People often ask me why I want to major in political science. They know I love to write, and so usually assume I am going to be an English major. I do love to write; it’s a part of me that will never fade, but there is another desire that is close to my heart, and this is a desire for justice. I see injustice all over the world, but nothing frustrates me more than seeing injustice and corruption in America.
America is the home of the brave, but also of honor, liberty, truth and justice. I believe that all five of those intrinsically American ideals are in danger, and I feel strongly called to take action personally. I am an ardent patriot and I think it is the duty of Americans not only to take what America can give, but to uphold her values with our own lives. It is a crime to murder, steal and cheat. I believe it is also a crime not to confront those offenses. However, the biggest crime of all is to allow an innocent person to be convicted or repressed, whether by a fellow citizen or even the government.
Acquiring a degree in political science would prepare me not only to fight injustice, but to quell the corruption I see developing in our government. America is a strong, beautiful nation founded on strong, beautiful principles. However, every day I see more of those founding principles violated or ignored. Government officials find ways to circumvent the system of checks and balances; they take more unapproved power every day. I believe this is not only an unjust use of power, but a demonstration of a lack of integrity.
America is headed in a direction that is not brave, honorable, free, true or just. The question I ask myself is “What can I do?” I go back to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, looking at the founding principles of America. So many virtues that were once upheld strongly have fallen. I believe it is the duty of the people to look at their God-given rights, at the principles the country was founded on, and take action. America can only do so much without the help of her citizens. Action must be taken to restore integrity to our country, and to save her people from the injustices that mount daily. That is why I chose to major in political science.
~Kendra Logan
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Saturday, September 11, 2010
I Remember.
I was seven. I was in my kitchen with Lizzy and Matt, my little siblings. We were doing homeschool. We were doing handwriting.
The phone rang. My mom answered. Her expression turned startled and frightened. That got our attention.
"Who is it, Momma?"
"Momma, what's wrong?"
She didn't answer us. She went into the living room.
We were seven and five years old. Our attention spans were short. She left the room, we forgot about it.
Then we heard the TV go on in the living room.
Hey, no fair. If Mom gets to watch TV during school time, so do we.
We almost leapt up and went into the living room, but my mom came out seconds later and went to my dad's study. What was up?
She returned with my dad seconds later. They went back into the living room. I heard my mom saying something about "My mom called...she told me..."
More muffled voices. Matt and Lizzy and I exchanged glances. What was up?
My mom poked her head in the doorway. "Hey, guys? We want you to see this."
TV DURING SCHOOL? Oh yes. We ran into the living room.
It was news on TV. News? News was boring. But why was this such a big deal?
Towers. We saw towers. Towering building, towering smoke. Plans. Fire. Crumbling.
"Some people flew planes into the Twin Towers," my mom explained. I'd never seen her look like that before. Like she was trying hard to be calm. Like she was holding in a great sadness. "Lots of people work there. Lots of people have died."
Matt, Lizzy and I watched.
"Why?" I asked.
I don't remember what she said.
"Go get some blank paper and draw a picture," she suggested to us. "Draw what you see."
I drew a building with debris flying. I remember being very detailed about it. I could feel this was important. I remember being careful to draw on cords on the blinds of the windows.
Lizzy drew the building too. She drew fire and stick people.
Matt drew the building. He drew debris he drew...raindrops?
Momma: "Matt, what are those?"
Matt: "Those are God's tears."
~Kendra
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
School
Whether your thoughts are on summer being so close you can taste it, or exams beating you over the head with a 2x4, school is most likely on your mind this time of year.
I'm one of those people who hates school, but loves learning. Every once in a while I can step back and agree that school is really important and it gives you a great foundation for the rest of life.
But some people just plain hate school. They don't see the point. You know what? I don't think that's their fault. I think it's the school's fault.
Schools these days aren't giving you knowledge, they're teaching to test. They're teaching you exactly what you need to know to pass. They don't expect you to understand. They don't expect you to know how to think. They don't expect you to be able to apply what you learn. In my opinion, that's robbing you of half your education.
School should be directly related to life. I'm not saying that it is, I'm saying that it should be. Teach us how to think, not how to spit information back at you. Teach us to read, understand, and be able to communicate ideas. Teach us history so this next generation won't make the mistakes we've repeated for centuries.
You know what I think? I think school is not supposed to be about fitting yourself into an academic box and making good grades. I think school is supposed to be about empowering ourselves with knowledge. Giving ourselves a solid foundation of numbers, logic, history, English, biology, physics, art, music, current events, and public speaking. We go to school to get a foundation that we will use for the rest of our lives!
Every subject we learn is integrated! Our Creator did not just make a bunch of independent subjects to be studied! He made everything fit together in beautiful and delightful ways! He left behind all this knowledge, just waiting for us to soak it in and see how it all works together. When we don't embrace our education, we're cutting off part of what makes us in God's image.
School should not be where our parents shove us because that's just what you do. School should not be about becoming popular because a full social calendar is what it's all about. School should not be where our curiosity and creativity are squashed to promote class efficiency. School should not be a place where we are brainwashed because that's how we're supposed to think.
School should be where we go to soak in the knowledge that God has created for us to learn! School should be about making strong friends who will help you become who you're supposed to be. School should be where we're encouraged to ask questions and be our own person. School should be a place where we're not told what to think, but given the tools to draw our own conclusions.
School should not be about facts or about grades. School should be about gaining life skills in specific areas and learning to think. Because when it comes down to it, understanding HOW to think is a lot more useful than being told WHAT to think.
~Kendra Logan
I'm one of those people who hates school, but loves learning. Every once in a while I can step back and agree that school is really important and it gives you a great foundation for the rest of life.
But some people just plain hate school. They don't see the point. You know what? I don't think that's their fault. I think it's the school's fault.
Schools these days aren't giving you knowledge, they're teaching to test. They're teaching you exactly what you need to know to pass. They don't expect you to understand. They don't expect you to know how to think. They don't expect you to be able to apply what you learn. In my opinion, that's robbing you of half your education.
School should be directly related to life. I'm not saying that it is, I'm saying that it should be. Teach us how to think, not how to spit information back at you. Teach us to read, understand, and be able to communicate ideas. Teach us history so this next generation won't make the mistakes we've repeated for centuries.
You know what I think? I think school is not supposed to be about fitting yourself into an academic box and making good grades. I think school is supposed to be about empowering ourselves with knowledge. Giving ourselves a solid foundation of numbers, logic, history, English, biology, physics, art, music, current events, and public speaking. We go to school to get a foundation that we will use for the rest of our lives!
Every subject we learn is integrated! Our Creator did not just make a bunch of independent subjects to be studied! He made everything fit together in beautiful and delightful ways! He left behind all this knowledge, just waiting for us to soak it in and see how it all works together. When we don't embrace our education, we're cutting off part of what makes us in God's image.
School should not be where our parents shove us because that's just what you do. School should not be about becoming popular because a full social calendar is what it's all about. School should not be where our curiosity and creativity are squashed to promote class efficiency. School should not be a place where we are brainwashed because that's how we're supposed to think.
