Rich People Could Be In Trouble

"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you."

Wow.

A LOT going on in this passage written by Jesus Christ's brother, "James" (really, Jacob - but that's for another time). I recently read this passage and then a brief commentary by a deservedly respected Bible scholar.
The scholar said that we should read the "rich" in the first sentence as 'un-saved people.' Hmmmm. What the text says is "rich," as in wealthy, resourced, and economically advantaged. Is the scholar assuming that if you are rich, you cannot be 'saved?' While there is much teaching about the dangers of earthly wealth and prosperity throughout Jesus' and the Apostles' teaching; there seems to be clear evidence that wealthy people were Christians in the early church. Does the scholar imply that those people referred to in the Bible were not really saved? That seems unlikely. How about this? Does the scholar mean that "saved" wealthy people are given a free pass to economically abuse their workers and enjoy self-indulgent luxury? Also, not likely! What the scholar probably meant, but imprecisely stated, is that James' comments were directed to those unsaved people who have invested heavily in this world and have amassed resources - usually by fraud, oppression, and abuse of the dis-advantaged.

However, it also seems to me that the scholar may be missing something, as well. What about those "Christian" business owners who, through 'sharp practices,' gain advantage, profit, and worldly success?
Let's be clear: no Christian is perfect, holy, ethical, moral, or wholly good ... in themselves. This is a big point of the gospel of salvation by Christ: all our 'standing' before God is based on 'alien' (no, not space creatures: rather, 'something from outside') righteousness. That is, Jesus takes our badness and gives us his goodness - we are righteous before God based on the goodness of Jesus that he gives us. Our own 'goodness' is no good. The point is that if you think that Christians are better than anyone else, in themselves, you are mistaken and will be horribly disappointed.
To my point in this post: "Christian businessmen" are certainly capable of rationalizing their own economic sins just as easily as any other Christian rationalizes their sins of hate, laziness, lust, pride, gluttony, and so forth.

So, is it possible for a "Christian" business owner to economically abuse their employees? Oh, yes - and I've seen it happen. In the first place, there are some Christian businessmen who can, have, and do economically abuse their employees, customers, and vendors. Why? Because we are still sinners - still badly broken and messed up, motivated by fear and hate, clinging on to our worldly nature rather than fully embracing the Kingdom of God. Yes, there are a few Christians who economically sin against others.
Secondly, I use quotes around the word because it needs to be said that not everyone who claims to be a Christian really is. If someone says they are a Christian, a true follower of Jesus, then I give them that presumption. But presumptions can be rebutted. Jesus warned us about false-speakers saying that "You will recognize them by their fruits" (Matt 7:16). Consider the possibility that someone claiming to be a follower of Jesus is either self-deluded or trying to delude you. One of Jesus' most chilling teaching was that as he will be judging humanity, there will be those who (Matt 7:21) claim Jesus as their Lord, but did not do the will of God - and they will not enter God's Kingdom (cf. Matt 25:31ff).

This brings us back to the scholar's imprecise interpretation: the "rich" is only only about unsaved wealthy people. Stated like that and as we have seen, the answer is no. Now, the question is, what is James saying to the wealthy Christian? Specifically, to the Christian who became wealthy through economic sin?
OK, here is the power of the Gospel of our salvation: that sinner is forgiven of their sins!
But.
It is also a principle that their sins in this world will deny them riches, honor, and even placement in God's Kingdom. To be sinfully rich in this world will result in relative poverty in the next. Will they be saved? Yes. Will there be regrets? Oh, yes.

What then? True-believer-in-Jesus-businessperson - if you've stolen, withheld, misrepresented, defrauded, or abused others; then it is time to repent. Now. Repent, reconcile, and restore. You don't want to hear the thunderous screams of those you exploited while Jesus is looking at you on That Day.

Repent; or you will be in trouble.

The Nine Ages Of Man

I found this little gem in my Miscellaneous folder. This was from a "Readers Digest" from decades ago credited to F. Emerson Andrews in the "Saturday Review":

The Nine Ages Of Man
(A poem in one line to be read aloud)

Not old enough to know better
     "     "    "   "    "
 "   "     "    "   "  
     "     "    "   "
 "   "     "
     "     "
 "   "
     "
 " 

So, I might quibble with the ordering of the "ages," but perhaps Mr. Andrews felt constrained to begin with the first line - which contains all the words - and wasn't as concerned about 'human development' sequence.

