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Friday, April 04, 2008

  • Something I Think Everybody Should Know

    I'm pretty sure St. Thomas Aquinas has to be one of the best (if not the best) people that argue that history has ever seen. The following is five reasons that he says God exists. He starts with something that says that God doesn't exist, then shows why it is incorrect, and proves why he DOES exist. Enjoy! (I know you will, but take your time, and try to understand everything, it gets pretty deep....oh, and this was originally written in Latin, so you can interchange the words "motion" and "change", that may help make the motion part understandable)


    "Article 3: Whether God exists.

    Thus we proceed to the third point. It seems that God does not exist, for if one of two contrary things were infinite, its opposite would be completely destroyed. By "God," however, we mean some infinite good. Therefore, if God existed evil would not. Evil does exist in the world, however. Therefore God does not exist.

    Furthermore, one should not needlessly multiply elements in an explanation. It seems that we can account for everything we see in this world on the assumption that God does not exist. All natural effects can be traced to natural causes, and all contrived effects can be traced to human reason and will. Thus there is no need to suppose that God exists.

    But on the contrary God says, "I am who I am" (Ex. 3:14).

    Response: It must be said that God's existence can be proved in five ways. The first and most obvious way is based on the existence of motion. It is certain and in fact evident to our senses that some things in the world are moved. Everything that is moved, however, is moved by something else, for a thing cannot be moved unless that movement is potentially within it. A thing moves something else insofar as it actually exists, for to move something is simply to actualize what is potentially within that thing. Something can be led thus from potentiality to actuality only by something else which is already actualized. For example, a fire, which is actually hot, causes the change or motion whereby wood, which is potentially hot, becomes actually hot. Now it is impossible that something should be potentially and actually the same thing at the same time, although it could be potentially and actually different things. For example, what is actually hot cannot at the same moment be actually cold, although it can be actually hot and potentially cold. Therefore it is impossible that a thing could move itself, for that would involve simultaneously moving and being moved in the same respect. Thus whatever is moved must be moved by something, else, etc. This cannot go on to infinity, however, for if it did there would be no first mover and consequently no other movers, because these other movers are such only insofar as they are moved by a first mover. For example, a stick moves only because it is moved by the hand. Thus it is necessary to proceed back to some prime mover which is moved by nothing else, and this is what everyone means by "God."

    The second way is based on the existence of efficient causality. We see in the world around us that there is an order of efficient causes. Nor is it ever found (in fact it is impossible) that something is its own efficient cause. If it were, it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. Nevertheless, the order of efficient causes cannot proceed to infinity, for in any such order the first is cause of the middle (whether one or many) and the middle of the last. Without the cause, the effect does not follow. Thus, if the first cause did not exist, neither would the middle and last causes in the sequence. If, however, there were an infinite regression of efficient causes, there would be no first efficient cause and therefore no middle causes or final effects, which is obviously not the case. Thus it is necessary to posit some first efficient cause, which everyone calls "God."

    The third way is based on possibility and necessity. We find that some things can either exist or not exist, for we find them springing up and then disappearing, thus sometimes existing and sometimes not. It is impossible, however, that everything should be such, for what can possibly not exist does not do so at some time. If it is possible for every particular thing not to exist, there must have been a time when nothing at all existed. If this were true, however, then nothing would exist now, for something that does not exist can begin to do so only through something that already exists. If, therefore, there had been a time when nothing existed, then nothing could ever have begun to exist, and thus there would be nothing now, which is clearly false. Therefore all beings cannot be merely possible. There must be one being which is necessary. Any necessary being, however, either has or does not have something else as the cause of its necessity. If the former, then there cannot be an infinite series of such causes, any more than there can be an infinite series of efficient causes, as we have seen. Thus we must to posit the existence of something which is necessary and owes its necessity to no cause outside itself. That is what everyone calls "God."

