The Weakness of Faith

He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there, and it will move,' and nothing will be impossible for you."

Early on in our journey with Cadenne, I had a fellow believer tell me, "Don't let the doctors tell you what to do. Have faith and pray, and God will heal her."

I have only the faith I was given. Apparently, I was not given enough faith to move much of anything. My faith was not capable of healing Cadenne's CDH. It was not sufficient to move the organs that had pushed their way through the hole in her diaphragm and crush one of her lungs. My faith was not strong enough to supply the oxygen levels needed to keep her off ECMO.

Weak and flailing is my faith. It was only able to provide me with peace of mind, knowing that the fate of my baby was in the hands of God. My faith, feeble as it is, was able to magnify and glorify a God who is more likely to use vocation though providence to work all things to the good of those who love Him, than an instantaneous miraculous healing. It was my small faith that led me broken and poor to His body, the church. Through them, I felt the hands of God minister to my family. It was in this lacking faith that I found great joy in my suffering, wishing that I had been found more faithful so that I could suffer more for His glory.

My faith was unable to move mountains of sickness, poverty, or the broken heart of a desperate man unable to fix his baby and shield his wife from sorrow. My faith was only strong enough to throw myself upon His promises of His faithfulness.

Soli Deo Gloria! It was not my faith that is at work healing baby Cadenne, but the God that gave me my faith!

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Note: There is a "virtual cast" for you to sign if you are among those praying for Cadenne. Please leave a comment including your name and local here.

A Recent Prayer

My God and my Lord,
To You alone I pray
Because you alone created every thing

It was You that came down to save me
It was You that created a heart of life in this once dead man
It was You that gave me eyes that see and ears that hear

You saved me not from the consequences of my sins
You saved me from the consequence of my sin nature
You saved me from the consequence of Your righteous judgment

Lord please forgive me for seeking pleasures other than You
Lord please forgive me for my pride that boasts in things other than You
Lord please forgive me for the passions that fail to glorify You

You gave me all that I have
You gave me my wife and my children
You gave me the ring in my ear, Master

By Your grace alone I stand before You
By Your grace alone I stand as head of my house
By Your grace alone I stand in the gap

With Your outstretched arm You have crushed Your enemies
With Your outstretched arm You have terrified whole nations
With Your outstretched arm You have lead me with steadfast love

Into Your arms I place all I have
Into Your arms I place all I fear
Into Your arms I place all my trust

Amen

You have not...

From the beginning of our difficulties with this pregnancy we have wanted the help and prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ. I want the people I worship with involved in my life. I am blessed with a healthy church family. We have often been asked by our church family to give updates on Cadenne Hope. That is a relatively easy request to fulfill. But at this past concert of prayer I came across a request that was not so easy, One of the elders simply asked, "How are you doing?" I answered, "Tired." I went on to mention a couple of reasons why, none of which seemed adequate. Now that I have been able to reflect upon it a little longer, I think I have a better answer. I have been anxious. And sinfully so.

I continue to be anxious even though I know Matt. 6:25-34 tells me I shouldn't be anxious. I know that my God is the God of Israel, the God that provided even after their sinful unbelief in the wilderness. He was still faithful to His people. How often will I fret about material provisions instead of seeking His righteousness? (Philippians 4:6) He has always proven Himself faithful to His own. In this, my "wilderness experience", I find myself tempted to side with the ten spies, those that thought the taking of the promised land was beyond their abilities. They were right. Joshua and Caleb say as much in Num 14:5-10: "the Lord is with us".

In every sense is not that enough? If God is for me, who can be against me? I can see how He has cared for both the birds and George Muller, surely I fall some where between those two. I wish to live out the trust I profess in God, that His love would cast out this fear in particular.

Sometimes Blessings Stink

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

If you read the Cadenne Hope Updates, you will know where this post comes from.

As for how this post relates to the post below, this would be a post on subject B) Stop pretending that you're OK. We know differently.

