Dark Knight

The Dark Knight was an interesting movie. I definitely do not recommend taking young students to see this movie. Even some 13 and 14 year olds may not be ready for the kind of violence that is at times simply alluded to. I had to turn my head a couple times because of where I thought they were going to go. They didn't go to those places, but the illusion was almost too much. There are some lessons to learn in this movie:

• First, there are difficult moral decisions to make in life. Especially in leadership. Like it or not those decisions have consequences both good and bad.
  
• Second, anyone who wants to do something good especially if it is significant will be attacked for doing so.
• To quote another movie, "no sacrifice, no victory" (Great gpa Witwiki) Leaders will have to sacrifice for the greater good! The greater good is always to someone else's benefit and not to ours.
• Money is most often not the answer to the problems people face (Bruce Wayne often suffered because of his fortunes).
• In the end the good guy might win, but it is not without paying a price.
  
• There is no rest for those who chose to fight evil because evil never rests.

Perhaps the most intense point that can be taken from this film is that man is much more capable of evil than of good. The Joker is not about money or power, instead he just wants to "see the world burn" as Alfred puts it. This is so true of man in his sinful state. The part that is missing is the story of redemption. This is a story of evil fighting good and good fighting evil. The story of Jesus is about evil fighting good while good seeks to redeem evil. Jesus came to turn those who are evil towards a good God, not to simply destroy evil. Gotham needs more than a symbol, it needs a savior. Man doesn't need a good example, man needs a savior who can redeem, reconcile, and atone for man's evil.

The Dark Knight is Dark, but it is worth seeing.

I Believe in Free Will

My theology should be described as reformed or Calvinistic. I and others who believe in the five points of Calvinism:

• Total Depravity
• Unconditional Election
• Limited Atonement
• Irresistible Grace
• Perseverance of the Saints

are often accused of belittling free will. Or sometimes those who appose Calvinism set up free will as if it is apposed to the five points previously listed. It dawned on me today that one of the reasons I believe these five things to be true is because I also believe in free will. Free will is not apposed to these five points in any way. I don't believe it is, and I don't think Calvin did either (read Freedom and Bondage of the Will by Calvin).

In reality it is the very fact that people have a free will tainted by sin that requires God to chose in His wisdom, according to His will and according to His pleasure to extend an irresistible grace. If He did not every person would chose (according to their own will) to resist God. No one would be saved and everyone would go to Hell. It seems much more loving, merciful, and kind for God to save at least some.

Independance Day and Taxes

I want to warn you, this will get a little political.

On this fourth of July we went out to breakfast with my dad (John Sr.) our kids and my niece. I took this opportunity to talk to my daughter about Independence Day. She did really well. She remembered that this day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence (http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html). This declaration identifies many truths including the proper role of government (found also in Romans 13). Let us remember the signers of the Declaration as heroes who have protected us from tyranny.

Let us also remember that this tyranny was primarily exercised through taxes without representation. Today we have representation in the form of senators and state representatives. This great country is ours, not theirs. These senators are in Washington on our behalf. When they take our money it is because we let them, when they use that money for fund abortion it is because we let them, when they use that money in irresponsible ways it is because we let them. It is irresponsible for the citizens of the united states to ignore government. There are many issues that require our attention in November, but there is none more important than taxes. I say this because it is money that gives power, it is money that supports programs, and it is money that motivates. There is a reason that Jesus spent as much time talking about money as he did.

Every time the people give up more of their money to government they give up more of their freedom and more of their power. God forbid that we should give up our money and our power because we are too lazy to take care of ourselves.

However you decide to vote this fall make sure it is an educated vote. Don't skip voting and then complain that the government is not doing well. Pay attention, read the declaration of independence, the constitution, and maybe even a little history so that you understand where we have come from.

Finally Settling Down

For the past 6 months or so my family has been in transition. It finally looks like things are going to settle down for us. We have gone from closing the church plant to doing construction for my in-laws to doing decks to doing siding to finally now finding a good student ministries position. We also spent significant time living with my in-laws and my parents in Florida. We rented out our house and became technically homeless.

Well it looks like we are headed to Littleton, CO. I will be the student ministries pastor for a church called "The Rock of Southwest." While I am excited about the opportunity and the future, I will also miss my friends in MN. Just a little longer until we have a home again and just a little longer until income is regular and predictable.