The Parable of the Architect

There was an Architect who had a grand design to build the most elaborate house anyone has ever seen, but he does not have the time to complete the task. He hires carpenters, masons, sculptors, artists, metalworkers, plumbers, electricians, painters, roofers, and landscapers to complete the task in his absence. He finances them and takes his leave to attend to other matters, but his workers in his absence do not do what he asked them too! Instead they spend his money to build their own homes. They ignore his supervisors and mistreat them, and when the Architect hears all of what is going on he is furious. "If these men whom I have chosen will not do my work, than I shall find men who will."

The Architect sent his son to fire the old workers and bring in all sorts of unskilled men and women to work on his house with the promise that whoever helps to build the house will have a room in it to live. The son came and announced this message, "Behold! My father has committed you to work on his house, but you've spent your wages on your own! As you have robbed my father, He will now rob you of your wages. Let anyone come to build this house which you have forsaken, anyone at all, for they will surely live in it. These are the Words of my father!"

The workers were furious with the son for firing them and they had him killed in spite as they left and buried him in the foundation. The poor, the hungry, and the meek heard the son's words before he died the word spread quickly amongst them. All sorts soon flocked to build his house for no wages except for the promise of his Father's word that they will dwell in it while those men who already built their own houses sat there in comfort saying "Look! We've already built our own homes! What need have we for his house?"

The new workers struggle to read the plans the Architect has set out, having only the words and guidance of the Architect's master apprentice. Much of what is done must be undone, much of what is gained is lost again as some do not listen to the apprentice and build the house their own way. The progress is slow, but steady amid arguments among the workers over the best way to build.

Some think to themselves "I do not want to live along side THOSE people coming now to build" and deny them saying "The Architect does not want you here!" Others say "The less people who build, the more space I will have!" and still others say "If I can make others build alongside me, then the quicker I will get to live in this house!" Few are the people who say to themselves "I will teach those around me what I have learned in how to build this house" and still fewer who say"I will build for the Architect who has promised me this place."

Nevertheless, despite their lack of cooperation and despite their imperfect obedience, despite their selfish intentions and despite themselves, the Architect's plan is being carried out. The house will be finished and there the Architect will dwell with his workers forever while those outside will look on with jealousy for it truly is the most magnificent house ever built.

Much love,

John Dao

P.S. This is how I like to reflect on God and my own theology. The analogies are not meant to be perfect analogies, but rather serve to highlight certain aspects of the story (like all analogies). Of course I do not mean this to be an overarching summary of ALL theology nor do I make claims this is an accurate representation of the Story of God, but like most parables I intend it to bring out one aspect.

In our Defenses

Back in college, I wrote a research paper proposing that there were two types of Self-Esteem, implicit and explicit. This isn't a new idea, but I wanted to expound on it. There have been arguments that having a lot of self esteem is a good thing, but also arguments that it is a bad thing as well. My paper was a resolution to this debate. It had 4 archetypes of people in it, varying my their intersections of implicit and explicit self esteem. I proposed we had Low Implicit Self Esteem (LISE) and High Implicit Self Esteem people (HISE) as well as Low Explicit Self Esteem (LESE) and High Explicit Self Esteem (HESE) people. Here are my descriptions of what each type might look like:

• LISE/LESE: These people would be your "downers". They don't have very much value in themselves and more often than not let themselves get pushed around. They tend to be people pleasers as well, in hopes of gaining recognition and feelings of worth through service. Easily abused, they seem to just take insults like a sponge.
• LISE/HESE: Because of their low implicit self worth, they try to mask it with a High Explicit Self Esteem. These are very dangerous folks, as they are like eggs filled with nitroglycerin. They constantly pick fights with other people stronger than they, are very jealous in relationships, and cannot let the tiniest of insults go without making a ruckus over it. Anything that challenges their explicit self esteem generates a huge amount of "Ego threat". To are so stalwart in defending because if anything gets through their shell, their soft insecurity ridden center will be exposed. They have a lot to lose if their self-esteem is compromised. The classic "Tough guy" act.
• HISE/HESE: They generally always feel very good about themselves, but do come off as smug, cocky, and arrogant, but they don't care what you think of them. Probably very used to being treated like royalty because of who they are, they let their accomplishments get to their head. They are able to control their tempers a lot more than the previous type, as really they already know they are all that and a bag of chips. Will fight if you need to be put in your place, but it's no big deal if they lose as they will usually have a smug comeback. The high amount of pride allows them to shrug off most insults.
• HISE/LESE: This is a very interesting type of person. They really aren't provoked to anger about anything concerning their own integrity and anything negative said to them they would probably agree with and laugh along. However they will defend another person's dignity. They have an air of calmness and humility around them. They really don't have anything to prove to anyone. Think Ghandi or Jesus here.

I mentioned "Ego Threat" before. Let me expound: Ego threat is the amount of perceived harm from incoming negative actions. Ego in general applies more to the Explicit self esteem system. A LISE/LESE would experience little to no ego threat because they simple have no "ego" to lose. the LISE/HESE in converse would experience very high amounts of Ego Threat, because the difference between their two esteems is rather large, thus they have a lot more to lose (i.e. it is all they have going for them). HISE/HESE would be more like the LISE/LESE, but slightly more because they can be provoked given a sufficient challenge to their authority. They do show more resiliency towards insults. The HISE/LESE would experience no ego threat as well, but have more positive regard afterwards than the LISE/LESE who is more prone to sulking and brooding in their dejectedness.

The Explicit Self esteem system mainly is fueled by competition. By being better at something than someone, they gain explicit self-esteem. Examples include academics, fighting, business, beauty, faith (the "Who's a better Christian" contests are quite ironic), etc. If you can compete in it, you can gain explicit self esteem.

Implicit self esteem is fueled by something different, innate knowledge and acceptance of who one is. It's who one identifies to be and a full embrace of who that is. Both negative and positive are taken together to form the whole of a person. Needless to say, Implicit self esteem is harder to gain, but even harder to lose. Some notable sources of Implicit Self Esteem have been noted as Virtue (being a good or moral person) and interestingly enough, God's love.

I'm beginning to see that perhaps there is a bigger expansion of this theory into all areas in which one can feel esteem. The most pertinent to me is Faith. This is taken from Donald Miller's Blog (http://donmilleris.com/2010/01/13/1513/):

I’ve also found that the more I trust in Christ’s redemption to be sufficient, the less overtly religious I am. And, quite honestly, the more suspect overtly religious people become to me. When I’m with somebody who talks zealously about faith, about Jesus, about the Bible, after a while, I find myself wondering whether or not their faith is strong at all. For instance, if I were with somebody who kept talking about how much they loved their wife, going on loudly and profusely, intuitively I would wonder whether or not they were struggling in their marriage. I would wonder whether they were trying to convince me they loved their wife, or if they were trying to convince themselves. (Now that I think of it, though, some of my favorite people talk about how much they love their wives, but these are less public proclamations and more sighs of appreciation.) Faith in Christ, for me, is similar. It’s intimate. I’m more comfortable giving quiet prayers, intimate prayers. Often alone, in fact. I speak of faith the way I speak of personal matters. Of course there is a time for proclamations, but that’s the key, isn’t it? There’s a time. Anyway, I love that the New Testament is mostly intimate letters written to small groups of people who met in homes. I like the quiet authenticity of our faith.

Do you see what process he is describing? It's the difference between a LISE/HESE Christian and a HISE/LESE Christian. What I mean to say is this: one of the clearest signs that someone is not firm in their faith is their defensiveness. Those who aren't firm in their faith will often erupt in backlash to anyone who criticizes it. There is no "Quiet Authenticity" which Donald speaks about, rather zealous defense of a religion that if true, should need no defense. There is a process of maturity that happens as the beliefs are made more solid. There is no longer a need to constantly justify why you believe what you believe at every joke or criticism, not because of a loss in faith but because of a loss in religious pride.

