What situations, if any, would ever justify wrong acts to achieve something right?...(Serendipity Bible Fourth Edition, page 100). Wrong defined: Contrary to conscience, morality or law "it is wrong for the rich to take advantage of the poor"; "cheating is wrong"; "it is wrong to lie" (WordWeb Pro). “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 NIV) ============================ The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain CHAPTER 31 (https://americanliterature.com/author/mark-twain/book/the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/chapter-31) Miss Watson your runaway nigger Jim is down here two mile below Pikesville and Mr. Phelps has got him and he will give him up for the reward if you send. HUCK FINN ....... It was a close place. I took it up [letter to Miss Watson above], and held it in my hand. I was a trembling, because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: "All right, then, I'll go to hell"- and tore it up. It was awful thoughts, and awful words, but they was said. And I let them stay said; and never thought no more about reforming. I shoved the whole thing out of my head; and said I would take up wickedness again, which was in my line, being brung up to it, and the other warn't. And for a starter, I would go to work and steal Jim out of slavery again; and if I could think up anything worse, I would do that, too; because as long as I was in, and in for good, I might as well go the whole hog.
There surely is no more eloquent statement in all literature than that of Huckleberry Finn when resolving for himself the conflict that occurs when moral codes of a society conflict with the inner leadings of conscience as to what is transcendentally right. Though Huck’s culture endorsed slavery, Huck’s conscience could not let him betray Jim. In order to do right, he had to do terrible wrong in the eyes of the culture in which he was embedded. Thus the deceptively facile answer to the question posed at the outset of this blog is that doing wrong (in one context) is justified if the culture’s code of morality is itself wrong. It is a deceptively facile answer, that is, for the consequences of defying the perverse values of one’s culture can be painfully severe if not fatal.
What authority figures do you still trust completely? Which do you distrust? Why? (Serendipity Bible Fourth Edition, page 1403). Following the 2013 Ghouta attacks, Secretary of State John Kerry told a news conference in Geneva on September 14, 2013 that the United States and Russia had agreed on a framework to dispose of Syria's chemical weapons. He said "President Reagan's old adage about 'trust but verify' ... is in need of an update. And we have committed here to a standard that says 'verify and verify'." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust,_but_verify).
Christians are taught a hard truth, in the last analysis it is “In God we trust.” We are taught that all humans–even your best friends–even members of your own family–can let you down. There should be no surprise here, for only God has the ability to love completely, to know completely what that love must entail to serve your best interest wherever you are. So in the end, only in God can we “trust and trust” (re: Kerry quote above). Now then, this does not mean we must constantly be in a paranoid state of distrust. We typically look for behavior that takes on a symbolic character to set our minds at peace when dealing with others. For example, I attend a men’s discussion group. Such groups are only truly fun if grace abounds. The presence of this grace can largely depend upon the leader–does the leader make sure everyone has a chance to contribute and no few individuals dominate? In short, good discussion groups need a democratic yet forceful leader. In this context our leader (Don) will ask a member who has been silent if they have something they wish to contribute. This may happen only a few times during the discussion, but stands symbolically as the standard under which the discussion proceeds. In contrast to democratic leaders, even in a democracy we can have despotic leaders who are selfishly concerned only with themselves. All things are bent to serve their own purposes–first the simple truth and then anyone or anything else that get’s in their way. Thus we see we must necessarily operate within a continuum extending from “trust and trust” in God to “trust and verify” with most to “verify and verify” with despots.
Where are you most likely to have problems separating the sacred from the secular?....(Serendipity Bible Fourth Edition, page 190).
Yesterday in our men’s discussion group the subject of transgender personal identities became a topic of discussion. It was observed that our easy transition to this subject would have been unthinkable some half-century ago. What has freed us today to broach such matters without embarrassment or phobic fear? One may point to today’s easy access to sexual subjects, even internet pornography, as a freeing agent. In my view it is because during my lifetime we have triangulated to a developing perspective of the sacred which progressively extends to sexual identity. As a personal and private matter, gender is seen to reside within a sanctuary of individual identity which bestows respectful latitude (as with all matters, so long as the condition of no public or private harm is met). When I was in prison I learned from the prison staff an important lesson–while behavior can and must be regulated, this need not extend to violation of the soul and individual rights. That is, even in a highly regulated environment, some things are marked sacred and untouchable. The sanctity of the individual should come as no surprise to those of us living within the steady application of the Bill of Rights.
