Extrabiblical witness of Jesus or the early church is a fascinating topic. There of course, is not much historical information apart of the Scriptures about Jesus because of the amount of time that has past since he was here on earth. And then there is always the question as to the authenticity of any given document. When I say "Extrabiblical" I am mainly referring to documents that can be traced to be written during an acceptable period of time after Jesus was here on earth. Most of the so called Gnostic gospels would not fit this criteria, but a few may, I am not sure. For instance, the man who wrote the quote later on in this post died in 126 AD. If he lived say anywhere between 60-75 years, he would have been a young man when many of the people who witnessed Jesus life were still living. This offers a high probability of the chance that his life overlapped those who witnessed Jesus' miracles, death and resurrection; and that he was personal witness to their testimony, therefore making his testimony authentic.
Anyway, last weekend I had the opportunity to fill the pulpit for our pastor, who took a much deserved retreat. While preparing the sermon I came across this quote from a man named Quadratus, who lived in Athens in the first century and part of the second century. He was defending his new found faith to the Roman Emperor at the time. Check it out:
"Our Saviour's works, moreover, were always present: for they were real, consisting of those who had been healed of their diseases, those who had been raised from the dead; who were not only seen whilst they were being healed and raised up, but were afterwards constantly present. Nor did they remain only during the sojourn of the Saviour on earth, but also a considerable time after His departure; and, indeed, some of them have survived even down to our own times."
I used this quote to further an illustration of what the 1st century church must have been like. With members of the church body being present who had seen one of Jesus' miracles or witnessed his death and resurrection. Can you picture it?
"Come on down Lazarus, and tell us about that time.............."
And come they did. I think this is the only way to explain the documented explosion of the first century church. They had no political power, military force and didn't even have "church" buildings to meet in, but yet they grew.
It is a powerful testament to us living in "easier" times to learn from those early Christians. They were not perfect, far from it in fact (see the scoldings in the letters to the Corinthians) but they had strong faith and unity, especially in the face of persecution.
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Poneros
Until I had the privilege to take a graduate level Philosophy class this semester, I was unaware of these two features in the scholarly world:
1. The word "insofar". "Insofar" must be the most popular word among English speaking philosophers. It may even be a requirement that your dissertation has say, 100 or so "insofars" to get a PhD. I have made the discovery into how it is used. You start with a long run on sentence with at least 2-3 words that normal people need to consult Websters for, followed by "insofar" then you justify the previous run on sentence with more mumbo jumbo to create one long head scratching experience. If you can do this, you might just be a philosopher!
2. On a more serious level is "poneros" (Greek for evil). The philosophical world goes to great lengths to try to grasp an understanding of moral evil; it's limits and possibilities. In addition to this I had no idea of the issue that exists between theistic philosophers and nontheistic philosophers with this "problem of evil", that is, rationally explaining the existence of evil with an all powerful, all knowing God.
Poneros can be broken down into two broad categories: moral evil and natural evil. Natural evil of course consists of natural disaster, famine, fires, disabilities, disease, etc. Moral evil consists of wrongful acts and bad character traits of human beings: murder, stealing, dishonesty, greed, cowardice, etc. It is in moral evil that we continually learn of its seemingly limitless possibilities because of our fallen human condition.
Consider this short narrative from Elie Wiesel as he recalls his memory of the first few minutes at Auschwitz in his book "Night":
"The cherished objects we had brought with us thus far were left behind in the train, and with them, at last, our illusions. Every two yards or so an SS man held his tommy gun trained on us. Hand in hand we followed the crowd. An SS officer came to meet us, a truncheon in his hand. He gave the order:
'Men to the left! Women to the right!'
Eight words spoken quietly, indifferently, without emotion.
Eight short, simple words......I had not time to think, but already I felt the pressure of my father's hand: we were alone.....Tzipora held Mother's hand. I saw them disappear into the distance; my mother was stroking my sister's fair hair, as though to protect her, while I walked on with my father and the other men. And I did not know that in that place, at that moment, I was parting from my mother and Tzipora forever."
This story of pain and suffering staggers the imagination. Believers are sometimes asked to "explain" evil. The major questions that non theistic philosophers bring are summarized like this: How can an all knowing, all powerful God exist, who also created the world, if he allows (or ordains) so much evil to exist in his created world? Why doesn’t he do something about it? Is he unwilling, unable?.... These can be tough questions, although I don't think they are quite all they are made up to be. I thank my God that we are not required to have all the answers, save that we defend our faith in Christ. I think the truth of the matter is that evil exists because of an historical Fall (you know who you are! sons of Adam and daughters of Eve).
For some, the emotions surrounding the understanding of evil can create a huge divide between themselves and God. For others, pain and suffering may the conduit that introduces them to faith in God and gives them the opportunity to surrender themselves to something greater. “The human spirit will not even begin to try to surrender self-will as long as all seems well with it” (The Problem of Pain, Lewis, 90). Lewis goes on and calls pain God's megaphone that rouses a rebellious world. Pain removes the veil that everything is O.K. "It plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul" (94).
