Mulled Vine

How old do you think the universe is? Do you believe it was created in 6 literal days or does Genesis perhaps need to be understood differently? Take a look at these two examples.

Varves

Shale and Claystone rocks are formed from clay deposited at the bottom of lakes or the sea. Sometimes these appear in the form of thin layers called varves which accumulate over the years, alternating between lighter and darker colour depending on the season, and often containing pollen fossils in alternate, hence summer, bands.

Varve thicknesses vary from year to year, coinciding with sunspot cycles and the precession of the equinoxes; both these astronomical cycles affect rainfall which affect the amount of clay washed into lakes and hence the varve thickness.

Some varve deposits are very thick and have hundreds of thousands of varve (season) pairs. The current world record is held by the Green River Shale deposits in Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, where there are several million successive, alternating colour bands.

Is this evidence of a single flood event or a very ancient earth?

Supernovae

Every so often a star explodes (goes supernova), rapidly becoming millions of times brighter for a few weeks before fading until all that is left is a small dense star remnant surrounded by a cloud of expanding gas.

Usually supernovae can only be observed through telescopes as they occur in remote galaxies, but very occasionally they occur in our own galaxy where they may be observed by the naked eye. Chinese astronomers recorded such an event in AD 1054 in what is now called the Crab Nebula – an expanding gas cloud with a small remnant star at its centre.

Measurements of the size and expansion rate of this cloud have been made, and have enabled the date of the explosion to be calculated; this date is in agreement with the recorded Chinese date.

Similarly measurements have been made of other supernova remnants, most of them larger and less dense than the Crab Nebula. The Cygnus Loop for example has a size and expansion rate that show that the initial explosion took place approximately 60000 years ago.

Not a great age, but significantly greater than the recent-creation proposed age of 10000 years.

I used to believe that man was born a blank slate, with all his choice ahead of him, no constraints, and no particular propensity towards either good or evil. Surely, I reasoned, anything else would be completely unfair. Original Sin was an abomination in my opinion.

Then I had children.

Now don’t get me wrong, I have wonderful children, but the thing you discover as parents is that children are born fundamentally Self-ish and our task as parents is to teach them how to be Self-less, to share, to love unconditionally and so on – it just doesn’t come naturally to them.

So what’s that got to do with sin? Of course they’re selfish – its their survival instinct, isn’t it? I don’t think so. Even if you don’t believe in God, it makes sense that putting one’s own needs above those of the community is harmful to that community and hence “wrong” in a survivalist sense.

I’m no theologian but it seems to me that Original Sin (our sinful nature) is that unbalanced sense of the importance of Self, at the expense of God’s Will and our neighbours. That’s why the greatest commandments are to do with loving God with our ALL, and our neighbour as our SELF.

We have a desperate need, and that is to be born again. Self has to die and be replaced with our Christ-self.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Phil 2:5-8)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20)

But we know that despite our rebirth we have a dying residue of the Old Self in us, that part of us that likes to be elevated rather than be humbled, that lashes out when attacked rather than turn the other cheek, that won’t walk the extra mile because its inconvenient, that loves only when love is returned.

But let it be that, a dying residue, no more; live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Gal 5:16)

I like to laugh and am a firm believer in humour as an antidote to life’s woes.

So in the absence of anything profound to mull about, here it is: a hysterically funny blog by a fellow Christian. I have laughed out aloud more in the last two days since I discovered it than I have in months.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

I have been mulling over a recent comment on this blog
“… the point is that every truth is always contextual and always under contestation. It means that you can only know the truth you know – as a human, at this point in history, etc. It doesn’t mean to suggest that there are no truths, but that we (as limited human beings) should have a little less hubris – especially when were using it to hurt others…”

If you, like me, have to look up hubris, then I’ll save you the trouble – it means excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.

Now I agree totally that we should approach conversations about the truth with humility, in the knowledge that we are possibly wrong, but is every truth “always under contestation”?

I’m typing on my laptop. I know its a laptop. If I leaned over to my colleague and asked him if this was a laptop I know what he’d say (once he was done laughing). That is an uncontestable truth.

So NOT always. Hah!

Then I remembered my new word hubris and mulled further.

Why is it an uncontestable truth?

I think its a laptop and am pretty confident about that. My senses tell me this thing under my fingers exists and is just like other things I have perceived before called laptops. Sometimes my perceptions have been confirmed by others calling it a laptop.

So something is very likely to be true if (i) I perceive it with my senses, and (ii) this perception has independent, trustworthy confirmation.

