What a Saturday this is going to be!
The Auburn Tigers and Oregon Ducks face their final tests, before the bowl season starts! Both teams are a joy to watch, explosive offences that play in permanent hurry-up mode. Both teams have a tendency to fall behind, and then explode in the 2nd half, coming back from large deficits....if they both win, they'll play each other in the BCS championship game! I'm crossing my fingers for such an event - I think it would be spectacular!
Cam Newton plays for Auburn, and is the clear cut Heisman favourite....he can run over defenders, or run past them, and he has a lethal throwing arm, too. And although the Tiger secondary gives up big plays, the front seven is solid, led by a dominant Nick Fairley that creates havoc on opposing offences. They have gone undefeated in the toughest conference in NCAA football, and need one more victory in the SEC championship against the ever-improving and SEC East champion South Carolina Gamecocks.
LaMichael James and Darron Thomas lead the Oregon Duck offence, which averages about 50 points per game! The zone-read offence is really tuned as well as it can be at Oregon, and Jeff Maehl is a solid, reliable and underrated receiver that puts up big years on play-action, when defences sell-out to stop the running plays of the Ducks. Their hurdle is their in-state long rival: the Oregon St. Beavers in the Civil War. Although the Beavers have had a disappointing season, they always show up for the Civil War, and have a history of being giant-killers....
So....here are my predictions (I hope they're not a jinx)....I think both the Tigers and Ducks will prevail, but the games will be very close:
The Civil War: Ducks 48 - Beavers 38
SEC Championship: Tigers 34 - Gamecocks 28
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Law and Gospel
Here's an article/commentary on the Galatians that I wrote in July 1999:
LAW AND GOSPEL
The relationship between Law and Gospel continues to be entirely misunderstood by almost all Christians. The failure of Christians to understand the role of Law in this age of Grace has caused congregations to become thoroughly legalistic, and has degenerated the Gospel proclamation of the pulpit into a guide for human conduct. If we as Christians are to preach the Good News of Christ to the entire world, then we must understand this precarious relationship between Law and Gospel to ensure that God’s Grace is never substituted with human effort.
Perhaps the most articulate expression of the relationship between Law and Gospel is found in Paul’s epistle to the Galatians. Further, Paul’s affirmations in this letter are restated with increased force by the vivid imagery and colourful language in Martin Luther’s “Commentary on Galatians”. The relationship between Law and Gospel becomes fully exposed in these two theological masterpieces.
The Law is Oppressive
The Law of God is indeed holy, but is at the same time weak. The Law is not weak in itself, for it is the perfect exposition of God’s will; but when applied to humans, it can never be obeyed, no matter how earnestly we try. Our total depravity, corrupt nature, and weakness of the flesh render the Law useless. For the Law does not demand only external obedience, but the internal obedience of our hearts, minds, and souls that man is altogether incapable of.
Not only is the Law of God unable to enforce obedience in humans, but it is an oppressive device which tortures the souls of those confronted by it. For “all who rely on observing the Law are under a curse.” (Galatians 3:10) Indeed “the Law is most excellent: yet it is not able to quiet a troubled conscience, but increaseth terrors, and driveth it to desperation.” (Commentary on Galatians) When confronted with the strict and holy demands of the Law, man is driven to despair and hopelessness. For by his own efforts, he fulfills none of the Law’s righteous demands; rather, the Law oppresses him, and causing him not to love God, but to hate him instead. Striving to keep the Law actually alienates one from God, since “to live to the Law is to die to God.” (Commentary on Galatians)
To seek salvation by adherence to the Law is to seek salvation in vain “because by observing the Law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) The Law does not work for us in seeking salvation, but against us. “He that liveth to the Law … is dead and condemned. For the Law cannot justify and save him, but accuseth, terrifieth, and killeth him.” (Commentary on Galatians) It is “so intolerable a tyrant and cruel tormentor” such that “the devil is wont by the Law to make us afraid.” (Commentary on Galatians) We conclude that the Law is our enemy, our oppressor, and our tormentor. Salvation must lie beyond the scope of Law.
The Law leads us to the Gospel
What then, was the purpose of God’s Law? Did God bring to us his Law in order to prepare us for destruction? By no means! Instead, the Law’s purpose is meaningful, since its oppressive nature curiously leads us to the Gospel promise. Paul states this clearly in his epistle: “What, then was the purpose of the Law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.” (Galatians 3:19) By increasing transgressions of humans, the Law makes our depraved nature and utter imperfections clear to us as we fail to execute God’s will for us. Only by recognizing that we are shameful sinners who are unable to face the presence of a holy God, will we cry out for help in desperation. Without the Law, we have a high view of ourselves, and we convince ourselves that our human efforts, works, and deeds are substantial and procure justification. But the Law makes it abundantly clear that the opposite is true. When confronted with the Law, we then understand how hopeless we are, and that our works and deeds amount to nothing.
