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Mark Pickup
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The Death of Primordial Joy and the hope of Joy Regained
At the very dawn of human history, God’s perfect love was betrayed.
It is impossible to fathom a holy and perfect God’s grief to know that his beloved human creation (a creation bearing His image) willfully disobeyed him and introduced sin and death into the perfection, love and joyful nurture of Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned they not only brought death into the life-affirming Garden of Eden (and the Ages to come), they severed their connection to Joy. It was a terrible moment of division between humanity and God that would mar the rest of human history.
Although the Scriptural account does not speak of it, another casualty at that moment must have been their continual and ready access to divine Joy. How could Joy not vanish? Man was separated from God by sin and he was going to die.
Sin always separates humanity from God’s Joy ... but not God’s love.
Response to disobedience
Biblical scholars have often referred to this verse as the protoevangelium (the first good news). God alluded to Christ’s victory over sin. The New American Catholic Study Bible footnote to 3.15 states:
Because “the Son of God appeared that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1Jn 3,8), the passage can be understood as the first promise of a redeemer for fallen mankind. The woman’s offspring then is primarily Jesus Christ. [10]
My copy of Thomas Nelson computer Bible reference program quotes a number of Bible Commentaries that refer to Christ in Genesis 3:15.[11] For instance, it cites, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible:
"The woman’s Seed would crush the Devil’s head, a mortal wound spelling utter defeat. This wound was administered at Calvary when the Savior decisively triumphed over the Devil. Satan, in turn, would bruise the Messiah’s heel. The heel wound here speaks of suffering and even of physical death, but not of ultimate defeat. So Christ suffered on the cross, and even died, but He arose from the dead, victorious over sin, hell, and Satan. The fact that He is called the woman’s Seed may contain a suggestion of His virgin birth. Note the kindness of God in promising the Messiah before pronouncing sentence in the following verses." [14]
Indeed, even in punishment we detect God’s love. In his providence God planned a way to graft the sin-severed branches back to himself through His Son (the divine Vine).
My own life-journey has been marked by great blessing and love, as well as great sin, rebellion, sorrow and disobedience. Still, God has not forsaken me -- a prodigal son. As I descend further into advanced multiple sclerosis, God sends vivid visitations and inklings of something akin to primordial joy -- as though reminiscent of life’s beginning.
It is impossible to fathom a holy and perfect God’s grief to know that his beloved human creation (a creation bearing His image) willfully disobeyed him and introduced sin and death into the perfection, love and joyful nurture of Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned they not only brought death into the life-affirming Garden of Eden (and the Ages to come), they severed their connection to Joy. It was a terrible moment of division between humanity and God that would mar the rest of human history.
Sin!
Sin brought death![1] It was not part of the original divine plan that man should die.
In Genesis’ account of the Fall of man, the serpent tempts Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of good and evil.[2]
Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the Lord God had made. The serpent asked the woman, ‘Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the Garden? The woman answered the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’ But the serpent said to the woman: “You will certainly not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad. The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were ope
ned, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. When they heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. The Lord then called the man and asked him, ‘Where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.’ Then he asked, ‘Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree which I had forbidden you to eat! The man replied, ‘The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The Lord then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” (Genesis 3.1-13)
In Genesis’ account of the Fall of man, the serpent tempts Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of good and evil.[2]
Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the Lord God had made. The serpent asked the woman, ‘Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the Garden? The woman answered the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’ But the serpent said to the woman: “You will certainly not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad. The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were ope
ned, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. When they heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. The Lord then called the man and asked him, ‘Where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.’ Then he asked, ‘Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree which I had forbidden you to eat! The man replied, ‘The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The Lord then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” (Genesis 3.1-13)Pattern of sin
This Scripture illustrates the characteristics of sin that strips humanity from relationships with God. It also highlights characteristics of sin that have marred my own life, and many of the pitfalls I’ve fallen into throughout my own life journey.
- The serpent began his temptation by asking a question designed to plant seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind: “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the Garden?”[3] Rather than approaching Adam to whom God had given the commandment (before Eve was even created), the serpent poses the question to her.
