Manthano: Memoir of Skeptical Me

I wish to share my testimony of faith once again, and this time with certain subtleties in mind entailing my skepticism as well as my idealism.

The purpose is never to deliver an irrefutable argument for coercing the beliefs of others, but to accurately explain my own experience-- clarifying where either criticism or affirmation is due. If you - regardless of your background and convictions - are able to relate with some aspect of my journey and receive it as a challenge (as opposed to a cute story with a religious conversion as the cherry on top), then I have fulfilled my job faithfully.

Historia: Revolution and Romans

If I had lived during the time of the American Revolution, I would be a loyalist on the side of the British Empire.

It’s not that I prefer to side with the monarchy of Great Britain, nor do I lack pride for the achievements of my colonial underdog predecessors. Rather, my commitment to the Lord Christ and conviction from timeless Scripture are what compel me to confess- I would submit rather than rebel.

This would apparently make me a minority among the colonists. In the case of the Anglican church, there was an even split between those who revised their prayer books to read “Congress” instead of “King”, and the ardent others who chose to give up their ministry rather than go back on their vows of loyalty

Overwhelmingly for other denominations, Christianity seemed to clearly justify a divine right for resisting tyrants and abolishing the monarchy that so often failed for Israel. Sermons identified the colonies with the prophesied millennial kingdom of Christ, and the movement was seen as an extension of the Reformation’s attempts to purify His Church from political influence and authoritative hierarchy.

Add all of this theological rhetoric to the mounting public hostility against redcoats and King George III, and I can be sure of my fate for claiming God’s Word says otherwise. Neighbors would spread the word through town, and then a mob would drive me out of it with searing tar, feathers, and mocking laughter.

Of course, as it did happen, a war was fought and won on the side of the Americans. I believe God dispensed judgment as well as grace through this new independent nation. We have constitutional rights today which were not promised before, and our theological understanding of the church as it relates to the state is likely improved because of this movement. God works all things together for good… but that doesn’t excuse all things as good.

Consequently, I would still choose to repeat the clear instruction of the apostle Paul:

Logikos: Post Categories

There are now five different categories for my posts (with Logikos filling in for general blog updates), which I find important enough to include at the beginning of every post title. I describe the unique purpose for each below, using a nerdy metaphor of a fantasy kingdom supported by various agents.

1) Didasko - The Wizard

Didasko is a Greek verb for “teaching”. This should be no surprise if you know me, since I enjoy teaching and try to pass on theology and wisdom in all that I write. However, these particular posts will focus on the Bible, so that I am building upon the foundational teaching and examples found in the narrative of our personal God and His chosen people.

The Wizard keeps his vigil close to home, as a trusted advisor to the royal court. He scans through dusty libraries to find answers and performs scrying spells to detect subtle arcane threats. The Wizard’s discernment halts problems in the land before they arise, and causes policies of justice to trickle down and throughout the kingdom.

2) Historia - The Bard

Historia is also a Greek word, referring to an investigative study of the past. Again, this should be no surprise; I love history and plan to teach it. The Biblical story is our sufficient and authoritative foundation, yet the narrative of humanity also belongs to God, demonstrates His wrath paired with mercy, and provide rich detail for how the Church released in Acts is working in our world up until the time of Revelation.

The Bard is a constant wanderer, stopping only to trade tales with fellow travelers or share said stories in the form of an inspiring song at country inns. He maintains regular correspondence with the Wizard, so that Truth colors the prose of his performances. Whether the accounts originate from inside the kingdom or beyond, and regardless of what triumph or tragedy they carry, the Bard faithfully remembers and publicly recites in a way pointing back to the King of kings.

3) Philosophia - The Thief

Philosophia in ancient Greek means “love of wisdom”. Today it mainly involves tackling universal human problems through critical questioning and rational argument-- which curiously enough can (or can not) be based on religious propositions. In the same way Historia posts look at our human perspective through time rather than the Bible’s narrative, so too will these posts extract nuggets of Truth and redemptive analogies from other worldviews.

The Thief masterfully infiltrates neighboring kingdoms, living among their people for a time and and feeding surveillance back to her true countrymen. While she may sound malevolent, she is actually guided by altruistic intentions and a strict code of honor. The only treasures she steals are those that originally belonged to her kingdom, which this Thief immediately distributes back to the poor among them.

4) Apologia - The Knight

Apologia (Greek) when utilized by the early Christians came to mean a defense for faith and recommendation to those currently outside it. Modern apologists are known today for boldly debating God’s existence and the Bible’s integrity. My personal additions to these qualities will include testing beliefs, relating on a more personal level with outsiders, and how we live out Christian teaching in a tangible manner.

The Knight patrols between the kingdoms, being especially protective over the bridges connecting them. Though his allegiance is ultimately pledged to the King, he prudently crosses past political strife and military skirmishes, reserving his blade for dark monsters wherever they lurk. Citizens of the other kingdoms notice this impartial hero for his moral austerity and radiant charisma, and they cannot help but give praise to the Lord who is the Knight’s banner.

5) Manthano - The Steward

Manthano, a second verb and our fifth Greek word, means to learn in knowledge and practice. The ancient assumption was that true knowledge should always influence action, though today we are wary of abstract information which does no more than puff up. As I realize more of what it means to be the man God has made/is remaking me to be, I desire to chronicle what I discover for self-reflection and whatever transparent encouragement it offers to you.

