The advent of Christianity two thousand years ago (then called atheism, because its adherents rejected the gods and followed a man) transformed the pagan world at its deepest levels and helped give birth to Western civilization. It put progressive values like selflessness, honesty, integrity, humility, mercy and charity at the forefront of man's thinking. It paved the way for science, medicine, free-thinking and education.
Above all, it taught that every human being has intrinsic value and dignity regardless of status or social class.
(Yes, a lot of terribly evil, and mostly politically motivated things were done in the name of Christianity as well. But even a dim man might well ask, "what did the violence of the inquisition, or the manipulation of the institutionalized church have to do with Christ's teaching?!")
But Christianity also taught that we are responsible, not only for our own lives, but for the welfare of all mankind. Caring for our neighbors, for the less-fortunate and ultimately bringing about God's "shalom" (peace, harmony, equality, sustainability, etc.) on earth was to be our overarching task.
I believe that these non-intuitive values (such as selflessness or honesty) have the same power today to bring transformation into the lives of people, communities and even whole nations. (The global economic crisis, for example, all boils down to--I believe--a fundamental breakdown in trust.) People who live by these values are the building blocks of successful societies.
My ambition in life, therefore, is to live these values out as best I can, to spread them wherever I go, and to put them into practice in very practical ways. It could be something simple like buying someone a sandwich on the street. Or it could be something more radical, like teaching orphans in Sudan to read & write. It could be encouraging a friend, or it could be raising awareness about social responsibility in business, here in Holland.
I want to live my life and do what I can to make the world a better place--the place that Jesus himself helped us to glimpse.
SPF
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Monday, November 28, 2011
You Can't Take It With You
Are you ever tempted to burn everything you own and start over? I am. There was this story of a guy who rented a big wood-mulcher and just started throwing everything in. He even threw in his ID, the title to his house, and all his papers. Finally his clothes went in as well. He stood there naked, and free.
I guess it's more complicated when you are married and everything. But sometimes I wish I could just get rid of everything I own and be free too.
I somehow feel bogged down by all my possessions. I can see an image of myself in the afterlife, drudging through endless, forsaken, dreary plains, hunched over with a giant sack on by back full of all the worldly possessions I couldn't let go of in life... OK, maybe that is a bit dramatic. Perhaps a ball and chain would suffice; each chain representing some useless possession...? Never mind, you get the picture.
I think that the more we are attached to things, the more they control our lives. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel liberated every time I throw something away. I would love to live in a clean, white, minimalistic room, with nothing but a table (with a built-in tablet computer of course), and a chair, and the few books and things that I need. It would be like an office in Star Treck.
There are people that are addicted to shopping. Literally. Physically, their brains release chemicals that make them feel good when they buy things. Psychologically, they feel validated somehow when they have new, shiny things. That scares me because I really like new shiny things. o_O
I know people whose houses are so cluttered with things they've collected over the years, that one feels claustrophobic and overwhelmed just being in their home. Often these people have no idea about the many things they have tucked away in drawers and such. I am close to someone like this. They are often surprised when I pull ancient artifacts out of the far reaches of time and space (their cupboard). But then, after a few minutes, they recognize whatever it is, and proceed to tell it's story in detail, as I sit captivated and on the edge of my seat. (...)
Many people have tremendous difficulty letting things go. They seem willing, at first, for me to help de-clutter their house. But when it comes down to each little knick-knack, it turns out that each one is of unspeakable sentimental value (now that they've found it again). Or, what I hear most often is, "you never know when that might come in handy!"
I knew a single lady who had--I counted--18 cooking pots in her kitchen.
I'm looking around our house right now, at all my things, and there are so many things I wish I could get rid of!
I would love to take up a minimalist lifestyle, like Gandhi. I would mulch all my possessions, except the bare essentials: a bed, a couch, cook-ware, dishes and my clothes. Oh, and my computer of course... And my books I would need to keep. I couldn't really part with my iPhone either, I need that too much. And, well, none of my 6 guitars are worth giving away, really, I don't think anyone would want them, and besides I invested a lot in those. My other computers I would probably need to keep too, in case this one breaks down... Have you ever used Bose headphones before? I have a pair, they're really exceptional. You can't really go back to normal headphones afterwards... Of course my MIDI keyboard; I hardly use it, but I've been meaning to play around with it more. Actually I think I should get another keyboard since this one doesn't have MIDI support that works with Windows 7. I'm sure I can store this one in the laundry room. I have a whole box full of cables of every kind and type. You really never know when you're going to need something like that, and you always regret not having one, when you need one... My music collection I can keep. That doesn't really count, does it?
Damn. I guess I am just one more ensnared consumer.
God, I hope my kids don't have to innocently take me out to the zoo one day when I'm old and naive, and while I'm gone sneakily empty my house of all my old useless gadgets because it's become unlivable. ..Sigh..
The truth is: we are born into the world naked. And when it's finally time to leave, we'll find that we can't take anything with us.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - JC
We really need to figure out what that means.
