Sketchy Thoughts pt. 2

"The Contemporary Christian" - John RW Stott

SUMMARY:  The Human Paradox
The remainder of this chapter looks specifically and separately at the human paradox of dignity and depravity.

Dignity
In the "dignity" portion of this chapter, he focuses on humanity being created in the image of God and teasing out what separates us from other created animals.  He outlines 5 distinctions:  self-conscious rationality; ability to make moral choices; powers of artistic creativity; capacity for relationships of love; and insatiable thirst for God.

QUOTES I LIKED (in this section)
"We should be ashamed both when human beings behave like animals, descending to their level, and when animals behave like human beings, doing better by instinct than we do by choice."
Wow!  That's a mouthful!  I am so thankful that "self"-discipline is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, because it in many ways removes the notion that we are on our own to fix ourselves to become more like Christ.  It is the very essence of Christ in us coming along side us to empower us to be like Him.  So much of this discipline is reigning in the impulsive instinct that is in many ways animalistic, but also reigning in the "freedom of choice" to create "new instincts" (?) that nurture relationships "we are rebuked that oxen and donkeys are better at recognizing their master than we are, that migratory birds are better at returning home after going away, and that ants are more industrious and more provident."

Depravity
Stott bases much of this section on a teaching of Jesus found in Mark 7:

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, 'Listen to me, everyone, and understand this.  Nothing outside a man can make him "unclean" by going into him.  Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him "unclean"... For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  All these evils come from inside and make a man "unclean". 

In comment to this passage, Stott provides four insights gleaned from this passage that Jesus taught:  the universal extent of human evil; the self-centered nature of human evil; the inward origin of human evil; and the defiling effect of human evil.

COMMENT:
This issue of balancing dignity and depravity has been one with which I have been struggling for a while.  For most of my life of faith, I have been emphasizing human depravity not only in myself but in humanity in general.  Of course, it is much easier to believe the bad things about yourself, than it is to believe them about others.  Recently, I have been exposing myself to more Christian humanistic ideologies and finding agreement with much of what they are saying.  Then I am reminded of this passage of Jesus' teaching.  Stott is "spot on" with his assertion that this is a balancing act.  So much of the humanist approach is based on an ideal rather than a reality.  The reality is that evil exists and people -- all people-- are capable of it.

Probably the "loudest" portion of this teaching for me is how we as Christians often get it wrong.  We spend so much time focusing on what we are putting in our minds and hearts (which is important to filter!) but we neglect the "why" we are putting this stuff in our minds and heart.  We demonize the medium rather than recognizing that it is a desire from within us that draws us to the medium.

Sketchy thoughts pt. 1

I am trying to journal more and blog a little more, so I thought why not combine the two.  These "sketchy thoughts" are acting as my journal where I include a summary and personal insights to what I am studying.  This first one is an experiment and don't know if I am comfortable putting all this out in a blog format.  

"The Contemporary Christian" - John RW Stott

SUMMARY - Day One
The first section of the book centers around the idea that the Gospel is both divine in origin and relevant to humanity.  Therefore, Stott begins with an analysis of humanity.  In the beginning of this analysis he confronts the "human paradox" of humanity's goodness and depravity by asserting that there are at least 3 reasons it is important to ask about human nature.  These reasons are personal (a desire to know ourselves); professional (a desire to know those whom we serve); and political (shape our ideology -- method of engaging the world).  Stott concludes this introductory section seeking a balance in the paradox illustrated with a quote from J.S. Whale that directs the remainder of this section, "neither the easy optimism of the humanist, nor the dark pessimism of the cynic, but the radical realism of the Bible."

QUOTES I LIKE
"The universal cry is 'Who am I?' and 'Do I have any significance?'"
Coincidentally, this quote stands out to me for both personal and professional reasons.  Personally, the latter cry is one that I have on a consistent basis.  I want to know that my existence is meaningful.  This desire to be a tool of change and healing does is not completely as noble as it might seem at first reading.  I certainly do care about those in my life whether it be my family, friends, clients, and acquaintances, but there is also a selfish secondary gain that comes with that usefulness.  That gain validates my own value.  A friend once told me that he learned "no one is irreplaceable" and while he was speaking about a professional context, I fear it may be true of me in all contexts.  Therefore, there is a part of me that believes my value is based primarily on the service I can offer.  Furthermore, if that service ceases to be as consistent or valued, those in whom I am invested, will seek those services elsewhere.  This mentality is fear-driven rather than love-driven.  I live some of my life out of fear, and perform well, so that I can avoid the reality and intensity of that fear. So I have to come to terms with the reality that confronts my theology.   This is my own human paradox.  I know and understand the ideal that "we love because God first loved us" and "perfect love casts out fear", and much of the time I believe (or hope that) I serve out of those realities.  However, there is another side of me that is seeking to validate or earn the blessings I have been given.  I fight against grace.

"'ideologies... are really anthropologies'; they are different doctrines of man."
Paraphrased, "how we view the nature of humanity determines how we engage humanity."  On this front, I am confident that I can see the value and worth of other people.  As noted above, at times I have a hard time applying that same notion to myself.