Recent outrage to cuts to refugee care illustrate one of many fatal flaws of healthcare in Canada. Our healthcare is currently socialised and is in serious disarray. It has become a leech as the central government pumps billions of dollars into mediocre quality "sickcare." In Canada, we don't actually aim to ensure people are healthy, we just wait until they get sick and then we support them with care. This isn't the issue though.
As smart and passionate as the few doctors we have in Canada may seem, they could use some improvements. It is entirely not necessary for there to be protests against proposed cuts by the central government. In fact, I think this is a good thing. Here me out now. It's fairly obvious the whole sickcare system is horribly managed and organised. If you ever wanted a prime example of how to waste money, our sickcare would be it. For starters, it is more expensive to treat sick people than it is to have a system focused on preventative care, or what is properly termed "healthcare." The next example would be the fact that although constitutionally sickcare and healthcare is a provincial/territorial responsibility, it is funded at the level of the central government. It would be far better, since it is a territorial/provincial matter, that it at the very least be funded at the same level. This means that taxpayer money would be more efficiently used, which means more money for say refugee care.
The next thing is pretty obvious. There is such great outrage over this, that we can see it would be quite easy to set up local funds for refugee care. If all these people really do care about the refugees, surely they would be diligent to support these refugees out of their own pockets. There are some decent benefits to this. Firstly, unlike with taxes, you actually know that your money is going towards the refugees. Secondly, these funds would likely receive more funds than if they obediently waited for the government to feed them. Thirdly, these funds would ideally be organised at the local level which means two things. 1) Such funds would be used with far greater efficiency than a government allowance. 2) The services and products used and offered would be of much greater quality than generic government products. The local folks themselves would be able to shop around to purchase high quality materials all tailored specifically to their particular refugee population.
Instead of whining to a government that with a majority isn't going to listen anyway, why not see this for the gift it is. This is a wonderful opportunity for those concerned with refugee care to become self-sustainable, and self-reliant from the government. This way they themselves could raise funds and decide when and how to use them as opposed to blindly obeying what the government decides is best. This is a great time to foster a community which, with government out of the way, means less bureaucracy. Less bureaucracy means that refugees would have greater and more direct access to the care they need than they would have otherwise. This also means that money otherwise wasted on bureaucracy can now go towards actual refugee care.
What do you prefer? A care system run by government bureaucrats or a care system run by doctors and support staff?
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The Trouble With Forgiveness of Sins
Questions about the forgiveness of sin is something I've heard from both non-Christians and Christians alike. This post will be directed at non-Christians, but I'm sure my fellow siblings in Christ will be challenged as well.
Do I really believe that all sin can be forgiven? In a word, yes. This is a very easy statement for most who believe to agree to, but I don't think many really think about its implications. If one really believes that if one truly repents, does some sort of penance and is likewise forgiven - this means they are forgiven. This means that for example, if Casey Anthony did kill her daughter and she repented and did penance, then she could be forgiven. OJ Simpson if he also repented and did penance, he also could be forgiven. Barack Obama, Stalin, Hitler, and Castro - if each truly repented, did penance - these also could be forgiven. If Mohamed Atta, Dylan Klebold, and Ted Bundy likewise repented and did penance they too could be forgiven. I'm sure you are thoroughly repulsed right now.
We often forget that Jesus Christ did not come for the righteous, but for sinners. We equally forget just as often, that we are also sinners. Even those in Christ, as long as we are not in Heaven, there is a fairly good chance that we are sinners. It is human nature to judge. Each of us constantly judges. There is no such thing as "non-judgemental." We judge the distance we have to parallel park, we judge what we would like to eat, and we judge that so long as there is someone worse than us then we must be pretty decent. In the eyes of God though, we are all equally sinners and we have all fallen short of the glory of God so it makes no sense to say to yourself, "Well, at least I'm not as bad as so and so." You are just as bad as so and so. You might not be bad in the same way, but oh yes you are just as bad.
So yes, when I say I believe that Jesus died for all our sins and that he will forgive us of our sins not only do I really truly believe it, but He really means it too. What's that, you ask? The unforgivable sin? The unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. It is not unforgivable because it is something God cannot do, rather it is unforgivable because it has to do with something we cannot do - or rather, refuse to do. In essence, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to deny all that the Holy Spirit has said. That is, that you deny the Gospel. As I said, you cannot be forgiven unless you wholeheartedly repent and as a result do penance. Forgiveness, like sanctification and the pursuit of virtue, is an active process. Lot's of people like to say that if you simply say certain words you'll be forgiven, but that isn't true. Man was made to be active, not sit around expecting God to take care of everything. God, contrary to popular belief, is not a genie. He doesn't grant your every want and desire instantaneously. Rather, you are called to actively participate in His will. So, by believing the Gospel and asking for forgiveness for denying the Holy Spirit, coupled with repentance and penance, you can indeed be forgiven. Hey, it worked for St. Paul!
