Emphasis Preaching Journal

College days are fond memories. I recall listening to wise professors telling me about the books they had written which had set right, once and for all time, any controversy on the particular subject they were expert in. At the time I didn't know how quickly theories changed and how scholarship followed fads that ranged almost as wide as hula hoops and frisbies. But with the certainty about truth that only youth has, I went from conversation to conversation solving all the problems of the world.

I especially recall a conversation I had outside of my French class one day. A girl was explaining to me how evolution worked out its purpose. After listening a long while, I made a remark about the "theory of evolution." This obviously angered her: "Theory," she said. "Evolution is not a theory, it's a fact!" Then she stormed away. Years later when I taught philosophy, I watched other sophomoric minds deal with theories and facts.

The Apostle Paul is telling us philosophy has its place, but when a horse's foot is bleeding, probably the shoe has been put on wrong. Don't try to defend God with your own wisdom when you call on an unbeliever. Simply show the love of Christ and pray that the Holy Spirit work on that soul. The reality of Christ's death on the cross may not be as exciting to consider as some philosophic concepts, but don't underestimate the power of that Old Rugged Cross.