There I said it, religion and it's practice can make you prideful. Being able to hold the position of "salvation" can carry with it an attitude of "I have better beliefs than you". It makes one seem privileged and can easily be lorded over people. You've heard it before from Christians, I'm sure. They brag about how good God is at every chance they get, inserting Him into everything in some sort of twisted evangelism. They brag about how good it feels to be saved, and express pity on those who are not like they. They are doing the Lord's work in their own eyes, and are above reproach because of it. Scripture affirms them and their actions, and not the other way around. They are better Christians, period. How do I know so much to be making these strong accusations? Well, I was one of them.

I was a foolish child who let his mouth run ahead of him. My brother's and sisters will attest this is usually what I've always done. I was given Scripture not knowing how powerful it was, and I used it irresponsibly. Children should not wield swords. I nearly cut off all my good friends mishandling God's word or at least left them mutilated. I still regret every word I said and every wound I inflicted. Even if God forgives me, I have a hard time forgiving myself. I would beg new Christians not to speak about Scripture until they are ready to do so responsibly and be accountable to every word they say. Let Scripture speak for itself, invite others to partake in reading it with you. Tell others what you have been getting out of it, and that's it. Be honest, not overbearing. Be loving, not obnoxious.

I've since settled in my beliefs. I know who I am and who I am is in transition to who I was made to be. I still say dumb things and I still am prideful, but at least now I can recognize them where I was once blind. I've been humbled, not by my own effort, but by being made known of my pride. This is your psychology tidbit for the evening: One of the clearest signs that someone is not firm in their faith is their defensiveness.

Separation Anxiety

A song I wrote. These are the lyrics.

I am not a man

who's worth any gold

but found in your hands

my beauty unfolds

da-da-da-da-da da

da-da-da-da-da da

Take another look

I'm sure you'll find

the love that you left

left me behind

And I know

yea I know

You're the only answer

And I know

Yea I know

That I'm going to find a way

To run straight into

your arms of grace

I just want

to seek your face

to run straight into

your arms of grace

I just wanted

you to know...

these are the days

that I fear the most

am I really here

or just some sort of ghost?

oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo

oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo

Nothing left to say

we're drifting apart

but that's the only way

to keep you close to my heart

And I know

yea I know

that this won't last forever

And I know

Yea I know

That I'm going to find a way

To run straight into

your arms of grace

I just want

to seek your face

to run straight into

your arms of grace

I just wanted

you to know...

It Takes Heart

In the Valley of blood, a river flows like crimson through the misty scape. All along her banks laid watch towers, as high as the eagle soars, guarding her best kept secrets for there amongst the willows lay an altar of purest gold and adorned with rubies. Water flows out from its sides like velvet, the water of life which pays tribute to the river. But carelessness has left this altar to be defiled. A golden calf formed from the gold of the altar stands in its place, its eyes the very rubies that once spoke of life pierce the souls of those who would gaze upon it. It has slain the generations. It has enslaved it's sons, bound to it as sacrifices. So long has it stood, it's meaning long forgotten. That is, until he returned.

The creator of the Valley and the altar within returned to find nothing he remembered. His words were like fire, and his tears were blood. He gazed upon the calf, and it trembled before him, but not even the creator was spared from being sacrificed to it. His wrath burned against his flesh, his blood molten from the heat. But he did not die. Rather, he remained turned to fire, burning ever so intensely on that calf that it too melted. That golden calf is now dethroned, and the gold and rubies now fashion a throne for that everlasting pyre. There he remains and there he reigns, a living sacrifice for all to see!

Jonah and the ... Vine?

First off... I love OT survey. What makes it so special? Well, we get to read the Bible in class... and I get to learn such a fascinating history and story of Israel (which means "Struggles with God", something I never knew! God definitely knew something about Jacob when he renamed him that, and it made sense in a completely different context as to why). It's such an amazing history, told from the perspective of some grand story teller.