It seems that God has chosen to have me move beyond theological theories, and into the realm of living out the hope He has given to me. While we all understand that God is knitting our little girl together in Tricia's womb, we don't necessarily understand why He decided to skip a knit one, pearl two. I would like to think it is for the same reason the man in John 9:1-3 was born blind: to reveal God's glory.

The theory I had been formulating was a simple one. Given that we are sinners in a fallen world, pain is good. To quote Westley "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something." But why would I argue that pain is good? Two reasons; 1) Pain as a diagnostic tool indicates that something is wrong and needs to change. Thomas Covenant longs for pain. This leads to reason 2) Pain also indicates life (that is you're not dead yet), which means there is time to correct the condition that is causing the pain.

I realize I have not suffered to the same extent as the great saints of the faith. As a result I do not have the endurance nor the character of a great man of God. For now I will rejoice in the suffering that my Lord has allotted me, content with the hope He is pouring out for His glory.

Post Script
I have come to understand a third reason that pain is good. It gives an opportunity for the body of Christ to be the arms of God that hold and comfort those that suffer.

Remember: Fear God.

One of my Elders preached straight to my heart last Sunday.You can listen here (warning: direct link to a 20mb file).

This sermon inspired this prayer.

My Lord God, You scare me.
I have been overwhelmed by Your power.
As you have humbled kings You have humbled me.
Fearing You is the beginning of wisdom.
Please forgive me for being a fool.
Your might has crushed cities and nations.
Yet I have been a coward in front of mockers
rather than being awestruck before you, my God.
You have broken me. I am Yours.
I thought too little of You, Lord. I thought You smaller than You are.
I have read the Prophets say, "From You there is no hiding place,"
But acted as though I could hide evil in the darkness of my heart.
To lay prostrate before You would be to esteem myself too highly.
If it was not for your mercy I would be unable to stand.
I am terrified by your wrath. Only Your arm can save me.
Yours is the glory so great that to see it would be death to the sinner.
Forgive me.

Recommended listening; Stavesacre, Zzyzx Scarecrow(iTunes link)

A Simple Question

Let me get right to the point. Is the concept of respect having to be earned a biblical concept?
Everyone seems to agree that love should be unconditional. Why not respect also? Most of the ladies will say, "But they are two totally different things!" I understand and acknowledge that as a viable perspective, but since when has the Christian life been about you? Aren't you supposed to be "others" focused? As I have mentioned before, a large percentage of men perceive love and respect to be exactly the same thing. Many men will tell you that absent respect there can't be love. Therefore if the "other" you are focused on sees respect as love, and we know that you want to love them in their native tongue (so to speak), shouldn't you respect unconditionally?

Never Turns to More

It seems like eons ago when Dan Phillips posted this question about continuing sin at Pyros.

Towards the end of the post he says,

One last twist: could you throw yourself in there? I could. The problem isn't really just Them, is it? Would that it were. Why does not my holiness grow and deepen more apace? Whatever "those people" pray, I know that I pray (and you pray) for growth in holiness. Why is it so slow? Why are sins so stubborn, and graces so seemingly ephemeral? Sins die so hard, graces grow so agonizingly slowly.

I think I will put myself in there. As Dave Grohl has said, "I've gotta confession to make."
So here I go. Hello, my name is Brian, and I'm a habitual speeder. And not your run of the mill five over the speed limit type either. More like twenty. One more thing...I don't feel bad about it.

That's just wrong. I occasionally feel a pang of guilt, but it passes quickly. But why do I persist? Is it the fleeting pleasure of of the sin? I'll be the first to admit that going fast sure is fun. So why has this "work of the devil" not been "destroyed" by Christ? He annihilated my desire to use methamphetamine more than a decade ago. So why not my desire to play "Double the Speed Limit?" Why has He left that desire standing?

To presume the motives of God is a scary thing. Thus, I will try to restrict myself to what He has revealed in His word. So why am I not granted instant holiness?

