Monday, March 29, 2004
The trajectory to blogs of higher quality...
First however, a quick recap on my life. Tonight, I managed to complete a whole statistical coursework for maths minus graphs (so not completely complete) which I am fairly pleased about. Now I have to do ICT coursework and have it finished by thursday. My family and I go on holiday on friday to the yorkshire dales which I am looking forward to immensely. Hopefully the weather will be amazing and we manage to have a nice relaxing time.
However, the point of this particular blog entry is to point readers (of whom there are only a few) to better blogs to read (probably their own blogs)
Anyway, first on my links bar is "Musings of a Man" written and updated by my good friend Jon. A great blog full of originality and wit coupled with a deeply intellectual undertone. Well, I think so...
"Quite Short" is a new blog brought to you by Jon and myself. It is basically our blog of musings on Christianity. it's interesting enough to write, hopefully challenging and helpful enoughto read.
With little time left, the only other blog I will recommend tonight is "Iconoblog" a great read, bound to give a deep theological insight to some thing or another... erm I think his post on Sunday was sarcastic... or at least... I hope it was.
Anyway, in the not to near future, you will read of the other blogs on my sidebar. Just not now OK?
(0) comments
However, the point of this particular blog entry is to point readers (of whom there are only a few) to better blogs to read (probably their own blogs)
Anyway, first on my links bar is "Musings of a Man" written and updated by my good friend Jon. A great blog full of originality and wit coupled with a deeply intellectual undertone. Well, I think so...
"Quite Short" is a new blog brought to you by Jon and myself. It is basically our blog of musings on Christianity. it's interesting enough to write, hopefully challenging and helpful enoughto read.
With little time left, the only other blog I will recommend tonight is "Iconoblog" a great read, bound to give a deep theological insight to some thing or another... erm I think his post on Sunday was sarcastic... or at least... I hope it was.
Anyway, in the not to near future, you will read of the other blogs on my sidebar. Just not now OK?
Friday, March 26, 2004
I remain silent on the Passion (for the sake of Rich) but talk of something else
With all the hype and discussion on "The Passion of the Christ" many of us will fail to notice the re-release of "The Life of Brian"...
The film is intended as a spoof on Bible films rather than knocking Christianity...
Surely something like this which is clearly blasphemous is worth Christians protesting. The problem is, people will still be debating "The Passion" and let this one go by.
Our media is full of films which deserve to be slapped and sliced in half and yet many of us can go about our lives without batting an eyelid often going to see the films and laughing along at them.
One example would be Bruce Almighty. How can you justify a film like this? Shockingly enough it went to number one in the UK Box Office and made $200 million in a month in the US.
So, should we spend our time debating something which will do a lot of good possibly and ignore films that should be off limits to civilians?
Bruce Almighty: and some people enjoyed a film making mockery of God.
(0) comments
The film is intended as a spoof on Bible films rather than knocking Christianity...
Surely something like this which is clearly blasphemous is worth Christians protesting. The problem is, people will still be debating "The Passion" and let this one go by.
Our media is full of films which deserve to be slapped and sliced in half and yet many of us can go about our lives without batting an eyelid often going to see the films and laughing along at them.
One example would be Bruce Almighty. How can you justify a film like this? Shockingly enough it went to number one in the UK Box Office and made $200 million in a month in the US.
So, should we spend our time debating something which will do a lot of good possibly and ignore films that should be off limits to civilians?
Bruce Almighty: and some people enjoyed a film making mockery of God.
Which book am I?
You're The Guns of August!
by Barbara Tuchman
Though you're interested in war, what you really want to know is what
causes war. You're out to expose imperialism, militarism, and nationalism for what they
really are. Nevertheless, you're always living in the past and have a hard time dealing
with what's going on today. You're also far more focused on Europe than anywhere else in
the world. A fitting motto for you might be "Guns do kill, but so can
diplomats."
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Yet again I copy Jon and fail miserably.
Give me a day or five and I will tell you what book I really am. Wait with bated breath.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Wednesday
Today has been a pretty average day really. I managed to get out of the "B" team match that was meant to be taking place this afternoon in order to come home and do some work. Last time I chose not to play in the B team in order to be at CU especially because I was leading. I think the PE teachers think my attitude is bad. Ahh well, such is life. I spend most of the A team games on the sideline freezing to near death.
The work is still annoying but there will come a day when all the work is finished or when it is too late to finish it. Either way I will still come out the other end drenched in sweat having made a sprint to the line. Apparently, on Sunday night, there was a TV programme that "disproved" Noahs ark. Although, the friend who told me about it also said the programme almost convinced him it did happen. I wish I had taped it so I have an inkling about what he is going on about...
I have a minidisc player and recommend them to anyone... for reasons I will state some time later when the time is right.
Hope all my readers (if I have any) are well and enjoying themselves.
(0) comments
The work is still annoying but there will come a day when all the work is finished or when it is too late to finish it. Either way I will still come out the other end drenched in sweat having made a sprint to the line. Apparently, on Sunday night, there was a TV programme that "disproved" Noahs ark. Although, the friend who told me about it also said the programme almost convinced him it did happen. I wish I had taped it so I have an inkling about what he is going on about...
I have a minidisc player and recommend them to anyone... for reasons I will state some time later when the time is right.
Hope all my readers (if I have any) are well and enjoying themselves.
Cliches are officially off limits to civilians now...
Cliches are no longer fashionable and even now as we speak are being ranked in order of annoyingness...
It is also official that the most annoying, overused cliche is "at the end of the day" which you see when you watch a footballer being interviewed any time on the tele or for that matter hear them on the radio.
David Beckham, over using words that he don't no da meenin 2?
So people are annoyed with the use of cliches... apparently "Using these terms in daily business is about professional as wearing a novelty tie or having a wacky ring tone on your phone." So Cliches are banned...
But I say that we should always look on the bright side of life whilst living and letting live. I mean life is life, tomorrow is another day it could be worse because every cloud has a silver lining. And anyway, don't we go by the principle that it has to get worse before it gets better? Someone told me every rose has a thorn and thats right so people shoud put up with cliches should they not?
I am afraid I am going to sit on the fence on this issue as I don't love or loathe cliches.
At this moment of doubt I feel the time is nigh to consult the inner child. At least they say indecision is the key to flexibility... Ahhh such is life and its getting sucher and sucher.
It is getting to the point where I feel I am playing my own game but then the meek shall inherit the earth and who doesn't believe that you are only a loser when you fail to try.
Well, goodbye is not an easy word to say at this moment but now I have reached a conclusion.
Last but by no means least, one should avoid cliches like the plague. They're old hat one should seek viable alternatives...
(0) comments
It is also official that the most annoying, overused cliche is "at the end of the day" which you see when you watch a footballer being interviewed any time on the tele or for that matter hear them on the radio.
David Beckham, over using words that he don't no da meenin 2?
So people are annoyed with the use of cliches... apparently "Using these terms in daily business is about professional as wearing a novelty tie or having a wacky ring tone on your phone." So Cliches are banned...
But I say that we should always look on the bright side of life whilst living and letting live. I mean life is life, tomorrow is another day it could be worse because every cloud has a silver lining. And anyway, don't we go by the principle that it has to get worse before it gets better? Someone told me every rose has a thorn and thats right so people shoud put up with cliches should they not?
