Encouraging Your Muse
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Crazy Idea #4 - Subsidized Local Problem Solvers
What if the government paid citizens to take an hour a week to meet in neighbourhood groups to identify and solve local problems? Things like creating and maintaining parks, dealing with garbage and recycling, setting up urban farming, getting youth involved in community activities, addressing the use of drugs and teen pregnancy, measures to reduce the high school drop out rate, working on subsidized housing, unemployment, transitioning to more sustainable energy sources...to name but a few community projects.
Monday, August 11, 2008
What is Revealed in The Revelation to John? - Part III
EPHESUS / WOMEN
The Revelation to John Chapter 2: 1-7
Ephesus was a wealthy city and, during the time of the early church, was also the seat of worship of the goddess Diana. Her temple was destroyed by Goths in 262 CE and it is suspected that columns from her temple were incorporated into the church of St. Sophia. The role of women, specifically Mary, Jesus' mother, is inextricably linked with this city and the events that happened in it during both the time of John's revelation and later church history. Jesus' admonition to the Ephesian church foreshadows these things.
An important church council was held in Ephesus in 431 CE. The major issue under discussion at this council was how to interpret Jesus' deity. The contenders were Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople, and Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria. Cyril was, by all reports a harsh man and likely a misogynist. He is suspected of instigating the murder of Hypatia by a band of monks - she was a prominent Alexandrian woman and respected pagan philosopher. While Cyril had the political backing of Pope Celestine, Nestorius was supported by Emperor Theodosius II.
The debate regarding Jesus' nature impacted the role of His mother, Mary. Nestorius was concerned that if Jesus was co-equal with God the Father then Mary, by extension would also have to share the divine nature of deity. Cyril was adamant about Jesus' God-nature. One wonders if, in the spiritual realm, this debate was more about Mary than it was about Jesus. Was Mary being positioned to be the spiritual stand-in for the goddess Diana? That this council took place in Ephesus, the former seat of the worship of Diana, aka, Artemis, is very suggestive. Other parallels exist with Mary, e.g., Artemis was a virgin, and both Diana and Artemis presided over birth.
The debates between Cyril and Nestorius were heated and the participants were jailed for a while due to unruly behaviour. In the end, it was Cyril's take on things that won the day. Did this mean Nestorius' fears were realized? That somehow the understanding in that day and in that culture about the substantial nature of Jesus' deity implied a form of deity for Mary, who would then take unto herself a form of worship? Is this subtle shift a prophetic part of what Jesus meant when he warns the Ephesian church of having "lost its first love"?
Although the tie in with Jesus' admonition may be a bit of a stretch, it is suggestive that the gnostic sect of Nicolatians, whose works both Jesus and the church hated, held a doctrine regarding the "community of women". If we believe that physical locations are imbued with spiritual significance or heritage, then perhaps the distorted role of women in spiritual practice railed against by Jesus and the Ephesians, still had power to influence decisions taken several centuries later in the same location.
Even though the Ephesian church worked hard at being dogmatically correct, not tolerating those diverging from the truth, and had endured "without flagging", Jesus was no longer their first priority. Cyril would fit this description as someone who was known for his ruthless zeal. Losing their "first love", if not repented of, would result in the removal of God's light from their midst. In all his fierce attachment to holiness, did Cyril really succeed, not in glorifying Jesus, but in making a way for the spirit of the goddess Diana / Artemis to be worshiped within the Christian church? Could this be the meaning behind the incorporation of columns from Diana's wrecked temple in Ephesus into the church of St. Sophia? Indeed, legend has it that Mary lived out her last years in the neighbourhood of Ephesus - there is even a church built there in her honor, The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Very intriguing coincidences, I think. Finally, the message in all of this is that our love relationship with Jesus out trumps religious dogma when it comes to discerning truth, to seeing things in the light of Christ.
An encouraging note: While the message is for the church body, the rewards are to the individual, in other words, even if the church fails and the candlestick is removed, the "one who overcomes I will grant to eat from the tree of life in Paradise." I figure this means that Nestorius, though he lost the battle, may still be eating from the tree of life in Paradise.
The Revelation to John Chapter 2: 1-7
Ephesus was a wealthy city and, during the time of the early church, was also the seat of worship of the goddess Diana. Her temple was destroyed by Goths in 262 CE and it is suspected that columns from her temple were incorporated into the church of St. Sophia. The role of women, specifically Mary, Jesus' mother, is inextricably linked with this city and the events that happened in it during both the time of John's revelation and later church history. Jesus' admonition to the Ephesian church foreshadows these things.