SPF
I guess it's more complicated when you are married and everything. But sometimes I wish I could just get rid of everything I own and be free too.
I somehow feel bogged down by all my possessions. I can see an image of myself in the afterlife, drudging through endless, forsaken, dreary plains, hunched over with a giant sack on by back full of all the worldly possessions I couldn't let go of in life... OK, maybe that is a bit dramatic. Perhaps a ball and chain would suffice; each chain representing some useless possession...? Never mind, you get the picture.
I think that the more we are attached to things, the more they control our lives. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel liberated every time I throw something away. I would love to live in a clean, white, minimalistic room, with nothing but a table (with a built-in tablet computer of course), and a chair, and the few books and things that I need. It would be like an office in Star Treck.
There are people that are addicted to shopping. Literally. Physically, their brains release chemicals that make them feel good when they buy things. Psychologically, they feel validated somehow when they have new, shiny things. That scares me because I really like new shiny things. o_O
I know people whose houses are so cluttered with things they've collected over the years, that one feels claustrophobic and overwhelmed just being in their home. Often these people have no idea about the many things they have tucked away in drawers and such. I am close to someone like this. They are often surprised when I pull ancient artifacts out of the far reaches of time and space (their cupboard). But then, after a few minutes, they recognize whatever it is, and proceed to tell it's story in detail, as I sit captivated and on the edge of my seat. (...)
Many people have tremendous difficulty letting things go. They seem willing, at first, for me to help de-clutter their house. But when it comes down to each little knick-knack, it turns out that each one is of unspeakable sentimental value (now that they've found it again). Or, what I hear most often is, "you never know when that might come in handy!"
I knew a single lady who had--I counted--18 cooking pots in her kitchen.
I'm looking around our house right now, at all my things, and there are so many things I wish I could get rid of!
I would love to take up a minimalist lifestyle, like Gandhi. I would mulch all my possessions, except the bare essentials: a bed, a couch, cook-ware, dishes and my clothes. Oh, and my computer of course... And my books I would need to keep. I couldn't really part with my iPhone either, I need that too much. And, well, none of my 6 guitars are worth giving away, really, I don't think anyone would want them, and besides I invested a lot in those. My other computers I would probably need to keep too, in case this one breaks down... Have you ever used Bose headphones before? I have a pair, they're really exceptional. You can't really go back to normal headphones afterwards... Of course my MIDI keyboard; I hardly use it, but I've been meaning to play around with it more. Actually I think I should get another keyboard since this one doesn't have MIDI support that works with Windows 7. I'm sure I can store this one in the laundry room. I have a whole box full of cables of every kind and type. You really never know when you're going to need something like that, and you always regret not having one, when you need one... My music collection I can keep. That doesn't really count, does it?
Damn. I guess I am just one more ensnared consumer.
God, I hope my kids don't have to innocently take me out to the zoo one day when I'm old and naive, and while I'm gone sneakily empty my house of all my old useless gadgets because it's become unlivable. ..Sigh..
The truth is: we are born into the world naked. And when it's finally time to leave, we'll find that we can't take anything with us.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - JC
We really need to figure out what that means.
SPF
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thank You For The Mustard
I recently finished Chesterton's enduring masterpiece, Orthodoxy. I am still digesting it, re-reading sections at a time, trying to follow his thoughts. He is the finest writer I've ever come across. He uses so much paradox. The impression I get is that he is willing to turn the entire world upside down, if only he can get you to realize you've spent your entire life standing on your head!
I've always found it strange that many see Christians as narrow minded. Although, nowadays, after I've experienced much of the anti-intellectualism, thought-manipulation, and adherence to unfounded dogma that infects most of Christendom, I can see more why that accusation is in many cases valid. But I mean in more general terms, who is more open minded: the one who believes strictly in observable material laws that govern and determine, or the one who believes in a supernatural element to the universe? OK, that was rhetorical...
Chesterton puts it superbly:
"For we must remember that the materialist philosophy (whether true or not) is certainly much more limiting than any religion. In one sense, of course, all intelligent ideas are narrow. They cannot be broader than themselves. A Christian is only restricted in the same sense that an atheist is restricted. He cannot think Christianity false and continue to be a Christian; and the atheist cannot think atheism false and continue to be an atheist. But as it happens, there is a very special sense in which materialism has more restrictions than spiritualism. Mr. McCabe thinks me a slave because I am not allowed to believe in determinism. I think Mr. McCabe a slave because he is not allowed to believe in fairies. But if we examine the two vetoes we shall see that his is really much more of a pure veto than mine. The Christian is quite free to believe that there is a considerable amount of settled order and inevitable development in the universe. But the materialist is not allowed to admit into his spotless machine the slightest speck of spiritualism or miracle. Poor Mr. McCabe is not allowed to retain even the tiniest imp, though it might be hiding in a pimpernel. The Christian admits that the universe is manifold and even miscellaneous, just as a sane man knows that he is complex. The sane man knows that he has a touch of the beast, a touch of the devil, a touch of the saint, a touch of the citizen. Nay, the really sane man knows that he has a touch of the madman. But the materialist's world is quite simple and solid, just as the madman is quite sure he is sane. The materialist is sure that history has been simply and solely a chain of causation, just as the interesting person before mentioned is quite sure that he is simply and solely a chicken. Materialists and madmen never have doubts.
