A Lifestyle of Peace

Friday, October 17, 2014

Modern Christianity & Apologetics: Some Intriguing Lectures & Discussions

I really enjoy intriguing and entertaining presentations regarding Christianity, Apologetics, and Science. Don't you!? I really, really do. So these are five gems I've scraped together for your viewing pleasure. My goodness, we have such a rich movement of Christianity taking form in this country today. Don't you think?

First off we've got an interview by the sarcastic, brilliant Eric Metaxas. The interview with Canon White is absolutely fascinating, and funny. It's simply astounding to hear about the work of the Holy Spirit, angels, miracles and such happening in Baghdad. You wonder about what it's like to be a persecuted Christian from time to time, it sounds truly terrible, yet wonderful at the same time. 2nd is a presentation by Frank Turek, revealing some very intense and scary information about college professors and atheism on campus. 3rd is Eric Metaxas again, sarcastically interviewing the founder of the intelligent design movement Stephen Meyer. Fourth again is Frank Turek discussing the fossil record, intelligent design, and the cambrian explosion. Enjoy!

1. Eric Metaxas interviews the Vicar of Baghdad Canon White
Topic: Being a Christian in Iraq

2. Frank Turek discusses Intellectual Predators on Campus
Topic: Atheist bias on college campuses

3. Eric Metaxas interviews Stephen Meyer / Socrates in the City
Topic: Intelligent Design

4. Frank Turek discusses Intelligent Design, Evolution, and the Cambrian Explosion
Topic: Fossil record/Cambrian Explosion

Related Posts:
The Power of Apologetics
Believing in the Miraculous
Apologetics: Answering Atheism, Naturalism
Can you see through the illusion?
Philosophy, Science, Logic, and History

Power Structures: The Pyramid & the Inverted Pyramid

What is a pyramid in the terms of a look at the structure of society? A pyramid in teaching and history has often been shown to adequately describe the basic layout of a society and how it is controlled, or governed. One can also see an economic picture when looking at the layout of a pyramid.

Today in terms of what we'll be looking at, it's kind of an umbrella. Distribution of political power, economic power, and indeed spiritual power I think can be well described within the context of a pyramid.

In our world today we have at work, generally, the pyramid structure. At the bottom are people like you and I, with the least amount of power, and bearing the weight of the day to day operations of the society. Going up you see the various other segments of society with increasing amounts of power, and less and less of the population involved as you move up the pyramid.

To illustrate take a look at a political drawing from the early 1900s, obviously the illustrator was seeking to attack capitalism. That is not my purpose for this short discussion on pyramid systems.

So the working class is at the bottom, and then you move upward to say the "middle class" something I was part of when I was in my teen years, before my parents divorced.

Remember in the late 90s and early 00s the cost of living was much lower. The Federal reserve had not devalued the US dollar to the point it's at now. So during that time in my life I was the son of a teacher and a nurse. Today that would not necessarily make someone middle class. (I suppose it would depend on what kind of teacher.) We took frequent vacations. I was very blessed. I got to see Washington D. C., Yellowstone Park, the Grand Tetons, Boston, fishing in Canada, and I was even privileged to be at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. My parents worked a great deal, but there was also plenty of time for vacations and relaxation. We owned several cars, a ski boat, 3 wheelers, and snowmobiles. Of course today my parents are both in debt and struggling to make ends meet. Divorce does that.

After the middle class you have probably the upper class, people who make above $100,000 a year. Engineers, doctors, lawyers, police chiefs, small business owners, and so on. Sort of "upper middle class."

Next you'd have large corporate owners people above 10+ million a year. These are the people who really influence things on not just a local or regional level, but on a nation level. Included in this group would be Senators, Representatives, certain Religious leaders, Government bureaucrats, all the way up to the President of the United States.

Next would be people who make over 100 million a year and exert influence over not just national politics, but international politics. This would largely be banking institutions and the owners of those institutions, including fortune 500 companies, and representatives of international governance organizations like the United Nations and European Union.

So that's how it breaks down. And most people live in the money paradigm. People will pretend they don't, but they surely do. Money is the god, and it is not a forgiving god. It demands tribute and gives more to those who have and as far as those who have not, well, sometimes the unexpected does occur.

