I've been thinking about something for awhile that I can't seem to quite sort out. First Peter tells us we are aliens and strangers in this land (earth). But I've never understood this mindset that I hear reiterated over and again throughout The Church in the US. Are we not supposed to live abundantly here in this land? Is that not the reason that Jesus says He came? So how do we reconcile being told we're aliens here but that we're supposed to live it up in the mean time? I've learned a little bit about Nietzsche's assertion that Christianity was basically nihilistic. And this begins to makes sense to me in the context of living as aliens in this land.
I suppose one view could be that since our treasure is in heaven and what we store on earth will be stored in heaven, it is even more important to live well here. But does that still mean that life here has no inherent value? I don't believe that. God created us and all that surrounds us and said "It is good."
Thoughts?
I'm looking for book suggestions on this man that I can sink my teeth into.
Also, I know this is beginning to make me look like a Friedman fanatic, but I really do believe in the market in some ways. Or at least I believe that if you're going to say you (the U.S. Gov) believe in the market then you (Congress) shouldn't distort the way it's supposed to work. How much of a life line do you save to the drowning companies? Let them crumble and be reabsorbed into the market in different ways. In the mean time, fund people with ingenuity, especially at such a time as this.
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oh Hannah, you hit on one of my favorites. read "Moral Man and Immoral society" SO good! I'll send it to you if you want!
ReplyDeleteremember last year when you, Ryan and I got ashed and went to breakfast afterward? i was just thinking about that.
Hannah, think of the places where you've had the best times. was it at home? (i'm going to assume "no", but get back to me on that).
being aliens and living abundantly are not at odds, i don't think. the best times i've had have been in places where i don't "belong". going home is fun too! i'm the worst example of "what Christians think" but being aliens who live it up - that should be what we do best!
thanks for writing on this. as always, i really appreciate your thoughts!
P.S. you're a Friedman freak!
speaking of aliens, of an entirely different kind, read this
ReplyDeletedo you know this place?
hi hannah. i'm cory's friend and every once i a while, i find myself here.
ReplyDeletei liked this post and i liked cory's response.
loving to travel like you two, i think most of my "fullest" moments have been while i was a foreigner.
sometimes i think of that part of scripture as telling me to
1--not get too comfy with things here cause it's not my real home and
2--make sure i look different than people of this world. i can live it up and embrace the gifts that God's given us here but always as someone who's holding herself to His standards, and not those set by the natives of this land.
those are just thoughts from a stranger in texas but thoughts nonetheless.
=)