While I was following the discussion on Luke Muehlhauser’s From Faith to Common Sense Atheism, I became interested in the idea that he had somehow wasted his time being a Christian.  My initial reaction was to protest.  I’d always been of the opinion that being a Christian was a good “bet” (that there was ”nothing to lose”).  I’d taken to heart Pascal’s argument that after weighing the benefits and possible consequences of Christianity’s verity, it made the most sense to be a Christian, if only to insure yourself against hell.  But is Christianity a good bet?  If we are wrong, and Christ wasn’t raised, does it really matter or would I live my life the same way all over again?

This is a hard question to answer.  On one hand, regardless of my religious beliefs, I feel very good about the way I’ve chosen to live my life.  I chose to live in community partially based on research I did while studying Anthropology.  I also admire and have similar beliefs as secular humanitarians.  In some ways it seems my life would look similar, and so Paul’s declaration that if Christ hadn’t risen all our work and life would be foolish (1 Cor 15:12-20) is a bit disconcerting.

On the other hand, through-out my studies I also began to get the impression that my decision to live the way Christ calls us to is a bit foolish.  I minored in Human Rights, hoping that enough research would show me how to love and serve people the way Christ exemplified and called us to, but found it lacking. The more I tried to make sure I was actually going to do something that would fix our problems (protect human rights in a sustainable way) the less I felt comfortable with some of the very simple sayings of Jesus.  The admonition to feed the hungry for example, became very complicated (and nigh impossible), and taking in a stranger seemed futile. In the end, I realized that all the wisdom of human rights activists and academics amounts to very little when not submitted to the way of Christ, which ultimately does look quite foolish.

We have to remember that, while we wait earnestly in hope for God’s final righting of the world, we will be doing things that don’t make a lot of sense.  We won’t choose the high-powered jobs or use tools to spread our message that ultimately contradict the humbled, servant, upside-down message of the cross. We will eat with people even when it won’t necessarily “help” them and love people without reason, because we know that love will ultimately win.  We will be willing to risk our physical security and allow it to be threatened because we know the life ultimately overcomes death.

I was struck as I read through 1 Corinthians how often Paul states that, for the sake of relationship and the gospel message, he will not argue for his rights.  Even saying that he is will accept poor hospitality and will teach without pay.  He advises his readers to do the same (at one point rebuking them for taking each other to court, asking why they would not allow themselves to suffer wrongly).  It seems like these very practical cross-bearing actions are hardest to swallow.  Sure I can proclaim that when all else fails I’d be willing to suffer death for the sake of the gospel, but am I willing to die to myself for the sake of my neighbor? Even when I have every right not to?  Am I willing to make it my policy to return insults with praise and injustice with love?

I can only say that I am challenged by this message.  In all honesty I think I would mostly behave the same way whether or not I was a Christian, but as I try and live more fully into Christ’s Kingdom I need to remember that this shouldn’t be true.  This also seems to be the key to Paul’s declaration that the cross is foolishness and human reason does not reveal it to be true (1 Cor 1:18).  It is not reason or research that causes me to believe in Christ.  It is through his love, and the Spirit working in me and forming me as I try to walk in his way.