Daniel 4:33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws. 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;...
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. ... and those who walk in pride [God] is able to humble.
***
The tension maintained between reason and faith comes down to this. Reason rests on the divine ordering of all things by God himself. This fact must be taken on faith, but is an essential given to "believe" in reason itself.
If God exists, it is reasonable to believe in God.
If God does not exist, it is not reasonable to believe in Reason.
***
In the beginning was the logos [Reason]...John 1:1
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Intrinsic and Instrumental Goods
Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
***
I recently had the opportunity to hear Professor Robert George of Princeton University give an address entitled, "Natural Law, Human Rights and God". One of the things he asserted was that any serious discussion of natural law needed to be predicated on an acceptance of certain intrinsic goods. Things like friendship or free will are certainly instrumental to achieve something, but they are also good in and of themselves. Without finding intrinsic goodness in an array of things, one has a very difficult time asserting natural law exists. In the passage above Paul describes our bodies as being instrumental either for death or life. I think he would probably agree that the human being, as a creation of God, has a certain intrinsic goodness in it - in the sense that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" but that we are also instrumental for something, either good or evil. It seems that our free will allows us to become more or less intrinsically good by choosing to be instrumental to the Great Intrinsic Good. In as much as we are instrumental to righteousness, we are filled with the goodness of God and sanctified.
***
I recently had the opportunity to hear Professor Robert George of Princeton University give an address entitled, "Natural Law, Human Rights and God". One of the things he asserted was that any serious discussion of natural law needed to be predicated on an acceptance of certain intrinsic goods. Things like friendship or free will are certainly instrumental to achieve something, but they are also good in and of themselves. Without finding intrinsic goodness in an array of things, one has a very difficult time asserting natural law exists. In the passage above Paul describes our bodies as being instrumental either for death or life. I think he would probably agree that the human being, as a creation of God, has a certain intrinsic goodness in it - in the sense that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" but that we are also instrumental for something, either good or evil. It seems that our free will allows us to become more or less intrinsically good by choosing to be instrumental to the Great Intrinsic Good. In as much as we are instrumental to righteousness, we are filled with the goodness of God and sanctified.
Monday, October 20, 2008
A Deeper Healing
Acts 28:24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “‘Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. 27 For this people's heart has grown dull,and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
***
I know I've written about it before, but in this passage I am struck again by the reality of our condition. We are blind, deaf and lame. Our spiritual infirmaties are much more serious and permanant than physical maladies. So when Jesus forgave sins, he was healing on a much deeper level. The physical healing was a natural follow on step, showing God's sensitivity to the immediate as well as the eternal condition of mankind. But some people, including myself much of the time, are resistant to that kind of love. We are slow to listen to God, slow to see him and powerless to obey - or so it seems sometimes. Paul is so hopeful for the Gentiles though. I find him to be incredibly generous, as a Jewish leader, to dedicate his life for the spreading of the good news to the gentiles. Without that love and obedience, I would not have the explicit, written words of Paul inviting me into God's kingdom.
***
I know I've written about it before, but in this passage I am struck again by the reality of our condition. We are blind, deaf and lame. Our spiritual infirmaties are much more serious and permanant than physical maladies. So when Jesus forgave sins, he was healing on a much deeper level. The physical healing was a natural follow on step, showing God's sensitivity to the immediate as well as the eternal condition of mankind. But some people, including myself much of the time, are resistant to that kind of love. We are slow to listen to God, slow to see him and powerless to obey - or so it seems sometimes. Paul is so hopeful for the Gentiles though. I find him to be incredibly generous, as a Jewish leader, to dedicate his life for the spreading of the good news to the gentiles. Without that love and obedience, I would not have the explicit, written words of Paul inviting me into God's kingdom.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Justice, Light & Heat
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
***
Isaiah 30:26 Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the Lord binds up the brokenness of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow.
***
Isaiah 30:33 For a burning place [7] has long been prepared; indeed, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it.
***
***
Isaiah 30:26 Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the Lord binds up the brokenness of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow.
***
Isaiah 30:33 For a burning place [7] has long been prepared; indeed, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it.
***
It seems that the justice of God, like a furnace, has different effects on differing materials. Whatever parts have been submitted to Him and redeemed, are turned to Gold and made part of an eternal reward. Whatever parts are horded away, whether physical resources or natural abilities, will be lost if not invested/redeemed. The same holy heat that purifies and sanctifies our lives is the heat that judges us for misusing and selfishly squandering our means. Where, under this light is there a place to hide? There is only one place to hide from you, and it is in you. The only protection from the heat of your justice is the shelter of your grace.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Home Away From Home
Psalm 84:3 Even the sparrow finds a home,and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah
***
Matthew 10:31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
***
Luke 9:58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
***
My first point is that the Psalmist claims animals make their homes as an act of worship to God. He declares a blessing over those people who would live their lives and make their "homes" in the same fashion, under the authority and protection of God's "house". My second point is to point out the rather funny syllogism which Jesus offers - God values us even more than sparrows (and he does value sparrows). It is funny because it should be obvious, but it isn't. The problem of pain and evil in the world causes us to doubt God's goodness and His power to bring about justice. The world is wild. It isn't easy to find the kind of peace a sparrow seems to have at home in a nest made from twigs, leaves and feathers. Third point: God inserted himself into our displaced situation, making himself "homeless" like one of us and then going back to His Father to prepare a place for us.
