A Journal: Chapter 11

May 8, 1999  *********************************

. . . . . For some reason I thought about how absurd my position must appear, claiming the Bible is basically true and at the same time proposing that people believe that God didn't create the earth and its inhabitants. Actually I wasn't thinking at all about it, just had a minor epiphany, realizing that if we started out as one Being of Love and there was a falling away due to some future belief, then even if those who believed we caused the separation and the beginning of life as we know it, still it was God who started it and there is nothing else besides Him. (And that's the scary part to me: that there is also nothing...)

May 14, 1999  ********************************

. . . . . Well, I've run into so much relevant stuff to support my theses it kind of boggles my mind. Actually, if you happen to take the world view I do, that mankind in general is in great peril, mostly due to materialism (remember the tenth Commandment?--Thou shalt not covet anything...), and that the rule of thumb for salvation is: If you think you are saved then you ain't __if that's your approach then lots of stuff make a lot more sense.

. . . . . In "Approaching Hoofbeats: The Four Horsement of the Apocalypse", Billy Graham actually writes, "I look back on my many years as an evangelist, and I wonder, have I made the Christian faith look too easy?...And have I adequately explained the price we must pay in our own war against the evil at work in and around our lives?"

. . . . . Some questions need asking, especially by those to whom people in the various Christian churches (whom all will agree need to be examples to the world, lights shining in darkness) look to for leadership. "Even Christians are tempted to surrender to the passions or the pleasures that pursue us all," Graham writes. But what Christians today generally don't consider is that passions and pleasures are not only found in the lure of alcohol, sex, and drugs, but in the pursuit of possessions and, yes, perhaps especially life-style. Ask any Christian (especially the well-to-do ones) about these matters and I'll be surprised if you don't hear a humility-choked response about God's greatness and the many blessings bestowed upon this undeserving creature.

. . . . . I would like to have a count of the number of people professing to be followers of Christ who have gone to their spiritual leader about the guilt they feel for the way they live, in particular for what they acknowledge to be a lifestyle of conspicuous consumption. And what have these spiritual leaders done about this guilt? Assuaged it of course. Reminds me of that great prophet of the Old Testament writing "The priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so,"(Jeremiah 5:31) and also Jesus preaching warning after warning about love and neighbors and giving and lifestyle, like "The Pharisees pay tithe of (luxuries) and ignore the weightier matters...(while they wallow in their luxurious lifestyles)."(Matthew 23:23, paraphrased by me) We all might learn of love just by looking at Jeremiah referring to these lost, blind, ignorant multitudes as "my people", and Jesus yearning to take the same people under His wing "as a hen gathereth her brood".

. . . . . Jesus lived a life of sacrifice; surely He held close to His heart the proverb warning "Open thine eyes and thou shalt be satisfied with bread." I mean, look who gave us "Give us this day our daily bread.  (emphasis added)"

. . . . . In another book I was thumbing through yesterday ("Brother to a Dragonfly" by Will Campbell) I came across this interesting and, I think, relevant passage: "Already, even in rural Mississippi in 1918, the notion was getting around that the Jesus story was so complicated that only the learned could convey it." (That the same notion about the God story was solved by the Israelites in Moses time, by making the priesthood hereditary, kind of keeping it all in the family, is not altogether another matter.) Can you imagine having a wandering preacher catch the whole congregation up in the spirit so high that they hired him on the spot, even did it unanimously, and only in the coming days and weeks learned of his belief that the purse needed to be a communal one, with him holding the purse strings? Yeah, religion is simple, and you can even put Christianity in its place. People really complicate it. "My yoke is easy and my burden is light" is something we all want to believe. But what if putting on the yoke is really turning away from the ordinary mind of the world? What if we're really supposed to be different, really different, until everybody is like us? Huh?

. . . . . Graham writes, of John's Revelation, "We think of these three ancient churches as being fallen, sinful, unlike our churches in every way. But it wasn't true. There was much about these churches that was commendable. Still they were in serious trouble, especially in light of the problems ahead, and didn't even know it. The parallels between their churches and our own may be far too close for comfort."

