Thursday
Wednesday
Collision of Lives
Great documentary showing respect while debating...
Also check out their book Is Christianity Good for the World?
Also check out their book Is Christianity Good for the World?
Friday
On Bioethics
A fundamental question for talking about bioethics, is: to what ethical code we are appealing?
between individuals and groups whose moral judgments conflict. We are merely left with
conflicting opinions." (Francis Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live? p. 145)
"[W]e can rationally discuss and argue with each other about right and wrong without
such judgments have equal validity. For to claim the latter logically leads one to the
bizarre judgment that Mother Teresa is no more and no less virtuous than Adolf Hitler." Frank Beckwith
In 1857, a certain controversial issue was starting to be debated. Dred Scott was being told by the court that he was not a citizen and therefore did not have certain rights. Lincoln called slavery a great evil, but Douglas replied each state should decide moral issues for themselves. Lincoln referenced Mark 3:25 in saying "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
If I may point out something. It has been said that slavery "fueled the economy" , but would we agree in hindsight this hardly justifies it?
Rep. Xavier Becerra pointed out in a recent interview that almost 500,000 new jobs were created in the health care sector since the passage of the Affordable Care. Is there the potential, that in hindsight, we will hardly find this a justiciation, as well?
In 1857, a certain controversial issue was starting to be debated. Dred Scott was being told by the court that he was not a citizen and therefore did not have certain rights. Lincoln called slavery a great evil, but Douglas replied each state should decide moral issues for themselves. Lincoln referenced Mark 3:25 in saying "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
If I may point out something. It has been said that slavery "fueled the economy" , but would we agree in hindsight this hardly justifies it?
Rep. Xavier Becerra pointed out in a recent interview that almost 500,000 new jobs were created in the health care sector since the passage of the Affordable Care. Is there the potential, that in hindsight, we will hardly find this a justiciation, as well?
"Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man"
Genesis 9:6
"Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter"
Provers 24:11
Genesis 9:6
"Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter"
Provers 24:11
"who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."
Romans 1:3
Thursday
Anything and Everything
"If Christianity should happen to be true - that is to say, if its God is the real God of the universe - then defending it may mean talking about anything and everything. Things can be irrelevant to the proposition that Christianity is false, but nothing can be irrelevant to the proposition that Christianity is true." - G.K. Chesterton
"All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made."
John 1:3
"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist"
Colossians 1:16- 17
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths"
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths"
Proverbs 3:5–6
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as ourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets"
Matthew 22:37-40
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God"
Romans 12:1–2
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy"
1 Peter 1:13–16
"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law"
Proverbs 29:18
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ"
2 Corinthians 10:4–5
On Pluralism
"You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve"
Matthew 4:10
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him"
John 3:36
"and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation"
John 5:29
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved"
Acts 4:12
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life"
1 John 5:12
But, why?
I was in Q&A session with a Muslim man who had converted from Islam to Christianity. When someone asked him about his family, he got choked up as he explained they still go months at a time without speaking. He simply explained that he was not going to be the one to lead his parents to Christianity, but that it would be us (as he pointed to the audience).
I would venture to think that some of us can relate to having someone in our life that will not hear truth from us, I would hope that we could encourage each other and tag team this one. Why do I think evangelizing is important? For the same reason I desperately want the ones I love to experience freedom.
Have we ever stopped to ponder the possibility that someone might actually want and desire to hear the truth of complete love and freedom and life? Do we believe this is where the Bible leads? How can we keep this to ourself? Do we keep awesome Groupons to ourself? Do we keep free concerts to ourself? Do we keep funny youtube videos to ourself?
"To [one side] He says, He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.' And to [the other] 'If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.' To all of us, He says, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross.'" - Janey Cheaney
I would venture to think that some of us can relate to having someone in our life that will not hear truth from us, I would hope that we could encourage each other and tag team this one. Why do I think evangelizing is important? For the same reason I desperately want the ones I love to experience freedom.
