Eric E. Wright's Blog, page 25

Seeking To Know God

There is life and then there is ETERNAL LIFE. Since “this is eternal life, that they [believers] may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent,” (John 17:3), I want to begin an exploration of the character of our wonderful God. In this way, with the Holy Spirit’s help, we will be able to “draw water from the wells of salvation” in the Scriptures (Isaiah 12:3) so that we may be refreshed and enriched during this time of Covid.

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Why am I focusing this blog series on the Attributes of God? “What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. . . .the mightiest thought the mind can entertain is the thought of God . . . That our idea of God correspond as nearly as possible to the true being of God is of immense importance to us. . . . there is scarcely an error in doctrine or a failure in applying Christian ethics, that cannot be traced finally to imperfect and ignoble thoughts about God .. .” (Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer, p. 10)

What Tozer pointed out years ago hasn’t changed: “The condition in the church caused by a loss of the concept of majesty . . . “church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God and has substituted for it one so low, so ignoble, as to be utterly unworthy of thinking, worshiping men… result, a hundred lesser evils.” (Ibid, p. 6)

It is crucial that we as believers in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, grow in our knowledge of God as He is and as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures, lest Tozer’s warning be true of us. But our need of knowing God is doubly true of society at large. The chaos and deterioration of our societies is largely caused by an abandonment of faith in God.

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(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)

God’s Autumn Masterpiece

[image error]Many in our northern latitudes find autumn their favorite season. For a couple of months the countryside exchanges a large part of its green wardrobe for gowns displaying a profusion of colours.

The countryside is a giant canvas. The Divine Artist is gradually painting it with a subtle shade here and a splash of color there. As the weeks pass, the mural becomes more and more vibrant.

Even plants like the sumac, that some consider a nuisance, get in on the act. As if afraid to be overshadowed by the scarlet frocks that towering maples don later in[image error] the season, the sumac heralds its place in this drama by dyeing the fringes of the roads and fields with crimson.

Next come the stalwart ash, first displaying subtle shades of beige and rust before donning brilliant gowns of plum and wine.

The leaves of beech and oak, which often cling to their branches throughout the [image error]winter, paint their trees with hues of fawn and brown and taupe that gradually turn to gold.

Part way through this seasonal drama, the Divine Tailor stitches up a gown for the aspens and poplars composed of a dozen shades of yellow–flaxen, lemon, saffron, amber. All in preparation for their autumn dance.

[image error]Meanwhile the Artist on High has been tinting the maples, most dramatic of the trees, with every colour in His palate from lemon yellow to bright orange and scarlet.

Throughout the fall, pine, cedar and spruce maintain a background of rich green to set off the multi-hued pigments of autumn that wash the fields and woodlands with bright color.

As the season develops, commentators keep us abreast of where and w[image error]hen to visit our woodlands to catch a glimpse of this yearly display. And so, throughout Eastern North America, city dwellers abandon their grey city haunts to tour the lakes and forests of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Ontario, and Quebec.

The wind blows and the leaves begin to fall leaving windrows of fading colour all [image error]along the verges of field and roadway. No human artist can hope to best the skill of the Divine Artist. And this yearly exhibition is free for any to enjoy. No wonder many view autumn as their favorite time of the year.

(Reprint from Oct. 2014 Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright )

WHY THIS IS A DANGEROUS TIME IN HISTORY

Democracy is in danger. We are at a point in history where the gains of the Protestant Reformation may be lost. That historic revival of interest in the Holy Scriptures led to the formation of a whole series of nations founded upon belief in God and commitment to law and freedom of conscience. Out of the maelstrom of change democracy was born and spread from Europe to the New World. While none of the countries formed from Sweden to England to America were purely Christian countries except in name, yet they espoused biblical virtues. These included the dignity and freedom of the individual and the importance of the rule of law based on biblical morality, especially the ten commandments. At this point in history, all those virtues are threatened.

The basic values of democracy have been hard-won. These values have enabled the Church to flourish freely but they are eroding. Why should we care? After all if we are genuine believers, we are citizens of heaven. But we are also citizens of our particular country with responsibilities to love our neighbour, to do good to our community, to pray for and work toward the prospering of society. Under democracy, all citizens have a voice that should be used thoughtfully. Surely, we have a duty to use our voice to foster as much respect for individual rights and freedoms as possible—not just for ourselves but for people in general.

