Deja Vu is a french term which literally means 'already seen.' Almost 70% of the population, reportedly, claims to experience this phenomenon. It may be defined as an eerie sense of familiarity amidst a first time experience. Personally, I've experienced Deja Vu a number of times in my life. I can not recall how often, but I'd guess maybe a total of 20 times. Though I haven't experienced Deja Vu in quite some time, I thought I'd share some theories.
First, I'll throw out (for consideration) and throw out (to the trash) a few fairly popular theories.
Some suggest that Deja Vu is best explained because some form of reincarnation is true. In other words, we experience a sense of familiarity because we've actually experienced almost the same thing in a previous life. I discard this theory because there is no good evidence for reincarnation AND because it doesn't really address the issue very well. Why would memories from a completely different life (different time, place, people) be more likely to cause deja vu than memories from your current life?
Another explanation that, I think, should be dismissed is one often embraced by Christians. It has been suggested that the reason we experience Deja Vu is because our spirits are eternal. Previous to being placed in a body, our spirits existed in the spirit realm with God (which is supposedly outside of time). Deja Vu happens when our spirit temporarily remembers something that it saw from that vantage point. Again, I dismiss this theory b/c, biblically, there is no evidence that our spirits existed before our conception. It is even debated whether God exists outside of time. What's more, why would the spirit remember these Deja Vu moments and not others (most of my Deja Vu experiences were rather mundate events)?
A similar suggestion is that the experience of Deja Vu is a sort of prophetic experience. The person experiencing it was given a glimpse of the future before it happened (so that when it happens, it seems familiar to them). But again, my experiences with Deja Vu have been inconsequential. Why would God give me a preview of my friends and I snacking and playing a board game?
I would, however, like to suggest a number of theories that I think may help explain Deja Vu.
First, in the spirit of seeking the simplest solution, I would suggest that Deja Vu sometimes happens when we are experiencing something VERY SIMILAR to something we've experienced before. One might counter that they don't recall a similar experience, but that could just as easily be attributed to our faulty memories. My experience of Deja Vu was often (though not always) in situations that were, indeed, very similar to some earlier situations I had been in.
Second, and just a little bit more complicated, is the theory that the experience of Deja Vu is connected to our dreams. Dreams are a very interesting subject in their own right. Last night I had very vivid dreams, but 2 seconds after I woke up... what I dreamed about was now a mystery. I could recall that the dream was vivid, but I couldn't recall a single detail about it! The memory of that dream (and all my dreams) is, I believe SOMEWHERE in my brain. Imagine how much content we're talking about! Perhaps Deja Vu is the experience of something in real life that is very similiar to something you previously experienced (and forgot about) in a dream.
My next two theories are hot off the presses (I just thought of them this morning, though I'm sure they are not original to me). They are computer/internet based theories.
Since I am currently teaching through the Bible for a second time, I have somewhat frequently tried to save a document only to find that I already have a document saved with that same title. I have to make a quick title change in order to store this new file. Could it be that our brains 'title' new memories and sometimes run into the problem of finding another memory claiming that title? Come to think of it, this is just a more technical version of the 'simplest solution' above.
Or maybe Deja Vu is more like a 'double post' like we sometimes find on the internet. Maybe on occasion our brain goes a little berserk and tries to send the same new memory to its storage facility twice. In this sense, Deja Vu would not so much be 'already seen' but 'seeing twice.' Scientists sometimes suggest, similarly, that Deja Vu could be the overlap of 1 memory existing in both the short-term and long-term sections of the brain.
What has been your experience of Deja Vu? What are your theories?
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Who are You in Matthew 2?
There are 3 characters in Matthew 2 that, I think, reflect the 3 approaches to Christ that we commonly find in our culture today.
Are you like Herod? Herod was the King. News of another King was a disturbing threat to his own throne. He was prepared to do whatever was necessary to protect his place in life. It seems to me there are many in our culture with this response to Jesus. They don't want there to be a new King in their lives. Kings require submission. We prefer our own rule to that of Jesus.
