My only Hope

Just read an interesting article wherein Rick Warren (celebrated christian pastor and author) was brought together with Sam Harris. The latter of which is apparently a very intelligent atheist who has recently written a book attacking religion, and I think specifically Christianity. Overall, I thought the conversation was very interesting. Lately I have found that I am slightly wary of Warren's ecclesiology, primarily because of the way he has structured his church. In what I have been studying of late, it appears to me that he has strayed from the biblical example of what a church should be, delving slightly into a post-modern mindset and organization. Thusly I was curious what he would say to defend the faith.

Overall, I think Warren did a pretty good job of "defending the faith" against Harris' attack. I think what most christian's understand (or should understand) and non-believers can't quite grasp is that there is an innate element of foolishness to Christianity. Paul harps on this theme throughout his writings (1 Corinthians 1:18 and the following paragraphs). If you want to have a "logical, rational discussion" about Christianity with a non-believer, there is this bottom line problem, that at some point you will hit that line of foolishness that the nonbeliever cannot cross without the help of the Holy Spirit.

What scares me about Warren's defence is that he summed it up by stating, "We're both betting." One of the pastors I'm interning under made an interesting statement this past week, that if all Christianity is is a bet, then that is a sad state of things. That following Christ, if Christ be a liar and the bible false, would be a great waste of a life. I think I understand that logic. For if this is all I have, this life and nothing more, then I do see that all is meaningless, and therefore the thing I must do is get the most I can for myself out of it. It's survival of the fittest and in that every man for himself - altruism has no rational foundation outside of God and eternity, and there I think Harris is a complete fool. He wants to believe in eternal purposes, but not an eternal God.

I am betting the ranch on Christ. All I have. If I am wrong, if there is no God and the bible false, then I have lost everything. My hope is Christ alone, and in him do I glory and trust.