School should be where we go to soak in the knowledge that God has created for us to learn! School should be about making strong friends who will help you become who you're supposed to be. School should be where we're encouraged to ask questions and be our own person. School should be a place where we're not told what to think, but given the tools to draw our own conclusions.
School should not be about facts or about grades. School should be about gaining life skills in specific areas and learning to think. Because when it comes down to it, understanding HOW to think is a lot more useful than being told WHAT to think.
~Kendra Logan
Monday, December 21, 2009
>insert title here<
A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students,'Let me explain the problem science has with religion.' The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.
'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'
'Yes sir,' the student says.
'So you believe in God?'
'Absolutely.'
'Is God good?'
'Sure! God's good.'
'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'
'Yes.'
'Are you good or evil?
'The Bible says I'm evil.'
The professor grins knowingly.'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a moment.'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'
'Yes sir, I would.'
'So you're good...!'
'I wouldn't say that.'
'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'
The student does not answer, so the professor continues.'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'
The student remains silent.
'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'
'Er...yes,' the student says.
'Is Satan good?'
The student doesn't hesitate on this one.'No.'
'Then where does Satan come from?'
The student falters.'From God'
'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'
'Yes.'
'So who created evil?' The professor continued,'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'
Again, the student has no answer.'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'
The student squirms on his feet.'Yes.'
'So who created them?'
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.'Who created them?' There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.'Tell me,' he continues onto another student.'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'
The student's voice betrays him and cracks.'Yes, professor, I do.'
The old man stops pacing.'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'
'No sir. I've never seen Him.'
'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'
'No, sir, I have not.'
'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'
'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'
'Yet you still believe in him?'
'Yes.'
'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'
'Nothing,' the student replies.'I only have my faith.'
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats.'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own.'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'
'Yes,' the professor replies.'There's heat.'
'And is there such a thing as cold?'
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'
'No sir, there isn't.'
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees.'
'Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.
'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'
'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation.'What is night if it isn't darkness?'
'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word.'
'In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester.'So what point are you making, young man?'
'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time.'Flawed? Can you explain how?'
'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains.'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.'
'It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'
'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'
'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.'
'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.
'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.
'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'
The student looks around the room.'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into laughter.
'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.'
'So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.
Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers.'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'
'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues.'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'
Now uncertain, the professor responds,'Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'
To this the student replied,'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'
The professor smiles and nods at his student. Albert Einstien.
'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'
'Yes sir,' the student says.
'So you believe in God?'
'Absolutely.'
'Is God good?'
'Sure! God's good.'
'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'
'Yes.'
'Are you good or evil?
'The Bible says I'm evil.'
The professor grins knowingly.'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a moment.'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'
'Yes sir, I would.'
'So you're good...!'
'I wouldn't say that.'
'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'
The student does not answer, so the professor continues.'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'
The student remains silent.
'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'
'Er...yes,' the student says.
'Is Satan good?'
The student doesn't hesitate on this one.'No.'
'Then where does Satan come from?'
The student falters.'From God'
'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'
'Yes.'
'So who created evil?' The professor continued,'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'
Again, the student has no answer.'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'
The student squirms on his feet.'Yes.'
'So who created them?'
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.'Who created them?' There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.'Tell me,' he continues onto another student.'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'
The student's voice betrays him and cracks.'Yes, professor, I do.'
The old man stops pacing.'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'
'No sir. I've never seen Him.'
'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'
'No, sir, I have not.'
'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'
'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'
'Yet you still believe in him?'
'Yes.'
'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'
'Nothing,' the student replies.'I only have my faith.'
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats.'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own.'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'
'Yes,' the professor replies.'There's heat.'
'And is there such a thing as cold?'
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'
'No sir, there isn't.'
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees.'
'Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.
'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'
'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation.'What is night if it isn't darkness?'
'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word.'
'In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester.'So what point are you making, young man?'
'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time.'Flawed? Can you explain how?'
'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains.'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.'
'It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'
'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'
'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.'
'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.
'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.
'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'
The student looks around the room.'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into laughter.
'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.'
'So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.
Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers.'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'
'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues.'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'
Now uncertain, the professor responds,'Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'
To this the student replied,'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'
The professor smiles and nods at his student. Albert Einstien.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
You
I'm studying DNA and genes in biology this week; you know, what makes you, you. Your DNA controls your physical characteristics almost entirely. You can lift weights or something to get stronger, of course, but there's actually a limit to how far you can go. Your DNA determines that limit.
But what about our thoughts and personalities? I've been told that I "act just like my mom" sometimes, but is that because of my DNA, or my mom's influence on me throughout my life? Hmm.
Peoples' personalities are (obviously) very different. I can't figure some people out, and other I understand perfectly. Some people love the color purple, and others (like me) find it a horrible color for whatever reason (sorry, purple-lovers :)). Some love to read, others don't. Some think Obama is the best thing since remote controls, others think it wouldn't hurt him to be a little less like one.
I have often wondered what makes us who we are. DNA to some extent, parental influence to some, God shaping us to some as well, but who are WE?
What is YOU?
I don't mean what do you like. I don't mean when you go shopping and see a cute jacket that is "so you". I mean what are you. Where is the "you" in your body? What makes you, YOU?
If I cut off your finger, is that finger "you"?
Well, yes and no...It's PART of you, but it's not really YOU...
Okay, so you aren't in your finger.
I tend to think people are in their heads. But it's not as if you could dissect someone's brain and find a little piece inside that's "them".
So...what makes us who we are?
It's our minds, yes. Our thoughts. But what are thoughts? Just electric impulses in our brains? How do little electric impulses tell us right and wrong, what to like, how to act? How do little electric impulses make us love to read, or write, or go horseback riding, or paint? How do little electric impulses tell us to be scared, happy, sad, or excited? How do little electric impulses make us love and hate?
Maybe we'll never really know what thoughts are. Maybe people DO know and I just don't yet :) But it's really kind of interesting, isn't it? What separates "you" from "your body"? What are thoughts?
Just something to think about ;)
But what about our thoughts and personalities? I've been told that I "act just like my mom" sometimes, but is that because of my DNA, or my mom's influence on me throughout my life? Hmm.
Peoples' personalities are (obviously) very different. I can't figure some people out, and other I understand perfectly. Some people love the color purple, and others (like me) find it a horrible color for whatever reason (sorry, purple-lovers :)). Some love to read, others don't. Some think Obama is the best thing since remote controls, others think it wouldn't hurt him to be a little less like one.
I have often wondered what makes us who we are. DNA to some extent, parental influence to some, God shaping us to some as well, but who are WE?
What is YOU?
I don't mean what do you like. I don't mean when you go shopping and see a cute jacket that is "so you". I mean what are you. Where is the "you" in your body? What makes you, YOU?
If I cut off your finger, is that finger "you"?
