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When one knows the lay of the land, they can better understand what the poet is describing. Psalm 19 is better understood now that we know the world is not flat and that the sun does not orbit the earth. We can interpret it better because we can be certain the the inspiration of the Spirit is not intending the narrative to be a scientific description of cosmology.

What is most interresting for me to think about these days is reading Genesis 1-2 with the assumption that Darwin was right.Now of course there were some elements of his theories that have since been disproven. Much the same way that Copernicus was right that the sun, not the earth, was the center of the solar system. Yet he was wrong that the sun was the center of the universe. Yet, the basic premis of a old earth with evolved lifeforms has now been all but canonized by the scientific communittee.

We have no problem interpreting the stelar references in Psalm 19 as Anthropromorphic. That is easy because outside the exogetical arena we use the tera-centric language to reference a helio-centric reality. For example we will use terms like sunrise, sunset, and shooting star, to describe the turning of the earth and collisions with astroids. The language naturally guides the interpretation. However, we do not use creation language to references evolutionary realities. insteaad of "creature," we say "animal." Instead of "forming" we say "evolving." As a result, we cannot interpret Genesis with evolution in the picture.

Read it again for the first time with the assumption that man evolved from a lower version of primates. What is the narrative of Adam and Eve telling us?

If I eroneously assumed the genre to be scientific or historical, what have I been missing in my interpretations.

Augustine gave us the notion that the "Fall" was a crash away from perfection. A predictable theology coming from a neo-platonist. Evolution suggests something entirely different. That homo-sapiens are being formed into the image of God through a process. We evolved physically to the point where we could realize God's existence, and navigate with a morality that is absent in all other lifeforms. Then there was an awakening to the condition of original sin. This sin/nakedness was always there, but our ignorance made us inocent. Adams first sin was not the tree, but his nakedness. Yet the tree was his first disobedience. It is the first moment where God's will is known and disobeyed. Is the tree, and the event of the fall alegorically referencing the aquisition of morality and the subsequent disobedience of the human race?

It would be hipocritical to stick our fingers in our ears saying "Na Naa Naaa" just because these scientist cannot read the original Hebrew. Was it a fall down or a fall forward? Is redemption a neccesary part of our progression into the image of God?

In most other contexts, this might rise the ire of the theologically minded. But I nolonger have the luxury of ignorance. I know the process of creation took millions of years, and we were part of that process. I know that we were made in the image of God and that Christ was incarnated into human form and then redeemed us through his death and resurection. In the light of new and very convincing evidence, I must reinterpret what I see and what I read.

The secret is out. Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus and bore him a child. Christianity as a religion is in tatters and it is all due to the cultural wave know as The DaVinci Code.

Originally it was a best-selling book about a major conspiracy involving the papacy, the Knights Templar, and historical figures such as Sir Isaac Newton and Leonardo DaVinci. Now The DaVinci Code has come to the silver screen. The response? Fans of the book are thrilled. Christians, on the other hand, are in an uproar. I want to tell you why this is a movie that you as a Christian should consider seeing.

Given that the premise of the story does not line up with conservative theology it is easy to see why so many Christians are opposed to the book and film. The Jesus of the Bible doesn’t have a wife and therefore the story is bunk. Well, that all depends on your worldview.

Every person has their own glasses that they view the happenings of the world through. These glasses called your worldview and they are tinted according to the things you believe and the experiences you have gone through. An atheist looks at the Bible and sees a book that was written by men and is nothing more that a work of literature that has influenced a great many people. A Christian looks at the Bible and sees a means of interacting with the living and active God of the universe. Two world-views, two ways of interpreting the world around them.

In the case of the DaVinci Code a secular person sees a good story with an intriguing concept. Jesus was a man like anyone else. He had urges. Why couldn’t he have had a son as a result? A Christian looks and sees something that talks about their savior and says something other than what the Bible says. Because the Bible says Jesus couldn’t marry, right?

