The Churches' Response to Tragedy

This weekend, churches across the nation have lead their congregations in prayer for the small Connecticut community that is trying to find healing. Our western society has many confusing and godless mumbo jumbo but it still values (generally speaking) children and their innocence. This is why we consider one man's actions to end the lives of twenty children and several elementary teachers and staff especially heinous. Within hours, social media exploded with alternating statements of judgmental and righteous anger to sorrow and overwhelming grief. As a Christian, I can identify with both of these emotions but my faith gives comfort and perspective. The world cannot begin to understand that. 

I wanted to write about this on my blog because I think it connects to my previous thoughts on how man and woman is created in the image of God. How we identify ourselves is not a static occurrence. Our personal beliefs are translated into actions and behaviors.  Because I am a Christian my identity is found in the scandalous grace, unconditional love, and justification that is given to me by Christ's work on the Cross. I have an eternal hope that rests in my Redeemer. The world does not understand the significance of Calvary because they have not understood original creation and the consequence of sin. The world has no hope. 

Some of you may have already read this article "Thinking the Unthinkable" written by the Anarchist Soccer Mom.  
I posted this paragraph (see below) in response to a facebook dialogue.

I have worked with several children who struggle with expressing emotion or understanding emotion. Even though there are clinical definitions, each mental illness differs in how it presents in a child. This can make it difficult for a clinician to make a diagnosis, which in turn, makes it difficult for the child (and their caregivers) to receive any services. 

With each child, there needs to be a support system for ALL of his/her needs including, proper medication, therapy, spiritual guidance for child and caregiver(s) etc. 

Unfortunately, throughout history persons with mental illness have not been treated fairly nor with love of Jesus Christ. Persons with mental illness have been killed, ignored, tortured, or locked up. Our western godless society has decided that previous methods are unfair, but they don't truly understand why (Man and woman is made in God's image & have eternal souls). With the lack of that knowledge, our society will never be able to address any of these issues.

Broken worldview cannot be expected to repair broken people. Only the love of Jesus Christ can do that. This is what our society, our world, is sorely lacking. The question then is, what are WE doing? How are we showing the love of Christ and reaching the broken, forgotten, and shunned peoples?

Historically speaking, Christians have been involved in mental health services. Some of the Church's involvement was Christlike, some of it was not. Currently, the Christian church is taking a minor role in mental health. There are small clinics, hospitals, and research facilities adjunct to religious universities.

However...

There remains an enormous unmet need for persons with mental illness. I think I can safely say, in general terms, that there are still many Christians who are not engaging in their community either with time, talent, or financial resources. Just as one person can make a devastating effect on a community, so can one person make a positive impact in a life of one person. 

What if, one church or one bible study became a support group for a single mom with a child with a mental illness? 
What if, once a week several college students or other adults offered free babysitting so that relative caregivers could have a break? 

What if..

I do not have all of the answers. I have some ideas, some ideas might be workable. I know that it is easy to refuse to act because I don't have all the answers. I have done that more times than I care to admit. 

The Scriptures abound in encouragement for the believer. For I was not created with a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7), but of power and love. (New King James) I would encourage you, dear Readers, to search and mediate on Scripture as we ask for guidance concerning our involvements in our respective communities. 

Rise up, O Church. Rise up, women of valor and men of righteousness. Answer the call to defend the weak, the oppressed, and the downtrodden. May we be His witness of Christ's love by being faithful, to the" least of these". Amen.

Man: Made in the Image/Likeness of God (Part 2)

Preface: I have been searching the Scriptures and researching other materials, but still it feels like I don't quite "get it" yet. What I have thought through here is what I have figured out (or what I *think* I have figured out) so far.

A. Image versus Likeness

The first use of “image” also contains the first use of “likeness” (Genesis 1:26). I think this is slightly confusing. Here are my attempts to delineate image and likeness.

Old Testament Example:
Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.

New Testament Example:
Luke 20:24
“Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.”