Isn’t that just like Satan, always pushing the fig leaf! Satan always tempts us at our weakest point. God put humanity in a perfect Garden with every good thing and everything that is good for food.[4] God gave Adam a sense of purposeful work in tilling and keeping the garden.[5] Only one tree in the garden was forbidden on pain of death: the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil.[6] The command not to eat of this tree simply required man’s obedience. Thus God established moral responsibility in man’s relationship with Him. Previously, man’s responsibility was only to be fruitful and multiply and have dominion (not domination) over the earth.[7]
- Eve’s response to the serpent’s question was a distortion of God’s command. She misquoted God by saying “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’”[8] God’s command said nothing about touch. That was added by the serpent. The poisonous question and subtle challenge was having its intended effect. The serpent/Satan became bolder.
- He lied to Eve. “You certainly will not die!” It was a direct denial of God’s earlier pronouncement in Genesis 2.17. He accuses God of having unworthy motives to keep back good things from the couple: “No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like Gods who know what is good and what is bad.”
- As with most sin, the promise was is greater than what was actually delivered. Not only was the forbidden fruit tantalizing as food but it promised so much more: wisdom and self-exaltation! Could the serpent’s words possibly be true? Would her eyes really be opened to something she was missing? Why couldn’t she enjoy it?! She gazed at the tree with desire. Such beauty and allure!
- The serpent began his temptation by asking a question designed to plant seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind: “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the Garden?”[3] Rather than approaching Adam to whom God had given the commandment (before Eve was even created), the serpent poses the question to her.
Isn’t that just like Satan, always pushing the fig leaf! Satan always tempts us at our weakest point. God put humanity in a perfect Garden with every good thing and everything that is good for food.[4] God gave Adam a sense of purposeful work in tilling and keeping the garden.[5] Only one tree in the garden was forbidden on pain of death: the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil.[6] The command not to eat of this tree simply required man’s obedience. Thus God established moral responsibility in man’s relationship with Him. Previously, man’s responsibility was only to be fruitful and multiply and have dominion (not domination) over the earth.[7]
- Eve’s response to the serpent’s question was a distortion of God’s command. She misquoted God by saying “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’”[8] God’s command said nothing about touch. That was added by the serpent. The poisonous question and subtle challenge was having its intended effect. The serpent/Satan became bolder.
- He lied to Eve. “You certainly will not die!” It was a direct denial of God’s earlier pronouncement in Genesis 2.17. He accuses God of having unworthy motives to keep back good things from the couple: “No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like Gods who know what is good and what is bad.”
- As with most sin, the promise was is greater than what was actually delivered. Not only was the forbidden fruit tantalizing as food but it promised so much more: wisdom and self-exaltation! Could the serpent’s words possibly be true? Would her eyes really be opened to something she was missing? Why couldn’t she enjoy it?! She gazed at the tree with desire. Such beauty and allure!
Empty promise of sin 
With that empty promise still ringing in her ears — “you will be like gods” ─ she reached out and took the fruit, gave some to Adam, and they both ate it. Indeed their eyes were opened but not to wisdom and elevation to godhead. Their eyes were opened to the poverty of their nakedness! Eve was no godess; Adam was no god. The infernal serpent’s promise was worse than empty. It was a trap. Mankind’s childlike innocence was gone; the ‘wisdom’ of knowing good and evil did not give them glory, only shame and fear!
With that empty promise still ringing in her ears — “you will be like gods” ─ she reached out and took the fruit, gave some to Adam, and they both ate it. Indeed their eyes were opened but not to wisdom and elevation to godhead. Their eyes were opened to the poverty of their nakedness! Eve was no godess; Adam was no god. The infernal serpent’s promise was worse than empty. It was a trap. Mankind’s childlike innocence was gone; the ‘wisdom’ of knowing good and evil did not give them glory, only shame and fear!
Although the Scriptural account does not speak of it, another casualty at that moment must have been their continual and ready access to divine Joy. How could Joy not vanish? Man was separated from God by sin and he was going to die.Sin always separates humanity from God’s Joy ... but not God’s love.
Response to disobedience
The Garden that was once a paradise of joy and intimate fellowship between humanity and God became a place of fear and hiding from God’s presence. Surely the omnipotent God knew what happened, yet he did not hunt down the wayward couple. Instead the Bible tells us God went walking in the garden in the cool of the day calling out to Adam, “Where are you?” (3.8-9.) God did not confront the couple directly with their disobedience; instead He allowed them an opportunity to take ownership of their sin. God asked if they had eaten of the one fruit they were commanded to leave alone in a garden filled with other delectable food available to them. Their response was typically human: shift the blame and responsibility for their sin.
