...apparently, people just can't get enough random facts!
In case you think you're seeing double, this is not a repeat of Honoria's post. I've been lured out of co-blogger-lurkdom by the irresistible invitation to rabbit on about myself. Here are 6 random facts about me:
1. Famous people I have met in my life include: Bob Hawke, Julian Lennon, Jimeoin, John Safran, and various stars of Neighbours. I am distantly related to Rex Hunt, though have never met him.
2. I lived the first 30 years of my life blissfully without a mobile phone, and often fondly yearn for those past innocent, carefree days...
3. Things I have collected at different times during my life include: stickers, stamps, erasers, sugar/salt&pepper sachets from planes & cafes all over the world, teaspoons, and (most recently, thanks to the Moodys) antique toy robots.
4. I have not vomited since I was in grade 6. This means I'm proudly running a current non-vomit streak of over 20 years! (though a memorable flight to Sydney in August brought me uncomfortably close to ending the streak)
5. The first album I ever bought with my own money was Bananarama "Wow!" (it was a toss-up between that and "Push" by Bros). First concert I went to was 1927 at the Tennis Centre, supported by Boom Crash Opera. Ahh the memories!!!
6. I learnt french for 6 years and piano for 14 years, and haven't really used either of those "skills" since.
Not tagging anyone else since just about all the bloggers I know have been tagged already!
Sunday 28 September 2008
Tuesday 23 September 2008
What is Truth?
Pontius Pilate's question adorned yet another mission T-shirt. But it's a good question...
Truth corresponds to reality.
When people speak the truth, we are making statements which reflect reality - the more real, the more true. Faith is acknowledging the reality that Jesus is the Lord.
The noetic effect of sin is the corrupting element in our perception of reality. In normal speak: the more sin we have, the more stuffed-up our view of reality and the more lies we speak. Especially revolving around God.
The Devil is a compulsive liar and God is a compulsive truth-teller. (Ask me about the puzzle sometime.)
God has no sin and can see reality completely (outside and inside of people). This means he's perfect in speaking and judging.
God's statements are so truth-full that when he speaks, reality becomes.
Truth corresponds to reality.
When people speak the truth, we are making statements which reflect reality - the more real, the more true. Faith is acknowledging the reality that Jesus is the Lord.
The noetic effect of sin is the corrupting element in our perception of reality. In normal speak: the more sin we have, the more stuffed-up our view of reality and the more lies we speak. Especially revolving around God.
The Devil is a compulsive liar and God is a compulsive truth-teller. (Ask me about the puzzle sometime.)
God has no sin and can see reality completely (outside and inside of people). This means he's perfect in speaking and judging.
God's statements are so truth-full that when he speaks, reality becomes.
More Reflections on Narnia
Function vs. Faith
Lucy is held up as the main heroine of the story. Lucy is almost useless in battle but she is commended because of her faith or keenness to see and follow Aslan. This conveys that God is not so much interested in results or efficiency but in attitudes and virtues.
Those who are evil are characterised by their selfishness and practicality. Being practical or pragmatic is a euphemism for unethical behaviour and caring about tasks / achievements over people. Those who predicated as "practical" are The White, the Ape (?) and, lastly and tragically, Susan.
Growing old vs. Maturing
Age is also inversely valuable. Youthfulness, or rather childlikeness, represents purity of faith and trust in Aslan. Lucy embodies this. This is contrasted with growing old, which mitigates faith. When the returned to Narnia a second time, they considered themselves more grown up, having ruled for many years already; so they trusted themselves over Aslan and got lost. Peter and Susan were turned away from Narnia because they got older (but didn't grow in faithfulness, it's not about their numerical age, since they grew much older in years in LW&W). Susan, who stops believing, was keen to "race on to the silliest time of one's life as quick as she can and then stop there as long as she can". Maturity is measured by how big Aslan appears.
