Gaugin: Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?

 HT: BW
Young Calvin is right.  French post-impressionist painter, Paul Gaugin, did raise these fundamental world-view questions in a famous painting you can view here. As the Wikipedia article (yeah, I know ...) demonstrates, it is important to begin to get young people thinking about these foundational life issues early.
Which brings me nicely to the recent talk I gave at the Reality 3:16 seminar, where we looked at Paul's letter to the Colossians as a plea for the Christians there not to become distracted through faulty self-indulgent spirituality, nor to become monastically introverted by being intimidated or dismissive of the prevailing pluralistic imperial cult.  Instead, they should have confidence in "this [Christ-centred worldview] Gospel" that has already fruitfully impacted their own lives (Col. 1: 4-6) and, following the example of Epaphras and Paul and others (1:7; 4:2-4, 7-14), live wisely - with paradoxical humble boldness - by sharing this message with others (4:5-6). 
 Adapted from some insights from Voddie Baucham, at the heart of the message was an encouragement to see how Paul highlights the glory of the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ (1: 13-21) as the answer to humanity's deepest questions.  This can provide a framework for Gospel Worldview evangelism:

• Who am I?  My identity is intimately bound to my relationship the Creator of all things, Jesus Christ.  My life has significance since I am the crowning glory of the creative activity of God, both bearing God's image and with a capacity to know Him
• Why am I here? My life has purpose and meaning, because God, in His grace, has made me with the intention that I should bring glory to Him.  God has created us that we might experience, delight, spread and ultimately share in the glory of God.
• What's wrong with the world? "I am" (GK Chesterton).  We are alienated from God, enemies with Him through evil behaviour, God-glory denying and defying sinners, who need to be forgiven and rescued from this kingdom of darkness (Col 1).
• How can it be put right?  Not more education, not more governance. Jesus! (Col 1: 13-14, 20, 22)
• How will it all end?  The antithesis of our culture's sense of meaningless and despair is the certain "hope of glory" that is held out for all those who embrace this Gospel of Christ (1: 23, 27).
• What time is it?  It's time to believe and persevere in "this" Gospel (1: 23, 28-29), and make the most of every opportunity to prayerfully and lovingly share this life changing truth with those who hold to a different, and therefore wrong, view of reality (4: 2-6).  

Anyone out there trying to write a dissertation?

This encouragement might help you along.  If Calvin can do it, then ...

HT: Bill Watterson

Timothy Dalrymple's "Open Letter to a College Freshman"

For all you young'ns heading off to college or uni for the first time, or for those heading back for more of the same, here's some mature and very helpful counsel - from someone who clearly knows college life well - about making the most of your relatively short time there.  His main point is that your time in college/uni will have a transforming impact upon your life.  He writes, "The question is whether that transformation will be for the better... Unmoored from the people and places that once defined you, you’ll feel a fluidity in your identity that’s both thrilling and frightening.  You may feel as though you can be anyone and become anything.  I pray that you will become who you are — the individual you most truly and deeply are, the one God dreamt of when he made you — and not the person that you or your parents or your friends think you should be.  "  
For worthwhile life in this 'new world', here's his advice ...

1. Seek wisdom, not merely intelligence.
2. Seek mentors, not merely teachers.
3. Seek the truth, not merely prevailing opinion.
4. Seek answers, not merely questions.
5. Seek betterment, not merely achievement.
6. Seek fellowship, not merely friends.
7. Finally, seek first the kingdom and righteousness of God.

You can read the whole letter, and it really is well worth reading, here.