No one really knows what Jesus looks like. No one can take a photograph of Him at their leisure and post in in history books and newspapers. Instead, we are left to our own imagination to portray Jesus as we imagine him. It is, in a sense, how we see him on a personal level. Jesus the Creator, Jesus the King of Kings, Jesus the Master (teacher), Jesus the obedient Jew, Jesus the Son of the Living God, Jesus the Saviour of mankind, Jesus the friend and healer of the sinners, Jesus the triumphant risen Lord, and so many more titles and angles that I could continue forever.
We have all seen artwork of Jesus, in sculpture, mosaics, oils, pastels, and other forms. He is represented literally, realistically, symbolically, and at times exaggerated. The beauty is we can see what the author/artist is thinking or feeling. But to go one step further, we can look at these works and ponder and digest them, until we come to personal opinions and conclusions on who Jesus is, what He did, and what He looked like.
I challenge all to attend art museums close to your home or look through art books, and look at religious works in new light. Ponder the Son of Man portrayed by others for your benefit.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
On California's Proposition 8
2008 general elections is just around the corner. Please vote on the issues and candidates that apply to you. Voting is a powerful right we have, it is to be used. I wish I could vote in Califonia this election for the proposed legislation know as "Proposition 8". Even though I cannot vote on this issue, I officially endorse YES on California's Proposition 8. I include some of my reasoning here:
To those who are LDS:
I don't mean to over simplify, but an application of the mantra "FOLLOW THE PROPHET" is in order. You have to ask yourself, "Why do we have a living prophet?" Acting upon the answers you give to this question can result in a better life in the next life. This is not MY idea, but official Church doctrine. The prophets and apostles have always been clear on gay/lesbian lifestyles. Additionally, you can ask yourself fundamentally, "Does this help the children of man grow closer to God or the opposite?" Even if the "minimal scripture quota" hasn't been met on whether Sodomy is a sin, it is clear now that the Church's stance is against same-sex marriage. Read the very first line of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" for assurance (note that this document was published in September 1995). Following the prophet is not blind obedience, we obey him because we see. The church supports no political party, but can get involved on any moral issue(s), as it should. The Church is a moral beacon for its members and the whole world.
For those who are not LDS:
This may be a complex issue and difficult for you to understand why the LDS has taken such a hard-line approach to vote "yes" on proposition 8. It is a question of values. The LDS church has strict Christian values and a "traditional" sense of marriage. Ask yourself what you value. I ask you to consider the shift in society as more and more people move away from traditional and Christian values. Many people often wonder why violence has increased, divorce rates increased, and many more social problems that continue to surface. The more people move away from Christian values the more they bring these calamities upon themselves. By way of example, Christians believe in complete fidelity with a man and woman united in marriage, unselfishness, service, frugality, love, compassion, freedom, humility, charity, obedience to God, obedience to the laws of the land, justice, equality, moderation, education, hard work, fellowship, friendship, peace, progress, morally straight principles, good business ethics (honesty), and many more. I challenge someone to find fault with Christian principles.
To everyone:
Proposition 8 places into the California Constitution the same language that voters already passed by 61% of the vote in 2000. Four activist judges overruled the vote of 32 million people. This is costing time and money to ask what the people of California already voted for be enacted into law. Judges overstep their duty when they make laws from the bench. It would be a very scary legal system if this behavior is repeated by judges again anywhere.
The website www.protectmarriage.org contains consice information on the issue as well as how to get involved. Please just take 15 minutes to navigate through this site. I encourage everyone to become familiar with the issue and get involved as they can.
To those who are LDS:
I don't mean to over simplify, but an application of the mantra "FOLLOW THE PROPHET" is in order. You have to ask yourself, "Why do we have a living prophet?" Acting upon the answers you give to this question can result in a better life in the next life. This is not MY idea, but official Church doctrine. The prophets and apostles have always been clear on gay/lesbian lifestyles. Additionally, you can ask yourself fundamentally, "Does this help the children of man grow closer to God or the opposite?" Even if the "minimal scripture quota" hasn't been met on whether Sodomy is a sin, it is clear now that the Church's stance is against same-sex marriage. Read the very first line of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" for assurance (note that this document was published in September 1995). Following the prophet is not blind obedience, we obey him because we see. The church supports no political party, but can get involved on any moral issue(s), as it should. The Church is a moral beacon for its members and the whole world.