"It never dawned on these people that my pain was a very real cry to be whole, to be well. A 15-year old crying out for love, and getting instead an empty excuse for healing, empty words that said, 'there are no absolutes,' 'lose your inhibition,' 'experiment with your sexuality.' Think about it...at fifteen, confused and alone, what effect would those words have?...You see, I was one of those children... And I am one of the lucky ones...I got out alive."
Jeff (Open Letter from a Survivor)
Have we ever stopped to ponder the possibility that someone might actually want and desire to hear the truth of complete love and freedom and life? Do we believe this is where the Bible leads? How can we keep this to ourself? Do we keep awesome Groupons to ourself? Do we keep free concerts to ourself? Do we keep funny youtube videos to ourself?
"To [one side] He says, He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.' And to [the other] 'If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.' To all of us, He says, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross.'" - Janey Cheaney
End Goal
I remember in middle school, hearing someone pointing out how Christianity had so many rules, and were implying how God made up all these rules as if he had no reason besides to test us or something. I really believed God must have had a good reason, but did not have alot of scripture memorized nor the skill to articulate very well.
I remember learning that God prohibited Jews from eating pork, and that at that time there was not really a good system for getting rid of all of the bacteria in pork. In my 6th grade mind, I thought - "Hey that's a pretty good reason. I bet God actually has good reasons for his commandments".
I came across the following verse while living in Prague in 2009:
I remember learning that God prohibited Jews from eating pork, and that at that time there was not really a good system for getting rid of all of the bacteria in pork. In my 6th grade mind, I thought - "Hey that's a pretty good reason. I bet God actually has good reasons for his commandments".
I came across the following verse while living in Prague in 2009:
"And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day"
Deuteronomy 6:24
I have been challenging my sophomore girls, and myself along side them, to know how to articulate issues from a secular, or even anti-Christian perspective. The answer is not always only that the Bible says so (don't eat pork), or Jesus tells me in my heart (conviction), but can also be "hey, this will make you sick".
We will not always be surrounded by people who share our belief the Bible is true. We will also not always be surrounded by people who share our belief that Jesus is Lord. Could we possible start from a point of Truth and Goodness, keeping in mind people have a bad taste in their mouth of "God" and "Christianity" no matter how innacurate it might be?
Take an issue maybe more controversial than eating pork. Abortion, poverty, government, economics, education, religion. Are we educating ourselves to know the actualy issues, or are we crossing our arms and saying "Lalala I'm not listening to you, the Bible says this". But what this verse is saying, is that the Bible is telling us this for our good. Do we believe that? That it's not just a test that some are failing and we are arogantly showing that we aren't?
Most of what we do will have been done in vain if we are not keeping the end goal in mind, letting that drive us rather than the drive itself. Are we out to fill our broken world with really good people? Or is our aim each individual person experiencing God's goodness and recognizing their desire and need for Him.?Are we eagerly searching for these opportunities to help them make the connection? Are we living a life reflecting God's goodness in our relationships?
I love what Jeff Ventilla says about living piously and competently. Are we competent on these issues, or have we just been told "we as Christians disagree with them".
Application of this in my life, has been in regards to other religions. I know Christianity is true, and therefore if another relition contradicts it, it is not true. But do I know where it contradicts? Have a really studied to see what is contradicting? Would this not be a necessity if I am to ever to approach an intentional conversation with this person?
Absolute Truth
There is a belief that there is no such thing as absolute truth. That two people could define truth in totally conflicting ways, but both could still be correct. This would imply that there are no absolute standards that apply to everybody in all situations.
Let's just think about that for a minute... I am starting to get a really chaotic and dangerous picture in mind. You?
Let's just think about that for a minute... I am starting to get a really chaotic and dangerous picture in mind. You?
"How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him"
1 Kings 18:21
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me' "
John 14:6
"When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth"
John 16:13
"For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has show it to them"
Romans 1:18-32
"He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He"
Deuteronomy 32:4
Wednesday
The Unborn
Approximately 126,000 abortions are performed worldwide each day
Approximately 46 million abortions are performed worldwide each year
I think it is easy to become defensive to religious, or other "pro-life" organizations, when debating various issues regarding the unborn (or now, recently born). As a "pro-life" supporter, I would like to be given the chance to explain what I believe, hence the quotations around pro-life.
