Sing Alleluia to God

From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop

(Sermo 256, 1.2.3: PL38, 1191-1193)

 

Let us sing alleluia to the good God who delivers us from evil

 

Let us sing alleluia here on earth, while we still live in anxiety, so that we may sing it one day in heaven in full security. Why do we now live in anxiety? Can you expect me not to feel anxious when I read: Is not man’s life on earth a time of trial? Can you expect me not to feel anxious when the words still ring in my ears: Watch and pray that you will not be put to the test? Can you expect me not to feel anxious when there are so many temptations here below that prayer itself reminds us of them, when we say: Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us? Every day we make our petitions, every day we sin. Do you want me to feel secure when I am daily asking pardon for my sins, and requesting help in time of trial? Because of my past sins I pray: Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and then, because of the perils still before me, I immediately go on to add: Lead us not into temptation. How can all be well with people who are crying out with me: Deliver us from evil? And yet, brothers, while we are still in the midst of this evil, let us sing alleluia to the good God who delivers us from evil.

Even here amidst trials and temptations let us, let all men, sing alleluia. God is faithful, says holy Scripture, and he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength. So let us sing alleluia, even here on earth. Man is still a debtor, but God is faithful. Scripture does not say that he will not allow you to be tried, but that he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength. Whatever the trial, he will see you through it safely, and so enable you to endure. You have entered upon a time of trial but you will come to no harm—God’s help will bring you through it safely. You are like a piece of pottery, shaped by instruction, fired by tribulation. When you are put into the oven therefore, keep your thoughts on the time when you will be taken out again; for God is faithful, and he will guard both your going in and your coming out.

But in the next life, when this body of ours has become immortal and incorruptible, then all trials will be over. Your body is indeed dead, and why? Because of sin. Nevertheless, your spirit lives, because you have been justified. Are we to leave our dead bodies behind then? By no means. Listen to the words of holy Scripture: If the Spirit of him who raised Christ from the dead dwells within you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your own mortal bodies. At present your body receives its life from the soul, but then it will receive it from the Spirit.

O the happiness of the heavenly alleluia, sung in security, in fear of no adversity! We shall have no enemies in heaven, we shall never lose a friend. God’s praises are sung both there and here, but here they are sung in anxiety, there, in security; here they are sung by those destined to die, there, by those destined to live for ever; here they are sung in hope, there, in hope’s fulfillment; here they are sung by wayfarers, there, by those living in their own country.

So, then, my brothers, let us sing now, not in order to enjoy a life of leisure, but in order to lighten our labors. You should sing as wayfarers do—sing, but continue your journey. Do not be lazy, but sing to make your journey more enjoyable. Sing, but keep going. What do I mean by keep going? Keep on making progress. This progress, however, must be in virtue; for there are some, the Apostle warns, whose only progress is in vice. If you make progress, you will be continuing your journey, but be sure that your progress is in virtue, true faith and right living. Sing then, but keep going.

 

Danny's Self-Portrait

Danny was here with his parents a few weeks ago. I took a few pictures of Danny, then Danny decided he wanted to take some pictures. In about an hour he shot about 150 photos. He decided to take some photos of himself, too. This is absolutely one of my favorites! 

Intelligent Fools

I have to admit that I really don’t get it… unless it’s fear.  In his Breakpoint commentary a few days ago, Chuck Colson had this to say:

 

This past week, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) announced that they would no longer allow their copyrighted materials to be used in any curriculum that challenges Darwin's theories.

 

To be honest, I really don’t know if there is a “raging” controversy in the scientific world regarding Darwinians Evolution vs. Intelligent Design… but I know there is at least some controversy.  And it is a controversy that seems to have some merit because it is based on scientific observation.  There are some scientists (yes, they’re real scientists – molecular biologists and such) who admit that Darwinian Evolution may not be the best explanation, that there are major problems with the current models of evolution.  Scientists who can speak scientifically (without letting their emotional commitments get in the way) will admit that, while there is evidence that strongly indicates evolutionary theory is credible to explain much of the development of species and, specifically Man, there is evidence that is not consistent with current evolutionary theory and even contradicts evolutionary theory.

 

So what is the problem with discussing these issues in the science classroom of high schoolers?  Are these scientists afraid of losing their self-perceived  status?  Are they afraid children won’t believe in science or scientists anymore?  If children stop believing in them, will they die?  Don’t worry scientists!  I believe.  I believe!! 

 

Well, I believe in science and scientists who function as scientists in the work of science… but not as Tinkerbell.

Ecofeminist McFague

I’ve been reading some of Sallie McFague’s writings lately, all relating my current studies in contemporary theology.  There are some things that McFague and those of her ilk have to say that I think is probably important that evangelicals hear.  But for the most part, what I’ve read of hers has been sad, frustrating, erroneous and irresponsible.

 

One of the last things of hers that I read was in her book, “The Body of God.”  In that book –page 32, she makes this statement: “…some early theologians did, however, speak of the world as a body filled with and ordered by the Logos in a manner similar to the Platonic World-soul: the Logos as the intermediary between mind (God) and matter.  Origen, for instance, wrote, “The cosmos is a ‘huge animate being’ held together by one Soul.”

 

She gives you the impression that she is quoting Origen – but she’s not.  She’s quoting what her husband says (it’s footnoted) in an article he wrote entitled “Divine Action.”  Now, to find out if he quoted Origen correctly (looking for “huge animate being” as what he says Origen said) I went to the writings of Origen was have in “Ante-Nicene Father”; part of a collection of 38 volumes containing the writings of the early Church Fathers.  Searching through Origen’s writings (using a digital copy of the book) i did not find that quote nor anything similar to it.  What I did find, however, is that Origen wrote against this kind of thinking in his writings “Against Celsus.”

 

One of the chief problems I have had with McFague and many of the feminist theologians (indeed, with most of the liberation theologians) is that the foundation on which they build their theology does not begin with the scriptures or Church tradition but with their own experience.  Their experiences are used to explain the scriptures instead of vice versa.   McFague goes beyond the pale, though, by pulling out ideas that have no anchor in anything but her own mind.

 

Well, I guess I haven’t left too much room for anyone to wonder how I really feel about this…