The Lumpy Pot

So, in my 3 1/2 years now of living in the US, I've noticed something that strikes me as both odd and sad. Americans are not American.

Or, at least, they don't identify as such.

Now, don't get me wrong, if I were to go to any number of random people on the street and ask them directly if they're American, they'd say "Yes." What I'm referring to is the phenomenon wherein Americans self-identify as only partial Americans, as X-Americans.

I remember reading a blog by an Irish traveler and polyglot a few months ago wherein he recounted his run-in with an Irish-American (See, the X-American strikes). When the author mentioned he was Irish the obviously American individual replied stating that he was, too.

News flash: the second man was no more Irish than me.

Oh yes, I can play the heritage card: 1/16 Cherokee, a smattering of Irish, English, Norman, and Scandinavian with a dollop of "I don't know" and voila, me. Do I claim to be Irish, Norman, English, Cherokee, or Norse? Heck no! To claim a nationality is to also claim its culture; I don't share any of those cultural attributes and traditions.

Now, do Irish-Americans have distinct customs? Kind-of, but they're not Irish.

A bit closer to home: African-Americans. I'm sorry, but you're honestly less African than me. Unless you or your parents (possibly your grandparents, if they strongly instilled their culture and tradition in you) lived a substantial portion of your/their life/lives in Africa, you're simply American. You're Americans with a different ancestry and sub-/culture from other Americans, but you're American nonetheless.

So, what's the beef?

To use the lumpy pot allegory from the title: America has long been described as a melting pot, but I would argue it's not, not completely. In a melting pot, everything melts together completely, every aspect of every ingredient losing its individual cohesion and combining with its neighbours. America has been more like a lumpy soup. There are aspects and flavours from the immigrant cultures that have diffused into the mix, but the cultures as a whole have remained fairly individual, some, like the Pennsylvania Dutch, mutating into a completely new flavour separate from both the mix and their origin.

Because of these lumps, the American identity is fractured. While all nationals will identify as American, there is no common, overarching culture that is America, which would serve to connect Americans from one part of the country or people group with another from another. The subculture is not. The subculture has been allowed to become a co-culture.

Let me draw your attention to my home: South Africa is a melting pot, too, but I would argue that they are such in a more true sense of the term. Were I to ask an individual, white, black, or coloured, if he was African, if she was South African, the answer would be unequivocably "Yes." (and perhaps accompanied by a look questioning your sanity/intelligence). Yes, there are English- and Afrikaans-speaking whites, Xhosa, Zulu, Venda, Malay, Indian, and Griquas, to name a few, but the individual subculture has integrated into the mix such that one can look to the other and say that they are still one, united people. You see, "South African" and "Afrikaaner/Xhosa/YouNameIt" are not equal co cultures. Rather, the former supercedes the latter. This, America, is what you lack.

So, I ask and beseech you, Americans, look beyond your individual identifications and begin building the national identity, the national culture that America has sorely lacked, especially in recent years. Acknowledge your differences and overcome them. Acknowledge your misinformations and fears and address them. Acknowledge the wrongdoings of your cultural forebears and seek not redress or recompense, but reconciliation. Acknowledge the right doings and achievements of your cultural forebears and celebrate them. Acknowledge the right doings and achievements of your fellow American's cultural forebears and celebrate them alongside him. Acknowledge the God who made each individual, people, culture and language, who made then not only good, but very good and praise Him.

Only then will Americans come together. Only then will the lumps smooth into the pot.

Running

I don't like running.

I can appreciate running - it's good exercise and all, but I still don't like running.
I enjoy using running tracker apps so I can tell if I'm improving and how far/long I've actually run, but I still don't like running.
I enjoy hitting new distance or time milestones, but I still don't like running.
I enjoy the feeling of fitness that comes with a good run, but I still don't like running.

Too cold to run? Oh well.
Not enough time to run? That's too bad.
Don't know the neighbourhood? Yeah, it's probably not too safe.

Haven't run since last semester? No big.
Going to run again? Go for it.

Pardon me, have you seen my lungs? I think they fell behind back at the half-mile mark.

I don't like running.

Enkosi Tata

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 

Here's to a man who fought injustice and lived to tell his story.

Here's to a man who endured long imprisonment.

Here's to a man who displayed maturity and wisdom beyond his circumstances.

Here's to a man who realised that wrong corrects no wrong,

Who realised the long-term effects of peaceful talks,

Who realised working with the opposition can effect a smooth transition of power.

Here's to a man who realised the unpopular action can be the better action.

Here's to a man who reached out, as president, in reconciliation, to his detractors.

Here's to a man who offered amnesty in exchange for peace.

Here's to a man.

A nation.

A legacy

Hamba kakuhle Madiba. Enkosi.

Totsiens Madiba. Dankie.

Farewell Madiba. Thank you.

One-sided Coin

Something that those who know me personally know, but might be a shock to those who don't is that I really, really detest poorly-taught evolution.

