Thinking about the good life

My son’s first academic degree was in philosophy. A degree in philosophy leaves a person nearly unemployable. However, a few classes in philosophy pushes the thinker to ponder life. My son eventually became a very successful academic and a truly fine human being. He is also an avid Cub fan and a devout Roman Catholic. Many people would benefit from studying philosophy, and the world would become a better place to live. “Let me think about that” is one of life’s wisest comments. A thinker may appear to be doing nothing. I would argue that thinkers are the world’s best hope.

Paul from Tarsus wrote more of the Bible’s New Testament than any other person. He was the first significant writer of New Testament material. He was the first writing interpreter of the Christian faith. He never met Jesus before his surreal experience on the road to Damascus a few years after the death of Jesus. I honor Paul, not because he got all of Christian theology correct but because he was a thinker and encouraged others to do the same. He embraced the power of thinking in the religious life.

In his letter to the Philippians Paul closes the document with his best advice. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.” Thinking about things demands focusing one’s attention. I would argue that what we think about will ultimately determine the character of our lives.

Thinking in a group is especially helpful. I have four groups with whom I meet every week. On Tuesday morning I have coffee and doughnuts with close friends, all who have histories of long-term mental illnesses. I had a younger sister who suffered a mental health crisis as a young mother with four children. It took me into a world with which I was largely unfamiliar. Eventually my sister with the help of proper medication, a loving family and a vital personal Christian Faith recovered sufficiently to live a good life. My experience with my sister and her family and conversations with my Tuesday morning friends profoundly influence what I think about.

Wednesday morning finds me in a local coffee shop with a diverse group of friends. While there are regulars, the gathering is open to anyone who sits down. The recurring subject is the well-being of our community. The faces present at the table have changed over the past 20 years but the concerns have not. We have discussions that never are had in boards, assemblies and committees. We have no president, chairperson, secretary or treasurer. Ideas and opinions reign supreme. Some ideas take on a life of their own and result in creative changes in our community. It is a gathering where people are free to think out loud.

Thursday morning starts with a 7 a.m. breakfast at which the general subject is the social services that are needed in our area and state. I suspect the early hour keeps the group small. Our guests (usually by invitation) are people who have their own understandings and perspectives. The gathering has been for me a ten-year learning experience and has profoundly influenced my thinking. I leave the gathering each week with something new to ponder.

Sunday morning finds me at my church home. Darlene and I never miss the adult forum. The group that gathers is significantly different than the other groups in which I participate. The subjects are different also. This is the gathering at which we talk freely about God, Jesus Christ, church and Bible. We read and discuss important books. We talk about the interface of our Christian Faith and the world of politics. It is by far the most diverse group in which I participate. The Sunday forum is not about prayer, worship, fund raising, or planning the next church social gathering. It is a thinker’s paradise.

My life is enriched through my thinking and discussion exercises. Religion has often been thoughtless and unkind. Churches ought to be the leader and instigator of public discussions. Paul’s advice is that we can rid life of a lot of problems by thinking about those things that enrich. As a person thinks, so is he. I would add that our best future lies with the thinkers.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister who lives in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.