Crazy Theological Thoughts

The first Hunger Games movie had a simple message of sacrifice. It did a good job of illustrating a sister sacrificing for sister by volunteering. It had the sacrifice of a man in love. Even a little girl willing to sacrifice herself for one who had helped her and shown her love. It even had two people willing to die together to save each other.  This new movie does not have the sacrifice theme as obvious. Because it is hidden beside tones of rebellion. People willing to follow someone's symbol of Hope, even if it means there own death. People willing to show public disrespect to their government. A black man being publicly executed. A white young man being flogged for trying to help others. Tributes requesting people to see them as a symbol of Hope for something better. Catching fire still gives us sacrifice, as tributes are willing to save their chosen one. But ultimately the light of Heaven shines down on one individuals sacrifice to reveal the truth of these games. She brings t...

Many people talk about the importance of extracurricular activities. People especially talk about the life lessons of sports. I believe we teach a lot to our children as they grow up playing sports. We teach them team work. We teach them how to prepare and practice for the many obstacles we may face in our life. We also teach them how to properly bully someone. Sports media and athletes often tell us that you need to man up. You need to keep your mouth shut. You need shake it off. There is even the classic leave it all on the court. It would be great if we did not teach trash talk, excessive celebration, and foul language. Children, athletes, and people need to learn that trash talk is bullying. They also need to learn that cursing at someone is offensive, and improper for any work place (whether on the court, pitch, or field). These lessons will translate in the office, floor, and workplace. Do you want trash talk in the work place? Do you want competition? They seem to be taught hand...

Somebody told me there are people that believe the bible does not talk about Homosexuality? The Bible has this phrase, Sexual immorality all over the place. What does this really mean? Does this mean serial monogamy? Does it mean masturbation? Does it mean any kind of sex? Does it mean oral sex? Does it mean safe sex? That must be it. As long as you practice safe sex then it is not sexual immorality. Because we are not talking about orgies, insest, pedaphilia, or beastiality. Those are obviously Sexual immorality, because they are not conceptual nor safe. What is meant by sexual immorality? Sexual immorality is any sexual activity other than vaginal intercourse with the marriage bed. Can a married couple commit sexual immorality together, Absolutely! I find that this point may be lost on some people. Homosexuality, orgies, masturbation, pedaphilia, beastiality, insest, pornography, anal sex, oral sex, and the like are all sexual immorality. These are all lifestyle patterns, which are a...

Bullying is a huge issue. People talk about bullying in the work place. Other people call it hazing. But I call it very simple interaction with differences. Employers are not allowed to bully their employees. Likewise, employees can not bully one another. Selisiters can still bully customers into buying something they do not want. Likewise, customers can bully employees, and employees are supposed to take it.  I love to watch sports, and I even like to play sports. But I realize that they foster bullying. Whether it is a coach yelling at a player or having them run sprints. There is a fine line between hazing and educating. Players celebrating their victory over another player sometimes called taunting, but other times even in the simplest form is bullying. Finally the gravest is the bullying of Fans. I admit that in the name of being a fan actions toward free throw shooters, players on the court, and even on poster board, I have bullied people. What is said by fans at any of vario...

The origins of the season of Advent are rooted in the parallel between Christmas and Easter. Just as there is a forty day season of Lent which consists of six weeks. The origins of Advent wanted to parallel this concept. We need time of preparation for the Birth of our Lord, just like we need preparation for the death of our Lord. Interesting enough is the fact that there is a season of preparation (advent/lent) season of celebration (Christmas/Easter) and a season after the following significant event (epiphany/Pentecost). They outlines six weeks of Advent. This was latter reduced. Some have argued that it was reduced because of the focus on Christmas being too great. Others argue that the significance of the Advent wreathe and four fold celebration of Hope, peace, joy, and love. Some have desired to bring back the six week Advent. This being time to focus on the preparation for the coming of the Christ child. This would be a time to read through all the Old Testament prophecies conce...

How do you show true praise to someone, or God? Most of us think that we are showing praise by fancy words, expensive gifts, or a sign of humility. But how do we really show praise? How does your computer show praise? You probably never thought about that one. You probably have thought about animals showing praise for one another or even for their owner (or maybe you consider them a part of the family). Animals can show praise for their respective owners by doing what you bought them to do. Some animals we buy to lay eggs, or provide meat; others we purchase so that they will show love to us. Some people, I think, buy animals just for something to take care of. But how about the rest of creation? How does a rock show praise? How does your computer show praise? How does your lawn or plants show praise? They show praise by doing what they were designed to do. A computer that is constantly crashing, is broken and needs to be fixed or replaced. A lawn that is full of weeds, needs to be re-...

There is a pretty complicated question out there, that some people do not know how to answer. Who was Cain's wife? Now many people assume that Cain was sent away before he was married. They also assume that his Father would not allow him to marry one of his own sisters. But the second assumption is much worse than the first. Adam and Eve were the only two people in the beginning. Adam and Eve produced many children. Those children would have married one another and produced more children. All human beings trace their family line back to Noah, and back to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve's children would have married each other. Cain's wife is Abel's sister. There was no other options. Each would produce of the same kind. Therefore, they married each other producing children who would marry each other. This could have continued for several generations marrying there sisters. Especially in the case of Cain, Cain's children would have also had to inter marry. They would have...

Many different views of exist with regards to the Mark of Cain. Some even have proposed the obserd idea that it is the color of ones skin. Some have also perpetuated the idea that the mark of Cain is Evil. Cain does kill his brother in the field. He does carry wickedness in his heart, as he offers sacrifices from his field. But when he recognizes the punishment God has enstore for him. When Cain faces the despair of his own death, he cries to God for mercy. God puts a mark on Cains head. He seals him with a protective mark. I would say the mark of Cain is the mark of Christ. Cain was sealed for redemption. God marks him for salvation from his enemies. God protects him from death, even while the blood of his own brother cries out against him. God has marked each of his people. He sends out his Angels to mark them and protect them from the power of Satan.  The mark of Cain is a mark given for redemption. It is given to save the life of Cain. Likewise, god places the mark of Christ up...

I have been reading about the way Luther would explain deep theological doctrines through story rather than through arguments. In Dr Kolb's book, he references Luther's view of Abel being righteous and not his actions. This reminding me of something else that may be a little crazy. God cleanses his people from all unrighteousness he makes us righteous through the sacrifice of Christ. Likewise, God cleanses your works from unrighteousness. He takes your prideful game, or competitive demolition of your opponent and makes it a righteous or good deed. Just as God would cleanse your body, soul, and spirit, does God really cleanse your deeds? Obviously sex outside of marriage, abortion, murder, and stealing are sinful and unclean. But can God transform your murder, robbery, and sexual activity into something good, righteous and blessed. Don't think too hard.  Sex can produce a beloved child, and bring life into the world. Robbery can help someone appreciate what they have, it can...