Somalia - "Life was better under Islamist"

In our American zeal to bring democracy to the world I thought this quote might give pause for thought.

"In June this year, when the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts (SCIC) first took control of Mogadishu, the capital was transformed. A ruined city of warlord-controlled fiefdoms became largely safe. Guns disappeared from the streets. Not everybody approved of the SCIC, which started as 11 different clan-based courts of justice, but few in Mogadishu could deny that life was better under the Islamists. Outsiders' fears of an 'African Taliban' seemed misplaced." Xan Rice, The Observer

My comment: I would suggest that Xan Rice visit the Islamic prisons around the world where life is not "better" for those who disagree with the prevalent theology of the society. Tyranny is tyranny wither it is power hungry warlords or power hungry religious fundamentalist who dish it out.


Xan Rice, The Observer, Sunday, December 31, 2006
La Tribuna Magazine Cover Ethiopians Invade Somalia - 1930s (Art.com)

Substance over Symbol

As I have contemplated symbol lately I feel that I may be in danger of error. I have been so focused on correct symbolism that I have preferred correct symbols over substance.

God made it clear in the Old Testament that symbols are important. People died for misuse of God's given symbols like the Ark of the Covenant, or the offering "strange fire".

I do believe that symbols are important, but symbol without substance is a type of poverty.

The symbols that God gave in the Old Testament were pure, and were not at the privy of men to change. In this age it seems that God tolerates misuse and error to a generous degree. Obviously this is because Christ has come and the symbols of the Old Testament, while only shadows, were fulfilled in Christ. Still, we should take great care with the symbols we offer in this age.

A friend of mine attended a very liturgical wedding recently. The symbolism was perfect. You could not have attended the service without seeing the symbolism of Christ and His Church. Yet, the couple that married was less than godly. The symbols were all in place, but the substance was weak at best. "It was a sham," said my friend.

I suppose if I had to make a choice, I would prefer substance over symbol. But, once again I find myself looking for balance in an imbalanced world. In an ideal situation we would find correct symbols with correct substance. Weddings that correctly present Christ and His Church, and marriages that have a depth of love that the world cannot imitate nor understand.

Christ is the reality of the symbols we handle. They are but a shadow of the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the substance of our faith and symbols. In our striving for correct symbols let us strive all the more to know Christ Himself. Knowing, loving and worshiping Him are the purposes of the symbols.

The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini
by Jan van Eyck (Art.com)

Quote of the Weak -- The feast of Christmas

"In the feast of Christmas we are directed in a new way to the very thing that stands in the center of the Bible, to the simple reality of the gacious and merciful action which comes from God into this lost world. We are no longer concerned with elegant and gay pictures and fancies; from the reality which is so plain and from our distress, we thirst for the reality of the great divine help. Our question is whether God really has sent the One who has the right and authority for complete, all-embracing, final redemption. And the Christmas message is the complete, glorious "Yes" of the answer to this question."

-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Photo and quote - International Dietrich Bonhoeffer Society

Do Symbols Matter?

I love the scene in Indiana Jones and the last Crusade where the "cup of Christ" is revealed as a plain simple common goblet. While the magic that is attached to the goblet is the fantasy of Hollywood the image of simplicity makes up for it.

In one sense symbols are nothing. Bread is nothing, wine is nothing and water is nothing. These are simple elements of life. However, in the right setting and with the right words these elements are transformed into symbols of something much greater.

A red light in a window can symbolize a house of ill repute. A red light in a traffic signal is a symbol that says "stop", and bears the full weight of the law if it is disobeyed. Both are just red lights. One advertises a message and identifies a place, the other bears authority and commands respect as it stands in the place of the reality.

How we deal with symbols in the church is important. Imagine a traffic light with three green globes, or one with red on the bottom and green on the top. If it matters how lights are handled it certainly matters how we handle symbols in the church.

Using grape flavored drink and yeast bread in communion may not be sinful, but it does hinder the symbol. Showering a baby may be true baptism, but the picture is blurred. An abusive husband may indeed be a husband, but he is a false example of Christ.

I am becoming convinced that the churches that present the purest symbols are the churches that present the truest picture of Christ. I am not advocating finery or pomp. I am advocating simple obedience.

In this Christmas season let us review our symbols and strive for a true presentation of Christ.

Photo from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

European Efficiency

Before Thanksgiving our government announced that travelers who plan to fly place their carry-on liquids and gels (less than 3 oz per container) in a quart sized plastic bag.

Simple enough?

Apparently not.

Almost a month later about every third traveler passing through security holds up the line while they dig their liquids out of their bag and throw away their bottled water or 32 oz Coke. It took about 20 minutes to get through security in the States.

When in Amsterdam a few weeks ago I noticed that there were multiple stations set-up throughout the airport with a few simple things. Large posters explaining the new regulations (in multiple languages and symbols), uniformed attendants who were screening passengers as they walked by (asking "Are you carrying any liquids or gels?") and plastic bags for people who were carrying such items. By the time we got to the security check we had passed two such stations and had had plenty of opportunity to make adjustments to our carry-on bags.

It took less than five minutes to get through a thorough security check in Amsterdam (including taking a survey about how the airport could improve services) and proceed to the gate. I truly appreciate northern European efficiency.

Security at Heathrow, Art.com

The Spititual Rapist

With his six guns ablaze the revivalist crushes all in his wake.

I am angry today, but I think it might be righteous anger.

I have a friend whose son was the victim of spiritual abuse. This child believes the Gospel and has born fruit of that faith as only a child can do.

Like so many others the child has been faced with questions, the revivalist might call "doubt." Surely the boy has become aware of sin and questions how it is that a child of God can be so bad. So the spiritual rapist aims for the "kill" and tries to force the child to "nail it down!"

