Paul s Response to Neitzsche's Teen Analogy

"Nietzsche, who was born in 1844.....For thousands of years humans have been religious, but in the modern world religion has become a shadow of its former self. Nietzsche’s dramatic phrase “God is dead” is meant to capture the shocking quality of this revelation.

For those raised religiously, religion personalized the world. It gave them a sense that the world had a purpose and that they were part of a larger plan. It gave them the comfort that, despite appearances, we are all equal and cared for and that upon death — instead of a cold grave — a possible happily-ever-after ending awaits.

But in the modern world we find it increasingly hard to believe those values. We have seen the dramatic rise of science, which has offered less comfortable answers to questions religion traditionally had a monopoly on. We have thrown off the shackles of feudalism with its unquestioning acceptance of authority and have become more individualistic and naturalistic in our thinking. But in historical time all of this has happened very quickly.

Imagine a thirteen-year old who is awakened in the middle of the night to be told by strangers that both his parents have died. He is

suddenly an orphan. For as long as he can remember his mother and father were present in his life, looking after him and guiding him. Now they are gone and ready or not he is thrust into that world alone. How does the young teen handle that sudden transition?

Culturally, Nietzsche says, we are like that young teen. For as long as we can remember our society has relied upon God the Father to look after us. But now, suddenly, we are orphaned. We wake up one morning to discover that in our heart of hearts our naively childhood religious beliefs have withered." Sprouts

Paul's response to Neitzsche;s Teen Analogy is to Flip it Around on him:

When I was a child, 

I spake as a child, 

I understood as a child, 

I thought as a child: 

but when I became a man, 

I put away childish things. 

For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, ... 

--so that they are without excuse--

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 

but against principalities, against powers, 

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

For I am persuaded, 

that neither death, nor life, 

nor angels, 

nor principalities, nor powers, 

nor things present, 

nor things to come, 

Nor height, nor depth, 

nor any other creature, 

shall be able to separate us from the love of God,...

Ye are bought with a price.

1 Corinthians 13:11/Romans 1:20/Ephesians 6:12/Romans 8:38,39/1 Corinthians 7:23