Perhaps what we could glean is that “image” and “likeness” are very similar words.
However, image appears to be more of representation or appearance. Whereas “Likeness” is a copy of similar virtues or emotional characteristics. (David Guzik’s Commentary of the Bible, Genesis 1)

B. How can we be made in the image of God if God is a spirit?

Short Answer: Because we have already defined image as a representation of virtue & characteristics. Also, God said that He made us in our image (Gen 1:26).

We are created with an eternal soul. This soul is a creation of God to reflect Him.

Both man and woman have a soul. The soul is not gender specific.

Longer Answer: ........

....Back to Scripture, folks!

God could not fully put all of his attributes of Himself into us. I'm not saying God doesn't have the ability-- I'm just saying why would He?

God didn't have to create individuals in His image or likeness. Yet, He chose to do so. He created more than one human being. He created a pair-- Adam and Eve. With His creation of the animal kingdom, we can see evidence of variety, uniqueness, detail, and purpose.

Genesis 1
Creating the light (vs 4)
..........and it was good.
Creating land and vegetation. (vs 10)
........and it was good.
Creating day and night (vs 18)
.........and it was good.
Creating the animals (vs 20-25)
..............and it was good.
Creating man & woman (vs 26-31)
.............and it was VERY good.

And creation was finished. Have you ever seen that before? God created man and there was nothing else to make.

It. Was. Perfect.

Here's something else. The animal kingdom and the earth kingdom were created with a word.
Man and woman, however, were created by God touching, molding, and shaping them.

The Creation of man and woman was much more intimate. There is much more detail in the where and how of our creation.

Example:  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (Gen. 2:7 )

This attention to detail, the priority given to creation of man is so much more significant than the creation of animal kingdom. There is no denying it. Again.

Example: Let us create man in OUR own IMAGE. (Gen 1:26) 

I think that's pretty explicit, don't ya think?
But how can we fully validate both ideas that God is wholly spirit and man is spirit and flesh?

C. Illustration.

A friend and I were discussing my previous post. She brought up a very good illustration from a Disney movie. In Toy Story 2, Sheriff Andy is separated from Andy and is uncertain of his future and of who he is. Sheriff looks down at the bottom of his cowboy boots to wipe off the paint that marred his owner's name. Sheriff remembers who he belongs to. He remembers and desperately wants to go back to his human buddy, Andy.

We are not so unlike the Pixar toy named Andy. We are marked in the image of God. We were separated. We have his name on us, yet we have allowed His name to be marred-- covered up.
Will you be like Sheriff Andy? Will you acknowledge that you are His creation, His precious imprint? How far will you go to go back to your Heavenly Father?

Man: Made in the Image of God (Part 1)

Preface: Why is “image” important? Because “image” is how we view ourselves, others and God. How we view or perceive directs our actions and manner of our self and how we treat other people. This post will look at the definition of image (Webster's and Scripture), give examples throughout Scripture, and remembering that as Christians to be in Christ' image is our goal.

A. Definition of image

1. Webster's online dictionary

* a reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or thing; especially : an imitation in solid form : Statue
* tangible or visible representation: Incarnation
* a visual representation of something: as (1) : a likeness of an object produced on a photographic material
* exact likeness : semblance b : a person strikingly like another person


2. Scriptures definition of image and likeness.
Image = Tzelem. Meaning: Image, likeness of, (resemblance)
The root of the word Tzelem comes from Tze "shadow" or "reflection."
Source: Torah.org.

B. Scriptural examples
In a basic search of the NASB, there are almost 100 examples for the word “image”.
1. The first verse is Genesis 1:26- Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
and Genesis 1:27 - God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.


2. New Testament References
1 Corinthians 16:49- Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.


3. Christ described as image of God
Colossians 1:15- He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation
This verse reminds us that man is in the image of Christ; or Adam-Christ typology.
Wycliffe: Christ is viewed as the first true man who fulfills God’s design in creation. Thus to be in the image of Christ is the goal of all Christians. (p.1338)


There are other verses throughout the Scriptures of parallelisms between Adam (the first created man, but corrupted) and Christ (not human being, but incarnate physical representation of God, uncorrupted).

