First let’s define DNA. It is fundamentally the distinctive qualities or character of someone or something regarded as unchangeable, and inherent to their identity.
Bertrand Russell is a noted atheist philosopher, who was once asked, “If you meet God after you die, what will you say to Him to justify your unbelief?” Russell immediately snapped at the question in reply, “I will tell Him that He did not give me enough evidence.”
Does someone believing in God define them in some way? Can you examine a person’s life as an outside observer and determine with any clarity that person’s moral and spiritual DNA? I think so, and I’ll give you a literal or physical example, as well as a spiritual reference point.
For me this whole Kavanaugh confirmation process reads like a Shakespearean farce. And DNA plays a huge role in the equation. It seems to me that many people across the country found the accuser to be “credible” even in the absence of any substantive evidence of the accusation. Somehow misplaced in all the rhetoric is the word “allegedly.” Look up this word… it is “used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof.” All I heard for days from radio and talk show folks is how the accuser was “credible, and compelling.” I found myself astounded at the faith it takes to believe the accuser instead of the accused.
I have to admit, I worry more about those who seek no support for the things they believe, than about those who pursue hard fought evidence to support their statements of belief. “Feeling” as though someone is credible is not the same thing as evidentiary support of what they say being true. There are some folks right now across this land vehemently vowing to come up with another plan to delay or destroy due process and the rule of law. It is unfortunate that these folks, whether their reasons are justifiable or not, are hostile towards belief in God. They malign faith in God as the lure of emotion, clinging to an idea while the mind is disengaged. They do not believe faith will sustain the weight of both emotion and the mind.
It has been determined that there is no evidence supporting the accusations made against this Supreme Court nominee. But is there evidence that supports His qualifications to serve in such a high place of the judiciary in our country?
Perhaps, if we step back and test the claims of qualification by the same measure that was meant to discredit him, by legitimately substantiating the facts, we will find him and his DNA as trustworthy. The evidence is already there. So, just like in the Bible, with the opponents of Jesus and their own disbelief that He was the Son of God, it is not the absence of evidence, rather, the suppression of it that is the problem.
What about you and me, and being caught up in all this nonsense? Should we care? Does it matter? Of course we should care and it is definitely a very grave matter.
What is the evidence in our DNA (spiritually) that would be observable and quantifiable in a world that has gone so haywire? One verse from the Bible covers it well.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Even in his impassioned opening statement the accused, speaking eloquently and vehemently, exhibited a great deal of self-control. Even toward his accuser he intended no ill will. He was faithful to his family and friends even at great personal cost to himself. He patiently listened to hours and hours of embittered men and women attacking him, who’s sole purpose and goal was to destroy him.
Over the next few weeks, months or years, each of us will perhaps be given the opportunity to stand accused of some wrong doing. I wonder if our actions and words will live up to the evidence of God’s Spirit living and alive inside of us?
As I was saying... 