It is interesting to note that even the likes of David Brainerd (1718-1747) and Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) struggled with the Reformed Doctrine of Predestination. I too struggled with it for a loooong loooong time (4-5 years), before I accepted it as truth finally.
(1)
"Another thing that I quarreled with was the sovereignty of God. I could not bear that it should be wholly at God's pleasure to save or damn me just as he would: And in this case the Romans 9 chap. of Rom. from the Romans 9:11 verse to Romans 9:23 was a constant vexation to me, more especially verse Romans 9:21, the reading or meditating of this always destroyed my seeming good frames, and set me to contending with God."
~ Taken from the Life of David Brainerd (1718-1747)
(2)
From childhood up, my mind had been full of objections against the doctrine of
God’s sovereignty …. It used to appear like a horrible doctrine to me. But I
remember the time very well, when I seemed to be convinced, and fully satisfied,
as to this sovereignty of God. . . But [I] never could give an account, how, or by
what means, I was, thus convinced, not in the least imagining at the time, nor a
long time after, that there was any extraordinary influence of God’s Spirit in it
but only that now I saw further, and my reason apprehended the justice and
reasonableness of it. However, my mind rested in it; and it put an end to all those
cavils and objections. And there has been a wonderful alteration in my mind, in
respect to the doctrine of God's sovereignty, from that day to this;
so that I scarce ever have found so much as the rising of an objection against it. . .
The doctrine has very often appeared exceeding pleasant, bright, and sweet.
Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God.
~ From Jonathan Edwards, Selections [New York: Hill and Wang, 1962], pp. 58-59).
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
An extract from Evangelization for the Third Millennium
I just want to note this extract from a book titled, Evangelization for the Third Millennium, by Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ. See the link above. Its by the Paulist Press.
I think that this highlights one huge difference between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism:
From Page 7:
"To the question whether it is possible for people to be saved without actually hearing and accepting the good news of Jesus Christ, the Council answers with a unqualified affirmative."
The council he is speaking of is Vatican II I believe. I will have to come back and read the context later. I am right now submerged in a paper on another topic and need to pay attention to that.
I will say one thing however - in churches where the above is taught - practically speaking people do not evangelize. That is what happens. I have seen it. You give give them other theological goads such as - we are commanded to bear witness, we do it because we love Christ, etc., but they tend not to evangelize.
I think that this highlights one huge difference between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism:
From Page 7:
"To the question whether it is possible for people to be saved without actually hearing and accepting the good news of Jesus Christ, the Council answers with a unqualified affirmative."
The council he is speaking of is Vatican II I believe. I will have to come back and read the context later. I am right now submerged in a paper on another topic and need to pay attention to that.
I will say one thing however - in churches where the above is taught - practically speaking people do not evangelize. That is what happens. I have seen it. You give give them other theological goads such as - we are commanded to bear witness, we do it because we love Christ, etc., but they tend not to evangelize.
Monday, October 05, 2009
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~ Romans 8:38-39
What about you?
Can you keep yourself separate yourself from the love of God?
I mean maybe not angels, demons, death, life, powers and such... but maybe you can no? Your have the power - no?
And how about Hell?
Can Hell separate you?
"Well...God will still love me in Hell no?"
But what does it matter then? How does God's love matter if it makes no difference as to whether you are going to Hell or not?
~ RR
~ Romans 8:38-39
What about you?
Can you keep yourself separate yourself from the love of God?
I mean maybe not angels, demons, death, life, powers and such... but maybe you can no? Your have the power - no?
And how about Hell?
Can Hell separate you?
"Well...God will still love me in Hell no?"
But what does it matter then? How does God's love matter if it makes no difference as to whether you are going to Hell or not?
~ RR
Thursday, September 24, 2009
More than you can ask or imagine... ~Ephesians 3:20
- It's hard to believe but true - in the last 7 days, I have met the top 3 Indian Xtn luminaries.
1. Vishal Manglawadi - www.vishalmangalwadi.com
- Very nice and humble man. He encouraged me to keep writing. He studied at L'Abri at one point in his life under Francis Shaeffer and even is sort of like an Indian Francis Shaeffer.
2. I met Ramesh Richards - who is a prof at Dallas TS and also runs a ministry
http://www.rreach.org/
I read a 100+ pages of his book, Soul Vision right there at the Conference. Really good read! It is about Decision Making and I find that it strikes the right balance.
I met the above two folks at the Connext Conference for South Asians...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. And finally I met Ravi Zacharias who came back to visit his alma - TEDS
http://www.henrycenter.org/media/blog/
The Chapel today was packed like you would not believe. In my 3+ years here, I have not seen so many people. They had to open up an overflow in Hinkson Hall. More than that - the campus was electrified. It was hopping. There was just excitement everywhere. After his chapel message, Ravi stuck around for a good long time, talking to the students and visitors. I met him and shook hands with him... also got a snap taken with him.
The craziest thing about what Ravi said in his message was that if you had told him back in his teds days (mid-70's), that "all this would happen to me", I would have said to you "What did you have for breakfast this morning?" He never imagined that he would become this global level apologist and evangelist . . . never in his wildest dreams... As he said "It is all God. All God only."
Yes... he is exactly right! It is indeed all God! On the one hand we must pray bold prayers! We ought not to let our wimpy imaginations limit us. Yet on the other hand, realize that even our boldest prayers will not match the great things that God has in store for us. We should be bold however! Ask ! Seek! Knock!
One other thing ... I like the way Ravi ended his chapel message ... something like "We have read the end of the Book, and we know the end of the story", and this that "He wins!"
Suggestion: I would like to urge you to do something. I would like to urge you to lay down 10 bold prayer requests before God. Yes. Get into a discomfort zone and then pray up 10 bold requests. Do it!
God Bless,
~ Raj!
"From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth." ~Psalm 50v.2
1. Vishal Manglawadi - www.vishalmangalwadi.com
- Very nice and humble man. He encouraged me to keep writing. He studied at L'Abri at one point in his life under Francis Shaeffer and even is sort of like an Indian Francis Shaeffer.
2. I met Ramesh Richards - who is a prof at Dallas TS and also runs a ministry
http://www.rreach.org/
I read a 100+ pages of his book, Soul Vision right there at the Conference. Really good read! It is about Decision Making and I find that it strikes the right balance.
I met the above two folks at the Connext Conference for South Asians...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. And finally I met Ravi Zacharias who came back to visit his alma - TEDS
http://www.henrycenter.org/media/blog/
The Chapel today was packed like you would not believe. In my 3+ years here, I have not seen so many people. They had to open up an overflow in Hinkson Hall. More than that - the campus was electrified. It was hopping. There was just excitement everywhere. After his chapel message, Ravi stuck around for a good long time, talking to the students and visitors. I met him and shook hands with him... also got a snap taken with him.
The craziest thing about what Ravi said in his message was that if you had told him back in his teds days (mid-70's), that "all this would happen to me", I would have said to you "What did you have for breakfast this morning?" He never imagined that he would become this global level apologist and evangelist . . . never in his wildest dreams... As he said "It is all God. All God only."
