Greetings in Christ! Throughout my time within the Episcopal Church (both in Ohio and here) I have heard something said that immediately gets my fur up. It's when Episcopalians say that the Episcopal Church is 'the thinking persons church' or it allows you to 'think' or at an Episcopal Church you don't have to 'check your brain at the door' and even at Grace we sadly have a tract entitled 'The Episcopal Church: A Faith for Thinking People.' Because obviously Christians in other denominations don't think. If there is anything that completely offends me within this denomination it is this piece of propaganda. It is as if we are saying 'only intelligent Christians come to the Episcopal Church, all the stupid Christians go somewhere else'.
Now, as a man who has been a Christian for 11 years and spent the majority of those years within the Mennonite Church I can say with 100% accuracy that we do use our brains. The idea that we do not and that we are somehow 'brainwashed' really pisses me off. The only reason that I am so firm in my faith now is because when I first converted to Christianity I spent the first 4 years at least questioning everything. How is God 3 Persons, who is Jesus, how do we know He is the Messiah, so on and so forth. And when I look at my Christian friends, they are smart people and we have had many a good intelligent debate of Christian doctrine (and yes, many of them are NOT Episcopalains...shocking).
The Mennonite Church never told me what to believe, all they did was tell me what they as a church believed. What's wrong with that? Why do some Episcopalians see this denomination as so superior with their thoughts? Is it because unlike many denominations we do not have a written out set of beliefs except for the Nicene and Apostles' Creed?
Just because someone is comfortable being in a denomination that is willing to man up and set their beliefs down in writing does NOT make them stupid, ignorant, naive, or aloof.
We can sit down and debate about homosexuality, the uniqueness of salvation through Christ, the efficacy of infant baptism, but when you label other denominations as somehow less knowledgeable than yourself, that is when I get angry.
So, next time you put yourself on an intellectual pedestal and shake your finger at all the barbarian Christians beneath you remember this, Jesus is smarter than you and Jesus would never join you on your pedestal of self-glorification.
Thus ends my one hundred and thirtieth pontification. Till next time, peace, love, Jesus.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Upcoming Wedding...Not Mine
Greetings in Christ! I was looking through all my posts in the last two years and am amazed at all I've said and gone through. We all go through so much in a years time so the fact that I've done a lot is not surprising, it's just being able to look back on it. Amazing. I started out in Ohio despondent, hoping to move to London and within the Mennonite Church USA. Then I moved to Kansas worked at Subway for 9 months. Then I moved to Hutchinson and got a job as a youth pastor at an Episcopal Church; of which I'm now Episcoplian. Hmm, it's just interesting to be able to look back and see a chronicle of your last two years. Interesting.
Anyways, a few weeks back a friend of mine from Ohio called and told me that he is engaged. I won't say his name but if anyone from Ohio reads this, they'll probably know who I'm talking about. He is going to get married at the church I used to work at and was asked to resign from. Many mixed emotions have come out of this.
First, I'm jealous. Why is he getting married and not me? Why has he always been able to have a girlfriend and not me? Why do things work out for him but not me? Lingering questions that have no explanation. I confess jealousy. Nothing new, I've been jealous of him ever since I met him...3 1/2 years ago. But really, that jealousy is only on the surface of what is bothering me about this wedding.
The real issue for me is its location. The wedding will be at Martins Church in Ohio. This is fine and good because he goes there and he knows the pastor and they are his church family. Great and I don't begrudge that decision at all, it makes perfect sense. But do I want to go? Yes, I want to see him get married; but do I want to go back to this church? No, not really. I have no desire to return there. On one hand I think that I need to 'man up' and face it...but on the other hand I think 'why'? What will it prove if I go except my love for this friend. Maybe that's what really matters. Do I love this friend enough to be totally uncomfortable for a weekend? That's a good question. I don't know what to do. Shoot. Fortunetly, the wedding isn't for a few more months.
Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-ninth pontification. Till next time, peace, love, wisdom, Jesus!
Anyways, a few weeks back a friend of mine from Ohio called and told me that he is engaged. I won't say his name but if anyone from Ohio reads this, they'll probably know who I'm talking about. He is going to get married at the church I used to work at and was asked to resign from. Many mixed emotions have come out of this.
