Success and Purpose in Life and Business
Last night I watched a video of a Veritas.org panel comprised of a Jewish business professor from USC and a Christian business professor from Stanford. The similarity between their stories was uncanny. The professional and personal respect demonstrated was awesome. The differences, despite the similarities, were stark.
Both came to a decision-point whether or not to leave business. Both eventually returned in a professorship capacity. Both suffered strong personal loss. Both evaluated faith from an outside perspective and came to faith. Both see the need to give of selves for a larger purpose. Both have a deep level of conviction based on what they believe that translates into action. Both had respect for the Bible. Those are the similarities.
When expressing their views, the professors were able to listen and empathize and learn from one another; showed a measure of humility that is sometimes lacking; and demonstrated bonhomie and courtesy throughout, without shying from their personal views. This bonhomie seemed to grow throughout the presentation.
The Jewish professor summed up the differences well: many Jews are very jealous of the personal nature of Christianity in relationship with God; that [practicing] Jews believe in God but it is a God they cannot come to know personally. The Christian professor brought everything back to his personal relationship with Christ and how this informed his views.
There were underlying questions running throughout the discussion:, and a fourth, sub-question tied to the other three:
The Christian professor finds purpose in the fact that we are all created in the image of God, therefore we have intrinsic value as human beings; that we have value as individuals because God gave what was of most value to Him (His glory, His life) in the person of Jesus Christ for us; and that having received/accepted that gift, how could he (this Christian professor) not share what was most precious to him -- this Gift -- with others. The Professor described how his relationship with God defines everything he does.
In essence, the Christian professor appears to have been saying that finding significance is based on God's love for us, rather than in what we do. That, and the Professor seemed to define the need for faith demonstrated by action in terms of faithfulness (or stewardship of what we've been given) based on the uniqueness of who Christians are, in the situations in which they have let God guide them.
The discussion was capped, in my mind, by two questions: one on the nature of capitalism and philanthropy, the other on the nature of purpose without God.
Regarding capitalism and philanthropy, the panel highlighted two views: one, that the government redistributes wealth / opportunity for the people; the other that the people give of themselves when they see a need and look after each other. This represented the political divide in the United States. Both agreed that capitalism is the best form of economics ever devised. The Jewish Professor stressed the need to constrain it (my paraphrase) so that it was not abused. The Christian Professor described the tendency to abuse capitalism a representation of the fact that all humans sin.
The Christian Professor pointed out that the reason the United States and capitalism (my paraphrase) has survived tendency toward totalitarianism and communism to this day is because of the Judeo-Christian underpinnings of national belief that lead to generosity and generosity of spirit. The Jewish Professor added to that, "also" there is no circumstance throughout history where the oppressed did not at some point overthrow those who were abusing their power. He said that the United States was growing near that precipice. As a member of the virtual audience, the thoughts that came/comes to mind is that like today - at least in the French Revolution (if A Tale of Two Cities is accurate) - there was a group of people agitating the masses, and that it reminds me more of George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984 than a natural revolt. Abuse of power. To me, this confirms the Christian Professor's indirect assertion that abuse of power is a representation of humanity's sinful nature -- and in this case, regardless of your stance on economics.
The last question from the audience was by an Atheist Jew studying Social Work. She asked whether / how it is possible to find purpose meaning apart from God. There are many sources that describe or attempt to describe the Atheist search for meaning and how it has ultimately affected many of them throughout the years. Can there be lasting purpose (beyond the immediate task or the longterm goal) without God? Without the God of the Bible?
The Jewish Professor attempted to answer this by focusing on the benefit of the person's work to others. Yes, there is purpose in that. And it aligns with the Christian Professor's and the Jewish Professors earlier comments about the importance of using what you have been given in the service of others.
But I found the answer hollow. Why? Not because the answer is not true, but because for an Atheist -- or if God truly is a hoax and a sub-conscious or metaphysical crutch -- the action (life) is all there is, then there's dust and ashes. And for those who believe in God or a power greater than themselves (some ascribe God-like qualities to the universe, for example), but do not believe in / have the personal relationship with God in response to sin, Today's actions resolve into Tomorrow and then there's dust and ashes. But for the Christian, Today's actions count for eternity and count in response to a personal God who gave Himself for them.
So what can I say? Does the forum completely answer the question regarding success and purpose (meaning) outside of God? No. But it sure leaves tantalizing morsels for consideration . . . and that is what I would encourage you to do.
Below is the link to the video. I think you would find it interesting or engrossing at worst, and thought-provoking at best . . . and these types of thoughts are the kind that matter most.
http://www.veritas.org/work-hard-play-hard-now-two-business-professors-talk-god-success-meaning-life/
Both came to a decision-point whether or not to leave business. Both eventually returned in a professorship capacity. Both suffered strong personal loss. Both evaluated faith from an outside perspective and came to faith. Both see the need to give of selves for a larger purpose. Both have a deep level of conviction based on what they believe that translates into action. Both had respect for the Bible. Those are the similarities.
