Ivanhoe, Conquered

Ivanhoe - Sir Walter Scott, B+

After a long pull, I've made it through this classic historical novel. I can't say that I loved the experience, though neither did I dislike it.

"...imagine what a Snickers tastes like after having eaten a delicious mango or luscious nectarine."

Ivanhoe portrays 12th century England with a Romantic flair. As expected, the reader finds glaring hypocricies interposed with moments of chivalry; blind prejudices contrasted with holy sacrifices. One respects its hero, cherishes its heroine Rebecca, and laughs appropriately at the pomp and masquerading of "holy" men and royal officials. Scott has woven his tapestry using threads of legend, strands of history (though at times very inaccurately), and golden ribbons of romance to create a narrative that moves along at a moderate pace. Though I am susceptible to distraction, I was able to finish the book, which says something.

Overall, my response can best be described by imagining what a Snickers tastes like after having eaten a delicious mango or luscious nectarine. You enjoy the pastry, but not in the same way. Ivanhoe does not compare to works by C.S. Lewis or Homer, but certainly it far outpaces most modern fiction. It is a book that one reads because it seems everyone has read it; and it must be good if everyone has read it. While the book is worthy of no small praise, I would not recommend it to the casual reader, the reader looking for deep truths, or those with little time for frivolities.

Aquanaut

Aquanaut (Abstract No. 2)



I just returned from a men's conference and will post a few of my reflections by the end of the weekend. Blessings!

The Writer, The Voyeur

During my first visit to John's site, Blog Meridian, his recent post struck a chord with me. He explores the random evidences that lives are being lived all around him, lives with which he has no contact but through glimpses into the public-private narratives being spun day by day.

Ever since I was a kid delivering newspapers, I've had a fascination with the narratives undergirding other people's lives. At times, you can almost see how close the web of their lives and social connections/interactions comes to your own. Truly, I don't think I've ever escaped this fascination.

Perhaps the great writers of the world have all been "voyeurs" in some sense. It is those who are truly awake to their surroundings and the wonders of the human space who are able to capture characters realistically, to encapsulate our struggles in a simple narrative, to distill all life into an extended metaphor that just rings with truth. Whimsical musings about the events that transpired to leave, say, a wine glass on a bridge rail (as in John's example) can be excellent practice for a budding author. Sometimes, even, such simple images can inspire entire novels.

For a writer to stop observing is to die.

The Limits of the Human Brain

1 = 0.999...
(1 equals .9 repeating)

I just read several of the really simple mathematical proofs of the above equation, and while my brain agrees with the proofs, another part of my brain seems like it is trying to disagree. It's a really weird feeling! Truly, our human brains have limits. I can't wait to visit with the Creator and share a good laugh about all the incredible mathematical puzzles He gave us to occupy our time and show us our shortcomings.

The Forgotten Statue

Frozen in a moment of time
Yes, frozen, as most statues are
And marble too: mostly cold and
Still, in a forgotten place without
Anyone to wonder who she was
Or how she came to be memorialized
In stone. So cold and alone
She sits by a well in eternal service,
Forever offering water to passers-by
Who never come or come unthirsty
Like Christ, who understands
What it means to be forgotten by most
As He waits, and offers, and is thought
Cold and stone like most statues are.

God as Romantic, Pt. 2

God does have a relationship with us that mirrors the relationship between husband and wife. That being said, think back to when romantic gifts and gestures were the most frequent: courtship. These things may serve to woe a mate, but they are not the foundation of a solid marriage.

As a marriage matures (past the honeymoon), romantic gifts are infrequent, and therefore are a poor barometer for how a mate feels about his/her spouse. Self-sacrifice, service, and affirmation are the tools of a dedicated spouse to communicate true love to his/her significant other.

In addition, not all signs have a special meaning. It is all too easy to see a heart-shaped rock, assume God is smiling at me, and continue with my life--even if I have major sins in my life. I imagine that Satan could have a field-day with sign-dropping in order to mislead fallen Christians (or unbelievers!) into thinking that all is well with their souls.

Thank you, Ariel, for bringing Tim's critique to my attention. It started a helpful discussion at my house!

Is God a Hopeless Romantic?

