Not too long ago I posted a blog entitled "The Other Side of Feminism" in which I argued that we shouldn't blame just women for feminism. Feminism often comes from men failing to be men. You would have to read my blog to understand my full points, but I think that the blog did well to show others at fault for the dangerous movement as modern feminism.
But that doesn't mean I justify all women feminist leaders either. There is a great amount of hypocricy in their ideology. So often women fight for the "right to chose" to have an abortion, and fight for equal pay in the workplace (something that should be handled by the free market), but so often utterly ignore the disrespect that many men, or boys, give them.
I have been reading "How To Ruin the United States of America" by Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth. In it they make a good point. The writers argue, "It amazes us that the women's-rights lobby is too busy fighting for abotion and for allowing multimillionare females into country clubs to notice that the most popular form of music among youth today routinely refers to all women as 'hos' and 'b*t*hes.' Don Imus can't get away with this - why is it tolerated in the rest of the radio dial?"
Not to defend the comments made by Don Imus, but if the media would have left it alone then they would be much more harmless than the songs "Low" or "Stronger." If Don Imus should have been mandatorily fired, then perhaps half the rap songs should be banned from the radio.
This is kind of an inverse of my previous blog on feminism. The other one showed the fault men had to play in feminism. This one, you could argue, shows women's fault in not just feminism itself, but for the lack of respect they get. If they want respect then actually attack real disrespect, and don't become so disrespectful as to fight for the "right," or so it is called, to abort a baby or fight for money you did not earn. Stand up for yourself where it matters, practice what you preach, and if you want to dominate the workfield, then all the more power to you to do so on your own initiative without the government's help. If you want respect, then make yourself respectable. Don't tolerate being treated as a sex object, and don't place yourself in a position where you probably would be treated as one.
If your going to be a feminist, then do so without being a hypocrite about it.
What do you think?
God bless America
Pray for our Troops
June 30, 2008
Ryan Hampton
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
I Think the Nail Was Hit on the Head: College Thoughts
Well after hearing about the times you will enter college and how prepared I should be, it appears the day has come. This Fall I will start classes at Samford University, and I will be living on campus. So out of 18 years of preparation, I should have a plan, a lot of goals, and pretty much be well prepared for college.
That is the propaganda, anyway. For a couple of years now, half the questions I receive from older friends and family members is about what I want to do with my life - where I will go, what my major will be, and where it should take me. I have felt uneasy answering. I could take an educated guess what I will do and where my life will be four, five, six, or seven years down the road. I could sound ignorant and apathetic by saying the truth, that I really just don't know. And really, I don't know now. I really do not know where I will be five years from now.
But I heard someone speaking at Samford who made the whole transition sound a little more comforting. Why worry about predicting our futures? Basically, she said that there is too much pressure put on sixteen and seventeen year-olds into knowing what they want to do with their life. Why should we expect sixteen year-olds to know where they will be six years down the road?
Now I know that to some of you this may sound like an excuse for perhaps my laziness. But I'm not saying we shouldn't have goals; I'm not saying we should not start looking into what we are good at, what jobs are available, where God may take us; I'm not saying that God's Providence undermines our responsibilities. But why worry too much about the future when it is in God's hands? I think so often we like to wiggle our way around what Scripture tells us. I'm all about taking Scripture in its proper context instead of rushing to conclusions, but I take Scripture as it is. And when Scripture tells me not to worry about tomorow because God feeds even the birds, and is sure to provide for us all the more, I take that for what is says. If I'm a little uncertain about where my life will go, as long as I do my best and do my best to glorify God in the process, I really can't second guess Providence.
So where will I be five years from now? I don't know. Right now I must focus on the present. I work at Chick-Fil-A, I just graduated high school, I go to Trinity Presbyterian Church, I have a devotion to work, church, family and friends. I must focus on these things first. Perhaps five years from now my life will be the same mundane life it is now. I have higher goals than this, but as long as I don't settle for less than what God is giving me, then I can't complain with this. For all I know, though I don't plan for things to move this fast, I could be a married Father, making $80K a year writing articles a few grammer corrections better than what I write now. For all I know, I won't even be alive five years from now.