Well, yes and no...It's PART of you, but it's not really YOU...
Okay, so you aren't in your finger.
I tend to think people are in their heads. But it's not as if you could dissect someone's brain and find a little piece inside that's "them".
So...what makes us who we are?
It's our minds, yes. Our thoughts. But what are thoughts? Just electric impulses in our brains? How do little electric impulses tell us right and wrong, what to like, how to act? How do little electric impulses make us love to read, or write, or go horseback riding, or paint? How do little electric impulses tell us to be scared, happy, sad, or excited? How do little electric impulses make us love and hate?
Maybe we'll never really know what thoughts are. Maybe people DO know and I just don't yet :) But it's really kind of interesting, isn't it? What separates "you" from "your body"? What are thoughts?
Just something to think about ;)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Truth
Truth.
Where do I even start? I mean, honestly. That wasn’t said for show, I really don’t know where to begin.
First, let’s define truth. That’s always a safe place to begin. What is truth? I say truth is reality. Truth is what we know to be real, correct, and naturally following from other instances. Logical.
Let’s see what good ol’ Dictionary.com says:
Truth: the true or actual state of a matter; conformity with fact or reality;
Okay, so that’s pretty consistent with the definition I presented.
Now we get to the deep part. If you define truth simply as above, that’s not too difficult. But then we get into the famous logical fallacy:
“Well, that may be true for you, but not for me.”
“I think everyone should find his own truth.”
“Truth is all relative.”
*buzzer sound*
I’m sorry; come again?
Truth is not relative. Truth does not differ from person to person. You cannot find “your own” truth. There is only truth, and it is true for you and everyone else. Truth is one of the black and white things in life. Either something is true—and true for everyone—or it is false—and false for everyone.
Of course, then we get into the matter of finding truth. If there is only one truth for every question, what is it? How do we find it?
Well, let’s take a walk through history.
Originally, of course, truth came from God. People went to God for everything, and he gave them truth.
Of course, that got old eventually. People began to wander away from God and look for truth in other places. Why believe in some invisible superhero in the sky when you can just look around the world and find truth for yourself?
But, there was still only one truth to be believed, and that started to hurt some peoples’ feelings. The artistic world was evolving into more abstract concepts and artists like Picasso painted “as they really saw the world”. This opened the gateway for some interesting ideas.
People began to try to find “their own truth”. Truth became relative, hippies reigned ;) Drugs became an answer. LSD was the golden truth. People thought that it would help them find the truth inside themselves.
Of course, the golden years of LSD were fairly short lived, and people reverted mostly back to their old ways.
Lately, truth has become a relative term once again. Right and wrong have been blurred. Good and evil barely exist anymore in the minds of today’s citizens.
Maybe you’re nodding vigorously and going, “Yes, YES! Truth IS relative!” or maybe you were like me and your eyes are bugging and you’re going, “Good and evil relative? How is that even a possibility?”
However, now that God has been taken out of the equation, how we define truth? How do we determine right and wrong? How do we decide what is good and what is evil?
People do.
So, people can find the ultimate truth? By themselves?
Oh, no, of course not.
So it’s a good thing that’s not what America is looking for.
People aren’t looking for the ultimate truth anymore, because they’ve decided there’s no such thing.
“Well, that may be true for you, but not for me.”
“I think everyone should find his own truth.”
“Truth is all relative.”
This is great. This is awesome. How easy is this?? I can lie and cheat and steal and it’s all okay because that’s what’s true, what’s right, what’s good for me. We can all have our own truths. They might be totally different from each other, but it’s all chill dude, because there’s no such thing as truth anyway. We’re just making it up as we go along.
Abortion might be wrong for you, but it might be right for me.
Oh, you can believe in Global Warming if you want to. It can be true for you, just not for me.
Maybe you see calling down demons as evil, but I believe it’s my calling.
Right and wrong. *shrug* Whatever you feel is right for you.
Truth and falsehood. *smile* Oh, you just pick and chose! I’ll accept your decision as your own.
Good and evil. *wink* There’s not really a right and wrong answer here. It’s all relative.
…
Let’s go back to the beginning. What is truth?
The true or actual state of a matter.
That doesn’t sound negotiable to me. Truth is what is right and what is not. That’s black and white. Truth is black and white. That’s why it’s called TRUTH. If it’s not black and white, then they have this cool new word called OPINION that you can use.
So if right and wrong, true and false, good and evil are absolutes, who decides what they are?
THE GOVERNMENT!
Haha, just kidding.
Well, who? You? Me? Seriously, the government?
Well, who tells you what truth is? Who tells me what truth is? Who tells the government what truth is?
And then who tells the tellers of you? Of me? Of the government?
And who tells the tellers of the tellers?
And back…
And back…
And back…
WHAT IS TRUTH?
HOW DO WE GET TRUTH?
WHO IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY?
WHERE CAN WE LEARN WHAT’S REAL?
WHERE IS THE UNIVERSAL?
WHERE IS THE UNIVERSAL TRUTH OF ALL THESE PARTICULAR THINGS?
Just like the definition of truth, let’s go back to the beginning.
Yep, you probably called it.
God. God tells us what the universal, the ultimate truth is.
I saw that eye roll and lip curl. I saw that disgusted look away from the computer. I saw that click to another window because you refuse to deal with closed-minded, religious idiots like me.
Well, since I’m not closed minded, let me ask you:
If truth doesn’t come from God, where does it come from?
Where do I even start? I mean, honestly. That wasn’t said for show, I really don’t know where to begin.
First, let’s define truth. That’s always a safe place to begin. What is truth? I say truth is reality. Truth is what we know to be real, correct, and naturally following from other instances. Logical.
Let’s see what good ol’ Dictionary.com says:
Truth: the true or actual state of a matter; conformity with fact or reality;
Okay, so that’s pretty consistent with the definition I presented.
Now we get to the deep part. If you define truth simply as above, that’s not too difficult. But then we get into the famous logical fallacy:
“Well, that may be true for you, but not for me.”
“I think everyone should find his own truth.”
“Truth is all relative.”
*buzzer sound*
I’m sorry; come again?
Truth is not relative. Truth does not differ from person to person. You cannot find “your own” truth. There is only truth, and it is true for you and everyone else. Truth is one of the black and white things in life. Either something is true—and true for everyone—or it is false—and false for everyone.
Of course, then we get into the matter of finding truth. If there is only one truth for every question, what is it? How do we find it?
Well, let’s take a walk through history.
Originally, of course, truth came from God. People went to God for everything, and he gave them truth.
Of course, that got old eventually. People began to wander away from God and look for truth in other places. Why believe in some invisible superhero in the sky when you can just look around the world and find truth for yourself?
But, there was still only one truth to be believed, and that started to hurt some peoples’ feelings. The artistic world was evolving into more abstract concepts and artists like Picasso painted “as they really saw the world”. This opened the gateway for some interesting ideas.
People began to try to find “their own truth”. Truth became relative, hippies reigned ;) Drugs became an answer. LSD was the golden truth. People thought that it would help them find the truth inside themselves.
