Kaleidoscopes and Dark Men

by: MS Quixote - October 6th, 2009   Filed under: Philosophy 6 Comments

Those born into the digital age may wish to learn about kaleidoscopes before proceeding…

There’s something about the image of a kaleidoscope that intrigues me. It’s not what I see in the kaleidoscope; it’s the kaleidoscope-ness that captivates me. It has ever since I heard of the girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

I believe I utilized kaleidoscope imagery in The Dark Man. It was extremely brief, maybe just a quick reference or word picture, but I could not resist the pull of the image, if only for a moment. Look for it, keep an eye out for it, and if you haven’t read The Dark Man, go to Amazon and order it. You’ll be happy you did…oh yeah, my publisher will admonish me if I neglect to mention that The Dark Man features attack gunship helicopters and loads of action in addition to its deep theological themes and kaleidoscope-like imagery.

The Kaleidoscope image fascinates me because of its total and continuous becoming, given that someone continues to turn it, of course. This shifting, this morphing, this you never step into the same river twice: it’s contingency at large and on the move. It has little or nothing to do with the colors involved. It’s the shape shifting, the image of a world with constant blending of substances and their properties into new substances and properties that give way to yet more S & P.

In case I’ve lost you, let me shout real loud: ATTACK GUNSHIP HELICOPTERS & ACTION. Okay, now that you’re interested again, let me approach my point. If you stare into a kaleidoscope long enough, you can forget that you’re actually turning the lens that changes the colors. When this occurs, there’s a point in time where, unconsciously, your mind has lost the sense that all is not becoming. Under the entrancement of the colors, your mind may forget that there’s someone–in this case yourself–turning the kaleidoscope.

We’ve all had similar experiences: the movie that was so good we forgot where we were, the sunset we got caught up in, the musical score that transported us to another place. Sometimes, and most of them are good times, we forget that we are conscious.

The kaleidoscope phenomenon is a forced, or enticed, event that mirrors our greater lives. I would argue that a substantial portion of our waking life is spent in this conscious yet unconscious state. We are caught up in the hue and cry of life, or the doldrums of life, and forget that we are actually thinking, conscious beings. In effect, we forget to think that we are thinking.

Have you ever asked yourself why something exists rather than nothing? Try it again if you have, or for the first time if you have not. Very quickly, you’ll notice that all of a sudden you are thinking of your own existence, as well as the existence of everything else. It’s a staggering thought with miles of untrod, virgin ground; yet I ask you to think of it now as a reminder of just how often you don’t think of it. Mostly, we spend our lives lapsed in a state of unconscious, assumed existence, as if we were entranced by a kaleidoscope.

Through the kaleidoscope of the natural world, we observe constantly changing frames and colors: the sunsets, the stars, the full moons, the forests, the events of our lives, the pain of injury, and the love of friends. And, no doubt, all these things we see are in a state of becoming. The flowers fade, the grass withers, we grow old, and those yet to come are born. But how often do we forget that the colors of the kaleidoscope are not all there is?

Most importantly, when we are entranced, we forget that someone is turning the kaleidoscope. Our lives can lull us into the false perception that all is becoming–that there is no being–that this world of becoming is all there is. In this, we are but dark men traversing a dark world, oblivious to the light that shines through the pane of the kaleidoscope. The world around us is indeed turning, but it does not turn of its own accord or power. There is indeed someone with His hands on the kaleidoscope of the world. He is the one that is not becoming, but Being.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

A tribute in honor of Swamp Mutha

by: MS Quixote - October 1st, 2009   Filed under: Discussion 7 Comments

The raven has entered the Areopagus. He came a rapping on my chamber door yesterday, and has perched upon a bust of Elvis atop my bookcase.

One of my very best friends died yesterday. Not an acquaintance, not a friend loitering in the narthex of my life, not even one in my inner circle, but one of my most trusted, beloved, and truest friends and confidants; a core friend, you might say. I received the news late upon arriving home. It was unexpected, yet expected. I had visited her at the hospital a couple of times this past year. We were hoping that her condition would improve–and it seemed it just might–but the bad news came just the same yesterday.