I am supportive of the life of the conceived, in the same way I am for the life of an adult. I am for choice, in the same way I am for free-will and the assuming of responsibility when the wrong choice is made.
So what is the wrong choice? Well let me begin that discussion with another question, why is murder wrong? Granted, most people do not equate abortion with murder, so I think this is where the conversation must start.
I will define murder as the premeditated ending of the life of one human being, by another. What is life? If it is full maturity, then can you honestly say the punishment for homicide should not be applied to all tweens who does not meet this arbitrary standard? If it is dependency, can you honestly say a set of full grown conjoined twins do not have the right to continue living, or one of them does not? If it is when they are recognizable as human, lets take the issue back to day 70 after conception when they have a recognizable face, or day 45 when they have identifiable arms and legs. But then what of full grown mature adults who have been involved in tragic events leaving them unrecognizable? If it is mental function, then lets take the issue back to day 40 when brain waves are detected. What about people who develop Alzheimers? If it is a hearbeat, then lets take the issue back to day 30 when the heart starts beating. But what of those people who have heart attacks, why help them? Is is uniqueness, provided that on the day of conception all 46 chromosomes are present - does one of identical twins no longer have the right to live?
The majority of abortions are preformed between the seventh and tenth weeks.
If we can agree on the fact that at conception, that the embryo is in fact a person, can the argument still be made that it is solely the mother's body in question?
Before addressing why abortion inducing drugs (which are not in fact contraceptives) should be provided or not, I really am curious the easy availability of them is pushed before the information regarding the whole truth about them. In an article published on March 19th, a congresswoman explained that providing did not equal promoting. I would agree that it does not directly equal promoting, but if definitly does not promote accountability. If these abortion inducing drugs are available in vending machines, or any method which does not require any level of informedness, how is that not: the promotion of ignorant abortions? Maybe I am wrong, but it seems that the mere knowledge that women are lacking could potentially solve so much of the problem.
Approximately 46 million abortions are performed worldwide each year
I think it is easy to become defensive to religious, or other "pro-life" organizations, when debating various issues regarding the unborn (or now, recently born). As a "pro-life" supporter, I would like to be given the chance to explain what I believe, hence the quotations around pro-life.
I am supportive of the life of the conceived, in the same way I am for the life of an adult. I am for choice, in the same way I am for free-will and the assuming of responsibility when the wrong choice is made.
So what is the wrong choice? Well let me begin that discussion with another question, why is murder wrong? Granted, most people do not equate abortion with murder, so I think this is where the conversation must start.
I will define murder as the premeditated ending of the life of one human being, by another. What is life? If it is full maturity, then can you honestly say the punishment for homicide should not be applied to all tweens who does not meet this arbitrary standard? If it is dependency, can you honestly say a set of full grown conjoined twins do not have the right to continue living, or one of them does not? If it is when they are recognizable as human, lets take the issue back to day 70 after conception when they have a recognizable face, or day 45 when they have identifiable arms and legs. But then what of full grown mature adults who have been involved in tragic events leaving them unrecognizable? If it is mental function, then lets take the issue back to day 40 when brain waves are detected. What about people who develop Alzheimers? If it is a hearbeat, then lets take the issue back to day 30 when the heart starts beating. But what of those people who have heart attacks, why help them? Is is uniqueness, provided that on the day of conception all 46 chromosomes are present - does one of identical twins no longer have the right to live?
The majority of abortions are preformed between the seventh and tenth weeks.
If we can agree on the fact that at conception, that the embryo is in fact a person, can the argument still be made that it is solely the mother's body in question?
"The fact that restricting access to abortion has tragic side effects does not, in itself, show that the restrictions are unjustified, since murder is wrong regardless of the consequences of prohibiting it.
The appeal to the right to control one's body, which is generally construed as a property right, is at best a rather feeble argument for the permissibility of abortion. Mere ownership does not give me the right to kill innocent people whom I find on my property, and indeed I am apt to be held responsible if such people injure themselves while on my property. It is equally unclear that I have any moral right to expel an innocent person from my property whenI know that doing so will result in his death." Mary Anne Warren
“I was horrified that the ‘products of conception’ and ‘tissue’ I had ‘removed from my uterus’ had had precious little hands and feet and a beating heart,” she said. “I felt like a monster. And I felt betrayed by the medical professionals I had trusted.” - Lisa Skowron
In a previous post I referenced an article which pointed out that narrowing the scope of personhood leads to tyranny and suffering as we saw in the Roman Empire, American slavery, and Nazi programs.
