I have recently finished reading “The Language of God” by Francis Collins. Francis Collins was the head scientist of the Human Genome Project that mapped the entire human genome. Francis Collins is one of the leading scientists of our generation, a dedicated Christian and a believer in evolution. Many Christians would find this disheartening and threatening, I find it thought provoking and exciting. Let me say now that I believe whole-heartedly in evolution, the creation alternative really doesn’t make much sense to me theologically or scientifically. Clearly the creation story in the book of Genesis is a poem, well really it is two distinct poems. This story can teach us a lot about the human condition and give us an understanding of Jewish thought about the beginning of all things, but in no way is it a literal road map of how the earth began. It seems to me that God works gradually and is in no hurry when creating. To watch the process of human development from sperm and egg to foetus then into a new born, followed by 21 years of growth into adulthood. This process is long and difficult, something I see reflected in all areas of life. Why would God create this way now, but in the beginning decide to take 6 days. Furthermore, Genesis says that to God a day is like a thousand days, and 1000 days like a day. This is a way of saying that God doesn’t care about the mechanics of time, especially not like we humans do. As far as science goes Creationism just doesn’t hold any credibility or weight. The world is far older then 10,000 years, this has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt.
When I was a kid I was always told that evolution is a theory, and the science behind it was all about guessing and estimating, a theory that was not proven. While evolution is a theory, the term theory is not what it appears. In the scientific realm a theory means that it has been proven, it is considered a fact, just as the theory of gravity and the theory of relativity is fact. It is not the word theory like we use in common day language. The science of evolution is the same science, which has sent rockets to the moon, gets our cars from A to B and allows us warmth and light in our homes. By undermining evolution we are basically saying we don’t believe in the scientific concepts behind those things we use and have faith in every day of our lives.
The big bang shows me that there has been a beginning (there are radiation waves that can be detected which originated from the big bang – a fact, it really happened!). God forged this beginning with the divine purpose of creating life and for this life to come to know God and have union with God. Evolution doesn’t break faith down; it enhances and energises it. Well it has for me anyway :)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Dante's Inferno
I have been reading Inferno by Dante. This poem, along with similar artistic works, has been instrumental in shaping much of our thought on both heaven and hell over the past few hundred years. It is disconcerting for me to read something that Dante wrote, which was heavily influenced by Hellenistic mythology and his own politics of the day, that has so much similarities to many of the sermons and Christian talk about hell and heaven today. We need to go back to the New Testament and actually find out what Jesus in particular was talking about in reference to both heaven and hell. I think there are many people who would be surprised. I find it difficult to articulate my understanding of God with the Inferno of Dante, even though this is perhaps the typical conservative Christians view. I believe in justice, and the justice of God, and I don't think that everlasting torment and anguish is in line with this view of Jesus.
As John Pilch wrote: "The purpose of God's judgment is not punitive but redemptive".
As John Pilch wrote: "The purpose of God's judgment is not punitive but redemptive".
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Harm Minimization
Harm minimization is an often-maligned word within The Salvation Army. Even though our social programs operate under the banner of harm min, the majority of church members and the general public do not easily understand it. There have been various forum discussions that have involved Alcohol & Drug (AOD) treatment, needle exchange and legalised brothel work, which have shown an incredible amount of ignorance on the subject of harm min. While this is quite a broad topic, I thought I would write a short explanation in laymen’s terms of harm min.
Harm min is a public health policy that has as its primary aim to keep people as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Harm min is based on three pillars of theory and action 1) Harm Reduction 2) Supply Reduction and 3) Demand Reduction. This encompasses reducing harm to society and individual, reducing the supply of the harmful activity through policing etc. and reducing demand, which is early intervention and education etc.
Abstinence has often been seen as the alternative to harm min, when in fact it is a significant aspect of it. Abstinence is often the ultimate form of harm min. To ultimately stay away from the thing that is hurting you is the goal, but why do we care so much if an addict needs to use a drug, but aren’t so concerned when a fat person rushes in at the buffet table. Rather then people dying of heroin overdose or the myriad of health complications that come with heroin use, methadone or another pharmacotherapy can be used to reduce the harm to the individual. Rather then getting HIV, Hep C or another blood borne virus through the use of dirty and re-used syringes, needle exchange gives single use clean syringes. This results in less HIV and other infections in the general population and reduces the harm to the individual. Harm min is practised in many areas of society without too much thought. Nicobate gum and patches to help smokers quit is a harm min strategy. Gastro band surgery for obese people is harm min strategy to reduce the capacity for an individual to consume food. The anti-reflux tablets I’m on is harm min to stop me getting cancer of the gut. So, harm min is widely used in our society. It is only when our personal moral biases cloud the argument that we come into trouble. Addicts and prostitutes shouldn’t have the same right to being protected as the obese Christian who needs the intervention of the gastro band surgery. It is a moral issues not based on compassion or justice. Harm min is a compassionate philosophy, rooted in the pursuit of justice for the individual and society.
