Today we heard the story told by the philosopher Francis Shaffer of the climbers in the Alps, who were traversing a ridge when they were suddenly enveloped in thick fog. Alarmed, they considered their options. Before them was an steep drop, the bottom of which couldn't be seen. They called out in desperation knowing that they were likely to be on their own. Amazingly, someone did hear them, nearby, but hidden from sight. He explained that he was a local shepherd who knew the terrain well. The climbers explained that their route now took this dramatic drop down a shear rock face into the unknown. The shepherd listened carefully and assured them that this was the way to go, he had done that route many time before and although it look treacherous, there was a safe ledge below, just out of sight.
This is an illustration of faith. Do we as climbers, finding ourselves suddenly stuck in fog, not knowing the way forward, believe the words of a voice calling out in the fog, still yet unseen? Francis Shaffer says we might test the voice. "How do we believe you are who you say you are?" But the climbers have a choice. Some may say the choice is have faith, or surely die.
The paradox is, "have faith and surely die (die being sure)"
But the story is perhaps too simple. What if there are other voices, some conflicting? What if they offer different qualifications, "I am a mountain guide, I'm from mountain rescue, I'm a cartographer.' What if the fog lifts after a while? What if the voice is in my mind and doesn't really exist?
I would love to know what Francis Shaffer would say. Perhaps some day?
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