I would really like to not be labelled as a conspiracy theorist, but more so I do not want to be ignorant. Even more so I do not want to leave this kind of a place to my children, if in fact it is through someone the Lord wants to do something.
"Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them." Psalm 139:16
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5
"If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him;
and he shall pay as the judges determine.
But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life"
Exodus 21:22-23
On Bioethics
I will not atempt to paraphrase the above article, it would not do it justice. So read it.
"The fact that we have human rights doesn’t entail that the state is there to ensure that we live: rather, they are there to safeguard us from the deliberate and intentional taking of our lives by another human person" Matt Anderson
Tuesday
Abolition of Man
"regarded as prophecy for today’s bio-ethical conversations" Michael Reneau
"Each new power won by man is a power over man as well...For the power of Man to make himself what he pleases means, as we have seen, the power of some men to make other men what they please" Pg 58-59
Evidence That Demans a Verdict
I am currently reading this book, and it is oh so much fun.
I was given it as a reference by Dr. Robert Linden, a Christian leadership speaker who has worked with DTS on a Leadership Training Institute. In the couple conversations I had with Bob, he helped me focus and "flesh out" my thoughts on the Bible Study I was leading. We both thought a good place to start, would be talk about how we got this book we would be learning from. If the Word is our foundation, and to where we refer our questions/answers, let's talk about the reasons we can rely on it ... hence the reference to this book.
I have sense heard a few of his lectures of leadership, paying special attention to the attitude. If you ever have a chance to read/hear/meet him, I suggest you do.
Monday
Christian Philisophy
"The task of showing the relevance of the Christian realistic philosophy to a world is one which requires eternal vigilance" Dr. Young
"Now faith [most solid possible conviction] is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence [divine assurance] of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1
"Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind"
Matthew 22:37
"For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."
1 Corinthians 2:10-12
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hears, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you" 1 Peter 3:15
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God"
Romans 12:2–3
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ"
Colossians 2:8
"but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God"
1 Corinthians 1:23
Understanding the Times
"a worldview should contain a particular perspective regarding each of the following ten disciplines: theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, sociology, law, politics, economics, and history,"David Noebel, (Understanding the Times p.8).
Dr Noebel roots his book in 1 Chronicles 12:23-37, specifically verse 32, " of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command"
In his book, he goes through each category and explains shows the perspectives of the 6 major worldviews views.
Dr Noebel roots his book in 1 Chronicles 12:23-37, specifically verse 32, " of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command"
In his book, he goes through each category and explains shows the perspectives of the 6 major worldviews views.
Political Antinomianism
Antinomianism has been defined as" Opposed to or denying the fixed meaning or universal applicability of moral law
"If while evangelizing we abandon the sociopolitical realm to its own devices, we shall
fortify the misimpression that the public order falls wholly outside the command and will
of God, that Christianity deals with private concerns only; and we shall conceal the fact
that government exists by God's will as His servant for the sake of justice and order." Carl F.H. Henry, Twilight of a Great Civilization, (Westchester, IL: Crossway, 1988), p. 20.
.....
"Legislation is forged in the meeting point between the way things ought to be and the way they currently are" says Matt Anderson
But what about the way things "ought to be"? Legislation in and or itself does not provide the foundation for this. We cannot disagree with the need for the existence of laws, we recognize we are sinfull people. We cannot continuing debating individual laws, without appealing to the code to which they are set out to hold us accountable.
We need to be super sensitive to the potential problem that is created when humans (being sinfull) are in positions of power. Not only can they try to blur what the foundation is for laws, but they can create and/or support laws which in fact contradict with the code to which they are set under in the first place.
