Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono (Hawaiian)
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono (Hawaiian)
“The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. – Hawaii state motto.
Part 1 Introduction
Part 2 What my peers are saying
Part 3 What Holland Says Himself
Part 4 What I learned
Epilogue
Part 1 Introduction
In his book Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind,[1] Tom Holland reminds me of Hamlet’s soliloquy, where he demonstrates internal struggles to BE (something). Act III, Scene I of Hamlet by William Shakespeare: “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” I sense an undercurrent exists in Holland’s mind, to be a Christian or not to be a Christian.
Taking a more spiritual turn, Romans 7: 21-25
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Holland appears to be wrestling with Faith. Unlike Paul, who has come to grips with his sins, Holland continues to struggle. In the meantime, he has made money from his internal faith debate through his books. Holland has found an audience that is also struggling with the pervasiveness of Christianity in society and yet desires to leave Christianity and God behind.
Holland does provide a systematic presentation of Christian facts and impacts. Without the Holy Spirit, however, he lacks the ability to develop a “born-again faith.”
Part 2 What my peers are saying
DLGPO2 Todd Henley quotes another book Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World within a few centuries. [2]
Christianity revitalized life in Greco-Roman cities by providing new norms and new kinds of social relationships able to cope with many urgent urban problems. To cities filled with the homeless and impoverished, Christianity offered charity as well as hope. To cities filled with newcomers and strangers, Christianity offered an immediate basis for attachments. To cities filled with orphans and widows, Christianity provided a new and expanded sense of family. To cities torn by violent ethnic strife, Christianity offered a new basis for social solidarity…And to cities faced with epidemics, fires, and earthquakes, Christianity offered effective nursing services.”
YES, a thousand times yes! Todd Henley highlights who we are as Christians. Whether others believe in God or not does not diminish our identity in Christ.
DLGPO2, Jenny Dooley writes from Malaysia, “Indeed, I see the impact of Christianity in countries far less Christian than my own. It’s unsettling to have a historian describe how the world remains influenced by Christianity while faith in the love and mercy of God is rejected. It’s troubling to read how various interpretations of the Christian faith have brought both good and ill into the world.
Part 3 What Holland says himself.
Actually listening to Holland speak can be achieved in the YouTube video, The Making Of The Western Mind | Tom Holland, September 1, 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUUkY164jhc
Holland reviews the “Difficulty in escaping the Christian lens” and states, as an example, “Human rights are a leap of faith, but they are birthed from Christian ideals.” He sounds incredibly reasonable, yet misses the “leap of faith.”
Part 4: What I learned
On Thursday, I am speaking about immigration (probably to a hostile audience). I hope to lead with scripture (it is a Bible study) and then discuss the personal actions I have taken to contribute to the immigration process. (My NPO is interlinkt.org)
My hope is that my actions will speak louder than words. (Words whisper, actions Thunder!)
I lack the eloquence to convince anyone, but my desire is that my NPO will demonstrate how big problems do start with small solutions.
While it is important to have a grip on the white and dark spaces of Christianity’s past. I believe that our NPOs are focused on the future.
A Christian future.
All of our NPOs are HIS work. I believe that we are responding to Satell’s Cascade…creating ripples of change.
Epilogue
As I watched Holland on You Tube, I am hopeful that when he has his major “face plant” in life (death, accident, or whatever), he will take the vast volume of Christian information that he has to realize that there is a God and that it is not him. I should pray for Holland and others to come to faith and for God to show me my path in helping them.
Peter Boghossian’s book, “How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide.[3] Boghossian writes, “How should you handle the problem of not being in complete agreement?” Boghossian answers, “Simple: Let people be wrong!”[4]
I will probably never meet Holland or Boghossian. I am content to let them be wrong, knowing that God is not finished with them.
I have come to a rather cynical place. Our program and perhaps our society have become “You be you, and I will be me.” But our latest readings (which challenge our faith) bring the unbeliever into our blog spot world.
My personal faith continues because of my testimony and interaction with God. While I feel obligated to share that with people, I don’t expect to convert them; that is the Holy Spirit’s job.
My job is to be “Me with Christ in ME.” My actions are my response to the unbeliever. I will place my emotional, physical, and spiritual capital in God’s NPO (I almost said my NPO) and HIS work in Ukraine and Kenya (GoodSports children’s ministry). Doing these things, I am content to let others (Many of whom are family) be wrong.
God will judge them. I can only give them to the opportunity to observe my consistent life of faith that will help them move in his direction.
Sigh…and Shalom
P.S. Tom Holland should know better, “With great power comes, great responsibility.”
P.S.S. Thanks all for UPGRADING me. I am forever changed by DLGP02.
[1] Tom Holland, Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind, New York: Basic, 2019,12.
[2] Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries, New York: HarperOne, 1996
[3] Boghossian, Peter G. How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide. First edition. New York, NY: Life Long, 2019.
[4] Ibid., 73.
About the Author
Russell Chun
interlinkt.org is now ready for your Refugee Resettlement needs. 15 tasks, languages ESL plans coming2 responses to “Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono (Hawaiian)”
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First, praying for your meeting on immigration. I know God’s heart on this issue will speak and shine through you. Regarding Holland, it made me think about a book I read about the Bible by Thomas Merton. He says at time it takes those outside the faith to show us things we don’t always see about it while in it. I have to agree. Although Holland is arguing that the West is “Christian”, more than we realize, Holland, from what I know, is not necessarily a confessing Christian. However, he pinpointed some dynamics in our history and faith that I think are incredibly insightful. I have not come across this kind of accuracy from traditional Christian historians. Thankful for this work and praying for him while he figures things out. Appreciate your post and what a pleasure its been to get to know you over the last few years Russell!
Hi Russell,
I appreciate your post and how you consistently highlight immigrants and refugees are part of Jesus’ radical teaching and way of life. thank you for attending to these marginalized populations. You have opened my eyes!
It’s been a wonderful journey getting to know you and the impact you have on so many people across the globe! I’ll be praying for you as you speak on immigration this Thursday.
Enjoy your Christmas!