Many thinkers offer great philosophies and explanations for various challenges that come along.
Here is a simple tip for assessing thought options that are brought to you.
The first step you must follow is this: determine if the train of thought has logical consistency or if it is full of self-contradictions.
There are several tactics to achieve this goal. I would venture to guess that most folks that are offering explanations and rules for thought have yet to consider if their own arguments hold sway against the skepticism they hold towards others.
An example would be this: "Do not trust your mind", or "you cannot trust your thoughts".. These sound all well and good, but fail to pass the test they have given. Meaning, they have used their minds, and thoughts to arrive at these conclusions and want you to trust them. Its is fundamentally flawed.
Or this: There is no absolute truth
or: you cannot trust reason
The fallacy of these arguments should be quite evident.
Yet the same inconsistencies arise in most thought explanations, especially those skeptical of others ideas and doubtful of any type of concrete and absolute answers.
These most often are rife with self-contradiction and error primarily because the rules they use to exclude other explanations from being able to arrive at truthful conclusions almost always end up excluding themselves as well.
Most of these thinkers are subtle and smooth operators but cannot withstand the assault of their own skepticism. In essence they have committed intellectual suicide because they reject the very ground on which they claim to stand.
And for the most part, the thought has not even crossed their mind because they are so convinced of their own opinions.
This is true of so many veins of thought: athiesm (it is philosophically impossible to affirm a negative in the absolute) Post-modernism: A great meta-narrative, that doubts that meta-narratives can help us arrive at truth. Logical Positivism: Ayers has a eloquent definition of what constitutes "meaningful" yet fails to realize his definition of what it takes for a statement to be meaningful fails his own test!
I could go on. But know this: if you propose rules for thinking and are skeptical of others explanations--you had better examine your own criteria and see if your own ideas qualify!
Do not let anyone to say "it is impossible to arrive at truth" because they have just proposed a truth at which they think they have arrived!
Be skeptical, but only to a point, skepticism can be helpful but dangerous.
The purpose of an open mind is to clamp down upon something solid, there is no virtue in remaining open forever but many have come to value an open mind as an end itself. The end is to find an answer, the means is an open mind. Dont confuse the end with the means!
By the way, this is not a professional post, or something I have even proof read just stuff that comes across my mind and I want to get written.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Discipline
I have interesting irony to expose to some.
Here is the modern parental mantra: less discipline is better! More negotiation, explanation, and peer type friendly relationships are recommended for successful parenting. Spanking is certainly out of the question!
(I will verify to you that I have never met a person who was spanked by loving parents who thinks it was wrong, in fact they all testify that it saved them from becoming spoiled little brats!)
Modern philosophy has engaged in the subtle art of personal liberty and youthful expression!
Yet, as society loosens its grip on punishment of its offspring its generations become more and more violent, immoral and out of control than ever... yet we still believe the lie!
I propose that an economic analogy might suffice:
As the supply of punishment and discipline decreases the demand for early funerals and jails will increase...
Consider the wisdom of the Proverbs: Spare the rod, spoil the child!
Here is the modern parental mantra: less discipline is better! More negotiation, explanation, and peer type friendly relationships are recommended for successful parenting. Spanking is certainly out of the question!
(I will verify to you that I have never met a person who was spanked by loving parents who thinks it was wrong, in fact they all testify that it saved them from becoming spoiled little brats!)
Modern philosophy has engaged in the subtle art of personal liberty and youthful expression!
Yet, as society loosens its grip on punishment of its offspring its generations become more and more violent, immoral and out of control than ever... yet we still believe the lie!
I propose that an economic analogy might suffice:
As the supply of punishment and discipline decreases the demand for early funerals and jails will increase...
Consider the wisdom of the Proverbs: Spare the rod, spoil the child!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Coming soon: my take on short term missions...
We recently had a discussion in our fellowship about the topic of a short term mission trip for one of our 18 year old kids. I opined that I was completely against it but we had not the time to discuss the motivation for my negativity. I was asked by a half a dozen or so people to explain, and I said I would blog my response so I didnt have to repeat it several times. I will do so soon.
Sincerely
J.
Sincerely
J.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
"I LOVE YOU"
Try this.
Instead of arrogantly stating "I love you" to a dear one (which is quite a presumptuous statement if you think about it.)
Ask them: "Do I love you?" and listen to the answer with humility and believe them.
The object of your 'love' has a much better idea whether or not you are truly loving them than you do!
When you hold a job you dont write your own evaluation. Your boss does it: "He is late, lazy, and is fairly mediocre in performance." Although you are likely to quip: "I love my job!"
Let someone else write your evaluation on the status of your love!
So often when we say "I Love you" the reality of that statement is "I possess a benevolent warm happy feeling towards you" It is a statement about you, not actuality.
