There were ancient Jewish traditions which held that Abraham actually killed Isaac on the mount and the Lord brought Isaac back to life. The reference in Hebrews 11: 17-19 seems to be based upon this earlier tradition; in contrast to the Genesis account (Gen. 22: 9-13.)
If Abraham actually slew Isaac, and Isaac was raised from the dead, the trial of Abraham and the test of Isaac is more analogous to Christ's sacrifice than we imagine.
Hugh Nibley writes about these earlier traditions in Abraham in Egypt, pp. 329-344, 372-375.
We imagine the difficulties of the ancients to be less than they were. Their faith was established through trial, sacrifice, obedience and consecration. Not to the will of man or men, but to the will of God. When men attempt to displace obedience to God into submission to the will of men, then it is not merely an error, it is idolatry. It is an abomination.
More often than not, obedience to God causes conflict with your fellow man. It did not get these ancient Saints applause, position, praise or notice.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Books on Kindle
While all the books will become available on Kindle shortly, two of them are now available. Both Ten Parables and Beloved Enos are now up. I'm hoping that the rest will be there within the next ten days, but the process is somewhat complicated.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Kingdom of Heaven
Luke recorded a confrontation between the Lord and the Pharisees in which they demanded He tell them of the coming of the kingdom of heaven. These foolish men thought the kingdom of heaven which might be acquired and controlled by men. They wanted something over which men could rule.
When the kingdom of God reappears on the earth, men like the Pharisees will not be able to observe it. It will not come in a way observable to those outside. Instead, the kingdom will be "within" those who are included. For them, the "observation" comes from the Lord making Himself known to them. (See Numbers 12: 6.) But such experiences are not public. So for the Pharisees, it will be "without observation."
For His disciples, however, He went on to explain the time would come when they would want another day with Him, but that time will have passed. They may wish it, but the time to draw near Him is while He is available; not after His departure. When He has departed, then it will not be possible to find Him among those who say He is here! Or, He is there!
Though He may make Himself known on the same conditions to any who prepare themselves to receive Him, when He appears again it will be as lightening which lights heaven itself from one end to the other. It will be entirely unmistakable.
The Pharisees were interested in the subject because they envied the kingdom of heaven. They wanted to own it. They wanted to control it. If they could locate it, and usurp it, then they would have power over others who sought it.
Christ's answer completely frustrates man's capacity to control the kingdom of heaven. It is not a franchise, giving Pharisees any authority or right. It is not even capable of being "observed" by those who are blind to its appearance. But it is nevertheless real. It is "within" some few who qualify.
The account reads: "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day." (Luke 17: 20-24.)
When the kingdom of God reappears on the earth, men like the Pharisees will not be able to observe it. It will not come in a way observable to those outside. Instead, the kingdom will be "within" those who are included. For them, the "observation" comes from the Lord making Himself known to them. (See Numbers 12: 6.) But such experiences are not public. So for the Pharisees, it will be "without observation."
For His disciples, however, He went on to explain the time would come when they would want another day with Him, but that time will have passed. They may wish it, but the time to draw near Him is while He is available; not after His departure. When He has departed, then it will not be possible to find Him among those who say He is here! Or, He is there!
Though He may make Himself known on the same conditions to any who prepare themselves to receive Him, when He appears again it will be as lightening which lights heaven itself from one end to the other. It will be entirely unmistakable.
The Pharisees were interested in the subject because they envied the kingdom of heaven. They wanted to own it. They wanted to control it. If they could locate it, and usurp it, then they would have power over others who sought it.
Christ's answer completely frustrates man's capacity to control the kingdom of heaven. It is not a franchise, giving Pharisees any authority or right. It is not even capable of being "observed" by those who are blind to its appearance. But it is nevertheless real. It is "within" some few who qualify.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Solstice
Tuesday marks the darkest day of the year, with the longest night. During that night the moon will be eclipsed, most prominately in the North American continent.
Traditionally that night marks the moment when darkness has its greatest reign, to be then conqured by the returning light. The following day beginning the return of light and the defeat of darkness.
This moment in nature marks a profound moment for those who believe nature has something to say. It is an invitation to us to allow the light to begin to grow within us; to begin our own journey back into the light and to leave behind the darkness.
I think I'll accept the invitation again this year, and mark the moment by renewed effort. The particular alignment required for us to pass through the eye of a needle and enter the Lord's presence is indeed possible. For anyone. On the same conditions. It is a balance worth the time required to train ourselves.
Nature testifies endlessly of the Lord. It also invites us endlessly to turn back to Him. This continuing patience and enduring invitiation shown in nature is a reminder of how loving and patient, how persistent and committed the Lord is to our salvation. Salvation is predicated upon the same, universal standard for all who would return to Him. In that respect it is as exact and unchanging as the cycles of nature. Despite its exacting requirements, it is endlessly inviting and continually encouraging us to accept that standard and to live it. Not just to say, but to do.
I intend to do something, then, to show Him I want to return to the Light.
Traditionally that night marks the moment when darkness has its greatest reign, to be then conqured by the returning light. The following day beginning the return of light and the defeat of darkness.
