The answer that matters most

So I just started this blog a couple of weeks ago and you’ll see that I’ve just posted a few silly ramblings so far. But I figure it’s time to post something like a statement of purpose. As the title says, I don’t have a lot of answers except that ones that matter most. Here’s what I mean.

I’m sick of humanistic pride! It’s a real turn off to me when people think they’ve got the answers or that their powers of reason are some how the ultimate force in the universe. You see, I attended San Jose State University for four years, a school that’s pretty well recognized in California as one of the most “liberal.” Not as famous as Berkeley, but the same academic culture. Again and again I sat through lectures from people who seemed to think that human culture was the highest form of knowledge, or that scientific deduction held life’s final answers. Again and again they bashed the Christian worldview and blamed “Christian” civilization for their personal pains and for most of the world’s ills.

Also again and again I saw my outspoken, Christian classmates blab out simplistic arguments and get quickly shot down. Again and again they overlooked the personal issues of the individual, and reasoned using scriptural principles, which were meaningless to the intellectual opposition. Frankly, I was just as sick of them. They also seemed to think that they had all of life’s problems figured out or that their faith gave them a superior point of view. And talking amongst themselves since then, they think they know exactly what Jesus would do in most situations.

And the thing that really gets me is that it all only results in unsympathetic intellectual impasses. Everyone thinks they’ve got the answers. Perspectives are invalidated. Feelings are hurt. Staunch opinions only dig in further. Superior reasoning degrades the opposition. No relationship is ever fostered. No one ever finds the Truth. And even amongst brothers I’m not sure if God is ever glorified. Everyone thinks they’ve got the answers.

Well, I don’t know the end of all things. I’m not sure if Plato’s Republic is a good idea or not. I’m not sure what Jesus would say to Nietzsche. And I’m not sure what Jesus would say to George W. But I’m pretty darn sure that arguing about it hasn’t gotten anyone much of anyplace that I’ve ever seen.

Here’s what I do know: I was born with every blessing. I was raised in the best of all possible circumstances. But left to myself, I’m still a pretty pathetic person. Left to myself, I do pretty foolish things and I can’t find peace. Here’s what I do know: I’m not left to myself. I’ve got a wonderful, unexplainable relationship with Jesus. I follow his lead ‘cause it’s made a positive difference in my life. Here’s what I do know: His words and ways sustain life. And any man or woman can begin a heartfelt relationship with him like I have, and they will also find peace and the means to handle life’s problems.

That’s the only answer that matters!