Yes... he is exactly right! It is indeed all God! On the one hand we must pray bold prayers! We ought not to let our wimpy imaginations limit us. Yet on the other hand, realize that even our boldest prayers will not match the great things that God has in store for us. We should be bold however! Ask ! Seek! Knock!
One other thing ... I like the way Ravi ended his chapel message ... something like "We have read the end of the Book, and we know the end of the story", and this that "He wins!"
Suggestion: I would like to urge you to do something. I would like to urge you to lay down 10 bold prayer requests before God. Yes. Get into a discomfort zone and then pray up 10 bold requests. Do it!
God Bless,
~ Raj!
"From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth." ~Psalm 50v.2
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Rabindranath Tagore & the Songs of Songs
I have been skimming through parts of Lover's Gift, by Rabindranath Tagore, and cannot help but suspect that Tagore had crossed paths with Song of Songs - a book on love and lovers, found in the Bible. Tagore quite simply had to have read it at some point in his life. There are things in there that just are very reminiscent of Song of Songs.
Anyway, take a look a the following excerpts from Lover's Gift and then take a look at Song of Songs in either the KJV or the NIV. God Bless!
From 31 ~ A Posy
"My flowers were like milk and honey and wine;I bound them into a posy with a gold ribbon, but they escaped my watchful care and fled away and only the ribbon remains.
My songs were like milk and honey and wine, they were held in the rhythm of my beating heart... the beauty I loved was like milk and honey and wine, her lips like the rose of the dawn, her eyes bee-black."
From 15
Her neighbors call her dark in the village - but she is a lily to my heart, yes, a lily though not fair. Light came muffled with clouds, when first, I saw her in the field; her head was bare, her veil was off, her braided hair hanging loose on her neck. She may be dark as they say in the village, but I have seen her black eyes and am glad. ...
She is dark as the message of shower in the summer, dark as the shade of flowering woodland; she is dark as the longing for unknown love in the wistful night of May."
From 13
"Last night in the garden I offered you my youth's foaming wine."
From 30
"The Spring flowers break out like the passionate pain of unspoken love. With their breath comes the memory of my old day songs. My hear of a sudden has put on green leaves of desire. My love came not but her touch is in my limbs, and her voice comes across the fragrant fields. ..."
From 2
"Come to my garden walk, my love. Pass by the fervid flowers that press themselves on your sight."
From 3
Proudly step into my orchard, my queen, sit there in the shade, pluck the ripe fruits from their stems, and let them yield, the utmost, their burden of sweetness at your lips."
Christianity & Homosexuality - the debate in India
Repost due to spam ...
Can a person be a Christian and a homosexual at the same time?
I've been floating around a major Indian newspaper and its articles and blogs on the recent debate on legalizing same-sex sex. There seem to be certain things that I have not seen discussed there so I will mention them here. My 2 paisas' worth...
1. It seems to me that the reasons for same-sex attraction are many. What I have observed in my life - is that in some cases, there was some kind of a childhood issue. For example, a homosexual could have had a father who was very remote or distant or even absent, or the opposite, overbearing, and rough, and physically abusive. Kids are different. Some are more sensitive than others. Some need to be held more often than others. I have also come across cases of people being molested during their childhood.
Then quite frankly, there are people who seem to come from picture perfect families, and yet still struggle with same sex attraction. I have not met any folks from this background personally however, but they are there.
2. Some people have changed. I know this because I know a person who left homosexuality and finds women attractive now. I know this because I have read accounts of such persons. I know this also because the Bible acknowledges this:
"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
3. While some can and have changed, lets face facts, others may not and have not been able to change ever, and this during the entirety of their lives. Yes, they may have found forgiveness for their sins and have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and are producing fruit. However, they still struggle with same-sex attraction. Becoming a Christian has not made this attraction go away.
Henri Nouwen was one of these folks. He struggled yet lived a celibate life. (More on this below).
4. We need to distinguish between what a person is and what the person does. A person can be a homosexual and not be involved in homosexual activity. There are people who are alcoholics who have been sober for 20 years. You can love a person for who they are and yet still not like what they do.
5. As I mentioned previously, if a person has repented of their sins and turned to Jesus Christ, and find that they still struggle with same-sex attraction, they also need to accept that they may struggle with this attraction for the rest of their life. This is a tough and painful teaching. However these Christians needs to accept that they are homosexuals, and that they may have a constant ache all of their lives. (More on this below).
6. There is something similar with healing. In my life I have seen some Christians be miraculously healed of X, and others struggle with X for the rest of their life. Joni Eareckson Tada comes to mind. God works differently with different people. My friend Jeremy - his grandfather, age 70, was the town alcoholic. When he became a believer, he stopped drinking automatically. Not a drop. He even lost his desire for it. In addition, he also stopped physically abusing his kids and grandkids. This man bucked a lifetime of bad habits overnight. Other alcoholics who come know Jesus do not experience the same grace. They struggle with the bottle for years.
7. The Church needs to accept such people with open and loving arms. The Church needs to grow up. Can a person struggling with same-sex attraction walk into the doors of your church and be viewed as the rest of us are? - Sinners in need of Christ.
8. Note - To experience temptation is not a sin. Christ Himself was tempted in many ways. So also to have same-sex desires is not sin. To act on them however is.
9. Finally, one other thing - while a Christian homosexual may have a constant ache all of their life, and may have to be celibate, yet still God will pour out His grace upon them. Yes - there is that famous verse of Paul's :
"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
~ I Corinthians 12:7-10
God will not simply give you grace sufficient, He will pour out his grace on you, more than you can ask or imagine.
10. Henri Nouwen struggled with same-sex attraction, and from what I have gathered, it was rough at times. On the other hand, God simply poured out His grace upon Nouwen. Nouwen was such a rich blessing to so many people. Henri Nouwen died having lived a full life.
I think that God matches suffering with grace. If the ante of suffering goes up in a person's life, then so too does the grace at work in their life. Actually, God not only matches grace for suffering, but I think overwhelms suffering with grace. Amazing things will go down in their life. This is my experience.
11. The above can also be applied to heterosexuals singles who struggle with unfulfillment. These are folks who strongly desire to get married. Their bodies ache and burn and long for the opposite sex. They pray day and night asking God to provide someone for them. The too long for a special someone in their life. They too long for relief for their physical bodies. They too long to have children. They too long for fatherhood or motherhood. They too struggle with loneliness. They too have a 1,001 aches that are constant. And yet God never provides any one for them for the rest of their life. These folks also will experience God's grace in rich abundance!
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
~ Ephesians 3:20-21
My 2 paisas' worth...
Can a person be a Christian and a homosexual at the same time?
I've been floating around a major Indian newspaper and its articles and blogs on the recent debate on legalizing same-sex sex. There seem to be certain things that I have not seen discussed there so I will mention them here. My 2 paisas' worth...