"Spiritual doctrines do not actually limit the mind as do materialistic denials. Even if I believe in immortality I need not think about it. But if I disbelieve in immortality I must not think about it. In the first case the road is open and I can go as far as I like; in the second the road is shut. But the case is even stronger, and the parallel with madness is yet more strange. For it was our case against the exhaustive and logical theory of the lunatic that, right or wrong, it gradually destroyed his humanity. Now it is the charge against the main deductions of the materialist that, right or wrong, they gradually destroy his humanity; I do not mean only kindness, I mean hope, courage, poetry, initiative, all that is human. For instance, when materialism leads men to complete fatalism (as it generally does), it is quite idle to pretend that it is in any sense a liberating force. It is absurd to say that you are especially advancing freedom when you only use free thought to destroy free will. The determinists come to bind, not to loose. They may well call their law the "chain" of causation. It is the worst chain that ever fettered a human being. You may use the language of liberty, if you like, about materialistic teaching, but it is obvious that this is just as inapplicable to it as a whole as the same language when applied to a man locked up in a mad-house. You may say, if you like, that the man is free to think himself a poached egg. But it is surely a more massive and important fact that if he is a poached egg he is not free to eat, drink, sleep, walk, or smoke a cigarette. Similarly you may say, if you like, that the bold determinist speculator is free to disbelieve in the reality of the will. But it is a much more massive and important fact that he is not free to raise, to curse, to thank, to justify, to urge, to punish, to resist temptations, to incite mobs, to make New Year resolutions, to pardon sinners, to rebuke tyrants, or even to say "thank you" for the mustard." - C.K. Chesterton Orthodoxy 1908 (Public Domain)
read more from Orthodoxy...
SPF
I've always found it strange that many see Christians as narrow minded. Although, nowadays, after I've experienced much of the anti-intellectualism, thought-manipulation, and adherence to unfounded dogma that infects most of Christendom, I can see more why that accusation is in many cases valid. But I mean in more general terms, who is more open minded: the one who believes strictly in observable material laws that govern and determine, or the one who believes in a supernatural element to the universe? OK, that was rhetorical...
Chesterton puts it superbly:
"For we must remember that the materialist philosophy (whether true or not) is certainly much more limiting than any religion. In one sense, of course, all intelligent ideas are narrow. They cannot be broader than themselves. A Christian is only restricted in the same sense that an atheist is restricted. He cannot think Christianity false and continue to be a Christian; and the atheist cannot think atheism false and continue to be an atheist. But as it happens, there is a very special sense in which materialism has more restrictions than spiritualism. Mr. McCabe thinks me a slave because I am not allowed to believe in determinism. I think Mr. McCabe a slave because he is not allowed to believe in fairies. But if we examine the two vetoes we shall see that his is really much more of a pure veto than mine. The Christian is quite free to believe that there is a considerable amount of settled order and inevitable development in the universe. But the materialist is not allowed to admit into his spotless machine the slightest speck of spiritualism or miracle. Poor Mr. McCabe is not allowed to retain even the tiniest imp, though it might be hiding in a pimpernel. The Christian admits that the universe is manifold and even miscellaneous, just as a sane man knows that he is complex. The sane man knows that he has a touch of the beast, a touch of the devil, a touch of the saint, a touch of the citizen. Nay, the really sane man knows that he has a touch of the madman. But the materialist's world is quite simple and solid, just as the madman is quite sure he is sane. The materialist is sure that history has been simply and solely a chain of causation, just as the interesting person before mentioned is quite sure that he is simply and solely a chicken. Materialists and madmen never have doubts.
"Spiritual doctrines do not actually limit the mind as do materialistic denials. Even if I believe in immortality I need not think about it. But if I disbelieve in immortality I must not think about it. In the first case the road is open and I can go as far as I like; in the second the road is shut. But the case is even stronger, and the parallel with madness is yet more strange. For it was our case against the exhaustive and logical theory of the lunatic that, right or wrong, it gradually destroyed his humanity. Now it is the charge against the main deductions of the materialist that, right or wrong, they gradually destroy his humanity; I do not mean only kindness, I mean hope, courage, poetry, initiative, all that is human. For instance, when materialism leads men to complete fatalism (as it generally does), it is quite idle to pretend that it is in any sense a liberating force. It is absurd to say that you are especially advancing freedom when you only use free thought to destroy free will. The determinists come to bind, not to loose. They may well call their law the "chain" of causation. It is the worst chain that ever fettered a human being. You may use the language of liberty, if you like, about materialistic teaching, but it is obvious that this is just as inapplicable to it as a whole as the same language when applied to a man locked up in a mad-house. You may say, if you like, that the man is free to think himself a poached egg. But it is surely a more massive and important fact that if he is a poached egg he is not free to eat, drink, sleep, walk, or smoke a cigarette. Similarly you may say, if you like, that the bold determinist speculator is free to disbelieve in the reality of the will. But it is a much more massive and important fact that he is not free to raise, to curse, to thank, to justify, to urge, to punish, to resist temptations, to incite mobs, to make New Year resolutions, to pardon sinners, to rebuke tyrants, or even to say "thank you" for the mustard." - C.K. Chesterton Orthodoxy 1908 (Public Domain)
read more from Orthodoxy...
