Knowing as we are fully known.

One of the advantages to being a teacher is that sometimes your job gets canceled for inclement weather. That's what happened to me yesterday, so I decided to go ahead and spend some time reading.
One of the books I've been meaning to read is called, To Know as we are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey by Parker Palmer. I didn't really know what to expect out of the book except that it was going to give a spiritual vision for teaching. Like many of you, I've been seeking a more biblical and real sense of life and calling lately. In fact, last weekend I found myself praying very hard that God would do something with my life. I want to live life on the more radical side, but I often don't really know what that means, looks like etc...
Anyways, I recommend this book to everyone who wants not just a Christian vision for teaching, but also one for learning. The main thing I'm getting out of it so far is that our philosophy of teaching and learning should become more communal. Just as God the Trinity, who is the ultimate reality, is a community, so we also need to have a communal vision of different aspects to our lives, including how we know things, learning, and teaching.
A second aspect that was most excellent is that often our quest to learn is motivated our of a desire to gain power and pride. He suggests that another motive we can have in the journey of learning is love: love for Christ and others.
Since I'm only on chapter 2, I may post a few more comments about this book later. Here are a few quotes from the book to think about:

"We must resist the popular tendency to think of transcendence as an upward and outward escape from the realities of self and world. Instead, transcendence is a breaking-in, a breathing of the Spirit of love into the heart of our existence, a literal in-spiration that allows us to regard ourselves and our world with more trust and hope than ever before" (13).

But Paul goes beyond criticism to give us an image of the knowledge we must seek: "then we shall be seeing face to face." This is the personal knowledge toward which Christian spirituality calls us, a knowledge that does not distance us from the world but brings us into community, face to face. A knowledge that heals and makes whole will come as we look creation in the eyes and allow it to look back, not only searching nature but allowing it to search us as well" (16).

"Transformed by love, we do not arrogantly impose our powers on the world around us or allow the world to overcome us. Transformed by love we use our minds to recall and recreate the community in which we were created, to know the world in the same spirit in which we are known" (16).


As the psalmist says - Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable to you O LORD my strength and my redeemer.
Take care all.

Thoughts on the evolutionary advantage of believing in God

In the NPR report, “Is Believing in God Evolutionarily Advantageous,” Alex Spiegel interviews Jesse Bering, a psychologist and researcher who is investigating the links between evolution and belief in the supernatural. The interview explores Bering’s research into this field and some interesting theories about the origin of belief in God or gods. Here is a link to the article: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129528196.

Bering did several tests to try to understand how human psychology might respond to the belief in God. In one test, he asks children to perform a very difficult test that would make it a temptation to cheat in order to pass. For one group of children he told them there is an invisible woman sitting in a chair who can see everything they do. In a second group, he had a real woman sitting there. The third group had nobody there at all. The group with the invisible woman cheated less and about the same amount as the group with the real woman. This seems to concur with the idea that belief in God or gods is socially advantageous over non-belief. This is Bering's theory of how the concept of divinities has arisen in an evolutionary setting.

The first thing I ask myself is what is this research presupposing. Evolution presupposes a chemical and biological basis for mutations and changes to human beings. If indeed everything we are, think, and believe is the product of natural selection, then it would be logical to assume that belief in God is a matter of evolution. There is also a certain logic to the idea that belief in God would help society from a purely social perspective, which is an interesting question apart from the question of whether God exists.

In a way, I find the article interesting and useful, but I question the logic that underpins it. It seems like the whole idea is predicated on the flimsy ground of unexamined assumptions.

The assumption behind the article seems to be that beliefs and, more broadly, intellectual constructs are the product of evolution. Since evolution is very broad sweeping, it would appear to me that all beliefs and concepts would have to be included in here. The materialism that presupposes evolutionary theory is really just as much an unprovable belief as belief in God is. It seems logical to ask the question of whether the concept of naturalistic evolution is, itself, the product of evolution.

