Christian epistuh--WHAT? part three

I know epistemology ain't a regular, every-day word, but it says exactly what I need to say about Christianity in this train of thought. More on that a little later.

epistemology = a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/epistemology

Consider also the following scripture reference, and I hope this all comes together for you like it came together for me sitting in that classroom nearly a decade ago:

1Jo 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. NASB

Everything wrong in the hearts and minds of men is a result of the fall. Let's be more specific:

• What we desire related to our bodies -- lust of the flesh
• What we view (symbolism in images) -- lust of the eyes
• What we do with our intellect -- the boastful pride of life

We are triune beings, a composite of body, heart, and mind. Semantic baggage we will have to sort through in some other post is the piece of us some call heart, some call soul, some call psyche, and some call spirit. I am using the term heart purposely to enable the inclusion of the word imagination separated from the intellect.

Humans are corrupted in all three parts of our being.

Our bodies and every decision we make motivated by providing the body security, comfort and pleasure is affected by the lust of the flesh. Our imagination that allows us to conceptualize abstractly and see meanings behind the material world is corrupted by the lust of the eyes. (The Cadillac coat-of arms carries a complex set of connotations wholly different from the Volkswagen V over W inside a circle, while both are just an identifying mark on a vehicle. We understand the connotations and connect with them emotionally by a look at the symbol. ) All that we are able to build materially, not just skyscrapers and bridges, but our institutions and social order are corrupted by and are themselves a source of the pride of life.

Sociologists cannot agree on whether or not Conflict Theory (control of resources), Symbolic-interactionism (power of symbols) or Structural-functionalism (social order as a function of institutions) is the unifying theme for society because all three exist together. I submit each of these organizing matrices can be identified in society because each is a function of one of the three parts of humans. Conflict Theory deals with issues of resources and wealth because we have physical bodies; Symbolic-interactionism deals with issues springing from our heart and its imaginations; and Structural-functionalism deals with our mental acuity and various applications of the same. We are three-part beings, and we have established a world system that reflects ourselves.

Connecting scripture, real life, and sociology:

lust of the flesh > drives strife over resources > economics develop to manage conflict > Conflict theory develops as explanation of what is observed

lust of the eyes > drives perception of man's cosmic significance > religion develops to assuage the need to know/understand significance > Symbolic-interactionism develops as an explanation of what is observed

pride of life > drives man's ego to achieve his own significance > societal institutions such as republicanism as an idea for self-government develops in ever widening power and influence to order society and build/sustain human experience; Structural-functionalism develops to explain what is observed

All of what we have done is corrupted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. All that is in the world, is from the world.

Part four will examine the consequence of what I suggest here on the historical diversification of Christianity into sects, our modern day debates about how we interpret Scripture, and thus how we think about God, the Father. Ultimately as mere humans what we believe about the origin, nature, and methods of Christianity is limited by our worldly, corrupted human knowledge of Christianity.

Christian Diversity, Part 2

Christian's diverse thinking goes back deeply into our historical roots, but I'll grab the story with the local thread--the U.S.

The story of the United States begins with the founding of the English colonies of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 and Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. From a sociological perspective, these colonies represent the three major forces which shaped society in the colonies, through to the United States and today shape our world.

The North American colonies of the 17th and 18th centuries are a bridge between monarchism and the rule of democracy across Western cultures, then expanding worldwide during the 20th century. Jamestown was strictly a business venture. Plymouth was a religious freedom movement for the Pilgrims, and a political exercise as the group sought an opportunity to pursue the rights of man distanced from the power of the English crown. Within just a span of thirteen years, the colonies had created the opportunity for three groups of thinker/adventurers to launch concurrent experiments in sociological functions. Jamestown represented capitalism. Plymouth had a dual thrust of religion through its Puritan Christian social order and fledgling republicanism in the Mayflower Compact. Together these two colonies comprised three societal forces that can tear any family apart: money, religion and politics.

These three sociological forces are what ties this post to the last. Sociologists inability to identify a unifying theme for social order is because they have identified three main theories and debate rages over which is "the one". These three main theories are Conflict Theory, Symbolic-interactionism and Structural-functionalism. I suggest the three theories together represent a three-footed basis of human interaction. The colonial experiment illustrates these three forces and identifies sociologists' elusive unifying theme, not one theory but all three exerting influence simultaneously, a braided rope on which society hangs.

