The Gospels tell us who Jesus was, what he did, and what he said. What is interesting is that his kindness and love often times went out to the sinners. To the "lost sons." His harshest words were reserved for the so-called obedient, religious Jews, the Pharisees. If Jesus were walking on Earth today, who would He show compassion towards and who would His harshest words be reserved for? Naturally, Jesus showed compassion and love towards everyone, but He didn't tolerate the hypocrisy of the Pharissees or Sadducees. If Jesus was physically on Earth today, would he be unwelcoming towards the pagans? The greedy people? The sexually perverse? He obviously wouldn't approve of their behaviors or beliefs, but He would love them and show them the way to the Truth. I think the people He would be most angry at are the self-righteous "Christians."
"Woe to you experts in the law, becaue you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering." Luke 11:52.
God by His very nature has to punish evil, but He doesn't delight in sending his children to eternal punishment. Unfortunately, the self-righteous religious people who put on this guise of Christianity close the path to eternal life to unbelievers by making it look unreasonable and undesirable. There are many people who have been hurt by Christians so they turn from the Way and look for something else. I imagine if Jesus was walking on Earth right now, He would be unhappiest towards them.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
"How can a loving God send people to Hell?"
It's such a common question. It's a difficult question to answer and a difficult truth. I don't feel qualified to answer such a question, but I can try.
God made the world good and He made humans good. In order to make beings that could love He had to give them free will. If they didn't have free will then there would be no love. They would be like robots doing what they're programed to do. God gave us the gift of free will so that we could love Him and love each other because we want to, not because we were made to. When you give a creature freedom to love, he also has the freedom to do evil. Humans chose to do this so now God's wrath burns on us for the evil we have done. We must remember that God is not only a God of love, but a God of justice. He by nature cannot let evil get away with what it has done. He must punish it. God would have been perfectly justified if He just burned the world in Hell right then and there, but instead he chose to do something amazing. He decided to bring about a plan of salvation for us. He came into this world as a man, Jesus Christ. He lived, taught, then died on the cross. When He was being crucified, He was taking in all of God's wrath and judgment upon Himself until God's wrath was satisfied. Jesus freely did this for all human beings, but if we reject Jesus then God's wrath still burns against us and He must punish us justly for the evil we've done. However, when we put our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our sin is transferred to the cross and Jesus takes the punishment for us. You see both the righteousness of God and the love of God all in one central event. Perfect wrath and judgment punishing sin forever, and perfect love so great that He was willing to suffer and die so terribly to save us. When our sin is judged on the cross we are seen as holy and blameless by God (though we certainly aren't perfect) and never have to worry about condemnation. But that's not the end of it. Jesus then resurrected, proving His plan has been finished and that the same will happen to all of us in His family.
I doubt this will change anyone's mind. The doctrine of Hell is still an uncomfortable one, but I hope I at least gave a fair answer.
God made the world good and He made humans good. In order to make beings that could love He had to give them free will. If they didn't have free will then there would be no love. They would be like robots doing what they're programed to do. God gave us the gift of free will so that we could love Him and love each other because we want to, not because we were made to. When you give a creature freedom to love, he also has the freedom to do evil. Humans chose to do this so now God's wrath burns on us for the evil we have done. We must remember that God is not only a God of love, but a God of justice. He by nature cannot let evil get away with what it has done. He must punish it. God would have been perfectly justified if He just burned the world in Hell right then and there, but instead he chose to do something amazing. He decided to bring about a plan of salvation for us. He came into this world as a man, Jesus Christ. He lived, taught, then died on the cross. When He was being crucified, He was taking in all of God's wrath and judgment upon Himself until God's wrath was satisfied. Jesus freely did this for all human beings, but if we reject Jesus then God's wrath still burns against us and He must punish us justly for the evil we've done. However, when we put our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our sin is transferred to the cross and Jesus takes the punishment for us. You see both the righteousness of God and the love of God all in one central event. Perfect wrath and judgment punishing sin forever, and perfect love so great that He was willing to suffer and die so terribly to save us. When our sin is judged on the cross we are seen as holy and blameless by God (though we certainly aren't perfect) and never have to worry about condemnation. But that's not the end of it. Jesus then resurrected, proving His plan has been finished and that the same will happen to all of us in His family.
I doubt this will change anyone's mind. The doctrine of Hell is still an uncomfortable one, but I hope I at least gave a fair answer.
Glorifying God With My Mind
Reading books like Love Your God With All Your Mind and listening to Christian intellectuals like Ravi Zacharias really humbles me. I want to believe in Christ not only because I feel it's true, but because I think it's reasonable. That is why I constantly read books and listen to philosophers and historians. It can still be quite daunting though. The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know very much. One thing I struggle with is that I learn a lot, but I don't ever get to use that knowledge when talking to skeptics. It can be a bit intimidating discussing what I believe with a person who holds contrary views, and I fear humiliation at not being able to properly defend my conviction, which would therefore make belief in Jesus seem unreasonable to him. However, it is good to discuss these kinds of things with people. It can help develop ones logic, speaking, and thinking skills. If I end up not having an answer to something the other person it questioning, it gives me a stronger hunger to learn more about it. Jesus didn't hide himself in a classroom all his life. He went out into the culture and confronted skeptics themselves. I pray that God gives me plenty of opportunities in life to gently and lovingly teach the Gospel to skeptics and that He gives me the wisdom to answer their questions.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Help My Unbelief!
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:41
"I look to find You down on my knees
Oh, God, I believe!
Please help me believe!" Switchfoot, Sooner or Later (Soren's song)
Feels risky for me to write a blog this late at night when my mind isn't working well, but I felt the need to write something.
I can confidently say that I believe in Jesus Christ, (as in I have a complete trust and dependence in him as my Lord and Savior) but doubt still pervades me. It happens to all of us in this fallen world where sin separates us from perfect communion with the Lord. Thankfully, the Lord doesn't give up on me, even if I'm almost tempted to give Him up. I pray that the Lord continues to reassure me of His Truth as a walk with Jesus, and I pray that He works in all of my siblings in Christ to give them a greater confidence of Christ's love for them. Amen.
"I look to find You down on my knees
Oh, God, I believe!
Please help me believe!" Switchfoot, Sooner or Later (Soren's song)
Feels risky for me to write a blog this late at night when my mind isn't working well, but I felt the need to write something.
