The creation of the Earth is the first topic in the book of Genesis. The idea of creationism has been debated even among those that agree there is an intelligent designer behind our presence in the universe.
The most popular Biblical account is that God created the world in six days, and then rested on the seventh day. The details of each of these creative periods is described in the first chapter of Genesis, however, I would like to briefly review them.
On the first day, God created light and divided it from darkness (Genesis 1:3-5). On the second day, God created a firmament which he called heaven (Genesis 1:6-8). On the third day, God caused the dry land to appear separate from the sea, and then created plants and trees on the earth (Genesis 1:9-13). On the fourth day, God created the sun, moon, and stars (Genesis 1:14-19). On the fifth day, God created fish, whales, and every winged fowl (Genesis 1:20-23). On the sixth day, God made every animal on the land, and then made mankind in his own image. He gave man dominion over all the earth and everything upon it (Genesis 1:24-28).
Many believers will leave it at that. Especially when the very first verse of the next chapter indicates that "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them." (Genesis 2:1) He immediately talks about resting on the seventh day from all his work of creation.
What has often stood out to me is the next verses appear to give another version of creation that most Christians in my experience, including Latter Day Saints, tend to skip over. These passages are, in my opinion, of vital importance.
As we continue reading, we see that "every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew" (Genesis 2:5). Further in the chapter, we read "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7). There are then several passages about God planting and creating a garden we know as Eden (Genesis 2:8-17). Skipping ahead we see that "And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof." (Genesis 2:19) Finally, at the end of the chapter, Eve is created from Adam (Genesis 2:21-23).
An LDS perspective describes this version of the creation as a natural creation as opposed to the spiritual creation that is represented by the six creative periods that are famous in Genesis (Moses 3:5). This is consistent with the idea that in one set of creation, man (both male and female) are created by God (Genesis 1:26-27) prior to the creation of Adam from the dust of the Earth in Genesis 2.
Another important conclusion that can be drawn is that if God created every plant of the field before it was in the earth, would this not also mean that God created every man and woman before they were naturally on the earth also? The point is that every person lived before their birth on this world.
This concept is not a revolutionary idea to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We already have an understanding that we lived with God before we were born, and that in this existence, our identity was distinct from others of God's creations: we were the children of God himself.
The idea that we lived before we came to earth is important in providing purpose to life. God has a plan for his children. There is a reason we are here.
In the end though, that reason does not matter if there is no life after death. In fact, if there is nothing after this life, then not even the power of the sacrifice of Christ himself for our sins is meaningful. Why save someone that will live a few years and then cease to exist?
Perhaps even more important than understanding the place from which humanity came is understanding that humanity has a destination that is largely determined by us here and now. If there is nothing more, then all ethics and values are relative and thus, relatively unimportant. Theft, deception, adultery, murder... these concepts are only truly negative in the context of something more than this life. Only if good truly triumphs over evil can justice truly be administered. Otherwise there will always be a system of which advantage can be taken by cunning dishonest men.
Fortunately, there is good news. The quest for immortality does not require that we find the Holy Grail, or that we master alchemical formulae. Immortality is a gift, given by Jesus Christ.
Though there were enemies that mocked him saying that he saved others, but could not save himself (Matthew 27:42), in truth, he did save himself. He took up his body and gave himself eternal life. In doing so, he made it possible for all the other descendants of Adam and Eve that had been cursed to die to be raised again with the same power.
The hope of life beyond death gives potency to the purposes that God gave to men before the world was. Salvation and exaltation were not spur-of-the-moment ideas... and truly, God has patiently invited people in every generation as much as possible to fulfil their purpose. Immortality and Eternal Life is available to those that heed the council of His Majesty Jesus Christ: "whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14).
Monday, April 9, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
God's Investment
Many people are familiar with the story of Elisha when he and his servant found themselves surrounded by the Syrian army. His servant feared that they would be killed, but Elisha seemed confident. The man of God offered a famous and profound statement: "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (2 Kings 6:16)
Elisha then prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant. The servant then beheld the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire protecting Elisha. Elisha prayed that blindness would be put upon the Syrians, and then led them into the land of Israel where they were forced to surrender.
The next part of the story is not as well known. Ben-hadad, the king of Syria gathered his armies and laid siege to Samaria. The Bible indicates that this caused a severe famine in the land. It got so bad that a donkey head was sold for 80 pieces of silver and a portion of dove droppings were sold for 5 pieces of silver... as food. (2 Kings 6:25) When the king of Samaria found that his subjects were resorting to cannibalism, he rent his clothes and swore that he would have the head of Elisha for causing this famine. (2 Kings 6:31)
The king's guards rushed to capture Elisha and, blaming God, one of them declared "...this evil is of the Lord; what should I wait for the Lord any longer?" (2 Kings 6:33)
Elisha prophesied that the following day, food would be so plentiful that a measure of fine flour would be sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for the same. (2 Kings 7:1) This was such a radical change in value from circumstances that sold donkey heads and bird droppings that it was too much for some of them to accept.
One of the king's trusted advisers said "Behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, might this thing be?" (2 Kings 7:2) Elisha reprimanded him because of his lack of faith as he told him that he would see it with his own eyes, but he would not eat.
That night, four lepers determined that their fate was not much different if they went to the Syrians as it was if they stayed in Samaria. When they left the city, they found that the Syrians had left in such a rush that they had abandoned all their supplies including their food. The lepers ate and gathered treasure, until finally they decided they should let the city know the siege was over.
Naturally the abundance of supplies immediately drove down the prices of food, just as Elisha the prophet had predicted. The king's advisor that had doubted Elisha saw the prices before the hoards of hungry trampled him to death and he could obtain it to eat.
The economic principles of supply and demand changing the value of commodities is not a difficult concept to understand for societies that embrace any principles of the free market. Determining the value of something even in modern society, or anticipating values, are not always as easy.
Not long ago, I read of a man that was referred to as an idiot for selling a safe he could not open on eBay for $123. The buyer was able to open the safe and found $26,000 inside. If only he had been able to correctly perceive the value of what he had before he unloaded it on eBay to make some quick money...
A person that can correctly interpret or predict the value of items has a great advantage in business. This is so much the case that trading stocks when in possession of insider information has been criminalized, which is why Martha Stewart served time in prison.
I submit that not all insider information is bad however.
What if there was someone who perfectly knew everything that had ever happened, all that would happen in the future, and everything that is currently happening? What if it was possible to know what that person valued? Likely, having this kind of information, what this person valued would be something that remained valuable in spite of supply or demand fluctuations, or the perceptions of others.
There is such a person. We call him our God. His most precious possessions are not stocks, safes, or commodities; he values the race of men. He values humanity.