It may seem odd, but consider Balaam from Numbers 22:22. Everybody knows the story. Balaam's donkey sees the angel of the Lord set a pick, and does what any good donkey would do. It wanders off in to a nearby field. Twice more the angel sets the pick, with the last one the donkey just gives up and lies down. Then, of course, God gives voice to the donkey.

Moral of the story so far: When you see your friend is headed toward the judgment of God, be an ass. Eventually, God may speak though you and save your friend's life.

So how does this apply to the question at hand? We see Balaam repent. What did it take? Crisis. We all have times when we need a good smack upside the head. Sometimes it has to sting more than others, because at different times our skulls tend to change in density. Ultimately I believe it has to do with the fact that some sins bring us greater pleasure over a longer season than other sins.

It also tells me that I lack the proper perspective. I am not seeing my sin in relation to a real and coming judgment. This tells me my faith is small. In some measure I do not have the assurance of things hoped for (judgment by a righteous God in this case) but not seen. I believe that the reason God allowed me to go on in this sin was the minor crisis of writing this post. As I wrote, it became clear what my insubordination to civil authority really is: Thumbing my nose at my God. I thank God that this time the crisis was minor, merely reflecting on my sin in contrast with the righteousness of God. For the most part I have slowed down, and when I don't at least I feel bad about it.

Sometimes it is better to be Nineveh than Israel. Pray that God would break you...softly.

Recommended Reading: Ps. 139

Recommended Listening: Stavesacre's Acquiesce iTunes Link Lyrics found here

Integrity:Despised

in·teg·ri·ty

1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.

In Genesis 25:34 we can read the culmination of a transaction that had more ramifications then either the seller or buyer may have realized. In this story there are no good guys. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. We know why he did this: He had a felt need. It also seems that he would not have been surprised if he did not live long enough to enjoy the benefits of his birthright. On the other side, we have the supplanter. He low-balls the value of the birthright, taking advantage of his brother's desperation. Can you say "brotherly love"?

de·spise

1. To regard with contempt or scorn.
2. To dislike intensely; loathe.
3. To regard as unworthy of one's interest or concern.

All that to get to this: We can despise our integrity in much the same way as Esau did his birthright. How often do we feel that a "need" of the present is worth more than our integrity? How often have I traded my own wholeness (and holiness) for a bowl of stew? That stew could be a little extra (ill-gotten) cash to help ends meet, the lie told to avoid a confrontation (including the words left unsaid), or the spouse that cheats (as well as the spouse that neglects) because it is easier than being naked with each other.

Every transaction has a supplier and a consumer. Had Jacob not enabled the transaction, had he provided for his kin without guile, would the deceit of Genesis 27 been necessary? How often have I enabled or encouraged the fall of my brother for my own gain? Truly, more than I care to remember.

In each of these, we have less concern for being undivided, whole and sound than we do for satisfying a felt need. I find examples all over Scripture. I also find examples strewn throughout my life. It pains me because I know it reflects a lack of faith. It says, "God, I don't think You are going to take care of this need, and even though I know this option I came across doesn't square with Your Word I am going to go my way." Could there be another reason I would fail to stand in the wisdom and promises of God? I don't think so. Am I my brother's keeper? Yes I am. Likewise, you are my keeper.

Scars: Reminders of Lessons Learned

Let us start with a couple of traffic facts. Fact one: Everybody that drives a car is an idiot. Fact two: Everybody that rides a motorcycle is crazy. Not all to the same degree, mind you, but crazies and idiots nonetheless.

I'm a bit of both, as you might have guessed. I ride a motorcycle every day but Sunday, which happens to be the only day I wear long pants.