So instead of setting goals for ourselves about the money we will receive and the careers we will have, and the degrees, and the fact that our jobs will be something that comes easy to us...oh and about how we will change the world, about who we will marry, and already expecting God to make sure we get the kids we want, and telling Him if their going to be boy or girl, it's time we set more mundane goals for ourselves. Work for your employers as if you are working for God, because, you really are working for God; study hard when the Fall comes around; guard your eye even on a campus with a two to one girl/guy ratio; attend church services weekly or as close to weekly as possible. And as you get older, you may have different goals, but they may be just as mundane. Love only one woman (or man); work hard for your family; train up your children in the way they should go; etc. But sometimes the more simple and mundane goals are what makes you a good person. Why focus on something that has not come, perhaps never will come, something that you can not see, when you should focus on what you have now, and excell in it?
So to those entering college as I am, don't be scared. Just do your best and give it all to God. Trust His plan, and it will be fine. I have known plenty of people who constantly change their minds about they want to be when they grow up. I know of one person who has consistently known what he wants to be, that is my friend Timothy who wants to be a proffessional violinist. Other than this, people seem unsure, or ever-changing. So likewise, I urge the parents of these young men and women not to worry much either. Have faith in your children, and more importantly, in God. Certainly encourage your children to be looking to what they can do with their life. Some parents may be living the regreat of not caring enough. But their is a difference in not caring and simply not knowing. If you have done your job as a parent, then I imagine the child will be mature enough by now not to mess everything up, and wind up okay.
So all this to say, I think that the particular lady at Samford (I believe it was the Head of Freshman Life or something like that), hit the nail on the head in her comment. Sixteen and seventeen year-olds, or even eighteen and nineteen year-olds don't have to know what they want to do with their life, other than one underlying purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. And that mundane vision, is much more eternal than any college degree.
What do you think?
God bless you
God bless America
June 22, 2008
Ryan Hampton
That is the propaganda, anyway. For a couple of years now, half the questions I receive from older friends and family members is about what I want to do with my life - where I will go, what my major will be, and where it should take me. I have felt uneasy answering. I could take an educated guess what I will do and where my life will be four, five, six, or seven years down the road. I could sound ignorant and apathetic by saying the truth, that I really just don't know. And really, I don't know now. I really do not know where I will be five years from now.
But I heard someone speaking at Samford who made the whole transition sound a little more comforting. Why worry about predicting our futures? Basically, she said that there is too much pressure put on sixteen and seventeen year-olds into knowing what they want to do with their life. Why should we expect sixteen year-olds to know where they will be six years down the road?
Now I know that to some of you this may sound like an excuse for perhaps my laziness. But I'm not saying we shouldn't have goals; I'm not saying we should not start looking into what we are good at, what jobs are available, where God may take us; I'm not saying that God's Providence undermines our responsibilities. But why worry too much about the future when it is in God's hands? I think so often we like to wiggle our way around what Scripture tells us. I'm all about taking Scripture in its proper context instead of rushing to conclusions, but I take Scripture as it is. And when Scripture tells me not to worry about tomorow because God feeds even the birds, and is sure to provide for us all the more, I take that for what is says. If I'm a little uncertain about where my life will go, as long as I do my best and do my best to glorify God in the process, I really can't second guess Providence.
So where will I be five years from now? I don't know. Right now I must focus on the present. I work at Chick-Fil-A, I just graduated high school, I go to Trinity Presbyterian Church, I have a devotion to work, church, family and friends. I must focus on these things first. Perhaps five years from now my life will be the same mundane life it is now. I have higher goals than this, but as long as I don't settle for less than what God is giving me, then I can't complain with this. For all I know, though I don't plan for things to move this fast, I could be a married Father, making $80K a year writing articles a few grammer corrections better than what I write now. For all I know, I won't even be alive five years from now.
So instead of setting goals for ourselves about the money we will receive and the careers we will have, and the degrees, and the fact that our jobs will be something that comes easy to us...oh and about how we will change the world, about who we will marry, and already expecting God to make sure we get the kids we want, and telling Him if their going to be boy or girl, it's time we set more mundane goals for ourselves. Work for your employers as if you are working for God, because, you really are working for God; study hard when the Fall comes around; guard your eye even on a campus with a two to one girl/guy ratio; attend church services weekly or as close to weekly as possible. And as you get older, you may have different goals, but they may be just as mundane. Love only one woman (or man); work hard for your family; train up your children in the way they should go; etc. But sometimes the more simple and mundane goals are what makes you a good person. Why focus on something that has not come, perhaps never will come, something that you can not see, when you should focus on what you have now, and excell in it?