Conflict Theory states that conflict between have's and have-not's is the key that turns society. What causes this conflict? It boils down to who controls the land and the women who go with the land. Women represent men's ability to extend control of land across generations through an established lineage. Land is wealth. Men fight over it. Once a group establishes itself as in-power, the marginalized workers struggle for ascendancy and this shapes society. The capitalism of the US and now the world at large is typified by Jamestown and representative of Conflict Theory. Follow the development of Jamestown across the centuries until one examines the World Bank: do the have's join together to reach out to the have-not's of the developing world for altruistic reasons or to insure that developing-world instability does not disrupt the wealth and power of those in control? Either way, conflict between have's and have-not's is a major sociological function in today's world.

Symbolic-interaction Theory is about the power of symbols to motivate people to action. Consider the Cross of Christianity, the Crescent of Islam, the Menorah of Judaism, the pervasive designer symbols of Madison Ave. and the power of the American flag to bring tears, cheers and rants. The Plymouth connection to this theory seems fairly obvious.

Structural-functionalism Theory is about human ability to establish institutions with an order of purpose, policy, and procedure to insure societal functioning. Republicanism in the colonies was the next wave carrying the political ship of state from monarchism into democracy, such as it is. Political demarcation and compromise remains a major component of most governments in this modern world.

Next, I will connect modern sociological theories to a basic premise of Christian epistemology.

Why Christianity is so Diverse, edited from an earlier post, Oct. 25, 2007

Those who claim Christ as Savior express a wide set of opinions on a varied set of topics. I became acutely aware of this after I left organized religion. I fully believed at one time the true Christian looked, spoke and believed similarly to me, regardless of his or her particular stream. The "true" Christian was "sold out to Jesus", full of the Holy Spirit, someone dedicated to all things Christian and exhibited strong character as a result.

Once I had left the organized church, I told myself I wanted to think again. I had allowed myself to think only what I had been told was safe to think for too long. Eighteen years to be exact, twelve of these as an elder. (This is not intended to suggest that organized religion does this routinely. It is simply what I experienced.) I began to read and often from what before had been labeled by my teachers and spiritual leaders as inappropriate theology. Since I no longer recognized their authority over what and what not to read, I read widely, literally across a breadth of Christian exposition.

I discovered the parameters of a significant diversity of "Christian" opinion were much larger than I had supposed. I simply wanted to know, "What is right belief?"

It actually came together for me in a secular, graduate sociology course. Much of current Christian theology seems intended to make the world a better place.

Beginning in the middle:
Sociology is a modern, established scientific discipline in disarray. Some would even say that it is not even truly a science, though a degree in sociology is a bachelor's degree in science. Many colleges have even begun to dismantle their sociology departments. As reported to me then in 2002, the problem is that sociologists cannot agree on a unifying sociological theory for why society functions as it does. I think I know why; and the answer explains, in part, the great diversity of Christian opinion about what Christianity should be.

Been Reading 1 Peter

Chapter 2

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

Crazy, busy time of year...
just normal but a maddening pace.
Working on the set for the spring musical,
still grading papers and can't move any of these grades to the next grading period--there is none! Extra meetings, extra paper work, extra chores every where I look.

Spring's a poppin', grass is growin' and many woody shrubs need trimmin'--
friend gave me bulbs to plant and these ain't planted yet
worked veggie beds have no plants yet either

tree down in the yard
most of the branches cut, the trunk waits for some of my attention, too
you, Dear Reader, remain neglected
while I stab at a thousand other things around me to do

and, "Yes," sometimes I sit and pray and meditate on the goodness, wonder, beauty, holiness...
the pure depths of the Father

She Taught My Class about Nietzsche and I Agreed.

The wisp of a young lady with mild voice to match was in odd juxtaposition to a quote from Friedrich Nietzsche on the screen behind her. Mild and tender she stood, representing democracy, affluence, and higher education while utilizing the voice of one whose philosophy and impact stood against all she represented. I doubt my eighth graders could even have adequately had explained to them the dark absurdity of the moment that I felt. From an educational standpoint, this moment was more important for the intern than my students. She was visiting from a local university and meeting the expectations of her curriculum by being a guest teacher in my class. My students would need a bit more education for the proper digesting of the many connections I was making in this moment.

As I read the quote on the screen with my students, (No I had not pre-screened what she would do with my class, but that is another story.) I immediately recognized the "truth" of his words. A "truth" through which the sin of man across time and with expanding consequence today I observe inflicts much, much pain upon humans.

