Of Dogs and Men

Here's the deal. John O Neal is dead because he put himself in traffic in order to save his dog. My hope is that he died by accident, not realizing his danger, and that if he did, he would have let the dog die instead of dying himself. Read the story here.

We cannot know what he was thinking in that last moment. However, I am certain of this: a large percentage of people in our country will think and say that even if he knew he was risking his life, what he did was good and heroic, on par with saving a human being.

Such sentiments reveal a bankruptcy of common sense due, I believe, to being cut off from God-based thinking.

The Judeo-Christian God, the One of the Bible, paints a picture of man as being the crowning achievement of Creation. All creatures are under his dominion, for his pleasure, and for him to rule. Of course, God, being good, expects man to be responsible, to care for the growing things of the earth in a way that shows respect for their maker. Destroying the beautify of a forest or a mountain, or wiping out entire species of animals would be thoughtless, and thankless towards God. Likewise, cruelty to animals who are helpless and dependent on our oversight would also dishonor God, as we are the only creatures capable of morality and should therefore not seek pleasure from enjoying the pain of another.

That said, God makes it clear that the land is there for us to manage for OUR benefit. We can eat the food, tend the garden, cut down trees here and plant them over there. We can eat the animals, wear their skins, etc. Dogs and cats are indeed unique gifts to mankind as they both can be domesticated and serve man without eating him or going to the bathroom in the house (if trained). We should treat them with respect because of their maker.

But a dog's life never, ever, ever rises in value to that of a man. Ever. Why? Because, according to the Bible, man was made in the image of God in a way that dog was not. Furthermore, man is to rule over the animals, and not vice-versa. This way of looking at human life has revolutionized history, planted the seeds that ended slavery, brought the idea of equality of all under the law (women, children, minorities, etc), and the idea of human freedom being given to each one by God Himself. No doubt, fallen man doesn't administer this high ideal as consistently as God intends, but man is at his best when he begins by embracing the ideal.

Our society no longer is taught such things. Instead, the difference between an animal and human is minimized by many. Some will read of John O Neal and think him noble if he laid down his life purposely for his dog. Such people do not realize that they are not elevating the value of the dog, but reducing the value of the man. I would hope that John O Neal was careless, foolishly so, rather than that he laid down his life for a dog.

"Let Us make man in Our image" is God's view. Let's stick with that. Thoughts?

From China!

Hello to All,

I'm in China! Cool! More later.

mike

John Piper on the Bridge

John Piper wrote what is beneath here, not me. You can find the source here.

Putting My Daughter to Bed Two Hours After the Bridge Collapsed

August 1, 2007 | By: John Piper
Category: Written Posts by John Piper, Current Events, Don't Waste Your Life

At about 6 PM tonight the bridge of Interstate 35W over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed. I am writing this about three hours after the bridge fell. The bridge is located within sight of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Most of us who minister at the church cross this bridge several times a week. At this point I don’t know if any staff was on the bridge. Desiring God offices are about a mile from the bridge.

There are no firm facts at this point about the total number of injuries and fatalities. When we crossed the bridge Tuesday on our way out of town, there was extensive repair work happening on the surface of the bridge with single lane traffic. One speculates about the unusual stresses on the bridge with jackhammers and other surface replacement equipment. This was the fortieth anniversary of the bridge.

Tonight for our family devotions our appointed reading was Luke 13:1-9. It was not my choice. This is surely no coincidence. O that all of the Twin Cities, in shock at this major calamity, would hear what Jesus has to say about it from Luke 13:1-5. People came to Jesus with heart-wrenching news about the slaughter of worshipers by Pilate. Here is what he said.

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

Jesus implies that those who brought him this news thought he would say that those who died, deserved to die, and that those who didn’t die did not deserve to die. That is not what he said. He said, everyone deserves to die. And if you and I don’t repent, we too will perish. This is a stunning response. It only makes sense from a view of reality that is radically oriented on God.

All of us have sinned against God, not just against man. This is an outrage ten thousand times worse than the collapse of the 35W bridge. That any human is breathing at this minute on this planet is sheer mercy from God. God makes the sun rise and the rain fall on those who do not treasure him above all else. He causes the heart to beat and the lungs to work for millions of people who deserve his wrath. This is a view of reality that desperately needs to be taught in our churches, so that we are prepared for the calamities of the world.

The meaning of the collapse of this bridge is that John Piper is a sinner and should repent or forfeit his life forever. That means I should turn from the silly preoccupations of my life and focus my mind’s attention and my heart’s affection on God and embrace Jesus Christ as my only hope for the forgiveness of my sins and for the hope of eternal life. That is God’s message in the collapse of this bridge. That is his most merciful message: there is still time to turn from sin and unbelief and destruction for those of us who live. If we could see the eternal calamity from which he is offering escape we would hear this as the most precious message in the world.