1. It seems to me that the reasons for same-sex attraction are many. What I have observed in my life - is that in some cases, there was some kind of a childhood issue. For example, a homosexual could have had a father who was very remote or distant or even absent, or the opposite, overbearing, and rough, and physically abusive. Kids are different. Some are more sensitive than others. Some need to be held more often than others. I have also come across cases of people being molested during their childhood.
Then quite frankly, there are people who seem to come from picture perfect families, and yet still struggle with same sex attraction. I have not met any folks from this background personally however, but they are there.
2. Some people have changed. I know this because I know a person who left homosexuality and finds women attractive now. I know this because I have read accounts of such persons. I know this also because the Bible acknowledges this:
"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
3. While some can and have changed, lets face facts, others may not and have not been able to change ever, and this during the entirety of their lives. Yes, they may have found forgiveness for their sins and have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and are producing fruit. However, they still struggle with same-sex attraction. Becoming a Christian has not made this attraction go away.
Henri Nouwen was one of these folks. He struggled yet lived a celibate life. (More on this below).
4. We need to distinguish between what a person is and what the person does. A person can be a homosexual and not be involved in homosexual activity. There are people who are alcoholics who have been sober for 20 years. You can love a person for who they are and yet still not like what they do.
5. As I mentioned previously, if a person has repented of their sins and turned to Jesus Christ, and find that they still struggle with same-sex attraction, they also need to accept that they may struggle with this attraction for the rest of their life. This is a tough and painful teaching. However these Christians needs to accept that they are homosexuals, and that they may have a constant ache all of their lives. (More on this below).
6. There is something similar with healing. In my life I have seen some Christians be miraculously healed of X, and others struggle with X for the rest of their life. Joni Eareckson Tada comes to mind. God works differently with different people. My friend Jeremy - his grandfather, age 70, was the town alcoholic. When he became a believer, he stopped drinking automatically. Not a drop. He even lost his desire for it. In addition, he also stopped physically abusing his kids and grandkids. This man bucked a lifetime of bad habits overnight. Other alcoholics who come know Jesus do not experience the same grace. They struggle with the bottle for years.
7. The Church needs to accept such people with open and loving arms. The Church needs to grow up. Can a person struggling with same-sex attraction walk into the doors of your church and be viewed as the rest of us are? - Sinners in need of Christ.
8. Note - To experience temptation is not a sin. Christ Himself was tempted in many ways. So also to have same-sex desires is not sin. To act on them however is.
9. Finally, one other thing - while a Christian homosexual may have a constant ache all of their life, and may have to be celibate, yet still God will pour out His grace upon them. Yes - there is that famous verse of Paul's :
"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
~ I Corinthians 12:7-10
God will not simply give you grace sufficient, He will pour out his grace on you, more than you can ask or imagine.
10. Henri Nouwen struggled with same-sex attraction, and from what I have gathered, it was rough at times. On the other hand, God simply poured out His grace upon Nouwen. Nouwen was such a rich blessing to so many people. Henri Nouwen died having lived a full life.
I think that God matches suffering with grace. If the ante of suffering goes up in a person's life, then so too does the grace at work in their life. Actually, God not only matches grace for suffering, but I think overwhelms suffering with grace. Amazing things will go down in their life. This is my experience.
11. The above can also be applied to heterosexuals singles who struggle with unfulfillment. These are folks who strongly desire to get married. Their bodies ache and burn and long for the opposite sex. They pray day and night asking God to provide someone for them. The too long for a special someone in their life. They too long for relief for their physical bodies. They too long to have children. They too long for fatherhood or motherhood. They too struggle with loneliness. They too have a 1,001 aches that are constant. And yet God never provides any one for them for the rest of their life. These folks also will experience God's grace in rich abundance!
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
~ Ephesians 3:20-21
My 2 paisas' worth...
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Getting John Calvin right.
Linked to this post header in Timothy George's CT article on John Calvin and the secret to his being principally neglected. I also linked the article on the side board.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Echo
SCENE: Olympia, WA -- 09SEP17, 28 days after the outbreak. A special Army helicopter is coming toward the city carrying Major Karl Wesson USA special forces and Father Winston O'Bannon in hermetically sealed compartment. The priest is looking very concerned and the soldier very grim.
O'Bannon: How much longer before we get to the aid site.
Wesson: We'll get there soon enough. I'm glad you were willing to risk going back into that hell hole to retrieve more survivors without yet having been set down in a safe area yet.
O: I understand that time is of the essence. Besides that the look that appeared on your face when you received that radio call from base tells me that things have suddenly become even more grave than before. But I have a pastoral calling and I cannot but be willing to sacrifice my life when my Lord has sacrificed himself for me. If there is anything that I can do I am willing.
W: Those are some fine words, Father. But what really impresses is me is that you are willing to say that and go back to that particular place. I have seen seasoned combat troops come out of there screaming in horror. Yet you seem willing to face it all again in spite of knowing first hand what it was all like.
O: Oh, I could barely cope with it at the time, believe me. Five nights ago, it seemed that there was a sudden bright light in the sky that came down into the midst of the city. There was a huge explosion and many of the buildings were damaged from the shock wave. But even that was not the worst of it. Almost immediately several of the city people began to suffer. The began to grab their heads and scream in agony. Nothing could be done for them, even when they were rushed to the hospital. Whatever it was seemed to be affecting their minds. Very often the shear pain would make them pass out into a kind of coma. We tried to gather as many of the poor victims as we could and take them to homes, hospitals, schools, and so on. Whatever cause the syndrome, it seemed to only effect a certain percentage of the population. Many of us seemed totally unaffected by it.
W: I can tell you that what exploded on the city was a commercial satellite that was forced out of orbit by some kind of meteor. HQ thinks that the meteor or th satellite had contact with some kind of alien virus that attacks the brain and the CNS. The rapid spread of the viral effects makes it clear that it is something we haven't seen before. There was nothing we could do but quarantine the city and let the disease run its course. But that wasn't the worse part, was it?
(The priest took a deep breathe.)
O: No. No, not at all. The comatose eventually came to after a few hours or so. But it was clear that their humanity had been lost. They couldn't talk anymore, nor could the use their motor skills as efficiently as before. But even worse, even worse, they began to viciously attack anyone like some feral beast. Family members who were keeping vigil over their sleeping bodies were suddenly jumped by them and torn apart. The disease must have activated an increase in adrenaline because the victims displayed increased strength and speed. They did not stop at the ones near them but they began to rampage the city so that those who had not suffered from the disease still were hurt by those who were. And they didn't just attack them they . . . they . . .
W: They ate them.
O: Yes. Yes! I dare not describe the sites I saw. It must have been like the Black Plague only with people as the vermin and with no escape.
W: Please do not explain further. We have enough grisly documentation by satellite camera and by the various texts and photos from cell phones sent along to us. But can't you look at me when you talk about it?
O: But I am looking at you. Right at your eyes.
W: So I see. Sorry. It must be difficult even for you as a man of faith to accept such a horror from the hand of a supposedly good God.