For someone who could raise the dead, heal the blind, make the deaf hear, and make the lame walk almost instantaneously, he invested a substantial amount of time and effort just in making things ready for men. He divided his creative work into days where he made the light, dark, sky, sea, plants, animals, the sun, and the moon. After all other things were created, then he said "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Genesis 1:26-27) God loved them. God blessed them. Not idly did he command that we should love our neighbors as we do ourselves. (Matthew 22:39)
The atheist or the faithless might contradict this claim by saying that if God truly loved mankind, then why is it that people suffer so. Why is it that good people struggle to find work, or are forced to endure sickness and infirmity? Why is it that people who are abusive or hurtful seem to prosper in many cases? If God did care, has he not abandoned us?
To these claims I would respond that God has not abandoned men. He has sent you to care for them. He believes that you will love your neighbor as yourself. He believes that you will lift up the hands that hang down. He believes that you will strengthen the feeble knees.
Those that have been baptized may not make an oral promise, but a promise is made nonetheless. We learn from the pages of the Book of Mormon that this means a commitment not only to obey the commandments of God but to "... bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things..." (Mosiah 18:8-9)
Brethren who have received the priesthood in so doing swear to God that they will see that there is no lying, evil speaking, or back biting. They swear that they will invite people to pray vocally and in secret. The swear that they will watch over the church. As appropriate, they call down the powers of God himself to give strength, comfort, power, and even to heal the sick.
It is not always easy to be Christian. There are times when any of us become burdened with difficult circumstances, or when pride prevents us from loving our neighbors as God does. When such times come, let us try to remember God's investment.
Everything he does is to help mankind. He spends every waking minute listening to our prayers and sending people to help each other... every waking minute... and he never sleeps. He commands his church to help people among every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. He is calling priests in every unit of his kingdom. The worth of souls is great in the sight of God. (D&C 18:10)
Do not be as the idiot who sold his safe and missed the true value. Do not doubt God as the advisor to the King of Samaria who missed out on the reward because he refused to believe. Finally, do not forget the words of Elisha the prophet during times when it is difficult to help others... "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
Christ, who is the ultimate investment that God has made in us, is coming again. And when he does, he will surely save us all.
Elisha then prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant. The servant then beheld the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire protecting Elisha. Elisha prayed that blindness would be put upon the Syrians, and then led them into the land of Israel where they were forced to surrender.
The next part of the story is not as well known. Ben-hadad, the king of Syria gathered his armies and laid siege to Samaria. The Bible indicates that this caused a severe famine in the land. It got so bad that a donkey head was sold for 80 pieces of silver and a portion of dove droppings were sold for 5 pieces of silver... as food. (2 Kings 6:25) When the king of Samaria found that his subjects were resorting to cannibalism, he rent his clothes and swore that he would have the head of Elisha for causing this famine. (2 Kings 6:31)
The king's guards rushed to capture Elisha and, blaming God, one of them declared "...this evil is of the Lord; what should I wait for the Lord any longer?" (2 Kings 6:33)
Elisha prophesied that the following day, food would be so plentiful that a measure of fine flour would be sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for the same. (2 Kings 7:1) This was such a radical change in value from circumstances that sold donkey heads and bird droppings that it was too much for some of them to accept.
One of the king's trusted advisers said "Behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, might this thing be?" (2 Kings 7:2) Elisha reprimanded him because of his lack of faith as he told him that he would see it with his own eyes, but he would not eat.
That night, four lepers determined that their fate was not much different if they went to the Syrians as it was if they stayed in Samaria. When they left the city, they found that the Syrians had left in such a rush that they had abandoned all their supplies including their food. The lepers ate and gathered treasure, until finally they decided they should let the city know the siege was over.
Naturally the abundance of supplies immediately drove down the prices of food, just as Elisha the prophet had predicted. The king's advisor that had doubted Elisha saw the prices before the hoards of hungry trampled him to death and he could obtain it to eat.
The economic principles of supply and demand changing the value of commodities is not a difficult concept to understand for societies that embrace any principles of the free market. Determining the value of something even in modern society, or anticipating values, are not always as easy.
Not long ago, I read of a man that was referred to as an idiot for selling a safe he could not open on eBay for $123. The buyer was able to open the safe and found $26,000 inside. If only he had been able to correctly perceive the value of what he had before he unloaded it on eBay to make some quick money...
A person that can correctly interpret or predict the value of items has a great advantage in business. This is so much the case that trading stocks when in possession of insider information has been criminalized, which is why Martha Stewart served time in prison.
I submit that not all insider information is bad however.
What if there was someone who perfectly knew everything that had ever happened, all that would happen in the future, and everything that is currently happening? What if it was possible to know what that person valued? Likely, having this kind of information, what this person valued would be something that remained valuable in spite of supply or demand fluctuations, or the perceptions of others.
There is such a person. We call him our God. His most precious possessions are not stocks, safes, or commodities; he values the race of men. He values humanity.
For someone who could raise the dead, heal the blind, make the deaf hear, and make the lame walk almost instantaneously, he invested a substantial amount of time and effort just in making things ready for men. He divided his creative work into days where he made the light, dark, sky, sea, plants, animals, the sun, and the moon. After all other things were created, then he said "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Genesis 1:26-27) God loved them. God blessed them. Not idly did he command that we should love our neighbors as we do ourselves. (Matthew 22:39)
The atheist or the faithless might contradict this claim by saying that if God truly loved mankind, then why is it that people suffer so. Why is it that good people struggle to find work, or are forced to endure sickness and infirmity? Why is it that people who are abusive or hurtful seem to prosper in many cases? If God did care, has he not abandoned us?
To these claims I would respond that God has not abandoned men. He has sent you to care for them. He believes that you will love your neighbor as yourself. He believes that you will lift up the hands that hang down. He believes that you will strengthen the feeble knees.
Those that have been baptized may not make an oral promise, but a promise is made nonetheless. We learn from the pages of the Book of Mormon that this means a commitment not only to obey the commandments of God but to "... bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things..." (Mosiah 18:8-9)
Brethren who have received the priesthood in so doing swear to God that they will see that there is no lying, evil speaking, or back biting. They swear that they will invite people to pray vocally and in secret. The swear that they will watch over the church. As appropriate, they call down the powers of God himself to give strength, comfort, power, and even to heal the sick.
It is not always easy to be Christian. There are times when any of us become burdened with difficult circumstances, or when pride prevents us from loving our neighbors as God does. When such times come, let us try to remember God's investment.
