The Fundamental Christian

Due to the news, Christians have developed a skewed and negative perspective on fundamentalism. When the word fundamentalist is brought up, nearly everyone including Christians have the habit of thinking either of  some devotedly mad Crusader knight running around Palestine in the twelfth century; or of the modern-day reports of suicide bombers in the Islamic world. Bruxy Cavey’s The End of Religion uses Biblical proof to tell us why these iconic examples are a true image what it means to not be fundamental enough and why real fundamentalism is central to believing in Christ.

Many people tend to believe that fundamentalism is just another way of saying that one is violently fanatical to a religious cause. It can often be a justification for non-Believers to say why they do not believe in God. The novel provides proof of why Christians, Muslims and many others misinterpret what God is truly saying in a number of references from the holy books of both Islam and Christianity. In the Qur’am, Surah 9 says “slay the pagans wherever you find them”; and in similar fashion Deuteronomy 13:6-11 speaks of the stoning to death of children if they convert to a different religion (both of these references are found on p.35). I cannot speak for Muslims, but one thing I do know about this Biblical reference is that one has to look at the cultural context of Jewish culture at that time and remember that Jesus died for our sins, so passing this judgment is no longer needed. Unfortunately these verses and others are taken literally and out of context. The novel uses these examples to show perhaps the rationale behind the decisions that what people call fundamentalism pushes them to make.

However, The End of Religion goes on to explain just why these verses and what is supposedly the will of God are taken hugely out of context and are anything but true fundamentalism. The novel says that “The more precisely someone commits to following His [Jesus] teachings as modelled by His example – in other words, the more fundamentalist someone becomes about the teachings of Jesus – the more loving, forgiving, and gracious that person should become” (p.36). Jesus was a true fundamentalist. One of the points about fundamentalism that almost anyone would agree with is that it goes against authority. This is not to say that Jesus was against all authority, just against the legalistic attitude of the Jewish leaders of that time. Jesus was in no way afraid to appear different or radical, He just was, and He is the only person who has ever truly lived out those traits that God commands; love, forgiveness, mercy and many others. The novel continues further to state how “The problem with many ‘Christian fundamentalists’ is that they are not fundamentalist enough…whenever the Christian Church has become violent or intolerant or just plain uncharitable…It is because His teachings have been patently ignored and replaced with prevailing ethos of the day, masquerading as religious dogma” (p.36). The cause of misplaced fundamentalism is truly an adherence to the ways of the world over any real desire to serve God to the utmost.

Fundamentalism in Christ is not radical forced conversion or slaughtering of pagans, but is letting God use us in order to live out His unfathomable love towards all people. What were the underlying causes of the Crusades? Wealth, land and power. Why was the Inquisition carried out in the Medieval Church? To secure power of the Church against all heresies; whether the ‘heresy’ that would eventually become our faith in Jesus today or a true heresy that requires a far different reaction than misguided human-induced judgment. Fundamentalism is central to our belief in Christ that we truly be used by the Lord for His purpose and never our own.

Religion vs. Spirituality

Among all the faiths of the world, none is quite like the one that Jesus taught. There are few faiths that have been questioned, criticized or scoffed at more than Christianity. Yet, it is the fastest growing faith in the world, even greater than Islam; clearly there is something special in what Jesus taught, not the least of which is the man himself. When will the Church actually believe in Him? In Bruxy Cavey’s short novel The End of Religion, the author particular looks at how Christians tend to strangely venerate the Law over the God who created that Law.

At first appearances, this novel appears to be one speaking of how atheism and Islam are gaining much more prevalence in the Western world than most people could possibly believe. Yet, as one starts to read, the title itself The End of Religion: an introduction to the subversive spirituality of Jesus suggests something even deeper and more prevalent; less obvious. The book speaks of the how many of us brothers and sisters place more emphasis on either following the Law over Christ or doing what we think is just enough good to get us to Heaven. “Going through the motions” is the term often used to describe this disease that we are all guilty of at times. The author emphasizes that, yes, the Law is very necessary in living out the faith that a Believer has in Christ; but Christians cannot let the Law become an idol. Only the forgiveness and mercy of Christ is sufficient to save all people. Many Christians fall prey to the comfort of not thinking too hard about how to serve the Lord; we just walk backwards from the flames of Hell, barely believing that we are saved. There is little growth.

The first part of the book emphasize one Scripture in particular that once studied deeply reveals Jesus’ stance on what is described as ‘religion’ compared to ‘spiritualiy’. John 2:1-11, the passage where Jesus turns water to wine at the party in Cana, and His first recorded miracle, is a seemingly harmless section that means much more than Believers give Jesus credit for. The book draws us to a single part of this Biblical reference that says “there were six stone water jars that were used by the people for washing themselves…Jesus told the servants to fill them to the top with water…the man in charge drank some of the water that had now turned into wine” (John 2:6,7,9, emphasis added). This passage holds a reference and meaning that I personally have never heard mention of. Jesus basically used some sacred water jars to contain wine for a party. To the Jewish culture back then, that would have been blatant blasphemy. To Jesus it meant inferring that such rules mean nothing. Not that it is a bad thing to set up parameters, not at all. But, the book goes on to say that safety parameters when taken too far start to do more than just encourage Believers to be watchful for  sin. They also can encourage the Church to change their view wrongly on what sin truly is; which can result in judgment and separation between the various denominations who start to rely more and more on their own definition of sin over that of the Bible.

What Jesus truly desires can and should be obvious to us. We Christians just need to learn to rely on Him and His Word as the authority. This is confessed, yet is far from believed sometimes. It is far too easy to rely on one’s own personal beliefs  or what seems right over the true Word of the Lord. The End of Religion is really what God desires; spirituality and faith in Him alone are the seeds required to bring about growth in the Church.

The Man Behind the Mask

To truly portray the personality of people who existed in history can be very difficult. Especially if those people lived several hundred years ago. With many people in the Middle Ages having very little records either written or still remaining to describe them, sometimes it seems all one can do is make educated guesses on who they were. In Edith Pargeter’s novel, Afterglow and Nightfall, the English King Edward I is one such historical figure. This man, considered to be one of Medieval England’s most ruthless kings ruled in a tumultuous time of British history in the thirteenth century when England reigned over her neighbours. Subsequently, famous men as Llywelyn of the Welsh and William Wallace of Scotland opposed his tyrannical reign.

In the movie Braveheart, Edward’s character is basically destroyed, portraying him as a king who ruled by killing first, and asking questions later. Contemporary novels, such as The Wallace by Nigel Tranter account him as little better. Generally, most records seem to view him as an inhuman giant of a man, ingenious, yet savagely cunning and harshly pragmatic. In Afterglow after Nightfall, King Edward is a much more complex character. As of yet in the novel, he plays an enormous part, yet is physically present very little.  As the king of the most powerful nation by far on the British Isles, Edward is seen almost as a “god”; due to his fearsome reputation as a skilful politician and brutal commander. King David, Llywelyn’s brother, and ruler of Wales says “Edward’s madness…like Edward’s generosity, exists only in the service of Edward’s  interests” (p.20), describes well the English king’s pragmatic nature; enabling him to force other nations, such as Scotland, Ireland, Wales or rival barons of his own flock to his will.

In many ways, this novel does a better job of portraying Edward as a very powerful and talented, yet still just normal man. Eleanor, Edward’s sister, helps to show this different side to him through her captivity at his hands during Llywelyn’s attempted Welsh revolt on English rule. She describes him as “A giant he is, his ability is towering. But inside the giant there’s a dwarf, fearful of being uncovered, and if ever his armor is pierced, to him hatred would come easy” (p.37). Perhaps, this quotation is a foreboding omen to what manuscripts tell us happened during further rebellions where Edward, in his pragmatic nature would feel himself forced to condone the atrocities committed against the Scots only a decade later. Nonetheless, this revelation by Eleanor, his sister, one who likely knew him better than most, helps to portray him as more than just a savage; but as a man with his weaknesses who simply fell as many do.

A man of contrasts, King Edward I of England would eventually be seen as one of England’s most absolute, yet also savage rulers of the thirteenth century. Edward was seen as almost inhuman by those he ruled, due to his increasingly ruthless methods to control his kingdom. At the same time, the reader is shown a different aspect of this contrasting man in his vulnerability, just as great as any man’s; only carefully hidden. Afterglow and Nightfall does a skillful job of not judging Edward as just an emotionless tyrant; but also a normal man with the weakness of any other. Who is to say that if any average person, given that same power, would not act similarly?

