I know that you have a good head on your shoulders. One thing I realize I have failed to do is let you know how proud I am of you. I talk about your accomplishments to others, but not very often to you. Anyway, I am proud of how you have taken initiative in many areas of your life, including college, travel and your accomplishments with MetroMint.
There are many similarities between you and me. I have always known it. Similarities often engender stress. I'd like to see the best of me in you without any of my 'junk'!
I guess you are hitting at the issue of God's fairness. I don't know how God will take into consideration a person's lack of exposure to Christianity. The Bible does not specifically address it. Some have speculated that all those who have died without ever hearing about Christ will be resurrected to live during the millennial kingdom (this occurs at the end of this age and lasts 1000 years - see http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/kingdom.html for a discussion) with an opportunity to see and hear Jesus. This is just speculation. However, I KNOW THAT THE GOD I SERVE WILL BE PERFECTLY FAIR WITH EVERY HUMAN BEING. I am not worried about God's fairness. He is the righteous judge. He will make no mistakes. I don't even waste my time thinking about things that I cannot affect. One thing that unbelievers fail to realize is that all creation belongs to God. We cannot judge God for how he chooses to treat any part of what he has created (see Psalm 100 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=100&version=9&context=chapter )- we are His people and the sheep of His pasture; it is He that has made us and NOT we ourselves).
It is impossible for a human being to rationalize God (see http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=8&version=9 ). Many of the world's great philosophers as well as the US's founding fathers tried to wrap their heads around the notion of Jesus Christ the Son of God and failed. Satan is the master of rational thinking. Anyone who approaches God through rational thought falls immediately into Satan's domain. God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him is Spirit and in Truth (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=4&verse=24&version=9&context=verse). Jesus said: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life - No man comes to the Father but by me (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=14&verse=6&version=9&context=verse).
I am a mathematician by training. Mathematicians specialize in logical thought. Let me give you a simple logical argument:
The first argument against God was His fairness. Remember that Satan (aka Lucifer) approached Eve and argued to her that God was not being fair by denying her the pleasure and benefits of such a wonderful fruit. Don't be ensnared by that old liar!
Institutional religion: What's the alternative? Every man doing what is right in his own eyes? That has been tried on many occasions only to result in God's judgment (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=12&verse=15&version=9&context=verse). The church is ordained by Christ to be the place where Christians edify (bless, encourage and support) one another. The fact that churches are not perfect is because the people that attend them are human. Remember, Christians are nothing but sinners saved by Grace. The miracle of Christ is that he loves us in our imperfection; His blood is constantly covering us. Back to the argument for Christianity: How can any person approach God except that God's own blood covers that person's sin? The reality is that we cannot save ourselves. God had to save us through the death of His Son. Show me a person who thinks they can stand before God on their own merit and I will show you a self-righteous fool.
I would like to fix anything that is fixable. If you will enumerate any statements I have made that were unreasonable, I will either apologize for it or explain it. I am not the best of communicators and often say things too concisely or too harshly. I don't want to justify myself (impossible) - just try to correct any misconceptions I have fostered.
Remember this: my heart is for you.
Love,
dad
June 29, 2007