Superintelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Christian Hope

In our study of the things of God (theology) we often use the obscure word eschatology. The word refers to the part of theology concerned with the final destiny of this world and all of us who live here. As it turns out this subject is much discussed and portrayed in movies, books and among scientists and scholars—most of whom ignore completely what the Christian church has to say about such matters. 

Once in a while I make it my business to check in on what one or the other of those scientists and scholars has to say about eschatology. So I recently read through Nick Bostrom's latest tome, Superinteligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. According to Wikipedia Dr. Bostrom is a 41 year old Swedish philosopher at St. Cross College, University of Oxford. He is known for his work on existential risk, the anthropic principle, human enhancement ethics, superintelligence risks, the reversal test, and consequentialism. I think the latter term refers to the idea that if this or that happens then this is what will result as a consequence. 

In his rather tedious manner Dr. Bostrom points out that the "singularity" is approaching. In current terms that refers to a time in the future when machine technology will take over and human affairs as we know them will not continue—at least the way they have been. He focuses upon Artificial Intelligence (AI).  By that he is not referring to Steven Spielberg's 2001 movie, but in a way he is. He is talking about the day and time when machines will far surpass us humans in intelligence, both individually and collectively. And then what, what, what will happen? 

Here are some of the things he highlights: 

• The Google search engine is, arguably, the greatest AI system that has yet been built. 

• We know that blind evolutionary processes can produce human-level intelligence, since they have already done so at least once. Evolutionary processes with foresight—that is, genetic programs designed and guided by an intelligent human programmer—should be able to achieve a similar outcome with far greater efficiency. 

He doesn't know when this singularity will happen. It is just that he's very concerned that when it does the machines will not be our friends. So what can WE do? We have to reduce the risks of the machine intelligence revolution. We must now develop some strategies. If we do not, well, we just don't know what might happen and we are very uncertain when it will. 

This is going to take lots of money. So we have to find folks who will pony up. And when they do they'll have to be both astute and altruistic, "because they may have opportunities to shape the field's culture before the usual venal interests take up position and entrench." By venal interests he refers to the nasty folks who are always wanting to use technology and machines for their own monetary and power-hungry interests. Somebody or some bodies with good hearts and deep pockets must stand up before something truly dreadful happens. Since before . . . 

"the prospect of an intelligence explosion, we humans are like small children playing with a bomb. Such is the mismatch between the power of our plaything and the immaturity of our conduct. Super intelligence is a challenge for which we are not ready now and will not be ready for a long time. We have little idea when the detonation will occur, though if we hold the device to our ear we can hear a faint ticking sound. . .  

"Nor can we attain safety by running away, for the blast of an intelligence explosion would bring down the entire firmament. Nor is there a grown-up in sight." 

Did you get that? ". . . an intelligence explosion would bring down the entire firmament."  Note: the entire firmament! And not a grown-up in sight. Sounds like something the Apostle Peter said 2,000 years ago when he wrote about the return of the Risen Christ:

They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. - 2 Pet. 3:4-7 ESV 

Of course Dr. Bostrom in true post-enlightenment fashion says nothing about the Second Coming of Christ when he writes about his foreseen explosion. Throughout his long discussion of possibilities for the future he acts and writes as if there is no God who is involved or even vaguely concerned about the destiny of our human race. After all, we are who we are by blind evolutionary chance. So with that as a given, we can only do what we can  do to control this inevitable development with some intelligent genetic programming. Perhaps, just perhaps, it will then turn out to our happy good. Who knows?

Yet we who are in Christ have such a hope do we not? The Apostle Paul writes,

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. - Rom. 8:18-25 ESV

When Paul speaks of creation he means to say that all-that-is is under the control of its Creator. And that Creator has come among us in Jesus Christ to make us one with himself. That's why we look forward with hope in spite of modern forecasts of almost certain doom. And who knows the content of that hope Paul calls "the freedom of the glory of the children of God"? All we know is that we are not afraid. Instead we wait with excitement, for, as Paul also writes in another letter, quoting the prophet Isaiah,

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- - 1 Cor. 2:9 (Isa. 64:4) ESV  

The Life-giving Power Of God's Mercy

The previous conclusion or therefore was an admonition, based upon the Law of God. Do this, do that, said the author, and you'll see some amazing things. It did not, however, offer the motivating power and energy to pull off such a life style. One doesn't help people to grow and change merely by threats and punishment. All that does is get their attention—and some temporary changes. The real spiritual power comes through the love of Jesus. This is why the Hebrews writer says,

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned." Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear." - Hebrews 12:18-21 ESV

The reference, of course, is to the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:1-23:33). It was a very frightening scene, with all the thunder, lightning and blaring of trumpets. Who wouldn't be scared? But, says the writer, that's not the mountain we've come to. No indeed. We've come to . . .

Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. - Hebrews 12:22-24 ESV

Here we encounter grace and undeserved mercy, all because Jesus has completed and fulfilled all that the bloody sacrifices of the Old Covenant pointed to. He is the mediator of a new covenant. His sprinkled blood, poured out on the altar of the cross of Calvary, shouts forever forgiveness, freedom and life for all who will accept it. It does not bring judgment, but rather justification.

This leads to the second great conclusion, the second therefore. 

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, - Hebrews 12:28 ESV

The shaking refers to this earth. God shook the earth once when He came down to Mount Sinai to pronounce judgment upon all who reject His commandments. The prophets announced again and again that there will be a final judgment day, a final shake-up of everything! At that time earth and heaven will pass away (Isaiah 13:13) and all will stand before the Judge who will separate the sheep from the goats, His children from those who have rejected Him (Matt. 25:31-34).

Therefore, says the Hebrews writer, be grateful, be excited and look ahead to what is coming. And let that be the motivation for the pursuit of a God-like, a godly, holy life.  And for those who question and doubt these words, listen again to a warning:

Our God is a consuming fire. - Hebrews 12:29 ESV (see also Isaiah 66:15). 

Your Soul's Sure And Steadfast Anchor

In my last post we heard that there are those who may have fallen from the faith and cannot be returned to it. Nevertheless we pray for them. Now turn this around. What if you are fearful that this may happen to you by some weakness of your sinful heart or some temptation of the devil? What confidence can you have that you too will not lose your faith? Can you have any confidence in God's blessings? Listen.

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things--things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. - Hebrews 6:9-12 ESV

If you are reading these words of Holy Scripture, if you're heart rejoices in the promises that are yours in Jesus and if you are even concerned that you might lose your faith, then please, my brother or sister, take heart. " Better things, things that belong to your salvation, await you."

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. - Hebrews 6:10 ESV 

He knows you. He knows your heart. He knows what moves you to love your friend. He knows why you went out of your way to send your friend a check to cover expenses when he was forced to spend all that he had for medicines for his sick and dying child. He knows how you spent long hours visiting and encouraging a fellow member of your Christian fellowship, encouraging her as she mourned the death of her husband. He knows and remembers that commitment you have to your Bible class for teens in your neighborhood. He knows your heart and sees the faith that you have for Him, faith that expresses itself in love.

And just as He promised to bless Abraham, so He promises to bless you. Abraham was willing to obey the LORD, even when He was commanded to sacrifice his only son, Isaac (Gen. 22:1-18). Then the LORD knew that Abraham believed and trusted Him—and, as before, He renewed His promise to bless Abraham (Gen. 17:1-8).

And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." - Gen 22:15-18 ESV 

As Hebrews says, "since God had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, 'Surely I will bless you and multiply you'" (Hebrews 6:13-14). And it is very important that you understand what that means for you so that even in times when you struggle with doubts and darkness you do not completely despair of God's love for you, sinner though you are. What strengthens us in those moments is the unchangeable nature and person of God and the fact that He cannot lie. In other words,

1. God's purpose for you is that you receive forgiveness because of Jesus' sacrifice for you on the cross of Calvary. In Jesus He said, "Surely I will bless and multiply you. I WILL, I WILL!" 
2. And he has guaranteed this with an oath, swearing by Himself, just as He did to Abraham. 

So we return to what He said to us earlier in this letter about Jesus, the Son of God.

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. - Hebrews 4:14-15 ESV

We have a high priest, we surely do. His name is Jesus, the Son of God. He understands, relates and sympathizes with your weakness, your confusion, your fear. Again, as we said before, He knows. He too was tempted, just as you are. Yet He did not sin, but offered His sinful life for you.

