Boasting

A friend and I were discussing the genre of science fiction the other day. I personally get a lot of jibes for reading it (all in good fun, the covers of these books are awfully cheesy), but I continue to read it for many reasons. My friend said something to me that I agreed with, along the lines of how "all good science fiction is usually a very good social commentary." And it's so true! I think the reason I love the genre, especially the Ender series, is that it certainly comments on how the world is today, and definitely on society itself.
I was reading through my most recent Orson Scott Card book, Speaker for the Dead, and came across a conversation between the main character, Ender, and a young boy, Olhado. Bear with me--a little background: Ender has decided that he is going to allow an alien race headed by a single queen, who 3000 years earlier had tried to destroy the human race, come back to life based on the fact that he believes that the alien race never intended to hurt humans, but rather learn from them. The conversation starts when Olhado asks Ender how sure he is that this is true:

"I'm as sure," said Ender, "as I am of anything."

"Not absolutely sure," said Olhado.

"Sure enough to bring her back to life," said Ender. "And that's as sure as we ever are of anything. We believe it enough to act as though it's true. When we're that sure, we call it knowledge. Facts. We bet our lives on it."
"I guess that's what you're doing. Betting your life on her being what you think she is."

"I'm more arrogant than that. I'm betting your life, too, and everybody else's, and I'm not so much as asking anyone else's opinion."

As I was reading this, I couldn't help but think of the verse in Galatians where Paul speaks of boasting:


But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (6:14)

The term "boast" implies arrogance. Only those who are arrogant boast. And I am sure to many, Paul often seems arrogant in his claims--but the thing is, Paul is willing not only to be his life on the truth that is Christ, he'd probably be willing to bet yours, too--without asking your opinion.

How many of us would do the same? Many of us are okay with betting our own lives on Christ, but how many of us are "arrogant" enough to bet our brother's, our sister's, our parents', best friends', our own children's lives on Christ, without so much as asking them? When it comes down to it, are we believing in his redemption of our souls enough to actually act like we do? It's always easy to say you are sure, and to say you believe--the acting part is hard. Boasting in Christ is hard--it's seen as arrogant and obnoxious to many lost souls. I myself fail at this a lot--I often want people I've just met, or have known forever, to like me. And being so arrogant as to claim that Christ has died for this world--that that and its implications is the only truth that matters--and that I'd be willing to bet your life on it, stranger, friend, family-- doesn't result in many people liking us.

I pray that it doesn't always work out that way--that somewhere, our boasting in Christ gets through to someone. That being that sure about something is inspiring to others. I pray that we act on what we believe.

And all this from a little sci-fi! Maybe you should try it out yourself ;)

Peace,
J