Friendship

Recently, actually, just two days ago, i had one of my best friends for the last 9.5 years tell me he was through with me and never wanted to talk to me, see me, or hear from me again. I was completely shocked. I admit, I wasn't a very good friend lately and last time I spoke to him, it was kinda out of turn, but i didn't expect this. I apologized and said i wish i could take it back, but this friend reiterated that we were through.

This got me to thinking. I have had several other friends lose friends like this and now i understand a bit of what they are going through. Hopefully, that person will forgive me someday and we can continue our friendship. Meanwhile, i guess, i'll keep praying for that fried of mine, not so much that we'll be friends again (although i would love that) but that he will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He's a great guy, would give you the shirt of his back a thousand times and he's in a really rough time and place, and i didn't care enough for him during this time. I only occasionally left him notes and never wrote a letter. Not until this happened did i realize my mistake and how hard it was for this person right now. I talked to a family member who explained a lot and made me realize, that part of being a Christian, is not just loving the people in front of you, but also reaching out to those who are far and being disciplined in contacting them regularly. That's probably what the apostle Paul did with Timothy and Titus and in the rest of his letters. He maintained communication and kept encouraging them.

Father, help me to focus on You and not be so self oriented. May I love as You have loved. May the knowledge of Your Son Jesus overcome me and my friends.
Amen

Jus Ad Bellum (Part 3)

This is the third time i have addressed this subject this month I believe. But i have more information or scripture actually that i wish to put forward. You can find my first entry here and my second entry here.

One of the biggest objections I receive, and one of the most common misunderstandings of the doctrine of just war, is the idea of unjust dictators/regimes like Saddam Hussein or President Robert Mugabe or President Omar al-Bashir or Kim Jong-il and what moral responsibility we have as the United States (the most powerful nation on earth) to unseat them or cause regime change. (Notice, I didn't say the 'greatest' nation on earth, although there may be a case to make for this as a separate issue, but the most powerful, which is relatively undisputed).

I finally found some beneficial reading on this subject, not online, however, but on paper of all things, and from a great Bible teacher and scholar of the real sorts, the Rev. Dr. Ron Merryman.

The question about moral responsibility can really be brought back to the question of authority. The question would then be phrased, "Do we, the United States of America, have the authority to say who can govern other nations, what territory those nations can govern, and what system or style of government they can have? Can any nation dictate to any other nation these things?

The history of Israel in the Old Testament gives some background on this. First, we notice that in order for Israel to become a nation, God planned (not just allowed) for them to be subject in Egypt. He then also caused their own destruction by the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. One does not have to read too carefully to realize that neither of these rulers where just or righteous, yet God used them to accomplish His purposes. From this we see that unjust rulers have their place, not that they are to be desired or sought after, but rather, God, in His sovereignty, appoints them for certain times, places and peoples to accomplish His purposes (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

Did Nebuchadnezzar have the authority to take over the nation of Israel? Was his conquering and war with Israel just? The answer is no, but God used him to bring Israel to justice for neglecting the ordinances of God. This is where the real difficulty lies. Was it a just war or not? It brought justice to Israel, but through an unjust ruler/nation.

I believe the solution is fairly simple and easily discernible in scripture. Jesus said in Matthew 28 that all authority had been given to Him. He then delegates certain authorities to certain social spheres. For example, the family has the responsibility/authority for procreation and the up-bringing of children, their social, educational, spiritual, and physical formation. These areas of responsibility are often times usurped or re-delegated but nonetheless, belong to the family. Other areas of where authority is given are the church (I Tim 5:17), the individual (II Peter 1:6), and also the state or civil government (Romans 13).

These social institutions are limited in their authority because Jesus alone has been given all authority. When a nation starts to restrict a family on the education of their children, that nation is over stepping the bounds of its authority and the family can justly disobey (and face the consequences). It is unjust of the one autonomous institution to exercise power over another autonomous institution because by doing so, they are overstepping the bounds of their authority, which was given to them by God and did not originate with them.