In spite of the perils, there are many good things for us to celebrate. Canada, for example, maintains a concern for universal health care. We have a high standard of living. There is great concern for justice, particularly for minority peoples. And much more. Why then am I concerned?
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We are seeing the breakdown of:

Marriage and the family.The created distinction between two sexes, male and female.A commitment to the law prohibiting murder in the case of easy access to abortion.Civil discourse. Respect for others that leads to rational, informed discussion is being high-jacked by questionable ideologies. Debate has become strident, hateful, angry, and ideology-driven. We see the rise of neo-Marxism in spite of the lessons of recent history. In the white/black debate blanket accusations of oppression are leveled at people based only on skin pigmentation.Personal responsibility. A commitment to hard work, initiative, entrepreneurship, and innovation is being replaced by expectations that the state provide care for all. A universal minimum income is being mooted.Frugality. Our government is leading the way to an erosion of commitment to pay off debts incurred.Valuing diversity. A commitment to value diversity in culture, talent, gifts, abilities, physical strength, etc. is being replaced by a demand that in all things, all be equal. Not only is this unwise, it is impossible. Instead of equality in all things we should strive for equality of opportunity and celebrate and encourage diversity.Love for and respect for the Jewish people. There is an alarming rise in anti-Semitism.Privacy and freedom through the monitoring of individual lives as seen by the demand that bureaucracies monitor movement ostensibly to protect us from Covid-19. Will this control be given up later?Freedom to assemble and worship is being restrictedRespect for democratic capitalism which is being stigmatized by socialism/neo-Marxism.



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WHY THIS IS A DANGEROUS TIME IN HISTORYDraft

Because of this breakdown we need all hands-on-deck to ensure that our freedoms are not lost. John Adams wisely said concerning the US, “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the governing of any other.” The importance of maintaining a moral consensus is as important in Canada as it is in any other country. The breakdown of law and of commitment to a Divine Lawgiver heralds the deterioration of society. Without an eternal point of reference popular opinion may re-shape society—as it has.

So what can be done?

First, we need to make sure that as many citizens as possible are aware of what is happening to our democracy. This is not a time for Christians to be complacent but vigilant and aware.

Second, we need to commit ourselves to spiritual growth to counteract the deadening and compromising forces that are arrayed against God’s people.

Third, we should be sure to vote in every election for candidates whose platforms encourage the strengthening of our society in areas where it is eroding. We must realize that in politics we do not have a choice between perfectly good and bad alternatives. We should vote for the best option available. Not voting is not an option.

Fourth, we should consider the biblical story of Queen Esther a precedent. “Like Haman, Satan is mobilizing many of his advocates to make us bow and pay homage to man’s authority and desire to rule rather than even to the King himself, not to mention the King of Kings. The current movements of BLM and defunding authority in the name of fighting racism are all signs of man’s desire to have full autonomy. In such time as this, the Queen [Esther] called for fasting and prayers to be observed by all her people. The focus was not on rebuttal or argumentative discussion but fully surrendering the matter to the one who is able to bring about victory. I believe we are called to do the same today. The battle is too big, too fierce, and too intense to fight it on our own.” (A suggestion from Kamiel Gabriel.)

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” ( Eph. 6:12).

In this regard, we need to encourage God’s people to embrace a sustained concert of prayer for our nations that we might continue to enjoy freedom of expression, worship and opportunities for evangelism.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)

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The Power of Christian Hope

Has there ever been a time when we as citizens of the world needed hope as we do today? Yes, I’m sure those who fought the wars of the twentieth century needed hope. Those who sought to lead our countries through the Cold War needed hope. And those who struggle to re-start their businesses and those who face unemployment need hope. In the face of the Covid-19 shut down and sending our kids back to school we all need hope of better days.

