The Case For Teaching The Bible in Public School

SIMPLY PUT, THE BIBLE IS THE MOST influential book ever written. Not only is the Bible the best-selling book of all time, it is the best-selling book of the year every year. In a 1992 survey of English teachers to determine the top-10 required "book-length works" in high school English classes, plays by Shakespeare occupied three spots and the Bible none. And yet, let's compare the two: Beauty of language: Shakespeare, by a nose. Depth of subject matter: toss-up. Breadth of subject matter: the Bible. Numbers published, translated etc: Bible. Number of people martyred for: Bible. Number of wars attributed to: Bible. Solace and hope provided to billions: you guessed it. And Shakespeare would almost surely have agreed. According to one estimate, he alludes to Scripture some 1,300 times. As for the rest of literature, when your seventh-grader reads The Old Man and the Sea, a teacher could tick off the references to Christ's Passion--the bleeding of the old man's palms, his stumbles while carrying his mast over his shoulder, his hat cutting his head--but wouldn't the thrill of recognition have been more satisfying on their/own?

If literature doesn't interest you, you also need the Bible to make sense of the ideas and rhetoric that have helped drive U.S. history. "The shining city on the hill"? That's Puritan leader John Winthrop quoting Matthew to describe his settlement's convenantal standing with God. In his Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln noted sadly that both sides in the Civil War "read the same Bible" to bolster their opposing claims. When Martin Luther King Jr. talked of "Justice rolling down like waters" in his "I Have a Dream" speech, he was consciously enlisting the Old Testament prophet Amos, who first spoke those words. The Bible provided the argot--and theological underpinnings--of women's suffrage and prison-reform movements.

from TIME article 04-02-07 The Case for Teaching the Bible by David Van Biema

I remember Truman once said that reading the Bible was as good as a college education. Times have changed apparently. But I'll go see if NASA will hire me if I tell them I've read the Bible inside and out.

Actually, I favor this idea of teaching the Bible in public schools from an unbiased viewpoint (if such exists). The thinking here is that we are raising a generation of biblical illiterates. It is hard to understand the world without understanding the document that influences practically everything.

The thinking is also that the Constitution did not make the Bible illegal in school, but it made proselytizing illegal. We attempt to persuade people to live according to our beliefs, and that becomes a breech of their civil rights. Public school is meant to be neutral on religion. But it exists in the highly Christianized culture of America, so some want the Christian influence to be legal there. And which Christian influence would be taught: Catholic, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Southern Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist, Lutheran, Mormon?

But the Bible can be presented objectively and surrendered to discussion. Then the next generation would not be biblical ignoramuses. I say go for it. How can people decide anything about a document they have never read? Bravo for this concept.

The Formula for Salvation

Recently, I understand, some Protestant denominations were considering a merger with the Catholic Church, but the talks broke down over differences about how one achieves salvation.

The argument can be boiled down to two formulae:

1) Grace + Nothing = Salvation, and

2) Grace + Works = Salvation.

While Martin Luther challenged the Catholic Church of his day over the use of indulgences ~ a form of opportunism they later abandoned in the Catholic Reform ~ his basic argument with that ancient church, to which he belonged, was over the two formulas above. Luther decided that the scriptures teach that faith alone is the door to salvation and Jesus' promise of eternal life. One cannot work one's way to heaven.

So which formula is right?

I have to go with formula #1, although I spent a good deal of my life on #2. But the 2 formulas need not divide the church, even if it does divide denominations.

Still, the "Good News" (i.e. the gospel) is not "work and you shall be saved." It is "believe and you will be saved." Believe what? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, period. When you wrap your mind around that promise, you will realize it is very good news, especially since we cannot win God's approval by our effort.

I think the second formula should actually read: Grace + Works = Reward.

That's good news also. It means that, although works can't save you, they can secure for you a "better resurrection," as the writer of Hebrews put it. "Lay your treasures up in heaven," Jesus said.

His brother, James, said, "Faith without works is dead." Luther didn't like that verse and called the Book of James an "epistle of straw." But Martin Luther should not have been offended by it. Many people have dormant faith. That faith is still working to bring them into the Kingdom, but why just scrape by? Why not pursue the abundant life that is available through the savior?

