After being put before kings and rulers in various places for his supposed crimes against the empire, the Apostle Paul was asked whether he would go to Jerusalem to be tried by Festus. Paul knew there was no chance of a fair trial in the place where all the enemies of Christianity had purposed to murder him. Although he was a prisoner, he was also a Roman citizen. As such, he had a right to bypass the requests of the local rulers' political posturing and have his case heard before the one who was supposed to look out for all Romans... Caesar himself.
In answer to Festus, Paul invoked this right. He declared "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar." (Acts 25:10-11)
Although Festus had hoped to win political favor with the Jews by bringing him to Jerusalem, there was only one response he could give. After he conferred with the council he replied "Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go." (Acts 25:12)
Although Paul was eventually killed in spite of his Roman citizenship and appeal to the greatest defender of Rome, there is an important principle that can be seen here. The concept of the highest appeal is one of the most valuable rights of any citizenship. The ideal of having the ultimate defender of citizenship judge a case is meant to remove the impact of ambitions. Judges in the highest court can advance no higher, and have only the law and the precedent set by judges in the same position.
While the legal implications of this policy are important, there is a spiritual application that is far more important.
The sons of men are as citizens in a great kingdom. Most Christians believe that we are the children of God. Paul suggested that we are not only children, but heirs. (Romans 8:17) Elsewhere he equates sainthood as citizenship. (Ephesians 2:19)
As in earthly kingdoms and empires of old, citizenship in the Kingdom of God implies certain rights. Perhaps one of the greatest of these is the highest appeal. If at any time, you feel you are treated unfairly, you require counsel, you lack wisdom, or you have nowhere else to turn, it is your right as a human being to call upon and be heard by the highest judge: God himself.
There is no complicated appeals process. There is no need for legal counsel. There is no lengthy wait before your case can be heard. The method is surprisingly simple given the great power it represents. It is called prayer.
To think that at any time, any one can simply call upon the Most High God that forged the great plan of salvation, and sacrificed his only begotten son can be accessed for matters as trivial as lost keys, requests for food nourishment, and petitions for help remembering studied materials during examinations. Of course, he also hears prayers for matters such as healing a loved one of a grievous illness, answers and comfort for those that have lost loved ones, pleading for help to overcome regretted acts, or requests on behalf of those that are in distress or despair. No request is too large, or too small.
Not only are men able to do this, but they are encouraged to do so. Jesus Christ taught "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:7-11)
Let no man neglect or attempt to diminish the value of this gift of Heaven... Prayer can be more than a repetitive vocal wish list... it is the power to talk to God... it is the highest appeal.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The Name of God
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3)
There are so many titles and names that are and have been associated with God, that it is almost impossible to enumerate them all. At different times, different names have been more popular. Even in modern times, there are some people who prefer to call him The Lord, some Jesus, some Christ, some the Messiah, and some Jehovah. A popular title among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Savior. Some of these names and titles are less common, such as John's reference to the Word of God, the title of I AM in Exodus 3, Alpha and Omega in Revelation 22, the Amen in Revelation 3, or the Holy One of Israel in Isaiah 1.
Why there are so many names? I cannot think of another person for whom there are as many names and titles as Jesus Christ.
Perhaps that is the point. There is no one like God. There is no one word in any language that captures the magnitude of what he did, the significance of who he is, or the end of his role in our future. Perhaps that is why he prayed to his Father saying "and this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) What man can truly say that they know him? There is almost always another name, another title, or another aspect of his destiny that could be better understood.
Perhaps it is also a matter of reverence. In the Church of Jesus Christ, there is an order of the Priesthood called after a great High Priest named Melchizedek. (Hebrews 7:17) It is not the original name of this Priesthood. "Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood." (D&C 107:3-4) Thus, having many titles, and ensuring that none of them is overused or misused shows respect for the unimaginably massive investment he has made in the children of men.
Whether it is because of the great plurality of his powers, or to aid us in finding context for one who is greater than any of us, I believe that there is a right way to refer to him.
While it is well that he is the subject of conversation, it is hardly appropriate to rattle off as many different names as come to mind. Using many titles for the sake of using many titles is in the same school of thought as using vain repetition to be heard for much speaking. (Matthew 6:7)
On the other hand, overuse of a single name or title can be equally thoughtless. Being a member of the LDS faith, I personally tire of the title "Savior." While I do not question the faith of those that use it, I find that overuse of "Savior" as a title cheapens it. In both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, when it becomes necessary to refer to him repeatedly, the name Jesus or the title Christ appear to be most effective. When it is necessary to address a specific role, or to emphasize an attribute or power, then another name or title becomes appropriate.
