News from December 2010
Having trouble getting "into" Christmas?
Posted on December 9, 2010 by Pastor Tom
Sometimes it’s challenging to get into the Christmas spirit – (whatever that means). Does it mean excitement about the Christmas holidays? Does it mean joy in buying gifts, special gatherings and baking cookies? Whatever “the Christmas spirit” means, we likely have different attitudes towards it and our need to get into “it.” So maybe we could try a different approach.
Instead of getting into the Christmas spirit, how about focusing on the celebration of Advent? To celebrate this, we need to know Advent means coming and refers to the coming of God to us in baby Jesus. So how can we enter into this celebration. German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffor has some great words to help.
“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, who look forward to something greater to come. For these, it is enough to wait in humble fear until the Holy One himself comes down to us, God in the child in the manger. God comes. The Lord Jesus comes. Christmas comes. Christians rejoice!”
Instead of trying to get into the Christmas spirit, I’m going admit my spiritual poverty and imperfection and then watch to see how God will come to me with His sufficiency and perfection. That’s something to look forward to and celebrate!
Why do you or don't you trust the Christmas story?
Posted on December 2, 2010 by Pastor Tom
Is the Christmas story about the arrival of baby Jesus a true historical account or something that belongs beside Santa Claus? If someone asked “do you believe the Christmas story to be true,” you would likely answer “Yes; No or I don’t know.” But why do you believe or conclude that?
Those who don’t trust the history might back their case with the argument, “I only trust or agree with facts supported by convincing evidence.” This approach certainly has value. But do people come to their convictions solely based on facts? Might other factors also play a role?
I recently listened to a talk where Australian historian John Dixon brought up Aristotle’s 4th century BC book on the art of persuasion entitled “The Art of Rhetoric.” Basically, Dixon summarizes Aristotle’s thought like this. Three factors influence decisions about belief. One is “logos” or the intellectual side. The logos factor in us searches for evidence and facts. If the intellectual questions receive satisfactory answers, then our “logos” side says “yes” to a particular claim.
Next is “pathos” or the emotional and passionate factor. Here Aristotle talks about our feelings about a particular issue or claim. People could look at the same set of facts about the Oil Sands and come to different conclusions about belief. So person A comes along and looks at a set of facts detailing environmental impact of the Oil Sands. After considering these and remembering the oil sands employs their son which provides for their grandchildren, they conclude “the Oil Sands are good.” Person B comes along and looks at the same set of facts about the oil sands. Then they look at pictures of the dead ducks from that tailing pond or the pictures in National Geographic that describe an “environmental disaster.” They conclude “the Oil Sands are bad.” Same facts plus a different emotional trigger can lead to a different belief.
Finally, Aristotle comes to “ethos,” the social/psychological factor. Friends, family and social circles can influence our beliefs. So if we work with or regularly socialize with oil sands executives, they’re influence can play a part in our decision about the oil sands. If we hang out with Greenpeace members and folks with a “nature first” mentality, their opinions can influence our beliefs.
Australian historian John Dixon quotes Aristotle as saying “He is a fool who thinks he makes up his mind only based on logos.” Or if we think that we base our convictions solely on the “facts,” we’re deceiving ourselves.
This brings me back to the Christmas story. If you don’t trust the Christmas story because of “lack of evidence,” would you consider Aristotle’s quote? What emotions or social factors might also influence your decision? Then if you’d like to look at the Christmas story anew, contact me at pastortom@svbc.ab.ca and we’ll get you a copy of “The Case for Christmas.” It could make for a very different holiday season. Merry Christmas!
(For more on John Dixon and his research visit http://johndickson.org/)