O: Well, alien or not, what happened must have happened according to the course of the way nature regularly works. I can understand that God might rather make a world with natural regularities so that people could make reliable predictions and plans over one which nothing at all could be predicted, even if that means the some of the consequences include natural disasters.
(The major's stony face looked out of a portal into the night.)
W: Still, did God have to make a lawfully operating world that involved this much pain and horror. Doesn't it bother you at all that there seems to be no good reason for allowing this much suffering? God could have made the world regular without this having to happen.
O: I do know what you mean. But if there is a God, His nature would be such that He could have really good reasons for allowing such things that we in our limited resources cannot fathom, and that would explain we we don't see the reason for them. And there are to many great goods in the world like our mysterious universe and the sacrifices of good people that encourage me to believe that such a God lives.
(The major continued unmoved to look out of the portal and spoke again.)
W: Still, did God have to make a lawfully operating world that involved this much pain and horror. Doesn't it bother you at all that there seems to be no good reason for allowing this much suffering? God could have made the world regular without this having to happen.
O: I do know what you mean. But if there is a God, His nature would be such that He could have really good reasons for allowing such things that we in our limited resources cannot fathom, and that would explain we we don't see the reason for them. And there are to many great goods in the world like our mysterious universe and the sacrifices of good people that encourage me to believe that such a God lives.
(The major turned away from the window and began to stare at the floor between them. He began to rub the temple of his head.)
W: I had a friend and fellow combat officer put it differently. He told me that when he was in Afghanistan fighting, his troop came across a Taliban warlord's compound in a network of mountain caves. Apparently this warlord had been capturing Baha'ists migrating from Iran and had been torturing and abusing them, especially their women and children. The journals they kept were in extreme clinical detail and they told of the absolute indifference toward the victims as human beings. My friend told me that he knew at that time he had encountered genuine evil and not just suffering and that the recognition of the existence of actual evil actually had renewed his belief in God.
O: Yes, it is hard for good willed people to contemplate such a possibility in a fellow human being but there are times when we cannot fail to recognize an objective universal justice, if only when we see it violated.
(The major grimaced and a strange smile traveled part way across his lips. He continued to look at the floor.)
W: It's almost time for drop off.
O: Drop off? I thought we were picking people up? What about those who didn't fall sick to the virus?
W: There is no one who didn't fall sick to the virus.
O: What? What about me?
W: That call that I received informed me that the virus has broken out of the quarantined area into the centers where we were gathering the refugees from the city. They are frantically trying to redraw the quarantine area to contain the virus again.
O: But how could that be?
W: This is the picture we are getting from research. The theory is that it is not a virus but rather a parasite that multiplies and tries to take over the organism of a host body by taking over the higher order functions of the host's brain. The parasite is capable of multiplying and to network with its spawn while each of them work to kill the host and take over the existing neural connections and functional patterns in the brain. The success or failure of this seems to correlate with the rhesus factor in the blood. If the host is type positive, this attempt fails, the host succeeds in surviving the attack, and the parasites die, but the damage from the attack is so devastating that most higher brain functions are destroyed or isolated within the brain. It's like suffering from severe brain damage and falling into a permanently vegetative state, except in this case all that survives are the host's most basic animal instincts. The host essential becomes feral in the worst possible way but they still continue to live.
O: And what happens if the parasites win?
W: What happens if the type is negative is that the host dies and the body becomes simply the vehicle for the colony of parasites that are now using the existing networks to operate the body, camouflage their presence, and continue to spread and multiply. The host is dead but a simulacrum of the former host continues to persist until the parasites can suitably reproduce. The simulacrum is able to reproduce typical and predictable output behaviors to standard situations so that it seems as if the person that was their originally is still there.
O: I see. My blood type is O negative. This is why you were called to take me back to the hot zone.
W: To take us back to the hot zone. I was already pretty well exposed to you long enough before they found out and I'm A positive.
O: And you made it seem like a mercy mission in order to manage us better.
W: It's still a mercy mission of a sort. Even though type positives have become mostly feral, it seems that there is still complex brain activity in the part of the brain that is correlated with dreaming. This activity increases when the animal needs are sated. The feral become sated when they eat the simulacra and eating them destroys the parasites they are carrying while at the same time providing them a little more of their last joys as a human being. Eventually the feral will die -- they cannot survive for very long in that state -- and then controls will come in and clean up the mess. So the plan is to contain the situation until it burns out. No one survives.
O: A pyre for the dead and a hospice for those who are dying. I'm really sorry that you couldn't escape.
(The major collapses down on the floor between them, his face lined with pain.)
W: It was an echo of a good lesson before dying. Besides, being a simulacrum means never having to say you're sorry.
The major laid unconscious on the floor while the priest watched over him.
O'Bannon: How much longer before we get to the aid site.
Wesson: We'll get there soon enough. I'm glad you were willing to risk going back into that hell hole to retrieve more survivors without yet having been set down in a safe area yet.
O: I understand that time is of the essence. Besides that the look that appeared on your face when you received that radio call from base tells me that things have suddenly become even more grave than before. But I have a pastoral calling and I cannot but be willing to sacrifice my life when my Lord has sacrificed himself for me. If there is anything that I can do I am willing.
W: Those are some fine words, Father. But what really impresses is me is that you are willing to say that and go back to that particular place. I have seen seasoned combat troops come out of there screaming in horror. Yet you seem willing to face it all again in spite of knowing first hand what it was all like.
O: Oh, I could barely cope with it at the time, believe me. Five nights ago, it seemed that there was a sudden bright light in the sky that came down into the midst of the city. There was a huge explosion and many of the buildings were damaged from the shock wave. But even that was not the worst of it. Almost immediately several of the city people began to suffer. The began to grab their heads and scream in agony. Nothing could be done for them, even when they were rushed to the hospital. Whatever it was seemed to be affecting their minds. Very often the shear pain would make them pass out into a kind of coma. We tried to gather as many of the poor victims as we could and take them to homes, hospitals, schools, and so on. Whatever cause the syndrome, it seemed to only effect a certain percentage of the population. Many of us seemed totally unaffected by it.
W: I can tell you that what exploded on the city was a commercial satellite that was forced out of orbit by some kind of meteor. HQ thinks that the meteor or th satellite had contact with some kind of alien virus that attacks the brain and the CNS. The rapid spread of the viral effects makes it clear that it is something we haven't seen before. There was nothing we could do but quarantine the city and let the disease run its course. But that wasn't the worse part, was it?
(The priest took a deep breathe.)
O: No. No, not at all. The comatose eventually came to after a few hours or so. But it was clear that their humanity had been lost. They couldn't talk anymore, nor could the use their motor skills as efficiently as before. But even worse, even worse, they began to viciously attack anyone like some feral beast. Family members who were keeping vigil over their sleeping bodies were suddenly jumped by them and torn apart. The disease must have activated an increase in adrenaline because the victims displayed increased strength and speed. They did not stop at the ones near them but they began to rampage the city so that those who had not suffered from the disease still were hurt by those who were. And they didn't just attack them they . . . they . . .
