The world, where are we heading? Some people believe in progress, they believe that as science and technology advance we will eventually come to a Utopian society. This belief is where Darwinism and Marxism derived some of its beginnings. But the fact is progress does not do take into consideration the relevance of evil, and as clearly is seen within our world, progress really has only helped in some instances the progress of evil, and its advancement with technology. But this brings into consideration the adverse effect and reasoning others have.
Gnosticism believes that the material world is an inferior and dark place and evil is its very existence. They believe only as time goes on things get worse, and truly the fall of humankind began at the existence of Creation. Gnostic s believe that we are just waiting for our death to enter into our spiritual condition, a non-material form, which is itself good. However, this is in conflict with the fact that Scripture teaches us that we are going to have new bodies, the problem is not our material state, but the corrupted flesh. This corruption is due to sin and its consequence is death. Similar to the garden of Eden, the paradise that was Adam and Eve's was experienced in a material condition. It was only when sin entered that they were kicked out into truly an abyss. But this corrupted state has been redeemed, and its final redemption will come into effect with the creation of the New Heaven and Earth. If gnosticism proved true we would go to heaven, not come to earth. But our final destination is Earth, with the New Jerusalem coming out of heaven. The final locale for us is not in a far-off world, but in Earth, in a redeemed one.
This brings me to my conclusion in this brief synopsis of our course on this earth. Where are we heading? The earth in my opinion is not necessarily getting more corrupt or better, it is just getting closer to becoming redeemed. Redeemed from its sin, looking forward to bringing it back into its original perfect order, when God saw all he did and said that it was "Good." "What creation needs is neither abandonment nor evolution but rater redemption and renewal; and this is both promised and guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is what the whole world's waiting for." (N.T. Wright)
~CDS~
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Resurrection
I am reading at the moment a very profound book, to which I am only partly through. It is called Surprised By Hope -Rethinking Heaven, The Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, by N.T. Wright. This is my first read from this author and he has come highly recommended from many of my friends, and is already becoming one of my favorite authors.
In his first section he brings light to the resurrection, a completely implausible event in history that changed history since its occurrence. I would like to focus for my own train of thought, his portion on science. Science tries to disprove the resurrection, through scientific method, whether through skepticism, historical criticism, or even just simple understood fact. The resurrection cannot happen, it is not possible, it is inevitably a failed idea. Man does not rise from the dead, science proves this, there is no way to prove this obscure far-fetched idea. The absence of life is death, and death has no life, for life does not exist in death. Science is tested through a number of factors, but eventually it can be said to be truth or fact when repeatedly it is tested and the same conclusions can be made. In other words the hypothesis is proven. Honestly though there are many events in history that have happened and only happened once in that way. For example lets take man's victory on landing on the moon.
Man has landed on the moon numerous times, however there was a first, a time where something was implausible, unthinkable, and truly unbelievable. But this event occurred, man landed on the moon, and truly man has only landed on the moon for the first time once. All evidence at the time believed it could be true, but could not test its theory until it happened, Now of course there was the use of Fibonacci's numbers that helped chart this event and make it happen. However, to anyone in the past before this took place; most would have thought that is was an obscure idea, and though a thrilling idea, it was truly impossible. But now in today's world we do not doubt for a moment if this journey to the moon is possible, we know it is, for it happens time and time again. But things sometimes do go wrong and this proven scientific idea of flying to the moon is possible, sometimes the rocket does not make it their even with proven thought. Now this brings us to the Resurrection.
And looking at the Resurrection I am referring to Christ's, not the other few occurrences in the Bible. Science looks at the Resurrection and says its not possible, it can't be proved, and truly cannot be hypothesized. But we know that after the Resurrection there were numerous people that believed it could happen. The disciples for example did not believe that the Messiah had to die, and after his death were not expecting or awaiting eagerly the resurrection. They believed it was over, they did not believe that rising from the dead could happen in the past and that it would not happen after Jesus' death. But something happened, their belief in the Resurrection changed, their belief was changed, what they believed to be impossible, now was possible and tangible, to which doubting Thomas found for himself. Something unbelievable became believable, just like man's first time landing on the moon.