First, I'm jealous. Why is he getting married and not me? Why has he always been able to have a girlfriend and not me? Why do things work out for him but not me? Lingering questions that have no explanation. I confess jealousy. Nothing new, I've been jealous of him ever since I met him...3 1/2 years ago. But really, that jealousy is only on the surface of what is bothering me about this wedding.
The real issue for me is its location. The wedding will be at Martins Church in Ohio. This is fine and good because he goes there and he knows the pastor and they are his church family. Great and I don't begrudge that decision at all, it makes perfect sense. But do I want to go? Yes, I want to see him get married; but do I want to go back to this church? No, not really. I have no desire to return there. On one hand I think that I need to 'man up' and face it...but on the other hand I think 'why'? What will it prove if I go except my love for this friend. Maybe that's what really matters. Do I love this friend enough to be totally uncomfortable for a weekend? That's a good question. I don't know what to do. Shoot. Fortunetly, the wedding isn't for a few more months.
Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-ninth pontification. Till next time, peace, love, wisdom, Jesus!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Born Again American?
Greetings in Christ! I apologize to all my adoring fans that I haven't written since February. Hard to believe it's been that long. But recently something has spoken to me. I was sent a link from a priest friend of mine telling me to check out the website www.bornagainamerican.org. There is a video to watch and its a song sung by some everyday people, a soldier, an Episcopal choir, the Harlem Gospel Choir, two priests, a Muslim, and a Jew with several people playing accompainment. I was of course skeptical about this at first because I am a Christian who, while an American citizen, wants it to be emphasized in my life that my true citizenship is in Heaven and while Obama is my president, Jesus is my King. Therefore, I am hesitant to get into something that invokes the blessings of God onto a political system that I feel is often corrupt and makes decisions not out of true compassion and devotion to its citizens, but out of greed and power.
I didn't feel that this video however was about that. What it was about was men and women saying that it is time the people took back control of the government. Not through violent revolution (although the Founding Fathers gave us permission to rebel against the government if it became too powerful, don't believe me? Look at opening paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, find it here: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html) but through voting, through reminding our leaders that since we elected them they work for us, and getting involved in community projects.
As an Anglicennonite (Anglican and Mennonite) I exist within a church structure that was brought together by some of the same folk who had a hand in the revolution. Just as the colonists were the first to leave Britain and forge thier own nation, so is the Episcopal Church the first church of its kind to break from the Church of England, after all we wouldn't swear allegiance to the king anymore...and neither would our clergy or bishops (this created a problem but was eventually solved by the Scottish). And so, there is a streak of patriotism that runs through this denomination. Yet even so, I have been taught and shaped to understand that blind allegiance to the government is dangerous and that in all things, Jesus comes first not the constitution. Unfortunetly this is difficult for many, including myself at times.
I find myself as 'American by birth, Christian by the grace of God'. I serve Christ first but I down deep I want to be proud of my country. I want to say that I am an 'American' and have people not praise me for it, but not ridicule me for it either. I believe that America has done good things in this world but I don't feel that we are doing good things now. Our invasion of Iraq was unwarranted and unnecessary. Some may pop up with the argument that we went in to free the people from a dictator, but if that's the case, why haven't we invaded North Korea? Others will say that we believed Iraq to contain weapons of mass destruction. But, Pakistan has nuclear weapons and we're not too sure that they're friendly towards us so, why not invade them? No, Iraq is a fiasco and has made America look very bad.
As an American citizen I don't trust the government and though I like Obama and voted for him, he's still a politician. But this thing I watched and the movement it promotes doesn't seem to be about blind patriotism or asking God to bless us while we kill others. Rather, it's like a rallying cry to us that says if we want things to get better then we as citizens need to take charge. Really, truthfully, I think I'm all for that. It has a prophetic feel to it. I encourage you to check it out. The biggest flaw in the song is that its country.
A funny part though is that the refrain talks about the Bible but there is a Muslim singing in it. HA! I suppose you could say that by Bible they mean the holy book of Islam which is the Qu'Ran, but they said Bible and not Qu'Ran. Anyway, I thought it was mildly amusing.
Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-eighth pontification. Till next time, peace, love, Jesus!
I didn't feel that this video however was about that. What it was about was men and women saying that it is time the people took back control of the government. Not through violent revolution (although the Founding Fathers gave us permission to rebel against the government if it became too powerful, don't believe me? Look at opening paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, find it here: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html) but through voting, through reminding our leaders that since we elected them they work for us, and getting involved in community projects.
As an Anglicennonite (Anglican and Mennonite) I exist within a church structure that was brought together by some of the same folk who had a hand in the revolution. Just as the colonists were the first to leave Britain and forge thier own nation, so is the Episcopal Church the first church of its kind to break from the Church of England, after all we wouldn't swear allegiance to the king anymore...and neither would our clergy or bishops (this created a problem but was eventually solved by the Scottish). And so, there is a streak of patriotism that runs through this denomination. Yet even so, I have been taught and shaped to understand that blind allegiance to the government is dangerous and that in all things, Jesus comes first not the constitution. Unfortunetly this is difficult for many, including myself at times.
I find myself as 'American by birth, Christian by the grace of God'. I serve Christ first but I down deep I want to be proud of my country. I want to say that I am an 'American' and have people not praise me for it, but not ridicule me for it either. I believe that America has done good things in this world but I don't feel that we are doing good things now. Our invasion of Iraq was unwarranted and unnecessary. Some may pop up with the argument that we went in to free the people from a dictator, but if that's the case, why haven't we invaded North Korea? Others will say that we believed Iraq to contain weapons of mass destruction. But, Pakistan has nuclear weapons and we're not too sure that they're friendly towards us so, why not invade them? No, Iraq is a fiasco and has made America look very bad.
As an American citizen I don't trust the government and though I like Obama and voted for him, he's still a politician. But this thing I watched and the movement it promotes doesn't seem to be about blind patriotism or asking God to bless us while we kill others. Rather, it's like a rallying cry to us that says if we want things to get better then we as citizens need to take charge. Really, truthfully, I think I'm all for that. It has a prophetic feel to it. I encourage you to check it out. The biggest flaw in the song is that its country.
A funny part though is that the refrain talks about the Bible but there is a Muslim singing in it. HA! I suppose you could say that by Bible they mean the holy book of Islam which is the Qu'Ran, but they said Bible and not Qu'Ran. Anyway, I thought it was mildly amusing.
Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-eighth pontification. Till next time, peace, love, Jesus!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Panic in the Sacristy
Greetings in Christ! February 25th was Ash Wednesday and the church I'm at, being liturgical, had an Ash Wednesday service. Originally, I was scheduled to read the Old Testament lesson and Psalm for the morning service. But then I found out that my part had been taken out. No big deal, I was going to the early service anyways. That morning I got a call from the Rector (head priest) and he asked me to come to the evening service because he needed me to do something. No problem.
I get to the church and head on into the Vesting Sacristy (where the priests, deacons, servers, and acolytes put on thier robes). I figured that I would be an acolyte for the service and carry the cross. There was a guy scheduled to do it but I assumed that he couldn't be there so I was taking his place. No problem.
Well, I walk into the sacristy and I see the guy who was scheduled to be the acolyte standing there already robed up. I became confused. I looked at him and realized that I wouldn't be the acolyte. I looked over at the Rector and realized that I wouldn't be the priest. I looked over at the Deacon and realized that I wouldn't do that either. I also knew that I wasn't going to be reading any of the lessons. So, what was I doing there?
Then the Rector said the words that made me speechless (which is rare) "You're going to be our Chalice Bearer." WHAT!? Some explanation in needed, the chalice bearer is the person who stands at the altar while the priest consecrates the bread and wine and then follows either the priest or deacon with the chalice (glass) of wine and serves it to the people during communion. I think the only words that came out of my mouth when he said I was going to do that was, "No." But that wasn't the right answer.
I got a quick run-down of what to do by the Deacon, got robed up, and out we went into the church. As I sat in my seat up front and to the side I was the most nervous I have ever been at this church. Why? Because I was afraid that I would either A.) Spill wine on someone and/or B.) Would accidently drop or bang the chalice into something and the chalice was crystal! Lord have mercy upon me!