W: They ate them.
O: Yes. Yes! I dare not describe the sites I saw. It must have been like the Black Plague only with people as the vermin and with no escape.
W: Please do not explain further. We have enough grisly documentation by satellite camera and by the various texts and photos from cell phones sent along to us. But can't you look at me when you talk about it?
O: But I am looking at you. Right at your eyes.
W: So I see. Sorry. It must be difficult even for you as a man of faith to accept such a horror from the hand of a supposedly good God.
O: Well, alien or not, what happened must have happened according to the course of the way nature regularly works. I can understand that God might rather make a world with natural regularities so that people could make reliable predictions and plans over one which nothing at all could be predicted, even if that means the some of the consequences include natural disasters.
(The major's stony face looked out of a portal into the night.)
W: Still, did God have to make a lawfully operating world that involved this much pain and horror. Doesn't it bother you at all that there seems to be no good reason for allowing this much suffering? God could have made the world regular without this having to happen.
O: I do know what you mean. But if there is a God, His nature would be such that He could have really good reasons for allowing such things that we in our limited resources cannot fathom, and that would explain we we don't see the reason for them. And there are to many great goods in the world like our mysterious universe and the sacrifices of good people that encourage me to believe that such a God lives.
(The major continued unmoved to look out of the portal and spoke again.)
W: Still, did God have to make a lawfully operating world that involved this much pain and horror. Doesn't it bother you at all that there seems to be no good reason for allowing this much suffering? God could have made the world regular without this having to happen.
O: I do know what you mean. But if there is a God, His nature would be such that He could have really good reasons for allowing such things that we in our limited resources cannot fathom, and that would explain we we don't see the reason for them. And there are to many great goods in the world like our mysterious universe and the sacrifices of good people that encourage me to believe that such a God lives.
(The major turned away from the window and began to stare at the floor between them. He began to rub the temple of his head.)
W: I had a friend and fellow combat officer put it differently. He told me that when he was in Afghanistan fighting, his troop came across a Taliban warlord's compound in a network of mountain caves. Apparently this warlord had been capturing Baha'ists migrating from Iran and had been torturing and abusing them, especially their women and children. The journals they kept were in extreme clinical detail and they told of the absolute indifference toward the victims as human beings. My friend told me that he knew at that time he had encountered genuine evil and not just suffering and that the recognition of the existence of actual evil actually had renewed his belief in God.
O: Yes, it is hard for good willed people to contemplate such a possibility in a fellow human being but there are times when we cannot fail to recognize an objective universal justice, if only when we see it violated.
(The major grimaced and a strange smile traveled part way across his lips. He continued to look at the floor.)
W: It's almost time for drop off.
O: Drop off? I thought we were picking people up? What about those who didn't fall sick to the virus?
W: There is no one who didn't fall sick to the virus.
O: What? What about me?
W: That call that I received informed me that the virus has broken out of the quarantined area into the centers where we were gathering the refugees from the city. They are frantically trying to redraw the quarantine area to contain the virus again.
O: But how could that be?
W: This is the picture we are getting from research. The theory is that it is not a virus but rather a parasite that multiplies and tries to take over the organism of a host body by taking over the higher order functions of the host's brain. The parasite is capable of multiplying and to network with its spawn while each of them work to kill the host and take over the existing neural connections and functional patterns in the brain. The success or failure of this seems to correlate with the rhesus factor in the blood. If the host is type positive, this attempt fails, the host succeeds in surviving the attack, and the parasites die, but the damage from the attack is so devastating that most higher brain functions are destroyed or isolated within the brain. It's like suffering from severe brain damage and falling into a permanently vegetative state, except in this case all that survives are the host's most basic animal instincts. The host essential becomes feral in the worst possible way but they still continue to live.
O: And what happens if the parasites win?
W: What happens if the type is negative is that the host dies and the body becomes simply the vehicle for the colony of parasites that are now using the existing networks to operate the body, camouflage their presence, and continue to spread and multiply. The host is dead but a simulacrum of the former host continues to persist until the parasites can suitably reproduce. The simulacrum is able to reproduce typical and predictable output behaviors to standard situations so that it seems as if the person that was their originally is still there.
O: I see. My blood type is O negative. This is why you were called to take me back to the hot zone.
W: To take us back to the hot zone. I was already pretty well exposed to you long enough before they found out and I'm A positive.
O: And you made it seem like a mercy mission in order to manage us better.
W: It's still a mercy mission of a sort. Even though type positives have become mostly feral, it seems that there is still complex brain activity in the part of the brain that is correlated with dreaming. This activity increases when the animal needs are sated. The feral become sated when they eat the simulacra and eating them destroys the parasites they are carrying while at the same time providing them a little more of their last joys as a human being. Eventually the feral will die -- they cannot survive for very long in that state -- and then controls will come in and clean up the mess. So the plan is to contain the situation until it burns out. No one survives.
O: A pyre for the dead and a hospice for those who are dying. I'm really sorry that you couldn't escape.
(The major collapses down on the floor between them, his face lined with pain.)
W: It was an echo of a good lesson before dying. Besides, being a simulacrum means never having to say you're sorry.
The major laid unconscious on the floor while the priest watched over him.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Charles Hodge & Horace Bushnell on Slavery
I have recently become interested in the issue of slavery. In particular I wonder about the relationship between human dignity and the slavery. I am not simply talking about the Image of God (or even Imago Trinitatis) idea and its relationship, but just human dignity.
The above book (click on the link) is one that I have asked my school to get, since our library does not have a copy. It seems interesting.
In addition, I have found the following at One Salient Insight.
Here is an excerpt from the conclusion:
"We can therefore assume that Hodge was not a strong supporter of slavery. We can also assume that he made some bad mistakes when he did support it, but he was never a strong defender or it, nor was he an apologist for slavery. The facts are, however, that he publicly changed his mind and opposed slavery. The fact that he had to subsequently water these down for the sake of denominational unity is not commendable, but it is certainly not damnable."
That aside, it also needs to be noted that Dabney was involved in the slavery debate. Gnu is more in the know on that though.
The above book (click on the link) is one that I have asked my school to get, since our library does not have a copy. It seems interesting.
In addition, I have found the following at One Salient Insight.
Here is an excerpt from the conclusion:
"We can therefore assume that Hodge was not a strong supporter of slavery. We can also assume that he made some bad mistakes when he did support it, but he was never a strong defender or it, nor was he an apologist for slavery. The facts are, however, that he publicly changed his mind and opposed slavery. The fact that he had to subsequently water these down for the sake of denominational unity is not commendable, but it is certainly not damnable."
That aside, it also needs to be noted that Dabney was involved in the slavery debate. Gnu is more in the know on that though.
Archie at 600
Nothing says protracted adolescence like "Archie Andrews". Say what you want about Doonesbury, at least all their primaries survived their respective Mid-Life crises. Now, when the plot starts to actually develop, we see Archie proposing -- to Veronica rather than Betty, indicating Archie's failure to cultivate a learning curve -- which explains why he's been in high school for six decades.
