Source for Culture (continued)

A similar thing happened about a year ago when I was people watching at the mall. I saw a man –definitely an exemplary Iowan man: farmer by the plaid shirt, work boots, and toothpick in mouth— titillated toward a clearance rack outside of teenage fashion store. I knew right away what he was headed toward. There was an imitation farmer cap. It was the kind with the high dome that is gridded for ventilation. I laughed because my dad, grandfather, and all my uncles have an endless supply of the those very caps which are taken great pride in, mailed for free or handed out at fair’s and exhibits each advertising seed companies. That man probably had at least a half dozen more at home, but being in a shopping mall where he recognized something familiar was likely complacency. Like the first situation, that cheap cap was a primitive symbol to the lifestyle of simplicity and specified familiarization. To the outsider of this specialized life, this is vivifying and that is flattering.

My mom knows those caps as neither flattering as to the outsider, nor prideful as to the independent farmer but rather as a life on tip-toes where income is never insured and dust is always in the air. However, the success of something of this quality is what makes it intriguing and admirably desirable.

To one individual, the letter “k” may look like just a chicken-scratched symbol formed by three intersecting lines. Another may relate it to something distinct and the letter “k” will ever hold that crossed reference. Perspective is the cause for appeal and awareness is what creates perspective. Culture would not be without this catena.

Source for Culture

Once in every life, the idea of things being visualized differently by different people probably occurs. However, we know because of chemistry, doubtless description, and faultless sensibility that this cannot be. Perhaps it can be that select people –for whatever psychiatric reason- may literally not visually see what is indeed there in physical terms. However, this is not the matter of consideration. What I mean is not false view, but diverse perception- or even taken to the point of diverse perspective.

Perspective is the source for cultural trend. My second post was about the skipping of generations as which allows a name to become appealing once again. Just as the names “Clyde” and “Myrtle” would instantly give a baby-boomer the image of a worn-out novel or an old man and woman, whereas the same names to the new generation would be alluring as a fresh discovery to an unknown vintage or retro era.

A couple weeks ago, an old man named Perry came to speak to my peers and I at a Wednesday night youth group meeting. As he teared up exclaiming in a humbling and very sweet how precious we were, and even at our age- vital to the dedication of Christ’s plan, I found a slight bit of irony. The large and undeniable letters “A” and “E” on his v-neck sweater were without doubt the symbol for the clothing brand “American Eagle”. As he loved on us, I could pick out two kids in the young audience who adopted the now-popular “ugly sweater” holiday party theme as an everyday fashion who were both wearing similar, over-sized, wool v-neck sweaters likely from the local second-hand store. Generations on opposite ends of the current societal aging scale could find the authenticity in something practical which was once –and originally— just the generic necessity and could as a result, now be a symbol of fashion because of its tried and true simplicity. As for the old man, a new sweater sought with that same simplicity was a likely a wonderful and exclusive find after a few generations.

Misinterpretations of the Bible

Two of the greatest reasons that the Bible is probably often misunderstood are either because it is taken out of context, or its translation did not do it justice and the writing was taken at face value. The first would seem reasonably due to the fact that the Bible can easily be taken out of context. I have been personally frustrated reading parts of the Bible, not realizing what was really being said. In order to properly understand the Bible it is more than often necessary to use a commentary while reading. Although I have been reading the Bible since I can remember, I cannot believe that I have never experienced it in its proper format by use of a commentary. This resource utilizes cross-reference which helps to correlate related facts and topics, especially with prophecy. I haven’t found the commentary to be confusing at all as it follows verse for verse with the Bible. It explains any  analogy in terms that make sense.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Another common situation is that the Bible not be translated in the correct terms and with fair parallels. To me this makes sense, because the Bible is being taken from Greek and Roman languages which are very different than English. In some cases there is also a middleman between the original language and the one that it is being translated to. Sometimes this will just cause false interpretation which is usually easily addressable; the use of the commentary can assist in this. However, there are times when the Bible in its written format will clearly contradict itself. This may not seem a matter of interpretation, and it often times is not. I can think of one experience where I tried fervently to read between the lines of a true account in the Bible.