In conclusion I was just like to say to all of the skeptics out there that God is outside of logic, he is outside of science, for he is not a created being, and only creation can be proved through science, through logic and such, but God is outside of the natural. I love the fact that any time God acts its impossible, his actions super cede the laws of nature. Just like the crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelite's believed for their entire lives that it was impossible for water to be separated and for someone to walk and cross on dry ground, but it happened and their belief in the impossible became possible. That is what God is, and that is what the Resurrection is, a belief in the unthinkable, becoming truth overcoming all rational thought. Though my argument up above is just a small one there are many more found in N.T.'s book proving the resurrection and defeating all arguments that science could give.
You know the funny thing about God is that he is in every thing, but it is hard to find him, unless you seek him with all your heart, not with science alone.
~CDS~
In his first section he brings light to the resurrection, a completely implausible event in history that changed history since its occurrence. I would like to focus for my own train of thought, his portion on science. Science tries to disprove the resurrection, through scientific method, whether through skepticism, historical criticism, or even just simple understood fact. The resurrection cannot happen, it is not possible, it is inevitably a failed idea. Man does not rise from the dead, science proves this, there is no way to prove this obscure far-fetched idea. The absence of life is death, and death has no life, for life does not exist in death. Science is tested through a number of factors, but eventually it can be said to be truth or fact when repeatedly it is tested and the same conclusions can be made. In other words the hypothesis is proven. Honestly though there are many events in history that have happened and only happened once in that way. For example lets take man's victory on landing on the moon.
Man has landed on the moon numerous times, however there was a first, a time where something was implausible, unthinkable, and truly unbelievable. But this event occurred, man landed on the moon, and truly man has only landed on the moon for the first time once. All evidence at the time believed it could be true, but could not test its theory until it happened, Now of course there was the use of Fibonacci's numbers that helped chart this event and make it happen. However, to anyone in the past before this took place; most would have thought that is was an obscure idea, and though a thrilling idea, it was truly impossible. But now in today's world we do not doubt for a moment if this journey to the moon is possible, we know it is, for it happens time and time again. But things sometimes do go wrong and this proven scientific idea of flying to the moon is possible, sometimes the rocket does not make it their even with proven thought. Now this brings us to the Resurrection.
And looking at the Resurrection I am referring to Christ's, not the other few occurrences in the Bible. Science looks at the Resurrection and says its not possible, it can't be proved, and truly cannot be hypothesized. But we know that after the Resurrection there were numerous people that believed it could happen. The disciples for example did not believe that the Messiah had to die, and after his death were not expecting or awaiting eagerly the resurrection. They believed it was over, they did not believe that rising from the dead could happen in the past and that it would not happen after Jesus' death. But something happened, their belief in the Resurrection changed, their belief was changed, what they believed to be impossible, now was possible and tangible, to which doubting Thomas found for himself. Something unbelievable became believable, just like man's first time landing on the moon.
In conclusion I was just like to say to all of the skeptics out there that God is outside of logic, he is outside of science, for he is not a created being, and only creation can be proved through science, through logic and such, but God is outside of the natural. I love the fact that any time God acts its impossible, his actions super cede the laws of nature. Just like the crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelite's believed for their entire lives that it was impossible for water to be separated and for someone to walk and cross on dry ground, but it happened and their belief in the impossible became possible. That is what God is, and that is what the Resurrection is, a belief in the unthinkable, becoming truth overcoming all rational thought. Though my argument up above is just a small one there are many more found in N.T.'s book proving the resurrection and defeating all arguments that science could give.
You know the funny thing about God is that he is in every thing, but it is hard to find him, unless you seek him with all your heart, not with science alone.
