c. scott andreas

note - this is part one of a three-part series

As a student at IU, I am studying Communication and Culture. I recently added Religious Studies as a second major. I love them both. Both are composed of modes of thought that fascinate me. There is something special about being able to study people, understand how we are influenced, why we do what we do, and to uncover the hidden philosophies, assumptions, and mythologies that govern our lives. But there’s a problem. People (be they parents, distant family, new friends, etc.) like to ask one particular question.

“What are you going to do with that?”

I find this question perplexing and ultimately troubling. Though I find Communication and Culture and Religious Studies to be intensely interesting, the former has little to do with my career goal while the latter is absolutely impractical. Should someone ask The Question, I have a response ready.

“I am going to hang it on the wall.”

Most reply with a dissatisfied “hmm” or try to push me to be a little more specific. When pushed, I’ll randomly respond with one of about five career paths I’ve considered.

Pushy people think I want to be a lot of things.

Though my retort is lighthearted and perhaps flippant, I can’t help but feel a little irresponsible inside. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m halfway through with my undergraduate study and that I’ll only have the opportunities that I have today for a little while longer. I’m made to feel as if I am wasting something. Why work so hard to achieve something great, then put it in a frame and let it sit?
What I am getting at is that there is an innate notion in our culture is that once we achieve something — a degree, a job, a home, a new toy — we should do something with it.

I can’t help but think that the same is true for salvation.

I find it very difficult to believe that God Almighty would send His Son — a part of Himself — to be beaten, abused, neglected, and condemned in order that we might have something with which to adorn our office.

Yes, we are saved by this sacrifice and His resurrection — I affirm that with great joy. But what are you going to do with it? Sit there on your couch and be saved? Enjoy a grande caramel macchiato and be saved? Honestly, what does that profit anyone? What does that profit God?

With this, I respectfully submit that there is much more to salvation than “being saved.”

look for part two of “So now what?” soon.