In light of the fact that I have to write a two page paper (reflection) every week for one of my classes, and the even greater fact that I am lazy, I will be starting what a "Am I Wrong Series." The class is Messianic and Apocalyptic Literature. As I have stated before, being a Religious Studies major at a state institution is enough to drive any evangelical conservative believer up the wall, but the professor and I really don't agree an much. Shocker I know. I do have to say he is a great guy and teaches his view very well. So its not him I have a problem with, just what he teaches. That kinda sounds like the whole, "I support the troops, but not the war" which I hate, but that is for another time.
Anyway all I'm going to do is post my papers and let you all in on the ramblings of an incoherent mind. As another aside, maybe the government should use me to torture prisoners. I'm sure they would pick water boarding over having to listen to me for any amount of time.
Here it goes.
My reflection this week is on the idea that civilizations outside of the Israel nation are what influenced their prophecies. The feeling I get is that you and the textbook both imply civilizations such as the Egyptians, Babylonians, Canaanites, etc. are where the Israelites got their ideas of who a king and Messiah should be. I would freely acknowledge that there are experts on both the historical and archaeological basis for this opinion who are much smarter than I am, but I would like to submit, that there are also experts, who are just as wise, who would disagree. A comparison of the facts for and against this argument would require much more space than a two page paper, so I would like to offer up just one observation against influences outside of the Israel nation directing their ideas of a king and Messiah. The observation is this, how can it be said that other civilizations influenced the basis for Israel’s beliefs if those beliefs are gone and Israel’s still remain. Core Jewish beliefs also have remained greatly unchanged for at least the last 4000 years.
If it were true that Israel borrowed the basis for their ideas from these civilizations, would it not stand to reason that the Jewish beliefs would have died out with the other religions also. While there may still be small factions of people who carry the beliefs of these other ancient religions, I think we can agree that they are not practiced on near the same scale as Judaism, and to a larger extent Christianity. Would this not lead us to believe then Israel had the stronger of the religions. If this then is true, how can it be said that they were influenced by a weaker society. I would admit that the style of certain writings may have been influenced by other cultures, but to say the basic beliefs of the writings were influenced does not stand to reason.
The example was made in class that people may like a certain style of song but not hold to the particular beliefs of the song or artist. We all hear it from time to time in interviews with musicians about who influenced their style. Many times a particular group draws form total different sources to make their sound completely new, but there are still noticeable phrases or sounds that remind us of other groups. To say that a musician who may borrow styles and sounds cannot be independent does again not hold true.
If we can believe then that Israel was the stronger religion, and we agree that there are similarities between beliefs, how can the two be rectified. One observation could be that they have a common source or influence themselves to draw from. As it was also stated in class, many different civilizations have a story of a worldwide flood. Let us, just for the sake of time, take this as true. Thus it is easy to see how different civilizations have common beliefs and similar stories. If the Israel story is the one that has passed the test of time, how can it be said that they only borrowed it from another people. Could other people have not borrowed it from Israel?
As I said before, there are obviously many people who would come down on both sides of this debate, and I do not believe that the point of this paper is to try and settle once and for all the debate. These are only my musings of what was presented in class in
Monday, February 16, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
He let me
Why is it that when we pray and get what we want, we miss it completely? I’m reminded of the story of the man on his roof during a flood. He begs God to save him, but unless it’s on his terms, he doesn’t take the opportunities.
A similar thing happened to me last night. I had been thinking and praying about not witnessing recently. I couldn’t think of the last time I had been able to share the Gospel with someone. I prayed and prayed God would give the opportunity to share His word. Guess what, He’ll let you.
Here is the setting: I got off work extremely late last night because the bus I drive broke down. Not to get too technical, but you have to understand this to get the full effect of the situation. Our buses have four wheels on the back axle, two on each side. The inside wheel of my bus completely severed from the axle so I was driving on the outside tire and the inside was just turning loosely.