So the trouble with the forgiving of sin is not about what Scripture says or what the Church likewise teaches. It is a battle within oneself against pride. It's one you can't win alone, and fortunately Jesus Christ is with us always, even unto the end of the world. So examine yourself and pray. Then go and do what is required.
Do I really believe that all sin can be forgiven? In a word, yes. This is a very easy statement for most who believe to agree to, but I don't think many really think about its implications. If one really believes that if one truly repents, does some sort of penance and is likewise forgiven - this means they are forgiven. This means that for example, if Casey Anthony did kill her daughter and she repented and did penance, then she could be forgiven. OJ Simpson if he also repented and did penance, he also could be forgiven. Barack Obama, Stalin, Hitler, and Castro - if each truly repented, did penance - these also could be forgiven. If Mohamed Atta, Dylan Klebold, and Ted Bundy likewise repented and did penance they too could be forgiven. I'm sure you are thoroughly repulsed right now.
We often forget that Jesus Christ did not come for the righteous, but for sinners. We equally forget just as often, that we are also sinners. Even those in Christ, as long as we are not in Heaven, there is a fairly good chance that we are sinners. It is human nature to judge. Each of us constantly judges. There is no such thing as "non-judgemental." We judge the distance we have to parallel park, we judge what we would like to eat, and we judge that so long as there is someone worse than us then we must be pretty decent. In the eyes of God though, we are all equally sinners and we have all fallen short of the glory of God so it makes no sense to say to yourself, "Well, at least I'm not as bad as so and so." You are just as bad as so and so. You might not be bad in the same way, but oh yes you are just as bad.
So yes, when I say I believe that Jesus died for all our sins and that he will forgive us of our sins not only do I really truly believe it, but He really means it too. What's that, you ask? The unforgivable sin? The unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. It is not unforgivable because it is something God cannot do, rather it is unforgivable because it has to do with something we cannot do - or rather, refuse to do. In essence, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to deny all that the Holy Spirit has said. That is, that you deny the Gospel. As I said, you cannot be forgiven unless you wholeheartedly repent and as a result do penance. Forgiveness, like sanctification and the pursuit of virtue, is an active process. Lot's of people like to say that if you simply say certain words you'll be forgiven, but that isn't true. Man was made to be active, not sit around expecting God to take care of everything. God, contrary to popular belief, is not a genie. He doesn't grant your every want and desire instantaneously. Rather, you are called to actively participate in His will. So, by believing the Gospel and asking for forgiveness for denying the Holy Spirit, coupled with repentance and penance, you can indeed be forgiven. Hey, it worked for St. Paul!
So the trouble with the forgiving of sin is not about what Scripture says or what the Church likewise teaches. It is a battle within oneself against pride. It's one you can't win alone, and fortunately Jesus Christ is with us always, even unto the end of the world. So examine yourself and pray. Then go and do what is required.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Putin More American Than Obama?
It's fascinating, isn't it? The old nemesis from the cold war, Russia, is more in line with the US Constitution the government of the US itself!
According to the following article at the most recent gathering of the G20, Putin said what an ardent U.S. Constitutionalist would say. During his speech to the G20, Putin said that no nation could decide for another on "who should be brought to power and who should be ousted."
What did so called "Nobel Peace Prize Winner" Barrack Obama say? Well, he apparently would like to make the civil war in Syria even more fired up by declaring Assad should get ousted. So, it really isn't that difficult to understand his actions since like so many politicians, such as Rick Santorum, Barack probably hasn't even read the U.S. Constitution and if he has he very clearly needs to take a couple of ESL classes.
For those curious, this is what a proper American response to Syria should look like in accordance with the US Constitution.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Libertarianism for the Distributionist
I'd like to begin by first clarifying something. The Catholic Church does not have a political or economic philosophy. The Church is, however, opposed to total anarchy as well as communism and fascism. Individual Catholics are left to decide their own approach and beliefs as pertains to economics and politics so long as it is on the inside of anarchy, communism and fascism. This means that a Catholic could very well be right, left or centre on the political and economic spectrum. So when Catholics of differing views talk we should keep in mind that so long as we do not advocate anarchy, communism, or fascism there is no one truly Catholic way about how we organise ourselves. The Church, for example, supports aspects of capitalism and champions ownership of private property. Likewise, she also believes in creating safety nets for those who are not as well off and cast out from society.
In a previous blog post I received a comment which I believe was supposed to be a rebuttal, though given the article linked I honestly doubt that person even read what I wrote. So this post is primarily a response to the aforementioned article.
"It is a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry." (Pope Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 79)
Subsidiarity is a middle ground between what is essentially anarchy and that of communism, but it is neither fascism (government control of private enterprise) nor corporatism (corporate control of government). It holds that man naturally has a sense of community, since mankind was created to be relational.
Mr. Baresel, like many, equates the philosophy of Libertarianism with anarchy, but fortunately for me it actually is not total anarchy. There are two branches of Libertarianism: Anarcho-Capitalism (total anarchy), and Volunteerism (limited -government). I personally prescribe, as does the libertarian presidential candidate mentioned in the article, to that of volunteerism. A volunteerist believes that man should be permitted to organise themselves into groups and communities so long as it is voluntary. We believe that man will and should blossom as the relational creature they were created to be by God. We just object to force.