The New Testament teaches that our works, added to our faith, are stored up for us and faithfully remembered by God. So in that sense we "work out our own salvation."
That is, we build on it, and building is work. But we don't need to become judges of other people's works. We really can't. Only God is capable of that. But we can encourage one another on to good works.

Are you doing works for God? Don't boast about it, unless you're simply boasting about what He does through you. Don't become harsh and critical of others who don't share your enthusiasm, or who don't follow the same formula you do. Like the old Nike ad, "Just do it." And always stay humble. You can do nothing without Him.

And remember, that work you do will never save you. That's what people need to know. Not that they have to be just like you, or even just like Him. Nobody knows how to do that. They just have to believe in Him. Then they can learn Him. And we can encourage them to do so.

Neon Bible: Popular in Vegas

The Canadian rock group Arcade Fire presently sits up at the top of the charts with an interesting album called Neon Bible. I'm a poet and lyricist, so I read these kinds of things. The group itself is, I think, seven members and it reminds me of an updated Electric Light Orchestra. They now employ a haunting pipe organ that makes an amazing rock instrument. Like, who ever knew? Like when Wierd Al Yankovic turned the accordion into a rock machine.

I interpret the poem below as sounding like it's about the Jon Benet Ramsey media phenom. The whole album has the feel, common in rock, of existential angst aimed at God (think: the Book of Job or Ecclesiastes).

(Antichrist Television Blues)

Don't wanna work in a building downtown
No, I don't wanna work in a building downtown
I don't know what I'm gonna do
Cause the planes keep crashing always two by two
Don't wanna work in a building downtown
No, I don't wanna see it when the planes hit the ground

Don't wanna work in a building downtown
Don't wanna work in a building downtown
Parkin' the cars in the underground
The voices when they scream, well they make no sound
Once they hear the city is rusting
And the troublemakers ridin' on the back of the bus

Dear God, I'm a good Christian man
In your employ, i know you understand
That you gotta work hard and you gotta get paid
The girl's thirteen, but she don't act her age
She can sing like a bird in cage
Oh Lord, if you could see her when she's up on that stage

You know that I'm a god-fearin' man
You know that I'm a god-fearin' man
I just gotta know if it's a part of your plan
To see my darling stand by your right hand
I know you will do what's right, Lord
For they are the lanterns and you are the light

Now I'm overcome
By the light of day
My lips are near
But my heart is far away
Tell me what to say
I'll be your mouthpiece

Into the light of a bridge that burns
As I drive through the city with the money that I earn
To the dark of a starless sky
I won't stare into nothing and I'm asking you why
Lord, let me make her a star
So the world can see who you really are

Little girl, you're old enough to understand
You'll always be a stranger on a strange strange land
Men are gonna come while you're fast asleep
So you better just stay close and hold onto me
If my little mockingbird don't sing,
Then daddy won't buy her no diamond ring

Dear God, will you send me a child?
Oh God, will you send me a child?
'cause I wanna put it up on the tv screen
So the world can see what your true Word means
Lord, won't you send me a sign?
'cause i just gotta know if I'm wastin' my time

Now I'm overcome
By the light of day
My lips are near
But my heart is far away
But now the war is won
How come nothing tastes good?

Oh you're such a sensitive child (sensitive child)
You know you're such a sensitive child
I know you're tired, but it's all right
I just needed you to sing for me tonight
You're gonna have your day in the sun
You know God loves the sensitive ones

Oh my little bird in a cage
Oh my little bird in a cage
I need you to get up for me up on that stage
Show all the men that you're old for your age
Now in the times of fear
But if you don't take it, it'll disappear

Oh my little mockingbird sing
Come on, my little mockingbird sing
I need you to get up on the stage for me, honey
Show the men it's not about the money
I want to hold you up to the world
So that they can see themselves inside my little girl

Do you know where i was at your age?
Any idea where i was at your age?
I was workin' downtown for the minimum wage!
And I couldn't let you just throw it all away
Threw me a kingdom, God, threw me a knife
So tell me Lord am I the Antichrist?

The Secret To Having It All

Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great ~ Acts 8:9

Nor did they repent of their murders, their practice of magic, their fornication, or their thefts. ~ Rev. 9:21

You may have heard about it on Oprah or at the dentist's. Indeed, "The Secret," a best-selling self-help book and DVD, is out. As author and producer Rhonda Byrne says herself, the "secret"--that we create our reality with our thoughts--is nothing new. But it's not easy to digest that every person, thing, and experience in your life is there because, unconsciously or not, you brought it there. Yet using that knowledge to create a dream life is where the juicy fun begins.

