Almost every week I charge my congregation to be "Aromatic Christians" in the week ahead. Meaning their lives should give evidence of their faith. If you have to tell someone you are a Christian, you probably should keep your mouth shut.
The label Christian was first used by people of other faiths, who saw the actions of the people and said, "There go the followers (disciples) of Christ." This is the basic definition of Christian.
Theologically a Christian, by our definition, is one who has received the Spirit of God and all the authority that entails.
In this small detail lies the basic problem between most religions (in all religions the believer is touched by the divine spirit). Give authority to some people and they grow; give it to others and they swell. Being a part of creation is an awesome position. It means you represent a force that causes life! It causes things to exist! When you walk in the woods you are walking with your family, for we are related to everything that exist. You are a "little one" of God. The God and power who causes life. You represent the creator of all life!
This reminds us that all who come as representatives of their Creator God, should be given respect. Do we respect all those things of God? The environment? Society? Other people? Our faith? Perhaps if we remember that we also are a representative of the creator it might change your approach to others.
We are each a representative - we only represent God. If we work for a company and they send us to visit a customer we cannot represent something to the customer the company will not do. Ambassadors understand that very well. Another English word for ambassador is apostle. They were/are representatives of Jesus. Jesus was/is a representative of God. We need only to project what/who we represent - the God of life and love.
There is no room or tolerance for those who come in the name of God and represent death and hate; condemnation and rejection; and self centeredness. By represent, I mean how we influence others by our words, actions and attitudes. No one can influence others to live on a higher level than that on which they live themselves. Just one act of ours may turn the tide of another person's life.
When God says to a person, "Well done thou faithful servant," it signifies that God feels that person represented God well. They gave of the aroma of love, grace, and acceptance; not hate, condemnation, and rejection. They were Christ like.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Religion and Astrology
Recently public polls indicated millions of U.S. citizens believe in Astrology. They also revealed over ten percent of Evangelical Christians believed in Astrology at that time. What is Astrology?
Astrology is a belief system based on the assumption that the stars and planets mysteriously influence our lives. Four distinct beliefs within astrology are: 1) it is a study of the heavenly bodies and their influences on our lives. 2) it is a science of certain cryptic relationships between celestial bodies and our lives. 3) it is the effect of planetary vibrations on our lives. 4) it is a means of interpreting symbols that effect our lives.
Ancient Astrology believed that: 1) planets are gods. 2) emanations or influences from planets rule and affect the Earth. 3) Stars and planets are symbols that when interpreted guide our lives.
To understand the basic concepts of these astrological beliefs, one needs to know the basics of all belief systems.
Imagine a huge glass ball with a thin white belt encircling it. According to astrology, the glass ball is the celestial sphere. The white belt encircling the glass ball is the Zodiac. Divide the white belt into 12 sections. Each of these sections is given a name. The name is of a symbolic animal or man representing the imaginary constellations known as Aries the ram, Virgo the virgin, Leo the lion, Gemini the twins, etc. These symbols of animals and men are called the "signs of the Zodiac".
Signs of the Zodiac are known as Sun-signs. Houses are the twelve sections of the Zodiac. Combined together, they symbolize every aspect of life. According to this theory the planets move through the houses. A person's horoscope is "map" of the heavens at the moment of their birth. An aspect refers to the angles between the planets. All of these elements collectively are then used to guide a person through life. A method used by millions of people in many lands through out the known history of mankind.
But no one has accurately recorded 4000 years of humanity's astrological experience. And if they had, why are there so many conflicting astrological theories? Surely, there must be some concrete proof that astrology is a valid science or belief system. Or is just a concept that gives comfort and excuses?
Perhaps Astrology is popular because it claims to provide important information that people want to know. Astrology claims to provide people with information that will: 1) protect them, 2) bring them success, 3) guide them, 4) predict their future, and 5) help them understand themselves.
Astrology apparently offers people the belief that they can "control" their own destiny, and it also provides them a ready-made justification for failure or sin. Above all, astrology sells hope.
For most astrologers, the idea of pantheism (all is god; god is all) defines their belief in a god. Their god is nature, which includes the heavens and earth.
