Alternative Culture: Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Theological Review

 

Mantis and Drax search Hollywood for Kevin Bacon

After the debacle that is Marvel Phase 4, I finally mustered the courage to catch Guardians of Galaxy Holiday Special. I am glad (and relieved) to say that it is one of the better shows of the Marvel Phase 4 (other than Spider-Man: No Way Home). 

In this post, I want to focus on the theological aspect of the movie, rather than just a review. There might be spoilers, so this is your spoiler-warning.

Values are not universal or self-evident
Right of the bat, the movie goes on to show that the values of the aliens (even within the Guardians) differ from each other. For instance, Drax howled with laughter when Peter's sad Christmas memory was shared, much to Mantis's disgust.

Another example is clearly shown later in the movie when the aliens were obviously fine with human trafficking while Peter (who is a half-human) was morally outraged.

This values dissonance is actually draws in attention how much of our modern day morals are drawn from the experiences of our ancestors. In other words, moral values are neither self-evident or empirical. Atheist philosopher John Gray rightly pointed out in his book Straw Dogs (2003) that our values of human rights and individualism come from Christianity, or specifically that we humans all are equal and valuable before the divine.

For instance, modern slavery is not seen with the same outrage in countries which experienced more levels of Western influence (and hence Christianity). In another example, the historic movement to disband slavery globally (within the British Empire) was also Christian-led (by William Wilberforce).

The distortion of Santa Claus and the Christmas message

Another interesting thing that the movie shows is how easily Christmas lore can be distorted. Near the start of the movie, an alien band sang about how Santa Claus "shoots missiles at your toes" and is a "burglar". To us, it is an obvious misunderstanding of "mistletoe" and Santa entering houses at night.

This is should serve as a warning to Christians on how easily the Christian message can be changed. Even within the first century of Jesus's death, the Gnostics rose up to claim that secret knowledge is required for salvation. After the legalisation of Christianity in the Roman Empire, Arianism arose to claim that the members of the Trinity were not equal. In medieval times, the Cathars advocated against reproduction. Even today, there is a promotion of the prosperity gospel which encourages the pursuit of wealth and health at as evidence of spirituality.

Thus Christians must always be discerning about ideas that are presented to them.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God -- 1 John 4:1-2

An alien band plays a Christmas song to Peter, without understanding what Christmas is

Uniting as family is important
The major thing I think the film does well is the secular presentation of the Christmas message. Christmas is not about gifts or Santa Claus, but rather uniting as one family.

This film parallels the Christian message, which emphasises that the birth of Jesus paved a way for the people to be adopted into the family of God.  

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—  to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. -- Ephesians 1: 4-6

Of course I am not saying Peter's father represents God in any way, but the fact that the movie focuses on the importance of the intangible ties between the Guardians (specially two of them).

The Guardians exchange gifts with each other

Conclusion
I am pleasantly surprised but how a short and simple Marvel film can bring a warm message. I recommend it.

My Confession: Reflections on Job 8

 

I continue my reflections on Job.

Synopsis
Job's reply in Job 6-7 did not sit well with Bildad. It was now Bildad turn to speak,

“How long will you say such things?
    Your words are a blustering wind.
Does God pervert justice?
    Does the Almighty pervert what is right?" (Job 8:2-3)

According to Bildad, Job's children got what they deserved for their sin. He explained,

"When your children sinned against him,
    he gave them over to the penalty of their sin." (Job 8:4)

He continued,

"Such is the destiny of all who forget God;
    so perishes the hope of the godless.
 What they trust in is fragile;
    what they rely on is a spider’s web." (Job 8: 13-14)

He then concludes by a simple view of God's justice,

“Surely God does not reject one who is blameless
    or strengthen the hands of evildoers.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
    and your lips with shouts of joy.
Your enemies will be clothed in shame,
    and the tents of the wicked will be no more.” (Job 8:20 -23)

My reflections
Despite his attempt to comfort Job, Bildad is wrong in relegating God to a simplistic view of justice. In his view, only the good are rewarded while the wicked are punished. In other words, physical health and material wealth is one way to know if a person is right with God.

But we definitely know that this is not true. In our lifetime, we definitely have witness injustice. There are healthy and rich people who are corrupt; while there are sickly and poor people who are honest. Bildad seems to be promoting a form of prosperity gospel.

I myself must not follow in Bildad's theology and promote such binary thinking.

Theology 1.0: How did Christianity first appear in Mongolia?

