Shadows
I have to admit that I dislike statements that include everyone and put them in the same category.
eg: A commercial on the TV will say something like, "No one can do without this.". I'm the guy who says back to the TV, "Oh yes I can!". So when Steven writes, "We spend our careers pursuing the two things we know corrupt people the most - power & money - all the while telling ourselves that they'll never corrupt us and that we are immune, even though we know we are not.", I have to say back to him: a] I do not have a career, and b] I do not pursue power and money. Yes, they will corrupt if we let them. And I'm not burying my head in the sand here because I know that I am not immune. That is why I come before the Lord on a daily basis; to keep short accounts and seek His will for that day.
And similarly I am not seeking popularity and fame but I want a good reputation in the Lord. Not for my own ends lest I should boast, but to be able to give a good report of the Lord Jesus Christ - sound familiar?
I have to admit that I became somewhat annoyed about the assumptions in this paragraph: "We try to fill our eternal hungers with sex and self esteem and good grades and designer shoes. We pack our lives with distractions in a desperate attempt to fill a hole in our lives we tell ourselves isn't there with things we know aren't important. We keep watching the commercials and we keep buying the stuff.".
NO I DON'T!
Yes I know that 'shadows' pursue me and I know that sometimes I allow them to overwhelm me. But the danger with the type of writing in this chapter is that people will only feel condemned and not convicted of their shortcomings.
I also have to admit to a certain level of disquiet about the situation with Judas Iscariot. Judas was the betrayer that fulfilled a prophecy. Did he have a choice? And if he did and chose not to betray Jesus, who would have been the betrayer? And when Judas threw the money away and hanged himself, was that an act of repentance?
"His buddies began to plot and scheme ways to get a place of honour in his new kingdom.". Oh what a totally irreverent comment!
Sorry folks but I had a real problem with this chapter and I felt that Steven was just making assumptions. Yes, I agree that we all have a shadowy side to our life but I felt that Steven was flippant in his writing of this chapter.
eg: A commercial on the TV will say something like, "No one can do without this.". I'm the guy who says back to the TV, "Oh yes I can!". So when Steven writes, "We spend our careers pursuing the two things we know corrupt people the most - power & money - all the while telling ourselves that they'll never corrupt us and that we are immune, even though we know we are not.", I have to say back to him: a] I do not have a career, and b] I do not pursue power and money. Yes, they will corrupt if we let them. And I'm not burying my head in the sand here because I know that I am not immune. That is why I come before the Lord on a daily basis; to keep short accounts and seek His will for that day.
And similarly I am not seeking popularity and fame but I want a good reputation in the Lord. Not for my own ends lest I should boast, but to be able to give a good report of the Lord Jesus Christ - sound familiar?
I have to admit that I became somewhat annoyed about the assumptions in this paragraph: "We try to fill our eternal hungers with sex and self esteem and good grades and designer shoes. We pack our lives with distractions in a desperate attempt to fill a hole in our lives we tell ourselves isn't there with things we know aren't important. We keep watching the commercials and we keep buying the stuff.".
NO I DON'T!
Yes I know that 'shadows' pursue me and I know that sometimes I allow them to overwhelm me. But the danger with the type of writing in this chapter is that people will only feel condemned and not convicted of their shortcomings.
I also have to admit to a certain level of disquiet about the situation with Judas Iscariot. Judas was the betrayer that fulfilled a prophecy. Did he have a choice? And if he did and chose not to betray Jesus, who would have been the betrayer? And when Judas threw the money away and hanged himself, was that an act of repentance?
"His buddies began to plot and scheme ways to get a place of honour in his new kingdom.". Oh what a totally irreverent comment!
Sorry folks but I had a real problem with this chapter and I felt that Steven was just making assumptions. Yes, I agree that we all have a shadowy side to our life but I felt that Steven was flippant in his writing of this chapter.
posted by Dave. at
5:44 AM
1 Comments:
Dave, I think you make some great points here and I wonder if maybe this isn't a little bit of a cultural difference between the country (USA) that Stevens lives in and your beautiful country. Stevens pretty much hit it on the head for me (the old me) and most of the people I know - but I can see why many others (including many here in the US as well) who would find it silly to be lumped in those associations.
I really like seeing the chapter from your viewpoint as it gives me a whole new way to approach it.
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HeyJules, at 9:05 AM
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