Let’s look at the theological information. Is it possible that Christ could have married? Yes, it is. He was a Jewish teacher and it would have been completely plausible in that culture for him to have a wife. He was without sin but it is no sin to be married or to have sex inside that marriage covenant. Therefore, Jesus could have been married and had a child as a result. However, this does not necessarily mean that this is actually what happened. The widely accepted list of documents which has come to be known as the Bible does not tell us that Jesus was married. Likely this means that he was not, but it does not rule out the possibility entirely.

So, The DaVinci Code is full of lies right? When experiencing the story of The DaVinci Code the most important thing to remember is that it is a fictional story. Like any good story it weaves fact and fiction so cleverly that the audience has difficulty telling the two apart. A deeper knowledge of art or history would allow the audience to see the flaws in the logic of the plot.

The author’s interpretation of DaVinci’s The Last Supper fresco is that the beardless person to Christ’s to Christ is actually Mary Magdalene. The fact that Leonardo DaVinci had a somewhat questionable appreciation for painting effeminate young men seems to be unknown to the writer. Other details such as the crusades, the witch trials, and the Council of Nicea have been presented through the author’s own worldview.

Some of the evidence used to purport the claim of the story is believable while others are more ridiculous. One example of the ridiculous is the idea that the Catholic Church has kept hidden the truth that Christ had a wife so that they could prevent the worship of her and keep women in a lower role in the church. This is interesting considering that the veneration of the Virgin Mary is such a crucial (and somewhat controversial) aspect of the Catholic faith.

So, the evidence in the story is not true. Christians can all breathe a sigh of relief. But wait a second did he say that we should still watch this movie? You bet I did. Why?
Let me start with why Christians should not be boycotting this movie. First of all I’d like to point out that causing a huge ruckus over the movie gets it a ton of free publicity. This is the kind of stuff producers pray for. If your hope was to prevent the movie from impacting our society I am sorry to tell you that you have done just the opposite. Now everybody wants to see this movie that the Christians are making such a big deal about.

On top of that imagine that a bank in your town got robbed. Now imagine that in a conversation with a group of friends somebody cracks a joke about it being you who probably robbed the bank. In response you become furiously agitated and begin screaming that they are a liar. Sound like you’ve got something to hide? You bet. It’s fine to stand for what we believe in, but if we have nothing to hide let’s stop acting so guilty.

Now, I think it’s a good idea for Christians to see this movie for three reasons. First, it’s a good story. It’s good for Christians to experience good stories that don’t end with all the main characters getting saved. Second, it will cause you to think. It will force you to deal with the ideas that it presents. The more we think about our faith and wrestle with tough questions concerning it the stronger it will be.

Finally, this is a story that is having a big influence on our society at this time. If we want to be able to have at least some-what intelligent conversations with people about it, we need to understand it. So, see the movie. Or better yet, read the book. If you’re looking for a great way to talk about your faith with someone you can look forward to the doors that The DaVinci Code will open. Just make sure that you use your opportunity to share your faith rather than to just argue that the story isn’t true.

Towards the end of the movie there is an interesting conversation between the two main characters. In it Tom Hank’s character shares a story of a time that his faith saved him. He also challenges the other character to make the choice between tearing apart a great faith or adding to it. A worthy question to be posed to an audience desperate for answers.

The DaVinci Code is not a story that will destroy the Christina faith. In truth, we are often our own worst enemy in this respect. Be informed, be tactful, and most importantly, be loving. Take advantage of this great opportunity to spread the Gospel.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Christians have, for the most part, been stamped “IRRELEVANT” by the rest of society. We are known as the bigoted, religious people who constantly make a big deal about silly things. We are said to have no sense of humor and to be ignorant about everything, including the truth behind our religion.

The disheartening reality is that it seems that it is most often the least educated among our ranks who tend to be the most vocal about our faith. Some would say that this is because we are meant to rely on faith and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit rather than on worldly knowledge. Many devote Christians avoid learning for fear that a love of knowledge will replace dependency on the Holy Spirit and smother a vibrant faith.

What are we to do? Shall we turn to knowledge and become educated rather than spirit-filled? Or shall we shun worldly wisdom and appear ignorant to the world? Many well-meaning servants of Christ might find the latter option more appealing (and Biblical). However, it is important to remember that some of the apostles were quite well educated themselves as well as many of the remarkable early-church fathers.