Thus in despair and desperation, we cry out to the promise of God. We cry out for Grace and mercy from our loving Saviour. “When a man is humbled by the Law, and brought to the knowledge of himself, then followeth true penitence.” (Commentary on Galatians) Being convinced of our own unworthiness, we look no longer to our own strivings, but to God’s Gospel of Grace, given freely for sinners. Man, “being terrified with the Law, utterly despaireth of his own strength: he looketh about, and sigheth for the help of a mediator and Saviour. Here then cometh in good time the healthful word of the Gospel.” (Commentary on Galatians) Thus we conclude that the Law leads us to the Gospel. “The Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)
The Gospel brings Salvation
Gospel, not Law, gives us the way, the life, and the resurrection. If the Law drives us to the Gospel, then the Gospel provides us salvation. The Gospel is summarized by the following: God’s Grace is given to us freely on the grounds of Christ’s death, and those that receive this Grace through faith are justified as righteous before God. Paul declares that “we have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ.” (Galatians 2:16) “By faith only in Christ we are pronounced righteous, and not by the works of the law or charity.” (Commentary on Galatians) God has promised us his Grace, so that all who receive it by faith in Christ will be saved.
Further, this Gospel of Grace requires no human effort, works, or deeds to effect salvation. Rather, the mere apprehension of this promise of Grace through faith ensures a righteous standing before God. Thus the righteousness that we attain by grace through faith is entirely passive, and God’s Grace extends to us no matter how repugnant our deeds are. Indeed, “the afflicted and troubled conscience hath no remedy against desperation and eternal death, unless it take hold of the promise of Grace freely offered in Christ, that is to say, this passive righteousness through faith.” (Commentary on Galatians)
It is only this passive righteousness of God’s forgiving Grace that justifies us. There is no dependence on human effort, but rather, salvation is attributed to God alone. He is from first to last the author of our salvation. Our hope lies not in our capacity to do good works, but in God’s loving initiative manifested in his death on the Cross. In him our hope lies, and thus our salvation is assured, since it does not depend on our own fickle abilities, but God’s steadfast resolve to reconcile his people. For “there is no comfort of conscience [that is] so firm and so sure, as this passive righteousness is.” (Commentary on Galatians)
There is no Law in Grace
Grace, by definition, comes with no strings attached and does not require any prior condition for its procurement. Law, on the other hand, consists solely of demands upon the human conscience. There is no harmony between the two, and there is no Law for those who have received the Grace of God.
Martin Luther draws this antithesis between Law and Grace with impressive determination. We should “teach Christians to be ignorant of the Law” since “a Christian man is free from all laws.” (Commentary on Galatians) Christians are “children of Grace which are under no Law,” and “must have nothing to do with [the Law].” (Commentary on Galatians) There is no compatibility between Law and Gospel since “between the righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of Christ, there is no mean.” (Commentary on Galatians) Paul confirms Luther’s statements by exclaiming, “if righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing.” (Galatians 2:21) For “now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the Law.” (Galatians 3:25) For the Christian, the Law “is utterly abrogate.” (Commentary on
Galatians)
Not only are Law and Grace held at an antithesis, but Grace itself has defeated the Law and has set us free from the Law’s oppression. The Gospel abolishes the Law, and is our victory over this cruel tyrant. “Wherefore the Law has no right to accuse me, or to hold me any longer, for I am risen again.” (Commentary on Galatians) “The Law is void, and I am escaped out of my prison and grave.” (Commentary on Galatians) “By Christ [we are] utterly freed from the Law” since “the Father [has] abolished the Law, sin, and death.” (Commentary on Galatians) The Law which had previously kept us in bondage is now entirely nullified since the Gospel has won a victory over the Law. “Before faith came, we were held prisoners by the Law, locked up until faith should be revealed.” (Galatians 3:23) Thus Christians who possess the Gospel promise of Grace shall be no longer under the Law, but set free from it, having nothing to do with it.
Christians no longer need the Law as a guide, but will respond to the Gospel of Grace so gratefully, that good works automatically flow. Christians will declare their absolute loyalty to Christ and will do everything in their power to ensure that his will is done. For Christians, God “will put his Law in their minds and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33) and thus the “the entire Law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14) For when brought under Grace, a Christian will desire to follow the Law, not under external compulsion, but by sheer gratitude of God’s Grace given for him.
Conclusions
The righteous Law of God, by its strict demands, tortures the human soul by demanding what cannot be given. Man despairs of his standing before a righteous, holy God. But convinced of his utter helplessness, the Law leads man to cry out in desperation for the unconditional Grace of God. This Grace, this Gospel, does not fail when received through faith, but ensures salvation. Thus the Gospel has triumphed over the Law, and has gained a glorious victory for all Christians. May God bless us evermore with his Gospel of Grace. Amen.