"The Secret" gives three steps--"ask, believe, receive"--we offer 10 micro steps to practicing The Secret, an approach also known as "the law of attraction."

So begins an article on the recent best-selling phenomenon titled: The Secret. And what is this secret?

Basically, it is a resurgence of magic in a positive-thinking package and linked up to prayer and meditation. It is not far removed, really, from what some Christian teachers have called "word of faith," which is taking control of reality by speaking to it in faith. It is appealing because people want to get out of their ruts or be healed or make a lot of money. There is also a kind of disturbing God-is-my-bellhop thing going on here.

Magic has been around from ancient times ~ sometimes called "sorcery" or "witchcraft." Basically, magic is more than just illusory art. In its serious form it is an attempt to control reality. Think, for instance, of the voodoo shaman using a doll to control the person whose image the doll represents. And it might be said that Hitler used a kind of magical propaganda control over the masses in Germany. It is getting what you want by applying psychic pressure, or, my favorite definition: MIND OVER MATTER.

I believe in prayer. I know prayer changes things. But I am reluctant to use it for my own gain. I have always felt that, all things considered, all I really need is God, not all the stuff He has made. He takes care of sparrows, He'll take care of me. I mean, God is no idiot. He knows my motives. I'm not a kid twisting my parent's arm: "Lord, I really need a pink Cadillac." I distrust my heart. I know greed is there. Do I approach God with my greedy motives? He'll never know, will He? Maybe I can trick Him into letting me live next to Bill Gates.

So, you can keep your secret, folks; in fact, I wish you would. I don't need it. I already have faith and that's good enough. It has sustained me this far. Having everything I want by applying mental and spiritual pressure is just so not good.

And what do I have once I acquire the perfect life? It soon passes away.

P. Smith ~ Anarchist Receives Rock Award

Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine
Meltin' in a pot of thieves
Wild card up my sleeve
Thick heart of stone
My sins my own
They belong to me, me

People say "beware!"
But I don't care
The words are just
Rules and regulations to me, me ~ Patti Smith


This is enough to get the Evangelical fur flying. You are looking at the words of Rimbaud-influenced, Patti Smith, punk-rocker extraordinaire, just inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.

I am actually a bit of a punk myself. And I am sure a rebel. I also share with her a bedrock of atheism in my psyche, for I once fancied myself an atheist-anarchist. Ah, sweet youth.

But did I detect in her a certain punk self-righteousness? I understand the fury, the angst, the passion for three chords and the prayer to end all war. Don't sweat it, Patti. It's coming.

One thing the punks had that is hard to find in Christianity and that is the unfettered ability of expression through art. Modern Christianity almost seems allergic to it.

I remember when Jimmy Swaggart railed on Contemporary Christian Music as demonic. The main guy behind that music once said in an interview that there was a time when Jimmy's music ~ ragtime ~ was considered demonic. I concluded: Music is a vehicle of expression for anything, but Handel took it somewhere Mick Jagger can never go.

I tend to prefer the secular artists for some reason: and I think that is sad. But, of course, I don't always care for the message. But we Christian artists can also glean from them, and try to break out of formula in art. Still, after all, even punk rock has its formulae. And the Christian market is not only predictable, but not large enough to support artists who are outside the conventional box.

But the music industry is changing. The pioneers have new possibilities opening up to them. Someday the Patti Smith of "inspirational" music will arise to bloody the noses of all hypocrites and heathenists. And maybe even with three chords slashing madly and voice wailing like a banshee with a toothache.

Theosis: God Osmosis

Theosis


In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic theology, theosis (Greek: Θεωσις, meaning divinization (or deification, or to make divine), is the call to man to become holy and seek union with God, beginning in this life and later consummated in the resurrection.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria wrote, "The Son of God became man, that we might become God."

I looked up sanctification and came across this interesting concept. And I realize that discussing these things doesn't generate much interest among most Christians. This kind of theology is tedious and involved.

To sanctify something is to make it holy or set apart. When we place our trust in Jesus as Savior, we are immediately set apart from everyone who does not believe in him. However, at that point, we are not "mature" believers. We may still be doing things that we will later discard.

