Why is it so difficilt for us American to desire balance in our lives?
I don't think this a value in our society. It certainly was in other societys in the past, particularly some of the greek people (well maybe not their society, but certainly in the writings of Aristotle and Plato). But it seems as so though balance is the "forgotten virtue." Well, shoot, the word Virtue and its various connotations and denotations, have largely been lost in our post-modern western world. Virtue implys something of intrinsic value, but in our PM world what has value apart from the value assigned by the individual?
I was talking to a friend the other day, and I realized that the issue really comes down to nature of truth. Is truth apart from the individual? Or maybe better put, is truth bigger than the individual. I think so. But I digress.
Balance is no longer a virtue. Why?
And to add as a side note, where did Honor go??
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
A frustration
WHy is it that we always assume that whatever is new is better? THis is something common in the culture in which we live. But as I live in a life of Christian ministry, I find that we so easily get sucked into the same mentality in the church, at the great expence. We are called to right living and cultural relevance, but the newness of the latest and greatest often begins to erode away our conviction and solidarity on Othrodoxy more than we realize.
It happens all to often, that someone will come up with a new idea (which in itself may not be new, simply a repackaged one), and claim that they have finally found "the way", "this must be it!", they shout, and then we must to start a revolution in order to change things. "Throw it all out, start again" they say. The truth is often, that they simply do not know their history and do not understand scripture. Solomon very clearly says, " there is nothing new under the sun." But Further, since when has the Biblical concept of redemption involved through out the old and starting again? That was never God's plan. His plan has always been working for the inside to change, to redeem, life for his people. This is why Jesus came and was incarnate. He did not one day say, "oh Shoot, everyone is horribly sinful, hey Dad lets just start again." He came to earth, drew us, sinful people, to himself and transformed us, through his spirit and his grace.
My point, I suppose, is simply to say, there is nothing new in the realm of Christian thought and practice, just repackaging (this does have value, but more about that later). Be very sceptical of anyone who tells you that everything that came before is crap, and we have to start over because they have finally got it!
It happens all to often, that someone will come up with a new idea (which in itself may not be new, simply a repackaged one), and claim that they have finally found "the way", "this must be it!", they shout, and then we must to start a revolution in order to change things. "Throw it all out, start again" they say. The truth is often, that they simply do not know their history and do not understand scripture. Solomon very clearly says, " there is nothing new under the sun." But Further, since when has the Biblical concept of redemption involved through out the old and starting again? That was never God's plan. His plan has always been working for the inside to change, to redeem, life for his people. This is why Jesus came and was incarnate. He did not one day say, "oh Shoot, everyone is horribly sinful, hey Dad lets just start again." He came to earth, drew us, sinful people, to himself and transformed us, through his spirit and his grace.
My point, I suppose, is simply to say, there is nothing new in the realm of Christian thought and practice, just repackaging (this does have value, but more about that later). Be very sceptical of anyone who tells you that everything that came before is crap, and we have to start over because they have finally got it!
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
The Now
This the now. At the urging of a good friend and the gentle nugging of my will, i decided it may be profitable to provide a forum for myself to discuss the now of life and truth. OF course, often, the then is the same as the now.
IN short my hope is that this would be a place to the discuss my current ideas and thoughts with myself, in the hope of someone else reading them, and benefiting from them. Perhaps this is to much to ask, i pray not.
IN short my hope is that this would be a place to the discuss my current ideas and thoughts with myself, in the hope of someone else reading them, and benefiting from them. Perhaps this is to much to ask, i pray not.
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