 |
I must admit that during my early drafts I tried to abandon the post altogether since I can let this go. It's just a fad, right? Then I received a text from a close friend saying that their fellowship will be doing a series entitled: "Good Vibes". His reaction: "Where in the Bible will he get the exposition?!!?"
Where indeed...
I sense that this fascination is not only vocabulary. It is a manifestation of a bigger issue. This is primarily connected with the misguided pursuit of happiness by means of feeling good. It is as if feeling good is the greatest achievement of everyday or life itself. A subtle redefinition is at stake: the idea of good mean "good vibes", entertainment, lighthearted feelings, while the idea of evil has become "bad vibes", affliction, suffering, and the like. What feels good is Good, what bores or hurts is Evil. Feeling is elevated as the measure of a life pursuit. It is experience that determines truth.
To be sure, nothing's wrong about having a good day. We want a comfortable day wherever we are and whatever we might be doing. However, feeling good displaces achievement or success or truth. Success turns bitter if there are no "good vibes" along with it. That is just my observation. Since I don't understand much, my reflections are in form of questions:
What if the day is more "bad vibes" rather than good? Does it ruin your day completely? More importantly, does it ruin your Christianity? Is your Christianity directly dependent upon the vibes of the day?
Is "good vibes" a religious good feeling? Does it define a Christian? Is the Christian life all "good vibes"? If it's not will you leave?
If good vibes go against the Bible, which will you drop? If your pastor or your church does not provide good vibes, will you leave?
This term has unhealthy repercussions all over it. Is it a symptom of greater sickness? I think it is. It is telling of a more dire condition: God is not enough. If God is enough, good or bad vibes will not alter the Christian's disposition. For the Christian, Truth should be the gauge of feelings and not the other way around. Good vibes is not a Christian commodity. You can have it outside of Christianity. If we'll rely on the senses, there is a more abundant supply of good vibes in the world than in Christianity. It could be found in doing things clearly against the Bible. Good vibes is primarily prioritizing what feels good for you no matter what.
Consider the following reponses:
1. Some will say that good vibes is just a desire/longing to experience God in a different way. What do they mean a "different way"? Is that different way outside His appointed means? The Psalm exclaims that in God's presence is "fullness of joy" and at His right hand "are pleasures forevermore." (Ps. 16:11) There is no true joy, no true good outside the presence of God.
Or,
2. But, but doesn't Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good for those who love God?
My answer to that is to read verses 26-30. The Spirit, if He is dwelling in you, helps you as you have become a child of God. All things that you have experienced and will experience will work together for good, and that good is this: becoming Christ-like. That is what is good. That is the ultimate good.
I don't understand it completely. I don't understand why Christians are even drawn to using these terms. I am not familiar with the fad, and all I have are questions. But I share my friend's sadness over this fascination. This fascination and many like it are making their way to pulpits and church fellowships. It displaces the Word of God that, if properly preached, is sufficient for the strengthening and healthy living of His people. If this fad is any indication, it is the world's trends that are getting more air-time by young Christians than what they (should) believe in.
Told you, bad vibes.
No comments:
Post a Comment