I finally did it

I unsubscribed from all the theology lists I was a member of (3).  It was eating up entirely too much time and wrecking my personal walk with Christ.

How you ask?

Because of the constant arguing.  Doctorates arguing scriptural points, and debating one belief system and then to top it off, calling each other names – thinly veiled of course, but still there.

People aren’t going to agree about scripture.  That’s one thing I’ve learned in my journey through Jewish literature and comparing it to today’s groups.

Here’s a succinct example from Jewish literature – I think it fits under mishnah – I’m still confused about mishan, hakalah, midrash, etc

From the Mishnah, Berakhot:

1:1: From what time does one recite the Shema in the evening? From the time when the priests go in to eat of their heave-offering until the end of the first watch. …1:3: The House of Shammai say: In the evening everyone should recite it while reclining, and in the morning they should be standing, as it says: and when you lie down, and when you rise.

And the House of Hillel say: Every one should recite it in their normal manner, as it says: and when you walk by the way.

If this is so, then why does it say and when you lie down, and when you rise ? At the time when people lie down and at the time when people rise up.

Rabbi Tarfon said: I was once traveling on the road and lay down in order to recite, according to the view of the House of Shammai, and I placed myself in peril of robbers.

They said to him: You deserved to pay the penalty for disregarding the view of the House of Hillel.

2:2: Said Rabbi Joshua ben Qorhah: Why does the Shema’ precede the And if you will obey… ?

Rather: In order that one should first of all accept upon oneself the yoke of the kingdom of Heaven, and afterwards accept the yoke of commandments…

How easily would it be to substitute “Reformed” for “school of shammai” and “Arminian” with “school of Hillel” and change the point of discussion to something more contemporary?  Or substitute “Liberal” and “Fundamentalist”?

Now the mishnah is not really scripture, but goes along with it in Jewish tradition.

My point is, people will continue to argue over points of scripture as long as there is scripture I guess and it seems to become an intellectual exercise and seems to feed man’s innate desire to be superior or to “be right”.

Anyway, that is my rant for this morning.

More positive posts coming in the future, I promise!

In Christ,

Chris

Here’s a great blog about Tony’s journey

Until I can devote some time here to my own blogging, I thought I would pass along this blog.

Tony posts here some, and I’ve really come to enjoy his blog.  He is on a mind-blowing journey right now and I don’t want to spoil it for you, so head over and read his blog.

Here’s the link to his latest entry:

Back To Liberia – For Now

Tony, thanks for the posts and I look forward to hearing about your trip!

Outta touch…

Reminds me of an 80’s song….

I had to look it up.  It was remade by a group called “United Nations” (originally done by Hall & Oates).

You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around

You’re out of touch
You’re out of touch
You’re out of touch
You’re out of touch
You’re out of touch…

You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head

whoa-ohhhhh

WOW!…

You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around

You’re out of touch
You’re out of touch
You’re out of touch
You’re out of touch
You’re out of touch…

Wow, that is some bad lyrics, but now I’ve got it stuck in my head and a wierd desire to hear electric synthesizers and such…

Anyway, back to my point.

I’ve been away from the blog-o-sphere for a while and I’ve missed it.  I haven’t been reading any blogs nor keeping up with mine.  Hopefully that is about to change.

Stay tuned.

Dad, you can’t teach me about God when you’re playing Madden.

Last night I came home geared up to watch my favorite Redskins play the New York Giants.  As they both play in the NFC East, I have no fondness for the Giants,Eagles, and especially the Cowboys.

The kids were doing homework and drawing etc, and I sat down in front of my laptop to play some Madden 2005 (Yes, 2005.  I don’t have a newer version but it serves).

Anyway, my wife was at work and I sat and played Madden for about an hour, or an hour and a half.  Then the game came on.

So I put Madden away and God chose that time to hit me with a two by four.   Right between the eyes.