Welcome to all those who have found their way to this website. I feel truly blessed by the Holy Spirit to have been given the opportunity and the means to engage in dialogue, discussion, debate, etc. with all of you truth seekers out there. So let’s just jump right into the purpose of this particular blog among the multitude of others floating about in cyberspace.
Most people are familiar with the peculiar phenomenon in which our time on this Earth tends to move faster and faster as we grow in maturity, sometimes leaving us frustrated and bewildered at how little we have accomplished since the day of our birth until now. I am one of those people, and I find myself in bewilderment many days, but, more than that, I now find myself motivated to really use the gifts of God that have been given to me.
Some of you may be familiar with my writings on economics, finance, culture, psychology, etc. on a website called The Automatic Earth (TAE). If not, and if you are at all interested in those topics, I highly recommend you visit the website and take a look around. The founders of TAE go by the names of Ilargi and Stoneleigh, and they have A LOT of information, insight and wisdom to offer to their readers. While I may continue to drop a post or two on TAE from time to time, my primary focus has definitely shifted from here on out.
The fact is that, if you are reading this website, you are probably very concerned with the state of the world some 2000 years after the earth-shattering events in the holy lands of Israel, just as I and many others are very concerned as well. That is what we spent most of our time investigating and excavating in TAE for quite a few years (I joined in the Fall of 2010, yet the site was founded in late 2008). The only problem was… we never spent any time talking about the implications and universal relevance of that earth-shattering event referenced above.
I soon found that the endless discussions and debates about excessive debt overhangs, hyperinflation, hyperdeflation, the value of silver/gold, the value of the U.S. dollar, the corruption and criminality of politicians, officials and bankers, the issues of resource scarcity and environmental destruction, etc., etc., were lacking a solid foundation from which to interpret their significance to the “big picture”.
That’s what we all crave, right? The Big Picture – the infinitely wise astronaut’s view of planet Earth from outer space, with all of its beauties and blemishes included – and I believe that many of us crave that now more than we ever have before. So this is where the Picturing Christ comes in to offer a bit of comfort, but mostly a healthy dose of truth. Let me first go into a quick little aside about me, personally (perhaps one of the few times you will hear much of that from me).
I was raised by parents who were born in India and are practicing Hindus. Although I was born in the states, I received a decent amount of exposure to prayer and study in Hindu Temples. Anyone with similar experiences could probably tell you that the emphasis here is much more on ascetic practices and community events, rather than any form of deep theology or evangelism of any sort. It was a pleasant and calming experience most of the time, but it didn’t even come close to satisfying my craving for answers to the biggest possible questions of the Universe, life and humanity.
After that, the rest of my life was spent wavering being atheism and agnosticism, mostly sidelining them both for the worldly pursuits of personal pleasure and intellectual development. This path culminated in my entrance to George Mason Law School in Arlington, VA, where my analytic skills were most certainly refined, but my skepticism of the world’s values and methods only grew exponentially larger. Many of the problems of the world were wrapped up into this one set of institutions.
We had the excessive extraction of emotional and financial wealth from naive customers of “education” (along with the life-long burdens of unpayable debts), disgustingly casual levels of ethical compromise, self-absorbed pursuits of all sorts and a bitter atmosphere of unloving competition and social stratification. That was truly the last straw for me – there was no way I could see myself following my “friends” into the practice of American law without selling my soul to the devil (although my ideas about the latter two concepts were still very unrefined).
To support myself without relying on too much dependence from anyone else, including my parents, I devoted much of my time to the skillful game of poker – a veritable paradise for those who think analytically/logically and want to accumulate money. However, that has also left a HUGE hole in my life as a fundamentally spiritual, rather than material, being. So that all brings me to the last year of my life, which has resulted in the creation of this website in September of 2012.
What exactly is a “Picture of Christ”, you may ask. The answer is that it is truly what it sounds like – it is ways in which world events and historical wisdom have all pointed towards the astounding truth in Christ. I have read about world history, I have studied the works of some great philosophers, I have investigated some of the best-developed theories of our age and I have tried to make sense of all our current circumstances with these things. Yet, when I read the Bible and reflect on it, I am suddenly hit with the realization that ALL of these seemingly disparate issues are providentially encapsulated in the words of the Biblical prophets, and, of course, our loving Messiah.
Judeo-Christian theology and spirituality is truly a “theory of everything”. In my humble opinion, it makes “quantum loop gravity, “string theory” and countless other attempts to model all of reality in the scientific departments of academia look like child’s play; a fundamental desire of fallen men to discover truth outside of the only place where real truth is found – in God and His word. At this point, I would like the readers to refer back to the picture that introduced this post.