A rock formation in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Taken 2017

In 2010, it is estimated that there are about 41,000 Christians (about 2.1%) in Mongolia. While Central Asia has generally been unfriendly to Christians (as Christians were persecuted under Islamic and Communist rule), Christianity has a long history there.

First appearance

The earliest known appearance of Christianity in Mongolia was in the 600s. The White Huns (who were west of Mongolia) requested for a Nestorian Christian bishop in 549, and by 650 there were 20 Nestorian diocese east of the White Huns.

Some Mongol tribes like the Naimans and Keraites accepted Nestorian Christianity as their tribal religion.

Rise of the Mongols
The presence of Nestorian tribes meant that there were Nestorian Christians in key roles during the rise of the Mongols (under Genghis Khan). While Genghis himself was a beliver in Tengri, his empire had a policy of religious tolerance.

Examples of Nestorian Christians under his adminstration included Sorghaghtani Beki (his daughter-in-law) and Sartaq Khan (Khan of the Golden Horde).

Such a policy allowed the Roman Catholics to send missions into the Mongol Empire. In 1289, John of Montecorvino translated Psalms and the New Testament in the Mongol language and built a church in Mongol-controlled China.

Decline of Christianity
After the Black Death, the Mongols were driven out of their territories in China. The now Ming Dynasty expelled the Christians.

In addition, 3 of the 4 Mongol successor empires embraced Islam, which meant that it was difficult to send more missions to Mongolia or Central Asia.

Although there were missions sent much later (like one led by James Gilmour in the 1800s), there were little growth in Christianity there. When Mongolia became communist in 1924, Christianity was discouraged.

A new beginning?

With the fall of the communist government in 1990, Christianity was again allowed in the country.

With Due Respect: Does Numbers 5:27 support abortion?

 

Hector and his daughter Liliana from Fire Emblem Cipher 

Often Christians use the Bible to justify their moral or political stance. In this way, we all fall temptation to misquoting the Bible. One example I want to examine today is the Book of Numbers and abortion.

Numbers and abortion
One of the popular Bible quotes for pro-abortion Christians is from Numbers 5:27:

If she has made herself impure and been unfaithful to her husband, this will be the result: When she is made to drink the water that brings a curse and causes bitter suffering, it will enter her, her abdomen will swell and her womb will miscarry, and she will become a curse. (Numbers 5:27; NIV)

In other words, the author of the passage was describing how to cause a miscarriage, which implied that abortion was acceptable during the Old Testament times.

Immediately you should see the fallacies in such an argument.

Fallacy 1: Describing is not the same as endorsing
One giant mistake that such pro-abortionists make is that just because the Bible describes something, it does not mean the Bible supports it.

For instance, in my history blog I often describe horrors of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. This does not mean that I support such terrors.

Describing the expansion of Imperial Japan is not the same as supporting it.

Fallacy 2: The context is a test for unfaithfulness, not procedure for an abortion.

Even a simple look at the verse in context reveals that the passage is not about abortion, but about punishment for unfaithfulness.

But if you have gone astray while married to your husband and you have made yourself impure by having sexual relations with a man other than your husband”— here the priest is to put the woman under this curse—“may the Lord cause you to become a curse among your people when he makes your womb miscarry and your abdomen swell. (Numbers 5: 20-21; NIV)

Fallacy 3: The verse is not deliberately causing a miscarriage
While the NIV translators used the term "miscarry", it is not a unanimous translation. The same passage is translated slightly differently even within the English versions.

And when he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has broken faith with her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people. (Numbers 5:27; ESV)

When he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall discharge, her uterus drop, and the woman shall become an execration among her people. (Numbers 5:27; NRSVUE)

If she has defiled herself by being unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings on the curse will cause bitter suffering. Her abdomen will swell and her womb will shrink, and her name will become a curse among her people. (Numbers 5:27; NLT)

Comparing the translations, the idea of miscarriage is admittedly unclear. Nevertheless, it is clear that Numbers 5:27 refers to a punishment for the unfaithful wife.

Children are a gift from God

Fallacy 4: The Bible overwhelmingly supports procreation
Lastly it is a mistake to take a single verse and make a stance out of it. The Bible is very clear in its support for childbearing.

