Drink A Little Wine

My daughter Cheryl arrived last night for a visit with us and an appointment with some medical professionals at the Houston Medical Center. She arrived late in the evening. Of course, before we went to bed we had to talk, so we each shared a glass of Zinfandel wine while we shared tales of the day.

As a result I began to think about the value and importance of wine, particularly red wine. I even remember advice from the Apostle Paul preserved in his letter to his young pastor-disciple. He said, "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Timothy 5:23).

The quote is sandwiched between counsels on pastoral practice: "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." And after the above wine quote, "The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them."

He was apparently warning Timothy to be cautious about choosing assistants in his pastoral work, reminding the inexperienced young man that those he gathered around him would have an influence upon his life as well as his reputation. That's all useful advice, but what's with the wine thing stuck in between?

We can only guess at the nature of Timothy's frequent illnesses. The mention of purity may be a warning about excesses, particularly if he started drinking a little more wine. Paul may also have been answering his protege's question about the use of wine at all. So the Apostle commands him to drink a little. It'd do him some good. On the other side, he must be aware that abuse of alcohol ("the sins of some men") is something a pastor must avoid.



We've learned a thing or two since then about the benefits of wine drinking. Here's a quote from Healthcastle:

Does red wine protect against heart disease? Maybe. Many studies investigated the benefits of red wine suggested that moderate amount of red wine (one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men) lowers the risk of heart attack for people in middle age by ~ 30 to 50 percent. It is also suggested that alcohol such as red wine may prevent additional heart attacks if you have already suffered from one. Other studies also indicated that red wine can raise HDL cholesterol (the Good cholesterol) and prevent LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) from forming. Red wine may help prevent blood clots and reduce the blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits. Indeed, studies showed that people from the Mediterranean region who regularly drank red wine have lower risks of heart disease

What's in Red Wine that are good for heart?

Red wine is a particularly rich source of antioxidants flavonoid phenolics, so many studies to uncover a cause for red wine's effects have focused on its phenolic constituents, particularly resveratrol and the flavonoids. Resveratrol, found in grape skins and seeds, increases HDL cholesterol and prevents blood clotting. Flavonoids, on the other hand, exhibit antioxidant properties helping prevent blood clots and plaques formation in arteries.

Pastor or not, a glass of wine seems to be a precious gift from our Creator. All I can tell you is that we enjoyed ours last night. I spent a good night and am having a great day.

I Still Believe In Original Sin

Recently I was listening to one of the candidates for president in this country. He was proclaiming himself the one who can bring renewal, hope and a new beginning. He will unite us and bring us a new destiny. As I said to some friends, his speech gave me stomach cramps. It was all because I don't believe any president can or ever will be able to offer what this one promises.

Why the pessimism? It is because I believe in original sin. Now there's a concept that is rejected by religious people and the scientific community alike, particularly those who espouse the theory of evolution. You cannot believe in macro evolution and in original sin at the same time.

Permit me to explain.

I'll start with original sin.

The New England Primer written before 1680 by Edward Taylor summarized the teaching with the ditty "In Adam's fall we sinned all." What that teaching suggests is that we all bear a common lineage, regardless of race, gender or nationality. In our human nature we completely lack any good in spiritual, divine things. We are all descended from Adam and Eve, a real couple who disobeyed God and were banished from the Garden of Eden. And so we do not seek God, nor do we love Him. It is rather our nature to create and worship other gods. We are, in fact, enemies of God and of all that He would teach us to believe in. It is another way of saying that God's image has been corrupted. In heart, soul, mind, heart and will we are opposed to God and to the doing of His will. This is our nature.

But wait, wait, you're saying to me. How can that be? Think of all the fine, noble and wonderful things men do. They're certainly not all done by Christians. They're done even by atheists. Yes, even people who believe in no god at all give money to the poor, support hospitals and numerous causes that promote the well-being of mankind.

And what about the wondrous progress of science? As you yourself admit, not all who devote their lives to that pursuit are followers and believers in Jesus Christ. Yet, they have brought us hundreds of advancements in medical science, agriculture, transportation, physics, etc. The astounding list goes on and on. In fact, old man, you wouldn't even be around any longer if you'd come down with pneumonia, appendicitis and some other ailments you've recovered from if you'd lived a hundred or so years ago. The discoveries of modern medicine have been used to keep you alive to write this article.