Enter, Jesus Christ. I hope you smile at this moment. Because the world has a lot of problems, and much of it can be attributed to the pyramid. Entire continents starve and suffer from disease and the money is there, but it is not open to those who would need it. But then there's our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. The one who changes everything. And what happens with Jesus? He does the impossible.

Our glorious Lord flips the pyramid on it's head. As is written in the word: ""So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:16 NIV).

In the future kingdom we see an inverted pyramid as the style of government. Jesus Christ is the benevolent President. And those who had been the most abused and neglected of society on Earth as it is now will be the first in His government. Those who ruled on the Earth in this life, will be the least in the kingdom, at best, and at worst, they will have no place in the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

This is why I can't understand it when friends of mine say that "religion is the opiate of the masses." Do you know that you're quoting Karl Marx? Do you know that his system of government/economics has been used to enslave and commit genocide against entire populations? Keep that in mind.

I concede, absolutely, that religion has been used as a method to power. I consider the megachurch leaders, not all of them, but some of them, such as Mark Driscoll, who use their position as a means to power, status, and influence. Don't get me wrong. I loved the teachings of Mark Driscoll, but with increased power, comes increased responsibilities (Luke 12:48). That said, God bless the leaders of the church and we should be quick to accept their acts of repentance, multiple times, 7 times 70 times (Matthew 18:21-22). If you work that out it comes to 490 times. So that's a lot of times. I assume, even more.

So there I come to the purpose of this post: Humble leadership.

I find it quite confusing, the pastor position. But I do live in the United States so, that might explain it. The pastor position is kind of a position of prominence and authority as far as I can see. They are busy, powerful, CEO-like men and women who stand atop the mountain directing the company below. On the stage, the godly man, the representative for the people before God.

But that isn't biblical. The biblical "leader" I suppose would be much more so like the humble servant role of Jesus Christ, washing the feet of the disciples. The eternal servant. In the correct model, the "pastor" or "elder" would be below the church members in the scheme of "power." The leader is the servant.

Philippians 2:5-11
⁵In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

This is illustrated well in the role of the church planter. A poor church planter, according to Ralph Winter in his book "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement" will do certain things: He will have to be at the center of everything. He will be the one in the limelight, with all the attention on him. He will have to have his hands in everything. He will be very hesitant to delegate any authority. And he will then end up attracting only the very least influential members of the local culture.

I've been a part of a church plant that went just like that. But Ralph Winter also wrote that in a really good church plant, it will be something called a "people movement." And it just rings true with the message of the Bible. The church planter is hardly seen. He tends to work behind the scenes. He is quick to take give out power to locals. He finds a local person of influence and simply helps that person to take on the roll of prominence in the new movement. Then the movement takes on a very "home grown" quality. In the best kind of people movement the church planter is never noticed. And isn't it like our God to exalt the humble church planter in the background, out of the limelight, who painstakingly works for others to get the earthly honor? Of course it is.

In the same way, the humble servant pastor leads up a healthy church. He is not a CEO power player. He is a servant of his congregation.

1 Peter 5:1-4 (ESV) So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

In this world we have a pyramid of control, and most of us are at the bottom. That's what it's like in a kingdom controlled by the evil one. But in the kingdom of Christ Jesus, the poor and powerless are quickly the exalted. I know so many people so consumed with the political corruption of the world and the brutal realities of life on Earth. I used to be that person, searching for the truth in all of it. To them I say, keep fighting for a saner world today, but also, have the eternal perspective. Christianity is not another method of control. Christianity is the ultimate solution to the greatest question: Why is the world so messed up? And an even bigger question: How can we fix it?

The answer is Jesus Christ. There is no perfect economic system or form of government that will make all this suddenly ok. Because the problem is not government corruption, or corporate corruption, or social corruption. The problem at it's very core is my corruption. The evil in my heart, and in your heart, because we've all at one time or another contributed to the problem. And the only answer to the evil in my heart, is rebirth in Jesus Christ. That is the very heart of the solution. Become a part of that solution. Because it's real. And it works. With Jesus as President, the pyramid inverted, and the evil in my heart replaced with love, finally, peace on Earth, life, joy, no more death. Free, free at last. That's the ultimate liberty in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

Related Posts:
The USA and the Ancient Roman Empire
The Mainstream Media, Tolerance in America
Recipes for the Babylonian Captivity
American Traditionalism vs. Biblical Christianity
Religion or Relationship? Good deeds or Jesus?