Speech is an defining characteristic. The Talking animals are the leaders of their kind. Speech is a privilege which makes the creature unique and precious (killing a dumb animal would not constitute murder). Aslan's leaders are truthful while the evil characters characteristically lie. (Maybe Lewis was making a statement about the role of language in our nature / imago deo / human dignity.)
The Lion is a gentleman
Aslan never forces loyalty. He may be firm (roaring) or even shake people up (literally, with Trumpkin the Red Dwarf), but he never makes people submit to his rule. In the end, he gives each person what they choose.
Universalism?
I suppose Lewis did leave himself open to the charge of universalism or pluralism (where people of different faith are finally incorporated into his kingdom). Aslan includes an ardent servant of Tash, Emeth (which means "Truth" in Hebrew), and accepted his worship to Tash as worship to him.
... Two clues against universalism. One. The Dwarfs, who once acknowledged Aslan, finally refused to see him or appreciate his gifts. It shows that Lewis didn't see heaven as having an open door. Two. Despite his prior commitment to a false god, Emeth still needed to recognise Aslan as the true God, repents and follows him, a la eleventh hour.
Freedom
Aslan is not a tame lion. It's always dangerous to liken God to something created. But this is a glorious description sanctioned by Isaiah, of God's freedom, power and unpredictability. He's not safe, but he is good!
Lucy is held up as the main heroine of the story. Lucy is almost useless in battle but she is commended because of her faith or keenness to see and follow Aslan. This conveys that God is not so much interested in results or efficiency but in attitudes and virtues.
Those who are evil are characterised by their selfishness and practicality. Being practical or pragmatic is a euphemism for unethical behaviour and caring about tasks / achievements over people. Those who predicated as "practical" are The White, the Ape (?) and, lastly and tragically, Susan.
Growing old vs. Maturing
Age is also inversely valuable. Youthfulness, or rather childlikeness, represents purity of faith and trust in Aslan. Lucy embodies this. This is contrasted with growing old, which mitigates faith. When the returned to Narnia a second time, they considered themselves more grown up, having ruled for many years already; so they trusted themselves over Aslan and got lost. Peter and Susan were turned away from Narnia because they got older (but didn't grow in faithfulness, it's not about their numerical age, since they grew much older in years in LW&W). Susan, who stops believing, was keen to "race on to the silliest time of one's life as quick as she can and then stop there as long as she can". Maturity is measured by how big Aslan appears.
"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."Dignity & Speech
"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
Speech is an defining characteristic. The Talking animals are the leaders of their kind. Speech is a privilege which makes the creature unique and precious (killing a dumb animal would not constitute murder). Aslan's leaders are truthful while the evil characters characteristically lie. (Maybe Lewis was making a statement about the role of language in our nature / imago deo / human dignity.)
The Lion is a gentleman
Aslan never forces loyalty. He may be firm (roaring) or even shake people up (literally, with Trumpkin the Red Dwarf), but he never makes people submit to his rule. In the end, he gives each person what they choose.
Universalism?
I suppose Lewis did leave himself open to the charge of universalism or pluralism (where people of different faith are finally incorporated into his kingdom). Aslan includes an ardent servant of Tash, Emeth (which means "Truth" in Hebrew), and accepted his worship to Tash as worship to him.
... Two clues against universalism. One. The Dwarfs, who once acknowledged Aslan, finally refused to see him or appreciate his gifts. It shows that Lewis didn't see heaven as having an open door. Two. Despite his prior commitment to a false god, Emeth still needed to recognise Aslan as the true God, repents and follows him, a la eleventh hour.
Freedom
Aslan is not a tame lion. It's always dangerous to liken God to something created. But this is a glorious description sanctioned by Isaiah, of God's freedom, power and unpredictability. He's not safe, but he is good!
Narnia & the Bible
When I was a child, I was read picture books (in Cantonese? Mum particularly liked fables or stories with morals). When I was a teen I read paperbacks (Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley High... then I got a toothache and switched to fantasy and darker stuff). When I became a Christian, I read theology. My reading repertoire has always been genre specific.