Of course, the golden years of LSD were fairly short lived, and people reverted mostly back to their old ways.
Lately, truth has become a relative term once again. Right and wrong have been blurred. Good and evil barely exist anymore in the minds of today’s citizens.
Maybe you’re nodding vigorously and going, “Yes, YES! Truth IS relative!” or maybe you were like me and your eyes are bugging and you’re going, “Good and evil relative? How is that even a possibility?”
However, now that God has been taken out of the equation, how we define truth? How do we determine right and wrong? How do we decide what is good and what is evil?
People do.
So, people can find the ultimate truth? By themselves?
Oh, no, of course not.
So it’s a good thing that’s not what America is looking for.
People aren’t looking for the ultimate truth anymore, because they’ve decided there’s no such thing.
“Well, that may be true for you, but not for me.”
“I think everyone should find his own truth.”
“Truth is all relative.”
This is great. This is awesome. How easy is this?? I can lie and cheat and steal and it’s all okay because that’s what’s true, what’s right, what’s good for me. We can all have our own truths. They might be totally different from each other, but it’s all chill dude, because there’s no such thing as truth anyway. We’re just making it up as we go along.
Abortion might be wrong for you, but it might be right for me.
Oh, you can believe in Global Warming if you want to. It can be true for you, just not for me.
Maybe you see calling down demons as evil, but I believe it’s my calling.
Right and wrong. *shrug* Whatever you feel is right for you.
Truth and falsehood. *smile* Oh, you just pick and chose! I’ll accept your decision as your own.
Good and evil. *wink* There’s not really a right and wrong answer here. It’s all relative.
…
Let’s go back to the beginning. What is truth?
The true or actual state of a matter.
That doesn’t sound negotiable to me. Truth is what is right and what is not. That’s black and white. Truth is black and white. That’s why it’s called TRUTH. If it’s not black and white, then they have this cool new word called OPINION that you can use.
So if right and wrong, true and false, good and evil are absolutes, who decides what they are?
THE GOVERNMENT!
Haha, just kidding.
Well, who? You? Me? Seriously, the government?
Well, who tells you what truth is? Who tells me what truth is? Who tells the government what truth is?
And then who tells the tellers of you? Of me? Of the government?
And who tells the tellers of the tellers?
And back…
And back…
And back…
WHAT IS TRUTH?
HOW DO WE GET TRUTH?
WHO IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY?
WHERE CAN WE LEARN WHAT’S REAL?
WHERE IS THE UNIVERSAL?
WHERE IS THE UNIVERSAL TRUTH OF ALL THESE PARTICULAR THINGS?
Just like the definition of truth, let’s go back to the beginning.
Yep, you probably called it.
God. God tells us what the universal, the ultimate truth is.
I saw that eye roll and lip curl. I saw that disgusted look away from the computer. I saw that click to another window because you refuse to deal with closed-minded, religious idiots like me.
Well, since I’m not closed minded, let me ask you:
If truth doesn’t come from God, where does it come from?
Friday, September 25, 2009
Einar: Are People "Sent" to Hell?
Hey Kendra, thank you for letting me post on your blog!
With this post, I would like to address a somewhat unresolved issue that was brought up in one of the older posts, why would a loving God send people to hell, or torture them, just for not believing in Him?
http://toseizethenight.blogspot.com/2009/05/terrorists-live-and-let-live.html
A little known or acknowledged fact is that God does not torture people.
Ok, maybe that is not the right way to put it, I doubt any Christian thinks that when someone goes (not “is sent”) to hell, God is torturing them as punishment for refusing to believe Him. If someone who considers themselves a Christian believes that, then they do not know the same God the Bible talks about.
I am going to have to explain a little background here, to help make things clear, I hope ya’ll will bear with my wordiness.
God is holy, He is righteous, He cannot abide sin, and sin CANNOT exist in His presence. Therefore, for us to live in heaven with Him, we must never have sinned once in our lives.
This is not possible, so God sent His son, to live a life with all the temptations and trials we have, BUT WITHOUT SINNING.
In the Old Testament, the Law was set up to allow the Israelites to pay for their sins without paying the price with their own life. The wages of sin is death, therefore they had to slaughter an animal without defect to pay for their sins “for that month” or “for that week” or for an especially bad sin, “What I did in that bar last night.” This system (or covenant) worked, but it was incomplete and difficult, so once Jesus had lived His perfect life, He then had to die, to sacrifice Himself as THE ONLY truly perfect sacrifice. This sacrifice was so great that it was able to pay not only for the sins of those that lived in those times, but for all the sins of all those who came after.
As with the old covenant however, you cannot pay for someone else’s sins unless they accept the sacrifice, you could not kill a goat to pay for grandpa’s sins unless grandpa was willing to admit his sins needed paying for.
In the same way, the Christ paid for your sins, but you have to accept that payment, as well as that He is the only one who can pay for them.
Imagine how God must feel, after paying such a terrible price, only for someone, anyone, to reject him. God is not a flawed human, who would get angry and perhaps vengeful at this rejection, but rather, He feels sorrowful (in such a manner that words cannot describe it) at the loss of His child he watched grow up, watched so closely that He knew how many hairs were on his or her head, knew their very thoughts.
Look at this illustration in Luke of how God feels when one of His children return to him. I am sure you know the story of the prodigal son, but did you ever realize it is as much about God’s view of us as it is our view of Him?
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:17-24 (NIV)
God does not resent that the young man left, He gives it no thought! He is nearly delirious with joy that his son has seen the errors of his ways and returned.
Do I think that this God would SEND someone to hell in a vengeful manner? NEVER!
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2nd Peter 3:9 NIV (Emphasis Mine)
God does not send anyone to hell, hell is nothing more and nothing less than total separation from God, just as Heaven is total fellowship and closeness with God. After judgment there will be no middle ground, we will either have total communion with God, or total separation from Him.
As I said before, Sin cannot exist near God. It is inconceivable. Therefore when God comes to take away those who have chosen to have their sin paid for, He has to leave the others behind, much as it tears at his heart to do so.
He does not send anyone to hell, they “go” there of their own free will, and as He has given us free will, He cannot stop them.
As for "burning in the eternal and torturous fires of hell" as you put it, the Bible does say that hell will seem like a lake of fire. It may very well be an actual place where people will be tortured physically. However, I am of the opinion that this technicality does not matter, no pain, physical or mental, could possibly be compared to the spiritual anguish of being forever separated from your Creator.
In answer to your other example, as the verse above says, God is not willing that one should perish. In a “grey area” (such as aborted babies) do you really think God is gonna say “Ehhh, I dunno, I never really covered that in my book, you can have em Satan.”
NO WAY!
God loves us with a passion greater than any father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, or friend on earth! There are no grey areas for him. He may not have explained it to your satisfaction in the Bible (although he has for me) but that does not mean he has not thought about it! And because God is Holy, you can bet that whatever he has decided IS RIGHT.