"But you're a literal six-day, young Earth Creationist."

That is correct. I'm also a dedicated Christian to boot, but I'm not writing today to debate either side, but rather to chastise both Public and Private Christian schools for their presentation of the material (and yes, I know there will be some generalisations, I accept that*).

Evolutionary theory as a whole has a number of flaws, but also a number of merits. One could argue the worldview established by Darwin's theory set in frantic motion much of modern biology, opening up the inner reaches of the cell, DNA, and biochemistry as it sought to find absolute, concrete evidence for this theory to stand on. For that, amongst other merits, I am grateful.

Unfortunately, as with any worldview, those merely following within its confines begin to develop rose-coloured glasses to its flaws and/or a fairly militant outlook towards other worldviews, drawing opposing worldviews into equally militant reactions. From this base, we have the whitewashed, evolution-only approach favoured by the public school system and the see/hear/speak no evil approach favoured by the private Christian school system.

Both are wrong.

As an ancient king once wrote, "The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him."

To this end, both the public and private Christian schools are in the wrong.

Public:
You teach evolution as though it is the scientific overarching explanation for everything relating to life - its origins and its progressions. You also teach evolution at the level of gross anatomy, the level Darwin speculated at in the 1800s. Additionally, you whitewash over the flaws in the theory with beautiful extensions of rhetoric.

Evolution is not a study of origins, but of development. Separated into its consummate parts, common descent and natural selection, it states that all life descended from a singular ancestor through successive changes and that all changes have been selected and enforced by environmental factors such that those most suited at that moment to the environment are most likely to survive and pass on their traits. Which stems into my next point: evolution, particularly the collection of changes to form new species, is far more complex than Darwin surmised. If gross anatomy was the most basic level of function in organisms, then gradual changes become extremely feasible - even if the cell was as simple as Darwin thought, a simple sac of fluid, but it's not. Evolution requires changes at the subcellular level - a level which, since the 1950s, has been rapidly expanding, presenting extremely complex systems and system controls. Such changes are often to complex to be changed by simple, single shifts. Additionally, the further scientists have contributed to the fossil record, the more those scientists have realized that the required transitional forms are still nowhere to be found.

Public schools, you need to be more complete in your presentation of evolution. I'm not saying hand  them a postgraduate-level course, but be frank about the theory's failings. Additionally, there's nothing wrong with allowing the airing of competitive, alternative theories. That's what science thrives on!

Private Christian:
You don't teach evolution at all. If it's mentioned, it's done so in passing, with sideways glances and disapproving tones, much like how the public forum presents intelligent design or creationism.

If you do not teach evolution, but rather Biblical creation presented with little scientific evidence or grounding, then you are sending your children to the front lines of a war armed with only slingshots. These children will be shortly overwhelmed and their worldviews overrun by that of mainstream society - evolution. They will be ill-equipped to hold to their own worldviews, to debate and reason their beliefs for themselves and for others. You will lose them.

Private Christian schools, you need to stop mispresenting evolution. It is not some evil syndicate out to steal your children, it is a theory and a world view, both of which need to be thoroughly taught so as to be intelligently engaged.

*On generalisations: I know there are generalisations, especially on the side of the private Christian schools (I attended public primary and high schools), but generalisations contain a nugget of truth; In this case, they are all cases I've heard from either being in the classes or helping kids in those classes with their homework.

Under Fire

It might come as no surprise to you that there exist countries in which the Gospel is banned. In some of these, an exposed missionary might get off with as little as deportation. In others, jail, torture, or death. Yet despite the opposition, Christian men and women answer God's call to put their lives on the line so that others might hear of the salvation of God.

To most of the world, this would seem mad and, to a degree, they'd be right. What people don't seem to understand is two things:

1. The Great Commission. The directive to go and make disciples worldwide (whether at home or away) was never a suggestion. It was never an option. It was and is a command and if one is living under and following after Christ, this is a non-negotiable, not from a legalistic standpoint, but from the desire to honor God.
2. Death is not the end. As Paul put it, "to live is Christ and to die is gain." If we live, we continue to serve Christ and to bring Him glory. If we die, we are present with Him in glory - something far better than this world can ever give.

We are called to stand up in the face of opposition and make disciples. We are told to grow in our faith and relationship with Christ so that, when asked, we may give a reasoned defense. We are told to seek God and His glory above all else and God will give us the strength to accomplish the tasks set before us.

We will face trials. We will face persecution. We were never promised the "Christian Dream" of a good job, beautiful wife, lovely family, no troubles, etc. Christ flat out tells his followers in the begging that we're going to have crap thrown our way because we follow Him.

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word,they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. The one who hates Me also hates My Father. If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not have sin. Now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this happened so that the statement written in their scripture might be fulfilled: They hated Me for no reason." - John 15:18-25

So, stand up. Pray for and support those on the front lines, whether they be in Syria, China, Indonesia, or Alabama. Step up to the plate and further the Gospel in your city.