What are some modern cultural practices that could erode the purity of the Christian faith? Which of these two you consider the most dangerous?... What does it mean to be zealous for the Lord in today's culture? (Serendipity Bible Fourth Edition, page 255).
First of all, without question the Christian faith has its purity. It is a little disconcerting, however, to discuss the Christian faith in this way due to its highly ethical character – its insistence on everyday application. Jesus was anything but what usually goes for remote piousness – consistently dedicated as he was to street ministry. Likewise, the Christian today is called to apply his faith whenever and wherever he is active in the world. In short, we are called to witness 24/7 where "the rubber meets the road." Hence we come to a key way of thinking that threatens Christianity–a Showboat Christianity devoid of its central ethical call to practical application. It substitutes instead a stylized showroom glass menagerie designed to impress rather than achieve. In such cases all that is lost is the essential DO in the Golden rule.
As a teenager, what did you desire to do most: Career-wise? Sports-wise? Relationship-wise? How have your desires changed since then? (Serendipity Bible Fourth Edition, page 1696).
As a teenager I had no clue about what career path I wished to follow. I did not know enough about myself or the world of work to have any compelling preferences. I did not like sports unless it was afterschool "sandlot" sports. My favorite game was impromptu orchestrations of basketball. I enjoyed the exhilarating exercise and the friendly competitive camaraderie. Having no close friends in high school, I felt a vacuum in the relationship area of my life. Now at 72, I am content with the career that I proactively courted in computers. Actually I got into computers hoping that my information skills would lead to a management position, but this never occured. My favorite activities in the computer area were customer service and the pristine joy that comes with the intense focus and concentration of programming. Over the years I have come to appreciate the many lessons that sports teaches regarding the indispensability of diverse roles. As for playing sports now, I seldom do it; and when I do, it is more likely than not to be a game of tossing beanbags. My world has immensely changed for the better in terms of human relationships. I think people would recognize a greater confidence and self-assertiveness in my demeanor today, greater joy generally, and the noticeable pleasure I now find in social situations. Blessings abound and I am grateful for them all.
What commodity (time, money, possessions) are you least likely to be generous with? Why? (Serendipity Bible Fourth Edition, page 435).
I am least likely to be generous during focused moments. That is, when I am focused on a project or task (or feel that I should be), I can be very intolerant of interruptions especially regarding matters I think can be addressed at a more opportune time. At such parsimonious moments, I can be an assiduous clock-watcher. Most often the task at hand requires some aspect of discipline and creativity--no matter if it be writing a composition or setting up a spreadsheet. If one could see my office during these times, they would be able to see telltale signs of my obsession. For example, a scrap of paper can lie on the floor for days. Picking up that paper is outside my focus zone and paying attention to it would introduce a discordant element. It would be understandable if an observer looking on concluded that here is a person desperately marshaling significantly limited mental resources.
What hometowns do you still connect with?....What concerns you most about changes in this hometown? (Serendipity Bible Fourth Edition, page 1275).
A hometown close to my heart is Bowling Green, FL. It is a rural and agricultural area with many cattle and orange groves. We lived there as a family from 1958 to 1962–during my teen years. Angelo, Connie and I visited Bowling Green First United Methodist Church today. We visit only every 6th Sunday as the town is some 65 miles from where we live in Saint Petersburg. I strongly connect with the church there and the town not only because I have lived there, but because I much admire the humility of the local residents that comes from working the land when so much depends upon variables outside one’s control–the weather, pests, plant diseases, and the like. One’s point of view is quite different under these circumstances than if one gets a pay check every two weeks come hell or high water. The church is wonderfully friendly and loving and the minister Amy is a truly great lady and inspired pastor. She maintains focus on the little things, while not ignoring the expansive fundamental values of Christianity. It is a true blessing to keep such a hometown in one’s heart.