    The fourth way is based on the gradations found in things. We find that things are more or less good, true, noble, etc.; yet when we apply terms like "more" and "less" to things we imply that they are closer to or farther from some maximum. For example, a thing is said to be hotter than something else because it comes closer to that which is hottest. Therefore something exists which is truest, greatest, noblest, and consequently most fully in being; for, as Aristotle says, the truest things are most fully in being. That which is considered greatest in any genus is the cause of everything is that genus, just as fire, the hottest thing, is the cause of all hot things, as Aristotle says. Thus there is something which is the cause of being, goodness, and every other perfection in all things, and we call that something "God."

    The fifth way is based on the governance of things. We see that some things lacking cognition, such as natural bodies, work toward an end, as is seen from the fact hat they always (or at least usually) act the same way and not accidentally, but by design. Things without knowledge tend toward a goal, however, only if they are guided in that direction by some knowing, understanding being, as is the case with an arrow and archer. Therefore, there is some intelligent being by whom all natural things are ordered to their end, and we call this being "God."

    To the first argument, therefore, it must be said that, as Augustine remarks, "since God is the supreme good he would permit no evil in his works unless he were so omnipotent and good that he could produce good even out of evil."

    To the second, it must be said that, since nature works according to a determined end through the direction of some superior agent, whatever is done by nature must be traced back to God as its first cause. in the same way, those things which are done intentionally must be traced back to a higher cause which is neither reason nor human will, for these can change and cease to exist and, as we have seen, all such things must be traced back to some first principle which is unchangeable and necessary, as has been shown."

    -Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saturday, January 26, 2008

  • Currently Listening
    A Collision
    By David Crowder Band
    Foreverandever Etc...
    see related

    Foreverandever etc...

    "Love so incredible to know
    It's never gonna go, never gonna go
    Love too impossible and true
    For anyone but You, for anyone but You

    I think I'm on the brink of something large
    Maybe like the breaking of the dawn
    Maybe like a match being lit
    Or the sinking of a ship, letting go gives a better grip

    I'm finding everything I'll ever need
    By giving up gaining everything
    Falling for You for eternity
    Right here at Your feet
    Where I wanna be
    I am Yours

    Love so indelible to know
    You're never gonna go, you're never gonna go
    Love too unthinkable and true
    For anyone but You, for anyone but You

    Maybe like a match being lit
    Or the sinking of a ship, letting go gives a better grip

    I'm finding everything I'll ever need
    By giving up gaining everything
    Falling for You for eternity
    Right here at Your feet
    Where I wanna be

    I'm finding everything I'll ever need
    By giving up gaining everything
    Falling for You for eternity
    Right here at Your feet
    Where I wanna be

    I am yours
    I'm finding everything I'll ever need
    By giving up gaining everything
    Falling for You for eternity
    Right here at Your feet
    Where I wanna be

    I'm finding everything I'll ever need
    By giving up gaining everything
    Falling for You for eternity
    Right here at Your feet
    Where I wanna be

    I am Yours

    Forever and ever and ever and ever
    Forever and ever and ever and ever
    and ever and ever and ever and ever
    Forever and ever and ever and ever
    Forever and ever and ever and ever
    Forever and ever and ever and ever
    Forever and ever and ever and ever
    and ever and ever and ever and ever
    and ever"
    -David Crowder *Band


    Lately I've noticed how something that sounds insane, or just plain stupid is quite possibly just ingenious. Take the David Crowder song Foreverandever etc... for example the lines "letting go gives a better grip", and "I'm fighting everything I'll ever need, by giving up, gaining everything" would probably sound really.....stupid to a lot of people. But, (there always is a 'but', isn't there?) it's just a way of saying the truth in a way most (including me) people aren't used to. Take "Letting go gives a better grip", COMPLETE NONSENSE, right? Nope. Here's what I got out of it, letting go of the things of the world (material wants, anything ungodly, really) gives a better grip on Christ, the Word of God, and one's faith.