I am afraid I am going to sit on the fence on this issue as I don't love or loathe cliches.
At this moment of doubt I feel the time is nigh to consult the inner child. At least they say indecision is the key to flexibility... Ahhh such is life and its getting sucher and sucher.
It is getting to the point where I feel I am playing my own game but then the meek shall inherit the earth and who doesn't believe that you are only a loser when you fail to try.
Well, goodbye is not an easy word to say at this moment but now I have reached a conclusion.
Last but by no means least, one should avoid cliches like the plague. They're old hat one should seek viable alternatives...
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Does money really buy you happiness?
Michael Carroll has broken a promise to stop his life of petty crime after he won £9.7m on the lottery.
Read the story and you really do see that...
"Money don't make my world go round."
The guy is still a wretch and it goes to show that...
"However much money he has - and Mr Carroll has had some good fortune - that doesn't necessarily buy you happiness."
(0) comments
Read the story and you really do see that...
"Money don't make my world go round."
The guy is still a wretch and it goes to show that...
"However much money he has - and Mr Carroll has had some good fortune - that doesn't necessarily buy you happiness."
Accept my apologies
I am truly sorry for the lack of posting and the lack of meaningful interesting posts. I will endeavour to make this a blog worth reading.
Then again, it doesn't matter how good this is. I suppose it will boost morale (well at least mine) if it improves.
(0) comments
Then again, it doesn't matter how good this is. I suppose it will boost morale (well at least mine) if it improves.
...
Man I am stressed out...
Coursework due in soon and loads of stuff to do. The teachers fail to realise I only have 7 hours in an evening to do homework each setting work that requires 2 hours solid trying....
Thats 5 lessons accumulating at 10 hours homework a night.
Spent the whole weekend (apart from sunday)(so therefore half the weekend) doing a football coaching course which now means I can earn up to £15 and hour if I find a job that will enable me to earn £15 an hour that is.
Had a great talk with Jon which really confused me last night. He is older than me and probably right I will just have to verify that he is. The conclusions will be posted some time... That was the only ray of light in a continual dark thing (as you can see I am writing at the end of my tether here)
Also, managed to get letter through from my Golf Club (of which I am a member of the team only because they had noone else to play for them). This letter is sent to about 40 juniors talking about what should be in our thoughts (if they were Christians it would be prayers) in the next few weeks. Anyway, this boils down to me opening my letter and seeing at the top in bold "The People who haven't handed their form in that was meant to be handed in two months ago (hurry up)...... JAMES LEVERTON the big fat idiot who is a stressed forgetful simpleton" (I added the last bit there seeing as that is what it made me feel like...
Goodbye
(0) comments
Coursework due in soon and loads of stuff to do. The teachers fail to realise I only have 7 hours in an evening to do homework each setting work that requires 2 hours solid trying....
Thats 5 lessons accumulating at 10 hours homework a night.
Spent the whole weekend (apart from sunday)(so therefore half the weekend) doing a football coaching course which now means I can earn up to £15 and hour if I find a job that will enable me to earn £15 an hour that is.
Had a great talk with Jon which really confused me last night. He is older than me and probably right I will just have to verify that he is. The conclusions will be posted some time... That was the only ray of light in a continual dark thing (as you can see I am writing at the end of my tether here)
Also, managed to get letter through from my Golf Club (of which I am a member of the team only because they had noone else to play for them). This letter is sent to about 40 juniors talking about what should be in our thoughts (if they were Christians it would be prayers) in the next few weeks. Anyway, this boils down to me opening my letter and seeing at the top in bold "The People who haven't handed their form in that was meant to be handed in two months ago (hurry up)...... JAMES LEVERTON the big fat idiot who is a stressed forgetful simpleton" (I added the last bit there seeing as that is what it made me feel like...
Goodbye
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Death, Hell, Christianity and Heaven
Why is there Death?
Sin brought death into the world. Man fell short of Gods requirements and now face the consequences. (Romans 5:12)
Genesis 2:5-17 - We clearly see the command and the consequence if the command is disobeyed.
Genesis 3:1-7 - The disobedience of Adam and Eve going directly against God’s command.
Genesis 3:16-19 - The punishment is spelled out by God. Not only death but struggles.
Scientists may say death is because of the second law of thermodynamics. Sin brought the second law of thermodynamics into place. “the law of sin and death”. (Romans 8:2)
That was Adam in the garden of Eden. What about us? (Romans 3:23) (Romans 3:10) Everyone has sinned. God requires perfect obedience. Have you lived a perfect life? (1 John 1:8)
What is so bad about Sin?
Ultimately, sin is a direct rebellion against our maker.
God sent his only son to die to pay for our sins. (John 3:16) That shows the seriousness of sin. God died to pay for it.
Sin disobeys the commands of God. (1 John 3:4)
We choose to sin.
Every part of our nature is sinful (thoughts, words and actions) (Jeremiah 17:9) (Mark 7:21-22)
What does being a Sinner mean then?
We have to give an account of ourselves to God on the judgement day. (Romans 14:12)
What happens to Sinners?
Sinners go to Hell. There is no-one on this Earth who can get into Heaven by good works.
Hell - What does the Bible tell us about it?
Imprinted on our conscience is the uneasy awareness that beyond this life there is a place of punishment.
The bible leaves us with no doubt. Hell is real. (Matthew 5:21) There are countless other examples.
Those who aren't Christians will go to Hell. (Jude :3-16, Revelation 21:8, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, John 3:36) Even people who have been seen to live a “good” life will go to Hell. Only Christians escape Hell.
Hell could be described as having at least 4 things.
Absolute Poverty - A place devoid of Gods loving care. No-one on this Earth survives without God. In Hell, there will be no help from God. (2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 5:45)
Agonizing Pain - Unquenchable thirst, burning sulphur. Impossible to imagine the terrors of Hell. (Isaiah 66:24, Luke 16:24, Matthew 8:12) The people in Hell will know they deserve the punishment.
Angry Presence - God’s anger will burn against the people in Hell. (Revelation 14:10, Nahum 1:6)
Appalling Prospect - It is everlasting, no going back. (Matthew 25:46)
How to escape Hell
Good works cannot get you to heaven. God requires perfection. Are you perfect?
Good works never satisfy God. (Isaiah 61:6)
Good works never remove Sin. (Ephesians 2:9)
They don't change mans sinful nature. (Job 14:4)
There is an answer though
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
God must punish sin but because he is loving (1 John 4:8, 4:14) he sent his son to die to pay for the punishment of your sins. Jesus died as a Substitute, Sin Bearer and Saviour. (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18)
So, repent of your sins and believe that Christ’s sacrifice is good enough for you. Talk to Christians to find out what a Christian truly is. (Ephesians 2:8-10, Acts 20:21, Romans 5:6, Hebrews 7:25, Psalm 32:5)
What should Hell provoke in Christians?
1. A daily commitment to putting sin to death (mortification) (Matthew 5:29-30)
2. We must have unbroken contentment, no matter what our circumstances may be. (Phillipians 4:11) Look what we have been saved from.
