Questions or comments?
If you want to ask me something, just drop it in my ask box!
credendum
Jon Webb's blog.
Teach what accords with sound doctrine. - Titus 2:1
Facebook Google+
Questions?
Submit
February222012
2PM
“This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.”
Before the infamous battle of Agincourt on the fields of France, the British nobles discuss their predicament. Realizing they are outnumbered five to one, one noble wishes aloud that more Englishmen could join them. Overhearing this, Shakespeare’s Henry V replies, “If we are destined to die, the fewer, the better for our country, and if to live, the fewer men, the greater share of honour. I pray thee, wish not one man more!” He then launches unto one of the greatest military speeches in history, one that would inspire countless British troops 530 years later during another British invasion of France. Henry uses the ideas of honor, brotherhood, and devotion to God to inspire his men to victory.
First, Henry appeals to his men’s sense of honor. “If it be a sin to covet honor,” he says, “I am the most offending soul alive.” In these strong terms he establishes his righteous desire to obtain honor on the field of battle. From Henry’s point of view, the less men fighting with him, the more opportunity for valor. He bids all cowards depart, for he “would not die in that man’s company that fears…to die with us.”
Henry also preaches the immaterial rewards of courage. “This day is called the feast of Crispian.” He goes on to describe how, on every future Saint Crispian’s Day, those few who chose honor will stand more erect, showing their scars with pride. “Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester” will become household words, their names flowing like the wine on Saint Crispian’s Day. Henry succeeds in using the value of honor to stiffen his men’s resolve.
Second, Henry inspires trust by becoming his men’s equal. Notice the personal pronouns in the most famous line from the speech: “We, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.” In Henry’s eyes, all his men are on equal footing, whether kings, nobles, or commoners, as long as they all fight with honor. In invoking brotherhood, Henry enables his men to view him fondly as a family member, instead of a distant military commander or monarch. This sense of camaraderie and brotherhood will strengthen their hearts in the coming battle.
There is another meaning behind Henry’s use of brotherhood that may not be obvious. Saint Crispian’s Day celebrates the martyrdom of the brothers Crispin and Crispian. They were killed together, but because they were doing the will of God, they were rewarded in the next life. Thus, Henry gives his men hope in the face of death. Even if they die, they die with honor, they die as brothers, and they die fulfilling the will of God.
The will of God is foundational to Henry’s speech and the war as a whole. In the first scenes of the play, Henry seeks God’s approval before embarking on his invasion of France. Despite being deceived by the Bishop of Canterbury, Henry and his men truly believed that they were fulfilling God’s will by taking back what was rightfully Britain’s land. With the conviction that their cause was just and that God was on their side, the small band of brothers could battle the invincible foe with courage.
In conclusion, we find that Shakespeare’s Henry V understood the power of convincing rhetoric. Employing the ideas of honor, brotherhood, and devotion to God, he created a convincing speech that has inspired patriotism in millions, whether British or not.
February212012
Trinitarian Universalism
While I haven’t posted much recently, I have been reading everything in my stream, and there’s one thing that has caught my attention: the amount of universalism I am seeing. I am going to summarize Christian Universalism, then at the end I will give my opinion. Remember, it’s just that, an opinion. I’m not trying to judge anyone or make anyone feel guilty.
Universalism began to take root in America in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. One important founder of Universalist thought in the United States was George de Benneville. He translated the first German Bible in America. What made his version unique was that all verses supporting universalist doctrines were bolded so that they would stand out!
Trinitarian or evangelical universalism is the type I will discuss. Unlike other forms of universalism, trinitarian universalism holds to Jesus Christ being the Savior of mankind. They are conservative and reformed in most of their beliefs, except in their understanding of hell. Instead of eternal punishment, trinitarian universalists believe in eventual universal reconciliation with God. According to trinitarian universalists, all mankind will be glorified and reunited with God at the end of time.
Now, I realize that there is an incredible amount of variation within the evangelical/trinitarian universalist camp. I would say that there is greater difference of opinion within trinitarian universalism than there is within conservative reformed/fundamental theology, with their five hundred year old (but still unresolved) debates concerning election, limited atonement, millennialism, and covenant versus dispensational theology. I am not intending to misrepresent universalism. I am intending to summarize some of their core beliefs, beliefs that are common to most universalists.
At the core of trinitarian universalism are beliefs that conservative Christians find familiar and fundamental.
- They believe that God is a trinity.
- They believe that God is love. They also believe that His holiness is an aspect of His love, one could call it “holylovingkindness”. This comes into play a little later.
- They believe that mankind is reconciled through Christ.
