Does Christian Theology Encourage Freedom?

 

God established the physical and not-physical (spiritual) rules of our Cosmos. Although we humans have done a reasonable job of discovering and applying the physical laws of our universe, we unfortunately have failed to fully embrace the not-physical doctrines of our natural Cosmos.

Thus God had a problem. He wanted to reveal his spiritual rules to us. His solution was to convey his message to all who would listen through the voice and deeds of a man he would call his son. We know that man as Jesus Christ. He was created to convey God’s wisdom to us.

Jesus Christ did a great job. He taught a theology and philosophy that would influence the development of western civilization for centuries. Our best political, technological, cultural, economic and scientific advancements have been stimulated by the energy of the beliefs he taught us in the first century.

Why is this true?

Christian theology encourages everyone... from the poorest to the richest, from the weakest to the most powerful... to seek spiritual wisdom. We are able to establish a spiritual relationship with God... a very personal and intimate relationship that helps us to define who we are. These encounters help to give life both purpose and meaning.

Christian theology establishes the rules for emotional and physical health. Be moral, be responsible, be positive, be constructive, be compassionate and be self-confident. Achievement is to be respected. Charity and love for others is essential. Seek the power of the spiritual while dealing with the reality of the physical.  And so on.... We learn God’s wisdom and confirm his love for us. 

Christian theology communicates the highest code of moral behavior, the conviction that life is valuable, and a firm commitment to faith, love, charity, and compassion. Spiritual redemption and eternal life are possible.

As a result, there is a sharp contrast between the evils of deceit, hedonism, greed, intellectual arrogance and the political tyranny of autocratic minds... versus ... the modesty, compassion, charity, moral obligation, and personal responsibility found in the message of Christian theology.

There is an equally sharp contrast between the failures of every dictatorship that governs by oppression and the success of nations that embrace Christian concepts of freedom with personal responsibility as a natural right.

The freedom to achieve... to be successful... is a natural right. It drives our creative instincts and subsequent innovation. Success breeds confidence and self-confidence stimulates further exploration of the possible. Freedom is the intellectual foundation of our quest for greater human knowledge. 

These are troubling times. Christian values are being challenged by those who chose to ignore the existence of the spiritual. That gives us a mission. The fundamental purpose of Christian theology is to practice, preserve, protect and spread the word of God as revealed by Jesus Christ.

Let us all come together as a community. Every church, every congregation, and every gathering of people who come together in his name. Compared to the challenge before us, the differences in our beliefs are trivial. United we can carry on the mission of Jesus Christ. Let us be firm in our commitment to Christian modesty, compassion, charity, moral obligation, and personal responsibility. We believe life is valuable. God’s commandments are sacred. The foundation of civilized behavior rests on the values proclaimed by the Ten Commandments. We have a firm commitment to personal faith, love, charity, and compassion. We know spiritual redemption and eternal life are possible. Christian theology provides the word... Let us remember:

If we approach life as God intended,
resolute in our efforts to preserve his word,
We will make a difference.

Christian values and philosophy provide a moral foundation

for the freedom to achieve greater knowledge.

Ron

Let us unite our perception of the physical with our experience of the spiritual.
Both were created by God.

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Creation: What is the Role of Information?

 

Advancements in genetics and molecular biology suggest cells have the ability to receive, process, store and act on information created within the cell and information received from sources which are external to the cell. This is analogous to a computing network which uses information to make decisions that control growth, movement, differentiation, and response. Think of it as natural genetic engineering. Decisions are made for a purpose and then carried out by the cell’s internal biology.

Darwin assumed all genetic change was accidental and random. But recent work suggests the functions of the genome are not static. Instead, cellular change is affected by the cell’s external environment, mutation depends on internal biochemical processes which can be altered by the cell, and active cell response can drive rapid evolutionary changes in a cell’s DNA. Thus while Darwin’s accidental and random genetic change cannot explain the rather abrupt events we see in DNA and fossil records, a cell’s ability to acquire, store, process and transmit information does encourage rapid adaptive change. Information may come from the disruption of an expected internal function, the external environment, or external intelligence.

Statistically, random mutations are unlikely to produce the desired result within the desired time-frame. But if the biological functions of the cell are actively directed by acquired information, then the cell (and hence the biological host) is more likely to achieve a successful mutation. By receiving, storing, processing, creating and transmitting information, active organisms are able to adapt to changes in their external environment and shape their own evolution.

However, where does all this information come from? If it does not originally reside in a cell’s DNA, who or what is the source?

Ron

Summa 21 

Let us unite our perception of the physical with our experience of the spiritual.

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“What are Christian values?”

