Martin Luther Outside Reading: (Visions of Christianity)

Martin Luther wrote to the common man in their common language. He was not interested in the scholastics. He thought of philosophy as the "Devil's Whore." His passion against philosophy and intellectual thought led to the formation of his theological views. Martin Luther believed that people can't know God through their own abilities or reason. Luther says that strong people thought the cross was too week to find God. He stated that hell is for the curious. We all have a desire to know God and any curiosity that we have would lead us astray.  One of his most famous works is his distinction between the theology of the cross and the theology of glory. Luther argued that in order to find God, one must meditate on the cross and see where God has hidden himself. The revelation of God is found within the life of Jesus Christ, his death and his resurrection. Luther believed that salvation comes from scripture alone (sola scriptura), grace alone (sola gratia) and faith alone (sola fides). There were five different books of the Bible that Luther thought did not align with his theology. These books consisted of James 2, Jude, Revelation and Hebrew 6. Some of these books of the Bible were about justification by works. This concept was completely opposite of Luther's theology. Luther  would not compromise the truth of the gospel. Luther defines human beings as related to God. He thinks that if a human has the fruits of the spirit, then he has to be related to God.

Asceticism: Fasting

In our last class, the topic of Asceticism was discussed in reference to the book, From Nature to Creation. Our class gave the definitions that follow: Asceticism means denying ones own flesh, it reminds me of a monk, and it is ethereal. The true definition of Asceticism is that it is a path that leads us in a Christ like way. Our society tells us that Asceticism is engaging in some sort of punishment. We see this definition in action, in the movie, The Da Vinci Code. There are different forms of Asceticism in the Bible. These consist of celibacy, fasting and weeping. 
The topic that I desire to focus on for the remainder of this blog is fasting. Fasting is not hatred of the body. Fasting is not punishment. Fasting is not torture. Fasting is intended to draw you closer to God. It allows His people to realize that God is our true strength. We see an example of the goal of fasting in 1 Corinthians 7:5. This verse says,  "Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." When one is fasting and relying on the Lord, prayer should be the focus. When you are refraining from bread of this world, we are supposed to feast on the true bread. Jesus says in Matthew 4:4, "Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Fasting is a reliance on the word and the relationship that one has with the Father. 

To Have & To Love

Katherine Quiroz

Class Reading:

From Nature to Creation 

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"It is crucial to have no more than we can love, for without love the claim to having becomes void. Loveless having, possessing in the purest sense, remains illegitimate, a theft. Recognizing the other's value and integrity is, therefore, always also an invitation to commit to this other's well being." -pg 118

In this section, Wirzba discusses the idea of having or possessing something. He asserts that we cannot truly claim anything to be "ours" unless we are operating in a relationship of mutual belonging with it. He compares this type of relationship to that of Adam and Eve- one of mutual belonging, companionship, nurture, and deep love and intimacy.

This value and understanding should therefore overflow into our relationship with and treatment of nature. Wirzba says that we cannot claim to "possess" land if we do not have a love for it that deeply affects are heart and treatment of it. I think this is a really interesting concept. I do think that we should treat the earth well and care for it, but I don't know if we should necessarily compare our relationship between man and the earth to the relationship between man and woman and their intimacy. These seem like very separate things to me, and as creatures, I think we are designed with the capacity to love that is much different than any other physical thing. While the earth can offer us protection, shelter, comfort, and food, there is no place for deep mutual belonging and intimacy between us and the earth.

From Nature to Creation #1

Page 6 of Wirzba's book talks about who we are as human beings.  Our identity is something we change all the time, even so much as people putting identities on like they do clothes.  People want to find meaning in what they do and so they try and fit in with what they want.  They try and look the part and always acting like it instead of doing it.  Wirzba brings up the example of athletics and how if you are in a gym wearing athletic gear, there is an identity around you saying that you are an athlete (Wirzba, p. 10).  Our markers for us and God can be seen through his creation but aren't specifically stated in the trees, for example, because we have been separated from this perfect being.  However, if our eyes are opened through viewing the world through the lens of Jesus, we are able to see His love and creation with faithful eyes and hopeful hearts.  This doom and gloom of yearning for another identity is dirt that can be wiped clean.  How wonderful is our Creator who has given us this choice?

Perceiving Creation, and How We Get it Wrong

Perception is reality.  This is the phrase that came to my mind while reading this chapter and during the class discussion.  If perception is reality, what is the point of ultimate reality and ultimate truth? The author here talks about our current place in the world, a place that is not good at all.  Wirzba notes that we no longer listen empathetically to the world, and therefore do not perceive it well or reflect it properly.  Instead of dwelling as a creature, we simply skim the surface of the places we visit and make no connections to the place. My initial reaction to this position was sour.  Why can’t we pick and choose what places we want to connect with?  I do not see a problem with having stronger connections to certain places, and in fact believe that it is a good and natural thing to have stronger connections to certain places. I say this because our memories and time spent in a place create significance for us.  Jesus himself was drawn to certain places and chose to spend time with certain people, making those places special to him.