Everything he does is to help mankind. He spends every waking minute listening to our prayers and sending people to help each other... every waking minute... and he never sleeps. He commands his church to help people among every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. He is calling priests in every unit of his kingdom. The worth of souls is great in the sight of God. (D&C 18:10)
Do not be as the idiot who sold his safe and missed the true value. Do not doubt God as the advisor to the King of Samaria who missed out on the reward because he refused to believe. Finally, do not forget the words of Elisha the prophet during times when it is difficult to help others... "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
Christ, who is the ultimate investment that God has made in us, is coming again. And when he does, he will surely save us all.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
On the Origin of Species by Means of Creationsism
I remember the first time I thumbed through my sixth grade history textbook in elementary school. We had just adopted a new textbook series. For my grade level, ancient civilization was the focus. I started in the middle of the book and worked backwards, looking at artistic depictions of Roman soldiers, Greek phalanxes, Persian chariots, the hanging gardens of Babylon, and cuneiform tablets. As I approached the front of the book, I realized that there was more material prior to the Egyptians and the first Mesopotamian cities. There was a section that identified Cro-Magnons, Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, and other forms of what the text referred to as "proto-humans."
Being a nerd, I had read enough to know that I was about to get my first experience in the public education system with the theory of evolution. Being a young member of my church, I viewed the presence of this content as offensive. I had been taught clearly that God had created man. As we began going through the material, I became increasingly uncomfortable, however, I remained silent with respect to my feelings on the subject. One day, one of my classmates pointed aloud before the class that the depictions of these "proto-humans" resembled monkeys. I did not shout, but I certainly did not politely raise my hand when I began saying that I was not a monkey, my father was not a monkey, and his father was also not a monkey. The class became silent. Finally the teacher gave a diplomatic statement regarding required curriculum, scientific evidence, and if I recall correctly that the subject had no bearing on what we may have learned in Sunday school.
Since then, I have learned much more with respect to both the theory of evolution and my church's belief in the creation.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints does not have a firm point on how the world was created. The church does maintain firm doctrinal stances on why it was created, and also that God is who created it.
Many people within the church have found this fact sufficient to reconcile the modern theory of evolution with their belief in God. After all, God could have caused the Big Bang ages ago to set everything into motion. He could have controlled all of the forces that led to the climate and elements present such that small creatures could adapt, survive, and emerge from the sea to evolve into a variety of species, one of which became the race of men.
It probably helps support this concept that the records in Genesis seem incomplete. There is very little information in the Bible about society after the fall of Adam. The events surrounding the flood make it easy for people to come to the conclusion that these are not literal stories, but symbolic representations of events for which we do not have all the details. Evolution provides a scientifically accepted, evidence-based context for how life on this world came to be.
In a conversation with one such individual, I recall them attempting to persuade me to accept evolution. They pointed out the development of children in the womb as proof that one type of living cell could become an entire organism in a short time under the right circumstances.
Another individual that had no belief in God defined evolution simply as "change." This is obviously an over simplification, otherwise I would be an expert on the subject from my experience "evolving" diapers for my two young boys.
In spite of its acceptance among so many people, few people really understand what evolution is. At the risk of producing a straw man argument, I wish to enumerate the major points of evolution.
1. Evolution is not manifest in acquired characteristics. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck is perhaps best remembered for promoting this theory. An example of this is that a parent that works out frequently and obtains greater muscle mass will not necessarily produce offspring that also have great muscle mass.
2. Evolution is manifest by changes in allele frequency by means of natural selection. In other words, those that have genetic characteristics that allow them to more successfully reproduce, or survive to reproduce will pass these genetic characteristics to their descendants. A tortoise that genetically has a longer neck and is able to eat higher food is less likely to starve, for example, and more likely to pass on its longer neck to subsequent generations. The result is the species evolves to have longer necks.
3. Evolution implies common ancestry. The idea that all species were once one and through various means life diversified and grew complex is central to the theory. In order to have enough generations to account for these changes, the time frame of this theory necessarily takes millions and millions of years.
4. Evolution requires assumptions. If life, death, and reproduction have not always functioned the way they currently are observed, changes in allele frequencies are impossible.
5. The concept of "species" is more complicated than many people believe. A common understanding of a species is a group of organisms that are still able to reproduce. Dogs for example are bred using unnatural selection to produce certain characteristics such as size (chihuahuas), strength (pit bulls), and speed (greyhounds), but dogs are still able to breed with one another and produce fertile offspring. The combination of a horse and donkey produces the sterile mule, thus horses and donkeys are considered different species. This definition obviously cannot apply to organisms that reproduce asexually.
Having presented these points, let me also present points of belief for creationism. Let me do so with the understanding that this represents my belief, and not necessarily those of anyone else.
1. Creationism does not forbid adaptations that come by means of changes in allele frequency. The Galapagos tortoises do not rule out creationism since creationism is a view on the past.
2. Creationism does not have to be limited to six 24-hour periods. It is also possible that it does represent six 24-hour periods. There is not a fixed definition for "day" in the scriptures.
3. Creationism rejects common ancestry of all species, but accepts common ancestry for humanity. Creationism accepts a literal man named Adam and his wife Eve as the parents of mankind. Adam and Eve are not figurative concepts for groups of advanced primates, they are actual individuals that were created with special attention and using different methods than those used for the creation of other plants and animals.
4. Creationism requires assumptions. While this is pointed out by individuals that enjoy antagonizing creationists, there is no point in denying it. Creationism assumes that life, death, and reproduction have not always functioned the way they are currently observed. Conditions prior to the fall of Adam, and even prior to the flood were not the same as conditions generally observed presently.
5. Creationism implies purposes for various species. While there exist evolutionists that believe in intelligent design and embrace the concept that man has a different purpose than other types of organisms, the implication is required in the creationist paradigm. Man is not simply an animal. God commanded man to "...be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Genesis 1:28)
In the end, both creationism and evolution rely on assumptions about times that were very different than what we see now. A person that does not accept evolution is not guilty of forcing Galileo to recant. We simply accept different assumptions.
I believe that God created the world and placed life upon it. There was a time where life, death, and birth did not exist as we now know them. When Adam transgressed, everything changed. Mankind was sent to a place where their observational abilities were severely limited. We only detect a narrow range of electromagnetic radiation as visible light. We hear a narrow range of frequencies. We must be very close to smell, touch, or taste items. While science has brought miraculous new advancements that allow us to see things we have never before seen, we are still unable to detect theoretical particles that are very small, or comprehend distant astronomical phenomena that are very large. Certainly our observation is limited by time, and while we may be able to interpolate what conditions may have been like in prehistoric times, or predict what may appear in the future, confirmation is typically only available for time periods much closer to the present.
As limited as mankind is, God has promised that through his son Jesus Christ, the curses and limits under which we find ourselves can be removed. There is a great potential in each man and woman that can be realized by following Jesus. He even has power to redeem men after they die... and as difficult as the world may become, when he comes again, he will save us all.
Is it so hard to believe that "in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth"?