 

When we are asked: “What are Christian values?” we may struggle to answer. They are so natural to us we seldom try to list them. But these values are the bedrock of our faith. Throughout  the ages, God has taught them to all who would listen. They exist in the wisdom of many cultures – all over our planet.  For Christians, these values can be found in the written expressions of faith found in the Old and New Testaments as well as the words and deeds of God’s chosen messengers. We know God’s values provide a moral framework for our behavior.

But we are being challenged to declare our beliefs with conviction.  We seek a more complete understanding of these values so that we can express them with confidence.

It all starts by establishing a loving relationship with God. We are inspired to seek and love him without reservation. Those who are able to connect with God in prayer or meditation discover he is a wonderful source of wisdom, peace and joy.

We can are also encouraged to create a transcendent relationship with Jesus Christ. The son of God taught us God’s values and gave his life to prove the truth of his message.  

Our spiritual relationships with God and his son inspire us to love others with sensitivity and empathy. God wants us to take a thoughtful view of our interpersonal relationships. People with a healthy outlook on life will not choose to hurt themselves either physically or emotionally. We are expected to project this same caring attitude in our personal relations with others. It does not matter whether our contact is casual and brief (as with a stranger we meet on the street), or the result of a long term relationship (as in marriage), God wants us to set the example.  

Life begins at conception. The preservation, protection and support of the family unit, along with the physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being of family members, are fundamental components of Christian theology.  Although these values can be found in other spiritual faiths and secular social structures, they find their best expression in the influence Christianity has had on western philosophy.

We choose to elevate Christian theology, with its emphasis on love, goodwill, individual growth, personal responsibility, and freedom. We do not believe in a class social system where there is a hierarchy of privilege based on title or wealth. We believe in the inherent equality of humanity, regardless of physical attributes. One is not condemned to forever be at the bottom of the sociological pyramid. Even the poor can have dignity and status. Within our Christian community there is love and compassion for the sick, the elderly, the very young, the hungry, the widow or widower, and the poor. No one need live in the loneliness of isolation. One can have a sense of belonging to a community of friends, of every age, all brothers and sisters in Christ. Salvation is offered to those who adopt God’s values.

We try to live our lives according to the tenets and lessons of the Ten Commandments. We can also add a 21^st century context to our obligation.

1. I am the one true God.  Do not create other Gods or icons to worship.

2. Never use my name in vain or as an expression of profanity.

3. Set aside Sunday as a day for God, family and friends... in that order.  Join others in worship. Seek the transcendent spiritual experience in song, prayer and meditation. Embrace your family with joy and quiet conversation. Strengthen the bonds friendship.

4. Honor your father and your mother. Love your family and relatives.

5. Do not seek to humiliate, torture, or kill another human.

6. Do not commit adultery, engage in indecent behavior, or seek to exploit the weak for sexual pleasure.

7. Do not steal, or commit fraud.

8. Do not lie or make false statements against any person or institution.

9. Do not want to have your neighbor’s house or possessions; do not desire to possess your neighbor’s wife; and do not attempt to disrupt your neighbor’s household.

10. Avoid conceit and envy.

We must be aware how our actions and words affect other conscious beings. Being actively mindful of others enables understanding, compassion, and ethical restraint. By this introspection we learn how to treat others as we would want them to treat us

The core values of a 21st century Christian are taken from the New Testament of the Bible. Within these pages one finds the best expression the theology taught by Jesus Christ. These beliefs, along with selected passages from the Bible’s Old Testament, provide a moral foundation for the cultural values of Western Civilization. Christian theology with its emphasis on personal achievement, has been a key driver in the development of a strong middle class, and is the philosophical basis of the American Republic.

If we deliberately ignore God’s values.... the values by which he wants us to live our lives...we cannot claim to be a Christian, ... and there is a penalty...  we may forsake our chance to enter God’s Kingdom (heaven).  And there is another downside. If we discard these values, we destroy the moral foundation of civilized behavior.

These are some of the core beliefs that motivate the life and behavior of a 21^st century Christian. So how can we prepare to convey them to others?

Let us start by making a quiet connection with God: a quiet interlude of prayer to nourish our soul and encourage spiritual peace.  Then let us list these values: one by one.  What do we believe?  Let us seek God’s wisdom to confirm our thoughts.

Then we go forth with confidence.  We know what we believe.

Ron

Selected thoughts from…  “Summa 21, The Natural Theology of a 21^st Century Christian”

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Christian Theology Has Lost Its Way

 

From  “ The Angels’ Footpath”

From time to time Rick would take a morning walk through the woods to the familiar farm house next door. More often than not, Micah would have a cup of coffee ready for him. They talked about religion, politics, humanity, theology, space, time, the cosmos, and just about anything else that happened to pop into Rick’s head. Micah seemed to know everything. He could speak eloquently about the stars or give an equally knowledgeable dissertation about atoms. Ricardo could only wonder at the man’s knowledge. He soaked it up with great interest.