An example of this would be if my neighbor came into my home and started saying i had to buy this car, and plant this tree, and paint my house this color, and pray this way. That neighbor is clearly overstepping the bounds of the authority God has given him of his own home by trying to do the same over mine. (One could address the idea of civil codes and laws here but that is not the point of this post). The same principle in the example above can be applied amongst sovereign nations. We as the US can not dictate to other nations their system of government, their boundaries, nor their leaders. We have tried to do this with money, calling it foreign aid, and guns, calling it a peace keeping mission. This is an arrogant position and an attempt at playing the part of God. It is not in our jurisdiction to tell the Iranians what to do and what not to do. We can talk to them. We can encourage them. We can trade with them. But we cannot boss them around like some playground bully and not expect retaliation. {As an aside, this is known in the political world as blowback. (Here is an excellent video describing that idea)}.

i think thats all for now, if anyone reads this and has comments for discussion, please post em.

Jus Ad Bellum (Part 2) - more a rant than thoughtful dialog

Recently I blogged about jus ad bellum here and have continued to read and study the issue, specifically as it relates to the current (beginning 2003)war in Iraq. What I find interesting, or maybe troubling is the comments of several Christians who discussed this very issue but before the invasion. I guess it's not their comments so much as change in their thinking that has happened since that time. For instance, Chuck Colson, wrote that preemptive strikes do meet the requirements of the Christian Just War Doctrine.

It is interesting to note that in Colson's article and in this article there are several assumptions made about Iraq and also several statements beginning with the word if. Now, of course, it has been shown that those assumptions were false and the "ifs," were not met.

Yet, in spite of this, many Christian leaders today still hold that the war was just, However, their reasons for declaring it so are different. Primarily, the cruelty of Saddam Hussein to his own people is laid out as worth the invasion and secondarily, his harsh vocal critiques of the US is also given as a support for the supposed 'justness' of the Iraq war.

The second should be thrown out with the trash because harsh critiques are (probably) never deserving of punishment nor do they constitute any real threat. The first, although grave and terrible, also falls short of meeting any criteria laid out in the doctrine of Just War.

As one evaluates the proponents of this doctrine laid out by Christians before the war began, one finds that today's knowledge and circumstances ALL point to the unjustness of the Iraq war, not one of the criteria for a war to be just was met. In other words, this war has failed to meet the guidelines set ahead of time and as a result, many Christian leaders have changed the guidelines. I find this political pandering to the republican party, distasteful. I am a republican based on principles of limited federal government, individual freedom, states rights, and local control. If republican no longer believe in such things, it is not me who left the party, but, as has been said many times, the party left me.

I've rambled quite a bit. I hope all this makes sense.

You can find several of the proponents of the Just War Doctrine in the articles linked above.

ouch

yesterday was one crazy day. We had to wake up early and leave for Fargo to get fingerprinted for the adoption. We tried to leave at 6:30 but didn't get out of town till just after 7. and that with a low tire. i had tried to air it up at the gas station but their air chuck was frozen. We drove to the next town and they didn't have air so we drove another 30 miles on a very low tire. tried to air my tire up in glenwood and their air chuck was frozen so all i did was let still more air out of my tire. i forgot to say it was 25 below our with a slight wind chill. I decided that we couldn't leave glenwood with that little air pressure so we drove to yet another gas station as found one more frozen air chuck. however, they nice lady working there directed us to a tire shop about 3 blocks away and they served us up right. Finally on our way. NOPE, by this time Karna was car sick so we had to sit on the side of the road for a bit so she could recover and not loose what little she had already eaten. Once we got going, the rest of that trip was fine, actually good, met a bosnian family working on LEGAL immigration and got to take shelly J out for lunch. then the 3.5 hour drive home, if you include my little cat nap on the side of the road.

now for the really painful part. trying to get the fire going when we got home, i had a heavy log spring loose and roll over on my thumb, momentarily trapping it against the side of the steel furnace door (not hot yet) and creating a 1/2 dime size blood blister under my thumb nail. Then we went to youth group and i left right a way for a serious head on car accident about a block or two away. One fellow was trapped in his pickup and not doing well at all while the other driver was suffering from painful but minor injuries. After that, i got back in time to say good bye to the youth group kids as they went home, and i was starting to get sick from being out side with out a hat.

so anyway, where your seat belt!

