We have all grown up in an age where institutions have been promoted as the solution to our problems. We have taken to this idea with such relish that we have almost come to worship it.
So often, when there is a problem in my life, I have often been heard to say, "THEY should do something about this" or "SOMEONE should do something about this" or "SOCIETY made me do it" or "It's the school system to blame" (insert any blameworthy insitution eg. government, Muslims, Christians, the Church etc. etc.).
Let's notice two truths that immediately present themselves.
1. Institutions don't really solve any of the crucial social ills. Before the elections they claim they will. The first year after the election they try a bit. The second year after the election they tell us why they can't. The their year after the election they start claiming they can if they get re-elected.
2. It is the individual (you and me) who has the real power to bring about change that is good and real.
Jesus came to world riddled with institutions. Similar institutions to the ones we have now except we just have better technology. Not just institutions like government, the military and religion but institutional ills like slavery. He never once spoke against the institutions. He did have a go at some individuals in those bastions. He never tried to enter government as many of the upstart saviours of the day. He didn't start a social justice movement aimed at the violations of human rights.
He walked up to people and said, "Love God. Love each person around you". He was very focused on every single person. He challenged each of them and now challenges each us to throw off our victim status and and begin solving our problems by doing what He says.
Science, government, academia et al promise to save us from all our woes. Yet their promises ring hollow. They give us a better standard of living but they don't really effect in any major the crimes stats. Seriously, do you think that fewer children are being violated, fewer women getting raped, etc.? Only Jesus can save. He has been tried and found effective by millions of people for two thousand years.
Yes, Jesus. Not the church. Not religion. But Jesus' teachings being lived out in the life of people like you and me. Not an institution but a Christian.
2045: The Year Man Becomes Immortal
Read this article recently. Made me think. Check it out.
2045: The Year Man Becomes Immortal
2045: The Year Man Becomes Immortal
Yes, it is a catchy headline and it is not what Kurzweil said. However lets consider a few facts.
On its best day computer technology can only process data incredibly fast. It can't think about the data. It can't take into account life variables such as morality, laws, feelings etc. It can process information at high speed but in the end all it has is highly processed information.
Despite such fanciful movies views of the present (Enemy of the State), the near future (Eagle Eye) and the not to distant future (Terminator movies) computers can only do what they are programmed to do. Sounds boring and you won't see a movie about it.
Oh they can really mess you up. Remember the old adage, "To err is human but to really screw things up takes a computer".
I love science fiction but really get ticked off when people fail to see the difference with science fact.
Documents Please
We live in a highly identified age. Do you remember the movie, Catch Me If You Can, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks? It was so easy for Leonardo to fake being someone else. Today it's different. You need ID cards, drivers license, tax file number, social security number. Numbers and photos, passwords etc. No more acid washing cheques or wearing a pilot's uniform to change your identity.
Yet, after thinking about it for a while, I am convinced that we have got to get a grip on who we really are. In amongst all the energy and confusion of life, who am I? When you step back and ask that question that answer doesn't seem quite so black and white as getting out your driver's license.
[Warning Mode] This is not about religion. It is about who you are in this expanding universe and who you are in this mass humanity that you were born into. [Exit Warning Mode]
I am my father's son. No way to get into this world without him. Logon on to ancestry.com and check out my family history and I can find out who I am as far as my physical family is concerned. That's the easy part. I have a passport that informs me (and those nosey custom's officials) about my country of origin. That reminds me. Must apply for a British passport.
But I am more than a Little and an Australian. I am a child of this universe. But does that say anything about who I am? It all depends on whether this universe was created by someone or came about by random non-personal forces. Why?
It's like whether you are progeny of a mother and father or by genetic splicing. (It's not the same, just like it.) Who I am is totally different if I see myself as Denis' son or as a laboratory process. It changes who I am and how I look at myself.
The two choices I can see (there may be more but I have yet to recognize them) is that I am either a child of a creative active of a being who is of a higher order than me (call it God) or of creative coincidence of the elemental forces (call it whatever you want, it's not talking to you).
I am either a child of God or a chemical process. Which one I believe will change who I think I am. Which one is real determines my true identity.