There are some titles or methods of reference that I would prefer never to be used. Using "my" before a title such as "my Savior", "my God", or worst of all "my elder brother" seem to limit the scope of the power of Christ.
While establishing a personal connection with God is vital, I appreciate emphasis on his universal and general power. "King of Kings", "Master", or even "our God" resonate the fact that his gospel is not just for a few. He is the way, the truth, and the life for all. (John 14:6).
In the end, the most important thing is not necessarily sticking to my personal preferences on this matter. It is recognizing the importance of the one who bears these titles. He is more than a philosopher... he is the source of all truth. He is more than a teacher... he is as a good shepherd. He is more than a Governor... he is the King of Kings. He is more than an influential leader... he is the one. Those that have gone before, those that are here now, and all those that will come hereafter... we all depend upon him. Though he may be known by different names to different people, let no one doubt that when Jesus Christ speaks, we hear the Word of God.
There are so many titles and names that are and have been associated with God, that it is almost impossible to enumerate them all. At different times, different names have been more popular. Even in modern times, there are some people who prefer to call him The Lord, some Jesus, some Christ, some the Messiah, and some Jehovah. A popular title among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Savior. Some of these names and titles are less common, such as John's reference to the Word of God, the title of I AM in Exodus 3, Alpha and Omega in Revelation 22, the Amen in Revelation 3, or the Holy One of Israel in Isaiah 1.
Why there are so many names? I cannot think of another person for whom there are as many names and titles as Jesus Christ.
Perhaps that is the point. There is no one like God. There is no one word in any language that captures the magnitude of what he did, the significance of who he is, or the end of his role in our future. Perhaps that is why he prayed to his Father saying "and this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) What man can truly say that they know him? There is almost always another name, another title, or another aspect of his destiny that could be better understood.
Perhaps it is also a matter of reverence. In the Church of Jesus Christ, there is an order of the Priesthood called after a great High Priest named Melchizedek. (Hebrews 7:17) It is not the original name of this Priesthood. "Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood." (D&C 107:3-4) Thus, having many titles, and ensuring that none of them is overused or misused shows respect for the unimaginably massive investment he has made in the children of men.
Whether it is because of the great plurality of his powers, or to aid us in finding context for one who is greater than any of us, I believe that there is a right way to refer to him.
While it is well that he is the subject of conversation, it is hardly appropriate to rattle off as many different names as come to mind. Using many titles for the sake of using many titles is in the same school of thought as using vain repetition to be heard for much speaking. (Matthew 6:7)
On the other hand, overuse of a single name or title can be equally thoughtless. Being a member of the LDS faith, I personally tire of the title "Savior." While I do not question the faith of those that use it, I find that overuse of "Savior" as a title cheapens it. In both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, when it becomes necessary to refer to him repeatedly, the name Jesus or the title Christ appear to be most effective. When it is necessary to address a specific role, or to emphasize an attribute or power, then another name or title becomes appropriate.
There are some titles or methods of reference that I would prefer never to be used. Using "my" before a title such as "my Savior", "my God", or worst of all "my elder brother" seem to limit the scope of the power of Christ.
While establishing a personal connection with God is vital, I appreciate emphasis on his universal and general power. "King of Kings", "Master", or even "our God" resonate the fact that his gospel is not just for a few. He is the way, the truth, and the life for all. (John 14:6).
In the end, the most important thing is not necessarily sticking to my personal preferences on this matter. It is recognizing the importance of the one who bears these titles. He is more than a philosopher... he is the source of all truth. He is more than a teacher... he is as a good shepherd. He is more than a Governor... he is the King of Kings. He is more than an influential leader... he is the one. Those that have gone before, those that are here now, and all those that will come hereafter... we all depend upon him. Though he may be known by different names to different people, let no one doubt that when Jesus Christ speaks, we hear the Word of God.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
The Truth Will Make You Free
"Then said Jesus to those Jews that believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
I loved the scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where Indiana is teaching and tells his student that Archaeology is the search for fact... not truth. He tells them if they want truth, Doctor Tyree's philosophy class is down the hall.
Truth is a philosophical concept. It cannot be defined by a collection of scientifically verifiable facts. People that believe that they should only consider that which can be seen, heard, touched, smelt, or tasted place far too much value in senses that can easily be fooled.