Saturday, October 11, 2014

A Vital Spiritual Experience, an unparalleled Adventure

The Christian journey is a magical, incredible, powerful adventure. It is simply the highest and greatest undertaking possible for any one man or woman to set forth upon. The Pilgrim begins at the cross of Christ, and sets out upon a heroic journey unparalleled by any other on the face of the Earth.

Ups and downs, highs and lows, devastating tragedies, joyous victories, and everywhere in between. It all awaits the pilgrim on his passage. Autumns skies, swaying woods of yellow, gold, and red that bring about such unspeakable emotions. Winters so deep and unending one feels like the only creature in a thousand miles. Springs of lush green and pouring rains. Summers of golden rays set against valleys of green and endless oceans blue, that remind you of lost loves and childhood moments of indescribable emotion. The adventure is beautiful. The Christian faces down a deep wilderness, brilliant white angels dancing in the sunlight for a moment you might catch a glimpse, and in the shadows mysterious and terrible creatures lurking, temptations outstretched so sweet to the mouth, yet so bitter to the stomach.

Comraderies with fellow travelers. Breaks in the trail that lead to dead ends. Broken fellowships fleeing the woods. The sounds of bombs falling in the distance. Cloudy skies crackling thunder. Quiet moments of home and hearth around dinner tables breaking bread in joyous communion. Moments of clarity when the clouds part and God himself in shining light shows himself in sovereignty.

And so much more. So much more. So many twists and paradoxes, ironies, synchronous moments, joys unspeakable, moments of pure adulation interspersed with moments of hope and holiness, dwindling amongst regret, fear, and lingering disappointment. Days of war and nights of love, peace of heart amongst the powerful love for God, and for fellow travelers. On and on it goes.

This Christian life is a indeed a great and epic journey of spiritual power and growth. Jesus Christ at the center, Holy Spirit working in our heart, and God the Father overhead guiding the way. One day at a time, remaining steadfastly firm in the commitment to never give up, to always stay loyal to the God who saved us, one day at a time, learning, growing, falling, and getting up again. All thanks to Jesus Christ, all through him, to the glory of God the Father.

Take the journey, begin the adventure, experience the power.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Mental Illness, Awareness, and Jesus

This post is in connection with the October Synchroblog. Participate in the Synchroblog to write on like-minded topics.

#BlessedAreTheCrazy

Anxiety? Worry? Depression? Insomnia? These are things many people struggle with on a daily basis. Of course there is a lot of stigma surrounding these issues.

What do you say when someone asks you how you're doing?

"Hey Justin, how are you doing buddy?"

"I'm doing good."

But what I'm really thinking is.. well, I'm kinda sad right now and I'm not sure why. I'm tired too. Super tired. I keep thinking about things from the past and feel depressed, and occasionally I think about things in the future and feel anxious. So I'm really kind of a mess today.

Of course I would not say that out loud. Why? Because I don't want any advice. I don't want a pep talk. I don't want my friend to "worry about me." And I don't want to make him uncomfortable. But it's there. Sometimes I need so badly to tell someone, but I can't.

A lot of the time, that's a snapshot of what it's like with mental illness. Everyday can be a struggle.

Mental illness is a very real concern for many, many people today. It's a silent struggle. Because in our "5 step to success" style consumer society, we all put on shows. We play pretend, and the game is "I'm perfect." We all pretend like we have no problems, and suffer in secret. And that leads to loneliness.

Well I refuse to play games. I have issues! And it's ok to have issues! I struggle with mental illness. Big deal.

Sadly the perfect mask often occurs in the church as well. When people play righteousness, or holier than thou, a church rapidly degenerates into nothing more than a weird social club. Sin is hidden. Secrets abound. No one can be honest. And effectiveness in ministry drops by leaps and bounds.