"One of the most startling commentaries on this century is the fact that millions more
have died at the hands of their own governments than in wars with other nations—all to
preserve someone's power." Chuck Colson, Kingdoms in Conflict, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987), p. 270.
preserve someone's power." Chuck Colson, Kingdoms in Conflict, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987), p. 270.
As Christians, do we or do we not agree that there is absolutle truth? That truth is not relative? Is this not the code to which laws should appeal?
"By raising segregation and racial persecution to the ethical level of law, it puts into practice the antinomian rules of Orwell's world. Evil becomes good, inhumanity is interpreted as charity, egoism as compassion" (Elie Wiesel).
The Church Body
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood"
Acts 20:28
"that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places"
Ephesians: 3:6–10
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it"
1 Corinthians 12:4–26
{Emphasis my own}
"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector"
Matthew 18:15–17
"But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person"
"But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person"
1 Corinthians 5:11
Thursday
The Fallicy of Self-Refutation
Nothing must be admitted as true without empirical verification...what's the empirical verification for that statement?
Nothing can be known with certainty....are you certain?
All truth is subjective opinion...is that statement your subjective opinion?
There are no absolutes...are you absolutly sure?
Truth does not exist...is this true?
Everything should be questioned and doubted until it is proved...I doubt this, can you please prove?
I believe in nothing... do you believe that?
Words convey no meaning--only deeds convey meaning...so those words have no meaning?
Nothing can be known with certainty....are you certain?
All truth is subjective opinion...is that statement your subjective opinion?
There are no absolutes...are you absolutly sure?
Truth does not exist...is this true?
Everything should be questioned and doubted until it is proved...I doubt this, can you please prove?
I believe in nothing... do you believe that?
Words convey no meaning--only deeds convey meaning...so those words have no meaning?
Tuesday
On Partisanship
Stumbled across an article I found interesting after some recent debate regarding the HHS mandate,
Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Eric Metaxes and Tim Keller "Fireside Chat"
"The curse of God is the curse of free will" - Tim Keller
"Hell is the greatest monument to free will there ever will be" - C.S. Lewis
"The judgement thing doesn't work unless you are trule filled with love for the people" - Tim Keller
Eric Metaxas and Tim Keller "Fireside Chat" from Brian McGee on Vimeo.
Thursday
Mere Christianity
Love this book. First one that helped my to atriculate all of the Truths I believed. It is probably the first book I suggest to people for a good read, or for apologetics. So GET IT
* The name Christians was first given to Antioch (Acts 11:26) to 'the disciples', to those who accepted the teaching of the apostles. {Can we please start using this in the proper sense? No more of this "I'm a Christian because I go to Church with my parents" and "I hate those Christians we do this in that" when those things aren't of Christian doctrine.}
Lewis starts from a completely objective point of view, and addresses some of the questions we wrestle with as humans. He helps to show, from each of these questions presented, what the actual truth is.
Most of the time, these truths leads to other questions, but there is now a foundation to work with. He logically builds truth on top of truth. He presents the answers that Christianity offers, as well as speaking from the other points of view of what else is offered. He helps us to see the contradictions and empty arguments.
Now when I say truth, I am of course referring to an absolute truth, which I think it sad that the distinction should be made. Be definition, a truth is an absolute truth, anything not absolute is merely a perspective. There is no "my truth verses your truth"
I have found that some approach Christianity, is if it were on a list of religions to choose from. This idea that there is no absolute truth, and as long as you choose (and I would argue "not-choosing" is choosing a religion in and of itself, more on this later) one of them, who is to say you're wrong?
A simple quote from his book which I love "... as if 'religion' were something God invented, and not His statement to us of certain quite unalterable facts about His own nature."
What are your thoughts? Does this resonate with you?
* The name Christians was first given to Antioch (Acts 11:26) to 'the disciples', to those who accepted the teaching of the apostles. {Can we please start using this in the proper sense? No more of this "I'm a Christian because I go to Church with my parents" and "I hate those Christians we do this in that" when those things aren't of Christian doctrine.}
Lewis starts from a completely objective point of view, and addresses some of the questions we wrestle with as humans. He helps to show, from each of these questions presented, what the actual truth is.
