Friday's thoughts

There has to be a way our theology addresses life when it becomes absurd. There has to be some way our faith speaks to the worst that happens such as:
1. The birth of a baby with severe birth defects
2. The tragic shooting in a church in Tennessee
3. The lightening strike that killed two doctoral students just after they turned in their dissertations.
4. The strange confluence of circumstances that makes it possible for good people who have so little to lose it while mean people seem to be rewarded for their unscrupulous behavior.
5. The randomness of the world
6. The holocaust
7. The Columbine shootings


Some believe the primary human drive is the "will to power". Power won't answer the question of the absurd. I am suggesting two responses to the absurd. The question is raise by Nietzsche and, frankly, he is suspicious that religion has nothing to say about it. In fact, Nietzsche is convinced religion makes dealing with the absurd worse because it doesn't provide real answers; it gives easy answers and those answers aren't really answers.

I am suggesting two things;

a. Life is too serious to be taken casually. God is present as we search for meaning and we can find meaning in our suffering and in the absurd.

b. Life is too important to be taken seriously. God is present as we search for humor and perspective in the midst of the randomness.

The most important gift the Christian faith gives us is meaning and humor. God is to be found in the midst of that.

What do you think? How do you think religion addresses the absurd in life? Is it humor that religions provides? Is it meaning? Is there something else?

If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster