The following is an excerpt about the dropping of the nuclear bombs by the US at the close of WWII on two Japanese cities:
Still other respected writers, such as Rufus Miles Jr. and Stanford University's Barton Bernstein, have effectively refuted Truman's oft-repeated argument about the number of American lives saved by the bomb. Citing the most recently de-classified materials, Bernstein could not find a worst-case prediction of lives lost higher than 46,000-even if an invasion had been mounted, which, as noted, was deemed highly unlikely by July 1945. Most estimates went no higher than 20,000 combat deaths. "The myth of the 500,000 American lives saved", Bernstein concludes, "thus seems to have no bases in fact."
The Nation, May 10, 1993, pg. 641
It has been a strange thing for me, as a man who grew up in the US during a period when US involvement in WWII was universally praised in American culture, to realize that I sense something deeply wrong with the decision of the US war leadership, including the US president, to completely destroy two Japanese cities and all their inhabitants as a means to end the war. If the point, as I have always understood it to be, was to demonstrate the power we now wielded, why not drop the bomb in a uninhabited, but visible location. Of course the reason is we only had 2 bombs. Why not drop one in such a fashion and then warn them to surrender or else the next one would drop on a strategic site? Why, after largely waging a war largely focused on military and industrial targets, did we all the sudden think that destroying massive amounts of civilian property was a just way to wage war?
I wonder if the answer lies in the fact that the human heart has an almost unstoppable desire to use power when it knows it can get away with it. Boys who find a gun in a secluded location will be overwhelmingly tempted to want to fire it. Girls who know they have the beauty to gain a guys attention will often succumb to the temptation to do so. Nations with unchallenged power will rarely not exercise it.
I wonder how much the war in Iraq and Afghanistan is such an example. The US “had” to respond to 911 in such a manner because it could and it knew it would not be significantly challenged in doing so, at least in term so of military firepower. The possession of such unchallenged power is perhaps a curse as much as a blessing. It seems to make use of it inevitable, whether or not such a policy is reasonable or wise.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Choosing a Spouse or Choosing to Love
Marriage is so much more than choosing a person who thrills you. Of course it starts that way, but in the end you will find that this person has been chosen for you. Not necessarily chosen in the sense of being the one person who is meant to captivate you "ever after", though I find my wife captivating still after 14 years. In a much more important sense, your spouse is chosen as that primary other human being with whom you have the opportunity, or you could say the test, to love. It is, after all, the ultimate test to be given a life companion who is to be the object of your unconditional love. It is the most challenging and, potentially, fascinating endeavor that a human being can ever undertake (save, perhaps, the endeavor of raising children). As a Christian, it is the ultimate practical test of faith. As a follower of Christ, you are commanded to love as Christ loves you. That means that you must continually, and unbegrudgingly, lay aside all your own wants and cares. (Or rather, to lay your own wants and cares at the feet of the Father. Whether or not He uses your spouse to meet those wants and cares or whether He intends to meet your every need is not for you to determine.) You are called upon to overlook any blemishes, irritating idiosyncrasies, and characteristics that you expected should have changed in your spouse by now, that you never noticed until after the honeymoon, or that you foolishly thought you could "fix". You are called to be attentive and responsive to the needs and the best interests of the other. This assignment is not, for the Christian married person, dependent upon the relationship being symbiotic, though it might be so at various points in the course of the marriage. You are not required to "meet her/his needs only as long as she/he meets mine".
Christ gave Himself for us. That is the model for our marriages. He expresses His affection toward us in spite of our fickleness in affection for Him. His attention is fixed on us as He petitions for us before the throne of our Father, regardless of how we waffle in our prayer life. The great challenge of Christian marriage is to love your bride (or bridegroom) as Christ loves you. Attentive to her/his needs rather than demanding to have your own met—even when it feels like death, even when you feel justified in demanding to have yours met! Without the presence of the Spirit of Christ in our lives, this test would be more than impossible—and impossible it is. With the presence of His Spirit, it is an endeavor in which we can grow, perhaps slowly and painfully, but ultimately having our lives transformed into the image of Christ. No doubt about it, Christian marriage is the ultimate test of agape love. But as they say, the most rewarding things in life are the hardest things in life.
Christ gave Himself for us. That is the model for our marriages. He expresses His affection toward us in spite of our fickleness in affection for Him. His attention is fixed on us as He petitions for us before the throne of our Father, regardless of how we waffle in our prayer life. The great challenge of Christian marriage is to love your bride (or bridegroom) as Christ loves you. Attentive to her/his needs rather than demanding to have your own met—even when it feels like death, even when you feel justified in demanding to have yours met! Without the presence of the Spirit of Christ in our lives, this test would be more than impossible—and impossible it is. With the presence of His Spirit, it is an endeavor in which we can grow, perhaps slowly and painfully, but ultimately having our lives transformed into the image of Christ. No doubt about it, Christian marriage is the ultimate test of agape love. But as they say, the most rewarding things in life are the hardest things in life.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Active Leisure Time
Here’s some interesting thoughts on our use of leisure time from Dr. David Myers’ book, Pursuit of Happiness:
§ Only 3% of people watching TV experience a sense of “flow” (a rewarding, fulfilling activity); 39% experience feelings of apathy.