Jesus is then your soul's "sure and steadfast anchor" in the midst of the storms assailing you. He is your one certain hope. He has "passed through the heavens" into the very presence of God, the presence represented in the old tabernacle and later in the temple by the Most Holy Place (Exod. 26:33-34; 40:18-38; Hebrews 9:1-28).

So do not fear. He will preserve your faith. Your hope of heaven and eternal life is certain. We'll learn more of this later.

Gender Hierarchy In Marriage

We who hold that marriage must be defined as the union of one man and one woman for life, are often criticized for promoting marriage as a male hierarchic institution. That is to say, we believe and teach that the man is and must be the head of the marriage and the woman must submit to whatever he says or demands. The classic quote is from Paul's guidance about the marriage relationship:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing" (Ephesians 5:22-24 - KJV). 

Many young women meeting with me in pre-marital sessions made it very clear that they were not willing to vow to submit to their husband in everything. They had heard too many times about how a domineering husband defended his actions by insisting his domineering was a God-given right. These young women did not believe it and insisted that they were every bit the equal of their husbands-to-be.

On the other hand, I have also heard a battered wife tell me that her husbands was sorry for what he had done. So she was returning to the marriage. After all, this is the Lord's will, regardless of what he has been doing. And, the Bible says that a wife is to submit in every thing.

Is that really what the Apostle says in Ephesians 5? Is that God's plan? Is there to be a gender hierarchy in marriage?

Lets look at the Ephesians quote again. We'll start with the Greek verb hypotasso, translated as submit or be subject to. The word occurs 49 times in 32 N.T. verses. For instance, we read that Jesus Himself submitted to His parents after they found Him in the temple (Luke 2:51). And the disciples sent out by Jesus came back rejoicing that the demons were subject to them in Jesus' name (Luke 10:17). Again the Apostles teach that we must all submit to established governing authorities, because they have their authority from God (Roman 13:1). Those uses of the verb must mean the wife is to submit to her husband—except that her husband is also to submit to her! Paul writes,

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:18-21). 

What's going on here? We believers are to sing together with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. This no doubt refers to worshipping together, not merely by mouthing the music, but by "making melody to the Lord" from our hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in our lives to the Father. And always in Jesus' name, because He is the living source of our forgiveness, hope and life. The Apostle urges us to this literally "in the fear of Christ."

What does it mean to fear Christ or to fear God? In the Bible there are indeed two kinds of fear when it comes to our relationship with God.

1. Terror of the LORD: "Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty" (Isaiah 2:10). The LORD is coming to judge and punish the sinner. There is no escape. The Hebrew word is pachad.  

2. Fear of the LORD: "The fear (Hebrew: yirah) of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" (Psalm 111:10). This is not terror, but awe, reverence and love. John writes, "By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:17-19).

So Paul teaches that all of us believers in Christ, out of reverence for Him and His awesome, undeserved and gracious love for us sinners, will gladly and willingly emulate His love. Thus a wife will submit to her husband and a husband will joyfully submit to his wife. Paul goes on to illustrate how that will be: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word . . ." (Ephesians 5:25-26). In other words, Christ became the Suffering Servant of the church, His bride. He assumed responsibility for the sins of His bride. He gave up His life in her place. He died that she might live (Isa. 53:1-12). This is the way Christ, the head, cares for His body. This then also is why a believing wife gladly submits to her husband out of reverence for Christ. The believing husband likewise submits to his wife, ever ready to give himself up for her as Christ did for the church. Quite a different image from the world's view of the domineering husband who always insists on his own way.

More on this another day when we explore gender roles in marriage.

We Still Have The Kingdom

Psalm 46:1-11 is appointed for the upcoming final Sunday of the Church Year, usually known as Christ the King Sunday. It is also the psalm appointed for Reformation Sunday at the end of October and the psalm upon which Martin Luther based his famous hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." I shall lift up the teachings from Luther's great hymn. Here is how the Psalm begins.

God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
   though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 

Surely life is filled with turmoil and trouble. I read this morning in the Houston Chronicle about a family wiped out by a careless driver who will most likely be charged with reckless driving and manslaughter. Beyond that comes the news that a loved one has cancer, a hurricane has wrecked havoc on an entire island nation and an upstanding citizen is charged with bribery. Why all this?