So let's summarize what we have learned. As stated previously libertarianism is essentially understood as liberty with responsibility. Both aspects are opposed to force, but anarcho-capitalism is cautious of organisation and community, whereas volunteerism encourages organisation and community so long as it is all voluntary. So for example, an anarcho-capitalist might want to see an end to the Roman Catholic Church as an organisation and institution, but a volunteerist would permit it to stand.
Libertarianism, in it's volunteerist form (which most Libertarians prescribe to) is not abhorrent to man's natural propensity for community, since we are relational beings. What it objects to is force, so for example an authoritarian government. It holds since man is flawed, which the Church also teaches, that centralized power in it's current form within cannot be good for the majority. For example, if you make a bad investment you yourself will suffer the consequences. However, if the federal government makes a bad investment then everyone suffers. So libertarianism isn't trying to deny man's natural community, but rather tries to organise in the wisdom of the old saying, "absolute power corrupts absolutely."
If you read the Bible, you see very clearly that it's all about the relationship between God and man. Mr. Baresel accidentally tries to justify the use of authoritarianism by placing government between man and God and compelling man to participate. This is a grave misinterpretation that isn't backed up by Scripture or Church teaching. Again, if you read Scripture God adamantly warns man against seeking a king and against a form of government other than God working through the Priesthood. Rightly so, since the Bible and the rest of history is chocked full of governments and their leaders that are essentially considered gods. This is precisely what we see with fascism and communism. As well, total anarchy is the making of the individual as god. We are not compelled to bow our heads to government. The Church is clear though as is found in the natural law that Mr. Baresel misinterprets, that man is compelled to man. We are after all called to be brothers and sisters in Christ and are thus compelled to each other likewise. Volunteerism facilitates this by getting government out of the lives of the people.
What Mr. Baresel is likely not aware of, is that most Volunteerist Libertarians are religious, if not spiritual. I have even heard atheists that prescribe to such notions defend the natural and moral law. Atheists! Of course, libertarianism is not for the stupid. It's not like other political philosophies where to varying degrees you can sit back and let the government do your thinking for you. In libertarianism you are an active and accountable partner. You have no one to blame, but yourself. Libertarianism, like the Church appreciates hard work ethic and an application of the self to higher thinking. Both are necessary to either party.
So subsidiarity and libertarianism are actually good friends, but the interpretation of such by Mr. Baresel is that force is necessary if one doesn't behave the way he interprets behaviour should go. I advocate that more force is not the solution, rather the lack of labourers in the harvest. I doubt Mr. Baresel would object so much if America under the libertarian philosophy (which it was for the first 100 years) was also a nation of Catholics. I can tell you with certainly that if Catholics advocate force instead of spreading the Gospel then America will only continue to fall farther and farther away from God.
So if Mr. Baresel wants to hold a view of distributionism, that's fine by me. However, I would highly recommend he actually study the philosophy instead of only going by what two people say.
In a previous blog post I received a comment which I believe was supposed to be a rebuttal, though given the article linked I honestly doubt that person even read what I wrote. So this post is primarily a response to the aforementioned article.
"It is a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry." (Pope Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 79)
Subsidiarity is a middle ground between what is essentially anarchy and that of communism, but it is neither fascism (government control of private enterprise) nor corporatism (corporate control of government). It holds that man naturally has a sense of community, since mankind was created to be relational.
Mr. Baresel, like many, equates the philosophy of Libertarianism with anarchy, but fortunately for me it actually is not total anarchy. There are two branches of Libertarianism: Anarcho-Capitalism (total anarchy), and Volunteerism (limited -government). I personally prescribe, as does the libertarian presidential candidate mentioned in the article, to that of volunteerism. A volunteerist believes that man should be permitted to organise themselves into groups and communities so long as it is voluntary. We believe that man will and should blossom as the relational creature they were created to be by God. We just object to force.
So let's summarize what we have learned. As stated previously libertarianism is essentially understood as liberty with responsibility. Both aspects are opposed to force, but anarcho-capitalism is cautious of organisation and community, whereas volunteerism encourages organisation and community so long as it is all voluntary. So for example, an anarcho-capitalist might want to see an end to the Roman Catholic Church as an organisation and institution, but a volunteerist would permit it to stand.
Libertarianism, in it's volunteerist form (which most Libertarians prescribe to) is not abhorrent to man's natural propensity for community, since we are relational beings. What it objects to is force, so for example an authoritarian government. It holds since man is flawed, which the Church also teaches, that centralized power in it's current form within cannot be good for the majority. For example, if you make a bad investment you yourself will suffer the consequences. However, if the federal government makes a bad investment then everyone suffers. So libertarianism isn't trying to deny man's natural community, but rather tries to organise in the wisdom of the old saying, "absolute power corrupts absolutely."
