Nothing Really Matters?

If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen - nothing else matters.

Jaroslav Pelikan

 We seem to live in an age in which people choose to do risky or violent things with no regard for the consequences. For example, driving crazy in traffic, or engaging in gang warfare using guns without compunction. One might ask why do people insist on driving with no respect  for either laws or other drivers. The answer seems to be ‘I don’t care’ about either. Or in the case of gang wars, one might ask about the lives of bystanders or even their own lives, and get the same response. When digging a little deeper, we find out that there is no concept of a peaceful or just world, or of an existence after this life in which we will be judged. The bottom line is that those things don’t really matter, whether they exist or not. All that matters is right here and now, what’s in front of me. And I can do whatever I want, because I don’t care and no one else matters. Essentially, the first eleven chapters of Ecclesiastes (through 12:8).

 Sadly, this is exactly the opposite of God’s perspective. There are a few key truths:

•      God exists and is the uncreated creator of the universe and humans, and He cares about what happens to them. He loves them.

•      God’s existence is seen in nature, in human events, and in the human soul created in His image.

•      True joy, without side effects or adverse consequences, is the result of the practice of virtue. Pain, misery, suffering are the end result of the practice of sin and evil.

•      God plans to bring about a peaceful and just kingdom on the earth, His kingdom, in which those who follow and practice His ways will participate, but those who don’t, won’t.

This is what really matters, but what would it look like? Some major themes can be found in the Proverbs:

•      Wisdom - blessings flow from having and heeding wisdom and especially obeying and trusting God

•      Foolishness - fools, foolish actions and attitudes, have bad consequences.

•      Evil men’s acts have terrible consequences.

•      Virtues bear fruit; for example, faithfulness, righteousness, integrity, truthfulness, diligence, humility, honesty, love.

•      Sinful traits have consequences - pride, laziness, sexual activity outside marriage, alcoholism, deceit and dishonesty, greed, anger, envy, gluttony

•      Virtuous wives are blessings to their husbands

•      Raising children, honoring parents yields blessings

•      Respect for others - God and His ways, family, neighbors, rulers, and those we deal with in life - is embedded in all good things.

These themes are all repeated in the New Testament, in fact taken for granted. The seven deadly sins from church doctrine pretty much repeat proverbs in summary form. The difference is this: in the Old Testament, virtue was a choice that relied on human dedication and human strength to practice. In the New Testament we have the promise of the indwelling Christ and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to empower us once we have made the decision to receive them. Proverbs spells out the consequences of sin and, in Solomon’s day, that was the incentive to virtuous living. Under the new covenant, those washed by the blood of Christ often are spared some of these consequences, but the forgiveness of sins does not automatically guarantee freedom from their natural consequences. The empowerment of the Holy Spirit produces fruit. (James 3:17).

God often uses natural outcomes of sinful choices to disciple us to learn not repeat them. And in my experience, He orchestrates life so that repeated actions result in escalating prices that we or others pay. I do not know whether or not He does the same for those who reject Him. The Old Testament seems to indicate that it was not just Israel who was chastised for their rebellion against Him. At the very least, we know that Noah preached to his neighbors before the flood, and it seems that Lot testified to some extent to the men of Sodom before their destruction, and that God spoke to Pharaoh about taking Abram’s wife. It may be that for unbelievers, God’s primary effort to turn them from sin is human preaching, and that He backstops that with dreams and visions when humans fall short. We have Jesus’ great commission, to carry the gospel to every tribe and nation.

The prescriptions of Proverbs for a virtuous life and its fruit are perhaps the only appeal that will make sense to the unregenerate, if they have rejected the gospel. But their reaction seems to be philosophical nihilism that nothing really matters - not joy, not virtue, not eternal rewards. God’s ultimate plan is for Christ to return and establish His kingdom on the earth through the rule of the redeemed, completing what Adam was first commanded. (Isaiah 65:17-25) This really matters!

 

Hillbilly Elegy: J. D. Vance missed the true hope for the lost generations of hillbillys

Book Review: Hillbilly Elegy - A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, by J. D. Vance

J. D. Vance does not cite the four places in the Pentateuch in which  the Lord warns that He will punish to the third generation the sins of the parents. (Exodus 20:5;  Exodus 34:7;  Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 5:9) But that is what Vance records - not a supernatural, spiritual punishment, but a causal transmission of dysfunctional lifestyle through parenting and behavior. Moses emphasized punishment for worshipping false gods and for worshipping things in the heavens or on earth - effectively promising punishment for those who would make earthly things like wealth and power into Elohim and worshipping them. Vance describes in first-hand detail how the violence, laziness, self-centered marital behaviors, routinely screaming in disagreements, fight or flight, serial sexual partners/spouses, and drug and alcohol abuse are passed from one generation to the next. He was there. He saw it.