For you created my inmost being;
 you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful, (Psalms 139: 13- 14; NIV)

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
   offspring a reward from him. (Psalms 127:3; NIV)

Did you not pour me out like milk
    and curdle me like cheese,
 clothe me with skin and flesh
    and knit me together with bones and sinews?
 You gave me life and showed me kindness,
    and in your providence watched over my spirit. (Job 10: 10 -12; NIV)

Conclusion
It is dangerous to twist the Bible for our purposes. We instead, should mediate on the Bible and be inline with God's purposes.

For a summary video:

Alternative Culture: Sam Harris and the corpses of children quote

 

A quote from Sam Harris during his interview on Triggernometry

In a 2022 August interview, atheist philosopher Sam Harris made an appalling statement about the 2020 American Presidential Election. He claimed that even if Hunter Biden (President Biden's son) had "corpses of children in his basement", former President Trump was worse in his "Trump University Scam". Therefore (in the same interview), he suggested that any conspiracy (if it had existed) to keep Trump from being president was justified.

The shifting of a philosopher's mind
When I first heard the comments, I was stunned. Here was a philosopher who in my younger days advocated for a truth without religion. While I disagree with him on many issues, I did follow his dialogues and blogs a little. I read two of his works, Letters to a Christian Nation and End of Faith, and liked that he popularised the idea of steel-manning an argument, (i.e. to debate an idea in its strongest form) rather than to strawman it. I enjoyed that he advocated free speech and freedom of expression.

Yet here I was shocked that now he was advocating for the censorship of the New York Post (a right-wing tabloid) and accepting any method to rig an election (although he would deny this in his tweets post-interview).

What does the Bible say about truth?
But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?  - Romans 3:5-7

In his letters to the Romans, Apostle Paul clearly denounced the deliberate use of falsehood to enhance the outcomes (in this case, Christ righteousness.)

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left - 2 Corinthians 6: 3-7

Apostle Paul also highlights the importance of truth to prevent the discrediting of Christian ministry.

In fact truth is so important that Jesus himself described himself as that:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” - John 14: 6-7

As Christians, we have an obigilation to discuss issues honestly and with grace. Anything less is a compromise on the truth of Jesus.

Peace if possible, truth at all costs. -- Martin Luther

For more information:

Theology 1.0: 26 Martyrs of Japan

 

Martyrdom of Paul Miki and Companions in Nagasaki, unknown Japanese artist, c.1635

In terms of proportion, Japan has one of the lowest Christian population in developed countries. As of 2015, only 2% of its population are Christians. This is in contrast with South Korea (29.2%), Singapore (18.9%) and Hong Kong (11.7%). This is considered unusual because in such places, religious freedom is allowed.

However, one must remember that Japan was not always tolerant to the Christian faith.

The first missionaries
In 1543, the Portuguese came into contact with the Japanese. As part of their cultural norms, they brought along Roman Catholic missionaries with them. 

The Japanese authorities initially were supportive of the missionaries and Jesuits (religious order of Roman Catholic monks). After all, they took power away from the Shinto Buddhist monks, and were essential to trade with the Europeans. By 1573, Japan had about 130 000 Christian converts.

The banning of Christianity
However, the Christian converts began to disrupt the social fabric of Japan. Not only did they challenge the feudal system, the more violent factions sacked Buddhist provinces and temples. In response, the the second great unifier of Japan, Hideyoshi issued a ban on Christianity in 1587.

The reputation of Christianity took a further hit when the Spanish ship San Felipe wrecked itself in Japan in 1596. The captain of the San Felipe poorly communicated the purpose of the Spanish missionaries, and this caused the Japanese authorities to think that the missionaries were here to subvert Japan, and colonise Japan for Spain.

26 Martyrs
For refusing to leave the country, the Japanese rounded up 26 Roman Catholics and forced marched them for 30 days. 24 of them had their ears cut off. Finally, they were executed in Feburary 1597 via crucifixion and spearing.

Among them was a Japanese Jesuit called Paul Miki. According to certain accounts he said, 

"All of you who are here, please, listen to me... I have committed no crime, and the only reason why I am put to death is that I have been teaching the doctrine of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I am very happy to die for such a cause, and see my death as a great blessing from the Lord. At this critical time when, you can rest assured that I will not try to deceive you, I want to stress and make it unmistakably clear that man can find no way to salvation other than the Christian way. The Christian religion tells us to forgive our enemies and those who do harm us, and so I say that I forgive the emperor and those responsible for my death. I have no hatred for the emperor; indeed, I wish that he and all the Japanese would become Christians."

This was the first execution ordered by the highest authority in Japan because of religious belief.