[Argument Mode] How can non-personal give rise to personal? How can non-conscious "create" conscious? How can non-living give life to the living? How can non-loving (or any relational dynamic) give birth to the loving? How can non-George create George[Exit Argument Mode]
I am either a child of God or a child of the elements.
Who are you? More on this in later blogs.
Yet, after thinking about it for a while, I am convinced that we have got to get a grip on who we really are. In amongst all the energy and confusion of life, who am I? When you step back and ask that question that answer doesn't seem quite so black and white as getting out your driver's license.
[Warning Mode] This is not about religion. It is about who you are in this expanding universe and who you are in this mass humanity that you were born into. [Exit Warning Mode]
I am my father's son. No way to get into this world without him. Logon on to ancestry.com and check out my family history and I can find out who I am as far as my physical family is concerned. That's the easy part. I have a passport that informs me (and those nosey custom's officials) about my country of origin. That reminds me. Must apply for a British passport.
But I am more than a Little and an Australian. I am a child of this universe. But does that say anything about who I am? It all depends on whether this universe was created by someone or came about by random non-personal forces. Why?
It's like whether you are progeny of a mother and father or by genetic splicing. (It's not the same, just like it.) Who I am is totally different if I see myself as Denis' son or as a laboratory process. It changes who I am and how I look at myself.
The two choices I can see (there may be more but I have yet to recognize them) is that I am either a child of a creative active of a being who is of a higher order than me (call it God) or of creative coincidence of the elemental forces (call it whatever you want, it's not talking to you).
I am either a child of God or a chemical process. Which one I believe will change who I think I am. Which one is real determines my true identity.
[Argument Mode] How can non-personal give rise to personal? How can non-conscious "create" conscious? How can non-living give life to the living? How can non-loving (or any relational dynamic) give birth to the loving? How can non-George create George[Exit Argument Mode]
I am either a child of God or a child of the elements.
Who are you? More on this in later blogs.
Stepping Back & Getting Perspective
Life can really squeeze the life out of you. Busy, busy ... tired ... concerns ... money ... people ... work ... etc. etc. etc.
Let me speak in cliches for a moment. At the end of the day it seems like I am spinning my wheels. [Exit cliche mode]
I am in the middle of holidays with Julie and now with some of my family (Ben, Carly and Benji) and the last week has afforded me the opportunity to step back from all my responsibilities, think about nothing if I want, and just hang. In the context of such disconnectedness I have been able to gain a little perspective on all those things that press in on me.
A very perceptive man once said that there is nothing new under the sun. My worries, concerns and fears are no different to millions of others. Didn't seem like it until I stepped back and suddenly was able to see things with a little more clarity and perspective.
Life is really not about how much comfort or money you have or how much you can control. It's about how you see all those things in your life. And perspective really helps your sight. What's the most important thing about driving at 100 km/hour? Engine size. No. Aerodynamics? Airbags? Tyre pressure? None of these. Most important is your sight. [Exit Yoda mode]
Think I will step back a little more and see what I can see.
Bottom line. Holidays are fun but they are so much more. See you in a week.
Let me speak in cliches for a moment. At the end of the day it seems like I am spinning my wheels. [Exit cliche mode]
I am in the middle of holidays with Julie and now with some of my family (Ben, Carly and Benji) and the last week has afforded me the opportunity to step back from all my responsibilities, think about nothing if I want, and just hang. In the context of such disconnectedness I have been able to gain a little perspective on all those things that press in on me.
A very perceptive man once said that there is nothing new under the sun. My worries, concerns and fears are no different to millions of others. Didn't seem like it until I stepped back and suddenly was able to see things with a little more clarity and perspective.
Life is really not about how much comfort or money you have or how much you can control. It's about how you see all those things in your life. And perspective really helps your sight. What's the most important thing about driving at 100 km/hour? Engine size. No. Aerodynamics? Airbags? Tyre pressure? None of these. Most important is your sight. [Exit Yoda mode]
Think I will step back a little more and see what I can see.
Bottom line. Holidays are fun but they are so much more. See you in a week.
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