Still the story begins by displaying some higher order alertness, such as reference to Archie as a Peter Pan. But the integrity of the story seems more due to viscosity than to coherence. Finally proposing to either member of Archie's harem would be a groundswell -- if it were really happening. But unlike recent "demises" of Superman and Capt. America, Archie comics lets the cat out of the bag right away. Commit-o-phobic males should take note of what happens when you go down memory lane the wrong direction. You can't call that a spoiler.
The first comics I ever collected where Archie's at 15 cents each and I thought prices were excessive at 30 cents. But here's to a revisit to the land of denominational requirement, monoxidal jalopies, and all you can drink milk shakes, and more states.
Still the story begins by displaying some higher order alertness, such as reference to Archie as a Peter Pan. But the integrity of the story seems more due to viscosity than to coherence. Finally proposing to either member of Archie's harem would be a groundswell -- if it were really happening. But unlike recent "demises" of Superman and Capt. America, Archie comics lets the cat out of the bag right away. Commit-o-phobic males should take note of what happens when you go down memory lane the wrong direction. You can't call that a spoiler.
The first comics I ever collected where Archie's at 15 cents each and I thought prices were excessive at 30 cents. But here's to a revisit to the land of denominational requirement, monoxidal jalopies, and all you can drink milk shakes, and more states.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Connext 2009 Conference
I just want to publicize the 2009 Connext Conference. It is subtitled Convergence of Emerging South Asian Christian Leaders.
I personally do not view myself as any sort of a leader, but am planning on going since its only about 45 minutes from me.
I personally do not view myself as any sort of a leader, but am planning on going since its only about 45 minutes from me.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Was Jesus in India?
The Bible gives no up front account of where Jesus was during His teenage years and much of His twenties. So ppl wind up speculating all sorts of things. Yesterday, once again I came across the canard that Jesus was in India during those years, apparently, he learned much of His wisdom and ways while there in India. I want to comment on that now.
1) The first point is this - suppose Jesus was in India - then its simply not an important fact. For if it were an important fact, something good for our edification, then the Bible would have made mention of it.
2) This hoax was popularized by Nicholas Notovich, and further popularized by Elizabeth Clare Prophet who founded the Church Universal and Triumphant - a cult. New Agers are big on this also. Check out the wiki links and you see for yourself, if these folks count as a source of honest and reliable evidence.
2.1) Think about something else. If Notovitch is really right, then this is a discovery of astounding proportions. It is a major archeological find. Yet, no archeologist, Christian or secular seems to think that it is worthy of any attention. Why?
3) Suppose Jesus was in fact in India, learning from Buddhists and such, why do we see no mention of atman or brahman or karma? These are core concepts in eastern religions. Additionally, why don't we see Him teaching people how to meditate or use the sound "Om" ? These are all important, yet there is no mention.
4) On the flip side, why do we see no mention of such in Indian history books? Why is there literally no evidence for his being in India, apart from that of Notovich and his ilk? Archaeological? Historical? Zip.
4) Now consider Mark 6:1-5
~~~~
"Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
~~~~
4.1) The Bible says that Nazareth was Jesus' hometown. This is where He grew up. Notice that these people are familiar with who He was. That's actually what fuels their surprise and amazement. Jesus lived a quiet life among them for years. He was just in a working/learning mode. These people knew Him. They knew his family.
4.2) Notice they say "Where did this man get these things?" They don't say something like - Wow! He sure learned a lot in India? They don't ask - How can we also go to India? Instead they become angry at Him and in their unbelief will not go to Him with their needs, so that He could heal them.
*** Think about a friend that you had when you were say 13 years old, whom you have lost touch with. Suppose you go back to him or her either now or when you turn say... 30. Now, you tell this friend that you have become an engineer or whatever, made a big discovery, lots of money, bought a Ferrari? Will the friend say "Where did you get these things?" No - your friend will assume you went to college, studied, worked, made money, etc.
5) There is other stuff that can be said... for example,
5.1) John recognizes Jesus during his baptism. He says "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John knew Jesus practically from His birth. He knew Him, because he had spent time with him.
5.2) Jesus' calling of the disciples also says something. Although I cannot confirm it right now, (can't find the book that I need to look up). The people that Jesus called by saying "follow me" had some prior familiarity with him. It was not as if some stranger walked up to them, and said "follow me" and they dropped everything and followed Him.
5.3) Jesus came to fulfill all sorts of thing in the Old Testament. How could He have been doing this if a bulk, no a majority of His life was in India and abroad?
1) The first point is this - suppose Jesus was in India - then its simply not an important fact. For if it were an important fact, something good for our edification, then the Bible would have made mention of it.
2) This hoax was popularized by Nicholas Notovich, and further popularized by Elizabeth Clare Prophet who founded the Church Universal and Triumphant - a cult. New Agers are big on this also. Check out the wiki links and you see for yourself, if these folks count as a source of honest and reliable evidence.
2.1) Think about something else. If Notovitch is really right, then this is a discovery of astounding proportions. It is a major archeological find. Yet, no archeologist, Christian or secular seems to think that it is worthy of any attention. Why?
3) Suppose Jesus was in fact in India, learning from Buddhists and such, why do we see no mention of atman or brahman or karma? These are core concepts in eastern religions. Additionally, why don't we see Him teaching people how to meditate or use the sound "Om" ? These are all important, yet there is no mention.
4) On the flip side, why do we see no mention of such in Indian history books? Why is there literally no evidence for his being in India, apart from that of Notovich and his ilk? Archaeological? Historical? Zip.
4) Now consider Mark 6:1-5
~~~~
"Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
~~~~
4.1) The Bible says that Nazareth was Jesus' hometown. This is where He grew up. Notice that these people are familiar with who He was. That's actually what fuels their surprise and amazement. Jesus lived a quiet life among them for years. He was just in a working/learning mode. These people knew Him. They knew his family.
4.2) Notice they say "Where did this man get these things?" They don't say something like - Wow! He sure learned a lot in India? They don't ask - How can we also go to India? Instead they become angry at Him and in their unbelief will not go to Him with their needs, so that He could heal them.
*** Think about a friend that you had when you were say 13 years old, whom you have lost touch with. Suppose you go back to him or her either now or when you turn say... 30. Now, you tell this friend that you have become an engineer or whatever, made a big discovery, lots of money, bought a Ferrari? Will the friend say "Where did you get these things?" No - your friend will assume you went to college, studied, worked, made money, etc.
5) There is other stuff that can be said... for example,
5.1) John recognizes Jesus during his baptism. He says "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John knew Jesus practically from His birth. He knew Him, because he had spent time with him.
5.2) Jesus' calling of the disciples also says something. Although I cannot confirm it right now, (can't find the book that I need to look up). The people that Jesus called by saying "follow me" had some prior familiarity with him. It was not as if some stranger walked up to them, and said "follow me" and they dropped everything and followed Him.
