Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Righteous Indignation, Ch. 3 (p 23-30)

Righteous Indignation, Ch. 3 (p 23-30)
Divine Limitation and Human Responsibility - Rabbi Or N. Rose

(1) The story of the Lost Boys of Sudan was a harrowing and effective way to begin this chapter (film). Wow. The questions at the end of the story set up the rest of the chapter, and these are questions that we face too. "Could I, as a religious activist, develop a spiritual narrative that accounts for such instances of injustice? More importantly, could I help others--particularly those suffering from oppression and degradation--frame their experiences in meaningful theological terms?" (p 24).

In some ways this reminds me of Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Incredible book. What is your answer for evil, for injustice? Is it strong enough to help someone in the middle of their devastation? Does it need to? And is there meaning in all pain?

(2) Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev must have been one interesting gentleman. I appreciated the summarizing thought on page 27: "While God's heroic actions at the Sea of Reeds may have been necessary to impress the Israelites and to astound any would-be foes, at Sinai God wished to provide God's people with the spiritual and ethical tools--Torah--to function as an increasingly independent community, no longer reliant on God's supernatural intervention in human affairs."

I see here a father teaching the child to crawl, stand, walk and feed itself. But I'm not ready to move all the way to Deism, where in my understanding, the child is ultimately left alone and the father has no further role to play in the life of the offspring. I still believe in the power of prayer to effect change in the world, even if that change is primarily in me.

What about you? How active do you believe God is in altering events on planet Earth? Why do you hold this belief? Have you ever had or seen a significant answer to prayer? What is the role of faith in even attempting an answer to this question? What is your understanding of the interaction of divine and human in activism, justice and peace-making?

(3) "Among the deepest expressions of God's love and respect for humankind is the gift of free will" (p 28). The rest of that paragraph unwraps this idea beautifully. I can't imagine a response to the question of suffering without some reference to free will. Apparently, free will is more important to God than anything else, even His own heart.

How well am I using my free will? What is the best choice I've made today or this week? What is a good decision I made even though I felt like choosing a different option (e.g., a way to spend time, money, energy, etc.)? In what ways do I take free will for granted or deny its existence (two very different problems)? Do I value the free will of those around me, or do I feel a deep need to control their actions and opinions?

(4) "The question about Auschwitz is not where was God, but where was man" (p 28). Batman style Pow! Zing! Whack! to the gut.

(5) "The Divine may inspire, agitate, and comfort..., but human beings must act to create a just and compassionate world, minimizing the pain and suffering of all God's creations" (p 29).

Brilliant. I like that he included "all creation," not just humans.

I wrestled with this theme of God using humans in one sermon I gave in Korea (I only gave 3 real sermons in 3 years there)--I Don't Know Why. " “God, why don’t you do something to stop this?” “Jeff, why don’t you?” The wrestling match has not yet concluded.

God, I want to create a just and compassionate world. I want to relieve suffering. I want to give hope. I want people to have the liberty to exercise their free will. Teach me how. Take away my excuses and doubts and fears. Or help me to work despite them. Remind me of the power of little things, and open my eyes to bigger actions I can take. Let me be your hands and feet this day. Open my ears to hear your "still, small voice urging me forth in my efforts to help mend the world" (p 30).

Posted by Jeff at 11/13/2008 08:04:00 PM View Comments
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Friday, August 29, 2008

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 7a (p 191-204)

The Irresistible Revolution, Ch. 7a (p 191-204)
Pledging Allegiance when Kingdoms Collide

(a) "They had lost all faith in the empire and had become faithful to God alone as the one who could preserve peace and prosperity" (p 196).

What do I believe, really believe, brings peace and prosperity? Democracy? Communism? Free markets? State-controlled economies? Democrats? Republicans? Theocracy? Anarchism? Cooperation? Competition? Military? Diplomacy? More education? More laws? More dichotomies? Meditation? Activism? The President? Jesus? (not listed in any particular order)

And whose peace and prosperity am I concerned about? Mine? My neighbors'? My blood relatives'? My country's? Westerners'? Humanity's?

About the role of government, we read:

Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:2-4)

So government has a role that God has instituted. Yet we do look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of this promise, understanding that in some mystical way the kingdom of God is now, is inside of us now:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

And the rub, the point of this chapter, is when they're opposed. Then we read:

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!" (Acts 5:29)

Nazi soldiers should have disobeyed their unjust commands. All soldiers must disobey unjust commands. As citizens of heaven before citizens of a given country on earth, we must disobey laws and commands that contradict the laws of our true kingdom. No one can stand in the judgment and say, "But I was following orders." The response will be, "You weren't following MY orders. You belong to the king you claim, not Me." Am I committed to obeying God? How much time am I spending in the Bible each day to learn what it is He's calling me to?

Let me take this opportunity to shout out Centurion's Purse.

(b) "A people longing for a savior placed their faith in the fragile hand of human logic and military strength, which have always let us down. They have always fallen short of the glory of God" (p 199).

This takes me back to high school when I listened to a certain heavy metal band (You take a mortal man and put him in control...). Though Megadeth probably also falls short of the glory of God. This quote also makes me think of War Made Easy.

(c) "Jesus offers a new vision of family" (p 200).

If my mother, father or sister were starving, I'd find a way to help them. I wouldn't stop until their needs were met. If it was only about money, I sure wouldn't buy a nicer ride while they were suffering. But then I realize I lie, because they are.

Do I care as much for each citizen who dies in Iraq (30,000, 50,000, 90,000, 151,000, 655,000???) as I do for those who died in the towers on September 11, 2001 (2,974)?

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
(Matthew 6:9-10)

Posted by Jeff at 8/29/2008 04:31:00 PM View Comments
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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Film

Posted by Jeff at 4/20/2008 10:13:00 AM View Comments
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