3. We should be thoughtful in all our thinking and behaviour.
4. We are to appreciate more than we do the love and merits of Christ. (Luke 7:47) Hell shows us how much we have been forgiven. Look what Jesus endured for us. (Galatians 6:14)
Heaven - The destiny of Christians
How to describe the indescribable. Simply put. Heaven is better than anything anyone can even imagine and just like Hell it is eternal. The place where our Lord is given the praise and honour he deserves. This would take a whole post to do justice to it.
Hope I don't bore anyone with these, although only a select few read this.
(0) comments
Sin brought death into the world. Man fell short of Gods requirements and now face the consequences. (Romans 5:12)
Genesis 2:5-17 - We clearly see the command and the consequence if the command is disobeyed.
Genesis 3:1-7 - The disobedience of Adam and Eve going directly against God’s command.
Genesis 3:16-19 - The punishment is spelled out by God. Not only death but struggles.
Scientists may say death is because of the second law of thermodynamics. Sin brought the second law of thermodynamics into place. “the law of sin and death”. (Romans 8:2)
That was Adam in the garden of Eden. What about us? (Romans 3:23) (Romans 3:10) Everyone has sinned. God requires perfect obedience. Have you lived a perfect life? (1 John 1:8)
What is so bad about Sin?
Ultimately, sin is a direct rebellion against our maker.
God sent his only son to die to pay for our sins. (John 3:16) That shows the seriousness of sin. God died to pay for it.
Sin disobeys the commands of God. (1 John 3:4)
We choose to sin.
Every part of our nature is sinful (thoughts, words and actions) (Jeremiah 17:9) (Mark 7:21-22)
What does being a Sinner mean then?
We have to give an account of ourselves to God on the judgement day. (Romans 14:12)
What happens to Sinners?
Sinners go to Hell. There is no-one on this Earth who can get into Heaven by good works.
Hell - What does the Bible tell us about it?
Imprinted on our conscience is the uneasy awareness that beyond this life there is a place of punishment.
The bible leaves us with no doubt. Hell is real. (Matthew 5:21) There are countless other examples.
Those who aren't Christians will go to Hell. (Jude :3-16, Revelation 21:8, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, John 3:36) Even people who have been seen to live a “good” life will go to Hell. Only Christians escape Hell.
Hell could be described as having at least 4 things.
Absolute Poverty - A place devoid of Gods loving care. No-one on this Earth survives without God. In Hell, there will be no help from God. (2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 5:45)
Agonizing Pain - Unquenchable thirst, burning sulphur. Impossible to imagine the terrors of Hell. (Isaiah 66:24, Luke 16:24, Matthew 8:12) The people in Hell will know they deserve the punishment.
Angry Presence - God’s anger will burn against the people in Hell. (Revelation 14:10, Nahum 1:6)
Appalling Prospect - It is everlasting, no going back. (Matthew 25:46)
How to escape Hell
Good works cannot get you to heaven. God requires perfection. Are you perfect?
Good works never satisfy God. (Isaiah 61:6)
Good works never remove Sin. (Ephesians 2:9)
They don't change mans sinful nature. (Job 14:4)
There is an answer though
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
God must punish sin but because he is loving (1 John 4:8, 4:14) he sent his son to die to pay for the punishment of your sins. Jesus died as a Substitute, Sin Bearer and Saviour. (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18)
So, repent of your sins and believe that Christ’s sacrifice is good enough for you. Talk to Christians to find out what a Christian truly is. (Ephesians 2:8-10, Acts 20:21, Romans 5:6, Hebrews 7:25, Psalm 32:5)
What should Hell provoke in Christians?
1. A daily commitment to putting sin to death (mortification) (Matthew 5:29-30)
2. We must have unbroken contentment, no matter what our circumstances may be. (Phillipians 4:11) Look what we have been saved from.
3. We should be thoughtful in all our thinking and behaviour.
4. We are to appreciate more than we do the love and merits of Christ. (Luke 7:47) Hell shows us how much we have been forgiven. Look what Jesus endured for us. (Galatians 6:14)
Heaven - The destiny of Christians
How to describe the indescribable. Simply put. Heaven is better than anything anyone can even imagine and just like Hell it is eternal. The place where our Lord is given the praise and honour he deserves. This would take a whole post to do justice to it.
Hope I don't bore anyone with these, although only a select few read this.
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
The Trinity
Quite a difficult topic really but one which we need to get our heads around.
Here is what the Bible says about the trinity...
Firstly, lets establish what God himself is like.
God is a Spirit. (John 4:24, 1 Timothy 6:15-16) He cannot be depicted in any way and forbids it in the second commandment. God is not something rather he is someone. We can know God and have him as our friend. God is very great. He is not limited in any way; nothing can be compared to him. (Isaiah 40:18) He is everywhere. (Jeremiah 23:24) God is also eternal. (Habakkuk 1:12, Psalm 90:2, 1 Timothy 6:16) Everything owes its beginning to God but he was not created. God never changes. (James 1:17, Malachi 3:6) God knows everything. (Psalm 119:2-5, 1 John 3:20) He cannot be deceived. God is all powerful. He does whatever he chooses. (Daniel 4:35) He is holy and can never depart from what is true and right. Everything he purposes happens. (Ephesians 1:11)
God is unique. (1 John 1:5) God is perfect. He is different from all his creatures in this. (Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 99:3, Isaiah 40:23) He cannot look on wrong. (Habakkuk 1:13). God is righteous. (Psalm 145:17) He can never be blamed for anything for he is just. (Genesis 18:25). God is love. (Exodus 34:6). We see both love and justice at the cross. (1 John 3:16, 1 Peter 3:18). God is good. (Psalm 119:68) We are his enemies and yet he looks after us. (Acts 14:17, Psalm 86:5). God is wise. (Daniel 2:20, Romans 11:33-36).God is incomprehensible. Only God understands God. Our minds are too small. We can know the facts but we cannot explain "how".
So that is what the Bible says God is like. Next, we see that the bible clearly teaches that...
There is only one God. (Deuteronomy 4:35, 6:4, Isaiah 45:5-6, 46:6, James 2:19) He cannot be split up into separate entities. He is indivisible. Take one of his attributes away and he wouldn’t be God.
But, even though God is one... we are told that...
There are three persons in the God-head. Genesis 1:26-27 – Let us… (Isaiah 6:8). (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6) God sent his son, who is God himself. The Seraphim in Isaiah 6:3 declare God three times holy.