LAW AND GOSPEL
The relationship between Law and Gospel continues to be entirely misunderstood by almost all Christians. The failure of Christians to understand the role of Law in this age of Grace has caused congregations to become thoroughly legalistic, and has degenerated the Gospel proclamation of the pulpit into a guide for human conduct. If we as Christians are to preach the Good News of Christ to the entire world, then we must understand this precarious relationship between Law and Gospel to ensure that God’s Grace is never substituted with human effort.
Perhaps the most articulate expression of the relationship between Law and Gospel is found in Paul’s epistle to the Galatians. Further, Paul’s affirmations in this letter are restated with increased force by the vivid imagery and colourful language in Martin Luther’s “Commentary on Galatians”. The relationship between Law and Gospel becomes fully exposed in these two theological masterpieces.
The Law is Oppressive
The Law of God is indeed holy, but is at the same time weak. The Law is not weak in itself, for it is the perfect exposition of God’s will; but when applied to humans, it can never be obeyed, no matter how earnestly we try. Our total depravity, corrupt nature, and weakness of the flesh render the Law useless. For the Law does not demand only external obedience, but the internal obedience of our hearts, minds, and souls that man is altogether incapable of.
Not only is the Law of God unable to enforce obedience in humans, but it is an oppressive device which tortures the souls of those confronted by it. For “all who rely on observing the Law are under a curse.” (Galatians 3:10) Indeed “the Law is most excellent: yet it is not able to quiet a troubled conscience, but increaseth terrors, and driveth it to desperation.” (Commentary on Galatians) When confronted with the strict and holy demands of the Law, man is driven to despair and hopelessness. For by his own efforts, he fulfills none of the Law’s righteous demands; rather, the Law oppresses him, and causing him not to love God, but to hate him instead. Striving to keep the Law actually alienates one from God, since “to live to the Law is to die to God.” (Commentary on Galatians)
To seek salvation by adherence to the Law is to seek salvation in vain “because by observing the Law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) The Law does not work for us in seeking salvation, but against us. “He that liveth to the Law … is dead and condemned. For the Law cannot justify and save him, but accuseth, terrifieth, and killeth him.” (Commentary on Galatians) It is “so intolerable a tyrant and cruel tormentor” such that “the devil is wont by the Law to make us afraid.” (Commentary on Galatians) We conclude that the Law is our enemy, our oppressor, and our tormentor. Salvation must lie beyond the scope of Law.
The Law leads us to the Gospel
What then, was the purpose of God’s Law? Did God bring to us his Law in order to prepare us for destruction? By no means! Instead, the Law’s purpose is meaningful, since its oppressive nature curiously leads us to the Gospel promise. Paul states this clearly in his epistle: “What, then was the purpose of the Law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.” (Galatians 3:19) By increasing transgressions of humans, the Law makes our depraved nature and utter imperfections clear to us as we fail to execute God’s will for us. Only by recognizing that we are shameful sinners who are unable to face the presence of a holy God, will we cry out for help in desperation. Without the Law, we have a high view of ourselves, and we convince ourselves that our human efforts, works, and deeds are substantial and procure justification. But the Law makes it abundantly clear that the opposite is true. When confronted with the Law, we then understand how hopeless we are, and that our works and deeds amount to nothing.
Thus in despair and desperation, we cry out to the promise of God. We cry out for Grace and mercy from our loving Saviour. “When a man is humbled by the Law, and brought to the knowledge of himself, then followeth true penitence.” (Commentary on Galatians) Being convinced of our own unworthiness, we look no longer to our own strivings, but to God’s Gospel of Grace, given freely for sinners. Man, “being terrified with the Law, utterly despaireth of his own strength: he looketh about, and sigheth for the help of a mediator and Saviour. Here then cometh in good time the healthful word of the Gospel.” (Commentary on Galatians) Thus we conclude that the Law leads us to the Gospel. “The Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)
The Gospel brings Salvation
Gospel, not Law, gives us the way, the life, and the resurrection. If the Law drives us to the Gospel, then the Gospel provides us salvation. The Gospel is summarized by the following: God’s Grace is given to us freely on the grounds of Christ’s death, and those that receive this Grace through faith are justified as righteous before God. Paul declares that “we have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ.” (Galatians 2:16) “By faith only in Christ we are pronounced righteous, and not by the works of the law or charity.” (Commentary on Galatians) God has promised us his Grace, so that all who receive it by faith in Christ will be saved.
Further, this Gospel of Grace requires no human effort, works, or deeds to effect salvation. Rather, the mere apprehension of this promise of Grace through faith ensures a righteous standing before God. Thus the righteousness that we attain by grace through faith is entirely passive, and God’s Grace extends to us no matter how repugnant our deeds are. Indeed, “the afflicted and troubled conscience hath no remedy against desperation and eternal death, unless it take hold of the promise of Grace freely offered in Christ, that is to say, this passive righteousness through faith.” (Commentary on Galatians)
It is only this passive righteousness of God’s forgiving Grace that justifies us. There is no dependence on human effort, but rather, salvation is attributed to God alone. He is from first to last the author of our salvation. Our hope lies not in our capacity to do good works, but in God’s loving initiative manifested in his death on the Cross. In him our hope lies, and thus our salvation is assured, since it does not depend on our own fickle abilities, but God’s steadfast resolve to reconcile his people. For “there is no comfort of conscience [that is] so firm and so sure, as this passive righteousness is.” (Commentary on Galatians)
There is no Law in Grace
Grace, by definition, comes with no strings attached and does not require any prior condition for its procurement. Law, on the other hand, consists solely of demands upon the human conscience. There is no harmony between the two, and there is no Law for those who have received the Grace of God.