The truth is, our faith needs those with a love of study. We need those who are willing to form theologies, translate scripture, and help us make our faith applicable to our changing cultural context.

So, Christian scholars are important, but what of the average Christian? The questions we must ask ourselves are these: First, is our Savior confined to one aspect of our lives, our spiritual longings, or does he permeate all of our existence? And second, if he is present in every part of life, then is it not important for us to understand more of the world around us so that we can be a light into every nook and cranny of God’s good creation?

This undertaking should not require you to give up on your passionate faith. Learn what you believe… really learn it. And then take this new-found knowledge and bring it into everything that you are passionate about.

Let Christ shine in math if math is your passion. Let Christ shine in photography if photography is your passion. Let him shine in economics, computers, music, and sports. Whatever your passion, let Christ shine in it through you.

Know your faith. It is no sin to not be ignorant. Know it… live it… let it shine.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Catagories: Christian Education

When saying that Hollywood glorifies sin you will find few Christians who argue. But what if I were to say that Hollywood also sometimes condemns sin and shows its negative side? Perhaps this will raise an eyebrow of interest. If it is an eyebrow of skepticism that has accented your brow, then please return it to the downward position and hear me out. Let me purpose two movies that capture what I am talking about.

Punch-Drunk Love starring Adam Sandler is the story of a man named Barry who deeply desires companionship and to be treated with respect. In frustration he calls a phone-sex service. This causes him great troubles as the company uses the information that he gave them to send thugs to his home to threaten him into giving them money. At the same time that this happens he meets a Lena. She respects him like no one ever has and they develop a deep connection. He gains confidence and eventually calls the phone-sex service to inform them that he will no longer pay them.

The climactic moment of the film comes when the thugs return and smash into Barry and Lena's vehicle. Barry checks to see that Lena is alright and them proceeds to pummel the thugs sent to harass him. He then tracks down the owner of the operation and flies down to confront him.

In this story we see a man who gives in and does something wrong. This wrong takes control of his life, eventually threatening that which he cherishes most. He recognizes this and chooses to stand up against it. He does so and concludes by seeking forgiveness from Lena. This film points out that sins can affect all that we care about and that we must fight to protect our loved ones from these sins.

The second movie is Vanilla Sky starring Tom Cruize. This film is the story of David Aames who has inherited his father’s successful media company but rejects responsibility in favor of a playboy life-style. He is content with this life to some degree when he meets a young woman named Sofia Serrano who challenges all he values and finds worth in. He sees immense potential in this new relationship.

However, when he leaves her apartment after a sex-less date he goes down to his car and is met by Julie Gianni a female friend who he had been casually having sex with. Convinced that their relationship is based soley on sex he is surprised to find her rather flustered about his involvement with the new girl. He is about to leave when she changes tones and invites him to join her for a romp for old-times sake. “It’ll be our little secret,” she promises. Thinking with his libido rather than his head David gets into her car. There the conversation quickly escalates as their speed accelerates. David's attempts to calm her down fail and she crashes the car killing herself and leaving him permanently scarred.

The rest of the film follows David's attempts to rebuild his life following the tragedy. He loses his great confidence as well as any chance of happiness that he hoped to find with Sofia. He goes to great lengths to restore this relationship in some form but his subconscious brings forth his guilt at using and mistreating julies and so these attempts fail. In the end he looks into the eyes of the woman he loves who he will never have and admits that he never should have gotten into that car. He repents for his sins but is left with the consequences of his actions.

This film not only shows the development of a character as he realizes the consequences of his actions but reminds Christians that although God will forgive their most heinous sins, this does not save them from the natural repercussions of these evil deeds.

We live in a society that glorifies sin. But there is no question that people who are deeply lost still understand the deadly nature of sin and the effects that it can have on a life. Let us take these truths to heart my brothers and sisters. Cast out sin because it will ruin our lives if we give it the opportunity.


Catagories: movies, sin

It’s that time of year again: spring. When I stare out the window I can see the birds soaring high, the grass blowing softly, and most of all - for me - I can feel the warm sun throwing down on my now bleach white albino skin.