Harm min is a public health policy that has as its primary aim to keep people as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Harm min is based on three pillars of theory and action 1) Harm Reduction 2) Supply Reduction and 3) Demand Reduction. This encompasses reducing harm to society and individual, reducing the supply of the harmful activity through policing etc. and reducing demand, which is early intervention and education etc.
Abstinence has often been seen as the alternative to harm min, when in fact it is a significant aspect of it. Abstinence is often the ultimate form of harm min. To ultimately stay away from the thing that is hurting you is the goal, but why do we care so much if an addict needs to use a drug, but aren’t so concerned when a fat person rushes in at the buffet table. Rather then people dying of heroin overdose or the myriad of health complications that come with heroin use, methadone or another pharmacotherapy can be used to reduce the harm to the individual. Rather then getting HIV, Hep C or another blood borne virus through the use of dirty and re-used syringes, needle exchange gives single use clean syringes. This results in less HIV and other infections in the general population and reduces the harm to the individual. Harm min is practised in many areas of society without too much thought. Nicobate gum and patches to help smokers quit is a harm min strategy. Gastro band surgery for obese people is harm min strategy to reduce the capacity for an individual to consume food. The anti-reflux tablets I’m on is harm min to stop me getting cancer of the gut. So, harm min is widely used in our society. It is only when our personal moral biases cloud the argument that we come into trouble. Addicts and prostitutes shouldn’t have the same right to being protected as the obese Christian who needs the intervention of the gastro band surgery. It is a moral issues not based on compassion or justice. Harm min is a compassionate philosophy, rooted in the pursuit of justice for the individual and society.
Kierkegaard
Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher and theologian. He is considered to be the father of existentialism and was a pivotal in the lives of philosophers such as Nietzsche - ironic that Kierkegaards thoughts were based around expressing his faith and yet resulted in a philosophy that doesn't include God and revolves around the meaninglessness of life.
Here are some of my favourite Soren Kierkegaard quotes:
- Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.
- During the first period of a man's life the greatest danger is not to take the risk.
- Face the facts of being what you are, for that is what changes what you are.
- If I am capable of grasping God objectively, I do not believe, but precisely because I cannot do this I must believe.
- It is so hard to believe because it is so hard to obey.
- Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
- Listen to the cry of a woman in labor at the hour of giving birth - look at the dying man's struggle at his last extremity, and then tell me whether something that begins and ends thus could be intended for enjoyment.
- Once you label me you negate me.
Here are some of my favourite Soren Kierkegaard quotes:
- Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.
- During the first period of a man's life the greatest danger is not to take the risk.
- Face the facts of being what you are, for that is what changes what you are.
- If I am capable of grasping God objectively, I do not believe, but precisely because I cannot do this I must believe.
- It is so hard to believe because it is so hard to obey.
- Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
- Listen to the cry of a woman in labor at the hour of giving birth - look at the dying man's struggle at his last extremity, and then tell me whether something that begins and ends thus could be intended for enjoyment.
- Once you label me you negate me.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Power Quotes by Ellul
Two Quotes by Jacques Ellul on power to contemplate:
"No matter what God's power may be, the first aspect of God is never that of the absolute Master, the Almighty. It is that of the God who puts himself on our human level and limits himself."
“So I can very well say without hesitation that all those who have political power, even if they use it well have acquired it by demonic mediation and even if they are not conscious of it, they are worshippers of diabolos.”
"No matter what God's power may be, the first aspect of God is never that of the absolute Master, the Almighty. It is that of the God who puts himself on our human level and limits himself."
“So I can very well say without hesitation that all those who have political power, even if they use it well have acquired it by demonic mediation and even if they are not conscious of it, they are worshippers of diabolos.”
Anarchy, Christianity and me
The word Anarchy comes from a Greek root which translates to ‘no ruler’ and has several meanings which have developed. These are several of those meanings:
"No rulership or enforced authority."
"A social state in which there is no governing person or group of persons, but each individual has absolute liberty (without the implication of disorder)."
"Absence or non-recognition of authority and order in any given sphere."
“Legitimacy of a state is gained through consent, not through coercion.”
