"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2
Today has been really interesting, at least in the spiritual sense. This morning I responded to a friend's FB post in which he wrote, "Is grappling with one of the most difficult questions of faith I have ever encountered: if God is good and everything he created is good, then how did evil originate? That is how did evil originate ex nihlo?"
Ex nihilio is latin for "out of nothing." This usually refers to the concept of creation in which God created something from nothing. The true creative ability at work, as it were. Anyhow, what spawned out of these conversations has produced some interesting thoughts for me and has forced me to remember my apologetics. Apologetics is defined as the "defense of the faith," or in layman's terms "knowing why you believe."
As these conversations continue to grow and expand, I was reminded of Paul's charge to Timothy (it's at the top) and wondered just how prepared I am at any given time? How prepared are you at any given time to answer the earnest questions of an individual seeking truth? I wish I could say that I had no room for improvement, but that would be a bold faced lie from which I should be tossed from the castle walls. Instead, I will say that today was a good day. Today, I was prepared. Tomorrow, only God's grace can tell, but I thank Him for today.
Jesus said to Pilate these profound words, "In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth." The Bible: John 18:37
"What is truth?" The answer to this question determines everything. Everything.
I just got back from a training seminar to lead our small group through this foundational understanding of our world. If you are not currently attending this small group and wish to participate, please get a hold of me and you will be welcome to attend.
Be advised that this series has the potential to undo your very identity and is not for those who wish to remain curious at a distance. However, the benefits will be remain for eternity.
I came across this video and, if there was a Richter scale (Yes, that is how it is spelled, I checked) in Pangea, I would put this at an 8 for how pissed off I was. And if you know me, it takes a lot to even register on my scale. However, when a "evangelical" starts opening his mouth and only crap comes out...well, I can't help but respond.
I'm going to let you watch the video where he is interviewed on DL Hughley's show and then continue on for my response.
Warning: This video contains intellectual dishonesty and psychological absurdity. Viewer discretion is advised.
Now, let me start by confirming some, yes there is some, truth to his story. Did the Evangelical Right go nuts in the 80's and early 90's? Yes, absolutely they went wacko. Did many preachers, teachers, and motivational speakers become celebrities, daresay, approach demigod status? Yes, many did. Do I believe that is currently valid today? Absolutely not!
After viewing this video, reading opposing viewpoints, and reading Frank Schaeffer's own words I believe that I know too little about his father, Francis Schaeffer, to come to any definite conclusions. The only impression I get is Frank grew up in a dysfunctional family and became disillusioned with who his family was. There was the public and private Francis who existed very differently, maybe in fact, completely opposed. I am not sure, but one thing I know is it was not a life of integrity, therefore, Frank had no example to follow.
With that said, I leave you to your own conclusions or research about this man, the ministry he was involved with and dynamics of his family. I will now only address items in the video I found deplorable.
Video Response: First, Bush was unqualified? How was he less qualified than our current president? He's getting his executive experience for the executive branch...on-the-job. Do you really want to make that case Frank?
Second, Sarah Palin energized the Republican Party because she actually was a Republican. I know that simple statements are hard to understand for all you educated on television folk, but we down here in little ol' America like simple. And in case you wanted to know why a Republican president wasn't elected? Well, that is simple to. There wasn't a republican to vote in for president. McCain is a moderate. Maw-dur-ett. No, not murderer. Just because he was in Vietnam does not make him a murderer **cough** Kerry **cough, cough**
Third point of notice...You "changed" your mind? I would argue you hopped out of the frying pan into the fire. A.k.a. From hypocritical father to hypocritical president. On one end, according to your own words, you're father lived one life in the public and one life in private. Obama says one thing and does the opposite.
Man this guys audacity and uninformed conclusions astound me and offend my intelligence. The Religious Right is responsible for "8 years of a bad presidency, a collapsed economy, two wars (one of which we should not have been in)." Um, 8 years of Bush may have not been America's golden years, but I'm damned well pleased to have him over Dean or Gore. The collapsed economy is not Bush's fault entirely. He contributed to the government's growth which widened the door for an already ticking time bomb in the housing market (Thanks Clinton and Carter). They are the real originators of this problem. 2 wars, yes two wars. Bush had a very good economy, until the last year, despite the largest attack on American soil ever and two wars.