It would be like a person saying "I hate Beethoven"- this would most likely be a statement about the person saying it rather than it would be about the real nature and quality of Beethoven's music.
It is not practically speaking accurate.
Try it:
Ask, don't tell! And you might find the real answer.
Instead of arrogantly stating "I love you" to a dear one (which is quite a presumptuous statement if you think about it.)
Ask them: "Do I love you?" and listen to the answer with humility and believe them.
The object of your 'love' has a much better idea whether or not you are truly loving them than you do!
When you hold a job you dont write your own evaluation. Your boss does it: "He is late, lazy, and is fairly mediocre in performance." Although you are likely to quip: "I love my job!"
Let someone else write your evaluation on the status of your love!
So often when we say "I Love you" the reality of that statement is "I possess a benevolent warm happy feeling towards you" It is a statement about you, not actuality.
It would be like a person saying "I hate Beethoven"- this would most likely be a statement about the person saying it rather than it would be about the real nature and quality of Beethoven's music.
It is not practically speaking accurate.
Try it:
Ask, don't tell! And you might find the real answer.
Discerning what is important in your life...
I have often observed people make claims about certain things that are important to them in the course of life.
I also have a list of things that I deem significant to my own existence.
You have certain things that you consider important in your own life.
I will offer two suggestions for telling if the claims are true.
1. What you TALK ABOUT is what is important to you!
People (you and me as well) talk frequently about what is important to us!
I would say this is a universal truth and a superb litmus test for determination of what REALLY matters to a given person. Consider this: if you encounter a dog lover, you cannot get them to shut up about the stupid mutt. (Please don't be offended, I love dogs, and have two pound puppies!) If you come across a grandma, you will be subject to a litany of photos and stories of the 'little darlings'. Be careful, what you talk about betrays what is truly paramount in your life and you cannot avoid this indictment. Of course, I am not talking about lip service, because it is easy enough to promote that you care for a certain topic. I am referring to the time when your guard is down, when you are not trying so hard to impress someone. Your casual speak reveals your heart, not your practiced speeches.
2. What you MAKE SURE HAPPENS, is important to you!
Exercise addicts do not fail to hit the gym. Avid photographers never miss an opportunity to capture an event on film. Yet, one frequently encounters people who claim a certain thing is central to his or her existence, however they fail to ensure its happening. "I love God" but I do not pray regularly, or read my bible. It becomes obvious at that point that God is not that important to you because you probably never miss an episode of American Idol- and if you do, you surely tivo it to watch later! What you make sure happens is important to you, plain and simple.
There it is, two easy ways to evaluate what is really important to you and others.
And remember, you can use this yardstick to condemn others and deceive yourself!
-J.
I also have a list of things that I deem significant to my own existence.
You have certain things that you consider important in your own life.
I will offer two suggestions for telling if the claims are true.
1. What you TALK ABOUT is what is important to you!
People (you and me as well) talk frequently about what is important to us!
I would say this is a universal truth and a superb litmus test for determination of what REALLY matters to a given person. Consider this: if you encounter a dog lover, you cannot get them to shut up about the stupid mutt. (Please don't be offended, I love dogs, and have two pound puppies!) If you come across a grandma, you will be subject to a litany of photos and stories of the 'little darlings'. Be careful, what you talk about betrays what is truly paramount in your life and you cannot avoid this indictment. Of course, I am not talking about lip service, because it is easy enough to promote that you care for a certain topic. I am referring to the time when your guard is down, when you are not trying so hard to impress someone. Your casual speak reveals your heart, not your practiced speeches.
2. What you MAKE SURE HAPPENS, is important to you!
Exercise addicts do not fail to hit the gym. Avid photographers never miss an opportunity to capture an event on film. Yet, one frequently encounters people who claim a certain thing is central to his or her existence, however they fail to ensure its happening. "I love God" but I do not pray regularly, or read my bible. It becomes obvious at that point that God is not that important to you because you probably never miss an episode of American Idol- and if you do, you surely tivo it to watch later! What you make sure happens is important to you, plain and simple.
There it is, two easy ways to evaluate what is really important to you and others.
And remember, you can use this yardstick to condemn others and deceive yourself!
-J.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Unavoidable...Nietzsche? The Bible? The inquisition...
It is interesting to notice how right Nietzsche was when he said that we have not gotten rid of God until we have gotten rid of grammar. How right he is.
Man is always engaged in writing God out of the picture, erasing his signature from his own painting and scrawling our name where his used to reside.
Fyodor Dostoevsky predicted that at first art would imitate life, then life would imitate art, and finally, that life would draw the very reason for its existence from art.
This perpetually egotistic struggle is apparent in our daily walk.
Consider the latest slogan on a Jeep commerical: "The things we make, make us"
or the new PC taboo-- Merry C*****mas!
