One Sunday night our Priest at St. Benedict's Table spoke briefly about predestination. He gave this quote from Paul Achtemeier on what Paul might have meant by 'predestine'.
"As Paul uses the words 'foreknow' or 'predestine,' they do not refer in the first instance to some limitation on our freedom, nor do they refer to some arbitrary decision by God that some creatures are to be denied all chances at salvation. They simply point to the fact that God knows the end which he will bring his creation, namely redemption, and that destiny is firmly set in his purposes. God has already set the destiny of creation: the destiny is redemption, as Paul has just told us(vs. 21). In that sense Paul can speak of 'pre-destination.' It means, just as the word says, that the destiny has already been set; and that destiny is the final redemptive transformation of reality
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Thoughts on 'Lake of Fire'
This past week I watched Lake of Fire , a documentary about abortion by Tony Kaye of American History X fame. The film was stunning and honest in their unloading of information. What I most appreciated was that the film never took sides, which is rare for documentaries.
The entire film was shot in black and white in order to show that this subject has no grey or at least the media is unwilling to show the grey areas. Maybe more a statement of how we discuss complicated issues in western countries and our conversations about abortion, homosexuality, war, etc are more yelling our views than an attempt to grow in understanding and being open to that the other side has many valid points.
An unsettling part of the film was the anti-abortionists profiled and how different they viewed the Christian faith. I know many people will want to dismiss them as religious extremist, but I think that is dangerous and almost justifies their actions. Many of them made statements that people should be stoned for various behaviours and maybe most puzzling is that they don't believe in religious freedom. This one was a bit confusing or maybe I just don't understand America. In my conservative Christian upbringing there was always an understanding that one shows respect and dignity to those who disagree with you. However, the anti-abortionist did not feel that was important and as many of you know have killed many doctors performing abortions.
I guess my problem with the politically motivated pro-life agenda is that once the baby is born these people who so vehemently fight for the babies right don't seem to care what kind of environment they live in. I think for the pro-life stance to have merit they need to oppose all forms of war and persecution of all people.
Then again this is not an easy subject and both sides have valid point. It is interesting how so many people realize life is lived in the gray areas, but when it comes down to these political topics its all or nothing. At times I fear that Canada is becoming more like America and not willing to see the other's point of view with an open mind.
The entire film was shot in black and white in order to show that this subject has no grey or at least the media is unwilling to show the grey areas. Maybe more a statement of how we discuss complicated issues in western countries and our conversations about abortion, homosexuality, war, etc are more yelling our views than an attempt to grow in understanding and being open to that the other side has many valid points.
An unsettling part of the film was the anti-abortionists profiled and how different they viewed the Christian faith. I know many people will want to dismiss them as religious extremist, but I think that is dangerous and almost justifies their actions. Many of them made statements that people should be stoned for various behaviours and maybe most puzzling is that they don't believe in religious freedom. This one was a bit confusing or maybe I just don't understand America. In my conservative Christian upbringing there was always an understanding that one shows respect and dignity to those who disagree with you. However, the anti-abortionist did not feel that was important and as many of you know have killed many doctors performing abortions.
I guess my problem with the politically motivated pro-life agenda is that once the baby is born these people who so vehemently fight for the babies right don't seem to care what kind of environment they live in. I think for the pro-life stance to have merit they need to oppose all forms of war and persecution of all people.
Then again this is not an easy subject and both sides have valid point. It is interesting how so many people realize life is lived in the gray areas, but when it comes down to these political topics its all or nothing. At times I fear that Canada is becoming more like America and not willing to see the other's point of view with an open mind.
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