This passage is found in Matthew chapter 15 verses 24-27. Jesus had just fled from Palestine to Tyre which was on the border between Palestine and Gentile territory. He wanted to seclude himself from the Jews so that he could pray and study in peace.

“From there Jesus took a trip to Tyre and Sidon. They had hardly arrived when a Cananite woman came down from the hills and pleaded, “Mercy, Mast, Son of David! My daughter is cruelly afflicted by an evil spirit.”                                                                                                                                                     Jesus ignored her. The disciples came and complained; “Now she’s bothering us. Would you please take care of her? She’s driving us crazy.”                                                                                                                                                    Jesus refused, telling them, “I’ve got my hands full dealing with the lost sheep of Israel.”                                                                                                                                                           Then the woman came back to Jesus, went to her knees, and begged, “Master, help me.”                                                                                                                                                                                          He said, “It’s not right to take bread out of children’s mouths and throw it to dogs.”                                                                                                                                                                 She was quick: “You’re right, Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the master’s table.”                                                                                                                                                  Jesus gave in. “Oh, woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!” Right then her daughter became well.”

The woman being a Canaanite was referred to in the socially accepted manner, where Gentiles are called ‘dogs’ and the Jews were considered the children of God. By referring to her as a dog, Jesus meant not the wild dogs of the street but rather a pet dog which would live in the house. The woman was asking for only a small amount of compassion from Jesus and not even that which he would give the Jewish children of God. She complied with her position as a “dog” and wanted only “scraps”. Through her humility and by her faith, she proved her understanding of the situation to Jesus and he in turn granted her request immediately.                                                                                                                                                                     

I never guessed anything as simple but yet as camouflaged as this meaning from the text in its basic format straight from my Bible. This is just one example of how easy it is to misunderstand the Bible.                    

The Literary Context of the Holy Bible

It is quite common I would say that individuals who are simply unaware of the broad usage of diverse context used in the Bible. The many books of the Bible are written in prose and poetry. More specifically the bible can be broken down into prophetic literature, poetry, Old Testament history, New Testament history, the epistles, and apocalyptic literature.                                                                                                                                     

Scattered all throughout the books is poetry, but it is also centralized in several books where it is the sole contact used. Poetry is used in books of wisdom and prophecy as well as history. Preceding the majority of nearly any historical account was prophecy. We are told that the prophets were specifically commissioned to fulfill their role in the recording of prophecy. They must have been men of spirit, interpretation, sight, as well as integral spokes work. As I am young in my study on the actual literature of the Bible, I can just sum the writings of prophecy up as mainly promises to the people of Israel before the coming of the Messiah. The prophetic books, especially in the Old Testament give message to the people of Abraham on hope, instruction for life in their present state (anticipating the Messiah), obedience, faith, and messages on the leadership of God.                                                                                                           

The historical accounts of the Bible are written both as recorded witness and interpretation. Since the Bible is written in a “linear” form from God’s point of view, we are given information which man was not present to witness. These would be considered the interpretations because God told man about them so that they may be recorded. More accounts in the Bible however, are written by witness where man was actually present. God tells of the creation of man and that is the most evident example of the Bible being considered interpretive. In the form of progression is the history of the Bible written where God reveals which in sort of an accumulation, fore-shadowing as it goes. Some books of the Bible are related by prophecy and then actual account of the anticipated. The adumbration of the Messianic Deliverance was written in the Old Testament book of Isaiah (Isaiah 8-9:7). Later, the actual account of Jesus’ anticipated birth was recorded in Matthew.                           