Now I know when it happened, because I felt something go wrong, but I couldn’t tell what it was. I was on my last round and the bus would still drive so I continued on. I figured the mechanics would check it out when I was done, so I drove like this for about half an hour. It wasn’t until I got about as far away from the school as possible that the outside tire went flat from all the excess weight and stress. This happened at 6:10 and I have a class at 7:00. Here I am stuck. About the only thing to do is drive the bus back, really slow. It took me almost 45 minutes to drive two and miles back to the bus barn. When I got there, one of the mechanics who has been there for many years told me he has never seen, nor heard of anything like that happening. The inside tire that had broken free was now riding on the brake drum and supported the entire weight of the bus. He said he couldn’t believe it would even drive like that. Now this is not the true miracle.
I now had about five minutes to get to class, six blocks away. On my way into class, a man in a wheelchair was getting ready to go outside. It was extremely cold out, something like -30 with the wind-chill. He looked like he was having difficulty with his coat zipper because his hands were also affected by his apparent disorder. I remember thinking how blessed I am to be healthy.
Let me stop you here. I know what you’re thinking, but when you’re in a hurry you don’t always see things the right way. In my own defense, he looked like he was getting it and I thought it was just one of the struggles he would have in life, and I had to get to class. Lo and behold, the professor was late also.
I would love to say that my mind thought of the man in the wheelchair and I got up and went out to help him and save the day, but that’s not quite what happened. As I sat there, I realized I hadn’t gotten to eat anything because of my delay. Being a good little fatty-fat, I had some snacks in my coat, but the wrapper was very loud, so I walked outside the classroom to eat.
The man in the wheelchair was still struggling with his coat. I asked him if I could help and zipped his coat for him. Sometimes it isn’t till later you fully realize what happened.
I’m not saying the guy needed my help or even wanted it. I don’t even particularly remember him thanking me. He probably wasn’t struggling for hours, and was maybe just having a difficult time with a new coat. More than like likely he wasn’t praying for a Good Samaritan. But, he let me. In truthfulness, it probably meant more to me. He may never think about it again, but it was something I will never forget. Not because of zipping a man’s coat, but because of what God allowed to happen, or caused, or whatever he does, to allow me to zip a coat.
It may not always be on our terms how things happen.
For me here is what happened. I prayed for opportunities to share. My bus broke and let me to get as far away as possible. Then it broke again so I would have to take my time getting back. Then my professor is late, and I happen to have a snack. All this, so God can let me zip a man’s coat.
A similar thing happened to me last night. I had been thinking and praying about not witnessing recently. I couldn’t think of the last time I had been able to share the Gospel with someone. I prayed and prayed God would give the opportunity to share His word. Guess what, He’ll let you.
Here is the setting: I got off work extremely late last night because the bus I drive broke down. Not to get too technical, but you have to understand this to get the full effect of the situation. Our buses have four wheels on the back axle, two on each side. The inside wheel of my bus completely severed from the axle so I was driving on the outside tire and the inside was just turning loosely.
Now I know when it happened, because I felt something go wrong, but I couldn’t tell what it was. I was on my last round and the bus would still drive so I continued on. I figured the mechanics would check it out when I was done, so I drove like this for about half an hour. It wasn’t until I got about as far away from the school as possible that the outside tire went flat from all the excess weight and stress. This happened at 6:10 and I have a class at 7:00. Here I am stuck. About the only thing to do is drive the bus back, really slow. It took me almost 45 minutes to drive two and miles back to the bus barn. When I got there, one of the mechanics who has been there for many years told me he has never seen, nor heard of anything like that happening. The inside tire that had broken free was now riding on the brake drum and supported the entire weight of the bus. He said he couldn’t believe it would even drive like that. Now this is not the true miracle.
I now had about five minutes to get to class, six blocks away. On my way into class, a man in a wheelchair was getting ready to go outside. It was extremely cold out, something like -30 with the wind-chill. He looked like he was having difficulty with his coat zipper because his hands were also affected by his apparent disorder. I remember thinking how blessed I am to be healthy.
Let me stop you here. I know what you’re thinking, but when you’re in a hurry you don’t always see things the right way. In my own defense, he looked like he was getting it and I thought it was just one of the struggles he would have in life, and I had to get to class. Lo and behold, the professor was late also.