§ 47% of people engaged in arts and hobbies experience “flow”; only 4% experience apathy.
“The less expensive (and generally more involving) a leisure activity, the happier people are while doing it. Most people are happier gardening than power boating, talking to friends than watching TV….People are unhappiest when they are alone and nothing needs doing.”
“Off your duffs, couch potatoes. Pick up your camera. Tune up that instrument. Sharpen those woodworking tools. Get out those quilting needles. Inflate the family basketball. Pull down a good book. Oil the fishing reel. It’s time to head out to the garden store. To invite friends over for tea. To pull down the Scrabble game. To write a letter. To go for a drive. Rather than vegetating in self-focused idleness, lose yourself in the flow of active work and play.”
§ Only 3% of people watching TV experience a sense of “flow” (a rewarding, fulfilling activity); 39% experience feelings of apathy.
§ 47% of people engaged in arts and hobbies experience “flow”; only 4% experience apathy.
“The less expensive (and generally more involving) a leisure activity, the happier people are while doing it. Most people are happier gardening than power boating, talking to friends than watching TV….People are unhappiest when they are alone and nothing needs doing.”
“Off your duffs, couch potatoes. Pick up your camera. Tune up that instrument. Sharpen those woodworking tools. Get out those quilting needles. Inflate the family basketball. Pull down a good book. Oil the fishing reel. It’s time to head out to the garden store. To invite friends over for tea. To pull down the Scrabble game. To write a letter. To go for a drive. Rather than vegetating in self-focused idleness, lose yourself in the flow of active work and play.”
Conflicts between personal strengths and personal values
I came across this quotation from Peter Drucker:
“Many years ago, I too had to decide between my values and what I was doing successfully. I was doing very well as a young investment banker in London in the mid-1930s, and the work clearly fit my strengths. Yet I did not see myself making a contribution as an asset manager. People, I realized, were what I valued, and I saw no point in being the richest man in the cemetery. I had no money and no other job prospects. Despite the continuing Depression, I quit—and it was the right thing to do. Values, in other words, are and should be the ultimate test.”
While this quote can tend to glorify “quitting” business to go into “more humanitarian” endeavors, I think it speaks to something much more profound. If we are good or adequate at something it doesn’t mean we should get stuck in the rut of doing it if our heart is not also in it. I know it seems kind of fairy tale-ish, because some people don’t always have the option to re-orient their career or life. But, it does make me think that each of us was created to live and work in some manner according to not just our strengths, like the old Communist approach to athletics in which athletic kids were separated out by how their abilities matched up with particular sports, whether or not the kid had any desire to play the sport or not. It seems to me that our Maker takes great pleasure when we find that intersection in our lives of what we are really skilled at doing and what we view as a significant contribution to others.
“Many years ago, I too had to decide between my values and what I was doing successfully. I was doing very well as a young investment banker in London in the mid-1930s, and the work clearly fit my strengths. Yet I did not see myself making a contribution as an asset manager. People, I realized, were what I valued, and I saw no point in being the richest man in the cemetery. I had no money and no other job prospects. Despite the continuing Depression, I quit—and it was the right thing to do. Values, in other words, are and should be the ultimate test.”
While this quote can tend to glorify “quitting” business to go into “more humanitarian” endeavors, I think it speaks to something much more profound. If we are good or adequate at something it doesn’t mean we should get stuck in the rut of doing it if our heart is not also in it. I know it seems kind of fairy tale-ish, because some people don’t always have the option to re-orient their career or life. But, it does make me think that each of us was created to live and work in some manner according to not just our strengths, like the old Communist approach to athletics in which athletic kids were separated out by how their abilities matched up with particular sports, whether or not the kid had any desire to play the sport or not. It seems to me that our Maker takes great pleasure when we find that intersection in our lives of what we are really skilled at doing and what we view as a significant contribution to others.
Feedback Analysis
Here’s a thought from Peter Drucker...he calls this “feedback analysis”:
“Whenever you make a key decision or take a key action, write down what you expect will happen. Nine or 12 months later, compare the actual results with your expectations. I have been practicing this method for 15 to 20 years now, and every time I do it, I am surprised.”
During a time of such critical decision making and action steps, it might be interesting to practice this organizationally?
“Whenever you make a key decision or take a key action, write down what you expect will happen. Nine or 12 months later, compare the actual results with your expectations. I have been practicing this method for 15 to 20 years now, and every time I do it, I am surprised.”
During a time of such critical decision making and action steps, it might be interesting to practice this organizationally?
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
I came across the following quotation recently:
“Studies of successful companies often focus on their products, business models, or operational strengths: Microsoft’s world conquering Windows operating system, Dell’s mass customization, Wal-Mart’s logistical prowess. Yet products and operational strengths aren’t what really set the most successful organizations apart—they can all be rented or imitated. What can’t be easily duplicated are the decisive dialogues and robust operating mechanisms and their links to feedback and follow-through. These factors constitute an organization’s most enduring competitive advantage, and they are heavily dependent on the character of dialogue that a leader exhibits and thereby influences throughout the organization.”
