Lefty Has Doubts
This morning I started something I haven't done in a very long time. I picked up my inclusive language NIV bible and started reading the Book of Mark. If I remember my bible classes right, Mark is the oldest of the four gospels. I just read chapter 1, but I liked that it opens with John the Baptist and an adult Jesus. Personally I'm a little burned out on origin stories, even if it's Jesus...although I did enjoy Iron Man on Friday. (Wow, Jesus and Iron Man in one sentence)
Anyway, as I was reading through the first chapter I was struck by something. I have my doubts. Now I have to say that I do think it good and sometimes even necessary that Christians doubt their beliefs. It gives room to learn, reassess, and hopefully become better people and Christians. So why am I doubting so early into Mark? Well I kept wondering why. Why should God made flesh, savior to humankind decide to show up around 2011 years ago? Why wouldn't Jesus show up in more contemporary times. Not necessarily in my lifetime, but at least in a time where there would be more evidence, better record keeping, maybe even a photograph.
Just writing some of this now I think I have a few answers. Imagine if Jesus did arrive in say the 14th century. There's wouldn't be a Catholic church, who knows if there would have been a renaissance. On the other hand maybe we'd be further along technologically if the church hadn't pushed us into trying to destroy the Muslims and their technologies (not to mention a stellar library).
So anyway this is what's been going through my head. I also learned that I am really really bad at praying (also my first time in a real long time), and had a hard time praying for our President. I guess I am pretty bitter towards Bush.
Still reading a chapter in my bible each morning is something I am going to continue.
Comments
I'm not so fond of Mark, because it's so terse. I'm talking about the lack of poetry, not the lack of the "origin story".
Your doubt piece reminds me of a verse in JC Superstar, "Israel in 4 B.C. had no mass communication." The answer, BTW, is "I dunno, either." But pictures would negate the need for faith, I suppose.
I've been reading the liturgy every week and you see that Paul and most of the epistle writers seemed to think that the "second coming" was right around the corner. So even the Bible writers didn't have all the answers; why should Lefty Brown?
Posted by: ROG | May 12, 2008 01:48 PM
Lefty - think of it this way:
at the time, Rome was the biggest empire, covering the known earth. It was also one of the most polytheistic cultures on the planet.
If you're going to convince everyone of your love, you first say, "Hey, I'm the only God" before you say, "Here's the message."
But what do I know - I'm a recovering Catholic....
Posted by: Gordon | May 12, 2008 03:21 PM
Totally off topic, but did you get my disc ok there matey?
Posted by: nik | May 12, 2008 03:52 PM
Sometimes, I am struck by a frame of reference that looks upon our Faith as rather absurd. At other times, I am struck by how absurd the world is. Still other times, I have come to realize that even if Jesus were to physically confront me, I would still have a choice to make. I mean, after he left I could decide that the whole thing was the product of a hit of acid I took in my youth that got lodged in the fat cells of my body and is just now entering into my circulalatory systemm and thereby causing life-like hallucinations.
Every time I look at you
I don't understand
Why you let the things you did
Get so out of hand
You'd have managed better
If you'd had it planned
Now why'd you choose such a backward time
And such a strange land?
If you'd come today
You could have reached the whole nation
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication
Posted by: Anthony | May 12, 2008 11:51 PM
Sometimes, I am struck by a frame of reference that looks upon our Faith as rather absurd. At other times, I am struck by how absurd the world is. Still other times, I have come to realize that even if Jesus were to physically confront me, I would still have a choice to make. I mean, after he left I could decide that the whole thing was the product of a hit of acid I took in my youth that got lodged in the fat cells of my body and is just now entering into my circulalatory systemm and thereby causing life-like hallucinations.
*******
Every time I look at you
I don't understand
Why you let the things you did
Get so out of hand
You'd have managed better
If you'd had it planned
Now why'd you choose such a backward time
And such a strange land?
If you'd come today
You could have reached the whole nation
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication
Posted by: Anthony | May 12, 2008 11:51 PM
Of course, if Jesus had waited to arrive until the 14th century...would there have even been a Muslim Empire to create those technological advances?
Posted by: Thom | May 13, 2008 07:00 AM
It really comes down to faith. If there were proof of God, he wouldn't get to gift humans with choice. You'd be a minion.
Rather, he left doubt so he could toy around and watch the show.
Of course, it's all rather sadistic if you think about it. I mean, he's all knowing, so he purposefully created lesser beings just so they could be tortured for all eternity.
Posted by: Adam | May 16, 2008 03:28 PM