The book has three major themes: narrative of his parents and grandparents and the first eighteen years in which the author grew up in Middletuckey, I mean Middletown, Ohio in the transplanted Appalachian culture there; the story of Vance’s escape first by serving in the marine corps, then attending Ohio State University and Yale Law School; and discussion of the core traits that make hillbilly culture so dysfunctional and possible remedies.

At one point he touched briefly on his teenage church experiences. At the time he believed in the Christian faith, but the church did not appear to have done anything practical to help deliver him from the self-destructive vices already present in his life. He abandoned his faith until a later time when as an adult, he began to recognize biblical truth. But even then (as of when he wrote his memoir), Vance did not see the core nature of sin in this social dynamic.  He recognizes the limitations of government programs to change these behaviors (the best they can do is mitigate consequences), but does not say anything about the saving power of Jesus to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin. (Romans 8:1-6)

Vance at one point comes perilously close to discussing root cause. He identified seven common types of adverse childhood experience (ACE) and points out that these are causally linked to the behaviors that cause people to self-destruct as adults. In reviewing this list, it is obvious that almost all of us have either experienced one or more of these, or have family or friends where these behaviors are exhibited. I lived in Fairborn, Ohio twice between 1974-1984. There is a section in Fairborn we called little Kentucky. I knew people who exhibited these lifestyles. But … hillbillies aren’t the only people who behave this way. Vance mentions a couple of other groups. 

History agrees with the Biblical observation that sin brings death, not just physical death, but also the end of relationships, the death of hopes and vision and ultimately all that makes life worthwhile. Vance did not write this as a story of faith or an encouragement as to how belief  makes a difference in the lives of those who grew up dysfunctionally. But Jesus is truly the only hope for all of us, and He has the power to deliver even those raised in sin. (Romans 8:1-6)

Book Review: Planet Narnia - The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis, by Michael Ward, 2008.

In this summary of his dissertation, Michael Ward presents a detailed explanation of his understanding that C. S. Lewis built the seven books of the Chronicles of Narnia on his scholarly and personal understanding of the seven planets of medieval and renaissance  literature and culture. Ward uses the term donegality to describe the imaginative technique. This is explained in Chapter 3 as based on the attributes of Jupiter first shown in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The Jovial spirit is communicated through the main events of the plot, points of ornamental detail, and the portrayal of Aslan.  What is the Jovial spirit? Quoting from chapter  three,

We may say it is Kingly; but we must think of a King at peace, enthroned, taking his leisure, serene. The Jovial character is cheerful, festive, yet temperate, tranquil, magnanimous. When this planet dominates we may expect halcyon days and prosperity. In Dante wise and just princes go to his sphere when they die. He is the best planet, and is called The Greater Fortune, Fortuna Major.

 And then Ward gives numerous details of the book that exemplify this spirit. And in successive chapters he links each of the Chronicles to one of the seven medieval planets (celestial wanderers as they were understood in the 16th century).

•      The Lion , the Witch, and the Wardrobe - Jupiter - the cheerful, festive, peaceful, serene, generous king

•      Prince Caspian - Mars - the god of war

•      Voyage of the Dawn Treader -  Sol - the gold metallurgist, bringing shining light to make men wise

•       The Silver Chair - Luna -  ambiguity, instability, watery source of rain

•      The Horse and His Boy - Mercury -  quicksilver-like componendo et dividendo

•      The Magician’s Nephew - Venus  - the warrior goddess and infernal witch, also the source of fertility

•      The Last Battle - Saturn - the last planet, old and ugly

 As he proceeds through the planets, the author also ties in these planetary attributes to Lewis’ other writings, primarily the earlier science fiction trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength), Lewis’ poetry, and The Discarded Image, written by Lewis to introduce the concepts of the Middle Ages’ understanding of the universe as expressed in their model.