Furthermore, Mr. Schaeffer, it is your democratic party that also voted the war possible. The executive branch does not have the power to engage in wars. Only Congress does. They are responsible for your two "unjustified" wars. If you want to call terrorists attacking America (Osama, Afghanistan) and 300,000+ murders in mass graves (Hussein, Iraq) unjustified. We won't go into detail about the 14 broken UN resolutions, chemical weapons development, or oppressive regime Sadam was responsible for.
I have to say that this Schaeffer guy really urks me. He uses his background in religion to legitimize his shaky and unfounded political opinions. It is very shaky ground to weave religion and politics together. They exist together harmoniously in very few places and even fewer places, but to use this platform in this way makes criticism especially difficult. For to criticize men who are affiliated with piety, one must tread carefully to separate Christ from the human. He does not do this well, in fact, he does it horribly at the expense of the memory of his parents, those who were involved in the ministry and those of the "religious right" he hopes to sway.
Did you guys catch the phrase, "the greatest miracle of your lifetime...is the election of Barack Obama?" Hmmm, how about the Blacks getting the right to vote? What about landing on the moon? How about the birth of your child? You are telling me that a man who was put into office less than 2 months ago is miraculous? Please. I refuse to allow my judgment on a man's legacy to be determined when a few fortnights haven't even passed.
Here's the last hypocritical statement I'll leave you readers with today. This blatant disregarding of his own words is what current political powers today are echoing. Be on the look out for this fallacy at about 6:15.
"[We] would rather take the whole country down and be proved right, than be patriotic Americans and stand up and do the thing that every American who loves this country would do right now, which is to support the president whether you voted for him or not." Followed by exuberant applause.
Excuse me, Mr. Schaeffer, can I borrow your soapbox so that I can state to liberals across America: WHY DIDN'T YOU SUPPORT BUSH WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT WHETHER YOU VOTED FOR HIM OR NOT?! Hypocritical panderers to masses.
When it's not popular to have your viewpoint, then we'll see how vocal you are. It's only when you stand alone do you realize your beliefs are all that you have. Christ or otherwise. Don't tell me to fall into line like a little American lemming. The government was founded out of a revolution moron! Our country realized it's birth from a mother country that oppressed and abused the writers of the Constitution.
You scoff at the Republican party and Conservatives, call us oppressive and intolerant. Yet it is your party who tried to draft and is still trying to create the Fairness Doctrine to silence free speech. We are the ones who defend your right to try IDIOT! And you stand on your soapbox and tell me I'm a "woman molester." C'mon dude. Really? And I'm the one who is crass and loud.
I'm sorry folks, but people like this who have religious backgrounds and still claim some watered down form of it upset me greatly. I know what it is like to live a hypocritical life where one marries flesh to spirit. It is an unholy abomination to all the is pure and right. I am ashamed of the old life I once lived and if there is anything I don't tolerate, it's a double-minded human.
Whenever Janelle and I drive long distances we love it. It's a special time that we can have to talk about life, our dreams, our problems, or sometimes to just make funny noises that no one else can hear. (If you have ever spent any time with us, this is normal)
Anyway, on this particular trip back from Fort Bragg, we listened to The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. In a sentence, my brain couldn't unpack the wisdom fast enough. I had to literally stop the cd after every letter to ask Janelle, "Did you get that?" When really, I was just making sure I got that. But don't tell I think she is smarter than me, shhhhh.
I digress, I'd like to review the entire book, but that would take forever and I really don't want you to know how much time I can waste writing reviews on books. Therefore, let me fast forward to the tail end and comment on the last portion of the updated version, which includes a toast to graduating tempters from Screwtape some years later. Here is an excerpt to catch you up.