Burr...

It's cold outside. 13 below with winds at 23 mph for a feels like -41 F. Ouch. and tomorrow my family and i are to drive off at 6:30 AM for the north (Fargo) to get fingerprinted. I really hope my van starts.

Jus Ad Bellum

My mind has been racing much lately regarding the ancient Christian Doctrine (teaching) of Just War. Now, I want to reiterate my belief that not all ancient Christian Doctrine is right nor Biblical but neither is it all wrong. So with that, I will attempt to, in brief, formulate a simplified version of the history and the teaching as far as my limited understanding currently grasps.

First, the teaching was the result of Augustine of Hippo, in the late 4th and early 5th centuries wrote what we know as The City of God. (I have not read this nor do i think i could comprehend it if i did so the following comments about it are really my thoughts about other peoples thoughts about what Augustine wrote.) In this book, he explores the blame placed upon Christianity and it's pacifistic teachings upon the fall of the Roman Empire. In the work Augustine is seeking to lay out a philosophical balance between the imperialism of Rome and the pacifism of Christianity.

Thomas Aquinas, in the 1200's, also contributed much to the substance of this teaching in his writings. I believe that most modern discussions regarding Just War rest upon his writings.

It is clearly evident from any study of the Old Testament that God has used and has allowed wars to accomplish His purposes. Many may well argue that because the Old Testament is primarily about the nation of Israel war was part of the discussion but in the New Testament, there is a much clearer message of peace and peacemaking and this is directed to God's new instrument upon the Earth, no longer a nation, but the Church which consists of all peoples, nations, languages and tribes. With that being said however, there are passages within the New Testament (and passages in the Old Testament that can be argued to apply today) that paint a different picture of Justice and the role that the state should play in such. Some of these passages include Romans 13, I Kings 21, Daniel 2:21-23, Ecclesiastes 3:8, and I Peter 2:13-14.

Here is a simpleton's understanding. God is the one who grants/gives authority to kings or rulers. These rulers are His servants. They represent Him amongst the world. They exist to reward and to punish. If Joe Man has committed a crime against me, then the ruling authorities have the responsibility of justly avenging me. Now, suppose Joe Nation has wronged me, or us as a nation. It is then that our state/ruler has the responsibility of avenging the unjust nation for its wrong done to our nation. Of course as in local instances of crime, the punishment must fit the crime and of course a crime must have been committed before punishment can be inflicted. These crimes could be invasion, broken promises/treaties (lies), theft of property abroad (private or public) and/or kidnapping or jailing people unjustly (as was the case with the pirates of Tripoli back in the early 19th century).

That's all the further my thoughts have taken me although that surely is not the end of the road. Hope you enjoyed.

Too cold, Too spendy, or Too Busy, I Don't Know.

Well, today was our official KMS ministerial ski trip day to Andes Tower Hills. We were suppose to meet at 10AM and no one showed except yours truly. I guess I'm just a die hard. I spent about 90 minutes getting the bus ready to go and then another 30 minutes cutting firewood for the day so our house woodn't (sorry) go cold. I don't think its that cold out. Of course the wind chill makes a bit of a difference but if your dressed warm, no biggie. For the record, the temp is -2F with a wind chill of -30. Sigh. Hopefully, I can get a group of home schoolers to go next week when its a lot cheaper and a bit warmer.
that's all for now