One work day, I dropped off my work truck and rode the motorcycle home where my wonderful bride was waiting for me with bated breath. (See facts one and two again.) As is my custom, I was "sharing" lanes on a surface street. The rest of traffic stopped for a red light. I was making my way to the limit line when a young lady decided she needed to force her way from the right lane to the left lane. I admit I was in no immediate danger, but I was looking in her mirror. She wasn't looking. That, um, "upset" me. Therefore, I pulled along side her, gave her the meanest you're-an-inconsiderate-idiot-are-you-trying-to-kill-me look I could muster from within a full face helmet and proceeded to go around her protruding bumper. Ah, but it was a tight fit. Not wanting to touch the Suburban she was trying to wedge behind, I "walked" my bike though the gap. I must have started with the wrong foot, because at about the third step I felt my right leg caught between the piping hot exhaust pipe and the girl's bumper. I hit the throttle and quickly powered out of the bind. It smarted. It left a mark that eight months later still reminds me of Romans 12:17-21. When I seek vengeance for myself, I'm the one that gets burned.

Respectful

OK guys and gals, let's have a quick run-down of why we should be respectful. Reason number one: Scripture says so. Do we need another reason? No, we don't. But here is number two:
Just as a husband giving lingerie to his wife is gift to himself, a wife giving respect is giving herself a gift.

As we prepare to give respect, we should know something of what we are giving. In the context of Eph 5:33, the word translated respect in the ESV is more often translated as some form of the word fear in the rest of the New Testament. This word is also very similar to the word translated as reverence (fear in the NASB) in Eph 5:21.

We can see that what we are giving is closely tied to fear. That your husband uses his strength to give you bear hugs in love rather than a full nelson in anger should be proof that he is at least somewhat respectable. Wives may want to remember this as they show respect. Your respect should be unconditional in Christ, just as you expect his love for you to be unconditional.

"But what are some ways I might show my husband respect?" you might be asking. Just as different guys feel disrespected by different things, so also they see respect in different ways.

Let me start with rule number one: Don't fake it. Empty flattery doesn't do anybody any good. I mean really, have you seen American Idol Laugh Out Loud night?

Second, watch how he shows respect. Remember, respect is love. Therefore, like a "love language" the way he likes to give is most likely the way he likes to get. Does he use titles such as "my Pastor" or "my wife" instead of names? Then try "My husband is wonderful." Remember rule one, of course.

Third, and maybe the hardest one, do Eph 5:22-24.

Respect is Love

Great nations built from the bones of the dead
With mud and straw, blood and sweat,
You know your worth when your enemies
Praise your architecture of aggression

~Megadeth~

I sell tools to mechanics for a living. The tattoo above belongs to Tony, one of my preferred customers. As you might expect, he is respectful, respectable and respected. Like most men I know, you know what to expect with Tony. Respect. Men respect men because they are men.

But the ladies may not have this intuitive understanding. Some of the fairer sex may not realize that when men are asked to choose between, "Would you rather feel alone and unloved OR would you rather feel inadequate and disrespected by everyone?" 75% choose alone and unloved.

Now I should mention that in this survey by Shaunti Feldhann (in For Women Only) many men felt there was no real choice, because respect is love. Is everyone beginning to understand why we have gender specific commands in Eph 5:22 and Eph 5:33?

So, ladies, you probably want to know how to avoid disrespecting the men in your life. That is kind of tricky, because different guys are offended by different things. Therefore you will probably treat him with a lack of respect at some point. How will you know? Here is your clue: Watch his countenance. Disrespect is often met with anger. Sometimes that anger manifests as a change of tone, sometimes as silence, and sometimes as walking away. If you see these responses, you may be able to figure out which things push his button.

Think about what Tony said about this topic, "Without respect, there is nothing to build on."
Can I get an Amen?

In my next installment, I'll try to deal with giving respect.

Lingerie as a Motivator

A while back, I mentioned Eph 5:25-28 and focused on being washed in the Word. But I can't stop thinking about that passage.

It seems to me that there is more than one source of motivation for actually loving my wife as Christ loves the church.