The heart encompasses a familiar monogram for those who have ever shopped for Christian apparel or trinkets – N.O.T.W. – which stands for “Not of the World”. Obviously, I am not really concerned here with any brand names or catchy artistic representations (which is not to diminish their importance in spreading the Good News). What I am concerned with is the message that true love only comes through Christ, the creator of our world and the author of all that is holy and good.
Christ was not sent into our world in human form to reinforce the values of the fallen world, but rather to completely deny them and admonish his followers to do the same. It is a message that is equally stark and blunt as it is difficult to follow – but follow it we must. As believers in Christ and the faithful children of God, we are to act as walking billboards for radical change – radical departure from any aspect of the world which would seek to deny God’s truth in scripture.
11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17)
That is the wisdom we must always keep in mind when trying to understand our places and our roles in the world; when deciding what values we are willing to take a stand for in the face of families, friends, acquaintances and strangers who admonish us or tell us to “come back to reality”. Always remember, there is no higher truth or reality than that given us to by our true Creator – our Lord and Savior in Heaven.
So one last thing, then – upcoming posts on this website will deal with the interaction between a variety of different issues, but the bedrock will always be one of Biblical truth. There are no denominational doctrines imposed here for the mere sake of having a denominational identity. There are no man-made creeds that are ever treated to be above the authority of scripture, as given to us by the earliest Christians. There is no censorship of discussion or debates about any issues raised, but there is also no tolerance for repetitive spam attacks, hateful personal attacks or general displays of moral depravity (vague criterion, I know, but I pray it will be clear enough in a Christian context).
Make no mistake here – the primary purpose of this website/blog is to evangelize others in whatever capacities that I can, in the most honest and clear manner possible – hopefully providing insights to both unbelievers and believers alike. However, that doesn’t mean the scope of discussion will be arbitrarily limited in any way. It is also doesn’t mean that people of all secular and religous stripes aren’t welcome to join the fray here, and put forth their own arguments for the ever-important cause of Truth. After one year of Christian faith, I am by no means en expert on the religion or the Bible, but I can honestly say that I have spent many hours in the past months absorbing as much information as possible about these issues from those who are much more experienced and well-versed in them.
I will continue to keep doing so for the rest of my life, and I pray that everyone else who reads these posts will be motivated to do so as well. So, with all of that being said… welcome to my website, Picturing Christ! I hope everyone enjoys the posts and the discussions, and may God bless all of us to walk with Him down the path of righteousness, through the consistent revelations that He has graciously gifted to all of His children, across all nations.
Nice to see you started your own Blog Watson! Got in with the first comment, and the first PLUG.
Visit the Doomstead Diner to find the most up to date analysis of the Collapse of Industrial Civilization!
http://doomsteaddiner.org
RE
I look forwards to looking at our times and the scriptures with you in a fresh way. To add to what you have said of Christ I wish to share one of my favorite vs’s.
Colossians 2:2 I do this in order that they may be filled with courage and may be drawn together in love, and so have the full wealth of assurance which true understanding brings. In this way they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. 3 He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge.
Digging
Great passage, digging! I have decided to start a footer on the blog that lists select relevant passages I receive from readers (i.e. those dealing with picturing Christ). Yours is first up!
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I have read many of your blogs regarding financial issues we are facing, and found them to be very will researched and insightful.
I recently read your spiritual endeavors, and understand the questions of life we all ask. I just wanted to say, the Bible tells us why the earth was created (Isa. 55:10-11), and promises fulfillment of that (Prov. 2:21-22 / Ps. 37: 9, 11, 29 / Zeph. 2:3) giving just a few scriptures here that assure us of that promise.
Revelation (which is highly symbolic, with some literalism) 11:17-18, promises that God will ‘bring to ruin those ruining the earth’. There is a tremendous amount of hope provided, and all the answers to all the questions, except for the actual time / date of His intervention.
Keep in mind the promises – ‘they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore’ (Isa. 2-4)
‘Come, you people, behold the activities of God, how he has set astonishing events on the earth. He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.’ (Ps. 46:8,9)
He will rid the earth of corrupt rulers and oppression. ‘God HImself at your right hand will certainly break kings to pieces on the day of His anger’ (Ps. 72:16).
He will deliver the poor one crying for help, also the afflicted one and whoever has no helper. He will feel sorry for the lowly one and the poor one, and the souls of the poor ones he will save. From oppression and from violence He will redeem their soul, and their blood will be precious in his eyes.’ (Ps. 72:12-14)
And last but not least – In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the Kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite (Dan. 2:44)
There are many, many more scriptures that give us insight on His intentions, and why things happened to us, clear back to the beginning of man. Too many to post here, but so so important.
Yes, all this you write about is foretold, and like the scriptures remind us ‘when you see all these things occurring, hold your head high, for your deliverance is near’.