. . . . . A few pages later, he continues with the plight of the early churches: "Why be rigid? Why not worship the one true God in private while simply nodding good-naturedly in the direction of the false gods on every corner? Was this really idolatry?" He could just as well be writing of our 'reluctant' pursuit of a newer car, bigger house, nicer furniture, better restaurants, better vacations, nicer clothes. Is this really materialism, if we profess to be a Christian and really and truly care for people everywhere and not only tithe but give offerings and even pray for people less blessed? Is materialism an addiction? Is food addictive? Is good food more addictive? What about life-style? Graham makes several observations about our liking to consider addictions of the mainly of the drug and sex varieties; i like to ask 'What if people who get a new car every two years are in the main-lining heroin category, or the sex-with-anybody-who-asks class of covetousness?'

. . . . . I haven't digressed in so long, someone may be wondering what's wrong with me. A recent newspaper that I didn't really read contained this in a movie review about Joan of Arc: "She . . . left people with opposite opinions. Was she a crazed heretic or a noble saint? Many prefer the latter. . . The Catholic Church chose both views. It excommunicated her in 1431 and declared her a saint on May 16, 1920." I think I mention this because of the parallel with Jesus. . .

. . . . . An aside: Have you noticed, have you done any reading and wondering about the fact that most of what Jesus said has been relegated to the 'not appropriate to our case' file, that the important matters of Christian doctrine are more directly related to Paul's writings (see journal entry on Romans 8 somewhere on this site) than those of Jesus' disciples, even (nay, especially) the words attributed to Himself. "Ye must be born again" I grant you, but what happened to "Be ye therefore perfect," or "Take no thought for the morrow," and "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."?

May 22  ********************************

. . . . . I've written a lot about how hard Jesus' doctrine was, and how most of His followers left Him at some point in the journeys, left Him not because He told them to, but because His sayings were hard. (John 6:60 & 66) Check out this quote from Alan Watts' The Way of Zen: "(I)t is really impossible to appreciate what is meant by (The Way) without becoming, in a rather special sense, stupid." He continues a few pages later in this section on extraordinary mind by writing, "The idea is not to reduce the human mind to a moronic vacuity, but to bring into play its innate and spontaneous intelligence by using it without forcing it."

. . . . . He continues: "When a man has learned to let his mind alone so that it functions in the integrated and spontaneous way that is natural to it, he begins to show the special kind of 'virtue' or 'power' called te. This is not virtue in the current sense of moral rectitude but in the older sense of effectiveness, as when one speaks of the healing virtues of a plant." Ain't that kind of wild, especially when considered in the framework of a Jesus who grows up, to those who know Him (i.e., those in His hometown, including His mother, who perhaps is only just beginning to ponder the things in her heart [Luke 2:19 and especially 51; note that verse 52 might indicate His reputation in a select circle long after His death] as He enters the heart of His ministry) as a sinner. And worse, huh?

. . . . . Graham, anyway, mostly does focus on sexual immorality, but also gives quite a bit of emphasis to "the values of this world" as the main stumbling blocks for would-be Christians. He writes: "All I know from the short letters in Revelation is this: Christ commands us to 'Overcome!' in the strength He alone can suppy...'Overcome!' cries the risen Savior from the island of Patmos__and in the distance I can hear the hoofbeats of the four horsement riding rapidly in our direction bringing destruction and death. . . 'Overcome!' echoes the Word directly to us to join with those who have been laughed at or ignored, humiliated, stripped, tried unfairly, imprisoned, beaten, tortured and killed." And that's just the end of Chapter 3.

. . . . . Many, because they have been troubled
in conscience for their sins, think well of their case,
miserably mistaking conviction for conversion."

JOSEPH ALLIENE 

July 10   *****************************************

. . . . . Well, back again. I haven't gone over much of what I've posted to this web site in what seems a real long time, and for some reason feel like maybe a little perspective is appropriate. I know ye olde "end times" are something I wonder about a good bit

July 21   ****************************************

. . . . . From the Newsweek web site today:

. . . . . "Every day around the world, it's estimated that 24,000 people—three-fourths of them children under five—die from hunger or related afflictions."

          With The Hunger Site, people can click a button and witness an ad for a sponsor who will donate three (3) cents to the United Nations' World Food Program, reportedly enough to buy a meal for a hungry person. One catch is you are allowed only one click a day. The founder of the site keeps only 14 percent "to cover his costs". What's wrong with this picture? No commitment. We could easily donate a dollar a month, like I said at the start of the web site...

