Good Questions: Divine Order, a Christian Believing in Evolution, How to Act Around Girls

Divine Order

Dear Dr. Tom: I know it sounds a bit self-serving, but sometimes I feel like a victim of circumstances beyond my control. I love the “Footprints in the Sand” poem. Do you believe there’s a God “out there” to carry me, or am I praying to an empty sky? What about divine order?

—Struggling Believer, Kansas City, Missouri

Dear Believer:  Yes, I totally believe there is an omnipotent God “out there” in the universe who can help. Like “Footprints in the Sand,” you’ll find footsteps of the Divine everywhere. The poem, whose authorship is disputed, was loosely based on Deuteronomy 1:31, which says: “In the wilderness, where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as one carries a child, all the way that you traveled until you reached this place.”

Now, here comes my Unity spin on this omnipotent, omniscient, omni-everything deity. God empowers the cosmos to exist, but how we live inside that workspace is up to us. We have the divine power within us. We have the ability to plug into the magnificent, limitless power of Almighty God.

To me, divine order has always meant divine opportunity, not surrendering to fate or error-beliefs about helplessness. It comes from personal choices. God the Good, Omnipotent, only “carries” us when we accept the ride. You are not a victim, no matter how tough your circumstances.

A Christian Believing in Evolution

Dear Dr. Tom: I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose on the third day, according to the scriptures. I also believe in science, including evolution, and I know a lot of other Christians do too. I’m interested in what Unity says to people like me.

—Curious in Chicago 

Dear Curious: We could have a lengthy conversation about that provocative, thoughtful question. If you really want my take on systematic theology from a metaphysical Christian perspective, check out my book Glimpses of Truth (Universal Foundation for Better Living, 2000). But I suspect the heart of your inquiry came in the first sentence: “Jesus Christ died for my sins ...”

Due to lack of maneuvering room in a short column, I’ll reply directly. Nobody died for my sins because the primitive idea that gods must be placated by blood sacrifice is barbaric, unworthy of the God-concept actually preached by Jesus. True, I want people to forgive me when I say or do something unkind or brutally selfish. But God? What kind of divine peacock gets His (pronoun intentional) feathers ruffled by the squawking of mere humans? I have difficulty envisioning God bending over the parapets of heaven to fret about yet another bad choice made by the people to whom He gave free will.

Good parents don’t require blood to excuse misbehavior. Kings and emperors, yes. But they’re merely trying to stay in power. One assumes an omnipotent deity has no threats from below. Isn’t it more likely that human evolution—which you accept—also includes a spiritual dimension, a gradual movement from self-inflicted nonsense (SIN) to Oneness with the Divine within us?

Like I said, we could have a good conversation about this over coffee some cold winter morning.

How to Act Around Girls

Dear Dr. Tom: This is anonymous, right? I won’t feel bad if you duck my question. I’ve read your column since I was a kid. Now I’m attending college. How does a guy act around girls these days? The college has rules about sexism that make a smile and a friendly greeting feel suspicious. Can I even call them “girls”?

—Totally Anonymous, Online Submission 

Dear T.A.: I’m a 75-year-old guy, so maybe not your best resource. Here it goes: Be yourself. Smile, strike up a conversation, flirt a little, but keep your hands to yourself unless specifically invited, then proceed with extreme caution. It ain’t the ’60s anymore (fortunately).

Young women are likely as confused about the changing social norms as you. Make sure you communicate clearly. And have fun. You’re in college to acquire knowledge, in the full meaning of the word.

This article appeared in Unity Magazine®.