However, this grey area (from our perspective) does not include those who’s upbringing or situation makes it DIFFICULT to accept Christ, it covers only those who never even had the chance to choose him, or to at least choose what they knew was right.
In the event they had never heard of him, adults who choose to do what they know is evil will still go to hell. Even a pygmy who has never heard the gospel has a conscience, and the Bible makes it quite clear that a gentile (in this context, someone who has never heard of God) has no excuse, because of his God given conscience.
Your mention of a tribe of Pygmies is a good example of this, but that particular issue is so massive and complex I would prefer not to address it here. If I have time I may post another thing about it later, in a reply to this or while the follower’s say thing is still going. It depends on whether or not I have time. (There are verses to back this up, and I can provide them, I just do not have time right now, this little tangent was a sort of last minute change.)
If anyone hears even a whisper of God’s truth, and rather than seek it out they still refuse it, then they have refused God, and their sin is not paid for.
A good analogy would be: Someone invites you to a banquet, and they tell you that you have to wear a ring that they gave you to get in, just the ring, and nothing else.
You do not have to bring a gift. (Although he would love one, and if you truly cared, you would try to bring one)
You do not have to dress nice. (Even though others will, and you would be ashamed to come in rags)
You do not even have to be on the dot. (Although if you miss the banquet completely, nothing can be done.)
However, this friend explains, you will not be admitted unless you wear the ring, otherwise, you shall be left outside in the cold.
If you were to show up, bearing a gift, dressed in a tux, perfectly on time, but without the ring, who’s fault would it then be if security did not let you in?
In the same way, if someone thinks that they can get to heaven any old way, so long as they are a good person, they will find that, as the Bible says, there is only one way to heaven (or one way to avoid hell, depending on how you look at it) and no amount of good deeds will cover over their sin.
I know the above example has lots of “real world” flaws, obviously the person throwing the party could just come to the door and make an exception because he knows the person, but this is not the case with God.
“Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Mathew 7:23 NIV
The ring is salvation, your verbal and mental acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice.
The gifts would be “Good Deeds”, martyrdom, souls brought to Christ, or help given to the poor, the Bible says that we will receive crown for these things, which we can then lay at Christ’s feet to show our love and gratitude.
The “Good Clothes” represent Personal Character, what you do alone when no one is watching, why you do good deeds, and what you think, separate from what you do.
Being punctual represents coming to Christ at an early age, or as soon as you hear of him. Many people know of God, and many believe Christ exists as well, but they refuse to accept his blood to pay for their sins. God does not welcome someone who truly accepts Christ the day before they die any less than someone who has known and loved Him since the day they heard the Good News.
That does not mean God does not appreciate the things we do, but that He does not allow them to cause Him to think less of his more wayward children, as seen in the last part of the story of the Prodigal son.
25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' “Luke 15:11-32 NIV
All these things are not required to “go” to heaven per say, but if you truly do understand and accept the sacrifice Jesus paid, you cannot possibly go on living without at least trying to change, even if you have only one day to live. (Why do you think so many people try to set things right with their family on their deathbed? When faced with their own mortality, many accept Christ, and attempt to help further His kingdom with their dying breath. Even those who do not accept Christ try to fix things, because in our soul, we know that the true reason for being here is to serve a greater power. Although many do not acknowledge exactly what that power is before they die, they still try to make amends on their own, not knowing that without Christ their efforts do no good, aside from the relief it may give to others.
You might think the parable I used a bit farfetched, but in reality, it is a modern adaptation from one in Matthew 22:2-14, look it up if you do not believe me.
In Conclusion, as Jesus states quite clearly in John 14:6
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
No one “gets” to heaven except by accepting the priceless gift Jesus paid.
This is a post primarily for Christians who already believe God (as defined in the Bible) exists, if you do not believe this, please feel free to ask questions, but please don’t make useless comments like “You idiot, There is not god! We evolved from monkeys!” This post is not about proving Evolution or Creation is true, it is based on the assumption that the God who wrote the Bible (By literally putting words in the mouths of men, whole different post/argument) Created the earth, and then sent His Son to die for us.
If you read this post, and asked questions, but still do not feel satisfied enough to accept Jesus into your heart, I would like to encourage you to read a Bible (NIV would be easiest to understand, I know many dislike the NKJ version) and then find a Church to attempt to learn more.
One thing you must do, if you are seeking these truths, is be careful not to accept what the staff of said church says at face value. Once you have heard a sermon or teaching, compare it to the Bible to make sure it is sound. There are many pastors out there who teach entire sermons without using a single Bible verse, or assume things they have been told without checking the Bible. I nearly fell prey to such a fallacy in writing this post, I had initially thought there was a verse in the Bible explaining that everyone will get a chance to accept Christ. I thought those who died before getting that chance would get it after their death, and after seeing Jesus, making their decision that much easier, but upon further research, I could not find this verse. That is when I realized that the “tribe of pygmies” issue was more complex than the abortion one. You could obviously have “good” and “evil” pygmies, but I do not believe there has ever been an evil baby born.
If you read this post, and agree with some, but not all of what I have said, please tell me why in the comments. I am sure enough of my views that I am not afraid to have them questioned. Be aware however, that I will not accept “feelings” as good reasons for disagreeing. No one likes the idea of even their worst enemy spending eternity in torment, completely separated from God, but that does not mean it will not happen.
Once again I would like to thank Kendra for allowing me to post on her blog, and I hope that this helps someone in some way.
Any ya’ll please make sure to read the other posts that are pushed down by this (extremely long) one, sorry Bethany, I hope you don’t get missed!
I have a new blog by the way, prolly just wasting cyberspace, but if yall want to check it out it is at http://einarslair.blogspot.com/
With this post, I would like to address a somewhat unresolved issue that was brought up in one of the older posts, why would a loving God send people to hell, or torture them, just for not believing in Him?
http://toseizethenight.blogspot.com/2009/05/terrorists-live-and-let-live.html
A little known or acknowledged fact is that God does not torture people.
Ok, maybe that is not the right way to put it, I doubt any Christian thinks that when someone goes (not “is sent”) to hell, God is torturing them as punishment for refusing to believe Him. If someone who considers themselves a Christian believes that, then they do not know the same God the Bible talks about.
I am going to have to explain a little background here, to help make things clear, I hope ya’ll will bear with my wordiness.
God is holy, He is righteous, He cannot abide sin, and sin CANNOT exist in His presence. Therefore, for us to live in heaven with Him, we must never have sinned once in our lives.
This is not possible, so God sent His son, to live a life with all the temptations and trials we have, BUT WITHOUT SINNING.
In the Old Testament, the Law was set up to allow the Israelites to pay for their sins without paying the price with their own life. The wages of sin is death, therefore they had to slaughter an animal without defect to pay for their sins “for that month” or “for that week” or for an especially bad sin, “What I did in that bar last night.” This system (or covenant) worked, but it was incomplete and difficult, so once Jesus had lived His perfect life, He then had to die, to sacrifice Himself as THE ONLY truly perfect sacrifice. This sacrifice was so great that it was able to pay not only for the sins of those that lived in those times, but for all the sins of all those who came after.
