What is indisputable is the fact that unbelief is the force that

Host: The sky outside had deepened into twilight, the dimming light casting soft shadows over the room. The air was still, with the gentle hum of the outside world drifting through the window, creating a quiet backdrop to the stillness inside. The room was intimate, filled with a comfortable silence, as Jeeny sat by the table, her hands clasped gently around a warm mug. Jack, standing by the window, stared out at the city, lost in thought. The quiet between them felt both thick and charged, as though something important was waiting to be shared.

Host: The world outside seemed to slip into the background, and in the soft glow of the room, time felt almost suspended. Jeeny broke the silence, her voice gentle, yet heavy with an underlying tension that could only be felt in such moments of stillness.

Jeeny: “I was thinking about something Tullian Tchividjian said: ‘What is indisputable is the fact that unbelief is the force that gives birth to all of our bad behavior and every moral failure. It is the root.’ Do you believe that, Jack? That unbelief is the root of everything that goes wrong, of all the moral failures and missteps we see in the world?”

Jack: He turned slightly, his gaze sharp, but there was a trace of uncertainty in his voice. “I don’t know, Jeeny. That’s a pretty bold statement. Unbelief doesn’t automatically lead to failure. There are people who believe in something but still make terrible decisions. You could argue that belief doesn’t guarantee good behavior either. Faith can be used to justify all sorts of actions, some of which are just as destructive. It’s not so simple, is it?”

Jeeny: Her eyes softened, but there was an intensity in her voice that spoke to a deeper conviction. “But maybe it’s about why we do what we do. When we’re disconnected from the truth, when we lack faith in something greater than ourselves, we’re left to rely only on our own judgment — and that’s when we falter. Unbelief, in a sense, is a kind of emptiness. When you don’t believe in anything greater than yourself, you lose the moral compass that guides you. People might believe in things, but without faith in what is right, they fall into their own traps.”

Jack: He exhaled, a slight frown on his face, as he crossed his arms, thinking carefully. “But isn’t belief just as much a source of conflict? Think about all the wars, the divisions, the harm caused by people who are firm in their beliefs. Isn’t belief just as dangerous as unbelief? If everyone has their own version of the truth, then what happens? How can we even agree on what is morally right or wrong?”

Jeeny: She leaned forward, her eyes steady, her voice quieter now but filled with deep conviction. “I understand what you’re saying, Jack. Belief can be twisted, manipulated, but at its core, faith — real faith — isn’t about division. It’s about connecting to something greater, something that transcends our own understanding. Without that connection, we’re left to drift, and that’s when we make those moral missteps. The absence of belief leaves us vulnerable to our own weaknesses.”

Jack: He looked at her, his eyes softened now, but still carrying the weight of his skepticism. “So you’re saying that people who lack faith are inherently more prone to failure? That unbelief is what drives us to make moral mistakes?”

Jeeny: She nodded, her voice steady but gentle. “I think unbelief creates a void that leads to moral failure. When you don’t believe in something higher, something that holds you accountable, it’s easy to fall into selfishness and disregard for others. Faith, on the other hand, gives you a sense of purpose, a way to measure your actions against something greater than yourself. Unbelief can make you feel like everything is meaningless, and in that emptiness, we often make the wrong choices.”

Jack: He stood still for a moment, his gaze turning back to the window as though searching for something outside. “I see what you’re getting at, Jeeny. It’s not just about what people believe; it’s about the way that belief shapes their actions. But isn’t there something to be said for making moral choices based on reason, on the understanding of what’s right and wrong, without needing faith to dictate it?”

Jeeny: Her eyes softened, and she smiled gently, her voice carrying a sense of quiet understanding. “Reason and faith don’t have to be at odds, Jack. It’s not about abandoning logic or thought; it’s about belief giving that logic something to hold onto. Unbelief leaves us to our own devices, and that’s when we falter. But faith, even when it’s not perfect, gives us a guide — a sense of what’s truly right, not just in the eyes of society, but in the eyes of something greater.”

Host: The room felt still now, the quiet of the evening deepening as Jack and Jeeny sat in the weight of their conversation. The last traces of daylight had faded completely, and the room was now lit only by the soft glow of a lamp in the corner. Jack remained by the window, his posture more relaxed now, though still contemplating. Jeeny sat quietly at the table, the satisfaction of understanding between them now filling the space.

Jack: “I think I get it. Unbelief, when it leads to emptiness, is the root of moral failure. It’s not just about rejecting a belief; it’s about losing something that holds you accountable, something to guide your actions. It’s the lack of faith that makes us susceptible to doing what we know isn’t right.”

Jeeny: Her smile was soft, the understanding between them clear. “Exactly. Faith, in whatever form it takes, helps us make sense of the world. It’s not about being perfect, but about having something greater to measure our actions against. Without that, we’re adrift.”

Host: The night outside had taken full hold, but inside, there was a quiet peace settling between them. Jack and Jeeny had reached a deeper understanding — that unbelief, in its emptiness, can be the root of moral failure. It’s not just about rejecting something greater; it’s about losing the guide that helps shape the choices we make. The evening closed with a new sense of clarity, the truth that without faith, we risk losing our moral compass, and without purpose, we make the wrong choices.

The room grew still as the understanding between them took root, a quiet acknowledgment that belief, in any form, is what helps us navigate the world with integrity.