Not to be dramatic, and I know how Andrew feels about Tolkien, but this quote comes to mind, "The Shadow that bred them can only mock, it cannot make: not real new things of its own. I don't think it gave life to the orcs, it only ruined them and twisted them."
What a great question: "If it was the sacrifice of Christ that put an end to them, then maybe the barbaric need for his death wasn’t God’s but ours?"
I think the answer to this question is affirmative. God does not actually need anything from us; which means, critically, that He doesn't need His Son's death in order to forgive our sins. We need His death in order for our sins to be forgiven. This idea presents the atonement in a completely different light.
The last paragraph reminds me of a discussion I saw recently with Alex O’ Connor and some other atheist. They were trying to talk about the meaning of life. It was so bland, hopeless and even quite sad listening to them trying to make sense of meaning without having anything to justify it. Like you asked Andrew, “is this garbage all they’ve got?” Unfortunately for them, yes it is.
It seems odd for atheists to discuss the meaning of life. After all, if we’re just blob of cells that coincidentally came together to make humans some eons ago, then there can be no meaning to life. Well, maybe randomness. Maybe that’s all the meaning there is, in reality, for atheists.
Only with God and an afterlife is there true meaning.
I believe that sacrifice is alive and well at this time. I don’t sacrifice animals or people, but my time, my money (the same thing when I was working, and now my savings since I retired) and my devotion. I gave and continue to give, and each is a sacrifice, because it, like any discipline, is good for me. I put this out not for self-aggrandizement but to point out that our present sacrifices are not as corporal, but just as costly. All, from the time of Cain and Abel, brought or should have brought their best, their first fruits, at some cost to themselves. Even 2 turtledoves for an impoverished family to sacrifice for their first-born son circa 4 BC was an immense cost, as it had to be purchased in the temple, and with shekels, the only cash the Temple would accept (hence the money changers, whose rates were usurious.
I would have been far ahead of where I am now financially had I banked rather than gave charitably, but I would have been merely greedy and soulless.
In the same way, we each had a debt that we as humans owed that could only be paid at the great price of an ultimate sacrifice. God didn’t demand it of us; we took the debt on ourselves by being the sinful lot we are. God demands only that we love Him. We do this by saying “yes” to Him and saying “no” to all else. I stink at that. I needed a living example of ultimate sacrificial love. Ephesians 5 had an excellent line when talking about wives being subservient to their husbands but Paul turned it around and called on husbands to love their wives as Christ loved us and the church. Holy smokes!! You mean that I can only call on her subservience in as much as I sacrifice myself as Christ sacrificed himself? Yikes, what a bargain. Each time I think that or any sacrifice is difficult, I look at a crucifix, then I get it. Attitude adjustment accomplished.
The last several essays have been splendid! I sent Spencer the No Relation’s essay to my wife because it explained the Olympics travesty so well. Thanks to Klavan the Elder and Klavan the No Relation for their insights.
Wow. Talk about hitting the nail on the head! I’m saving this to read when I see more of this insanity - and I’m quite sure there is much more to come. Also recently I’ve been going on about certain situations referring to the saying about lipstick on a pig, so your photo had me letting out a giant hoot and then rolling on the floor laughing. Your laser focus on Christianity, morality, and our current morass combined with your sense of humor make you, in my opinion, a national treasure!
I wanted to pump my fist into the air after reading this. You could have been an expert carpenter, considering how well you "hit the nail on the head!" Thank you for saying what so many of us feel but can't express so eloquently as you and Spencer do.
Sadly I think that sacrifice to the sex Gods is still with us. When we lose righteous men, the weak and innocent suffer first and most. Ugly art is just a representation of their predatory lusts.
Wordsworth Andrew Wordsworth, didn’t even he champion the French Revolution . Liberté, égalité, fraternité was to be a utopia to take humanity to the sun lit uplands. But even he was desolated when it all degenerated into “the terror” , I read about it somewheres in a book called “the truth & beauty” who ever that author is , I’ll tell yeah the boys got talent and he’ll go far , you mark my words.