Consider how small the range of visible light is considering the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Consider how many animals are capable of hearing very high frequency or very low frequency sounds that we are incapable of hearing. Animals in many cases possess olfactory senses superior to those of humans as well. Simply because we cannot currently detect it, does not mean it does not exist, or that it is unable to affect us. God has wisdom beyond our perception, and greater than our accumulation of commonly accepted scientific facts.
Sterilization was not always practiced for medical instruments until people like Louis Pasteur convinced the public with his experiments showing that fermentation was caused by the growth of micro-organisms. Far before the acceptance of scientific evidence of micro-organisms, God gave to Moses laws regarding cleanliness and hygiene that also prevented the spread of diseases (Leviticus 15).
Highlighting the differences between fact and truth, fact is specific and frequently conditional. The truth is universal and general.
It is a fact that the teachings of Jesus dramatically changed western civilization. The truth is that he is the Son of God, and his importance transcends that of civilization on Earth all together.
It is a fact that mankind is the dominant race on the planet. The truth is that God created the Earth so that men might reach their potential.
Birth and death are also facts of life: these events affect us all. The truth is that we lived before we were born, and that death is not the end. There is no shortage of people that get worked up over all the pain, the suffering, and the injustice that occurs in life.... but the truth is that after this life there is no wrong that will not be made right. There is no wound that will not be healed and every wrong will be atoned either by the wrongdoer, or by Christ himself. All the doubt, fear, pain, loss, or other problems in life are swallowed up by the greater truth that Jesus Christ has power to save us all.
I loved the scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where Indiana is teaching and tells his student that Archaeology is the search for fact... not truth. He tells them if they want truth, Doctor Tyree's philosophy class is down the hall.
Truth is a philosophical concept. It cannot be defined by a collection of scientifically verifiable facts. People that believe that they should only consider that which can be seen, heard, touched, smelt, or tasted place far too much value in senses that can easily be fooled.
Consider how small the range of visible light is considering the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Consider how many animals are capable of hearing very high frequency or very low frequency sounds that we are incapable of hearing. Animals in many cases possess olfactory senses superior to those of humans as well. Simply because we cannot currently detect it, does not mean it does not exist, or that it is unable to affect us. God has wisdom beyond our perception, and greater than our accumulation of commonly accepted scientific facts.
Sterilization was not always practiced for medical instruments until people like Louis Pasteur convinced the public with his experiments showing that fermentation was caused by the growth of micro-organisms. Far before the acceptance of scientific evidence of micro-organisms, God gave to Moses laws regarding cleanliness and hygiene that also prevented the spread of diseases (Leviticus 15).
Highlighting the differences between fact and truth, fact is specific and frequently conditional. The truth is universal and general.
It is a fact that the teachings of Jesus dramatically changed western civilization. The truth is that he is the Son of God, and his importance transcends that of civilization on Earth all together.
It is a fact that mankind is the dominant race on the planet. The truth is that God created the Earth so that men might reach their potential.
Birth and death are also facts of life: these events affect us all. The truth is that we lived before we were born, and that death is not the end. There is no shortage of people that get worked up over all the pain, the suffering, and the injustice that occurs in life.... but the truth is that after this life there is no wrong that will not be made right. There is no wound that will not be healed and every wrong will be atoned either by the wrongdoer, or by Christ himself. All the doubt, fear, pain, loss, or other problems in life are swallowed up by the greater truth that Jesus Christ has power to save us all.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Thine is the Kingdom
Fæder ure,
þu þe eart on heofonum,
si þin nama gehalgod.
Tobecume þin rice.
Gewurþe ðin willa on eorðan swa swa on heofonum.
Urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us to dæg.
And forgyf us ure gyltas, swa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum.
And ne gelæd þu us on costnunge,
ac alys us of yfele. Soþlice.
The words here may seem unfamiliar... This is English, but it is English as it existed a thousand years ago before William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson in the Battle of Hastings. This is the Lord's Prayer.
Modern English has done away with the old second person pronouns almost entirely. There is little chance of hearing some one in the United States speaking to another with the words thee, thou, thy, or thine. Exceptions to this rule includes prayer and the scriptures.
As if using the pronouns is not difficult enough, older verb conjugations are found throughout the King James Bible. Most verbs associated with thou receive an est ending, and even those associated with the more familiar third person pronouns he, she, or it receive an eth ending.