An important church council was held in Ephesus in 431 CE. The major issue under discussion at this council was how to interpret Jesus' deity. The contenders were Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople, and Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria. Cyril was, by all reports a harsh man and likely a misogynist. He is suspected of instigating the murder of Hypatia by a band of monks - she was a prominent Alexandrian woman and respected pagan philosopher. While Cyril had the political backing of Pope Celestine, Nestorius was supported by Emperor Theodosius II.
The debate regarding Jesus' nature impacted the role of His mother, Mary. Nestorius was concerned that if Jesus was co-equal with God the Father then Mary, by extension would also have to share the divine nature of deity. Cyril was adamant about Jesus' God-nature. One wonders if, in the spiritual realm, this debate was more about Mary than it was about Jesus. Was Mary being positioned to be the spiritual stand-in for the goddess Diana? That this council took place in Ephesus, the former seat of the worship of Diana, aka, Artemis, is very suggestive. Other parallels exist with Mary, e.g., Artemis was a virgin, and both Diana and Artemis presided over birth.
The debates between Cyril and Nestorius were heated and the participants were jailed for a while due to unruly behaviour. In the end, it was Cyril's take on things that won the day. Did this mean Nestorius' fears were realized? That somehow the understanding in that day and in that culture about the substantial nature of Jesus' deity implied a form of deity for Mary, who would then take unto herself a form of worship? Is this subtle shift a prophetic part of what Jesus meant when he warns the Ephesian church of having "lost its first love"?
Although the tie in with Jesus' admonition may be a bit of a stretch, it is suggestive that the gnostic sect of Nicolatians, whose works both Jesus and the church hated, held a doctrine regarding the "community of women". If we believe that physical locations are imbued with spiritual significance or heritage, then perhaps the distorted role of women in spiritual practice railed against by Jesus and the Ephesians, still had power to influence decisions taken several centuries later in the same location.
Even though the Ephesian church worked hard at being dogmatically correct, not tolerating those diverging from the truth, and had endured "without flagging", Jesus was no longer their first priority. Cyril would fit this description as someone who was known for his ruthless zeal. Losing their "first love", if not repented of, would result in the removal of God's light from their midst. In all his fierce attachment to holiness, did Cyril really succeed, not in glorifying Jesus, but in making a way for the spirit of the goddess Diana / Artemis to be worshiped within the Christian church? Could this be the meaning behind the incorporation of columns from Diana's wrecked temple in Ephesus into the church of St. Sophia? Indeed, legend has it that Mary lived out her last years in the neighbourhood of Ephesus - there is even a church built there in her honor, The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Very intriguing coincidences, I think. Finally, the message in all of this is that our love relationship with Jesus out trumps religious dogma when it comes to discerning truth, to seeing things in the light of Christ.
An encouraging note: While the message is for the church body, the rewards are to the individual, in other words, even if the church fails and the candlestick is removed, the "one who overcomes I will grant to eat from the tree of life in Paradise." I figure this means that Nestorius, though he lost the battle, may still be eating from the tree of life in Paradise.
Crazy Idea #3 - Alternatives to High School
What if the energy and idealism of teens who aren't engaged at school could be directed constructively? Starting at age 14 teens must demonstrate sustained effort in their studies to stay in school. Without it, they will be given other options, such as military training, technical apprenticeships, tree planting, child care, work in a food bank, community service or ??. There would be no option to just hang around. Free public high school education would be available for all youth until age 30, with the stipulation that they maintain sustained effort in their studies.
What is Revealed in The Revelation to John? - Part II
I do not take anything for granted in this book and am sure that the positioning of things carries meaning. The first thing we learn is that John is located on Patmos, an island to the west of Asia Minor. It is the Lord's Day, presumably a Sunday, and he is praying. He has been facing west, looking towards Rome, the centre of the empire and worldly power, most probably the same power that has exiled him. This is deduced from the fact that when he turns to look behind him, to see who is speaking, he faces towards the churches, arrayed in the east, in Asia Minor.
Jesus himself stands behind John, and when he turns the first things he sees are the "churches", the seven candlesticks - an immediate reminder that God's light and authority in the earth are brought through the church, not through the Roman empire. Standing in the middle of them is their source of light and authority - "one like a son of man" - with a two edged sword (the Word) coming out of his mouth, stars in His left hand and His face shining with the full force of the sun, a glory so unbearable that John collapses, overwhelmed, terrified, scared almost to death.
Touching John with His right hand, Jesus revives him, saying, "Banish fear", then identifies Himself and indicates that John is to write "what he has seen, the things which are, and those which will be hereafter." Jesus wants to give John, and through John, us, the God point of view, the divine insight into current events. Cutting away all the blur of flesh, worldly systems, lies and confusion He will show John what is really going on under the surface show. But to do so, John has had to respond to the voice "like a trumpet" and turn his back on Rome, the seat of worldly power.