The Father is God. He is the father of all. Often the Father represents the whole God head. (1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 4:6). He is the father of Israel. (Deuteronomy 32:6). God is the Father of Believers. (Matthew 5:45, 6:6, 8, 14, Romans 8:16). Adoption as sons of God is the epitome of privilege but only for the elect. (1 John 3:1) God is the Father of our Lord. (John 20:17) Jesus acknowledges this. This Fatherhood is different to that of Gods to ours. (John 1:14) The Father and the Son share the same glory and yet they are distinct. (John 1:18) People have seen God, but not God the Father. (John 10:30, 12:45, 14:9). The Father is God, Jesus is not an addition to God, rather part of the plurality of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son, is God. Jesus life did not begin when he was born. He was in the beginning and all things were made by him. (John 1:1-3, 3:13, 6:62 16:28, 17:5 Colossians 1:15-18, 2 Corinthians 8:9) John 1:29-30 - John the Baptist came before him and positively identified Jesus as God. Luke 3:22 – The Son of God is God but not the Father. Matthew 16:16, John 6:68-69, Acts 9:20, Romans 8:3 – His disciples and the apostles knew he was the Son of God. Jesus is also God. His name suggests it. Lord translated into Greek is the same as Jehovah translated into Greek (kyrios). (Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13, Isaiah 9:1-6, 2 Thessalonians 1:12, 1 John 5:20). Same Attributes. Jesus is eternal just as God is. Unchangeable (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). Omniscient (John 2:24-25), omnipresent (Matthew 28:20), omnipotent (Philippians 3:21). Jesus forgave sins (Colossians 3:13). John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17 – Jesus created the world. Jesus gave eternal life (John 10:28) and raised people from the dead. Only God can do these things.
The Holy Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit is a person. John 14:17, 26, 15:26, 16:8, 13-14 – Jesus speaks of the Spirit as dwelling, teaching, bringing things to remembrance, testifying, convincing, guiding, hearing, speaking, showing and glorifying. The Holy Spirit is not just a force at work. He has intelligence (Romans 8:16), a will (1 Corinthians 12:11) and affections (Isaiah 63:10). Jesus is God and it would be surprising if the Person he sent to take His place were anything less. Hebrews 3:7-11, Acts 28:25-27 – Holy Spirit is called God. What is said of God alone is said of the Holy Spirit. Eternal (Hebrews 9:14), Holy, ever present (Psalm 139:7-10) all-knowing (Romans 15:19), all-powerful (1 Corinthians 12:11) etc. Psalm 104:30, Job 26:13, Matthew 12:28, Titus 3:5 etc. Holy Spirit is attributed Gods works. Matthew 28:19 – We are baptised in his name. We worship him as we worship God. Matthew 12:31-32, John 15:26 – Holy Spirit is a distinct person.
Three Distinct Persons. John 12:28 – Father is distinct there. John 17:4 – The Son says "I". Acts 13:2 – Holy Spirit says "I". Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – These three share the same substance power and glory but remain distinct persons. Jesus is the perfect expression of the Father (John 1:18), but it is also said that Christ was sent by the Father (John 5:23-24), came from him (16:28), returns to him (14:12), loves the Father (14:31) and is loved by the Father (3:35). So Jesus, the Son is God but also distinct from the Father. John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:13-15 – the distinctness of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 – Baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. By "persons" we mean that there are personal self distinctions within the divine.
There we go. Sorry that it doesn't flow nicely and probably isn't easy to read but it's something we need to get a grasp of. After all, it is basic Christian doctrine.
(0) comments
Here is what the Bible says about the trinity...
Firstly, lets establish what God himself is like.
God is a Spirit. (John 4:24, 1 Timothy 6:15-16) He cannot be depicted in any way and forbids it in the second commandment. God is not something rather he is someone. We can know God and have him as our friend. God is very great. He is not limited in any way; nothing can be compared to him. (Isaiah 40:18) He is everywhere. (Jeremiah 23:24) God is also eternal. (Habakkuk 1:12, Psalm 90:2, 1 Timothy 6:16) Everything owes its beginning to God but he was not created. God never changes. (James 1:17, Malachi 3:6) God knows everything. (Psalm 119:2-5, 1 John 3:20) He cannot be deceived. God is all powerful. He does whatever he chooses. (Daniel 4:35) He is holy and can never depart from what is true and right. Everything he purposes happens. (Ephesians 1:11)
God is unique. (1 John 1:5) God is perfect. He is different from all his creatures in this. (Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 99:3, Isaiah 40:23) He cannot look on wrong. (Habakkuk 1:13). God is righteous. (Psalm 145:17) He can never be blamed for anything for he is just. (Genesis 18:25). God is love. (Exodus 34:6). We see both love and justice at the cross. (1 John 3:16, 1 Peter 3:18). God is good. (Psalm 119:68) We are his enemies and yet he looks after us. (Acts 14:17, Psalm 86:5). God is wise. (Daniel 2:20, Romans 11:33-36).God is incomprehensible. Only God understands God. Our minds are too small. We can know the facts but we cannot explain "how".
So that is what the Bible says God is like. Next, we see that the bible clearly teaches that...
There is only one God. (Deuteronomy 4:35, 6:4, Isaiah 45:5-6, 46:6, James 2:19) He cannot be split up into separate entities. He is indivisible. Take one of his attributes away and he wouldn’t be God.
But, even though God is one... we are told that...
There are three persons in the God-head. Genesis 1:26-27 – Let us… (Isaiah 6:8). (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6) God sent his son, who is God himself. The Seraphim in Isaiah 6:3 declare God three times holy.
The Father is God. He is the father of all. Often the Father represents the whole God head. (1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 4:6). He is the father of Israel. (Deuteronomy 32:6). God is the Father of Believers. (Matthew 5:45, 6:6, 8, 14, Romans 8:16). Adoption as sons of God is the epitome of privilege but only for the elect. (1 John 3:1) God is the Father of our Lord. (John 20:17) Jesus acknowledges this. This Fatherhood is different to that of Gods to ours. (John 1:14) The Father and the Son share the same glory and yet they are distinct. (John 1:18) People have seen God, but not God the Father. (John 10:30, 12:45, 14:9). The Father is God, Jesus is not an addition to God, rather part of the plurality of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son, is God. Jesus life did not begin when he was born. He was in the beginning and all things were made by him. (John 1:1-3, 3:13, 6:62 16:28, 17:5 Colossians 1:15-18, 2 Corinthians 8:9) John 1:29-30 - John the Baptist came before him and positively identified Jesus as God. Luke 3:22 – The Son of God is God but not the Father. Matthew 16:16, John 6:68-69, Acts 9:20, Romans 8:3 – His disciples and the apostles knew he was the Son of God. Jesus is also God. His name suggests it. Lord translated into Greek is the same as Jehovah translated into Greek (kyrios). (Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13, Isaiah 9:1-6, 2 Thessalonians 1:12, 1 John 5:20). Same Attributes. Jesus is eternal just as God is. Unchangeable (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). Omniscient (John 2:24-25), omnipresent (Matthew 28:20), omnipotent (Philippians 3:21). Jesus forgave sins (Colossians 3:13). John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17 – Jesus created the world. Jesus gave eternal life (John 10:28) and raised people from the dead. Only God can do these things.
The Holy Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit is a person. John 14:17, 26, 15:26, 16:8, 13-14 – Jesus speaks of the Spirit as dwelling, teaching, bringing things to remembrance, testifying, convincing, guiding, hearing, speaking, showing and glorifying. The Holy Spirit is not just a force at work. He has intelligence (Romans 8:16), a will (1 Corinthians 12:11) and affections (Isaiah 63:10). Jesus is God and it would be surprising if the Person he sent to take His place were anything less. Hebrews 3:7-11, Acts 28:25-27 – Holy Spirit is called God. What is said of God alone is said of the Holy Spirit. Eternal (Hebrews 9:14), Holy, ever present (Psalm 139:7-10) all-knowing (Romans 15:19), all-powerful (1 Corinthians 12:11) etc. Psalm 104:30, Job 26:13, Matthew 12:28, Titus 3:5 etc. Holy Spirit is attributed Gods works. Matthew 28:19 – We are baptised in his name. We worship him as we worship God. Matthew 12:31-32, John 15:26 – Holy Spirit is a distinct person.