Being a nerd, I had read enough to know that I was about to get my first experience in the public education system with the theory of evolution. Being a young member of my church, I viewed the presence of this content as offensive. I had been taught clearly that God had created man. As we began going through the material, I became increasingly uncomfortable, however, I remained silent with respect to my feelings on the subject. One day, one of my classmates pointed aloud before the class that the depictions of these "proto-humans" resembled monkeys. I did not shout, but I certainly did not politely raise my hand when I began saying that I was not a monkey, my father was not a monkey, and his father was also not a monkey. The class became silent. Finally the teacher gave a diplomatic statement regarding required curriculum, scientific evidence, and if I recall correctly that the subject had no bearing on what we may have learned in Sunday school.
Since then, I have learned much more with respect to both the theory of evolution and my church's belief in the creation.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints does not have a firm point on how the world was created. The church does maintain firm doctrinal stances on why it was created, and also that God is who created it.
Many people within the church have found this fact sufficient to reconcile the modern theory of evolution with their belief in God. After all, God could have caused the Big Bang ages ago to set everything into motion. He could have controlled all of the forces that led to the climate and elements present such that small creatures could adapt, survive, and emerge from the sea to evolve into a variety of species, one of which became the race of men.
It probably helps support this concept that the records in Genesis seem incomplete. There is very little information in the Bible about society after the fall of Adam. The events surrounding the flood make it easy for people to come to the conclusion that these are not literal stories, but symbolic representations of events for which we do not have all the details. Evolution provides a scientifically accepted, evidence-based context for how life on this world came to be.
In a conversation with one such individual, I recall them attempting to persuade me to accept evolution. They pointed out the development of children in the womb as proof that one type of living cell could become an entire organism in a short time under the right circumstances.
Another individual that had no belief in God defined evolution simply as "change." This is obviously an over simplification, otherwise I would be an expert on the subject from my experience "evolving" diapers for my two young boys.
In spite of its acceptance among so many people, few people really understand what evolution is. At the risk of producing a straw man argument, I wish to enumerate the major points of evolution.
1. Evolution is not manifest in acquired characteristics. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck is perhaps best remembered for promoting this theory. An example of this is that a parent that works out frequently and obtains greater muscle mass will not necessarily produce offspring that also have great muscle mass.
2. Evolution is manifest by changes in allele frequency by means of natural selection. In other words, those that have genetic characteristics that allow them to more successfully reproduce, or survive to reproduce will pass these genetic characteristics to their descendants. A tortoise that genetically has a longer neck and is able to eat higher food is less likely to starve, for example, and more likely to pass on its longer neck to subsequent generations. The result is the species evolves to have longer necks.
3. Evolution implies common ancestry. The idea that all species were once one and through various means life diversified and grew complex is central to the theory. In order to have enough generations to account for these changes, the time frame of this theory necessarily takes millions and millions of years.
4. Evolution requires assumptions. If life, death, and reproduction have not always functioned the way they currently are observed, changes in allele frequencies are impossible.
5. The concept of "species" is more complicated than many people believe. A common understanding of a species is a group of organisms that are still able to reproduce. Dogs for example are bred using unnatural selection to produce certain characteristics such as size (chihuahuas), strength (pit bulls), and speed (greyhounds), but dogs are still able to breed with one another and produce fertile offspring. The combination of a horse and donkey produces the sterile mule, thus horses and donkeys are considered different species. This definition obviously cannot apply to organisms that reproduce asexually.
Having presented these points, let me also present points of belief for creationism. Let me do so with the understanding that this represents my belief, and not necessarily those of anyone else.
1. Creationism does not forbid adaptations that come by means of changes in allele frequency. The Galapagos tortoises do not rule out creationism since creationism is a view on the past.
2. Creationism does not have to be limited to six 24-hour periods. It is also possible that it does represent six 24-hour periods. There is not a fixed definition for "day" in the scriptures.
3. Creationism rejects common ancestry of all species, but accepts common ancestry for humanity. Creationism accepts a literal man named Adam and his wife Eve as the parents of mankind. Adam and Eve are not figurative concepts for groups of advanced primates, they are actual individuals that were created with special attention and using different methods than those used for the creation of other plants and animals.
4. Creationism requires assumptions. While this is pointed out by individuals that enjoy antagonizing creationists, there is no point in denying it. Creationism assumes that life, death, and reproduction have not always functioned the way they are currently observed. Conditions prior to the fall of Adam, and even prior to the flood were not the same as conditions generally observed presently.
5. Creationism implies purposes for various species. While there exist evolutionists that believe in intelligent design and embrace the concept that man has a different purpose than other types of organisms, the implication is required in the creationist paradigm. Man is not simply an animal. God commanded man to "...be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Genesis 1:28)
In the end, both creationism and evolution rely on assumptions about times that were very different than what we see now. A person that does not accept evolution is not guilty of forcing Galileo to recant. We simply accept different assumptions.
I believe that God created the world and placed life upon it. There was a time where life, death, and birth did not exist as we now know them. When Adam transgressed, everything changed. Mankind was sent to a place where their observational abilities were severely limited. We only detect a narrow range of electromagnetic radiation as visible light. We hear a narrow range of frequencies. We must be very close to smell, touch, or taste items. While science has brought miraculous new advancements that allow us to see things we have never before seen, we are still unable to detect theoretical particles that are very small, or comprehend distant astronomical phenomena that are very large. Certainly our observation is limited by time, and while we may be able to interpolate what conditions may have been like in prehistoric times, or predict what may appear in the future, confirmation is typically only available for time periods much closer to the present.
As limited as mankind is, God has promised that through his son Jesus Christ, the curses and limits under which we find ourselves can be removed. There is a great potential in each man and woman that can be realized by following Jesus. He even has power to redeem men after they die... and as difficult as the world may become, when he comes again, he will save us all.
Is it so hard to believe that "in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth"?
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Christianity is not an occupation
I work for a software company where I have gained a bit of experience working with different Microsoft Windows Server operating systems. One of the required components of my company's software is Microsoft .NET Framework. On newer operating systems, it is a Windows feature that can be turned on or off. On servers, there is an added complication. Since servers typically do not perform the same application tasks that clients do, Windows assumes the reason for adding this feature is to assume the role of a web server. In other words, it assumes the server will be handling a website.
While there are customers of ours that host and manage their own websites, they are in the minority. Most of our customers let other services handle their website needs.
To the operating system, it does not matter. Installing that feature means that other features fundamental to being a web server will also be installed. It is a required role.
I have given some thought to the idea of how people may assume roles in order to get features or benefits they desire, even if they would not otherwise assume these roles.
