"Logic!" said the Professor to himself. "Why don't they teach logic at these schools? There are only three possibilities. Either your sister is telling lies, or she is mad, or she is telling the truth. You know she doesn't tell lies and it is obvious that she is not mad. For the moment then and unless any further evidence turns up we must assume she is telling the truth."The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, p47-8.
We were discussing what we believe and why we believe it in my home study group on Wednesday. The following came up, which I feel is important for Advent. Knowing what you believe or even if you are not sure, thinking about it and knowing why you believe. Taking this time to reflect on your beliefs:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080612050321AAp9n9I
But who is he? He can only be one of three things.
a) a madman.
b) a liar and somebody evil
c) exactly who he said he was. The Son of God.
If a) then, why have a million people followed him, a myriad of poems been written about it. Why was he not found out? Why did many people believe him and not others. Why was he not written about as such?
If b) he caused the death of millions of people who were persecuted because of him, why thus did they continue to follow him and believe?
c) If he is neither of the above, then he can only be exactly what he called himself. He can't just have been a good man, because a Goodman does not lie about who they are thus becoming the cause of many deaths in his name, he would not have been good then. If he was a Goodman, then he must have been telling the Truth and he is who he said he was.
Relating to who we/I/you believe who he is, I was given a 'Daily celebration of praise' calendar by a Secret Santa at school 4 years ago. The entry for today, December the 9th states:
"His life is the lught that shines through the darkness." John 1:5 TLB(These words come from the Daily praise calendar from www.dayspring.com )
Jesus is the central personality of history, and whether Christmas is canned or canonized, packaged in ribbon and sold for profit or sanctified in a cathedral where humble souds worship, He is the inescapable Christ. The fury of opposition to His praise seeks to ban pageantry and sterilize holy celebration to suit the antagonism of organized unbelief.
But Jesus keeps rising again.
Every Christmas turns out to be an Easter
Jesus is still the King of kings. There's no getting away from it...anywhere!
I hope you gave a blessed week!
xx
Yes, He is still the King, Lord God Almighty despite what the world says.
ReplyDeleteGreat words - and I like the humour of 'canned or canonized', which is kind of my 'flavouring or essence' issue, I guess. But I have always found the UK to be very open and inclusive to Christian faith. Here in France Jesus is not a part of any Christmas celebration or decoration, unless actually at a church. In the UK nativity plays and scenes, carols with Christian words etc, are still quite standard. Long may that last, and I do advise Brits and Americans to consider that actually, they are living in quite 'Christianised' if not actually Christian, states! France is truly secular, and the difference is stunning (and somewhat depressing at times).
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the "Lunatic, Liar or Lord" argument. It's logical, so it's hard to argue with. My prayer is that the true meaning of Advent and Christmas would permeate even MORE hearts this year, and people would really recognize Him!
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that there were contemporary documents which refer to Jesus declaring himself the Son of God.
This little titbit of knowledge can be your Advent gift to me. Or at least one of them. I'm guessing from your numbering system you have more planned!
I like this series - happy Advent!
Also, given the topic, I can't help but think you have missed an opportunity to use the word "ostensibly"!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteAmen and AMEN!!!! :) :) :) Thank you for a delightful Pause in Advent.
ReplyDelete