Not to be dramatic, and I know how Andrew feels about Tolkien, but this quote comes to mind, "The Shadow that bred them can only mock, it cannot make: not real new things of its own. I don't think it gave life to the orcs, it only ruined them and twisted them."
What a great question: "If it was the sacrifice of Christ that put an end to them, then maybe the barbaric need for his death wasn’t God’s but ours?"
I think the answer to this question is affirmative. God does not actually need anything from us; which means, critically, that He doesn't need His Son's death in order to forgive our sins. We need His death in order for our sins to be forgiven. This idea presents the atonement in a completely different light.
The last paragraph reminds me of a discussion I saw recently with Alex O’ Connor and some other atheist. They were trying to talk about the meaning of life. It was so bland, hopeless and even quite sad listening to them trying to make sense of meaning without having anything to justify it. Like you asked Andrew, “is this garbage all they’ve got?” Unfortunately for them, yes it is.
It seems odd for atheists to discuss the meaning of life. After all, if we’re just blob of cells that coincidentally came together to make humans some eons ago, then there can be no meaning to life. Well, maybe randomness. Maybe that’s all the meaning there is, in reality, for atheists.
Only with God and an afterlife is there true meaning.
Exactly. I think truth always wins and more people will see this eventually.
I believe that sacrifice is alive and well at this time. I don’t sacrifice animals or people, but my time, my money (the same thing when I was working, and now my savings since I retired) and my devotion. I gave and continue to give, and each is a sacrifice, because it, like any discipline, is good for me. I put this out not for self-aggrandizement but to point out that our present sacrifices are not as corporal, but just as costly. All, from the time of Cain and Abel, brought or should have brought their best, their first fruits, at some cost to themselves. Even 2 turtledoves for an impoverished family to sacrifice for their first-born son circa 4 BC was an immense cost, as it had to be purchased in the temple, and with shekels, the only cash the Temple would accept (hence the money changers, whose rates were usurious.
I would have been far ahead of where I am now financially had I banked rather than gave charitably, but I would have been merely greedy and soulless.
In the same way, we each had a debt that we as humans owed that could only be paid at the great price of an ultimate sacrifice. God didn’t demand it of us; we took the debt on ourselves by being the sinful lot we are. God demands only that we love Him. We do this by saying “yes” to Him and saying “no” to all else. I stink at that. I needed a living example of ultimate sacrificial love. Ephesians 5 had an excellent line when talking about wives being subservient to their husbands but Paul turned it around and called on husbands to love their wives as Christ loved us and the church. Holy smokes!! You mean that I can only call on her subservience in as much as I sacrifice myself as Christ sacrificed himself? Yikes, what a bargain. Each time I think that or any sacrifice is difficult, I look at a crucifix, then I get it. Attitude adjustment accomplished.
The last several essays have been splendid! I sent Spencer the No Relation’s essay to my wife because it explained the Olympics travesty so well. Thanks to Klavan the Elder and Klavan the No Relation for their insights.
Wow. Talk about hitting the nail on the head! I’m saving this to read when I see more of this insanity - and I’m quite sure there is much more to come. Also recently I’ve been going on about certain situations referring to the saying about lipstick on a pig, so your photo had me letting out a giant hoot and then rolling on the floor laughing. Your laser focus on Christianity, morality, and our current morass combined with your sense of humor make you, in my opinion, a national treasure!
I wanted to pump my fist into the air after reading this. You could have been an expert carpenter, considering how well you "hit the nail on the head!" Thank you for saying what so many of us feel but can't express so eloquently as you and Spencer do.
Sadly I think that sacrifice to the sex Gods is still with us. When we lose righteous men, the weak and innocent suffer first and most. Ugly art is just a representation of their predatory lusts.
Another gift! These shared insights and reflections are more valuable than you might imagine-God is good
Wordsworth Andrew Wordsworth, didn’t even he champion the French Revolution . Liberté, égalité, fraternité was to be a utopia to take humanity to the sun lit uplands. But even he was desolated when it all degenerated into “the terror” , I read about it somewheres in a book called “the truth & beauty” who ever that author is , I’ll tell yeah the boys got talent and he’ll go far , you mark my words.