As with the old covenant however, you cannot pay for someone else’s sins unless they accept the sacrifice, you could not kill a goat to pay for grandpa’s sins unless grandpa was willing to admit his sins needed paying for.
In the same way, the Christ paid for your sins, but you have to accept that payment, as well as that He is the only one who can pay for them.
Imagine how God must feel, after paying such a terrible price, only for someone, anyone, to reject him. God is not a flawed human, who would get angry and perhaps vengeful at this rejection, but rather, He feels sorrowful (in such a manner that words cannot describe it) at the loss of His child he watched grow up, watched so closely that He knew how many hairs were on his or her head, knew their very thoughts.
Look at this illustration in Luke of how God feels when one of His children return to him. I am sure you know the story of the prodigal son, but did you ever realize it is as much about God’s view of us as it is our view of Him?
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:17-24 (NIV)
God does not resent that the young man left, He gives it no thought! He is nearly delirious with joy that his son has seen the errors of his ways and returned.
Do I think that this God would SEND someone to hell in a vengeful manner? NEVER!
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2nd Peter 3:9 NIV (Emphasis Mine)
God does not send anyone to hell, hell is nothing more and nothing less than total separation from God, just as Heaven is total fellowship and closeness with God. After judgment there will be no middle ground, we will either have total communion with God, or total separation from Him.
As I said before, Sin cannot exist near God. It is inconceivable. Therefore when God comes to take away those who have chosen to have their sin paid for, He has to leave the others behind, much as it tears at his heart to do so.
He does not send anyone to hell, they “go” there of their own free will, and as He has given us free will, He cannot stop them.
As for "burning in the eternal and torturous fires of hell" as you put it, the Bible does say that hell will seem like a lake of fire. It may very well be an actual place where people will be tortured physically. However, I am of the opinion that this technicality does not matter, no pain, physical or mental, could possibly be compared to the spiritual anguish of being forever separated from your Creator.
In answer to your other example, as the verse above says, God is not willing that one should perish. In a “grey area” (such as aborted babies) do you really think God is gonna say “Ehhh, I dunno, I never really covered that in my book, you can have em Satan.”
NO WAY!
God loves us with a passion greater than any father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, or friend on earth! There are no grey areas for him. He may not have explained it to your satisfaction in the Bible (although he has for me) but that does not mean he has not thought about it! And because God is Holy, you can bet that whatever he has decided IS RIGHT.
However, this grey area (from our perspective) does not include those who’s upbringing or situation makes it DIFFICULT to accept Christ, it covers only those who never even had the chance to choose him, or to at least choose what they knew was right.
In the event they had never heard of him, adults who choose to do what they know is evil will still go to hell. Even a pygmy who has never heard the gospel has a conscience, and the Bible makes it quite clear that a gentile (in this context, someone who has never heard of God) has no excuse, because of his God given conscience.
Your mention of a tribe of Pygmies is a good example of this, but that particular issue is so massive and complex I would prefer not to address it here. If I have time I may post another thing about it later, in a reply to this or while the follower’s say thing is still going. It depends on whether or not I have time. (There are verses to back this up, and I can provide them, I just do not have time right now, this little tangent was a sort of last minute change.)
If anyone hears even a whisper of God’s truth, and rather than seek it out they still refuse it, then they have refused God, and their sin is not paid for.
A good analogy would be: Someone invites you to a banquet, and they tell you that you have to wear a ring that they gave you to get in, just the ring, and nothing else.
You do not have to bring a gift. (Although he would love one, and if you truly cared, you would try to bring one)
You do not have to dress nice. (Even though others will, and you would be ashamed to come in rags)
You do not even have to be on the dot. (Although if you miss the banquet completely, nothing can be done.)
However, this friend explains, you will not be admitted unless you wear the ring, otherwise, you shall be left outside in the cold.
If you were to show up, bearing a gift, dressed in a tux, perfectly on time, but without the ring, who’s fault would it then be if security did not let you in?
In the same way, if someone thinks that they can get to heaven any old way, so long as they are a good person, they will find that, as the Bible says, there is only one way to heaven (or one way to avoid hell, depending on how you look at it) and no amount of good deeds will cover over their sin.
I know the above example has lots of “real world” flaws, obviously the person throwing the party could just come to the door and make an exception because he knows the person, but this is not the case with God.
“Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Mathew 7:23 NIV
The ring is salvation, your verbal and mental acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice.
The gifts would be “Good Deeds”, martyrdom, souls brought to Christ, or help given to the poor, the Bible says that we will receive crown for these things, which we can then lay at Christ’s feet to show our love and gratitude.
The “Good Clothes” represent Personal Character, what you do alone when no one is watching, why you do good deeds, and what you think, separate from what you do.
Being punctual represents coming to Christ at an early age, or as soon as you hear of him. Many people know of God, and many believe Christ exists as well, but they refuse to accept his blood to pay for their sins. God does not welcome someone who truly accepts Christ the day before they die any less than someone who has known and loved Him since the day they heard the Good News.
That does not mean God does not appreciate the things we do, but that He does not allow them to cause Him to think less of his more wayward children, as seen in the last part of the story of the Prodigal son.
25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' “Luke 15:11-32 NIV
All these things are not required to “go” to heaven per say, but if you truly do understand and accept the sacrifice Jesus paid, you cannot possibly go on living without at least trying to change, even if you have only one day to live. (Why do you think so many people try to set things right with their family on their deathbed? When faced with their own mortality, many accept Christ, and attempt to help further His kingdom with their dying breath. Even those who do not accept Christ try to fix things, because in our soul, we know that the true reason for being here is to serve a greater power. Although many do not acknowledge exactly what that power is before they die, they still try to make amends on their own, not knowing that without Christ their efforts do no good, aside from the relief it may give to others.
You might think the parable I used a bit farfetched, but in reality, it is a modern adaptation from one in Matthew 22:2-14, look it up if you do not believe me.
In Conclusion, as Jesus states quite clearly in John 14:6
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
No one “gets” to heaven except by accepting the priceless gift Jesus paid.
This is a post primarily for Christians who already believe God (as defined in the Bible) exists, if you do not believe this, please feel free to ask questions, but please don’t make useless comments like “You idiot, There is not god! We evolved from monkeys!” This post is not about proving Evolution or Creation is true, it is based on the assumption that the God who wrote the Bible (By literally putting words in the mouths of men, whole different post/argument) Created the earth, and then sent His Son to die for us.
If you read this post, and asked questions, but still do not feel satisfied enough to accept Jesus into your heart, I would like to encourage you to read a Bible (NIV would be easiest to understand, I know many dislike the NKJ version) and then find a Church to attempt to learn more.