This impressed upon me the reality that while a business model and a product may be revolutionary and high in potential, it is the culture built amongst the leaders and those throughout the organization that will make execution effective. The author (Ram Charan) remarks in his article that dialogues related to decision making and executable plans are the key. If anyone’s opinions or concerns are not freely incorporated into dialogue, companies risk stepping on land mines. If people feel like they must agree with a plan due to hierarchical obligations, execution of the plan by them will be half hearted. If execution of a plan is followed by evaluation (whether the plan was a success or a failure), lessons are not learned and future effectiveness is diluted.
Some good words...
“Studies of successful companies often focus on their products, business models, or operational strengths: Microsoft’s world conquering Windows operating system, Dell’s mass customization, Wal-Mart’s logistical prowess. Yet products and operational strengths aren’t what really set the most successful organizations apart—they can all be rented or imitated. What can’t be easily duplicated are the decisive dialogues and robust operating mechanisms and their links to feedback and follow-through. These factors constitute an organization’s most enduring competitive advantage, and they are heavily dependent on the character of dialogue that a leader exhibits and thereby influences throughout the organization.”
This impressed upon me the reality that while a business model and a product may be revolutionary and high in potential, it is the culture built amongst the leaders and those throughout the organization that will make execution effective. The author (Ram Charan) remarks in his article that dialogues related to decision making and executable plans are the key. If anyone’s opinions or concerns are not freely incorporated into dialogue, companies risk stepping on land mines. If people feel like they must agree with a plan due to hierarchical obligations, execution of the plan by them will be half hearted. If execution of a plan is followed by evaluation (whether the plan was a success or a failure), lessons are not learned and future effectiveness is diluted.
Some good words...
Monday, June 18, 2007
A Father who is easy to please, but hard to satisfy
Every father is pleased at the baby’s first attempt to walk: no father would be satisfied with anything less than a firm, free, manly walk in a grown up son. In the same way... “God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy.” CS Lewis, A Joyful Christian, 78.
This quotation is something that has long resonated with me as a father of two boys. I find that, while I greatly enjoy every stage of my boys growth and development whether it be their first smile, their first steps, or their first words, I am constantly considering what kind of men they were made to be. Many questions arise in my mind: What can I do to prepare them to be the unique men God has created them to be? How can I draw out their strengths? How can I motivate them toward maturity? How can I challenge them to grow?
I believe that God is relentless in his efforts to grow us up into maturity, while taking great pleasure in our current "baby steps". As a father, my greatest challenge is to reflect just a bit of the Father's diligence to see two boys develop a "firm, free, manly" stride.
This quotation is something that has long resonated with me as a father of two boys. I find that, while I greatly enjoy every stage of my boys growth and development whether it be their first smile, their first steps, or their first words, I am constantly considering what kind of men they were made to be. Many questions arise in my mind: What can I do to prepare them to be the unique men God has created them to be? How can I draw out their strengths? How can I motivate them toward maturity? How can I challenge them to grow?
I believe that God is relentless in his efforts to grow us up into maturity, while taking great pleasure in our current "baby steps". As a father, my greatest challenge is to reflect just a bit of the Father's diligence to see two boys develop a "firm, free, manly" stride.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Power: You can't please people with its use, you can't please people without its use.
Ask anybody what they wouldn't do for a million euros or dollars, and they will give you a very short list of things. This list will include all the extreme things one can imagine-exposure to radioactive substances, brain surgery, Chinese water torture, etc. However, its a well documented fact that when people win large sums of money in lotteries, a high percentage become quite adept at destroying their lives. And, we can imagine the pressures that suddenly come upon them. Rags to riches sports figures also experience this pressure. Everyone around them expects to benefit from their good fortunes or, in the case of people further removed from them, expects them to create world peace with their millions. If they put their money into a mutual fund, a savings account or the stock market, no one is happy. If they give to a charity, some complain about their choice. If they give some to one family member, others expect just as much.
Power like money, is no simple blessing-be careful what you wish for! The United States faces a similar issue as the rags to riches sportsman. It has found itself, once poor, inconsequential upstart nation, on top of the world. What shall it do now? The imperial urge is often quite innocent. Not only might you want to help the world with your new power, you are in fact expected to! There is a kind of necessity involved, as Thucydides' seems to imply about imperial Athens. One might see the same sort of irresistible impulse in the Roman and British empires, as well as other historical empires.
It reveals some root expectations in the nature of human beings-even people who claim there exists no such thing as a "natural law" or "eternal moral order". We expect those with power to use it for the benefit of others, even though we suspect they will use it selfishly. Just as we might expect a beautiful woman to be gentle and innocent, even though we suspect she might be manipulative. You can't win in the realm of public opinion, when you have power. All you can do is take your risks and dare-dare to make a better world.
