When my youngest daughter was four she made a startling discovery.
We had been out late one night, and as we arrived home and climbed out of the car, she looked up, probably for the first time, at the night sky. The look on her face was priceless. Her eyes widened, her eyes sparkled and her mouth fell open, agape at what she had just seen. She was almost bursting within, as she exclaimed with utter awe "WOW, what are they".
I looked up quickly to find what she has seen. Perhaps she had seen a comet, or a shooting star or a strangely lit aircraft. Maybe one of the closer planets was at perihelion or a satellite had become visible at perigee. No, what she had noticed for the first time in her life was that there were stars in the night sky.
Perhaps she had often looked up at the daytime sky and noticed the sun, and some clouds, maybe a storm brewing in the distance, but she had no reason to think there was anything else up there. But now she had noticed them and she was utterly awestruck. It was one of those magical moments amongst many in a child's life when for the first time they discover something amazing.
It got me to thinking that it is a shame that we become so accustomed to awesome things to the point that they become ordinary objects, or worse something to be despised in our darkness of thinking. What would it be like if we were able to maintain this sense of appreciation our whole lives, of each and every discovery that we made as a child that stirred in us an overwhelming awe. Of course once you have discovered a thing for the first time you can never return to that same incredible moment of discovery (until perhaps you reach old age and begin to suffer Alzheimer's Syndrome), however I believe we can maintain a high level of appreciation for it.
I think it is similar to a child's reaction when they see something magical in the sense of the inexplicable.
Lewis wrote of the "magic" in the world in both his novels and other books, as did Tolkien in his fantasy novels.
There are some who are eager to criticize Lewis and Tolkien for their fantasy writing, specifically the inclusion of magic in their stories. They say that God abhors magic and all magic is evil, and that we should ground our children in reality.
I suspect they don't realize that even the real world is quite full of magic. In the stories a magician will make an incantation and magically cause something to happen. In the real world God speaks and things come into being. Is not God the greatest of Magicians, and ultimately the only true Magician? We can change the form of things but only God can bring them into being out of nothing. The Word of God is the most magical thing there is for it is flawless and can reside inside my heart, it can make even the simple to understand profound truths, it imparts the very wisdom of God with knowledge and understanding, it can shield a person from harm, give joy and delight, it is like fire, or a hammer that smashes rocks to pieces, it can combat temptation, give spiritual life, teach us and admonish us, it is living and active and can penetrate even to separating the soul and the spirit, it judges thought and the attitudes of the heart, and is enduring and everlasting.
I think part of our adult inability to appreciate things with awe is because we believe that it is a mature and proper thing for a man to grow up and put aside the silly childish fantasies that once captivated our imaginations. We think that science or advancements in thinking have taken us to a place where it is foolish to see the magic in things. The things that we can explain in some way whether it be in scientific or psychological jargon are what we accept. Anything outside these areas is labeled as childish fantasy. Sadly, when we think we can explain something in concrete terms (whether we understand it or not) we tend to lose our sense of amazement. I think this is because we think a thing is amazing because it is not understood rather than appreciating it for just being amazing, hence a loss of wonder in things that are explainable. This is what we do when we "grow up".
However Jesus called us to be like children. He said:
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
And
"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
I think one of the ways we need to be more like children is in an attitude of unfettered mind-blowing awe for the magic in this world, and to give the recognition and appreciation that is deserving of the one and only true Magician in this universe.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Monday, July 03, 2006
Everything You Know Is Wrong pt6
There were things about Christianity that I initially discovered in much the same way that most other people did.
I heard from people on the radio who discussed it either directly or indirectly, and I didn't miss the sarcasm or derision in their tone. I watched television programs that gave me information about the church, and I heard opinions from friends, teachers and acquaintances, all of whom added to the picture of what the Christian religion was all about. Much of it made sense, and most of the arguments against Christianity were appealing to my non-conformist side, and I found it all to be a most excellent view on religious things, except for one small detail; none of it was true. As often as it happens, there are few things as unfortunate as a compelling argument that happens to be false.
Let me give some examples to illustrate this.
Firstly the claims that were made were as follows.