Example: Romans 5, 1 Corinthians 15.


C. Not all Scriptural references of "image" or "likeness" have glowing terms. Because of man's sin, both image and likeness of God has been corrupted. Several times throughout the Torah and Israel's history do we see warnings to not make and worship images.

1. Consequence of “image”: Mankind by mankind.
Genesis 9:6
“ Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.

The statement might sound gory, inhumane, or an unrealistic response. What we should remember is not to trivialize another human being's life. God certainly didn't think it was a laughing matter.

2. Negative connotation of word “image”
Leviticus 26:1
‘You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.
{Interesting fact: Hebrew definition of idol literally means “things of nothingness”. (Wycliffe Bible Commentary, page 107)}

Conclusion: Genesis 1 and 2 start out with a perfect world. The climax of His Creation was to make a reflection of His attributes and characteristics. God created the perfect people, the perfect environment, the perfect situation. But he also gave man and woman a free-will. By Adam and Eve's free-will, they deliberately choose not to obey God's commands. The once-perfect image became corrupted. But, we still find ourselves longing for and trying to recapture that once perfect replication of Him.

Jesus Christ: Two Jewish Views ( Part III Resurrection)

C. Resurrection

Theodosus Harnack, an Estonian Lutheran theologian, once said "Where you stand with regard to the fact of the Resurrection is in my eyes no longer Christian theology. To me Christianity either stands or falls on the Resurrection. " Many of Jesus' contemporaries whether Jew or Roman would agree.

Why do the Christians emphasize these three points of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection? "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (New International Version ).

-Jewish Christian view
It is interesting to note that using a word search the Corinthians passage connects to the passage from the prophet Hosea.

"Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. "He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. " (New International Version)

Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians that if Christ was not raised then your faith means nothing.

"Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. " (New International Version)

The first people to witness the resurrection were the women who wanted to go back and finish the preparations for Jesus' complete burial. They did go to the tomb for there would have been the Roman seal and the Roman guard(s) to be there as additional markers. Others were the remaining 11 of Jesus' disciples. In the gospels, Jesus also appears to people individually and 500 people at one time. (New International Version) Also all of the Jewish people were assembled in Jerusalem for the obligatory feasts. Everyone would have heard the goings ons of the two Jewish religious groups that despised each other coming together to bargain with their equally despised Roman representative ruler.

-Non-Christian Jews view

"And those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them live again the third day as the prophets had foretold." (Josephus)

Perhaps it could be possible that it wasn't Jesus that the people saw. It could have been hallucinations etc. Perhaps it could have been the wrong tomb, the women that went to the tomb were emotionally distraught and could have gone/entered the incorrect sepulcher. Perhaps as was mentioned in this time period, the disciples' stole Jesus Body and claimed that he rose from the dead. Eleven easily emotionally distressed disciples could have overcome a Roman guard at a tomb with little to few problems. (Evidence that Demands a Verdict)

Rejection of Resurrection on three basic principles-

1) The criteria in general that is given by Christians is not specific to case (an example would be the argument of death of Messiah). " If no verse in the prophets unambiguously presented resurrection a a criterion for recognizing the Messiah---and none does--- then such a hypothetical wonder would prove nothing." (Klinghoffer, )

2) Limited numbers of witnesses. For example, when Moses gave the Sinai Covenant (Ten Commandments), he had two million witness the entirety of the Jewish nation watching with their own eyes. Nowhere in the Gospels or in other early Christian works are there any considerable amount that would compare to this. (Klinghoffer)

3) Christ is proved as Messiah because of the resurrection. Yet what does the resurrection prove? That Jesus was the messiah. This reasoning is circular; it proves nothing. (Klinghoffer)


Additionally, responding to the Hosea comment, if Jesus was perfect then there would be no need for him to to go to G-d for repentance and and healing. (Klinghoffer)

Jesus Christ: Two Jewish Views (part II the Resurrection)

B. THE BURIAL
-(Background)
First of all embalming while usual for Egypt was not practiced among Israelis particularly Judeans. Tradition dictated that the remaining were to respect the dead by going through a process of burying the body. However because the holy day was coming up the burial would be rather hasty. The usual measure would be as follows:

"As soon as the last breath was drawn, the eyes of the dead were closed by the oldest or the most distinguished son or next relative, the mouth was shut, and kept in position by a band on the cheek-bones, and the body placed upon sand or salt on the floor to retard decomposition, metal or glass being put upon the navel to prevent swelling. Then the body was washed and anointed with aromatic unguents, and wrapped in linen clothes."