Today in class we discussed some minor Northern Prophets (after a Midterm which I'm none to proud of, but I'll get the grade I need, not want) and we talked about Jonah. Most people know about the story of Jonah and the Whale (or have at least heard about it), but it turns out that the story isn't about a whale at all. Moby Dick was a about a whale, but the story of Jonah is no more about a whale than Pinocchio was about a whale. Yea there was a "Great fish" in it (i.e. whale), but he plays a supporting role.

Today in class, I came to a conclusion about Jonah: He's a self-centered, melodramatic a-hole. Yet he was a prophet? I was thinking to myself "Really God? You chose THIS guy?" Here's what Jonah does:

1) Flees after God tells him to go to Ninevah (the capital of the Assyrian Empire) because he wants to see Ninevah destroyed. He knows that if he goes and tells them what God wants to tell them, God would spare them, because "[God is] a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." (Jonah 4:2 NIV)

2)Refuses to pray for the people on the ship as they are caught in a tumultuous storm, even though he is asked to. Rather he tries to go to sleep! They know he is the cause of their troubles (because he told them he was fleeing from God). Ironically, Jonah admits correctly that God is the "Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land", yet still tries to escape God on the water. He tells them to cast him overboard and the storm will stop, but the sailors did not want to kill an innocent man of God! They show more fear of the Lord than Jonah does! They pray to the Lord God, of whom Jonah has told them His name, and throw Jonah overboard and the sea stops. They marvel at God's power, offered to Him a sacrifice and made vows to Him that day. They were converted, no thanks to Jonah! This is only a microcosm of what is to happen in Ninevah.

3) Jonah is dumped overboard, and being like most Jewish men at the time, couldn't swim and sank like a rock. That's where the whale comes in to save Jonah. Jonah realizes God has saved him and prays (finally), however it is the most 1st person prayer I've seen in the Bible. Lots of I's, me's, and my's. A little self centered again,but the theology behind the prayer is solid. It cross references a lot of scripture. Jonah really knows what he's talking about.

4)After being spit out by the whale, Jonah finally goes to Ninevah. He says eight words to them "Forty more days and Ninevah will be overturned!" and then goes up to the nearest hilltop outside the city to watch what will happen to it. Had it been invented, I get the feeling he would've had a tub of popcorn and some candy to watch God destroy the city. However the people of Ninevah repent! saying "Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." Again, an entire city repents, with really no thanks to Jonah, and God has compassion on them and did not send destruction.

Jonah is furious. He wanted to see them gone, more than likely because they were a threat to Israel's borders. They were his enemies. He wanted to see Divine Justice! It is interesting to note that Jonah 4: 5-11 occur out of chronological order and are placed there for literary effect. While Jonah was waiting to see what would happen to Ninevah, popcorn in hand, God raised up a vine to give him shade (It is a blazing hot day, temperatures probably in the 100s). Jonah is very happy about the vine. Actually, this is the first and only time you'll see him happy in this story. They day after God sends a worm to chew up the vine so that it withers, and Jonah is angry again, saying "It would be better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:8 NIV) A little dramatic, right?

Dr. Kaminski says that this is probably the hardest book in the OT, because God is not happy with Jonah despite his obedience to Him! The reason why is that Jonah has more compassion about this vine perishing, which he did not plant or labor to grow, than the entire city of Ninevah perishing. To quote YHWH, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Ninevah has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people in it who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" I think it's kind of funny that God includes the cattle. I think he's saying "Look, if you don't care about the people, at least care about the cows!" as livestock and land were the measure of someone's wealth.

Interesting how Jonah didn't really do anything, but God still carried out His plans. Jonah's ineffectiveness only highlights God's effectiveness. Jonah's lack of compassion heightens God's compassion. Jonah cares more about things that effect his level of comfort than God's people, and so do I. Honestly, if my car broke down, and at the same time I learned that my neighbor was sick, my car problem would make me more upset every time.

