"Because I said so." I heard that often from a dad grown weary of my frequent Why's. I wanted to know more, including the reason for any instruction or command I was given. Later my desire faded into acts of rebellion as I sought independence from the tyranny of parental control. Such is youth.
Funny thing, I still ask Why---of anyone, about anything. I yearn for that knowledge. I crave that understanding. This is how I learn about myself, others, and the world we're in. There are Who, What, When, and Where, but I tend to favor Why. This is how I seek God. This is how I find Him.
Mankind is naturally inquisitive. Throughout history we've had explorers climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest sea, tunnel inside the earth, and walk on the Moon. From open range to closed laboratories, they search, question and, most important, set aside Common Sense. (Didn't see that coming, did you?)
"Because I said so" and Common Sense share an interesting result. Each, in its own way, creates a barrier to understanding and truth, often leading to a life controlled by ignorance and lies. What if that's all we ever heard? Exploring, searching, and seeking would not only be discouraged, they would not exist.
Why can't a machine fly? Why can't we travel to the Moon? Why can't there be an artificial heart? "Because I said so." Why can't we live in peace? Why can't we be free? "It's just Common Sense."
Of the two, the more disturbing is Common Sense, though often given great importance. But what is it? Common Sense is defined as sound, practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence. Doesn't seem so bad, yet there are problems.
Common Sense is exceptionally subjective. Notice the words sound, practical, normal. People often disagree as to what is sound---wise, reasonable, and logical. Likewise, something practical in one setting is impractical in another due to cultural expectations. And don't get me started on what's normal.
What is sound, practical, and normal varies widely depending on the person, culture, nation, geography, and historical period. There are some exceptions, of course---you shouldn't swim with crocodiles, iron your collar while still wearing the shirt, or spray bear repellant into the wind. But for the most part, there's very little common about Common Sense.
Common Sense often disguises the use of personal choice, based on individual desires and prejudices, to determine what is true and what is idiocy. No need to study, search, or seek. Determining one's beliefs is reduced to grocery shopping---keep what you like, ignore what you don't.
What good is Common Sense for that which is neither common nor makes sense? Jesus said to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who mistreat us, and forgive those who sin against us. To find our life, we must lose it for His sake. He even claimed to be God, not a god or another god, but THE God. Any Common Sense here?
Common Sense says, "Look after yourself and create your own hope." But God replies, "Look beyond yourselves and give hope to the hopeless." Common Sense claims, "There are no promises in life." But God shouts, "I AM the Promise of Life. Follow me."
