WHY DCM: Interrogative essay

Why develop a Christian mind? As believers, don’t we only have to say “I believe nature points to the existence of God” to validate our faith? Do we need to develop arguments to try to support this point? Or is Christianity just simply about faith and not reason? These are questions I asked myself at one point in my Christian walk. I regret to say that my faith in Christianity, while in high school, was based strictly on emotion and not reason. As a result, I suffered from constant heartache. It wasn’t that I didn’t love the Lord; it was just that I couldn’t live like the apostle Peter encouraged; “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”[1] My hope in Christ was not based on an intellectual understanding of the word, but rather, on the beliefs of those around me. But, as I quickly learned, the faith of those around me was not enough to sustain my own. As a result, I was in trouble of finding reasons for a faith that was slowly fading. I know brothers and sisters in faith who struggle with the same problem. Their faith in Christ is strong, as long as they don’t have to answer to any educated non-believer as to why they believe their faith is real. I don’t believe this is the way faith in Christ is supposed to be.

One of the things I have been learning over the years, and learned even more in my “Developing a Christian” mind course, is that faith in Christ does make sense. It is not a collection of incoherent myths and superstitions (as some atheists claim). It seems, though, that Christians don’t care to understand their faith, and some question, even discourage, intellect mixing with their faith. Although, such people may think they have a strong basis for this belief, they are making claims that are not founded on biblical principals. After all, when asked what is the most important commandment of all, Christ answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” [2] In this way, Christ shows that it is just as important to devote your mind to God as well as your heart. You cannot fully love Him with out both. Therefore, developing the mind is just as essential.

There may have been a time when believers could get by without having to understand their faith intellectually, but it is clear that that time has pasted. With a new slew of attacks on faith by atheistic forces, no longer can a person get by without some knowledge concerning their faith. However, as ideal as it may be, not all of our Christian brothers and sisters have the means to seek such knowledge. As a result, they need those who are seeking that knowledge to impart what they know. As Lewis says in a sermon he preached in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin,

If all the world were Christian, it might not matter if all the world were uneducated. But, as it is, a culture life will exist outside the church whether it exists inside or not. To be ignorant and simple now – not to be able to meet the enemies on their own ground would be to throw down our weapons, and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but as against the intellectual attacks of the heathen. Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered. The cool intellect must work not only against cool intellect on the other side, but against the muddy heathen mysticisms which deny intellect altogether. [3]

In this, Lewis is calling all members of the body of Christ to do their part in the battle against the “world”. As someone seeking an intellectual understanding of God and the Bible, I see it as my duty to use my God given gifts and desire to glorify Him, to equipping other “saints” with the knowledge I have been given - I am furthering His kingdom in a fallen world.

In his book, Engaging God’s World, Cornelius Plantinga says our vocation should be used to advance God’s Kingdom. His understanding, as I see it, is that all we see is for the glory of God. As believers, our primary focus should be to use all the resource He has given us to do what He has commanded us to do; spread the gospel. Over two thousand years after his resurrection, however, it seems most Christians have forgotten our great commission. We are now more interested in our own lives than the mission entrusted to us. In so doing, however, we show that we care more about using the resources handed to us for our own gains. Of course, the problem we often over look with this kind of mindset is that a person who calls himself a Christian but desires God given gifts more than Christ is not a Christian at all. As a believer, I have been equipped with the desire for knowledge. It would be to the glory of God if I mastered my desire and, in turn, bless other believers with the tools needed to continue spreading the gospel.

Combating unbelief in the 21st century is synonymous with combating subjectivism and relativism. As Christian intellectuals, we have to be aware that there are people who believe all moral laws and truths are subject to what “the group” likes, thus, relativism is becoming more and more customary. Even Christians, nowadays, use relativism to defend their faith when they face objections. It saddens me when I hear a believer say things like ‘truth for me, doesn’t have to be truth for you.’ This, however, can’t be the case because if what is true for you only has to be true for you, then you give people an open gate to assume what ever they think to be true is necessarily true, thus, creating their own convenient truths. But, if there is one thing in life that we are aware of, it is that all “so called truths” cannot be true. It further saddens me because this way of thinking, amongst believer shows me we have become intellectually complacent.