Ambitious workers may be willing to do undesirable work to get their foot in the door of a workplace that offers potential advancement. Star Wars fans may endure long scenes of Jar Jar so they can get to the epic battle between Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Darth Maul. I have friends that have spent long amounts of time in games doing grinding tasks such as breeding chocobos, assembling minecraft materials, defeating prime evils repeatedly, or mastering dancing with Gorons in order to get coveted loot, achievements, or experience.
In most cases, assuming a role does not necessarily require dedication. It can be compartmentalized. A person can assume the role of a pleasant salesperson during business hours, and assume the role of an obnoxious drunk after hours. The wealthy philanthropist role can be assumed by mercilessly competitive men that are making "business decisions" in other roles. There are numerous types of roles that people can wear at different times.
While many of the roles people assume are temporary, some are not, and should not be. Most important is that of Christian.
A Christian should not stop being Christian because they are at work. A Christian must remain Christian while assuming the role of parent, child, coworker, or even automobile driver.
A Christian ought to hold to their faith in conversation with supportive believers and also in conversation with demeaning atheists.
The values of Christianity do not change when Christians are asked to be more tolerant of principles, products, or practices that are inconsistent with their faith. Likewise, Christianity's requirements to offer forgiveness, compassion, and assistance are not voided when confronted by those that may have embraced such principles, products, or practices.
Christianity is not simply a role that can be assumed and cast off for convenience. It is not a means to obtain a feature without actually fulfilling the required role. Christianity is not an occupation.
A Christian believes that Jesus has personally sacrificed and invested in mankind for a purpose. Salvation is not a cheap gift; the price that Jesus paid to redeem men is beyond comprehension... and there is no other who was, is, or will ever be capable of matching it.
It is wrong for any true Christian to believe that eligibility for the saving power of God himself might be obtained by acting Christian only when it is convenient, popular, or politically correct.
He said himself that the great commandment is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37)
Nephi teaches in the Book of Mormon "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." (2 Nephi 31:20)
Christ did not come so we could have weekly meetings. He came to save us all.
While there are customers of ours that host and manage their own websites, they are in the minority. Most of our customers let other services handle their website needs.
To the operating system, it does not matter. Installing that feature means that other features fundamental to being a web server will also be installed. It is a required role.
I have given some thought to the idea of how people may assume roles in order to get features or benefits they desire, even if they would not otherwise assume these roles.
Ambitious workers may be willing to do undesirable work to get their foot in the door of a workplace that offers potential advancement. Star Wars fans may endure long scenes of Jar Jar so they can get to the epic battle between Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Darth Maul. I have friends that have spent long amounts of time in games doing grinding tasks such as breeding chocobos, assembling minecraft materials, defeating prime evils repeatedly, or mastering dancing with Gorons in order to get coveted loot, achievements, or experience.
In most cases, assuming a role does not necessarily require dedication. It can be compartmentalized. A person can assume the role of a pleasant salesperson during business hours, and assume the role of an obnoxious drunk after hours. The wealthy philanthropist role can be assumed by mercilessly competitive men that are making "business decisions" in other roles. There are numerous types of roles that people can wear at different times.
While many of the roles people assume are temporary, some are not, and should not be. Most important is that of Christian.
A Christian should not stop being Christian because they are at work. A Christian must remain Christian while assuming the role of parent, child, coworker, or even automobile driver.
A Christian ought to hold to their faith in conversation with supportive believers and also in conversation with demeaning atheists.
The values of Christianity do not change when Christians are asked to be more tolerant of principles, products, or practices that are inconsistent with their faith. Likewise, Christianity's requirements to offer forgiveness, compassion, and assistance are not voided when confronted by those that may have embraced such principles, products, or practices.
Christianity is not simply a role that can be assumed and cast off for convenience. It is not a means to obtain a feature without actually fulfilling the required role. Christianity is not an occupation.
A Christian believes that Jesus has personally sacrificed and invested in mankind for a purpose. Salvation is not a cheap gift; the price that Jesus paid to redeem men is beyond comprehension... and there is no other who was, is, or will ever be capable of matching it.
It is wrong for any true Christian to believe that eligibility for the saving power of God himself might be obtained by acting Christian only when it is convenient, popular, or politically correct.
He said himself that the great commandment is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37)
Nephi teaches in the Book of Mormon "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." (2 Nephi 31:20)
Christ did not come so we could have weekly meetings. He came to save us all.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Legendary: Lessons from Zelda
The frequency of my posts have decreased the past couple of months. I could certainly blame the business of the holiday season, but the real reason is the release of two games that I have been thoroughly enjoying.
One of them is Star Wars: The Old Republic. I love the concept of embracing the light side and rejecting the dark side. Unlike other games in the same genre, this truly gives the feeling that all the enemies I am facing are more than grinding for levels, but that I am protecting the defenseless, liberating the captive, and where possible, extending mercy and forgiveness to those that have gone astray.
The other game is the one on which I would like to focus. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the latest game in the Zelda franchise. This franchise is close to my heart for several reasons. Zelda is the first game I recall seeing on the Nintendo Entertainment System back in 1987. I was almost immediately captivated by its complexity, its environment, and of course its famous music. Through the years, each new Zelda game has provided a rich and rewarding experience.
For those that may be familiar with older posts, don't worry: this is still a religious blog. It may be difficult for some to immediately draw a positive connection between faith and video games. Nevertheless, I intend to do so. If Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can speak in general conference about lessons that can be applied from non-religious literary works or even (shudder) musicals (Elder Oaks, April 2003), then I feel justified in so doing.
For those unfamiliar with the Legend of Zelda, the story has significantly expanded since the franchise was first introduced. A critical element, common to most (arguably all) games in the series is the Triforce. The legend goes that the world of Hyrule (the setting for most games) was created by three supreme golden goddesses: Din, goddess of power, Nayru, goddess of wisdom, and Farore, goddess of courage. After the work of creation, these goddesses left the world. In the place where they departed, they left three golden triangles representing their power and influence to govern the world. If a person gained these triangles, they would possess the entire Triforce, and they would have power to make their will a reality. The only apparent safeguard against misuse of the Triforce that was left by the Goddesses was to measure the heart of the person that obtained it. If that person's heart was in balance, then they would maintain control of the entire Triforce. If that person's heart was not in balance, then they would only retain that part with which they were most closely aligned, and the other two parts would be placed inside or made available to two others chosen by fate.
In the most beloved game of the franchise, Ocarina of Time, an evil king of thieves lays his hands on the Triforce coveting power, and retains only the Triforce of Power. Princess Zelda is given the Triforce of Wisdom and goes into hiding. Link, the boy fated to be the hero of the Goddesses, is put in a position to become the keeper of the Triforce of Courage.
Defining the actual "Legend" of Zelda is an argument held in nerdy circles. I interpret it to be this: the Hero of Courage helps the Princess of Wisdom overcome seemingly impossible odds to defeat the tyrannical King of Power.
