Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Is Europe so Liberal?
Europe is debating placing in its constitution special protection for its "Christian tradition." It has reacted very strongly to the influx of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and South American immigrants. Just this week a new proposal has been introduced to campaign against the flood of immigration. This is a very conservative value. In fact, it sounds like the current debate in the USA over immigration.
I want to make some things very clear. I am not a liberal. I am just skeptical of certain attitudes in conservative circles. I want people to follow the law. I also think that the law needs to be simplified. In both the USA and the EU, I sense a bit of a fear for a loss of identity. The fact is that that identity only existed in theory anyway. The traditions only came over long periods of time and great changes spanning generations. This is not a question of protecting a tradition, but a question of an insecurity in an insecure world.
This comes from a basic misunderstanding of what truth is. The truth is true, not because we defend it, or make laws about it, or fight wars, or establish it by winning debates. The truth is true because God declares it to be true. No matter what happens or changes, I can be confident that God will do what He says He will do.
Right now, the world is especially afraid of people certain of their beliefs. The big lie is that faith is certain ignorance that drives men to destroy other people's lives. Paul was accused of turning the world upside down, but he never was violent after his conversion. He never encouraged violence after his conversion. On the contrary, he was persecuted for his claims, not his acts. This is true of all the great New Testament theologians. Biblical Christianity is the safest theology from this standpoint. It does not exist to conquer earthly kingdoms. Christians are merely called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the most remote parts of the earth.
I am so certain of my beliefs, that I am willing to debate them with anyone at any time (the old always ready idea). This is not the highest level of security. I am so certain of my beliefs that I do not need to force others by law, war, terrorism, or whatever. They have to answer to God themselves. This is the highest level of security. We just need to keep speaking the truth in love. I could try to come out in favor or opposition to some immigration policy here in Europe or in the USA. What I find interesting is that the idea of conserving traditions very strong. It is not liberal thought, and it is a mark of a very insecure people.
I want to make some things very clear. I am not a liberal. I am just skeptical of certain attitudes in conservative circles. I want people to follow the law. I also think that the law needs to be simplified. In both the USA and the EU, I sense a bit of a fear for a loss of identity. The fact is that that identity only existed in theory anyway. The traditions only came over long periods of time and great changes spanning generations. This is not a question of protecting a tradition, but a question of an insecurity in an insecure world.
This comes from a basic misunderstanding of what truth is. The truth is true, not because we defend it, or make laws about it, or fight wars, or establish it by winning debates. The truth is true because God declares it to be true. No matter what happens or changes, I can be confident that God will do what He says He will do.
Right now, the world is especially afraid of people certain of their beliefs. The big lie is that faith is certain ignorance that drives men to destroy other people's lives. Paul was accused of turning the world upside down, but he never was violent after his conversion. He never encouraged violence after his conversion. On the contrary, he was persecuted for his claims, not his acts. This is true of all the great New Testament theologians. Biblical Christianity is the safest theology from this standpoint. It does not exist to conquer earthly kingdoms. Christians are merely called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the most remote parts of the earth.
I am so certain of my beliefs, that I am willing to debate them with anyone at any time (the old always ready idea). This is not the highest level of security. I am so certain of my beliefs that I do not need to force others by law, war, terrorism, or whatever. They have to answer to God themselves. This is the highest level of security. We just need to keep speaking the truth in love. I could try to come out in favor or opposition to some immigration policy here in Europe or in the USA. What I find interesting is that the idea of conserving traditions very strong. It is not liberal thought, and it is a mark of a very insecure people.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Personal News
The last week passed with a lot of rain. On Saturday, I went exploring on another side of town. It was very beautiful, but the hills made the walk pretty tough.
I observed a few interesting cultural items. First, as the season of Páscoa has started, the stores filled with huge piles of candy and chocolate eggs. It is not traditional to have egg hunts for the children, but the eggs aredefinitelyy part of the culture. Last Sunday, being Palm Sunday, the Catholic Church was packed with people when I passed it. (They must be CEO--Christmas, Easter, Obituary--Catholics mostly.) I noticed that nearly all of the people had bundles of what I judged to be small palm branches. I was on my way somewhere else, so I did not stop to observe. I feel a little strange staring and taking pictures anyway. Though they are different, they are people not landscape. Finally, the biggest news of the weekend was the Super Liga. The top two teams faced off in a pretty good game. It was interesting to note that the sport may change, but society still loves its spectaculars. With major elections in Italy, protests in France, floods in Eastern Europe, tornados in the USA, wars in the Middle East, and debates over the direction of the government here in Portugal, it all gave way to the discussion of what will happen to the standings after a weekend of futebol. I was reminded of how that happens also in the USA with our sports.
Please pray for me to keep my focus on study, even during this week off of classes.
Please pray for the Mozambique field as they continue to face the challenges of the new field.
Please pray for the Rodgers, a family here, that is headed to Mozambique in about a week.
I observed a few interesting cultural items. First, as the season of Páscoa has started, the stores filled with huge piles of candy and chocolate eggs. It is not traditional to have egg hunts for the children, but the eggs aredefinitelyy part of the culture. Last Sunday, being Palm Sunday, the Catholic Church was packed with people when I passed it. (They must be CEO--Christmas, Easter, Obituary--Catholics mostly.) I noticed that nearly all of the people had bundles of what I judged to be small palm branches. I was on my way somewhere else, so I did not stop to observe. I feel a little strange staring and taking pictures anyway. Though they are different, they are people not landscape. Finally, the biggest news of the weekend was the Super Liga. The top two teams faced off in a pretty good game. It was interesting to note that the sport may change, but society still loves its spectaculars. With major elections in Italy, protests in France, floods in Eastern Europe, tornados in the USA, wars in the Middle East, and debates over the direction of the government here in Portugal, it all gave way to the discussion of what will happen to the standings after a weekend of futebol. I was reminded of how that happens also in the USA with our sports.
Please pray for me to keep my focus on study, even during this week off of classes.
Please pray for the Mozambique field as they continue to face the challenges of the new field.
Please pray for the Rodgers, a family here, that is headed to Mozambique in about a week.
