Lalalalalalala, it's only one more hour before I have to be awake :(

On that note, I was quite amused when I walked past some Yoga society posters the other day, and realized that I'd be less sceptical of their promise to lead me to Enlightenment, if they hadn't spelt it 'Enligtenment'. I haven't heard of that place before, but I'm not quite sure if I want to go there!

I'm studying a BA... HELP!

I think more than other courses, BAs (Bachelor of Arts - with this, I mean Humanities and Social Sciences) are challenged with different ideas and theories and I've had quite a few existential crises (at least one a year) where I doubt God, the Bible, the world, myself, Christ. But each time I am reminded by empirical historical evidence and personal experience that Jesus is the only way to true life.

But why don't I just stop studying my BA, you might ask? For two reasons really:
1) We shouldn't be scared of confronting their believes with other ideas, afraid that Christianity might fall flat. If Christianity is true, it will be able to stand its ground.

2) We also need to remember God is a truth-loving God, and therefore it is right that we learn how to discern the truth and use our critical thinking faculties. Therefore I think it can be good practice for us come into contact with other theories.

If you're struggling, I hope this reminder helps.

--
Grace

Facts versus feelings?

I think as a more rational person (as opposed to a more feeling-based person), I tend to ignore my feelings sometimes as they seem irrational. That's why the following two sentences were of such interest to me, as they place feelings as not-separate from facts:

"Faith follows facts. Feelings follow faith."

Politics, or rather: The Church and injustice

The previous musings about politics reminded me of a talk a friend recently did on the Church and injustices. Now for those of you unfamiliar with world history, one thing often held against the Church as an institution is the way that it is associated with many injustices in the world. Just think of the Crusades, the Inquisition, the use of biblical backing for apartheid (if you have no idea what I'm talking about, then Wikipedia is YOUR friend).

But as my friend pointed out, there're two extremely valid reasons why the Church messes up time and time again.

1) The Church is made up of immature Christians.
As Christians, we recognise that we are not perfect, and that we are sinful. Sometimes we get it wrong - extremely horribly badly wrong with dire consequences. This is because although we are constantly growing to be more and more Christlike, we aren't always quite there yet. But sometimes we get it right - where we realize our errors and try correct them. Think about the fact that many charity organizations have been started by Christians. A friend of mine recently told me that in Ancient Rome, during times of plague, Christians would be the only ones caring for plague victims, to the point where Nero got so irritated by this that he started his own charity that would do the same. Only thing is, cause the members of his charity didn't really have the same motivation as the Christians, they kinda didn't compare.

2) The Church is made up of non-Christians
Funny point, you might say. But true. There are many people who claim to be Christians, but this doesn't show in their way of thinking or the way of acting. So it's quite easy to just point out the Church as the baddy here, but think about the people that make up the Church.


--
Grace

Confessions of a midnight blogger Part II... aka politics?

On the other hand, being awake this early/ late/ which-ever-way-you-want-to-see-it means that now all of a sudden, I have time to blog, which I evidently haven't done in a while.

'What amazing thoughts has Grace had recently', might be the thought going through the eager reader's mind... Hmmm.. now I'm going to have to think up something profound.

Okay, here goes:

It was Voting Day yesterday in South Africa (YAYAYAYAYAY). Very exciting, especially 'cause this is the first elections in yeeeeeaaaaaaarrrrrrssssss where there's been some interesting opposition parties. I would've loved to vote, but I don't have voting rights, so I did the next best thing: stayed at home and slept. And after a nice long nap, I went for a drive and checked out all the action at the local polling stations - just to see South Africans line up to use their democratic right to make a difference :) Terribly geeky, but it made my heart happy :)

But then it got me thinking about Christians and politics, and whether I would vote for a Christian party to be in charge of a state. And I came to the conclusion, that I might NOT, actually.
 
This is not to say that Christianity and politics shouldn't mix. I very much think that as Christians it is our duty to act responsibly, be concerned about and actively involved in the society we have been placed in. However, I'm not quite sure if I would want a Christian party to be numero uno, top dog, big cheese, honcho poncho (I have no idea where that last phrase came from). This is my train of thought:

1) As a Christian ruling party, they would have to place legislation that would meet up with God's Word, which would be awesome in a perfect world, but in a fallen world, I'm not quite sure if it is fair to call non-Christians to a standard they do not uphold to - even if we know that God's Word isn't about petty rules, but ways of living that are actually best for us. I came to this conclusion, as I was again thinking through the fact that God doesn't give us random rules just to be a killjoy - He acts in a way that befits His character, and thus we are given guidelines on how to act in a manner that is reflective of that character. Therefore, if God has given us the freedom to make a choice in the way we live, are we not to give others the option to be free to choose their own lifestyle?

2) As a Christian ruling party, it wouldn't be possible to make sure that everyone is a genuine Christian (as opposed to a nominal one), and because we leave in a fallen world, we'd probably mess up time and time again.................. But wait a second, Grace's other voice pipes up, this is pretty much true for any Christian organization, and discounts for God's power and grace in our lives. Good point. So it appears I actually only have that first point.

So who would've I voted for? Probably one of the three major opposition parties. The Christian parties here are too small to make a difference, I reckon, even if I do vote for them, so I'd rather use my vote to sway one of the big guns. But, on the other hand, my other voice says that if that were the way all Christians thought, no wonder the Christian parties are too small to make a difference!

Aaah. The voices in my head are enough to drive me mad. So let me know what your thoughts are: it's 4 in the morning now, I've got hormonal issues, and my foot is sore, so it's quite possible my thinking capabilities might be severely impaired...

Hmm.. I think I might blog a bit more about point 2... See next post.

Confessions of a midnight blogger

PMS sucks.

Not that you needed to know that.

Not that it's midnight either.

Blergh

There are many prodigal sons

... of which I am counted as one.

I misheard the lyrics of a song the other day, and heard those lovely words instead :) Yes, my heart said, I am a prodigal son, returned and forgiven :)

But the real song is just as poignant. Here follow the lyrics:

Leeland - Tears of the Saints

There are many prodigal sons
On our city streets they run
Searching for shelter
There are homes broken down
People's hopes have fallen to the ground
From failures

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We're crying for them come back home
We're crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

There are schools full of hatred
Even churches have forsaken
Love and mercy
May we see this generation
In its state of desperation
For Your glory

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We're crying for them come back home
We're crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children, in Christ you stand!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children, in Christ you stand!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We're crying for them come back home
We're crying for them come back home
And all Your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home