I would love to say that my mind thought of the man in the wheelchair and I got up and went out to help him and save the day, but that’s not quite what happened. As I sat there, I realized I hadn’t gotten to eat anything because of my delay. Being a good little fatty-fat, I had some snacks in my coat, but the wrapper was very loud, so I walked outside the classroom to eat.
The man in the wheelchair was still struggling with his coat. I asked him if I could help and zipped his coat for him. Sometimes it isn’t till later you fully realize what happened.
I’m not saying the guy needed my help or even wanted it. I don’t even particularly remember him thanking me. He probably wasn’t struggling for hours, and was maybe just having a difficult time with a new coat. More than like likely he wasn’t praying for a Good Samaritan. But, he let me. In truthfulness, it probably meant more to me. He may never think about it again, but it was something I will never forget. Not because of zipping a man’s coat, but because of what God allowed to happen, or caused, or whatever he does, to allow me to zip a coat.
It may not always be on our terms how things happen.
For me here is what happened. I prayed for opportunities to share. My bus broke and let me to get as far away as possible. Then it broke again so I would have to take my time getting back. Then my professor is late, and I happen to have a snack. All this, so God can let me zip a man’s coat.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Are iPods Evil?
Now I am not one to say that all technology is bad. I tend to believe that no object is inherently evil, its all in how one uses it. Guns are not evil, cars are not evil, the Internet is not evil, but they can all be used for evil. My point is this, iPods can be evil too, but not for the reason that you may think I would think this. I guess maybe I was born about 80 years too late. What ever happened to people talking to each other? What ever happened to getting to know the people around you. I mean people are so focused on themselves. I see people in the grocery store with their stupid iPod in. How are we as Christians supposed to witness and be a light to those around us if all we want to do is put our ear plugs in and tune the rest of the world out. Don't try and tell me that your listening to the Bible or some preaching, even if that is true, do it in the car. Maybe try the crazy notion of reading the Bible.
Now before I sound all hypocritical, I do own an iPod. I even got a great gift certificate for Christmas to get some of my favorite songs, but hopefully I wont be one of those people who walks around all day long with my earwax collectors in. I don't know, maybe it just bugs me for no rational reason what so ever so I have to find some feel good Christian reason to wine about it. But, seriously everyone seems to long for the good old days. Even though the good old days where not that great, but at least you knew some of the people around you. Some would say, "Well now we have things like Facebook to keep in touch with people."
Seriously? I have 90 some friends on Facebook and I haven't had a conversation with 85 of them in over five years. They aren't friends, their people you know. It just proves my point, we tell ourselves we are these social animals and everyone loves us, but in reality we post how we are doing that day and may two people actually give a rip.
A lot like this little idea. There are realistically two people who will even read this, but oh well. It makes me feel better. Some people go to therapy, I do this.
So here is my challenge for the new year. Take out the ear buds, put down the news paper, and ask the person next to you how they are today. Here's an even greater idea. Try actually meaning it, they can tell. You never know who you're with unless you ask.
Now before I sound all hypocritical, I do own an iPod. I even got a great gift certificate for Christmas to get some of my favorite songs, but hopefully I wont be one of those people who walks around all day long with my earwax collectors in. I don't know, maybe it just bugs me for no rational reason what so ever so I have to find some feel good Christian reason to wine about it. But, seriously everyone seems to long for the good old days. Even though the good old days where not that great, but at least you knew some of the people around you. Some would say, "Well now we have things like Facebook to keep in touch with people."
Seriously? I have 90 some friends on Facebook and I haven't had a conversation with 85 of them in over five years. They aren't friends, their people you know. It just proves my point, we tell ourselves we are these social animals and everyone loves us, but in reality we post how we are doing that day and may two people actually give a rip.
A lot like this little idea. There are realistically two people who will even read this, but oh well. It makes me feel better. Some people go to therapy, I do this.
So here is my challenge for the new year. Take out the ear buds, put down the news paper, and ask the person next to you how they are today. Here's an even greater idea. Try actually meaning it, they can tell. You never know who you're with unless you ask.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Death over life, Moloch alive and well.
