Power

Richard Horsley said this in his book, The Liberation of Christmas: "But biblical texts suggest that people in positions of relative power and privilege (kings, princes, priests, scribes, Pharisees) tend not to test their own prejudices and horizons but to use their power to impose them on others" (p. 148).

When I read that I thought that he could have included preachers and elders. Traditions and traditional views often become laws that cannot be broken because that will cause one to lose his soul. So only certain views are accepted and others rejected because those in power have the control, even though good brethren disagree on various texts. There can be no disagreement. Long gone are the days in which various views are found in brotherhood papers. Only those views that the editors accept are acceptable.

Read blogs by various brethren and you will see that many do not accept the traditional line. People have left churches because they have been criticized for questioning traditions or looking at texts in other ways.

What is forgotten is that Jesus is Lord and He alone has all authority. It is time for us to come to grips with this before we destroy ourselves through bitterness and anger.

hidden people and history

If you get a chance, take a look at Patrick Mead's series on hidden people and hidden history. It is a really fascinating series. Patrick has two sites, http://patrickmead.net and http://patrickmead.net/tentpegs Both are worth reading.

Caesar worship

In recent studies, it is becoming clearer that Caesar worship or the Imperial Cult started much earlier than thought. It began with the first Caesar, Augustus, espeically in the Middle East. He was worshipped because he brought peace through his armies to the Roman world. Even the mighty Parthians returned the standards of three defeated generals to Augustus around 26 B.C. Herod the Great built at least three temples and two cities in honor of Caesar Augustus and appears to have been involved in the worship of the Emperor; not surprising since he really wasn't a Jew.

Jesus was declared Lord by His resurrection and part of Paul's message was that Jesus is Lord. This Lord brought true peace, the shalom of God, to people. Eventually this would lead to a conflict between Caesar and the followers of Jesus. Such conflicts continue today throughout the world. Dictators fear Christians and want churches closed and Christians silenced. In the old Soviet Union, many were surprised when the Berlin Wall came down and communism collasped, that one of the first things that happened was the reopening of churches. The opposition to communism was often led by believers in Christ.

There is always a danger in elevating anyone to the role of lord. One of the Herods died a horrible death when that happened to him (Acts 12). Today we need to be careful in how we view our political leaders (and dare we say our church leaders as well?). In the past, we have honored famous leaders. I have been to the Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials as well as Mt. Rushmore. These men are remembered for their leadership but we do not, or should not, worship them. In the U.S., all political leaders are just citizens of the country. They are not to be seen as something special even though they hold an important office.

Unfortunately, these politicians have, to quote the words of that famous American philosopher...
"Dirty Harry," they have become legends in their own minds. George Orwell also captured the current attitude in his book, Animal Farm, where he said that all are equal, there are just some who are more equal than others.

There is only one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No one else can make that claim, nor should we make that claim of anyone. Of course, saying such could bring conflict with the elites, but it doesn't change the truth - Jesus is Lord.

old guys

Tom Watson tied for first in the British Open Golf Tourament and lost in a play-off at 59. Good for the old guy! As one, it is good to see that life can be lived beyond what society thinks is good. Both Moses and Abraham accomplished much in their "old" age. Now I know that some people will go quietly into old age and others will go kicking and screaming into old age. Either way, accept the fact that we are getting older and enjoy it. Ignore what the youth culture thinks about it. Growing up, we were told never to trust anyone over 30. Those people are now over 60 - maybe we should listen to their advice because they really haven't contributed much to the health of society.

The more one enjoys life, even with its difficulties, the more we are blessed by life through God in Christ. He has blessed us with life and we should be thankful for it.

The Nietzscheans

Nietzsche's will to power has been the dominating philosophy of the past one hundred years. It is selfish and arrogant. You might have heard about what a U.S. Senator said to a Army General today. The General began to answer Senator Barbara Boxer's question by saying, "Ma'am..." She interrupted him and stated that she wanted to be addressed as Senator. Understand that the word "ma'am" is a term of respect in the military but Boxer implied that the General was showing disrepect. Many who heard this think that it might be the other way around.

Imagine what she might have said if someone told her that Jesus is Lord and she isn't?

be careful what you say

In Acts 12, one of the Herod's spoke and was praised by the people of Tyre and Si don as a god speaking. He accepted their praise and died a horrible death.

Voltaire stated that his books would become famous while the Bible would become a museum piece. Few have heard of him and his house was bought and used by a Bible society to send out Bibles.

Either the owner or ship's captain said before the maiden voyage of the Titanic that even God could not sink it. It sunk.

A few days ago the editor of Newsweek said that Obama was like God. If I were the President, I would disavow that idea immediately. Paul and Barnabas were thought to be gods in Acts 13 but quickly ran into the audience to show that they were merely men.

As for Newsweek, there appears to be a death wish to a once important weekly. I would encourage the editor to rethink his statement before he sinks with his weekly.

American idol and politics

In the March 2009 issue of "First Things," George Weigel, a Catholic scholar, as an extremely good article on the recent election. Among the things he said was that it appears Americans voted for an American idol candidate; we having become so interested in "reality" television. Of course, some of this was a reaction to the previous administration. Polished, well dressed, speaks with clarity, these are what many wanted, not someone who stumbled through words and was from, of all places, Texas.

Of course, I read ads for preachers and of late many want the same style, able to speak well, exciting, communicates to all........an American idol as our preacher. Wow! I just can't wait to see where that all leads.