The gospel's simplicity

This afternoon, when I returned to work from lunch, I was asked a question that I wasn't quite expecting. I was asked this question, then my co-worker filled me in on why she was asking. This coworker (let's call her Amy, not her real name) had gone out to lunch with a few ladies who lead a small group of teenage girls from a local church. Amy's daughter is a part of this Protestant church's youth program, but I am not sure to what extent.

Anyway, Amy wanted to learn a little about these women since they were involved in her daughter's life. During conversation, these women learned that Amy is a Catholic (Amy really is not Catholic, but she says she is. She denies the Virgin Birth, the resurrection of Christ, and the authority of the Pope. Is it safe to say she isn't really a Catholic?) These women then announced that Catholicism is wrong because Catholics believe in Purgatory, and Purgatory is not mentioned in the Bible. Amy was quite put off by these statements.

(Another parenthetical statement here, hence the parentheses. Just because the Bible doesn't specifically say a certain word doesn't necessarily mean that the Bible doesn't teach something. For example, can anyone find the word "Trinity" in any translation of the Bible? I have never seen it. Additionally, how many times does the word "rapture" appear in the Scriptures? Exactly zero, but there are many preachers who have made teaching and writing about the rapture quite profitable, indeed. Just because the Bible doesn't say the word "Purgatory," we are not at liberty to disregard the concept of Purgatory a priori.)

Back to the story, though. Amy then asked me if Christians believe in Purgatory, and what the Bible says about our fates when we die. During my reply, Amy then stated that these women also had told her daughter that if someone performs certain acts, that person is destined for hell.

Now comes the point of the story. I was able to explain to Amy that there is only one thing, and I emphasized one thing, that is the determining factor in whether someone is invited into heaven or cast into hell. I told Amy that the only factor is whether or not someone has accepted the gift of God, his Son Jesus. And I said that there are no strings attached. No small print. And the look on Amy's face was priceless. She actually asked me if that was all there was to it. YES. I briefly explained that in all of the religions I know anything about, they all, except Christianity, require people to earn their salvation by some type of work. In Christianity, salvation is a gift. It is our choice whether we accept it or leave it where it is. And I left her with that thought as I returned to my work.

Christians need to quit thinking of Christianity as a set of rules, of do's and don'ts. What we do need to do is understand that our relationship with Christ is going to be what transforms us, not some set of human-imposed rules that try to force us into someone else's idea of holiness. As we truly draw closer to God, we will want to please him because of our love for him. And when this happens, we will know and do the right things. Not perfectly, of course, but more consistently.

One point on pleasing God. Scripture tells us to always be ready to give an answer to those who ask us about the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). This pleases God. How do I know. Because it is obedience to his word. I wasn't expecting to have this discussion with Amy today, but I had prayed earlier in the day that I may have a chance to be a light in my workplace. Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity.

So I ask of the Christians who read this, pray for Amy. Pray that she can see through her cynicism of religion and just see the love of God. Pray also for Amy's daughter, that she too will see the love of God, and then embrace the fact that she is unconditionally, undeniably, loved by her Father.

More Blaise

How many of you watch shows on FoodTV or similar channels that highlight cuisine prepared by master chefs at elite restaurants? From time to time I see some of these shows, and I am amazed at how small a portion of food is served for the amount of money that is spent.

Such expensive food is of high quality and intended to be savored by the one consuming it. The chef has spent time meticulously preparing the entree so as to tantalize the palate of the diner. This meal is not to be swallowed in hurried mouthfuls with no thought to how the flavors complement and contrast one another. This is not a grease-laden, machine-produced circle of ground beef. This is an experience to be treasured. Each bite is to be slowly mascerated in order to absorb all the character present in the morsel. And time is allowed to elapse between each bite in order for it to be savored.

Some writings should be treated in the same way. The richness of the written word can be so grand that, in order to truly appreciate and understand the author, one must only nibble on what has been penned and take time to meditate on the ideas presented. This is the manner in which one should approach Blaise Pascal's Pensees. The profundity of what he says in so few words takes much time (at least for me) to truly comprehend. I encourage you to find a copy of Pensees, and start reading, slowly and intently, and see what you find.

I have been absorbing the following Pascal passage for a few weeks now. Feel free to let me know what you think of it.

"We never live only in the present. We remember the past and look forward to the future. If we find it too slow in coming we try to speed it up; or we recall the past to slow it down if it runs too fast. We are so unwise that we wander through ages which are not our own and never give a thought to the one thing that belongs to us. We are so frivolous that we think of those that are nothing and thoughtlessly overlook the one thing that exists. It is because the present moment is usually a painful one. We repress it because it hurts us. And if we find it pleasurable, we are sorry to see it pass away. We try to prop it up by thinking of the future, and think how we are going to plan things in a context where we have no control, for it is a time we are never sure of reaching.

"So let us examine our thoughts and we will find that we tend to be occupied entirely with the past or the future. We scarcely ever think of the present, and when we do so, it is only to see what light it may cast on our plans for the future. But the present moment is never our objective. The past and the present are our means, while the future alone is our goal. With this way of thinking we can never actually live, but instead live in hope. Since we are always planning how we are going to be happy, it is inevitable that we never are."

Wow. Take some time in the next few days and chew on that.