When you look at these definitions it becomes more easy to associate Christian practice and tradition with the philosophy of anarchy. The basic premise of anarchy states that we can all live together in harmony through the application of our free will. When this free will is governed by selfishness, greed and other destructive forces anarchy will create a lawless state of chaos. But if the free will embraces peace, love and hope, then anarchy becomes the ideal state of being for Christians and is perhaps a snapshot of heaven. While we wait for heaven to unite with earth, our Christian communities can take this form of anarchy and begin to live it today, as do some communities that operate without direct governence and ministerial hierarchies. You may wonder why someone like me is advocating anarchy when I am part of one of the most autocratic Christian movements in the world, but there is method to my madness. I believe in the power of transformation. I believe that while The Salvation Army may not be a vehicle for anarchy, it is a vehicle for bringing about liberation and freedom from oppression. Through the social justice arm of The Salvation Army, it puts individuals in a position to exercise their free will and either embrace freedom and a spiritual life without rulership or to take on the yolk that often is the church. Regardless, free will is paramount, and part of freedom is the ability to have choice. I am part of The Salvation Army with my eyes wide open, fully aware of the burden that it can be to some people with its beuracratic structure. I feel that while I am able, I will take this burden off of those people who I meet that need help, freedom or transformation. Giving them time to heal and make the changes necessary to move forward. While I am an officer I still am only answerable to God and therefore, not overly concerned with career or political ramifications that may lay in wait when taking certain stands in the Army. I do not respect someone as an authority figure in my life just because of their rank or title. I respect them as an authority when they have shown they deserve that trust. In this way I can ‘give to Ceaser what is Ceasars’ while functioning as a theoretical anarchist. When the time comes that I can no longer bear the yolk, I will put it down and walk away.
"No rulership or enforced authority."
"A social state in which there is no governing person or group of persons, but each individual has absolute liberty (without the implication of disorder)."
"Absence or non-recognition of authority and order in any given sphere."
“Legitimacy of a state is gained through consent, not through coercion.”
When you look at these definitions it becomes more easy to associate Christian practice and tradition with the philosophy of anarchy. The basic premise of anarchy states that we can all live together in harmony through the application of our free will. When this free will is governed by selfishness, greed and other destructive forces anarchy will create a lawless state of chaos. But if the free will embraces peace, love and hope, then anarchy becomes the ideal state of being for Christians and is perhaps a snapshot of heaven. While we wait for heaven to unite with earth, our Christian communities can take this form of anarchy and begin to live it today, as do some communities that operate without direct governence and ministerial hierarchies. You may wonder why someone like me is advocating anarchy when I am part of one of the most autocratic Christian movements in the world, but there is method to my madness. I believe in the power of transformation. I believe that while The Salvation Army may not be a vehicle for anarchy, it is a vehicle for bringing about liberation and freedom from oppression. Through the social justice arm of The Salvation Army, it puts individuals in a position to exercise their free will and either embrace freedom and a spiritual life without rulership or to take on the yolk that often is the church. Regardless, free will is paramount, and part of freedom is the ability to have choice. I am part of The Salvation Army with my eyes wide open, fully aware of the burden that it can be to some people with its beuracratic structure. I feel that while I am able, I will take this burden off of those people who I meet that need help, freedom or transformation. Giving them time to heal and make the changes necessary to move forward. While I am an officer I still am only answerable to God and therefore, not overly concerned with career or political ramifications that may lay in wait when taking certain stands in the Army. I do not respect someone as an authority figure in my life just because of their rank or title. I respect them as an authority when they have shown they deserve that trust. In this way I can ‘give to Ceaser what is Ceasars’ while functioning as a theoretical anarchist. When the time comes that I can no longer bear the yolk, I will put it down and walk away.
Power, Ellul and Faith
While I was at Salvo College I had a lot of time to reflect on my faith and where I fit in the scheme of things. This led to many debates with like minded and not so like minded college mates. I began reading some of the great Christian thinkers writings to further uncover what I believed. Starting with Origen, I worked through to Hans Kung, then on to Kierkegaard, then Jacques Ellul and finally finding some peace with NT Wright. During this journey through great books, no author impacted my thinking like Ellul. He wrote extensively on Christianity’s relationship with anarchy and the need for grassroots faith to be anchored by a solid life of anarchy, and the need to confront, reject and oppose power wherever and whoever it may reside. This is a very challenging idea for many, as Christianity has so many rules and requirements which limit the inner anarchist. While Ellul may be too extreme for some, I believe that he uncovered a fundamental truth in regards to the Christian faith. Power is a devastating force that will gradually corrupt and erode the character of even the most well intentioned person. While there are many people who I have spoken to about this issue that strongly believe that power in the right hands will result in good being done, one only needs to look at our politicians to see the gradual rooting that takes place once power is gained. Kevin Rudd for example is a politician that I admire, I voted for him in the last election and was pleased to see his rise to the Prime Minister. Here is a man who has written some very impressive theological papers and claims the renowned Christian thinker, Boenhoeffer is a hero of his. He has a professed faith in God and a social heart. Yet since he has taken power he has been involved in some very ugly, potentially corrupt political manoeuvres. To top this off he decided that giving out $900 to everyone, even the exceptionally rich, was the answer to the world financial crises, rather than investing in infrastructure. But I digress. Since being in The Salvation Army, I have personally seen what power can do to people and the blatant temptation of power that is offered to people who are professing to be followers of Jesus. My next blog will look at two Jacques Ellul quotes and their significance in the life of faith.
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