But many thinkers assert that hope is vague and naïve. In a recent article in the Globe and Mail, Thomas Homer-Dixon attempts to win us back from despair by encouraging a hopeful attitude toward this current crisis. Before explaining why he thinks hope is essential to inspire imagination and creativity, he describes some of its detractors. One group “of critics argues that hope is a dangerously passive response to the world’s challenges because it distracts us, keeps us from acting to change the world and thus diminishes our agency.” One detractor states, “hope is in fact, a curse, a bane…a longing for a future condition over which you have no agency; it means you are essentially powerless.” It is “a secular way of keeping us in line.”

But “psychologists have shown that few of us can flourish physically and mentally without hope.” And yet in the whole article Homer-Dixon gives only a passing and dismissive reference to a heavenly hope, i.e. A Christian hope.

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Christian hope is neither passive nor powerless. Such hope does not operate in the believer’s life as lonely longing or wishful thinking. It is allied with faith and love. As Paul reminds us in 1 Cor 13:13, “Now these three remain: faith, hope and love.”

Faith provides the anchor for the expectation that hope brings. How so? Christian faith is in the Almighty, eternal Triune God of the universe. He is one who created all things, who flung the stars into space and carefully crafted the wings of a butterfly. He is the one who established the laws of physics, who formed the space/time continuum. This faith in the Creator-God enabled scientists as varied as Newton, Galileo, and Watts to think God’s thoughts, as it were, after him and thus discover amazing truths about the universe. They thought outside the box of superstition and ignorance. The reformers imagined a form of government that was not resting in the absolute power of monarchs but in the participation of citizens. And so we have democracy.

Inspired Christian hope energizes the imagination. For God is the one who is able to do “abundantly more than we can ask or think.” God stretches our imagination. As Isaiah points out “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar…run…walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Why will they be so active? Because their faith is in the LORD.

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While faith anchors our hope in apparent impossibilities, love provides the energy and impetus. The Christian is charged by Jesus Christ Himself to “love your neighbour as yourself.” As the second greatest commandment the outworking of this command must flow from a believer’s life if he is sincere in his desire to obey his Master. “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us“ (1 Peter 2:12). As a loving assembly, God’s people become salt and light in a community because of which [men] see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). “Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 5:5). And that love loves us to look around at the needs of our neighbours, to consider what can be done to bless our community.

As a result being motivated by love for others, Christians have been in the historic forefront of establishing hospitals, clinics, schools, universities, literacy programs, rescue missions, and a host of other institutions and programs.

Now abides faith, hope and love. Faith in God provided the can-do-spirit. Hope causes the imagination to soar. Love provides the energy to press on with projects for the flourishing of mankind.

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(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)

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Four Marks of a Biblical Church

[image error]With the easing of the Covid-19 shutdown, we have an opportunity to re-gather as disciples. But the pandemic has given us a chance to re-think our priorities.  So let’s return to square one; Pentecost and the birth of the Church. In Acts 2, we discover four basic marks inspired by the descent of the Holy Spirit. We see this new-born church was devoted to apostolic teaching, to fellowship, to breaking of bread and to prayer.

The first mark of an authentic church is a commitment to apostolic teaching. (See Acts 2:42) Peter’s sermon at Pentecost explained the redemption story from both Testaments with an emphasis on the historic reality of the risen Christ and the giving of the Spirit. This then leads to a call to repent and believe. Clearly, the gospel of Jesus Christ is central in the preaching and teaching of any true church. But all Scripture—law, prophets, psalms, gospels, epistles, revelation—is part of apostolic teaching. As Paul reminds Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Christ left instructions to make disciples of [image error]all nations. Disciples are not merely those who believe or “make a decision for Christ.” Disciples need equipping as godly servants of Christ through absorbing apostolic teaching, and through rebuke, correction and training in spiritual gifts. A biblical church is a Bible-centred church; a disciple-making church, a church committed to the “whole counsel of God.”