I can confidently say that I believe in Jesus Christ, (as in I have a complete trust and dependence in him as my Lord and Savior) but doubt still pervades me. It happens to all of us in this fallen world where sin separates us from perfect communion with the Lord. Thankfully, the Lord doesn't give up on me, even if I'm almost tempted to give Him up. I pray that the Lord continues to reassure me of His Truth as a walk with Jesus, and I pray that He works in all of my siblings in Christ to give them a greater confidence of Christ's love for them. Amen.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Great Author
"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in
pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance." Psalm 16:5-6
The Lord is the author of our lives. He has his plans for us and the glory that he's going to share with us all planned out and secured already. That is why Jesus told his disciples, "... do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?.... Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:25 &27 And a little later, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34. Some might misinterpret this verse to mean that you don't have to work hard for anything or there won't be any suffering in life, but that's not true. David's life was full of suffering and hardship. The kings, Jesus, and the apostles all worked terribly hard in order to achieve what they did. God's blessing comes through our hard work and our suffering. You can see an example of this in Boaz's prayer to Ruth:
"The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under who's wings you have come to take refuge!" Ruth 2:12
"A full reward" meaning in all things! The prayer Boaz prayed did indeed come about and Ruth was blessed the way he wanted, but how did it happen? Boaz did it! God worked through Boaz to bring about his prayer and God's own overal plans for salvation. So lets all work hard for God's kingdom and suffer well, but also be assured that God has our futures secured. And it is a glorious future.
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in
pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance." Psalm 16:5-6
The Lord is the author of our lives. He has his plans for us and the glory that he's going to share with us all planned out and secured already. That is why Jesus told his disciples, "... do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?.... Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:25 &27 And a little later, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34. Some might misinterpret this verse to mean that you don't have to work hard for anything or there won't be any suffering in life, but that's not true. David's life was full of suffering and hardship. The kings, Jesus, and the apostles all worked terribly hard in order to achieve what they did. God's blessing comes through our hard work and our suffering. You can see an example of this in Boaz's prayer to Ruth:
"The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under who's wings you have come to take refuge!" Ruth 2:12
"A full reward" meaning in all things! The prayer Boaz prayed did indeed come about and Ruth was blessed the way he wanted, but how did it happen? Boaz did it! God worked through Boaz to bring about his prayer and God's own overal plans for salvation. So lets all work hard for God's kingdom and suffer well, but also be assured that God has our futures secured. And it is a glorious future.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Singleness
The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."
Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others have been made eunuchs by men, and others have made themselves eunuchs because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." Matthew 19:10-12
Jesus said this when the Pharisees asked if it was lawful to divorce ones wife for any and every reason. Jesus responded by saying that what God has joined together, let no one separate. He also says that anyone who divorces his wife for anything besides adultery and marries another woman commits adultery. That's when the disciples said that if this is the case then it's better not to marry. Jesus responds with that last paragraph, that not all can accept this, but only to "those whom it has been given."
"You'll get married. I promise." Is what I hear from people often times. Strangely, I've noticed when reading the Scriptures that God never once promises that we will get married (so what makes a mere person think they can). Indeed, it happens to most people, but some never get it. Eunuchs and many prophets in the Old Testament, Jesus Christ Himself, Paul, all these people were single. It seems that Jesus is saying that some are given not just the gift of singleness (if you're single, then you have the gift of singleness), but the gift of acceptance of that gift, "... and others have made themselves eunuchs because of the Kingdom of Heaven." Ones who will gladly embrace the gift as an opportunity to build the Kingdom of God here on earth. Pastor Paul Matthias at the Village church says that if you're single now then YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF SINGLENESS! Use it as an opportunity to serve the Lord and to grow in your faith and knowledge. It is a huge trial, one of loneliness and sexual frustration, but embrace the advantages you have in this state to grow the Kingdom. However, if you plan on being married in the future, use the opportunity to also get ready for it. Move out of the parents house and get your own place, get a savings account, grow up and be a man, read Scripture, grow in your faith with Jesus and mirror his character as best as your fallen heart can. Get yourself ready for the opportunity when the Lord in his providence brings you "the one." If it doesn't happen, don't ever think that God is overlooking you, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. And, "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant- to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever." Isaiah 56:4-5. God is doing what is best for you, and when we finally see His glory and live with Him in the New Jerusalem, we won't be even a little upset about it.
Also, that verse from Romans 8 is one of the verses that tells me that it's not possible for a Christian to lose his or her salvation. That, however, is another post.
Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others have been made eunuchs by men, and others have made themselves eunuchs because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." Matthew 19:10-12
Jesus said this when the Pharisees asked if it was lawful to divorce ones wife for any and every reason. Jesus responded by saying that what God has joined together, let no one separate. He also says that anyone who divorces his wife for anything besides adultery and marries another woman commits adultery. That's when the disciples said that if this is the case then it's better not to marry. Jesus responds with that last paragraph, that not all can accept this, but only to "those whom it has been given."
"You'll get married. I promise." Is what I hear from people often times. Strangely, I've noticed when reading the Scriptures that God never once promises that we will get married (so what makes a mere person think they can). Indeed, it happens to most people, but some never get it. Eunuchs and many prophets in the Old Testament, Jesus Christ Himself, Paul, all these people were single. It seems that Jesus is saying that some are given not just the gift of singleness (if you're single, then you have the gift of singleness), but the gift of acceptance of that gift, "... and others have made themselves eunuchs because of the Kingdom of Heaven." Ones who will gladly embrace the gift as an opportunity to build the Kingdom of God here on earth. Pastor Paul Matthias at the Village church says that if you're single now then YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF SINGLENESS! Use it as an opportunity to serve the Lord and to grow in your faith and knowledge. It is a huge trial, one of loneliness and sexual frustration, but embrace the advantages you have in this state to grow the Kingdom. However, if you plan on being married in the future, use the opportunity to also get ready for it. Move out of the parents house and get your own place, get a savings account, grow up and be a man, read Scripture, grow in your faith with Jesus and mirror his character as best as your fallen heart can. Get yourself ready for the opportunity when the Lord in his providence brings you "the one." If it doesn't happen, don't ever think that God is overlooking you, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. And, "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant- to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever." Isaiah 56:4-5. God is doing what is best for you, and when we finally see His glory and live with Him in the New Jerusalem, we won't be even a little upset about it.
Also, that verse from Romans 8 is one of the verses that tells me that it's not possible for a Christian to lose his or her salvation. That, however, is another post.