The Christian faith offers something unique from other's religiosity, an historic event that defines it. That is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. "Christianity is not the conclusion of a philosophical debate....it is catastrophic historical event following the long spiritual preparation of humanity" (Lewis, 14). Wow, spiritual preparation... for something better, for something glorious; the hope of living in the presence of God. I'll take that deal.
"If philosophy is the love of wisdom, then what is the wisdom of love?" -Matt Kauffman
1. The word "insofar". "Insofar" must be the most popular word among English speaking philosophers. It may even be a requirement that your dissertation has say, 100 or so "insofars" to get a PhD. I have made the discovery into how it is used. You start with a long run on sentence with at least 2-3 words that normal people need to consult Websters for, followed by "insofar" then you justify the previous run on sentence with more mumbo jumbo to create one long head scratching experience. If you can do this, you might just be a philosopher!
2. On a more serious level is "poneros" (Greek for evil). The philosophical world goes to great lengths to try to grasp an understanding of moral evil; it's limits and possibilities. In addition to this I had no idea of the issue that exists between theistic philosophers and nontheistic philosophers with this "problem of evil", that is, rationally explaining the existence of evil with an all powerful, all knowing God.
Poneros can be broken down into two broad categories: moral evil and natural evil. Natural evil of course consists of natural disaster, famine, fires, disabilities, disease, etc. Moral evil consists of wrongful acts and bad character traits of human beings: murder, stealing, dishonesty, greed, cowardice, etc. It is in moral evil that we continually learn of its seemingly limitless possibilities because of our fallen human condition.
Consider this short narrative from Elie Wiesel as he recalls his memory of the first few minutes at Auschwitz in his book "Night":
"The cherished objects we had brought with us thus far were left behind in the train, and with them, at last, our illusions. Every two yards or so an SS man held his tommy gun trained on us. Hand in hand we followed the crowd. An SS officer came to meet us, a truncheon in his hand. He gave the order:
'Men to the left! Women to the right!'
Eight words spoken quietly, indifferently, without emotion.
Eight short, simple words......I had not time to think, but already I felt the pressure of my father's hand: we were alone.....Tzipora held Mother's hand. I saw them disappear into the distance; my mother was stroking my sister's fair hair, as though to protect her, while I walked on with my father and the other men. And I did not know that in that place, at that moment, I was parting from my mother and Tzipora forever."
This story of pain and suffering staggers the imagination. Believers are sometimes asked to "explain" evil. The major questions that non theistic philosophers bring are summarized like this: How can an all knowing, all powerful God exist, who also created the world, if he allows (or ordains) so much evil to exist in his created world? Why doesn’t he do something about it? Is he unwilling, unable?.... These can be tough questions, although I don't think they are quite all they are made up to be. I thank my God that we are not required to have all the answers, save that we defend our faith in Christ. I think the truth of the matter is that evil exists because of an historical Fall (you know who you are! sons of Adam and daughters of Eve).
For some, the emotions surrounding the understanding of evil can create a huge divide between themselves and God. For others, pain and suffering may the conduit that introduces them to faith in God and gives them the opportunity to surrender themselves to something greater. “The human spirit will not even begin to try to surrender self-will as long as all seems well with it” (The Problem of Pain, Lewis, 90). Lewis goes on and calls pain God's megaphone that rouses a rebellious world. Pain removes the veil that everything is O.K. "It plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul" (94).
The Christian faith offers something unique from other's religiosity, an historic event that defines it. That is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. "Christianity is not the conclusion of a philosophical debate....it is catastrophic historical event following the long spiritual preparation of humanity" (Lewis, 14). Wow, spiritual preparation... for something better, for something glorious; the hope of living in the presence of God. I'll take that deal.
"If philosophy is the love of wisdom, then what is the wisdom of love?" -Matt Kauffman
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Free Will -- Part II
There is a story in the 38th chapter of Isaiah that offers an interesting glimpse of our Creator. God sends Isaiah to tell King Hezakiah to put his house in order because the illness he has will not be recovered from and he is going to die. King Hez. prays and simply asks the Lord to remember the faithfulness and devotion of his life. The Lord sends Isaiah back to tell the King that he has heard his prayer and will add fifteen years to his life. Besides being a beautiful story between the God of Israel and the King of Israel, this story seems to affirm what the Psalmist and James both say; God hears the prayers of the righteous and responds.
The Lord created us in his image, and I believe, with freedom. Freedom to respond to him and even freedom to reflect his holiness. Micah asked, "what does the Lord require of thee?" to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. He enables us to do these things. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, God also sent believers his Holy Spirit. This is no small thing and we can only begin to understand this mystery. The Spirit works as our personal counselor, but also works through us using our head, hearts and hands in this world.
Among glorifying God, spreading the good news and edifying fellow believers, we have a charge to resist evil. Jesus says in John 14 that Satan is the prince of the world. Paul calls Satan the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4) and that his agents rule this present darkness (Eph 6:12).