But sometimes something is also very likely to be true without my personal perception being required. For example, my wife tells me she spent £200 at the shops. She is trustworthy so I believe her, much as I’d like not to in this case. I also apply a reasonableness check – she’s spent this sort of amount before at the shops, so she’s not just trying to wind me up. (Note: this is a completely made up example!)

I say very likely rather than uncontestable because the fact is that my senses and my trustworthy truth confirmers may let me down. So always I need to apply a reasonableness check. If my wife suddenly starts seeing live pink rabbits then I need to question her trustworthiness in this instance because I have never experienced live pink rabbits before. But if my daughters confirmed her statement then I would have to reevaluate.

Ok, so the principle seems to be that if many people I trust say something happened, then even if I didn’t experience it myself, and it seems a bit unlikely, then I should believe it. And its a very likely truth (almost to the point of being uncontestable) because I really trust them – they are my family.

So what about the alleged truths in the Bible?

The principle is the same. For example, I believe Jesus lived and did some fairly unlikely stuff because there were many documented witnesses to this fact. Are they trustworthy? This is a big discussion but let me offer some thoughts:

• a witness is likely to be telling the truth about his perception of events if he’s willing to die for his testimony
• a witness who’s whole worldview is about truth and honesty is not likely to be lying
• a witness who appears to be very sane and competent in other respects is not likely to be deluded
• if multiple witnesses describe an account and there are subtle variations in the accounts which can be reconciled, then its likely that the account was not concocted
• if a witness makes statements which agree with other witnesses spanning hundreds of years and cultures then its likely to be true

So, assuming that I have an accurate representation of what the witnesses said (another topic in itself) and that I apply common-sense interpretation principles to what was written, I think its reasonable to really trust these witnesses, making what they say very likely, almost to the point of being uncontestable.

But its still only almost, so watch out for that hubris.

Have you noticed how many of us live inside self-drawn sin-acceptability circles? We tolerate the so called “little” sins in the circle but not the “big” sins outside the circle. We’re often very happy to tell white lies, perform creative accounting, spot tax loopholes, illegally download music etc., these are after all such “little” things, but heaven forbid that a fornicator or child molester should wander into our fold!

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (Jn

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (Mt 7:3)

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Rom 3:21-23)

So the next time you feel like casting a stone, think PLANK.

Bigot (n) – One who is strongly partial to one’s own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.

“Be ye tolerant!” is Post Modernism’s golden rule. The absolute Truth, if it exists at all they say, is not knowable, and anyone who asserts that they have THE Truth is wrong and a bigot. The intolerant are not tolerated, which is quite amusing in itself.

Christians claim to hold the Truth and are frequently labeled bigots because of it. Yet often the label has much more to do with our attitude, the way we wield the Truth. We cling to our interpretations with fierce, narrow-minded intensity, fearing and even hating those who disagree with us. Debates frequently involve personal attacks on the other party rather than an objective consideration of the matter at hand.

Christians are not called to be tolerant but we are called to “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15), “with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3:15), and ensuring that our “conversation is always full of grace, seasoned with salt” (Col 4:6).

So be a bigot today, but make sure you’re the nicest bigot they ever met!

One of my great joys in life is to be a youth worker in our church. Its generally hard work but very often I get thoroughly blessed. This morning was such a time. We were singing the song “God’s love is big” from the Vineyard Great Big God series and doing some very silly moves at the same time.

I felt like David, who danced before the Lord when the ark was returned to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6. That’s the great thing about having or working with kids – it gives us oh so serious adults a chance to lose our inhibitions and have some fun.

This morning I worshiped like a child and wanted to share some of the words of this great song with you.

God who made the universe
The earth, the sun, the moon and stars
Has a place in His heart for me
From the beginning to the end
God will always be my friend
So I can jump and shout ‘cos God loves me

God’s love is big, God’s love is great
God’s love is fab and He’s my mate
God’s love surrounds me everyday
And I love to sing and say
God’s love is big, God’s love is strong
God’s love goes on and on and on
God’s love surrounds me everyday
And I love to sing and say…God loves me WEHAY!

So go on, have a little skip and a dance when no one’s looking. God loves you and that is SOOO cool!

I have just read a post that has really convicted me. I realise that I have in recent years become agnostic towards the Truth. I have started to believe that God’s Word, whilst containing the Truth, is open to wide interpretation and have even found myself thinking (in classic Post Modernist fashion) that all interpretations are equally valid.

But is this the case?

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17 – a verse that I have memorised in the past!?)

How can ALL Scripture be useful if ALL Scripture can’t be rightly understood and have one readily identifiable meaning?

