Mono-lingual Christians?

Dr Roland Chia gave an interview to the Christian Post on Christians Need to Love Before, For God: Theologian

Dr. Roland Chia. (Photo: The Christian Post)

The challenge for Christian discipleship today, according to theologian Roland Chia, is to help Christians recognise that they live their lives Coram Deo or in the presence of God and that everything they do must be done for His glory.

One of the most important emphases in Christian nurture has to do with the removal of the artificial dichotomy between the secular and the sacred.

"There are no private spheres, no secular spaces," said Dr. Chia.

Most Christians understand this at a theoretical or ideational level, he added.

The challenge is to help Christians to recognise the implications of that truth in their thinking and relationships and in the things that they do.

According to the theologian, the true goal of Christian discipleship is to live one's life before God and for His glory.

"To do this requires faith, discipline, prayer, wisdom and courage on the part of the Christian," he said.

Dr. Chia shared his reflections in an email interview with The Christian Post. The interview revolved around ways to encourage Singapore Christians to live more biblically.

Christians need to learn to be 'mono-lingual', to have an appreciation of reality that is informed by the Christian worldview. Elaborating he said: "They sometimes look at reality through the prism of secularism, pragmatism, relativism and pluralism.

Mono-lingual Christians would look at economics, science, the arts and education through the account of reality provided by the Scriptures.

"For the mono-lingual Christian, everything is theological," said the theologian. Everything must be understood from the standpoint of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ, he explained.

Unfortunately most Christians are not mono-lingual but bi-lingual, he observed.read more 

It is interesting that Chia uses mono-lingual and bi-lingual  to describe worldviews but I assume that he is using them as metaphors rather than equating linguistic with ontology. However, it does beg the question whether it is possible for anyone to be mono-lingual and yet live in our multi-cultural, multi-religious and pluralistic world.

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A Fragile Stone

A Fragile Stone
Performed by Michael Card
Words and Music by Michael Card & Scott Roley



You bore the burden of a name
Along a road that would lead to the cross
Bold and broken, upside down
A light for the least and the lost

He called you the rock, the foundation
Of a temple formed from God's love
His robe of forgiveness wrapping you up
Meant trusting in Him was enough

Chorus:
His love called you out on the water
And held you when you were alone
For you were the rock that was
Broken by love, forever the fragile stone

His love was the hammer that broke you
By His gentle and powerful hand
The mystery of mercy undid your denials
At last you could finally stand

The door that He opened was freedom
The door that He closed was your fear
Simply to rest in the arms of His love
Made all your doubts disappear
A stone that is dropped in the water
Will vanish and soon disappear
But the waves that move out from the center
In time they will reach everywhere
(chorus)

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Attitude

Attitude




There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror,


and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.


'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.'


So she did and she had a wonderful day.





The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror


and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.


'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.'


So she did and she had a grand day.





The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed


that she had only one hair on her head.


'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.'


So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.




The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and


noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.


'YAY!' she exclaimed. 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'




Attitude is everything.



Be kinder than necessary,


for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly, and reflect continually. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...



It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Its about Enjoying the rain while it pours on our faces.




It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. 

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

Love the people who treat you right and be kind to the ones who don’t.

Random Glimpses from My Desktop (19)

John Wesley Quotes

Here are ten interesting John Wesley quotes from the Logos blog

Ten Thought-Provoking John Wesley Quotes

Robert Campbell   |  Fri, April 29, 2011   |  

1. “Every one, though born of God in an instant, yet undoubtedly grows by slow degrees.” —from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
2. “No circumstances can make it necessary for a man to burst in sunder all the ties of humanity. It can never be necessary for a rational being to sink himself below a brute.” —from Thoughts upon Slavery in the Works of John Wesley
3. “When I was young I was sure of everything. In a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half so sure of most things as I was before. At present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed to me.” —from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
4. “Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry.” —from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
5. “Having, First, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then give all you can.” —from a sermon in the Works of John Wesley
6. “Passion and prejudice govern the world; only under the name of reason. It is our part, by religion and reason joined, to counteract them all we can.” —from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
7. “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.” —from a sermon in the Works of John Wesley
8. “Never dream of forcing men into the ways of God. Think yourself, and let think. Use no constraint in matters of religion. Even those who are farthest out of the way never compel to come in by any other means than reason, truth, and love.” —from a sermon in the Works of John Wesley
9. “Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergyman or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon the earth.” —from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
10. “It cannot be that the people should grow in grace unless they give themselves to reading. A reading people will always be a knowing people.” —from a letter in the Works of John Wesley

read more

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Evangelical Exegetical Commentary

Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (44 vols.) Retail Price: $2,195.95 Pre-Pub Price: $749.95

A few years ago, a core group of Bible scholars began to dream of what a new Bible commentary could look like . . . What if a new commentary series could be published—a kind of commentary pastors could use for sermon preparation, and a standard reference work seminary students could consult for exegetical research? What if this commentary was designed and written primarily for a digital environment—and especially for use in Logos Bible Software? The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary began out of those conversations. Now, that dream is about to become a reality. In just a few days, the first volume in this brand new commentary series will be released. Individual Titles Genesis, William Barrick Exodus, Eugene Carpenter Leviticus, Richard Averbeck Numbers, R. Dennis Cole Deuteronomy, Eugene Merrill Joshua, Ralph Hawkins Judges, Fred Mabie Ruth, Ronald Youngblood 1 & 2 Samuel, Harry Hoffner 1 & 2 Kings, John Oswalt 1 & 2 Chronicles, Eugene Mayhew Ezra & Nehemiah, Israel Loken Esther, Anthony Tomasino Job, Duane Garrett Psalms, Ronald B. Allen Proverbs, author TBA Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon, author TBA Isaiah, Todd S. Beall Jeremiah & Lamentations, Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. Ezekiel, Mark Rooker Daniel, Randall Price Hosea, Joel, & Obadiah, Gary Yates Amos, Jonah, & Micah, Michael Grisanti Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Dorian Coover-Cox Matthew, David Lowery Mark, author TBA Luke, Stanley E. Porter John, W. Hall Harris Acts, Douglas Huffman Romans, Edwin Blum 1 Corinthians, H. Wayne House 2 Corinthians, Andrew W. Pitts Galatians, Michael Burer Ephesians, Steve Baugh Philippians, Mark Keown Colossians & Philemon, H. Wayne House and Seth Ehorn 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Robert Thomas 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Steve Stanley Hebrews, Buist Fanning James, William Varner 1 & 2 Peter, Jude, Edward Glenny and Herbert Bateman 1, 2, & 3 John, Gary Derickson Revelation, Michael Stallard Benefits of the Logos Bible Software Edition The publication of the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary by Logos marks the first time a major Bible commentary series has been published in digital form before its print counterpart—and the first time it has been published with a digital format in mind. .

Sex and the Married Man

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and movie star (the Terminator)’s infidelity hit the headlines.

Meanwhile Michael Hyatt shares some thoughts about protecting his marriage.

Here are three actions I take in order to protect my marriage:

1. I invest in my relationship with Gail [Michael Hyatt's wife]. It is amazing to me that so many men are willing to invest such enormous spiritual, emotional, and financial resources in relationships other than the one they have. This doesn’t make economic sense. If you want your marriage to grow and flourish, you must invest in it. This means investing time—dreaming, laughing, listening, and crying together.
2. I set specific boundaries. This may sound old-fashioned, perhaps even legalistic. So be it. I think our world could use a little old-fashioned common sense. Therefore:
   • I will not go out to eat alone with someone of the opposite sex.
   • I will not travel alone with someone of the opposite sex.
   • I will not flirt with someone of the opposite sex.
   • I will speak often and lovingly of my wife. (This is the best adultery repellant known to man.)
3. I consider what is at stake. What story do I want my grandchildren to tell? This puts it all in perspective for me. Do I want them to be proud of my life’s story or embarrassed? Do I want to be remembered as a person who was loves his wife and is faithful to her? Or do I want to be the one who squandered his legacy in a moment of indiscretion?