You know I may have been a little extreme in calling Jonah an a-hole, but really it goes to show you God doesn't pick favorites. It's the non-Hebrews in the book of Jonah that demonstrate faith. Ill say it, that God doesn't like Christians any better than Non-Christians. Obedience doesn't seem to be the whole picture. Makes you think doesn't it?

Then why choose Christ? It's about whether or not you want a relationship with God, most compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In looking at the story of Israel, God uses some of the most unlikely people to carry out his plans. Abraham worshiped other gods when God called him. The wives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel) were all barren, yet had many children anyway. Jacob was a deceiver, lying to get his brother's inheritance. Moses had a speech impediment and was a murderer. King David slept with another man's wife and had him killed to cover it up and marry her. Solomon had many foreign wives and worshiped their gods. Their offenses according to Law would mean death, yet God did not kill them!

The Old Testament is full of perfectly normal people trying to follow a perfectly Holy God... These are their stories! I totally see myself in them, and that's what makes me so excited to read about people I can relate to. That's what makes the Bible "real" to me... because it's down to Earth (sort of like Jesus.. literally came down to earth!) Come on, were you really not expecting any puns in this one? Get real :)

Idolatry of God

"When interaction with God looks like more of a monologue than a dialogue, we come to realize we are speaking to an Idol. You only tell it what to do and pray it does it. It can never tell you what to do. This is not the Lord God. God is the God who hears you, so he gave you ears to hear as well. God is the God who speaks to you, so He gave you a mouth as well. God is the God who sees you, so he gave you eyes as well. Our God is not an idol, learn to discern his voice. If not, you may realize that you are worshiping your own self-made image of God." -Paraphrased from Dr. Carol Kaminski

This OT survey class of mine has me thinking and asking so many questions! I feel like I have new life again reading scripture and examining it. What she said in class today rang so true to my experience. I don't have to believe on testimony alone now, for I have seen for myself!

Oftentimes in class I would miss what Dr. Kaminski was saying because I started to read the bible in class. A sentence turned into a section, and a section a page... I forgot to take notes! I think there is not enough time left in the Cosmos for me to get all of my questions answered, but I'll try my best to post them for you guys to answer with me :)

Jesus, Son of David?

God promised David that a savior would be born out of his lineage but Joseph was clearly not the father of Jesus (that sounded a little too much like Maury), although he was in the line of David as Mark was Virgin at Jesus's birth. Was God's promise broken? Did a king not actually come from David's bloodline?

No and here's why:

Matthew 1:16 clearly states that Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. However, Luke 3:23 says Joseph was the Son of Heli! Joseph had two dads!

Ok, just kidding about that one, no he didn't. Nevertheless, both Luke and Matthew give different accounts over who's the father (Maury again) of Joseph, and actually the two genealogies split in similarity at David. Matthew says the son of David was Solomon, while Luke states that it was Nathan. David had two sons! OK, that's actually plausible (given his tendency to have children with other people's wives). What's really going on here?

I know what you are thinking, "John, you mean to tell me the way you are explaining how Jesus is descended from David is to point out blatant contradictions in Scripture? Nice going." Hold on a second! Now if you are married, is there anyone that you would call your dad even though he isn't your father? If you are thinking your Father-in-law you're right. Joseph only had one father, Jacob. But who is Heli? It's his father-in-law (Mary's father).

Both Mary and Joseph were descended from David, making them very distant cousins. It wasn't uncommon to marry inside the family back then, and is probably how Mark and Joseph were arranged to be married anyway. The Genealogy given in Luke 3 is actually Mary's. Since Jesus was actually Born from Mary, he was descended from David's line, and actually has twice the claim to the throne: Once through Mar (through Nathan) and again as he was adopted by Joseph (through the line of Solomon. All is well in the world!

Bet you didn't know it is through Mary that Jesus is descended from David, and not Joseph. It is just customary to use the man's name in the genealogy. God does so many amazing things with women! I really think they don't get enough credit for how important they are to God.