One thing you must do, if you are seeking these truths, is be careful not to accept what the staff of said church says at face value. Once you have heard a sermon or teaching, compare it to the Bible to make sure it is sound. There are many pastors out there who teach entire sermons without using a single Bible verse, or assume things they have been told without checking the Bible. I nearly fell prey to such a fallacy in writing this post, I had initially thought there was a verse in the Bible explaining that everyone will get a chance to accept Christ. I thought those who died before getting that chance would get it after their death, and after seeing Jesus, making their decision that much easier, but upon further research, I could not find this verse. That is when I realized that the “tribe of pygmies” issue was more complex than the abortion one. You could obviously have “good” and “evil” pygmies, but I do not believe there has ever been an evil baby born.
If you read this post, and agree with some, but not all of what I have said, please tell me why in the comments. I am sure enough of my views that I am not afraid to have them questioned. Be aware however, that I will not accept “feelings” as good reasons for disagreeing. No one likes the idea of even their worst enemy spending eternity in torment, completely separated from God, but that does not mean it will not happen.
Once again I would like to thank Kendra for allowing me to post on her blog, and I hope that this helps someone in some way.
Any ya’ll please make sure to read the other posts that are pushed down by this (extremely long) one, sorry Bethany, I hope you don’t get missed!
I have a new blog by the way, prolly just wasting cyberspace, but if yall want to check it out it is at http://einarslair.blogspot.com/
Saturday, July 25, 2009
4: Do You Have a Better Idea?
Well? you're wondering. Do I?
I've been going on and on about how Evolution is wrong, people are being biased, people aren't looking into things, etc. etc. BUT. The real question is, DO I HAVE A BETTER IDEA?
Criticism without ideas for change is basically just nagging. So, unless I have a better idea of what to do with all this, I am the official most annoying Blog-Nagger out there.
But I DO have a better idea.
(Which just makes me the most annoying Blogger out there.)
Here are my ideas:
1. Stop seeing the issue as Bible vs. Science. They don't contradict. Evolutionary naturalists like to portray ALL Christians as "Genesis liberalists who reject the evidence of science for purely religious reasons". Not true. The Bible and good Science don't contradict.
I know some of your are saying, that the Bible says the world is flat, it says the sun rises, it says a rabbit chews cud. Well, yes, it does say that. But that's because the Bible was written in phenomonological (fih-NOH-min-uh-LOH-jih-cal) language, meaning it says things how it looks to us, not how it actually is. It's kind of a form of poetry almost.
2. Stop relying on the "blind watchmaker thesis". Having the world just suddenly "happen" or evolve from a single-celled organism is like trying to make a watch while blindfolded. It's pretty much impossible. All the tiny, tiny pieces have to mesh perfectly, and doing that blindfolded would be inconcievable.
3. Realize the philosophical bias in today's society. Most people nowadays think that "good science" BEGINS with the assumption that there is no God. Without even testing this theory, without opening any other options.
I'm just going to throw this out there: scientists are scard. That's why they make sure to define their terms so that naturalism is true by definition.
I've been going on and on about how Evolution is wrong, people are being biased, people aren't looking into things, etc. etc. BUT. The real question is, DO I HAVE A BETTER IDEA?
Criticism without ideas for change is basically just nagging. So, unless I have a better idea of what to do with all this, I am the official most annoying Blog-Nagger out there.
But I DO have a better idea.
(Which just makes me the most annoying Blogger out there.)
Here are my ideas:
1. Stop seeing the issue as Bible vs. Science. They don't contradict. Evolutionary naturalists like to portray ALL Christians as "Genesis liberalists who reject the evidence of science for purely religious reasons". Not true. The Bible and good Science don't contradict.
I know some of your are saying, that the Bible says the world is flat, it says the sun rises, it says a rabbit chews cud. Well, yes, it does say that. But that's because the Bible was written in phenomonological (fih-NOH-min-uh-LOH-jih-cal) language, meaning it says things how it looks to us, not how it actually is. It's kind of a form of poetry almost.
2. Stop relying on the "blind watchmaker thesis". Having the world just suddenly "happen" or evolve from a single-celled organism is like trying to make a watch while blindfolded. It's pretty much impossible. All the tiny, tiny pieces have to mesh perfectly, and doing that blindfolded would be inconcievable.
3. Realize the philosophical bias in today's society. Most people nowadays think that "good science" BEGINS with the assumption that there is no God. Without even testing this theory, without opening any other options.
I'm just going to throw this out there: scientists are scard. That's why they make sure to define their terms so that naturalism is true by definition.
Why are they scared? Because their theories are not as sound as they like to make people think.
So, yes. I have a better idea. Those are some ideas, but my main idea is, as always this:
OPEN YOUR EYES.
I am trying to open mine. I research Evolution AND Creation both with an open mind, and I still come to these same conclusions. There are stories of countless Evolutionists who have tried to prove the theory, but instead realized it's holes and improbabilities.
Whether you are a Christian or and Evolutionist, or both, as some claim to be, don't defend your belief without first looking into it. Blind faith is silly. Check your facts, do your research, open your eyes.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
3: Faith vs. Reason
This is possibly my "favorite" mistake in Creation vs. Evolution. All kinds of people, Creationists, as well as Evolutionists, like to paint this debate as "Faith vs. Reason". Science on one side, fantasy on the other. Fact on one side, wishful thinking on the other. Reason on one side, faith on the other. Well, here's something that might surprise you:
Faith and reason are not opposites.
Or, better put, faith and reason do not contradict each other.
In TV debates, newspaper articles, etc., people like to write off Creation by saying it's just faith. No reason involved. Just blind faith. Here's another something that might surprise you:
God does not even WANT us to have blind faith.
God is a very reasonable, logical god! He doesn't want us to follow him blindly. He doesn't want us to take everything every preacher says. He doesn't want us to take in the Bible without looking into it, testing it, questioning it. God thinks that faith and reason should go hand in hand!
Why have faith in something if reason says otherwise? It doesn't make sense, and our God is a VERY sensical God!
Evolutionists like to make God out to be like a grown-up version of Santa Claus. Santa makes little kids feel safe, watched, and loved by someone bigger than just their own family circle. The child has faith, and that's all that matters to him.
As the child gets older and is exposed to more ideas and opinions, he will be told that Santa isn't real. The child will, at first, think this is a horrible lie and refuse to look into it further. As the child gets older, he will probably preform a little expirement and stay up to see if Santa comes.
When the child sees his parents sneaking gifts under the tree, he will be faced with two options: one, stick with faith and continue to believe something he knows is a lie, or two, go with reason and give up his faulty belief.
If the child choses to believe in Santa despite what he has seen, people will probably put up with him, maybe even think he is cute, but they will not take him seriously. If he continues to believe in Santa into adulthood, he will probably be labeled insane.
So, is the God of the Bible like Santa Claus? Just a cute little myth that one must rely on faith to believe? One can defend a myth by saying that it gives comfort, and can even be morally and socially helpful if kept in its place. Even athiests worry about what will happen to society if religion disappears completely. Christians can even buy the tolerance of agnostics by using the "faith escape".