I was on my into school today and picked up a copy of the Daily Iowan. On the front page was a big picture of the Emma Goldman Center. This obviously perked my interest. For those of you who don't know what this place is, I'll fill you in. The Emma Goldman Center is local abortion clinic. Now that may not be totally fair, but its about the same as calling McDonald's a hamburger joint. Not everyone that goes to McDonald's gets a burger. I mean you could get chicken, an ice cream cone, or just a drink. But, the fact remains that they specialize in burgers. Just like I'm sure the Emma Goldman Center does other things than preform abortions, but everyone knows what they specialize in.
So needless to say the picture grabbed my attention. The headline was below the fold so I didn't know right away what the story was about. As thoughts of what this story would contain raced through my head, I was surprised to find out that the story was highlighting the lack of OB/GYNs in the state. The article is fairly well written and makes valid points about Iowa's lack of specialized health care for women, but my question was what does that have to do with an abortion clinic.
The only answer I can come up with is that this writer must equate, or at least not distinguish between, an OB/GYN and someone who routinely preforms abortions. I do not know this writer at all and so far I have not contacted her, but this legitimate story illustrates how callused our society has come to the slaughter of our unborn. A good story is accented with a picture of an abortion clinic. I in no way intend to start another round of the abortion debate. I only hope to show how we as a society have become so morally corrupt and may not even realize it.
Any other number of pictures could have been used. You have a truly great hospital less than a mile away and someone couldn't walk over and get a picture of a woman getting an ultrasound? How about a new born baby? A room full of women waiting to see their doctor? No, we write about women's health so it has to be an abortion clinic. Death over life.
I don't think the writer was trying to make any kind of statement. Maybe she was, but it does bring to light a mindset that this generation has. I actually hope the writer wants to push an agenda, because then it would be one writer's opinion and it would be easy for me to dismiss. If the picture was not intentional, then no connection was even considered. That is scary and today is truly a sad day.
The story.
http://media.www.dailyiowan.com/media/storage/paper599/news/2008/12/12/Metro/Iowa-Lacking.In.Obgyns-3578711.shtml
So needless to say the picture grabbed my attention. The headline was below the fold so I didn't know right away what the story was about. As thoughts of what this story would contain raced through my head, I was surprised to find out that the story was highlighting the lack of OB/GYNs in the state. The article is fairly well written and makes valid points about Iowa's lack of specialized health care for women, but my question was what does that have to do with an abortion clinic.
The only answer I can come up with is that this writer must equate, or at least not distinguish between, an OB/GYN and someone who routinely preforms abortions. I do not know this writer at all and so far I have not contacted her, but this legitimate story illustrates how callused our society has come to the slaughter of our unborn. A good story is accented with a picture of an abortion clinic. I in no way intend to start another round of the abortion debate. I only hope to show how we as a society have become so morally corrupt and may not even realize it.
Any other number of pictures could have been used. You have a truly great hospital less than a mile away and someone couldn't walk over and get a picture of a woman getting an ultrasound? How about a new born baby? A room full of women waiting to see their doctor? No, we write about women's health so it has to be an abortion clinic. Death over life.
I don't think the writer was trying to make any kind of statement. Maybe she was, but it does bring to light a mindset that this generation has. I actually hope the writer wants to push an agenda, because then it would be one writer's opinion and it would be easy for me to dismiss. If the picture was not intentional, then no connection was even considered. That is scary and today is truly a sad day.
The story.
http://media.www.dailyiowan.com/media/storage/paper599/news/2008/12/12/Metro/Iowa-Lacking.In.Obgyns-3578711.shtml
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
When you don't know where to start, start at the begining.
So here it goes. I have absolutely no time to do something like this, but since I recently gave up playing online games, I can do this. Let me first begin by saying that this will in no way be some great spot for deep philosophical ideas. Just wanted to set the bar at a reasonable level. For those of you who know me... who am I kidding, nobody I know will read this. They are probably already tired of me being a drain on their IQ.