Like relativism, a closer look at subjectivism, will prove it to be non-sense. In the “Poison of Subjectivism,” C.S Lewis examines the dangers in this train of thought. In his sermon to an audience dealing with the issues of WWII, Lewis says,

Out of this apparently innocent idea comes the disease that will certainly end our species (and, in my view, damn our souls) if it is not crushed; the fatal superstition that men can create values, that a community can choose its ideology as men choose their clothes. Everyone is indignant when he hears the Germans define justice as that which is to the interest of the Third Reich. But as it is not always remembered that this indignation is perfectly groundless if we ourselves regard morality as a subjective sentiment to be altered at will. Unless there is some objective standard of good, overarching Germans, Japanese, and ourselves alike whether any of us obey it or not, then of course the Germans are as competent to create their ideology, as we are to create ours. [4]

If we claim that there is no absolutes truths like the Ten Commandments; then we destroy any claims we might otherwise have to prevent such people like Hitler or any other evil dictators from doing anything they want and cripple humanity in the process.

In “Engaging God’s World,” Cornelius Plantinga also says that it is the duty of Christians to defend justice. To do so would require us to be familiar with God’s moral absolutes. For example, if a Christian were to ever say that a person could abort their baby, on the grounds of choice, we, in essence, destroy any other claims we have about how humanity should conducts itself.

Over all, the DCM class was a great tool to reinforce my faith as well as give me new reason to fight for truth. Due to this class, my desire to make the name of Christ known in the nations has been re-invigorated. In the “weight of glory,” Lewis gives one of his best supports for evangelism when he said,

We are half-hearted Creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like a ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.[5]

When we evangelize, we call people to leave behind their mud castle, gaze up at the cross and see the offer of everlasting glory with their maker.

Bibliography

Plantinga, Cornelius, Jr. Engaging God’s world; A Reformed vision of Faith, Learning, and Living. Grand Rapids: Everdmans, 2002.

Holy Bible: English Standard versions. Wheaton: Crossway Bible, 2007.

Lewis, C.S. “Learning in War-Time.” Church of St. Mary the Virgin, oxford. 1939. Lecture.

Lewis. C.S. “The Poison of Subjectivity.” From Christian Reflection. 1967.

Lewis. C.S. “The Weight of glory” Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford. 1942. Lecture

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[1] (1 Peter 3:15). This is from the ESV Bible.

[2] (Matt 22:37), ESV Bible.

[3] Lewis, C.S. “Learning in War-Time.” Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford. 1939

[4] Lewis. C.S. “The Poison of Subjectivism.” From Christian Reflection. 1967

[5] Lewis. C.S. “The weight of glory.” Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Oxford. 1942.

The value of Pain

Why does God allow us to feel pain? What is the purpose of suffering? This questions have boggled the hearts and mind of humanity since, I would venture to say, the beginning of time. But, the question, i believe needs to be asked, does pain serve a purpose? His there a reason for why their is suffering? I believe the answer to all this question is yes.

First off, pain serves a purpose that we often over look. It shows us, we are not in total control of our surroundings. Everyone can attest to the powerless feeling that accompanies pain. For example, when we are playing sports, we often feel like there is nothing we can't do. We feel in control of every outcome in the game. We feel invincible, that is, until we injure ourselves and the pain that comes with injury makes us, reactively, open our months and scream out in pain. So, in this sense, I would say that God uses pain to remind us that there are thing we don't have control over.

Secondly, there is a helplessness that comes with pain, which always makes us call out for help (in most cases, call out to a higher power). It does not amaze me that in times of disaster, people call for God. It seems that in times of pain, such as September 11th and natural disasters, is when you find people wanting to reconnect with God. A person may have spent all their time not caring for God, but when disasters hit, we very quickly want to ask God why he allows such thing to happen. So, if nothing else, pain reminds us that deep inside we all feel as though there is a reason to the pains we feel so we look to our maker to give us the answer.

Lastly, a Christian should never over look the infinite worth of pain. For, on the cross, our savior take on the ultimate pain to save us from everlasting pain. When a believer takes a close look at the Cross, he or she must feel the weight of it. In seeing the savior, we come to a full realization that the pains he felt are pains which belongs to me. So, If I may attempt to put a reason behind why God allows pain. It is to remind us that, when we feel pain, what we feel is infinitely less than what his son felt in our stead. Upon looking at the cross, it should move us, because upon that cross was one who did not deserve the pains, but out of love, took it.