Over at Challie's, John Eldredge's new book has come under fire for his claim that God shows romantic love to all of us (we just have to look for it). I agree largely with Tim's response. It's not that I don't think that the Lord loves us, it's that He loves us with a sacrificial, I-want-the-best-for-you love.

We don't need, nor should we expect from God, special love notes.

In Scripture, we don't see the romantic love that Eldredge dwells on whether you look at OT references to Israel being the Lord's chosen people (even with the adultery references), the few places in SOS that might be taken to be symbolic of God's relationship with us, or NT references to the Church being the bride of Christ. Romantic love is feelings-oriented, experience-driven, and temporary. God's love--as described in the NT using the word "agape"--is unconditional, active, and eternal. This is the kind of love we need, and that everyone can receive. We don't need, nor should we expect from God, special love notes.

It seems that Eldredge (and several other writers and song-writers) look at human interactions and human nature and assume that God feels and acts the same way we do. We give romantic gifts when things are going well with our relationship and we want to show that we are pleased with our mate. If God does send a heart-shaped rock to me, does that mean He is pleased with me and feels romantic? What if He doesn't send me any signs? Is He displeased? What if He sends trouble and pain? The danger with looking for signs is that "not all that glitters is gold," and signs are unpredictable. God's love is constant and sure, never-failing or relenting even when we fail Him. This kind of love makes me want to seek hard after the Lord, not supposed romantic signs from above.

I worship a Lord who showed His love in much more powerful and meaningful ways...

This brings up a key issue regarding theology (practical or otherwise) and human attempts to describe God. One cannot be too careful what metaphor one uses to illustrate the character of the Lord. As an illustration, suppose I wanted to point to God's strength and righteous indignation. I might call Him a "roaring lion," but my readers would get the wrong impression, namely, they would think of Satan. On the other hand, if I call Him "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah," then I would hit the mark.

Closing thought: When Eldredge uses the heart illustration, he denotes the mushy boyfriend-girlfriend relationship characteristic of teenage puppy love. I worship a Lord who showed His love in much more powerful and meaningful ways: He sent His Son to die for me and He prepares a place for me in the eternal Kingdom of God.

One Drop of Mercy

During the small group Bible study that my wife and I attend, the discussion leader broached the classic question, "Does God have one 'perfect' person for you to marry, or is it our responsibility to choose wisely from among 'the trees of the forest'?" Not surprisingly, the question wasn't answered and we moved on to other matters of study. However, this morning, it occured to me that this question actually mirrors another classic question, "Does God choose who will be saved or do we choose to accept Him?" It is this issue that has divided churches, fueled heated debates, and left every (wise) theologian somewhat at a loss for words. Having said this, I'll avoid answering the question but will seek to perhaps refocus the discussion.

None of us deserve one drop of mercy though He pours out the whole cup like oil upon our heads.

When people struggle with the issue of predestination, I don't think that they truly doubt that God has chosen some to be saved and that others will not be saved. Scripture is clear on this. Romans 9:22-24 says,

"What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath–prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory–even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?"

What people struggle with is why a loving God would create someone for destruction--that He would not choose some for salvation. My lowly mind cannot fully grasp the answer. Yet, I hold on to this: I know that He is fully deserving to "make the riches of his glory known" so that we would praise Him for who He really is. If that means He does this by saving some and not others so that we would deeply appreciate His salvation and mercy, so be it! Who are we but earthen vessels? Should we then scoff at the Potter's hands and His merciful plans? None of us deserve one drop of mercy though He pours out the whole cup like oil upon our heads. Turn to praise Him, and then seek to do His will among the nations. Amen.

Lilith - George MacDonald, A

Review--Seek to Lose Your Life

Lilith - George MacDonald
My Rating: A



In this, MacDonald's second dream fantasy, the author weaves a tale of paradox and wonder, beauty, longing, and sweet despair. The main current that flows through the whole work is the deep spiritual truth that "...whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it" (Luke 9:24).