For those who are not LDS:
This may be a complex issue and difficult for you to understand why the LDS has taken such a hard-line approach to vote "yes" on proposition 8. It is a question of values. The LDS church has strict Christian values and a "traditional" sense of marriage. Ask yourself what you value. I ask you to consider the shift in society as more and more people move away from traditional and Christian values. Many people often wonder why violence has increased, divorce rates increased, and many more social problems that continue to surface. The more people move away from Christian values the more they bring these calamities upon themselves. By way of example, Christians believe in complete fidelity with a man and woman united in marriage, unselfishness, service, frugality, love, compassion, freedom, humility, charity, obedience to God, obedience to the laws of the land, justice, equality, moderation, education, hard work, fellowship, friendship, peace, progress, morally straight principles, good business ethics (honesty), and many more. I challenge someone to find fault with Christian principles.
To everyone:
Proposition 8 places into the California Constitution the same language that voters already passed by 61% of the vote in 2000. Four activist judges overruled the vote of 32 million people. This is costing time and money to ask what the people of California already voted for be enacted into law. Judges overstep their duty when they make laws from the bench. It would be a very scary legal system if this behavior is repeated by judges again anywhere.
The website www.protectmarriage.org contains consice information on the issue as well as how to get involved. Please just take 15 minutes to navigate through this site. I encourage everyone to become familiar with the issue and get involved as they can.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
St. Matthew's Rendition of the Messiah
The Gospel of Matthew is very close to the Gospel of Mark, but with additional commentary/story. Gospel scholars generally agree that Matthew is addressing his work to a Jewish audience. One of the reasons why is new to me, and less know. Jesus is often portrayed as a Moses figure, which is extremely significant to Jewish Tradition and Faith. But the text almost parallels Jesus with Moses, ultimately making Jesus the superior figure.
First, let's examine the part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). One of my instructors raised a few points that caught my attention. Jesus went up to the mount, like Moses went to the mountain. Moses taught "the laws", Jesus taught His law, which was taking all ten commandments to the next level. Both were teaching new doctrine in their respective times, but Jesus's was superior because he fulfilled the Law of Moses and gave the Higher Law. Second, let's examine the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17. Moses appears with Elias (Elijah) at the mount of Transfiguration, Jesus is subsquently transfigured before Peter, James and John's eyes. At the conclusion of this marvelous event, Jesus is left alone standing and representing the new leader, the one who has ultimate authority (that above Elijah and Moses). This must have been very difficult for Jews of the day to accept. There are implications that go far beyond what is actually written in the narrative. I wish that I could have only had a glimpse of that event! How incredible it must have been. I do believe fully that Jesus Christ is real and that he has supreme authority on all spiritual matters in the universe. His glory shines for us all to behold, if not at the Mount of Tranfiguration 2000 years ago, someday soon.
First, let's examine the part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). One of my instructors raised a few points that caught my attention. Jesus went up to the mount, like Moses went to the mountain. Moses taught "the laws", Jesus taught His law, which was taking all ten commandments to the next level. Both were teaching new doctrine in their respective times, but Jesus's was superior because he fulfilled the Law of Moses and gave the Higher Law. Second, let's examine the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17. Moses appears with Elias (Elijah) at the mount of Transfiguration, Jesus is subsquently transfigured before Peter, James and John's eyes. At the conclusion of this marvelous event, Jesus is left alone standing and representing the new leader, the one who has ultimate authority (that above Elijah and Moses). This must have been very difficult for Jews of the day to accept. There are implications that go far beyond what is actually written in the narrative. I wish that I could have only had a glimpse of that event! How incredible it must have been. I do believe fully that Jesus Christ is real and that he has supreme authority on all spiritual matters in the universe. His glory shines for us all to behold, if not at the Mount of Tranfiguration 2000 years ago, someday soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