Old Testament
"We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19
When it says the prophetic message, I assume it means the Old Testament. I think it's good for Christians to read the New Testament first so they understand the final revelation of Jesus Christ and the meaning of his coming, then read the Old Testament next so that when you read it you'll understand why we don't do some of the things that are done in the Old Testament, like sacrifice animals or stone people or avoid eating certain "unclean" foods. The point is, don't neglect the Old Testament. It's difficult to understand at points and it's very intense, but these are historical recordings of God's actions in this world that he's bringing about in order to save the fallen world and humankind. It's good to know the events of the family line that Christ came from and to see the pointers to Jesus in it.
When it says the prophetic message, I assume it means the Old Testament. I think it's good for Christians to read the New Testament first so they understand the final revelation of Jesus Christ and the meaning of his coming, then read the Old Testament next so that when you read it you'll understand why we don't do some of the things that are done in the Old Testament, like sacrifice animals or stone people or avoid eating certain "unclean" foods. The point is, don't neglect the Old Testament. It's difficult to understand at points and it's very intense, but these are historical recordings of God's actions in this world that he's bringing about in order to save the fallen world and humankind. It's good to know the events of the family line that Christ came from and to see the pointers to Jesus in it.
Apologia
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15
People are going to ask you why you are a Christian and it's important to give an answer. Keep in mind that why you are a Christian is not the same question as how did you become a Christian. If they ask why you are a Christian and you tell them how you became one, they're probably just going to think you were brainwashed (your response to that should be "If you knew what was in my brain before, you'd be glad it was washed." just for giggles). It's important to think about it to see why you remain with this faith. As C.S. Lewis said, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it but because I see everything else by it." Christianity gives me a lens in which to look at the world in a way that makes sense. It explains how we got here, why we are here, what the purpose of life is, and where we're going. It explains why humans are capable of such acts of kindness and such acts of ruthlessness. It explains why we have this deep sense of purpose, value, oughtness, and a strong hunger for spirituality and the unknown. It explains why the world is in the sorry state it's in and what it's meant to be. It affirms the deep sense we have inside that evil and death ought not happen and that we should work hard in order to keep it from happening. Naturalism or pantheism can't explain that to me. The Bible bases itself in historical fact, not in some before-time fantasy land. The Bible gives the most accurate description of Jesus's life and teaching and his resurrection is the best explanation for why Christianity even exists today. The evidence points to it's truth, and the truth makes sense.
People are going to ask you why you are a Christian and it's important to give an answer. Keep in mind that why you are a Christian is not the same question as how did you become a Christian. If they ask why you are a Christian and you tell them how you became one, they're probably just going to think you were brainwashed (your response to that should be "If you knew what was in my brain before, you'd be glad it was washed." just for giggles). It's important to think about it to see why you remain with this faith. As C.S. Lewis said, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it but because I see everything else by it." Christianity gives me a lens in which to look at the world in a way that makes sense. It explains how we got here, why we are here, what the purpose of life is, and where we're going. It explains why humans are capable of such acts of kindness and such acts of ruthlessness. It explains why we have this deep sense of purpose, value, oughtness, and a strong hunger for spirituality and the unknown. It explains why the world is in the sorry state it's in and what it's meant to be. It affirms the deep sense we have inside that evil and death ought not happen and that we should work hard in order to keep it from happening. Naturalism or pantheism can't explain that to me. The Bible bases itself in historical fact, not in some before-time fantasy land. The Bible gives the most accurate description of Jesus's life and teaching and his resurrection is the best explanation for why Christianity even exists today. The evidence points to it's truth, and the truth makes sense.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
A really good lecture.
Here's a really good series of lectures by Dr. Alister McGrath about the rise and decline of atheism, as well as the arguments by atheists and the arguments against their arguments. A lot of material, but he only scratches the surface. The third seminar is a specific response to many of the arguments Richard Dawkins makes.
http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/node/759
http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/node/759
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Devil
The Devil sounds quite scary. Sure, the image of him that culture has created is a bit silly and hard to take seriously, but the devil of the Bible is evil and destructive. Anyone in their right mind would be afraid of him. However, I noticed some Bible verses that really caught my attention:
Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to our face."
"The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Job 1:8-12
The first part I have bolded here seems to imply that Satan can't touch the man. Because the Lord has blessed the man and because of his obedience, he's outside of Satan's reach. Then the second part shows that Satan needs permission from God in order to do anything! The Lord is still in control over Satan and everything that happens in Heaven and Earth. I've also noticed a line in James.
"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Satan sounds like someone that WE would flee from! But it seems that because of the Lord we have some power over Satan. He flees from us when we resist him. Thank God for his providence.
Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to our face."
"The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Job 1:8-12
The first part I have bolded here seems to imply that Satan can't touch the man. Because the Lord has blessed the man and because of his obedience, he's outside of Satan's reach. Then the second part shows that Satan needs permission from God in order to do anything! The Lord is still in control over Satan and everything that happens in Heaven and Earth. I've also noticed a line in James.
"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Satan sounds like someone that WE would flee from! But it seems that because of the Lord we have some power over Satan. He flees from us when we resist him. Thank God for his providence.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Review: Berserk
BERSERK
Episodes: 25
Rated TVMA
STORY
(ANN summary) A mysterious warrior calling himself The Black Swordsman is out to get the King of a country called Midland. As he battles the king's henchmen, their cries of pain and the spilling blood take this relentless warrior's mind back in time to the path that led him to his current state.
Guts, a man who calls himself "The Black Swordsman" looks upon his days serving as a member of a group of mercenaries, the Band of the Hawk, nicknamed "the Grim Reaper of the Battlefield". Leaded by an ambitious, ruthless, and intellegent man named Griffith, together they battle their way into the royal court, and are forced into a fate that may change their entire lives.
On just any day, a pack of hooligans are harassing a young lady in distress when all of a sudden, they're under attack. The Black Swordsman has returned. He wields a giant sword as large as his grudge against the king. When alone in the woods, the Black Swordsman has a flash back to years past and his trials and tribulations in the Band of the Hawk, a successful band of mercenaries under the charismatic leadership of Griffith, a man driven by the ambition to become king.