Words in Action

Recently I began reading my third novel for this course, called Afterglow and Nightfall by Edith Pargeter. Just after I started reading this book I found out that it is the last in a four-part series, and that contrary to the other three, this book focuses more so upon political intrigue opposed to war. This really interested me, for though I have basically no interest or understanding of politics, it is nonetheless good to look into a different perspective; perhaps helping me to better understand some of the tricks and danger of being involved in politics. Perhaps not.

So far, the main characters appear to be good people, backed by Christian morals; yet it will be interesting to see how those morals are bent to accomodate certain decisions. It is very difficult to be a Christian in any government. This book takes place in thirteenth century Wales during the later parts of the Welsh rebellion of that time against the English. A bit of historical background, the rebellion is led by Prince Llywelyn, considered to be the first and last true Prince of Wales; I am guessing that means by direct Welsh bloodline. From what little is generally known about this topic, it is thought that Llywelyn was eventually killed for his want to free the Welsh people. At this point in history, England was in many ways much larger and more powerful than its Welsh, Scottish and Irish neighbours, and a number of English kings of that time period attempted and sometimes succeeded to subjugate them. This book focuses on the political intrigue following Llywelyn’s unsuccessful armed uprisings. One quote at the very beginning of this book on page two has the narrator, Samson saying, “…and how the war was continued by other means, with words for swords, and courts of justice for battle-fields”; this is a great summary of the political situation in the book.  This phrase speaks of the absolute tensity in the political situation of the time this book is portraying as well as the willingness of the Welsh and English rulers to finally talk rather than fight.

This quote has much symbolism in it that really helps to describe the uneasy details of the situation without many words. The word choice is excellent with the smaller-scale political intensity described by “words for swords”, and the larger-scale with “courts of justice for battle-fields”. In many ways, this phrase proves how society today can no longer point fingers saying things like we are not like the barbarians back then. That word, “barbarian” is quite popular today to describe how we tend to think ourselves superior to people back then. The typical stereotype applied to the people in ages past or even in other cultures today is that they are backward or uncivilized. Showing this political negotiations based on the research done that backs up the fact that Medieval, ancient or the popular one today, Muslims are the same capable people we are. They try to talk first, and like us, can either take justifiable action or make terrible mistakes. In many cases it is the culture that is different, neither worse nor better than Western ways. One’s culture affects their motivations, beliefs and feelings.

This book is interesting, for it speaks of a different cultures, that would eventually be one of those that influenced the birth of our North American one today. The words of the previous quote portray well the similarities and political situation of the time period. Politics is needed, and as much as we wine and complain of our corrupt government today, it is better to talk first than act or fight first.

Images of God

As fallen humans, we are not actually allowed to see the Lord , our God until the day when we reach Heaven. Otherwise, we would die; for His glory is just so pure that our impurity would be the death of us to see Him in any physical manifestation. And so, that leaves His appearance to our imagination. He is decribed as beautiful beyond our comprehension, and that we, humanity, are made in His image. What exactly this infers, no one really knows. It could mean physically, for He can appear in any form He desires since He is omnipotent; or it could be in reference to what our hearts could have been if we did not sin. I really have no clue; and it would be wrong of me to suppose too much.

In the book of Revelation, there is one particular reference that has always stood out to me, one that describes the Lord; yet in a way, that still makes little sense. It is apparent that John really could not think of a really clear way to even describe God, as he says, “And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald” (Revelation 4:3); this description is amazing, and yet it is likely the most confusing statement I have ever heard. This is one of the only Scripture-based descriptions of God Himself in Heaven that we have, other than those of Jesus. In the novel that I am currently reading, which is my second called The Angel and the Sword by Cecelia Holland is a book about a young woman of ninth century Spain who has been forced from her homeland, and she dresses and acts as a man (becoming Roderick the Beardless, who was a real historical figure) in order to escape notice, and to fight alongside the French soldiers during the Siege of Paris by the Vikings.  This young woman displays a very strong connection to the Lord throughout the novel, and the Lord reveals to her many miracles throughout her tale. The Lord provides for her and keeps her safe whenever she especially needs it. Though, there is one particular passage that stand out in particular to me, one in which Roderick’s friend, an Irish monk named John sees her praying…though not by herself.