Three Distinct Persons. John 12:28 – Father is distinct there. John 17:4 – The Son says "I". Acts 13:2 – Holy Spirit says "I". Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – These three share the same substance power and glory but remain distinct persons. Jesus is the perfect expression of the Father (John 1:18), but it is also said that Christ was sent by the Father (John 5:23-24), came from him (16:28), returns to him (14:12), loves the Father (14:31) and is loved by the Father (3:35). So Jesus, the Son is God but also distinct from the Father. John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:13-15 – the distinctness of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 – Baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. By "persons" we mean that there are personal self distinctions within the divine.
There we go. Sorry that it doesn't flow nicely and probably isn't easy to read but it's something we need to get a grasp of. After all, it is basic Christian doctrine.
Saturday, March 13, 2004
This is my life
German Speaking preparation is now becoming like watching the paint dry on the doors at school was.
Six days is not long before I have to produce a presentation and have a "general" conversation with my teacher. The joys of GCSEs seem to be limitless.
Apart from the looming prospect of this exam the week has been a time of great felicity. Our schools Christian Union has been relaunched and my friend and I were doing assemblies for years 7,8,9 and 10. Thats four assemblies for the less able students reading this blog. They proved to be pretty useful times, promoting the CU, inviting people along and generally challenging peoples opinions on the world and how to make it a "better place". The assemblies involved playing a piece of popular music (Where is the love: Black eyed Peas) and then talking about it and then the bible. Tenuous link maybe but it went fairly well. The year 10s (who are generally bigger than me and probably would like to knock me out) gave us a round of applause but thats probably because they weren't listening and wanted to look as if they were. It was my turn to fade out the music and eventually stop it in this particular assembly. I only forgot the "fading out" part making myself look even more of a fool than usual.
Finally, I have started reading "Does God believe in Atheists?" by John Blanchard and recommend it to anyone, although the first part needs perseverance to get through it.
Second finally, the layout of my page keeps changing and is proving difficult. I cannot insert a "tagboard" which is frustrating but will manage eventually.
Laters one and all.
(0) comments
Six days is not long before I have to produce a presentation and have a "general" conversation with my teacher. The joys of GCSEs seem to be limitless.
Apart from the looming prospect of this exam the week has been a time of great felicity. Our schools Christian Union has been relaunched and my friend and I were doing assemblies for years 7,8,9 and 10. Thats four assemblies for the less able students reading this blog. They proved to be pretty useful times, promoting the CU, inviting people along and generally challenging peoples opinions on the world and how to make it a "better place". The assemblies involved playing a piece of popular music (Where is the love: Black eyed Peas) and then talking about it and then the bible. Tenuous link maybe but it went fairly well. The year 10s (who are generally bigger than me and probably would like to knock me out) gave us a round of applause but thats probably because they weren't listening and wanted to look as if they were. It was my turn to fade out the music and eventually stop it in this particular assembly. I only forgot the "fading out" part making myself look even more of a fool than usual.
Finally, I have started reading "Does God believe in Atheists?" by John Blanchard and recommend it to anyone, although the first part needs perseverance to get through it.
Second finally, the layout of my page keeps changing and is proving difficult. I cannot insert a "tagboard" which is frustrating but will manage eventually.
Laters one and all.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Silly Tests
Career Inventory Test
Extroverted (E) 57.89% Introverted (I) 42.11%
Imaginative (N) 58.06% Realistic (S) 41.94%
Emotional (F) 56.76% Intellectual (T) 43.24%
Easygoing (P) 52.5% Organized (J) 47.5%
Your type is: ENFP
You are an Inspirer, possible professions include - conference planner, speech pathologist, HR development trainer, ombudsman, clergy, journalist, newscaster, career counselor, housing director, character actor, marketing consultant, musician/composer, artist, information-graphics designer, human resource manager, merchandise planner, advertising account manager, dietitian/nutritionist, speech pathologist, massage therapist, editor/art director.
Inspirer eh? Good luck. I reckon a piece of mouldy chicken fat is more inspiring than me...
Being a Clergy sounds interesting...
Impersonating a cleric of the church of England would be funny too.
And human resource manager? What does that mean. Manage the resources of Humans. Joy
Tests produced by some random loser situated on a nearby planet like America...
(0) comments
Extroverted (E) 57.89% Introverted (I) 42.11%
Imaginative (N) 58.06% Realistic (S) 41.94%
Emotional (F) 56.76% Intellectual (T) 43.24%
Easygoing (P) 52.5% Organized (J) 47.5%
Your type is: ENFP
You are an Inspirer, possible professions include - conference planner, speech pathologist, HR development trainer, ombudsman, clergy, journalist, newscaster, career counselor, housing director, character actor, marketing consultant, musician/composer, artist, information-graphics designer, human resource manager, merchandise planner, advertising account manager, dietitian/nutritionist, speech pathologist, massage therapist, editor/art director.
Inspirer eh? Good luck. I reckon a piece of mouldy chicken fat is more inspiring than me...
Being a Clergy sounds interesting...
Impersonating a cleric of the church of England would be funny too.
And human resource manager? What does that mean. Manage the resources of Humans. Joy
Tests produced by some random loser situated on a nearby planet like America...
Monday, March 08, 2004
Pluralism
What is Pluralism?
We live in a "pluralistic" society. In essence, this means that people view the different cultures, races and especially religions in our society all contribute in some way to the sum of spiritual truth. Whatever someone believes, that belief is a valid contribution to our understanding of life. Apparently, "exclusivism" is'nt allowed because all views are valid. Ultimately, it boils down to the fact that people believe that whatever people believe, that happens to themselves but isn’t relevant to someone who hasn't accepted it. i.e Christians go to heaven, Buddhists are reincarnated. Or, pluralism asserts that every religion is heading the same way but they just call it all different names and get there in different ways.
What does Christianity say?
Christianity is in stark contrast to this. Throughout the bible it teaches that Christianity is the only way into a right relationship with God. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5, Isaiah 43:11)
In answer to pluralism we can bring a few points to notice.
If everything is true, then nothing is false. This is completely ludicrous if you look at the views of the major world religions. They aren't just different. They contradict. Christianity says Jesus is God and saviour while Islam leaves Jesus as a mere prophet. Both of these can't be true. That's ridiculous. All other religions say we are good enough to get into heaven on our own merit. Christianity says nothing of the sort (Ephesians 2:8-9). How can both ideas be true? Yet pluralism teaches this. Pluralism logically destroys itself.
Pluralism leaves questions with no answers. Is there one death and one judgement? OR are we reincarnated? Who am I? What am I? Where am I going? How do I get to where I am going? If you believe every religion is right then what are the answers to those questions? You do not get a definitive answer do you? For pluralism, the questions are more important than the answers.
