"Tilting toward chaos..."
"Without God, great human powers demonstrate their weakness, their 'flesh,' by their inability to preserve the cosmos from tilting back toward chaos." (Allen Verhey, Professor of Christian Ethics, Duke Divinity School)
I have been thinking a lot about the "scandal" going on at the institution for which I work right now. Whatever the legal outcome, the fact remains that there was a lot of irresponsible, immoral and unethical behavior on the part of certain students. But why are we surprised at this, when they have been indulged by their governing authorities up until now? Why are we shocked at the instances of unethical actions by our soldiers overseas, when certain political leaders are found guilty of political scandal on our own soil?
I love Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It is such a beautiful study of human behavior and society - this is Mr. Darcy explaining to Elizabeth why he is such a pompous jerk: "As a child...I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit...I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own."
Mr. Darcy expresses his gratitude toward Elizabeth for saving him. She spoke the truth to him about what he had become, and because of his love for her, he had motivation to change. But, how will an entire society change? I agree with Dr. Verhey - in our own human power, we are weak, unable to "preserve the cosmos from tilting back toward chaos." Our country has come to rely upon "the immortal soul...some divine spark of reason...the human capacities to think and choose and 'have dominion'...the capacities to trust and hope..." rather than in God, the One Who gives these capacities.
"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the Ruler of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:15-17)
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
I have been thinking a lot about the "scandal" going on at the institution for which I work right now. Whatever the legal outcome, the fact remains that there was a lot of irresponsible, immoral and unethical behavior on the part of certain students. But why are we surprised at this, when they have been indulged by their governing authorities up until now? Why are we shocked at the instances of unethical actions by our soldiers overseas, when certain political leaders are found guilty of political scandal on our own soil?
I love Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It is such a beautiful study of human behavior and society - this is Mr. Darcy explaining to Elizabeth why he is such a pompous jerk: "As a child...I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit...I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own."
Mr. Darcy expresses his gratitude toward Elizabeth for saving him. She spoke the truth to him about what he had become, and because of his love for her, he had motivation to change. But, how will an entire society change? I agree with Dr. Verhey - in our own human power, we are weak, unable to "preserve the cosmos from tilting back toward chaos." Our country has come to rely upon "the immortal soul...some divine spark of reason...the human capacities to think and choose and 'have dominion'...the capacities to trust and hope..." rather than in God, the One Who gives these capacities.
"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the Ruler of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:15-17)
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
posted by Rachel @ 9:40 AM
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