Most of the time, these truths leads to other questions, but there is now a foundation to work with. He logically builds truth on top of truth. He presents the answers that Christianity offers, as well as speaking from the other points of view of what else is offered. He helps us to see the contradictions and empty arguments.
Now when I say truth, I am of course referring to an absolute truth, which I think it sad that the distinction should be made. Be definition, a truth is an absolute truth, anything not absolute is merely a perspective. There is no "my truth verses your truth"
I have found that some approach Christianity, is if it were on a list of religions to choose from. This idea that there is no absolute truth, and as long as you choose (and I would argue "not-choosing" is choosing a religion in and of itself, more on this later) one of them, who is to say you're wrong?
A simple quote from his book which I love "... as if 'religion' were something God invented, and not His statement to us of certain quite unalterable facts about His own nature."
What are your thoughts? Does this resonate with you?
Knowledge
"Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge"
Psalm 19:2
"For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding"
Proverbs 2:6
"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge"
Proverbs 18:15
"And it is my prayer that your love may about more and more, with knowledge and all discernment"
Philippians 1:9
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"
Hosea 4:6
Kony 2012
A more current example regarding Kony where " the United States took that kind of action because the people demanded it. Not for self defence, but because it was right."
KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
This isn't finished. "In order for him to be arrested this year, the Ugandan military has to find him. For this to happen, the Us Govenment has deployed advisors to help with the use of technology that will assist in finding him. However, if they do not believe that we care about arresting Kony, the mission will be cancelled. In order to care, they have to know."
Their has been some controversy over this video... that "the notion that a group of young Americans utterly disconnected from Uganda, save through the giving of small sums and a general feeling of sentimentality toward Africa, can stop a war there is laughable" (Jake Meador, A Failure of Storytelling: Kony 2012 and the Social Imagination).
There have been some other good points raised, that this would be an unconstitutional use of the US. Military, and that it would be economically irresponsible. Can we really afford to invest in this conflict, and is this the most responsible thing we can do?
Ugandan Leader Norbert Mao on KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
I do not have the whole answer, but I can draw off of what I do know. God has called us to care for the "least of these" Matthew 25 31-46 . I know that to sit and do nothing is not acceptable. We may not have the best answer, but with Prayer I would hope we would be given discernment and wisodm.
As Matthew Anderson of Mere Othodoxy says, "their video...challenges young people to get involved in something bigger than themselves, and seeks justice for the top international criminal in the world. That is something we should be proud of"
**For more reading and a great reference, A Brief Kony Reading List
What are your thoughts?
KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
This isn't finished. "In order for him to be arrested this year, the Ugandan military has to find him. For this to happen, the Us Govenment has deployed advisors to help with the use of technology that will assist in finding him. However, if they do not believe that we care about arresting Kony, the mission will be cancelled. In order to care, they have to know."
Their has been some controversy over this video... that "the notion that a group of young Americans utterly disconnected from Uganda, save through the giving of small sums and a general feeling of sentimentality toward Africa, can stop a war there is laughable" (Jake Meador, A Failure of Storytelling: Kony 2012 and the Social Imagination).
There have been some other good points raised, that this would be an unconstitutional use of the US. Military, and that it would be economically irresponsible. Can we really afford to invest in this conflict, and is this the most responsible thing we can do?
Ugandan Leader Norbert Mao on KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
I do not have the whole answer, but I can draw off of what I do know. God has called us to care for the "least of these" Matthew 25 31-46 . I know that to sit and do nothing is not acceptable. We may not have the best answer, but with Prayer I would hope we would be given discernment and wisodm.
As Matthew Anderson of Mere Othodoxy says, "their video...challenges young people to get involved in something bigger than themselves, and seeks justice for the top international criminal in the world. That is something we should be proud of"
**For more reading and a great reference, A Brief Kony Reading List
What are your thoughts?
Wednesday
Is neutrality an option?
It has been said that the University platform is often more influential that the Church pulpit... and that if we are not investing in the future, people with alternative worldviews will.
Blasphemy has been defined as 1) denying of God what is true 2) ascribing to God what is false. This is in essence idolatry, which the Bible takes very seriously. In Exodus 20:3, God gave Moses the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me."