“The light grew and deepened, all around her, and he saw that it formed a great being, man-shaped, but vast, bigger even than the chapel, kneeling over her with arms around her, protecting her…Then the creature’s head began to turn, slowly, to face John…He seemed to feel its gaze pass over him like a warn wind…But in the air, only for a moment, hung the trace of an ineffable, unworldly scent ” (p. 90, 91).

This passage really intrigued me, for it portrays very well the many aspects of God that we know about, such as His beauty and power. However, this passage also references some of His other aspects, as told to us through His Word (the Bible), such as the intense light that radiates off Him. What interested me most of all though was the authors use of warm wind and unworldly scent; capturing how God is both a natural part of this world (since He created it), as well as being far, far above everone and everything.

I have really enjoyed reading this book because it emphasizes all that I have always wanted to read in a Medieval historical novel. For one thing the content is not explicit, as the author portrays her message very clearly, yet without those nasty details that there really is no need to go into too deeply. How God reveals His power and majesty to Roderick throughout her trials, I found to be an excellent reminder of how He does the same for us freely by His grace.

A Sample of Writing Between Generations

We live in a world of change. And among these things that has and may continue to change throughout ages past and future is writing. As the application and use of language change, understanding of writing from one generation to the other even can become harder. An example of this is the Bible.  Written in differing time periods, the most recent parts of the New Testament were written not only in a different language, but in a far different culture nearly two thousand years ago. That makes a marked difference.

Even in the first book I read, The Virgin in the Ice,  which was first written only twenty-seven years ago, has a unique form to its composition that is somewhat alien to me. As short a book as it is, I keep going back to this novel, for it is quite different from any other book I have read; mind, I have not read much in my yet short life. The author, Ellis Peters, uses words that I actually do not even know where they come from; maybe of an older style that has fallen mostly out of use. Some different wording,  In passages like “Let’s dispose our forces to the best advantage, and then have at them before they’re ‘ware” (p.150), or “Everyone heard clearly the voice that trumpeted disdainfully: ‘Now have ado with a man” (p.182), what the author is rying to communicate has become kind of confusing. Fortunately, the overall meaning of these sentences, especially in wake of the previous and later sentences, make clear what the author is trying to communicate. Yet, the use of words like ado and ‘ware, of whose meaning I can sometimes guess at, but sometimes, I really do not know. It’s just a good thing I can understand the rest of the novel.

The only thing I really do know about this writing style is that the author is from England and wrote this book over a generation ago. Whether this style was common in England thirty years ago I do not know. I can just guess that perhaps these words and how the sentence is formed are used in order to somehow resemble the way of speaking that was in Medieval England. The author must have been able to glean a general understanding of some general wording used by old manuscripts and the few books produced in the Middle Ages. The difference between styles of writing in time periods and contrary cultures can be striking. Sometimes to the point of utter lack of understanding (well, obviously if ‘s in a language we do not know). This can cause the loss of meaning, as is why many try hard to learn ancient Greek or Hebrew, so that we can read the Bible either close to or in its original form of writing; so as to not miss any meanings.

The Bible is God’s inspired Word. Clearly, no other book exists like it, but it nonetheless does much good to look into, and work hard to understand the true meaning behind books. For an author can try to draw out as deep a meaning of his/her reading as they wish; and God can do far more in whatever way He wills.

Humbleness in All Things

As I finished my first of five novels for this course, called The Virgin in the Ice, I was surprised that I found so many Christian references in this book. This novel takes place in the twelfth century in Medieval England. People in the Middle Ages were no more moral than we are today, being human just as we are, who sometimes follow God, but more often than not, still go to sin. By this, we can remember that we are not saved by our own works (or, earning our way to Heaven), but that we rely on our Lord’s sacrifice for our sakes, that we can be forgiven of our wrongs, as is said in the famous verse John 3:16.