Martin Luther draws this antithesis between Law and Grace with impressive determination. We should “teach Christians to be ignorant of the Law” since “a Christian man is free from all laws.” (Commentary on Galatians) Christians are “children of Grace which are under no Law,” and “must have nothing to do with [the Law].” (Commentary on Galatians) There is no compatibility between Law and Gospel since “between the righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of Christ, there is no mean.” (Commentary on Galatians) Paul confirms Luther’s statements by exclaiming, “if righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing.” (Galatians 2:21) For “now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the Law.” (Galatians 3:25) For the Christian, the Law “is utterly abrogate.” (Commentary on
Galatians)
Not only are Law and Grace held at an antithesis, but Grace itself has defeated the Law and has set us free from the Law’s oppression. The Gospel abolishes the Law, and is our victory over this cruel tyrant. “Wherefore the Law has no right to accuse me, or to hold me any longer, for I am risen again.” (Commentary on Galatians) “The Law is void, and I am escaped out of my prison and grave.” (Commentary on Galatians) “By Christ [we are] utterly freed from the Law” since “the Father [has] abolished the Law, sin, and death.” (Commentary on Galatians) The Law which had previously kept us in bondage is now entirely nullified since the Gospel has won a victory over the Law. “Before faith came, we were held prisoners by the Law, locked up until faith should be revealed.” (Galatians 3:23) Thus Christians who possess the Gospel promise of Grace shall be no longer under the Law, but set free from it, having nothing to do with it.
Christians no longer need the Law as a guide, but will respond to the Gospel of Grace so gratefully, that good works automatically flow. Christians will declare their absolute loyalty to Christ and will do everything in their power to ensure that his will is done. For Christians, God “will put his Law in their minds and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33) and thus the “the entire Law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14) For when brought under Grace, a Christian will desire to follow the Law, not under external compulsion, but by sheer gratitude of God’s Grace given for him.
Conclusions
The righteous Law of God, by its strict demands, tortures the human soul by demanding what cannot be given. Man despairs of his standing before a righteous, holy God. But convinced of his utter helplessness, the Law leads man to cry out in desperation for the unconditional Grace of God. This Grace, this Gospel, does not fail when received through faith, but ensures salvation. Thus the Gospel has triumphed over the Law, and has gained a glorious victory for all Christians. May God bless us evermore with his Gospel of Grace. Amen.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Duck juggernaut gives USC the beats
Is this the most prolific offence you've ever seen? I still think Newton should get the Heisman, but this Oregon offence is just a treat to watch......what a clinic by Darrin Thomas and LaMichael James!
Wouldn't it be great to see Auburn vs. Oregon in the BCS championship?
Wouldn't it be great to see Auburn vs. Oregon in the BCS championship?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Cam for Heisman
Really, my jaw drops, everytime I see Cam Newton play.....
He is really something....I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon, but this guy is way more impressive than Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Troy Smith, and Tim Tebow.
Look at this 49 Yd TD run against LSU, which is a very good defence!
And check out this clinic against the Razorbacks....
Cam for Heisman! (and I'm hoping that Auburn takes the SEC)
He is really something....I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon, but this guy is way more impressive than Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Troy Smith, and Tim Tebow.
Look at this 49 Yd TD run against LSU, which is a very good defence!
And check out this clinic against the Razorbacks....
Cam for Heisman! (and I'm hoping that Auburn takes the SEC)
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
早Thursday, September 23, 2010
Jose blasts #50!
Nice job Jose Bautista! The Blue Jay slugger has given the Blue Jays its first 50 HR performance by a player with a HR shot to right field!
What a season!
What a season!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Südschwarzwald Radweg
A perfect time to take a 4-day weekend on the Südschwarzwald Radweg. What great weather God gave us!
Following this sign for 4 days, for a total of about 240 km....
....we cycled through the Upper Black Forest, the Upper Rhine, the Three Nations Corner, and the Markgräflerland....
Starting from our doorstep in Freiburg....
and cycled through the Dreisamtal to Kirchzarten
where we bravely climbed about 500 m in height by taking the train called the Höllentalbahn to Hinterzarten.
We cycled from Hinterzarten, through Titisee, Neustadt, and on the Bähnle-Radweg
where one can see beautiful scenery of the Upper Black Forest:
...stopping in Lenzkirch for a late lunch.