Remember the Boston bar in CHEERS, “the place where everyone knows your name?” Actually, aside from knowing each others’ names, those who visit their local bar have very little besides beer and conversation in common. But in an authentic church, believers share an eternal bond. We are blood-bought brothers and sisters in the family of God. The second mark of a biblical church is FELLOWSHIP, in Greek, koinonia. In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Rom 12:5) Fellowship is the visible evidence of the invisible but eternal DNA we share. After Peter’s sermon on Pentecost during which the Church was born, “about 3000 were added to their [image error]number that day,”…and they devoted themselves to the …fellowship…all the believers were together…every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” (See Acts 2:41-47.) We demonstrate FELLOWSHIP by meeting together for worship and encouragement. Assembly is important. No wonder this time of Covid-19, which keeps us from meeting together, is so difficult for genuine believers. Zoom worship is connection but not community. Let’s pray for the return of believers assembling together.  

Someone remarked that there is often more genuine community in a Zoom meeting than in a typical church service where only an usher may greet you. Sadly, there’s a lot of truth there. Clearly, we have a long way to go to implement genuine community, KOINONIA. That we must develop fellowship is clear in Scripture from Jesus’ new commandment, “Love one another” (John 13:34,35) and through Jesus repetition of this command in John 14 through 17. The apostle John got the message. “Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God…if we love one another God lives in us (1 John 4:7,8, 12). Love for brothers and sisters leads to a desire to fellowship with them. As the Psalmist said, ‘I was glad when they said onto me let us go to the house of God.” Loving Christians are drawn to other believers like iron to a magnet. Assembling together is important. About the first church we read, “all the believers were together…they continued to meet together” (Acts 2:44,45). A lone, independent Christian is an oxymoron, unless it is for brief periods of prayer and refreshment. Why? “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. And let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24,25). Living in a godless world that seeks to drag us down, we desperately need encouragement to keep on living lives of love and doing good. Seeing that the day is approaching Satan redoubles his effort to destroy us.

Jesus reminds us through John that if we don’t love brothers and sisters, we don’t know God for God is love. Now, love means more than merely sitting in the same worship service. Love means being interested in other Christians. We want to know about their lives. We listen to them when they express themselves. We ask them about their lives. You cannot love someone if you are not interested in knowing them. As in the early church, that will often mean having a meal with them, taking them out for coffee, or helping them with a need. Love will lead us to pray for them. Fellowship is much more than, “Hi, how are you?” As Hebrews 10:24,25 reminds us, that will mean being intentional about getting to know other believers. “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…let us encourage one another.” We can’t know everyone in this way. But if we are intentional, we can get to know a reasonable number of those in our congregation on level that is not superficial. Well run small groups may promote fellowship. And if multiple disciples in a church are intentional, genuine fellowship will result. That church may even become known as a loving, friendly church.

Why do many people wear crosses, even some rock groups? I hope it’s more than mere jewelry and not a superstition. On the other hand, why does China tear down crosses? Certainly, it is a powerful symbol of what is central in the Christian faith. The THIRD MARK of a genuine church, is not about having a cross on a building but being devoted to two ordinances, “the breaking of bread” and baptism. [See Acts 2:36,41,42] The early church was devoted to the breaking[image error] of bread in memory of the first Lord’s supper. Of the bread, Jesus said, “take eat; this is my body” (Matt. 26:26). Some hours later he bore our sins on the agonizing cross. Jesus also said of the cup, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:28). He shed his blood on the cross for you and me. It is vital that every believer regularly celebrate the Lord’s supper to be reminded of the death upon the cross of our Saviour. We need repeated remembrances of the source of our forgiveness, our regeneration, our justification, and our adoption into God’s family. No wonder Paul wrote, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2).

Christ himself instituted the Lord’s Supper. Christ also modeled baptism by submitting to baptism in the Jordan river by John, the baptizer. At Pentecost after Peter’s sermon, baptism was the first mark required for entrance into the new-born church. When the people heard Peter’s message that “God hath made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ…they were cut to the heart [convicted of sin and asked] what shall we do? Peter replied, ‘repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins…those who accepted his message [believed in Jesus as Lord and Christ] were baptized, and about 3000 were added to their number” (Acts. 2:36, 37, 38,41). Baptism is believers’ baptism. It is preceded by conviction of sin, repentance for sin, and faith in Christ as Saviour.