The questions pour forth from the pulpit and guilt is heaped upon guilt. "Are you sure that you are sure? Did you say that prayer with your whole heart? Do you remember the date and time? Have you been truly converted? Do you FEEL saved?" And the final blow, "If you died tonight, do you know where you would go? Heaven or HELL?!!"

The answer, according to the spiritual rapist, is a rapturous moment in time that a decision is made from the heart and the child "asks Jesus into his heart" and "makes" him Lord and Savior.

How far from Biblical salvation we have fallen.

How sad it is that we allow men to come into our evangelical churches and abuse our children and the weak. How sad it is that we have come to the place in the history of the Church that we think that preying on souls is considered true spirituality.

If you just believe enough. If you just get the formula correct. If you "place your faith" in Jesus. If you say it the right way, or have the correct experience. Nothing more than existential neo-gnosticism.

The invitation of Christ is not to walk an aisle and make a bunch of promises. His invitation is not to "true conversion" or being "born-again." How can a man decide to be born at all?

Is salvation an event? The historic Christian faith has been understood as more a picture of a journey or race rather than an event. We begin by faith and walk by faith; in the end we are saved if we continue in the faith.

The command of Christ is to believe and repent. The invitation of Christ is simply, "Come and follow me." It is not possible that man could believe without the gift of faith from God. It is not possible that my heart and mind could be changed or that I could be born again unless God creates a new creature. Our salvation is the work of God. We hear and believe, and it is by hearing that faith comes.

When our children or weak ones doubt, we should edify them by encouragement to continue to believe and obey Christ. As Bonhoeffer said, "Only those who believe can obey, and only those who obey can believe." Those who are truly spiritual should feed the hungry ones, and warn the ones in danger.

Enough of the spiritual abuse of our weak ones! May the shepherds of Christ's Church be good shepherds -- feed and guard the sheep.

What Americans believe about God

By Jennifer Harper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published November 12, 2006

The vast majority of Americans believe in God. But in the land of the free, ideas about the more personal nature of God can be subject to some interpretation. (In this survey traditional Protestants have been distinguished from Evangelical "Born-Again" Christians).

Only 1 percent of Americans overall, for example, think God is female, according to a wide-ranging Harris poll of 2,010 adults. Among men, Protestant and Born-Again Christian respondents, the number was 0 percent; among women and Catholics it was 1 percent; among Jews, 7 percent.

More than a third -- 36 percent -- said God was male. More women than men thought God was male, 39 percent to 34 percent, respectively (interesting that more American women than men consider Biblical language such as "Father" accurate). More than half of Born-Again Christians agreed, along with about 47 percent of the Protestants and Catholics. Other responses were mixed. Overall, 37 percent said God was neither male nor female. Ten percent said God was both male and female, while 17 percent were not entirely sure what they believed.

Does God look like Michelangelo's vision on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? Maybe. The survey showed that 9 percent said God appeared "like a human with a face, body, arms, legs, eyes," though the percentage was slightly higher -- 13 percent -- among Protestants, but just 1 percent among Jews.

More people -- 41 percent-- were comfortable with the idea that God is a "spirit or power that can take on human form, but is not inherently human." The sentiment was highest among Born-Again Christians, with 60 percent agreeing with the statement (What happened to the doctrine - Fully God and Fully Man?). More than a quarter of Americans overall say God is "a spirit or power that does not take human form," a belief shared by 49 percent of Jewish respondents.

Beliefs about God's involvement in events on Earth also varies. Twenty-seven percent of Catholics said God "controls what happens on Earth," compared with 41 percent among Protestants and 57 percent among Born-Agains. Forty-four percent said God "observes but does not control" what happens here. That figure rises to 58 percent among Catholics, but falls to 37 percent among Born-Agains.

A slim majority of Americans -- 51 percent -- believe Christians, Jews and Muslims "worship the same God," the poll found. That idea is shared by 63 percent of Catholics, about 48 percent of Protestants and Jews and 34 percent of Born-Agains. Almost a third overall said the three faiths do not worship the same God, and 16 percent were unsure. (Jesus said about Himself, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6)

Intensity of belief also varies among faiths and political parties. Overall, 73 percent of Americans believe in God; the numbers are 97 percent among Born-Agains, 90 percent among Protestants, 84 percent among Catholics, 64 percent among Jews, 83 percent among Republicans and 72 percent among Democrats.

Are Americans "absolutely certain" there is a God? Born-Agains are the most adamant, with 93 percent agreeing with the statement (and how did that 7% become "born-again" and not believe in God???), followed by 76 percent of Protestants, 64 percent of Catholics and 30 percent of Jews. Overall, 6 percent are "absolutely certain" there is no God.

Almost half of Americans overall -- 46 percent -- attend church a few times a year, 35 percent go once a month and a quarter go every week or more often.

The survey was conducted Oct. 4-10 and has a margin of error of two percentage points.

Creation of Adam (Detail) Michelangelo - Art.com

Celebrating 18 years of happy matrimony

My love busting a pose on the bridge across the moat of the Baroque palace of Schloss Gymnich in Germany.

A wonderful place to celebrate a wonderful gift from God of 18 years of happy matrimony!

Located west of Cologne, Germany this palace was originally constructed in 1390. The castle suffered a fire in 1642 and was restored in 1655. It has served many purposes including official government functions. It is now a wonderful Bed and Breakfast.

Quote of the Weak - Wisdom

"Getting older does not mean you are wise, it just means you are old."

- Günther Schulze, SCFS Board Member

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain wise counsels."
(Proverbs 1:5)

Old Man in Armchair, Unknown (17th century) Art.com