At first look this may seem like your average, shallow, violent action series, but it is actually more than that. Half of what makes Berserk good is the characters. They are all 3-dimensional characters with personalities, hopes, dreams, fears, and motivations. They aren't just a bunch of bandits who want to fight people just for the sake of fighting. The main character, Guts, has an advantage over most anime badasses by being a badass that develops well. Griffith is an intriguing guy because it's really hard to tell at points whether he's a good guy or bad guy. His goal is clear, but how he plans to get there is complex. Which leads to the other reason that this show is good, the plot. The plot isn't just fight scene after fight scene. Gut's journey, Griffith's goal to becoming a ruler, the people wanting to stop it, and the other dark forces at work, all make this story very layered and complex. Each episodes is important to the story, you can't miss a single one. The story is full of drama, friendship, love, hatred, and deception. The only real problem with the story is the fact that is just stops........... Unlike Fruits Basket, which at least gave some closure at episode 26, Berserk just STOPS on episode 25 without giving us some kind of closure. It. Just. STOPS. It's really a shame too, because it was getting to a really intense part of the series. Also be mindful that this series is VERY violent, ESPECIALLY the last 2 episodes. You have been warned. Overall you'd be hard pressed to find an action series this deep and complex with characters this layered and fleshed out. It's the main reason you'll be watching this..........
"You've got red on you..."
ANIMATION/ART
.......... Because it certainly won't be for the visuals. Unfortunately the visuals are on the low-budget side. The characters are detailed and realistic looking, which is a nice thing, but the animation itself can be cheap. There are some good action scenes here and there, but often times when characters strike someone the next frame is a long still shot with the camera moving through it really fast. It kinda breaks the excitement of the action. They also avoid showing large numbers of people on the screen, which is a shame considering the number of large battles there are. The art is also unimpressive. Not only do they look like they were done by high school art students, but almost nothing moves on them. Everything, even fire, smoke, and large armies in he distance, are completely static, like you're just looking ata painting. Considering the large battles and vast lands this anime has, you'd think they'd get a higher budget company to do this anime, but I guess not. The music was quite bland in my opinion. The theme song and ending theme were hard to listen to and the background music during the show was almost unnoticeable. Overall this series had low production values and won't be getting any praise from anyone.
OVERALL
Despite low quality visuals and a non-ending, the plot that you get and the characters that you see are so good that it's worth watching at least once if you're an anime fan, especially if you're a fan of dark fantasy.
PROS
-Terrific plot and well developed characters
-At least some good action scenes
CONS
-Dated animation
-Bland background art and music
-An inconclusive ending
.......... Because it certainly won't be for the visuals. Unfortunately the visuals are on the low-budget side. The characters are detailed and realistic looking, which is a nice thing, but the animation itself can be cheap. There are some good action scenes here and there, but often times when characters strike someone the next frame is a long still shot with the camera moving through it really fast. It kinda breaks the excitement of the action. They also avoid showing large numbers of people on the screen, which is a shame considering the number of large battles there are. The art is also unimpressive. Not only do they look like they were done by high school art students, but almost nothing moves on them. Everything, even fire, smoke, and large armies in he distance, are completely static, like you're just looking ata painting. Considering the large battles and vast lands this anime has, you'd think they'd get a higher budget company to do this anime, but I guess not. The music was quite bland in my opinion. The theme song and ending theme were hard to listen to and the background music during the show was almost unnoticeable. Overall this series had low production values and won't be getting any praise from anyone.
OVERALL
Despite low quality visuals and a non-ending, the plot that you get and the characters that you see are so good that it's worth watching at least once if you're an anime fan, especially if you're a fan of dark fantasy.
PROS
-Terrific plot and well developed characters
-At least some good action scenes
CONS
-Dated animation
-Bland background art and music
-An inconclusive ending
Recommended Reading (pt. 3)
Simply Christian by N.T. WrightSummary
Why do we expect justice? Why do we crave spirituality? Why are we attracted to beauty? Why are relationships often so painful? And how will the world be made right? These are not simply perennial questions all generations must struggle with, but, according to N.T. Wright, are the very echoes of a voice we dimly perceive but deeply long to hear. In fact, these questions take us to the heart of who God is and what He wants from us.
For two thousand years, Christianity has claimed to solve these mysteries, and this renowned biblical scholar and Anglican bishop shows that it still can today. Not since C.S. Lewis's classic summary of the faith, Mere Christianity, has such a wise and thorough scholar taken the time to explain to anyone who wants to know what Christianity really is and how it is practiced. Wright makes the case for Christian faith from the ground up, assuming that the reader has no knowledge of (and perhaps even some aversion to) religion in general and Christianity in particular.
Simply Christian walks the reader through the Christian faith step by step and question by question. With simply yet exciting and accessible prose, Wright challenges skeptics by offering explanations for even the toughest doubt-filled dilemmas, leaving believers who wants to travel beyond the controversies that can obscure what the Christian faith really stands for, this simply book is the perfect vehicle for that journey.
This is comparable with Mere Christianity in the fact that it's partly an apologetic, defending the Christian faith and explaining why it makes sense (which is why the book's subtitle must be Why Christianity Makes Sense), and mostly an explanation as to what we believe if you just ignore the different denominations and expressions for a minute. Being a scholar, he knows a lot about the early church, what they believed, and how Jews and Christians back then thought. Using this knowledge and his extensive knowledge of the Bible, he goes chapter by chapter explaining what we believe about God, prayer, Jesus, the church, and creation. A good book for skeptics, beginners, and a good read for those who believe, but just want to learn more.
Love Your God With All Your Mind by J.P. MorelandThe Mind plays an important role in Christianity. Unfortunately, many of us leave our minds behind when it comes to our faith.
In Love Your God with All Your Mind, J.P. Moreland presents a logical case for the role of the mind in spiritual transformation. He challenges us to develop a Christian mind and to use our intellect to further God's kingdom through evangelism, apologetics, worship, and vocation.
This book isn't a defense of Christianity. It's assumed that the reader of the book will already be a Christian. It's a defense of reason and using ones intellect in the faith. Many think that faith in God is detached from the intellectual side of our lives, but Moreland provides a compelling case that that's not the way it's suppose to be. Using our minds is not only required, but can help enhance our faith by giving us a greater understanding of the world, God, and the Scriptures. A recommended book for believers.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Making Good Things Ultimate
"There is a God-shaped vacuum in every heart that only God can fill." Blaise Pascal
"You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee." Augustine
Money, alcohol, food, sex, relationships, and art. All of these things are good things that God gives to us. The problem is that we humans have fallen and we tend to fill the hole in our hearts with something other than God. When these good things suddenly become ultimate things to us, they can be very destructive. This is called idolatry. Unfulfilled people everywhere look for satisfaction by trying to fill the hole with something, but it's never enough to satisfy. The only thing that can fill a hole that large in our heart is God. Only when He is filling our heart can we enjoy the good things in this world the way they're suppose to be enjoyed.