 

Another topic that stood out to me from this section is the idea the author poses that marketing is the new religion.  It is sad that this is only too true in these modern times.  The things that we are fed as consumers, such as technology and other commodities, only add fuel to the fire of our lack of proper dwelling.  As we focus more and more on the frivolities of life, we spend less as creatures in our habitat doing what we are meant to.  We take walks but are glued to our phones.  We care more about the shoes on our feet than what ground our feet walk upon. We are becoming a society of shallow consumers who do not know our identity as creatures from a loving creator.  This simple fact can change our whole perspective.  It is as simple and as difficult as realizing that we are created by a creator, and so have a place in the world, a duty to this world, and meaning in this world. 

This book as a whole, and this section in particular, has caused me to evaluate myself as a creature and what my perception of the world in and, in extent, how I belong in it.  Wirzba here calls our attention yet again to our creaturely nature and gives criticism on how we are living.  There is indeed much to criticize these days as more and more distractions come along and keep us skimming the surface of our world instead of connecting with it.  This is why it is increasingly important to evaluate how you are dwelling and how you should be, always remembering to live as the beloved creation that we are. 

Free To Be

Outside Reading (2)

Matthew 6:26-29

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to your life's span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these."

We should look to the behavior of animals for inspiration on how to live freely and how to trust in God. Matthew is admiring the relaxed nature and freedom that birds experience. They are not straining to lay roots in one place, storing up resources for when things go bad, or harvest goods. Birds are following their instincts and moving around (migrating) and guess what God provides for them. Birds are not trying to be turtles or wolves, they are embracing who they are. God rejoices in this and gives them sustenance. God designed living creatures with a specific life plan in mind. Matthew reminds the reader that humans are much more valuable than any animal.  He also reassures people to not be nervous and instead rely on God. Matthew even brings flowers in the conversation. Flowers are non-sentient beings but they are fulfilling God’s plan for their short existences. King Solomon was not as beautiful as lilies in nature. The point of these verses is to call people to be what they are, human. When we try to be something other than ourselves, we are throwing away God’s provision and providence.

Iconic Perception

February 15, 2017

Class Reading: From Nature to Creation

“By iconic I mean a perceptive approach to things in which others are not reduced to the scope of utilitarian and instrumental aims. In this mode of perception, people are called to open themselves to the integrity and sanctity of the world, what William Blake once called the world’s holiness” (p.71).

In this section, Wirzba reinterprets the traditional notion of iconography, applying it practically to how we understand the world around us. Iconic perception is a paradigm opposed to idolatry. Where idolatry focuses solely on the self, iconography focuses on the archetype or divine that exists past the icon. It overwhelms us, taking us deeper than we can comprehend, further than we can take ourselves for that is the very nature of the divine or the infinite – it cannot be comprehended by the finite. Christians seem so quick to relegate the world as profane, mundane, wild, unknown, and at best useful. I wonder how much of that comes from fear of what is not known. If icons lead us past what is seen into what is unseen, then they lead us into what we do not know and do not understand. It is an act of faith to move from the present to the transcendent and I think similarly it is an act of faith to view the world around as something beyond a resource. Viewing the world with “sanctity” requires sacrifice, an unknowing of the paradigm we have been taught from infancy. It requires us to acknowledge that we are not the only beings created by God.

Alexandra Mann Wirzba Reading In Class Discussion

In class, Grant lead a discussion about icons within Wirzba’s book, From Nature to Creation. A question that Grant asked, “Is our social media preventing us from viewing the world with our own eyes?” In the remainder of this post, I would like to present my opinion on social media and its effect on our relationship to nature.

As we spend many moments throughout the day scrolling through our newsfeed on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, we are seeing people from all around the world travel. When people have traveled and posted pictures from their experiences, we are looking at incredible creations. If we have already seen a picture of all of the beauty within nature, then we might not be in as much of a shock if we were to see it for the first time face-to-face. Seeing creation face-to-face verses looking at nature in a picture are two different concepts. There is something special, unique and beautiful, when you dwell in a part of nature. According to Wirzba, the presence of God resides within His creation. So, when we dwell within nature, God is there. I think our connection and shock factor, in relation to nature, has diminished. This is because most of the time we have previously seen it.

Another aspect of media and nature is that our technological devices are taking us away from nature. When we are constantly looking down, in order to stay connected. During this act, we are missing what is right in front of us.  

Weeds & Flowers

Katherine Quiroz

Class Reading:

From Nature to Creation 

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"the way we name and narrate the world determines how we are going to live within it. In other words, how we characterize what things 'are,' what philosophers call the 'being' or ontology of things, also determines what we are going to do with them." -pg 18

Wirzba goes on to narrate the example of how naming and labeling has an effect on the way that we think of things with his "weed vs. flower" example. He says that someone points out a plant to you and says that it is a weed, you will immediately have a negative feeling towards that plant. Therefore, you probably won't care so much about whether it gets trampled, thrown away, or killed. On the  other hand, if someone hands you that same plant and says that it is a flower, you will have a more positive and protective feeling of over it. You probably would want to nurture it, take care of it, display it, and treasure it.