We prayed during our family devotions. Talitha (11 years old) and Noel and I prayed earnestly for the families affected by the calamity and for the others in our city. Talitha prayed “Please don’t let anyone blame God for this but give thanks that they were saved.” When I sat on her bed and tucked her in and blessed her and sang over her a few minutes ago, I said, “You know, Talitha, that was a good prayer, because when people ‘blame’ God for something, they are angry with him, and they are saying that he has done something wrong. That’s what “blame” means: accuse somebody of wrongdoing. But you and I know that God did not do anything wrong. God always does what is wise. And you and I know that God could have held up that bridge with one hand.” Talitha said, “With his pinky.” “Yes,” I said, “with his pinky. Which means that God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills.”

Talitha said, “Maybe he let it fall because he wanted all the people of Minneapolis to fear him.” “Yes, Talitha,” I said, “I am sure that is one of the reasons God let the bridge fall.”

I sang to her the song I always sing,

Come rest your head and nestle gently
And do not fear the dark of night.
Almighty God keeps watch intently,
And guards your life with all his might.
Doubt not his love, nor power to keep,
He never fails, nor does he sleep.

I said, “You know, Talitha, that is true whether you die in a bridge collapse, or in a car accident, or from cancer, or terrorism, or old age. God always keeps you, even when you die. So you don’t need to be afraid, do you.” “No,” she shook her head. I leaned down and kissed her. “Good night. I love you.”

Tonight across the Twin Cities families are wondering if they will ever kiss a loved one good night again. Some will not. I am praying that they will find Jesus Christ to be their Rock and Refuge in these agonizing hours of uncertainty and even loss.

The word “bridge” does not occur in the Bible. There may be two reasons. One is that God doesn’t build bridges, he divides seas. The other is that usually his people must pass through the deadly currents of suffering and death, not simply ride over them. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you” (Isaiah 43:2). They may drown you. But I will be with you in life and death.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-38)

Killed all day long. But not separated from Christ. We go through the river. Not over it. He went before us, crucified. He came out on the other side. He knows the way through. With him we will make it. That is the message we have for the precious sinners in the Twin Cities. He died for your sins. He rose again. He saves all who trust him. We die, but because of him, we do not die.

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25)

Talitha is sleeping now. But one day she will die. I teach her this. I will not always be there to bless her. But Jesus is alive and is the same yesterday today and forever. He will be with her because she trusts him. And she will make it through the river.

Weeping with those who weep, and those who should,

Pastor John

Psalm 71:20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again.

One More Gone, But Hope

Shim Sung-min, not a household name in the West, is well-known in his native South Korea, as a martyr for Jesus. He is the second man killed by the Taliban. The picture above is from his memorial service.

This is not a good situation, with the other 21 hostages still very much in danger. However, God works even bad situations for good for those who love Him.

One of the good things happening here is that Muslims are beginning to speak out against the Taliban. Why is that good? Because Muslims in general seem hesitant to speak out against atrocities done to Americans or Jews or Western Europeans. I don't know why, but when terror happens to these groups, there is little public outcry from the Muslim communities of the world. However, for some reason, Muslim organizations are stepping out and saying that what the Taliban is doing with these South Koreans is wrong and against the teachings of their faith.

For that, I am grateful. Perhaps religious freedom will get a foothold among the Muslims. Lack of religious toleration, indeed, is what stops Muslim countries from being just and fair places.

On Friday, the chairman of the 30-million strong Muhammadiyah Muslim organization in Indonesia labeled the Taliban’s action as “in violation of Islamic principles and teaching,” according to Agence France-Presse. He criticized the Taliban for undermining the image of Islam and Muslims around the world.

This Is A Great Post

Warning, it is political.


Check it out here.


feel free to comment on this blog if you like.

What Do We Say To This

This man, Bae Hyung Kyu, has lost his life to the Taliban. He was leading 22 other South Korean Christians on a trip to Afghanistan. His crime was telling people about Jesus. Should we hate the Taliban for this? No, for Jesus said of his own killers, "Forgive them, they know not what they do."

What do we say to this, then?

First, we should not be surprised. The Taliban will kill any "infidel" they view as in their way, and all the more so Christians who are preaching a faith other than Islam. But also, Bae Hyung Kyu's Master told him this:

"For this reason also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute,

and also this:

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."

Jesus promised persecution for those He sends out to new places with the news of Jesus. This brother was persecuted, arrested, brought before the governors of many, and even killed, for the name of the Person he represented. For this, he has not lost his reward:


"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

However, for the sake of sorrow in this world, let us remember in prayer the family he left behind and the lives of the other 22.

