Rob Colquhoun

Our eternal destiny has clear consequences for the way in which we live our lives. For if it is true that we ‘reap what we sow’ (Gal 6:7) then we must be ever prudent in the conduct of our behaviour. Our freedom is placed in the context of justice if we have had our opportunity to prove ourselves. If we were only to live finitely then it would be near impossible to justify ethical behaviour apart from a selfish beginning. If we were only to live for a period only the principles of nothingness would prevail- at that would be our ultimate destiny. Our belief in what is beyond has direct relevance to our approach to what is clearly in front of us daily.

Why does religion ask all the questions that need asking- without necessarily coming up with all the answers?

Of all the fields of thinking, religion aspires to question the ultimate foundations of existence. Through the tools of philosophy and theology- the Church asks: What is man? Why is there something rather than nothing? Who is God? What happens when I die? These are some of the most fundamental existential questions possible for man. Although the Church cannot provide concrete answers on the definitive technicalities of existence- she does ask the right questions and aspires her members to behave according as a response to the loving, benign God who created and nurtured us. Religion is a response to the ultimate yearnings of the human heart, the desire and passion to give and receive love. What the Church says about the world is so revolutionary and exciting that it is an invitation to be born again. The inadequate answers that secularism provide can only lead to despair and doubt (which in essence can only be a negation of anything positive).

Religion, in particular Christianity is so exciting because it brings a fresh spectrum of thinking to a beleaguered and tired world. Christianity fully reveals man to himself in the way the author of life intended. Through prayer we can try to communicate with God and we can learn to love those who are unloveable. The Church permeates the cracks and paradoxes of society that show life to be miserable: it aspires to help the poor, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned and help the sick man. Christ is present in the very weakest of his brethren. No other academic field dares to consider the questions that the Church probes through her work in theology and philosophy- if they do they have ventured too far out of their spectrum.