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

My Confession: Reflections on Job 6-7

 

I continue my reflections on Job.

In response to Eliphaz's comments, Job lamented.

Synopsis

Job continued, stating how great his grief felt (Job 6:2-3).

“If only my anguish could be weighed
    and all my misery be placed on the scales!
It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—
    no wonder my words have been impetuous."

He also wished for death (Job 6:8-9).

“Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant what I hope for,
 that God would be willing to crush me,
    to let loose his hand and cut off my life!"

Job lost much hope too (Job 6:11-13).

“What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
    What prospects, that I should be patient?
 Do I have the strength of stone?
    Is my flesh bronze?
Do I have any power to help myself,
    now that success has been driven from me?"

Job also rejected Eliphaz's reasons (Job 6:21; 6:24)

Now you too have proved to be of no help;
    you see something dreadful and are afraid.

Teach me, and I will be quiet;
    show me where I have been wrong

Job then directed his arguments towards God, complaining about his short and harsh life (Job 7:7)

Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;
    my eyes will never see happiness again.

Job chose to continue to complain, using the shortness of human life as a reason (Job 7:11)

Therefore I will not keep silent;
    I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit,
    I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Finally Job concludes his complaint (Job 7:20)

If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
    you who see everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?
    Have I become a burden to you?

My reflections
Job obviously was in much emotional pain, and in his honest haste he pours out his heart. In fact, this passage is hard to read for me as I cannot even imagine losing so much. 

Yet in his anguish, Job maintained his honesty. He could not see where he had gone wrong and clung to his innocence. He would rather die an honest man, than to ritually confess guilt. While lesser men like myself would give in conveniently to the advice of his friends, Job here would not play lip service. 

Although I do not wish to experience the suffering of Job, I pray I may have a closeness to God that I may be frank with Him.

What is mankind that you make so much of them,
   that you give them so much attention,
that you examine them every morning
    and test them every moment?  -- (Job 7: 17-18)

Alternative Culture: Kyle Rittenhouse, truth and lies

 

Kyle Rittenhouse preparing to testfy

Recently, Kyle Rittenhouse declared "not guilty" of all charges, after shooting three men in self-defence at Kenosha, Wisconsin, 25 Aug 2020. Two of the men died, and the third man was severely injured.

I have been following the case, and I have to admit that it was one of the clearest case of self-defence I had ever seen.

Rittenhouse had went to Kenosha (where Black Life Matters protestors) to defend property and render first-aid. He even treated the protestors (whom he disagreed with politically). After being chased by three men (one of whom reached for Rittenhouse's rifle, another hit Rittenhouse with a skateboard and another drew his gun at Rittenhouse), Rittenhouse opened fire while retreating. Rittenhouse surrendered himself to the police straight after that.

Despite that, I am disgusted by the behaviour of the prosecution and the media coverage of the trial. For instance, 

A) NBC tried to make it a racial issue, although the men Rittenhouse shot were of the same skin colour as him.

B) The Guardian (which I used to have immense respect for) tried to make it sound like Rittenhouse went to Kenosha looking for trouble. This ignores the fact that Rittenhouse worked in Kenosha, his father lives in Kenosha and that he was asked to protect properties by small business owners.

C) Ana Kasparian of the Young Turks even conceded that she did not watch the video of the incident, even though it was available since last year

D) The state prosecutors brought tempered evidence and questioned rights during the trial.

I am left wondering why such obvious lies and falsehoods are being peddled. 

Theological review

Although not quoted in the context of this trial, I am beginning to see how trading truth for lies is in action (Romans 1:25).

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen - Romans 1:25 

I continue to pray that we as a community will not be misled by ideologues and always seek truth.

Theology 1.0: Who brought Christianity to China?

 

The Nestorian Stele, the earliest evidence of Christianity in China

One of the earliest evidence of Christianity in China comes from the record of Arnobius, the 4th century Christian apologist. In his work Against the Heathens II, Arnobius claims that missionaries had been dispatched to Seres (the ancient Roman name for China). 

Despite this claim, no hard evidence showed that there were Christians in China until the 8th century -- the Nestorian Stele. Uncovered near the Chinese city of Xian, the Nestorian Stele credited "Alopen”  for bringing Nestorian Christianity to China during the Tang Dynasty.

In addition, the Nestorian Stele provides descriptions of the events of Genesis and explanations of the Incarnation. The Stele also records the leaders of the Nestorian Church, and how they were allowed by the Imperial Chinese court to propagate their faith.