Or are you like the priests/teachers of Israel. They are not as prominent in the story, but they do represent something quite common in our culture. Herod comes to them for information about where the Messiah would be born. They know. They seem to know all the information about the Messiah, but something is missing. We don't get the impression that they were very passionate about finding Him. They were more interested in information than transformation. They knew some of the truth, but they were not in pursuit of The Truth.
I hope you are more like the maji. What is important about them is not whether they were kings or wise men or even astrologers. What is important about them is that they were in pursuit of the truth. They weren't concerned to maintain their elite status (bringing gifts to the baby of Jewish peasants). They weren't content with just the information the star gave them (choosing, instead, to focus on what the star pointed them to). They pursued truth until it brought them to The Truth: Jesus. And then they worshiped Him. They served Him by contributing gifts (gifts that, most likely, kept Him alive for the next months/years of his life).
The cool thing about being a wise man or woman is that it doesn't so much matter where you start out in regards to status or knowledge. It matters what direction you are going. If you are moving toward the Messiah, you are a wise man or woman.
So right now, at this moment, are you more like Herod (antagonistic toward the Gospel), the priests/teachers (aware of, but unmoved by, the Gospel) or the magi (in pursuit of The Truth of the Gospel... worshiping/serving Jesus)?
Are you like Herod? Herod was the King. News of another King was a disturbing threat to his own throne. He was prepared to do whatever was necessary to protect his place in life. It seems to me there are many in our culture with this response to Jesus. They don't want there to be a new King in their lives. Kings require submission. We prefer our own rule to that of Jesus.
Or are you like the priests/teachers of Israel. They are not as prominent in the story, but they do represent something quite common in our culture. Herod comes to them for information about where the Messiah would be born. They know. They seem to know all the information about the Messiah, but something is missing. We don't get the impression that they were very passionate about finding Him. They were more interested in information than transformation. They knew some of the truth, but they were not in pursuit of The Truth.
I hope you are more like the maji. What is important about them is not whether they were kings or wise men or even astrologers. What is important about them is that they were in pursuit of the truth. They weren't concerned to maintain their elite status (bringing gifts to the baby of Jewish peasants). They weren't content with just the information the star gave them (choosing, instead, to focus on what the star pointed them to). They pursued truth until it brought them to The Truth: Jesus. And then they worshiped Him. They served Him by contributing gifts (gifts that, most likely, kept Him alive for the next months/years of his life).
The cool thing about being a wise man or woman is that it doesn't so much matter where you start out in regards to status or knowledge. It matters what direction you are going. If you are moving toward the Messiah, you are a wise man or woman.
So right now, at this moment, are you more like Herod (antagonistic toward the Gospel), the priests/teachers (aware of, but unmoved by, the Gospel) or the magi (in pursuit of The Truth of the Gospel... worshiping/serving Jesus)?
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Trinity Love
I believe that the doctrine of the Trinity is essential (in the sense that it is most consistent with) a theology of love. The Bible says that God is love. I am of the school of thought that LOVE is God's core characteristic. Indeed, all other 'attributes' of God are simply His love playing out in context. I believe belief in the Trinity is part and parcel with this theology.
The Father, Son & Spirit are, and always have been, a loving relationship. In trinitarian thought, love is not just something God does... love is something God is. God is a loving relationship. There was never a reality where only the Father existed. If such a time had existed, love could only be at best a potential attribute to be displayed at some future date.
In Islam, for example, God is rigidly one. He created, primarily, in order to have creation submit to Him. How could love be a core characteristic for Allah if, before creation, He was without relationship entirely? Likewise, how could the Christian God have love as a core characteristic without any essential relationship? The Christian God is love. The Christian God is the loving relationship b/w Father, Son & Spirit.