After lunch, back on the Bähnle-Radweg towards Bonndorf where beautiful fields stretch as far as the eye can see....
before racing downhill to Stühlingen where we stopped to rest for the night. We biked 68 km the first day....
Views from our hotel were marvellous!
We start Day 2 continuing downhill through the Wutach valley towards the Upper Rhine.
The Upper Rhine forms the border between Germany and Switzerland...truly majestic!
We biked through the Upper Rhine region and stopped for lunch at an idyllic town called Laufenburg, which has a little bridge across the Rhine to a town in Switzerland with the same name.
It was a neat feeling to just walk across the bridge into Switzerland!
About 10 km more, and we arrived at our destination for the second night: Bad Säckingen. A bit larger than Laufenburg, it's also a town right on the Rhine, with a bridge to Switzerland. In the late afternoon, we even fit in a 6 km hike, back into the Black Forest, to enjoy the views of Switzerland across the river.
Altogether, we cycled 54 km on Day 2.
Day 3 would be the shortest ride of the journey, but not easy at all. We continued along the Upper Rhine towards Rheinfelden. From there, we took the variation towards Lörrach through the hilly Dinkelberg region, with great panoramic views.
We arrived in Lörrach for lunch, and then checked into our hotel, having cycled a total of about 44 km. We managed to hike in the surrounding hills in the afternoon.
Day 4 would be the most challenging and strenuous day, a fitting way to end our trip. We cycled through the hilly region from Lörrach to Bad Bellingen where we met up again with the Rhine river, this time flowing north, and forming the border with France. We continued along the Rhine about 10 km until Neuenburg, where we stopped for lunch.
After lunch, we biked through the flat Markgräflerland, loaded with picturesque vineyards, and a gorgeous view of the western edge of the Black Forest.
After biking a total of 77 km on Day 4, we arrive back home in Freiburg, quite exhausted, but enriched from our four days on the Südschwarzwald Radweg!
Following this sign for 4 days, for a total of about 240 km....
....we cycled through the Upper Black Forest, the Upper Rhine, the Three Nations Corner, and the Markgräflerland....
Starting from our doorstep in Freiburg....
and cycled through the Dreisamtal to Kirchzarten
where we bravely climbed about 500 m in height by taking the train called the Höllentalbahn to Hinterzarten.
We cycled from Hinterzarten, through Titisee, Neustadt, and on the Bähnle-Radweg
where one can see beautiful scenery of the Upper Black Forest:
...stopping in Lenzkirch for a late lunch.
After lunch, back on the Bähnle-Radweg towards Bonndorf where beautiful fields stretch as far as the eye can see....
before racing downhill to Stühlingen where we stopped to rest for the night. We biked 68 km the first day....
Views from our hotel were marvellous!
We start Day 2 continuing downhill through the Wutach valley towards the Upper Rhine.
The Upper Rhine forms the border between Germany and Switzerland...truly majestic!
We biked through the Upper Rhine region and stopped for lunch at an idyllic town called Laufenburg, which has a little bridge across the Rhine to a town in Switzerland with the same name.
It was a neat feeling to just walk across the bridge into Switzerland!
About 10 km more, and we arrived at our destination for the second night: Bad Säckingen. A bit larger than Laufenburg, it's also a town right on the Rhine, with a bridge to Switzerland. In the late afternoon, we even fit in a 6 km hike, back into the Black Forest, to enjoy the views of Switzerland across the river.
Altogether, we cycled 54 km on Day 2.
Day 3 would be the shortest ride of the journey, but not easy at all. We continued along the Upper Rhine towards Rheinfelden. From there, we took the variation towards Lörrach through the hilly Dinkelberg region, with great panoramic views.
We arrived in Lörrach for lunch, and then checked into our hotel, having cycled a total of about 44 km. We managed to hike in the surrounding hills in the afternoon.
Day 4 would be the most challenging and strenuous day, a fitting way to end our trip. We cycled through the hilly region from Lörrach to Bad Bellingen where we met up again with the Rhine river, this time flowing north, and forming the border with France. We continued along the Rhine about 10 km until Neuenburg, where we stopped for lunch.
After lunch, we biked through the flat Markgräflerland, loaded with picturesque vineyards, and a gorgeous view of the western edge of the Black Forest.
After biking a total of 77 km on Day 4, we arrive back home in Freiburg, quite exhausted, but enriched from our four days on the Südschwarzwald Radweg!
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A Suffering Jesus for a Suffering World
Here's an article that I wrote back in January 1999.......
“If your God is so powerful, and so loving, then why doesn’t he do something to end all the suffering in the world?”
This question has been posed to me by many people who are struggling to come to terms with the Christian faith. Maybe God is indeed powerful, they say, but not loving enough to care about all the suffering in the world. Or maybe God is actually loving, but not powerful enough to be able to stop the pain, torture, and hurt that so many people have. But clearly God cannot be both powerful and loving, or else our world would have an absence of suffering, and everyone would be content.