Some believers are more zealous than others and desire to find ways to, we might say, increase their level of sanctification. Over the centuries since the church began, many have sought to purify themselves and pursue a holy life. This involves finding some way to disrupt the action of sin in our lives that we all experience.

Apparently, early on in church history, some were thinking about what this means and discovered the above idea of "theosis." Basically, this means that we are going to become "one with God" through a process to culminate at the resurrection. From time to time, some believers have argued that we don't have to wait: we can reach that goal now.

I guess the question then becomes,"How do you know when you've reached that goal?" Who is the historical role model: Augustine, St. Patrick, one of the original apostles, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, one of the Popes? How do we know when we have become one with God?

The problem is huge and has generated many disputes and denominations. I resolve it partially this way: When I became a Christian I was set apart. Then there was a process of learning how to conform to His will. I am still in that process; and it seems to take many twists and turns. But I have learned that in the early stages I tended to be judgmental and very exclusive. Fortunately, God didn't pay attention to my judgment style.

I don't really believe in entire sanctification, that we can obtain absolute perfection in this life. I see where people get it, but I distrust that interpretation. I don't see it happening to me (or anyone else that I can see). I'm in the "nobody's perfect" club. I don't want to keep anyone from trying, but I'm not sure it isn't a waste of time that could be better spent in a more humble pursuit of things like kindness, honesty, mission and charity. I do believe that in the resurrection we will "know Him as we are known." If that means one with God, wonderful.

Christianity offers us grace and mercy that other forms of monotheism don't, indeed, can't. Only Christ has that power. So other forms generate people who sometimes conform to systems of radicalism and extremism, even violence, to impose their religion on mankind. They are setting themselves apart for God, according to rules they make up based on their interpretation of their holy writ.

Christianity should not be that way. We are set apart through confidence in our savior, and his work in us makes us fruitful: some 50%, some 60%, some 100%.

Consider what Solomon says in Ecc.7:16 ~ "Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise ~ why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool ~ why die before your time?"

This Joost In

Rev. 11:6 ~ These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

7Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

11But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

Futurist prophecy teachers see this event as occurring sometime during the "Great Tribulation," which is thought to be the final seven years of human history, ending in Armageddon and the return of Christ. The Tribulation Period, as this is known, is pulled from numerous biblical references in Bible prophecy including the apparent prophetic clue from Daniel know as "The Seventieth Week."

There have been numerous guesses put forward as to the identity of the "Two Witnesses" cited above. But the question might be asked, "How would the whole world observe these two lying in the streets of Jerusalem, thus knowing to celebrate their demise." The answer became obvious with the advent of sattelite communications, global TV networks, and, now, the Internet.

In the '90's, secular books were written about the explosion of information that was about to take place in the new millennium. The expectation was that this big bang would accelerate exponentially, growing at an increasing rate of speed until the world is engulfed in it. Daniel also seemed to foretell this by saying that in the latter times "knowledge shall increase." (Dan. 12: 4)

His prophecy seems to speak of a time of global communication and travel unparalleled in history, which is certainly true today. "Increase" does not even begin to describe what we have seen and are about to witness.

Enter Joost. In only the last two years or so, video streaming has taken off, as evidenced by a business that may be like a shooting-star called YouTube. And like all advancements in this nano-age coming, it may also be almost obsolete. In fact, obsolescence may happen as fast as the changes in daily headlines.

Joost in time, Joost, a brain-child of the two boys that brought you Skype, is supposed to, in the space of the next 3 years or so, offer you 5,000 channels of "free" TV. That's right. Plan on quitting your job, because you will need nothing more to sustain you.

If that doesn't astound you ~ or doesn't seem like enough ~ in ten years you can look forward to a choice of 50,000 channels (to go along with your iPod that will be stocked with all the music ever written, I guess). Oh, and if you're the academic type, starved for knowledge, you will be able to instantly access anything ever written.

Now, I could offer doomsday scenarios here, and, in the process, get laughed off the planet. There is, in all this, also great promise. We'll see, won't we? Let's just say a revolution to beat all revolutions is under way.

And what does this have to do with the Two Olive Trees mentioned above? Well, depending on how you view these things, perhaps not much. But our globe is shrinking like a hemhoroid under a steroidal balm of Preperation H. The "world mind" is connecting us all. And, with our natural propensity toward badness, the new Tower of Babel could be our undoing.