The Father, Son & Spirit are, and always have been, a loving relationship. In trinitarian thought, love is not just something God does... love is something God is. God is a loving relationship. There was never a reality where only the Father existed. If such a time had existed, love could only be at best a potential attribute to be displayed at some future date.
In Islam, for example, God is rigidly one. He created, primarily, in order to have creation submit to Him. How could love be a core characteristic for Allah if, before creation, He was without relationship entirely? Likewise, how could the Christian God have love as a core characteristic without any essential relationship? The Christian God is love. The Christian God is the loving relationship b/w Father, Son & Spirit.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Spiritual Gifts: Dangers
Spiritual gifts are powerful and, as we all know, with great power comes great responsibility. The subject of spiritual gifts comes with four main dangers (flowing out of 1 Corinthians 12-14).
First, there is the danger of dismissal. There are a number of reasons why someone might dismiss spiritual gifts. Maybe they've been led astray doctrinally (cessationism) or they are revolting again excess (charismania). Maybe they just aren't interested in serving ('just say a prayer' mentality). In any case, it is clear spiritual gifts are not to be ignored or dismissed. By no means should they be forbidden. By every means they should be eagerly desired.
Second, there is the danger of deception. The devil loves to counterfeit genuine spirituality. There are prophets and there are false prophets. There are teachers and there are false teachers. The church must be on guard. They must search the Scriptures. They must have discernment. They must have the gift of distinguishing between spirits. Otherwise the devil will be able to use false gifts to lead people astray.
Third, there is the danger of disorder. Spiritual gifts are exciting. But in the excitement some people forget that the gifts exist for the edification of the body. The display of spiritual gifts should not be a free-for-all. God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. Everything should be done in an orderly way. There are far too many examples of order being ignored in favor of so-called freedom. We need to rid ourselves of the thinking that anything having to do with the 'Spirit' must be without structure.
Fourth, there is the danger of division. Some gifts are displayed more prominently than others. This creates space for the twin temptations of pride and depression. A prominently gifted person may start to think they don't need the others. Someone with a behind the scenes gift may start to question their worth to the Kingdom project. Such mistaken notions lead to division within the body of Christ. The reality of this led Paul to spend a lot of ink on the body metaphor and on defining love in the middle of a discussion of spiritual gifts.
First, there is the danger of dismissal. There are a number of reasons why someone might dismiss spiritual gifts. Maybe they've been led astray doctrinally (cessationism) or they are revolting again excess (charismania). Maybe they just aren't interested in serving ('just say a prayer' mentality). In any case, it is clear spiritual gifts are not to be ignored or dismissed. By no means should they be forbidden. By every means they should be eagerly desired.
Second, there is the danger of deception. The devil loves to counterfeit genuine spirituality. There are prophets and there are false prophets. There are teachers and there are false teachers. The church must be on guard. They must search the Scriptures. They must have discernment. They must have the gift of distinguishing between spirits. Otherwise the devil will be able to use false gifts to lead people astray.
Third, there is the danger of disorder. Spiritual gifts are exciting. But in the excitement some people forget that the gifts exist for the edification of the body. The display of spiritual gifts should not be a free-for-all. God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. Everything should be done in an orderly way. There are far too many examples of order being ignored in favor of so-called freedom. We need to rid ourselves of the thinking that anything having to do with the 'Spirit' must be without structure.
Fourth, there is the danger of division. Some gifts are displayed more prominently than others. This creates space for the twin temptations of pride and depression. A prominently gifted person may start to think they don't need the others. Someone with a behind the scenes gift may start to question their worth to the Kingdom project. Such mistaken notions lead to division within the body of Christ. The reality of this led Paul to spend a lot of ink on the body metaphor and on defining love in the middle of a discussion of spiritual gifts.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Spiritual Gifts: Number
Just how many spiritual gifts are there?
In my reading, I've come across many answers to that question. It really depends on how one answers some key considerations, such as:
What biblical LISTS are listing spiritual gifts?
What biblical non-list verses mention spiritual gifts?