Just a quick reminder, scripture tells us that we "Have a high priest who is able to sympathize." I believe the reason is because he felt pain like we do.

Paradise Now

The movie paradise now, is about two Arabic brothers who were asked by community leaders to stage a suicide bombing which will result in the killing of Israeli citizens. The movie takes watchers through the minds of the bomber as each person is dealing with their impending action. The movie showed us the indoctrination of a suicide bomber. The two brother are persuaded into agreeing with the plan by promises from their leaders. Such promises like, you were chosen for this, this is god will and two angles will pick you up upon your death and carry you to heaven, were enough to put the two brother on the path to their their goal. When the day of the mission came, their plans were foiled when they were spotted by a patrol car. While running to evade capture, the two brothers were spilt up. Khaled (the older brother) was taking back to the hiding spot while Said (the younger brother) had to find his way back. After spending the whole day, with a bomb strapped to his chest, Said was tracked down by his brother and returned to Jamel (the leader of their group).

After a brief debriefing, Jamel decided they should try their plan again, if the boys were willing. Khaled, who had previously being excited to carry out the plans, now became hesitant, while Said who had being doubting the plan along became even more sure that suicide bombing is the only way yo get their message across. When they day of their plan came, Khaled decided this was not he right thing to do and backed out of the plan. Said decided he was going to go ahead with the plan and locked his brother in the car that came to pick them up and watched the car drive away. The final scene in the movie is Said sitting in a bus with several Israeli soldiers and civilians. The camera closes on his face and the whole screen went white (meaning he had pulled the trigger) followed by a dark screen.

I hate (with deep animosity) idiotic indoctrinations which attempts to convince people that it is good to kill other people for a selfish cause. Wether it Hitler and the Nazi or people like Jamel who prey on the weak to carry out their devious plans. I always have the thought (as I did with this movie) on my mind of "Why, is you believe in this idea so much, can't you do it yourself." I believe it takes a coward of a person to recruit people to do their dirty work while they stand in the shadows and give reason to justify their evil. Jamel tell the two brothers of the pending glory of taking their own live to further his cause. But, there is no glory in such thing, just murderers and the murdered. The justification of trying to solve a problem with violence will only lead to more violence.

In the end I thought the movie was a good way to show what goes on in a world I know nothing about. It did a great job of showing me the psychology of people like Jamal. It also showed me the hardship of living in a world in which you feel oppressed with no sense of a way out. Such was the case with Said, I just believe he tried to fix the problem the wrong way. In the case of Khaled, he was shown, by a friend, that taking someone else's life due to anger is not a just cause but revenge.

Man or Rabbit: Have we forgotten what this is really about

"One of the things that distinguishes man from the other animals is that he wants to know things, wants to find out what reality is like, simply for the sake of knowing. When that desire is completely quenched in anyone, I think he has become something less than human." In this, Lewis in pointing towards the heart of man and his desire to throughly know thing. We were created with an innate desire to know that what we are and what we see are really real. As Lewis mentions in the following sentence, "I don't believe any of you have really lost that desire. More probably, foolish preachers, by always telling you how much Christianity will help you and how good it is for society, have actually led you to forget that Christianity is not a patent medicine."

When you look at our culture today (especially the American culture), it seem people would rather use God as what scholars call Therapeutic Deism. By Therapeutic Deism, I mean a God that makes you feel good. Christianity, as it were, is not free from this idea either, as a matter of fact, more and more people are starting to look at the Christian God in such a fashion. It seems as though we think of God as just a being needed when one needs a little pick-me-up and then put back on the shelves of our medicine cabinet. This, of cause, would led me to ask wether or not we still remember what this whole Christian faith is all about. After all, as Lewis says, the way Christians see the world, should be different from everyone else. If we, believers, really believe Christ to be the risen God, then we are saying the only way to see the world as it really is, is through the eye of a Christian (after all our faith claims to have the truth).