Seems to me - and it looses some of the graphic impact - that the better sequencing would be:

Not old enough to know
       Old enough to know
Not old enough to know better
       Old enough to know better
Not old enough
       Old enough
Not old
       Old
Not

Additionally, I have a conviction that death is not, "Not" - death is not the end.

Comments, concerns, suggestions?

"Not Soph"

So, a while back I had this funny (for me) text exchange.
Thought you might enjoy it:

Unknown: Hey
Unknown: are you ok?

Me: Who is this?

Unknown: Remember it's Nic

Me: From where?

Unknown: Isn't this soph

Me: Nope

Unknown: Who is this

Me: Not Soph

Unknown: Bet
Unknown: sorry
Unknown: Wrong number 

Me: Yep

No special meaning, just a funny exchange.

“Relationship Reconnected” A Practical Application Of Communication Theory

I just had the pleasure of finishing Dr. David Simonsen’s book, Relationship Reconnected (Rockridge Press, 2019). Full disclosure: Dr. Simonsen and I have been acquainted for about fifteen years.

The book is a practical walk-through of a specific conversation technique that encourages couples to communicate, rather than fight, about disagreements.

Dr. Simonsen uses the work of psychologist Marshall Rosenberg called, “Non-Violent Communication” (NVC). The technique title seems off-putting (“violent?!”), but Simonsen clarifies this: communication that does no violence to the relationship of the people communicating. Dr. Simonsen then applies the ideas and techniques of NVC (applicable to any relationship) specifically to couples in a family setting.

Credibility is established for Dr. Simonsen’s expertise and motivation – and he sets a stage of communication dysfunction that the reader may recognize in their own life. What is it like to be in a relationship where communication has broken down? How did the relationship get there? Is there hope for improvement? What is the cost? As Simonsen sets this stage, he states one of his most fascinating notions: the difference between emotion (our reaction) and our feelings (what we perceive the situation).

The technique of NVC involves simple-to-name, but (as Dr. Simonsen fully admits) hard to do, ‘steps.’ These include:

1.    Observe the Facts – re-cast your perception of what your partner is doing or saying in neutral terms. Pay attention to the situation; strive to focus on the objective facts – get the facts straight. Tamp down on the reactive emotion you are tempted to experience. Be present, keep judgment out, and stay in the moment.

2.    Identify your Feelings – introspectively recognize what you are feeling. In this step, stay focused on your own feelings, not what your partner is doing using “I” language.

3.    Name your Needs – we all have needs, and recognizing those needs is important to understand your feelings. This is where Dr. Simonsen’s experience as a counselor comes through – and where this book’s place as a tool to be used with an insightful counselor becomes obvious. Getting through this stage can be difficult and, seems to me, best done with the perspective of another gracious and mature helper.

4.    Make the Ask – request that your need be met by your partner. Simonsen makes the helpful condition of asking what you want your partner to do, don’t ask them to not do something. A good ask isn’t about making a demand (“You should …”), but a request. To do this step right, it seems essential that the hard work of the previous three steps are done so you do not merely state your position, but actually address your interests.

As I mentioned, I particularly liked the brief discussion on the distinction between “emotion” and “feelings;” which seemed an important insight. The specific and practical application of NVC to the arena of couples’ conflict is well-done and accessible. The ready acknowledgment of the initial awkwardness of the NVC steps was refreshing and encouraging. I specifically appreciated Dr. Simonsen’s brief explanations as to why each step is important and contributes to better communication.

I would have enjoyed (perhaps another book?) more on the distinction between “emotion” and “feelings;” and especially how to keep that reactive, reactionary emotion in check in the heat of a conflict. Also, it seems to me that it would have been helpful to include some discussion of roadblocks to get through a particular step – what if I just can’t get a grip on my true needs; what then?

However, I recommend the book to couples who want to get out of the rut of destructive and non-productive communication. This book can be a helpful tool to that end. I strongly suggest that couples also use this book in partnership with a competent counselor.

Math Reality

Found this quote:

"As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality."

- Albert Einstein (1879-1955); German-American Theoretical Physicist

The Only Way To Fly!

I have been alive for many decades and grew up when traveling by airplane was a luxurious adventure. Back in the late 70’s I remember flying a long-distance flight in coach that served a full and tasty dinner with silverware and even a small bottle of wine. I have watched as strong competition forced a race to the bottom where air passengers are now excited when they get pretzels for their ‘meal.’ Ah, for the Good Old Days.

Can we agree that those days are gone and may never return?

OK.

Then there’s the other part about air travel I don’t like. I’m tall. Six foot and three inches worth. Additionally, as I’m now firmly in middle age, I’m a bit wider than the svelte days during my 20’s. I do not book non-stops across the country because I can’t stand to be cramped in the little stall for five hours in a stretch.

