I have recently borrowed a copy of Dan Brown's new novel, "The Lost Symbol." As fan of Brown's novels featuring Harvard Symbology Professor Robert Langdon, and as a poor college student, I have anxiously waited to borrow this book from my good friend and colleague, Matt Smith. As I began to read, my mind remembered that certain people would be displeased with my reading of this book. Why?
Because they are tragically closed-minded.
You see, when The Da Vinci Code was released, it caused a HUMONGOUS controversy. I mean, people arguing about it's validity left and right, sermons preached on it, and numerous people telling me not to read it. So, what do I do with all of this? The answer is simple: I read the book. I greatly enjoyed the plot and pace of the novel. It was extremely thought-provoking. Sure, it included things about the Church and Jesus Christ that were totally untrue. And this is the reason most told me to stay away from it. Yet, to everyone who says that The Da Vinci Code, as well as other books starring Robert Langdon, shouldn't be read by Christians, let me say this: IT IS FICTION.
How else can Christians know about the truth of their faith if they also do not examine false claims against it? Now, I realize that if a young Christian(meaning young in faith, not just age) reads and is confused, why, this is the only danger that these books present. But, that is why there are the offices of the Church. Christians are free to explore outside ideas and contrary ideas in order to strengthen their faith. It is up to the leaders of the Church to make sure that these ideas to not sway believers. Discipleship is the process of learning and growing in the faith, and it is the leaders' jobs to disciple (Eph.4:. I believe people should be encouraged to check things out for themselves and put them against Scripture. This is what I did with The Da Vinci Code. I read it, saw that the story was good but the claims were heretical and untrue in regards to the Scriptures. Also, I do not believe that you can attack something you do not know about. This is so your really are informed AND people can't deny your claims based on the fact that you don't know because you haven't read, watched, etc.
We should face these intellectual challenges with faith, not fideism. Fideism is the notion that we accept things based sole on what others say. In other words, it is blind acceptance. You accept things not based on fact, but on what others simply say. You just go with it. Faith is educated. Faith is not blind acceptance(see previous post, What is faith?). Check things out for yourself, but remember to take the lens of Scripture with you.
I'll probably put a book review up as soon as I finish The Lost Symbol. In the meantime, go grab some Scripture....and a good book. :)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Resistance Transmission #2: Midnight at the Fountain of Eternal Flame or, The Resistance Manifesto
*Begin Transmission*
Lee University has just recently built a new fountain on campus. Water flows from the top over a brick column. From there, it comes to a central tier before flowing over into the bottom pool. At the very top is a censer from which a fire burns right over the water. So, the water is flowing from underneath the flame. I was thinking and walking around campus a few nights ago, and at about midnight I found myself in front of this particular fountain. The fire was raging from its censer as the water swiftly crashed over the bricks and into the pool below. It really was quite a sight for me in light of my midnight musings. Parallels began to form, yet remained incomplete until later in the night. After spending some time there to hold conversations with the Father, I felt I should move on.
I eventually made my way over to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, located right next to Lee’s campus. There is a very calm, quiet garden in the center of the seminary. And what is in this garden? There are some trees, flowers, benches, and…..a fountain. This fountain is larger than Lee’s Eternal Flame Fountain. However, the flow from the top of this fountain had been shut off. The water had become still and stagnant. There was complete silence. As I began to ponder this, I dipped the tips of my middle three fingers into the water. They came away black. I wiped them on my jeans, picked up my backpack and headed on my way.
These two fountains came to represent two distinct facets within the ideals of The Resistance. The Eternal Flame Fountain became a picture of the True Church. It was alive, active, burning, forceful, and captivating. Anyone passing by would give at least a grain of attention to its nature. The True Church should be all these things and more, the roaring sound of truth lighting the way in the darkness of this Corrupt System. The fire is the power of God, and the water the rush of the Holy Spirit. Sadly, this is not so. You see, the Corrupt System has infiltrated and infected the True Church, leaving her battered, bruised, and frail. Instead of being the wonderful fountain of Eternal Flame, she is nothing than the dark, dank, silent Fountain of Stagnation. This has come through division, complacency, apathy, and over all slumber in the Church. It is for this reason that The Resistance exists.