But, as it would now seem, Christian are starting not to claim their religion as the absolute truth but rather a way to make your life better (this is a good load of crap). It must be true as Lewis says, "If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be; If it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all." This is the case because Christianity claim something far beyond just being a good person. To attempt to clarify what Lewis is saying, If a person find out that the claims of spending eternity with the creator were actually true, they would be foolish to not put their hopes in it, it wouldn't even matter if they didn't achieve being a good person on earth because they would know the hopes of the next world is greater.

Now, there are those who foolishly say to people "give your life to Christ and he will make you a better person." To this people, it is clear to me they have lost the real reason Christ died. I do have to say though, that I admire their efforts of trying to generate better citizens, but their way of doing so, is just simply wrong. Christ never says to anyone "I have come to die, that you may be a better person." But, rather "I have come, that you may have life and have it to the full." With this Christ is suggesting that the life we have now is not full, not that we are not good persons. Christ is saying, we are living incomplete life and the completeness is found in Him. The error of saying to people Christ will make you a better person is that people already do "good" (not in the sense of glorifying God) without Christ. So it would follow that a person wouldn't have the need to follow Christ if all Christ was offering is a life of good deeds.

Christ, on the other hand, is the real meaning of life. In him can life be lived as it is suppose to be, glorying to God. Equally as ridiculous are those who say "Christ will give you a better life." I am afraid, though, that I do not now have the time to go into such matters.

The fellowship of the inner ring

Inner rings, almost everyone has them. Those who do not, are either trying to get into one or seeking to form their own. It will be worth while to mention that inner rings are not necessarily bad things. As a matter of fact, they could be good for growth and encouragement. After all, everyone needs to belong somewhere. Christianity is one big inner ring of people who call themselves by the name of Christ. But, as mentioned by Lewis, there can come a point in which inner rings become detrimental to one well being. We have seen many evils (big and small) done in the name of inner rings. People have turned their backs on seeking Christ because of how some Christian within a church acted towards them. People have killed themselves because they were treated badly by some punks who think themselves to cool for other people and in the case of gangs, we have seen lives ended because people from one inner ring having animosity towards people of other inner rings.

As followers of Christ, however, we are called to be different. This, as I see it, will entail being loving to all people and accepting all people. But, even in this, there are things to do and not to do. As I mentioned earlier in class, church is not an event for unbelievers. I know this may sound harsh and someone will be say "how can you exclude anyone from church," but I believe a closer look at church itself will make this idea clear. At a church service, members of the congregation pray, sing and hear faith affirming sermon from their pastors. To a non-believer, non of this would matter or even make any sense. To see this differently, it would be like going to dinner with an italian family, which the whole dinner are speaking italian (which you don't speak), but every once in a while, one of the family members look at you and smile, hoping you are following the conversation; The problem is, of cause, no one as taking the time to teach you the language or even try to explain what's going on; had they done so, you would be fully in the conversation like one of the family members. This is the same thing when a non-believer goes to church, they sit in the pews wondering why everyone is so attentive, while, they feel like sleeping. It would make much more sense if someone had actually taking the time to tell he/her the gospel (like we are called to do) so that what they hear in the pew make sense.

Now, this is the point someone might object by saying, "what about Christ? he did not exclude anyone." At this, I would have to invite the person to a closer look at Christ. It is true that Christ showed all people love (as we are also called to do) but, it is clear that Christ separated all other people from his disciples. Christ never allowed just any person to follow him, all those who followed him (as disciples, or helpers) were told to follow him on the condition that they leave their old lives behind. Christ never said to a prostitute "continue sinning and follow me," it was clear that those who choose to follow him were not willfully committing sinful acts. Further, the apostle Paul made it clear that church service was designed for the believer, to the point that led him to encourage the church of Corinth (1 cor 5:1-2) to kick out the person on the basis that he was acting as an unbeliever (sleeping with his step-mother) till he repents of his sins.

Vocation in God's Kingdom

After a person as come to the full realization of the salvation brought by Christ on the cross. The next thing realize, which will lead to action, is realizing that you are called by God to do all things to the glory of his new. If, as a believer, I have died to this world and raised with christ, the next step is to being to live in this world as one who does all things to Christ and the for the advancement of the gospel. Sad to say though, it is clear that there are still people (lots of people) who think that to become a Christian just means going to church and taking the name of Christ and tagging it on anything. Sure people life their lives without a care of what's going on in the world. The idea of being like Christ, loving Justice and caring for orphans and widow in their distress is lost on them. To them, the Christian faith is just a system establish to make their life better and more comfortable.

