How should a Christian view realism?

Answer

Realism is defined as “the attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly.” In other words, realism encourages people not to be overly optimistic or pessimistic about circumstances but instead to try to see things exactly as they are. A realist seeks the unvarnished truth. Various philosophies stem from realism, such as depressive realism (the concept that individuals who are clinically depressed perceive reality more clearly) and philosophical realism, which asserts that reality is absolute and independent of observers’ perceptions.

Like most philosophical systems, realism is just one approach to understanding and coping with life. Some philosophies, and likely some branches of realism as well, contradict the teachings of Scripture. However, the fundamental principle of realism—that we should observe things as they are and act accordingly—is not anti-biblical. In fact, the Bible encourages us to seek the truth about life and ourselves (1 John 1:5-10) and warns us not to be deceived (James 1:16; Deuteronomy 11:16). The human mind is easily misled, capable of accepting deceptions as truths, and from the beginning, Satan has sought to deceive humanity, often with great success (Genesis 3:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:14). The Bible states that deceptions will escalate over time “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”, (2 Timothy 3:13). The quest for truth is virtuous and is sSatisfied in Christ “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”, (John 14:6).

One issue with realism is the assumption that human beings can perceive the truth accurately or that we can draw proper conclusions based on what we observe. As we navigate the world, we gather knowledge through our senses, consider the rational (or irrational) arguments of others, and absorb more subtle emotional and spiritual insights through the stories we encounter. Our minds are intricately linked to our cultures and the narratives of society. Jesus stated that the sole way to comprehend or accept the truth is to be inhabited by the Spirit of truth “even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”, (John 14:17). We require God to illuminate our minds so that we can perceive the truth accurately and clearly “in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”, (2 Corinthians 4:4).

The prophet Jeremiah declared, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”, (Jeremiah 17:9), and for that reason, we are urged to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

5-6). This is one of the most challenging things to accept: that even when we attempt to perceive things as realistically as possible, our minds and hearts can still be deceived. That is why we must trust God, who has existed for eternity and will endure long after the world has ceased to exist «And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. », (1 John 2:17); the God who created reality “is greater than our heart, and knows everything” «For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. », (1 John 3:20).