SPF
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thoughts On Gandhi
 |
| Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi |
Even though Gandhi didn’t at all identify himself a Christian, and clearly never really grasped the concept of grace or God’s forgiveness, Jesus’ sermon on the mount was one thing he strove to model his life after. In fact, he followed Christ’s teaching to such a degree that most Christians would call him radical. His life mimicked Christ’s in many ways (just read his biography next to a gospel account).
As he went on to transform an entire nation, armed with nothing but the humility of Christ, he read about every morning (in addition to his Hindu scriptures), the evidence of the power of Christ’s gospel of reconciliation is, in my mind, made overwhelmingly clear.
Now, here is what I am thinking. If to be “Christian” means to follow Christ in teaching and practice, is it possible that an “unbelieving heathen,” a Hindu even, could actually have been a more authentic Christian than many who name themselves Christian?
Just so the conservatives won’t accuse me of blasphemy, let me simply ask the question this raises: Which is more important, how correctly we believe or think about God (orthodoxy); or how we live and act in relation to God (orthopraxy)?
SPF
Monday, December 6, 2010
Big Red Jolly Graven Image
If I were to give a shape to the god of today's Western world, I think it would probably be fat, wear a red hat and have a snowy white beard.
All throughout the Old Testament, God condemns the making and the worship of graven images (or idols). It was a common practice to create and worship these images, which represented some god or deity and were made from wood, stone or some precious metal.
Today it is still common practice. If you go to Thailand, for instance, and visit Buddhist temples you will see men and women bowing down and worshiping golden images of Buddha. All over the world, and all throughout time men and women have had a need to create images to represent their "gods."
The Hebrew religion of the Old Testament was actually considered scandalous by other people groups because they alone never created any image or physical representation of their God. Why didn't they? Because their God was too big... He was invisible, and omnipresent. After all, how could the uncreated God be represented by anything created?
That's why it is so jolting when we read what Paul wrote, in his letter to the Colossians, that Jesus is the image of the invisible God! No graven image could ever represent God accurately, but Jesus could! Jesus came to show us what the Father is like; he modeled it for us; his character was the exact imprint of the almighty God.
Today is the second day of Advent. As Christmas is approaching, and we prepare to celebrate the traditional rememberance day of Christ's birth, I can't help but ponder sadly how Christmas in the West is becomming less and less centered on Christ, the image of God, the only one worhty of worship.
If we go out during Christmas, we don't see many images of Jesus anymore (the offended neo-atheists have made us take them all down). However, we do see many images of someone else... Everywhere we look during Christmas time, we see images of Santa!
A stranger to our culture would surely think this season of celebration is all about this big, jolly man in a red suit. A (...deity..?) who judges the naughty and the nice, who flies on a magic sleigh, has elves to serve him, and who gives gifts in accordance with each person's secret deeds.
It's Santa who all the children revere, get excited about, wait for, celebrate and even fear (You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout, I'm telling you why...) Images of Santa outnumber images of Jesus. Does this perhaps say something about a drastic change in what our society values and... worships?
iPods, camera's, computers, cellphones, instruments, cars, DVD's, makeup, toys, clothes, movies, and every other physical posession. It's what grabs our attention, isn't it? It's what we all want: stuff.
If Jesus represents God, and if Santa has replaced Jesus, what does Santa represent? It's true, St. Nicholas was a real person at some point (probably originally from Turkey), but today's Santa Claus is quite a different character.
I think Santa has become our "graven image" of today's main object of worship in the West: materialism.
A friend of mine drew a picture of Santa Claus sitting on the throne in heaven—a satirical image of how much attention Santa gets during Christmas. It's kind of funny, but kind of scary at the same time.
Now of course I'm not saying having Santa around during Christmas is evil, or that letting small children believe in fairy tails is wrong... but idolatry certainly is evil. And so I feel challenged to ask myself this: Am I worshiping and celebrating the birth of Christ this Christmas, or am I celebrating stuff?
If I were to give a shape to the god of today's Western world, materialism, I think it would probably be fat, wear a red hat and have a snowy white beard.
SPF
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Red Light District
The most disturbing thing about the red light district of Amsterdam, to me, is not that prostitution merely happens—it happens in every city of the world—but the public view of the red light district. It is seen as a wonderful expression of personal freedom. It is seen as a utopia of sexuality.
We’re all familiar with the Dutch concept of tolerance. It’s an important part of Dutch culture and history. For instance Catholics were tolerated to worship after the protestant revolution as long as it was done discreetly, it didn’t hurt anyone, and it was profitable.