From the Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy,
"Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) was a German philosopher of the late 19th century who challenged the foundations of Christianity and traditional morality. He was interested in the enhancement of individual and cultural health, and believed in life, creativity, power, and the realities of the world we live in, rather than those situated in a world beyond. Central to his philosophy is the idea of “life-affirmation,” which involves an honest questioning of all doctrines that drain life's expansive energies, however socially prevalent those views might be. Often referred to as one of the first existentialist philosophers along with Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855), Nietzsche's revitalizing philosophy has inspired leading figures in all walks of cultural life, including dancers, poets, novelists, painters, psychologists, philosophers, sociologists and social revolutionaries." http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/nietzsche/

However, the significant connection made does not lead to a rant against Nietzsche over his "immoral" view. I found myself understanding how he agrees with our Father! In the beginning, humanity was told not to eat from the Tree of Good and Evil. Nietzsche's existentialism is the seminal idea and function of the Great Lie of Satan, "you will be like God". This lie is the root of our Father's admonition to leave moralizing alone, don't eat that fruit! There can be no human way which is right--even those ways labeled "Christian," resulting in at least 30,000 denominations worldwide or Christianity, Burger King style, have it your way.

Of course, Nietzsche thinks and expounds from within his box of existentialism. His quote itself says it, "I have my way." He views the world and speaks of truth by defining from within his limits. Though he accurately defines, perhaps, a human position that explains "reality," it is simply as far as he can see--and he doesn't look far enough.

Mr. Nietzsche, you are correct, there is no "correct way" of anything. There is, however, a humanity that exists on a different plane. It is a plane determined by the Father, the Creator God, of what we see around us materially, but such plane as leveled within completely different parameters than the material world, for which our best word is spiritual. This spiritual plane is the absolute Truth about humanity...and more beyond. The cross from a limited view within the material plane to a timeless, spiritual plane is the Cross of Jesus. While we remain here in the material, any human has the opportunity to experience the reality of this spiritual plane, but it isn't done by acts for right or against wrong. Such is the fodder of the moralist to be sure and of the existentialist such as yourself, as well.

The attempt to make life right or wrong within a Christian viewpoint has resulted in a fragmented experience that seems to verify what you postulate, Mr. Nietzsche, but that simply underscores what is truly needed. I will allow you this, Sir, Christianity reduces itself to existentialism when it adopts a knowledge base formed from the need to define good and evil-- eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, eh?

The substance of Christianity isn't moral-ism, but to simply know Jesus is the way. This way of being is neither right nor wrong. It transcends such materialism and is the spiritual plane of holiness, the very Presence of God, Himself.

Musing #11020320

Harvey stirred in his sleep, rose from the sheets and grabbed the power cord to the alarm clock. Yanking it from the wall, he tipped like a felled tree back into bed. His eyelids fluttered but never lifted. The turned-off logic of the sleep-walker placed his left hand on the dead clock. He patted in satisfaction. Dust stirred, now wafted in the quiet through the hair on the back of his hand.

Harvey's index finger flapped repeatedly against the alarm set button, as if demanding the clock be ready. An unjustified satisfaction that the alarm would roust him in time for work cut off his dreaming. The finger spasm ebbed in a mellowing sleep pattern triggered within the the abyssal brain. The poor man was incognizant his human itching for no limits on desire had scratched his responsibly intended arrival at work.

I wonder how long we Christians will view worship as taking place in the presence of symbols (talismans?), which we label beautiful reminders or ascribe as bearing comfort. How long will we be devoted to our traditions, these forms developed across centuries; and by which, we inculcate every next generation? Forms often identified as expected to help us feel and/or enter the Presence of God. Are the symbols justified?

How long will we allow ourselves to sleep-walk within religion but remain disconnected from the power? Adam communed with the Father. Jesus, the second Adam, has restored the communion. He prayed for you and me to be joined with God.

Do I consider myself as more awake than you? Does this post spring from a self-righteous need to fix you? No. Just yesterday, the Lord convicted me in the revelation of yet one more place in my heart where some idol of me was more important than Him.

I continue the journey to simply know His Presence trusting in the righteousness of Christ and His work on the cross. Nothing on earth helps me into the Presence of God. The Father has established the communion between us by His grace. I hope for you to be fully awake to this spiritual reality.