If you read the Bible, you see very clearly that it's all about the relationship between God and man. Mr. Baresel accidentally tries to justify the use of authoritarianism by placing government between man and God and compelling man to participate. This is a grave misinterpretation that isn't backed up by Scripture or Church teaching. Again, if you read Scripture God adamantly warns man against seeking a king and against a form of government other than God working through the Priesthood. Rightly so, since the Bible and the rest of history is chocked full of governments and their leaders that are essentially considered gods. This is precisely what we see with fascism and communism. As well, total anarchy is the making of the individual as god. We are not compelled to bow our heads to government. The Church is clear though as is found in the natural law that Mr. Baresel misinterprets, that man is compelled to man. We are after all called to be brothers and sisters in Christ and are thus compelled to each other likewise. Volunteerism facilitates this by getting government out of the lives of the people.
What Mr. Baresel is likely not aware of, is that most Volunteerist Libertarians are religious, if not spiritual. I have even heard atheists that prescribe to such notions defend the natural and moral law. Atheists! Of course, libertarianism is not for the stupid. It's not like other political philosophies where to varying degrees you can sit back and let the government do your thinking for you. In libertarianism you are an active and accountable partner. You have no one to blame, but yourself. Libertarianism, like the Church appreciates hard work ethic and an application of the self to higher thinking. Both are necessary to either party.
So subsidiarity and libertarianism are actually good friends, but the interpretation of such by Mr. Baresel is that force is necessary if one doesn't behave the way he interprets behaviour should go. I advocate that more force is not the solution, rather the lack of labourers in the harvest. I doubt Mr. Baresel would object so much if America under the libertarian philosophy (which it was for the first 100 years) was also a nation of Catholics. I can tell you with certainly that if Catholics advocate force instead of spreading the Gospel then America will only continue to fall farther and farther away from God.
So if Mr. Baresel wants to hold a view of distributionism, that's fine by me. However, I would highly recommend he actually study the philosophy instead of only going by what two people say.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Deceit and Forgiveness
"So, when are you going to go to one of his gigs?"
"You know I'm busy with studying and working part-time at the hospital."
"I'm just saying. You've been dating for a year and you haven't even heard him sing."
"Nelly, I barely get to see Josh at all as it is. Ms. Sphincter wasn't even thrilled about giving me Saturday off."
"Oh that's right, it's your birthday! Isn't nineteen the drinking age? Your parents can tolerate a little alcohol can't they?"
"My parents are fine with alcohol. It's drunkenness they don't like."
Just then, Julia's cell phone went off. It was time for her to go to biochem and so she and Nelly parted. Julia wanted to be a a doctor so she was enrolled in a pre-med program at the university.
Saturday came sooner than she was prepared for. Everyone was there and having a great time. She gingerly sipped the Cosmopolitan in her hand. Julia had finally turned nineteen and like the good girl she was, she had not taken a sip of alcohol outside of communion. This didn't stop her from going to parties though and she often did when she was back in high school. At least up until the incident. You see, Julia used to date this guy named Edward. At a party during junior year, Edward decided to see how much alcohol he could take because he thought he was a responsible adult and could handle it. He couldn't. He collapsed and died due to alcohol poisoning and Julia had tried to save him. That's why Julia decided to become a doctor. She couldn't save Edward, but maybe she could save some other stupid kid who decided to have too much to drink.
"Enjoying the party beautiful?" asked Josh as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. Startled, she replied, "Oh Josh! Where did you go?"
Julia and Josh were baptised together on the same day at St. Jude's Catholic Church, and you could say they've been inseparable ever since. Josh had decided, however, that university wasn't for him and so he works at an animal shelter and tries to get gigs whenever he can. He's the lead in a band called, "Homer's Zeus," so named because Homer's version of Zeus had a high standard which applied to everyone except himself, and he was known for ruthlessly punishing liars. In case you can't tell, Josh is into classical mythology.
"Are you ready for your present, my love?"
"I thought we agreed that all I wanted was you?"
He chuckled to himself.
"Oh, you can have me all you like, but first you have to come with me."
He sweetly took her hand, led her up the stairs and out onto the deck. It was a clear night with stars as far as the eye could see. Josh had lit what seemed to be hundreds of little white candles. He also sprinkled rose petals and placed bunches of sunflowers all around the deck. Julia marvelled at him as he picked up his guitar.
"Julia, I know how you are always dedicated to being the best so that you can help others to the best of your ability, and that's something that I really admire about you. You are my inspiration and my muse, and I've written this song for you."
Julia became overwhelmed as Josh began to sing. Every time he smiled his infectious smile at her it made her heart do leaps and bounds. This was more than she could ever ask for! However, something nagged in the back of her mind. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something seemed off about this performance. She tried to reason with herself thinking that it was probably just his voice bouncing off the side of the house that gave his voice an echo.