Here is where I think we run into the shaky ground. If our minds are merely firing off neurons and giving us beliefs and thoughts and concepts, then why should evolution itself be excluded from those concepts. This view would seem to invalidate human reason in general because we are merely thinking whatever our biology is telling us to think. It would turn us away from the idea of free will and that we are independent agents and actors in the world.

It also seems to me to be self-contradicting. Every worldview has to be applied to itself and still hold up under self-scrutiny. The idea that we have evolved into the theory of evolution makes no sense. That is precisely the question that has to be addressed once we begin asking how humans have evolved into believing certain meta-narratives.

I'm not implying that evolutionary studies hold no value. I'm not saying that Theism is true by default. I'm not saying that it isn't possible that God created the world via a process of evolution. I'm merely stating the obvious; naturalistic evolution is loaded with assumptions and not a neutral way of looking at the world.

Personal words from God

Recently I read an article by Bob DeWaay in which he discusses the relevance of personal words from God.  The address for the article is: http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue98.htm.    Can we as Christians hear from God in an extra-scriptural manner?  Personally, I feel a little torn about it.  Most of the Spirit-inspired/directed revelations I’ve had are directions to scripture or being reminded of scripture.   John 14:25-26 says “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”  This seems different than trying to hear something utterly beyond scripture from the Lord.

The references to Deuteronomy 13 and 18 about prophecy really caused me to think.   According to these passages, it would appear that any predictive prophecies must be 100% accurate.  This would make any prophets who have erred false prophets.  That seems a bit harsh doesn’t it?  I’m hoping this post will get us all thinking and discussing.  What do you think?  What are the nature of personal words if we do receive them, or might it not be helpful to veer away from this terminology altogether and just speak of providential direction of God as Dewaay suggests?  In what sense does the Holy Spirit lead us?  Blessings,

Mike

Poems

These are several poems I've written lately.

Crooked Mammon

Your brazen arrows of outrageous fortune cannot pierce this leviathan mouth
I find that all these arrows go south
While corporate whores speak cogently, but silently afraid
Afraid of God and man who has become to them a god
Who they worship with deepest solemnity
Burning their incence to Ishtar while violet white light blazes through box sets and sets all things right
Yet this right is not right but o so sinister
Malthusian ministers, Neitzchian nightmares of corporatist control seek to shudder my soul
And yet take heart I have overcome the world
Says the mystery of godliness unfurled
I find the world is bleak, but for Gulgotha's bleeding peak
But this world though dead in harlatry and sin
Will come forth like Lazarus again.
Fear not I have overcome.
Smite the Shepherd and scatter the flock, yet this catastrophe gathers sheep from all nations.
The smitten Shepherd shall smite crooked mammon and save with mighty hands of mercy.

Memorial Day Poem

Fireworks and glass-eyed smiles
Cries of laughter while the corporate mob laughs
Come bathe in jest while bodies pile and death and hell followed after
Sweet sights and melodies while children cry and predator drones sigh
Why must masses fail to consider that striving is in vain?
Blood can't wash away blood.
For death's dye stains too deep
And ravening lions tend to creep like carrion birds
While a nation teaches whores to be whores and tries to settle the score.
And how can dead works cleanse leperous sores and world loving whores?
How can empires and dead kings cause dead hearts to sing and virtue to begin?
What man can ransom another's soul or make a people whole?
It is too costly and cannot suffice.
This world cannot redeem itself or avenge itself.
Only a second death and a second life accomplished by a perfect Christ.

Unknown Jewel

I would enjoy someone like you to be with?
Only it has to be true
Perhaps you're just a picture of an unknown jewel.
And a sweet unknown soul with a sharp wit.
And a lightening lip.
I'd like a prophetic soul to utter the word of the Lord
a swift burden, a sweet kick in the ass.
A righteous one to smite me
And make me dream of Jesus every moment
And keep my soul in knowledge of the atonement.
Jesus be my truest Lord and keep me true.
With no shackles what can I do?