 What is the point of all this? Some observations:

•      The gospel is certainly present in the first of the books, but why seven? Because, we need to have our imaginations stirred about the way God works, as this has the potential to birth in us the attributes of God in ways that theology cannot. Ward mentions the impact that a debate Lewis had on February 2, 1948 with Elizabeth Anscombe at the Socratic Club had on his focus on writing the Chronicles.  The debate apparently showed him the insufficiency of the arguments he presented in the original publication of Miracles for the existence of God. And we know that his own faith was based on personal experience, not just apologetics or theology. So the Chronicles were written to communicate on a level of human experience, a visceral appeal. This is well received by children of all ages, far more than theological argumentation. Seven dimensions of Middle Ages mythology provide insight into different dimensions of the human psyche and its need for supernatural completion.

•      The nature and character of God, as displayed for us by Jesus on earth, are incomprehensibly transcendent. Yet they are also simple and can be received by children, in the realm of imagination.  Imagine the creation of a world filled with lush vegetation, a host of variegated animal species, and a sky populated with a sun, moon, and multitude of other stars, all through the singing of a lion. Imagine the incarnation of evil in a witch, who deceives, entraps, tortures and kills whoever she wishes, and is ultimately defeated by the voluntary offering of virtue incarnate, a gentle lion.

•       The scientific revolution has provided a world view which reduces everything to cause and effect, describable and predictable by experimentation, measurement, and analysis. But this worldview of the universe is incomplete. There is the unseen realm that is not accessible to scientific measurement, which underlies that which we see and hear. We sense itn vaguely in our hearts, our emotions, our sense of justice and morality - it is our spirit. But although this reality is described in Scripture (e.g., The Unseen Realm), it is often better coupled to our lives through imagination. The believer whose worldview is informed by the portrayal of the mysteries of the supernatural realm, writ large, may be in a better position than the theologian to deal with temptation, opposition, and suffering because he or she can recognize God’s hand at work by the nature and character of the things happening.

 The bottom line is that Michael Ward helps us understand how God’s truths and faith in Christ are communicated to readers of the Chronicles consistent with Scripture but via means similar to medieval and renaissance mythology without studying Middle Ages literature. Children can learn not only basic truths, but how to sense the presence of God, hear His voice, and recognize His hand at work in the world around them.

Book Review: The Unseen Realm, Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible, by Michael S. Heiser

 

I first heard of this book, published in 2015, in a podcast interview with N. T. Wright. Dr. Heiser (who passed away in 2023) builds a contextual framework to integrate all of the diverse Bible passages that deal with supernatural beings. In this he calls them elohim, which based on his Hebrew language scholarship credentials, refers to supernatural beings perceived as gods, not just to the one true God. He explains these passages from the viewpoint of the ancient Jews who wrote the original manuscripts. The Divine Council (a committee of gods) consists of those subordinate rulers whom Yahweh convenes as part of His rule of the earth and spiritual realms.

Sadly, many of these rulers rebelled against the true God. Although they had been assigned positions of authority by Him, in their rebellion they chose to lead the humans in their assigned realms to follow in their footsteps, and reject worship of Yahweh for worship of themselves. Following the Tower of Babel, humans were dispersed to various language groups all over the earth. The author points to the grim unanimity of pagan tribes in worshipping false gods in all parts of the earth. (Think of Asherah poles, totem poles, pyramids, and human sacrifice, as examples.)

One of the mysteries is the account of children born from the union of the “sons of God” and the daughters of men, resulting in giants. The mating of gods with humans is common to mythology and pagan religions around the world, and we could treat it as myth, except that elohim having children with human women is in the Bible. (Genesis 6:4) In fact, Goliath was very likely one such offspring, based on his being a giant. (1 Samuel 17:4-7) The insistence by Yahweh that Israel utterly eradicate the Canaanite tribes mentioned is possibly linked to this demonic pollution of their gene pool - He wanted it gone. That Israel failed to complete the task means that there are still remnants of that demonic seed in some humans.

Direct visits by Yahweh to various individuals are put in context — why God chose to meet them in person. These meetings provide insight into the interaction of the spiritual realm with the physical.  The primary point is that He visited them to accomplish His purpose, of building the Kingdom of God on earth. Abraham, Moses, Joshua didn’t choose to do this on their own, but Yahweh appeared to both direct and empower them.