So I completely missed the classics and children's novels, including The Chronicles of Narnia. Happily, that was remedied this month.
Everyone seems to know the Narnia series so I've love to hear how you read it. I've noted a few parallels between the books and the Bible (with Wiki's help!).
The Magician's Nephew
Aslan is God, through whom all things are created.
Its an allegory on the creation narrative in Genesis. The other world represent the reality of the Spiritual world which parallels our world, where time corresponds inexactly.
The White Witch is sin, evil, the Devil. She can't actually make anything herself, but just steals (jewelery, food), kills (by turning others into stone by the Deplorable word) and destroys things (the carriage, the lamppost) that others make and offer. She has a reign of some sort but her powers are limited. She and lusts after power, being completely self-centred and only acknowledges people who may be of use to her. Some see her for what she is, while others are entranced and attracted by her.
King Frank and Queen Helen (a Cabbie and a maid in London) may be pre-fall Adam and Eve or the ideal Christian leaders. Frank loved listening to Aslan. They demonstrate the inverted values of Narnia, where personal attributes, rather than education or class, determine one's suitability for office.
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
Aslan is revealed to be Jesus, who dies in the place of Edmund.
The-Emperor-Over-the-Sea is Father God.
Deep Magic is Scripture, binding and lasting.
The long winter is the deadening force which sin brings.
The Turkish Delight represents the worthless idols we pursue, and for which we willingly betray people and good pursuits. It's not at all substantial and a poor substitute for real food (ask SJ about the ingredients!), so consuming it is not satisfying, but only makes you crave more.
Edmund is Peter (the Apostle), whose initial betrayal and unfaithfulness is inverted.
The Horse And His Boy
Perhaps this book represents the Exodus.
Shasta, the exiled Narnian (who is revealed to be Prince Cor) is Moses. He's found in floating as a baby and adopted by a person of a hostile nation. But he's really a leader of God's people, and more ready to lead than his brother.
Calormen is Egypt, and with Telmar (Babylon?), it represents the other nations which are characterised by hardship and tyranny. They must cross a desert to return to. (Babylon is actually NE of Israel, but since a desert lies between them. Babylonians must come across the top and down to attack Israel. Therefore, they are a known as the force "from the North")
Bree represents the faithful whose character has been shaped (for the worse) by the enslavement of other nations, who then experiences difficulties returning to their own land.
The Wizard who looks into the pool to view action remotely represents the Old Testament Prophets.
There is a theodicy / explanation for suffering and trials (meetings with wild lions). They are all unhappily endured, but inflicted by Aslan and in the end, shown to be valuable and character building experiences that led them on the right path.
Prince Caspian
Maybe the Exile? Where the leader of God's people need to reclaim the land rightfully from powers that do not acknowledge Aslan.
The Narnians are scattered and in hiding, thought to be extinct as a people group.
Dr Cornelius represents God's people who have assimilated with the culture of foreign nations, but who remained true to Aslan. His knowledge and teaching about Narnia's history and the stars (prophecy) make him subversive and dangerous. But it is with knowledge that Prince Caspian defies the corrupt powers that have established themselves over the Narnians. I'm not sure about this... what part of the Bible does this resonates with?
The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
I wonder if this is Acts or the Epistles, because they go out to different countries. (Or maybe it's the seven churches in Revelation?)
Eustace is Paul. Initially an enthusiastic persecutor of God's people, he soon is constrained by scales / dragon exterior. Stuck as a dragon, Eustace mourns his behaviour and attitudes. The gold bracelet which bites into his dragon arm may represent a thorn in his flesh. Only with God's help is he freed from them. While he is humbled (in dragon skin), he is helpful more than anyone else (flying over vast territories) but he also finds himself doing things he hates doing (he finds his eating habits shameful). He occasionally tussles with Edmund (Paul and Peter?). Eustace is transformed and becomes considerate and courageous, suffering many injuries. The adventures of Narnia continue with him rather than the Pevensie children, like how Paul dominates most of the New Testament.