Well, I tried to pay attention to the homily and when I stood behind the altar my palms got all sweaty (not to worry to those who drank from the chalice for I did not touch the lip of the cup except with the towel, you're safe, fear not). I was so nervous.
The time came and I got the chalice with wine and followed the Rector around giving them a sip of wine after he gave the wafer. Because I was nervous some people had to grab onto the chalice and pull me towards them. I just had this fear that I would jerk the chalice and wine would go everywhere. Oh the humanity!
But, the Lord answers prayer and it all turned out okay. Now when I do it again I won't be so nervous. It's funny now but it wasn't funny then. Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-seventh pontification. Till next time, peace, love, don't spill the wine, Jesus!
I get to the church and head on into the Vesting Sacristy (where the priests, deacons, servers, and acolytes put on thier robes). I figured that I would be an acolyte for the service and carry the cross. There was a guy scheduled to do it but I assumed that he couldn't be there so I was taking his place. No problem.
Well, I walk into the sacristy and I see the guy who was scheduled to be the acolyte standing there already robed up. I became confused. I looked at him and realized that I wouldn't be the acolyte. I looked over at the Rector and realized that I wouldn't be the priest. I looked over at the Deacon and realized that I wouldn't do that either. I also knew that I wasn't going to be reading any of the lessons. So, what was I doing there?
Then the Rector said the words that made me speechless (which is rare) "You're going to be our Chalice Bearer." WHAT!? Some explanation in needed, the chalice bearer is the person who stands at the altar while the priest consecrates the bread and wine and then follows either the priest or deacon with the chalice (glass) of wine and serves it to the people during communion. I think the only words that came out of my mouth when he said I was going to do that was, "No." But that wasn't the right answer.
I got a quick run-down of what to do by the Deacon, got robed up, and out we went into the church. As I sat in my seat up front and to the side I was the most nervous I have ever been at this church. Why? Because I was afraid that I would either A.) Spill wine on someone and/or B.) Would accidently drop or bang the chalice into something and the chalice was crystal! Lord have mercy upon me!
Well, I tried to pay attention to the homily and when I stood behind the altar my palms got all sweaty (not to worry to those who drank from the chalice for I did not touch the lip of the cup except with the towel, you're safe, fear not). I was so nervous.
The time came and I got the chalice with wine and followed the Rector around giving them a sip of wine after he gave the wafer. Because I was nervous some people had to grab onto the chalice and pull me towards them. I just had this fear that I would jerk the chalice and wine would go everywhere. Oh the humanity!
But, the Lord answers prayer and it all turned out okay. Now when I do it again I won't be so nervous. It's funny now but it wasn't funny then. Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-seventh pontification. Till next time, peace, love, don't spill the wine, Jesus!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The 12 Unchangeables
Greetings in Christ! For the past almost 6 months I have been at Grace Episcopal Church, for 2 of those months I have been an official Episcopalian, but I've been attending an Episcopal church here and there for over a year. I have come to understand myself as a conservative literalist. In that I mean, I hold conservative beliefs mainly dealing with sexuality and I hold the Bible to be more literal than figurative. Now, that being said, I understand that not all of the Bible is taken liturally. There are many instances when the authors of the Bible use the words 'like' or 'as' to describe the indescribable. But, for the most part, I am a literalist. I believe in the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. I believe God brought down the walls of Jericho. I believe Balaam's donkey spoke. Etc. Sure, they may sound crazy, but after 10 years of being Christian I have learned that what we call 'crazy', God calls 'normal'.
Because I am a conservative literalist (which is different I think than a literal conservative) I often find myself struggling with the more liberal beliefs of the Episcopal Church. By now, this shouldn't be news to anyone. But I hold to my beliefs and I think I am respected for that, just as I respect those who differ from me. But this has made me reflect upon my faith and ask the question, "What is essential to me...and what can we talk about" in other words, what beliefs do I hold that I will not waver on and what beliefs do I hold that I'm willing to be expanded. A few nights ago I compiled a list of the 12 unchangeables and I thought I would share.
The 12 Unchangeable Beliefs of Andy Hook
1.There is only One True God who created all things in Heaven and on Earth. He loves us unconditionally.