At some point in Amsterdam’s history, prostitution has moved up several notches from merely being tolerated, to being celebrated. The red light district has moved from being a shameful and hidden thing, to a loud, openly proud culture of hedonism.
Just 2 years ago, they put up a statue in the square of the Oude Kerk, to celebrate the occupation of prostitution around the world. People came from around the world to join in and show their support for this wonderful, woman-empowering trend.
Today the red light district is like a carnival. Every day hundreds of tourists come through the red light district, often with their kids, to have a good time. The atmosphere is like a carnival or a zoo. Women stand in windows all along the streets selling themselves.
Drunk Englishmen stumble around the streets yelling cat-calls and insults at the women. American families walk through, gawking at the ladies, their kids pointing and giggling amongst themselves. Dutch businessmen prowl the streets, their wives waiting at home.
How can something like this still exist in our western society? It is primarily because of a host of lies. This behavior is all the result of a host of deeply rooted lies that are propagated by a few evil men (all those with a pro-district agenda), and then readily believed by a world who is more and more giving up morality for hedonism.
Here are just a few of the lies:
1. Prostitution is harmless
2. All the women are willing participants
3. The women love their jobs
4. Prostitution empowers women and gives them dignity
5. Prostitution decreases rape and sexual abuse
These lies are very strongly propagated to the world, and people very easily believe them, because they want to. They want to believe it is all real.
What will happen if we continue to believe these lies? More and more women will be abused and taken advantage of in the name of freedom and civil liberty. Yes, freedom is what they think it is. The red light district has turned the world upside down and called slavery freedom.
This culture of hedonism is growing and spreading. A new generation is growing up with fewer values than ever. They grow up believing that women are objects, that they are commodities, that promiscuity is normal. What’s more is that the world has its eyes fixated on Amsterdam. Millions of tourists come through every year. They are affected by the culture of the red light district, they don’t see past the lies to what is really going on, and they go home thinking, “What a great place!”
How did this all start? Centuries ago, during Amsterdam’s ‘golden age’, the church of Amsterdam actually condoned the creation of the red light district district, justifying it by saying that it would help protect 'dignified Christian women'. They gave up their authority in the matter when they said, “prostitution is OK.”
Now, as if by prophetic symbolism, the Oude Kerk—the oldest church in Amsterdam—is literally surrounded by prostitution windows as if in the very clutches of the sexual immorality it so long ago condoned.
If things are going to change in this place, the Body of Christ needs to take its authority back, raise its voice and publicly condemn prostitution.
Our task is then two-fold. We have the roots of the issue, or the lies, and the we have the fruits, the women and the men who are sexually broken. Both need to be addressed. Mostly, what we have done in the past is only take care of the fruits.
The problem is that when one woman is 'rescued' from prostitution, there is immediately another woman recruited to replace her! So the answer doesn't lie in merely ministering to the women involved, but it lies in tackling the roots of the problem, and that means addressing the issue of demand, and ultimately the hots of lies.
How can we change the way a nation thinks? How can we expose lies and shed God’s light upon them? How can we make known what God thinks about the issue, when the only voices that are being heard are from those with of a pro-district agenda?
We have a lot of work to do. It is no small task to change the way the public thinks. Tackling this difficult issue will take all the heavenly wisdom, and all the sincere prayers we can get.
SPF
We’re all familiar with the Dutch concept of tolerance. It’s an important part of Dutch culture and history. For instance Catholics were tolerated to worship after the protestant revolution as long as it was done discreetly, it didn’t hurt anyone, and it was profitable.
At some point in Amsterdam’s history, prostitution has moved up several notches from merely being tolerated, to being celebrated. The red light district has moved from being a shameful and hidden thing, to a loud, openly proud culture of hedonism.
Just 2 years ago, they put up a statue in the square of the Oude Kerk, to celebrate the occupation of prostitution around the world. People came from around the world to join in and show their support for this wonderful, woman-empowering trend.
Today the red light district is like a carnival. Every day hundreds of tourists come through the red light district, often with their kids, to have a good time. The atmosphere is like a carnival or a zoo. Women stand in windows all along the streets selling themselves.
Drunk Englishmen stumble around the streets yelling cat-calls and insults at the women. American families walk through, gawking at the ladies, their kids pointing and giggling amongst themselves. Dutch businessmen prowl the streets, their wives waiting at home.
How can something like this still exist in our western society? It is primarily because of a host of lies. This behavior is all the result of a host of deeply rooted lies that are propagated by a few evil men (all those with a pro-district agenda), and then readily believed by a world who is more and more giving up morality for hedonism.
Here are just a few of the lies:
1. Prostitution is harmless
2. All the women are willing participants
3. The women love their jobs
4. Prostitution empowers women and gives them dignity
5. Prostitution decreases rape and sexual abuse
These lies are very strongly propagated to the world, and people very easily believe them, because they want to. They want to believe it is all real.
What will happen if we continue to believe these lies? More and more women will be abused and taken advantage of in the name of freedom and civil liberty. Yes, freedom is what they think it is. The red light district has turned the world upside down and called slavery freedom.