"A desire that is a good thing becomes a bad thing if it rules you." Paul David Tripp
"You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee." Augustine
Money, alcohol, food, sex, relationships, and art. All of these things are good things that God gives to us. The problem is that we humans have fallen and we tend to fill the hole in our hearts with something other than God. When these good things suddenly become ultimate things to us, they can be very destructive. This is called idolatry. Unfulfilled people everywhere look for satisfaction by trying to fill the hole with something, but it's never enough to satisfy. The only thing that can fill a hole that large in our heart is God. Only when He is filling our heart can we enjoy the good things in this world the way they're suppose to be enjoyed.
"A desire that is a good thing becomes a bad thing if it rules you." Paul David Tripp
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Faith
Most people have a definition of faith that makes people think anyone who believes in God is simply delusional. You see it all over our culture and writings.
"Faith is an irrational belief in something that is logically impossible. Over time, I have seen what Booth can do. That's not faith." Bones.
"Faith is blind trust, in the absence of evidence, even in the teeth of evidence." Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene.
However, that's not how people of the Judeo-Christian persuasion define faith. Faith is not something that we believe in in spite of the evidence, but because of the evidence. Bones could have faith that Booth was going to save her from a certain situation because she has "seen what Both can do." She believed he would save her because of the evidence she has seen. The Biblical writers were the same.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us." 1 John 1:1-3
"Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20
"For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we are eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain." 2 Peter 1:16-18
Because of the evidence I see for Christ and the Bible, whether it be historical, archeological, philosophical, textual, or personal, it all gives me even stronger reasons for believing. I put my faith and trust in Jesus because of the evidence that He's put in front of me. I didn't just turn my brain off to believe in God, specifically that a Jewish rabbi crucified roughly 2,000 years ago is God. That's what would be required of me to believe in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. Someone could say I'm wrong, and I may be, but one should not say it's from lack of any intellect.
"Faith affects the whole of man's nature. It commences with the conviction of the mind based on adequate evidence; it continues in the confidence of the heart or emotions based on conviction, and it is crowned in the consent of the will, by means of which the conviction and confidence are expressed in conduct." W.H. Griffith-Thomas
For a good book on what role reason can play in the Christian faith, I recommend reading Love Your God With All Your Mind by J.P. Moreland.
"Faith is an irrational belief in something that is logically impossible. Over time, I have seen what Booth can do. That's not faith." Bones.
"Faith is blind trust, in the absence of evidence, even in the teeth of evidence." Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene.
However, that's not how people of the Judeo-Christian persuasion define faith. Faith is not something that we believe in in spite of the evidence, but because of the evidence. Bones could have faith that Booth was going to save her from a certain situation because she has "seen what Both can do." She believed he would save her because of the evidence she has seen. The Biblical writers were the same.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us." 1 John 1:1-3
"Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20
"For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we are eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain." 2 Peter 1:16-18
Because of the evidence I see for Christ and the Bible, whether it be historical, archeological, philosophical, textual, or personal, it all gives me even stronger reasons for believing. I put my faith and trust in Jesus because of the evidence that He's put in front of me. I didn't just turn my brain off to believe in God, specifically that a Jewish rabbi crucified roughly 2,000 years ago is God. That's what would be required of me to believe in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. Someone could say I'm wrong, and I may be, but one should not say it's from lack of any intellect.
"Faith affects the whole of man's nature. It commences with the conviction of the mind based on adequate evidence; it continues in the confidence of the heart or emotions based on conviction, and it is crowned in the consent of the will, by means of which the conviction and confidence are expressed in conduct." W.H. Griffith-Thomas
For a good book on what role reason can play in the Christian faith, I recommend reading Love Your God With All Your Mind by J.P. Moreland.
Time
The Traditionalist looks towards the past. "Keep the tradition of our ancestors alive!"
The Existentialist looks to the present. "Seize the day! One day you're just going to die! So define yourself now!"
The Utopian looks to the future. "One day we'll figure it all out and we'll create the perfect world to live in!" (Trekkies)
Jesus took the bread and the wine at the Last Supper and said, "As we take part in this communion now we remember what Jesus did for us in the past while getting a taste of what He is going to do in the future." (obviously not an exact quote) He combines all of history into one.
The Existentialist looks to the present. "Seize the day! One day you're just going to die! So define yourself now!"
The Utopian looks to the future. "One day we'll figure it all out and we'll create the perfect world to live in!" (Trekkies)
Jesus took the bread and the wine at the Last Supper and said, "As we take part in this communion now we remember what Jesus did for us in the past while getting a taste of what He is going to do in the future." (obviously not an exact quote) He combines all of history into one.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Luke chapter 18
I seem to be on a blogging frenzy today! I'm no C.S. Lewis, but I'll do my best to write my thoughts on some more verses today. Right now I just want to look at a specific one in Luke chapter 18.
One of the great things about Jesus is his ability to communicate. He often answered questions with another question. Asking questions forces the people talking to you to think about what they're saying and what they believe. These days people will say that Jesus was a "good man, but not God." Apparently this isn't anything new. This man seems to have thought the same.
A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Luke 18:18
You'd think Jesus would just tell him. Seems simple enough. But instead he asks him a question...
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered.
Huh...... This must have caught the man off guard. He's undoubtably pondering why he calls Him that now. Jesus then continues....
"No one is good - except God alone...." Luke 18:19
Interesting. So no one is good except God. Well, if Jesus is good like this man just called Him, and only God is good, then it logically follows that Jesus must be God. I wonder if the man caught that...
One of the great things about Jesus is his ability to communicate. He often answered questions with another question. Asking questions forces the people talking to you to think about what they're saying and what they believe. These days people will say that Jesus was a "good man, but not God." Apparently this isn't anything new. This man seems to have thought the same.
A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Luke 18:18
You'd think Jesus would just tell him. Seems simple enough. But instead he asks him a question...
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered.
Huh...... This must have caught the man off guard. He's undoubtably pondering why he calls Him that now. Jesus then continues....