Not all prose writing in the Holy Bible –even of the stories— are literal accounts of occurrence. There are some stories which are intended to teach a lesson or convey a poly-applicable moral. These are most specified in the Parables of the New Testament. Because the analogies are were not things that necessarily happened, they were crafted especially in every detail to illustrate a general theme which is what makes them the most comparable and applicable to more modern-day life. Some of the Parables which are well-recognizable, especially important to the theme of a Christ-fearing life, and most pliable in point are The Prodigal Son, The Wise Man & the House upon the Rock, The Sowers & Seeds, and the Parable of 3 Talents.                                                                                                

Love to Death

After reflecting on uses of “love” and the feeling itself, a minuet realization has come to mind pertaining to the sentiment.

It often seems that those things which I could insert in the blank from the article below, are easily exhausted, almost trendy, thus contributing to the demeaning of the term. The things I deem to be in love with, really do appeal to me. I don’t mean to say that “love” isn’t applied to things that aren’t loved by any means but just that “well like” would typically better appropriate most stances. Assuming this, I dare to bargain that utilizing the word alone can cause thinking to be likewise geared.

I have often caught sight of something –for me it may be a pair of nike running shoes- and I claim to love them. After a while, because I “love” them so much, that (more honestly coined) liking loses rarity. It’s almost as if their so greatly appealing color scheme and exact structure becomes too perfect to the point of spoilage. Sometimes the shoe I would find very intriguing but not one that perfects my appeal and that I would thus not even think about buying, I end up really liking more, because it’s as if there’s that little bit of non-occupancy that they can only get just that little bit more better. It is a low goal with high potential.

Perhaps the common situation is that we hallucinate ourselves so to speak, thinking that if we really, really can like something, we can love it, and because love is so highly sought for its virtue, we wouldn’t mind making it easier and more likely to attain. It isn’t until we realize that the term love is much more exclusive than that and is to be handled with regard. It should be savored and treasured for sparse acclamation. As a result, we can enjoy things in their imperfection, because we are sinful people in an imperfect world. It may be more amazing than we might realize, that being the effect of the ill use of a word.

Love Put in Context

So often we hear others as well as ourselves say “I love _____”. We say it about food and clothes, about brands and styles. We say it in the same manner about people we don’t even know such as towards talk show hosts, artists, and designers. When placed in context with our most favored hobbies and self-symbols, the term “Love” is nearly as respected as if it is almost beside the love we hold for the people and relationships which are most important to us. Considering this, it would seem to a third-party of life that love is a common-felt. The term in particular ought to also come across as easily applicable.                

It is not arguable however, that the effect of the word “love” should come first as a feeling and as a result be considered a noun. In the broad context that we use the word, one might think it was the other way around, and that “love” was a simple and practical noun in terms of language.                                      

The flippant use of a word alone can be deceiving to the interpreter, and I believe that it can likewise become eventually confusing to the user or the person who is supposedly experiencing the emotion of love. I believe we now may have faced ourselves with a social issue on the matter. Unless there was a disruption in the variation of our use of the word which placed it back within its primitive confines, we may need a new word to take the place of the old which used to define a most sacred liking and near obsession for passionate pursuits of great importance. As this is not extremely convenient, we may alternatively choose by free will and rather not by laws of the English literary bounds to utilize slightly more historical words which were the origins and the first expressers of the feeling. The most popular of those are from the Greek language. I have examined those Greek words –as there are several from the Greek language which define love— and they are: agape, eros, philia, and storge. The intent of there being more than one of these is to compartmentalize the variations of the single, general feeling. This way, they may be more specific and better define that which is being specified, without confusion.    

