Seeing the Unseen (2 Cor 4:18)

Robert Simon
3 hours ago
3 min read

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:18

There are two errors Christians can fall into when it comes to their relationship and attitude toward the material world. These two positions can generally be classified as "materialism" and "gnosticism." Most Christians will not blatantly identify with one of these groups, but nonetheless many will find themselves acting as if one or the other were true.

Materialism states that the material/physical world is all that exists. Everything in existence (including God if God exists - which would be considered pantheism) can be reduced to hard physical matter. Things such as love, purpose, meaning, and spirit may exist as concepts but they do not fundamentally exist as realities.

Gnosticism posits that the material world does not actually exist at all. It is merely an illusion. And not only is it unreal but it is also evil. The spiritual world is the only reality that exists, and as humans we must escape the evil physical world in order to enter into the good spiritual world.

The Christian position is this:

In the beginning there was no material world. Only God. And God is Spirit. (Strike against materialism)

God created the physical world, and called it good. (Strike against gnosticism)

Through the disobedience of man, sin entered creation and God's good creation became fallen. (Point for gnosticism)

Nonetheless, earth is a real place that actually exists (point for materialism).

And the purpose of being born here on earth is for man to grow and develop himself through repentance, faith, and love (all of which rely upon Christ) to prepare himself to live eternally as a spirit with a glorified physical body.

Materialism and gnosticism both have certain points for them, and certain points against them. The truth is not found in either one of these philosophies, but in Jesus Christ who through the incarnation perfectly united the material with the spiritual within Himself.

Christians do not - as materialists do - idolize the physical world.

Nor do Christians - as gnostics do - demonize the physical world.

The physical world is real and good but also temporary and fallen. If we look at the physical world as what is most real we will fall into deception. And if we look at the physical world as mere illusion telling us nothing about reality, we will also fall into deception.

We must rely solely upon Jesus Christ to direct us with regard to how to navigate within this physical world in order to best prepare ourselves and others for our inevitable departure from it.

Through the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ, God has planted the mustard seed of Earth's redemption within its soil.

As Christians we are called to view the physical world - not as divine in and of itself - but also not as wholly disconnected from God either. Instead we are to view the world sacramentally - as offering us a window into what is most real.

When we see a mountain we do not just see a mountain, but a symbol of God's unshakable and immovable nature.

When we see water, we do not just see water but rather a representation of God's life-giving, sustaining power.

And when we see a sunset, we do not just see a sunset, but God giving us a glimpse of His awe-inspiring majesty.

This created world around us is not all evil nor is it all good. It is simply our temporary home in order to learn the lessons God has sent us here to learn.

These lessons can only be learned when we attune our minds and open our ears to the Word of the Teacher.