"No one is good - except God alone...." Luke 18:19
Interesting. So no one is good except God. Well, if Jesus is good like this man just called Him, and only God is good, then it logically follows that Jesus must be God. I wonder if the man caught that...
Review: Mushi-shi
Cover art for one of the volumes
Episodes: 26
Rated TV-14
STORY
(ANN summary) They are neither plants nor animals. They differ from other forms of life such as the micro-organisms and the fungi. Instead they resemble the primeval body of life and are generally known as "Mushi". Their existence and appearance are unknown to many and only a limited number of humans are aware of them. Ginko is a "Mushi-shi" who travels around to investigate and find out more about the "Mushi". In the process, he also lends a helping hand to people who face problems with supernatural occurances which may be related to the "Mushi".
Mushi-shi is an episodic anime with no overarching storyline, so don't look for one. You follow the life of Ginko, a "mushi master" who travels from village to village investigating any problems that they have involving mushi. He figures out what's causing the problem and how to fix it, and by the end hopefully does and goes on his way to the next village. While the series is predictable in this sense, the stories in each episode are still able to be heartwarming, heartbreaking, or even scary in their short 23 minute spans. Many episodes will not end happily, and some do, so this series is able to tug at your heart in many different ways. The episodes are deep enough to be thought provoking but are still able to be enjoyed by anyone who just doesn't want to think too much. This isn't a fast-paced series by any means. It's quiet, mellow, and pretty slow, relying on atmosphere and story to develop the series rather than fanservice and action. Unfortunately, most will probably find this series boring for that reason, but anyone with patience and appreciation for this type of storytelling will probably love it. Being episodic, the only constant character in this show is Ginko. Fortunately he's a pretty interesting character to follow. He's incredibly laid back and handles tense situations calmly. He's intelligent and able to think on his feet. Not much development happens with him, but a couple of episodes flash back to his childhood so we learn how he gets that white hair and green eye. Other characters in this series are usually only limited to one episode, but some do make at least a couple of returns. The content of this series isn't too bad. Some mild language here and there. People die quite often in this series.... Usually of some kind of illness, though one or two people get pretty bloody. Kids wouldn't be interested in this series because of it's slowness, but that's ok because it wasn't made for them.
Rated TV-14
STORY
(ANN summary) They are neither plants nor animals. They differ from other forms of life such as the micro-organisms and the fungi. Instead they resemble the primeval body of life and are generally known as "Mushi". Their existence and appearance are unknown to many and only a limited number of humans are aware of them. Ginko is a "Mushi-shi" who travels around to investigate and find out more about the "Mushi". In the process, he also lends a helping hand to people who face problems with supernatural occurances which may be related to the "Mushi".
Mushi-shi is an episodic anime with no overarching storyline, so don't look for one. You follow the life of Ginko, a "mushi master" who travels from village to village investigating any problems that they have involving mushi. He figures out what's causing the problem and how to fix it, and by the end hopefully does and goes on his way to the next village. While the series is predictable in this sense, the stories in each episode are still able to be heartwarming, heartbreaking, or even scary in their short 23 minute spans. Many episodes will not end happily, and some do, so this series is able to tug at your heart in many different ways. The episodes are deep enough to be thought provoking but are still able to be enjoyed by anyone who just doesn't want to think too much. This isn't a fast-paced series by any means. It's quiet, mellow, and pretty slow, relying on atmosphere and story to develop the series rather than fanservice and action. Unfortunately, most will probably find this series boring for that reason, but anyone with patience and appreciation for this type of storytelling will probably love it. Being episodic, the only constant character in this show is Ginko. Fortunately he's a pretty interesting character to follow. He's incredibly laid back and handles tense situations calmly. He's intelligent and able to think on his feet. Not much development happens with him, but a couple of episodes flash back to his childhood so we learn how he gets that white hair and green eye. Other characters in this series are usually only limited to one episode, but some do make at least a couple of returns. The content of this series isn't too bad. Some mild language here and there. People die quite often in this series.... Usually of some kind of illness, though one or two people get pretty bloody. Kids wouldn't be interested in this series because of it's slowness, but that's ok because it wasn't made for them.
Ginko knows what he's doing! Also notice the background art!
ANIMATION/SOUND
This series is a visual treat! The background art is incredible. I can't imagine how many hours the painters had to put into the environments. All the detail and the incredible lighting can almost make you feel like you're there. Being such a slow series with little action, one might expect the animation to be quite dull too, but fortunately this series has great animation. It can tend to cut corners by screen paning through environments or with characters occasionally being still, but character movement is incredibly smooth and no amout of detail is lost during their movement. Lighting is also used beautifully whether it's lighting from the sun and stars or lighting from certain mushi. The music in this series also brings out more of the beauty. It's not the kind of music that works well on it's own, but they really enhance the mood of each scene. The opening theme is probably the only exception. It sounds like a love song, but I don't understand why they're using a love song for this series. It deals with all types of emotions, even love, but it's not a romance. Oh well, it's a decent opening. The ending theme carries over from the last scene into the credits and often times changes for each episode. I've only heard the voice acting in English, but I like what I heard. Travis did a good job at Ginko, keeping him sounding mellow but able to convey all types of emotion when necessary, and all the other actors played their roles convincingly for being only one-episode characters.
OVERALL
This is a beautiful series to behold and a jewel among anime. Anyone looking for a slower paced series that doesn't need to be watched religiously in order to be enjoyed should definitely try this show out.
PROS
-Beautiful animation, art, and music
-Well written storylines
CONS
-Slow pace may put some to sleep
This series is a visual treat! The background art is incredible. I can't imagine how many hours the painters had to put into the environments. All the detail and the incredible lighting can almost make you feel like you're there. Being such a slow series with little action, one might expect the animation to be quite dull too, but fortunately this series has great animation. It can tend to cut corners by screen paning through environments or with characters occasionally being still, but character movement is incredibly smooth and no amout of detail is lost during their movement. Lighting is also used beautifully whether it's lighting from the sun and stars or lighting from certain mushi. The music in this series also brings out more of the beauty. It's not the kind of music that works well on it's own, but they really enhance the mood of each scene. The opening theme is probably the only exception. It sounds like a love song, but I don't understand why they're using a love song for this series. It deals with all types of emotions, even love, but it's not a romance. Oh well, it's a decent opening. The ending theme carries over from the last scene into the credits and often times changes for each episode. I've only heard the voice acting in English, but I like what I heard. Travis did a good job at Ginko, keeping him sounding mellow but able to convey all types of emotion when necessary, and all the other actors played their roles convincingly for being only one-episode characters.