Well, that wasn’t so bad! These are all doctrines that conservative Christians affirm and rejoice in! But hang on, we aren’t through yet. Many beliefs of universalists contradict highly valued teachings of conservative Christians. Many Christians react violently when these doctrines are denied. So take a deep breath as we venture deeper into the mind of a universalist.
- Universal atonement of sins.
This statement elicits two distinct reactions from Christians at first glance. Calvinists balk, because it contradicts their belief in limited atonement, that Christ died for the sins of only the elect. Those who believe in free will smile, because they believe Christ died to give all the opportunity to be reconciled to Him.
But that’s not the universalist’s idea of universal atonement. Take the universal nature of the non-calvinist’s atonement, and splice it onto the Calvinist’s election. The result: an atonement that is, well, really universal. As in, you can’t escape from it. All mankind is atoned, all mankind is forgiven, and all mankind is saved. A truly lovingkind God cannot allow His creation to be separated from Him.
February72012
wellyousee asked: It's impressive that you take on all of these questions.
Haven’t had many for a while. I need to post here more often!
9PM
“You’re just a conformist if you’re drunk; and naked; driving around in a loud motorcycle; smoking cigarrettes; breaking commandments; getting pregnant out of wedlock. Everyone’s done that. That’s so tired! If you really want to be a rebel get a job, cut your grass, read your bible, and shut up. Because no one is doing that.”
Mark Driscoll
February32012
Anonymous asked: Why do you write satan with capital "s"? Do people write it so as a general rule? Is that his name? Sorry I'm not English so I might not be aware of some language rules. But I thought that satan means something like demon or evil spirit, and the proper name is Lucifer? And how do we know the names of devils anyway?
Lucifer is just another name for Satan, who is a fallen angel. We know the name of Satan because the Bible calls him it. A lot of people feel like capitalizing Satan’s name is wrong because it acknowledges his existence and gives him power. If that’s the case, Satan sure gets a lot of power from the Bible, as he’s mentioned there by that name almost 50 times.
Anyway, the reason I capitalize Satan is because it’s a proper name, and these things were beat into me as an elementary school student. It’s too late to change my ways.
January272012
Anonymous asked: Can you please explain why we don't obey the following verses? : (Leviticus 11:7 ) (Leviticus 11:9-12) (Leviticus 20:18) (Leviticus 25:44-45) (Leviticus 19:19) Sorry, I can't quote them all because there's a character limit on the ask box :P
I created a quick video response for you and everyone else with this question.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNACVu4hsBU
And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. (Lev 11:7)
These you may eat, of all that are in the waters. Everything in the waters that has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers, you may eat. But anything in the seas or the rivers that does not have fins and scales, of the swarming creatures in the waters and of the living creatures that are in the waters, is detestable to you. You shall regard them as detestable; you shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses. Everything in the waters that does not have fins and scales is detestable to you. (Lev 11:9-12)
If a man lies with a woman during her menstrual period and uncovers her nakedness, he has made naked her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people. (Lev 20:18)
As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you. You may also buy from among the strangers who sojourn with you and their clans that are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may be your property. (Lev 25:44-45)
You shall keep my statutes. You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind. You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor shall you wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of material. (Lev 19:19)
Because New Testament Christians are free from the law. I really can’t say it enough times! The Old Testament laws were God’s standards for the Israelites. We have a New Covenant, so we don’t have to obey them any more!
2PM
Anonymous asked: If God knows everything. Why would he create satan. Knowing that one day he would turn against him and bring sin and evil into the world?
Why not? Satan and sin are all parts of God’s plan. Without sin, Jesus would not have to die, and the true magnitude of God’s love for man would never be displayed. I can’t wrap my mind around God’s plan. Nobody can.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. - Isaiah 55:8
January232012
quietly-living-life asked: Like you said, Paul was talking to the Romans. He wasn't instructing anyone other than them on how to live, so why do you think his words were meant to apply to anyone other than the Romans (such as modern-day Christians)?
More specifically, he was talking to Roman Christians. An epistle is a letter, but it is an open letter. It’s a unique form of literature in that it is meant to be spread and duplicated, and it applies to more people that just the initial audience.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (Romans 1:24-25 ESV)
Also, note how this is not a command. It is a statement, an observation, a truth. It is universal. In Leviticus 20:13, God is directly requiring action from a specific group of people. But note how the verse says, “they have done what is detestable.” This is also a statement, not a command. So while the command applies only to those who are being spoken to, the statement is universal: God detests homosexuality.
It’s really not that hard to understand, you just have to put it in context.
January222012
“The perfect Lamb from heaven’s throne
Endured a death that was my own;
Almighty God, the great I AM
became my ransom as a perfect Lamb.”
← Older entries
Page 1 of 10