Reading through scriptural passages using these older forms of English can be challenging at best. Many people have wondered why we do not move to a more easy to understand version of the Bible, or why we are not content with saying you, your, or yours in prayers... after all... don't they mean the same thing?
Even among the LDS faith, there is a common paradigm among members that God ought to be treated as a friend. If we do not speak to our friends in middle English, why would we speak to God in such a way? Let me assert that this philosophy is totally wrong.
It seems to me that a person who says that God is their friend is recklessly bold. People like Moses, the sons of Mosiah, and Joseph Smith were called "servant" (Numbers 12:7, D&C 5:2) and "instruments" (Mosiah 27:36). What man will claim he is closer to God than these men? Perhaps there are those that think they will bump fists with Christ when he comes again... but I believe that when he appears "every knee shall bow, and every tongue swear... (Isaiah 45:23).
If I found myself before the literal throne of God, I would probably not say anything at all. He knows every stupid thing I have ever done, and every stupid thing I have ever thought, and were I in that situation, what would be hidden from his all-seeing eye? He, the most powerful being there is, has exerted effort to help me, and I have not always even accepted his help. If I did find the courage to speak, I would certainly want to find words that would be uniquely suited to a conversation with the Most High...
Fortunately, the English language provides us with some archaic pronouns that can still be used to indicate a sincere and humble desire to be close to Almighty God: thou, thee, thy, and thine. These words also help to identify the words in the Bible as more than common speech, or a philosophical view of the life of Jesus. The language denotes that it is the word of God. He has rightly said "for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9)
In his most powerful sermon ever, Jesus spent some time explaining that there is a right way to speak to God... and that in time, those that ask shall receive, those that seek shall find, and to those that knock, it shall be opened (Matthew 7:8) Though we do not quote it for every prayer, there are valuable lessons in the example that he gave when he said "after this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13).
þu þe eart on heofonum,
si þin nama gehalgod.
Tobecume þin rice.
Gewurþe ðin willa on eorðan swa swa on heofonum.
Urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us to dæg.
And forgyf us ure gyltas, swa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum.
And ne gelæd þu us on costnunge,
ac alys us of yfele. Soþlice.
The words here may seem unfamiliar... This is English, but it is English as it existed a thousand years ago before William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson in the Battle of Hastings. This is the Lord's Prayer.
Modern English has done away with the old second person pronouns almost entirely. There is little chance of hearing some one in the United States speaking to another with the words thee, thou, thy, or thine. Exceptions to this rule includes prayer and the scriptures.
As if using the pronouns is not difficult enough, older verb conjugations are found throughout the King James Bible. Most verbs associated with thou receive an est ending, and even those associated with the more familiar third person pronouns he, she, or it receive an eth ending.
Reading through scriptural passages using these older forms of English can be challenging at best. Many people have wondered why we do not move to a more easy to understand version of the Bible, or why we are not content with saying you, your, or yours in prayers... after all... don't they mean the same thing?
Even among the LDS faith, there is a common paradigm among members that God ought to be treated as a friend. If we do not speak to our friends in middle English, why would we speak to God in such a way? Let me assert that this philosophy is totally wrong.
It seems to me that a person who says that God is their friend is recklessly bold. People like Moses, the sons of Mosiah, and Joseph Smith were called "servant" (Numbers 12:7, D&C 5:2) and "instruments" (Mosiah 27:36). What man will claim he is closer to God than these men? Perhaps there are those that think they will bump fists with Christ when he comes again... but I believe that when he appears "every knee shall bow, and every tongue swear... (Isaiah 45:23).
If I found myself before the literal throne of God, I would probably not say anything at all. He knows every stupid thing I have ever done, and every stupid thing I have ever thought, and were I in that situation, what would be hidden from his all-seeing eye? He, the most powerful being there is, has exerted effort to help me, and I have not always even accepted his help. If I did find the courage to speak, I would certainly want to find words that would be uniquely suited to a conversation with the Most High...
Fortunately, the English language provides us with some archaic pronouns that can still be used to indicate a sincere and humble desire to be close to Almighty God: thou, thee, thy, and thine. These words also help to identify the words in the Bible as more than common speech, or a philosophical view of the life of Jesus. The language denotes that it is the word of God. He has rightly said "for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9)
In his most powerful sermon ever, Jesus spent some time explaining that there is a right way to speak to God... and that in time, those that ask shall receive, those that seek shall find, and to those that knock, it shall be opened (Matthew 7:8) Though we do not quote it for every prayer, there are valuable lessons in the example that he gave when he said "after this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13).
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