Saturday, November 25, 2006

mmm, chiasmus

Christian fundamentalists lack in the fundamentals of Christianity.

edit: and the moderates... oh, man, don't get me started.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Hardened-Heart

O wrathful object,
Adorned in Grace,
The Lord is with thee.

Made to glorify
The Holy One,
Your name is folly.

Your wisdom condemns.
You fall flat-faced.
Glorify the LORD.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Can Christians use Logic? Jesus' divinity and the 'Q' document

I've recently watched a few videos of Richard Dawkins speaking at various events. Richard Dawkins is a well published Atheist who is currently touring (proselytising, even) his new book, The God Delusion, which I have not read.

In visiting RichardDawkins.net, I found in the forum this discussion about the Q document, and subsequently a translation of the Q document by a fellow, Burton Mack. The primary sentiment of the thread is that Christianity as it stands today is largely exagerated, fabricated, etc. That is to say the original Q document doesn't mention anything of the deity of Christ Jesus, only his teachings. The translation I've read and to which I've linked supports this- that the Q document makes no mention of the divinity of Christ.

What we know of the 'Q' (using only the link as a source) is that it is a record of the sayings of Christ Jesus. It is reasonable to assume that only those who follow the teachings of Christ Jesus would have interest in recording his words- therefore, the 'Q' was likely written within a Christ-minded community, and intended for a Christ-minded community. Now, for some slightly more broad steps of logic.

Why record only Jesus' teachings? Why not record specifically any exchanges which might allude to Jesus' divinity? The audience intended by the author(s) of the 'Q' is a person/community who already follows Christ. 'Q' was not meant as a proselytising instrument. Therefore, it was assumed by the author that a person/community reading 'Q' would possess prerequisite knowledge of Jesus. It would be unimportant, and worthlessly redundant, to include "proof" of Jesus' divinity.

further study:
Theopedia- a theological wiki

Thursday, November 02, 2006

For M. B_________

When God stops talking

What do I do when you're silent?
Do I run headlong into the fray, into the fire?
What good is holy silence when I'm standing still and alone?
Please don't leave me all alone.

What do I do when you're so far away?
Do I stand in defeat in the shadow of an absent God?
What was that promise I heard?/ "I'll never leave you or forsake you."
Where's that promise right now?

Where do I go when I'm on my knees?
...