As for our part, we are to share what we know (which I saw you state), and follow His commands. When the time comes, if it’s during our time, we will see Him ‘bring to ruin, those ruining the earth’.
Tremendous thanks for your testimony!!!!! I am deeply thankful that there are people like you who embrace Christ and yet intelligently view and study what is going on the the world. Thanks, thanks, thanks……
Hi Ashvin
I’ve followed some of your posts on TAE (my user name = David Peter) over the past year where I find your perspectives are rewarding to read.
Along my path striving to picture and follow Christ, I am studying theologian James Alison as well as anthropologist René Girard.
If you have some time (which is so precious) to give James’ website
jamesalison.co.uk
a brief look over to see whether you like it, I believe you will find rewarding views along your way to picturing and following Christ. I would be interested to hear what you think.
At the moment I am reading Michael Hardin’s book “The Jesus Driven Life” (not to be confused with Rick Warren’s book “Purpose Driven Life”).
From the rear cover of the book: “Will the real Jesus please stand up? … What has happened as Jesus, the rabbi from Galilee, has been displaced as the centre of the Christian faith and replaced with false portraits? How can we understand the relation between this nonviolent Jesus and the ‘violent God’ of most Christian traditions? … Utilizing the work of René Girard, ‘The Jesus Driven Life’ takes us beyond the dead ends and false trails of Christian interterpretation of the Bible.”
Hi Ashvin,
I found your site here through TAE where I lurk occasionally. I used to read there daily, but found dwelling in the pits of collapse talk all the time didn’t do my mental health any good so I now spend that time gardening and building a small house.
I was raised in a small church based on the bible, went to a church school until college, and participated regularly in church activities up until I was about 26 (I’m 32 now). I have gradually moved into a sort of mystic agnosticism as the incongruities of dogma and reality as I know it to be became too overwhelming to ignore and attempt to reconcile.
I’m interested in your story. I notice you didn’t go into any detail about your conversion or reception of Christ. Was it an “ah-ha” moment? I’m curious because I don’t know many evangelical Christians and never engage in religious discussions with them.
Hello Ashvin, herewith the thoughts re truth I promised in my TAE comment. I submitted these as part of a Chalmers Institute online class I was taking re Christian development work in the 3rd world back in 2008. Thought you might enjoy?
Some years ago while going through a extremely tough time personally, it dawned on me one day (life in Tanzania sans TV, phones etc sure had its advantages contemplation-wise) that life IS relationships. Nothing else. Everything revolves around them and everything we do is because of them. Even those who avoid them or those who seem able to ‘go it alone’ do what they do because of the good or bad ways they relate to others/God/themselves/creation. The loner is trying to convince himself he doesn’t need others to dull the pain of disappointment from past r’ships, the show-off seeks to impress others or cow them, the philanderer is proving a point to himself, we amass wealth to impress others or ourselves with, or buy their favour, we give possessions away to feel good about ourselves, or help others, or pay our debt to God. You get the idea. We can’t do anything that’s not relational, even if tis only to our self.
God is the 3-in-1. Always relating perfectly to Himselves other persons. We are made in His image – likewise we can’t not relate. This is why Islam and Judaism fail – they deny the Trinity; God who relates. Their monotheistic gods are limited relationally. How, both morally and logically, can a god who has never related to his own equal command me to love, serve etc another person who is my equal in worth? He’s asking me to do what he never has or will or can. But the Christian three distinct persons in one God can. He knows how to relate to others (of equal value but who have agreed upon different roles – Father, Son (Jesus), Holy Spirit) because His very experience of being Himself is exactly that. Yeah heavy concepts to even attempt to grapple with. But we should expect no less given the subject matter!
I guess being raised a farmboy and working with science and practical things more than with people so much early on in life blinded me to this kind of truth (I actually left farming NZ style due to the lack of human relating involved). Working in development soon taught me people = politics. Politics is about communication, interpretation, meaning, all relational stuff – being human means relating, simple as that. Everyone is a politician.
Where am I going with this? Ok, I realised that we are always relating but we get so much wrong because of misunderstanding/misinterpreting signals from others. We don’t even understand ourselves because we are blinded by our own sin. We can’t read the info we receive correctly whether it be words, facts, feelings (even our own) or whatever because our own receiver/decoder system is corrupted. Neither can we transmit information perfectly. Basically we can’t judge anything correctly within ourselves, we only can in relation to God because He alone is the one eternal unchanging standard (God created time and it serves Him. Change occurs through time but God is not subject to His own creations therefore He said “I AM WHO I AM…who was and who is and who is to come…”).
