Podcasts

William Lane Craig lectures on failure in the Christian life

6 Comments

I found this audio on Brian Auten’s Apologetics 315 web site.

Here is the MP3 file.

Here is the video.

And here is my summary.

Intro:

  • the topic of failure is not one that is often discussed by Christians
  • failure #1: failure in the Christian life which is the result of sin
  • failure #2: when a Christian is defeated while trying to serve God
  • the consequences for failure #1 can be worse for the Christian
  • the consequences for failure #2 can be worse for the world as whole
  • how is it possible for a person to fail when they are obeying God? (#2)
  • how can it be that God can call someone to a task then let them fail?
  • failure is not persecution – persecution is normal for Christians
  • failure is not trials – testing is normal for Christians to grow

Bill’s failure:

  • Bill had submitted all the coursework for his second doctoral degree
  • but he had to pass a comprehensive oral examination
  • he failed to pass the comprehensive exam
  • Bill and Jan and his supporters had all prayed for him to pass
  • how could God allow this to happen?

Solution to the problem:

  • God’s will for us may be that we fail at the things we try in life
  • there are things that God may teach us through failure
  • Bill learned that human relationships are more important than careers
  • we need to realize that “success” in life is not worldly success
  • true success is getting to know God well during your life
  • and failure may be the best way to get to know God well
  • it may even be possible to fail to know God while achieving a lot
  • the real measure of a man is loving God and loving your fellow man

Practical:

  • give thanks to God regardless of your circumstances
  • try to learn from your failure
  • never give up

The ending of Bill’s story:

  • Bill spent an entire year preparing for a re-take of his exam
  • Bill was awarded his second doctorate “magna cum laude” (with great distinction)
  • Bill learned that American students are not well prepared for exams
  • the year of studying remedied his inadequate American education
  • in retrospect, he is thankful for the failure – he learned more

If you like this, you should pick up Craig’s book “No Easy Answers”.

6 thoughts on “William Lane Craig lectures on failure in the Christian life”

  2. What about non-happy endings? In other words, what if Bill didn’t get pass the second time, and instead crumbled under the pressure and increased fear of failure?

    What are we to make of it all then?

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hey Steven! Thanks for your comment.

      He talks about that in the lecture. He would still be a better man for struggling for victory. The one year of studying would have been good for him pass or fail. Sometimes it is just good to lose and to live with it. To know that this is not the place where everything will go your way, and to look homeward.

      A lot of things I’ve tried haven’t worked out. And that may be because I get incredibly arrogant when they do work out. I’m a JERK!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Not getting what we want can be very helpful in humbling us. It can also force us to focus on Christ as our centre and our hope. When He doesn’t take away the “thorn in our flesh”, we are also being reminded that His grace is sufficient.

        Oh and while you’re certainly not perfect, WK, you’re certainly NOT a jerk.

        Like

        Reply

        1. You know what? I just realized this!! I can actually say ‘MARY is absolutely right in everything she says and is super awesome’ here repeatedly, and WK wouldn’t tease me for being a ‘silly Catholic’.

          Mwahaha!!!! :D

          Like

          Reply

Leave a comment