2.This True God exists in the Most Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are each fully God and fully One, they are of equal power. One God, not Three. They exist in perfect harmony and love.
3.Mankind sinned against God in disobedience and lost a perfect relationship with Him.
4.God’s Son, Jesus Christ, willingly left His Throne in Glory to become incarnate as a Man and be born through the Virgin Mary. This Jesus, fully Man and fully Divine, taught us through His life, teachings, and miracles, the true way to the Father. He was crucified and died for our sins and on the Third Day, He rose bodily from the grave. His death brought us complete forgiveness of our sins and reconciled us to God. He ascended into Heaven and sits in enthroned in Glory with the Trinity.
5.The Holy Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, is our Counselor, Guide, and Giver of Life.
6.The Holy Bible, made up of the Old and New Testaments, is the true and inspired Word of God and contains all things necessary for salvation.
7.The Holy Universal Christian Church, begun by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, led by Jesus Christ, and blessed by the Father is God’s continuing ministry and Presence in this World.
8.Satan, the Enemy of Mankind, is real but is subject to the Trinity.
9.The Kingdom of Heaven as well as the Domain of Hell exist.
10.Salvation is possible only through true faith in Jesus Christ. All are invited to God’s Table.
11.There are two undeniable sacraments in the Church, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.
12.Jesus Christ is coming again. Be prepared.
Yep, those are the 12. I cannot in good faith waver on these beliefs. And I feel just fine about that. It is not because I'm not a 'free thinker', rather it is because I took many years to study, research, think, and pray about these things before I accepted them as truth. I refused to accept what anyone said about what to believe until I throughouly 'checked it out' in the Scriptures and only then did I accept it. God does not want mindless followers, but He does want those who will fall into the pool of faith with reckless abandon.
But, I think the beauty of Christianity and what does (or should) set us apart from the other religions of the world is that at the end of the day, we all call Jesus Christ our Lord and Messiah, we put our eternal faith and fate in Him, and we gather together at the same Table of Christ's Body and commune together. That is important. As St. Paul said, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.
Thus ends my one hundred twenty-sixth pontification. Till next time, peace, love, Jesus!
Because I am a conservative literalist (which is different I think than a literal conservative) I often find myself struggling with the more liberal beliefs of the Episcopal Church. By now, this shouldn't be news to anyone. But I hold to my beliefs and I think I am respected for that, just as I respect those who differ from me. But this has made me reflect upon my faith and ask the question, "What is essential to me...and what can we talk about" in other words, what beliefs do I hold that I will not waver on and what beliefs do I hold that I'm willing to be expanded. A few nights ago I compiled a list of the 12 unchangeables and I thought I would share.
The 12 Unchangeable Beliefs of Andy Hook
1.There is only One True God who created all things in Heaven and on Earth. He loves us unconditionally.
2.This True God exists in the Most Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are each fully God and fully One, they are of equal power. One God, not Three. They exist in perfect harmony and love.
3.Mankind sinned against God in disobedience and lost a perfect relationship with Him.
4.God’s Son, Jesus Christ, willingly left His Throne in Glory to become incarnate as a Man and be born through the Virgin Mary. This Jesus, fully Man and fully Divine, taught us through His life, teachings, and miracles, the true way to the Father. He was crucified and died for our sins and on the Third Day, He rose bodily from the grave. His death brought us complete forgiveness of our sins and reconciled us to God. He ascended into Heaven and sits in enthroned in Glory with the Trinity.
5.The Holy Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, is our Counselor, Guide, and Giver of Life.
6.The Holy Bible, made up of the Old and New Testaments, is the true and inspired Word of God and contains all things necessary for salvation.
7.The Holy Universal Christian Church, begun by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, led by Jesus Christ, and blessed by the Father is God’s continuing ministry and Presence in this World.
8.Satan, the Enemy of Mankind, is real but is subject to the Trinity.
9.The Kingdom of Heaven as well as the Domain of Hell exist.
10.Salvation is possible only through true faith in Jesus Christ. All are invited to God’s Table.
11.There are two undeniable sacraments in the Church, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.
12.Jesus Christ is coming again. Be prepared.