Another important point is that in the various games, even though the characters "Link" and "Zelda" exist, they are actually different people in different ages fighting potentially different enemies. I say potentially, because there are different super villains in the series, but many of them keep coming back. The most famous of these is Ganon.
A question that frequently arises is why if there are supreme beings that created the world, law to govern it, and creatures to uphold the laws... where are they? Why did they seemingly abandon the world? Why do they allow tyrants, thieves, murderers, and other power-hungry war-mongers to gain even part of their power? Why do they not prevent evil?
In Windwaker, another game in the series, the villain Ganondorf boldly declares to Link as he points out how the world was swallowed by a great flood "Your Gods destroyed you!" It is difficult not to think so.
The concept is not unique to the fictional world of Hyrule. In the highly political climate in the United States, it is easy to be frustrated with someone if not everyone in the government. It is easy to feel discouragement when we observe guilty men escape justice because of technicalities, while some that do good are wrongfully oppressed. It may even seem that the God that made this world appears to have left it to those that covet power. There are few days that go by without news of violent crime, war, and hatred. Why does God not prevent these evils? Why does he not make right these wrongs?
Those that have the patience and perseverance to play through the challenges in the Legend of Zelda perhaps know the answer to these questions.
There is no dungeon without a map. There is a way out of the lost woods. Every boss has a weakness.
Each palace that is explored yields new equipment and abilities. Each nightmare that is defeated increases the vitality of the hero that vanquishes it.
Even worlds that seem overwhelmed with enemies are not void of friends, and showing kindness to people will almost always pay off.
If it were not for Gohma, Dodongo, and Barinade, Link might be stuck with three hearts. Helping round up stray cuccos provides a rich reward.
God did not abandon the world he made. And while we may not know exactly when he will return, his will is made real by heroes who everyday show courage in doing the right thing. In the end, no matter how difficult, it always pays off.
Evil is allowed to be so that heroes can be made, and their purposes and destinies be fulfilled. "For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face: now I know only in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)
One of them is Star Wars: The Old Republic. I love the concept of embracing the light side and rejecting the dark side. Unlike other games in the same genre, this truly gives the feeling that all the enemies I am facing are more than grinding for levels, but that I am protecting the defenseless, liberating the captive, and where possible, extending mercy and forgiveness to those that have gone astray.
The other game is the one on which I would like to focus. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the latest game in the Zelda franchise. This franchise is close to my heart for several reasons. Zelda is the first game I recall seeing on the Nintendo Entertainment System back in 1987. I was almost immediately captivated by its complexity, its environment, and of course its famous music. Through the years, each new Zelda game has provided a rich and rewarding experience.
For those that may be familiar with older posts, don't worry: this is still a religious blog. It may be difficult for some to immediately draw a positive connection between faith and video games. Nevertheless, I intend to do so. If Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can speak in general conference about lessons that can be applied from non-religious literary works or even (shudder) musicals (Elder Oaks, April 2003), then I feel justified in so doing.
For those unfamiliar with the Legend of Zelda, the story has significantly expanded since the franchise was first introduced. A critical element, common to most (arguably all) games in the series is the Triforce. The legend goes that the world of Hyrule (the setting for most games) was created by three supreme golden goddesses: Din, goddess of power, Nayru, goddess of wisdom, and Farore, goddess of courage. After the work of creation, these goddesses left the world. In the place where they departed, they left three golden triangles representing their power and influence to govern the world. If a person gained these triangles, they would possess the entire Triforce, and they would have power to make their will a reality. The only apparent safeguard against misuse of the Triforce that was left by the Goddesses was to measure the heart of the person that obtained it. If that person's heart was in balance, then they would maintain control of the entire Triforce. If that person's heart was not in balance, then they would only retain that part with which they were most closely aligned, and the other two parts would be placed inside or made available to two others chosen by fate.
In the most beloved game of the franchise, Ocarina of Time, an evil king of thieves lays his hands on the Triforce coveting power, and retains only the Triforce of Power. Princess Zelda is given the Triforce of Wisdom and goes into hiding. Link, the boy fated to be the hero of the Goddesses, is put in a position to become the keeper of the Triforce of Courage.
Defining the actual "Legend" of Zelda is an argument held in nerdy circles. I interpret it to be this: the Hero of Courage helps the Princess of Wisdom overcome seemingly impossible odds to defeat the tyrannical King of Power.
Another important point is that in the various games, even though the characters "Link" and "Zelda" exist, they are actually different people in different ages fighting potentially different enemies. I say potentially, because there are different super villains in the series, but many of them keep coming back. The most famous of these is Ganon.
A question that frequently arises is why if there are supreme beings that created the world, law to govern it, and creatures to uphold the laws... where are they? Why did they seemingly abandon the world? Why do they allow tyrants, thieves, murderers, and other power-hungry war-mongers to gain even part of their power? Why do they not prevent evil?
In Windwaker, another game in the series, the villain Ganondorf boldly declares to Link as he points out how the world was swallowed by a great flood "Your Gods destroyed you!" It is difficult not to think so.
The concept is not unique to the fictional world of Hyrule. In the highly political climate in the United States, it is easy to be frustrated with someone if not everyone in the government. It is easy to feel discouragement when we observe guilty men escape justice because of technicalities, while some that do good are wrongfully oppressed. It may even seem that the God that made this world appears to have left it to those that covet power. There are few days that go by without news of violent crime, war, and hatred. Why does God not prevent these evils? Why does he not make right these wrongs?
Those that have the patience and perseverance to play through the challenges in the Legend of Zelda perhaps know the answer to these questions.
There is no dungeon without a map. There is a way out of the lost woods. Every boss has a weakness.
Each palace that is explored yields new equipment and abilities. Each nightmare that is defeated increases the vitality of the hero that vanquishes it.
Even worlds that seem overwhelmed with enemies are not void of friends, and showing kindness to people will almost always pay off.
If it were not for Gohma, Dodongo, and Barinade, Link might be stuck with three hearts. Helping round up stray cuccos provides a rich reward.
God did not abandon the world he made. And while we may not know exactly when he will return, his will is made real by heroes who everyday show courage in doing the right thing. In the end, no matter how difficult, it always pays off.
Evil is allowed to be so that heroes can be made, and their purposes and destinies be fulfilled. "For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face: now I know only in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Friday, November 18, 2011
I'm Christian, unless you're a child molester
Recently, I have seen several people share a link to a blog post titled "I'm Christian, unless you're gay."
(http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html)
I finally read the post. While the author makes an attempt to tackle a difficult issue, and promotes kindness toward others (both laudable acts), in the end, Christianity was oversimplified and misrepresented.