We must reclaim the actions and practices of the True Church. No longer can we sit idly by and twiddle our thumbs while we pretend the world isn’t going to Hell. No longer can we call ourselves Christians and leave the actions to the preachers. If we are to be the True Church, then we must rise up. The Resistance is made up of those in Christianity who wish to see the True Church restored. We must reclaim the actions of love and humility in ministry, as well as the sound, stable Traditions of the True Church. The Resistance exists not to destroy, but to change and modify. The True Church is in need of a new Reformation. The Reformers were nothing more than early leaders of The Resistance. Consider this a manifesto. For those who are tired of the way things are in the church, who would like to see something different. We must again become the salt and light in the world. Things need to change. Exactly what change is needed will come in future transmissions. Right now, I am trying to keep them short and to the point.
*End Transmission*
Lee University has just recently built a new fountain on campus. Water flows from the top over a brick column. From there, it comes to a central tier before flowing over into the bottom pool. At the very top is a censer from which a fire burns right over the water. So, the water is flowing from underneath the flame. I was thinking and walking around campus a few nights ago, and at about midnight I found myself in front of this particular fountain. The fire was raging from its censer as the water swiftly crashed over the bricks and into the pool below. It really was quite a sight for me in light of my midnight musings. Parallels began to form, yet remained incomplete until later in the night. After spending some time there to hold conversations with the Father, I felt I should move on.
I eventually made my way over to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, located right next to Lee’s campus. There is a very calm, quiet garden in the center of the seminary. And what is in this garden? There are some trees, flowers, benches, and…..a fountain. This fountain is larger than Lee’s Eternal Flame Fountain. However, the flow from the top of this fountain had been shut off. The water had become still and stagnant. There was complete silence. As I began to ponder this, I dipped the tips of my middle three fingers into the water. They came away black. I wiped them on my jeans, picked up my backpack and headed on my way.
These two fountains came to represent two distinct facets within the ideals of The Resistance. The Eternal Flame Fountain became a picture of the True Church. It was alive, active, burning, forceful, and captivating. Anyone passing by would give at least a grain of attention to its nature. The True Church should be all these things and more, the roaring sound of truth lighting the way in the darkness of this Corrupt System. The fire is the power of God, and the water the rush of the Holy Spirit. Sadly, this is not so. You see, the Corrupt System has infiltrated and infected the True Church, leaving her battered, bruised, and frail. Instead of being the wonderful fountain of Eternal Flame, she is nothing than the dark, dank, silent Fountain of Stagnation. This has come through division, complacency, apathy, and over all slumber in the Church. It is for this reason that The Resistance exists.
We must reclaim the actions and practices of the True Church. No longer can we sit idly by and twiddle our thumbs while we pretend the world isn’t going to Hell. No longer can we call ourselves Christians and leave the actions to the preachers. If we are to be the True Church, then we must rise up. The Resistance is made up of those in Christianity who wish to see the True Church restored. We must reclaim the actions of love and humility in ministry, as well as the sound, stable Traditions of the True Church. The Resistance exists not to destroy, but to change and modify. The True Church is in need of a new Reformation. The Reformers were nothing more than early leaders of The Resistance. Consider this a manifesto. For those who are tired of the way things are in the church, who would like to see something different. We must again become the salt and light in the world. Things need to change. Exactly what change is needed will come in future transmissions. Right now, I am trying to keep them short and to the point.
*End Transmission*
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Resistance Transmission #1: Welcome to the Resistance
*Begin Transmission*
I have noticed something that I have come to see as profound. A trend, if you will.
I recently acquired Muse’s new album, “The Resistance.” I find it fascinating. I have always liked Muse due to their unorthodox style and brilliant lyrics. And this time, they didn’t disappoint. In fact, they have brought me to a realization. This realization has stirred me so that I had to change the entire tone and look of the blog. You see, I have noticed that a lot of music groups sing about resistance in some form or another. Barlow Girl vows that a million voices will break the silence. Becoming the Archetype states, “I am not a mechanism. I am part of the resistance.” And Muse declares, “They will not force us. They will stop degrading us. They will not control us. We will be victorious.”