This moment in nature marks a profound moment for those who believe nature has something to say. It is an invitation to us to allow the light to begin to grow within us; to begin our own journey back into the light and to leave behind the darkness.
I think I'll accept the invitation again this year, and mark the moment by renewed effort. The particular alignment required for us to pass through the eye of a needle and enter the Lord's presence is indeed possible. For anyone. On the same conditions. It is a balance worth the time required to train ourselves.
Nature testifies endlessly of the Lord. It also invites us endlessly to turn back to Him. This continuing patience and enduring invitiation shown in nature is a reminder of how loving and patient, how persistent and committed the Lord is to our salvation. Salvation is predicated upon the same, universal standard for all who would return to Him. In that respect it is as exact and unchanging as the cycles of nature. Despite its exacting requirements, it is endlessly inviting and continually encouraging us to accept that standard and to live it. Not just to say, but to do.
I intend to do something, then, to show Him I want to return to the Light.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Provo Tabernacle
The destruction of the Provo Tabernacle by the fire last night makes me mourn. I heard President Kimball speak there. We had some of our student Stake Conferences there. Later I attended the funeral of Rex Lee, the Dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School while I attended. I also attended Hugh Nibley's funeral there. It was hallowed ground because of those memories.
I assume it was arson, because of so many recent fires in LDS owned buildings. Seems a foolish gesture, even if you hate the Church. Nothing important is ever accomplished by destroying the creative labors of others. If someone hates the Church, perhaps they ought to go build up their own. There is no equivalency made by tearing down. A person may be able to burn a building, but it does not make them any more important or great. A man may have shot John Lennon, but that did not alter the killer's importance. It merely made his insignificance more public.
There are two great forces at work. One is entropy. Everything is getting colder, darker, and dissolving. This force is unrelenting, and can be found everywhere in the physical world. Opposing it, however, is something which is creative, renewing, and equally unrelenting. I believe this force which renews life, introduces new energy and forms new systems to be God's work. It is, in a word, love. Or, in the vernacular of the scriptures, it is charity.
When the labors of hundreds have been assembled to create a place of worship, a thing of beauty and a refuge for Saints, that act of charity will endure beyond any subsequent act of vandalism. It cannot be lessened; though it may be broken or burned. The testimony of sacrifice establishes an enduring legacy.
I hope the Tabernacle will be rebuilt. I hope also the memory of the original will not fade from those who went there for such events as Brother Nibley's funeral, Dean Lee's funeral, and President Kimball's address.
I assume it was arson, because of so many recent fires in LDS owned buildings. Seems a foolish gesture, even if you hate the Church. Nothing important is ever accomplished by destroying the creative labors of others. If someone hates the Church, perhaps they ought to go build up their own. There is no equivalency made by tearing down. A person may be able to burn a building, but it does not make them any more important or great. A man may have shot John Lennon, but that did not alter the killer's importance. It merely made his insignificance more public.
There are two great forces at work. One is entropy. Everything is getting colder, darker, and dissolving. This force is unrelenting, and can be found everywhere in the physical world. Opposing it, however, is something which is creative, renewing, and equally unrelenting. I believe this force which renews life, introduces new energy and forms new systems to be God's work. It is, in a word, love. Or, in the vernacular of the scriptures, it is charity.
When the labors of hundreds have been assembled to create a place of worship, a thing of beauty and a refuge for Saints, that act of charity will endure beyond any subsequent act of vandalism. It cannot be lessened; though it may be broken or burned. The testimony of sacrifice establishes an enduring legacy.
I hope the Tabernacle will be rebuilt. I hope also the memory of the original will not fade from those who went there for such events as Brother Nibley's funeral, Dean Lee's funeral, and President Kimball's address.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Dolores Umbridge
In the Harry Potter series, I like how Dolores Umbridge turns questioning her actions into questioning the Ministry of Magic. And by extension questioning the Minister of Magic. What a power-hungry wench she was. She parlayed herself and her every move or decision by extension into the acts of the very pinnacle of their social authority. It is a sort of pathology you only see in very unhealthy social groups who are ruled by fear and intimidation. I thought it was brilliant of J.K. Rowling to envision such a character.
Perfect love casts out all fear. (Moroni 8: 16.)
Perfect love casts out all fear. (Moroni 8: 16.)
Peter gave instruction about how the church ought to operate. It was never through fear or intimidation; but through gentle example: "I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Peter 5: 1-4.)
What a marvel the Gospel of Jesus Christ is in all its details. When it appears on the earth, it appears in weakness, does not force itself upon the world, and persuades others to the truth. When it is lost, then religion turns into the means to control and exercise compulsion. It becomes all that Catholicism was. Though, in truth, once the Protestant Reformation gathered power it greatly improved Catholicism by reducing its capacity to rule and reign with compulsion and intimidation. By disposition men tend to abuse power whenever they think they hold it. (D&C 121: 39-40.) Just like men, institutions are best when humbled, and worst when they reign with pride and power.
How delightful it is when fiction, like the Potter series, captures a character which puts a timeless conflict into a modern yarn.
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