Yep, those are the 12. I cannot in good faith waver on these beliefs. And I feel just fine about that. It is not because I'm not a 'free thinker', rather it is because I took many years to study, research, think, and pray about these things before I accepted them as truth. I refused to accept what anyone said about what to believe until I throughouly 'checked it out' in the Scriptures and only then did I accept it. God does not want mindless followers, but He does want those who will fall into the pool of faith with reckless abandon.
But, I think the beauty of Christianity and what does (or should) set us apart from the other religions of the world is that at the end of the day, we all call Jesus Christ our Lord and Messiah, we put our eternal faith and fate in Him, and we gather together at the same Table of Christ's Body and commune together. That is important. As St. Paul said, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.
Thus ends my one hundred twenty-sixth pontification. Till next time, peace, love, Jesus!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year's Eve/Day
Greetings in Christ! Here it is, 2:00 am on New Year's Day. I'm sitting at my computer at the church. I've been here since 7:00 this evening and the par-tay looks to be winding down. It was a very good evening. The youth from Larned came and to my joy, several youth from Grace came also. The evening was filled with Uno Attack, Pictionary Man, Scruples, Karaoke, and Guitar Hero. What a night!
Most of the people have gone except for a few high school and college youth. Right now they're playing hide and seek and are having trouble finding a guy named Will. I guess he's a good hider. It's early, I'm tired, my voice hurts, and I want to collapse. But this is one of those moments when I remember why I do what I do; why I love youth ministry.
To spend an evening with youth of all ages, to laugh with them, to build relationships with them, to make them smile. That's what I love. I hope to be a priest someday but youth ministry is my passion. For me, there is no greater high than realizing that you are becoming an important part of the youth whose care you have been entrusted with. Then add to that the ability to become the voice of Christ in their world. To bring the Gospel in a very real way into their lives. What greater honor can there be?
So, I am very thankful to God to be a youth minister again. Despite all the pitfalls that line the journey of ministry, it's worth it. I hope that you have a wonderful New Year and that the power of Christ will shine forth brilliantly in your lives.
Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-fifth pontification! Till next time, peace, love, Happy New Year, Jesus!
Most of the people have gone except for a few high school and college youth. Right now they're playing hide and seek and are having trouble finding a guy named Will. I guess he's a good hider. It's early, I'm tired, my voice hurts, and I want to collapse. But this is one of those moments when I remember why I do what I do; why I love youth ministry.
To spend an evening with youth of all ages, to laugh with them, to build relationships with them, to make them smile. That's what I love. I hope to be a priest someday but youth ministry is my passion. For me, there is no greater high than realizing that you are becoming an important part of the youth whose care you have been entrusted with. Then add to that the ability to become the voice of Christ in their world. To bring the Gospel in a very real way into their lives. What greater honor can there be?
So, I am very thankful to God to be a youth minister again. Despite all the pitfalls that line the journey of ministry, it's worth it. I hope that you have a wonderful New Year and that the power of Christ will shine forth brilliantly in your lives.
Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-fifth pontification! Till next time, peace, love, Happy New Year, Jesus!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Yet People Still Don't Believe
Greetings in Christ! Throughout this country there are people who do not believe in the birth of Jesus Christ. Why? Why not believe in it? Why not even believe it historically? I was thinking about this the other day and had an interesting epiphany. Try to follow my logic here because I think it's a good argument.
If a person denies the birth of Jesus Christ, then why does no that same person deny that the Revolutionary War happened. Well, Andy, of course the Revolutionary War happened! Did it? How do you know? You see, none of us alive today were alive during the Revolutionary War over 200 years ago. So, how do we know it really happened. Why do we accept is as an historical fact and not a fictional story told to children about the founding of this country, much like the children were told the story of Romulus and Remus who founded the city of Rome? What do we use to 'prove' that the Revolutionary War did happen? I've come up with 3 things that cement in our minds the factualness of this war.
First, the Revolutionary War is attested to in the history books around the world as well as personal correspondences of the time. Second, we have artifacts from that time period. Third, the United States exists and we live in it. Based on that, the Revolutionary War happened. But, if we use this criteria to establish historical fact, then why is the birth of Jesus Christ a myth and not a fact? Let's look at this birth using the same three foundational types of evidence listed above.