Sometimes we have this perspective of missionaries as honourable radicals and the rest of us as wise men, assimilating into society, staying below the radar so we aren't persecuted, Kind of like these guys:

So, yes, you can run, hide, and you might live. You can step out into the fight and stand bold for Christ and you may die, but at the end of the day, at the final judgment, will you be separated into the sheep or the goats?

The Golden Calf

Earlier today I had a bit of free time, so I pulled out my guitar and decided to go through my file of old worship music. I didn't really plan for it to be a worship session, but, in an impromptu way, it became one.

This evening, as I was spending time talking with God, I thanked Him for that opportunity, commenting that it had been a while since I'd done that and that it was a blessing in surprise. As I was praying, I was praying over a missions trip application I'd sent in (somewhat rashly, perhaps), asking for clarity on whether or not that's what God wanted me to be doing and what my initial, base motivation for applying was. From there we sidetracked onto my desire and plans for the future.

For those of you who might not be aware, (basically anyone whom I haven't met in person and spoken with for any length of time) I wish to serve as a missionary doctor in Kyrgyzstan. It started in grade 9 as simply a call to serve as a missionary there, but, as I pursued studies in biology and became enamoured with medicine, that call was gradually refined to medical missions. I fought that call for a year as a college freshman, denying the call to serve as a missionary and being set on working in the US as your everyday paediatrician, but God roped me back in line.

Returning to tonight's discussion with God, a short while after praying over the missions trip application, giving it over to Him to work according to His will and desires, and thanking Him for the blessing of that smaller worship time God asked me a small question:

"What if I sent you to Kyrgyzstan as James?" 

That question stopped me dead in my tracks. My priorities had become skewed. Over the last year or so, everything has become med school this, GPA that, MCAT the other thing, etc. I had become so focused on the doctor/medical missionary title aspect that I had, to quote the Newsboys, "lost the plot." I had, in a way, made an idol out of my calling. I had taken my calling, morphed it into an object of my desire. and made it about me. When people asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I paraded this calling that I wanted to do. It was my wish and desire and I began to leave God out of it except to pray and ask that He make it happen.

I sat for a minute, pondering this question, coming to this realization and how I had fallen, how I had lost sight of the goal. I shifted, slowly, imperceptibly, from desiring to serve God with my passions and skills to wanting to fulfill my goal and plan to honour God.

You might say, "But that's not a bad thing, you're wanting to honour God."

Look at the way it's worded. What is my motivation? What is secondary? Is it God or me?

All you who have eyes to see these words, read! Examine your life, your calling, your goals. See my failure and learn from it. Pray over it. Pray that you would remain in or return to your first love and examine yourself. Don't doubt or doublethink, just examine. Don't start jumping at shadows of selfish desire. Don't begin glossing over your errors and looking the other way. Be reasonable. Seek the wisdom and discernment of God.

"Seek First the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33

Modern Major General

"I am the very model of a modern major general,

I've information vegetable, animal, and mineral,

I know the kings of England and I quote the facts historical

From Marathon to Waterloo in order categorical..."

An interesting song, this. Here, we have a man proudly proclaiming his personage a paragon amongst peers. He proceeds to recount numberless feats and abilities, while boasting his vast stores of knowledge. He puts himself on a dais for other major generals and lesser-ranked men to admire.

It's kind of like what we shouldn't be doing as Christian leaders. Paul, the man often held as preeminent pastor (tough he may cringe at the title) wrote to the church at Corinth: 

"God has Chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world - what is viewed as noting - to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one can boast in His presence. But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us - our righteousness, sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written: 'The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.'" 1 Cor 1:28-31 (HCSB)

Solomon wrote:

"He mocks those who mock. but gives grace to the humble." Prov 3:34 (HCSB)

Paul, also in his first letter to the Corinthians, gave example of the apostles humility in an excerpt slightly too long to transcribe.

I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get the idea that humility, not pride, is the proper mindset for a Christian leader. After all, did Christ not wash the grimy feet of His disciples on the evening of the last supper?

So why, then, is pride something to be avoided?

• Pride turns the focus from God to self.
• Pride corrupts and takes preeminence over other motives. (e.g, bettering the living situation of a poor family becomes a show for acclaim.)
• Pride places others on a subordinate level.

I could continue, but it's late and I think these three highlight my point nicely as counterpoints to Christ and the apostles who:

• Pointed the crowds to God,
• Set aside their desire for praise and acknowledgement for the goal of furthering the Gospel and the salvation of mankind.
• Placed others as equals with, if not higher than, themselves.

So, looking at leadership, we should not be modeling ourselves after this modern major general, but rather:

"Make your attitude that of Christ Jesus,

Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with god as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His eternal form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death - even to death on a cross..."

Phil 2:5-8 (HCSB)