Pluralism says that evangelism is irrelevant. What is the point in telling people about Jesus if everyone is going in the same direction (in different ways) and will ultimately end up in the same place? So, why are many Christians passionate evangelists? Are they mad? Of course not! It is the pluralistic view that is.
Pluralism has a small view of God. The Bible clearly teaches the altogether amazingness and incomprehensibility of God and yet pluralism belittles God. God gave the 10 commandments not to Jews or now Christians but for the whole world to obey (Deuteronomy 4:7-8). Our God is great (Acts 17:22-32, Deuteronomy 7:21, Deuteronomy 10:17, Luke 9:43) and pluralism takes that away from him.
Christian Exclusivism. Christianity, in being exclusive is right. It is different in so many ways to every other religion and makes the most sense even to Atheists. That's why they hate the Christian religion so much. They know its true. The only people who go to heaven are those who have savingly put their faith in Christ. Everyone else goes to hell. It isn't a nice concept to grasp but does anyone really deserve to go to Heaven?
(0) comments
We live in a "pluralistic" society. In essence, this means that people view the different cultures, races and especially religions in our society all contribute in some way to the sum of spiritual truth. Whatever someone believes, that belief is a valid contribution to our understanding of life. Apparently, "exclusivism" is'nt allowed because all views are valid. Ultimately, it boils down to the fact that people believe that whatever people believe, that happens to themselves but isn’t relevant to someone who hasn't accepted it. i.e Christians go to heaven, Buddhists are reincarnated. Or, pluralism asserts that every religion is heading the same way but they just call it all different names and get there in different ways.
What does Christianity say?
Christianity is in stark contrast to this. Throughout the bible it teaches that Christianity is the only way into a right relationship with God. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5, Isaiah 43:11)
In answer to pluralism we can bring a few points to notice.
If everything is true, then nothing is false. This is completely ludicrous if you look at the views of the major world religions. They aren't just different. They contradict. Christianity says Jesus is God and saviour while Islam leaves Jesus as a mere prophet. Both of these can't be true. That's ridiculous. All other religions say we are good enough to get into heaven on our own merit. Christianity says nothing of the sort (Ephesians 2:8-9). How can both ideas be true? Yet pluralism teaches this. Pluralism logically destroys itself.
Pluralism leaves questions with no answers. Is there one death and one judgement? OR are we reincarnated? Who am I? What am I? Where am I going? How do I get to where I am going? If you believe every religion is right then what are the answers to those questions? You do not get a definitive answer do you? For pluralism, the questions are more important than the answers.
Pluralism says that evangelism is irrelevant. What is the point in telling people about Jesus if everyone is going in the same direction (in different ways) and will ultimately end up in the same place? So, why are many Christians passionate evangelists? Are they mad? Of course not! It is the pluralistic view that is.
Pluralism has a small view of God. The Bible clearly teaches the altogether amazingness and incomprehensibility of God and yet pluralism belittles God. God gave the 10 commandments not to Jews or now Christians but for the whole world to obey (Deuteronomy 4:7-8). Our God is great (Acts 17:22-32, Deuteronomy 7:21, Deuteronomy 10:17, Luke 9:43) and pluralism takes that away from him.
Christian Exclusivism. Christianity, in being exclusive is right. It is different in so many ways to every other religion and makes the most sense even to Atheists. That's why they hate the Christian religion so much. They know its true. The only people who go to heaven are those who have savingly put their faith in Christ. Everyone else goes to hell. It isn't a nice concept to grasp but does anyone really deserve to go to Heaven?
School Sucks
Enough Said
(0) comments
Saturday, March 06, 2004
The Passion of the Christ
On the 25th February this year one of the most controversial films made in recent years was released in the states. The 5 day in take from the box offices was more than any other film. Evangelical Christians in America seem to be waxing lyrical about the film while others claim that it isn't scriptural. Jews say that it will produce Anti-Semitic feelings amongst people while the some of the media call it "violent, contentious, emotional, extreme and highly proficient, must be the Jesus movie for this era." The film of course is, "The Passion of the Christ" produced and directed by Mel Gibson with his own money.
I have a few problems with the film which I will now list.
Many people claim that this film is an "evangelical movie" but this is not right. Mel Gibson says it "reflects his beliefs" which clearly are not those of an evangelical Christian. Mel Gibson is a Roman Catholic. The theological advisors were Roman Catholic and the Pope is endorsing the film. They held catholic mass every day before shooting and many of the crew converted to Catholicism. The actor who played Jesus said that they needed to have that or at least he did "to play that guy" "That guy" is Jesus who came to make reconciliation for our sins.
The script was taken from the writings of a German Nun (Sister Anne Emerich) as well as the writings of the gospel. So we have Christ speaking words he never spoke and things that should have happened being missed out. For example, the cry "It is finished" (John 19:30) never appears in the film.
The film can never show what the gospels portray so vividly. Admittedly, Christ's suffering at the hands of the Romans and Jews was horrific and in the film portrayed correctly. But that only shows a small amount of the suffering. Surely the pinnacle of Christ's suffering was in the fact that his Father turned his back on him for people like you and I. When reading through the gospel narratives we aren't given great detail as to how Jesus reacted in pain when the nails were put in. The things that hurts me most when reading the story of the crucifixion is the words in Mark 9:34 of "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" In those words we see the pinnacle of the suffering of Christ which the film can never portray. Rather, the film portrays the intense physical suffering of Christ as the major pain.
"We cannot fully understand his passion and sufferings. God alone knows what is in the curse of the law; we do not know it. God alone knows what is the true desert of sin; it cannot be fully understood by any but himself. They who undergo it must suffer to eternity; there is no end, — they never see, never know, what sin deserved. How do we know, then, what Christ suffered, when the punishment due to our sin, when all our iniquities met upon him, with the curse of the law? God only knows what is in these things. The fruits and effects of this love in himself, in his incarnation and passion are past our knowledge; therefore the love itself surpasses our knowledge" (John Owen, Works, 9:611).
For Christians the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is ultimately a glorious event. Full satisfaction for sin was procured by Christ on behalf of his people. The Passion of the Christ apparently gives a vision of the sacrifice of Christ being sad, sorrowful and full of grief.
With the Passion of the Christ being predominantly a Catholic film it is obvious that Mary, the mother of Jesus plays a much larger role than is ever intended. In fact, the impression could be had that Mary "offered her son". This is clearly not what the gospels want us to draw from Christ's death.
The film has nothing of Christ rising again which is by far the most important thing that we are to grasp. Death was defeated otherwise the sacrifice would have been insufficient.
So, although there are many things that will change peoples thinking at this time of Easter, on the whole, the main points have been missed out.
I think that there is nothing more powerful to convey what the cross really meant than the Gospel narratives. After all, those narratives are written by men under the inspiration of God. In them, we are told all we need to know. That is, how to get right with God. The film focuses a lot on earthly things just as the Jews looked for a messiah to save them from the Romans, a temporary and earthly power. Christianity is primarily a heart religion and focuses not on how to be happy on this life but how to be happy eternally. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) The bible is continually stressing the importance of spiritual things while this film will primarily lead people to think about the earthly horrors.
A lot of Christians have made the objection that you are portraying God blatantly ignoring the second commandment. I am undecided but here is the argument against an actor playing Christ.
