Sunday, April 11, 2010
Universalism vs. Eternal Damnation
Interesting debate between Gary Amirault of Tentmaker Ministries and professor/author Jerry Walls.
I find both views somewhat flawed. If one wishes to believe what the Bible says, it seems there IS a place that we can call Hell, the Lake of Fire, a place of burning and torment -- so it sounds like Gary is off there.
However, I do not believe it is eternal in the sense of forever. There are enough instances where it does say that eventually ALL will be saved, so I am satisfied that "Hell" is a place of separation, testing, burning off one's imperfections, and readying oneself for the wonderful relationship with God that Dr. Walls speaks of.
I believe we ARE free, but God's love is ultimately irresistible.
Hell is a place we are always free to leave when we are ready and after we have faced God's PERFECT justice -- and that justice is REDEMPTIVE, not punitive.
Listening to the two though, I think with a gentle nudge they can end up believing the same thing.
I find both views somewhat flawed. If one wishes to believe what the Bible says, it seems there IS a place that we can call Hell, the Lake of Fire, a place of burning and torment -- so it sounds like Gary is off there.
However, I do not believe it is eternal in the sense of forever. There are enough instances where it does say that eventually ALL will be saved, so I am satisfied that "Hell" is a place of separation, testing, burning off one's imperfections, and readying oneself for the wonderful relationship with God that Dr. Walls speaks of.
I believe we ARE free, but God's love is ultimately irresistible.
Hell is a place we are always free to leave when we are ready and after we have faced God's PERFECT justice -- and that justice is REDEMPTIVE, not punitive.
Listening to the two though, I think with a gentle nudge they can end up believing the same thing.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
There Will Be No Recovery
Interesting video from Stefan over at Freedomain Radio where he discusses how statist democracies are just as destructive as other forms of statism:
I also like his take on how economic liberty produced the abundance that helped destroy it.
However, I see libertarianism growing everywhere among the people. People are learning elsewhere the things school should have taught them. Rand's sales are as high as they ever have been. More and more people on the left, right and center are getting interested in libertarianism. This makes me a bit more hopeful and optimistic than Stefan.
Nice how he shows that NO CONSPIRACY IS NEEDED, just a social dynamic of bankrupt philosophy that believes force and violence are the proper ways for humans to associate and that the immorality of modern liberalism and modern conservatism are all that is needed to destroy us economically.
Once again it shows how much we need real change, not the statist quo of Obama-ism.
/Hat Tip to my e-friend OrdoAbChao!
I also like his take on how economic liberty produced the abundance that helped destroy it.
However, I see libertarianism growing everywhere among the people. People are learning elsewhere the things school should have taught them. Rand's sales are as high as they ever have been. More and more people on the left, right and center are getting interested in libertarianism. This makes me a bit more hopeful and optimistic than Stefan.
Nice how he shows that NO CONSPIRACY IS NEEDED, just a social dynamic of bankrupt philosophy that believes force and violence are the proper ways for humans to associate and that the immorality of modern liberalism and modern conservatism are all that is needed to destroy us economically.
Once again it shows how much we need real change, not the statist quo of Obama-ism.
/Hat Tip to my e-friend OrdoAbChao!
Henry Rollins: A Love Letter To Ann Coulter
One of my "late pass" moments. I can't believe I never saw this before. It's hysterical, but beware of Rollins amusing use of profanity:
/Hat Tip to KP!
/Hat Tip to KP!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Learning From Sweden's Free Market Renaissance
Interesting video about how interventionism brought about stagnation in the Swedish economy, and bringing the free market in has seemed to reverse that trend.
Are We Obsessed With Materialism?
I often hear people say that we have an overly materialistic society, but I am not buying it. We are a very wealthy society, due to riches that the opportunity of a (mostly) free society, but I don't believe we are really any MORE materialistic than other societies.
I know and hear of people obsessed with material things, but in my entire life I can only think of a few people who are really like that. By far the vast majority of people I see or read are seeking other things for their bliss: love, children, Friendship, community, God, all sorts of spiritual paths, fitness, and many things that can be facilitated by material things but they show that these material things do not satisfy.
Just look at how we frame most of our debates: take health care.
It is not a materialistic at its root. I feel it is about two ideological concepts that are hard to pin down, but neither is particularly materialistic. Broadly, it is a debate over altruism or liberty. One side would rather give up some political liberty for the sake of the common good, others believe that the sacrifice of liberty is too great and/or the common good is hurt by government funded or run health care.
Look at the abortion debate: one side believes in a woman's control over her own body vs the the other side, which values the fetus's right to life. It is an ideological, spiritual debate about self ownership and personhood.
Now granted, opposite sides often want to impugn motives -- it's easy to attack the other guy if he is a bad guy, so on both sides one will see one side saying they are doing what they are doing for greed -- but really, mostly, this is honest people working toward honest, non-materialistic goals of either doing God's will, serving their fellow man, and so on.
I see people from other countries behaving no differently -- they are as materialistic as anyone else, and the fights over there are framed similarly.
It seems everyone is somewhat materialistic, but no one wants to admit it and is perfectly willing to attack the other guy for it. I don't believe that any societies on earth are truly obsessed with it, however.
Now, if true, what might cause this social dynamic? Perhaps it is that the more abundance we have, the more we seek "higher things" a la Maslow. I tend to think it is a mix of envy and the simple human desire to think of oneself as a better person. If some dude or nation is richer than me, well then it MUST be because he is more materialistic.