(Bible Encyclopedia Online)

Spices were used as part of the burial to keep the body preserved to some extent for any visiting during the obligatory three days. As well as it gave the proper structure for the body to decay and would keep away vermin. A significant thing to note is that the mount of spices were large

"one effect of this would to be cause the powder immediately bout the body to adhere to it, but the great bulk of it ould remain dry. The head and hair were also anointed with this unguent. I do not find that the powdered spice was applied to the ace of head. However.... The body would be simple embedded in the powdered spice. It may have been that the women desired to repair this omission as far as they could." (Latham)

-Jewish Christian view
The gospels say that the chief Priests and Pharisees came the day after Jesus' death to Pilate. Gospel of Matthew and said,

"Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I am to rise again.' "Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last deception will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how." And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.

(New International Version)

-the Non-Christian Jews view
The only real significant point here is that Jesus' family and his disciples did not bury and prepare his body for burial. This would be considered a shame on them for people close to the deceased were supposed to show respect by such burial preparations. An of course where the body was buried in connection to resurrection will be dealt with on the following paragraphs with the resurrection.

Jesus Christ: Two Jewish Views (part I) The Death of

It is important to start this discussion with two givens. 1) that the Old Testament and New Testament Scriptural texts are accurate and valid 2) that Jesus Christ existed at least as a man.

A. Jesus' Death
What about Jesus' death? Most people could probably identify or how he died. The cross is a familiar symbol to many. But we need to take a step back and look at this in a different view. The rulers in charge of the political scene were the Romans. In the early first century CE (All dates will be in C.E. to be as objective as possible) the land of Palestine (early modern Israel) was part of the
Roman empire. The Romans had conquered Palestine at least a century before in 63 BC (online timeline of Palestine).

Generally speaking, the Romans allowed a great part of religious tolerance and some local governance. They had selected someone who they thought was a 'local', a man called Herod to rule as their executive representative. On the judicial side (or what we would recognize as judicial, yet called a governor) a disgraced Roman official by the name of Pontius Pilate; who was put in charge of the Palestine greater area.

For hardened criminals or enemies of the state/empire, the preferred method of death was crucifixion. This is described by many historians as "the most cruel and atrocious of punishments" (Cicero). Before the prisoner was crucified, it was not unusual to be flogged and beaten to humor your guards. Romans had a fascination for putting things on display and often used hills to this advantage. The T- shaped form of wood would be laid on the ground and prisoner then would be fastened to it by nails. The nails would pierce every limb of the body at a strategic point to ensure that the nail would keep the body on the cross. With using as little of scientific and medical terminology as possible, the with the acute pain from the nails in hands and feet the prisoner would be struggling for air. The nails would be positioned for great annoyance and in order to push up you would tear your flesh on the nails on your feet. In doing so you would get a breath of cool air for your burning lungs. then the prisoner would relax and the body down again. The prisoner would feel the tearing once more on his ligaments by the protruding nails. Usually the prisoners would die by asphyxiation "blocking the airway so that the individual on the receiving end cannot breathe and ultimately dies. Asphyxiation also comes under the category of strangulation, which - as we have already mentioned - is the process of blocking an individual's airways until they stop breathing.” (Explore Forensics UK definition) [Note: In Zugibe's work, he argues against asphyxiation as a cause and lists traumatic and hypovolemic shock instead. ] Crucifixion meant death by whatever subsequent cause.

First Century people did not deny that Jesus had died. It was only many centuries later that there were theories that Jesus did not die. For purposes of our discussion, we will assume that Jesus did die from crucifixion. What the disagreement is defined as, is what does Jesus' death proved.