So, for all scientific and intellegent purposes, Christianity is classified as a "higher supersition", which is basically an irrational belief that's relatively respected in society.
But all this isn't true. Faith and reason are not opposites, they are not mutually exclusive, and they do not contradict each other.
I know what you're thinking: "Easy to say. Show me. Prove it."
Okay. I will.
Keep reading, because that's just what I intend to do. I refuse to be one of the Christians who believes in God simply because it's what they were always taught, it makse them feel better, and they don't want to explore other options. I refuse to take what I've always been given simply BECAUSE it's what I've always been given. I refuse to believe in God only because it makes me feel better about my life. God gave me a brain, he gave me resources to explore, and theories that need to be looked into.
I firmly and honestly believe that God is happiest when we challenge him, look into things for ourselves, test him. Wanna know why?
Because God isn't scared.
God has nothing to be afraid of.
God is the truth, so what IS there to be afraid of?
Why should we refuse to test God because we're afraid he won't stand up to it? If we're afraid to look too hard, if we're afraid we'll disprove God, why are we still believing in him? If God is a big phoney, DON'T YOU WANT TO KNOW?
That's why this series is not just for Evolutionists. It's for Creationists, too. Don't be afraid to test God. Don't be afraid to look into the Bible, asked the hard questions, tear apart Jesus's logic.
Because faith and reason are not opposites.
Faith and reason are not opposites.
Or, better put, faith and reason do not contradict each other.
In TV debates, newspaper articles, etc., people like to write off Creation by saying it's just faith. No reason involved. Just blind faith. Here's another something that might surprise you:
God does not even WANT us to have blind faith.
God is a very reasonable, logical god! He doesn't want us to follow him blindly. He doesn't want us to take everything every preacher says. He doesn't want us to take in the Bible without looking into it, testing it, questioning it. God thinks that faith and reason should go hand in hand!
Why have faith in something if reason says otherwise? It doesn't make sense, and our God is a VERY sensical God!
Evolutionists like to make God out to be like a grown-up version of Santa Claus. Santa makes little kids feel safe, watched, and loved by someone bigger than just their own family circle. The child has faith, and that's all that matters to him.
As the child gets older and is exposed to more ideas and opinions, he will be told that Santa isn't real. The child will, at first, think this is a horrible lie and refuse to look into it further. As the child gets older, he will probably preform a little expirement and stay up to see if Santa comes.
When the child sees his parents sneaking gifts under the tree, he will be faced with two options: one, stick with faith and continue to believe something he knows is a lie, or two, go with reason and give up his faulty belief.
If the child choses to believe in Santa despite what he has seen, people will probably put up with him, maybe even think he is cute, but they will not take him seriously. If he continues to believe in Santa into adulthood, he will probably be labeled insane.
So, is the God of the Bible like Santa Claus? Just a cute little myth that one must rely on faith to believe? One can defend a myth by saying that it gives comfort, and can even be morally and socially helpful if kept in its place. Even athiests worry about what will happen to society if religion disappears completely. Christians can even buy the tolerance of agnostics by using the "faith escape".
So, for all scientific and intellegent purposes, Christianity is classified as a "higher supersition", which is basically an irrational belief that's relatively respected in society.
But all this isn't true. Faith and reason are not opposites, they are not mutually exclusive, and they do not contradict each other.
I know what you're thinking: "Easy to say. Show me. Prove it."
Okay. I will.
Keep reading, because that's just what I intend to do. I refuse to be one of the Christians who believes in God simply because it's what they were always taught, it makse them feel better, and they don't want to explore other options. I refuse to take what I've always been given simply BECAUSE it's what I've always been given. I refuse to believe in God only because it makes me feel better about my life. God gave me a brain, he gave me resources to explore, and theories that need to be looked into.
I firmly and honestly believe that God is happiest when we challenge him, look into things for ourselves, test him. Wanna know why?
Because God isn't scared.
God has nothing to be afraid of.
God is the truth, so what IS there to be afraid of?
Why should we refuse to test God because we're afraid he won't stand up to it? If we're afraid to look too hard, if we're afraid we'll disprove God, why are we still believing in him? If God is a big phoney, DON'T YOU WANT TO KNOW?
That's why this series is not just for Evolutionists. It's for Creationists, too. Don't be afraid to test God. Don't be afraid to look into the Bible, asked the hard questions, tear apart Jesus's logic.
Because faith and reason are not opposites.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
2: Caring vs. Detached God
I apologize for posting so late. I was on vacation and I didn't have my notes with me. Yes, I actually outline my Carpe Noctem posts. Yes, I am a nerd.
Today I'm going to be talking about Common Mistake Number Two: exchanging the Caring God for the Detached God.
One way that people like to fit Evolution and Creation together is by employing this method. They suggest that maybe God created the laws of nature, and then just kind of left things to their own. That isn't true. God created the laws, yes, but he didn't just retire after that. He's alive and doing things here and now. God is a Caring God.
The "Detached God" theory is called "deism".
The "Caring God" theory is called "theism".
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe both terms came from the Greek. "Deism" coming from the word "deos" and "theism" coming from the word "theos", meaning "god".
This mistake may seem like a fairly minor one because the post isn't as large as some others have been. However, the difference between a Detached God and a Caring God is infinite. Just think about it.
I'm not trying to convince you to become a Christian. I'm not trying to show you that Evolution is wrong (yet :)). This part of my series is just explaining three common mistakes made by both Evolutionists and Creationists. I really hope you'll stick around for the "meat" of this whole series.
Coming up:
July 18: The Opposites Myth
July 25: Owning the Microphone
August 1: Truth (not part of the Evolution series)
**New Series Begins!
Logic:
August 8: Selective Use of Evidence
August 15: Appealing to Authority
Thanks for reading!
Today I'm going to be talking about Common Mistake Number Two: exchanging the Caring God for the Detached God.
One way that people like to fit Evolution and Creation together is by employing this method. They suggest that maybe God created the laws of nature, and then just kind of left things to their own. That isn't true. God created the laws, yes, but he didn't just retire after that. He's alive and doing things here and now. God is a Caring God.
The "Detached God" theory is called "deism".
The "Caring God" theory is called "theism".
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe both terms came from the Greek. "Deism" coming from the word "deos" and "theism" coming from the word "theos", meaning "god".
This mistake may seem like a fairly minor one because the post isn't as large as some others have been. However, the difference between a Detached God and a Caring God is infinite. Just think about it.
I'm not trying to convince you to become a Christian. I'm not trying to show you that Evolution is wrong (yet :)). This part of my series is just explaining three common mistakes made by both Evolutionists and Creationists. I really hope you'll stick around for the "meat" of this whole series.
Coming up:
July 18: The Opposites Myth
July 25: Owning the Microphone
August 1: Truth (not part of the Evolution series)
**New Series Begins!
Logic:
August 8: Selective Use of Evidence
August 15: Appealing to Authority
Thanks for reading!
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