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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Opus 2016-84: The Humor of Being a Stranger

I don’t know when it was posted on Hope and Change.  I enjoy the cartoons but I have also gotten into reading the blurbs below.  The one with this cartoon struck me as significant to me as a Christian.  Jarlsberg wrote,
“ And although the electorate is clamoring for "outsiders" in this political cycle, we feel like we're the real outsiders because we can't even identify with most Earthlings anymore.  And not just when it comes to politics, but also cultures, communication, and commonality of purpose. Not just in our own wounded United States, but throughout the world.”
This should describe Christians.  I know it is how I feel when I drive among crazy people or listen to the leadership at our school.  I seem to be surrounded by people with totally different ideas.  I would say ideas of right and wrong but they reject those labels.

Then he quotes the Bible
“Maybe we're just having a bad day. But we feel like strangers in a strange land and, ...
I know that most people think this was the creative writing of Robert Heilein but like many authors he was just borrowing a phrase from the Bible.
(Exodus 2:22 KJV)  And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
We see the thought repeated in the New Testament.
(Hebrews 11:13 KJV)  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
I have not picked up that Hope and Change is written by someone who is serious about being a Christian.  I can still enjoy his humor and his insights.

We, as followers of Jesus, are aliens.  We are strangers.  We are out of place.  It has always been that way.  It will always be that way.  I don’t like it.  I don’t enjoy it.  I accept it.  I am afraid I don’t identify with Earthlings any more, but then I never did.

homo unius libri

2 comments:

Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.