Adam’s initial response was to blame God and then Eve—put the blame anywhere but at his own feet: “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”[9] [emphasis added.] I can relate to this, so much of my life has been spent shifting responsibility for my own sins.
Eve’s response was to say she was deceived by the serpent, and so she was. Adam willfully disobeyed God’s command. Nonetheless, they chose to sin and sin always destroys. It has always had the the effect of driving a wedge between God and humans, or nations, or between a man and other people, or even between a man and himself.
Protoevangelium and the Divine Vine.
Adam’s initial response was to blame God and then Eve—put the blame anywhere but at his own feet: “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”[9] [emphasis added.] I can relate to this, so much of my life has been spent shifting responsibility for my own sins.
Eve’s response was to say she was deceived by the serpent, and so she was. Adam willfully disobeyed God’s command. Nonetheless, they chose to sin and sin always destroys. It has always had the the effect of driving a wedge between God and humans, or nations, or between a man and other people, or even between a man and himself.
Protoevangelium and the Divine Vine.
Even in the catastrophe of the immediate situation of sin driving a wedge between humanity and a holy and perfect God, we see God’s love displayed. Although the couple was severely punished, we should note that neither Adam nor Eve were cursed by God. (That distinction was reserved only for the serpent.) God made provision to bring those he created in his image back to him. This is alluded to in God’s comment to the serpent in Genesis 3:15: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.”
Biblical scholars have often referred to this verse as the protoevangelium (the first good news). God alluded to Christ’s victory over sin. The New American Catholic Study Bible footnote to 3.15 states:
Because “the Son of God appeared that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1Jn 3,8), the passage can be understood as the first promise of a redeemer for fallen mankind. The woman’s offspring then is primarily Jesus Christ. [10]
My copy of Thomas Nelson computer Bible reference program quotes a number of Bible Commentaries that refer to Christ in Genesis 3:15.[11] For instance, it cites, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible:
A gracious promise is here made of Christ, as the deliverer of fallen man from the power of Satan. …Here was the dawning of the gospel day. No sooner was the wound given than the remedy was provided and revealed. Here, in the head of the book, as the word is (Heb. 10:7), in the beginning of the Bible, it is written of Christ, that he should do the will of God.[12]
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary says:
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary says:
The Seed of the woman is the Promised One, the coming Messiah of Israel. Seed continues to be used throughout the Bible as a messianic term (Num. 24:7; Is. 6:13).[13]
The Believer’s Bible Commentary states:
The Believer’s Bible Commentary states:
"The woman’s Seed would crush the Devil’s head, a mortal wound spelling utter defeat. This wound was administered at Calvary when the Savior decisively triumphed over the Devil. Satan, in turn, would bruise the Messiah’s heel. The heel wound here speaks of suffering and even of physical death, but not of ultimate defeat. So Christ suffered on the cross, and even died, but He arose from the dead, victorious over sin, hell, and Satan. The fact that He is called the woman’s Seed may contain a suggestion of His virgin birth. Note the kindness of God in promising the Messiah before pronouncing sentence in the following verses." [14]
Indeed, even in punishment we detect God’s love. In his providence God planned a way to graft the sin-severed branches back to himself through His Son (the divine Vine).
Hope of joy regained
My own life-journey has been marked by great blessing and love, as well as great sin, rebellion, sorrow and disobedience. Still, God has not forsaken me -- a prodigal son. As I descend further into advanced multiple sclerosis, God sends vivid visitations and inklings of something akin to primordial joy -- as though reminiscent of life’s beginning.
I can rest assured heaven's joy will be regained. It will be my constant possession when this temporal life is over.
Mark Pickup
_________________________________________________-
[1] See Romans 5:12
[2] Some Scripture versions such as the Protestant New International Version use “Good and evil”. Others such as the Catholic New American Bible use “Good and bad.”
[3] For other references to Satan as a serpent see Rev. 12.14-15, 20.2. Throughout history, Satan has been a force to be taken seriously.
[4] Gen. 1.29-30.
[5] Gen. 2.15
[6] 2.17
[7]1.28
[8] Genesis 3.1-7.
[9] Verse 12.
[10] New American Bible: The Catholic Study Bible, (Oxford University Press, New York) 1990.