Suddenly, a gust of wind came along and blew the cloth on the table directly behind Josh. In the dark, she clearly saw a green light coming from an unusual box that she had never seen there before. She took a few steps towards the table and felt a firm hand on her arm. Julia turned around and was horrified to hear Josh's voice still singing, but his mouth wasn't moving. Josh realised his mistake immediately.
"Julia, I can explain!"
"Oh can you, Josh? How long have you been doing this? How long have you been lying to people? To me?"
"You don't understand, listen to me! Everyone in the music industry lip syncs now. It's just how we do business!"
"You know, I always wondered why you never sang in the Church choir, but now I know. You can't sing!"
"I can sing, Julia! Just not good enough. That's still my voice you hear, it's just been improved. Think of it that way. I really don't see why this is such a big deal to you."
"You honestly don't see the implications of this? Josh, you're a filthy liar! How can I possibly know if you've lied about anything else to me? Maybe you don't even love me! You're just using me!"
At this point, Josh become enraged.
"Do I love you? Do I love you!"
Josh picked up his guitar and smashed it against the deck, sending pieces ricocheting every where. He then went up to Julia and stood but mere inches away from her face. It sent shivers down his spine when he saw the mixture of hurt and fear in her eyes.
"Yes, I f--king love you, Julia."
He left then, and Julia collapsed in a heap of tears. Nelly came out to see what happened and comforted her.
Since that night, Josh called her every day to apologise, but Julia would have none of it. She even took on extra hours at the hospital just so that she wouldn't be home when he called. Finally, Josh decided to confront her.
"Mom, dad? I'm home!"
Julia walked into the kitchen, saw Josh sitting at the table with her father and she immediately did a complete one-eighty. She slammed her bedroom door shut, but that didn't stop her father from letting himself in.
"Sweety, we need to have a talk."
"I don't want to talk dad, and I want him gone!"
"Julia, honey. By not forgiving him you are only hurting yourself."
"Forgive him? Dad, do you even have a clue what he's done?"
"Yes, I am well aware of what he did, and he is well aware that what he did was wrong. He even broke up the band so that he could figure things out."
"Good, other people won't have to suffer his so called 'music.' However, I will not forgive him. My forgiveness is one of the things that he will never have!"
"Sweety, I know he's been horrible to you, and believe me I would be thrilled if you never see him again. As bad as he has been to you though, haven't you acted worse towards God?"
"Dad, I don't need you to preach at me."
"But, I am your father and you clearly need my guidance. Julia, I know that you have personally told me dozens of lies. The most common ones of course being, 'I'm fine,' and, 'I have no homework.' I always let you get away with it because I knew you would always do your homework anyway, and that if something was really serious you would talk to your mother and I about it. That said, you still utterly disrespected me and hurt me deeply with your lying. Now try to think of all the lies you have ever told. How many people have you affected?"
Julia blushed just thinking about it. It was humiliating realising that there wasn't a single person in her life that she had never lied to. She had even lied to Josh and several times at that. She listened as her father continued.
"And just think when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, He knew every lie that you would ever tell and all the change it would cause. By your lies He was scourged on the pillar, and because of lies, Julia, He was condemned to death on the cross."
He hugged his daughter tightly.
"Go and do the right thing Julia because what ever you do for the least of these..."
"You did it to Me."
"That's my girl."
As she thanked her father there was a knock at the door. Josh asked to come in and her father saw himself out.
"Yes Josh, you can come in."
"I'm sorry for everything Julia. For making you think I was this incredibly talented musician, for breaking your heart, and for utterly scaring you. It kills me that I made you afraid of me, and I deserve it. I just thought I'd let you know that I'm no longer in the band, and that I've used the money from the last gig to get voice lessons. I thought I owed it to you to try my best to be the best, just like you, but I know I'll never be able to make up for all this."
"Oh Josh!"
Julia embraced him and they held each other for what seemed like an eternity.
"I forgive you."
She felt like she could breathe again. It was the first real breath she had taken since that night.
"Julia, can we still be friends? Maybe even good friends again, some day?"
"Yes, Josh," she smiled, "We're still friends."
"You know I'm busy with studying and working part-time at the hospital."
"I'm just saying. You've been dating for a year and you haven't even heard him sing."
"Nelly, I barely get to see Josh at all as it is. Ms. Sphincter wasn't even thrilled about giving me Saturday off."
"Oh that's right, it's your birthday! Isn't nineteen the drinking age? Your parents can tolerate a little alcohol can't they?"
"My parents are fine with alcohol. It's drunkenness they don't like."
Just then, Julia's cell phone went off. It was time for her to go to biochem and so she and Nelly parted. Julia wanted to be a a doctor so she was enrolled in a pre-med program at the university.
Saturday came sooner than she was prepared for. Everyone was there and having a great time. She gingerly sipped the Cosmopolitan in her hand. Julia had finally turned nineteen and like the good girl she was, she had not taken a sip of alcohol outside of communion. This didn't stop her from going to parties though and she often did when she was back in high school. At least up until the incident. You see, Julia used to date this guy named Edward. At a party during junior year, Edward decided to see how much alcohol he could take because he thought he was a responsible adult and could handle it. He couldn't. He collapsed and died due to alcohol poisoning and Julia had tried to save him. That's why Julia decided to become a doctor. She couldn't save Edward, but maybe she could save some other stupid kid who decided to have too much to drink.
