November Monthly Blog
Brad Way
Mrs. Burnett
AP English
11/20/14
After reading "The Challenge of Cultural Relativism" by James Rachels, we see a comparison to the book "Things Fall Apart". In "Things Fall Apart" we see the cultural differences of the Christians who enter the Native's land and the actual Natives to bring conflict. The Natives are used to a way of life that differs from that of the Christians. This brings havoc within the tribe since the two parties are both equally accustomed to one way of life that they find it impossible to live the way of the other side. In the novel, we see the end result is buildings burning down and suicide. The culture clash of what is right and wrong brings destruction to the tribe.
On another note, the fact that morality exists is proof of God. An argument might state that since one person's morals differ from another's, that deteriorates this proof of a higher being. However, the fact of the matter is, everyone has a sense of morals. No matter what culture, person, place, or thing, morals exist. And that is what shows the reality of God, the fact that everybody has a sense of what is "good" and what is "bad". Think about this, do you view murder bad? I would hope so, but now I ask, by what standard? Why is murder bad? The idea of survival of the fittest tells us that murder actually is not a bad thing. If you'd like to argue with me over that, first look at Hitler. Was he a bad guy? He did what he thought was right, the Jews were holding him back, so what did he do? He eliminated the thing that held him back. Social Darwinism would say that Hitler was justified in what he did. Yet, the fact is, no person today would say everything is okay. Getting off the example of Hitler, another way to put it is this: every person has a set of actions and ideas they view as "good" and "bad". There is no evolutionary standard that makes sense of morals. There is no reason or room for that matter for morals to exist in survival of the fittest.
God, being the creator of every human (Psalm 139:13), gave everyone of us a sense of morals. However, with a sense of morals He also gave us a choice to follow Him or not, henceforth many people's morals contradict that of the Bible's. The only thing I would have to say to anyone who believes all morals are okay, we just need to have an understanding of different cultures and beliefs; I would say that they are ignoring objective truth. The Bible is objective truth. Name any sin mentioned in the Bible and there will be a logical and loving reason behind it. I say "logical and loving" because first off, the thing about sin is that God commands us to not do it because He loves us. He knows the effect sin not only has on us physically, but also emotionally and mentally. For example, part of the fruit of the spirit is to be of sober-mind (Galations 5). Basically God is saying, "Do not get drunk or high." Why does God say that? Physically: damages your body and has been proven to be the cause of early deaths. Mentally: drugs can give feelings of loneliness especially when you isolate yourself when you do it.
Overall, morals are everywhere, but the objectively right and true morals are held within God's Word. We all have a sense of morals, it's time to see what our morals are called to be by our Creator.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Monthly Blog for October
Brad Way
Mrs. Burnett
Monthly Blog
AP English
Recently we have discussed which is more accurate about the world: a world where destiny rules and we as humans have no choice in life, or complete chaos where there is no set plan and everyday with every decision we make we are changing our life. We see this in Oedipus through the oracle telling him that he was going to kill his father and marry his mother. To escape this destiny, Oedipus runs away from his homeland just to end up where his parents are and finally fulfills the prophecy. The story of Oedipus shows the view of predestination: the idea that no matter what, you have a set destiny for your life that cannot be changed.
In the film "Run, Lola, Run", we have seen the position of free will (aka the butterfly effect) conveyed through the film's plot. The main character, Lola, goes through a situation three different times, each time making a different choice on the way which results in a different outcome. The way she runs down the steps of her apartment changes the time it takes her to get to her dad's bank and her boyfriend, which changes everything else, including the final outcome of their situation, which includes Lola dying, her boyfriend dying, and then finally them both getting away safely.
This brings up the question of which is true? Are we all destined in our lives or does every choice we make change the course of our life? The Bible comments on this in regards to those who are saved and unsaved. There are two sides in the conversation among Christians regarding this topic; there are Calvinists and Arminians. Calvinists started from the Christian pastor and theologian John Calvin who concluded that we were all predestined to either heaven or hell, and God had all ready planned out each person's destiny. On the other side, the Arminians got their beliefs from Jacobus Arminius, who was actually taught by John Calvin's hand-picked successor. After Jacobus Arminius had examined the Bible himself, he came up with conclusions differing his teachers, that every man has the choice to choose to follow God or not.