So to those entering college as I am, don't be scared. Just do your best and give it all to God. Trust His plan, and it will be fine. I have known plenty of people who constantly change their minds about they want to be when they grow up. I know of one person who has consistently known what he wants to be, that is my friend Timothy who wants to be a proffessional violinist. Other than this, people seem unsure, or ever-changing. So likewise, I urge the parents of these young men and women not to worry much either. Have faith in your children, and more importantly, in God. Certainly encourage your children to be looking to what they can do with their life. Some parents may be living the regreat of not caring enough. But their is a difference in not caring and simply not knowing. If you have done your job as a parent, then I imagine the child will be mature enough by now not to mess everything up, and wind up okay.
So all this to say, I think that the particular lady at Samford (I believe it was the Head of Freshman Life or something like that), hit the nail on the head in her comment. Sixteen and seventeen year-olds, or even eighteen and nineteen year-olds don't have to know what they want to do with their life, other than one underlying purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. And that mundane vision, is much more eternal than any college degree.
What do you think?
God bless you
God bless America
June 22, 2008
Ryan Hampton
Monday, June 16, 2008
Politics Today
Politics
Well I feel the urge to write something. I really haven’t had much time to write stuff lately (working 45 hours a week does that to you ; )) But I feel the urge to write something while I can, and one of the things I want to write about is the current politics, especially of the elections coming up in Novemeber.
The 2008 Presidential race, as far as the Reps and Dems go, is between McCain and Obama. I admit it wasn’t exactly how I predicted it. I didn’t really think McCain would get the nomination. He didn’t have the “presidentialism” that others had, and he fell way behind when Giuliani got ahead. I was also a bit skeptical of Obama, if he really had what it took to get him through the Democratic nomination. I was not sure he could get past Hillary, and now that he has, he, despite all the turmoil that has come up with him, is perhaps the favorite in the general election.
So this would probably be my time to say that although I’m not a huge McCain fan, he’s good enough to endorse and support – especially over Obama. I’m supposed to say that I think McCain has better war tactics and economic tactics, and seems a little closer in line to my beliefs. This seems like my time to, even though I haven’t supported him in the primaries, to give a defense for what will be my vote for him this November.
But if that day comes, it is not today. Nor am I supporting Obama. I don’t really like either one. I guess McCain is probably the lesser of the two evils, but he’s no angel by any means. I know that since I’m not running for President and since it’s a harder job than it seems and my leaders are given to me by God, people say I shouldn’t complain. All those things are true, but somehow I still feel an urge to complain and feel justified.
Both have flawed economic plans. I was looking on Obama’s website just a few minutes ago. I didn’t want to assume he bad just because everyone else said so. I wanted to see his own words. What does he support? He basically wants a plan for anything that might be a problem – a government plan. Since we have children with disabilities and we’re caring Americans, we need a government program to help them, so says Obama. Since the temperature of the earth may be a little higher than it was a few hundred years ago, we need government intervention to cool it down and “control” our environment, or so Obama tells us. We need more government funds into our education system because it is the backbone to America, according to Obama that is. But I don’t want the government to control or attempt to control children with disabilities, the environment, or education. It’s my job to help those adapt to the disabilities the Lord graciously created them with. It’s my job to be a good steward of what the Lord has given me so that I may play my part in keeping a good environment (not that I or any man can control its weather!). It’s my job to get a good education! And its your job on the issues as well. It is not the government’s job! If Obama and other liberals are so against the government bordering with religion or morality, then why force charity on us by taking our money in the name of the poor and disabled?
McCain isn’t quite as bad as Obama on these issues, but he has his ways. He’s a big believer of the “global crises” and wants government to help it. He talks about his “plans” and when I hear politicians talk about their plans I get scared. Here is my plan: get the government out of the economy. Maybe I sound too libertarian but the philosophy holds true with economic principles. I don’t think Obama or McCain either one really understands much about government altogether – about how we have government to protect our Rights given to us by God, namely which are life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. It is not the government’s job to create utopia. It is the government’s job to secure the peace and protect our life. McCain and Obama both seem to think that the Constitution gives us our Rights. Our Rights come from God not Constitutions. This is just part of their flawed philosophy. If man gives us Rights, then man perhaps also can take away rights, legislate morality, and promote a utopian society. This sounds like Socialism or Communism! Meanwhile, they utterly ignore what the Constitution really says. To many politicians, it tells us what rights we have and if they are not mentioned, then it must mean we don’t have the rights and the government must stop us from the act. The Constitution was actually written for the opposite purpose: to list out where our Federal government should go, assuming that what is not listed is for them not to go. There may be slightly different interpretations to the Constitution, and some may interpret it very strictly while others interpret it broadly, but nonetheless it is a very important work for our leaders to follow, abide by, and defend to the best of their ability. I'm not sure if McCain or Obama care much about it. And when they take their oath of office, whomever it is, they will swear with their hand on the Word of God to defend it.