Is this evil one doing the will of God? I think not. He fathers lies (John 8:44), schemes (Eph 6:11), seeks whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), sows weeds (Matthew 13:39) and is the dragon who leads the world astray (Rev 12:9). So what are the implications of this? I believe God "allows" evil to happen, not "wills" it. And there will be a day when he will not allow it anymore. I believe Jesus Christ is the predestined one. Those who become "in Christ" are destined for glory. We are now "chosen" because of The chosen one.
I've either written this freely or I'm just predestined to think this way!!!
"He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
The Lord created us in his image, and I believe, with freedom. Freedom to respond to him and even freedom to reflect his holiness. Micah asked, "what does the Lord require of thee?" to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. He enables us to do these things. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, God also sent believers his Holy Spirit. This is no small thing and we can only begin to understand this mystery. The Spirit works as our personal counselor, but also works through us using our head, hearts and hands in this world.
Among glorifying God, spreading the good news and edifying fellow believers, we have a charge to resist evil. Jesus says in John 14 that Satan is the prince of the world. Paul calls Satan the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4) and that his agents rule this present darkness (Eph 6:12).
Is this evil one doing the will of God? I think not. He fathers lies (John 8:44), schemes (Eph 6:11), seeks whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), sows weeds (Matthew 13:39) and is the dragon who leads the world astray (Rev 12:9). So what are the implications of this? I believe God "allows" evil to happen, not "wills" it. And there will be a day when he will not allow it anymore. I believe Jesus Christ is the predestined one. Those who become "in Christ" are destined for glory. We are now "chosen" because of The chosen one.
I've either written this freely or I'm just predestined to think this way!!!
"He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Free Will -- Part I
In essence, everyone of us is a theologian to some degree. A belief that God does not exist, a belief he exists but in a non-personal way, and a belief that he exists personally and fully in the person of Jesus Christ are basic theological views and of course there are many more.
One of the great debates in the theology of the Christian faith is the question of humanity's free will or lack there of. Does God predestine each individual human to the life they will live? And choose in advance who will and will not spend eternity with him? Or is this more a matter of a personal choosing as to whether or not we respond to him? A broad stroke of the first view is called Calvinism (but Calvinism covers much more) and the second could be called Arminianism. Both John Calvin and Jacob Arminius were products of and active in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. And both fields of thought are still very active today in Evangelical Christianity. Although Arminianism might be more commonly known as Wesley-Arminianism today because of John Wesley's influence.
Although this question can not be answered in an absolute fashion until the afterlife (when we will no longer see dimly), I think it is still a great debate. I hold strongly to the free will position of this argument. I do believe our Heaven Father is all knowing and all powerful, and included in this is his complete foreknowledge of the future. But there is also that thing called love. If God is a master of puppets, I am not sure how he can be truly loved back by his creation. I believe that through the sacrificial act of love and reconciliation on the cross that God has given every person a free will choice to respond to his love. That is what the cross represents. God is love and he wishes to have a loving relationship with us through his son Jesus.
Another strong point that reinforces the free will position is the "problem of evil." Those who do not believe in free will must ultimately come to the point that evil itself is ordained by God. I don't buy this. Although all things can be worked for the glory of God, I don't believe he would sanction evil, even in it's simplest form. I believe that God allows Satan and his evil ways to exist. We are in a constant battle with the spiritual forces of this present darkness. As promised through scripture there will be a day when God defeats Satan and evil will no longer exist. Oh what a glorious day that will be.
One of the great debates in the theology of the Christian faith is the question of humanity's free will or lack there of. Does God predestine each individual human to the life they will live? And choose in advance who will and will not spend eternity with him? Or is this more a matter of a personal choosing as to whether or not we respond to him? A broad stroke of the first view is called Calvinism (but Calvinism covers much more) and the second could be called Arminianism. Both John Calvin and Jacob Arminius were products of and active in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. And both fields of thought are still very active today in Evangelical Christianity. Although Arminianism might be more commonly known as Wesley-Arminianism today because of John Wesley's influence.
Although this question can not be answered in an absolute fashion until the afterlife (when we will no longer see dimly), I think it is still a great debate. I hold strongly to the free will position of this argument. I do believe our Heaven Father is all knowing and all powerful, and included in this is his complete foreknowledge of the future. But there is also that thing called love. If God is a master of puppets, I am not sure how he can be truly loved back by his creation. I believe that through the sacrificial act of love and reconciliation on the cross that God has given every person a free will choice to respond to his love. That is what the cross represents. God is love and he wishes to have a loving relationship with us through his son Jesus.
Another strong point that reinforces the free will position is the "problem of evil." Those who do not believe in free will must ultimately come to the point that evil itself is ordained by God. I don't buy this. Although all things can be worked for the glory of God, I don't believe he would sanction evil, even in it's simplest form. I believe that God allows Satan and his evil ways to exist. We are in a constant battle with the spiritual forces of this present darkness. As promised through scripture there will be a day when God defeats Satan and evil will no longer exist. Oh what a glorious day that will be.
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