The Bible's answer is simple, sharp and clear. We have all sinned and fallen far short of God's commandments. We are under judgment. What could we possibly expect?  But we have hope, for in our time of trouble "God is our refuge and strength."That is, of course, quite puzzling. How can we be under God's judgment and at the same time find Him to be a tested and sure source of refuge and strength?

Luther sorts out this dilemma in the following manner. He points us to Christ. We believers in Christ who sing this psalm must realize that we are no longer at war with God, but with "the old evil foe," Satan and all his demons. By means of guile, deception and other dread spiritual arms they would deprive us of our faith in Christ and devour us with despondency. Against them we can do nothing. As soon as we attempt to fight our spiritual battles alone we lose.

But for us fights the valiant One, whom God Himself elected? Who is this? Jesus Christ it is. He is the Lord of hosts—Hebrew: Sabaoth. He is God and the Son of God. He holds the field for us and will do so forever. He won the victory over sin and death upon the cross. He now pleads for us before the throne of God. Satan can no longer harm us. God has spoken His Word by raising Jesus from the dead. He has accepted the sacrifice of His Son. We can put our trust in this fortress and be unafraid.

So let devils fill the world, all eager to swallow us. We tremble not. We fear no ill. They shall not, they cannot overpower us. Oh, this world's prince may still scowl fierce as he will, lifting up our sin and mocking us with shame. Let him. He can harm us none. He and his rebels are under judgment themselves. They must now flee before the Word, Jesus Christ.

The Word is by our side on the battle field. He has not left us here alone. He is here with His good gifts, the preaching and teaching of His Word and the sacraments administered to us and our children. In them we hear again and again the assurance that we are the forgiven children of God. And so we are secure.

Will we still face trials? Yes we will. That is the lesson of the book of Job, the story of a righteous, God-fearing man whom God permitted to endure grave trials and tests. In Job 2:4-6 we read of how this came to be.

Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face." And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life."

 As you know, murderous thieves and natural disasters were responsible for the deaths of Job's sons and daughters. After that a horrid disease wracked his body. No wonder that his wife urged him to "curse God and die" (Job 2:9).  Yet through it all Job clung to God's Word and promise. Listen to his words.

"Oh that my words were written!
   Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
Oh that with an iron pen and lead
   they were engraved in the rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
   and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
   yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself,
   and my eyes shall behold, and not another" (Job 19:23-27). 

 God does not tempt us to sin, but He does permit our faith to be tested, sometimes most severely. All this is always and ever for our eternal good. His concern is to produce endurance, character and hope. He wants to teach us that we can only depend upon Jesus for mercy and forgiveness (Romans 5:1-11).

So Dr. Luther can write, "Were they to take our house, goods, honor, child or spouse, though life be wrenched away, they cannot win the day. the Kingdom's ours forever." What a powerful lesson for Christ the King Sunday.

   

                

How To Deal With Today's Anxiety

I have this habit of scratching when I'm nervous or afraid. Often I don't even realize that I'm doing it until I notice some blotches on my skin. Others I know start to stutter or blink their eyes rapidly or twitch their mouth. We all manifest anxiety or fear one way or another. In the most extreme situations people become hypochondriacs.

For hypochondriacs everyday functions become obsessions. They misinterpret normal bodily functions. A rapid heart rate is probably a heart attack. Sweating must mean kidney failure. Hunger pangs and fatigue obviously mean the onset of some form of cancer. Surely I must quickly get to the emergency room or at least obtain another doctor's appointment today, tomorrow at the very latest.

Sometimes I wonder if Psalm writer David was not a bit of a hypochondriac. Take Psalm 39:1-13 for instance. He starts out by talking to himself. He is absolutely going to restrain himself before those total idiots he has to work with. He suspects they're out to get him one way or another. He gets so troubled by this that he starts burning up inside. This is bad, really bad.

But then he shifts and I realize these are not the words of a hypochondriac. These are the words of a devout man troubled not merely by what men say or think, but about the brevity of life. I can relate directly to that. He is aware that he can measure his days with a few handbreadths. Life is but a mere breath, a shadow. Why is that? Why do we all die? Why do we even concern ourselves about this?

