Well, I'm all moved in, unpacked, and on my own. My room is all set up, I've bought my books, met my roommates, and taken care of countless details that are apparently essential to college life. My dorm is arranged suite style. There are three rooms in a suite, with a common living room and bathroom. This means that I have 1 roommate who I actually share this shoebox with, and share very close quarters with 4 other girls.
I was very relieved to find that we all get along very well, everyone is nice and willing to work together to make this a pleasant place to live. After we had lived here for approximately two hours we got in our pajamas and sat around for a little girl talk. The subject of religion come up almost immediately. (Interestingly, I was not the one who brought it up.) I listened patiently as these girls laid forth their immensely confused ideas about God and Christianity.
My roommate is a good faithful Christian. She knows she has faith of course, because she has had enough experiences that prove it... She thinks. She doesn't want to read anything on the subject of theology, becuase she's afraid that it will make her question her faith. If she ever has a doubt about her faith, she must not really be saved, right?
Another girl grew up in a non-Christian home. He mom is a member of some strange form of mysticsm. This girl had to find Christianity for herself. I can't remember what the name of her church is, but it broke off from the Mormons in the early 1900s. She explained that the bible and the book of Mormon have equal validity. She then proceeded to tell what a great prophet Joseph Smith was, and she recounted the tale of how he formed Mormonism. Of course, neither the book of Mormon or the bible can be taken literally. Take the feeding of the 5000 for example. God didn't actually create more fish and bread. Its just that everyone there had their own food, but they were afraid to eat it because they thought they would have to share. As soon as the little boy showed he was willing to share, everyone got out their own food and they had a great time.
Another girl is just a good Methodist. Wait no, Baptist. Wait, she's not really sure which one she wants to be. She has no idea what her church teaches, but it doesn't really matter, as long as we all love Jesus right? I asked her if the term Bapti-Methocostalism offended her. She thought it was really funny, since she's not really sure what the differences are.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't know you could pack so much confusion into one room! As I listened I tried to counter these crazy ideas with the true teachings of the word of God. I didn't want to be too antagonistic, at least not on the first night. But I also didn't want to comprimise what I believe, or say that's just what's right for me. By the time we went off to our respective rooms I was quite shell shoked. What can I say to these people? Obviously if I say anything, I will have to take a stand on a very unpopular view. I will have to posit that my view is the only correct one: That we are sinners, and that Jesus Christ died and rose for us to take away our sin. That there is only one way to heaven. That the bible is the inspired word of God. That faith does not rest on any kind of feeling. And that there is an absolute truth.
I'm afraid of what will happen when I start proclaiming the truth. Last night I realized that it is so much easier to just nod along and get along. But affirming these girls in their error will not clear any confusion, it will only cause them to sink deeper. I can only trust in God to guide me and keep me firm as I live here and interact with these people. I also thank God that, even though I will inevitably mumble, speak badly, and butcher my words, He will work through me to do His will. This is going to be harder than I thought.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
In a Lost Crowd
A word about where I am and where I'm going. My dad graduated from Ft. Wayne Seminary four years ago. He got his call to a very small congregation in the deep deep south. I've come to realize why the congregation is so small, and why this is actually the norm in this state. There are no Lutherans down here!
Imagine the culture shock, leaving an almost entirely Lutheran community, and moving to a wilderness of Bapti-Methocostals! My high school was grades 10-12, and had about 1500 students. A very large school by any standards. My sophomore and junior years, I was one of only two Lutherans at the entire school. My senior year the number picked up to one of six. Six out of 1500. Now there may have been other students who called themselves Lutheran, but since they do not regularly attend any of the churches in the area they don't count in my statistic.
Not only that. I was amazed to find that very few of my fellow students knew anything about Lutherans. I was quite regularly bombarded with questions like: "Lutherans, aren't you guys a cult?" "Are you even Christian?" "Don't you worship Satan?" "You guys aren't much different from Baptists are you?" It was mind blowing how uninformed these people were! And I'm pretty sure that everyone is required to study the Lutheran Reformation in World History!
Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed by the false doctrine pressing all around me. Outside of my small church community, no one shares the beliefs that are so fundamental to my entire life. I'm sure this will continue on into college. In fact, I'm told it will probably get worse. However, unlike most of the kids who are getting ready to set out on their own in a matter of days or weeks, I have a defense against the relativism of the college campus. I have God's word as an anchor of absolute truth, and as a shield to protect me from the attacks of the world and of Satan. Though I am vastly outnumbered, God is with me, and He will guide me through this wilderness.
Imagine the culture shock, leaving an almost entirely Lutheran community, and moving to a wilderness of Bapti-Methocostals! My high school was grades 10-12, and had about 1500 students. A very large school by any standards. My sophomore and junior years, I was one of only two Lutherans at the entire school. My senior year the number picked up to one of six. Six out of 1500. Now there may have been other students who called themselves Lutheran, but since they do not regularly attend any of the churches in the area they don't count in my statistic.
Not only that. I was amazed to find that very few of my fellow students knew anything about Lutherans. I was quite regularly bombarded with questions like: "Lutherans, aren't you guys a cult?" "Are you even Christian?" "Don't you worship Satan?" "You guys aren't much different from Baptists are you?" It was mind blowing how uninformed these people were! And I'm pretty sure that everyone is required to study the Lutheran Reformation in World History!
Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed by the false doctrine pressing all around me. Outside of my small church community, no one shares the beliefs that are so fundamental to my entire life. I'm sure this will continue on into college. In fact, I'm told it will probably get worse. However, unlike most of the kids who are getting ready to set out on their own in a matter of days or weeks, I have a defense against the relativism of the college campus. I have God's word as an anchor of absolute truth, and as a shield to protect me from the attacks of the world and of Satan. Though I am vastly outnumbered, God is with me, and He will guide me through this wilderness.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Waking Up
Well, It's finally time to face the facts. My childhood is nearly over. I'll be leaving for college in 10 days, and finally enter the world of the grown-ups.
For the past 18 years I have lived in a cocoon of love and support. My family has nurtured me, and sheltered me from the harsh realities of the world. My parents are strong Christians, who have provided a safe haven to nurture my faith in God, and to let the Word grow my faith and my understanding. They have brought me up in the Lutheran Church, teaching me according to the Lutheran confessions.
Over the years I've learned many lessons. Don't touch a hot stove, play nice with others, work hard in everything you do. I've learned to save rather than spend impulsively. I've learned how to study and rejoice in knowledge. I've learned the importance of God and His Word, of Jesus Christ and His saving work, and of the Holy Spirit who works faith. Now it is time to take these lessons with me as I enter the secular college campus.
I feel that in many respects, I am nearly an adult. I can drive, get a job, and balance a checkbook. However, though my faith is growing, it will continue to need support and a strong guiding hand. I will never be able to launch out and support my faith on my own. I can never take my salvation into my own hands and expect to hold onto it. For that I must rely on God. If I ever leave the church or the Word, my faith will be lost. Therefore, though the world sees me as an adult, God willing, my faith will remain like that of a little child. Trusting in God for all things for body and soul.
For the past 18 years I have lived in a cocoon of love and support. My family has nurtured me, and sheltered me from the harsh realities of the world. My parents are strong Christians, who have provided a safe haven to nurture my faith in God, and to let the Word grow my faith and my understanding. They have brought me up in the Lutheran Church, teaching me according to the Lutheran confessions.
Over the years I've learned many lessons. Don't touch a hot stove, play nice with others, work hard in everything you do. I've learned to save rather than spend impulsively. I've learned how to study and rejoice in knowledge. I've learned the importance of God and His Word, of Jesus Christ and His saving work, and of the Holy Spirit who works faith. Now it is time to take these lessons with me as I enter the secular college campus.
I feel that in many respects, I am nearly an adult. I can drive, get a job, and balance a checkbook. However, though my faith is growing, it will continue to need support and a strong guiding hand. I will never be able to launch out and support my faith on my own. I can never take my salvation into my own hands and expect to hold onto it. For that I must rely on God. If I ever leave the church or the Word, my faith will be lost. Therefore, though the world sees me as an adult, God willing, my faith will remain like that of a little child. Trusting in God for all things for body and soul.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