What has been disappearing all over the western world? The corporate prayer meeting. The FOURTH MARK of a BIBLICAL CHURCH is a commitment to prayer. On the day of Pentecost, the new-born church “devoted themselves to …. prayer. Everyone was filled with awe…Every day they continued to meet together…praising God…and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42, 46,47). This was corporate or congregational prayer. Individual devotion of prayer is also meant to be part of our daily life. Jesus modeled it. So did the apostles. But we cannot escape the teaching throughout the Bible that believers need to meet together for worship, testimony, confession, affirmation, [image error]intercession and mutual encouragement through prayer. We see this from Sinai to the return from the captivity, and from Jesus teaching his disciples how to pray to Pentecost and beyond. No wonder those in the early church were filled with awe. No wonder the Lord saved lost men and women. No wonder the church expanded from 12 to 300 to 3000 to 5000 and took over the Roman Empire. And this lack is a main reason why the Western Church is hanging on by its fingernails!. True, we cannot meet together every day, but surely every local church should meet once a week for corporate prayer. For this we need committed leaders to show us a way out of a wilderness of repetitious, droning prayers into Spirit-led prayer.

Let’s make sure we think beyond programs to these four essential marks of a Spirit-led church.

[image error](Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and storie at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)

Kindness in a time of Covid

Covid-19 means isolation, masks, crowded hospitals and climbing death rates. This is a bad time for all of us. Many face economic catastrophe. Others have had elective surgery postponed. For some surgery or treatment will prove too late. But sprinkled through these days of isolation I see glimpses of kindness.

We live in a condominium complex of four-plex pods, all built on ground level. We have big windows and a front porch giving us prime seats to view life outside our cozy home. Neighbours coming and going. Chatting. Watering their flowers. Bringing home groceries. Walking their dogs. I guess we’d have to admit we’ve become a bit nosey.

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That’s why we noticed Reg taking a jug of water with him every evening when he walks his dog. Why? To fill up a dish in the next-door park for all the thirsty dogs who come that way. And we have a lot of dogs from stately Huskies to diminutive Pekinese and quite a few mutts.

And that’s how we saw Jan’s walker escape her grip and roll across the road. Jan is totally dependent on her walker to take even a step. As she stood there pondering what to do, a neighbour rushed to her aid. He retrieved her walker and proceeded to help her get her groceries from the car. From talking to her we knew it was not easy for her to accept help. She is a self-confessed stubborn Scot.

There’s the church that asked its members write personal cards of encouragement for all the residents of two long-term care facilities, one in Cobourg and one in Port Hope.

Then there’s the neighbour who sewed face masks during the early weeks of the crisis. She worked during the day but in the evenings sat down at her sewing machine. She made the finished masks available freely to anyone in the development who could use one. We benefited personally.

And of course, there’s Cherie. Cherie loves to talk. She’s one of those who once she captures your attention will not stop until she has informed you about her health and past history and any grievances she has with the condo board. As a result, many have taken to giving her a wide birth. Few want to listen for ten or fifteen minutes. Cherie loves flowers and she has created quite an oasis. In spite of her quirks, people have begun to stop and admire her flowers. When she had to be away for a couple of days, one neighbour watered her garden. Now, she can hardly walk, so she has quite a time getting from her condo to the mailboxes. The other day I saw a neighbour holding her arm and helping her home with her mail.

Then there’s the grumpy Englishman who is suffering from prostate cancer that has spread into other organs. His prognosis is bad and his appetite much diminished. But he does love eggs, so one neighbour brought him a dozen farm-fresh eggs to enjoy.

We can’t forget the neighbours who led a gaggle of us in a social distance singing of O Canada on July first. They arranged it all a couple of days ahead of time, so we could gather in the street outside their condo, while the wife accompanied the rendition on her portable piano.

In spite of the gloomy news, we hear each evening, every day we see little acts of kindness taking place outside our picture windows. Neighbours waving and chatting—most at a social distance. It seems as if the corona virus has inspired more neighbourliness! Of course, our community of stubborn Scots, cheery Jamaicans, stolid English, vociferous Poles, and polite Canadians may be unusual. But I doubt it. I can imagine this happening all across Canada.