"The scene is in Hell at the annual dinner of the Tempters' Training College for young devils. The principal, Dr. Slubgob, has just proposed the health of the guests. Screwtape, a very experienced devil, who is the guest of honour, rises to reply."
"You can get him [your assigned human] to practise, not only without shame but with a positive glow of self-approval, conduct which, if undefended by the magic word, would be universally derided. The feeling I mean is of course that which prompts a man to say, "I'm as good as you."
The first and most obvious advantage is that you thus induce him to enthrone at the centre of his life a good, solid, resounding lie. I don't mean merely that his statement is false in fact, that he is no more equal to everyone he meets in kindness, honesty, and good sense than in height or waist measurement. I mean that he does not believe it himself. No man who says I'm as good as you believes it. He would not say it if he did. The St. Bernard never says it to the toy dog, nor the scholar to the dunce, nor the employable to the bum, nor the pretty woman to the plain. The claim to equality, outside the strictly political field, is made only by those who feel themselves to be in some way inferior. What it expresses is precisely the itching, smarting, writhing awareness of an inferiority which the patient refuses to accept.
And therefore resents. Yes, and therefore resents every kind of superiority in others; denigrates it; wishes its annihilation. Presently he suspects every mere difference of being a claim to superiority. No one must be different from himself in voice, clothes, manners, recreations, choice of food." - Screwtape
I believe that Mr. Lewis has better described my little war against pseudo racism and the hypocritical positions they, who stand on their soapboxes, preach. This combined with false humility (counterfeit humility which lowers oneself instead of lifting up others), is what modern socialism is.
It is the entitlement generation, my generation which knows not oppression but voluntarily oppresses itself for the pity of others, to only then raise themselves to their superiors with, as C.S Lewis would state, "I am as good as you." This is the most deceptive pride in our post modern world.
This type of person will ask for help out of the mudpit of circumstance but when a ladder or rope is lowered, rebuke the helpers efforts since they were unwilling to carry them out. Additionally, anyone who takes the initiative to climb out, they rebuke, belittle and berate in attempts to guilt them into wallowing with them in misery.
Socialism, our liberal government, can only guaranty the equality of results to the point in which no results can be produced. In other words, if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. This is no way for any free nation to live and prosper. This is no way that God intended man should live, so why do I find myself living in a nation that promotes suffering and submission to an overlord state as a legitimate ideal? To which some Christians can be the worst.
If you are one of the better humans, one to whom are told, "I am as good as you." I encourage you to keep growing and keep prospering. Realize that this phrase comes out in different words like,"You are arrogant" or "You think you're better than me." Know the lies and act appropriately.
If you are embarrassed to discover your own weakness living in the other camp, I encourage you to change your ways and become competent and confident in the life and choices you have. Change only happens in the present. Don't let the future hold you back.
I implore you to read this book, material that has survived the test of generations. I have included links to the audio and hardback versions below.
Most real Christians, not the one's who bought fire insurance, will tell you that they spend a regular "quiet-time" with the Lord. Usually, this takes place in the morning in a secluded place like a closet, living room, or dining room before others in the house wake up.
I profess I am not as holy, so I run regularly to a porcelain throne.
I have to say that my mind works just as hard as my colon, if not harder. My best reading, problem solving, prayer time, and general righting of all wrongs occurs in the most quiet, secluded and isolated room in the house.
In fact, I believe that all Christians should commune with Jesus while on the pot.
Here's my Top 5 reasons why we should pray on the toilet. 5. He can take it (your crap). Matthew 11:28 4. You can't run away from conviction. 1 John 1:9 3. You are exposed, literally. Ephesians 5:13 2. It's already a cleansing environment. 2 Timothy 2:21 1. Only dedicated Christians will admit they meet Jesus on the crapper. 2 Timothy 3:12
I am a little man with a big dream. A world of yellow thinkers. All would know kung fu like Bruce Lee; the world math averages would skyrocket; commuter traffic would feel like an illegal drift race. Rice would no longer be eaten with butter, sugar or salt. It will be glorious and I would finally have my own samurai sword. This is my dream.
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