1. Christianity is irrelevant in today's world and to today's modern person.
2. If the church had its way it would take us back to the Dark Ages of ignorance.
3. Religion is the cause of the majority of the world's bloodshed.
4. Church is full of pious hypocrites singing boring hymns.
These claims made sense considering the arguments and evidence that seemed to support them. Unfortunately for the proponents of these claims, they are not true.
1. Christianity is very relevant to today. Have you ever read any of the Bible? Everywhere there are pieces of wisdom that provide cultural and sociological answers to our current problems that are the root of our unhappiness. The sermons of Christ alone if applied to modern life would transform the world through every person that lived in such a way as Christ suggests. Of course there are many things not mentioned in the bible, such as mobile phones, and computers, but all these things are just stuff. How we deal with stuff, and people for that matter is what is important, and the Bible covers these topics comprehensively.
2. The church was actually responsible for the world coming out of the Dark Ages. It was the Christians who built up libraries of books, and the Monks who were almost solely responsible for the preservation of ancient documents. When I look at how many brilliant people throughout history have contributed to the progress of society, science, and humanity in general, I find that overwhelmingly they are born out of a Christian framework of thinking. The majority of great scientists over the years were Christians or believed in a biblical framework of the world. A ranking of the 100 most influential scientists can be found at http://www.adherents.com/people/100_scientists.html which contains a clear majority of believers in God. To name just a few: Isaac Newton, Louis Pasteur, Galileo, and Copernicus. In fact, in the top ten of the most influential Scientists of all time, 9 out of the 10 are theists with possibly 8 of them Bible believing Christians.
3. Again, has anyone of these people who say these things actually read the Bible? Christianity is the antithesis of war and bloodshed. Every doctrine and belief is the opposite to that which creates war and bloodshed. The truth is that men in their foolish thinking create wars, and even the Crusades could not have possibly been supported from biblical teaching no matter how obtuse. There may however, be a valid claim against Islam for inciting war and bloodshed, because their scriptures, the Koran, actually supports violence and murder against unbelievers, and promises eternal glory for those who die in such an endeavour. Christianity on the other hand with its "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies" attitudes is peace promoting and reconciliatory.
4. The church is not full of hypocrites, in fact there is plenty of room for more. Jokes aside however, the truth is that people who understand the basic doctrine of Christianity never claim to be perfect, and in fact honest believers will say that they are poor representatives of the beliefs that they hold, but they are daily being transformed into the people that they ought to be. True Christians are not pious in the negative sense that most people think, rather they are humble about their abilities, and honest about their shortcomings. Most of the churches I have been to have had very modern up-tempo music, some to the extent of being almost like rock concerts. Just do a search for contemporary Christian music and you will find all styles of music represented, some of it every bit as good as their secular counterparts. Of course you will find some churches echoing with ancient hymns, strange chants, and legalistic rituals, but that is the beauty of the diversity of God. Even people with bad taste in music can find a church that suits them.
There are plenty of other claims about Christianity out there, and easily as many refutations of these false claims. So where do you stand?
Is everything you know about Christianity wrong? Or have you never bothered to check the facts for yourself?
I heard from people on the radio who discussed it either directly or indirectly, and I didn't miss the sarcasm or derision in their tone. I watched television programs that gave me information about the church, and I heard opinions from friends, teachers and acquaintances, all of whom added to the picture of what the Christian religion was all about. Much of it made sense, and most of the arguments against Christianity were appealing to my non-conformist side, and I found it all to be a most excellent view on religious things, except for one small detail; none of it was true. As often as it happens, there are few things as unfortunate as a compelling argument that happens to be false.
Let me give some examples to illustrate this.
Firstly the claims that were made were as follows.
1. Christianity is irrelevant in today's world and to today's modern person.
2. If the church had its way it would take us back to the Dark Ages of ignorance.
3. Religion is the cause of the majority of the world's bloodshed.
4. Church is full of pious hypocrites singing boring hymns.
These claims made sense considering the arguments and evidence that seemed to support them. Unfortunately for the proponents of these claims, they are not true.
1. Christianity is very relevant to today. Have you ever read any of the Bible? Everywhere there are pieces of wisdom that provide cultural and sociological answers to our current problems that are the root of our unhappiness. The sermons of Christ alone if applied to modern life would transform the world through every person that lived in such a way as Christ suggests. Of course there are many things not mentioned in the bible, such as mobile phones, and computers, but all these things are just stuff. How we deal with stuff, and people for that matter is what is important, and the Bible covers these topics comprehensively.