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 3:14-15)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31-32)

If we don’t have a solid grounding in the truth we will be like “infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Eph 4:14)

Father, forgive me for becoming discouraged and apathetic at the divisions and lack of unity in your Church, and the seeming inability to find absolute Truth in your Word. I have lost my way. But your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path so I turn from disillusionment and seek your face. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see.

Father I pray that your children will no longer be like infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. I pray that instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

I have been given an award. Moi? Has the world gone mad?

And it gets even worse…. TWO people have independently given me this award!!

To quote:
“Its a brand new award being passed out. It is the “Mathetes Award”, created by Dan King of Management by God to recognize those who take to heart the Great Commission and further God’s Kingdom by creating more disciples for Him. According to Dan mathetes is the Greek word for disciple. The rules for the award, as posted by it’s creator are as follows:

In the spirit of this award, the rules are simple. Winners of this award must pick five other “disciples” to pass it on to. As you pass it on, I just ask that you mention and provide links for (1)this post as the originator of the award (Dan King of management by God), (2) the person that awarded it to you, and then (3) name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ.”

I honestly don’t know what to say, and I’d like to dedicate this award to my Mom, my cat Fluffy, … No, seriously, THANK YOU.

Now I have a problem. The instructions are to pass it on to five other deserving “disciples”, but four that immediately spring to mind have already received it and I don’t think I know that many others well enough to pass on the award to.

Sure I could just pick 5 people at random, but then its a meaningless award. It occurrs to me that the award cannot go on being passed on forever. This would mean that everybody gets it eventually, which is obviously silly and this award is would then be no better than a chain mail.

The people I wanted to send the award to are:
Proverbs31WomanWannaBe
Belt of Truth Ministries
AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles
Joie De Vivre

But after some reflection it turns out there are quite a number of deserving blogs out there still, so …

I award the Mathetes Award to (in no particular order)
Casey’s Critical Thinking
Christian Think Tank
ThirstyJon
Sailing by Starlight
Good Christian Life

I came to Christianity late in life, and was raised with hardly any exposure to religion. My conversion at the tender age of 20 was into a fundamentalist group that believed they had The Biblical Truth and that if you disagreed you were very likely not saved. We studied the Bible many times a week and were proud of our back-to-the-Bible church model. We were like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) and proud of it. We had ditched the traditions of men for the Word. We were not a denomination – we were the church of Christ!

I embraced this certainty wholeheartedly until I moved abroad and into deep water. Not only did my fundamentalist group not have much representation in the UK, but those groups that did lacked the commitment of my former group. I became disillusioned and wandered in the wilderness for a while before my dear long-suffering wife managed to persuade me to go to a local free Evangelical church.

Now I’d never knowingly met an Evangelical before and boy was I in for a surprise. These people seemed like Christians yet had a different set of “truths” to mine!? I ignored this for a while until we settled down in the Baptist church we now fellowship with, but then I had to sort this out. After all, was I not like the Bereans?

The first thing I discovered was that there is a wealth of very strong opinion out there on what “The Truth” is, much of it supported by hoardes of favourite scriptures.

Then I discovered that my Baptist church had a different view of my precious regenerative baptism (baptizo in the Greek, which means immersion, none of this sprinkling nonsense – see we were taught well) – they viewed it as not regenerative, but symbolic! I looked into it in earnest, and well, they perhaps have a point. I was becoming uncertain that I still had “The Truth”.

Then I discovered that I was an Arminian without knowing it, that there was something called Calvinism, and Original Sin, that perhaps I might be lost before I’d even started sinning, that God may have elected us, given us grace to choose and so on. I learnt about eternal security.

Naturally I challenged all of this, like a good Berean should, but when you’re on your own, and your brain is not that big, and you don’t have the benefit of extensive studies in things like hermeneutics, it becomes quite tough to work out what’s what.

So why have I bared my soul like this, laid myself wide open to all sorts of “loving correction” (abuse) from those of you who know the Truth?

Its because I need to ask you. How can you say you know “The Truth”? It doesn’t seem that clear to me. Denominations don’t just exist because we are deceived and relying on the traditions of men rather than The Word. Is it because there is perhaps some genuine (and acceptable) ambiguity in the Bible that we in our human arrogance have decided to make an issue of, beating each other up with what amounts to little more than strong opinions? We gather in our little groups of like-minded bigots and look down our noses at each other because we know the truth and they are misguided fools. Of course we love them, because we “Speak the Truth in Love”, but we know better, we are better, we are like the Bereans.

Rubbish.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.“