5.3) Jesus came to fulfill all sorts of thing in the Old Testament. How could He have been doing this if a bulk, no a majority of His life was in India and abroad?
Friday, July 24, 2009
"God told me"
Something has been on my mind for a while... today I was studying in the bookstore, and God told me to blog about it. :-0
No. Really. I have issues with this "God told me" talk. I do not deny that at times, something happens in our lives, such that, our only explanation is "God told me". Yesterday I was listening to Tim Keller, and he jokingly said that God does not talk to Presbyterians. He then went on to say that there was a time when he was considering a certain issue, when a thought popped into his head, that could only have come from God. He was simply incapable of such a thought. "God told him".
I am sure that there are other stories like this, however, what I would like to say is that if these phenomena are veridical, then they are simply not normative. For if they were normative, then why read the Bible? Why consult the wise men of the church as regards a certain matter? Why even meditate on an issue or ponder the topic?
All that said, I want to lay out some issues I have with people using the phrase "God told me".
1. It makes non-Christians, immature Christians and new Christians feel at a loss in terms of their own communication to God - when they are not experiencing such. They may wonder why you have such a direct connect with God, while they are struggling.
2. It makes struggling Christians struggle even more. Sometimes, when we go through a painful trial, we ache over God apparent silence. Like the Psalmist we cry out for some whisper from Heaven, and all we seem to be getting in response is silence. And then ... and then along comes you and are like "Oh. God told me that... blah blah blah..."
3. It run the risk of elitist to the ears of some. I know people are well meaning when they say, "God told me", but it comes off as something elitist to some people. "Like... wow, that's not happening in my life. Are you suggesting that God likes you more than me?"
4. If God is speaking to you through the Bible, then saying something like, "I was reading the Psalms, and I felt God telling me ... " is much better than simply, "God told me", because it points the way forward for new Christians as to how one ought to seek out God's will. Moreover, this also gives credit to the Bible, the source of your thoughts.
5. I seem people use "God told me ..." in all sorts of shaky manipulative ways. One Pastor I knew of whose ministry had all sorts of shaky flaky things going on came out one fine morning and said "God told me to buy a Mercedes!"
In her book Quest for Love, Elizabeth Elliot talks about a guy who told this woman, that God told him, that she was to be his wife. The poor woman, started dating the guy, since she did not want to disobey God. The guy then suggested pre-marital sex, after all, what harm could there be, since they were to be married. The biblially uninformed girl consented, and the moment she slept with him, he dumped her. Adios.
6. In campus ministry, I have seen all sorts of shaky things. One of my friends walked up to another girl after an collegiate ministry event and said "God told me, that you are the one."
I think the real question here is "Did God tell you or did your hormones tell you this?"
I cant help this but ... I do not know how this girl responded, but a good reply would have been "God told me to tell you to get lost."
7. Another friend of mine from back in my campus days was talking on the phone with a girl, when suddenly he strongly sensed that God was telling him that she was the one. So he told her that. They started dating. The relationship was rocky and there were many red flags ... however God had told him that she was the one so they continued. They got married. The marriage was also rocky, and within less than a year, a divorce resulted. Did God tell him about that?
Now - my friend was as far as I can tell a good guy. He was not being manipulative or playing games. However we are told in 1 John 4:1 to "test the spirits".
8. One penultimate thing - I have seen situations where one person says "God told me that X is the way to go" and then another person comes up and says "God told me that X is NOT the way to go." Go figure. So did God say X is the way to go or X is the way not to go? What do we do with this?
9. Sometimes "God told me" is used in this final, categorical authoritative sort of a way such that to question the person saying it is tantamount to questioning God Himself. When a person says God told me we are not to question it. The matter is settled. The law of the land has been laid down. That is it!
"God told me to ... !"
"But ... but the Bible says that..."
"Whaaat? What? How dare you question me... err ... um... question God's ways?"
~~~~
Kapish kapish.
No. Really. I have issues with this "God told me" talk. I do not deny that at times, something happens in our lives, such that, our only explanation is "God told me". Yesterday I was listening to Tim Keller, and he jokingly said that God does not talk to Presbyterians. He then went on to say that there was a time when he was considering a certain issue, when a thought popped into his head, that could only have come from God. He was simply incapable of such a thought. "God told him".
I am sure that there are other stories like this, however, what I would like to say is that if these phenomena are veridical, then they are simply not normative. For if they were normative, then why read the Bible? Why consult the wise men of the church as regards a certain matter? Why even meditate on an issue or ponder the topic?
All that said, I want to lay out some issues I have with people using the phrase "God told me".
1. It makes non-Christians, immature Christians and new Christians feel at a loss in terms of their own communication to God - when they are not experiencing such. They may wonder why you have such a direct connect with God, while they are struggling.
2. It makes struggling Christians struggle even more. Sometimes, when we go through a painful trial, we ache over God apparent silence. Like the Psalmist we cry out for some whisper from Heaven, and all we seem to be getting in response is silence. And then ... and then along comes you and are like "Oh. God told me that... blah blah blah..."
3. It run the risk of elitist to the ears of some. I know people are well meaning when they say, "God told me", but it comes off as something elitist to some people. "Like... wow, that's not happening in my life. Are you suggesting that God likes you more than me?"
4. If God is speaking to you through the Bible, then saying something like, "I was reading the Psalms, and I felt God telling me ... " is much better than simply, "God told me", because it points the way forward for new Christians as to how one ought to seek out God's will. Moreover, this also gives credit to the Bible, the source of your thoughts.
5. I seem people use "God told me ..." in all sorts of shaky manipulative ways. One Pastor I knew of whose ministry had all sorts of shaky flaky things going on came out one fine morning and said "God told me to buy a Mercedes!"
In her book Quest for Love, Elizabeth Elliot talks about a guy who told this woman, that God told him, that she was to be his wife. The poor woman, started dating the guy, since she did not want to disobey God. The guy then suggested pre-marital sex, after all, what harm could there be, since they were to be married. The biblially uninformed girl consented, and the moment she slept with him, he dumped her. Adios.
6. In campus ministry, I have seen all sorts of shaky things. One of my friends walked up to another girl after an collegiate ministry event and said "God told me, that you are the one."
I think the real question here is "Did God tell you or did your hormones tell you this?"
I cant help this but ... I do not know how this girl responded, but a good reply would have been "God told me to tell you to get lost."
7. Another friend of mine from back in my campus days was talking on the phone with a girl, when suddenly he strongly sensed that God was telling him that she was the one. So he told her that. They started dating. The relationship was rocky and there were many red flags ... however God had told him that she was the one so they continued. They got married. The marriage was also rocky, and within less than a year, a divorce resulted. Did God tell him about that?
Now - my friend was as far as I can tell a good guy. He was not being manipulative or playing games. However we are told in 1 John 4:1 to "test the spirits".