Are we any different today? If we want to learn what God's point of view is, don't we, like John, have to turn our backs on the world system, on the Rome of our day? We need to listen to Jesus' voice instead of swallowing the worldly version which is all too ready to give its own interpretation to our lives. I'm sure you have heard its voice before, whispering its tenets of faith: "You aren't good enough", "You failed", or, the other side of the same coin, "You're the best, better than anyone else", "This is all there is, so enjoy it, take advantage of it", "There is no king but Caesar (or Bush)", "You deserve it", "They owe it to you", ...ad nauseum.
While we occupy this created, material realm, ruled now by the power of the prince of the air through the current world system, we will always be having to choose to turn away from it, to actively reclaim the vision Jesus has for us of His kingdom and of the true spritual nature of our current situations. It is our choice to either listen and turn, or ignore that voice calling from somewhere behind us.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
What is Revealed by The Revelation to John? Part I
INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE:
I recorded these thoughts in July, 2006. They are a personal study of Revelations born in response to the mad deception of war-mongers who justified their tenacious hold on power and resources with end-time prophecy. I wanted to find out and share what I was sure the book as a whole could tell me about these matters.
Predictably, I failed in my quest for two reasons. Firstly, life intervened and I only got through Chapter 3. More significantly, the internal beauty, pattern and wonder of the book itself superceded my intentions towards it...odd how that happens. From rant to reverance. I ended up finding myself awed and intrigued by the intricate weaving of symbol and theme - how they expanded the meaning in the messages to the church. I hope you will find it so as well.
I will try to post a Part each day or two.
A final note: I have provided links to the relevant Bible passages followed by my comments about them. This is not a scholarly treatise so I have not credited the books or web-sites I researched; most of the information is easily available through on-line sources, encyclopedias and dictionaries. Without further ado...
The Revelation to John Chapter 1
SEVEN:
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, SArdis, Philadelphia, Laodicea - seven churches, seven Spirits before the throne, seven candlesticks, seven stars, and seven angels. Before the vision the seven Spirits are in the heavenlies, and the seven churches are on the earth - a clear division. In John's vision, Jesus brings the Father's will in heaven to earth - holding the seven stars, or angels, or messengers, He stands in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, the churches which are meant to deliver God's light to the earth.
But why seven, why not ten or thirty? As the number of completion, seven implies that while each message is specific and unique to the individual church addressed in that era and place, altogether they comprise a complete message to the church universal, transcending the time and space of the churches singularly. What then is the message for us today?
I recorded these thoughts in July, 2006. They are a personal study of Revelations born in response to the mad deception of war-mongers who justified their tenacious hold on power and resources with end-time prophecy. I wanted to find out and share what I was sure the book as a whole could tell me about these matters.
Predictably, I failed in my quest for two reasons. Firstly, life intervened and I only got through Chapter 3. More significantly, the internal beauty, pattern and wonder of the book itself superceded my intentions towards it...odd how that happens. From rant to reverance. I ended up finding myself awed and intrigued by the intricate weaving of symbol and theme - how they expanded the meaning in the messages to the church. I hope you will find it so as well.
I will try to post a Part each day or two.
A final note: I have provided links to the relevant Bible passages followed by my comments about them. This is not a scholarly treatise so I have not credited the books or web-sites I researched; most of the information is easily available through on-line sources, encyclopedias and dictionaries. Without further ado...
The Revelation to John Chapter 1
SEVEN:
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, SArdis, Philadelphia, Laodicea - seven churches, seven Spirits before the throne, seven candlesticks, seven stars, and seven angels. Before the vision the seven Spirits are in the heavenlies, and the seven churches are on the earth - a clear division. In John's vision, Jesus brings the Father's will in heaven to earth - holding the seven stars, or angels, or messengers, He stands in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, the churches which are meant to deliver God's light to the earth.
But why seven, why not ten or thirty? As the number of completion, seven implies that while each message is specific and unique to the individual church addressed in that era and place, altogether they comprise a complete message to the church universal, transcending the time and space of the churches singularly. What then is the message for us today?
Crazy Idea #2 - Unemployed Auto Workers
What if all of those auto workers who have been laid off, including those in those industries that build auto parts, were re-trained to work on sustainable energy technologies, or building better vehicles for public transportation, or planting trees?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Crazy Idea #1 - Job Trading for Commuters
What if you could trade jobs with someone who lives where you work, and works where you live? I imagine a website / service for commuters who wanted to find a job within public transit / biking / walking distance of their homes. Sort of cross between e-Harmony and Craig's List that finds that perfect match between people, jobs and locations.
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