I don't think either of these candidates is real wise on foreign policy. They each have different views it seems, so it would make since I'd chose one of their views and side with one candidate on the issue. But both are interventionists. McCain may be a strong supporter of the military, and I admire his service to his nation and his patriotism, but that doesn't necesarilly make him wise in foreign affairs. I think McCain may be a little tougher on our enemies that Obama, but I also think he would drive us into war with almost the entire Middle East, making more enemies. However we do it, we need to start returning to the humble foreign policy our Founders promoted and Bush ran on in 2000. Obama may say he'll give us that some, but I'm not sure. I think in his four or eight years (if he's elected), he would bring us into some war or perhaps make enemies with another nation and set us up for war sometime in the future. Maybe that’s just speculation, but I wouldn’t really doubt any of that.
So since I don't like either candidate and I don't support or endorse either one, what do I do? I am kind of stuck between the Libertarian candidate Bob Barr and the Constitutionalist candidate Chuck Baldwin. Barr is one of the better Libertarians in my opnion. He was actually an ex Republican Congressman from Georgia. Chuck Baldwin is a Baptist Minister and a frequent candidate of the Constitutionalist Party. I don't know a great amount about either one, but both are pro-life and they have both been big supporters of Republican candidate Ron Paul, who I voted for in Februrary. I think both are good men with good values, who would bring lower taxes, lower spending, promote a sensible foreign policy, and at least to some degree restore the value of the Constitution.
Before leaving, let me briefly defend my decision to possibly vote for a third-party candidate with little hope of winning. Our two parties have become sort of a one party with two branches. They are both, for the most part, wrong on many areas. I look at voting like this: out of those running, you pick who you like the best. If it happens to be a third-party candidate then so be it! Vote your conscience! I know there may always be some strategy in voting. If out of the two mainline candidates, one I liked almost as much as a third-party candidate and needed my vote to win, then I may cast my vote for him. But McCain and I are out of line a bit, and Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin are both similar to my ideal candidates. And McCain is probably going to win Alabama anyway, so I might as well use my vote to promote a third-party candidate – especially if I like them anyway. I know that the third-party candidates may seem too “radical,” but maybe that’s what we need. We keep justifying our votes for the “lesser” of the two evil candidates. Maybe it’s time we vote for someone worth voting for or just not vote at all! Until we do that, we can expect to see our nation go downhill as both parties get worse. I won't tell you who to vote for, but I would encourage you to at least look into some third-party candidates. Just at thought.
What do you think?
God bless America
Pray for our Troops
June 16, 2008
Ryan Hampton
Well I feel the urge to write something. I really haven’t had much time to write stuff lately (working 45 hours a week does that to you ; )) But I feel the urge to write something while I can, and one of the things I want to write about is the current politics, especially of the elections coming up in Novemeber.
The 2008 Presidential race, as far as the Reps and Dems go, is between McCain and Obama. I admit it wasn’t exactly how I predicted it. I didn’t really think McCain would get the nomination. He didn’t have the “presidentialism” that others had, and he fell way behind when Giuliani got ahead. I was also a bit skeptical of Obama, if he really had what it took to get him through the Democratic nomination. I was not sure he could get past Hillary, and now that he has, he, despite all the turmoil that has come up with him, is perhaps the favorite in the general election.
So this would probably be my time to say that although I’m not a huge McCain fan, he’s good enough to endorse and support – especially over Obama. I’m supposed to say that I think McCain has better war tactics and economic tactics, and seems a little closer in line to my beliefs. This seems like my time to, even though I haven’t supported him in the primaries, to give a defense for what will be my vote for him this November.
But if that day comes, it is not today. Nor am I supporting Obama. I don’t really like either one. I guess McCain is probably the lesser of the two evils, but he’s no angel by any means. I know that since I’m not running for President and since it’s a harder job than it seems and my leaders are given to me by God, people say I shouldn’t complain. All those things are true, but somehow I still feel an urge to complain and feel justified.
