Cynthia Allen, in an opinion piece “Knowledge and the hard work of faith”, states that most people in our era are not willing to pursue religious beliefs because that”requires work, commitment, and study”. [1] The question raised by her statement is: What is it that makes the study of religion challenging?
I have studied other religions but not enough to feel comfortable to comment on them. However, I do know a little about Christianity. The way Christianity is currently taught does not make it difficult. David Wells states many Christians have taken the teaching that salvation is through belief in Jesus to heart. The result is that: “For a one-time admission of weakness and failure they got eternal peace with God.” [2]
However, as we have stated in this blog, the Bible teaches that the way of salvation is more demanding—“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV). Christianity is difficult because salvation is more than a belief; it is the change of our soul so it becomes like God and that requires work. It requires we spend a lifetime immersed the process of renovating our soul.
_________________________
[1] Cynthia M. Allen, “Knowledge and the hard work of faith”, Tulsa World, April 19, 2014, p. A17.
[2] Chris Stamper, “Authors by the Dozen”, World, Vol. 17, No. 23, p. 53.