Aftermath
The martyrs were canonized as Saints in 1862, while Japan eventually allowed freedom of religion again in 1889. The feast day is on February 6.

Theology 1.0: Armenia, the first Christian state

 

Armenian Orthodox Church in Singapore

The first state to make Christianity the official religion was Armenia all the way back in 301 AD. This landlocked nation, more well-known for its mountains and association with the Soviet Union first received Christian missionaries in 40 AD. 

According to some sources, King Tiridates III of Armenia made it official religion after a Christian missionary named Gregory the Illumiator cured his madness. (Before that, the king was persecuting Christians.) To show his gratitude to Christianity, he made it the state religion.

Other sources stated that he made Christianity the state religion to spite the neighbouring Parthains (who were Zoroastrians). Regardless of reason, about 94% of Armenians are Christians (with a vast majority being Orthodox Christians).

For more information:
Armenia Travel

Alternative Culture: Triangle Strategy Theological Review

 

One of the many moral arguments in Triangle Strategy

Triangle Strategy is a 2022 strategy game for the Nintendo Switch. In this game you have to organise your party by upgrading their individual skills and weapons, clever positioning and terrain management to lead them to victory in various battles. The style of battling is similar to Final Fantasy Tactics.

Where the game differs is that the three advisors you have in the game, Benedict (your retainer), Frederica (your betrothed) and Roland (your best friend) sees morality in three different ways. Benedict tends to favour utilitarianism (i.e. greatest good for the greatest number of people). Frederica tends to argue for liberty (i.e. individualism), while Roland stands for morality (in this game, he favours honour and duty).

Thus such conflicting viewpoints often forces the player character (Sereona) to make a stand. Such decisions (in the game) will alienate some allies while elevating others. 

The great thing about this game that it forces players (in this case, my wife and I) to discuss hypothetical situations and defend the moral decisions. In this post I want to examine the game's moral system from the view of Christianity.

Christianity and morality
Right of the bat, it is important to note that Christian philosophers have discussed morality to great detail.

William Paley (the Father of Intelligent Design) was an advocate of utilitarianism. In his book Moral and Political Philosophy (1785), he argued that God's laws as laid down in Scripture were intended to promote widespread happiness. He saw Christianity as a rigid and logical system in which the greatest utility is produced if everyone followed God’s will. 

There is also justification in Scripture for the importance of honour-based morality. Theologians have argued that honouring parents, the Sabbath and marriage were instituted by God for eternity. It was also pointed out that in 1 Timothy 5, Timothy was instructed to honour widows in a time and place when they were second-class citizens. This implied that Biblical concepts of honour sometimes goes beyond the culture of the era

Lastly, the Bible has been used to support individual liberalism. In Luke 15, Jesus uses parables to describe the importance of every lost sheep and coin, and these parables have been used to support the worth of every person.

Christianity recognises the complexity of morality
Yet Christianity rejects the simplicity of moral issues. In many scenarios, the Bible highlights the complexity of making moral judgements, and focuses on reflection rather than establishing an outright decree. In Exodus 18, Moses himself was advised to appoint men to aid him in judging moral decisions. In 1 Samuel 24, David (against the advice of his men) refused to kill Saul (who was masterminding David's assassinations).

Christianity is more than just morality
The main purpose of Christianity is to be more than moral. Yes, Christianity does contain certain moral principles (like the importance of obeying God over man is advocated in Acts 5:29). However, Christianity is not just adhering to moral teaching or principles.

It is about forming a lasting relation with Christ and to be reconciled with Him. In it we will grow in our moral insights.

With Due Respect: Christianity has not stopped violence

 

Screenshot from Attila Total War

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
-- Matthew 26:52

One of the new criticism I heard of Christianity is that it has not stopped violence. This is especially prominent during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. After all, both Russians and Ukrainians are mainly Eastern Orthodox Christians, and the Russian Church has endorsed the invasion.

However, this is myopic political and philosophical position. Just because one major church supports the war, it does not mean that Christianity as a whole has never stopped violence. We would not apply the same standards elsewhere. For instance, just because the Imperial Japanese of the 1940s were Buddhist, it does not mean all Buddhism is violent.

Furthermore, prominent church individuals have condemned the invasion of Ukraine. The former Archbishop of Canterbury (Head of the Anglican Church) condemned both Russian Premier Putin and the Russian Church for their actions. The Anglican Church has offered to open discussion with the Russian church with regards to peace.

