Other than praying for her (which I’m doing), how would you respond to a young friend (college student) who said this:
There was a time in my life when I looked upon the world with optimism, when I believed in the intrinsic goodness of man and the infallibility of Christian faith, when I trusted the superior wisdom of my parents and the loyalty of friendship, when I was blissfully ignorant of the pain of emptiness and loneliness . . .
The implication in the rest of the post is that this student has “lost her faith” and is feeling pessimistic and hopeless about herself and her place in the world generally. I don’t believe she is suicidal–just cynical. Without knowing what’s led her to this place, what can I or anyone else say to encourage her and give her hope?
4 thoughts on “Response?”
Seems to me that if she believed in the intrinsic goodness of man and the infallibility of Christian faith, that perhaps she didn’t fully understand the latter. (I can never understand why people are surprised that their churches are full of sinners.) But that’s probably not a helpful observation.
I had the same thought, but I’m still not sure how to say that to her in a way that communicates both respect for where she is now and encouragement to come to a true understanding of what a relationship with God through Christ is all about.
I think Will is onto something, and yet, as you point out, the application of that something isn’t immediately obvious in this situation. You could try asking humbly (though not in the manner of Franklin’s “humble questioner” 🙂 what her understanding was of the Gospel and the Christian faith. By God’s grace that could lead to an opportunity for you to show how a different understanding (centered on the Cross and on the adoption of the justified sinner into God’s family) of (1) the real problem (sin); (2) the real solution (redemption from the penalty and power of sin through the Cross) form the foundation for life. I’m sure I don’t need to say this to you, but there is a lot to be said for letting others have their say and listening carefully. That alone she will appreciate.
Sherry, her questioning her faith is a common occurance with young people who go away to college. Most secular colleges have many professors who make it their mission (in a twisted evangelical sense) to subvert the faith and sear the consciences of any Christian students in their classes. If she’s in that kind of environment (and you probably know that I think it’s a bad place for her to be), then she needs to seek out strong Christian friends or a supportive church with people who will help her weather the attacks on her faith. Maybe you could do a little research about what is available in her area, and help her get hooked up with some mature Christians. What she wrote sounds like she’s not happy or assured about her doubts, so your encouragement may be welcome.
Seems to me that if she believed in the intrinsic goodness of man and the infallibility of Christian faith, that perhaps she didn’t fully understand the latter. (I can never understand why people are surprised that their churches are full of sinners.) But that’s probably not a helpful observation.
I had the same thought, but I’m still not sure how to say that to her in a way that communicates both respect for where she is now and encouragement to come to a true understanding of what a relationship with God through Christ is all about.
I think Will is onto something, and yet, as you point out, the application of that something isn’t immediately obvious in this situation. You could try asking humbly (though not in the manner of Franklin’s “humble questioner” 🙂 what her understanding was of the Gospel and the Christian faith. By God’s grace that could lead to an opportunity for you to show how a different understanding (centered on the Cross and on the adoption of the justified sinner into God’s family) of (1) the real problem (sin); (2) the real solution (redemption from the penalty and power of sin through the Cross) form the foundation for life. I’m sure I don’t need to say this to you, but there is a lot to be said for letting others have their say and listening carefully. That alone she will appreciate.
Sherry, her questioning her faith is a common occurance with young people who go away to college. Most secular colleges have many professors who make it their mission (in a twisted evangelical sense) to subvert the faith and sear the consciences of any Christian students in their classes. If she’s in that kind of environment (and you probably know that I think it’s a bad place for her to be), then she needs to seek out strong Christian friends or a supportive church with people who will help her weather the attacks on her faith. Maybe you could do a little research about what is available in her area, and help her get hooked up with some mature Christians. What she wrote sounds like she’s not happy or assured about her doubts, so your encouragement may be welcome.