Both have flawed economic plans. I was looking on Obama’s website just a few minutes ago. I didn’t want to assume he bad just because everyone else said so. I wanted to see his own words. What does he support? He basically wants a plan for anything that might be a problem – a government plan. Since we have children with disabilities and we’re caring Americans, we need a government program to help them, so says Obama. Since the temperature of the earth may be a little higher than it was a few hundred years ago, we need government intervention to cool it down and “control” our environment, or so Obama tells us. We need more government funds into our education system because it is the backbone to America, according to Obama that is. But I don’t want the government to control or attempt to control children with disabilities, the environment, or education. It’s my job to help those adapt to the disabilities the Lord graciously created them with. It’s my job to be a good steward of what the Lord has given me so that I may play my part in keeping a good environment (not that I or any man can control its weather!). It’s my job to get a good education! And its your job on the issues as well. It is not the government’s job! If Obama and other liberals are so against the government bordering with religion or morality, then why force charity on us by taking our money in the name of the poor and disabled?
McCain isn’t quite as bad as Obama on these issues, but he has his ways. He’s a big believer of the “global crises” and wants government to help it. He talks about his “plans” and when I hear politicians talk about their plans I get scared. Here is my plan: get the government out of the economy. Maybe I sound too libertarian but the philosophy holds true with economic principles. I don’t think Obama or McCain either one really understands much about government altogether – about how we have government to protect our Rights given to us by God, namely which are life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. It is not the government’s job to create utopia. It is the government’s job to secure the peace and protect our life. McCain and Obama both seem to think that the Constitution gives us our Rights. Our Rights come from God not Constitutions. This is just part of their flawed philosophy. If man gives us Rights, then man perhaps also can take away rights, legislate morality, and promote a utopian society. This sounds like Socialism or Communism! Meanwhile, they utterly ignore what the Constitution really says. To many politicians, it tells us what rights we have and if they are not mentioned, then it must mean we don’t have the rights and the government must stop us from the act. The Constitution was actually written for the opposite purpose: to list out where our Federal government should go, assuming that what is not listed is for them not to go. There may be slightly different interpretations to the Constitution, and some may interpret it very strictly while others interpret it broadly, but nonetheless it is a very important work for our leaders to follow, abide by, and defend to the best of their ability. I'm not sure if McCain or Obama care much about it. And when they take their oath of office, whomever it is, they will swear with their hand on the Word of God to defend it.
I don't think either of these candidates is real wise on foreign policy. They each have different views it seems, so it would make since I'd chose one of their views and side with one candidate on the issue. But both are interventionists. McCain may be a strong supporter of the military, and I admire his service to his nation and his patriotism, but that doesn't necesarilly make him wise in foreign affairs. I think McCain may be a little tougher on our enemies that Obama, but I also think he would drive us into war with almost the entire Middle East, making more enemies. However we do it, we need to start returning to the humble foreign policy our Founders promoted and Bush ran on in 2000. Obama may say he'll give us that some, but I'm not sure. I think in his four or eight years (if he's elected), he would bring us into some war or perhaps make enemies with another nation and set us up for war sometime in the future. Maybe that’s just speculation, but I wouldn’t really doubt any of that.
So since I don't like either candidate and I don't support or endorse either one, what do I do? I am kind of stuck between the Libertarian candidate Bob Barr and the Constitutionalist candidate Chuck Baldwin. Barr is one of the better Libertarians in my opnion. He was actually an ex Republican Congressman from Georgia. Chuck Baldwin is a Baptist Minister and a frequent candidate of the Constitutionalist Party. I don't know a great amount about either one, but both are pro-life and they have both been big supporters of Republican candidate Ron Paul, who I voted for in Februrary. I think both are good men with good values, who would bring lower taxes, lower spending, promote a sensible foreign policy, and at least to some degree restore the value of the Constitution.
Before leaving, let me briefly defend my decision to possibly vote for a third-party candidate with little hope of winning. Our two parties have become sort of a one party with two branches. They are both, for the most part, wrong on many areas. I look at voting like this: out of those running, you pick who you like the best. If it happens to be a third-party candidate then so be it! Vote your conscience! I know there may always be some strategy in voting. If out of the two mainline candidates, one I liked almost as much as a third-party candidate and needed my vote to win, then I may cast my vote for him. But McCain and I are out of line a bit, and Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin are both similar to my ideal candidates. And McCain is probably going to win Alabama anyway, so I might as well use my vote to promote a third-party candidate – especially if I like them anyway. I know that the third-party candidates may seem too “radical,” but maybe that’s what we need. We keep justifying our votes for the “lesser” of the two evil candidates. Maybe it’s time we vote for someone worth voting for or just not vote at all! Until we do that, we can expect to see our nation go downhill as both parties get worse. I won't tell you who to vote for, but I would encourage you to at least look into some third-party candidates. Just at thought.