What do you think?

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Weekend reading

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Random Glimpses of My Desktop (18)

The Dark Knight

Manufactured by Hot Toys Limited (2008)

Reading Barth's Dogmatic, Volume 2

Finished volume one, now for volume two

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Friedman's The Next Decade

The book is framed by two concepts. The first is the idea that the United States is an unintended empire of vast power, deeply interlocked with the affairs of most of the world. It is not a question of whether Americans want this empire; it is impossible to let go. The question is what to do with it. Like a child you did not expect and may not have welcomed, it is still your responsibility.

The second concept is what I call the Machiavellian Presidency. I consider three presidents exemplary: Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Reagan. Each possessed a deep moral core. Each fully understood the uses of power, lying and violating the Constitution and human rights to achieve the respective moral necessities of the abolition of slavery, the destruction of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, and the destruction of the Soviet Union. When we recall that Roosevelt allied with Stalin to defeat Hitler, we capture the Machiavellian President.

                                                                                                                              George Friedman

This book is very USA-centric but then if you are the only superpower left standing, then you are allowed to gloat. It shows a perspective that USA is a reluctant empire and by implication, the President of the United States, an emperor. Friedman gives an insightful critique of the US foereign policy and influences around the world and the backlash of this on the United States itself, including a question on how a constitutional republic can act like an empire.

Leadership in times of crisis is not easy as shown in his examples of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan. Friedman seems to feel that these presidents are justified to lie to Congress and the people and to violate the Constitutions as long as it serves their purposes. Friedman is utilitarian in his ethics and with this he justified the actions of these "Machiavellian " presidents. And he seems to imply that subsequent presidents should do the same.

This is one of many possible futures but the danger is there of giving too much power to one man or one nation. We must remember the maxim, 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'

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Movie Review on Thor (2011)

I watched the movie twice. The first time in a normal theatre and the second time in another theatre showing the movie in the 3D format. The 3D format appeared as a multi-layered 2D movie as the cinematography try to fool my mind into perceiving it as three dimensional. Sadly, my mind rejected that and I find that for the rest of the 3D version of the movie, I was watching it like a normal movie. This did not distract the movie from being highly entertaining and enjoyable.

The Mighty Thor is one of my favourite Marvel comic characters though not among my top ten. I enjoy the comic stories because it deals with gods and Norse mythology. I always regard Thor as being not too smart with his ‘God complex’ and placed his role in the Avengers as a ‘hard hitter’. He is good in smashing things like the Incredible Hulk. The other interesting attraction in the Mighty Thor comics is the fantastic landscapes which serve as the backdrop for his adventures. My favourite story arc is Ages of Thunder in which Thor applies his usual solution to the cycles of time.

CAUTION, the rest of this review contains spoilers.

Thor is a 2011 American superhero film based on the comic book character of the same name published by Marvel Comics and is the fourth film released as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Stellan Skarsgård with Kenneth Branagh directing a script by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne. Wiki. Read the plotline here.

I always imagine the mythos of Thor as epic and Asgard the home of the Norse gods as something of a grand scale. Here the movie did not disappoint especially in the opening scene and the closing credits where the panoramic grandeur that is Asgard is revealed. The painstaking work that is done is evident as Asgard did not look bizarre but a fitting abode of the gods. Here I must also observe that the painstaking effort to translate the costumes of the characters from the pages of a comic book to a real person movie is successful so that the helmets and clothing of the actors and actresses do convince rather than being ‘cartoonish’. I especially like Loki’s helmet with the double long horns and the way he sits and stands which is an exact replication of the Loki in the comics.