In Lilith, the reader accompanies Mr. Vane, the narrator, through a mystical mirror into a fantastical world of seven dimensions. There, he encounters Mr. Raven, who serves largely as his guide and, in a way, his mentor. Given very little information about his new world, Vane is told in cryptic fashion that to understand where he is, he must first make himself at home in a world where everything is strange, even the laws of nature. When he asks for elaboration, he is told that he must do something--anything--in this land he's in. In this cryptical way, we are reminded that the only way to fail in life when the Spirit of God quickens us is to do nothing with our lives. Stagnation is close kin to Death.

Shortly afterward, Mr. Raven tells him that to get home, he must first "go through" himself. In a way, Raven spends the entirety of his journey figuring out what this means. After he comes to the proverbial "end of his rope," when he is hanging over the flames of self-pity and doubt, he surrenders to Raven's plan and lies down to sleep with the dead. It is through dying that he finds life; and, having passed through the wasteland of his own heart, he finds the One who waits to set him free from himself.

Those of you who have read the book may wonder why I have skipped discussing Lilith, whose name happens to be the title. Perhaps after I read the book a second time and explore the mythology behind the character, I'll understand her role enough to attempt to include her in the review. :)

Readers of Lilith will find great treasures of truth, though they will have to wade through MacDonald's trademark platitude-filled style that is at times over-dedactic. Here are a selection of shining gems:

“Why know the name of a thing when the thing itself you do not know? Whose work is it but your own to open your eyes? But indeed the business of the universe is to make such a fool of you that you will know yourself for one, and so begin to be wise.”

“The life of her face and her whole person was gathered and concentrated in her eyes, where it became light…A whole night-heaven lay condensed in each pupil; all the stars were in its blackness, and flashed; while round it for a horizon lay coiled an iris of eternal twilight…The still face might be a primeval perfection; the live eyes were a continuous creation.”

"The part of philanthropist is indeed a dangerous one; and the man who would do his neighbor good must first study how not to do him evil, and must begin by pulling the beam out of his own eye."

"Self-loathing is not sorrow. Yet it is good, for it marks a step in the way home, and in the father's arms the prodigal forgets the self he abominates."

"When a man dreams his own dream, he is the sport of his dream; when Another gives it him, that Other is able to fulfill it."

This book is listed on my Master Book List.

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Abundant Rains on a Dry Heart

Rain finally falls on drought-striken East Texas. As I watch the waters begin to penetrate the ground, I am reminded of my heart. You see, when rain first falls on dry earth, much of it runs off into gullies or down hills. It is not until after a thorough soaking rain that the ground begins to really drink deeply and find wet satisfaction.

In the same way, after days (or sometimes weeks) of not drinking deeply from the Living Well, my heart becomes hardened. When the Word begins to fall like rain onto crusted soil, much of it runs off at first to little effect beneath the surface. It is only after continual drenching in the Word of Truth that the soil begins to absorb moisture, expand, and nourish the spiritual life that lies dormant during such dry spells.

There is one difference between what I see this afternoon and what I see when I look within. I am convicted that droughts of the heart are self-imposed; no follower of the Way need ever thirst again.

M&E--Can't I Conform Just a Little?

While Christians are called not to conform any longer to the pattern of this world, I have a difficult time recognizing this error in the day to day activity of life. Now, I'm not talking about the obvious situations, such as a Christian who cusses, cheats on his wife, and looks to all the world like a man destined for the same eternal reward as shall be theirs when death finds them out. I'm talking about what Spurgeon calls the "little inconsistencies," those slight variations from our conformity to Christ. He says,

"Even small inconsistencies are dangerous. Little thorns make great blisters, little moths destroy fine garments, and little frivolities and little rogueries will rob religion of a thousand joys."

In my life, these worldly echoes, these minor unconformities, often escape my attention. And, in a Christian culture where one is considered at the top of his class if he simply remains married, few other brothers notice when I miss the mark. Perhaps the area that concerns me most, and for which I have no clear direction, is how I spend my leisure time.