Power like money, is no simple blessing-be careful what you wish for! The United States faces a similar issue as the rags to riches sportsman. It has found itself, once poor, inconsequential upstart nation, on top of the world. What shall it do now? The imperial urge is often quite innocent. Not only might you want to help the world with your new power, you are in fact expected to! There is a kind of necessity involved, as Thucydides' seems to imply about imperial Athens. One might see the same sort of irresistible impulse in the Roman and British empires, as well as other historical empires.
It reveals some root expectations in the nature of human beings-even people who claim there exists no such thing as a "natural law" or "eternal moral order". We expect those with power to use it for the benefit of others, even though we suspect they will use it selfishly. Just as we might expect a beautiful woman to be gentle and innocent, even though we suspect she might be manipulative. You can't win in the realm of public opinion, when you have power. All you can do is take your risks and dare-dare to make a better world.
Friday, May 18, 2007
People are much more naive and simple-hearted than we suppose.
As a general rule, PEOPLE,
even the wicked,
ARE MUCH MORE NAÏVE AND SIMPLE-HEARTED THAN WE SUPPOSE.
And we ourselves are, too.
Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
even the wicked,
ARE MUCH MORE NAÏVE AND SIMPLE-HEARTED THAN WE SUPPOSE.
And we ourselves are, too.
Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Urban Touch
It is a cold intimacy, brushing shoulders and avoiding sustained eye contact. Where can you find meaningful touch amid all these people? The routine handshakes and warm embraces of friends in village life is not often found in the urgent motion of urban life.
Touch comes in different forms. A seductive stare from the 2D image of a stylish blond. A courteous warning from a warm masculine voice, "Stand back, the subway doors are closing." This is the urban touch. And so hearts of men and women are stacked upon one another, but with no mortor of meaningful touch to bind them together.
Touch comes in different forms. A seductive stare from the 2D image of a stylish blond. A courteous warning from a warm masculine voice, "Stand back, the subway doors are closing." This is the urban touch. And so hearts of men and women are stacked upon one another, but with no mortor of meaningful touch to bind them together.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The Idea For Which I Can Live and Die
“What I really lack is to be clear in my mind what I am to do, not what I am to know, except in so far as a certain understanding must precede every action. The thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wishes me to do; the thing is to find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live and die. What would be the use of discovering so-called objective truth, of working through all the systems of philosophy and being able, if required, to review them all and show up the inconsistencies of each system; - what good would it do me to be able to develop a theory of the state and combine all the details into a single whole, and so construct a world in which I did not live, but only held up to the view of others; - what good would it do me to be able to explain the meaning of Christianity if it had no deeper significance for me and for my life; - what good would it do me if truth stood before me, cold and naked, not caring whether I recognized her or not, and producing in me a shudder of fear rather than a trusting devotion? I certainly do not deny that I still recognize an imperative of understanding and that through it one can work upon men, but it must be taken into my life, and that is what I now recognize as the most important thing.”
Kierkegaard, The Journals
Kierkegaard, The Journals
Saturday, May 5, 2007
What Shall Become of This Race?
What shall become of this Race, my King? What can be done with us?
What more can be done for us than you have already done?
In this world between worlds, I now have a love-hate relationship with this Race, and with your coming judgment upon it. Your Name and all my hopes that are attached to it demand that this Race be called to accounts...these creatures claiming to be “self-made”.
My heart longs for this race which still bears your finger prints! My own heart and soul, sculpted with lines and curvatures of your craftsmanship.
A King who was smote down upon a hill...no resistance given your enemy. This Race, which you now hunt and pursue, has become the resister...desperate to carve an image of their own imagination upon their lives—Your voice unheeded in the desperate noise of hammer and chisel. No attempts to discover the maker of selves.
Unbeknownst to them, this self-obsessed Race is constantly disfiguring itself. Not self-made, rather self-mutilators. How dare I sit in judgment upon Adam & Eve’s sons, their daughters? Yet the disease resides in me—even with my allegiance vowed to the King, still I’m capable of self-destruction. Not just capable of notable life-wrecking—shattering my marriage, family, friendships, vocation—but, also the unnoticed, insidious versions. No escaping it, I’m still tied to this Race of self-destroying men (and women). In my heart still lies the capacity for self-making—and not just the capacity. I still lay hands on the hammer, I still strike blows—maybe I can just perform a little touch up here and there.
I still don’t get it either. You pursue the resisters—even though you could fell them with a breath of Your wrath. What do you wait upon? What will ever change about this Race? What can more time help? What can we hope for?
My love-hate relationship with judgment...longing for this madness to end. The madness inside me, the madness all around. Must I believe, must I hope, that still You wait, with patience, with a profound sense of hope—in this Race?!
You are a strange King indeed!
What more can be done for us than you have already done?
In this world between worlds, I now have a love-hate relationship with this Race, and with your coming judgment upon it. Your Name and all my hopes that are attached to it demand that this Race be called to accounts...these creatures claiming to be “self-made”.
My heart longs for this race which still bears your finger prints! My own heart and soul, sculpted with lines and curvatures of your craftsmanship.