Many years ago I distinctly recall stumbling across a passage from King Solomon's disturbing writings. He wrote, "God has made everything beautiful in its time." That, I thought, is true. We can sing about that. But then he went on, "Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

How easy it would be for David, Solomon and me if we were like dogs. Mine in particular is quite incapable of worrying about the brevity of his life. He has a problem with seizures every couple months. The vet says he can do little about that problem other than to dumb him down with some drugs. Neither my pet nor I want that, so when a seizure comes I hold him tight and we tremble through it together. After its over, he bounces up in about an hour and is ready to move on the same as always. He is not capable of all the fretting and fussing the two kings and I go through.

But we're not dogs. We are the cap of God's creation, bearing His very image within, made by Him for eternity. We can do nothing other than to beg our Creator, "look away from me" (Psalm 39:13). Please, God, do not look me in the eye and tell me again how I have messed up, failed and deserve to be utterly forsaken by You—forever! Help me before I depart and am no more.

And then I hear another cry from a direct descendant of King David. I see Him hanging on a Roman cross, crying out in Syro-Chaldaic, his native tongue, the words of another of David's psalms (Psalm 22:1), "Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?" Matthew interprets the strange words, "That is, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

As I hear those words my hypochondria begins to dissipate like morning fog. I realize again that He hung there so I can begin this day with a smile on my face. I am forgiven. My God is my heavenly Father who, for Christ's sake, has forgiven me. And when I depart, I will not cease to be, but I will dwell in the Father's house and among His children forever.

He Will Keep You Strong To The End

There remains much talk among Christians about the end of this age. For instance, millions around the world have purchased books from the Left Behind series. As I continue my meditation upon the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, I see that from the outset of the proclamation of the Gospel the apostles wanted believers to be concerned about this issue. He writes in chapter one:

"Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1:7-9).

Some of the questions that come to mind:

• What does it mean to wait for our Lord Jesus and to wait eagerly?
• How will He be revealed?
• When is the end? The end of what?
• What is the day of our Lord Jesus Christ?
• Is there to be more than one day?

In that connection I've been reading a few books and doing more surfing of the Net about the year 2012. Soon the movie will be out. My oh my but the trailers are scary. If you are vulnerable to this sort of thing--and the movie folks are counting on it--you will be spending sleepless nights pondering how you might escape the upcoming disaster.

Some tie this in with the global warming issue to point out that the planet is warming up rapidly. The polar ice caps will soon melt and release clear water into the salt oceans. This will disrupt the transporter currents around the world, causing cataclysmic storms and an instant rise in the temperature.

Add to this, the probability that sunspot storms will most likely occur in December, 2012. And what do you have? THE END, friend, THE END!

Let me respond to all of this scare stuff by going back to 1 Corinthians. In v.23 Paul teaches simply and profoundly, "We teach Christ crucified." That means that God loved the world, including you and me, so much that He was not willing that a single one of us should be lost to eternal death and separation from Him. In His mercy he has called us to faith in Jesus, granted us forgiveness and holiness in Christ and the absolute certainty that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We are, when all is said and done, His children. And He completely and fully intends that we will spend endless ages with Him in endless bliss, peace and contentment.

When the doomsayers come at you in books and the media, find your comfort in the wonder producing words of that most familiar psalm:

"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46:1-3

And also take courage from the words quoted above: "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

How Slow of Heart to Believe

It's been a while since I've posted. I could say that I've been busy, but that would be only partly so. The truth is, I've been depressed and discouraged, an old familiar pain that spans my entire lifetime. I can distinctly recall it since my early teens. If I could find it, I'd point you to a journal from those days in which I scrawled, "What good to live, if but to die.

Sounds like the Book of Ecclesiastes, one Biblical book I avoid, because it is too painful for me. "Meaningless! Meaningless!"
says the Teacher.
"Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless."

It doesn't help that I've been reading a dismal book. Why do I dip into such stuff? I've just finished One Second After by William R. Forstchen. He writes about what might happen if enemies of the USA were to manage to explode nuclear bombs a couple hundred miles above Kansas, causing an EMP (electro-magnetic pulse). Telephones, cars, the entire electrical grid, everything electronic--all of it--could in theory be destroyed while people and animals would not be affected. However, that would leave us helpless, pushed back to a civilization like that in medieval times. Millions upon millions would die.

My goodness, what moves me to read such stuff? Fiction, of course, but potentially . . . Well, you get the picture.