Pray For Boldness and Courage

20 South Korean Christians have been kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Why? Because of telling people about Jesus. Please pray for them. (By the way, the picture above is NOT the people kidnapped. I couldn't find a picture of them. But it is a picture of a group of Korean missionaries).

Pray for boldness. The Taliban has claimed that they will interview these people. This is an opportunity for the gospel to go to members of the Taliban. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient to convert Taliban members, and so let us pray for good opportunities for these people to speak of the Savior.

Let us also ask God for their lives.

The Right to Suspend

Okay, students, sit up straight and get ready for 6th grade civics. I have been hearing on sports talk radio that Michael Vick should not be suspended because in this country we are innocent until proven guilty and that the NFL has no right to suspend a man who has yet to be convicted of a crime.

Pay attention all you victims of public school in the 90s (fortunately, I had 6th grade in the early 70's, before modern educational theory messed everything up). Michael Vick is innocent until proven guilty so HE CANNOT BE SENTENCED FOR A CRIME BY THE GOVERNMENT.

However, and this is the important part, being innocent of a crime does not mean you cannot be fired by your employer.

Allow me to draw and analogy to Don Imus. Imus committed no crime (except against good judgement and good manners), and yet was removed from his job by his employers. At the time, some of my conservative friends said, "We must stop this, for it is the first step to ending free speech." But they were wrong. His employer also has the right to free speech and doesn't have to pay Don Imus to say something else if he doesn't want to. In this case, Don Imus's product for public consumption became less valuable to his employers than did keeping him. So they fired him, and they were within their rights.

Likewise, NFL football is an employer that makes it's money --and quite a bit of money-- by producing a product for public consumption. That product is football games played for the joy of spectators who pay through their ticket sales, their support for sponsoring products, and their purchase of licenced NFL merchandise. The NFL is not required to employ every human capable of playing professional level football. Like it or not, Michael Vick is not guaranteed a job because of his talent. If the NFL decides that the product he gives for public consumption (that is, his football skills) has become less valuable than what he costs in public good will, they are free to fire him.

Now, they are not free to forbid him to play football. He may buy a football --he probably owns one already-- and go in his yard and play all he wants. Perhaps he can even throw a ball to his dogs who can retrieve it for him.

Thus ends the lesson. Class dismissed.

While I Was Away, The Pope Made News

Pope Benedict made the news last week by declaring publicly that the only way to salvation was through the Roman Catholic Church. I was away in Queens, with 44 other people, doing some urban missions stuff, so I was not able to comment. Forgive me my tardiness, for this is one of my favorite stories ever!

Why?

Because the Pope told what he believed to be true, nothing more, nothing less. Why is that a problem?

"It's insensitive to other denominations," say some and again. "It is offensive to all and rude to the Muslims," say others.

However, these critics reveal their over-sensitive, politically correct, historically ignorant point of view.

The Roman Catholic church believes it is the only way, and it always has. That shouldn't be news. The Eastern Orthodox denominations would disagree and have since 1100 A.D. (around there) when they decided that their pope was the true pope that went back to Peter and the Romans disagreed. Of course I disagree, as a reformed protestant. But, this is not news. It has been this way for centuries.

The Pope told the truth of what his church teaches. What's wrong with that? Palestinian and Arab leaders are constantly talking about how they need to push the Jews into the seas and murder all the infidels. We are VERY TOLERANT of such violent points of view. But let a Christian state what he believes and oh what a ruckus!

Do you want to know why the whole world gets more stirred up when Christians speak up than when Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, secularists, and others say what they believe? I know the answer. It is because Jesus Christ really is the Son of God. He really is the only way to heaven. And it just makes people mad who don't want to follow Him.

The opponents only confirm the truth. Jesus said that He came not to bring peace, but a sword (figuratively --He's not Mohammed!) --dividing people into two camps. There are those who are for Him, and then there are those who hate him. There is no middle ground.

Go, Pope, Go! I don't agree with you, but there is nothing wrong with telling the truth about what you believe.

We Thank God

I have a friend, who, whether things are going well or not, sums up just about every situation with the phrase, "We thank God."

Although this friend now lives many miles away from me, I hear his voice in my mind often. I hear it today.

I am thankful for America. I thank God that I was born here. I thank God for the men who died that we may be a nation, and for the women and children who had to give them up. I thank God for the wisdom of that moment in history when men honored the existence of God and His Laws as being the absolute standard on which human freedom is based.

There are many today outside of America who wonder if we are good people or a good nation. We are regular people, like people anywhere else. But our nation is not ordinary. It is indeed the greatest nation on the earth, filled with freedom and opportunity and good will. I did nothing to deserve to live here. I can only thank God.

Happy Independence day to all. We thank God.