2. The church was actually responsible for the world coming out of the Dark Ages. It was the Christians who built up libraries of books, and the Monks who were almost solely responsible for the preservation of ancient documents. When I look at how many brilliant people throughout history have contributed to the progress of society, science, and humanity in general, I find that overwhelmingly they are born out of a Christian framework of thinking. The majority of great scientists over the years were Christians or believed in a biblical framework of the world. A ranking of the 100 most influential scientists can be found at http://www.adherents.com/people/100_scientists.html which contains a clear majority of believers in God. To name just a few: Isaac Newton, Louis Pasteur, Galileo, and Copernicus. In fact, in the top ten of the most influential Scientists of all time, 9 out of the 10 are theists with possibly 8 of them Bible believing Christians.
3. Again, has anyone of these people who say these things actually read the Bible? Christianity is the antithesis of war and bloodshed. Every doctrine and belief is the opposite to that which creates war and bloodshed. The truth is that men in their foolish thinking create wars, and even the Crusades could not have possibly been supported from biblical teaching no matter how obtuse. There may however, be a valid claim against Islam for inciting war and bloodshed, because their scriptures, the Koran, actually supports violence and murder against unbelievers, and promises eternal glory for those who die in such an endeavour. Christianity on the other hand with its "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies" attitudes is peace promoting and reconciliatory.
4. The church is not full of hypocrites, in fact there is plenty of room for more. Jokes aside however, the truth is that people who understand the basic doctrine of Christianity never claim to be perfect, and in fact honest believers will say that they are poor representatives of the beliefs that they hold, but they are daily being transformed into the people that they ought to be. True Christians are not pious in the negative sense that most people think, rather they are humble about their abilities, and honest about their shortcomings. Most of the churches I have been to have had very modern up-tempo music, some to the extent of being almost like rock concerts. Just do a search for contemporary Christian music and you will find all styles of music represented, some of it every bit as good as their secular counterparts. Of course you will find some churches echoing with ancient hymns, strange chants, and legalistic rituals, but that is the beauty of the diversity of God. Even people with bad taste in music can find a church that suits them.
There are plenty of other claims about Christianity out there, and easily as many refutations of these false claims. So where do you stand?
Is everything you know about Christianity wrong? Or have you never bothered to check the facts for yourself?
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Nature of the Foul
After watching a few of the world cup matches I have to confess to feeling a little disappointed. Was I disappointed because Australia didn't make it to the quarter finals? Yes, but that was not the source of my biggest disappointment. A work colleague of my wife said that she was not a soccer fan, but that she had watched every Australian match in the World Cup. Sadly she now claims that she will never watch another soccer match ever again, such was her disappointment and fury.
Why was she so angry? Simply because of the unfairness evident in the game.
Refereeing decisions that were short sighted and sometimes blind, mixed with blatant cheating in the form of rugby tackles, hand balls, intentional take outs, and fake falls all added up to a viewing spectacle that was nothing short of disgraceful. Not to mention the bad publicity that surrounded the Australian team with regards to claims about their rough tactics and physical play, of which I saw absolutely no evidence in their actual playing. Despite this, it seemed as though Australia had been judged and executed without a trial, as referee after referee penalised them many times, with quite a few of them unjustified.
But should we be surprised?
Should we really be shocked at the underhanded tactics of some teams and individual players? I say no, it is exactly what we should expect. It is simply a case of people living according to their beliefs. In fact, they are one of the commonest set of beliefs in our day. You have probably heard them expressed in any number of pithy statements such as the following.
· Look after number one.
· A small indiscretion is acceptable if you don't get caught.
· Most rules were made to be broken. (under certain circumstances)
· Winning is everything.
· You have to do what other people are unwilling to do if you want to get ahead.
· Everybody does it so it is acceptable.
· Nobody is perfect anyway so you might as well accept it and adapt.
· Do it if it feels good to you.
· Personal autonomy is the most important thing.
I could go on with many more, but these few give an idea as to modern thinking in many peoples minds. It may sound a little pessimistic, and jaded, but the reality is that many people think maturing as a person means absorbing the phrase; "this is life, get used to it". We even say these things to our children as they are approaching adulthood because we want to prepare them for the harsh realities of life. But I wonder if we are doing them an injustice.