The Steward remains at the heart of the kingdom, but the assumption that he is confined to the court could not be further from Truth. His practical responsibilities extend over the entire city, as he must carefully watch and actively lead its commerce, construction, and culture. He bears no sword and casts no spells… yet the Steward is the one privileged with preparing the King’s a home, through which glory shines far outward and the efforts of every other agent is given its complete expression.

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I think I can work with these five.

Philosophia: Redemption Cubed

When we receive the mind-blowing opportunity to introduce other humans to our infinite and yet personal God, our first step is often to declare Him as the maker of heaven and earth. This is certainly true, and I will explore more of how relevant this Truth is in my next Apologia post. For now though, I wish to share an even more effective method for revealing Christ, even through beliefs which seem alien and opposed to Him… using the redemptive analogy.

Consider that when Yahweh (the trinity/Godhead) revealed Himself personally as Jesus (the Son/God in human flesh), His 33 years on Earth contained allusions or “shout-outs” to other heroes of deliverance in Jewish history. For example:

• “Jesus” as a Hebrew name is no different than “Joshua”, who led the Israelites against enemies that outnumbered and towered over them and into the homeland promised to them.
• His birth in Bethlehem, royal lineage, and homage from the wisemen connect our Lord with David, who unexpectedly rose to the throne and loved God with all of his heart (despite and through serious moral faults).
• Just as the prophet Elijah passed on authority and “a double-portion of his spirit” to his disciple Elisha as they part near the Jordan river, John the Baptist is privileged with immersing Christ in those waters, where the Holy Spirit descends upon Him.

There are many more parallels in the gospels and epistles. I will hold myself back from listing more of them, because the ultimate point is that God reveals Himself and His salvation through stories; the role-models of redemption become a reflection of the ultimate Redeemer.
Now, you might not find this concept surprising if you’re already familiar with sermons and Biblical study, in which case you’ve heard of prophecies and “types and shadows” between the Old Testament and New. However, there is a third dimension which brings this method of communicating Christ to an even more scandalous level, seen in the second half of Acts chapter 17.

Didasko: Reguarding Reconciliation

Reconciliation between ethnic groups is an inescapable theme of the Bible.

God’s promise to Abraham is that he would be the father of many gowy (nations/people), and that every people group on earth might be blessed through him. Generations pass from Isaac to Jacob to Moses, with ages beyond that following as Israel is ransomed out of Egypt and re-rescued by judges, governed under corrupt kings, and humbled through eras of foreign rule.

Granted, we do see the future family of God foreshadowed through Rahab, Ruth, and Jonah… yet the Lord’s presence is largely focused within a single Jewish nation. Another four centuries pass between what is a single page dividing our Old and New Testaments, and God is silent as the kingdom crumbles again and again. Has Yahweh finally given up on these stiff-necked sons of Adam?

Then Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Church all happen… and what follows is an explosion unraveling two millennia of segregation. Once, we watched whole cities put the sword as the just punishment for their sins, out of God’s jealous protection over Israel. Now we witness the true King who would rather die for His enemies than kill them, so they might be forgiven for their sins and adopted into Abraham’s lineage through a like-minded faith. We’re one unified body, in which ethnic identity (along with gender, socioeconomic status, age, and any other distinction whether of biology or culture) does not affect our worth and belonging.

This is the Good News, and despite how sappy or controversial I will sound for writing this, it does in fact cause significant change to our planet. That said, my question is “how does this affect our own world today?”.

Apologia: Confessions of a TheoloGEEKos

Sometimes... Christianity is just a bunch of nerds in a book club.

Of course, the book we cherish is no ordinary book, and the scope of our fellowship goes far deeper than trivia knowledge. Still, I feel like this descriptor is accurate for one aspect of the ekklesia-- an aspect which might go a long way towards helping us relate with the world around us.

The sacredness of our scriptures do not change the fact: we’re fellow humans with a peculiar fascination for a certain story, which we love to share and discuss and make jokes about.

I was reminded of this while I watched a classmate’s presentation on A Song of Ice and Fire (also known by the name of its first book, Game of Thrones). Personally, I chose against reading the series further; as much as I appreciated the innovative world and developed characters, I felt the fatalistic themes and sexual content were distasteful. You can imagine my surprise, then, when his stated reasons for enjoying the books and my logic for loving the Bible overlapped.

Manthano: To The Land I Will Show You

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him . . .

Genesis 12:1-4 (ESV)

When I was doubting God’s existence and didn’t think anyone could accept me for all that i am, Abraham was the most profound Biblical character for me (...other than but pointing to Jesus).

I was already quite familiar with his story, since my parents once paid me allowance for reading through the Bible. Genesis seemed like a natural place to start, and its rich narratives kept me interested even as a pre-adolescent reader.

The spiritual significance eluded me at the time, only to ambush me in the middle of high school through a certain youth volunteer seeking to know me. He described faith as not necessarily a function of the mind or heart, but a component of the will. Even with my reservations and resentments towards God as a burden, I could freely choose live in a way that acknowledged His being and faithfulness.

The Lord’s voice called me away from everything I’d known, on a step-by-step journey where I may not know the destination until my arrival. I could choose to stay, rationalizing the voice as my own thoughts or settling for the satisfaction of static sameness… or I could choose to go, denying my doubt and resisting my reluctance in every footfall.

i chose to follow.