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| Here's a great video on youtube for a contest that Glenn Beck is having through 11/13/09. Even if you aren't a fan of his, check out the video, it's pretty funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygQJZwpszjY | | |
| American Capitalism Gone with a Whimper.
Here is a link to a Russian blog that underlines the direction that our nation is heading 1. Financially. 2. Politically. and 3. Spiritually. I found it because Glenn Beck came across it published as an editorial in a Russian paper (english.provda.ru).
What do you think?????
http://mat-rodina.blogspot.com/2009/04/american-capitalism-gone-with-whimper.html
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| Well, to any of you who were wondering, I'm still alive and blessed, and though life has been busy (mainly with school and work), everything is going very well. Also, as my uncle reminded me of tonight, Kristina and I are approaching the year and a half mark by God's grace, and that is going very well too. Though I've had a lot of things I desired to blog about over the last year (or however long it has been), most of my online communications these days are relegated to time on Facebook. But, I just finished an assignment for one of my classes that I started ranting in (possibly even a little more than usual), and so decided to post it on here too. Please note, this is written in the context of my recent experiences at school, and so if you are outside of that community, I'm not sure how much will be clear to you. Also, feel free to comment, but with my constant deadlines at school (and my next big test on Friday), be forewarned my replies could be slower.
This started as a summery of an article on Abraham Kuyper's view of Atithesis, and Common Grace.
Abraham Kuyper argued that there is an underlying antithesis (def: direct contrast; opposition) battling everywhere in this world on a daily basis. That antithesis he set forth, and argued for, is the direct result of the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden. Since death and sin entered mankind, and even the world on that day, there is a fallen hardness of heart, even a hatred for God that persists in the hearts of men. Not only do we see it in hearts, but it works its way out daily in all of our routines and callings. And what can triumph, or change this antithesis? Well, from God's word, as well as our experiences, we soon observe that only God, by the power of His Word and Spirit, can truly heal the antithesis, and change hearts and lives.
With his view of the antithesis, one might think that Kuyper would be quick to shut himself out from the world. But, instead, Kuyper saw that, in spite of the clashing world views, God was very much at work day to day in all of His creation, through the work of his “common grace”. Now, this term was not meant to cheapen the gift of God's workings or grace, but instead it is an attempt to explain how God is sovereignly at work in His fallen world. While Christians have long understood the concept of God's grace unto salvation, Kuyper articulated that God is very active, not just in the lives of his redeemed, but also in the life of every sinner. While the book linked this argument to it being an expression of God's sovereignty, I've always understood it as a necessity rising from the total depravity of mankind, as one of the main tasks of common grace is the restraint of sin in the world.
Now, in spite of Kuyper's belief in antithesis, Kuyper still had an open and hopeful view of interactions with unbelievers, especially in the areas of science, and the arts. For he reasoned, an unbeliever can be just as good at reading data, processing math, or painting art as a Christian can be. He said unbelievers however, of necessity, fall short when they seek to use their understanding to move from the small things, and answer big world and life view questions. Kuyper did still hold that common grace does not cancel out, or override the concept of the noetic effect of sin. Kuyper also held these views of common grace in relation to civil government, and education. Each, he taught, is to be generally sovereign in it's own sphere, while keeping in mind that Christ is Lord of all, and that should effect everything that a Christian does.
The author of this article brought up that some criticized Kuyper over never clarifying how he could hold to both a view that common grace allowed some collaboration with unbelievers, and yet he vehemently argued for the concept of the antithesis? But, what some saw as the weakness of Kuyper, I personally see as one of His greatest strengths. Similarly to the doctrine and debate of God's sovereignty, versus man's responsibility in regards to salvation, both antithesis and common grace are clearly portrayed in scripture. Yet, there is a part of these two concepts which contradicts. This however should not be seen as a bad thing, instead we should humbly accept this as another proof that we are not God, and that His ways are higher than ours. And what do we do until we reach heaven and our understanding is perfected? I believe we need to take a biblically balanced approach to this subject. As we look at scripture, there does appear to be a modest imbalance, though an imbalance non the less, towards the teaching of antithesis. So, that is the default way we should tend to lean also. If we too are stuck in the middle, and forced to make a choice in whom we should believe, more often we should side with the concept of antithesis. For example, I think Kuyper would have been horrified a couple of years back, when Calvin college invited some proudly lesbian musicians to play on campus (I believe it was the indigo girls). The college argued that this was an expression of seeing the common grace, and good in the world. Very similar to the idea that all truth is God's truth, “Christians” start feeling they have the “Kuyperian” mandate to go out and claim all that is “good” about this world as God's. So then what do we do? Start reading Playboy as Christians for the good articles? Or watching movies that border on pornographic to appreciate the artistic abilities of the actors? Or invite openly homosexual musicians to perform at your school, because you like some of their songs? No!!!! What we've missed in all of these examples is the Antithesis between good and evil that endures in this world, and will until Christ comes again. Until that glorious day, while we can appreciate and be thankful for God's common grace, and the way it is restraining sin, we must proceed with biblical skepticism and caution. At times focusing on the evil in the world, and declaring how it has raised itself in opposition to God, is how we can become truly Kuyperian.