I think it would do us all some good if we realize without a body there is no mind or soul, and without a certain amount of stuff we die. However the stuff isn't an end in itself for most -- we are seeking bliss and most of us find it in things more precious than stuff.
I know and hear of people obsessed with material things, but in my entire life I can only think of a few people who are really like that. By far the vast majority of people I see or read are seeking other things for their bliss: love, children, Friendship, community, God, all sorts of spiritual paths, fitness, and many things that can be facilitated by material things but they show that these material things do not satisfy.
Just look at how we frame most of our debates: take health care.
It is not a materialistic at its root. I feel it is about two ideological concepts that are hard to pin down, but neither is particularly materialistic. Broadly, it is a debate over altruism or liberty. One side would rather give up some political liberty for the sake of the common good, others believe that the sacrifice of liberty is too great and/or the common good is hurt by government funded or run health care.
Look at the abortion debate: one side believes in a woman's control over her own body vs the the other side, which values the fetus's right to life. It is an ideological, spiritual debate about self ownership and personhood.
Now granted, opposite sides often want to impugn motives -- it's easy to attack the other guy if he is a bad guy, so on both sides one will see one side saying they are doing what they are doing for greed -- but really, mostly, this is honest people working toward honest, non-materialistic goals of either doing God's will, serving their fellow man, and so on.
I see people from other countries behaving no differently -- they are as materialistic as anyone else, and the fights over there are framed similarly.
It seems everyone is somewhat materialistic, but no one wants to admit it and is perfectly willing to attack the other guy for it. I don't believe that any societies on earth are truly obsessed with it, however.
Now, if true, what might cause this social dynamic? Perhaps it is that the more abundance we have, the more we seek "higher things" a la Maslow. I tend to think it is a mix of envy and the simple human desire to think of oneself as a better person. If some dude or nation is richer than me, well then it MUST be because he is more materialistic.
I think it would do us all some good if we realize without a body there is no mind or soul, and without a certain amount of stuff we die. However the stuff isn't an end in itself for most -- we are seeking bliss and most of us find it in things more precious than stuff.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
He is Risen
Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. (NKJV)
Monday, March 29, 2010
GT Countdown videogame, Top Ten Disappointments of the Decade
Bet you can guess which game is number one...
Sunday, March 28, 2010
A Universalist Goes to the Bookstore
Another good video from Pastor Dennis, this time recounting his trip to a Christian bookstore in his area.
It is interesting to note that he would find a similar thing at his local Borders, and perhaps B & N. No Young's, Yes to Hell Under Fire (currently out of stock at my store but it IS carried), yes to the Barclay Bible studies.
I seem to remember years ago they DID carry the Young's Concordance but no longer do.
Obviously you can get them all on the website.
I would tend to think it's less of a case of censorship than it is of low sales. We who subscribe to Universalist beliefs are in the minority, so it's harder to find our books. As a fan of the weird, I'm used to it. No conspiracy needed.
We freaks have been switching over to the internet, so there is no reason to carry the things that are out of the mainstream; however, it is good to note that you can still find a bunch of the other books that he liked at your average Borders.
In 2008 when he did this video, Borders carried even MORE of his titles. I consider that a bummer but far from an anti-Universalist hit squad. They just don't sell as much as the eternal torment stuff, so they are no longer on the shelves.
It is interesting to note that he would find a similar thing at his local Borders, and perhaps B & N. No Young's, Yes to Hell Under Fire (currently out of stock at my store but it IS carried), yes to the Barclay Bible studies.
I seem to remember years ago they DID carry the Young's Concordance but no longer do.
Obviously you can get them all on the website.
I would tend to think it's less of a case of censorship than it is of low sales. We who subscribe to Universalist beliefs are in the minority, so it's harder to find our books. As a fan of the weird, I'm used to it. No conspiracy needed.
We freaks have been switching over to the internet, so there is no reason to carry the things that are out of the mainstream; however, it is good to note that you can still find a bunch of the other books that he liked at your average Borders.
In 2008 when he did this video, Borders carried even MORE of his titles. I consider that a bummer but far from an anti-Universalist hit squad. They just don't sell as much as the eternal torment stuff, so they are no longer on the shelves.
City of Heroes "Going Rogue" Trailer
I'm thinking I showed this when it came out, but who cares? That was a while ago.
I was just playing my Mastermind who just might go for that redemption and salvation stuff -- but then again...maybe not. Either way it is one of the few game things happening that makes me the least bit excited. Chatting with Neil a bit in the last post got me thinking of imaginary societies (something I enjoy pondering as an idle pastime), and in this case, it's Praetorian earth -- the one in which the Statesman, Paragon's greatest hero is the villain the Tyrant. He rules his "utopia" with an iron fist.
A world in which Dr. Helios, a mad scientist who use his wife in his own experiments, might just start the battle to win her back. Or perhaps not. The Great Work or the woman?
Then there is Mister Apex, the man who through selective breeding with gods and men has been designed by a secret society to rule our world, but rejected that path and became a hero -- perhaps he will flip and seize what is his "destiny."
Fun stuff.
City of Heroes is not the best game, but it is really cool that they have continued to add to it. It makes me happy and it is always a nice diversion when I get tired of WoW or sick of the klugey mess that is Star Wars Galaxies.
Check it out.
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