[11] Nelson’s Ultimate Bible Reference CD-ROM, eBible Study Library, (Thomas Nelson Electronic Publishing Inc., Nashville, TN) 2003.
[12]Henry, M. 1996, c1991. Matthew Henry's Commentary On The Whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume . Hendrickson: Peabody
[13]Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. 1999. Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary . T. Nelson Publishers: Nashville
[14]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments . Thomas Nelson: Nashville
[1] See Romans 5:12
[2] Some Scripture versions such as the Protestant New International Version use “Good and evil”. Others such as the Catholic New American Bible use “Good and bad.”
[3] For other references to Satan as a serpent see Rev. 12.14-15, 20.2. Throughout history, Satan has been a force to be taken seriously.
[4] Gen. 1.29-30.
[5] Gen. 2.15
[6] 2.17
[7]1.28
[8] Genesis 3.1-7.
[9] Verse 12.
[10] New American Bible: The Catholic Study Bible, (Oxford University Press, New York) 1990.
[11] Nelson’s Ultimate Bible Reference CD-ROM, eBible Study Library, (Thomas Nelson Electronic Publishing Inc., Nashville, TN) 2003.
[12]Henry, M. 1996, c1991. Matthew Henry's Commentary On The Whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume . Hendrickson: Peabody
[13]Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. 1999. Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary . T. Nelson Publishers: Nashville
[14]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments . Thomas Nelson: Nashville
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The primordial nature of Joy
I think Joy has more in common with contentment than happiness. Joy and contentment are closer to God than happiness. Joy is not dependent on what happens around us as it is merely a state of being. Joy simply is.
Happiness is a response to something we have attained or gained. Happiness can not exist by itself in a worldly void: Joy can and does. The same is true with contentment. In fact, Joy and Contentment can exist in the midst of sorrow and trial—Happiness can not. That’s why I think Joy and Contentment are closer to God than happiness. Often the terms happiness and joy are confused, or used interchangeably, because they have many similar superficial attributes. Happiness can lead to Joy and vice-versa, but they are not the same if you take the time to analyse them as commodities. They are as dissimilar as newspapers and books.
Happiness is an adult possession which we can, if we choose, give to children. Joy is the natural possession of babies and small children which they can give to adults. Everybody agrees that babies can and should be happy—after all, a happy baby can bring adults joy. But true joy is in most abundant supply in babies and small children. Adults are at a distinct disadvantage in this regard because happiness is inferior to Joy.
The most infuriatingly sublime aspect about Joy is that it can not be controlled or harnessed. It can not be summoned by an act of will. True Joy simply occurs at the most unexpected moments; then it vanishes, like a wisp of smoke. It is more fleeting than infancy.
Happiness is a response to something we have attained or gained. Happiness can not exist by itself in a worldly void: Joy can and does. The same is true with contentment. In fact, Joy and Contentment can exist in the midst of sorrow and trial—Happiness can not. That’s why I think Joy and Contentment are closer to God than happiness. Often the terms happiness and joy are confused, or used interchangeably, because they have many similar superficial attributes. Happiness can lead to Joy and vice-versa, but they are not the same if you take the time to analyse them as commodities. They are as dissimilar as newspapers and books.
Happiness is an adult possession which we can, if we choose, give to children. Joy is the natural possession of babies and small children which they can give to adults. Everybody agrees that babies can and should be happy—after all, a happy baby can bring adults joy. But true joy is in most abundant supply in babies and small children. Adults are at a distinct disadvantage in this regard because happiness is inferior to Joy.
The most infuriatingly sublime aspect about Joy is that it can not be controlled or harnessed. It can not be summoned by an act of will. True Joy simply occurs at the most unexpected moments; then it vanishes, like a wisp of smoke. It is more fleeting than infancy.
The primordial nature of Joy
I do not think God originally intended Joy to be fleeting. There is good reason to believe God wanted it to be a constant state of humanity in constant communion with Him. The Garden of Eden was a place for sublime Joy, Bliss, Ecstacy. The loss of contant and complete Joy from the human condition was a consequence of the Fall.
Joy is a byproduct of being close to God. Joy reflects something of His divine character. Joy increases in frequency the closer we draw to God. Conversely, Joy fades the further away we move from God.
Joy is a byproduct of being close to God. Joy reflects something of His divine character. Joy increases in frequency the closer we draw to God. Conversely, Joy fades the further away we move from God.