You're right, of course. In natural and external things that are subject to reason we humans still possesses a measure of power, and ability. That's the amazing and wondrous thing about us. The image of God is still reflected within us, though greatly weakened. According to God's blessing, we still have the power to "be fruitful and increase in number." We still have the command to "fill the earth and subdue it." We still retain His mandate to "rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground" (Genesis 1:28).

We have seen some astounding discoveries in the past century. They continue, thanks to human science and the use of reason. But even this reason is corrupt! We do not love the Lord God with our minds. I cannot imagine what it would be like if we did and if our mental facilities were free from the corruption of sin.



But, but, but . . . What about all the astounding discoveries of paleontology and archeology? What about the famous Lucy fossil? What about homo erectus, Neanderthal skulls and all that other stuff that is taught in grade schools and high schools across our country? What about Mary, Louis and Richard Leakey? What about all that you old, out-of-touch, seventeenth-century-thinking man? What about evolution?

Tell you what. Are you willing to do a little online reading? Read what Ray Bohlin writes in his article "Human Fossils - 'Just So' Stories of Apes and Humans." He suggests that "Effects of the ice age, constant cloud cover (preventing Vitamin D formation leading to rickets), largely vegetarian and uncooked diet, and expression of local genetic variation could readily account for the many different, yet anatomically related human forms" that have been labeled as evolutionary steps toward the progressive march of evolution.

There are, of course, many other articles available. Consider the Creation Research Article "Beyond Scientific Creationism," published in December, 2004. The authors conclude,

"As time passes, it becomes evident to more people that issues of origins have more to do with worldviews than with science. The focus of the Intelligent Design movement on evolution has been especially telling, and the outmoded ideal of the white-coated, objective investigator with an answer for every question has slipped into the past."

Do your own research. Read the writings of Philip Johnson, William Demski, Michael Denton, Michael Behe and a growing host of others involved in the Intelligent Design movement and the debate about the origins of this world and all things living on it. And if you believe in the Risen Christ, the Second Adam, as I do, you too may end up being more than a little pessimistic about the powers of any politician, philosopher, orator or scientist to usher in the great, new perfect world. That world will only come when our Lord returns in all His power to restore what He created to its original glory.

Another Comprehensive, Scientific Book On Evolution?

One of the RSS feeds I receive recently brought the following to my attention. It seems to be another example of using words without definitions, but rather loading them with implied meaning. Here's the news release:

The National Academies | News | New Book on Science and Evolution: "January 4 -- The National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine have released Science, Evolution, and Creationism, a book designed to give the public a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the current scientific understanding of evolution and its importance in the science classroom. NAS and IOM strongly maintain that only scientifically based explanations for life should be included in public school science class."

One paragraph from the complete news release states:
"Over very long periods of time, the same processes that enable evolution to occur within species also can result in the appearance of new species. The formation of a new species generally takes place when one subgroup within a species mates for an extended period largely within that subgroup, often following geographical separation from other members of the species. If such reproductive isolation continues, members of the subgroup may no longer respond to courtship from members of the original population. Eventually, genetic changes become so substantial that members of different subgroups can no longer produce viable offspring. In this way, new species can continually "bud off" of existing species."

By the way, no attempt is made to define the term "species." The problem is, no one has yet come up with a species-definition which is universally applicable to all life-forms

I'll have to leave further scientific arguments in this debate in the hands of people a lot more competent than I am. My concern here is with the way phrases and words are used to promote biased viewpoints. Let's start with the National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine. What is that? Established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine claims to provide independent, objective, evidence-based advice to policymakers, health professionals, the private sector, and the public.

One would think that it must involve millions of brilliant scientists all across the USA who have all agreed that Creationists are incompetent in the field of science and prejudiced against scientific advances. In fact the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies lists a membership of but 1,689 as of December, 2007. I could not discover how many scientific organizations there are in the USA, but any Google search suggests there are thousands. My point: This report speaks for a tiny minority, yet claims to present "a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the current scientific understanding of evolution."

Moreover, what is the "current scientific understanding of evolution"? Apparently the whole question of evolution is up for grabs in this country. A National Geographic survey review of a number of surveys found that "People in the United States are much less likely to accept Darwin's idea that humans and apes share a common ancestor than adults in other Western nations." That study suggest that this is because of the influence of independent religious teachings and the freedoms we enjoy.

