On school and life

Last semester I was finishing up with an issue or two and I was going for my final counseling sessions which interfered with my schedule and I thought I should drop one of my classes in the process but eventually changed my mind and it turned out to be the best class this semester. So because of missing a few of the classes I was to be disqualified for the class till next semester but the lecturer told me to prove to him I had learnt adequately what I needed to learn and he would let me continue. I did not know how to prove to him, I asked him to give me a test a notch difficult than the mid semester exams but he declined. So I wrote him the following.

Dear Mr K****,

Writing this was and is a big challenge and revelation for me. I am more than glad you challenged me to give you evidence that I have learnt what needs to be learnt. Having grown up a Christian most my life, I know the basics of the Bible but it was not until recently that I got completely tested and unfortunately failed in so many of the tests. In a sense, I felt I had been losing everything and God stopped being much of a reality to me. This doubtful thought threw me into a pit of depression and I could barely see where I was going. I then started my Thursday counselling sessions, which gave me a grasp, and a first step to redemption ever since they began. These Thursday sessions cost me a few of my philosophy classes.

I remember attending a few of the first classes in Philosophy and thinking that the debates we had were going to shake my faith and have me questioning God on a lot of things and sure they did. I was quiet at the beginning as I listened to my class mates relay their perspectives on issues that arose. The firm Christians in class got me very encouraged and although from what they said, it was vivid they did not understand it all. However they had a sure faith about them and the verse, 1 Corinthians 13.12 rang in my mind a lot of times, For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

As days went by I was also working on my relationship with God I became more confident through each class and started putting in a word, in some classes I just had a bad attitude towards the loose answers students gave but I came to appreciate the different opinions of all people. Philosophy then became my favourite class this semester.

We then came across a man by the name Socrates a sophist. He had the biggest impact on me out of all we had learnt in that class. Socrates had a real depth about him, when the priestess prophesied that he is the wisest of all and he then came to believe this by knowing that his wisdom meant nothing. I found his response to be so unexpected and there could not be a better response than that. I then got interested in this great philosopher Socrates. I was a little disappointed to know that he lived before the coming of Christ and he is not found to have any regard for the Old Testament or perhaps he was not exposed. Although slightly disappointed I came to realize that Socrates lived in search and pursuit of something and openly confessed that he did not know, I then felt the verse is true that says, “ If you seek me you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart”.  Additionally, his encounter with the priestess could probably mean God was involved in His life.

Philosophy also challenged me and should challenge many Christians to be sure of their faith to know all about it so that if defied they may have answers. Just as the verse in 1 Peter 3.15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect“. It blows my mind how the Bible contains it all, it prepares us for everything, it challenges us, it predicts all things. The greatest philosopher the wisest philosopher is indeed the written word of God. Philosophy then helps us to challenge our faith, which is in fact a good thing. This is because the more you challenge the more you understand it and the more you are familiar with it. The further you examine it the further you grow. Hence, no matter what comes my way I will certainly be sure of myself and confident in my faith.

As we continued to read more on philosophy one particular trend was more manifest than all others; nobody not even one philosopher had answers to everything , they run on hypothetical theories or whatever they discovered only led them in pursuit of more questions. How is it then that we can put our trust in what we have experienced, in what we have seen in ourselves? A certain debate in class arose on naturalism vs existentialism which brought about the aspect of faith vs reason and who then was braver and had a better approach to life, he who uses faith or he that uses reason. The debate first began by the students supporting the notion of reason as the better approach but views changed after you posed challenges. The fact that no one has guarantee of what is true, what is safe, what is of benefit came to amount to, faith is the better approach to life. Perhaps that is only my opinion but this to me was what carried the day. I came from that class feeling pleased about faith. I then remembered that man, Abraham. It must have taken him so much courage to please God by almost sacrificing His son who he had waited for, for so long. Because of His faith and obedience, Abraham is now a legend and the Father of all nations.

I understand that if these thoughts written on this paper were to be critiqued by philosophers I would have many questions to answer and perhaps they would call me a religious fanatic and the like. However, this is a start and if I was to be challenged, I, then would be ready for my next assignment. In six words I sum up all I have learnt so far in the philosophy class, “There is an all knowing God”.

In conclusion, if I ever came across a very confusing and persuading doctrine in philosophy I will remember the words of Colossians 2.8, See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Yours sincerely,

            Hilda Kaguma 

I did the exam which I know will turn out well.

The lecturer and I are now friends and God-willing he will become my mentor. 

The God of Abraham is the God of Hilda and of all her classes.