Human place in creation
I’m continually struck by the tenderness of the account of creation in the book of Genesis. God created the heavens and the earth: Out of chaos He made a universe of order. Out of formlessness, emptiness and darkness, God brought light, structure, and substance (Genesis 1.1-14).
The world teemed with plant and animal life (verse 20-24). God declared it all to be good (verse 9 &12b, 18, 21b, 25b). Not only did God see that His creation was good, He blessed it (verse 22). Into this good and blessed environment God created humanity (in His own image) as the climax of His creativity (Verses 26-27). Once this was accomplished, God looked at his creation said it was very good (Verse 30).[1] Genesis tells us that God placed Adam in a garden in the eastern part of Eden with every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.[2]
Eden was ideal for nurturing joy. Man was saturated with the most important ingredients and sources of all true Bliss: an intimate love-relationship with God, a sense of belonging, and a divinely appointed purpose (to tend the Garden). The Fall ruined the state of complete and continual Joy.
C. S. Lewis said “Joy is the serious business of heaven” ─ and so it is. To be in the presence of God is either the ultimate Joy or the ultimate terror, depending upon what we do with the question of sin and how we respond to the second figure in the Triune God: Jesus Christ.
Centuries after the Garden of Eden, Jesus referred to joy being complete:
The world teemed with plant and animal life (verse 20-24). God declared it all to be good (verse 9 &12b, 18, 21b, 25b). Not only did God see that His creation was good, He blessed it (verse 22). Into this good and blessed environment God created humanity (in His own image) as the climax of His creativity (Verses 26-27). Once this was accomplished, God looked at his creation said it was very good (Verse 30).[1] Genesis tells us that God placed Adam in a garden in the eastern part of Eden with every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.[2]
Eden was ideal for nurturing joy. Man was saturated with the most important ingredients and sources of all true Bliss: an intimate love-relationship with God, a sense of belonging, and a divinely appointed purpose (to tend the Garden). The Fall ruined the state of complete and continual Joy.
C. S. Lewis said “Joy is the serious business of heaven” ─ and so it is. To be in the presence of God is either the ultimate Joy or the ultimate terror, depending upon what we do with the question of sin and how we respond to the second figure in the Triune God: Jesus Christ.
Centuries after the Garden of Eden, Jesus referred to joy being complete:
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My commandment is this: Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15.5-12)Whereas the first Adam brought death, Christ is the “last Adam” who brings life.[3] Christ brings life to people dead in sin. He reveals the true meaning of love and restores joy. Jesus himself tells us about how to make joy complete once again. Granted it is not like the pre-Fall Joy of Eden because Original Sin cut the clarity of the earth-joy connection. But real joy comes still comes from God. Real joy flows through Christ, like nutrients moving through branches.
Notice that Christ’s imagery is so fitting with creation and nature: Vines and branches and men bearing fruit. Fruitful lives bring glory to God. Again, we find ingredients and sources of all true Joy: they are an intimate love-relationship with God, a sense of belonging, and a divinely appointed purpose.
This is only possible when people are intimately connected with the Vine, which is Christ. Without this spiritual connection we can do nothing that brings glory to God. The Father’s Love was in His Son and his Son’s love is in His followers—the “children of God.” Saint John put it this way.
“But to those who did accept him [Christ] he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1.12-14)
John’s language shifts to that of a family and adoption, through the personal choice of faith. This biblical passage taken from the first chapter of the Gospel of John begins with the same words that start the book of Genesis: “In the beginning”. The same source of divine love that created all life (so powerfully described in the first chapters of Genesis) is the same redemptive Grace behind Christ’s Incarnation. This love is behind its creative act of man’s spiritual regeneration “to those who believe in his name”. It is so movingly described in the first eighteen verses of John 1, and ends in a forceful affirmation of Jesus’ deity.Do you see the connection of divine love with creation -- of which all human life sits at the pinnacle -- since the beginning of time? We have no reason to doubt our value or worth. G
od's love for you and me is beyond all comprehension. All God asks in return is that we love Him through faith in His only begotten Son. The primordial nature of God's joy can be yours ours no matter what state we find ourselves in during our fleeting time on earth.
od's love for you and me is beyond all comprehension. All God asks in return is that we love Him through faith in His only begotten Son. The primordial nature of God's joy can be yours ours no matter what state we find ourselves in during our fleeting time on earth.Mark Pickup
___________________________________________
[1] The New International Version Study Bible (Zondervan, 1985), footnote to Genesis 1.1 addresses this tenderness and joy: “The truth of this majestic verse was joyfully affirmed by poet (Ps. 102.25) and prophet (Isa 40.21). …The positive, life-oriented teaching of v.1 is beautifully summarized in Isa 45.18.”