This culture of hedonism is growing and spreading. A new generation is growing up with fewer values than ever. They grow up believing that women are objects, that they are commodities, that promiscuity is normal. What’s more is that the world has its eyes fixated on Amsterdam. Millions of tourists come through every year. They are affected by the culture of the red light district, they don’t see past the lies to what is really going on, and they go home thinking, “What a great place!”
How did this all start? Centuries ago, during Amsterdam’s ‘golden age’, the church of Amsterdam actually condoned the creation of the red light district district, justifying it by saying that it would help protect 'dignified Christian women'. They gave up their authority in the matter when they said, “prostitution is OK.”
Now, as if by prophetic symbolism, the Oude Kerk—the oldest church in Amsterdam—is literally surrounded by prostitution windows as if in the very clutches of the sexual immorality it so long ago condoned.
If things are going to change in this place, the Body of Christ needs to take its authority back, raise its voice and publicly condemn prostitution.
Our task is then two-fold. We have the roots of the issue, or the lies, and the we have the fruits, the women and the men who are sexually broken. Both need to be addressed. Mostly, what we have done in the past is only take care of the fruits.
The problem is that when one woman is 'rescued' from prostitution, there is immediately another woman recruited to replace her! So the answer doesn't lie in merely ministering to the women involved, but it lies in tackling the roots of the problem, and that means addressing the issue of demand, and ultimately the hots of lies.
How can we change the way a nation thinks? How can we expose lies and shed God’s light upon them? How can we make known what God thinks about the issue, when the only voices that are being heard are from those with of a pro-district agenda?
We have a lot of work to do. It is no small task to change the way the public thinks. Tackling this difficult issue will take all the heavenly wisdom, and all the sincere prayers we can get.
SPF
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Get Started Already!
One tragedy of Christian thinking that I heard David Hamilton speak about once, is the popular mindset of being God’s servants waiting for him to tell us what to do. It asserts that we shouldn’t act until we are absolutely sure it is God directing us, not some other influence. So much value is placed on hearing God’s voice that we often remain idle until he commands us. Or our ministries remain stagnant until he forcefully prunes us.
God wants more than a servant/master relationship with us. Imagine if you had a girlfriend and you never bought her flowers. Finally she was so upset about this that she loudly commanded, “go buy me flowers now!” Now imagine you obeyed and brought her some flowers. Do you think she would be very pleased with this gift? Would it be very special to her? No, of course not, because she had to tell you!
God wants to be in a love relationship with us. In a love relationship you spend lots of time getting to know your partner, learning his or her desires, dreams, passions, and then working to fulfill those things before they have to ask. If, instead, you were to buy your girlfriend flowers before she had to ask you, it might be something that pleased and surprised her!
We are to seek God out and know him. We need to be familiar with his dreams, his desires, his passions, and then work to see those things come true! Let's get started before he has to specifically tell us! I think God waits and waits for us to do something that will bless his heart. He has made his dreams very clearly known to us through his word. But we sit idly for so long, trying to divine his voice that finally God has to command us to do something! It shouldn’t be like that.
Isaiah overheard God asking the question out loud, “Who will go?” The question wasn’t a command, it wasn’t directed at Isaiah. Isaiah simply became aware of God’s desires, and he jumped at the opportunity to bless God. He stood up and declared, “here I am, Lord, send me!”
Of course we are to remain mindful of God’s specific direction. He will reveal strategy to us once we get started. And if our heart is to bless God, and we unintentionally start down a wrong path, we can be sure he will redirect us! In this way we partner with him.
SPF
God wants more than a servant/master relationship with us. Imagine if you had a girlfriend and you never bought her flowers. Finally she was so upset about this that she loudly commanded, “go buy me flowers now!” Now imagine you obeyed and brought her some flowers. Do you think she would be very pleased with this gift? Would it be very special to her? No, of course not, because she had to tell you!
God wants to be in a love relationship with us. In a love relationship you spend lots of time getting to know your partner, learning his or her desires, dreams, passions, and then working to fulfill those things before they have to ask. If, instead, you were to buy your girlfriend flowers before she had to ask you, it might be something that pleased and surprised her!
We are to seek God out and know him. We need to be familiar with his dreams, his desires, his passions, and then work to see those things come true! Let's get started before he has to specifically tell us! I think God waits and waits for us to do something that will bless his heart. He has made his dreams very clearly known to us through his word. But we sit idly for so long, trying to divine his voice that finally God has to command us to do something! It shouldn’t be like that.
Isaiah overheard God asking the question out loud, “Who will go?” The question wasn’t a command, it wasn’t directed at Isaiah. Isaiah simply became aware of God’s desires, and he jumped at the opportunity to bless God. He stood up and declared, “here I am, Lord, send me!”
Of course we are to remain mindful of God’s specific direction. He will reveal strategy to us once we get started. And if our heart is to bless God, and we unintentionally start down a wrong path, we can be sure he will redirect us! In this way we partner with him.