Something interesting always seems to happen during this season, and that is the gathering of students outside of their schools. The gathering is said to be caused by the suns seemingly magnetic attraction to a humans skin, the airs increased crispness after a winters cleansing, and also the smell of all things new. Some of those new things are the clothes that have been laying in their creases, dieing for the day they could set there cotton free in the wind. Drive by any high school this spring and you will notice a variety of prints, patterns, stripes and colors, from a plethora of stores.

I know this to be true because I have lived the experience. I can recall spending as much time in a mall as In would a full time job browsing the isles of countless stores each displaying their own twist on ‘cool’. Those clothes are then brought home by countless numbers of highly anticipating students, all wishing to be the center of attention in their halls.

Is it not interesting to see these different students parading around in there often over priced clothes each trying to portray their own independence, their own personality? You see the same thing in a different way if you go to a boarding school with a dress code: many of the students fight the conformity by putting their own twist to their uniforms whether it be pins carrying some self-governing slogan, wearing their pants backwards or their coats inside out.

I would like to propose a thought: what is the difference between the boarding schools uniforms and the high schools so called independence? Are they both not portraying the same images? On one hand we have the boarding school with their uniforms making everyone dress the same way having many of the students hate it. When looking into the window of the public school we see the same thing with a different twist: here instead we see the students desperate to separate themselves from each other each trying to ‘outbuy’ and ‘outwear’ the others. They spend hours at the mall waiting for the newest textiles to role off the shelves. It’s quite the cycle, but look deep into it and you’ll notice that their quest is futile: they are all inevitably trying to dress the same. So on one hand we have the rebellion out of the conformity like that of the boarding school and the other we have the rebellion in the form of conformity with everyone trying to look different but at the same time the same. Look at the new generation – my generation - they are all dressed in jeans ‘different’ jeans they say but jeans non the less. I can remember a student in high school who wore the same system of a down shirt everyday, the same black nylon pants and never did his hair. Perhaps, he was the most original, independent student in the school. He after all these years of reflection was the one person in that school of 1400 who really did fight the system, who raised his hand to those that told him to dress a certain way, or portray a certain image. If only I could shake his hand now, congratulating him on everything I could not do.

I’m not saying to rebel against everything you know and where a black sheet for the rest of your life, nor would I want you to. I for one love to get new clothes and mix and match them with my friends, but what I would beg of you is not to judge others. That was the purpose of the high school comparison, to reveal how easily we can get it wrong and have to live with the consequences of our ignorance. We are so focused on ourselves, on trying to be different that we lose the aspect of those around us. We need to humble ourselves and respect each other, being willing to admit we are wrong and being willing to embrace those that are different than each other. I’m not asking us to rebel against those that tell us what to do, what I asking us to do instead, is to humble ourselves, having a good attitude toward those that are different than us, those that do not act the way we do, and love one another as equals. Express yourself through your clothing in anyway that suits you, but be weary of why you are dressing the way you are, and embrace those around you who dress differently. We are no better than our neighbor nor will we ever be.

The Unispired Youth

It has been said that this generation of youth has the capacity to do great things. They have every door open to them. Every opportunity is within their grasp. But why don’t we have any Mozarts or Shakespeares? Why is it that so many youth are trading in their bright futures for crystal meth? I believe it’s because they’re uninspired.

Throughout history there have been great events and movements occurring that inspire individuals towards action, towards accomplishing great things. War, often associated with bringing out the worst in men has also been known to inspire people towards such passé concepts as heroism and valour.

Our society offers two main inspirations: success and possessions. Young people are told that in order to live a fulfilling life they must work hard in school, graduate with great marks, go to university, get a high-paying job, make lots of money, and own lots of stuff. With such a satisfying life ahead of them is it any wonder so many youth simply want to make enough money to escape to some foreign country?

Their young hearts are yearning for adventure and experience. They hope to see something new that will make it easier to come back to our: ‘succeed and buy until you die’ culture.