A King who was smote down upon a hill...no resistance given your enemy. This Race, which you now hunt and pursue, has become the resister...desperate to carve an image of their own imagination upon their lives—Your voice unheeded in the desperate noise of hammer and chisel. No attempts to discover the maker of selves.
Unbeknownst to them, this self-obsessed Race is constantly disfiguring itself. Not self-made, rather self-mutilators. How dare I sit in judgment upon Adam & Eve’s sons, their daughters? Yet the disease resides in me—even with my allegiance vowed to the King, still I’m capable of self-destruction. Not just capable of notable life-wrecking—shattering my marriage, family, friendships, vocation—but, also the unnoticed, insidious versions. No escaping it, I’m still tied to this Race of self-destroying men (and women). In my heart still lies the capacity for self-making—and not just the capacity. I still lay hands on the hammer, I still strike blows—maybe I can just perform a little touch up here and there.
I still don’t get it either. You pursue the resisters—even though you could fell them with a breath of Your wrath. What do you wait upon? What will ever change about this Race? What can more time help? What can we hope for?
My love-hate relationship with judgment...longing for this madness to end. The madness inside me, the madness all around. Must I believe, must I hope, that still You wait, with patience, with a profound sense of hope—in this Race?!
You are a strange King indeed!
A night at the movies...
A new version of an old Hollywood theme...blood, guts, romance, deception, friendship/loyalty, twisted/distorted sexuality, glory
Daughters of Eve, Sons of Eve—what shall become of this race?
Longing to live a life worth dying for.
Why hoping for the seemingly hopeless?
On my way home...
12—midnight, few on the tram, couples and handfuls of late night folk about...
People looking for something, aimless, wandering...trying to make something meaningful out of just another Saturday night
A young man and a young woman...trying to figure out how to make things work, when it hasn’t ever worked before...drawn together, repulsed apart...string another “one night stand” together with countless previous ones?
Can we put up with the disappointments we give each other? What else is there?
Daughters of Eve, Sons of Eve—what shall become of this race?
Longing to live a life worth dying for.
Why hoping for the seemingly hopeless?
On my way home...
12—midnight, few on the tram, couples and handfuls of late night folk about...
People looking for something, aimless, wandering...trying to make something meaningful out of just another Saturday night
A young man and a young woman...trying to figure out how to make things work, when it hasn’t ever worked before...drawn together, repulsed apart...string another “one night stand” together with countless previous ones?
Can we put up with the disappointments we give each other? What else is there?
Friday, May 4, 2007
God Wishes No Narrow Souls and Empty Heads
In the Christian religion God has revealed Himself, which means He has given man to understand what He is, and thus is no longer concealed and secret.
With this possibility of knowing God the obligation to know Him is imposed upon us.
God wishes no narrow souls and empty heads for his children;
He wishes our spirit, if itself indeed poor, rich in the knowledge of Him, and holding this knowledge to be of supreme value.
Hegel, Reason in History
With this possibility of knowing God the obligation to know Him is imposed upon us.
God wishes no narrow souls and empty heads for his children;
He wishes our spirit, if itself indeed poor, rich in the knowledge of Him, and holding this knowledge to be of supreme value.
Hegel, Reason in History
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Like Painting a Portrait
For you are no longer thinking simply about right and wrong; you are trying to catch the good infection from a Person. It is more like painting a portrait than like obeying a set of rules. And the odd thing is that while in one way it is much harder than keeping rules, in another way it is far easier.
CS Lewis, A Joyful Christian, 76.
CS Lewis, A Joyful Christian, 76.
Cure without Care
“What we see, and like to see, is cure and change. But what we do not see and do not want to see is care, the participation in the pain, the solidarity in suffering, the sharing in the experience of brokenness. And still, cure without care is as dehumanizing as a gift given with a cold heart.
“Our tendency is to run away from the painful realities or to try to change them as soon as possible. But cure without care makes us into rulers, controllers, manipulators, and prevents a real community from taking shape. Cure without care makes us preoccupied with quick changes, impatient and unwilling to share each other’s burden. And so cure can often become offending instead of liberating.” (Pp. 31-32, 36-37)
Out of Solitude
Henri Nouwen
“Our tendency is to run away from the painful realities or to try to change them as soon as possible. But cure without care makes us into rulers, controllers, manipulators, and prevents a real community from taking shape. Cure without care makes us preoccupied with quick changes, impatient and unwilling to share each other’s burden. And so cure can often become offending instead of liberating.” (Pp. 31-32, 36-37)
Out of Solitude
Henri Nouwen
Making People Think
But we must not always exhaust a subject, so as to leave no work at all for the reader. My business is not to make people read, but to make them think.
Montesquieu, Book XI.20, Spirit of the Laws
Montesquieu, Book XI.20, Spirit of the Laws
Thomas Jefferson—Would he be Republican or Democrat in today's USA?
Letter to James Madison from Paris, Dec. 20, 1787
"I own, I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive. It places the governors (politicians) indeed more at their ease, at the expense of the people."
Letter to Col. William S. Smith, from Paris, Dec 20 1787, on the need diligent protection of liberty…(consider what those wanting more bans on guns would say to this?)
