12. ANCHOR: The Primal Force that Makes the Soul Unsellable

The Three Parts of the Primal Force

When talk of human dignity is not grounded in anything, it easily becomes a castle in the air, which disappears at the slightest strain. The belief can be anchored in the biblical idea that we are created in the image of God. This likeness manifests itself in our desire for truth, goodness and beauty. Human love of science and music is a sign of a deep inner link with the Creator.

When the belief that all human beings are created in the image of God becomes a fundamental part of who we are, we instinctively reject humiliation and dehumanisation. It creates a unifying bond. Dividing identities (like nationality) becomes less important than this unifying identity. It becomes natural to think that the golden rule and principles of justice apply equally to all.

Add to this another statement of faith. The Cross and Resurrection is a story of how Christ suffers and dies at the hands of the powerful, yet survives and triumphs. It is a complete reversal of conventional logic and worldly principles. Instead of ‘survival of the strongest’, it is about ‘survival of the gentle-hearted’.

Many in our society are attracted to the idea of unbridled power. What begins as an admiration for strength and toughness can turn into callousness and brutality. The ability not to care becomes a source of pride. Heartlessness becomes a virtue, gentleness a weakness. Such an attitude fits perfectly with fascist ideology, which glorifies uninhibited cruelty and sees it as something to be admired.

Faith in the Cross is a protection against this fall into darkness. It leads to a transformation of the heart and challenges the common perception that strength lies in the ability to dominate. The fascination with power disappears. Gentleness, not heartlessness, is the true value and source of strength. Even though self-defence can be justified, it is only a necessary evil. Callousness and aggressiveness must never become a pleasure or a way of life.

To believe in the Cross is to have faith that good will triumph over evil. It is a symbol of protection against a world where might is right and ruthlessness is the key to success. Believers gain the courage to refuse to take part in games that corrupt the soul. It is better to suffer injustice than to do injustice.

Now combine these two beliefs with a third: God as a spiritual guide out of the shadowlands. A trusting faith opens the heart to the possibility of being wrong and frees us from the chains of stubborn certainty. It becomes possible to hold opposing ideas in mind and to integrate. It no longer matters so much if one’s worldview is shaken from time to time. There remains a steady pull toward truth and the good, toward the widening of horizons. We step out of the cave’s shadowed life and into the world of sunlight.

In the Christian tradition, God is known as Creator, Saviour, and Helper – the divine Trinity. United, they stand as a formidable force against what destroys and for what is good. Faith in God is like an anchor that keeps you from drifting away with the current. With faith, you’re harder to buy – less like a puppet on strings, less easily bent by flattery or fear. You learn to drive your own chariot. With trusting faith, your soul is not for sale.