-Jewish Christian view
First, the proponents of the view that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. The early Jewish Christians saw Jesus death as necessary according to what the Scriptures said. The gospel of John, who was Jesus' disciple and eyewitness, says this in John;

"Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day) asked Pilate that their legs be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs, But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.

For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture "NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN."

And again another Scripture, "THEY SHALL LOOK UPON HIM WHOM THEY PEIRCED."

[capitals and punctuations are in original](New American Standard Bible, 1997.)

In this passage we see that the writer John (who is a Jew and "Christian") wrote that the Jews knew Jesus had died and took preparations against that. John also involves Pontius Pilate (a definite non-Jew and non Christian) as knowing this and giving orders to dispose of the body securely. Then John also writes of himself as a witness and shows that Pilate's orders were carried out. Notice that John goes out of his way to point out Messianic prophecy for us. Those quotes that John alludes to are cross references to the Jewish Scriptural passages, Psalm 34 and Zechariah 12 respectively.

According to the gospel texts, Jesus gave his testimony, risked his credibility on the fact that he would die, be buried and rise again. Jesus testified of himself that he was the son of God. Jesus said this when he heard that Lazarus was dead, "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of
God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it. (John 11:4)

Others also testified of Jesus as being the 'son of God'. Martha, sister of the famous resurrected Lazarus, says in John 11:27 "She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." " While Peter, in the gospel of Matthew, confessed that Jesus was the Son of the living God.

-The Non-Christian Jews view
The Zechariah passage quoted says 'whom they have pierced”. The fact is that the Roman soldiers pierced Jesus' hands by Pilate's order. The Jews did not pierce him. Talmudic Scholars believe this passage refers to Israel. (Klinghoffer)

Furthermore, the Talmud Tractate Sukkah does list two Messiahs; Messiah son of Joseph who would be sacrificed, the other is Messiah son of David who would be the liberating conquering Messiah King. Jesus' lineage written from Matthew and Luke Gospels we can conclude at least two things. First that Jesus was from tribe of Judah not Joseph. Secondly, Jesus couldn't be Messiah Son of David because only Jesus' earthly father was Joseph the son of David, yet Jesus' did not trace his
lineage from his surrogate father. On the other hand, Jesus' mother did not descend from David. (Klinghoffer)

Klinghoffer asserts would be that Jesus' himself did not claim to be the son of God. Use of two examples here that proves this. After Peter's affirmation that Jesus was the son of God Jesus rebukes him. Not only does Jesus rebuke Peter but also the other disciples that they should not tell anyone. Jesus' death was not unique to prove that he was the messiah because there were many other failed messiahs that were also executed. (Klinghoffer)

The historian Flavius Josephus, a renegade Jewish turned general historian, remarks on Jesus, "And when Pilate, at he suggestion of the principal men among had condemned him to the cross."

Jesus Christ: Two Jewish Views (Intro)

The tailoring business was so bad that Feitelberg said to his partner, "Only the Messiah could help us."

"How could even the Messiah help us?" asked the partner in despair.

"Why , " said Feitleberg, "he'd bring back the dead, and naturally they'd need new clothes."

"But some of the dead are tailors." the partner observed gloomily.

"So what? " asked Feitelberg. " they wouldn't have a chance! How many of them would know this years styles?"(Treasury of Jewish Folklore)

This is a humorous or chuckle worthy conversation piece that shows some insight into a more serious aspect of religious Jewish life. Looking for the Messiah permeated their culture and society. The Christians (who in the beginning were largely Jews) believed that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, yet many other Jews at that time denied this. Growing up in a Christian home, this particular belief has always been a curiosity for me. I know the Christian view of the story, however I am not as knowledgeable about the Jewish thought. Let us look objectively at the historical evidence, and present the findings. This assignment is NOT an argumentative paper but an essay emphasizing a historical moment or event. I will be focusing on the main point of Christianity: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And we will try to answer the following question, “Why did or did not the contemporary Jews accept or recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah after they saw or heard his death, burial and resurrection?”