"And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
First Annual Message, Dec. 8, 1801
Concerning taxes:
"…weighing all probabilities of expense, as well as income, there is reasonable ground of confidence that we may now safely dispense with all the internal taxes, comprehending excises, stamps, auctions, licenses, carriages, and refined sugars, to which the postage on newspapers may be added, to facilitate the progress of information, and that the remaining sources of revenue will be sufficient to provide for the support of government, to pay the interest on the public debts, and to discharge the principals in the shorter periods than the laws or the general expectations had contemplated. War, indeed, and untoward events, may change this prospect of things, and call for expenses which imposts could not meet; but sound principles will not justify our taxing the industry of our fellow citizens to accumulate treasure for wars to happen we know not when [or we could add, domestic needs or economic down turns, etc.], and which might not perhaps happen but from the temptations offered by that treasure."
"I own, I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive. It places the governors (politicians) indeed more at their ease, at the expense of the people."
Letter to Col. William S. Smith, from Paris, Dec 20 1787, on the need diligent protection of liberty…(consider what those wanting more bans on guns would say to this?)
"And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
First Annual Message, Dec. 8, 1801
Concerning taxes:
"…weighing all probabilities of expense, as well as income, there is reasonable ground of confidence that we may now safely dispense with all the internal taxes, comprehending excises, stamps, auctions, licenses, carriages, and refined sugars, to which the postage on newspapers may be added, to facilitate the progress of information, and that the remaining sources of revenue will be sufficient to provide for the support of government, to pay the interest on the public debts, and to discharge the principals in the shorter periods than the laws or the general expectations had contemplated. War, indeed, and untoward events, may change this prospect of things, and call for expenses which imposts could not meet; but sound principles will not justify our taxing the industry of our fellow citizens to accumulate treasure for wars to happen we know not when [or we could add, domestic needs or economic down turns, etc.], and which might not perhaps happen but from the temptations offered by that treasure."
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Memory
Is it a lack of dilignece or intellectual laziness? The hard drive seems to constantly cycle out old information over a period of hours or days in place of new information. How can it be that I can write a 30 page paper on 10 verses and not readily be able to recall its contents? How can I intently study the history of Western philosophy one year and be unable to muster more than a handful of concepts and attach fewer authors to them? How can I get intently into the lives of men, their pasts, their struggles and victories, and yet fail to recall any details? How can I have read my Bible for 20+ years and fail to remember the location of critical passages or even the themes of major books?
Are some people cursed (or blessed) with a blank slate syndrome? I feel as if my mind is constantly being pierced by the thorn of forgetfulness. I could accopmlish so much more if only I could remember. Every day when I roll out of bed, I am plagued with the need to refresh my mind with what is spinning in my life, what are the current critical issues, who are the significant people with whom I need to relate. This process of fighting to remember seems to weary me, pulling on me like a ball and chain.
And so, I spend 20 minutes reading an encyclopedia here, and 15 minutes wandering on the internet pricing computer products- loving to learn random facts-and losing sight of my intentions, costing me productivity.
It seems to seep into every area of my life. My passion grows for missions, then for apologetics, then for college students. Can I remember which passions are my primary ones? Passion for people ebbs away after a few days seperated from a loved one. I fail recognize the existence of such people.
Is to forgetfulness equivalent to indifference? Some might argue with me that if I really cared, I’d remember. Can it be that I just care too little?
Are some people cursed (or blessed) with a blank slate syndrome? I feel as if my mind is constantly being pierced by the thorn of forgetfulness. I could accopmlish so much more if only I could remember. Every day when I roll out of bed, I am plagued with the need to refresh my mind with what is spinning in my life, what are the current critical issues, who are the significant people with whom I need to relate. This process of fighting to remember seems to weary me, pulling on me like a ball and chain.
And so, I spend 20 minutes reading an encyclopedia here, and 15 minutes wandering on the internet pricing computer products- loving to learn random facts-and losing sight of my intentions, costing me productivity.
It seems to seep into every area of my life. My passion grows for missions, then for apologetics, then for college students. Can I remember which passions are my primary ones? Passion for people ebbs away after a few days seperated from a loved one. I fail recognize the existence of such people.
Is to forgetfulness equivalent to indifference? Some might argue with me that if I really cared, I’d remember. Can it be that I just care too little?
The Greatest Affliction—The Death of the Body or the Neglect of the Soul
6 people were killed today in fighting in the Middle East. A sixteen year old boy was shot to death outside his home. A hurricane took the lives of 11 people in the Caribbean. These are the headlines of our times. The ultimate evil is the loss of human life. The most honorable act is that which saves lives. I do not intent to undervalue the dignity of human life, but rather an attempt to magnify the human soul. The human body is sacred precisely because it houses a human soul made in the image of God. If the soul is not inherently valuable, or merely a figment of our imagination, why then is the human body of any more consequence, rather it is of even less.
