Like in every generation in the past 2000 years, we (including myself) have a fascination with echatological matters. Despite the numerous apocalyptical texts (with of course John's considered Biblical), and the numerous references Jesus Himself made, it is still Paul's understanding of the end times that is perhaps the most discussed. It is not uninteresting that Paul's letters include descriptions that have palpable tension within itself. Most theologians agree Paul drew on his understanding of end times from the Jewish texts he was familiar with as the outstanding Jew he was. However removed eschatology can seem to our everyday lives, Paul had to deal with early church communities who contained people who were literally quitting their jobs in anticipation of Jesus' imminent return.
Fast forward 2000 years later. A literal return of Jesus has still not occurred. If we try to ignore the path of self-destruction humans seem to be on, it is an interesting question whether so much time will pass that humans will literally evolve to a more sophisticated being, before the end of humanity.
I haven't fully grasped the theological implications that go along with this question, but this is a much less science-fiction question than what is often discussed now, that is, the theological implications if we find complex life on another planet.
My knee-jerk reaction is it doesn't really matter that much if we actually evolve further, but much more relevant is would evolution contain some sort of move to a higher love state than what humans are capable now? This would seem likely to me, since we would expect to evolve to be more Christ-like, more like God.
I would be interested to here from others on this topic, because it is a point that I think should be discussed more than it is now.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Are Christians better lovers and patriots? You bet.
"The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained." George Washington
"In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me." Woody Guthrie
"Our culture is superior.Our culture is superior because our religion is Christianity and that is the truth that makes men free." Pat Buchanan
No doubt, as the United States elections start to heat up this Fall, the future of this country will once again be on the minds of men and women. The economy, the wars overseas, guns, same-sex marriage, (which by the way, should be legal in every state) will be the talk of the country. But, from the Christian perspective, is there any solution to the problems of this country, or have we gone too far away from the principles and beliefs that this country was founded on that today secular America has done such a good job of misrepresenting and sweeping under the mat?
The problems that have overtaken this country are central to the atheism movement that has, in parallel, taken over this country. As Christians, we should have little doubt about that.
The main problem for the remnant of Christians that are here today is this country will continue to deteriorate, as we have now cast aside our Creator in almost every way. Autonomy is the greatest and most historically persevered sin, since human beings emerged in this world with the imago dei. Now pluralism and humanism are the norm; Jesus Christ is part of a small and diminishing population of peoples in this country. Indeed, these are the end times the Bible so accurately predicted.
In my every day, I go to work with only a sparse number of Christians at my side (though I will say, the few that are there, are strong, robust and fruit-bearing Christians, which I am immeasurably blessed to be acquainted with here, and love from the bottom of my heart). When I go "home-home" (where I grew up), I am again surrounded by a very small minority of Christians (I only know of a handful of Christians in my family/friend-circle at home). When I turn on the TV, read the news online, or turn on talk radio, it is all the same. I think we would be optimistic if we thought more than 5% of Americans today were true Christians. (That should be frightening to those of us raising families).
While God has used this diversity surrounding me to strengthen my faith to a point of certainty that I thought to be unattainable, and to also improve my ability to relate and reach the dead for Christ, I cannot help but wonder, as we approach another presidential election season, when will God give up on our country that once so boldly proclaimed Christ, from even "the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters"?
I think the remaining Christians in this country need to do the two things only Christians, and not any other people, can do: love with genuine, God-given, humble love, and pray. Pray for the repentance of this country. We are the only ones that truly know what it means to be free -- when we pray for repentance we aren't simply praying for terrible disaster, but for eyes and hearts to be open to our God-given right to be free. From man, and from the supernatural chains that separate non-believers from their Creator.
I am convinced, this is our only hope for this country. Not Obama, Palin, Romney or a rebounding economy. Repentance towards Jesus Christ is this country's only hope. And, as the history of mankind will clearly reveal, prosperity leads away from God, while disaster, heartache-- and everything that goes along with the reminder that we are the helpless created -- bring people back to Christ. (A cursory survey of the current Christian population in this world is evidence of this as well).
And as Christians, we are the only ones that can ask the Creator, within the scope of His Will, to grant this repentance to this country. For those of us that are in very pedestrian positions and have limited ability to contribute to American patriotism, this may be our greatest opportunity to be patriots. And a pretty good opportunity to be Christians, as well.
"In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me." Woody Guthrie
"Our culture is superior.Our culture is superior because our religion is Christianity and that is the truth that makes men free." Pat Buchanan
No doubt, as the United States elections start to heat up this Fall, the future of this country will once again be on the minds of men and women. The economy, the wars overseas, guns, same-sex marriage, (which by the way, should be legal in every state) will be the talk of the country. But, from the Christian perspective, is there any solution to the problems of this country, or have we gone too far away from the principles and beliefs that this country was founded on that today secular America has done such a good job of misrepresenting and sweeping under the mat?
The problems that have overtaken this country are central to the atheism movement that has, in parallel, taken over this country. As Christians, we should have little doubt about that.
The main problem for the remnant of Christians that are here today is this country will continue to deteriorate, as we have now cast aside our Creator in almost every way. Autonomy is the greatest and most historically persevered sin, since human beings emerged in this world with the imago dei. Now pluralism and humanism are the norm; Jesus Christ is part of a small and diminishing population of peoples in this country. Indeed, these are the end times the Bible so accurately predicted.
