I have recently been reading from St. Justin Martyr's The First Apology -- it is what its title suggests: a defense of the faith. I picked up the book because of the striking similarities I have seen between Roman culture and 21st century America in hopes that I might find some insight in terms of 21st century apologetics.

I was amazed at the power of even the first paragraph, so I share it here:

"Reason dictates that those who are truly pious and philosophers should honor and love only the truth, declining to follow the opinions of the ancients, if they are worthless. For not only does sound reason dictate that one should not follow those who do or teach unjust things, but the lover of truth should choose by all means, and even before his own life, even though death should remove him, to speak and do righteous things. So you, then, since you are called pious and philosophers and guardians of justice and lovers of culture, listen in every way; and it will be shown if you are such. For we have come into your company not to flatter you by this writing, nor please you by our address, but to ask that you give judgment, after an exact and searching enquiry, not moved by prejudice or by a wish to please superstitious people, nor by irrational impulse or long prevalent rumors, so as to give a decision which will prove to be against yourselves. For we indeed reckon that no evil can be done to us, unless we are proved to be evildoers, or shown to be wicked. You are able to kill us, but not to hurt us."


Soli Deo Gloria

Missed Opportunities

I am saddened by the realization that the more comfortable our lives become, the fewer opportunities we have for heroism.

Soli Deo Gloria

The Value of Human Life

From where is the value of human life derived?

Virtually all rational people, both Christian and non-Christian, assert that there is dignity in the human spirit, that wasting a human life is a tragedy, that we ought to strive towards preserving and not destroying life. We really do value human life. And, for good reason.

But what is our explanation for doing so? Why ought we to value human life? There are hundred of thousands of "living" organisms on this planet--in the sense that they are capable of growing, reproducing, etc. From plants to animals to humans. Yet, apart from card-carrying PETA members, we do not pause to end the life of a tree or a cow. I point this out not for the purpose of suggesting that we should be more morally conscious of killing such things as trees and cows, but to show that there really is a difference between human life and all other life.

Only a Christian worldview correctly supports this understanding. Darwinism explains humanity as only that of a higher life form, but it does not distinguish between man and animal except that man is more advanced. We are only further along in the progression, or so the argument goes. In fact, we are "classified" as part of the kingdom Animalia (Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Primates, Family: Hominidae, Genus: Homo, Species: Homo Sapiens, Sub-Species: Homo Sapiens Sapiens (the other "known subspecies" is Homo Sapiens Idaltu, which is extinct)). Thus, Darwinism does not furnish an explanation for why humanity should be valued while other life-forms do not receive such value.

Christianity, however, asserts that man was made in the image of God. Thus, Christianity affords an explanation for why mankind has value, while other members of the "Animalia kingdom" do not.

Many non-Christians hold the assumption that a human life has worth, that it has value. This assumption is derived from the truths of Christianity.

One has to wonder, though, if non-Christians hold Christian assumptions, what about our assumptions as Christians? What non-Christian assumption do we hold that need to be picked up, dusted off, and replaced with truth?


Soli Deo Gloria

Number 1

Yahweh

Yahweh occurs approximately 6500 times in the Old Testament. Yahweh is first used in Genesis 2:4.

The correct pronunciation of this name of God is unknown to our modern ears. Depending upon which scholar is invoked, this name stopped being spoken in as early as the second century B.C. or as late as the second century A.D out of fear of breaking the commandment found in Exodus 20:7. So, Yahweh is an assumed or probable pronunciation of the Hebrew consonants YHWY or YHVY (יהוה), or "Tetragrammaton" (meaning "The Four Letters"). The vowels ("a" and "e") are added for the purposes of aiding pronunciation. The pronunciation, however, is not imperative for our purposes.

Simply stated, Yahweh means "He who is." This is, perhaps, the most fundamental presupposition of Christianity. "He who is" implies eternality. See Exodus 3:13-16; cf. Exodus 6:3. The entire notion of truth requires an eternal source, and only an eternal being can provide such a source. "He who is" also implies independence from space and time. As its Creator, God transcends such boundaries and, thus, He is omnipotent. The concept of Yahweh also brings comfort, as we can be confident that "He who is" is in control of the events of history, and that He has an active role in shaping and directing human events (history) including present and future events.

Everything we know and love, apart from God Himself, must have a source (although not necessarily a beginning). God, then, being the only eternal One, is the source of all that is good and true.

Ultimately, it is the concept of "He who is" that makes God most worthy of admiration, emulation, and worship. Thus, Yahweh tops my list of words.