Yet, we have replaced this with "Happy Holidays" mostly unaware that the word holiday comes from two words "holy + "Day"... It is a bit satisfying to know there is a large group of people out there determined not to acknowledge God, and who are grinning as they are saying "Happy Holidays" because they think they have written God out of the picture!
Nietzsche, a brilliant and truly honest atheist, understood the nearly unavoidable nature of the divine. He also correctly predicted that where and when God was obliterated, mankind would reap unfathomable and catastrophic consequences. I suppose a brief look at the massive destruction of life in the last century would confirm this sentiment.
I have included a few idioms that you probably hear at least one a day that have biblical roots. This list is of course not exhaustive, but representative of the truth of which Nietzsche spoke. (go the extra mile, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, wolf in sheep's clothing, ashes to ashes, fly in the ointment, straight and narrow etc) Man must intentionally labor in our attempts to avoid God, if we do not wipe the slate clean, he still clings to us undaunted, but where man succeeds in his selfish endeavor to purge the divine influence, there we shall find obliteration the likes of which is unparalleled.
Remember this: many may argue that the history of the Church is dark and oftentimes evil (think inquisition, crusades. etc) and they are right, do not seek to deny this incontestable truth. However, it is estimated that in the entire 500 year span of the various inquisitions about 6,000 people were killed. This atrocity, which is surely was, is used against the Church over and over again. Obviously there is guilt in this terror, but it can be certainly shown that it was in direct contradiction to the teachings of the Bible, an abhorrent rebellion of thought and deed towards the scriptures that the Church attempts to uphold. (There are exaggerated claims of 100,000 deaths during the time by those who seek to discredit the Church, even if we allow these vulgarly overstated numbers it would still be a drop in the bucket compared to crimes against humanity motivated by atheistic ideology. Furthermore, one only needs to show one injustice on behalf of the Church to "discredit" it in one sense. Yet, that is the witness and testimony of those of faith in Christ, that we are sinful, in error, prone to mistakes and in need of help. The world does not need to exaggerate the darkness of those in the Church, we stand in acknowledgement of our own condemnation having fallen short of the Glory of God. Our hope is in Jesus, who has atoned for our wrongs, we humble ask for forgiveness for the wrong we have done, no one needs to convince us of that which we already know!
Rather, redirect the inquiry to the history of the world where God was effectively "gotten rid of" and you will see a darkness the likes of which the Church has never seen. In the places and times were the Church was erased from influence and service the world has experience bleak abomination. Stalin tripled Hitlers death toll of 6 million, and Russia is still unearthing graves. Hitler systematically marginalized the Church and where it did not cave towards complacency and endorsement of his reign, it was obliterated. Stalin was chosen for his intense hatred of all things religious and killed over 300,000 priests in less than a year.
6,000 deaths from misguided Churchmen over a period of 500 years hardly compares to the utter genocide and annihilation that Hitler and Stalin unleashed on the world during the mid 1900s. Furthermore, the deeds of these monsters were consistent with their ideology. The lethal purging they committed was undeniably in line with the spirit that animated them. On the other hand, the Churchmen who perpetrated the crimes of the inquisition were in direct opposition to that which they claimed to be true.
The dichotomy here hardly requires explanation.
Don't be distracted by the valid attacks on the dark periods of the Church and don't deny the truth.
But be prepared to redirect the questions:
What about the atrocities committed by non-Church entities? (in a short period of time)
add the death toll of these guys vs the death toll of 500 years of inquisition!
not comparable.
Also ask: were the actions of the inquisitors consistent with the bible? no
Were the actions of these viscous dictators consistent with their mother ideologies: Fascism, etc -YES!
Etc...there are many more...
Be careful, the divine influence is nearly everywhere, and if you find a place where it has ceased to exist....well the words of Monty Python are fitting:
"Run Away!"
Man is always engaged in writing God out of the picture, erasing his signature from his own painting and scrawling our name where his used to reside.
Fyodor Dostoevsky predicted that at first art would imitate life, then life would imitate art, and finally, that life would draw the very reason for its existence from art.
This perpetually egotistic struggle is apparent in our daily walk.
Consider the latest slogan on a Jeep commerical: "The things we make, make us"
or the new PC taboo-- Merry C*****mas!
Yet, we have replaced this with "Happy Holidays" mostly unaware that the word holiday comes from two words "holy + "Day"... It is a bit satisfying to know there is a large group of people out there determined not to acknowledge God, and who are grinning as they are saying "Happy Holidays" because they think they have written God out of the picture!
Nietzsche, a brilliant and truly honest atheist, understood the nearly unavoidable nature of the divine. He also correctly predicted that where and when God was obliterated, mankind would reap unfathomable and catastrophic consequences. I suppose a brief look at the massive destruction of life in the last century would confirm this sentiment.