How do you avoid cliches at times such as these? I trust Christine Clements as much as I trust my own kin. She’s the most loyal person I have ever met in my life, unfailingly caring, and intrepid in her defense of those she loved. I count myself lucky to have been one of those folk. We hired her at Marc Schooley Motor Company off the street as a complete stranger, just in town from out of state. Though she had difficulty turning a computer on, she soon proved to be a woman of great resourcefulness. BTW-if ever at a loss for words in a job interview, invoke the Chris system: tell your potential hiring manager he’s got balls of steel. It might just work for you 🙂 It did for Chris.

Though she may have seemed a flight risk, within just a short period of time we were trusting her with staggering amounts of bank deposits…she was just that trustworthy. It seems silly, but you could just tell she was right. There never was any question about it, and she always came through.

Now, she had this uncanny ability to say and do whatever she felt like, and get away with it. In fact, in my forty years of knowing the Schooner, no one had ever gotten away with nicknaming him with reference to his size. Yet I can still hear Chris’s voice–yes, it could be rather loud–blaring out “where’s the big ‘un?” In fact, she called him big ‘un in front of 500 people once at church, and somehow it was fitting and appropriate. Fittingly, when the schooner passed away two years ago, there was an odd flower arrangement–the best I can remember it was the biggest as well–which simply said: Elvis has left the building. That was Chris.

I could bore you to tears with unending Chris stories–like the time she showed up at the lot decked out in her best red dress and we didn’t remember it was her birthday until 3 PM. We snuck out the back when she wasn’t looking, went to the store and got gifts, and returned and surprised her on her birthday (bet you didn’t know that one, Chris)–or how she used to leave the intercom on between offices and trick all the wholesalers and other car dealers into talking bad about us over the airwaves–or how she used to beat the Schooner at trivial pursuit–but I won’t. I can’t do the stories the justice they deserve.

What I will tell you, then, is what she was like. I realize people get this way when they’ve lost a friend; however, in this case they’re actually true:

When Chris decided on something, there was no stopping it. When Chris decided she liked you, it was a good thing, but if she decided she loved you, her life was given over in loyalty. She was tougher than any man I’ve ever met in her own way. She could bear multiple, incredible real-life burdens like no one I’ve ever met. She sacrificed herself for those she loved. Incredible, really, and extremely rare.

And what a presence. If you go to New Orleans and turn south, and continue on until you run into the Gulf of Mexico, somewhere in that general vicinity is where Chris came from. She was swamp mutha through and through, and literally could take over a room.

Now, Chris wasn’t perfect. She dragged a past with her to Texas, and owned up to every bit of it. In many ways, she was proud of it. And here is where this tale begins, really. Marc Schooley Motor Company was a bit of a missionary outlet, believe it or not (yes, I can hear the jokes). Chris made no bones, obviously, if you’ve read this far, about her feelings toward the church. But a truly amazing thing happened along the way…

I’m sometimes asked why I’m a Calvinist. It’s the biblical data that does it for me, but added to that are real-world observances. Thing is, I’ve seen too many miracles not to be. Chris came to a vibrant faith in the Lord years before her passing yesterday. Dare I say it–like you can stop me at this moment, Christine :)–she became a church lady. Grace is nothing short of a miracle. I saw it in the Schooner’s life, I saw it in Shema’s life, I saw it clearest of all in my own life, and, I saw it in Chris’s life. None of the four of us would have ever come to faith in Christ without a miracle–one that is entirely alien to ourselves. Forget the twenty-foot high stacks of crutches; salvation is a bona fide miracle. And it happened to Chris.

So, now, I’m having a little trouble grieving, because all I can think about is the look on the Schooner’s face in heaven when he hears Chris’ voice behind him in that loud tone of hers: I’m here Big ‘un!

So, yes, the raven came a rapping and sat upon the bust of Elvis upon my bookcase. But, the thing is, the bird can’t say nevermore. I mean, it tried, I suppose, but it really has nothing to say to me. You see: THERE IS BALM IN GILEAD, AND I KNOW IT. My friend is with my father in heaven, perhaps beating him at trivial pursuit, but more likely up to something much, much better.

In fact, now that I look more closely, it’s not a raven at all perched upon the bust of Elvis above my bookcase. It might just be a dove, and it just seems like it’s singing a new tune:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Love you guys…

I did the best I could, Chris…hope it’s good enough.