Early in the morning of a beautiful July day, Rick again ventured to Micah’s home. As the two men quietly talked, Rick told Micah about his proposal to Neema, her acceptance, and his call to Phillip to tell him the news. Rick chuckled as he told Micah about the call. He had been in the middle of telling Phillip about Neema when Phillip interrupted to exclaim with great energy he had proposed to Lydia. The two men had laughed together about their sudden commitment to the institution of marriage. Then Phillip proposed they have a double wedding. Before Rick could say anything, Lydia came on the phone with Phillip and shrieked her obvious enthusiasm for the idea.

“And what are you going to do?” Micah asked.

“It’s all out of my hands. Lydia called Neema, and they planned the whole thing. Anyway, we will have the service in two weeks.”

Micah could only smile. He had a special place in his heart for both couples. Micah was pleased they would stand before God and take their vows of spiritual love and commitment.

“Can I come?” he asked.

“Of course! You must come…and everyone else we know in Winters! It will be a day of commitment and joy.”

Micah sat back in his chair and looked at the flowers that seemed to bloom with such perfection in his garden. His face became more serious. He looked Rick straight in the eye to hold his attention.

“Rick, you will be leaving us soon—leaving Winters—and before you go, I have one thing to add to our conversations.”

Puzzled, Rick sat back in his chair. Micah was very solemn.

“The church is in trouble. Conventional theology is under attack from several directions at the same time. Although most people want to believe in the spiritual, theology has lost its way. Old explanations of the cosmos collide with the discoveries of science. The more we know about the physical universe, the greater our rejection of the spiritual universe. Theology has not kept pace with man’s knowledge. If the human race is to survive, that has to change. Mankind must rediscover the wonders of the spiritual. The message must be simple and unambiguous. I have given you the tools to understand the relationship of the physical with the spiritual. Father Giovanni has written a text that explains a new theology. Now you must carry that message to others.”

Rick was very perplexed by what he heard. “But why me? I have no religious training. I am not an expert on the Bible… Surely there must be others who are more qualified.”

“Rick, you have the best of qualifications. You have experienced all the human emotions: love, great sorrow, frustration, triumph, failure, joy, and so on. These provide the basis for your understanding of the human condition. There has always been a connection between you and the spiritual. You have developed a great compassion and sensitivity for those around you. Abigail took a great interest in your intellectual development, and you responded to her enthusiasm. In our many conversations over the years, I’ve taught you many truths about the cosmos. That is your preparation. It is more than enough.”

“But how can I make a difference? Who needs this message you describe?”

“Christianity is at a crossroads. Socialist cultural democracy clashes with ancient doctrine. There has been a significant fragmentation of theology. Absent charismatic leadership, the Christian experience mostly centers on ancient tradition and doctrine.  Humanity is hurting.  Confusion.  Distrust.  Fear.  Hurt.  Economic deprivation. Psychological trauma.  Millions are going to need the comfort of a stable and reassuring spiritual experience. Humanity desperately needs an enlightened vision of the spiritual universe. That is where you come in. In whatever you do, you must believe, practice, teach, and encourage high moral values and loving compassion. Encourage honesty and integrity. Seek to elevate human interaction. Confirm the nobility of human existence. Comfort those in distress with person-to-person contact. Focus on those who honestly seek the help of God and for whom the Holy Spirit can make a real difference. Provide a path for those who seek the spiritual universe. Deliver a positive message. Preserve a sense of family among those you meet.”

Rick was still doubtful. “I still don’t understand… Why me?”

“You have been chosen for this task from the day you were conceived. Everything that has happened before was preparation for what is to come.”

Rick was astonished by Micah’s assertion. He stared out the window at the trees and garden. Slowly he began to understand the gravity of Micah’s message. Rick decided not to challenge him again. He tuned to face his mentor.

“What happens next?”

“Only God knows for the moment,” said Micah. “Your confusion is understandable. But I have great faith in you. Find your way. Let it come. Your understanding of your role will increase as you come closer to God.”

 

Ron

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Gabriel Tells John: Jesus is the Man You Have Been Expecting

 

John the Baptist was a priest (because he was the son of Zechariah), and he had a legal right to perform the rite of Mikveh. In first century Judaism certain human discharges, animal parts and any blood were considered unclean. The purpose of immersion was, and still is, to ritually wash them away to achieve spiritual purity.

John the Baptist was at Bethany (Bayt ‘Anya) on the eastern side of the Jordan River (Bethany beyond the Jordan). It is likely the Jordan River was considered unclean for baptism because there was silt in the water. However, clean, pure water was available from springs and tributaries that ran into the Jordan. From one of these John was able to create a Mikveh basin (pond) where he could perform the ritual. For Jesus and many others it took the form of Tevilah (full body immersion).