I enjoy video games, always have. My generation has been blessed/cursed from our youth. We've grown up with the Internet and higher definition graphics than our fathers ever dreamed of when they went to work and used punch cards to run calculations. This fondness for video games, clearly, is shared by many of my brothers in Christ. In many circles, Halo 2 has taken the place of poker night or bowling. It is this area that has never remained settled in my mind. I know the arguments concerning "gray areas," and by and large, my conscience doesn't dictate that I avoid video games. I also know that a person needs down time to be recharged and useful again when he rises. However, I still have a difficult time reconciling my thirst for leisure with Spurgeon's words,

"Jesus gave both His hands to the nails, how can I keep back one of mine from His blessed work? Night and day He toiled and prayed for me, how can I give a single hour to the pampering of my flesh with luxurious ease?"

The question, then, is "When does relaxation merge into idleness? It is the "little foxes" that can wreak havoc in a marriage; it is the little worldly echoes that can keep us from putting our whole-hearted devotion into serving the Lord.

Life Imitates Art

"Art imitates Life; Life imitates Art."



Reflecting on the bittersweetness of creation and art in our fallen world, I was reminded of these two pictures. To me, they illustrate an intriguing interplay between art and life whereby great art begets great creators.

Case in point: Italian children building a sand-castle draw forth from their imagination majestic spires and arches, mental outlines of columns reaching to the heavens, buttresses and pinnacles. When they create, the masterpieces embedded in their memories lend their poetic power to their clever hands. Walking down the streets of Florence, they see Beauty on display, celebrated, revered, perhaps sometimes worshipped. Yet, as Christians in America, I fear we've lost this sense of the aesthetic nature of existence and creation. I wonder if the recent trend to expose our young children to classical music and paintings by the masters is not that far off base.

As I've struggled to unleash that stubborn novel residing in self-imposed exile in the dank and crumbling castle of my brain, I have thought, "If only I expose myself to enough great literature, pershaps some of that greatness will teach my hands how to write, train my brain how to tease out stunning metaphors, give insight to my floundering imagination. Then, maybe then, something decent will be written from these humble fingers.

But, then again, there is this decimating paradox. Surrounded by greatness, I aspire to greatness; yet, I know full well that I will fall short. I don't even begin to try. And nothing gets written. Again.

I've resigned myself to the fact that I may never weave a storied tapestry this side of Heaven. I hold out hope that there will be a demand for storytellers in Paradise and that pershaps then, without sin to encumber--no laziness, no distractions, no pride--something of worth will be added to the community of the Blessed. Until then, I rejoice. After all, today has work enough of its own, and that work frequently is more than bittersweet.

Your Feet Know the Way

An old poem I wrote begins:

"I was there with Augustine
Shaking the branches of the pear tree,
And as we shook, each pear fell
Like a tear from Christ's own eyes."

Probably because I began following Christ as a 17-year-old, one part of Augustine's testimony that resonates with me is his account of the wild days of his youth. I know too well what it means to sin for the sake of sinning; or, to put it another way, to sin boldly. Having been forgiven much, Augustine expresses the depths of his gratitude that Christ reached out and grabbed him, placing his two feet squarely on the narrow path that had been scorned moments before. The Saved know how blind they were to this blessed path--the journeyway to the great City--that all the time lay before them. Once we set foot on this path, our feet tell us that they had been itching to walk it all along, had we but been willing to listen to the humbler parts of our body instead of the prideful mind.

With Augustine in Another Man's Garden

I was there with Augustine
Shaking the branches of the pear tree,
And as we shook, each pear fell
Like a tear from Christ's own eyes.

No, I can't tell you the pears tasted sweet
Like Eve's own plunder in the garden,
But that wasn't the point. We took
Because they weren't ours to take.

Our laughter rang out in the violent night
As we tasted the bitter fruit
And loved it. The swine too thanked us
For the stolen fruit, the fruit of another man's labor.

Yet now, I think back to those ignorant years
With remorse for the blood I shed; it seems
Each day brought new pleasures to indulge,
And ever sin drove another nail into Christ's hand

I thank Him because I will not be there
Among those who will drink the wrathful cup
Pressed from grapes of God's anger,
Reserved for children of sin, unrepentant.