As a student of Communication Studies, I find this idea particularly interesting. More often than not, the language that we use directly affects our behaviors. I have seen examples of this through so many of my classes, research, and studies. So, this can definitely be applied to our behavior toward and treatment of nature. Is there a practical solution to this "language" problem in regards to nature? If so, how can we change the language that we have been using for thousands of years in order to be reflective of nature's worth??

On Idolatry and Altruism

In class the other day, we discussed the section in “From Nature to Creation” on idolatry. The author gives a harsh criticism on the world, and proclaims that idolatry is the sin of the world in which we make all things about ourselves and self-serving. The purpose of all objects and people alike become a means of pleasure for us in idolatry. We have come to view idolatry as a negative concept from God’s commandments to not have idols. However, people in class were adamant to critique this view and asked if the implications were that we cannot admire anything. I think that the author takes it to the extreme, but has a valid point. We use everything to serve ourselves. Everything from our phones to places have been warped to serve humanity. I had the unpopular view that this can even apply to traveling. We are consumers of every single things these days, including the natural world. We go on vacations to exotic places because we tire and do not appreciate the world around us. It has been reduced to a commodity that has no use to us, so why would we bother with it? This is not how we are meant to dwell in the world.

The conversation then took a turn, and we began talking about altruism and if we can truly do things selflessly for others, with nothing to do with what we get back. This was a tough question for me to grapple with. On one hand, I know that I enjoy getting something out of the effort I put in. I am committed to my friends, but expect a similar level of commitment from my friends. But there are more selfless kinds of love, such as the love of a parent for their child, that seems to go beyond a desire for something in return. My final thought, then, is that you know a love is true when you truly want the best for another and will take action for them without any want for something in return, though you can enjoy the pleasure you get out of it as long as it is not part of the motivation.

Genetic Engineering: Playing God or Divine Wisdom?

Katherine Quiroz

Class Reading:

From Nature to Creation 

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"Just as human bodies have come to be understood as corpses to be fixed and manipulated, so too have land, plants, animals, and agricultural workers come to be seen as objects of control." -pg 17

In class, we discussed the idea of genetic engineering and it sparked some questions within my mind. Clearly, science is progressing and we are using new strategy to genetically modify organisms in order to mass produce agriculture as well as fight off pests and such. However, at what point in this process of genetic modification do we start "playing God?" Or, is there such a thing as "playing God?" OR, should we credit God with the wisdom and strategy that is being given to scientists and thinkers that have created these new ideas and processes? As a Christian, I am wrestling with whether I should be thankful for genetic engineering, or whether I should be weary of it. We are doing so much to manipulate the earth and our environments, and often, Christians are taking just as much advantage as non-Christians are. I don't think I really have the answers to these questions, but I feel they are posing thoughtful responses from both myself and my classmates. I am interested to see if we develop more answers as the semester progresses. 

A Time For Everything

Outside Reading (1)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

These verses begin with the phrase “these is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.”  God used Chronos, time and cycles, to guide life on the planet. Our existence is reinforced by binaries or opposing forces that simultaneously complement one another. Birth and death each have important roles as bookends on the life cycle of any creature. Planting and harvesting both serve a purpose. The things we invest in eventually come to a resolution. Destruction and healing go hand in hand. For every wound, there is a scar. Mourning and celebration reflect the highs and lows of human emotion. There are times for activity and effort while there are times for rest and giving in. God designed the world so that everything has a contrast and a cycle to it.

Brokenness and Compassion

Outside Reading: Henri Nouwen’s The Return of the Prodigal Son

“In the context of a compassionate embrace, our brokenness may appear beautiful, but our brokenness has no other beauty but the beauty that comes from the compassion that surrounds it. To understand deeply the mystery of compassion, I have to look honestly at the reality that evokes it.” (p.35).

In this book, Nouwen talks simultaneously about the story of the prodigal son and the Rembrandt painting titled The Return of the Prodigal Son. He talks about the younger son who left and the heartbreak it caused his father. He also talked about the older son and the resentment that he cultivated towards his brother. Ultimately, he relates the story to us. We are the prodigal son, running away from our Father and He is waiting for our return, ready to receive us with great love and joy. However, I think the passage quoted above alludes to a deeper theme in the story, of the value of suffering couched in compassion. Brokenness in the moment can feel ugly, heart-wrenching, miserable, void of all light or joy. As human beings, I think we try to hide our brokenness, desperate for no one to see it because we believe it to be the darkest most unworthy part of ourselves. Indeed, brokenness is indeed messy. But, as Nouwen points out, when brokenness – even the brokenness stemming from our own human condition – is put in the presence of compassion, it becomes beautiful. I think even in nature, we can see this. A thunderstorm can either be a beautiful or terrifying thing. When it looks like a hurricane, it feels like it is unchecked, void of compassion and filled with vengeance, running down anyone who gets in its path. But a rain storm, that brings water to a dry land and fills dry streams with life again, is one that almost seems to be couched in compassion and a desire to aid a hurting earth. So perhaps, nature reflects the compassion and brokenness of the world as well.