If this generation of youth is going to live up to their potential they will need to be inspired. The question is, will that inspiration come from some outside force bringing a large-scale conflict of some kind or will it come from the older generations leaving the youth with something more than this consumerist mantra.

As one of those from the great expectations generation, I recognize the importance of taking responsibility for my own direction; but I also recognize how important it is for the older generations to give us inspiration. Do you want to see us succeed? Inspire us. Draw out that potential energy for success that is within this next generation. Give us something worth fighting for.


categories: youth issues, inspiration

There is an obscure Sci-fi movie called Serenity based on an even more obscure sci-fi TV show called Firefly. This movie follows the adventures of the rag-tag crew of a space-ship called Serenity. Great doings are a-brewing and their plight worsens as they are drawn into a futuristic government conspiracy.

And now, because I'm a jerk and like to ruin plots for the sake of a message, I will tell you what that conspiracy is. The crew discovers that some time ago the government was doing some research into behavioral modification. They developed a drug that was designed to supress the aggressive tendancies within people. They then released this drug into the air on one of their outlying planets. The results were catastrophically successful.

The aggressive tendancies were removed from most of the population and they would no longer fight. In fact, the drug was so effective that those affected gave up fighting for anything at all. They stopped going to work, stopped leaving their homes, stopped eating, even breathing. The fight was taken right out of them. And they all died. Millions of people all just layed down and died.

Brothers and Sisters, do not give up the fight! Our culture today is telling us to stop fighting. Leisure time is valued above a good day of working hard. Romantic relationships are boiled down to self-gratifying sex. Any and every corner that can be cut is hacked off. The quick and easy is glorified while anything that requires time or effert is deemed passé.

There is a lurking creature in our midst. This beast wishes to drain the life out of us and turn us into its mindless slaves. This vicious creature is consumerism. It seeks to undercut anything that cannot be mass-produced and easily marketed. The men behind this beast (for make no mistake, it does have masters) do not wish to build something that will last. They want your money and they get it by keeping you ever unsatisfied and offering only meaningless quick-fix answers.

And what does all of this chasing-after-our-tails result in? Death. The slow death of one who no longer can find the will to fight. They give us just enough to numb the pain of an unsatisfied life and keep us from fighting against the beast.

Brothers and Sisters, pick up the fight! Seek something real. Something that satisfies because it is good. And when you find it... fight! Fight for the good. And do not let the men in suits tell you that quicker and easier is better.

Go in Peace.

categories: movies/pop-culture

In the present state of the worlds progress it is highly inadvisable that people in wholly different stages of civilization even although both equally high, shall be thrown into intimate contact.
“An Autobiography” by Theodore Roosevelt – Referencing Japanese immigrants to California decades before Pearl Harbour.

Nobody can predict the specifics of culture twenty years from now. However, we can be sure that the chemistry for conflict is brewing today. Two cultures with core beliefs that are obtuse will always clash. The intensity of those beliefs will grow when the other contrasts them.

The recent Comic protests have illuminated a situation that the globe must come to terms with. The Middle East is not ready for Democracy.

There is little doubt that a serious Islamic taboo was crossed. Western media was reckless is a show solidarity for freedom of speech.

There is little doubt that a serious democratic taboo was crossed. Muslim leaders were reckless in a show of solidarity for Mohammad’s honour.

Cooler heads must prevail.

However, coolness is hard to arbitrate on a people that already feel marginalized and arbitrated. They have been pushed too far.

It is not necessarily true that thy have been pushed too far, but it is true that many believe they have been pushed too far. This belief, coupled with promises of heavenly rewards for Jihadist’s breeds trouble. Not only today, but also when the kids of Al-Kida grow up, and when their children grow up.

Cartoons are not the issue.
They are only the ironic illustration of the issue.

Freedom of speech is not the issue
Mohammad’s Honour is not the issue
These are only the rallying cries, the rhetoric, the “Remember-the-Alamos”

The issue is older that this year.
It was fought years ago in Iraq
Decades ago in Israel.
Centuries ago in crusades.
Millenniums ago in Palestine.
Epochs ago in every tribe, language, and nation.

The issue is power
Whoever has the power makes the rules and protects their beliefs, values, and culture.