Political thinkers of the last century have looked back with disgust and sharp criticism for a politics that concerns itself with the care of the soul—a politics that supported the oppression of the people by the state’s endorsement of mandated religions and superstitions. People’s freedom was stifled by a morality imposed on them from religious and government institutions. So, what has secular politics given us? It has given us only the care of the body. What are the consequences of a politics that provides limitless freedom for issues of the human soul? You can do whatever you want as long as you don’t harm anyone else’s body (thanks, Mill for this idea!).
When saving physical human life becomes the ultimate measure of human accomplishment, the human soul is neglected. So, we go about our lives trying to protect and cherish the human body at the expense of neglecting the soul. What, after all, is life all about? If it is a matter of keeping human bodies safe from harm, we might as well create a political order out of the mold of Orwell’s 1984. There are much more efficient ways of keeping human bodies from suffering illness or harm. Which is what it seems that the “civilized” West is attempting to do to varying degrees at the outset of the 21st century. The only thing worth dying for is the saving of another person’s physical life.
The consequence of this paradigm extends into every aspect of our lives. Concerned primarily or only with protecting physical human bodies, we may neglect the human soul.
Political thinkers of the last century have looked back with disgust and sharp criticism for a politics that concerns itself with the care of the soul—a politics that supported the oppression of the people by the state’s endorsement of mandated religions and superstitions. People’s freedom was stifled by a morality imposed on them from religious and government institutions. So, what has secular politics given us? It has given us only the care of the body. What are the consequences of a politics that provides limitless freedom for issues of the human soul? You can do whatever you want as long as you don’t harm anyone else’s body (thanks, Mill for this idea!).
When saving physical human life becomes the ultimate measure of human accomplishment, the human soul is neglected. So, we go about our lives trying to protect and cherish the human body at the expense of neglecting the soul. What, after all, is life all about? If it is a matter of keeping human bodies safe from harm, we might as well create a political order out of the mold of Orwell’s 1984. There are much more efficient ways of keeping human bodies from suffering illness or harm. Which is what it seems that the “civilized” West is attempting to do to varying degrees at the outset of the 21st century. The only thing worth dying for is the saving of another person’s physical life.
The consequence of this paradigm extends into every aspect of our lives. Concerned primarily or only with protecting physical human bodies, we may neglect the human soul.
Post-Christian Culture, The Christian Message, and Authority
Much has been made, which I have largely supported, that the message of Christ is more effectively communicated through the medium of the love that non-believers can see in the body of Christ—flawed and sinful followers of Christ learning to love one another and the world. What I’ve recently been confronted with is that while this may be the most attractive medium for the good news of Jesus to be spread, the fact is that the good news is inherently a message involving AUTHORITY.
I’ve come across two articles recently that have made me think more about this (1) an interview with John Stott in Christianity Today’s 50 Year Anniversary issue and (2) an article by Tim Keller called “Destructing Defeater Beliefs”.
Both of these men admit that a community of Christians learning to love well is a critical component for post-modern evangelism:
“People say [its] wonderful [that Christ made the invisible God visible], but that was 2,000 years ago. So in 1 John 4:12, he begins with exactly the same formula, nobody has ever seen God. But here John goes on, ‘If we love one another, God abides in us.’ The same invisible God who once made himself visible in Jesus now makes himself visible in the Christian community, if we love one another. And all the verbal proclamation of the gospel is of little value unless it is made by a community of love.” John Stott
“Many books on reaching post-moderns today give the impression that people now need virtually no arguments at all. The 'apologetic' is a loving community, or the embodiment of social concern. I couldn't agree more that post-modern people come to Christ through process, through relationships, though mini-decisions, through 'trying Christianity on'.” Tim Keller
However, authority is an issue that cannot be overlooked, and will remain a challenging barrier for all who come to Christ (as it is still for those of us in the “hard knocks” school of walking with Christ). In other words, even though authentic Christian community marked by love can be attractive to people, any who claims to follow this Savior, the Lamb who was slain, will ultimately run up against the
rock hard wall of the Lion of David demanding their allegiance. The Christian life is not only entrance into an embracing, empathetic, and forgiving community, but a vow of allegiance to a very unpredictable (from our point of view) Absolute Sovereign, a King who demands that we sign every asset we think we own, including our time, money, future, etc., over to Him.
When I teach my students about Political Philosophy, I point out to them that there are fundamentally two kinds of political philosophers. Those who believe that there is a Truth that governs the universe, to which we would do well to pay attention when we structure our political societies and those who discard such a possibility. From the latter perspective, the former is a closed view of the universe while theirs is an open one.
Essentially what is being said by thinkers like Nietzsche, Foucault and others, is that we humans should not confine ourselves within an unchanging view of the universe, but pursue infinite possibilities with our creative talents. While this sounds quite liberating, if there is a Truth in the universe, it is quite foolish. Perhaps it is appealing just because of our inherent desire to avoid the issue of Authority “like the plague”. It provides people with a very attractive and seemingly reasonable approach to life. It seems a compelling rationale for discarding the older, worn out, and oppressive views of the past (i.e., Christianity).