But, I confess, I love this thing. What promise it also holds for the communication of the Good News. Somehow, everybody needs to hear it. Your ride's here, Church.

The Basileia de Ouranos

The Kingdom of Heaven

Matt. 13: 10 ~ And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"He answered by saying, "Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."

kingdom ~ basileia, royal dominion

heaven ~ ouranos, the sky or the residence of God

It's hard for democratic peoples to wrap their minds around the idea of a forever kingdom, since the idea of monarchies and kings went out of style long before hula hoops. But that is the language that surrounds the salvation that is in Christ. It is because He stands alone as the sole monarch of "heaven." And only in Matthew's gospel is it referred to as this basileia of ouranos, or kingdom of heaven. In the other gospels it is called the kingdom of God; but the meaning is the same.

In the popular imagination, heaven is pictured in many ways. We are all familiar with the imagery of clouds and cherubs and saints playing harps. There are also the pictures supplied in Revelation of gems, thrones, rainbows, a sea of glass, beasts, walls, gates, gold, pearls, a river, and the tree of life bearing 12 kinds of fruits.

Is this what it is in fact? Or are these symbolic images of something beyond description?

I like to think of heaven as fulfilling the Star Trek intro: "Going where no man has gone before." There is a great big cosmos out there. Did God create it for just His own enjoyment? Or are we meant to go there, in a kind of cosmic, expanded Garden of Eden, in a dominion under Christ that includes everything He has made, everywhere.

God didn't make man in His image in order that we would experience this one sad and shredded existence. The Bible calls Jesus "the expressed image of God," the actual copy of Himself. What God is in heaven, Jesus was in earth. Then it says "we will be like Him," not now in entirety, but in the "sweet by-and-by." Jesus is the firstfruit of the new creation. We follow suit.

When Jesus was Immanuel ~ God with us ~ He was the kingdom of heaven in the flesh. When He died and rose again, He sent that Kingdom to us in the person of His Holy Spirit. That Kingdom is now in those of us who believe: He is described in the New Testament as the "deposit" of the inheritance that is only available in Christ. His Holy Spirit is our insurance that we are inheritors of this incredible kingdom.

Jesus had to go away for this to take place in us. He couldn't give it to us while Heaven was present in mortal flesh. At that point, He said "the Kingdom of heaven is near," but the Holy Spirit now says, "I, Heaven, am present within you." That is, in reality, those who trust in Christ are already there, seated in heavenly places, in the Basileia de Ouranos.

Warming Trends and the Apocalypse

Global warming is obviously a big topic these days. And there seems to be a growing scientific consensus that it is a real threat to our planet. In other words, this is not just green propaganda.
Just today there have been reports released that the Chinese are beginning to contribute to the erosion of the upper atmosphere with real gusto. And you probably know how the rest of the story goes: polar melting, oceanic storms, weather anomalies, and the whole doomsday blitz that comes with it.

In fact, we are told, it is already too late to reverse some of it. The present situation will remain as is for a long time to come. We have to do something, we are told, to curb it from becoming worse. For instance, Al Gore will have to back off on his personal electricity consumption.

So, one might ask, Does the Bible have anything on this?

And the only verse I can think of is from that crazy old book of Revelation:

Rev. 16: 8 ~ "The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch men with fire. They were seared by the instense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him."

In fact, this whole chapter could be used to describe the aftermath of global warming and other contributing factors like thermonuclear war. And it is funny, to me, that in the '90's the seers of apocalypse were Christian fundamentalists; but today they are scientists. There is a genuine fear out there that Mama Earth is on the verge of saying, "All my trials, Lord, soon be over."

To be sure, Revelation has been an influential book on history ~ and to think, it was almost left out of the Bible. Many theologians have disputed it over history: and its enigmas have prompted people and leaders to bizarre actions, like creating wars or gathering somewhere for the end. And some, like Augustine, preferred to basically leave it alone, warning people that it was a symbolic book not to be taken literally.

Still, for me, it was always one of my favorite pieces of literature, absolutely stunning in its scope and imagery. There isn't another apocalyptic writing I've encountered that comes close. So, I'm glad they left it in the Bible: if for no other reason than to entertain me.