What do you think?
God bless America
Pray for our Troops
June 16, 2008
Ryan Hampton
Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Real Jesus
People today have distorted who the Real Jesus is. Not hat I in any way have the perfect view of Jesus, but I would like to tak a time to share with you who I think Jesus is.
Most of the problem results from the fact that we fail to view Jesus as both God and Man. The church today has matured from Arianism and other false doctrines that in some form or fashion questions Jesus' double nature (of God and Man), but we still fail to really pull it together. Perhaps we fail to see Jesus as being the true God, to whom we pray to and through. It's so easy to see Jesus as a reference in prayer to the Father, but often we fail to actually see Him as the Mediator from us to the Father, to whom we are praying to. And at times, we fail to see that He was man, capable of many human errors (other than sin), and we fail to see the man Jesus as a real historical person who radically changed the world.
Jesus' message was something radically different than that of the Roman Empire, and was perhaps the main thing that faded Rome away. The message of Jesus was political. Repenting was not a nice word to make us feel better about a fault, but it was political and powerful. Repent meant to turn away from the idea that Caesar was absolute ruler, and turn to the fact that Jesus is the New and greater King.
The Romans were actually religiously tolerant contrary to much belief. But it is impossible to be completely tolerant. In order to be tolerant, there must be some things you do not tolerate. The Romans did not understand this, and as a result had the worst form of intolerance to Christianity because it did have moral standards, and it did say that there was a New King.
The Roman military was powerful, and Jesus's message was quite different. It was about love. Jesus died for His People, the greatest of all love. Jesus told us to love our enemies. When Jesus fulfilled the Law, He fulfilled it with love and grace. Consider the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) where Jesus turned the Commandments to the heart (you commit adultry in the heart, murder in the heart, etc.). As ironinc as it sounds, the sword that Jesus brought (Matt 10:34) was a sword of love. The love that Jesus brought was too poweful for the greedy and prideful Romans. It is interesting, because while Jesus came to save a fallen world, in a historical context He also killed a thriving world. Jesus stepped into the middle of the Pax Romona (Peace of Rome) and from Jesus' message the Roman Empire faded away. It was sort of an "out with the old in with the new" Baptism.
From a philisophical context, Jesus also cured many wounds. Up to this point there was a tension between the natural and the idea (or so in the mind of man). The deductive Platonic school of thought was in rival with the inductive Aristotilian school of thought. Jesus brought these into synthesis by being both God and man. As a result many other seemingly contradictory things have been were brought out of antithesis (the peace and the sword, grace and the Law, the mind and the heart, etc.).
America today is much like Rome. We have put the mind and the heart into antitesis, and only Jesus can cure that. We have a dominant military, but perhaps we don't always use it in the right way. We have a love for our nation as the Romans did, which is a great thing, but perhaps we use this love as defending government acts that should not be defended, and perhaps putting even our nation ahead of the true King Jesus. We live in an individualistic society that teaches that if someone harms you, you must harm them back.
But Jesus said to turn the other cheak. Jesus Himself was around the worst of sinners and ate and drank with them. Jesus was the life of the party often times.
So what can we do to start believing in Jesus as the real Jesus? Believe that Jesus is present when we pray, especially in the context of corporate worship. Start loving your enemies as Jesus did. And perhaps we can learn from Jonny Cash. After Jonny Cash redevoted his life for the Lord, he still played performances for those even in jail. I particularly like his song "Man in Black" where he sympathizes to those who may not be as blessed as us. He sympathized because he could. He had been on the wrong paths in life, and knew it was love that was the only cure.
So that is why I'm always goofing off, befriending the worst of sinners, etc. I wish I could more. Many people say I'm over my head, immature, and maybe I rightly am. And maybe some things are just too big for me. But I have nothing wrong with becoming weak for the weak, or all things to all people as the Apostle Paul said (1 Corinthians 9: 19-23). I don't want to spend my life just reading Scripture and writing deep thoughts, though they may be great things. I want to write a song about the sinner longing for acceptance; I want to bring laughter to those around me; I want to get dirty to help the less fortunate; I want to see a little child grow up and remaining young in heart, a rareity now days. It helps me become more aquaintenced with the REAL Jesus.