For people living with such post-Christian views, a genuinely caring community of Christians can be attractive. After all, as a liberated individual, I do not have to buy into all the non-sense about “Christ is the ONLY way” to appreciate the wisdom of Jesus’ teachings and enjoy the camaraderie of Christian community. But, at some point, if I am truly to walk with Christ, I will have to face the reality that this faith is not merely a place to belong, like finding my own version of the TV show “Friends”. In other words, I cannot become a Christian on my own terms. Jesus leaves no such option available. As Keller discusses, I am not the Authority the defines my faith, rather, Christ will demand that He is the Authority that defines my faith:
“What then of the claim that 'post-modern people don't want arguments – they just want to see if it works for them'? All right – as with any form of contextualization, let us as evangelists enter – adapt partially – to the culture of expressive individualism. Let us show them the reality of changed lives. Let us use narratives rather than long strings of logic. But at some point you must also challenge the sovereignty of individual consciousness. Jesus is Lord, not my personal consciousness. At some point, the idea that "it is true if and only if it works for me" must be challenged.” Tim Keller
This is not only true for those examining the Christian message. We too, as followers of Christ, must recognize that it is far too easy to fall into the trap that we define our own personal version of Christianity. Jesus will consistently confront us when we do so, if we are paying attention, and will consistently demand our allegiance. What we must remember, however, is that while our Savior is an “untame Lion” who does not fall under our control nor always lead us on easy paths, He is good...
I’ve come across two articles recently that have made me think more about this (1) an interview with John Stott in Christianity Today’s 50 Year Anniversary issue and (2) an article by Tim Keller called “Destructing Defeater Beliefs”.
Both of these men admit that a community of Christians learning to love well is a critical component for post-modern evangelism:
“People say [its] wonderful [that Christ made the invisible God visible], but that was 2,000 years ago. So in 1 John 4:12, he begins with exactly the same formula, nobody has ever seen God. But here John goes on, ‘If we love one another, God abides in us.’ The same invisible God who once made himself visible in Jesus now makes himself visible in the Christian community, if we love one another. And all the verbal proclamation of the gospel is of little value unless it is made by a community of love.” John Stott
“Many books on reaching post-moderns today give the impression that people now need virtually no arguments at all. The 'apologetic' is a loving community, or the embodiment of social concern. I couldn't agree more that post-modern people come to Christ through process, through relationships, though mini-decisions, through 'trying Christianity on'.” Tim Keller
However, authority is an issue that cannot be overlooked, and will remain a challenging barrier for all who come to Christ (as it is still for those of us in the “hard knocks” school of walking with Christ). In other words, even though authentic Christian community marked by love can be attractive to people, any who claims to follow this Savior, the Lamb who was slain, will ultimately run up against the
rock hard wall of the Lion of David demanding their allegiance. The Christian life is not only entrance into an embracing, empathetic, and forgiving community, but a vow of allegiance to a very unpredictable (from our point of view) Absolute Sovereign, a King who demands that we sign every asset we think we own, including our time, money, future, etc., over to Him.
When I teach my students about Political Philosophy, I point out to them that there are fundamentally two kinds of political philosophers. Those who believe that there is a Truth that governs the universe, to which we would do well to pay attention when we structure our political societies and those who discard such a possibility. From the latter perspective, the former is a closed view of the universe while theirs is an open one.
Essentially what is being said by thinkers like Nietzsche, Foucault and others, is that we humans should not confine ourselves within an unchanging view of the universe, but pursue infinite possibilities with our creative talents. While this sounds quite liberating, if there is a Truth in the universe, it is quite foolish. Perhaps it is appealing just because of our inherent desire to avoid the issue of Authority “like the plague”. It provides people with a very attractive and seemingly reasonable approach to life. It seems a compelling rationale for discarding the older, worn out, and oppressive views of the past (i.e., Christianity).
For people living with such post-Christian views, a genuinely caring community of Christians can be attractive. After all, as a liberated individual, I do not have to buy into all the non-sense about “Christ is the ONLY way” to appreciate the wisdom of Jesus’ teachings and enjoy the camaraderie of Christian community. But, at some point, if I am truly to walk with Christ, I will have to face the reality that this faith is not merely a place to belong, like finding my own version of the TV show “Friends”. In other words, I cannot become a Christian on my own terms. Jesus leaves no such option available. As Keller discusses, I am not the Authority the defines my faith, rather, Christ will demand that He is the Authority that defines my faith:
“What then of the claim that 'post-modern people don't want arguments – they just want to see if it works for them'? All right – as with any form of contextualization, let us as evangelists enter – adapt partially – to the culture of expressive individualism. Let us show them the reality of changed lives. Let us use narratives rather than long strings of logic. But at some point you must also challenge the sovereignty of individual consciousness. Jesus is Lord, not my personal consciousness. At some point, the idea that "it is true if and only if it works for me" must be challenged.” Tim Keller
This is not only true for those examining the Christian message. We too, as followers of Christ, must recognize that it is far too easy to fall into the trap that we define our own personal version of Christianity. Jesus will consistently confront us when we do so, if we are paying attention, and will consistently demand our allegiance. What we must remember, however, is that while our Savior is an “untame Lion” who does not fall under our control nor always lead us on easy paths, He is good...
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