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(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)

Racism and me – a statement

In an attempt to grapple with current movements such as Black Lives Matter, Social Justice, and others that emphasize race, I make the following statements, which are always open to amendment. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

PRELIMINARY
• I do understand that injustice occurs in our society as in all cultures,
• I realize that I am responsible for any of my conscious or unconscious biased attitudes or actions learned from my family or racial group,
• I do apologize for historic injustices,
• I do want to encourage the re-dress of injustices and work to provide equal opportunity to all,
• AND I do think that the justice system and police need to be carefully reformed but not abolished so that there is much more emphasis on conciliation, community involvement, therapy, de-escalation, listening and counseling and less violent take-downs, confrontation, use of force and much less incarceration.

BUT I REJECT NEO-MARXISM and all movements and philosophies that are contrary to the biblical record of man’s universal depravity, need for gospel salvation, and reconciliation under Christ into groups that recognize that in Him there is no race or sex, but all are one in Him.

AS A COROLLARY TO THAT, I affirm that:
• I am not defined by my racial group/tribe/ethnicity as a white Anglo-Saxon but by my Creator as a unique individual created in His image and endowed with God-given personality, gifts, abilities and potentialities.
• I am privileged because I am a Canadian citizen and grew up in a two-parent family in a relatively peaceful suburb. BUT it must be understood that my situation as a white male is in spite of my father’s war experience, loss of businesses in Montreal during the depression, push-out as an Anglo in a French culture, my small stature as a teen, shyness in high school, and my mother’s emotional fragility, etc. [Note: all humans, regardless of race, have limiting factors and grow up in a fallen, broken world against which they must navigate.]
• I am privileged, most by being an unworthy recipient of God’s grace in Christ Jesus and thus having been adopted into God’s family, the world-wide, eternal Christian family/kingdom in which there is no race nor sex.
• I am not personally responsible for the sins of my race, sex, father, or ancestors. (As explained by Ezekiel concerning the proverb in Israel that complains about apparent inherited guilt: “The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. As surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel for every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.…Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right…he does not oppress anyone…He will not die for his father’s sin: he will surely live…Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father? Since the son has done what is just and right the soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father” (See the whole of Ezekiel 18 for the context and argument.) (See also Jeremiah 31:29)
• I do not believe in equality of income, position, power, or resources because each individual has differing life goals, abilities, and desires. Human thriving does not depend on equality but is usually the result of the application of character.
• I do believe in striving for equality of opportunity.
• I am not a victim except of my own sinful nature, laziness, and passivity. I am responsible, under God, to face my circumstances, overcome them, work hard to develop my abilities, position, and family so that I may improve my situation. I have to accept the reality that I live in a broken, fallen world full of sinful men in which oppression, greed, and injustice often prevail.
• I do not accept any non-biblical theory that history is simply the story of class struggles, either oppressor and oppressed, or bourgeoisie and proletariat or any other proposed theory that creates a class of victims and a class of those guilty by virtue of race or position in society. While oppression is a fact of life throughout history and in many parts of the world today, the free and democratic societies of the west have done the most to provide opportunity to all. I am not saying that there is not much change that needs to happen to provide greater universal opportunity.
• THUS, I do not accept the charge that I am automatically racist because I am a white male, and as a result am automatically guilty as a part of some supposed monolithic white male patriarchy. Eric E Wright, July 4, 2020

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(Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)
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Suffering and Foolish Choices – Causes of Suffering #4

It’s easy to blame God for our suffering. But have you ever wondered if many of our problems are caused by our own foolish choices? It’s easier to see that many of our social problems stem from foolish political choices.

We’re in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Wouldn’t it be foolish to ignore social distancing rules and use of masks and then blame God for [image error]contracting a deadly case of the virus? Or consider the choice China apparently made to suppress news of this new virus for weeks and weeks, persecuting those who raised the alarm. By the time news of its spread got out it was too late. Travelers from China had spread throughout the globe. Very unwise.

Consider a much more mundane set of choices. Too often I allow price to determine my choices rather than quality. I once bought a pair of attractive loafers because they were half price. They were a bit tight, but so desirable. That purchase doomed me to pinched toes until I had to get rid of the shoes. I could give other illustrations but they would be too embarrassing.

