Christianity and Evolution

This is an interesting article on a scientist and his take on evolution. Francis Collins, who is interviewed, headed up the Genome Project and is eminently qualified to speak to the issue. At one point it seems to suffer a bit of Kantian separation of faith from more empirical studies, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

I have also read interviews with Collins in "National Geographic."

Predestined for Joy

God has predestined that those who come to him will be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is his fundamental goal for individuals in the Kingdom of God. He did this so that Jesus could be the first of a whole group of people like him and, in turn, like God (Rom. 8:29-30).

God also rewarded the conduct of his Son--his hatred of wickedness and love of righteousness--and set him above all his competitors. And how did God set him above? By anointing Jesus with the oil of joy (Heb. 1:9). One characteristic that aids in setting up the reign of Jesus is the joy God has given to him. Those whom God has called and justified are predestined to be like Jesus, even in that joy, as well.

Theology of Failing

I used to love theology. I loved theology because every once in a while it would give me a better glimpse of God and it would give a purer taste of why we're called to love God. I have grown weary of theology, though, because theology is hard and I have been working hard at theology and I have recently suffered a failure--whether the failure is temporary or permanent is still up in the air. What I have to get back to is that I'm called to love God. And if I'm called to love God in studying theology, then getting back up after a failing in the effort might not result in success, but it might end in deeper love. God, I hope so. God, make it so.

Free(Dom)-ination by Culture

The other day I was watching television and a commercial for Botox came on. The commercial wanted people to have their doctor buy Botox, inject them with Botox, and, as a result, feel younger and better about themselves. So, naturally, it had attractive people dancing around. The best part came at the end, though, with its tag-line: "Experience True Freedom."

What the crap? Seriously. What kind of freedom is it that you are encouraged to artificially manipulate your appearance to be more attractive. Yet another expression of a culture of death: Avoid aging! Deny aging! Delay aging!

Since when did aging become disease? To paraphrase Stan Hauerwas, "It's as if some people think they are actually going to make it through life alive."