I have included a few idioms that you probably hear at least one a day that have biblical roots. This list is of course not exhaustive, but representative of the truth of which Nietzsche spoke. (go the extra mile, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, wolf in sheep's clothing, ashes to ashes, fly in the ointment, straight and narrow etc) Man must intentionally labor in our attempts to avoid God, if we do not wipe the slate clean, he still clings to us undaunted, but where man succeeds in his selfish endeavor to purge the divine influence, there we shall find obliteration the likes of which is unparalleled.
Remember this: many may argue that the history of the Church is dark and oftentimes evil (think inquisition, crusades. etc) and they are right, do not seek to deny this incontestable truth. However, it is estimated that in the entire 500 year span of the various inquisitions about 6,000 people were killed. This atrocity, which is surely was, is used against the Church over and over again. Obviously there is guilt in this terror, but it can be certainly shown that it was in direct contradiction to the teachings of the Bible, an abhorrent rebellion of thought and deed towards the scriptures that the Church attempts to uphold. (There are exaggerated claims of 100,000 deaths during the time by those who seek to discredit the Church, even if we allow these vulgarly overstated numbers it would still be a drop in the bucket compared to crimes against humanity motivated by atheistic ideology. Furthermore, one only needs to show one injustice on behalf of the Church to "discredit" it in one sense. Yet, that is the witness and testimony of those of faith in Christ, that we are sinful, in error, prone to mistakes and in need of help. The world does not need to exaggerate the darkness of those in the Church, we stand in acknowledgement of our own condemnation having fallen short of the Glory of God. Our hope is in Jesus, who has atoned for our wrongs, we humble ask for forgiveness for the wrong we have done, no one needs to convince us of that which we already know!
Rather, redirect the inquiry to the history of the world where God was effectively "gotten rid of" and you will see a darkness the likes of which the Church has never seen. In the places and times were the Church was erased from influence and service the world has experience bleak abomination. Stalin tripled Hitlers death toll of 6 million, and Russia is still unearthing graves. Hitler systematically marginalized the Church and where it did not cave towards complacency and endorsement of his reign, it was obliterated. Stalin was chosen for his intense hatred of all things religious and killed over 300,000 priests in less than a year.
6,000 deaths from misguided Churchmen over a period of 500 years hardly compares to the utter genocide and annihilation that Hitler and Stalin unleashed on the world during the mid 1900s. Furthermore, the deeds of these monsters were consistent with their ideology. The lethal purging they committed was undeniably in line with the spirit that animated them. On the other hand, the Churchmen who perpetrated the crimes of the inquisition were in direct opposition to that which they claimed to be true.
The dichotomy here hardly requires explanation.
Don't be distracted by the valid attacks on the dark periods of the Church and don't deny the truth.
But be prepared to redirect the questions:
What about the atrocities committed by non-Church entities? (in a short period of time)
add the death toll of these guys vs the death toll of 500 years of inquisition!
not comparable.
Also ask: were the actions of the inquisitors consistent with the bible? no
Were the actions of these viscous dictators consistent with their mother ideologies: Fascism, etc -YES!
- Pol Pot
- Stalin
- Hitler
- Mao Zedong
- Mussolini
- Franco
- Saddam Hussein
Etc...there are many more...
Be careful, the divine influence is nearly everywhere, and if you find a place where it has ceased to exist....well the words of Monty Python are fitting:
"Run Away!"
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Self-Esteem addicts...
I have been talking about this topic for years. One of the reasons I am concerned with this issue is because of the behavior of the students I teach. There is a question on one of the assignments that asks: "Who is your hero, and why?"
-7 out of ten reply: Me!(Themselves, not me, just so you are not confused!!!) and then they spend the rest of the essay boasting!
Wow, this overwhelming sentiment has certainly opened my eyes to the mental status of our youth. Furthermore, (so that we are clear) I work with the high school dropout population in South Los Angeles - Therefore, the boasting certainly does not correlate with academic excellence.
This article is amazing, and I could not have said it better myself so please read it!
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/254092/self-esteem-and-character-dennis-prager?page=2
Thanks, and coming soon. Post-modernism in the Church: The Great Knockoff
-7 out of ten reply: Me!(Themselves, not me, just so you are not confused!!!) and then they spend the rest of the essay boasting!
Wow, this overwhelming sentiment has certainly opened my eyes to the mental status of our youth. Furthermore, (so that we are clear) I work with the high school dropout population in South Los Angeles - Therefore, the boasting certainly does not correlate with academic excellence.
This article is amazing, and I could not have said it better myself so please read it!
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/254092/self-esteem-and-character-dennis-prager?page=2
Thanks, and coming soon. Post-modernism in the Church: The Great Knockoff
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