John’s use of full immersion as a means of washing away the past and starting a new future suggests that at some point he was influenced by the Hindu ritual of full immersion. It is not necessarily a ritual of cleanliness. Instead, he apparently used it to separate a person’s past from the life they would lead in the future. Old sins are washed away and we are free to begin a new life without the burden of our past mistakes.

I choose to believe Jesus understood the significance of John’s beliefs. When Jesus crossed the plain to find John, he was ready to begin his ministry. God had given him a mission. There was no turning back. The Mikveh ritual would have a specific purpose. Full immersion baptism would confirm the truth of his dedication.

Baptism washed away Jesus the man. As he is raised up, Jesus the Son of God is revealed.

…………

27 A.D. Late July.

John was baptizing on the east bank of the Jordan River where the road from Jerusalem and Jericho crosses into the lands of Peraea. The location of the river has changed over the last 2000 years and the site is now called Bethany Beyond the Jordan. When Jesus went to see John, he had been preaching and baptizing for about a year.

John’s reputation had spread all the way to Jerusalem in the west, Philadelphia in the east, Qumran in the south, and Capernaum in the north. He often delivered an apoplectic message, challenging his congregation to consider all they had done that was sinful, and urging them to repent. Some of those who heard him speak began to wonder if he was the true Messiah. Even the priests in Jerusalem became alarmed that John might be able to overturn their authority. But to all of them, John had the same answer:

“When you come to me for repentance, I will baptize you with the waters of the Jordan.  But one who is more powerful than I is coming, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. He will separate the wheat from the chaff–and the chaff will burn in a never-ending fire.”

***

It had been a busy morning for John and he was pleased that twelve travelers had volunteered to be baptized. He was feeling compassionate. In his message he had even encouraged his listeners to be kind to tax collectors. The road was now empty and John decided to have something to eat. Resting under a tree, eating his lunch of bread and dried fruits, he noticed a man coming toward him from the direction of Jericho. As the man drew closer, John felt compelled to get up to greet the stranger. But the man motioned for him to remain under the tree and - after a brief handshake - sat down beside him.

“Do you know who I am?” the man asked.

“I believe I should know you,” John answered.

“I am Gabriel, the angel who told your parents about your conception and announced the birth of Jesus to several people.”

“My mother Elizabeth told me about your message, and your punishment of Zechariah for his lack of faith. I should know you for your deeds....  I thank you for giving my father his voice. ”

“Your father was a good man, John. He was just a little suspicious of my message. As soon as he believed, I let him speak again.”

John felt a little uncertain. “And what are you going to tell me?”

“I have good news.... God urged you to go north to find Jesus, did he not?”

“Yes. I found him in Bethsaida.”

“And you accompanied him on his travels?”

“Yes. I encouraged him to travel. As it happened, he wanted to learn how to heal. So we went to find the best training.”

“Micah and I want to thank you for your service–and so does God...” Gabriel paused to adjust his place under the tree.

“We have another task for you.”

John was not surprised. He had been thinking of Jesus and was sure his friend would soon be ready to start his own ministry as a preacher and healer in Galilee.

“How can I help?”

“Jesus has become the man you have been expecting. Jesus is the Messiah. He has made a conscious connection with God. He now calls God his father. God calls Jesus his son. God has given Jesus a mission. He is to deliver God’s message to all who will listen. Jesus is ready. He will come to you to be baptized. It will be a baptism of dedication to his ministry. ”

John was stunned. Gabriel’s words were far more important than anything he could have anticipated. All his dreams were coming to pass. All his prayers had been answered. He was overwhelmed with the realization his friend.... his friend was the man he had been expecting… his friend Jesus is the son of God!

“This is glorious. I knew my friend was an exceptional man. On our trip I believe he was able to project the power of God on several occasions.... And now I know he really is the one we have been waiting for.... And to think I was able.... I was able to help him make the transition.... I am humbled by your words.... When is he coming?”

“Late this afternoon. Complete the baptism and encourage your disciples to follow him.”

“That will not be difficult. Andrew, Simon and Philip are looking for a leader who will take them on a spiritual quest. They are here – but of course you already know that.”

“You don’t mind encouraging them to follow Jesus?”

“If Jesus is the son of God, then they must follow him!” John responded with conviction.

“Then may God bless your efforts.”

Gabriel stood up, gave John a benevolent smile, and vanished.

………..

For John, the realization his friend Jesus was the man he had been expecting must have been a thrilling moment. He knew it was the beginning of a ministry that would change the world.

Ron

Text from “Am I Your Son?”