There is a term called FALLACY OF EQUIVOCATION, which occurs when a word is used in two different contexts and is assumed to have the same meaning in both contexts, when distinct meanings ought to be preferred.
[ As a little experiment, I have ask the question "was President Clinton impeached?" to people my age or older who were very familiar with this particular piece of history. Most said "No, he served his full two terms." I reply "I realize that, but that was not my question. I asked if he was impeached" to which they give me a blank stare. To impeach means to bring an accusation against. I do not think anyone is denying that President Clinton has accusations brought against him.]
Pseudo Christians, or what some refer to as cults, often "use Christian vocabulary, but not a biblical dictionary." (Kevin Bywater). This is sometimes done intentionally, which Paul talked about in 2 Corinthians 11:12-15. However, how many people are deceived and led astray unknowingly?
This brings me to 2 Timothy 2: 23-26,
So, the title of the post: is neutrality really even an option? Can we really just sit back with our ticket to Heaven?
In a time where our world was in need of some serious reconciliation, William Wilberforce was a social reformer. His epitaph as follows:
Blasphemy has been defined as 1) denying of God what is true 2) ascribing to God what is false. This is in essence idolatry, which the Bible takes very seriously. In Exodus 20:3, God gave Moses the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me."
There is a term called FALLACY OF EQUIVOCATION, which occurs when a word is used in two different contexts and is assumed to have the same meaning in both contexts, when distinct meanings ought to be preferred.
[ As a little experiment, I have ask the question "was President Clinton impeached?" to people my age or older who were very familiar with this particular piece of history. Most said "No, he served his full two terms." I reply "I realize that, but that was not my question. I asked if he was impeached" to which they give me a blank stare. To impeach means to bring an accusation against. I do not think anyone is denying that President Clinton has accusations brought against him.]
Pseudo Christians, or what some refer to as cults, often "use Christian vocabulary, but not a biblical dictionary." (Kevin Bywater). This is sometimes done intentionally, which Paul talked about in 2 Corinthians 11:12-15. However, how many people are deceived and led astray unknowingly?
This brings me to 2 Timothy 2: 23-26,
"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will"
Because I just got a new Study Bible , I'll just go ahead and point out "able to teach" means "convict and encourage godliness". This goes hand in hand with emphasizing gentleness and patience. We are not teaching for the sake of being right, but rather to help our brothers and sisters "come to their senses".
Some (let's be honest, everyone) have questioned, why Evangelism is important if God is Sovereign? (Good news, J. I. Packer read your mind and wrote Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God)
Now I whole-heartedly believe in the Sovereignty of God, but what if he wants to use us (by showing them the truth) in order that they may have that Peace sooner than later? ["if" being the key word here, this is just my personal thought] What would this look like? How could this potentially change our world? Not by our power/strength/plan, but because God is granting them repentance and we're right there waiting to show them the scriptures - encouraging them to see the true attributes of Yahweh. (The alternative, being to allow deceitful teachers come in and teach them false attributes and therefore point them to a false god.)
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
[ "Reconciliation" katallosso = catalyst: an agent that creates a reaction. "World" kosmos = cosmos: the order of all things. "Ambassador" presbeuo = elder: A person who brings maturity and balance into an immature and chaotic situation ]
In a time where our world was in need of some serious reconciliation, William Wilberforce was a social reformer. His epitaph as follows:
"In an age and county fertile, In great and good man,
He was among the foremost of those who fixed the character of their times,
because to high and various talents, to warm benevolene, and to universal candour,
he added the abiding eloquence of a Christian life."
In the world but not of the world
A few years ago, my wonderful mother was convicted to glorify God with her mind, not only her heart soul and strength (Matthew 22:37) I discovered a love for reading and learning as she passed books/studies/ideas along to me, while at the same time discovering many questions.
The questions came from unproven ideas I had always accepted as Truth. In hindsight, I thank God for the Peace that I had, keeping these issues from compromising my Faith. However, I knew the argument of "Jesus told me in my heart" could only go so far when pointing others to Truth.