It was very uplifting to find this novel as being so clean, with no swearing or sexually immoral content. Secular books are, obviously, filled with whatever the author wants, quite often being not the greatest stuff.  Probably the biggest point that the author, Ellis Peters, put across was that of humbleness. And a humbleness I had not heard of before. At the lowest point in the novel, when two of the important characters have gotten lost from the monastary, the main protagonist, Brother Cadfael, is lamenting that he had not been there to watch over them; that he should have known better. Yet, his friend Hugh Beringar tells him that it is arrogant to suppose such things, for

“If they’ve miscarried, it’s none of your blame. Don’t arrogate to yourself God’s own role in apportioning blame and praise,  even when the blame lands on your own shoulders. That’s a kind of arrogance too” (Ch.8, pg. 98).

This is a completely new aspect to being humble that I had not known of before. I have to admit that I do not know of a verse in the Bible that backs up this passage; yet it makes sense to all else that the Lord has taught me personally of properly placed humbleness.

In our lives, we try to follow Jesus’ example of humbleness, yet it is very hard, for in our sin, we desire to be recognized, and seen as great. It makes us feel good. I know that personally, I can be a  a very arrogant and self-righteous person at times. I need to focus completely on God by having there be “no me” included when He uses me, but remember that it is all Him; for I can do nothing on my own. Often, when we help people out, as soon as something goes wrong, we place all the blame on ourselves, unconsciously suggesting sometimes, likly not all, that we should be in control over others, over God. The intent is good, yet the fruit is wrong, and even if it is our fault, we just need to rely on God the next time, and realize as well that people’s lives are their own.

Humbleness is one of the roots to truly living for God. It is very difficult, for as with all our weaknesses, we are fighting our own sickness. This aspect, like being humble in any other way is very difficult; and I realize that I know very little of the exact extent of what God can teach us in terms of this virue’s application in all parts of life to His glory.

Sexual Explicity: The Drug of Today’s Literature

In today’s society, one rarely ever has to go far before they stumble upon sexual temptation. This has, unfortunately come to include literature as well. It seems that today, in order to sell, an adult book seemingly has to include some kind of explicit content. As a Christian, trying to read good, appropriate Medieval and Renaissance fiction novels, this can narrow down the choices.

However, the curent book I am reading, called The Virgin in the Ice, pleasently surprised me in that, it avoids such sexual content; being contrary to the majority. This short mystery novel is  set in twefth century England, and is about an elderly, yet energetic and intelligent monk who always ends up involved right in the thick of solving heinous crimes. The author Ellis Peters, has written many such books involving this character. The story itself centres around discovering the identity of the villain who raped and murdered a young nun; though as the book continues, thereader discovers the crime to much more far-reaching and insidious than ever could have been imagined at the beginning of the novel. Though the story itself focuses upon a very, very horrible occurence, it is nonetheless inspiring to see the main characters in the story who are, for once, not the sexually immoral, broken heroes that seem so popular in today’s culture.

I am not sure why, but literary culture seems obsessed with sex. Supposedly it is what makes books sell these days. I have read a number of othe very good Medieval fiction novels, such as Vlad and The Religion, that seem to insist on going through all the dirty details. I mean, I can easily see why such sexual immorality can be used as a lesson to teach us either from a Christian point of view or not, the dangers of sexuality when in the wrong circumstances. A very good example of this is Jack Whyte’s The Knights of the Black and White, where the main character battles through such struggles, and then resists by relying on God (though the book itself does not indicate the Lord directly unfortunately). I have really enjoyed reading A Vigin in the Ice for this reason and many others, as it does not include the erotic scenes that are just not part of the genre. We are adults after all, and implying this for the purposes of charater and story development can be not only necessary, but also very good; we just do not need the explicit material in order to understand. However, in some novels, I understand that explicit content in the right context, is very necessary to prove somehing as in books like The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns. This is what Ellis Peters does a very good job of, among other things in this book, which in this case, adds the mystery element to the novel, so that the audience, as well as the characters can only guess the identity of the murderer.

In a culture, indeed a whole world that is so sinful, sexual immorality is everywhere. One can hardly walk out their door anymore without encountering something that we need to guard our eyes from; while at the same time we need to keep them open in order that God can use us according to His will. As  a Christian, this is a tricky time, for it is so easy to rationalize or get down on ourselves in our mistakes. All we can do is rely on others, though especially upon God; knowing that He can carry us through, as long as we give it all to Him.

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!