[2]In Genesis 2.9, we are told the tree of Life was in the midst of the garden as was the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
[3]Romans 5.12, 1Corinthians 15.21-22 & 45, (cf . Genesis 3.23 & Revelation 22.14.)
[1] The New International Version Study Bible (Zondervan, 1985), footnote to Genesis 1.1 addresses this tenderness and joy: “The truth of this majestic verse was joyfully affirmed by poet (Ps. 102.25) and prophet (Isa 40.21). …The positive, life-oriented teaching of v.1 is beautifully summarized in Isa 45.18.”
[2]In Genesis 2.9, we are told the tree of Life was in the midst of the garden as was the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
[3]Romans 5.12, 1Corinthians 15.21-22 & 45, (cf . Genesis 3.23 & Revelation 22.14.)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Winter's testimony
In this part of the world, we are entering the darkest and coldest part of winter. The nights are long and days are short. Many people suffer from depression during this time of year. They called it the “winter blues.” More severe cases have been termed by psychiatrists as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
In the Book of Romans, Saint Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” He also said that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says “Even though enlightened by him [God] in whom it believes, faith is often lived in darkness and can be put to the test.” The Church reminds us that in the Virgin Mary’s “pilgrimage of faith” she too walked into a “night of faith” in sharing the darkness of her son’s suffering and death.” (Nos. 164 and 165).
We look to Jesus Christ the “the leader and perfecter of faith.” He is our ultimate example of striving forward through darkness for the sake of the joy that lay before him. Christ endured the cross and took his place at the right hand of God.
Suffering and sorrow yielded to God will, in the end, give way to understanding and inexpressible joy. There is always a purpose to our times of darkness and coldness -- if nothing other than to illustrate the warm light of love that God has for you and me. There is a promise of Glory to those who believe and call upon the name of Jesus Christ.
Imperceptible changes
The bitter cold of winter gives rest to the earth in anticipation of another summer’s growing season. During the dead of winter when the cold winds of February blow snow into mountains of
drifts and rattle the windows and chill by bones, it is easy to wonder how anything will ever grow again. But growth will come again as surely as the sun rises with increasing strength each morning. The changes may be imperceptibly gradual at first but they will culminate in nature’s glory.
It is another metaphor of natures witness to a larger spiritual reality.
Winter darkness
Technically speaking, January and February may be the coldest months but they are not the darkest. That distinction of shortest day-longest night actually occurs around December 22nd when the sun is at its furthest point south. That bit of trivia is little comfort on brittle January nights!
People with money often flee Canada from January through March; the rest of us mus
t endure. We bundle up and put our shoulders to the sharp winds of winter. Exhaust fumes from chimneys and automobiles hang low against a steely grey sky in frigid still sub-zero air. The crunch of snow beneath people’s boots looses the seasonal charm of Christmas the previous month; in January it just sounds cold, forbidding and hostile.
For someone like me who moves about with the assistance of a wheelchair, the risk of getting stranded in a snow-bank is enough to make me unwilling to leave the warmth of my little house. Days pass indoors and can easily turn into weeks: I do not venture outside except for supplies of groceries or the occasional doctor appointment.
People with money often flee Canada from January through March; the rest of us mus
t endure. We bundle up and put our shoulders to the sharp winds of winter. Exhaust fumes from chimneys and automobiles hang low against a steely grey sky in frigid still sub-zero air. The crunch of snow beneath people’s boots looses the seasonal charm of Christmas the previous month; in January it just sounds cold, forbidding and hostile.For someone like me who moves about with the assistance of a wheelchair, the risk of getting stranded in a snow-bank is enough to make me unwilling to leave the warmth of my little house. Days pass indoors and can easily turn into weeks: I do not venture outside except for supplies of groceries or the occasional doctor appointment.