2 Peter 3:9

by: Marc Schooley - October 1st, 2009   Filed under: Discussion 38 Comments

An inveterate list-maker Quixote is. He’s proposed a new list: the top-ten list of most frequently misinterpreted Bible verses. This is a work-in-progress, and all are encouraged to submit their candidates; supporting rationale and justification is optional, but correct identification of the interpretational or hermeneutic error involved in the misinterpretation garners extra logic and style points for your entry(s). As a point of order, it might be acceptable to propose a Scriptural passage in lieu of a singe verse, if several commonly misinterpreted verses are linked together in a manner whereby they cannot be segregated, or if the misinterpretation requires several verses. Combining isolated verses to convey a systematic misinterpretation, however, is unacceptable for the purposes of this list.

Quixote’s first entry, and this in no way suggests this entry should or will be ranked number one, or even make the list, I suppose, is one of the most commonly cited verses in the New Testament: 2 Peter 3:9…

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. KJV

Interpretational error category: context

Beware of citing biblical verses out of context. A verse on its lonesome may be equivocated faster than you can say good. OK, well, the logicians are laughing, anyway…The primary reason this verse is cited with such frequency is its seeming disagreement with unconditional election, the Reformed doctrine that God has elected some but not all to salvation based solely on the purpose and pleasure of His good will. Nonetheless, what does this verse teach?

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. What promise? Without context, we may simply engorge the word promise with any meaning we so desire.  Fortunately, Peter did not leave us to wonder or surmise. In fact, he defines precisely what he means by promise in the opening verses of his epistle:

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  2 Pet 1:3-4

But who are the we and us in the above verses that God has promised? Again, Peter does not leave us to question the identity of those God has promised: Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Pet 1:1. Thus, it is those who have received a precious faith through the righteousness of Jesus Christ who have received the promise of God. Indeed, 2 Pet 1:1 makes it exceedingly clear that 2 Peter was written to Christians–those with faith–and not the world. This becomes redundantly obvious as we track through the epistle:

8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Pet 1:8

10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 2 Pet 1:10-12

16We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Pet 1:16

19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 2 Pet 1:19-20

1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. 2 Pet 2:1

3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. 2 Pet 2:3

1Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you [Note: the first epistle of Peter was addressed to God’s elect]. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 2 Pet 3:1-3

As if this were not clear enough, note the contrast between the saved and lost in 2 Peter. I apologize for length, but it fully captures the contrast, and, after all, it is the Bible, which we’re supposed to enjoy:

1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; 5if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. 10This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.

Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; 11yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. 12But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.

 13They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. 14With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! 15They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

17These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 20If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” 2 Pet 2

3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 2 Pet 3: 3-7

Could there be a clearer dichotomy between the saved and lost in this epistle? Now, Peter proceeds directly to 2 Pet 3:8-9:

8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

If you’ve made it this far, here’s the question: who does Peter refer to as beloved and us-ward in these two verses? In the context of the epistle, it’s a rhetorical question. He’s referring to the saved, to those who have the great and precious promises of God. Next question, equally rhetorical in context: who are the any and all in verse 9? It’s certainly not the ungodly men of verse seven for whom the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire and judgment. It can only be Peter’s audience; those to whom he addressed both of his epistles: the elect of God, those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours. Any other reading is fatal to the understanding of not only this verse, but the entire epistle.

What is God saying to His elect, then? Ironically, 2 Pet 3:9, understood properly, is one of the strongest passages in the Bible arguing for perseverance of the saints. God is not willing that any [of you] should perish, but that all [of you] should come to repentance. Please don’t think I’m adding words to the biblical text. Something has to be incorporated to complete the thought, and, in context, it must be Peter’s audience. What else would we put? Any what? All what? God is not willing that any [ungodly men] should perish, but that all [dogs that return to their vomit] should come to repentance?  The context and contrast preclude this interpretation. Be sure to grasp the contrast…here it is again: 9if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.

Hence, what a wonderful and reassuring verse for those who love, and are loved by, God. There’s one last detail that sweetens the verse immeasurably. Those who misinterpret this verse are forced to conclude that the willing mentioned in verse nine must be God’s permissive or preceptive will. These wills of God, as in the ten commandments, may be disobeyed. Thus, 2 Pet 3:9, in this sense, describes a God who desires everyone to be saved, but does not ensure that anyone will be saved, perhaps, to some, even at times losing those He attempts to save. But given our preferred interpretation, it’s actually God’s decretive will Peter describes in 2 Pet 3:9–as in let there be light.

Read the verse once more, Christian, knowing that it is you God has in mind, and that He wills your salvation as certainly as He decreed let there be light:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Amen.