"Enjoying the party beautiful?" asked Josh as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. Startled, she replied, "Oh Josh! Where did you go?"
Julia and Josh were baptised together on the same day at St. Jude's Catholic Church, and you could say they've been inseparable ever since. Josh had decided, however, that university wasn't for him and so he works at an animal shelter and tries to get gigs whenever he can. He's the lead in a band called, "Homer's Zeus," so named because Homer's version of Zeus had a high standard which applied to everyone except himself, and he was known for ruthlessly punishing liars. In case you can't tell, Josh is into classical mythology.
"Are you ready for your present, my love?"
"I thought we agreed that all I wanted was you?"
He chuckled to himself.
"Oh, you can have me all you like, but first you have to come with me."
He sweetly took her hand, led her up the stairs and out onto the deck. It was a clear night with stars as far as the eye could see. Josh had lit what seemed to be hundreds of little white candles. He also sprinkled rose petals and placed bunches of sunflowers all around the deck. Julia marvelled at him as he picked up his guitar.
"Julia, I know how you are always dedicated to being the best so that you can help others to the best of your ability, and that's something that I really admire about you. You are my inspiration and my muse, and I've written this song for you."
Julia became overwhelmed as Josh began to sing. Every time he smiled his infectious smile at her it made her heart do leaps and bounds. This was more than she could ever ask for! However, something nagged in the back of her mind. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something seemed off about this performance. She tried to reason with herself thinking that it was probably just his voice bouncing off the side of the house that gave his voice an echo.
Suddenly, a gust of wind came along and blew the cloth on the table directly behind Josh. In the dark, she clearly saw a green light coming from an unusual box that she had never seen there before. She took a few steps towards the table and felt a firm hand on her arm. Julia turned around and was horrified to hear Josh's voice still singing, but his mouth wasn't moving. Josh realised his mistake immediately.
"Julia, I can explain!"
"Oh can you, Josh? How long have you been doing this? How long have you been lying to people? To me?"
"You don't understand, listen to me! Everyone in the music industry lip syncs now. It's just how we do business!"
"You know, I always wondered why you never sang in the Church choir, but now I know. You can't sing!"
"I can sing, Julia! Just not good enough. That's still my voice you hear, it's just been improved. Think of it that way. I really don't see why this is such a big deal to you."
"You honestly don't see the implications of this? Josh, you're a filthy liar! How can I possibly know if you've lied about anything else to me? Maybe you don't even love me! You're just using me!"
At this point, Josh become enraged.
"Do I love you? Do I love you!"
Josh picked up his guitar and smashed it against the deck, sending pieces ricocheting every where. He then went up to Julia and stood but mere inches away from her face. It sent shivers down his spine when he saw the mixture of hurt and fear in her eyes.
"Yes, I f--king love you, Julia."
He left then, and Julia collapsed in a heap of tears. Nelly came out to see what happened and comforted her.
Since that night, Josh called her every day to apologise, but Julia would have none of it. She even took on extra hours at the hospital just so that she wouldn't be home when he called. Finally, Josh decided to confront her.
"Mom, dad? I'm home!"
Julia walked into the kitchen, saw Josh sitting at the table with her father and she immediately did a complete one-eighty. She slammed her bedroom door shut, but that didn't stop her father from letting himself in.
"Sweety, we need to have a talk."
"I don't want to talk dad, and I want him gone!"
"Julia, honey. By not forgiving him you are only hurting yourself."
"Forgive him? Dad, do you even have a clue what he's done?"
"Yes, I am well aware of what he did, and he is well aware that what he did was wrong. He even broke up the band so that he could figure things out."
"Good, other people won't have to suffer his so called 'music.' However, I will not forgive him. My forgiveness is one of the things that he will never have!"
"Sweety, I know he's been horrible to you, and believe me I would be thrilled if you never see him again. As bad as he has been to you though, haven't you acted worse towards God?"
"Dad, I don't need you to preach at me."
"But, I am your father and you clearly need my guidance. Julia, I know that you have personally told me dozens of lies. The most common ones of course being, 'I'm fine,' and, 'I have no homework.' I always let you get away with it because I knew you would always do your homework anyway, and that if something was really serious you would talk to your mother and I about it. That said, you still utterly disrespected me and hurt me deeply with your lying. Now try to think of all the lies you have ever told. How many people have you affected?"
Julia blushed just thinking about it. It was humiliating realising that there wasn't a single person in her life that she had never lied to. She had even lied to Josh and several times at that. She listened as her father continued.
"And just think when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, He knew every lie that you would ever tell and all the change it would cause. By your lies He was scourged on the pillar, and because of lies, Julia, He was condemned to death on the cross."