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| Wow, it's been forever since I've wrote, and a lot has changed around here. I've been meaning to write a lot of different things for weeks, but never found the time. So, in short order, here's some of what's been going on with us.
In mid Oct. Kristina and I decided it was time for me to make some career changes, and I went back to work at the Ford dealership (Tony Betten & Sons), which I had worked at from Oct 2001 through Jan. 2004. Thankfully, it had been long enough for them to forget who I was, so they were gullible enough to hire me back to my old position, and even gave me a small raise over what I used to make (although times are a lot harder in that industry then they used to be).
Also in Oct., I apllied for a scholarship to Kuyper college (the same Christian college I took a class at in fall of '05). We found out just before Thanksgiving that I received it, and that it will cover all of my tuition and books (based on some conditions). So school starts, with 12 credits / 4 classes, on this Tuesday (still in pre-seminary studies). And what about the new job? Well, I figure why not do both. So I'm going to be working 38 to 44 hours a week, and taking the four classes (which I need to keep at least a 2.75 grade point average in).
In other news, married life is going extremely well, and I'm so thankful for the blessing that God has given me in Kristina. We aren't going to get much time together over these next few months, but she's on my team, cheering me on every step of the way.
A final note about cheering on, Kristina and I have remained fans of Mike Huckabee, and have been amazed by the incredible strides his candidacy has made in the past two months. He's received opposition from all of the republican elite, and been out spent 15 or 20 to 1, and yet his message connected with the voters, and he was able to win in Iowa. To put that into perspective, I was talking to a friend of mine on Facebook today (where I spend most of my time on-line) and came up with this comparison. Imagine I'm bidding trying to win an item on ebay with all of my means on the 30 grand a year I make. Then imagine there's an opponent trying as hard as he can to win that exact same auction, only he makes 600 grand a year (20 times my income). That really put Iowa in a new light for me, but I guess Mike is proving that you can't just buy the presidency, and that dealing with the issues matters.
So, that's all the updates I have time for now (and possibly for a while).
Here's a link to one of the best interviews I've seen of Huckabee. (video 4 is one of my favorites out of the 5 piece interview. To see all 5 of them, just scroll down on the page).
Huckabee video on Glenn Beck part 4
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| I
never intended for this blog to be mainly political, but it looks like
it will be so two posts in a row now. While I'm not a political expert
by any means, my parents (especially my father) have followed politics
for a number of years, and it seems I have picked up a lot of passion
for this arena.So,
what was this first for me? Well, last week I made a small
contribution to a specific candidates campaign. Who was this candidate
that inspires me so much that I would put a little money behind them?
It is the Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.In
my last post, I linked to a video that I happened across of Mike
Huckabee defending his belief in God and creation, versus a darwinian
evolution through natural selection. Well, as a couple of people
pointed out in the comments, this fact alone isn't a good enough reason
to support a candidate for president. That's true enough, but here are a
few more reasons I support Mike Huckabee to be the next President of
the USA!Sanctity
of Life: Mike believes that life begins at conception, but must be
honored and respected at all stages. He supports passing a
constitutional amendment to protect right to life, and believes that
Roe vs. Wade should be over turned.Health
Care: In this area, Mike reminds me of my mother. His belief is that
our health care system is broken, and the only way to fix it is to
focus on prevention. Personally, he was diagnosed with type two adult
onset diabetes. When faced with this news, he decided to get serious
about his diet and life style. He gave up sugar, fried foods, started
exercising and lost 110 pounds. Mike understands that we as a nation
could never afford Hilary's idea of unlimited free health care for all.
He also understands that we can't afford to keep the system we have.
The only way for things to really change, is by focusing on prevention
and lifestyle, and changing our whole culture of health.Marriage:
Mike Huckabee supports a constitutional amendment to define marriage as
between one man and one woman. Also, during his time as governor of
Arkansas, he supported the whole movement of covenant marriage in that
state.Immigration:
While not as strong as my personal stance on immigration, Mike
understands that the first step that must be accomplished NOW is that
the borders must be closed. As he states it, a nation that can't
control it's borders (as well as feed it's people, produce energy for
itself, and build it's own weapons) is not a sovereign and free people.There
are many other issues that I like and respect Mike's stance on, like
2nd amendment rights, the concept of the Fair Tax, as well as his understanding of the war in Iraq, and the danger of Islamic terrorist
who want nothing more than to see our nation destroyed. Also, the
reason I first looked at Huckabee was due to the endorsement he received from Home School Legal Defense Association.So,
those are some of the other concrete reasons I support Mike Huckabee,
and why Kristina and I contributed to His campaign. And now, I invite
you to further investigate this former Southern Baptist Pastor, that I
hope becomes the next President of our nation.
UPDATE 10/9 : Check out this press release from Mike today. Had you heard anything about this bill before??? UN LOST treaty.
A video that interviews his staff from Arkansas, and shows his leadership there.
Also you can find a lot of other information about Mike at:
http://www.mikehuckabee.com
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