This, of cause is a tragedy because the Christian life is so much more fulfilling than just living comfortably. As children of God, we are called to take is name to all parts of the world, that, also includes our vocations. As a student, I see it as my calling to learn all that the Lord will teach me (by Himself or means of other people) so that I can, in turn, take my knowledge and use it to take the gospel to all that would listen. It is heartbreaking the see the trend of selfish ambitions continue to permeate the American culture. It seems parent, rather then encourage their children to life for Christ, are encouraging them to pursuit a life of comfort. It, further makes me sad that those who pursuit a life of comfort are reformed people. Being a reformed person myself, I can not imagine (better yet, I don't make to imagine) finishing school, just getting a job and living comfortably with a wife and kids while the world is "Literally" perishing, when the call to take them the answer was giving to me by the God i claim to serve to the point of death. I just don't see how those who do it, do it.

YOU HAD ME AT 'LOVE ME THE WAY CHRIST LOVES'

Out of the fours loves, Eros, as Lewis calls it, is the love a man has for a woman (though, not sexual in general). Eros is the kind of love one feels when he or she sees someone attractive, as a result, they fall in love (at first sight). But, I believe it is vital to ask, "is this kind of love lasting?" Most people would like to say that it does; after all, isn't that what love is suppose to be like? I mean, what is the point of all those movies telling us stories of happily ever after if your not always going to be goggle eyed about "the one"?

As Lewis mentioned, 'Eros is not a love that is self sustaining, it has to be work at, if this is the case, then what is true love? I believe to answer this question, one would have to explore all other forms of love. As I see it, true love that should be desired, is love that is unconditional aka Agape. If agape, as shown in scripture, is a self sacrificing love, then, it would make sense why this is the kind of love God has for his beloved. The question still remains, however, of how we, as people, can ever achieve this kind of love. I believe, the true form of agape for humans is not yet fully possible, but, the general idea can be achieved.

When it comes to love, it is fact that you will not always be "in love" with your mate (in love meaning, the point in which you are head over heels for one another). But, it is also true that, for a christian, divorce should not be an option (at least, for me, I believe this to be the case), but there will be times of disagreements, so then, what do you do? This, I believe, is where the other forms of love come in. Combining affection and friendship love with Eros will help to sustain a marriage in times of turbulence. If true love (Agape) is love that alway sacrifices (I believe it is), then a good relationship is one that is reflecting a love like this. For example, if a couple were deciding to paint their house but each had different colors in minds, I believe this would be a pointless thing to debate about; as I see it, one person ( in this case the guy just because I am a guy and this is what I will do) should sacrifice their desires (paint preference) for the other person. Though I have never being married or even being in a relationship (I mean boyfriend, girlfriend kind of relationship), I do believe this kind of sacrificing will eliminate the little disagreement that can build up.

Of cause, I believe the most important part of any Godly relationship is God. For this reason, I believe the best thing a single person can do to find "the right one" is just to continue following God. One thing I have learned in my short adult life is this, If you are a person who is truly following Christ, you will not attract a person who is not (unless your idea of following Christ is living comfortably in your suburban home, with your kids, going to church every sunday, waking up everyday to go to your 9 to 5 and never seeking to do anything outside of your safe neighborhood for the glory of Christ aka the American dream, then chances are you will find someone who also wants to live the American dream, though, they may not be following Christ). For me (If it matters) I desire to go anywhere Christ may send me to spread his name, this means that I am fully committed to a life of hardship if that is what the lord would have me do. So, as it goes, I believe the person God is going to bless me with, will be a person with the same mind set. As it follows, I can tell a person who can serve Christ alongside of me after a few times of talking to them (unless they lie to me about who they are, in which case, I trust Christ to not make a relationship with such a person workout). It wouldn't be that I deem them not worthy to be with me (that would be stupid and and prideful), it would just simply be that they are not thinking of serving Christ the same way He gave me desire to serve him. Their desire would be what God puts on their hearts.

"A RELATIONSHIP THAT WILL LAST IS ONE THAT REVOLVES AROUND CHRIST AND DOESN'T MAKE THE OTHER PERSON a god." Trying to make them god is putting on them a burden they, nor you, can carry.