He hugged his daughter tightly.
"Go and do the right thing Julia because what ever you do for the least of these..."
"You did it to Me."
"That's my girl."
As she thanked her father there was a knock at the door. Josh asked to come in and her father saw himself out.
"Yes Josh, you can come in."
"I'm sorry for everything Julia. For making you think I was this incredibly talented musician, for breaking your heart, and for utterly scaring you. It kills me that I made you afraid of me, and I deserve it. I just thought I'd let you know that I'm no longer in the band, and that I've used the money from the last gig to get voice lessons. I thought I owed it to you to try my best to be the best, just like you, but I know I'll never be able to make up for all this."
"Oh Josh!"
Julia embraced him and they held each other for what seemed like an eternity.
"I forgive you."
She felt like she could breathe again. It was the first real breath she had taken since that night.
"Julia, can we still be friends? Maybe even good friends again, some day?"
"Yes, Josh," she smiled, "We're still friends."
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Liberty Street & Church
The amber sphere has come awake
All the world is below me
And that quiver of life I did see
Silver walls collapse in a rush
Souls wail as hearts are crushed
Trapped in endless agony
God abandoned us for His Glory
The earthly ground, a terrible quake
Our sky is falling, the sky is falling
Screaming as our perspective shattered
That sucking breath was snuffed
The dust of life covered everything
And all that remains is a grave stone
Things have changed forever.
All the world is below me
And that quiver of life I did see
Silver walls collapse in a rush
Souls wail as hearts are crushed
Trapped in endless agony
God abandoned us for His Glory
The earthly ground, a terrible quake
Our sky is falling, the sky is falling
Screaming as our perspective shattered
That sucking breath was snuffed
The dust of life covered everything
And all that remains is a grave stone
Things have changed forever.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Sola Scriptura or Bible Alone
Have you ever watched televangelists and Protestant services on the television? Have you ever noticed that they will go on and on about things and occasionally mention a verse from the Bible here and there? Have you gone to the online stores of their ministries and noticed a stark lack of bibles for sale, and if they are selling a Bible it's one filled with blurbs of interpretation from that particular ministries head?
When I first started reading the Bible, I did so because I had heard that Bible only Christians knew their bibles inside and out, and so I wanted to be prepared. I have met many Christians who claim to be Bible-alone, but they can't really tell me much about the Bible. However, they can often readily quote their favourite preacher. So it was a bit of a let down when I came to realise that I wouldn't meet any real Bible alone Christians because I had put so much effort into learning the Bible. Fortunately though, I developed a great love for the Holy Scriptures.
The truth of the matter is that Bible-alone is a false doctrine that doesn't even exist, let alone the fact that it isn't even found in the Bible itself. Sure, there are many exhortations about learning the Scriptures, that they are good for teaching and reproving, and that they are God-breathed. Yes, I truly do believe that the Holy Bible is indeed the Word of God. However, never do you see the phrase, "these Scriptures alone," or, "this book/letter alone." It doesn't exist. Shocking, I know! What is even more scarier is that the idea that the Bible interprets itself is also not in the Bible. In fact, the Bible says just the opposite!
When I first started reading the Bible, I did so because I had heard that Bible only Christians knew their bibles inside and out, and so I wanted to be prepared. I have met many Christians who claim to be Bible-alone, but they can't really tell me much about the Bible. However, they can often readily quote their favourite preacher. So it was a bit of a let down when I came to realise that I wouldn't meet any real Bible alone Christians because I had put so much effort into learning the Bible. Fortunately though, I developed a great love for the Holy Scriptures.
The truth of the matter is that Bible-alone is a false doctrine that doesn't even exist, let alone the fact that it isn't even found in the Bible itself. Sure, there are many exhortations about learning the Scriptures, that they are good for teaching and reproving, and that they are God-breathed. Yes, I truly do believe that the Holy Bible is indeed the Word of God. However, never do you see the phrase, "these Scriptures alone," or, "this book/letter alone." It doesn't exist. Shocking, I know! What is even more scarier is that the idea that the Bible interprets itself is also not in the Bible. In fact, the Bible says just the opposite!
"Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert. And rising up, he went. And behold a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore. And he was returning, sitting in his chariot, and reading Isaias the prophet. And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest? Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth. In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth? And the eunuch answering Philip, said: I beseech thee, of whom doth the prophet speak this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip, opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached unto him Jesus." (Acts 8:26-35)
Did you notice how St. Philip handled this? He did not distribute additional literature. He did not proclaim that this man first needed the Holy Spirit and then he would understand the Scriptures and that the Holy Spirit will guide him in his interpretation. He simply taught him.
"And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them. But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days? To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre, And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not. Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him. " (Luke 24:13-27)
Did you notice how St. Philip handled this? He did not distribute additional literature. He did not proclaim that this man first needed the Holy Spirit and then he would understand the Scriptures and that the Holy Spirit will guide him in his interpretation. He simply taught him.