    If that made sense, and you understand the concept, I think you will understand the line "I'm fighting everything I'll ever need, by giving up, gaining everything", but if you still don't understand it, I'll tell you what I think it means. The world tells you to get rich, and get famous. "I'm fighting everything I'll ever need" so, it's saying that I'm fighting everything the world tells me I need. Now for the second part of that line "by giving up, gaining everything". Basically, what I got from that was that by giving up all the things of this world, you'll gain everything that God has in store for you....What do you think about this?


Wednesday, December 26, 2007

  • Currently Listening
    Remedy
    By David Crowder Band
    O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
    see related

    Christmas

    Ok, people are probably gunna tell me that I'm really picky after they read this post, but I don't care 'cause it's just a cause-and-effect kinda thing.

    Three facts that are supposedly about Christmas:


    First of all, I'm starting to hate some Christmas decorations.

    Second, I am beginning to want to shoot blow darts at all of the blow up Christmas decorations

    Third, I really hate Santa (and consequently I'm never gunna tell any little kids [or anybody to be exact, unless I'm gunna prove he's fake] about him)


    Reasons for the three facts that are supposedly about Christmas:

    First, I'm starting to hate some of the Christmas decorations because what are most of them of? SANTA (notice how if you rearrange the letters in 'Santa' it becomes Satan, just switch the first 'a' and 'n')

    Second, most of the blow up decorations are of Santa.

    Third, the reason I'm never gunna tell people that Santa is real, is because he's fake, so I'd be lying to them, and most of all, Santa "checks his list to see if you've been naughty or nice" and "Santa gives you presents" grrrr. PEOPLE ARE TELLING LITTLE KIDS THAT SANTA IS JUDGING YOU, AND IF YOU WERE GOOD, YOU GET PRESENTS, AND IF YOU WEREN'T GOOD, YOU DON'T, WHAT HAPPENED TO GOD BEING THE JUDGE, AND HOW CAN A HUMAN LIVE FOREVER, AND ALWAYS KNOW IF YOU'RE GOOD? NOW DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT I THOUGHT ONLY GOD WAS OMNIPOTENT, I AM RIGHT, AREN'T I???



    Christmas is not supposed to be about some fake fat guy that gives you presents, it's about Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, Wonderful Counselor, Emmanuel,  Prince of Peace, Savior of the World.

    "There were shepherds watching the sheep by night, and behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared to them and said, 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all people, for this day, in the City of David, a baby' is born.' Don't you see? That baby was Jesus. That night was Christmas. So you see, Christmas isn't about gettin', it's about givin', and that night, Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all."-Uncle George (from Veggie Tales).

    If you tell people about Santa, then you're drawing them away from the true meaning of Christmas, and once (hopefully this never happens) Christmas is only about Santa, and not Jesus the Christ, then, it will no longer be 'Christmas', but merely 'Mas'. (or worse yet, Santamas)

    So keep singing about Christ, forget about Santa...


    Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
    My great Redeemer’s praise
    The glories of my God and King
    The triumphs of His grace

    My gracious Master and my God
    Assist me to proclaim
    To spread through all the earth abroad
    The honors of Thy name

    So come on and sing out
    Let our anthem grow loud
    There is one great love, Jesus

    Jesus, the name that charms our fears
    That bids our sorrows cease
    ‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears
    ‘Tis life and health and peace

    He breaks the power of canceled sin
    He sets the prisoner free
    His blood can make the foulest clean
    His blood availed for me

    So come on and sing out
    Let our anthem grow loud
    There is one great love
    There is one great love, Jesus

    He speaks and listening to His voice
    New life the dead receive
    The mournful broken hearts rejoice
    The humble poor believe

    Glory to God and praise and love
    Be ever, ever giv’n
    By saints below and saints above
    The church in Earth and Heav’n

    So come on and sing out
    Let our anthem grow loud
    There is one great love
    There is one great love, Jesus
    Jesus