SPF
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Defining Faith
People tend to think of faith and doubt as mutually exclusive. It is typically said that one either "has faith" (in or for something) or they are "doubting". In this way of thinking, faith is reduced to a state of mind.
Christians continually feel guilty because they don't "have enough faith", and by this they seem to mean they don't "believe strongly enough." When they encounter things in life that cause them to experience doubt (wether in small or large matters), they usually see that as something bad.
I would define faith differently. I would even say that faith requires the presence of doubt. Faith is not just a state of mind, but an act of will, which by definition requires exercising. Faith is not the absense of doubt, but it is what you choose to do when faced with doubt.
Were I to tell you that flying elephants exist, you would not naturally believe me, nor could you choose to believe me because you cannot force your mind to accept something that is contrary to what it knows to be actual. Again, faith is not a state of mind. You could, however, choose to trust me, and make decisions based on what I have told you. In this you would be exercizing faith; not in flying elephants, but in me and in my character.
The above example is absurd. But in the same way God calls us to have faith in him and in his character through making decisions based not on what we naturally perceive, but on what he has said.
Taking all this into account, I would say that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear. God has spoken clearly that he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exo 34:6). God has spoken clearly that he is our provider (Gen 50:21). In fact, the most repeated command in the bible is, "do not fear," or some variation of that.
When we are confronted with doubts or situations that cause us to doubt, we can either choose to be afraid and to worry, or to exercise faith by trusting in God's characteristics, and continuing to live in light of what God has said about himself.
This also releases the Christian from the guilt associated with doubt. Doubt is natural to the rational mind and is very healthy. Instead of trying to ignore it, avoid it, cover it up with endless religious activity, or feel guilty about it, we should engage it, wrestle with it, and allow it to send us seeking for answers. After all, an unexamined faith is not worth having.
Seeking truth should be any person's foremost agenda. By wrestling with doubts we obtain much understanding, and ultimately more solid grounds for our faith, and also the things we believed that turn out to be groundless, we can leave behind.
Why is God invisible? There would be no need to exercise faith were he not. But God enjoys being sought after.
So my friends, do not be afraid, take advantage of your doubts, and remember, we are to live by faith, not by sight.
SPF
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Everything Is Holy
"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it." Psalm 24:1
I have been thinking about this verse lately, and have been challenged in the way I look at the world. As Christians we tend to think of things in the world as good or bad, light and dark, black and white. We see the symbol of the Cross as good, and we see the pentagram as evil. We see trees as beautiful creations of God, but we see the marijuana plant as something that should be torn out of the ground. We dress in bright colors, and see those who wear too much black as probably having something wrong with them. We listen to uplifting music because it reminds us of God, but avoid dark-sounding music which is sad or angry, thinking darkness is not of God.
"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it."
In Genesis it explains that God created EVERYTHING and called it good. And so I think that everything is holy! Everything is clean and good, until we ruin it. Evil cannot be attributed to a thing. Evil comes from personalities (demons and humans) only. The world is not black and white. Everything is white, until we taint it with our own evil.
In Tolkien's classic, 'The Silmarillion', Illuvatar (who is a parallel of God) created the world through his great themes of music (much like God created the world with words), but Melkor (a parallel of the devil) started to sing his own tunes. Illuvatar created the seas, and then Melkor created (or thought he did) fire. And when the two met, great clouds were formed, and rain first fell on the earth. But all this was according to Illuvatar's design. Illuvatar then said something interesting to Melkor: "And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined."
Everything on this earth has its uttermost source in God. The pentagram, which we shun as a symbol of evil, was thought of by God (who created all color and shape) long before the Pagans stole it. The marijuana plant was created by God, and he called it good. How dare we dub anything he created as evil? Dark themes of music, dark colors, they all come from God, and they all express different facets of his infinite character.
There is nothing new under the sun which does not have its uttermost source in God. Musicians who 'create' music are simply arranging, in their own way, the notes and sounds which God caused to be. Even those musicians who are in fact evil, and worship idols, even they are using the holy things God created.
"God owns all those calf's, he owns all those hills!" - Woven Hand
Of course we can take anything and use it for evil purposes. We take the beautiful, holy things that God created and we worship them. We must see the difference though. Nothing (besides humans and demons) are innately evil. And everything is redeemable.
Remember, "everything is yours, and you are of Christ." - 1 Cor 3
I have been thinking about this verse lately, and have been challenged in the way I look at the world. As Christians we tend to think of things in the world as good or bad, light and dark, black and white. We see the symbol of the Cross as good, and we see the pentagram as evil. We see trees as beautiful creations of God, but we see the marijuana plant as something that should be torn out of the ground. We dress in bright colors, and see those who wear too much black as probably having something wrong with them. We listen to uplifting music because it reminds us of God, but avoid dark-sounding music which is sad or angry, thinking darkness is not of God.
"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it."
In Genesis it explains that God created EVERYTHING and called it good. And so I think that everything is holy! Everything is clean and good, until we ruin it. Evil cannot be attributed to a thing. Evil comes from personalities (demons and humans) only. The world is not black and white. Everything is white, until we taint it with our own evil.