8. One penultimate thing - I have seen situations where one person says "God told me that X is the way to go" and then another person comes up and says "God told me that X is NOT the way to go." Go figure. So did God say X is the way to go or X is the way not to go? What do we do with this?
9. Sometimes "God told me" is used in this final, categorical authoritative sort of a way such that to question the person saying it is tantamount to questioning God Himself. When a person says God told me we are not to question it. The matter is settled. The law of the land has been laid down. That is it!
"God told me to ... !"
"But ... but the Bible says that..."
"Whaaat? What? How dare you question me... err ... um... question God's ways?"
~~~~
Kapish kapish.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Longing for a Special Someone
*Note - In what I am about to post, I want to add some disclaimers. I just want to say that I am not a psychologist, social worker, pastor, counselor or something of that sort. Nor have I studied these sort of issues formally in depth. So take what I say with a grain of salt. Basically I am an overly introspective person, who spends too much time in solitude, analyzing either my thoughts or that of others.
Here and there, I will come across ppl who long for a special someone in their life - a significant other. Here and there, I myself go through phases where I long for someone and not long for someone.
If you have such struggles, here are some questions that I have for you?
Q1. How often are you spending time in isolation? How often are you by yourself? Is it solitude or isolation?
Q2. How often are you relating to people? Are there active ongoing healthy non-romantic relationships in your life? Here I am talking about live actual relationships. I mean people who are physically present in your life. Not someone you know through the internet out in some country somewhere or an old friend that you talk to once in a while every 6 months.
Q3. If you are actually relating to people, then I have this other question for you?
Are these quality relationships or are you simply discussing the weather and doing small talk? Are you really getting to know people? If its just small talk, then you are still in isolation?
Here is where I am going with this?
Part of the reason why we long for a special someone in our life, is because God has placed that in us. It may actually be a means by which He sanctifies us. For example, men tend to be filthy uncouth barbarians until this desire is awakened and then the need to impress someone arises. They do a bit of growing up then.
The problem arises when this desire becomes a consuming desire. Its all you think about.
When that happens, I think that we need to take a close look at the relationships in our life. We need to ask if we have any in the first place. And if so, we need to ask if they are real relationships? That is, are we really relating to people or is it just small talk or some kind of one dimensional talk (i.e. you only discuss work issues with friends at work).
I think that having healthy relationships in life goes a long way towards defraying this longing or ache for a special someone. You see in the end it is not about having a special connection with a special someone. It is about having substantive connections with a good group of people. Period. You will be surprised to see how far real relationships go in terms of making this longing subside. We are meant to be persons-in-relation... persons-in-communion. Yes. I think that there is something trinitarian going on here. (Are we inhering in one another just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit inhere in one another?)
To this also I would like to add one more thing. Look at your relationship to God also. Is it weak or intimate? Is Jesus Christ active in your life. In James it says, "draw near to me and I will draw near to you." Our vertical relationship with God will feed and constitute our horizontal relationships.
One more thing ... if you still find yourself struggling with this longing, and have all kinds of healthy relationships, take a look in your life and see if anyone is hectoring you about meeting a special someone. Asian parents are notorious for hectoring their kids about getting married and such. When this happens, don't fool yourself into thinking that you are struggling with a longing for someone. It's really about other people in your life and their issues. You simply need to make sure that you are in the right with God. His timing is the right timing.
C'est Ca.
Here and there, I will come across ppl who long for a special someone in their life - a significant other. Here and there, I myself go through phases where I long for someone and not long for someone.
If you have such struggles, here are some questions that I have for you?
Q1. How often are you spending time in isolation? How often are you by yourself? Is it solitude or isolation?
Q2. How often are you relating to people? Are there active ongoing healthy non-romantic relationships in your life? Here I am talking about live actual relationships. I mean people who are physically present in your life. Not someone you know through the internet out in some country somewhere or an old friend that you talk to once in a while every 6 months.
Q3. If you are actually relating to people, then I have this other question for you?
Are these quality relationships or are you simply discussing the weather and doing small talk? Are you really getting to know people? If its just small talk, then you are still in isolation?
Here is where I am going with this?
Part of the reason why we long for a special someone in our life, is because God has placed that in us. It may actually be a means by which He sanctifies us. For example, men tend to be filthy uncouth barbarians until this desire is awakened and then the need to impress someone arises. They do a bit of growing up then.
The problem arises when this desire becomes a consuming desire. Its all you think about.
When that happens, I think that we need to take a close look at the relationships in our life. We need to ask if we have any in the first place. And if so, we need to ask if they are real relationships? That is, are we really relating to people or is it just small talk or some kind of one dimensional talk (i.e. you only discuss work issues with friends at work).
I think that having healthy relationships in life goes a long way towards defraying this longing or ache for a special someone. You see in the end it is not about having a special connection with a special someone. It is about having substantive connections with a good group of people. Period. You will be surprised to see how far real relationships go in terms of making this longing subside. We are meant to be persons-in-relation... persons-in-communion. Yes. I think that there is something trinitarian going on here. (Are we inhering in one another just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit inhere in one another?)
To this also I would like to add one more thing. Look at your relationship to God also. Is it weak or intimate? Is Jesus Christ active in your life. In James it says, "draw near to me and I will draw near to you." Our vertical relationship with God will feed and constitute our horizontal relationships.
One more thing ... if you still find yourself struggling with this longing, and have all kinds of healthy relationships, take a look in your life and see if anyone is hectoring you about meeting a special someone. Asian parents are notorious for hectoring their kids about getting married and such. When this happens, don't fool yourself into thinking that you are struggling with a longing for someone. It's really about other people in your life and their issues. You simply need to make sure that you are in the right with God. His timing is the right timing.
C'est Ca.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Robert P. George on the Struggle Over Marriage
I think that the above Robert P. George interview is a worthy read.
Here is a clip that we know is all too true :
Another and far more insidious and brutal way in which many advocates of sexual liberalism deploy cultural power in the cause of redefining marriage is by depicting their opponents as bigots. Across the country, they have pursued a strategy of intimidation against anyone who dares to dissent from their position in a public way. Their appalling treatment of Carrie Prejean is merely one example. Their relentless personal attacks on her were designed to send a clear message to others who aspire to succeed in any area of public life, from beauty pageants to careers in journalism and politics: “If you oppose us, if you have the temerity to express support for the conjugal conception of marriage, we will smear you as a rube and a bigot, make your life hell, and do our best to ruin you.”
Here is a clip that we know is all too true :
Another and far more insidious and brutal way in which many advocates of sexual liberalism deploy cultural power in the cause of redefining marriage is by depicting their opponents as bigots. Across the country, they have pursued a strategy of intimidation against anyone who dares to dissent from their position in a public way. Their appalling treatment of Carrie Prejean is merely one example. Their relentless personal attacks on her were designed to send a clear message to others who aspire to succeed in any area of public life, from beauty pageants to careers in journalism and politics: “If you oppose us, if you have the temerity to express support for the conjugal conception of marriage, we will smear you as a rube and a bigot, make your life hell, and do our best to ruin you.”
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