"And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them. But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days? To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre, And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not. Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him. " (Luke 24:13-27)
Again, did you notice how this was handled, and by Jesus Himself? They were not told that they needed to have the word in their hearts and to study the Scriptures each day. He did not say that perhaps what they needed was the Holy Spirit, and that once they had the Holy Spirit they would be able to understand the Scriptures. He simply taught them.
This is a reality we ironically see within Protestantism today. After all of the grief they have made that all one needed was the Bible and the Bible being the sole authority they never really had these things. The were taught. For if the Bible alone is all you really needed, there is no need for Bible schools or ministers. Just distribute bibles. That's all. Distribute bibles and do not tell anyone what it means. The moment you try to explain the Scriptures, you see, you use your own judgement. You can deny it all you want, but that's what takes place whenever you attempt to understand something. You interpret it based on your own judgement. That why there are some 40 000 Protestant churches all of course bible only and all to varying degrees declare that only their interpretation is the correct one. This in and of itself is contrary not just to the Bible, but also to the very nature of Almighty God!
"For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33)
"But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, not hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)
There is only one God. There is only one Christ. There is only one Bride. There is only one interpretation. If you assumed the Truth was in Protestantism, that would mean 39 999 churches have a wrong interpretation which means they are following a false Christ, a Christ of their own personal interpretation. Sadly, since bible-alone is in and of itself a false doctrine, this means the entirety of Protestantism is wrong. Thinks about this. That's millions of people following a wrong interpretation! Why? They are following what they are taught.
"Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves." (Matthew 23:15)
"Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment." (James 3:1)
This is a reality we ironically see within Protestantism today. After all of the grief they have made that all one needed was the Bible and the Bible being the sole authority they never really had these things. The were taught. For if the Bible alone is all you really needed, there is no need for Bible schools or ministers. Just distribute bibles. That's all. Distribute bibles and do not tell anyone what it means. The moment you try to explain the Scriptures, you see, you use your own judgement. You can deny it all you want, but that's what takes place whenever you attempt to understand something. You interpret it based on your own judgement. That why there are some 40 000 Protestant churches all of course bible only and all to varying degrees declare that only their interpretation is the correct one. This in and of itself is contrary not just to the Bible, but also to the very nature of Almighty God!
"For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33)
"But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, not hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)
There is only one God. There is only one Christ. There is only one Bride. There is only one interpretation. If you assumed the Truth was in Protestantism, that would mean 39 999 churches have a wrong interpretation which means they are following a false Christ, a Christ of their own personal interpretation. Sadly, since bible-alone is in and of itself a false doctrine, this means the entirety of Protestantism is wrong. Thinks about this. That's millions of people following a wrong interpretation! Why? They are following what they are taught.
"Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves." (Matthew 23:15)
"Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment." (James 3:1)
And you might hear or even be saying, "Well, Luther said this, or Moody said this, Darby had this to say, and Kenneth Copeland says this." You may even say, "Well, this is how we do it in our family, or my church always taught this, or the college/university I went to said this." There is nothing wrong with being taught. The issue is that one insists that the Bible alone has the authority.
It is in essence the buying into of the oldest lie on the books, "And the serpent said to the woman: No, you shall not die the death. For God doth know that in what day soever you shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil. And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to her husband who did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened: and when they perceived themselves to be naked, they sewed together fig leaves, and made themselves aprons." (Genesis 3:4-7)
He who believes the Bible alone can be interpreted means that he is not obedient unto God but that one his own he can possess all knowledge of good and evil through that which God created. So sin finds an occasion to corrupt something good, for the cause of evil. It is not that which is good that is sinful but sin itself which wrongly uses this good this. The Bible is very good for private reading. It is very good for learn the ways and wisdom of God. But we need to be obedient unto God lest we walk to the right or to the left.
He who believes the Bible alone can be interpreted means that he is not obedient unto God but that one his own he can possess all knowledge of good and evil through that which God created. So sin finds an occasion to corrupt something good, for the cause of evil. It is not that which is good that is sinful but sin itself which wrongly uses this good this. The Bible is very good for private reading. It is very good for learn the ways and wisdom of God. But we need to be obedient unto God lest we walk to the right or to the left.
So, who has the right interpretation? The Holy Spirit has the right interpretation. Who has the Holy Spirit? The Church, the Bride of Christ. There is one Christ and one Church for our God is not a polygamous God. There is only one Church. Jesus said, "And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) So we know that the Church has been since the very day Christ founded it and has never gone away. We also know that, "Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house." (Matthew 5:15) So we know that not only has the Church been around since Jesus Christ founded it, but also that it is a very visible Church. So which Church is it? It's the one that can be traced back to Jesus Christ in a continuous uninterrupted line. Anything apart from this, and you call Jesus Christ a liar.
"And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son. And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage; and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my calves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage. But they neglected, and went their own ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise. And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage. And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests. And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? But he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:1-14)
"And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son. And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage; and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my calves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage. But they neglected, and went their own ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise. And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage. And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests. And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? But he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:1-14)
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