Finally...sorry, I didn't get to this until tonight. I remind myself to work on it, get caught up in my novel writing, and then have to go to bed. Forgive me. I hope the content makes up for my tardiness.
So--it is difficult to deal with a topic that has absorbed philosophers from Heraclitus to Derrida in one blog post. But I shall try my best.
First, in order to provide a solid foundation on which to build all my other arguments or statements, I will quote to sources--the Bible and the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
From Genesis 1:26, KJV--"And God said, 'Let Us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."
From the Westminster Shorter Catechism--"What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
These two quotations represent the pith and marrow of this post's topic.
Man is made in the image of God. That means he thinks, he loves, he makes decision and moral judgments. He invents and plans ahead and develops technology. Man is without doubt the intellectual pinnacle of creation. He is a creature of unsurpassed development, and though one searched to the depths of the sea or the peak of the highest mountain, no other living thing could be found to match him. Indeed, man rules over all other living things. If there are other intelligences in the universe (which I doubt, but that is for another post...), they would immediately see in mankind the dominant species of the world.
But there must be some purpose to all this. Man is made in the image of God, he has a soul--but why? It cannot simply be to dominate animals. The husbandry of nature is a worthy--and oft abused--goal, but it does not satisfy on all levels.
The answer is simple. "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever." That is why we were created. In His infinite wisdom God gave His image to man so that man would glorify Him and recognize His power and the glory and wisdom, which are beyond full recognition. In everything we do, we are to glorify God.
But what meaning does that have? What does it mean to glorify God? It means a multitude of things, but there is one very amazing application that I particularly like. I am deeply touched by incidents where someone risks or lays down his life to save someone else. Jesus, of course, gave the ultimate example of this, but there are many others. However, in our modern, self-centered culture, the notion of "looking out for Number 1" is prevalent. Often men and women are more inclined to save themselves than someone else. Of course it is not universally the case--there are thousands upon thousands whose incredible sacrifices would send chills down anyone's spine--but still, these values are being questioned. And why? Because we have forgotten what to live for. The reason the thought of a man saving a drowning child, even though it means he himself will drown as a cause of it, is inspiring to us--is something we would wish to imitate in the same situation--is simply because it is right. And it is right because God commands it. And doing what God commands brings glory to Him.
That is the center of all things. Man was created to glorify God and obey God's commands. Thus, whether one is called to witness to the tribes in Borneo, to write novels with a Christian worldview, or to own and operate a cannery in the local village, the call is the same: glorify God. A missionary is no more holy than a sales representative.
I could go on, but it is late and I should be getting to bed before long. Bushman, I hope this post has been helpful to you! If you have questions, comments, or criticisms to make, the Musing Protestant is ready. Who knows, maybe you will inspire me to write another post, thereby breaking a record for the shortest length of time between posts. ;-)
God bless you all,
~Connor
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4 comments:
I struggle with the idea that a missionary is not somehow "better" than "normal" people. I feel as if I have to do something for God. I don't really see how being content to live a normal American life, and having a job is fulfilling the Great Commission.
Hmm, a lot of this depends on how you define "normal American life" How about something along the lines of:
"Going to work or school, doing that work, stopping that work, doing leisurely activities, going to bed, then repeat."
Okay, that definition isn't very unique to Americans, but I think it should work. Now, I guess you want to compare that to a missionary's life, so I will attempt at defining that, also:
"Going out, preaching the gospel, coming home, leading a Bible study, going to bed, waking up to phone call in the middle of the night, saving the person who called, then repeat."
Hmm, it doesn't seem like it would be too hard to combine the normal life and the missionary's life. You could be a good witness at your work, etc. So, I don't think that you have to specifically be a "missionary" to fulfill the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,"
I shall probably insert more later, especially since I seem to have gotten a bit off track.
Hmm, I was thinking more long term for the "normal American life."
Make good grades in school so you can go to a good college, so you can get a good job, so you can pay for your kids to go to a good school, so they can get a good job...
What is "Witnessing" and were is it referred to in the Bible?
What is making disciples? Is that more than just getting people "saved"?
Ah, that kind of American life. Yeah, it stinks. But, there is one enormous but little step you can add in there. It would end up looking like this:
Get Good Grades
Go To Good College
Get Good Job
Pay for kid's college
Glorify God through it all
I will leave the Witnessing question because I don't know and that word cannot be found in any of the translations I found.
As for making disciples, yes it is much more than just getting people saved. It is literally making people into disciples of Christ. Of course, that is rather impossible for us humans to do, but Matthew 28:20 (a continuation of the GC) says:
"teaching them to observe all that I commeanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
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