As I read that I suddenly began to realize how the two disciples on the road to Emmaus must have felt when they thought Jesus was dead. Everything they hoped for, dreamed about, was gone. Their Messiah was dead, murdered by the Romans and their own country's leaders on a cross outside of Jerusalem.

"He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people," they told the stranger who encountered them on the way. "The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24).

"We had hoped. . ." The dream was gone, dissipated by the cruel reality of the day. The night was now closing in and with it hope was dying.

And yet, here was this stranger. They didn't recognize him. They couldn't. Their eyes were blinded by their disbelief. Rather blunt, no very blunt was he. "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe . . ." And from there he went on to explain that it was all part of the plan, all written through the prophets centuries before.

I guess I'll have to take another look at my depression, wiggle my little finger at my doubts and ask, "Is what you believe really the truth? Is God dead? Has Satan won after all?"

Perhaps not. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

I'd best get on with the tasks of the day before me. I pray you will do the same.

Never, Never, Never, Ever Give Up

This afternoon I was watching the Houston Texans play football against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans were down by 29 points in the fourth quarter, but they did not give up. By a series of well-played passes and an onside kick they moved ahead by one point. But there were still 57 seconds left in the game and the Titans did not give up either. They went on to win the game with a field goal with two seconds left on the game clock.

This was an exciting game and a real demonstration of determination. As I watched I remembered what a fellow writer told me about a famous author. He was rejected by publishers 110 times, she said. But he never gave up and now he is a best selling novelist. Never, ever give up.

Both instances are interesting and challenging to say the least. It reminds me of that famous quote by Winston Churchill. "Never give in! Never give in! Never, never, never, never - in nothing great or small, large or petty. Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense."



I put this together with a movie some friends watched with my wife and me. The movie was Elizabeth, starring Cate Blanchett. It's the story of England's first great Queen and her navy's defeat of the invincible Spanish Armada. In 1588 Philip of Spain sent over 100 ships against her and her nation. Joined by the Duke of Parma of the Netherlands, with their superior forces the Catholic Spaniards were determined to sail all the way to London to capture the country with its heretical Protestant Queen. But it never happened.


Elizabeth did not give up. She remained confident in God and encouraged her people as well. The weather in the English channel was dreadful. Storm winds and rain were against the Spanish. They were unable to maneuver the treacherous coastline waters. The English sent burning ships to ram the Spanish gunships and set them afire. Others fearfully pulled anchor and were driven by the winds to wreck on the rocks. What was left of the Armada fled in terror. However, the only way back to Spain was the perilous journey around the coast of Scotland. Thousands of Spanish men sank with their ships. The English won a decisive battle. The Spanish suffered their worst defeat in the history of their Armada.

So I'm watching the Texans/Titans football game, thinking about Churchill and getting my review of British history via Hollywood all in one weekend and I'm wondering, What can I learn from all this? And does it match in any way with what the Bible says? Or is this merely the stuff of coaches, queens and motivational speakers?

Then I remembered Hebrews 12 and what the Bible says about Christians being trained to follow Jesus. It's all about this never, ever give up attitude.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus," says the writer. He is "the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

He focused upon his goal with flint-like determination (Isaiah 50:4-9). Nothing could deter him, neither false accusations nor lies, hatred nor beatings, unimagined suffering nor death. He endured it all and won God's eternal mercy and forgiveness for all of us sinners.

Now we're called to follow in his footsteps, writes the Hebrews author. And through it all he is working in us and through us. I'm no football player. I've never been a soldier or a sailer. I'll never be a king or politician. But I am a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, author, writer, friend and neighbor. In all these callings I find myself challenged and at times discouraged. I get so weary with people's failings, greed, selfishness and pettiness, to say nothing of my own many weaknesses. Often I've wanted to give up, give in and run to hide in some remote mountain.

Then I turn back to Hebrews 12 and I hear my Master tell me that even at this advanced stage in life I'm being trained, disciplined and prepared for whatever today and tomorrow will bring. Could it be that I still have something to contribute to the lives of those around me, to my family, friends and fellow believers? Certainly, says the Hebrew writer. Hang in there. Discipline always "produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Okay. I'll take your Word for it, Lord. And you, if you're reading this, what about you? Never, never, never, ever give up!