Now, if there is a resistance, there must be something we are resisting, yes? Let me make it clear that I am not an anarchist. I respect the government and follow its laws to the best of my ability. I am not suggesting that we should revolt against the government. It is to my greatest role model that I owe the identity of our oppression. The apostle Paul spoke of not conforming to the patterns of this world in Romans 12:2. The Greek for the word “world” is aion, which is simply defined as age. So, Paul is telling us not to conform to the patterns of this age. Brings more significance, huh? Indeed, in this present age we are seemingly under a system that doesn’t respect the laws of the true Kingdom, and we are ruled by Pharaohs that know not Joseph. And that corrupt system is ruled by “the prince and power of the air.” (Eph 2:2) Paul speaks of those who have been liberated from this dictator, and tells us that it is he who is at work in the “sons of disobedience.”
As Christians, we have been delivered from the rule of the unrightful king of this world. We have come into the rightful knowledge of the Kingdom of God. But, we are still in combat with the Corrupt Kingdom, and there are many who are still enslaved by its rule. It is our duty to go to them and set them free (Luke 4:18, Matthew 28:18- 20). This is the Resistance. Christians, by definition, are in constant opposition to the Corrupt System ruled by the Prince and Power of the Air and his Sons of Disobedience. It’s time we really understood that we are simply in this world, not of it. We are not called to live the same. We serve a different king, and while we are alive we will always be in conflict with the one that rules this world. Many in the church are sitting back and conforming to the patterns and systems of this age. It is time for the Church to wake from her slumber so the light of Christ, the true King, may shine upon her (Eph 5:14). We must combat hate with love, and violence with peace and patience. This is the truth. This is our conflict. If you are reading this and you agree with me, then welcome to the fight.
Welcome to the Resistance.
*End Transmission*
I have noticed something that I have come to see as profound. A trend, if you will.
I recently acquired Muse’s new album, “The Resistance.” I find it fascinating. I have always liked Muse due to their unorthodox style and brilliant lyrics. And this time, they didn’t disappoint. In fact, they have brought me to a realization. This realization has stirred me so that I had to change the entire tone and look of the blog. You see, I have noticed that a lot of music groups sing about resistance in some form or another. Barlow Girl vows that a million voices will break the silence. Becoming the Archetype states, “I am not a mechanism. I am part of the resistance.” And Muse declares, “They will not force us. They will stop degrading us. They will not control us. We will be victorious.”
Now, if there is a resistance, there must be something we are resisting, yes? Let me make it clear that I am not an anarchist. I respect the government and follow its laws to the best of my ability. I am not suggesting that we should revolt against the government. It is to my greatest role model that I owe the identity of our oppression. The apostle Paul spoke of not conforming to the patterns of this world in Romans 12:2. The Greek for the word “world” is aion, which is simply defined as age. So, Paul is telling us not to conform to the patterns of this age. Brings more significance, huh? Indeed, in this present age we are seemingly under a system that doesn’t respect the laws of the true Kingdom, and we are ruled by Pharaohs that know not Joseph. And that corrupt system is ruled by “the prince and power of the air.” (Eph 2:2) Paul speaks of those who have been liberated from this dictator, and tells us that it is he who is at work in the “sons of disobedience.”
As Christians, we have been delivered from the rule of the unrightful king of this world. We have come into the rightful knowledge of the Kingdom of God. But, we are still in combat with the Corrupt Kingdom, and there are many who are still enslaved by its rule. It is our duty to go to them and set them free (Luke 4:18, Matthew 28:18- 20). This is the Resistance. Christians, by definition, are in constant opposition to the Corrupt System ruled by the Prince and Power of the Air and his Sons of Disobedience. It’s time we really understood that we are simply in this world, not of it. We are not called to live the same. We serve a different king, and while we are alive we will always be in conflict with the one that rules this world. Many in the church are sitting back and conforming to the patterns and systems of this age. It is time for the Church to wake from her slumber so the light of Christ, the true King, may shine upon her (Eph 5:14). We must combat hate with love, and violence with peace and patience. This is the truth. This is our conflict. If you are reading this and you agree with me, then welcome to the fight.
Welcome to the Resistance.
*End Transmission*
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