Are there 'extra-biblical' spiritual gifts?
A related question, which we will deal with separately, has to do with whether some of the gifts are actually duplicated in other passages while using slightly different words. For now, however, I simply want to share my thoughts on these 3 important questions.
What biblical LISTS are listing spiritual gifts?
There are many lists in the New Testament. For example, there are lists of apostles, lists of virtues, and lists of vices. There are also, indisputably, lists of spiritual gifts. What is not indisputable, however, is which lists belong to this collection. The most common understanding is that the lists are found in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. I find this quite agreeable (with one caveat that I will mention in answer to the 3rd question).
What biblical non-list verses mention spiritual gifts?
We should not trap ourselves into thinking that all spiritual gifts must have been mentioned in list form. There are some spiritual gifts (usually using the same Greek word(s) for gift) mentioned in isolation from the bigger lists. There is debate on most of them as to whether the biblical authors intended them to be considered as spiritual gifts, but in most cases I find no reason to reject them as such. Some of the suggested additions would be gifts like hospitality, singleness, marriage, vows of poverty, martyrdom, music, and craftsmanship. My inclusion of these will make even more sense in light of my answer to the third question.
Are there 'extra-biblical' spiritual gifts?
I don't see why not! We have no reason to believe that Paul, for instance, was attempting to compile a complete list of spiritual gifts. Indeed, we have plenty of reason not to believe that (since each list contains both overlap and distinction). Paul included examples, perhaps picked especially for the recipients of each letter. There are probably lots of 'extra-biblical' gifts. This is why I have so willing to accept non-list gifts and (to fulfill my promised caveat) the lists from the controversial ending of Mark 16 (whether it is original or not, there are no good reasons for rejecting its list of sign-gifts).
Answering these questions in these ways will make it impossible to do a COMPLETE study of the spiritual gifts, but that's OK. My only aim is to do a helpful study.
In my reading, I've come across many answers to that question. It really depends on how one answers some key considerations, such as:
What biblical LISTS are listing spiritual gifts?
What biblical non-list verses mention spiritual gifts?
Are there 'extra-biblical' spiritual gifts?
A related question, which we will deal with separately, has to do with whether some of the gifts are actually duplicated in other passages while using slightly different words. For now, however, I simply want to share my thoughts on these 3 important questions.
What biblical LISTS are listing spiritual gifts?
There are many lists in the New Testament. For example, there are lists of apostles, lists of virtues, and lists of vices. There are also, indisputably, lists of spiritual gifts. What is not indisputable, however, is which lists belong to this collection. The most common understanding is that the lists are found in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. I find this quite agreeable (with one caveat that I will mention in answer to the 3rd question).
What biblical non-list verses mention spiritual gifts?
We should not trap ourselves into thinking that all spiritual gifts must have been mentioned in list form. There are some spiritual gifts (usually using the same Greek word(s) for gift) mentioned in isolation from the bigger lists. There is debate on most of them as to whether the biblical authors intended them to be considered as spiritual gifts, but in most cases I find no reason to reject them as such. Some of the suggested additions would be gifts like hospitality, singleness, marriage, vows of poverty, martyrdom, music, and craftsmanship. My inclusion of these will make even more sense in light of my answer to the third question.
Are there 'extra-biblical' spiritual gifts?
I don't see why not! We have no reason to believe that Paul, for instance, was attempting to compile a complete list of spiritual gifts. Indeed, we have plenty of reason not to believe that (since each list contains both overlap and distinction). Paul included examples, perhaps picked especially for the recipients of each letter. There are probably lots of 'extra-biblical' gifts. This is why I have so willing to accept non-list gifts and (to fulfill my promised caveat) the lists from the controversial ending of Mark 16 (whether it is original or not, there are no good reasons for rejecting its list of sign-gifts).
Answering these questions in these ways will make it impossible to do a COMPLETE study of the spiritual gifts, but that's OK. My only aim is to do a helpful study.
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