In my every day, I go to work with only a sparse number of Christians at my side (though I will say, the few that are there, are strong, robust and fruit-bearing Christians, which I am immeasurably blessed to be acquainted with here, and love from the bottom of my heart). When I go "home-home" (where I grew up), I am again surrounded by a very small minority of Christians (I only know of a handful of Christians in my family/friend-circle at home). When I turn on the TV, read the news online, or turn on talk radio, it is all the same. I think we would be optimistic if we thought more than 5% of Americans today were true Christians. (That should be frightening to those of us raising families).
While God has used this diversity surrounding me to strengthen my faith to a point of certainty that I thought to be unattainable, and to also improve my ability to relate and reach the dead for Christ, I cannot help but wonder, as we approach another presidential election season, when will God give up on our country that once so boldly proclaimed Christ, from even "the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters"?
I think the remaining Christians in this country need to do the two things only Christians, and not any other people, can do: love with genuine, God-given, humble love, and pray. Pray for the repentance of this country. We are the only ones that truly know what it means to be free -- when we pray for repentance we aren't simply praying for terrible disaster, but for eyes and hearts to be open to our God-given right to be free. From man, and from the supernatural chains that separate non-believers from their Creator.
I am convinced, this is our only hope for this country. Not Obama, Palin, Romney or a rebounding economy. Repentance towards Jesus Christ is this country's only hope. And, as the history of mankind will clearly reveal, prosperity leads away from God, while disaster, heartache-- and everything that goes along with the reminder that we are the helpless created -- bring people back to Christ. (A cursory survey of the current Christian population in this world is evidence of this as well).
And as Christians, we are the only ones that can ask the Creator, within the scope of His Will, to grant this repentance to this country. For those of us that are in very pedestrian positions and have limited ability to contribute to American patriotism, this may be our greatest opportunity to be patriots. And a pretty good opportunity to be Christians, as well.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
When God created the universe (or multiverse), He created Wesley Timothy.
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8).
If your heart is as my heart, if you love God and all mankind, I ask no more - "give me your hand." -John Wesley
10 days ago we welcomed our second child, Wesley Timothy. Watching a child birth, and watching the developed body adjust to its new environment, is nothing if not humbling.
We named our son Wesley because it is a strong Christian name, and one we liked. Our two (pretty simple, right?) criteria.
The Wesley brothers were evangelical pioneers, bringing God's story of humanity and redemption to a new world. As Episcopalian priests, they had one giant problem -- America was trying to get away from England.
Hence the Methodist movement in America. "Methodists" they were called, because of their precise methodology of studying God's Word.
One of the endearing qualities of Wesleyan theology was their humility in understanding. While they understood that man was eternally separated from God outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ, they understood there were many understandings of peripheral issues that sincere Christians held, and these should not separate the fellowship of the Church.
300 years later John Wesley's word are more important than ever for us, and me, to hear.
When God created the universe (or multiverse), He created Wesley Timothy. And he humbled his Dad, and helped him understand he doesn't need to, or can, understand the totality of His written revelation. And He has helped him understand John Wesley's words: If your heart is as my heart, if you love God and all mankind, I ask no more - "give me your hand." In this way, the Catholic and the Protestant, the Arminian and the Calvinist, and yes, even the Trinitarian and the Mormon/Jehovah's Witness, can continue their journey side-by-side to Jesus Christ. To paraphrase one man's words, if we have but everything in common, and not Jesus Christ, we have nothing in common... but if we have nothing in common, yet Jesus Christ, then we have everything in common. Amen!
If your heart is as my heart, if you love God and all mankind, I ask no more - "give me your hand." -John Wesley
10 days ago we welcomed our second child, Wesley Timothy. Watching a child birth, and watching the developed body adjust to its new environment, is nothing if not humbling.
We named our son Wesley because it is a strong Christian name, and one we liked. Our two (pretty simple, right?) criteria.
The Wesley brothers were evangelical pioneers, bringing God's story of humanity and redemption to a new world. As Episcopalian priests, they had one giant problem -- America was trying to get away from England.
Hence the Methodist movement in America. "Methodists" they were called, because of their precise methodology of studying God's Word.
One of the endearing qualities of Wesleyan theology was their humility in understanding. While they understood that man was eternally separated from God outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ, they understood there were many understandings of peripheral issues that sincere Christians held, and these should not separate the fellowship of the Church.
300 years later John Wesley's word are more important than ever for us, and me, to hear.
When God created the universe (or multiverse), He created Wesley Timothy. And he humbled his Dad, and helped him understand he doesn't need to, or can, understand the totality of His written revelation. And He has helped him understand John Wesley's words: If your heart is as my heart, if you love God and all mankind, I ask no more - "give me your hand." In this way, the Catholic and the Protestant, the Arminian and the Calvinist, and yes, even the Trinitarian and the Mormon/Jehovah's Witness, can continue their journey side-by-side to Jesus Christ. To paraphrase one man's words, if we have but everything in common, and not Jesus Christ, we have nothing in common... but if we have nothing in common, yet Jesus Christ, then we have everything in common. Amen!
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