Mental illness is real. Sadly, in some churches if you bring it up you'll get the "it must be hidden sin in your life or you'd always feel great." That is entirely false. The Psalms show again and again, Christians will struggle. The entire New Testament is full of mentions of Christians having to endure trials and suffering.

The Old Testament as well. Consider the story of Elijah and his victory over the false prophets of Baal. He had just achieved an incredible victory over the false prophets. Yet he received word that someone wanted to kill him, and it was like the straw that broke the camel's back. He fled and endured depression. Yet he had done nothing wrong, he was simply struggling with the ups and downs of life.

1 Kings 19:3-9
³Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, ⁴while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” ⁵Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” ⁶He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
⁷The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” ⁸So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. ⁹There he went into a cave and spent the night.

Sometimes I've had enough! Just like Elijah. Sometimes I'm depressed. And I go to my cave and feel sad. Worry, anxiety, difficult feelings... Probably the most important thing someone with mental health issues needs is a loving friend. They need someone to listen without judgement. They need someone to acknowledge them, listen, and tell them that they are understood.

One last thought on mental illness.. I'm an introvert. And being an introvert is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately my introverted style of life, wanting to write and read and spend time alone was misinterpreted by my dad as a mental health problem when I was 10. I was put on prozac. That mindset of "take a pill to fix a problem" and "there is something wrong with you" spiraled. One could say Ritalin was a major contributor to my parents divorce a few years later, as my dad pressed to experience the cures of psychiatry. Then after, I looked to doctors and pills to solve my mounting problems. I became addicted to Ambien. And I continued to throw pills of all kinds into my mouth, to solve my mental health pains and troubles until 10 years later I'd destroyed my whole life and had overdosed twice and been declared a danger to myself and/or others by the legal system.

Thankfully, Jesus Christ saved me from that. It's all about Jesus. It's all about God. Christianity. I had been prescribed over 30 different medications over those years. I had been in outpatient counseling, in-patient facilities, over and over and over. But all the psychotherapy in the world was useless without Jesus Christ and the words of the Bible to make recovery possible. That was the problem all those years, I tried to overcome those issues with the very best meds and therapy. But it was all useless until Jesus Christ changed my heart, and filled me with power to truly seek out and put into practice the solutions out there.

It was a nightmare to be in that repeating loop, that repeating disaster. I wish someone had told me during those years that I needed Jesus. But then again, I probably wouldn't have listened anyway.

Mental illness is real. It affects millions every year in this country. It's not sin. Though we all do sin. It's illness. And it needs treatment. Therapy is useful. Some medications are useful. But unless the spiritual life guided by Jesus Christ is present, it's often wasted effort.

So during this month of mental health awareness, hug a depressed guy or gal. Listen and learn. Simply be there. Don't worry about what to say, just listen! Support someone will mental illness in your area. And if you're like me, someone who struggles with depression, anxiety, and sleep problems, I have a message for you: You aren't alone. God loves you, I love you. I get it, I really get it! Your pain has meaning, and I know you're of a special few to our Heavenly Father.

Amen.

Books I Recommend for Mental Health & Addiction:

Freedom from Depression Workbook by Les Carter

The Lies We Believe Workbook by Chris Thurman

Love Hunger Workbook by Frank Minirth

The Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson

Love is a Choice by Robert Hemfelt

Happiness is a Choice by Frank Minirth, Paul Meier

Pain and Pretending by Rich Buhler

Worry-Free Living by Frank Minirth

Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book by Bill Wilson

Basic Text of Narcotics Anonymous

Celebrate Recovery

Every Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn

Healing for Damaged Emotions by David Seamands

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis

Has Christianity failed you? by Ravi Zacharias

Support Groups I Recommend: (no cost groups)

Celebrate Recovery Group Locator - for support with addiction, mental health, sexual health, eating disorders, etc.

Alcoholics Anonymous - for support for people struggling with alcoholism.

Al-Anon - support groups for those affected by alcoholic family or friends.

Narcotics Anonymous - support for people who struggle with drug addiction

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - mental health support groups

Others include Nicotine Anonymous, 1-800-QUITNOW (for tobacco), Overeaters Anonymous, Emotions Anonymous, Smart Recovery, and many others! Inquire locally.

October Synchroblog List: