Article March 11, 1996 Issue

Seeking and finding truth

Tony Lobl

In the movie Safe the main character seeks the solution to her problems in a New Age self-help organization. During an interview with David Sterritt, film critic of The Christian Science Monitor, director Todd Haynes explained his approach to the New Age characters in his movie, and to the woman looking to them for aid. He said: "In both cases, I wanted to approach them by challenging my own innate criticisms or dismissals of their worlds .... I had no interest in condemning them or placing myself above them" (July 25, 1995).

It can be hard for people to maintain such an attitude toward those whose views may seem very different from their own. Yet the Bible, through Christ Jesus' example, shows how neither to condemn others nor to place oneself above them. Explaining what one's relation to others should be, the Saviour said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matt. 22:39).

Might not fulfillment of this demand to love include something more than toleration of others and their choices? Wouldn't it also involve a willingness to pray that all who seek God, Truth, will find Him? Systems looking to the human mind rather than the divine Mind, God, for their curative power often operate from a very different standpoint than the one taught by the Bible. But our prayers and our example can support each individual sincerely searching for truth in his or her quest for genuine spiritual understanding.

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