The Solution

In this series of posts about Christianity, which I write as a Christian, I obviously intend to present Jesus Christ as the solution.

It is right there in the name, after all.

But my previous two posts only talked about how I need to present the problem, and the importance of searching out the truth. I have not yet done more than say that there is a problem or provide anything I would consider guidance to the solution.

Therefore, by my own rules laid out so far, I am not actually in a position to present a solution in this post. I have not presented a problem.

Instead, I want to discuss a bit more the relationship between problems and solutions.

I am fond of statements that seem obvious when spoken, yet people demonstrate by their actions that they do not use them in their life.

One of those statements is that solutions need to be matched up to their problems.

Of course they do, you say. Who could think otherwise? But actions show people are often very sloppy about matching them up.

A simple example: For whatever the problem is, a government will propose the solution of giving them more power. Very rarely will they propose to give up power. It happens, but it is a noteworthy event when it does because it is so rare.

If you will pardon me, it seems to me that governments rarely make any attempt to deeply ponder the problem and match it to a solution. It sure seems like most of the time they start with the solution of giving them more power, and work backwards to the problem from there. Often they don't even arrive at the original problem in the process.

Understanding what Christians propose as the solution requires at least a bit of careful consideration of what the problem is. As I mentioned, I have not presented the problem, but I can talk about something that is not the solution.

Clearly, there is no magic button in this world that simply makes all your problems, in any sense of that term, go away. There is nothing that gives you all the money, all the personal satisfaction, perfect health, life that lasts forever, makes every second of every day fun, and so on.

Christianity is not that solution any more than anything else.

In fact, if anything, Christianity promises its solution may lead to some more trouble in this world:

Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. ... But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. - 1 Peter 4:12-14,16

"What a strange way to sell Christianity!" you might be saying. Well, I would say that when you truly understand Christianity you will find that it does have a very strange approach to selling itself.

But this is not part of the sales pitch, of course. The trials themselves are not desirable, merely inevitable. The rewards may be worth it but that does not make the trails any more fun.

In this context, you can read it as saying that the problem it seeks to solve is not merely being happy for the brief moment you are in this world. By the standards of the problem Christianity solves, what might seem like total happiness in this world is setting the bar far, far too low. The true problems you face are much larger than that, and the solutions more drastic.

I will get into the joy it offers, even in this world, and the other benefits, in future posts.

For today, my main point is simply this: To the extent that the solution Christianity offers will end up seeming strange to you, if you've never heard it before, it is because you must also understand Christianity's assessment of your problem. The two things are really one.