    There are so few words
    That never grow old
    There are so few words
    That never grow old
    Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

    So come on and sing out
    Let our anthem grow loud
    There is one great love

    So come on, So come on
    So come on and sing out
    Let our anthem grow loud
    There is one great love
    Oh, there is one great love
    Oh, there is one great love, Jesus

    -lyrics by David Crowder *Band



Monday, October 22, 2007

  • Amazing Grace

    A crash. Pain. Panic. Struggle for life. What would this world be with out God's amazing grace? Some people say that the world's all death and tears. Fortunately, for everybody, those people are in a group of people labeled "pessimists, stay away". (not quite like, that, but you get the picture) As Christians, we are called to pray for those in need.

    When troubles come at me from every side, I will look to the Lord. My Saviour, Redeemer, and comforter. My rock, my cornerstone.

    "Amazing grace
    How sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me
    I once was lost, but now I'm found
    Was blind, but now I see
    'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
    And grace my fears relieved
    How precious did that grace appear
    The hour I first believed
    My chains are gone
    I've been set free
    My God, my Savior has ransomed me
    And like a flood His mercy reigns
    Unending love, Amazing grace

    The Lord has promised good to me
    His word my hope secures
    He will my shield and portion be
    As long as life endures

    The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
    The sun forbid to shine
    But God, Who called me here below
    Will be forever mine
    Will be forever mine
    You are forever mine"
    -Chris Tomlin


Monday, October 15, 2007

  • Currently Listening
    Remedy
    By David Crowder Band
    Remedy
    see related

    Remedy

    So, I've been doing school, school, school, and, um, mostly school. I'm really tired of school. A lot of times I don't think that I can keep going at this pace. Flying through Geometry. Dieing in the process. Somehow, the insane amount of work is, um, strengthening my resolve. Odd how when people are put under a burden, they become stronger in their work. I don't think that without God I would have gotten through this first quarter.

    People call me obsessed, weird, and other things because I like David Crowder *Band a lot. I bet less than half of them don't know why I like DC*B so much. Yeah, they have good music, but what most people probably don't think about is the lyrics. The most recent CD that their band has released is Remedy. I love it. I think I'm scorned because of it. I'm not sure. I don't really care either. I've needed a Remedy. I have the real Remedy. I've had it since I was about 4. My Remedy is never gunna leave me. And with my Remedy, I can persevere through everything. From the arachnophobia to the battle within,

    "Here we are
    Here we are
    The broken and used
    Mistreated, abused
    Here we are

    Here You are
    Here You are
    The beautiful one
    Who came like a Son
    Here You are

    So we lift up our voices
    We open our hands
    To cling to the love
    That we can’t comprehend

    Oh, lift up your voices
    And lift up your heads
    To sing of the love
    That has freed us from sin

    He is the one
    Who has saved us
    He is the one
    Who embraced us
    He is the one who has come
    And is coming again
    He’s the remedy

    Here we are
    Here we are
    Bandaged and bruised
    Awaiting a cure
    Here we are

    Here You are
    Here You are
    Our beautiful King
    Bringing relief
    Here You are with us

    So we lift up our voices
    And open our hands
    Let go of the things
    That have kept us from Him



    He is the one
    Who has saved us
    He is the one
    Who forgave us
    He is the one who has come
    And is coming again
    He’s the remedy

    Oh, I can’t comprehend
    I can’t take it all in
    Never understand
    Such perfect love come
    For the broken and beat
    For the wounded and weak
    Oh, come fall at His feet
    He’s the remedy
    He’s the remedy

    So sing, sing

    You are the one
    Who has saved us
    You are the one
    Who forgave us
    You are the one who has come
    And is coming again
    To make it alright
    Oh, to make it alright
    You’re the remedy
    Oh, in us
    You’re the remedy

    Let us be the remedy
    Let us bring the remedy"
    -DC*B, Remedy, from Remedy