By accepting these philosophies and merely adjusting to them we are doing a disservice to our children and ourselves. Indirectly we are justifying and validating dishonesty and deception.
As my friend keeps reminding me, through a quote by Edmund Burke - "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for enough good people to do nothing. The only thing necessary for the triumph of good is for enough good people to do something extra."
I often hear people say something like "I just don't understand how a person can be like that". It is not pessimism to reply "Of course, what else did you expect". The fact is, that man as a creature is a damaged being. He is not as he should be, and every time we are surprised when he behaves accordingly, we are reinforcing the lie that man is basically and inherently good. Man was created good, but has become tainted and corrupted, and can only be redeemed by a transformation through the renewing of the mind. It is false to believe that it is only environment, lack of education, poverty or any other external factor that sends a man bad. The badness comes from within, so this is where we must tackle the problem. We can try to legislate and moderate and castigate, but until we meet the source of the problem within the heart and soul of the man, we will only be window dressing a persistent evil that refuses to diminish. And the only way to do that is to continue to refute lies with sound correction, so that people are convicted of the truth, enough to take appropriate action that will lead to a transformation in their lives. I know of no other way for this to occur except through acceptance and submission to God through Jesus Christ. Man can alter the physical, but only God can alter the spiritual.
Why was she so angry? Simply because of the unfairness evident in the game.
Refereeing decisions that were short sighted and sometimes blind, mixed with blatant cheating in the form of rugby tackles, hand balls, intentional take outs, and fake falls all added up to a viewing spectacle that was nothing short of disgraceful. Not to mention the bad publicity that surrounded the Australian team with regards to claims about their rough tactics and physical play, of which I saw absolutely no evidence in their actual playing. Despite this, it seemed as though Australia had been judged and executed without a trial, as referee after referee penalised them many times, with quite a few of them unjustified.
But should we be surprised?
Should we really be shocked at the underhanded tactics of some teams and individual players? I say no, it is exactly what we should expect. It is simply a case of people living according to their beliefs. In fact, they are one of the commonest set of beliefs in our day. You have probably heard them expressed in any number of pithy statements such as the following.
· Look after number one.
· A small indiscretion is acceptable if you don't get caught.
· Most rules were made to be broken. (under certain circumstances)
· Winning is everything.
· You have to do what other people are unwilling to do if you want to get ahead.
· Everybody does it so it is acceptable.
· Nobody is perfect anyway so you might as well accept it and adapt.
· Do it if it feels good to you.
· Personal autonomy is the most important thing.
I could go on with many more, but these few give an idea as to modern thinking in many peoples minds. It may sound a little pessimistic, and jaded, but the reality is that many people think maturing as a person means absorbing the phrase; "this is life, get used to it". We even say these things to our children as they are approaching adulthood because we want to prepare them for the harsh realities of life. But I wonder if we are doing them an injustice.
By accepting these philosophies and merely adjusting to them we are doing a disservice to our children and ourselves. Indirectly we are justifying and validating dishonesty and deception.
As my friend keeps reminding me, through a quote by Edmund Burke - "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for enough good people to do nothing. The only thing necessary for the triumph of good is for enough good people to do something extra."
I often hear people say something like "I just don't understand how a person can be like that". It is not pessimism to reply "Of course, what else did you expect". The fact is, that man as a creature is a damaged being. He is not as he should be, and every time we are surprised when he behaves accordingly, we are reinforcing the lie that man is basically and inherently good. Man was created good, but has become tainted and corrupted, and can only be redeemed by a transformation through the renewing of the mind. It is false to believe that it is only environment, lack of education, poverty or any other external factor that sends a man bad. The badness comes from within, so this is where we must tackle the problem. We can try to legislate and moderate and castigate, but until we meet the source of the problem within the heart and soul of the man, we will only be window dressing a persistent evil that refuses to diminish. And the only way to do that is to continue to refute lies with sound correction, so that people are convicted of the truth, enough to take appropriate action that will lead to a transformation in their lives. I know of no other way for this to occur except through acceptance and submission to God through Jesus Christ. Man can alter the physical, but only God can alter the spiritual.
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