Soli Deo Gloria

Number 2

Elohim

This is the name for God that is first used in the Scriptures. (Gen. 1:1) Elohim is usually translated as "strong one." The name Elohim is unique to the Hebrews, as it is found in no other ancient Semitic language.

Elohim is also unique for the concept that it embodies. In Hebrew, the plural of a noun is formed by adding the sound of m (similar to the way of adding s in the English language). So, in English we would say one cherub and several cherubs, but in Hebrew we would say one cherub and several cherubim.

Elohim, then, is the masculine plural form of El. Thus, Elohim is a plural noun. Yet, Elohim does not mean "gods." Elohim is always used with a singular verb, adjective, and/or pronoun. See, e.g., Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 45:18; Psalm 109:1.

Here is Jeremiah 32:27: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"

If Elohim was representative of multiple gods, as opposed to One God, then the proper grammatical structure would be as follows: "Behold, we are the lords, the gods of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for us?" Yet, the plural Elohim is treated grammatically as though it was singular. So, we have a plural concept that is singular in function. This, of course, is in accordance with our theology of the trinity.

Thus, we have the concept of the trinity -- the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- contained in the pages of the Old Testament long before the incarnation of Christ and the pouring out of the spirit at Pentecost. This little nugget of truth is why I included God's name of Elohim as our number two word.


Soli Deo Gloria

Number 3

Emmanuel

For the last three words, I have chosen three names of God.

In our society, whether right or wrong, a person's name is little more than a means of identifing him or her. That is, we give a child a name so that we will have something to call him or her by, not because the meaning of the name is representative of the personality of the child, or "who the child is." Nicknames are a bit more revealing of a person, but even this is not always the case.

With God, however, His various names reveal various aspects of His nature. This is particularly true in instances where God has revealed His name unto us, as opposed to us simply naming God. See, e.g., Exodus 3:14-15; 34:5. Hence, a study of His names is, at the same time, a study of God.

Emmanuel literally means "God is with us." It is found in Matt. 1:23 and Isaiah 7:14.

This particular name is important for a couple of reasons. First, "God is with us" embodies the incarnation of God--Jesus Christ. As we are approaching the day when we celebrate the birth of Christ, the name Emmanuel is never more evident.

In addition to serving as a name for Christ, the concept of Emmanuel is an important truth of Christianity. Namely, a divine promise to all those who believe, the promise being that God will never forsake us, that He will walk amongst us, indeed, even lead us, through life's journey.

Thus, Emmanuel captures the loving nature of God: that He would send His Son as a propitiation for our sins (the ultimate act of love) and as a pledge of divine assistance.







Soli Deo Gloria

Number 4

WORLDVIEW

We all have one, even if we do not realize what it is. Worldview is defined as "The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world." And "A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual." It is derived from the German word Weltanschauung.

Simply stated, a worldview is one's set of eyeglasses for viewing the world. I have poor vision. When I put on my glasses, all the data that I perceive through my prescriptive lenses is altered, albeit it clearer. Note, the information itself is not altered. Rather, it is the way I perceive the information that is altered.

As is true with one's worldview, I often forget that I am wearing glasses. It is not until I stop and look around that recognize that I am wearing glasses--either I actually see the frames or I see my glasses in a mirror. Hence, it is crucial that we take the time to consciously evaluate our basic assumptions about life, as these basic assumptions greatly influence the way we think and react in life.

For example, take the basic assumption of where mankind finds its origin. The two prominent views are that of Darwinian Evolution or a Creator. Your answers to many questions will stem in part from which of these two basic assumptions you have adopted (whether consciously or sub-consciously) as true. Many who take a pro-abortion stance also hold a Darwinian explanation for the existence of man (although admittedly not all do). My point, though, is that how we resolve a particular issue is largely governed by our basic assumptions about life--one's worldview.

This is why it is so important that we constantly seek to analyze what we hold as true, in order to insure that it in fact is true.

Soli Deo Gloria

Number 5

Captivate

I am convinced that this is a concept that is lost in modern society, and we are all the worse as a result.

We live in a "gotta have it" and "if I can't have it now, I don't want it" society. In the age of instant headlines, instantaneous communication, fast food, and the information super highway, we have fashioned our attention span to that of a four year old. There are numerous "things" that grab our attention, but few if any are able to hold it longer than a commercial break. It is our spiritual lives, I'm afraid, that suffer the most from this virus.

Definition: "To attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence."

Christ, ultimately, is the One that ought to captivate us the most. He is, without a doubt, beautiful--His saving grace, mercy, undying love, His entire being embodies beauty. His excellence goes without saying.

Yet there is also something lost by not being captivated by our husbands and wives, and our children. We worship at the alter of the youth, forsaking the experience and wisdom of those that have gone before us.