When expressing their views, the professors were able to listen and empathize and learn from one another; showed a measure of humility that is sometimes lacking; and demonstrated bonhomie and courtesy throughout, without shying from their personal views. This bonhomie seemed to grow throughout the presentation.
The Jewish professor summed up the differences well: many Jews are very jealous of the personal nature of Christianity in relationship with God; that [practicing] Jews believe in God but it is a God they cannot come to know personally. The Christian professor brought everything back to his personal relationship with Christ and how this informed his views.
There were underlying questions running throughout the discussion:, and a fourth, sub-question tied to the other three:
1) What is the definition of success?The Jewish professor finds purpose in learning from everyone and from doing as much as possible to help those in need. He believes his faith is useless unless it results in action that demonstrates that faith. His view of God is impersonal and represented in the actions of himself and others . . . but he believes.
2) Can there be purpose to success outside of God?
3) Can there be purpose to success outside of Christianity?
4) Define failure, describe your own failures, and describe how you have responded to those failures?
The Christian professor finds purpose in the fact that we are all created in the image of God, therefore we have intrinsic value as human beings; that we have value as individuals because God gave what was of most value to Him (His glory, His life) in the person of Jesus Christ for us; and that having received/accepted that gift, how could he (this Christian professor) not share what was most precious to him -- this Gift -- with others. The Professor described how his relationship with God defines everything he does.
In essence, the Christian professor appears to have been saying that finding significance is based on God's love for us, rather than in what we do. That, and the Professor seemed to define the need for faith demonstrated by action in terms of faithfulness (or stewardship of what we've been given) based on the uniqueness of who Christians are, in the situations in which they have let God guide them.
The discussion was capped, in my mind, by two questions: one on the nature of capitalism and philanthropy, the other on the nature of purpose without God.
Regarding capitalism and philanthropy, the panel highlighted two views: one, that the government redistributes wealth / opportunity for the people; the other that the people give of themselves when they see a need and look after each other. This represented the political divide in the United States. Both agreed that capitalism is the best form of economics ever devised. The Jewish Professor stressed the need to constrain it (my paraphrase) so that it was not abused. The Christian Professor described the tendency to abuse capitalism a representation of the fact that all humans sin.
The Christian Professor pointed out that the reason the United States and capitalism (my paraphrase) has survived tendency toward totalitarianism and communism to this day is because of the Judeo-Christian underpinnings of national belief that lead to generosity and generosity of spirit. The Jewish Professor added to that, "also" there is no circumstance throughout history where the oppressed did not at some point overthrow those who were abusing their power. He said that the United States was growing near that precipice. As a member of the virtual audience, the thoughts that came/comes to mind is that like today - at least in the French Revolution (if A Tale of Two Cities is accurate) - there was a group of people agitating the masses, and that it reminds me more of George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984 than a natural revolt. Abuse of power. To me, this confirms the Christian Professor's indirect assertion that abuse of power is a representation of humanity's sinful nature -- and in this case, regardless of your stance on economics.
The last question from the audience was by an Atheist Jew studying Social Work. She asked whether / how it is possible to find purpose meaning apart from God. There are many sources that describe or attempt to describe the Atheist search for meaning and how it has ultimately affected many of them throughout the years. Can there be lasting purpose (beyond the immediate task or the longterm goal) without God? Without the God of the Bible?
The Jewish Professor attempted to answer this by focusing on the benefit of the person's work to others. Yes, there is purpose in that. And it aligns with the Christian Professor's and the Jewish Professors earlier comments about the importance of using what you have been given in the service of others.
But I found the answer hollow. Why? Not because the answer is not true, but because for an Atheist -- or if God truly is a hoax and a sub-conscious or metaphysical crutch -- the action (life) is all there is, then there's dust and ashes. And for those who believe in God or a power greater than themselves (some ascribe God-like qualities to the universe, for example), but do not believe in / have the personal relationship with God in response to sin, Today's actions resolve into Tomorrow and then there's dust and ashes. But for the Christian, Today's actions count for eternity and count in response to a personal God who gave Himself for them.
So what can I say? Does the forum completely answer the question regarding success and purpose (meaning) outside of God? No. But it sure leaves tantalizing morsels for consideration . . . and that is what I would encourage you to do.
Below is the link to the video. I think you would find it interesting or engrossing at worst, and thought-provoking at best . . . and these types of thoughts are the kind that matter most.
http://www.veritas.org/work-hard-play-hard-now-two-business-professors-talk-god-success-meaning-life/
posted by The Lamplighter at 1:14 PM
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