The question certainly does cause me to think more insightfully about God. Why doesn’t God do more to alleviate the suffering of the poor and needy? How can God live with himself when Honduras lies in ruins after Hurricane Mitch, innocent Palestinians and Jews are being murdered by terrorism on both sides, civil war reigns in Bosnia, and so many are homeless in the cruel Toronto winter? How can God look at his creation and say that “it was very good”?
But what if God did do more to soften our hardships? Surely if God wanted to, he could ensure justice, guarantee our happiness, compel us to love. Surely he could have spared the world from Hitler, Stalin, and other oppressors. But at what cost? Why is it that God is so unwilling to influence the world more?
I do believe that if God really wanted to, he could do all that. In a display of glorious power, God could right all the wrongs in the world. But though such a display would enforce obedience, would it result in love? I’m afraid that the answer must be no. If God meddled and coerced all to be right in the world, he might as well have created robots, perfectly obedient, unfeeling objects. But God refuses to interfere with our freedom, because only those who are free to love are capable of love. And that, above all is what God wants. God loves us, and wants our love back, but forced, coerced love is not love at all. And using power to stop suffering and pain is no way to promote love.
What then? Is there no solution? Does God then leave everything in the hands of human freedom? We can see firsthand the trouble that this has resulted in. For humans choose evil, greed, lust, envy, but so seldom choose love.
God does have an answer for human suffering, and the answer’s name is Jesus. Jesus himself, who in the last week of his life went through abandonment, betrayal, scrutiny, rejection, mocking, and crucifixion. Against his suffering, ours pales in comparison. Just picture Jesus in that grotesque position, naked, ribs protruding, gasping for air, blood dripping from his head and hands, dying a slow painful death that ends with his heart rupturing as a result of swollen arteries of surcharged blood. And yet it is not the physical suffering that Jesus must contend with, but the eternal suffering caused by humanity’s failures. An eternal suffering, torturing the human soul of Jesus. Who can imagine?
This is God’s answer to human suffering. Not to automatically wipe out all that is wrong with the world. Not to flick away dictators, oppressors, and criminals in one quick swipe. Not to dazzle us with glorious displays of power. But to take on suffering himself. To make himself weak, vulnerable, at the mercy of other humans. All this to safeguard human freedom, to give us the choice to accept him or crucify him. Surely this then is the answer; the proof of God’s amazing love. By suffering eternally, he made our sufferings temporary, so that one day, we would be free, truly free.
This is the God I believe in. A God that is weak. A God that is humiliated. A God that is despised. A God that is hated. A God that knows what it is like to be human. A God that hangs dead on a cross. Because truly then, this is the God that loves.
“If your God is so powerful, and so loving, then why doesn’t he do something to end all the suffering in the world?”
This question has been posed to me by many people who are struggling to come to terms with the Christian faith. Maybe God is indeed powerful, they say, but not loving enough to care about all the suffering in the world. Or maybe God is actually loving, but not powerful enough to be able to stop the pain, torture, and hurt that so many people have. But clearly God cannot be both powerful and loving, or else our world would have an absence of suffering, and everyone would be content.
The question certainly does cause me to think more insightfully about God. Why doesn’t God do more to alleviate the suffering of the poor and needy? How can God live with himself when Honduras lies in ruins after Hurricane Mitch, innocent Palestinians and Jews are being murdered by terrorism on both sides, civil war reigns in Bosnia, and so many are homeless in the cruel Toronto winter? How can God look at his creation and say that “it was very good”?
But what if God did do more to soften our hardships? Surely if God wanted to, he could ensure justice, guarantee our happiness, compel us to love. Surely he could have spared the world from Hitler, Stalin, and other oppressors. But at what cost? Why is it that God is so unwilling to influence the world more?
I do believe that if God really wanted to, he could do all that. In a display of glorious power, God could right all the wrongs in the world. But though such a display would enforce obedience, would it result in love? I’m afraid that the answer must be no. If God meddled and coerced all to be right in the world, he might as well have created robots, perfectly obedient, unfeeling objects. But God refuses to interfere with our freedom, because only those who are free to love are capable of love. And that, above all is what God wants. God loves us, and wants our love back, but forced, coerced love is not love at all. And using power to stop suffering and pain is no way to promote love.
What then? Is there no solution? Does God then leave everything in the hands of human freedom? We can see firsthand the trouble that this has resulted in. For humans choose evil, greed, lust, envy, but so seldom choose love.
God does have an answer for human suffering, and the answer’s name is Jesus. Jesus himself, who in the last week of his life went through abandonment, betrayal, scrutiny, rejection, mocking, and crucifixion. Against his suffering, ours pales in comparison. Just picture Jesus in that grotesque position, naked, ribs protruding, gasping for air, blood dripping from his head and hands, dying a slow painful death that ends with his heart rupturing as a result of swollen arteries of surcharged blood. And yet it is not the physical suffering that Jesus must contend with, but the eternal suffering caused by humanity’s failures. An eternal suffering, torturing the human soul of Jesus. Who can imagine?