No where in the gospels is Jesus' physical appearance described and it isn't in mans hands to try and portray him. The second commandment clearly talks of not idolising God or trying to portray him by any image. The Westminster larger catechism puts it quite bluntly in question 109.
What sins are forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counselling, commanding, using, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself; the making any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever; all worshiping of it, or God in it or by it; the making of any representation of feigned deities, and all worship of them, or service belonging to them; all superstitious devices, corrupting the worship of God, adding to it, or taking from it, whether invented and taken up of ourselves, or received by tradition from others, though under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretence whatsoever; simony; sacrilege; all neglect, contempt, hindering, and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed.
Acts 17: 29 says, "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill."
"It is Christ's Godhead, united to his manhood, that makes him to be Christ; therefore to picture his manhood, when we cannot picture his Godhead, is a sin, because we make him to be but half Christ — we separate what God has joined, we leave out that which is the chief thing which makes him to be Christ." Those are the words of Thomas Watson on the second commandment. He clearly would be opposed to an actor "acting" Jesus.
To portray Christ is misleading. We cannot be too specific in describing Christ by giving him specific human attributes. In doing this also, we take away from Christ divine attributes.
God has ordained a number of ways to make Christ known.
You have faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7, "We live by faith, not by sight."
The word of God spoken and preached not acted out tells people of Christ. Romans 10:17 "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." So maybe it is wrong to portray Christ something which is not easy to decide...
Christ being made known is to change lives while the film really will only provoke emotion.
In conclusion, the film is not one that I will watch, even if I was 18. But because it has been released and will be shown we can pray that those who go to see it will be affected by and ask questions of us as Christians. We have to be prepared to tell them that the film doesn't show the whole of the suffering and tell them the whole picture. So, lets pray that what might seem as an evil, God would work through to save lives.
(0) comments
I have a few problems with the film which I will now list.
Many people claim that this film is an "evangelical movie" but this is not right. Mel Gibson says it "reflects his beliefs" which clearly are not those of an evangelical Christian. Mel Gibson is a Roman Catholic. The theological advisors were Roman Catholic and the Pope is endorsing the film. They held catholic mass every day before shooting and many of the crew converted to Catholicism. The actor who played Jesus said that they needed to have that or at least he did "to play that guy" "That guy" is Jesus who came to make reconciliation for our sins.
The script was taken from the writings of a German Nun (Sister Anne Emerich) as well as the writings of the gospel. So we have Christ speaking words he never spoke and things that should have happened being missed out. For example, the cry "It is finished" (John 19:30) never appears in the film.
The film can never show what the gospels portray so vividly. Admittedly, Christ's suffering at the hands of the Romans and Jews was horrific and in the film portrayed correctly. But that only shows a small amount of the suffering. Surely the pinnacle of Christ's suffering was in the fact that his Father turned his back on him for people like you and I. When reading through the gospel narratives we aren't given great detail as to how Jesus reacted in pain when the nails were put in. The things that hurts me most when reading the story of the crucifixion is the words in Mark 9:34 of "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" In those words we see the pinnacle of the suffering of Christ which the film can never portray. Rather, the film portrays the intense physical suffering of Christ as the major pain.
"We cannot fully understand his passion and sufferings. God alone knows what is in the curse of the law; we do not know it. God alone knows what is the true desert of sin; it cannot be fully understood by any but himself. They who undergo it must suffer to eternity; there is no end, — they never see, never know, what sin deserved. How do we know, then, what Christ suffered, when the punishment due to our sin, when all our iniquities met upon him, with the curse of the law? God only knows what is in these things. The fruits and effects of this love in himself, in his incarnation and passion are past our knowledge; therefore the love itself surpasses our knowledge" (John Owen, Works, 9:611).
For Christians the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is ultimately a glorious event. Full satisfaction for sin was procured by Christ on behalf of his people. The Passion of the Christ apparently gives a vision of the sacrifice of Christ being sad, sorrowful and full of grief.
With the Passion of the Christ being predominantly a Catholic film it is obvious that Mary, the mother of Jesus plays a much larger role than is ever intended. In fact, the impression could be had that Mary "offered her son". This is clearly not what the gospels want us to draw from Christ's death.
The film has nothing of Christ rising again which is by far the most important thing that we are to grasp. Death was defeated otherwise the sacrifice would have been insufficient.
So, although there are many things that will change peoples thinking at this time of Easter, on the whole, the main points have been missed out.
I think that there is nothing more powerful to convey what the cross really meant than the Gospel narratives. After all, those narratives are written by men under the inspiration of God. In them, we are told all we need to know. That is, how to get right with God. The film focuses a lot on earthly things just as the Jews looked for a messiah to save them from the Romans, a temporary and earthly power. Christianity is primarily a heart religion and focuses not on how to be happy on this life but how to be happy eternally. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) The bible is continually stressing the importance of spiritual things while this film will primarily lead people to think about the earthly horrors.
A lot of Christians have made the objection that you are portraying God blatantly ignoring the second commandment. I am undecided but here is the argument against an actor playing Christ.
No where in the gospels is Jesus' physical appearance described and it isn't in mans hands to try and portray him. The second commandment clearly talks of not idolising God or trying to portray him by any image. The Westminster larger catechism puts it quite bluntly in question 109.
What sins are forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counselling, commanding, using, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself; the making any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever; all worshiping of it, or God in it or by it; the making of any representation of feigned deities, and all worship of them, or service belonging to them; all superstitious devices, corrupting the worship of God, adding to it, or taking from it, whether invented and taken up of ourselves, or received by tradition from others, though under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretence whatsoever; simony; sacrilege; all neglect, contempt, hindering, and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed.
Acts 17: 29 says, "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill."
"It is Christ's Godhead, united to his manhood, that makes him to be Christ; therefore to picture his manhood, when we cannot picture his Godhead, is a sin, because we make him to be but half Christ — we separate what God has joined, we leave out that which is the chief thing which makes him to be Christ." Those are the words of Thomas Watson on the second commandment. He clearly would be opposed to an actor "acting" Jesus.
To portray Christ is misleading. We cannot be too specific in describing Christ by giving him specific human attributes. In doing this also, we take away from Christ divine attributes.
God has ordained a number of ways to make Christ known.
You have faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7, "We live by faith, not by sight."
The word of God spoken and preached not acted out tells people of Christ. Romans 10:17 "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." So maybe it is wrong to portray Christ something which is not easy to decide...
Christ being made known is to change lives while the film really will only provoke emotion.
In conclusion, the film is not one that I will watch, even if I was 18. But because it has been released and will be shown we can pray that those who go to see it will be affected by and ask questions of us as Christians. We have to be prepared to tell them that the film doesn't show the whole of the suffering and tell them the whole picture. So, lets pray that what might seem as an evil, God would work through to save lives.
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
New Layout
This is just me expermimentationing...
Hope it is ok. Tagboard may come later as may a different picture. The guessing game on the side rules though...
(0) comments
Hope it is ok. Tagboard may come later as may a different picture. The guessing game on the side rules though...
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Thought of the Day
Had an interesting Christian Union meeting today but very good. We have to convince people that Christianity is the only way to heaven. Any helpful comments would be appreciated.