~CDS~
Monday, August 2, 2010
Meekness and Rest
Jesus never uttered opinions. Is that not a thought provoking idea? His words are the essence of truth, he never gave opinions. He never guessed, he knew, he knows. So why do we not follow these words? These somewhat ancient words of truth into life and into our lives?
I am reading the Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, may have read it before, but his information is often hard to retain. Not that is over my head, but just so delicately brilliant that I sadly forget some of it. Anyhow, there is a chapter on meekness and rest, a thought provoking, insightful, piece. Matt. 5.5 says, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Inherit, to possess, to be given; this statement is so interesting, for it is contrary to everything we are. We are not in the slightest meek; we are proud people always worrying about everything the world thinks about us. It is a burden that we all carry, and for most an everlasting burden til death. Tozer takes this idea and applies it to some verses further on in Matthew, something we have all heard at one time or another. "Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." This yoke according to Tozer is the one that plagues all of the human race. It is three fold, pride, pretense and artificiality.
Pride, the labor of self- love is heavy, and we are the god of it. Pretense, to act as everything is going perfect, and hide our real inward poverty. Artificiality, really comes from our pretense and this endless struggle to keep up who we are not. These three things are deeply rooted in our society, and they are burdensome. But at the heart of the message in Matthew, Jesus shows us freedom, to come to him and get rest, true release of our burden. To come broken, to come exposed, to come humbled, and be swallowed up by the meekness of Christ. "The rest he offers is of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves for what we are and cease to pretend." A meek person is not afflicted with the what the world thinks, he may be as strong as Samson and afraid of nothing, but he has stopped fooling himself. They know they are weak and helpless without God, but also paradoxically know that in God they are everything.
"Lord, make me childlike. Deliver me from the urge to compete with another for place or prestige or position. I would be simple and artless as a little child. Deliver me from pose and pretense. Forgive me for thinking of myself. Help me to forget myself and find true peace in beholding thee. That thou mayest answer this praye, I humble myself before thee. Lay open thy easy yoke or self-forgetfullness that through it I may find rest. Amen." A.W. Tozer
In all of this, Jesus statements are truth, they are not suggestions or opinions, they are life-fulfilling words.
~CDS~
I am reading the Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, may have read it before, but his information is often hard to retain. Not that is over my head, but just so delicately brilliant that I sadly forget some of it. Anyhow, there is a chapter on meekness and rest, a thought provoking, insightful, piece. Matt. 5.5 says, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Inherit, to possess, to be given; this statement is so interesting, for it is contrary to everything we are. We are not in the slightest meek; we are proud people always worrying about everything the world thinks about us. It is a burden that we all carry, and for most an everlasting burden til death. Tozer takes this idea and applies it to some verses further on in Matthew, something we have all heard at one time or another. "Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." This yoke according to Tozer is the one that plagues all of the human race. It is three fold, pride, pretense and artificiality.
Pride, the labor of self- love is heavy, and we are the god of it. Pretense, to act as everything is going perfect, and hide our real inward poverty. Artificiality, really comes from our pretense and this endless struggle to keep up who we are not. These three things are deeply rooted in our society, and they are burdensome. But at the heart of the message in Matthew, Jesus shows us freedom, to come to him and get rest, true release of our burden. To come broken, to come exposed, to come humbled, and be swallowed up by the meekness of Christ. "The rest he offers is of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves for what we are and cease to pretend." A meek person is not afflicted with the what the world thinks, he may be as strong as Samson and afraid of nothing, but he has stopped fooling himself. They know they are weak and helpless without God, but also paradoxically know that in God they are everything.
"Lord, make me childlike. Deliver me from the urge to compete with another for place or prestige or position. I would be simple and artless as a little child. Deliver me from pose and pretense. Forgive me for thinking of myself. Help me to forget myself and find true peace in beholding thee. That thou mayest answer this praye, I humble myself before thee. Lay open thy easy yoke or self-forgetfullness that through it I may find rest. Amen." A.W. Tozer
In all of this, Jesus statements are truth, they are not suggestions or opinions, they are life-fulfilling words.
~CDS~
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