Even when I determine to balance quality against price, it’s not always easy to make a good choice in our media-saturated world. One report lists butter as harmful to our arteries. Another labels margarine as a dangerous culprit. Or take coffee, or chocolate. How do we navigate through all the shoals that we’re told can shipwreck our lifeboat? [image error]

Doubtless, bad choices can lead to great harm. Some of those bad choices are clear. Smoking. Overeating. Taking addictive drugs. Avoiding exercise. A steady diet of high calorie fast-foods. Too much sugar. Watching pornography. Sleeping with prostitutes. Drunkenness. The list is long; the effects devastating in terms of ill health, lost jobs and broken relationships.

Many of our bad choices lead to long-term suffering, or at least, suffering that catches up with us as we age. Why do we choose things we know will be harmful? Often, it’s to find immediate pleasure through gratifying a craving. Lust banishes reason both in relationships and diet. The book of Proverbs warns us about the consequences of sexual indulgence.

The battle of the bulge and clogging arteries warn us about eating too many donuts and cookies and mega-burgers. But they taste so good! Indulge. Enjoy right now. Personally, I don’t think there is anything wrong with an occasional indulgence but the danger occurs when indulgence becomes a habit.

The danger is magnified when the indulgence breaks one of God’s commandments. Outbursts of anger can not only shatter relationships, but, as Jesus said, even lead to murder. One pilfered item from a warehouse or an act of cheating can encourage a lifestyle of dishonesty that ultimately ends in incarceration. Envy or jealousy indulged can foster lifelong discontent. One act of adultery might ruin a marriage or promote a careless approach to marital fidelity or lead to catching a sexually transmitted disease.

So why is there suffering in the world? Much of it can be traced to human foolishness, indulgence, sinfulness and ignorance. We would be wise to re-read the book of Proverbs often. “He who speaks rashly will come to ruin. The sluggard craves and gets nothing…Dishonest money dwindles away…”(Prov. 13:3b, 4a, 11a).

Fortunately, God is a forgiving God. There is no sin—no matter how grave—that He will not forgive if we bow in repentance and lift our eyes in faith toward Jesus Christ, God’s Son. “His blood can make the foulest clean.” Forgiveness, however, does not necessarily deliver us from the practical consequences of our sins. The forgiven smoker will still have damaged lungs. The forgiven murderer will still have to finish out his jail sentence. The indulgent eater who is forgiven may still have clogged arteries.

Let’s not blame God for the suffering we cause. Instead let’s make wise and godly choices.

Let me know what you think about this issue. (Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca ; Facebook: Eric E Wright ; Twitter: @EricEWright1 ; LinkedIn: Eric Wright )[image error]

Living At A Distance -Reflections on Covid-19

Life has been upended by an invisible virus. The byword has become distance—social distance.

Mothers’ day meant distance from our kids. At least we sat on our porch six feet away from our daughter and her husband. We parted with virtual hugs. No touch. No visit from our son in Mississauga. Fortunately, he and our son in Atlanta called Mary Helen.

Since our daughter lives in a nearby village, she has taken it upon herself to get a lot of our groceries. But no hugs. No touch. As a rather stolid man, I didn’t realize how much I missed the hugs of our kids and grandkids.

Then there’s distance from our doctors. Appointments and blood tests cancelled. Yeah! Celebration…but wait, should we be concerned about all the regular medical decisions postponed? At least Mary Helen has been able to schedule a clinic visit and phone consultations using photos sent to her skin specialist.

Coffee with friends also meant distance. Two friends came over with lawn chairs they put up below our porch for a chinwag. All went well until a cold wind sprang up. We found them blankets so they could join us on the porch at a distance.

In April a dear friend died from Coviod-19. He died isolated in the hospital. Isolated from family and friends. Dave was one of those quiet, dependable saints who demonstrate the reality of our faith. Always there to welcome new and old to the service. Tall and thin but with a grip like iron. Always available if one needed help. Always offering a cheerful countenance and an encouraging word. Not a a preacher nor a teacher but a wise deacon. One of the first ones to volunteer to join a repair crew sent down south to help in the cleanup from one of their hurricanes. The first one to join the team tasked with helping to build a new church or put on a new roof for someone in straightened circumstances.