OVERALL
This is a beautiful series to behold and a jewel among anime. Anyone looking for a slower paced series that doesn't need to be watched religiously in order to be enjoyed should definitely try this show out.
PROS
-Beautiful animation, art, and music
-Well written storylines
CONS
-Slow pace may put some to sleep
Acts (cont.)
"The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'"
"They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.'" Acts 16:29-31
This instantly reminds me of what Jesus tells a group of people in John:
"What must we do to do the works God requires?"
"The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent." John 6:28-29
And another verse in Romans:
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe it in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10
There is no way on earth that we can work for our own salvation. We are sinners by nature and cannot match the goodness and holiness of our God. Instead, salvation is a gift from God thanks to the work Jesus did here on earth. We have two choices. We remain in our sins and they get punished forever after our death. Or two, believe in Jesus and our sins are punished on the cross, meaning we don't have to go through it ourselves. Jesus went through the suffering so that we may live with the Lord and not worry about punishment. God doesn't give us a list of things to do and says, "If you do all these things, then I'll love you." No, God says "I already DO love you." This is a big difference between the Gospel and religion. Religion says "I obey, therefore God loves me." However, the Gospel (literally means "good news") says "God loves me, therefore I obey." It's a beautiful thing that God would die for us and freely give us salvation for believing His Son, despite the fact that we're completely undeserving.
Now wait a minute.... Is this saying that we don't have to do good works? Is this saying that because salvation is a free gift coming from God's sheer grace, we can live however we want? No, it doesn't. Remember Jesus says that if you follow Him you must deny yourself, take your cross, and follow Him. Also, lets look at a verse from 1 John.
"The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:4
Or Titus:
"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." Titus 1:16
Or, finally, James:
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if people claim to have faith but no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17
It is true that we aren't saved by works, but works should be a result of our faith. A visible acknowledgment and sign of our faith. When we are saved, God puts His Holy Spirit in us and changes us so that we put sin behind us and look towards God. The works are a sign that God has changed us. A selfish person becomes more selfless, an alcoholic gradually gives up drinking, an unmarried person gives up his sex life, a lazy person becomes a hard worker in order to help others, etc. It may not look exactly like this and change is not always, if ever, immediate, but a change will be there and it will be visible. Like I said before, "God loves me, therefore I obey." Because of His grace and love I want to do good works that please Him and serve others out of my gratitude, love, and faith in future grace! What he's saying is that if one has faith, everyone will see it.
"They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.'" Acts 16:29-31
This instantly reminds me of what Jesus tells a group of people in John:
"What must we do to do the works God requires?"
"The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent." John 6:28-29
And another verse in Romans:
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe it in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10
There is no way on earth that we can work for our own salvation. We are sinners by nature and cannot match the goodness and holiness of our God. Instead, salvation is a gift from God thanks to the work Jesus did here on earth. We have two choices. We remain in our sins and they get punished forever after our death. Or two, believe in Jesus and our sins are punished on the cross, meaning we don't have to go through it ourselves. Jesus went through the suffering so that we may live with the Lord and not worry about punishment. God doesn't give us a list of things to do and says, "If you do all these things, then I'll love you." No, God says "I already DO love you." This is a big difference between the Gospel and religion. Religion says "I obey, therefore God loves me." However, the Gospel (literally means "good news") says "God loves me, therefore I obey." It's a beautiful thing that God would die for us and freely give us salvation for believing His Son, despite the fact that we're completely undeserving.
Now wait a minute.... Is this saying that we don't have to do good works? Is this saying that because salvation is a free gift coming from God's sheer grace, we can live however we want? No, it doesn't. Remember Jesus says that if you follow Him you must deny yourself, take your cross, and follow Him. Also, lets look at a verse from 1 John.
"The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:4
Or Titus:
"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." Titus 1:16
Or, finally, James:
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if people claim to have faith but no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17
It is true that we aren't saved by works, but works should be a result of our faith. A visible acknowledgment and sign of our faith. When we are saved, God puts His Holy Spirit in us and changes us so that we put sin behind us and look towards God. The works are a sign that God has changed us. A selfish person becomes more selfless, an alcoholic gradually gives up drinking, an unmarried person gives up his sex life, a lazy person becomes a hard worker in order to help others, etc. It may not look exactly like this and change is not always, if ever, immediate, but a change will be there and it will be visible. Like I said before, "God loves me, therefore I obey." Because of His grace and love I want to do good works that please Him and serve others out of my gratitude, love, and faith in future grace! What he's saying is that if one has faith, everyone will see it.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The promotional artwork for the new series it seems
I haven't watched any anime in a long time, but I'm a huge FMA fan so when I heard there was a new series coming, I wanted to give it a try. Here's what I think of it so far (first 14 episodes).
FULL METAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD (first 14 episodes)
Episodes: Probably 26
Rated TV-14
STORY
(ANN summary) Two brothers lose their mother to an incurable disease. With the power of "alchemy", they use taboo knowledge to resurrect her. The process fails, and as a toll for using this type of alchemy, the older brother, Edward Elric loses his left leg while the younger brother, Alphonse Elric loses his entire body. To save his brother, Edward sacrifices his right arm and is able to affix his brother's soul to a suit of armor. With the help of a family friend, Edward receives metal limbs - "automail" - to replace his lost ones. With that, Edward vows to search for the Philosopher's Stone to return the brothers to their original bodies, even if it means becoming a "State Alchemist", one who uses his/her alchemy for the military.
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, is suppose to be a remake of the first anime series that follows the story of the original manga much more closely. From what I've seen in these first 14 episodes, the story has been progressing pretty much similarly to the older anime, except things happen in a different order and certain events go about in a different way. It's actually not till the 14th episode that things start getting really different. The pacing is also much faster. Some may like this cause the show just gets through all the slow stuff and right into the action and story progression, but others may dislike it because it goes through things TOO fast, whereas the original anime took the time to develop things and set up the atmosphere. No doubt things will soon start getting much different from the original anime series.
Well THAT didn't happen in the first series...