Often, when we fail to be captivated, we place the blame on the one that we feel ought to be captivating us. Perhaps we ought to consider whether we, the listeners, are responsible for the failure to be captivated.

Here is a new song by the Christian music group Delirious about being captivated:






Soli Deo Gloria

Number 6

Conscience

A conscience, or its accompanying convictions, is one thing that is commonly shared amongst all mankind. Believer or unbeliever, we all recognize its power over our actions and behavior. There are two distinct explanations given for the reality of the conscience. Below are two definitions that represent its respective ideology/worldview.

"The part of the superego in psychoanalysis that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego." (Merrian Webster's Medical Dictionary 2002)

versus

"That faculty of the mind, or inborn sense of right and wrong, by which we judge of the moral character of human conduct. It is common to all men. Like all our other faculties, it has been perverted by the Fall (John 16:2; Acts 26:9; Rom. 2:15). It is spoken of as 'defiled' (Titus 1:15), and 'seared' (1 Tim. 4:2). A 'conscience void of offence' is to be sought and cultivated (Acts 24:16; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Tim. 1:5, 19; 1 Pet. 3:21)." (Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary)

The latter definition, in its understanding of conscience, recognizes an inherent right and wrong, to which the conscience directs towards right conduct. Whereas, the former simply recognizes that the conscience directs conduct without recognizing that it is doing so on the basis of a right/wrong system of behavior.

The second definition rests on an assumption that God instilled in man an inherent recognition of the right and wrong, good and evil. This recognition has been distorted, no doubt, as a result of the fall. Even still, though, it is not completely non-existant, as is seen in the recognition of even small children.

The first definition rests on an assumption that the directives of the "superego" are premised upon social norms, which have no inherent right or wrongness. It is completely devoid of the notion of a Creator God from which the right and wrong that the conscience convicts and directs is derived from. Ultimately, these two definitions are representative of the city of God and the city of Man.


"There is nothing evil save that which perverts the mind and shackles the conscience." -- Saint Ambrose

"Every judgement of conscience, be it right or wrong, be it about things evil in themselves or morally indifferent, is obligatory, in such wise that he who acts against his conscience always sins." -- Thomas Aquinas

"Avoid lawsuits beyond all things; they pervert your conscience, impair your health, and dissipate your property." -- Jean de la Bruyere

"The torture of a bad conscience is the hell of a living soul." -- John Calvin

"It was expected of me that I was to bow to the name of Andrew Jackson... even at the expense of my conscience and judgement. such a thing was new to me, and a total stranger to my principles." -- Davy Crockett

"I believe that global warming is a myth. And so, therefore, I have no conscience problems at all and I'm going to buy a Suburban next time." -- Jerry Falwell

"A good conscience is a continual Christmas." -- Benjamin Franklin

"A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing." -- Elizabeth I

"He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure." -- Thomas Kempis

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." -- Thomas Jefferson

"Justice is a temporary thing that must at last come to an end; but the conscience is eternal and will never die." -- Martin Luther

"One who breaks an unjust law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

"When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society." -- Pope John Paul II

"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death." -- Leonardo da Vinci






Soli Deo Gloria

Number 7

Intangible

In describing a great leader or a star athlete, it is often said that the "intangibles" of the person are what set he or she apart from the rest of the crowd. It seems a bit oxymoronic to give a precise definition of "intangible," but I include it on the list because I believe it captures an aspect of the nature of God that is often overlooked.

1. Difficult or impossible to define or understand.

2. Of a value not precisely measurable.

3. Incapable of being perceived by the senses.

The third definition I do not believe is altogether applicable in describing the nature of God. For, although we cannot readily see Him, through His Holy Spirit, and other means, I am confident He is capable of being "perceived." Also, we have the physical incarnation through Christ, which many obviously perceived and we will one day perceive.

It is the first two definitions we should contemplate when reflecting upon the nature of God. The first definition is often applicable when we speak of the "will" of God for our lives. Yet it also equally applies to such matter as, for example, God' love for mankind. Why would God choose to love--ever so faithfully, fervently, and fully--those that have utterly turned their backs on Him (all of us as a result of the fall)? He certainly does not "need" us. Yet, He loves. This is difficult, or perhaps even impossible, for us to understand.

As for the second definition, it accurately describes the "worth" or "value" of God. We simply cannot place one on Him. Any such attempt would be absurd and scurrilous. This definition is also an important reminder of the blessedness that we enjoy by being honored to have a relationship with Him.

Ultimately, both definitions are helpful reminders for remaining humble.


Soli Deo Gloria