Of course it goes directly against the Judaeo-Christian-Islamic belief of a God, who created all of the heavens and earth. Our God is beyond space and time. Our God acknowledges our world to be a difficult place in which to live. Our God knows, we lack control of our lives in both the present and the future. Our God sent the anointed, "Holy" Spirit of God to strengthen us, to give us self control in the present, and finally to assure us of our future.
So why do people still look else where for guidance and comfort?
Because the system established by our God, the creator of everything, puts God at the center of our existence. The systems established by Astrology, a collection of human teachings, put humanity at the center of existence. The original downfall of humanity was this desire to be like God.
Which system is best? If you look at the history of humanity it isn't very encouraging. The more self-centered we become, the more evil we seem to be to each other. On the other hand the original hope and peace God has promised from the very beginning is unchanged.
So it seems to be a simple choice: 1) pick a self centered human created means of guiding your life and providing you hope. Or 2) choose a simplistic God centered means with over 4000 years of statistical data and evidence to back it up. Follow the heavens or follow the one, who created them.
Astrology is a belief system based on the assumption that the stars and planets mysteriously influence our lives. Four distinct beliefs within astrology are: 1) it is a study of the heavenly bodies and their influences on our lives. 2) it is a science of certain cryptic relationships between celestial bodies and our lives. 3) it is the effect of planetary vibrations on our lives. 4) it is a means of interpreting symbols that effect our lives.
Ancient Astrology believed that: 1) planets are gods. 2) emanations or influences from planets rule and affect the Earth. 3) Stars and planets are symbols that when interpreted guide our lives.
To understand the basic concepts of these astrological beliefs, one needs to know the basics of all belief systems.
Imagine a huge glass ball with a thin white belt encircling it. According to astrology, the glass ball is the celestial sphere. The white belt encircling the glass ball is the Zodiac. Divide the white belt into 12 sections. Each of these sections is given a name. The name is of a symbolic animal or man representing the imaginary constellations known as Aries the ram, Virgo the virgin, Leo the lion, Gemini the twins, etc. These symbols of animals and men are called the "signs of the Zodiac".
Signs of the Zodiac are known as Sun-signs. Houses are the twelve sections of the Zodiac. Combined together, they symbolize every aspect of life. According to this theory the planets move through the houses. A person's horoscope is "map" of the heavens at the moment of their birth. An aspect refers to the angles between the planets. All of these elements collectively are then used to guide a person through life. A method used by millions of people in many lands through out the known history of mankind.
But no one has accurately recorded 4000 years of humanity's astrological experience. And if they had, why are there so many conflicting astrological theories? Surely, there must be some concrete proof that astrology is a valid science or belief system. Or is just a concept that gives comfort and excuses?
Perhaps Astrology is popular because it claims to provide important information that people want to know. Astrology claims to provide people with information that will: 1) protect them, 2) bring them success, 3) guide them, 4) predict their future, and 5) help them understand themselves.
Astrology apparently offers people the belief that they can "control" their own destiny, and it also provides them a ready-made justification for failure or sin. Above all, astrology sells hope.
For most astrologers, the idea of pantheism (all is god; god is all) defines their belief in a god. Their god is nature, which includes the heavens and earth.
Of course it goes directly against the Judaeo-Christian-Islamic belief of a God, who created all of the heavens and earth. Our God is beyond space and time. Our God acknowledges our world to be a difficult place in which to live. Our God knows, we lack control of our lives in both the present and the future. Our God sent the anointed, "Holy" Spirit of God to strengthen us, to give us self control in the present, and finally to assure us of our future.
So why do people still look else where for guidance and comfort?
Because the system established by our God, the creator of everything, puts God at the center of our existence. The systems established by Astrology, a collection of human teachings, put humanity at the center of existence. The original downfall of humanity was this desire to be like God.
Which system is best? If you look at the history of humanity it isn't very encouraging. The more self-centered we become, the more evil we seem to be to each other. On the other hand the original hope and peace God has promised from the very beginning is unchanged.
So it seems to be a simple choice: 1) pick a self centered human created means of guiding your life and providing you hope. Or 2) choose a simplistic God centered means with over 4000 years of statistical data and evidence to back it up. Follow the heavens or follow the one, who created them.
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