This is God’s answer to human suffering. Not to automatically wipe out all that is wrong with the world. Not to flick away dictators, oppressors, and criminals in one quick swipe. Not to dazzle us with glorious displays of power. But to take on suffering himself. To make himself weak, vulnerable, at the mercy of other humans. All this to safeguard human freedom, to give us the choice to accept him or crucify him. Surely this then is the answer; the proof of God’s amazing love. By suffering eternally, he made our sufferings temporary, so that one day, we would be free, truly free.
This is the God I believe in. A God that is weak. A God that is humiliated. A God that is despised. A God that is hated. A God that knows what it is like to be human. A God that hangs dead on a cross. Because truly then, this is the God that loves.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Elzach Hike
A beautiful day for a hike! The Zwei-Täler Land is something that we've never really explored, and we were pleasantly surprised and the great views it afforded......
An easy 20 km hike - not too strenuous, as one doesn't need to climb too high.....
An easy 20 km hike - not too strenuous, as one doesn't need to climb too high.....
Monday, June 28, 2010
What's the problem with video replay?
Is it me, or are the people at FIFA really dense? I was happy to see the Germans send the English packing after an impressive 4:1 display by the young German team, but unfortunately this victory was tainted by yet another blown call. England's Lampard looked to have knotted up the score 2:2, but the refs didn't see the goal. Video replays showed clearly that England did indeed have the equalizer, but play just went on.....
I don't want to blame the refs, after all, they have no reason to pretend it didn't happen.....I guess in the thick of things, they just didn't see it going over the goalline. But this is where FIFA has to wake up to the 21st century. Have video replay assist these officials when it comes to judging whether a goal counts or not. It won't destroy the game, it won't hold up play that long, and it will still keep the game controlled by humans.
I think FIFA really needs to just wake up to reality, and stop being so stubborn.
I don't want to blame the refs, after all, they have no reason to pretend it didn't happen.....I guess in the thick of things, they just didn't see it going over the goalline. But this is where FIFA has to wake up to the 21st century. Have video replay assist these officials when it comes to judging whether a goal counts or not. It won't destroy the game, it won't hold up play that long, and it will still keep the game controlled by humans.
I think FIFA really needs to just wake up to reality, and stop being so stubborn.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Enough with the diving already!
I'm no huge soccer fan, but living in Germany, it's nice to follow things like the World Cup (and the European Cup as well). It's a fun time, with the country gripped with the results of each game....
Actually I find soccer not a bad sport at all (much better than basketball). But there are still somethings about it that keep me from being a real fan of the game. The first is the low scoring nature of the game. I actually like defence and good defensive play, but when there are less than two goals per game (from both teams) on average, I think it's a bit too low scoring. I guess I'm biased from hockey, but I would think that an average of 4-5 goals per game would be nice. I'm not into American scoring demands like in Basketball, where you are supposed to score - but I would like to see a team up by two goals still try to score, rather than go into a full defensive shell.
But I think the most annoying thing about soccer is all the diving going on. Players act like they are mortally wounded if they've just been brushed by the opposing player. I'm not sure why this is tolerated by the referees, or by the fans. I mean the sight of a soccer player clutching their shin, looking like they are irreparably wounded, only to sprint down the soccer pitch two minutes later is just a joke. I think the penalty for a soccer player that dives is that they have to block 10 hockey slapshots at an NHL net. I think that would make them much tougher in a hurry......
Actually I find soccer not a bad sport at all (much better than basketball). But there are still somethings about it that keep me from being a real fan of the game. The first is the low scoring nature of the game. I actually like defence and good defensive play, but when there are less than two goals per game (from both teams) on average, I think it's a bit too low scoring. I guess I'm biased from hockey, but I would think that an average of 4-5 goals per game would be nice. I'm not into American scoring demands like in Basketball, where you are supposed to score - but I would like to see a team up by two goals still try to score, rather than go into a full defensive shell.
But I think the most annoying thing about soccer is all the diving going on. Players act like they are mortally wounded if they've just been brushed by the opposing player. I'm not sure why this is tolerated by the referees, or by the fans. I mean the sight of a soccer player clutching their shin, looking like they are irreparably wounded, only to sprint down the soccer pitch two minutes later is just a joke. I think the penalty for a soccer player that dives is that they have to block 10 hockey slapshots at an NHL net. I think that would make them much tougher in a hurry......
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Big-12 is saved
Well, it seems like the Big-12 is saved! Hurray for Texas! Well they were really in it for the money, but regardless, I think it's good for football to have a strong Big-12 conference.
Note that the Big-10 will have 12 teams now (once Nebraska joins), while the Big-12 will have 10 teams (once Nebraska and Colorado leave). Ha ha ha ha, these college conference names are weird.....
Note that the Big-10 will have 12 teams now (once Nebraska joins), while the Big-12 will have 10 teams (once Nebraska and Colorado leave). Ha ha ha ha, these college conference names are weird.....