Imposed cloister
As with all things in life, I can choose to grumble about the deepest part of winter and make myself miserable -- or I can make the best of an unfavourable situation. A weather imposed
cloister gives me time to rest, retiring early and rising late. Time is spent in front of a crackling fireplace either writing or reading books that sat on the bookcase gathering dust during previous busy summer and autumn months. Winter gives me time to contemplate, meditate and pray in sweet hours of devotion. Forced stillness encourages me to listen for God’s voice and to sense His presence in my life.
The deepest and darkest part of winter is like a metaphor of life.
I can endure winter knowing that the hope of Spring will follow. The earth beneath the snow is as hard as iron, yet it will eventually thaw and bring forth new life. Grass and wild flowers will replace ice and snow, ... but not yet.
As with all things in life, I can choose to grumble about the deepest part of winter and make myself miserable -- or I can make the best of an unfavourable situation. A weather imposed
cloister gives me time to rest, retiring early and rising late. Time is spent in front of a crackling fireplace either writing or reading books that sat on the bookcase gathering dust during previous busy summer and autumn months. Winter gives me time to contemplate, meditate and pray in sweet hours of devotion. Forced stillness encourages me to listen for God’s voice and to sense His presence in my life.The deepest and darkest part of winter is like a metaphor of life.
I can endure winter knowing that the hope of Spring will follow. The earth beneath the snow is as hard as iron, yet it will eventually thaw and bring forth new life. Grass and wild flowers will replace ice and snow, ... but not yet.
Internal growth
In the cold darkness of my personal winter – which is aggressive multiple sclerosis – I have found that Jesus is with me. He comforts and warms me, teaches and guides me on to new internal growth. I know that my winter will give way to a divine Spring and the internal landscape of my life will be transformed to new life as surely as April will renew the physical landscape around me into lush, new green life.
I scan suffer catastrophic disease in the hope that I will emerge into the light of Christ, renewed and transformed by eternal life with Christ in heaven. There will be no more winters in heaven.
I believe that every trial endured with the sufferer looking up to God will eventually yield good.
In the cold darkness of my personal winter – which is aggressive multiple sclerosis – I have found that Jesus is with me. He comforts and warms me, teaches and guides me on to new internal growth. I know that my winter will give way to a divine Spring and the internal landscape of my life will be transformed to new life as surely as April will renew the physical landscape around me into lush, new green life.
I scan suffer catastrophic disease in the hope that I will emerge into the light of Christ, renewed and transformed by eternal life with Christ in heaven. There will be no more winters in heaven.
I believe that every trial endured with the sufferer looking up to God will eventually yield good. In the Book of Romans, Saint Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” He also said that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says “Even though enlightened by him [God] in whom it believes, faith is often lived in darkness and can be put to the test.” The Church reminds us that in the Virgin Mary’s “pilgrimage of faith” she too walked into a “night of faith” in sharing the darkness of her son’s suffering and death.” (Nos. 164 and 165).
We look to Jesus Christ the “the leader and perfecter of faith.” He is our ultimate example of striving forward through darkness for the sake of the joy that lay before him. Christ endured the cross and took his place at the right hand of God.
Suffering and sorrow yielded to God will, in the end, give way to understanding and inexpressible joy. There is always a purpose to our times of darkness and coldness -- if nothing other than to illustrate the warm light of love that God has for you and me. There is a promise of Glory to those who believe and call upon the name of Jesus Christ.
Imperceptible changes
The bitter cold of winter gives rest to the earth in anticipation of another summer’s growing season. During the dead of winter when the cold winds of February blow snow into mountains of
drifts and rattle the windows and chill by bones, it is easy to wonder how anything will ever grow again. But growth will come again as surely as the sun rises with increasing strength each morning. The changes may be imperceptibly gradual at first but they will culminate in nature’s glory.It is another metaphor of natures witness to a larger spiritual reality.
Mark Pickup
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Thinking fit for the birds
I know a lonely old woman with a budgie bird. She lavishes great affections on the little creature she named 'Precious'. She forgot the name of her grandson but coos by the hour to Precious. She does not nurture divine or human relationships. She’s a lonesome, foolish old woman. She does not know Christ nor her Grandson -- the only beings with eternal significance in her life and she knows neither.
Middle age muddle
Middle age muddle
I know a middle-aged man who deserted his wife and four children for a firm and shape
ly woman thirty years his junior (she’s about the age of his children). There’s no doubt this man and his young chickadee are very much in love with each other. He proclaims his steadfast love for her, in defiance of conventional morality and common decency.