First, the Gospels of Matthew and Luke give us the events surrounding Jesus' birth and also His birth in the stable. While Mark and John do not deal with His birth, by claiming that He is a living human being means that He must've been born so they also testify to His birth. We also have the testimony of Josephus and Pliny which proclaim His existence, so, Jesus was born. Furthermore, the letters of Paul, Peter, John, etc. testify to the birth and existence of Jesus Christ. Second, we also have artifacts from the time of His birth. They're throughout the holy land. Third, the Christian Church exists and is built upon this Man who was born. Ya see?
None of us were alive when Christ was born, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. None of us were alive when the Revolutionary War was fought, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. If the Revolutionary War is too personal for you, then look back to King William the Conqueor of England in 1044. Did he exist? What about Julius Caesar? Alexander the Great? Confucius? You get my point. We don't argue that these people lived but none of us were alive when they were so the evidence we have for their existence is the same we have for the existence of Jesus Christ. Yet, people still don't believe.
In fact, if you say you don't believe Julius Caesar existed you're branded a lunatic; but if you say that Jesus Christ didn't exist you're called a critical thinker whose entitled to their opinion. Double standard? Yes. So, what's my point? My point is that the truth of history is based upon the same types of evidence that proclaim the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ but the world refuses to accept it. Why? I think the reality is that it is safe to believe the Revolutionary War happened and its over with. But, if Jesus Christ really exists, then what consequence does that still have for our lives?
As my priest said one day (and I paraphrase), "People ask questions but they don't always want the answers because if they receive the answers, then they have to deal with those answers." Wise.
Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-fourth pontification. Till next time, peace, love, Jesus is real!
If a person denies the birth of Jesus Christ, then why does no that same person deny that the Revolutionary War happened. Well, Andy, of course the Revolutionary War happened! Did it? How do you know? You see, none of us alive today were alive during the Revolutionary War over 200 years ago. So, how do we know it really happened. Why do we accept is as an historical fact and not a fictional story told to children about the founding of this country, much like the children were told the story of Romulus and Remus who founded the city of Rome? What do we use to 'prove' that the Revolutionary War did happen? I've come up with 3 things that cement in our minds the factualness of this war.
First, the Revolutionary War is attested to in the history books around the world as well as personal correspondences of the time. Second, we have artifacts from that time period. Third, the United States exists and we live in it. Based on that, the Revolutionary War happened. But, if we use this criteria to establish historical fact, then why is the birth of Jesus Christ a myth and not a fact? Let's look at this birth using the same three foundational types of evidence listed above.
First, the Gospels of Matthew and Luke give us the events surrounding Jesus' birth and also His birth in the stable. While Mark and John do not deal with His birth, by claiming that He is a living human being means that He must've been born so they also testify to His birth. We also have the testimony of Josephus and Pliny which proclaim His existence, so, Jesus was born. Furthermore, the letters of Paul, Peter, John, etc. testify to the birth and existence of Jesus Christ. Second, we also have artifacts from the time of His birth. They're throughout the holy land. Third, the Christian Church exists and is built upon this Man who was born. Ya see?
None of us were alive when Christ was born, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. None of us were alive when the Revolutionary War was fought, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. If the Revolutionary War is too personal for you, then look back to King William the Conqueor of England in 1044. Did he exist? What about Julius Caesar? Alexander the Great? Confucius? You get my point. We don't argue that these people lived but none of us were alive when they were so the evidence we have for their existence is the same we have for the existence of Jesus Christ. Yet, people still don't believe.
In fact, if you say you don't believe Julius Caesar existed you're branded a lunatic; but if you say that Jesus Christ didn't exist you're called a critical thinker whose entitled to their opinion. Double standard? Yes. So, what's my point? My point is that the truth of history is based upon the same types of evidence that proclaim the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ but the world refuses to accept it. Why? I think the reality is that it is safe to believe the Revolutionary War happened and its over with. But, if Jesus Christ really exists, then what consequence does that still have for our lives?
As my priest said one day (and I paraphrase), "People ask questions but they don't always want the answers because if they receive the answers, then they have to deal with those answers." Wise.
Thus ends my one hundred and twenty-fourth pontification. Till next time, peace, love, Jesus is real!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