One of the first examples used is that of Westboro Baptist Church, the group that has become famous for outrageous protests. The vast majority of Christians with whom I associate find this behavior distasteful at best. Protesting at the funerals of soldiers or hypocritically condemning corporations whose products they use (http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/312445) is a poor representation of Christianity. Fortunately, the author quickly moves from this topic.
The author makes reference to a personal friend who feels lonely and avoided because he is a homosexual. He points out that many Christians will actively reject, ignore, avoid, and worse any that do not believe the way that they do, even to the point of courageously admitting that he once did himself because of his Christian beliefs.
The author asserts that these judgements are based on self-righteousness and that they do not represent the true roots of religion. He says that Jesus taught "love one another" and "he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her ("Her" being a woman who cheated on her man)." Christ did say both of these things.
Finally after examining the teachings of several other faiths, the final conclusion made is that they all focus on love. Not love unless a person is homosexual, but just love. The author's point is that "The greatest spiritual leaders in history have all preached love for others as the basis for all happiness, and never did they accompany such mandates with a list of unlovable actions or deeds."
After oversimplifying religion, the author then proceeds to discuss sin. He points out that regardless of where you live or how strongly you believe, someone else somewhere believes that you are wrong. Ultimately the claim is as follows:
"It doesn’t matter if you or I think anything is a sin. It doesn’t matter if homosexuality is a sin or not. In fact, it doesn’t matter if anything anybody else does is a sin or not.
Because sin is a very personal thing! It always has been and it always will be!
And it has nothing to do with love."
This point is certainly popular. It is politically correct. As of right now, the post has been shared more than 32,000 times. Notwithstanding the popularity of this concept, it is wrong.
To the secular observer, Christianity might be reduced to a philosophical concept of love. It is a common misconception. Christ certainly preached love, forgiveness, kindness, and humility. None of these concepts represent the core of Christianity however. The true root is Christ himself. He is never wrong. He is the way the truth and the life. He is the only way men can reach their potential. Sometimes accepting Christ means learning to love others. Sometimes it means recognizing and avoiding evil.
Sin is not a personal thing at all. It is universal. It is general. It is determined by God himself. While there may be those that disagree on what the will of God is, or how to interpret the words of prophets, the beliefs of men do not shape right and wrong. The tail does not wag the dog. In the end, every person will be judged on their actions by Jesus Christ.
A fair point is to say that Christians should not demean or hate those that are guilty of sin. An unfair point is to say that Christians should not consider politically correct activity to be sin.
"I'm Christian, unless you're gay" is really not all that different from "I'm Christian, unless you're a child molester."
Of course there are those who will say that homosexuality is nothing like child molestation. While it may be said these acts are different, in the end, they are both sin... as is adultery, as is murder, as is theft, as is bearing false witness, as taking the name of God in vain. Christ taught that all of these people should be treated with kindness on an individual basis. This says nothing about the responsibility of society as a whole, or even important judgements to be made on an individual basis.
It would be foolish for society to simply forgive child molesters and serial murderers and let them wander free. That does not mean a Christian society should strive to draw and quarter those that are guilty of these crimes, but just punishment is appropriate.
On an individual basis, the stance of Christianity is to forgive, even those guilty of crimes so awful as child molestation. This does not mean that Christians should hire them as babysitters for their kids. We should not feel forced into accepting the incorrect choices of others in the name of kindness. Avoiding those that openly propagate wrong is not always unjustly cruel, even if it is perceived as such.
It is possible to love the sinner and hate the sin, but finding the line that divides mercy and acceptance of sin is not easy. How does a person express kindness and simultaneously make it understood that they cannot condone wrongdoing? That is the real question.
Certainly there are many Christians that do not have it right. I can think of many occasions where I personally have failed either by being cruel to a person I deemed sinful, or by failing to stand for what is right in an effort to fit in with the politically correct.
Christians are not perfect... but our master is. When he comes again to save us, it will not be to save us in our sins... it will be to save us from our sins. He will not come to save those that demand acceptance, but those that plead for forgiveness. He will not come with love in the form of a blanket pardon; he will come with fire and fury and he will destroy those that have maligned and abused his disciples - and he will be right in all that he does.
Christians must strive to remember that we are not Christ. We do not know all things. We are all guilty of sin. We need forgiveness for our shortcomings as much as the homosexual and the child molester because sin of any kind should be avoided. Promoting good and rejecting evil should be done carefully... standing for what is good does not have to mean being cruel... and fighting against sin does not have to mean bullying.
Declaring "I'm Christian, unless you're gay" is obviously wrong... but not just when it comes to being unkind. It is also wrong to cast off Christianity in the name of accepting a lifestyle that is immoral. A Christian should never accept relativistic concepts of good and evil. A Christian believes there is one truth, one way, and one Lord for all people, and his name is Jesus Christ.
(http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html)
I finally read the post. While the author makes an attempt to tackle a difficult issue, and promotes kindness toward others (both laudable acts), in the end, Christianity was oversimplified and misrepresented.
One of the first examples used is that of Westboro Baptist Church, the group that has become famous for outrageous protests. The vast majority of Christians with whom I associate find this behavior distasteful at best. Protesting at the funerals of soldiers or hypocritically condemning corporations whose products they use (http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/312445) is a poor representation of Christianity. Fortunately, the author quickly moves from this topic.
The author makes reference to a personal friend who feels lonely and avoided because he is a homosexual. He points out that many Christians will actively reject, ignore, avoid, and worse any that do not believe the way that they do, even to the point of courageously admitting that he once did himself because of his Christian beliefs.
The author asserts that these judgements are based on self-righteousness and that they do not represent the true roots of religion. He says that Jesus taught "love one another" and "he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her ("Her" being a woman who cheated on her man)." Christ did say both of these things.
Finally after examining the teachings of several other faiths, the final conclusion made is that they all focus on love. Not love unless a person is homosexual, but just love. The author's point is that "The greatest spiritual leaders in history have all preached love for others as the basis for all happiness, and never did they accompany such mandates with a list of unlovable actions or deeds."
After oversimplifying religion, the author then proceeds to discuss sin. He points out that regardless of where you live or how strongly you believe, someone else somewhere believes that you are wrong. Ultimately the claim is as follows:
"It doesn’t matter if you or I think anything is a sin. It doesn’t matter if homosexuality is a sin or not. In fact, it doesn’t matter if anything anybody else does is a sin or not.
Because sin is a very personal thing! It always has been and it always will be!
And it has nothing to do with love."
This point is certainly popular. It is politically correct. As of right now, the post has been shared more than 32,000 times. Notwithstanding the popularity of this concept, it is wrong.