August 2   ***************************************

. . . . . Here's a lengthy excerpt from Pilgrim's Progress, a tome outnumbered on the U.S. frontier only by the Bible:

. . . . . Sir, I perceive, by the book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment (Heb. 9:27 ); and I find that I am not willing to do the first (Job 10:21- 22), nor able to do the second." (Ezek. 22:14 )
Then said Evangelist, "Why not willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils?" The man answered, "Because, I fear that this burden that is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Tophet (Isa. 30:33 ). And Sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit to go to judgment, and from thence to execution; and the thoughts of these things make me cry."
Then said Evangelist, "If this be thy condition, why standest thou still?" He answered, "Because I know not whither to go." Then he gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, "Fly from the wrath to come." (Matt. 3:7 )
The man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, "Whither must I fly?" Then said Evangelist, (pointing with his finger over a very wide field,) "Do you see yonder wicket-gate?" (Matt. 7:13 , 14 ) The man said, "No." Then said the other, "Do you see yonder shining light?" (Psa. 119:105 ; 2 Pet. 1:19 ) He said, "I think I do." Then said Evangelist, "Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto, so shalt thou see the gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do." So I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now he had not run far from his own door when his wife and children, perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on crying, Life! life! eternal life! (Luke 14:26 ) So he looked not behind him (Gen. 19:17 ), but fled towards the middle of the plain.
The neighbors also came out to see him run (Jer. 20:10 ); and as he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return; and among those that did so, there were two that were resolved to fetch him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate and the name of the other Pliable. Now by this time the man was got a good distance from them; but, however, they were resolved to pursue him, which they did, and in a little time they overtook him. Then said the man, "Neighbors, wherefore are you come?" They said, "To persuade you to go back with us." But he said, "That can by no means be: you dwell," said he, "in the city of Destruction, the place also where I was born: I see it to be so; and dying there, sooner or later, you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone: be content, good neighbors, and go along with me."
Obst. What, said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our comforts behind us!
Chr. Yes, said Christian, (for that was his name,) because that all which you forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little of that I am seeking to enjoy (2 Cor. 4:18 ); and if you will go along with me, and hold it, you shall fare as I myself; for there, where I go, is enough and to spare (Luke 15:17 ). Come away, and prove my words.
Obst. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?
Chr. I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away (1 Peter 1:4 ); and it is laid up in heaven, and safe there (Heb. 11:16 ), to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on th em that diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my book.
Obst. Tush, said Obstinate, away with your book; will you go back with us or no?
Chr. No, not I, said the other, because I have laid my hand to the plough (Luke 9:6 2 ).
Obst. Come then, neighbor Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him: there is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs, that when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason.
Pli. Then said Pliable, Don't revile; if what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours: my heart inclines to go with my neighbor.
Obst. What, more fools still! Be ruled by me, and go back; who knows whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and be wise.
Chr. Nay, but do thou come with thy neighbor Pliable; there are such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glories besides. If you believe not me, read here in this book, and for the truth of what is expressed therein, behold, all is confirmed by the blood of Him that made it (Heb. 9:17-21 ).
Pli. Well, neighbor Obstinate, said Pliable, I begin to come to a point ; I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him: but, my good companion, do you know the way to this desired place?
Chr. I am directed by a man whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall receive instructions about the way.
Phi. Come then, good neighbor, let us be going. Then they went both together.
Obst. And I will go back to my place, said Obstinate: I will be no companion of such misled, fantastical fellows.

. . . . . Do you suppose the New Testament offers enough "letter" items for people who worship God with their lips, but whose hearts are far from Him, to be judgmental about such a being here among us? What kind of license do you think a verse like "try the spirits, whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1) grants to the legalists of our day? If . . .

. . . . . Here's another image that maybe will help us to redistribute the wealth; please make donations to Save the Children, P.O. Box 9160, Chelsea MA 02150-9160.  (2021 note:  notice the 'Psalms' instead of 'Psalm')

. . . . . This just jumped out at me, from notes on the Tao Te Ching by Jacob Needleman: "Moral teachings that attempt to break the complementary relation of 'good' and 'evil' are doomed to failure, and breed violence to others and to oneself. . . . In any case it is always a difficult, hidden, and subtle doctrine, easily misunderstood . . ."

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