The first reason is because Scripture says so... That is a sufficient reason in and of itself. The second reason is a bonus... It's the same reason husbands buy their wives lingerie.

So why would a healthy, well-adjusted husband go out of his way to shop in the most feminine store (or part there of)? Why would he take the time to find that perfect outfit that conceals what she doesn't like but still makes the most her beauty?

I'll tell you why this husband does it. It is a present to myself. Yes, she gets the outfit. She gets the adoring attention. But I get her, presented to me in splendor.

Captured Thoughts

Mr. Hatfield of Voice of Vision, reminded me of a kind of epiphany I had awhile back. Of course it was recent enough that it's kind of embarrassing to admit that it took so long to get "It".

I have seen many areas of growth in my life as a Christian. But there are other areas that are a constant fight. One of these areas is my thought life. Knowing I was supposed to hold every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), I would try to put the full nelson on every evil thought that came to mind and put it out of commission before it could grow into action. It was a rough life, full of failure.

Then one afternoon I was meditating upon Philippians 4:8. That is when it struck me. I was trying to hold the wrong thoughts captive! My wrestling with the wrong thoughts left little room to wrestle with the thoughts of God.

It has been amazing. The more I fill my mind with thoughts of God, really soaking in His Word, the less room there is for evil. As I think of my family, I see God at work more often. As I look at the world, I see more opportunity and less temptation. I see my works less and less and Christ in me more and more.

Holding Nothing

I figure every one knows the story of the wealthy young man of Matthew 19:6-22. I realize that the common view is that he went away sad and was never redeemed. While I admit that is very likely, the text leaves me a little short of that conclusion.

Let me reveal a little about myself, and how these verses have ministered to me.

About twelve years ago, I was alone in my room. Under the influence of some pretty harsh drugs, God smacked me upside the head. (No, I don't think it was the drugs talking.) I had made a profession of faith some thirteen years prior in a Jr. High youth group. But this night, I had the distinct impression that I was "self-medicating" to cover the pain caused by my own disobedience. Namely, I had tried to take back the life I had already given up to God.

God condescended to rescue me that night. It was a night of immense joy. It was also a night of immense sorrow. After the "Yes, LORD, I am Your possession." I asked, "What more must I do to be complete?" I understood I had to leave everything behind and follow Him. This included all my friends...the type of friends that would not only die for me, but kill also. We were closer than kin. The cost to me, at that time, seemed high. It was all I had, and it broke my heart to obey. But as you know it was but a momentary and light affliction when compared to the glory set before me (2 Cor 4:17).

My brothers and sisters, this is not the only time I have found it necessary to give up that which I loved for the cause of drawing close to my Savior.

More recently, I left a church that is, in my opinion, dying on the vine. But it was a church that allowed me to work on my gift (as modest as it might be) of preaching and teaching. Yet, the majority of the preaching left my family unfed. I could not continue to neglect the spiritual health of my family. I believe my family is my primary ministry, and preaching is secondary. Therefore, even though it saddened me (in some respects) to do so, I moved my family to a wonderful and vibrant church... one where my chances of preaching or teaching (given the depth of talent available) is slim to none. But the resulting spiritual growth in my family (self included), has meant that my "sacrifice" was no sacrifice at all.

By now, I suppose, you can understand why I don't necessarily see "he went away sorrowful" as "he went away to never obey and be condemned to hell." May we all, if called to, give up whatever holds us back from being complete.

Bathwater

edited for typos and other things that annoy my wife. 12/31

Gwen says, "But I still love to wash in your old bathwater." I know it's the girl version of Offspring's Self Esteem, but I don't care. I'm just going to rip it out of context and make it fit what I want to say. I don't even feel bad about it, really. It isn't Scripture; it's not even Zeppelin.

"But I still love to wash in your old bathwater." Some would probably say something to the effect of, "Eeww, that's gross".