True, he was of a good age. True, he is now rejoicing, pain-free in the presence of his Saviour. But there was no gathering of relatives and friends to rejoice in his send off and grieve his loss. Instead there was a very abbreviated grave-side burial with no more than ten attending and lasting no more than 15 minutes. Some of us looked on via zoom. How sad to view this brief acknowledgement of a wonderful man. Distant.

All the rituals attending the death of a friend or relative that have been honed over millennia to bring some closure and celebration to the passing of a life well-lived—all those have been upended. And just this week the father of a friend has died in a distant US state while she is stuck here on this side of the border. Distant.

In spite of all that is hurtful about this pandemic, some good has come of it. The technology that provides social networking has been a boom. We can zoom with our families or social groups! We can attend church remotely with a cup of coffee nearby. Well that’s not so great. But here in our condo community I’ve noticed a happy increase in friendliness and socializing—at a distance of six feet. And of course, for the people of faith, it is a great time to rest on all those promises of Scripture. But God speed the return of touch and hugs!

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)

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Covid-19 in a Broken World –Suffering #3

[image error]The universe displays breath-taking beauty. Sunsets and starry skies. Soaring mountains and spiral galaxies. Lilies and roses and frangipani. But! Every leaf that falls in the autumn proclaims an unpalatable reality; everything has been marred by some malevolent influence. Each leaf bears evidence of the depredations of either insects or disease.

Not only in the leaves, but everywhere we look we discover evidence of defects. Weeds continue to fight for control of our flower gardens. Mosquitoes and black flies pester us in summer. Mice and ants may invade our homes. Birch trees die from the top down. Cankers attack beech trees.[image error] Our world often seems like a dangerous place. Floods and drought, typhoons and earthquakes, volcanoes and storms threaten populations. Human beings provoke wars, distribute poison in the form of drugs, abuse children, oppress the poor, and enslave the powerless. And too often mass shootings by deranged gunmen take centre-fold in our newspapers.

During this time of Covid-19 and the crisis it has evoked, we don’t need to be reminded about microbes and bacteria. We’re not only threatened by a new virus, but we come down with colds and flu, hepatitis and clogged arteries, diminished memories and arthritic knees. Despite the claims of the beauty industry, an aging clock relentlessly ticks away within all of us. Whenever we honestly look in the mirror, we see its effect. Let’s face it, we will all die. One hundred per cent of us.

[image error]Why is it like this? For the origin of all imperfection and suffering, we must go back to origins; back to the historic, space-time fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. (Read Genesis 3) As the progenitors of all people, they chose to disobey God and as a result fell from original goodness into sin. Their fall not only set in motion their own deterioration and death but fractured the harmony of the cosmos. And all their progeny have inherited a sinful nature with a twisted bent to selfishness and evil. Women inherited great pain in childbirth. Painful toil in tilling the ground became man’s lot. Thorns and thistles arose along with a myriad other malevolent influences. As someone has said, “All nature is red in tooth and claw”.

Since that historic fall, “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time”(Rom. 8: 22). This is why the incarnation is so central to history. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into our world to begin the [image error]restoration process. He calls all men and women to allow him to inject the antidote into our hearts, the antidote that will conquer our bent to selfishness and sin. He earned the right to call us to faith and repentance by dying for our sins upon the cross. Everyone who heeds His gospel call finds himself beginning to be changed from the inside out. (The new birth.) Ultimately, Christ will return to right all wrongs and to restore  the earth to a state of goodness and grace.

So, why do apparently good people, even God’s children suffer? Why is there covid-19 and Ebola and dengue fever? It’s inevitable. We live in an imperfect, fallen world where bad things happen indiscriminately. Fortunately, in the lives of His children God is able to squeeze good from evil. So in spite of evil, let’s celebrate Jesus coming and look forward with hope to His return. Jesus is the promise of the ultimate extinguishment of evil and suffering. And through the living presence of Christ, we can overcome the discouragement, the despair, the fear brought on by the current pandemic. May this be an unparalleled time of prayer for a revival of faith in Jesus Christ, the great overcomer.

[image error](Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)