What do you think?
God bless America
God bless His Church
May 9, 2008
Ryan Hampton
Most of the problem results from the fact that we fail to view Jesus as both God and Man. The church today has matured from Arianism and other false doctrines that in some form or fashion questions Jesus' double nature (of God and Man), but we still fail to really pull it together. Perhaps we fail to see Jesus as being the true God, to whom we pray to and through. It's so easy to see Jesus as a reference in prayer to the Father, but often we fail to actually see Him as the Mediator from us to the Father, to whom we are praying to. And at times, we fail to see that He was man, capable of many human errors (other than sin), and we fail to see the man Jesus as a real historical person who radically changed the world.
Jesus' message was something radically different than that of the Roman Empire, and was perhaps the main thing that faded Rome away. The message of Jesus was political. Repenting was not a nice word to make us feel better about a fault, but it was political and powerful. Repent meant to turn away from the idea that Caesar was absolute ruler, and turn to the fact that Jesus is the New and greater King.
The Romans were actually religiously tolerant contrary to much belief. But it is impossible to be completely tolerant. In order to be tolerant, there must be some things you do not tolerate. The Romans did not understand this, and as a result had the worst form of intolerance to Christianity because it did have moral standards, and it did say that there was a New King.
The Roman military was powerful, and Jesus's message was quite different. It was about love. Jesus died for His People, the greatest of all love. Jesus told us to love our enemies. When Jesus fulfilled the Law, He fulfilled it with love and grace. Consider the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) where Jesus turned the Commandments to the heart (you commit adultry in the heart, murder in the heart, etc.). As ironinc as it sounds, the sword that Jesus brought (Matt 10:34) was a sword of love. The love that Jesus brought was too poweful for the greedy and prideful Romans. It is interesting, because while Jesus came to save a fallen world, in a historical context He also killed a thriving world. Jesus stepped into the middle of the Pax Romona (Peace of Rome) and from Jesus' message the Roman Empire faded away. It was sort of an "out with the old in with the new" Baptism.
From a philisophical context, Jesus also cured many wounds. Up to this point there was a tension between the natural and the idea (or so in the mind of man). The deductive Platonic school of thought was in rival with the inductive Aristotilian school of thought. Jesus brought these into synthesis by being both God and man. As a result many other seemingly contradictory things have been were brought out of antithesis (the peace and the sword, grace and the Law, the mind and the heart, etc.).
America today is much like Rome. We have put the mind and the heart into antitesis, and only Jesus can cure that. We have a dominant military, but perhaps we don't always use it in the right way. We have a love for our nation as the Romans did, which is a great thing, but perhaps we use this love as defending government acts that should not be defended, and perhaps putting even our nation ahead of the true King Jesus. We live in an individualistic society that teaches that if someone harms you, you must harm them back.
But Jesus said to turn the other cheak. Jesus Himself was around the worst of sinners and ate and drank with them. Jesus was the life of the party often times.
So what can we do to start believing in Jesus as the real Jesus? Believe that Jesus is present when we pray, especially in the context of corporate worship. Start loving your enemies as Jesus did. And perhaps we can learn from Jonny Cash. After Jonny Cash redevoted his life for the Lord, he still played performances for those even in jail. I particularly like his song "Man in Black" where he sympathizes to those who may not be as blessed as us. He sympathized because he could. He had been on the wrong paths in life, and knew it was love that was the only cure.
So that is why I'm always goofing off, befriending the worst of sinners, etc. I wish I could more. Many people say I'm over my head, immature, and maybe I rightly am. And maybe some things are just too big for me. But I have nothing wrong with becoming weak for the weak, or all things to all people as the Apostle Paul said (1 Corinthians 9: 19-23). I don't want to spend my life just reading Scripture and writing deep thoughts, though they may be great things. I want to write a song about the sinner longing for acceptance; I want to bring laughter to those around me; I want to get dirty to help the less fortunate; I want to see a little child grow up and remaining young in heart, a rareity now days. It helps me become more aquaintenced with the REAL Jesus.
What do you think?
God bless America
God bless His Church
May 9, 2008
Ryan Hampton
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