But not me. I think, "Would my wife be happy in my bathwater?" Understand that I don't mean bathwater as in "the liquid just below the ring in the tub." I mean it more like, "Have I been so washed in the word of God that my wife is becoming more holy and blameless by steeping in my presence?"

Doesn't Eph 5:25-28 say to love my wife as Christ loved the church? Is she not my primary ministry? Am I a help to her sanctification? Ultimately, does being closer to me draw her closer to Christ? I surely hope so. I surely believe that as I grow, as Christ washes me, she may one day ask to wash in my old bathwater.

Mortify

But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live. (Nu 33:55)

Sometimes when I read scripture, I see things in a new way. I'm sure I'm not the first guy in 2000 years to see this passage in this light, but this time reading though Numbers I received the proverbial smack up side the head.

For the first time, I saw my own walk. Where, after crossing the Jordan, I have failed to drive out the inhabitants. I can see many areas of my life where I have tried to peacefully co-exist with the old man. Oh, the strife that has ensued.

I can't count how many times I have launched into battle on my own, and gone down in humiliating defeat. Nor can I count how many times I have had to deal with the consequences of those failures. I have a feeling I will need constant reminders, just as Israel did, that my God needs to go before me, that in Him alone is victory.

The First McDaris House Rule

My wife and I are about to celebrate our eighth anniversary later this month. As I often do I reflect back on the first anniversary present I gave her, I printed it out on special paper and framed it. Thought I'd share it with the rest of the world.

This household is and shall be continually set apart and holy unto the only true living God, by whom and through whom is our salvation and righteousness. Blessed is the Lord forever.
Amen.

There is only one God, The true God is triune in nature; consisting of three personages; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each are completely and perfectly God, lacking nothing. Each equally God in essence and eternal in nature. In this we see the perfect relationship.

Therefore, God is a relational being, and seeks relationships with His people. Outside of the Godhead, the relationship between God and man is the preeminent relationship among all of creation. Made possible through Christ alone, by faith alone.

Second in the order of relationships is the marriage relationship. Ordained by God, given as a gift to man, holy and pure, to be cherished for a lifetime.

Marriage was not only given as a gift, but also as a picture of God in His relationships. It is a picture of God the Father in relation to God the Son , Christ Jesus. It is a picture of God and His relation with the nation of Israel. It is also a picture of Christ in relation to the Church. Furthermore, it is a picture of Christ in relation to regenerate man.

These are the principles on which this house rule is based.

The First McDaris House Rule is; that my wife will be honored in all ways at all times by everyone residing in or visiting this household.

This will be done because; a) She was created in the image of God. b) Her name is written in the Book of Life, redeemed by the blood of Christ. c) As my wife she is my glory, just as Christ is the glory of God. d) As my wife she is a picture of the Church, the bride of Christ.
In the matter regarding to what extent she shall be honored, all circumstances shall fall into one of two categories.

Category one, all circumstances involving correction and/or discipline.
In all these circumstances my wife will be treated with be treated with honor due a child of the one true living God.

Category two, all other circumstances. In all other circumstances she shall be treated as though we might see her through God's eyes, as though she were already perfected through the process of sanctification. If there is any doubt,then the guideline shall be, my wife shall receive as much honor as humanly possible with out worshiping her.

I shall jealously defend my wife's honor within the boundaries of righteousness, always seeking the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, I hereby acknowledge that when I fail to honor my wife, I am accountable to God and the body of Christ, especially those that were witness to our marriage covenant with God.

I, Brian C. McDaris, by the authority granted to me by the eternal, holy and sovereign God of the universe, as head of this household, declare that this is a binding document.

May the Lord be blessed and glorified in this house.