ANIMATION/SOUND
The animation goes up a notch or two in this series. The background art and character designs look pretty much the same as the original anime, with only slight differences in the way the characters faces look, but the fluidity of the animation is beyond what a lot of the first season of the original series did. Action scenes are intense and fast-paced, relying much less on still shots and shortcuts than the original anime, which didn't even use them that much in the first place. Some normal character movement is also much more smoothly rendered. The soundtrack is different for this series than it is for the original, but it has the same sound to it that the first did. The new opening is just as generic as all the others before it, but that doesn't keep it from being a decent opening. The Japanese cast performs their roles well, the only problem being with the way they pronounce the characters names. Romi Paku's strength with Ed is that she sounds young, so her voice makes a lot more sense as the 8-16 year old Edward. Vic Mignogna is an excellent actor and an excellent Edward, but while he sounds acceptable as 15-16 year old Edward, he just sounds too old to play as 8-12 year old Ed. There is no English dub yet, but one will undoubtably come up. My only concern there is with Al. Aaron sounds older now than he did when he first played Al, so I'm not sure how they're going to handle him voicing a younger sounding character. It would be a shame if they had to get a completely different person to voice him. Just wouldn't be the same.
OVERALL
If you are a FMA fan, watch it. If you're not, I still recommend it, though I believe you should watch the first series first unless you'd just rather see the series unfold like the manga. You can watch episodes in Japanese on FUNimation's website. There are 14 episodes there so far.
PROS
-Upgraded animation
-Some may like the faster pacing.
CONS
-Faster pace might also turn off some people
-Music is still as generic as the last series
???
-What are they going to do with Al's English voice?!
Acts
I've been reading through Acts so I thought I'd look at a few verses and post my thoughts on them.
"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." Acts 5:41
These days we Christians tend to try to avoid suffering as much as possible. We think that if we love God then our lives will be pretty free of it. When that turns out not to be the case (and it usually does end up that way) we start questioning God's love for us. However, Jesus pretty much promises us that suffering will come when we follow Him. The apostles here rejoiced cause they got to share in the suffering that Christ Himself also endured. Those who suffer for Jesus will be blessed by Him. Our suffering now will make our glory in the future even sweeter, and the Kingdom of God will grow even more in this world.
"Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?'" Acts 5:3
Satan exists, and he uses his power to try to tempt us into sinning against God and against others. The thing is we can't always tell, if ever, when and how much Satan is influencing our thoughts at a certain time. I doubt Ananias even conceived of the notion that Satan influenced his actions and "filled his heart." It's too subtle for us to notice until it's too late. That's why I thank God for His Holy Spirit, which frees us from the slavery of sin and gives us the power to walk away from it and towards Him.
"Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:15-17
This happens after Paul performs a miracle in Lystra. He heals a man who was lame and the people there start thinking that he and Barnabas, who was with him, were Gods in human form. Paul says the quote above, trying to convince them not to do it. The part that catches my attention is the last sentence. Even though the unbelievers continue to sin and rebel against God, He still pours out His grace on them on this earth. He provides unbelievers everywhere with food, water, money, sex, children, sunlight, and glad hearts. All good things that they do not deserve, yet He gives it to them out of his sheer grace. We are commanded to do the same by our God. To be gracious to unbelievers and to those who hate us, dispite the fact that they don't deserve it. Truth is, believers don't deserve it either! We are completely illdeserving, yet God poured out grace on us by saving us, so we pour out grace on others out of our joy, gratitude, and hope in future grace.
I think I'll stop here today. I'll have more later.
"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." Acts 5:41
These days we Christians tend to try to avoid suffering as much as possible. We think that if we love God then our lives will be pretty free of it. When that turns out not to be the case (and it usually does end up that way) we start questioning God's love for us. However, Jesus pretty much promises us that suffering will come when we follow Him. The apostles here rejoiced cause they got to share in the suffering that Christ Himself also endured. Those who suffer for Jesus will be blessed by Him. Our suffering now will make our glory in the future even sweeter, and the Kingdom of God will grow even more in this world.
"Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?'" Acts 5:3
Satan exists, and he uses his power to try to tempt us into sinning against God and against others. The thing is we can't always tell, if ever, when and how much Satan is influencing our thoughts at a certain time. I doubt Ananias even conceived of the notion that Satan influenced his actions and "filled his heart." It's too subtle for us to notice until it's too late. That's why I thank God for His Holy Spirit, which frees us from the slavery of sin and gives us the power to walk away from it and towards Him.
"Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:15-17
This happens after Paul performs a miracle in Lystra. He heals a man who was lame and the people there start thinking that he and Barnabas, who was with him, were Gods in human form. Paul says the quote above, trying to convince them not to do it. The part that catches my attention is the last sentence. Even though the unbelievers continue to sin and rebel against God, He still pours out His grace on them on this earth. He provides unbelievers everywhere with food, water, money, sex, children, sunlight, and glad hearts. All good things that they do not deserve, yet He gives it to them out of his sheer grace. We are commanded to do the same by our God. To be gracious to unbelievers and to those who hate us, dispite the fact that they don't deserve it. Truth is, believers don't deserve it either! We are completely illdeserving, yet God poured out grace on us by saving us, so we pour out grace on others out of our joy, gratitude, and hope in future grace.
I think I'll stop here today. I'll have more later.
Friday, July 10, 2009
I would like....
A voice recorder! The world knows that I need to manifest my thoughts into something everyone can hear!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
My faith and my life.
Ravi Zacharias, a Christian philosopher of the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, once talked to a former terrorist who made a circle shape out of his fingers and said "This circle was my faith and the little dot inside was my life." His life was completely dispensable. His faith would still live on. However, for the Christians he knew he said that the circle is their life and the dot is their faith. It's simply an aspect of their life. It's a troubling thought because I knew it was true, especially for me. In my selfishness I consider what I want in life and what I need to be more important than living for God and living for the good of others. In the Christian worldview, I'm third. God comes first, others come second, I come last. I all too often put myself before others. This selfishness can lead to all kinds of sin. That's why the first two commandments are "Love your God" and "Love your neighbor." By loving God, by knowing His love, and knowing that we are all his image bearers I will have greater motivation to let that love I feel from God pour out on others. By loving people I will be less likely to commit any of the other sins in the commandments. If I love my neighbor I won't lie to him. If I love my neighbor I won't try to manipulate him to get what I want. If I love my neighbor I won't covet his wife and commit adultery with her. You get what I'm saying. So thank God He didn't leave me to be a slave to my selfishness.
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