The Silver Chair
May describe the Christian experience.
Jill may represent those who are converted without a Christian upbringing, because she is not acquainted with Narnia's history, which is a detriment. She is slow to keep God's words.
Rilian represents the elect who are in enslaved to sin, who need to be freed by God's people. When he is under the spell, he inadvertently plots and strives to conquer a land which he rightfully has already. (Doesn't this sound like the silly striving of non-Christians for paradise, when God offers to give it to them anyway?) Once freed, Rilian must destroy the chair that kept him in bondage (Romans 6 style). Even then, it is easy for him to be ensnared again by the Green White.
Puddleglum represents the Anglicans (kidding!)
The Green Witch is the White Witch in another guise, but is still playing the same power game. Harfang is the new deception and lure away from the walk of faith. Like the long winter, the underworld is another place of anti-life and hardship imposed by sin.
The Last Battle
The darkest book in the series is probably Revelation, where many of God's people are deceived by the Anti-Christ. There is a climatic battle, Armageddon, of both physical and spiritual forces, where God's people are few and heavily persecuted. It is a battle for truth.
Shift, the Ginger Cat, Rishda Takaan represent the string of people who lead God's people astray from within with increasing cleverness and success.
It's very hard to escape the thought that Calormens represent Muslims, and Tash is Allah (a mask for evil). While both Tash and Aslan are powerful and inspire fear, Tash's fearfulness is untempered by loveliness and mercy.
At the end of time the creatures walk before Aslan, who judge and separates them to his left (to destruction) and right (to glory and real life). Not much allegory here.
The final reunion of all the main characters is the resurrection of the dead.
Aslan's mountain is heaven, after the world is remade new, where they will all dwell without sin.
So I completely missed the classics and children's novels, including The Chronicles of Narnia. Happily, that was remedied this month.
Everyone seems to know the Narnia series so I've love to hear how you read it. I've noted a few parallels between the books and the Bible (with Wiki's help!).
The Magician's Nephew
Aslan is God, through whom all things are created.
Its an allegory on the creation narrative in Genesis. The other world represent the reality of the Spiritual world which parallels our world, where time corresponds inexactly.
The White Witch is sin, evil, the Devil. She can't actually make anything herself, but just steals (jewelery, food), kills (by turning others into stone by the Deplorable word) and destroys things (the carriage, the lamppost) that others make and offer. She has a reign of some sort but her powers are limited. She and lusts after power, being completely self-centred and only acknowledges people who may be of use to her. Some see her for what she is, while others are entranced and attracted by her.
King Frank and Queen Helen (a Cabbie and a maid in London) may be pre-fall Adam and Eve or the ideal Christian leaders. Frank loved listening to Aslan. They demonstrate the inverted values of Narnia, where personal attributes, rather than education or class, determine one's suitability for office.
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
Aslan is revealed to be Jesus, who dies in the place of Edmund.
The-Emperor-Over-the-Sea is Father God.
Deep Magic is Scripture, binding and lasting.
The long winter is the deadening force which sin brings.
The Turkish Delight represents the worthless idols we pursue, and for which we willingly betray people and good pursuits. It's not at all substantial and a poor substitute for real food (ask SJ about the ingredients!), so consuming it is not satisfying, but only makes you crave more.
Edmund is Peter (the Apostle), whose initial betrayal and unfaithfulness is inverted.
The Horse And His Boy
Perhaps this book represents the Exodus.
Shasta, the exiled Narnian (who is revealed to be Prince Cor) is Moses. He's found in floating as a baby and adopted by a person of a hostile nation. But he's really a leader of God's people, and more ready to lead than his brother.
Calormen is Egypt, and with Telmar (Babylon?), it represents the other nations which are characterised by hardship and tyranny. They must cross a desert to return to. (Babylon is actually NE of Israel, but since a desert lies between them. Babylonians must come across the top and down to attack Israel. Therefore, they are a known as the force "from the North")
Bree represents the faithful whose character has been shaped (for the worse) by the enslavement of other nations, who then experiences difficulties returning to their own land.