Longing for Heaven

For most of my teen years I had a death wish. Having heard the promises of heaven, and thinking myself saved, death seemed to be better than the normal teen angst. I confess that knowing I am saved has not eradicated this longing for death. It has, however, dramatically changed my motivation. Let me illustrate with a parable. Heaven is like an In-N-Out Burger and life is like everything else leading up to an In-N-Out Burger. The In-N-Out experience, like the Christian life, starts in the parking lot, with the fragrance that permeates the air, drawing me closer, creating a desire for what is good and right. Then I cross the lot to the doors of the kingdom of fresh ground beef, grilled to perfection. Entering I realize the fragrance outside was merely a shadow of what was to come. The smell of Double Doubles grilling, permeate the air. This, yes, this is my life in the Kingdom. My life in Christ as currently realized. Many are the joys here, the wife and kids, a job and friends. And most of all, thick with the presence of Christ. The friendly face in the red apron has taken my order, the bill paid, is certain that this joy is mine. As soon as my number is up.

High Tension Wires and Common Grace

A couple of days ago, Dan Edelen of Cerulean Sanctum got me thinking with this post. In it he deals with the doctrine of Imago Dei in relation to the doctrine of total depravity, and his inability to reconcile the two satisfactorily.

In his post he list four possible solutions along with reasons why they can't be right. I believe his number three comes closest to how I see things.

#3 Total Depravity is total; however, the Imago Dei remains but is tainted in such a way that nothing pure comes from any of it.

His critique of this position is as follows,

#3 is problematic because one could argue that there are things that Man creates that are perfect or at least profoundly good that would argue against taint. For instance, in what way is Handel's Messiah "imperfect" as a piece of music? Or Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata? One could say that in order to be perfect, those works would have to appeal to all men at all times in all places. But is that the true test of perfection? Yes, the instruments used to play those works may not be in perfect tune, but the idea of those works as they existed in the minds of those composers would mitigate that issue.

The other problem about #3 is asking the other side of the perfection issue: In what way are those works tainted by sin? Yes, their creators are tainted by sin. There's no reason to believe that Beethoven was ever a born-again Christian, so this muddies the water further, since the Moonlight Sonata is sublimely beautiful. There is evidence that Beethoven wrote that piece in mourning for an unrequited love affair with a married woman, so his motives for writing it are questionable. But the greater question of the purity of the work as a work unto itself remains.

The gist of the argument is (and correct me if I'm wrong)thus we as fallen man are totally depraved, dead in sin. Not mostly dead, but all dead. Specifically spiritually dead. Furthermore,
since Imago Dei is contained within the immaterial part of man rather than the material part. Hence, death to spirit means death to the image of God.

I don't agree with the premise, let me try to illustrate while maintaining the metaphor. Here in the suburbs, we have quite the population of opossums. They don't know when to cross the street. I usually see a couple a month that have lost arguments with passing cars. It is not a pretty sight, but it still looks like an opossum. Sure the little guy's not as tall, and seems to have spread himself a little thin, but he's still recognizable.

So, I would say, yes, we are totally depraved. That is nothing in us is untouched by the fall, all aspects of creation have been perverted as a consequence of that event. Even twisted in death the indelible marks of our Creator show through. I suggest that this is part of the common grace given all mankind. To the glory of God.

tags Journal Devotional Bible Theology Doctrine Christian

Stating the Obvious

Ok, I have lost count of how many times the people grumbled, contended or otherwise whined about the conditions in the wilderness, while reminiscing about the good ol' days in Egypt. Not that I'm going to start the stone throwing. Are we not all men off like flesh? I know that I have, on occasion, looked back fondly on my good ol' days, forgetting what a wicked task-master sin was. Forgetting for a moment how gracious and kind my new task-master is to me.

I notice that their complaint comes from being in the wilderness. A situation brought on by their own unbelief, namely the fear of men and their own perceptions of their chances of success. How many times have I found myself in the midst of the consequence of my own actions?

This time after their offering of whine, God sends "fiery serpents" among the people, and some died. It seems that tragedy sometimes helps us see the sin in our lives and motivates us to repentance. As always, God is faithful and provides a way of salvation.

tags Journal Devotional Bible Theology Doctrine Christian