WW11/29 Personal Safety Concerns

The Wired Word of 11/29 raised a number of questions concerning the extent one may/should go to address personal safety factoring in the promise of a happy afterlife (other conditions being met) recorded in the Bible.

First, to put the current terrorist threat in reasonable perspective to ongoing daily life risks, the terrorist threat is different but not of great significance. Most of the anxiety has to do with the news media hype. There have been several commercial passenger aircraft crashes this year due to mechanical problems, pilot error and weather. These crashes rate one to two day exposure on the news and are then replaced by other breaking news. When the news media talks about an aircraft downed by terrorists, it has to go back five or ten years generally to a crash in Scotland.

Second, opting for the benefits (promises, providing other conditions are met) of life after death, generally via suicide, the driving force is usually despair, fear or some other major negative life situation. The only persons generally opting voluntarily for death do so for religious and/or patriotic or to protect a loved one. Those that opt for death on religious grounds generally do so because of strong pressure from a highly regarded individual or group. An example of the former would be the Jim Jones group suicide in South America 15 or 20 years ago. An example of the latter would be the suicide bombers in Afghanistan.

Third, I think the major cause for concern in the present situation regarding terrorists, arises from our not being accustomed to such a threat. We do not get overly concerned about the 30,000 to 40,000 people killed in automobile accidents each year, are the large number of deaths due directly or indirectly to alcohol or tobacco. Given time, we will find the right level of action to put the terrorist danger in proper perspective. It is probably fortunate that we have serious doubts regarding the benefits of life after death, otherwise the suicide rate would be overwhelming.

GPS 11/22 Paul has Vision of Jesus

Paul committed some terrible atrocities in the name of religion. One of the most notable was his standing idly by as Stephen was stoned to death. Stephen was a very religious person and gave many talks (sermons) to the masses. Paul's position was apparently "If you are not with us, you are against us". Sometime after the stoning of Stephen, Paul encountered a vision of Jesus and some physical difficulties and subsequently became a convert to Christianity.

I have difficulty in understanding the meaning of this series of events.

Paul's conversion came after a number of Christians were kill for being Christians. I don't understand why Paul's conversion wasn't forced on him earlier, it would have saved the lives of some innocent people. We are given no hint regarding the delay.

One thought is that the conversion of Paul was made to maximize the number of converts in the future, i.e., the sacrifice of a few innocent people to convert more people. One question that arises from this approach is just what is the maximum ratio of innocent deaths to future converts that is acceptable, somewhat like a business decision. This type of action violates a couple of Commandments: Do unto others.... and Thou shall not kill . . .

Another possibility may be that Paul needed a number of deaths under his belt before he would be receptive to a conversion. I would think that a very hard heart could be changed with enough visions and bodily pains.

And then, it may be that we are deliberately left to ponder why a misguided Jew, also a Roman citizen, would be the one chosen, instead of Stephen, to spread the Christian gospel.

A casual article on how to approach the Bible

Question has been raised about how to interpret and use the Bible. Here is a link to an article that talks about this subject in a casual way for those who might want to think about it further. I don't agree with it all, but I thought it was an interesting perspective.

The article is called, 'A Conversation in God's Kitchen'.

How I've learned to understand the Bible

by Michael Spencer

Enjoy the food!

A Plain Account of Christian Perfection

I've been reading some of Wesely's original work. This is from a pamphlet called, 'A Plain Account of Christian Perfection'. I thought it was awesome!

1. What I purpose in the following papers is, to give a plain and distinct account of the steps by which I was led, during a course of many years, to embrace the doctrine of Christian perfection. This I owe to the serious part of mankind, those who desire to know all "the truth as it is in Jesus." And these only are concerned in questions of this kind. To these I would nakedly declare the thing as it is, endeavouring all along to show, from one period to another, both what I thought, and why I thought so.

2. In the year 1725, being in the twenty-third year of my age, I met with Bishop Taylor's "Rule and Exercises of Holy Living and Dying." In reading several parts of this book, I was exceedingly affected; that part in particular which relates to purity of intention. Instantly I resolved to dedicate all my life to God, all my thoughts, and words, and actions; being thoroughly convinced, there was no medium; but that every part of my life (not some only) must either be a sacrifice to God, or myself, that is, in effect, to the devil.

Can any serious person doubt of this, or find a medium between serving God and serving the devil

3. In the year 1726, I met with Kempis's "Christian's Pattern." The nature and extent of inward religion, the religion of the heart, now appeared to me in a stronger light than ever it had done before. I saw, that giving even all my life to God (supposing it possible to do this, and go no farther would profit me nothing, unless I gave my heart, yea, all my heart, to him.

I saw, that "simplicity of intention, and purity of affection," one design in all we speak or do, and one desire ruling all our tempers, are indeed "the wings of the soul," without which she can never ascend to the mount of God.

4. A year or two after, Mr. Law's "Christian Perfection" and "Serious Call" were put into my hands. These convinced me, more than ever, of the absolute impossibility of being half a Christian; and I determined, through his grace, (the absolute necessity of which I was deeply sensible of;) to be all-devoted to God, to give him all my soul, my body, and my substance

Will any considerate man say, that this is carrying matter too far or that anything less is due to Him who has given himself for us, than to give him ourselves, all we have, and all we are?

And it goes on... Any thoughts?

Praise God for Mr. Wesley's life and for the Methodist church!