The Wizard who looks into the pool to view action remotely represents the Old Testament Prophets.
There is a theodicy / explanation for suffering and trials (meetings with wild lions). They are all unhappily endured, but inflicted by Aslan and in the end, shown to be valuable and character building experiences that led them on the right path.
Prince Caspian
Maybe the Exile? Where the leader of God's people need to reclaim the land rightfully from powers that do not acknowledge Aslan.
The Narnians are scattered and in hiding, thought to be extinct as a people group.
Dr Cornelius represents God's people who have assimilated with the culture of foreign nations, but who remained true to Aslan. His knowledge and teaching about Narnia's history and the stars (prophecy) make him subversive and dangerous. But it is with knowledge that Prince Caspian defies the corrupt powers that have established themselves over the Narnians. I'm not sure about this... what part of the Bible does this resonates with?
The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
I wonder if this is Acts or the Epistles, because they go out to different countries. (Or maybe it's the seven churches in Revelation?)
Eustace is Paul. Initially an enthusiastic persecutor of God's people, he soon is constrained by scales / dragon exterior. Stuck as a dragon, Eustace mourns his behaviour and attitudes. The gold bracelet which bites into his dragon arm may represent a thorn in his flesh. Only with God's help is he freed from them. While he is humbled (in dragon skin), he is helpful more than anyone else (flying over vast territories) but he also finds himself doing things he hates doing (he finds his eating habits shameful). He occasionally tussles with Edmund (Paul and Peter?). Eustace is transformed and becomes considerate and courageous, suffering many injuries. The adventures of Narnia continue with him rather than the Pevensie children, like how Paul dominates most of the New Testament.
The Silver Chair
May describe the Christian experience.
Jill may represent those who are converted without a Christian upbringing, because she is not acquainted with Narnia's history, which is a detriment. She is slow to keep God's words.
Rilian represents the elect who are in enslaved to sin, who need to be freed by God's people. When he is under the spell, he inadvertently plots and strives to conquer a land which he rightfully has already. (Doesn't this sound like the silly striving of non-Christians for paradise, when God offers to give it to them anyway?) Once freed, Rilian must destroy the chair that kept him in bondage (Romans 6 style). Even then, it is easy for him to be ensnared again by the Green White.
Puddleglum represents the Anglicans (kidding!)
The Green Witch is the White Witch in another guise, but is still playing the same power game. Harfang is the new deception and lure away from the walk of faith. Like the long winter, the underworld is another place of anti-life and hardship imposed by sin.
The Last Battle
The darkest book in the series is probably Revelation, where many of God's people are deceived by the Anti-Christ. There is a climatic battle, Armageddon, of both physical and spiritual forces, where God's people are few and heavily persecuted. It is a battle for truth.
Shift, the Ginger Cat, Rishda Takaan represent the string of people who lead God's people astray from within with increasing cleverness and success.
It's very hard to escape the thought that Calormens represent Muslims, and Tash is Allah (a mask for evil). While both Tash and Aslan are powerful and inspire fear, Tash's fearfulness is untempered by loveliness and mercy.
At the end of time the creatures walk before Aslan, who judge and separates them to his left (to destruction) and right (to glory and real life). Not much allegory here.
The final reunion of all the main characters is the resurrection of the dead.
Aslan's mountain is heaven, after the world is remade new, where they will all dwell without sin.
Wednesday 3 September 2008
Insecurity
I used to see insecurity as something to be nurtured ~ like a baby: vulnerable, helpless, needy. How would you deal with insecure Christians? Well, you affirm and encourage the person, I'd've said.
My friend prescribed a different treatment. They suggested that insecurity, like arrogance, needs to be rebuked. Hmmmm...
Let's look at the varieties of Insecurus Doubtae. They may look:
· nervous, scared, timid, weak, anxious, untrusting, paranoid.
