There are many things wrong with the world. Finding solutions requires that we identify the problems. Some people go through life wearing blinders or rose-colored glasses allowing them to believe there are no problems. Some people see problems but believe the solution is beyond their control.
Then, there are those who offer the same solution to every problem. Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.” Religious leaders fall into this group by offering faith as the answer to all problems.
Billy Graham attempts to deal with a problem perceived by a non-Christian reader in the January 17, 2012, Sioux Falls Argus Leader. The reader says, “If most of the people in our country are Christians, then why do we have so many problems? Aren't Christians supposed to make the world a better place? I'm not a Christian myself, and to be honest, I can't see that it would make any difference if I were one.” You can read all of Billy’s answer here.
Billy starts by agreeing with the reader going so far as to quote Jesus urging his followers to set a positive example for others.
Then Billy seems to lose his grip on reality. The reader is asking why Christians don’t do more to make the world a better place and, only in passing, mentions a reluctance to become a Christian. Billy ignores the opportunity to tell Christians to do things that will improve the world and instead tries to convert the reader.
Unfortunately, the approach that Billy uses would have exactly the opposite effect towards improving the world. Billy tells the reader that, by becoming a Christian, the reader would know, “this world is not all there is to life, because ahead of us is all eternity with God in heaven.”
Many Christians do little to preserve the Earth or to improve the environment. With their eyes focused on an imaginary ‘city on a hill,’ they ignore the foul swamp they are wading through.
At the end of his article, Billy comes back to the reader’s question. He tells the reader that by becoming a Christian the reader will stop living for himself or herself and the reader would begin to live for others as well.
Too late, Billy, by asking the question, the reader is already showing more interest in others than you are.
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