The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Fulfillment)

“How much money does a person need?”, someone once asked one of the world’s richest men. “Just a little bit more” was his response. We were never created to have our emptiness filled with the things of this world. We can appreciate the things of this world without expecting them to give us meaning and fulfillment.  That’s God’s job!

 

Some Thoughts on the Book “What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?” (Post #16): Chapter 15- “Jesus’ Example”

We are in chapter 15 of Martin Thielen’s book What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian? this morning. The question he is seeking to answer is What Brings Fulfillment?

Thielen gives several examples of those who learned that true contentment comes from serving others. He talks about the founder of Habitat for Humanity who made millions but was unhappy until he began to care for others, especially those needing low-income housing.

Jesus’ example of washing His disciples’ feet shows us that serving others is a key ingredient of a rewarding life.

MY RESPONSE:  Boy, do I disagree with Thielen in this chapter! Wow! Serving others? Is he kidding? Actually there is nothing in this chapter that raises my theological hackles [I don’t even know what “hackles” are or what causes them to “rise”].

Of course we should be servants like the Lord Jesus. So . . . look for someone to serve today! [I’ll do the same and try to give a brief report in our next post on Thielen’s book].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time for a Great Cartoon! (no afterlife?)

Great question! What if this is the only life one gets? One must applaud Calvin for at least thinking about the question — and then doing something about it! Watching TV in the middle of the night should not be our choice, but it’s one response to the brevity of this life.

If God has indeed “put eternity into the heart of man,” it is quite reasonable that nothing in this world thoroughly satisfies us, fulfills us, completes us. That’s one reason, it seems to me, why so many marriages fail. Many think that they have found the perfect complement to their life and wake up one day to realize that no other finite human being can “fulfill” their deepest needs. That place has a reservation sign on it that says “GOD.”