Bloggerhead

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Bloggerhead (bla-g&r-hed) noun. 1. one who spends an inordinate amount of time writing, reading, and discussing blogs 2. the leader of a discussion topic on a blog 3. a person willing to sacrifice sleep in order to share his thoughts, opinions, and beliefs with the world

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As with all good things, blogging can become an addiction. There is a fine balance between building a blogging community and fostering discussion, and...well...mild insanity. Lord willing, as I dive into Ruminations I will be able to strike this balance and still be faithful to my meager (though appreciated) reading audience.

If you can identify with this post, say AMEN (then go blog about it).

I am a Ragamuffin

I am a Ragamuffin, I know that full well. Yet, I am learning the blessedness of acknowledging my sin and living as a confessed, freed sinner. Would that I had learned this truth...I mean really learned this truth...several years ago when first I read Brennan Manning's book The Ragamuffin Gospel. But, truth has a way of trickling out of rebellious ears, especially young ears full of New-Christian enthusiasm.

So here I am, seven years later, countless sins later, and perhaps now I have but a taste of what it means to live in the glorious freedom of Christ. I revel in this truth: I don't have to hide my sins; the Light has already found them out, having scoured my soul with its painful sweetness, and having driven them far from my house of flesh. Oh, that I could be as clean on the inside as those whitewashed tombs were on the outside. Yes, I know that in God's eyes, I am clean; I will be dressed in white on that appointed day, but that doesn't stop me from yearning all the more for soul-deep purity.

These feelings, too, are welcomed by a Ragamuffin. Spurgeon writes in Morning and Evening (Oct. 1),

"Old sins we must regret, but then we have had repentances which He has given us, by which we have wept our way to the cross, and learned the merit of His blood."

There is purpose for sin in a Christian's life, for grace does abound all the more. May we never use this as an excuse, but let us also never forget to be thankful for the forgiveness and superabounding mercy of our Savior.

"Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Luke 7:47

Fact or Opinion?

Fact or Opinion: "Stealing is wrong."

Fact or Opinion: "Belshazzar was a very poor ruler."

Fact or Opinion: "You are an unrighteous person."

As I was evaluating my students' results on their Accelerated Reader quizzes, I observed that quite a few struggle to discern fact from opinion. In an effort to ameliorate this condition, I set about immediately to define for them exactly what is "fact" and what is "opinion." No doubt, I failed miserably. Why, You ask? Because the issue is much more complicated than one would think at first. But, I'll let you be the judge...

I began by defining "opinion" as an evaluation, judgment, or decision about an event or thing. In short, it's a person's thoughts regarding some external reality. As you also know, opinions can vary from person to person and over time. They are considered not falsifiable and are therefore relative/subjective.

Then, I defined "fact" as that which is true (and in actuality--IS), that which can be proven scientifically, and that which has actually happened. A fact is objective and concrete.

After this, I addressed their common tendency to call an opinion a fact if that opinion is an obvious one that everyone or almost everyone shares. For example, students would likely say that the claim, "Sunsets are beautiful" is a fact because they can't think of anyone that would disagree. Commonly held opinions are not facts.

Then it dawned on me, the only person whose opinions become facts would be God Himself. That really set me thinking, and I'm still not done with the thought.

When God says, "Stealing is wrong," it is a fact because He was the One who set this objective standard and declared this statement to be true.

"I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right." Isa. 45:19b

When God judges a man and finds him lacking, that man is, in reality, lacking since he has fallen short of the divine standard. I think here of Belshazzar when God says in Daniel 5:27, "You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting." Continuing in this vein, in Romans 3:23 Paul says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Finally, I also think about Jesus being the Word, He who is not only the very expression of the Father's thoughts toward the Creation, but also the One who spoke the Creation into existence. And what was his opinion about what He had made?

"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." Genesis 1:31

So what, you ask? There are several implications. For one, we cannot come up with our own system of morality as some men have tried to do. They have failed because we cannot express an opinion about right and wrong and have it become objective reality. We can make the claim that it is an opinion that everyone shares and call it a "fact," but it will only have the threat of human-dealt consequences behind it to give it weight. Man-made morality leads to totalitarianism of the worst sort, for without a standard to follow, there is no telling what heinous acts can be called "right" and what truly righteous acts will be labelled "wrong."

This post is becoming unwieldly, so I will end it here. I will write a second post responding to the dangerous claim that religious views are just opinions.