Spiritual Motivation

In the last couple of weeks, i've been a bit more determined to focus on the things of God and not be distracted so much by the things of this world. Unfortunately, things have not gone as good as i had hoped. Of course that should have been obvious but maybe not. It seems when I was younger, i was much more easily moved to change and more diligent about it, but as i've aged, i believe i'm more stuck in a rut. i try to change, but habits die hard and the emotional charge isn't has driving for some reason. I think about the truth of the gospel and my emotions aren't effected as much as they should be. my mind grasps it but almost distantly and unpersonally. I suppose that's a result of time spent in rebellion or drifting and the result is a few callouses on my heart.
Oh joy to my soul that God is in the business of softening hearts. Father, may mine be softened and made to do Your will. May i love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly before you, knowing that the only salvation i have from my sin and misery is through the death and resurrection of Your Son from the dead.
"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Therefore
there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 7:24-8:1

Presuppositions

Presuppositions are very important thing to understand in any conversation, dialog or debate. They are also, perhaps, one of the most neglected and misunderstood aspects of our relationships with others. Currently I'm reading a book titled The Dawkins Letters, Challenging Atheist Myths by David Robertson. He has written several open letters to Richard Dawkins pertaining to Dawkin's book The God Delusion. These letters, one letter in response to each chapter of the book, deal mostly with the presuppositions of atheists over and against, mainly, Christians (in the Biblical sense not in a political, ethnic nor religious sense). These letters were first posted on Mr. Robertson church web-site and then later were reposted on Dawkin's own web-site

It is interesting to note that the words fundamentalist, blind faith, intolerant, and irrational are used in this book to describe the responses of atheists to Mr. Robertson's letters. Mr. Robertson is merely trying to discuss the root of the belief system of Mr. Dawkins and has been vehemently opposed by some of Dawkin's disciples. Of course the point is noted that there are many Christians who resort and are guilty of the same thing.

One of my favorite things that David Robertson has said so far is that as Christians, we believe in the concept of absolute truth and that this truth is knowable. He then went on to say that as Christians, we believe that truth sets free and thus have nothing to fear from any of these debates and need not take up arms but openly and lovely discuss the real root of the issue, that is one's own presuppositions.

Firewood

Well, the MN winter is long and cold and i'm about 12 hours away from running out of wood to heat my house with. Fortunately, we can still heat with are propane furnace but that cost money and wood only costs me some time, some good old heart and lung exercise and of course a little money for fuel for the chain saw.
Did you know that heating with wood is very environmentally friendly. If a tree dies and then rots it releases the same amount of CO2 as if it is burned. Of course it releases it a little faster when burned but not near as fast as if you are burning coal, or other fossil fuels.
I think i have a place i can get some wood tomorrow but i'm not sure how much time i will have. Nor am i sure how much wood is there to get and how long it will heat my house for.
Oh well, best i get back to my studies.

fathering

i'm learning quite abit about myself as i watch my son JT grow up. He is like me in many ways and probably like his mother in many as well. As i've observed his actions, and attitudes i've come to see myself in him. This both pleases me and causes me remorse. I want so much for him and enoch and caspian to grow into godly men yet, i think, "how have i lead or encouraged this?"

One thing i observe is when JT wrestles, i remember doing the same things he does as i constantly lost. These things have not ever been taught to him by me nor by the coaches but he does them, just like I now remember doing them when i wrestled back in 2nd grade. Perhaps he'll stick with wrestling and learn from this or perhaps not. Just as long as he works hard and enjoys it, i'm fine with it. Also, as he is more involved in cub scouts, i see myself represented there as well. He has a keen understanding of those things, much like i did when i was young, yet i don't ever remember teaching these.

I guess we lean quite a bit more by osmosis then i've ever thought. now i have a new mission. paul tells his followers to follow him AS he follows Christ. I've never said that to anyone but now i realize my children will follow me as i follow Christ. So, how am I following Christ? Please pray for me.