This debate, though it is a prominent one in the Christian community, should not seperate Christians. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul writes, "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement." Paul urges the Corinthians that little theological ideals are good conversation pieces, but if they begin to divide believers, then ditch them. Theological debates are good in broadening our knowledge of the Word, but once they start disbanding the family of Christ, they lose their purpose and are more destructive than helpful.
With that said, biblical scholars have seen evidence for both Calvinism and Arminism in the scriptures. In Exodus 7:14 it says, "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Pharaoh's heart is hardened; he refuses to let the people go.'" We see here that God has allowed the Pharaoh's heart to be hardened against God because of Pharaoh's choices. Moving forward a few thousand years and about 50 books in the Bible, we see Paul constantly write in the new testament phrases like "...as God's chosen ones..." [Colossians 3:12] assuming that we are all chosen to follow God by God, and that we have no choice in the matter. Both sides of the argument can make points in both examples to support their views on the idea.
Personally, I am not sure where I stand on the subject. It is evident in the Bible, mainly in Revelations, that God has a set plan for the world. Revelations talks much about the final destruction of the devil and sin, as well as the final judgement of all human beings [Revelations 20:7-21:26]. I know that what God plans will happen, but I am not sure if God plans someone's salvation or not. Either way, I find confidence that God is much smarter than me, and reminds me of this in Isaiah 55:9 where He says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." So even though I may not fully understand this, I find confidence and hope that God knows all and that I am in His hands.
Mrs. Burnett
Monthly Blog
AP English
Recently we have discussed which is more accurate about the world: a world where destiny rules and we as humans have no choice in life, or complete chaos where there is no set plan and everyday with every decision we make we are changing our life. We see this in Oedipus through the oracle telling him that he was going to kill his father and marry his mother. To escape this destiny, Oedipus runs away from his homeland just to end up where his parents are and finally fulfills the prophecy. The story of Oedipus shows the view of predestination: the idea that no matter what, you have a set destiny for your life that cannot be changed.
In the film "Run, Lola, Run", we have seen the position of free will (aka the butterfly effect) conveyed through the film's plot. The main character, Lola, goes through a situation three different times, each time making a different choice on the way which results in a different outcome. The way she runs down the steps of her apartment changes the time it takes her to get to her dad's bank and her boyfriend, which changes everything else, including the final outcome of their situation, which includes Lola dying, her boyfriend dying, and then finally them both getting away safely.
This brings up the question of which is true? Are we all destined in our lives or does every choice we make change the course of our life? The Bible comments on this in regards to those who are saved and unsaved. There are two sides in the conversation among Christians regarding this topic; there are Calvinists and Arminians. Calvinists started from the Christian pastor and theologian John Calvin who concluded that we were all predestined to either heaven or hell, and God had all ready planned out each person's destiny. On the other side, the Arminians got their beliefs from Jacobus Arminius, who was actually taught by John Calvin's hand-picked successor. After Jacobus Arminius had examined the Bible himself, he came up with conclusions differing his teachers, that every man has the choice to choose to follow God or not.
This debate, though it is a prominent one in the Christian community, should not seperate Christians. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul writes, "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement." Paul urges the Corinthians that little theological ideals are good conversation pieces, but if they begin to divide believers, then ditch them. Theological debates are good in broadening our knowledge of the Word, but once they start disbanding the family of Christ, they lose their purpose and are more destructive than helpful.
With that said, biblical scholars have seen evidence for both Calvinism and Arminism in the scriptures. In Exodus 7:14 it says, "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Pharaoh's heart is hardened; he refuses to let the people go.'" We see here that God has allowed the Pharaoh's heart to be hardened against God because of Pharaoh's choices. Moving forward a few thousand years and about 50 books in the Bible, we see Paul constantly write in the new testament phrases like "...as God's chosen ones..." [Colossians 3:12] assuming that we are all chosen to follow God by God, and that we have no choice in the matter. Both sides of the argument can make points in both examples to support their views on the idea.
Personally, I am not sure where I stand on the subject. It is evident in the Bible, mainly in Revelations, that God has a set plan for the world. Revelations talks much about the final destruction of the devil and sin, as well as the final judgement of all human beings [Revelations 20:7-21:26]. I know that what God plans will happen, but I am not sure if God plans someone's salvation or not. Either way, I find confidence that God is much smarter than me, and reminds me of this in Isaiah 55:9 where He says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." So even though I may not fully understand this, I find confidence and hope that God knows all and that I am in His hands.
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