In Tolkien's classic, 'The Silmarillion', Illuvatar (who is a parallel of God) created the world through his great themes of music (much like God created the world with words), but Melkor (a parallel of the devil) started to sing his own tunes. Illuvatar created the seas, and then Melkor created (or thought he did) fire. And when the two met, great clouds were formed, and rain first fell on the earth. But all this was according to Illuvatar's design. Illuvatar then said something interesting to Melkor: "And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined."
Everything on this earth has its uttermost source in God. The pentagram, which we shun as a symbol of evil, was thought of by God (who created all color and shape) long before the Pagans stole it. The marijuana plant was created by God, and he called it good. How dare we dub anything he created as evil? Dark themes of music, dark colors, they all come from God, and they all express different facets of his infinite character.
There is nothing new under the sun which does not have its uttermost source in God. Musicians who 'create' music are simply arranging, in their own way, the notes and sounds which God caused to be. Even those musicians who are in fact evil, and worship idols, even they are using the holy things God created.
"God owns all those calf's, he owns all those hills!" - Woven Hand
Of course we can take anything and use it for evil purposes. We take the beautiful, holy things that God created and we worship them. We must see the difference though. Nothing (besides humans and demons) are innately evil. And everything is redeemable.
Remember, "everything is yours, and you are of Christ." - 1 Cor 3
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Jesus, what?!
I've noticed lately how much I avoid reading what Jesus said in the bible. The guy is just too deep! I often can't figure out half of what he says. I much prefer the writings of Paul which seem much more elaborate, but at least understandable. So I've been challenged lately to dig deeper into those red letters. I know that there are treasures in there if only you can figure them out!
In Matthew 5, Jesus says:
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
That makes sense, we missionaries use that verse all the time. Let your light shine before others that they might see what God has done in your life!
But then, in Matthew 6 Jesus says:
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Woah. So first I am supposed to show off my 'goodness' for everyone to see and give glory to God, but then I am supposed to keep everyone from seeing my 'goodness' so that God who sees what is done in secret will reward me! I'm feeling a bit of confusion now.
How do these two messages reconcile?
Well I guess its all about the heart. That's what Jesus was trying to say the whole time, that its not so much about what you do, but about the state of your heart!
The more time you spend with God, the more you worship him with your life, the more your light will shine and others will be drawn to it! This is good... But if your motivation is no longer to honor God, but to do things 'for God' and impress others with your holiness, then you have missed the point.
In Rick Joyner's "The Final Quest", after spending time worshiping the Lord, he notices that his armor is shining radiantly, along with the armor of all the others on the mountain who were worshiping along side him. The glory from their armor was so great that it began to light up the whole mountain, and those still in captivity saw from far off and were drawn towards it.
But the problem with the shining armor was that the glare made it very difficult for the soldiers to see the attack the enemy was mounting. Pride was on the move. A friend told me about "Satan Syndrome". Lucifer became so enamored of his own glory, instead of focusing on the source of that gory, and this is what caused his fall.
So the key to all this, and what Jesus was explaining, is humility! The soldiers who were wise covered their shining armor with a drab cloak, which shielded their own eyes from their own glory! It made them invisible to the onslaught of pride. Those who didn't put on the cloak ended up back in the enemies camp.
Ok. So maybe Jesus does make sense if you spend some time thinking.
SPF
In Matthew 5, Jesus says:
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
That makes sense, we missionaries use that verse all the time. Let your light shine before others that they might see what God has done in your life!
But then, in Matthew 6 Jesus says:
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Woah. So first I am supposed to show off my 'goodness' for everyone to see and give glory to God, but then I am supposed to keep everyone from seeing my 'goodness' so that God who sees what is done in secret will reward me! I'm feeling a bit of confusion now.
How do these two messages reconcile?
Well I guess its all about the heart. That's what Jesus was trying to say the whole time, that its not so much about what you do, but about the state of your heart!
The more time you spend with God, the more you worship him with your life, the more your light will shine and others will be drawn to it! This is good... But if your motivation is no longer to honor God, but to do things 'for God' and impress others with your holiness, then you have missed the point.
In Rick Joyner's "The Final Quest", after spending time worshiping the Lord, he notices that his armor is shining radiantly, along with the armor of all the others on the mountain who were worshiping along side him. The glory from their armor was so great that it began to light up the whole mountain, and those still in captivity saw from far off and were drawn towards it.
But the problem with the shining armor was that the glare made it very difficult for the soldiers to see the attack the enemy was mounting. Pride was on the move. A friend told me about "Satan Syndrome". Lucifer became so enamored of his own glory, instead of focusing on the source of that gory, and this is what caused his fall.
So the key to all this, and what Jesus was explaining, is humility! The soldiers who were wise covered their shining armor with a drab cloak, which shielded their own eyes from their own glory! It made them invisible to the onslaught of pride. Those who didn't put on the cloak ended up back in the enemies camp.
Ok. So maybe Jesus does make sense if you spend some time thinking.
SPF
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