"We must live both piously and competently" says Jeff Ventrella of the Alliance Defense Fund. We are not called to argue, are not to expect others to put their Faith in the Lord based solely on appologetics. However, as 2 Timothy 2:22-26 [which is completely rocking my world right now] points out, we are to humble correct those in opposition, so that they may know they truth. God is the one granting repentance to them.
As Jeff says, "we can give enough apologetics to clear the path, then get back to the Gospel."
The questions came from unproven ideas I had always accepted as Truth. In hindsight, I thank God for the Peace that I had, keeping these issues from compromising my Faith. However, I knew the argument of "Jesus told me in my heart" could only go so far when pointing others to Truth.
"We must live both piously and competently" says Jeff Ventrella of the Alliance Defense Fund. We are not called to argue, are not to expect others to put their Faith in the Lord based solely on appologetics. However, as 2 Timothy 2:22-26 [which is completely rocking my world right now] points out, we are to humble correct those in opposition, so that they may know they truth. God is the one granting repentance to them.
As Jeff says, "we can give enough apologetics to clear the path, then get back to the Gospel."
The Church
"To be a part of the church of Jesus Christ, as Jesus defined it, is to be a part of a spiritual legislative body tasked to enact heaven's viewpoint in hell's society"- Dr. Tony Evans
Sound a little harsh?
The Revelation of the Church is found in Matthew 16:18 - "And I also say to you, that you are Peter, and on the rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
"Peter" (Petros = small stone)
"Rock" (petra = foundation boulder)
"the gates of Hades" (Literal location in Caesarea Philippi (sin city) where shrines were built to other gods)
Jesus had taken his disciples on a 32 mile walk to have this talk. They are now standing in front of the center of worship to false gods. Is Jesus showing showing them where he wanted them to build His Church? In locations where God is not even known? In locations where worship to other gods is happening?
Where are these locations God is calling us to build or engage in His Church? The Church is a representative body, and therefore by it's very nature should be engaging in society. The Kingdom of God is powerful and will affect every aspect of society.
Sound a little harsh?
The Revelation of the Church is found in Matthew 16:18 - "And I also say to you, that you are Peter, and on the rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
"Peter" (Petros = small stone)
"Rock" (petra = foundation boulder)
"the gates of Hades" (Literal location in Caesarea Philippi (sin city) where shrines were built to other gods)
Jesus had taken his disciples on a 32 mile walk to have this talk. They are now standing in front of the center of worship to false gods. Is Jesus showing showing them where he wanted them to build His Church? In locations where God is not even known? In locations where worship to other gods is happening?
Where are these locations God is calling us to build or engage in His Church? The Church is a representative body, and therefore by it's very nature should be engaging in society. The Kingdom of God is powerful and will affect every aspect of society.
Tuesday
On Bonhoeffer
For the sake a organizing, remembering, and capping...I'll be filling the next few posts with regards to the Conference with Summit Ministries in Colorado Springs, at Glen Eyrie.
Our first speaker was Eric Metaxas , author of Bonhoeffer and Amazing Grace ... I also learned out about Socrates in the City which I cannot wait to get my hands on.
Some of my favorite quotes from the famous German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
“I'm still discovering, right up to this moment, that it is only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith. I mean living unreservedly in life's duties, problems, successes and failures, experiences and perplexities. In so doing, we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God.”
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
I don't want to ruin it for you, so check out the video below...
An Evening with Eric Metaxas from Woodmen Valley Chapel on Vimeo.
A few weeks earlier, Eric had a chance to speak at the Nation Prayer Breakfast, in front of all of our political leaders. Check it out here.
Our first speaker was Eric Metaxas , author of Bonhoeffer and Amazing Grace ... I also learned out about Socrates in the City which I cannot wait to get my hands on.
Some of my favorite quotes from the famous German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
“I'm still discovering, right up to this moment, that it is only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith. I mean living unreservedly in life's duties, problems, successes and failures, experiences and perplexities. In so doing, we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God.”
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
I don't want to ruin it for you, so check out the video below...
An Evening with Eric Metaxas from Woodmen Valley Chapel on Vimeo.
A few weeks earlier, Eric had a chance to speak at the Nation Prayer Breakfast, in front of all of our political leaders. Check it out here.
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