Logically Speaking...

The quote by Anselm which is considered the definitive Ontological proof in the being (not the existence) of God is beyond compare.  I say this, because it is logical proof, that has never successfully been challenged since created in the 11th Century AD.  All those who have tried to attack, or disprove Anselm's proof have had to change it to attempt to prove their points.  So what? You may ask.  Well, I follow Anselm's thoughts, and beliefs  that echo what the Bible says:  The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."  Give me an example, some may say, so here goes:

Anselm stated: "That than which nothing greater may be conceived must be, and is.

Some of the many challenges to this statement include:

• If God exists, He could also not exist.  (changes being, to existence)
• the error here, logically is the difference between existence and being.  Now I did not set the rules for this, but the difference is that things with existence, can also lose or not have existence.  For example a pie can exist, but as soon as it is consumed, it loses existence.  Something with being, has life that although it may change, cannot cease to have life.  For example, humans have being.  Once created, they never cease to have life.  We may live forever with God in heaven, or live forever without God in hell.
• If God can be conceived to exist, He can also be conceived to not exist.  (again the change, but also changes the argument)
• For if the being can be conceived to not be, it is obviously not God.  For there is nothing greater than a being that not only can be conceived to be, but can not be conceived to not be. Further, God must be conceived to be, by the very definition of this logic.  For the progression of this concept, consider the following:
• I can conceive of an apple.
• I can conceive of the tree which grew the apple.
• I can conceive of the planet which enables the tree to grow.
• I can conceive of the solar system which contains the planet.
• I can conceive of the galaxy in which the solar system is located.
• I can conceive of the universe in which the galaxy is located.
• I can conceive of a being which once did not have being, but has being now, and created the universe.
• I can conceive of a being which always had being, has being now, but someday may not have being, which created the universe.
• I can conceive of a being which always had being, has being now, and always will have being.
• I can conceive of a being which always had being, has being now, and always will have being, created the universe, but did not care about it once it was created.
• I can conceive of a being which always had being, has being now, and always will have being, created the universe, but continued to care for it.
• I can conceive of a being which always had being, has being now, and always will have being, created the universe, and added life to it, but did not give that creation free will.
• I can conceive of a being which always had being, has being now, and always will have being, created the universe, and gave the creation free will.
• I can conceive of a being which always had being, has being now, and always will have being, created the universe, and once the creation thumbed its nose at him, destroyed that creation.
• I can conceive of a being which always had being, has being now, and always will have being, created the universe, and despite the creation thumbing its nose at him, said, I still love you.
• etc... 

So anyway you get the idea.  The ultimate end of this argument is that the God of the universe, not only still cares for His creation, but He paid the ultimate price, sending His own perfect son (son only because he was born, after setting aside His divine attributes, to become human) to die (the penalty for sin) even tho' He (Jesus) was sinless, to repair the damage done to the relationship humanity was created to have with God, and make it possible for all those who would come to Him to enjoy this restored relationship for all eternity.  The mind boggling thing about all this is that although the God of the universe did this and it is only required that we put our faith in Him to be saved, people still thumb their noses at Him, and say "No thanks!"

Learn more about Anselms argument at: http://www.princeton.edu/~grosen/puc/phi203/ontological.html

The Christmas Celebration & Traditions

Many people do not believe in celebrating the Christmas Holiday the same way as others do. They say that certain holiday traditions originated in pagan times, and are pagan traditions. Therefore, as Christians we should not participate in these pagan rituals. But what is the truth, and what does the Bible say about this apparent problem? That is what I would like to look at in today's blog.

Christmas traditions that have pagan origins are the Christmas Tree; the celebration of Christmas in Winter (by the winter solstice); the Yule log; the giving of gifts; and I am sure there are more, but we will just deal with these for now.

The Christmas Tree, Yule log, and the winter solstice, are definitely related to the pagan traditions, but why did the Christian Church adopt them? When humanity was mired in the dark or middle ages, and pagans were converting to Christianity, they were used to celebrating and using these symbols to celebrate the winter solstice. Old habits die hard, and the Christians now found themselves in a quandry about what to do with this time of year. The Christian Church had already adopted the date of 25 December to celebrate Christmas, so that was not a problem, but how to get rid of the old pagan rituals? So the Christian Church changed the rituals into Christian rituals, by associating them with Christian ideas, concepts and Scripture.

For Example, the Christmas tree has a double meaning, both the evergreen, showing that Jesus brings eternal life, and as a forewarning of the Cross. For it was wood upon which He was crucified (in many places, the Scriptures prophesy "a tree").

Now, some people say we should not use a tree, as the pagans used one before Christians did for their rituals and celebrations. But what do the Scriptures say?

In Romans, 14 --

⁵ One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶ He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷ For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. ⁸ If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ro 14:5-8

This does not apply only to the celebration of a particular day, but if you take this passage (as one must always do) within the context of the chapter, and book, and indeed the entire Bible, you will see that the concept is that we should allow grace to others who believe slightly differently than ourselves. (However this does not mean all teachings, or beliefs are acceptable -- There are limits to orthodoxy.)

Most importantly, the Scriptures tell us to do all things for the Glory of God in Christ Jesus, and to do all things in LOVE. So, just because I do something, or do not do something, does not mean it is right, or wrong for someone else to do it. It depends on their faith journey with their Creator, and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. (see above Scripture again)

Let us all be tolerant of those who disagree with us, and give as much grace to them, as we would like to receive from them!

The Race

The Poem "The Race" is about a young man who has difficulties, falls three times, yet gets up and finishes the race. http://www.poemsonly.com/poems/iptherace.php

This poem epitomizes the struggle each of us goes thru in life. Even once we give our hearts and minds to Christ, we still struggle with the sins and habits we had before then. Yet, we have our own cheering section, the Lord Jesus Himself.

Several times in the Scriptures, we are instructed to run this race. Paul used the allegory several times, Romans 12:1 for example... "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Heb 12:1

Jesus, although God, became human so He could purchase us back from slavery to sin. Once we are born again, we are no longer slaves to sin. Even if we sin, we are owned by Christ, and He does not abandon us. Jesus is our advocate, and He intercedes for us at The Father's throne. He has purchased us, and by such a price!

So let us live in such a way as to bring glory to God, Our Father, and His Son Jesus Christ.