To the secular observer, Christianity might be reduced to a philosophical concept of love. It is a common misconception. Christ certainly preached love, forgiveness, kindness, and humility. None of these concepts represent the core of Christianity however. The true root is Christ himself. He is never wrong. He is the way the truth and the life. He is the only way men can reach their potential. Sometimes accepting Christ means learning to love others. Sometimes it means recognizing and avoiding evil.
Sin is not a personal thing at all. It is universal. It is general. It is determined by God himself. While there may be those that disagree on what the will of God is, or how to interpret the words of prophets, the beliefs of men do not shape right and wrong. The tail does not wag the dog. In the end, every person will be judged on their actions by Jesus Christ.
A fair point is to say that Christians should not demean or hate those that are guilty of sin. An unfair point is to say that Christians should not consider politically correct activity to be sin.
"I'm Christian, unless you're gay" is really not all that different from "I'm Christian, unless you're a child molester."
Of course there are those who will say that homosexuality is nothing like child molestation. While it may be said these acts are different, in the end, they are both sin... as is adultery, as is murder, as is theft, as is bearing false witness, as taking the name of God in vain. Christ taught that all of these people should be treated with kindness on an individual basis. This says nothing about the responsibility of society as a whole, or even important judgements to be made on an individual basis.
It would be foolish for society to simply forgive child molesters and serial murderers and let them wander free. That does not mean a Christian society should strive to draw and quarter those that are guilty of these crimes, but just punishment is appropriate.
On an individual basis, the stance of Christianity is to forgive, even those guilty of crimes so awful as child molestation. This does not mean that Christians should hire them as babysitters for their kids. We should not feel forced into accepting the incorrect choices of others in the name of kindness. Avoiding those that openly propagate wrong is not always unjustly cruel, even if it is perceived as such.
It is possible to love the sinner and hate the sin, but finding the line that divides mercy and acceptance of sin is not easy. How does a person express kindness and simultaneously make it understood that they cannot condone wrongdoing? That is the real question.
Certainly there are many Christians that do not have it right. I can think of many occasions where I personally have failed either by being cruel to a person I deemed sinful, or by failing to stand for what is right in an effort to fit in with the politically correct.
Christians are not perfect... but our master is. When he comes again to save us, it will not be to save us in our sins... it will be to save us from our sins. He will not come to save those that demand acceptance, but those that plead for forgiveness. He will not come with love in the form of a blanket pardon; he will come with fire and fury and he will destroy those that have maligned and abused his disciples - and he will be right in all that he does.
Christians must strive to remember that we are not Christ. We do not know all things. We are all guilty of sin. We need forgiveness for our shortcomings as much as the homosexual and the child molester because sin of any kind should be avoided. Promoting good and rejecting evil should be done carefully... standing for what is good does not have to mean being cruel... and fighting against sin does not have to mean bullying.
Declaring "I'm Christian, unless you're gay" is obviously wrong... but not just when it comes to being unkind. It is also wrong to cast off Christianity in the name of accepting a lifestyle that is immoral. A Christian should never accept relativistic concepts of good and evil. A Christian believes there is one truth, one way, and one Lord for all people, and his name is Jesus Christ.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Satan Bound
"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And case him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season." (Revelation 20:1-3)
There is a debate that exists among many Christians regarding what exactly the idea of Satan being bound means. Latter Day Saints are not united in the interpretation of this either. When speaking on the subject of the millennium, a member of my class commented that Satan would not literally be bound, but that this was figurative since the people that would live under the personal reign of Jesus Christ would not give place to Satan. A citation of the following passage was added as evidence: "And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan haas no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth." (1 Nephi 22:26)
There are other passages that indicate this binding may be figurative rather than literal. Personally however, I do not subscribe to the figurative binding for several reasons.
First, a literal binding is possible. Satan is not just a concept, or an idea, he is a literal individual that is filled with hatred and malice toward men. God did in reality cast him out of heaven. God does have power to bind any individual since he is omnipotent.
Second, if it is people that are not giving into temptation, why not say that? Why use the wording that places Satan as the direct object. And if at the end of the thousand years people begin doing evil, why not say that they forsake God as was so frequently said of the children of Israel in the Old Testament? Why say that Satan shall be loosed? It makes the most sense that Satan is the direct object of binding and loosing when the binding and loosing is literal.
Finally, and particularly for LDS scriptorians, if modern revelation is the key to our understanding and the Book of Mormon tends to point to a figurative binding, why would the Doctrine and Covenants indicate a literal binding? "For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth." (D&C 43:31) "And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump; and he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be time no longer; and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years." (D&C 88:110)
I believe that people underestimate the power of Satan. He has accumulated ages of experience, and he knows very well how to manipulate men. There really is only one person that can best him every time, and that is Jesus Christ. He is the one that redeems men that have enough faith in him from the grasp of the devil. He is the one that saves us from Satan's power. Because of him we pray to God for deliverance from evil. He is not just saving us from a concept, a philosophy, or an idea... Christ saves us from a literal threat, from a real villain that plots against us with malice and disdain. If we trust in him, he will save us all.
There is a debate that exists among many Christians regarding what exactly the idea of Satan being bound means. Latter Day Saints are not united in the interpretation of this either. When speaking on the subject of the millennium, a member of my class commented that Satan would not literally be bound, but that this was figurative since the people that would live under the personal reign of Jesus Christ would not give place to Satan. A citation of the following passage was added as evidence: "And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan haas no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth." (1 Nephi 22:26)
There are other passages that indicate this binding may be figurative rather than literal. Personally however, I do not subscribe to the figurative binding for several reasons.
First, a literal binding is possible. Satan is not just a concept, or an idea, he is a literal individual that is filled with hatred and malice toward men. God did in reality cast him out of heaven. God does have power to bind any individual since he is omnipotent.
Second, if it is people that are not giving into temptation, why not say that? Why use the wording that places Satan as the direct object. And if at the end of the thousand years people begin doing evil, why not say that they forsake God as was so frequently said of the children of Israel in the Old Testament? Why say that Satan shall be loosed? It makes the most sense that Satan is the direct object of binding and loosing when the binding and loosing is literal.
Finally, and particularly for LDS scriptorians, if modern revelation is the key to our understanding and the Book of Mormon tends to point to a figurative binding, why would the Doctrine and Covenants indicate a literal binding? "For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth." (D&C 43:31) "And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump; and he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be time no longer; and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years." (D&C 88:110)
I believe that people underestimate the power of Satan. He has accumulated ages of experience, and he knows very well how to manipulate men. There really is only one person that can best him every time, and that is Jesus Christ. He is the one that redeems men that have enough faith in him from the grasp of the devil. He is the one that saves us from Satan's power. Because of him we pray to God for deliverance from evil. He is not just saving us from a concept, a philosophy, or an idea... Christ saves us from a literal threat, from a real villain that plots against us with malice and disdain. If we trust in him, he will save us all.
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