***
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
***
Matthew 10:31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
***
Luke 9:58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
***
My first point is that the Psalmist claims animals make their homes as an act of worship to God. He declares a blessing over those people who would live their lives and make their "homes" in the same fashion, under the authority and protection of God's "house". My second point is to point out the rather funny syllogism which Jesus offers - God values us even more than sparrows (and he does value sparrows). It is funny because it should be obvious, but it isn't. The problem of pain and evil in the world causes us to doubt God's goodness and His power to bring about justice. The world is wild. It isn't easy to find the kind of peace a sparrow seems to have at home in a nest made from twigs, leaves and feathers. Third point: God inserted himself into our displaced situation, making himself "homeless" like one of us and then going back to His Father to prepare a place for us.
***
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Mystery of Life
Ecclesiastes 11:5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb [4] of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
***
I am increasingly aware, as a father of four, of the miracle of life. Cliche, sure, but true. To be aware of a miracle is to be knowledgeable about our lack of knowledge. How does the human spirit become attached to the physical body in the womb? When? That's the politically charged question, and one that is certainly mysterious (although, if I dare, still within our pay grade to discuss). It might be easier to deny the existence of the human spirit entirely, or to redefine it as the chemical byproducts of the brain, but I reject those beliefs as the antithesis to my personal experience. Human life is a mystery and a miracle, but it most certainly IS human life, which is distinct from animals and vegetables. Human life is essentially spiritual, even before it is physical. Our bodies are mere shells. They are not us. Nowhere is this more obvious than at a birth or funeral. Seeing the face of a newborn child, knowing that this person is experiencing life, just as we have, is a shock to our senses and sensibilities. Where did he/she come from exactly? Conversely, observing the dead body of a person who once walked and talked with us we become acutely aware of the absence of the spirit. Where did he/she go exactly? These are mysteries that should humble us and cause us to approach God with reverence. He is the giver of life and the author of our story, and yet we have a hand in the subplot too. What does it mean to be human? That's the question that we all pose with our daily efforts to live a meaningful autobiography.
***
I am increasingly aware, as a father of four, of the miracle of life. Cliche, sure, but true. To be aware of a miracle is to be knowledgeable about our lack of knowledge. How does the human spirit become attached to the physical body in the womb? When? That's the politically charged question, and one that is certainly mysterious (although, if I dare, still within our pay grade to discuss). It might be easier to deny the existence of the human spirit entirely, or to redefine it as the chemical byproducts of the brain, but I reject those beliefs as the antithesis to my personal experience. Human life is a mystery and a miracle, but it most certainly IS human life, which is distinct from animals and vegetables. Human life is essentially spiritual, even before it is physical. Our bodies are mere shells. They are not us. Nowhere is this more obvious than at a birth or funeral. Seeing the face of a newborn child, knowing that this person is experiencing life, just as we have, is a shock to our senses and sensibilities. Where did he/she come from exactly? Conversely, observing the dead body of a person who once walked and talked with us we become acutely aware of the absence of the spirit. Where did he/she go exactly? These are mysteries that should humble us and cause us to approach God with reverence. He is the giver of life and the author of our story, and yet we have a hand in the subplot too. What does it mean to be human? That's the question that we all pose with our daily efforts to live a meaningful autobiography.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Miracle of Forgiveness
John 20:19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
***
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to this passage, seems to be the ability to declare the forgiveness of sins. If you recall, on multiple occasions Jesus demonstrated how this miracle, the miracle of forgiveness, was much more profound and powerful than physical healing. Physical healing, although wonderful and certainly indicative of God's goodness, is not lasting because our current bodies are mortal. Forgiveness which comes from the Holy Spirit is the ultimate act of healing, in a sense cleansing us of our permanent, spiritual leprosy. When was the last time you told someone that their sins were forgiven by God? Do you believe that God has breathed His Holy Spirit into you and that you have the authority to do what Jesus empowered the disciples to do? I believe that the miracle of forgiveness is essential to building authentic community. Jesus, as our King, has invited us into a loving Kingdom, a Kingdom community where all are forgiven and free. We are his agents of forgiveness in the world, welcoming people into that safe place.
***
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to this passage, seems to be the ability to declare the forgiveness of sins. If you recall, on multiple occasions Jesus demonstrated how this miracle, the miracle of forgiveness, was much more profound and powerful than physical healing. Physical healing, although wonderful and certainly indicative of God's goodness, is not lasting because our current bodies are mortal. Forgiveness which comes from the Holy Spirit is the ultimate act of healing, in a sense cleansing us of our permanent, spiritual leprosy. When was the last time you told someone that their sins were forgiven by God? Do you believe that God has breathed His Holy Spirit into you and that you have the authority to do what Jesus empowered the disciples to do? I believe that the miracle of forgiveness is essential to building authentic community. Jesus, as our King, has invited us into a loving Kingdom, a Kingdom community where all are forgiven and free. We are his agents of forgiveness in the world, welcoming people into that safe place.
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