Today, though, we see the doomsday prophecies coming from somewhere other than the holy hermits of old. They are emerging from the monasteries of science. And they are blaring from the tube, in glorious high-definition. If these scenarios are true, can we stop them? We sure need to try, say the harbingers.

The Narrow Door

I visited my son at Christ Church in KC Sunday and the minister expounded on this. My comments are below in purple.

22Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"
The minister explained that the Jews who were asking Him this already assumed they were "saved" simply because they were God's chosen people.
He said to them, 24"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'
So what is this "narrow door?" One could say, I suppose, that the Jews were a narrow door, if they were simply saved because of their preferred race or religion. Obviously, everyone can't be a Jew. I think we Christians often assume that the narrow door is some constricted mode of behavior that qualifies us for the kingdom. But that would be works. What we do know from scripture is that Jesus is the door (or the gate, if you prefer). So what is the "effort" they needed to make, since effort clearly can't save you. They needed to make the effort to enter through Jesus, who is the door. So, when He says, "I don't know you" it is partly because you don't know Him: you haven't placed your faith and confidence in Him for your salvation. You're trusting in something else: maybe your religion, your goodness, your superior intellect, your right beliefs, whatever. But that is why the door is so "narrow." Not everybody can believe and put their faith in Christ.
26"Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'
27"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'
28"There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."
Simply put, these were Jews who had been taught that they had it made because of who they were. They considered themselves first. But Jesus was saying to them that the Lord would reply to them, "I don't know you." That is because Jesus is the Kingdom of Heaven, and no one can come to that place except through him. So the qualification here is not human effort or just being fortunate enough to be one of the chosen people: it is recognizing and following the Lamb. So easy. And yet so hard for many.

Why is that? Because, while it is easy, it is also ultimate commitment. But even more than that, it is a revelation. Jesus is known only to those to whom the Father reveals Him. But the proof of salvation in a person is not their denominational tag, nor is it their mode of religious expression. It is their confession. They confess who Jesus is. Like Simon Peter: "You are the Christ." Jesus said to Him, "You are blessed, Peter, because the Father has revealed that to you."Matt. 16: 17

Do you believe? You are indeed fortunate: no matter what your other circumstances are.

2012: End of the World Hype Begins

I confess that I love the History Channel. And I do learn from it. Is it ever sensational? Sure. Is it truly historical? Or just hysterical? Sometimes both. But then, is history really "history," or is it an ongoing tabloid we call history?

If you haven't heard yet, 2012 AD is the end of the Mayan calendar, with all the import that may carry regarding the big paradigm shift some think of as the "end of the world."

According to HC researchers, there is a plethora of information about this coming from more than the Mayans. And don't forget that Mel Gibson's Apocalypto was about the Mayan apocalypse that occurred as the result of the arrival of the white man. Maybe, in a bigger cosmic sense, the arrival of the Conquistadors is just 6 years away.

Whatever, this is a "Kodak moment" for New Age enthusiasts (or is it a "senior moment" for Baby Boomers?) The snapshot of the cosmic change was, for the ancient hippies, the moment of the beginning of the age of peace and love, or The Aquarian Age. I am personally well-situated for this since our residential area is guarded by a big obalisque and our streets are zodiac names.

HC (History Channel) utilized numerous sources for the analysis including Mayan prophecy, the I Ching, Merlin the Magician, and,I think, the Bible Code (I didn't see the whole show). Perhaps the most impressive evidence comes from a computer project currently running that shops and compares among multiple millions of Internet interactions as a means to skry the future. By flagging certain references made, the idea is that the program will sort of psychoanalyze the world mind and come up with a collective psychic code of future events. That is, it compiles the global psychic grid and reduces it down to analyzing how that mind of mankind arrives at particulars about future events. We now tap into the global village psyche and pull up prophetic information.

However you may feel about all this stuff, get ready for a blitz not unlike the Y2K phenomenon.
This will generate interest. After all, the Mayans were amazing scientists, in a way. Their calendar and solar year were the most accurate in the world. How did they do it? I don't know. Luck. So we'll be lucky to get through 2012.

Speaking of Y2K, the band-aid used to fix the computer glitch in 2000 is also going to expire in, if I remember right, 2028? I don't know. See if I can find that somewhere. So we have more to worry about than just the demise of time according to the Mayans.

So this is just a heads-up, folks. You have 6 years to fool around with and then....