As the author discusses the coming of Christ on earth, and the second coming, the focus is on setting things right according to God’s original plan. The rebellious ‘gods’ or ‘demons’ did not understand the redemption that would be brought by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  (1 Corinthians 2:8) Jesus’ ultimate plan is that the redeemed, of their own free will, will vanquish evil and serve Yahweh - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - wholeheartedly and in His nature and character, by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The redeemed will ultimately judge the fallen elohim. (1 Corinthians 6:3) Beyond the unveiling of Revelation, the future is beyond our understanding or the revelation we have now. (1 Corinthians 2:9) We are, however, presently engaged in spiritual warfare, and have direction.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:12-17)

A video summary of this book is on YouTube.

Daniel – the musical, at Sight and Sound Theatre

 

Ronks, Pennsylvania is the middle of Amish country, but the Sight and Sound presentation of Daniel is an intense presentation of faith confronting political power and evil directly. The story of Daniel is presented chronologically (with occasional flashbacks), weaving together the entire biblical story. This includes the historical context of the Babylonian captivity, appearances by the contemporary prophets (Ezekiel and Jeremiah), and of course a faithful presentation of the book of Daniel including both his interactions with Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian religious and political hierarchy, and both Daniel’s and Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and visions.

 The play is intense. The themes themselves bear the weight of slavery in a foreign land, the constant opposition of evil religious schemers, the risk of imminent death, and the presentation of truth and righteousness to rulers who are not particularly interested. The intensity is matched by the music and special effects. A large LED movie screen covers the entire back of the stage, and the action and sets are integrated so that it is often hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Just one example - as Ezekiel is telling his vision of the valley of dry bones coming to life, actors on stage are dancing to a spiritual, and behind them is a screen with hundreds more, an army of the resurrected. Belshazzar’s final party is a wild bacchanal with almost the entire cast drinking and dancing until the hand of God appears to write the fateful words on the wall, terrifying all.

 The depiction of dreams is faithful to Scripture. When visions of heaven are presented on-screen, it seems as though the developers are following the scheme set forth in The Unseen Realm, by  Michael S. Heiser. Heaven is on a mountaintop populated with angels and occasional appearances by the pre-incarnate Christ, with a seemingly endless array of stars in the distance. When future empires are depicted by animals, they are terrifying. The statue that Nebuchadnezzar dreams is tangible, flying through the air over the audience. The subsequent statue that  Nebuchadnezzar builds seems impossibly lavish, because it was. (Although the head is on stage, the whole statue is shown only on-screen, but it is depicted ginormously right in front of the Hebrew young men.)

 It is the application of eternal values that is ultimately important. What should we take away from Daniel’s legacy?

•      We must determine in our heart to remain faithful to God in every circumstance and situation, whether trial and tribulation or success, power, and wealth.

•      Our relationship with God requires a significant investment of time spent with Him every day.

•      When God gives us revelation in visions or dreams (or by other pathways), we must understand the meaning, and we must respond appropriately (in obedience).

•       Rulers, regardless of political structure, may or may not respond to God’s revealed standards of justice, mercy and humility. They are often tempted by their power or by others seeking to influence them into horrible sin. We should pray for them irregardless.

The fact that God chooses to display the attributes of His glory - holiness, love, righteousness, mercy, justice - through our lives is our ultimate calling. Neither evil people nor evil spirits (nor the politicians they deceive and enslave) can prevent God from accomplishing His ultimate purpose.

Improving My Prayers’ Signal to Noise Ratio

In radio communications, the signal to noise ratio (SNR) is a measure of how well the information can be understood. When I pray, perhaps I can improve my understanding of what God is saying to me. So I can think about specific actions in this paradigm. For example, God often speaks through Scripture, so if I study the Bible more intently, this might help me hear Him better. If I take seriously things He has said in the past, and do what He told me, this also could strengthen His voice to me. Personal worship opens my heart to Him. On the noise side, there are the distractions of daily life that I need to set aside. Unconfessed or unrepented sin makes His voice fainter. Struggling with temptation is more like spiritual warfare, since Satan will find very clever ways to compromise my heart and drown out God’s voice. The triad of the world, the flesh, and the devil often work in concert to try to drown out that heavenly voice.

If someone is in the room speaking to me, it is much easier to focus and also hear what they say. SNR is not a factor. And so if I am in the same room with Jesus, His voice is unmistakeable. How often do I leave that room because I don’t want to hear what He is saying? Not the physical room, but the spiritual room of communion with Him.