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Soccer Corniness
Is it EVERY soccer game that has those kids that come in hand in hand with the soccer players? What's up with that anyway? What do they contribute to the ceremony anyway? I think nothing is gained aside from CORNINESS.....
Friday, June 11, 2010
More's the pity...
Well, today we got news that Colorado will abandon the Big-12 and join the ranks of the Pac-10. Nebraska will probably also abandon the Big-12 and flee into the arms of the Big-10. The Big-12 is thus severely weakened, and may come to an end depending if Texas wants to bolt or not.....
The decisions of the Cornhuskers and Buffaloes to leave seem purely based on financial considerations. They think that they will reap a larger share of the revenue pie in their new conferences. Unfortunately, this means the end of Big-12 football, which has been arguably the source of the best football games over the past decade or two.
Texas vs. Oklahoma, Nebraska vs. Oklahoma, Nebraska vs. Missouri, Texas vs. Texas A&M, Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma, and Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma St.....these rivalries won't mean the same anymore....
All in all, a sad day for college football.....
The decisions of the Cornhuskers and Buffaloes to leave seem purely based on financial considerations. They think that they will reap a larger share of the revenue pie in their new conferences. Unfortunately, this means the end of Big-12 football, which has been arguably the source of the best football games over the past decade or two.
Texas vs. Oklahoma, Nebraska vs. Oklahoma, Nebraska vs. Missouri, Texas vs. Texas A&M, Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma, and Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma St.....these rivalries won't mean the same anymore....
All in all, a sad day for college football.....
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
La Fourchette
If you're ever in Avignon, you absolutely must go to the restaurant called La Fourchette....
The best thing you can order is the Daube d'Avignon - succulent beef soaked in a beef stew. It is so juicy and tender, it is a must-order. Unfortunately, in our excitement in eating it, we forgot to snap an appropriate picture.
Instead, here are some nice pics of a couple appetizers that were ordered....
The escargot were also amazingly delicious!
Mmmmmm, yummy!
The best thing you can order is the Daube d'Avignon - succulent beef soaked in a beef stew. It is so juicy and tender, it is a must-order. Unfortunately, in our excitement in eating it, we forgot to snap an appropriate picture.
Instead, here are some nice pics of a couple appetizers that were ordered....
The escargot were also amazingly delicious!
Mmmmmm, yummy!
Gordes
Provence is famous for perched villages, and Gordes is a very nice example of one.....the scenery in the Luberon valley is really nice. We had great weather, (though it was a bit too windy)....
What's more, the food was great! Here are some gambas with pasta::
I had the pork with lentils:
and of course, some of the famous French foie gras was ordered....
La cuisine provençale
So usually I find French food a bit overrated, and overpriced....I mean I enjoy it, but the costs don't seem to justify what one gets....
Well, on a recent trip to Provence, I definitely cannot say that. The food wasn't overexpensive, (although pricier than I usually eat), and it was very very good! Here are some pics from a restaurant in a small town called Fontvieille, not at all far away from Arles.
This goat cheese in a soft wrap was a very nice appetizer!
This piece of veal is juicy and succulent...
I had the duck thigh.....mmmm good....
Well, on a recent trip to Provence, I definitely cannot say that. The food wasn't overexpensive, (although pricier than I usually eat), and it was very very good! Here are some pics from a restaurant in a small town called Fontvieille, not at all far away from Arles.
This goat cheese in a soft wrap was a very nice appetizer!
This piece of veal is juicy and succulent...
I had the duck thigh.....mmmm good....
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
So in our family, we don't say too many things that are on the emotional level, especially since we all have science and engineering backgrounds.
But on this day, I think it seems fitting to say:
Thanks Mom for being the best Mom one could ever ask for!
And it's cool that Mom can even beat up Rocky....
But on this day, I think it seems fitting to say:
Thanks Mom for being the best Mom one could ever ask for!
And it's cool that Mom can even beat up Rocky....
Friday, May 07, 2010
UK Twins?
So it seems that the UK has had their election, and there's a lot of talk about hung parliaments and such....here are some key players....
This is Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg - he may be the kingmaker in deciding whether the UK gets a Tory or a Labour government. He also probably can pull the plug on the government when he wants and have the UK go to new elections.
Here's Tory leader Dave Cameron - winning the most seats and popular vote of all parties, but not enough to form a majority government on his own.....
The main observation I have is.....don't they look very alike? I mean they're almost twins! Imagine if they make a coalition government, no one will be able to tell them apart!
This is Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg - he may be the kingmaker in deciding whether the UK gets a Tory or a Labour government. He also probably can pull the plug on the government when he wants and have the UK go to new elections.
Here's Tory leader Dave Cameron - winning the most seats and popular vote of all parties, but not enough to form a majority government on his own.....
The main observation I have is.....don't they look very alike? I mean they're almost twins! Imagine if they make a coalition government, no one will be able to tell them apart!
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