Anything Considered

Prince Charming: You! You can't lie! Where is Shrek?
Pinocchio: Well, uh, I don't know where he's not.
Prince Charming: You don't know where Shrek is?
Pinocchio: On the contrary...
Prince Charming: So you do know where he is!
Pinocchio: I'm possibly more or less not definitely rejecting the idea that I undeniably...
Prince Charming: Stop it!
Pinocchio: ... do or do not know where he shouldn't probably be. If that indeed wasn't where he isn't!

It's the end of a good long weekend, and back to camp again. But one should be content. I had a good evening/movie/dinner out with Sarah - thanks, dear friend! Shrek 3 wasn't what I would have liked it to be, but it certainly was hilarious at points.

On the way home I was burdened by several things, primarily by how my close friend's being faced with doubt due to questions about the Christian faith. While I've gone through an extended period of doubt and athethism of my own, I've never really come across the same kind of personal challenge. Nor do I believe I have the conviction to endure it.

There certainly are many unanswered questions about what and in whom we believe, as well as innumerable perceived contradictions in the Word that our faith is founded upon. But I feel these things, while important, are peripheral. In dealing with Christianity, we aren't just dealing with a set of beliefs or a value system, etc. Rather, we're dealing with a personal God upon whom the entire religion hinges.

And so, the central question - perhaps the only truly important one - is, "Is the God in whom I believe, real?" to which the answer, however naive-sounding it may be, is to go find out for yourself. And if He indeed is real, and is who I believe he is, then all the contradictions and unanswered questions will turn pale in his glorious light.