The real reason be me starting this blog is because I need something to do while I sit in my "Judeo-Christian Traditions" class. I know I should be taking notes, but I can't. Seriously, this prof is the hardest person I have ever had to listen to. It's not that he is monotone, or even boring. It may be even the opposite. He is one of those who tries way too hard to be interesting, and the fact that he isn't makes it very painful to listen to. I would call him a Thesaurus Lecturer, he is one of those guys who tries to wow us all with all the words he knows for a simple idea. Here is an example, he can't just say God, he has to say, "God, Designer, Creator, Orchestrator, etc." I just want to scream, "OK we get it! Move on, we know you mean God." He does this about every other sentence. If you took out all these extra words for the same idea, his course would go from about 50 minutes to 15.
Again for those of you who are new to my life, I should tell you that I am a Religious Studies Major at the University of Iowa. It has got to be the most useless study ever. I am serious. Almost every professor I have had so far makes you buy their own textbook, but then they don't even follow it. This guy says he doesn't read it during the course because his views have changed and the text would confuse him. Well thanks a lot you idiot. It confuses you? How about us poor saps who have to take a test on this crap. I had a test here that specified on the test whether to answer the question according to the lectures or the readings. You literally have to know two separate, different, opposite, varying, changing (sorry, just wanted you to know what its like) answers for the same question, and then have to remember if you learned it from the text or from the lecture.
So why take this if it drives me crazy? First of all, its an end to a means. All I want to do is get my BA and move on to Seminary. To be honest I figure I can glean something out this, and in the long run this track will require the least amount of effort to get where I want to go. As torturous as it is, you really don't have to work too hard to get a decent grade. Maybe sometime I will tell you about my views on a college degree only being an expensive certificate saying you can successful regurgitate what your professors say without having an original thought of your own.
That is probably about enough for now, and class is getting ready to get out, so I need to wrap it up. Sorry about those of you who feel like you jumped into the middle of a book without even knowing what the book is about. Hopefully it will be interesting enough for you to check back in and I will catch you up on some history, and we can make some of our own.
Talk to you all later.
MF
The real reason be me starting this blog is because I need something to do while I sit in my "Judeo-Christian Traditions" class. I know I should be taking notes, but I can't. Seriously, this prof is the hardest person I have ever had to listen to. It's not that he is monotone, or even boring. It may be even the opposite. He is one of those who tries way too hard to be interesting, and the fact that he isn't makes it very painful to listen to. I would call him a Thesaurus Lecturer, he is one of those guys who tries to wow us all with all the words he knows for a simple idea. Here is an example, he can't just say God, he has to say, "God, Designer, Creator, Orchestrator, etc." I just want to scream, "OK we get it! Move on, we know you mean God." He does this about every other sentence. If you took out all these extra words for the same idea, his course would go from about 50 minutes to 15.
Again for those of you who are new to my life, I should tell you that I am a Religious Studies Major at the University of Iowa. It has got to be the most useless study ever. I am serious. Almost every professor I have had so far makes you buy their own textbook, but then they don't even follow it. This guy says he doesn't read it during the course because his views have changed and the text would confuse him. Well thanks a lot you idiot. It confuses you? How about us poor saps who have to take a test on this crap. I had a test here that specified on the test whether to answer the question according to the lectures or the readings. You literally have to know two separate, different, opposite, varying, changing (sorry, just wanted you to know what its like) answers for the same question, and then have to remember if you learned it from the text or from the lecture.
So why take this if it drives me crazy? First of all, its an end to a means. All I want to do is get my BA and move on to Seminary. To be honest I figure I can glean something out this, and in the long run this track will require the least amount of effort to get where I want to go. As torturous as it is, you really don't have to work too hard to get a decent grade. Maybe sometime I will tell you about my views on a college degree only being an expensive certificate saying you can successful regurgitate what your professors say without having an original thought of your own.
That is probably about enough for now, and class is getting ready to get out, so I need to wrap it up. Sorry about those of you who feel like you jumped into the middle of a book without even knowing what the book is about. Hopefully it will be interesting enough for you to check back in and I will catch you up on some history, and we can make some of our own.
Talk to you all later.
MF
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