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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
The Age of Reason
I like this phrase..."The Age of Reason"-echo-echo-echo-echo. I don't know, it just seems...well...intellegent. I know that it was a period prior to the "age of enlightenment" but Thomas Paine is not where I am going with this.
Shouldn't there be an "age" of reason just like we talk of an "age" of accountability. Shoudn't there come and time in our own lives where we reach a place of reasoning in our spiritual development. I think so...and I think that leads to our own individual "age of enlightenment".
To back up a little, so I have obviously been on this maturity kick (read my last blog). But my pleading for maturity is not satisfying enough. I wanted to understand where we were losing it in our faith.
First, I have embraced that fact that is not a flaw in our faith (Christianity). We read in Corinthians that God does impart a "secret wisdom" and in Chapter 14 it elaborates that we should be "mature in thinking".
Second, I believe there is much evidence to support (both scripturally and secularly) that reasoning preceeds enlightment (just like in our human history). The jist is that we must ponder before we realize. But since this claim is not what I am blogging about, I will proceed. (you can inquire later for a more evidenced explanation)
So to conclude, I am seeing less maturity becuase people are not making the investment to reason. I encounter assimilated opinions, legalism, and blatant ignorance daily. Most of these encounters can simply be resolved with some one taking the time to walk through their reasons for such opinions and behaviors. Ask yourself, "why do I think this", "what is the point", "what can be achieved", "who might this affect". These are questions I see from those who are reasoning. And the nice thing is, as they practice this reasoning, they eventaully become enlightened to human behavior, spiritual insight, and cause & effect. These people come across mature.
I know, I know..."mindless chatter again"...but really, perhaps we should all ask ourselves what standard we are holding for those who represent Christ. I personally want to encourage people to be founded on the rock of Christ and the sand of shifting public and cultural opinion.
Shouldn't there be an "age" of reason just like we talk of an "age" of accountability. Shoudn't there come and time in our own lives where we reach a place of reasoning in our spiritual development. I think so...and I think that leads to our own individual "age of enlightenment".
To back up a little, so I have obviously been on this maturity kick (read my last blog). But my pleading for maturity is not satisfying enough. I wanted to understand where we were losing it in our faith.
First, I have embraced that fact that is not a flaw in our faith (Christianity). We read in Corinthians that God does impart a "secret wisdom" and in Chapter 14 it elaborates that we should be "mature in thinking".
Second, I believe there is much evidence to support (both scripturally and secularly) that reasoning preceeds enlightment (just like in our human history). The jist is that we must ponder before we realize. But since this claim is not what I am blogging about, I will proceed. (you can inquire later for a more evidenced explanation)
So to conclude, I am seeing less maturity becuase people are not making the investment to reason. I encounter assimilated opinions, legalism, and blatant ignorance daily. Most of these encounters can simply be resolved with some one taking the time to walk through their reasons for such opinions and behaviors. Ask yourself, "why do I think this", "what is the point", "what can be achieved", "who might this affect". These are questions I see from those who are reasoning. And the nice thing is, as they practice this reasoning, they eventaully become enlightened to human behavior, spiritual insight, and cause & effect. These people come across mature.
I know, I know..."mindless chatter again"...but really, perhaps we should all ask ourselves what standard we are holding for those who represent Christ. I personally want to encourage people to be founded on the rock of Christ and the sand of shifting public and cultural opinion.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Maturity
It is really funny that such a "mature" word like "matruity" seems so "immature" when you use it. It has almost become a cliche'. I get the picture of the quitnessential juvenile yelling at a friend that they are "so immature"... as if to imply that they themselves embody maturity.
I have begun to realize that there is an intellect to maturity and some simply do not (or refuse) to possess that intellect. You see it in people who regurgitate political, spiritual, or social opinions out of a book they just read. No foundation or consideration of what goes into that opinion, just vommitting back to put on a facade of know-how. You can also see it those people who appear really smart but when it comes to relationships, they seem to be extremely high maintainence.
I want to take this word "maturity" back from the preteen girls. I want it to be used in a capacity that reflects it's intent because GOD CALLS US TO MATURITY! (1 Cor. 2:6, 1 Cor. 14:20, Eph. 4:13, Phil. 3:15, Col. 1:28, must I continue?)
Allow me to vent briefly.
I am sick (sick as in completely and udderly fed up) of people of God who fail to realize how immature they act. People who explode with hateful comments or "I quit" when things get hard. People who are supposed to lead others to a loving, embracing Christ, but can't look past their comforatble pew to go talk to someone different. People who flaunt their calling or position in order to gain respect, rather than honestly building report with those around them. You can begin to see the great link between immaturity and lazy selfishness.
I want to be mature. When I state an opinion, I want to truly believe and back it with time-tested thought. When I have subordinates, I want them to respect who I am not what title I carry. When I have friends, I want them to feel priviledged to be my friend, not obligated. When I share Christ, I want to set aside my carnal desires from my own good to remember the great calling set out by Christ.
Is there any mature amoung us?
I have begun to realize that there is an intellect to maturity and some simply do not (or refuse) to possess that intellect. You see it in people who regurgitate political, spiritual, or social opinions out of a book they just read. No foundation or consideration of what goes into that opinion, just vommitting back to put on a facade of know-how. You can also see it those people who appear really smart but when it comes to relationships, they seem to be extremely high maintainence.
I want to take this word "maturity" back from the preteen girls. I want it to be used in a capacity that reflects it's intent because GOD CALLS US TO MATURITY! (1 Cor. 2:6, 1 Cor. 14:20, Eph. 4:13, Phil. 3:15, Col. 1:28, must I continue?)
Allow me to vent briefly.
I am sick (sick as in completely and udderly fed up) of people of God who fail to realize how immature they act. People who explode with hateful comments or "I quit" when things get hard. People who are supposed to lead others to a loving, embracing Christ, but can't look past their comforatble pew to go talk to someone different. People who flaunt their calling or position in order to gain respect, rather than honestly building report with those around them. You can begin to see the great link between immaturity and lazy selfishness.
I want to be mature. When I state an opinion, I want to truly believe and back it with time-tested thought. When I have subordinates, I want them to respect who I am not what title I carry. When I have friends, I want them to feel priviledged to be my friend, not obligated. When I share Christ, I want to set aside my carnal desires from my own good to remember the great calling set out by Christ.
Is there any mature amoung us?
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