The word "universe" is all the matter and energy, including the earth, the galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space, regarded as a whole.
But split the word up and you get
1. Uni This means "one" or "single", something along those lines.
2. Verse Which in this context we use as "a single spoken sentence".
So, "Universe" is "a single spoken sentence".
Maybe this is predictable but it might as well be done...
If you look at Genesis 1 in the Bible you read three verses in... "And God said, "Let there be..." Now unless my eyes decieve me, that is a single spoken sentence.
Interesting? I think so too.
(0) comments
The word "universe" is all the matter and energy, including the earth, the galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space, regarded as a whole.
But split the word up and you get
1. Uni This means "one" or "single", something along those lines.
2. Verse Which in this context we use as "a single spoken sentence".
So, "Universe" is "a single spoken sentence".
Maybe this is predictable but it might as well be done...
If you look at Genesis 1 in the Bible you read three verses in... "And God said, "Let there be..." Now unless my eyes decieve me, that is a single spoken sentence.
Interesting? I think so too.
Monday, March 01, 2004
The Oscars
No suprises really on the night...
Here is a list of the winners and my opinion on the matter.
Best picture
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Couldn't have been any other film.
Lost in Translation was directed by an American woman on a budget of 4 million. Enough said.
Sea Biscuit was on horse racing. All I can say is that I'm glad I didn't go and see that one at the cinema.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. OK, so any film with Russel Crowe in it has to be pretty good. I will have to watch it before I can make an objective judgement.
Mystic River carries the "tagline" "We bury our sins, we wash them clean." On the basis of that, Atheistic approach to life it's a good thing that it didnt win.
Best director
Peter Jackson - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
He should at least get an award for being New Zealands closest thing to a monster. The film he directed was good which is why he won the award I would assume, both realistic and movingly beautiful.
The rest are but irrelavent mediocre directors.
Best actor
Sean Penn - Mystic River
My only memory of Sean Penn is that of "Dead Man Walking" when he played death rower Matthew Ponselot having studied it for English GCSE. He did perform admirably but I only remember the terrible hair style.
So Sean Penn won the Oscar
Bill Murray won the BAFTA
Johnny Depp won the hearts of most of the girls in the world (a wee bit greedy really)
Sir Ben Kingsly won an Oscar years ago for playing "Ghandi" in that "Thriller" of a film.
Jude Law... well, he can content himself that he has a name that means "praise".
Best actress
Charlize Theron - Monster
For a women who normally looks like this... it's impressive she allowed herself to look like this.
Best supporting actor
Tim Robbins - Mystic River
Hes a confused man I think. I blame it upon the fact that he was kicked off his "high school" hockey team for fighting. Haven't seen the film so I can't complain about his acting.
Best supporting actress
Renee Zellweger - Cold Mountain
She looks like an idiot in the trailer...
Best foreign language film
The Barbarian Invasions (Canada)
No point in this award. Whats the fun in a film that is in a foreign language. (The Passion of Christ could be up for the award next year though)
Best animated feature film
Finding Nemo
Great film, but it doesn't beat Monsters Inc.
Best adapted screenplay
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Cold Mountain didn't even get nominated for this award and yet I know people to whom that film is the best ever!
Best original screenplay
Lost in Translation
No comment.
Best music (score)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Apparently, Cold Mountain has a great score but then again, it was competing against an epic film in The Return of the King.
Best music (song)
Into the West - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Annie Lennox got a wee bit emtional when giving an acceptance speech... life changing facts from James Leverton donations go to me promptly please...
Best documentary feature
The Fog of War
Well done for filling in the time whilst waiting for the BIG announcements.
Best documentary short subject
Chernobyl Heart
Best visual effects
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best cinematography
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Best art direction
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best animated short film
Harvie Krumpet
Best short film
Two Soldiers
Best costume design
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best make-up
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best sound
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Sound editing
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Film Editing
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
There, in brief (yeah right) is the Oscars and my opinion on them. Glad that the Lord of the Rings won 11 Oscars from 11 nominations. Titanic won 11 also but thinking about it Titanic sucks.
Bye. As you can tell, it got pretty boring after the main awards were written down...
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Here is a list of the winners and my opinion on the matter.
Best picture
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Couldn't have been any other film.
Lost in Translation was directed by an American woman on a budget of 4 million. Enough said.
Sea Biscuit was on horse racing. All I can say is that I'm glad I didn't go and see that one at the cinema.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. OK, so any film with Russel Crowe in it has to be pretty good. I will have to watch it before I can make an objective judgement.
Mystic River carries the "tagline" "We bury our sins, we wash them clean." On the basis of that, Atheistic approach to life it's a good thing that it didnt win.
Best director
Peter Jackson - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
He should at least get an award for being New Zealands closest thing to a monster. The film he directed was good which is why he won the award I would assume, both realistic and movingly beautiful.
The rest are but irrelavent mediocre directors.
Best actor
Sean Penn - Mystic River
My only memory of Sean Penn is that of "Dead Man Walking" when he played death rower Matthew Ponselot having studied it for English GCSE. He did perform admirably but I only remember the terrible hair style.
So Sean Penn won the Oscar
Bill Murray won the BAFTA
Johnny Depp won the hearts of most of the girls in the world (a wee bit greedy really)
Sir Ben Kingsly won an Oscar years ago for playing "Ghandi" in that "Thriller" of a film.
Jude Law... well, he can content himself that he has a name that means "praise".
Best actress
Charlize Theron - Monster
For a women who normally looks like this... it's impressive she allowed herself to look like this.
Best supporting actor
Tim Robbins - Mystic River
Hes a confused man I think. I blame it upon the fact that he was kicked off his "high school" hockey team for fighting. Haven't seen the film so I can't complain about his acting.
Best supporting actress
Renee Zellweger - Cold Mountain
She looks like an idiot in the trailer...
Best foreign language film
The Barbarian Invasions (Canada)
No point in this award. Whats the fun in a film that is in a foreign language. (The Passion of Christ could be up for the award next year though)
Best animated feature film
Finding Nemo
Great film, but it doesn't beat Monsters Inc.
Best adapted screenplay
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Cold Mountain didn't even get nominated for this award and yet I know people to whom that film is the best ever!
Best original screenplay
Lost in Translation
No comment.
Best music (score)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Apparently, Cold Mountain has a great score but then again, it was competing against an epic film in The Return of the King.
Best music (song)
Into the West - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Annie Lennox got a wee bit emtional when giving an acceptance speech... life changing facts from James Leverton donations go to me promptly please...
Best documentary feature
The Fog of War
Well done for filling in the time whilst waiting for the BIG announcements.
Best documentary short subject
Chernobyl Heart
Best visual effects
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best cinematography
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Best art direction
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best animated short film
Harvie Krumpet
Best short film
Two Soldiers
Best costume design
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best make-up
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best sound
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Sound editing
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Film Editing
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
There, in brief (yeah right) is the Oscars and my opinion on them. Glad that the Lord of the Rings won 11 Oscars from 11 nominations. Titanic won 11 also but thinking about it Titanic sucks.
Bye. As you can tell, it got pretty boring after the main awards were written down...