So if we don’t know God we can’t relate to anything else with real confidence. Hence “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” stated in Psalms, Proverbs and Eccelesiates books of the Bible. Don’t know God means can’t interpret real/true meaning of anything. Hence a basic understanding of the meta-narrative, what the Author of life is about in an overall sense, is crucial to know before doing anything. Yep, as the Chalmers paper said this is foundational, and must be right or we build in vain and will only confuse other people as nothing we do will make sense. It will all be piecemeal and not interlock with life in its totality, i.e. spiritual and material. But so much of ‘Christianity’ IS confusing and senseless because it’s driven by unrepentant people using it for their own particular agenda. To know God I gotta submit to His agenda. Religion is man creating god/s that ultimatey serve man in some way. Hence belief systems like humanism and atheism are religious.
God uses any of the myriad forms of suffering in this world to get my attention. To show me that the things I’m trusting in can never guarantee me the significance and security I need as a human. Only He can provide those in an ultimate sense. This is why He cursed the world with death as He promised Adam & Eve He would if they looked for significance and security elsewhere – in their case the temptation that they would become like God themselves knowing both good and evil by eating the forbidden fruit. Only that was Satan’s lie as because we live inside time we can never know all the consequences that happen afterward as a result of our choices. So so often because of our pride in our own rational thinking (itself a sin) what we think will be good turns out to be harmful. The verse in Proverbs “there is a way that seems right to a man but it leads to death” springs to mind. Only God knows ALL things and ALL outcomes which is why we are commanded to trust Him. But love never forces and God is Love so He leaves the ‘I’ll trust myself not Him thanks’ option open for us. My own personal experience of life is that I finally came to see that I don’t know what is best for me. But God knows. And He reveals it as I ask, seek and knock for it. I’ve learnt to wait on Him in prayer and have seen Him move ‘mountains’ that were in my way many many times now and without effort from me apart from praying and watching for Him to act, to make things happen. It truly is an abundant life experience – abundantly significant and secure because He is in control.
That Jesus is THE truth is resonating with me in a more sound way lately. Known John 14v6 for donkeys, but really ‘knowing’ it takes some suffering through the lies of the world first I guess. People say they want to know the truth but do they really? We have been deceived by modernistic/dualistic thinking into regarding truth as a fact, or the sum of all facts i.e. just information. But it’s not. Truth is a person we can relate to, someone we can know personally. Wow. We can never know all facts, but we don’t need to because if we know Truth we just ask Him what they mean and He can reveal it to us (and we will only hear if we are listening and watching in faith) to the level that He knows we need or can currently cope with given our limitations (which will be expanding the more we know Him).
If truth were not a personal being I could never be satisfied knowing the truth because I am a relational being and so derive my worth and meaning from relationships. Searching for the truth and finding that it was impersonal could never satisfy because I want to engage with the truth. Knowledge would be painful without the power to rule. I don’t and never will own the means (power) by which to make all things right in the Universe. But God has that ability and He has promised to exercise final judgment so knowing Him and being known by Him will be satisfying. My greatest need and desire is to be loved and accepted for who I am. Impersonal truth won’t cut it. But to be known and accepted by God for eternity?!
This significance and security (from being perfectly loved) frees me in my work as it means that I can bring the truth (Jesus) to bear (work) on/in any situation despite not knowing everything there is to know about it. I don’t have to understand everything before I can contribute to helping bring life to others experiencing death and lies etc in this world. But I have to not get in the way of truth by limiting it to my own current understanding, or by my own prejudices etc. That is the dying to myself that Jesus demands and it’s rather humbling and scary but it’s absolutely freeing. As He Himself said “the truth will set you free”. The way (Jesus) to life (Jesus) is truth (Jesus). It’s all Jesus Christ, the all in all, the Alpha and the Omega. Life (Jesus) can only flow through me to others to the level that I know Him and submit to Him. I need to be the instrument that He of unlimited ability wields. Not have me, the limited, trying to wield Him around. Christianity is knowing God and enjoying Him forever. Knowing stuff about Him, even screeds of it, doesn’t cut the mustard. And one can never get to know God personally by sitting in judgment over Him as if we can start on rationally pure and neutral ground. Frankly that is impossible. No, our fallen condition means the presuppositions we start with/from are not necessarily true/reliable (read the late Cornelius Van Til, Greg Banson et al for better writing on that).
Good stuff, Ash. I can’t remember the source, but
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience.”
That being true, then it is in the spiritual realm that meaning and purpose is found.” I have been impressed with your openness and honesty at TAE and am looking forward to hearing what the Spirit is speaking to you.
Earlier this week I had my 70th birthday and have been a searcher most of my life.
Lastly, referencing the above quote, it has been my experience that it is impossible to understand the Gospel of John, except from that perspective.
May our God and Father continue to bless you in all you do.