Let me go back further and show some examples on how the Church as a system attempted to reduce violence in the world.

A) Papal mediation between Chile and Argentina
While I am not a Roman Catholic, I have to recognize the times when Roman Catholic Church has stepped up. In 1983, the Pope mediated a potential conflict between Chile and Argentina (both countries are majority Roman Catholic) and both countries renounced the use of force.

B) Just War theory (Thomas Aquinas)
In Medieval Europe when most nations claimed to be Christian, there were academic attempts to restrict violence. By giving clear criteria, nation states would need to meet a certain standard when waging war. 

Thomas Aquinas distilled a Just War to three conditions: the authority of the sovereign, the purpose of the war must be just, and finally the conduct and intent of the involved warriors 

C) Inquisition
Unlike popular portrayals on how violent the Inquisition (a church judicial system to root out heresy), the Inquisition was an attempt to reduce violent and rampant accusations of heresy.

In fact the Inquisition is considered to be the first attempt at a universal court system, where evidence is needed for a guilty verdict, and biased testimonies were dismissed. Some historians have even argued that the Inquisition laid the foundation for the modern legal systems of Europe. As a Singaporean, it is interesting to note that Singapore law is based on English Common Law which has parts of its origin in the Inquisition.

Conclusion
While one can claim that the culture of Christianity has led to violence, one must also acknowledge the efforts the church took towards towards peace.

HMS Hermes in flames, 1943

For more reading:
God's Philosophers (2009)

Alternative Culture: 2022 invasion of Ukraine

 

Ix Shen, a Singaporean who chose to stay in Ukraine to support his Ukrainian wife

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched an invasion into Ukraine. In this post, I will write about the actions of some Christians involved in the crisis.

State churches
Unlike Western and Asian nations, religion and state politics are not separate. Thus the Orthodox Churches in both Russia and Ukraine support their state.

This is evident as the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, once called the Russian premier, Vladimir Putin, a "miracle of God." He also called on the Russian Orthodox Christians in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus to side with Russia and defend their "historic homeland".

On the flip side, the Ukraine Orthodox Church has called on the international community to defend Ukraine. On Twitter, Metropolitan Epiphanius I, the Church’s primate called on people to pray "for Ukraine, for victory, for our soldiers."

Other church leaders
Some church leaders in the Ukraine had chose to remain in the country to provide humantarian aid.

Vasyl Ostryi, pastor at Irpin’ Bible Church, wrote that he and his family (that includes 4 daughters) decided to provide medical and spiritual support, instead of evacuating. He stated, "if the church is not relevant at a time of crisis, then it is not relevant in a time of peace".

Northern Ireland missionaries, Timothy and Rhonda Sloan decided to stay in Ukraine to provide shelter to the needy. Timothy stated, "Rhoda and I are not leaving - how can we? As an elder in the Church, my responsibility is to shepherd at all times."

Conclusion

Let us pray that the conflict in Ukraine quickly reaches a peaceful resolution.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - Jesus (John 16:33)

If you are Singaporean, and wish to help, you may find more information about the Red Cross here.

Theology 1.0: What is Theosis

 

Like father, like son?

Being from a Methodist church and possessing a Lutheran-Calvinist theology, I rarely have the chance to examine ideas from my friends of the Eastern Orthodox religion.

So today I will be presenting the idea of Theosis.

What is Theosis?
Theosis, or deification is process in which the believer is becomes purified and eventually reach union with God, and participate with his divine nature. In Eastern Orthodoxy, this is the ultimate destiny of the sincere believer and is salvation.

This teaching is based on 2 Peter 1:4, which states that:

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Theosis is led by the Holy Spirit.
In Eastern Orthodoxy, Theosis is the result of the action of the Holy Spirit. This salvation is communicated to the believers by God sharing his grace with us.

This contrasts with the Protestant understanding of grace, in which forgiveness is involved.

Theosis is a process
In Eastern Orthodoxy, there is much focus on the process of being Christ-like via the process of becoming more holy (sanctification). 

This contrasts with the Protestant understanding, in which believers become more Christ-like by accepting the Christ's righteousness (justification).

Conclusion

Although Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism may share some ideas, the main difference is this:

Eastern Orthodoxy sees salvation as a process of spiritual growth, rather Protestantism sees salavtion as an instant exchange of their sinful nature with Christ's righetousness.

For more reading
Protestant view: Gospel Coalition

Eastern Orthodox view: Orthodox Road