And, getting to the bottom dollar, air fares are usually very expensive.

I am completing an overdue vacation with my wife and we decided to take the train. Yep, the old-fashioned steel-wheel on steel-rail train. Now, let’s set the context. We live in the United States so saying that we take the train for vacation is an unusual statement here. That is not so in Europe where one travels on vacation – of course – by train.

The particular trip we took meant an overnight train both ways. It was sooooo much nicer than the cramped confines of a modern aircraft. The seats are wider, cushioned, you can walk around, go to other cars for a meal or just see the scenery go by at ground level. There is something qualitatively different about seeing the country pass by you in that way. It is the same phenomena as the road trip. You get a human-scale view of distance, time, and just how long the distances are. Passing by community, fields, industry, urban centers, hills, et cetera – things sequentially coming and going at a sequential space that you can register in a relatable scale (‘Oh, look at that horse; isn’t that barn interesting? I wonder how many people work in that factory?) – this gives a raw experience of landscape.

Sure, there are disadvantages to train travel. It is much slower. But if you see the pace as part of the trip itself (travel as process, not merely destination), then it is part of the adventure.

Yes, trains are bumpy; but the powers that be don’t make you stay in your seat when there is turbulence.

Yes, they occasionally run late – as if there were never any late arriving flights. But, let’s just pull back a bit and I will suggest that if you are vacationing and your timetable is that tightly scheduled, you’ve built stress into your rest. You’re doing your vacation wrong. Train travel for business has advantages but I understand that most business trips for most of the nation do not fit rail travel, excepting the eastern seaboard.

Trains are about as expensive as air travel and about as fast as an automobile, without the stress of either.

www.amtrak.com

www.viarail.ca

Worthy?

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Ephesians 4:1 – “Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received from God.”

Just a note about process. In recent readings in scripture, I have concentrated on limiting my scope to one or two verses. That is, concentrating on a particular thought by the author. Reading slowly, to gain clarity on what is being said. Many times – too many – I have read rapidly (which has some merit) and just run over some key insights because I was moving too fast. This deliberately slow reading has been helpful. Not merely to facilitate ‘meditation’ on the text, but to read with focused comprehension.

And that is appropriate. Ancient writers were pressured into writing brief and succinct prose as writing materials were very expensive. Those writers (generally) needed to say a lot in a little space. A good student, using sound process, will tease out that dense writing to gain additional helpful insights.

Let’s get on with it …

Look at this phrase: “Live as people worthy of the call.”

What’s interesting is that Paul made such a strong statement regarding being saved by grace, yet now – as saved people – we are to live as if we deserved being saved – worthy of the call. We are to live as people who are worthy of the call. God has called us – we all agree on that. Calvinist theology says he did so without any consideration for our works or other merit – and I affirm that.

If it is true – that we did nothing to merit our calling; that it was just placed on us without any discernable worth – then where does this obligation come to live as being worthy of the call? In theological fact, I am not worthy of it. Yet Paul now seems to ask us to live as if we did ‘merit’ salvation.

Well, that’s a lot of fun Theological Geek stuff. Is there a resolution? Yes – of course there is. It is the difference between B.C. and A.D. “B.C.” is commonly known as “Before Christ,” while “A.D.” is an acronym for the Latin, “year-of the-Lord.” As a kid, who didn’t know Latin, I was just told “A.D.” meant ‘After Death’ – meaning after Jesus’ death.

Here is a part of the Good News in the calendar of history. Before Christ (B.C.), I was broken, destroyed, and dead. Remember Ephesians 2:1? We were spiritually dead and hostile to God.

But God.

God did something. He called us - though we had no worth, merit, or leverage – and we were Born From Above (John 3:3), regenerate, a new person. Before Christ, we were helpless, dying, and weak.

But After Death – especially Jesus’ resurrection – we are made new, have a great future hope, and are strengthened by God the Spirit living within us. Now, in my personal ‘years-of the-Lord,’ I am a new person with power to live differently – to live as if, yes, we are worthy of the calling that God gave to salvation.

In fact, I am worthy because Christ died for me and now lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

And here, our non-Calvinist friends help us out. It turns out that Wesley stated that we should be able (theoretically) to completely avoid sin. That is, we have been given the spiritual power to do exactly that. But, in our weakness and folly we choose to give in to the power of habit and fall into temptation and sin.

Paul says, ‘Don’t do that! Understand who you really are, now! You are God-indwelt little Christs – start acting like it!’