Amid all the fanfare, the plotline is simple involving fatherhood and sibling rivalry. Odin Allfather, ably portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins, is not a good father. There is a hint of favouritism even though he outwardly declared that he loves his two sons, Thor and Loki. Thor grew up to be arrogant, cruel and self-centered while Loki is cunning and manipulative. It is this favouritism that created a sibling rivalry in which each son tried to earn favour in their father’s eyes. Thor, in trying to win favour with Odin invaded Jotunheim, the realm of the Frost Giants against the explicit orders of his father. For this, he was stripped of his god powers and banished to Midgard (earth). Loki, in a more convoluted plot thought that he would win the favour of his father if he prevents an assassination attempt by the Frost Giants (which he orchestrated) and save his father. Unfortunately further revelation that he is an adopted son (his real father is King Laufey of the Frost Giants) drove Loki to desperation. He sent the Destroyer to Midgard (earth) to kill Thor who is vulnerable in his mortal form and aimed the power of Bifrost, the rainbow bridge to destroy Jutenheim. His plan to murder Thor failed when Thor, having learned humility and humanity, willingly sacrificed himself to save his friends and earth. Thor’s self-sacrifice restored his godhood and powers.

The relationship between a child and his or her father is a complicated relationship. All children seek to please their parents especially their fathers. They seek approval, affirmation and love. This seeking is especially acute when there are other siblings and the father seems to favour one over the other. Whether we acknowledge it or not, many of us spend most of our adult life trying to win our father’s affirmation or favour. An example is when a father withholds his affirmation from a child who did not do well academically but favour the sibling who is academically successful. The child may grow up to be an overachiever while despising the other sibling. Many of our hangups and personality quirks may be due to a dysfunctional relationships with our fathers. Loki, though cast as a villain, is actually the victim in this melodrama of the gods.

Of the four movies released for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I believe this is the best one so far. As in all Marvel movies, I spotted Stan Lee and also another character whom I suspect is/will become Hawkeye.

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Biblical Parenting

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Discipleship Conference: Lectio divina workshop

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Ears Thou Hast Dug for Me

 

Psalm 40:6

aznayim karitha li , literally “ears thou hast dug for me”

“mine ears thou has opened” (KJV)

“thou has given me an open ear” (RSV)

“my ears you have pierced” (NIV)

The psalm poet was bold to imagine God swinging a pickaxe, digging our ears in our granite blockheads so that we can hear, really hear, what he speaks to us.

The primary organ for receiving God’s revelation is not the eye that sees but the ear that hears – which means that all our reading of Scripture must develop into a hearing of the word of God.

Eugene Peterson (2006), Eat This Book: A Conversation in the art of spiritual reading, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 92)

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The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry. Liturgy and Women's Work

I have come to believe that the true mystics of the quotidian are not those who contemplate holiness in isolation, reaching godlike illumination in serene silence, but those who manage to find God in a life filled with noise, the demands of other people and relentless daily duties that can consume the self. They may be young parents juggling child-rearing and making a living...[I]f they are wise, they treasure the rare moments of solitude and silence that come their way, and use them not to escape, to distract themselves with television and the like. Instead, they listen for a sign of God's presence and they open their hearts toward prayer.

Kathleen Norris (1998), The Quotidian Mysteries (New York, NY: Paulist, 1, 70)

Our God Gives

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One Day at a Time

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy

I am attending this course today

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Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Mindfulness is a discipline that trains a person to be aware of the present moment and his or her place in that moment. It has a focus on the awareness which processes the mental and emotional responses of that person's consciousness. Mindfulness is often associated with Buddhist meditation.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that undertakes to change behaviour by understanding and modifying the thinking behind that particular behaviour.

What happens when Mindfulness is combined with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to form a new form of psychotherapy called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MB-CBT)?

Actually I was not surprised at this merger because Buddhism recently has become very closely involved with neuroscience.

I find this article interesting

The ‘third wave’ of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Can it be integrated into a Christian context?
By Sarah Plum and Paul Hebblethwaite

The aim of the article is to look at the possibility using Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy as a tool for treating depression and some forms of anxiety and how this may be compatible with Biblical teaching. We appreciate that some individuals may find this technique not compatible with their Christian faith, but we are not asking or expecting individuals to change their fundamental Christian beliefs or to participate in any practice that would contradict their faith but rather to look at how this tool can be used for the benefit of their clients. This article should be useful even to those that could not embrace this technique as it will at least give some useful insight.

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Pray and Believe

HT:Roger for the photo

Labour Day weekend reading Calvin's Ladder