Abilene Lectureship #2

I am still in Abilene and having a great time. I am being spiritually feed by some of the great teachers of our brotherhood and fellowship. Today, I was listening to Randy Harris, a professor at Abilene Christian. His emphasis was on how we as humans deal with sin. One great observation that he made was that "how we understand sin determines how we will deal with sin." He observed that the first sin was motivated by the same things that motivate sin today - when we try not to be human. It is when we try to be like the animals - fulfill our desires without any regard to consequences or even obedience. The other is when we try to be our own god.

I believe he is right on target. We try to get back in the garden (paradise) by taking control, handling it ourselves, making a plan. And that very effort is what got the first couple kicked out of the garden. It is because God is calling us to be human - rely on him, trust him, love him above all else. We have tried the course of reason (last five hundred years). We have tried technology (last two hundred years). We have tried a therapeutic culture (last one hundred years). But the question is - are we more human today? God is calling us to be human - surrender ourselves to Him.

Sid