· proud, needing to look down others in order to feel better about themselves.
· envious, needing to compare themselves to others: elated to be doing better, dejected to be lagging.
· petty, needing to assert the very little power they have.
· defensive, needing to guard and protect what they have.
· stingey or selfish, needing to make sure they have enough for themselves.
· possessive, needing to claim things as their own.
· discontent, needing more, needing better.
· competitive, needing to prove they can beat others.
· powerful, needing to control and exercise power over others.
· stagnant and inflexible, needing stability and predictability for security.
· opinionated or critical, needing to show that they have superior knowledge and experience.
· like a bully, needing to intimidate and belittle people to gain a sense of power.
· like a control freak, needing to control themselves, their environment and others in trivial and big ways.
· like a manipulator, needing to control others in trivial and big ways.
· like a rebel, needing to subvert and throw off the established powers.
· like a corrector or authority, needing to show they know best.
· like a gossip, needing to control information because knowledge is power.
· like an attention seeker, needing other people's affirmation in order to feel valued.
· like an exaggerator, flatterer or liar, needing to blow out or take away from the truth.
· like an anorexic or bulimic, needing to control their food and bodies in order to have some control over anything.
· like a pioneer or high achievers, needing to achieve something significant in order to be someone significant.
· like a usurper, needing to take power away from the ones in higher positions.
· like a predator, enjoying the power of breaking the rules or taking what they shouldn't take.
All different of animals at this zoo. All with the same brokenness. All need the same treatment.
At its core, insecurity is disbelieving God is good + God is in control + God is enough.
Disbelief.
Doubt.
Introspection.
The remedy for insecurity is correcting and reminding about the security that is God. Perhaps gently, perhaps not. How you treat them depends on the type of animal. But the active ingredient is the same.
Click to see it bigger at Wordle.
My friend prescribed a different treatment. They suggested that insecurity, like arrogance, needs to be rebuked. Hmmmm...
Let's look at the varieties of Insecurus Doubtae. They may look:
· nervous, scared, timid, weak, anxious, untrusting, paranoid.
· proud, needing to look down others in order to feel better about themselves.
· envious, needing to compare themselves to others: elated to be doing better, dejected to be lagging.
· petty, needing to assert the very little power they have.
· defensive, needing to guard and protect what they have.
· stingey or selfish, needing to make sure they have enough for themselves.
· possessive, needing to claim things as their own.
· discontent, needing more, needing better.
· competitive, needing to prove they can beat others.
· powerful, needing to control and exercise power over others.
· stagnant and inflexible, needing stability and predictability for security.
· opinionated or critical, needing to show that they have superior knowledge and experience.
· like a bully, needing to intimidate and belittle people to gain a sense of power.
· like a control freak, needing to control themselves, their environment and others in trivial and big ways.
· like a manipulator, needing to control others in trivial and big ways.
· like a rebel, needing to subvert and throw off the established powers.
· like a corrector or authority, needing to show they know best.
· like a gossip, needing to control information because knowledge is power.
· like an attention seeker, needing other people's affirmation in order to feel valued.
· like an exaggerator, flatterer or liar, needing to blow out or take away from the truth.
· like an anorexic or bulimic, needing to control their food and bodies in order to have some control over anything.
· like a pioneer or high achievers, needing to achieve something significant in order to be someone significant.
· like a usurper, needing to take power away from the ones in higher positions.
· like a predator, enjoying the power of breaking the rules or taking what they shouldn't take.
All different of animals at this zoo. All with the same brokenness. All need the same treatment.
At its core, insecurity is disbelieving God is good + God is in control + God is enough.
Disbelief.
Doubt.
Introspection.
The remedy for insecurity is correcting and reminding about the security that is God. Perhaps gently, perhaps not. How you treat them depends on the type of animal. But the active ingredient is the same.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
~ Psalm 84:11-12
Click to see it bigger at Wordle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)