Fasting is a potential step to hearing God better. But if I were to fast, would I be trying to earn His favor, or focus myself on Him and His? Would I think I can overcome my lukewarmness with self-denial and self-discipline? Even though not trying to impress others, would I be trying to impress Him? To persuade Him to do something? Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23) This is His prescription for the abundant life!

 But there is another step that I fear I fall far short of. On occasion I have had profound experiences of His presence. These are divine intersections of my seeking Him fervently, and His eager response to my ardor. SNR is not a consideration in a lovers embrace. If I truly, sincerely want to know His voice by experience, I need to have that level of desire for Him. Desire that is heartfelt and not ritual or rule-based. It is a choice, but more than that, a choice to want Him and His kingdom presence above all else.

 As we receive God’s blessings, perhaps we become used to them and take them for granted.  For example, Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple was answered in power. (2 Chronicles 7:1) That was followed by a warning (2 Chronicles 7:12-22). In his old age, Solomon reflected on the consequences of having riches (Ecclesiastes  5:13-20). He does not explicitly say that when the blessing of God is wealth, it creates lukewarmness in one’s relationship to God, but probably is a reflection on the events recorded in 1 Kings 11. This type of test is probably quite common for believers who the Lord prospers and blesses with success over the long term. The temptation to formal religion and rote prayers, trusting in the rewards of faith as signs of God’s favor, can lead to lukewarmness. Whether that is perceived as a low SNR prayer life, or as distance from God, the real challenge is to rekindle the fervor of our first conversion. Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam were blessed but drifted away from God. (Jeroboam actually went immediately to syncretism in setting up golden calves). The challenge is that effective prayer is a two-way conversation with God. We can only pray with effect when we agree with God on what He wants, praying specifics of His will into a context or situation, which means we have to really hear Him.

 Returning to the practical challenge of hearing and recognizing the voice of Jesus, perhaps the most important factor is that of responding in obedience when we do hear Him.  (John 2:5) We worship Him, praise His name, recognize Scriptural truths. Do we worship His name (hashem) as a euphemism because we know that if He is really present, then we experience His holiness and cannot but fall in worship? (Leviticus 9:23-24) But most important, when He offers to share His holiness with us, will we receive it? (1 Peter 1:16) That will improve our SNR.

Israel, Hamas, the World Central Kitchen - Where is Jesus when we need Him?

Benjamin Netanyahu rightfully labels the Hamas assault on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023 as evil. Unfortunately, in the attack on the relief convoy on April 1, 2024 the IDF has fallen for the demonic temptation to imitate the level of depravity that they experienced. As a military tactic to deter other aid workers from helping the Palestinian civilians who are on the verge of starvation, it may succeed. But although Gaza civilians might disown Hamas to get food, they will more likely hate Israel even more for stooping to such depths of immorality.

 Perspectives:

•      Hamas comes from the Islamic perspective under which the Islamic empire was first established, that violence in defense of, or to advance the faith is justified. That goes back to the sixth century after Christ. The crusades of the tenth and eleventh centuries shared the same perspective, that victory in battle would demonstrate who had the true understanding of God. Hamas apparently sees kidnapping and murder of civilians, and using the cover of aid workers to conceal their whereabouts and activities, or as human shields as just part of war.

•      It appears that Israel has a perspective from the reign of King David, approximately one thousand years before Christ, seeing the Palestinians as indistinguishable from the Philistines of three thousand years ago. In this paradigm, military force was used by David to complete the charge given to Joshua to purge the land of pagan idolaters.

•      The modern world’s perspective is of two ethnic groups fighting for the same land, with varying degrees of ethical and moral constraints, or lack thereof. Why can’t they get along, find a compromise they can live with? In fighting a war, the Geneva convention is cited, but ignored when military necessity dictates.

•      Jesus’ perspective was articulated in the Sermon on the Mount. To say that His view has been rejected by the world is to implicitly admit that both Israel and Hamas have the world’s perspective thoroughly embedded in theirs. How does Jesus view this situation in the present? Most likely, He grieves that people on all sides of the conflict use His revelation and twist it to justify worldly and depraved actions, distorting His Word to advance their own self interest instead of building His kingdom.

 Until Jesus returns as promised, He is not going to sovereignly end the conflict, but only plead with us through His Word and His Spirit. Instead of pleading with Him to intervene, we need to receive what He has already given us; we need to be about His parting words, the Great Commission (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20) bringing it to completion.