 11:29
People have lost the truth!
We now live in an age of unparalleled individualism. The individual cries out in the streets that
truth is what serves them, what they believe and… what they desire becomes the servant of truth. Everyone else must cater to them, even if they are a minority of one. This radical individualism is tearing us apart and eroding the “we”; that has held us together. One of the distinguishing marks of Christianity is that the individual matters and carries inestimable value, but this is different from the individual determining what is truth for the masses.
CCC 357 “Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons. And he is called by grace to a covenant with his Creator, to offer him a response of faith and love that no other creature can give in his stead.”
This philosophy of radical individualism comes frightfully close to becoming a religion of individualism, with the new Trinity being, Me, Myself, and I. The family who has long held that they have the right and responsibility to raise their children are now being told that they must give preference to ideologies that are at odds with the long held Judeo Christian foundations.
People have lost the sanctity of life!
Needless to say, the lives of the unborn are still center stage! We are not far from a dangerous shift taking place in our culture. A shift that results in the individual proclaiming, “I am the way and the truth and the life." It is my way, my truth and my life that matters.
I Believe we should start with repentance.
Habakkuk 1:5-7 The prophet spoke of the rising of a heathen nation.
“Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. For lo, I am rousing the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize habitations not their own. Dread and terrible are they; their justice and dignity proceed from themselves.”
The prophet Daniel is a good example of repentance. (Dan 9:5, 8-11)
“We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from thy commandments and ordinances. To us, O Lord, belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness; because we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed thy law and turned aside, refusing to obey thy voice. And the curse and oath which are written in the law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him.”
The way, the truth and the life are taught and experienced in the context of real life. I’m convinced that truth emerges, not in arguments but in the daily lives of Jesus’ disciples. Again, not by arguing but by living the truth. Freedom is the result of living the Words of Jesus and I’m convinced that as the world becomes increasingly addicted, discouraged, and anxious, the people of God will stand out and broken people will ask us to give an account for the hope that is within us. Our children will learn what “truth” is, not on Cable News or State Universities, but around the kitchen table at home and around the altar at our parishes.
The Response
Our response to radical individualism is to demonstrate the way, the truth, and the life in the context of the family. You have a family, you have a parish family and you have been called to live in the family of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 60:1-3. The Light will come out of the darkness!
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”
Resources
- Email us at thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com
- Text “jeffcavins” to 33-777 to subscribe and get added to Jeff’s shownotes email list
- Visit Jeff’s website at www.jeffcavins.com
- The Great Adventure Bible
- Listen to The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
- Pilgrimages with Jeff
- Jeff’s Daily Gospel Reflections with Jonathan Roumie: www.hallow.com/jeffcavins
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Meet Your Host: Jeff Cavins
Jeff Cavins is passionate about helping people understand Scripture and become disciples of Jesus Christ. Though he was born Catholic, Jeff went to Bible school and served as a protestant minister for twelve years before reverting to the Catholic Faith. Jeff then received his MA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Since then, he has become a leading Catholic evangelist and author.
Jeff created The Bible Timeline learning system, which revolutionized Catholic Bible Study for millions of Catholics. Since its introduction, Jeff has developed The Great Adventure series of Bible studies to help people better understand Sacred Scripture and its meaning for their lives.
