His Life Was The Tragedy

December 20, 2011 in culture with 0 Comments

As many of you are likely aware, Christopher Hitchens recently died, and as one would expect, the mix of thoughts and emotions is rather broad. There’s been no small amount of accolades for and lauding of Hitchens and a good deal of mourning and sorrow over his death among Christians. No doubt some of the positive views on Hitchens come from the recognition of his obvious talents. As Ed Feser said:

He was almost always smart, funny, and interesting even when he was wrong.

I think this is just right. He was all those things and, in contrast to the other atheist horsenmen, likable. Unfortunately, his showmanship, bravado, English-accent, and astute observations in some areas of life gave his works and writings on all things metaphysical and religious, an undeserved reputation as an authority figure. Frankly, he really had no standing on which to argue as he did. As Feser continues:

[On religion, Hitchens] was a complete bore and an insufferable hack… Religion is the last subject about which to have a tin ear or a closed mind, and Hitchens had both.

Because people have already said so much and so well, I think I’ll be better served to just allow the others that have already said anything I might. I will say this however: Hitchens’s death was not a tragedy. The same thing said back when Michael Jackson died is applicable here, too: His life was the tragedy.

This was a man with such a mind, such gifts of communication and oratory, such a position to influence and affect so many people, yet used his gifts to slander, shock, belittle, and mock good people—a man that used all his talents to ultimately stand with a clenched fist at the God that gave him such things (a God whom he both disbelieved in and yet still hated)—was not a man whom one would hope to emulate, and certainly was not a man we should praise. His was a life poorly lived, and on his death, we should lament his lifelong rejection of the only hope one has in this life or the next: Jesus Christ.

Also read the thoughts by:
Doug Wilson
Peter Hitchens

Personal Happiness Is Not a Reason to Convert

November 29, 2011 in rants with 1 Comment

I’ve listened to a lot of personal testimonies from Christians and I’ve noticed a very trend that I find quite disheartening. Let me just get this out of the way up front: I don’t think that a person’s changed life is either evidence that Christianity is true and further, I think often we Christians are, in giving our personal testimonies (the way we normally give them), professing something other than the Gospel.

That I have a conviction about my faith isn’t evidence that it’s true, and that I may or not behave better because of my faith is not either. At best, this argues for pluralism, for any of us that’s talked with their local LDS missionaries knows, each one has a testimony, and often quite sincere and heartfelt. What’s more, the LDS missionaries seem much more committed to their faith, at least in the willingness to evangelize and make personal sacrifices than a lot of evangelical Christendom. If we’re going to compare personal right-living, a lot of us are going to lose that fight.

But this isn’t the worst of it. The worst of it is that our testimony to unbelievers is often this:

I used to live like garbage. I used to ____, _____, _____, and especially _______. Now I do not. Sure, Im not perfect, but I am better and happier than I was back then. And you can have this, too!

But again, lots of religions offer this changed life. Even worse though, is that this is not what someone should become a Christian. Happiness, contentment, etcetera, are not reasons to convert to Christianity. Despite what the 700 club might had you believe, genuine conviction often (not always, but often) makes one’s life harder, it makes it worse, it makes it less happy.

You do realize we have a whole book dedicated to lamenting, right? This whole, “Hey, it’s worked for me, it can work for you too!” is nothing better than the pop-wanna-be “Your best smile now” Christianity. Frankly, it’s a lie. It won’t work for some people.

The only reason to become a Christian is because it’s true, because Jesus really did rise from the dead, leaving behind him an empty tomb, taking on himself the punishment due others that they might have life. It’s not about us.

Giving Thanks in Good Times and Bad

November 22, 2011 in Gospel with 0 Comments

In 1871, Horatio Spafford’s only son died of scarlet fever. In 1872, the great Chicago Fire destroyed all ofthe real estate Horatio had invested in. Horatio’s family was friends with the prominent evanglelist, D. L. Moody, who was in England at the time. In light of the multiple hardships faced by his family, Horatio decided for his familiy to holiday in England, where also they would join with Moody and offer him help.

Before the family was to set sail, urgent business arose and Horatio had to delay his departure, but instead sent his family on and he would meet them when he could. So Anna, his wife, and his four daughters set out on their voyage across the Atlantic.

Nine days later, Horatio received a telegram from Anna who had arrived in Wales. It read, “Saved alone.” On November second, their ship had colided with another, sinking in a mere 12 minutes. Anna stood on the deck with her daughters at her side, where one by one they were ripped from her side by the rushing water. She alone was saved as a floating plank propped up her unconscious body.

On hearing the news, Horatio boarded the next ship bound for England. While sailing, the captain alerted Horatio, noting to him as they passed the place where his four daughters were drowned. He returned to his cabin and wrote the following hymn,1

It Is Well With my Soul When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul. It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

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September 28, 2011 in abortion, apologetics, culture, Gospel with 0 Comments

No comments on this other than it’s worth your time more than is Dancing with the Stars.

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