Jesus

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.  This precious name, the sweetest frame.
You take away your people's sins,
give them love, joy, and peace within.
You speak the simple truth.
Your word testifies its own proof.
Your life is flawless.
Your death has drawn us.
Your resurrection has dawned on us.
Your person of paradoxical perfections.
Calling for spiritual worship.
Not mere man but God enfleshed.
Your perfect surpassing love.
Your Spirit given earnest interacts.
You're alive today and soon returning.
This world will bow the knee,
To a criminal  hung on a tree.
And so I give my all to thee.


Illusion

When you've tried so hard to impress, but it's not enough.
Your rough touch brings only confusion and temporary delusion.
The illusion of magic gives way to gimmick explanations.
When you've mistook an illusion for the real when fabrication counterfeits for truth
and subtle youth offers its own version of proof.
Proof is in the pudding, yet this pudding is beginning to taste sour and make dour.
Coward parts seem like art, but the manmade farse is all it is.
All I want is a divine willed and wined woman, who leaps outside filthy stale religious boxes like cardboard cutouts.
Someone who has every symbol pointed at the prize, and so wise, not dull of hearing like a Jonah running from divine mission.
Not running from the great commission.
Rejoicing in rational and robust mercy of the Creator King and Savior King.
Someone who bears the holy things, but dances in rapt wonder at the rolling thunder and awestruck by Calvary's sweet song.
 A grace paragon, a singing gentle saint, who knows her sin can and can't taint.
A wise woman who weaves love and wildness, boldness and sweet mildness.
I'll not take a silly sap, but a sheer laughing spite at absurdities and radical love of the truth;
a trust in Jesus who is truth will be my only proof.
Jesus who is truth will be my only proof.

Poem: Vast Horizon

How does my beautiful mind that smacks with shards of glass and shackles not recoil at this mystery?
I’d like life to be a bowling alley, but instead it’s a vast horizon of dangerous hills and valleys, a place where those who are catlike enough to tread where few have trod
Have seen the very face of God.
But most recoil like children from bitter food when they see the promised land so good.
Or others weakened by the words of spies, have believe fewer truths and more lies.
Is my Deliverer that good or would he lead me to destruction?
And even that destruction might be good if it destroys my self-love with it.
O let my feeble feet find sweet earth
and soar through the Wind of the second birth.

Poem: My Circus Life

In a dry and weary land I ponder deeply what is felt

In my circus carnival of life I jump through endless hoops

The ring master cracks his whip and laughs at my fall

His pleasant smile beaming out like pearl orbs in the night

Laughing like a sane madman.  Too sane.  Far too sane.

What is this sanity of madness and crazy-logic?

Why does darkness seem to hide behind a suit and blackberry?

Why can’t I be more together like a military shoe-in?

I’ll just keep smiling.  Whistle on my way like a happy

Slave boy, dreaming of freedom.  Dreaming of that trumpet call

When my Lord shall return and wipe the steaming tears

I’ll find a mirror and laugh like a madman.

An all too sane madman.  I’ll make decisions and smile

While hearts are cut to ribbons and lives crushed

As that mirror reveals what’s all too clear in me.

My selfish love of self and all of me

My self-protection and my love of ease.

My unclean lips and silly wandering soul.

And the God who would give his all to make me whole.

This Ring-Master doesn't deserve a single grace.

All I deserve is hell multiplied by hell, cubed.

And no, no, no don’t try to console me.

Don’t try to tell me how good I am.

For you are self deceived and only see my outer smile,

While by God’s grace I see what is defiled.

And yet I see an ocean of gracious suffering

Poured out by my Savior, Lord, and King. 

So take your knapsack and move on beggar.

Until you decide to beg, go find another proud soul to pester.

And when you would quit your wandering, beg your Maker

one bread crumb from his table and give an endless thanks.

And for now this wondrous gospel fountain I will drink

Until I’m drunker than Noah after the flood

Because I’m so full of joy to celebrate

That I’ve been spared this wrath by an Ark of God.

