Now that I think I understand a little about post-modernism, it’s transforming my thinking — but maybe not in the way you’d expect.
I realized that deconstructionism applies to deconstructionists too. That is, the writings of post-modern thinkers aren’t idealized, objective truth anymore than the writings they criticize. But it occurs to me that this concept can be applied much more broadly – though not as broadly as they would want. We can’t trust human wisdom, but there is another kind of wisdom. Continue reading “I am a deconstructionist.”
Month: March 2005
Instantly free
“Let a man set his heart only on doing the will of God and he is instantly free. No one can hinder him.”
Who will dare?
“Who will now dare say that I have lost my age and years? Who will say that I have lost my courage?”
– Algerius, an imprisoned Italian student, to his fellow noblemen who urged him to renounce his faith, Martyrs Mirror, p. 570-573
Lead us not into decision.
“Too many of our religious convictions are negative. We act not from a positive conviction that something is right, but from a feeling that the opposite is wrong.”
Could I interest you in some insurance?
“The image of God currently popular is that of a distracted Father, struggling in heartbroken desperation to get people to accept a Saviour of whom they feel no need and in whom they have very little interest. ”
The true countenance of God has been revealed over my life.
“The accomplishments, arts, or gifts which God has given me, were at first pleasant companions and recreations; now they yield me holy fruits. It is true, I have sweated, suffered cold, and as much as I was able, watched night and day; but this labor has tended and redounded to make me more perfect; there never passed a day or hour without some improvement. Behold, the true countenance of God has been revealed over my life, and the Lord has caused me to experience great joy in my heart. In Him alone I shall rest in peace.”
– Algerius, Martyrs Mirror, p. 570-573
Pardon me if I keep my dagger.
“The idea that God will pardon a rebel who has not given up his rebellion is contrary both to the Scriptures and to common sense.”
Worshipping our worship
How far are we willing to go to see God’s will be done? Are we willing to give up musical styles that only we appreciate? Are we willing to give up religious terminology that only we understand? Are we willing to give up Bible dialects that even we can’t fully comprehend? If our traditions cause innocent seekers to stumble and fall before they can enter the narrow gate, our traditions might as well be millstones around our necks. We might as well drown ourselves now.
Tortures not worth speaking of
“… There is but one remedy, one medicine, which can cure all their infirmities; and this remedy gives to me also strength, and life, and cheerfulness to suffer all these fears and afflictions, which are but momentary, and not worth speaking of; this is the hope which I have placed in heaven.”
– Algerius,Martyrs Mirror, p. 570-573
Civilized to distraction
“Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible. It wears us out by multiplying distractions and beats us down by destroying our solitude.”