The Greek word for love which represents affectionate and typically lustful love is Eros. It is the love which is motivated by physical attraction, it is felt between people, and is greater than Philia. To me the most interesting philosophy on what could be meant by Eros, is that which was thought by Plato in his theory of Platonic Love.  He believed in a parallel which is assumed between divinity and the intimate love of humans. Divine love in his definition, has first to be sought before the love of humans can exist with sincerity. At this point, it is Eros love.                                                                                                        

Love with the divine is Agape love, as Agape is the greatest expression for love. However, in this deep state, it can be felt toward humans and by humans of any relation. Storge, is the love had between family members. It is naturally present, non-sexual, and present with long suffering. This third form of love described by the Greek language is contained within this final form and is therefore miniscule to the broader Philia. Brotherly love or loyalty, is what defines Philia. Inclusive of any form of enjoyment whether towards things or people, Philia is the most general of them all.                                                             

As the diversifying theme in these terms is not a present amenity in English, I think the best thing we could do is be careful to protect the term love which –with respect— quite remarkably may be distinguished by a medley of applications. The English love does not have a hierarchy. It’s greatest significance is indeed very great. More than a feeling or emotion, it is the swathe for life.

My Testimony

Part5This relationship is current and that time until now, I have been spiritually stable. The growth I made at that point was a sort of leap which is no round-trip. I cannot go backwards from where I left off. However there was one more less-important thing remaining which I felt compelled to act upon, and it was indeed received as a feeling of being compelled. Referring again to baptism in the New Testament, I knew from which teaching that I needed to be Baptized. I think my fear in doing so was caused by the dread of the steps I would take to commit. It was something that I had to do on my own, for myself, but was completely and pointedly public. Those are not a good combination of things when compiled also with my personality type. It is not my fear of public appearance, but the fact that I had to facilitate this for myself and for the good of myself that procrastinated taking action. As a result, I waited. I suppose I had the hope that somehow the opportunity would present itself to me. Either that was the case, or whenever the situation was brought up I would find a reason to avoid it. I prayed about it quite a bit and it was so silly that I made the effort to evade it, but it was another six years before I confronted myself with actually making the decision to be baptized. The opportunity was almost presented to me actually as we returned from an out-of-country mission’s trip. Many others had expressed the interest in being publicly proclaimed as Christ-followers and so my youth pastor organized a miniscule preparation class. I joined in and was baptized the following week in the local Palo Lake. I was not nervous at all, and I actually ended up being glad that it happened to be later rather than sooner that I made the representative action. I really enjoyed the process and it was actually meaningful and although it was comfortable, it was still very symbolic with a little bit of anxious mixed in.

Since then, I have had only one situation where I have felt betrayed by God. That experience made me even more spiritually sound and I know without doubt that there is nothing which could deviate me from the Holy Spirit for the rest of my immortal life. I live daily to worship my Heavenly father in every aspect of my life. I continue in my practice of falling completely in love with my maker. The area I struggle the most in, is being a disciple of Christ. We are called to be fisher’s of men, and I know that full well. I know that this is second to loving the Lord my God with all my heart.

My Testimony

Part4After that awakening week, I returned home with a fresh feeling and new outlook about me. However, this was not as comfortable with time. Eventually, this would turn into a burden. With my desire to know God more along with my habit slightly more adapted to do so, it became a routine before bed to do my devotions.  Several nights in, I was at a spiritual high and the presence of God seemed more and more real. A transfer was made between what used to be self-enforced by control, to a more intellectual and cognitive understanding. He revealed himself to me in a new and very extreme way and it was as if He was physically present as I had never felt before. It scared me and yet was the most reassuring feeling I have ever experienced. At this new level, I felt as though I needed to rededicate my life to the Lord and I could not be at peace until I did. I did so to myself, but I wanted someone to witness this. This isn’t unnatural that I felt this need as the gospel of John holds the history of Jesus baptizing people as a public form of their new life in Him. This was the conclusion of my foundation in Jesus Christ. I believed fully and realistically in Him, I had a desire to know Him more, and my desire and goal in life was to serve Him by being a witness of Him and sharing the story of my salvation with others. My daily “devotions” have since then developed into meetings and reading the Bible is a knowledge experience, prayer time a constant conversation with Jesus Christ.