Capitalism: A Love Story - A Movie Review

Michael Moore's recent documentary, Capitalism: A Love Story, no doubt will cause many to chuckle and shake their heads.  The prolific documentarian has been a controversial figure.  If you like him, people will often get the faint impression that you must be a radical liberal, out to demolish all common sense in a childish Utopian quest.  Moore's scathing criticism of George W. Bush's presidency in Fahrenheit 9/11, earned him this title.  Whether this extreme caricature is true, though, is another question.  It's better to watch a person's documentaries before you make a judgment of him though.  In this documentary about the political genuflection of the elite in congress to big banks, there is a lot of interesting, and factual information.  Perhaps instead of shaking our heads we should raise eyebrow and engage with the subject.

Moore traces the evolution of a more free market approach to economics in the 80s as a major culprit of our current troubles.  In the 50s, apparently the rich were taxed at a much higher rate.  This website confirms the data that Moore presented in the film: http://www.truthandpolitics.org/top-rates.php.  In the 80s, as you can see from this chart, the wealthy did receive very large tax cuts.  This has continued into the present day. 

Moore also accuses President Reagan of being a corporate Manchurian candidate.  Perhaps he is, indeed, correct in this assertion.  He does point out that some of the wealthiest business elites in America were on Reagan's staff.  Are republicans a tad bit too trusting of these associations?  You can be the judge of that.

Moore also uses many emotional appeals in the movie.  Mostly it concerns working class people being evicted from their homes due to mortgage problems.  One family had a graduated mortgage payment that they couldn't pay.  Another family was evicted but then came back to live on the property in defiance of the eviction.  A group of workers decided to protest GM's mismanagement by staying in their factory after it was going to be closed.  All of these scenes were very emotionally moving.  It's very sad what's happening to so many Americans these days.  Sure, many of them should have known that they couldn't afford the mortgage payments.  You could make the same argument about people who fall victim to scam artists, yet we still punish the scam artists.  In the case of these crooked loans, we reward the banks with 700 billion dollar bailouts.

Perhaps the most provoking part of the film was the footage and interviews of the 2008 banking crisis and the negotiations in congress to bail out the banks.  Goldman Sachs and other big banking firms apparently have a very cozy relationship with the office of the Presidency and the big wigs in Congress.  It doesn't matter who is in the oval office;  it appears that they appoint Wallstreet heavyweights to be the Secretary of the Treasury every time.  Whether it's Henry Paulson, or Timothy Geithner, it doesn't matter.

Wait a minute, I thought republicans were the only ones who were into cozy, corporate relations.  Nope, it's the leaders of the democratic party as well.  Barack Obama, himself, was a very vocal supporter of the Bail out.  Moore hints at this gently, but it doesn't appear that he has the kahonas to take on Obama.  That would probably lose him a lot of support from his fan base.

Moore should have come right out and talked about Obama's deep entrenchment in corporate ties.  He would have gained more fans than he lost, in my opinion.

While Moore's documentary was very thought provoking, I think he fails to really address the problem.  He does this by associating all of this corruption with Capitalism in general.  Capitalism in general is not the problem.  Monopology Capitalism and corporatism is the problem.  Real free market capitalism does conjure up images of small shops and the economic enterprise of the little guy, as one guest on the film accurately stated (it was the guy who played the leader of the gang in the Princess Bride).  Monopoly Capitalism, however, destroys the real free market because it dodges the market by government aid and corporate cartels (corporations working together to fix prices etc...). 

In summary, I find a lot of value in Moore's work.  I cannot agree that we need more top-down, central economic planning to fix the problems, however.  We do need regulations of banks and we do need to reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act to separate commercial and investment banks again.  We also need leadership who will not bow to the filthy lucre of corporate lobbyists anymore.  It doesn't matter if they call themselves Democrats, Republicans, or Independents.

How is this possible without a radical intellectual, ethical, and moral change in America?  Many historians believe that the Great Awakening gave a great impetus to the American Revolution.  Perhaps we need a new Great Awakening if we want to see another American Revolution.  Let's hope and pray for that and seek a peaceful revolution.