Forty years ago, he made the same proclamations of undying love to the middle-aged mother of his children. He wrote reams of sappy poetry for her to emphasize his point -- back when he and his first wife were lovebirds. She was firm and shapely back then too.
My middle-aged friend assures me that his first marriage that lasted twenty years was merely the result of youthful hormones. His new passion is true love. This is genuine! He says the age difference is irrelevant but his own grey hair mysteriously disappeared. Until last week, the old crow strutted around like a peacock.
ly woman thirty years his junior (she’s about the age of his children). There’s no doubt this man and his young chickadee are very much in love with each other. He proclaims his steadfast love for her, in defiance of conventional morality and common decency.Forty years ago, he made the same proclamations of undying love to the middle-aged mother of his children. He wrote reams of sappy poetry for her to emphasize his point -- back when he and his first wife were lovebirds. She was firm and shapely back then too.
My middle-aged friend assures me that his first marriage that lasted twenty years was merely the result of youthful hormones. His new passion is true love. This is genuine! He says the age difference is irrelevant but his own grey hair mysteriously disappeared. Until last week, the old crow strutted around like a peacock.
The right to be happy?
He says he has a right to be happy. Really? That's ridiculous! He does not have a right to be happy any more than he has a right to sunny weather. Even if my middle-aged friend was an American he would only have th
e Right to pursue happiness, not happiness itself. And he certainly would not have the Right to pursue happiness by dishonest means, or violation of solemn promises or violate morality or abandon his family obligations, and those who loved him most. Because he is able to do those things does not mean he has a right to do them for the sake of pursuing happiness ... or other reason.
He has become estranged from most of his children. They have deep emotional scares they will carry to their graves so that he could pursue his happiness in the form of a younger woman. His family's happiness was sacrificed for his happiness.
e Right to pursue happiness, not happiness itself. And he certainly would not have the Right to pursue happiness by dishonest means, or violation of solemn promises or violate morality or abandon his family obligations, and those who loved him most. Because he is able to do those things does not mean he has a right to do them for the sake of pursuing happiness ... or other reason.He has become estranged from most of his children. They have deep emotional scares they will carry to their graves so that he could pursue his happiness in the form of a younger woman. His family's happiness was sacrificed for his happiness.
Second chances
His life h
as been a series of disasters since deserting his original wife and family. He had a mild stroke last week and was rushed to the hospital where he received up-to-date medical treatment including the newest clot-busting drugs. He a
lmost went the way of the Dodo bird! Fortunately his symptoms quickly eased and he has recovered most of his lost physical function. His recovery was remarkable and he claims it was a miracle and that he has been “given a second chance.” Perhaps.
His life h
as been a series of disasters since deserting his original wife and family. He had a mild stroke last week and was rushed to the hospital where he received up-to-date medical treatment including the newest clot-busting drugs. He a
lmost went the way of the Dodo bird! Fortunately his symptoms quickly eased and he has recovered most of his lost physical function. His recovery was remarkable and he claims it was a miracle and that he has been “given a second chance.” Perhaps. Will he use his “second chance” to try and reconcile with his family? Only time will tell but I suspect that is not what will happen. He will squander his second chance and use it instead to continue pursuing happiness with his young chickadee rather than try to make amends with his original family. If my hunch is correct (and I hope it is not) he will waste his chance to put things right.
Giver of second chances
God sent his only Son to earth to save us. He is a God of second chances – third and fourth chances too. Space does allow me to go on about how many chances God will give us through confession, repentance and faith in His Son.
Have you reconciled with God? Are there people you have hurt, neglected or abandoned? Take every day you have as opportunities to set things right with God and people in your life. Foster divine and human relationships as though today was your last and consider each tomorrow as a new chance to live for service t
o God and your fellow humanity.
God sent his only Son to earth to save us. He is a God of second chances – third and fourth chances too. Space does allow me to go on about how many chances God will give us through confession, repentance and faith in His Son.Have you reconciled with God? Are there people you have hurt, neglected or abandoned? Take every day you have as opportunities to set things right with God and people in your life. Foster divine and human relationships as though today was your last and consider each tomorrow as a new chance to live for service t
o God and your fellow humanity. That is when people soar like eagles.
Mark Pickup
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Read my latest blog "Euthanasia and Samuel Golubchuk" at http://humanlifematters.blogspot.com/
Mark Pickup
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