Lots of questions are left hanging. Is there, in fact, but one common and current scientific understanding of evolution? What is the difference between macro and micro evolution? Is there scientific evidence for Intelligent Design? Can one believe in a Creator who designed the universe and all in it and still be a scientist? I have often cited Lee Strobel's 2004 book The Case for a Creator. In his book Strobel interviews a number of highly acclaimed scientists from the disciplines of cosmology, physics, astronomy, biochemistry and psychiatry. Strobel concludes "As I reviewed the avalanche of information from my investigation, I found the evidence for an intelligent designer to be credible, cogent, and compelling. Actually, in my opinion the combination of the findings from cosmology and physics by themselves were sufficient to support the design hypothesis. All of the other data simply built an even more powerful cumulative case that ended up overwhelming my objections," p. 283.

The debate is not over. The evidence is not all in. There is no such thing as a single and "current scientific understanding of evolution and its importance in the science classroom."

Women Are Equal To Men

This afternoon I finished a beautiful, disturbing, even frightening book by a young woman born in Somalia. Her name is Ayan Hirsi Ali and the book is titled Infidel.



In her book Hirsi Ali records her life from the days when she was born into a Muslim Somalian family until the time she became a Dutch citizen and a member of that country's parliament. For years her life was threatened by fundamentalist Muslims, because she dared to expose the cruelty of that religion's teachings and ways in their dealings with women. If you want to read something that will move you deeply, get her book and read it.

She calls her book Infidel, because she has abandoned the Muslim faith, including a belief in Allah and the afterlife. Her life experiences, combined with her university studies and her work as a politician, led her to see the irrationality of such beliefs. She finds them in deep conflict with the morality of western nations, the universal need to respect the rights of women as well as men and the causes of equality and freedom for all. Reflect upon her experiences and views. You will gain a deeper insight into why we are involved in this war against terrorism promoted by fundamentalist Muslim teachings.

Of course, not all Muslims agree with her that women are not spiritually equal to men "in the sight of God." The big word among proponents of that religion is submission to Allah. That is a discussion that could go on and on.

I do not mean to turn my comments on this Blog into some kind of political discussion or into a dispute about the Muslim faith. Instead I ask myself and anyone who reads these words to consider that when we who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ point a finger (at Muslims, for instance), we must also consider that there are also three fingers pointing back at us. We all have a long journey before us before we overcome prejudice against women on all levels of our life.

Yes, in the USA we have a woman Secretary of State. Yes we have women Governors, Senators and Legislators. Yes, women play leadership roles in all the professions. Yes, women are deeply involved and respected in the arts, in religious institutions and in churches. Women are or have been CEO's of Hewlett-Packard, Xerox, Sarah Lee, Rite Aid and others. Amazing to some, a woman only recently became the president of Texas A&M. We currently have a woman running for president.

But are women seen as equal to men? Certainly not by all. The glass ceiling still exists in the world of business, for instance.

The 2005 Catalyst Census of Women Corporate Officers and Top Earners of the Fortune 500 found that in the last three years, average growth in the percentage of corporate officer positions held by women fell dramatically to 0.23 percentage points per year, the lowest yearly gain in the past ten years. Between 2002 and 2005, the total number of women corporate officers increased by a mere 0.7 percentage points to 16.4 percent. the average Fortune 500 company had 21.8 corporate officers in 2005; on average, women held only 3.6 of these positions. Women occupied only 9.4 percent of clout titles (those higher than vice president), up from 7.9 percent in 2002.

Likewise, Bible teachers tend toward generalizations that could and must be challenged at every step. Consider the following list from the Interactive Bible site, stating that the sexes are equal but different in 19 ways. I become very leery of such generalizations. Men and women are different. Who could deny that? Much of what this writer says has some truth in it. Beware, however of generalizations like "Men do not have as strong a desire and need for stability, security and enduring relationships as women do."

What are some of the things that the Bible teaches about women? I'll share a list and then drop this topic to await your comments and observations. Perhaps we can continue the discussion another day.

"So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Genesis 1:27.

"Every one that is called by my name: for I have created him [read him/her] for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." Isaiah 43:7

"The truth is in Jesus . . . And be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."Ephesians 4:21-24

The Hebrew word for Image is Tselem. The Greek New Testament equivalent is Icon. The reference is not to a physical, outward image, but to the inner person. We who are in Christ, male or female, are being renewed by His Spirit at work in our hearts, changing us day by day into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. The image so distorted by sin, so confused by false teachings and false religions, is being restored within us. Now, at all levels of our existence, we are learning to live, act and love as Christ. It is only in Christ that we can ever learn the meaning of equality.