Ex. 34:7

This is the second part of an on-going conversation between a friend and myself:

"Exodus 34:7 what do you think about genetic predisposition (I've also heard referred to as generational curses) and addiction? P.S. the fact that you referred to yourself as a part of a Christian circle reinforces my feeling of security in my exploration of my faith outside of conventional religious regimens. I know it was unintended. (I can't believe I've been attending such a fettered congregation as the church of Christ …), feeling stifled."

… “... genetic predisposition… generational curses … addiction”, I believe, from experience primarily, and the guidance of Scripture, are very real infirmities of the flesh, though not so easily defined as many religious Christians may wish to categorize them. I think the primary problem “we” Christians face is our attempts to make the Bible the “know it all” about virtually everything. It is a guide book, relating the experiences of ancient Saints as they experienced life and understood God in their particular environment, and within the limits of their own knowledge. Knowledge of the world and all it concerns has been expanded beyond that recorded in the Bible. I have found there are elements of truth in Scripture to be adopted and adapted as we (the current generation(s) of Christians) need. Not everything in the Bible is as absolute as many in Fundamentalist communities would profess. The tendency is to either deny or outright reject whatever appears to be contrary to recorded Biblical norms. I believe, and live, as understanding my relationship to “God” or whatever is “divine” is just as valid, real and perceptible, as any recorded in Scripture. “God”, as God may be, IS everything to me as he has ever been to any who have come before. He is also the same to you … and to ALL who seek him, though all are undoubtedly at different places and levels of understanding. To this I believe “religion” (Primarily Christian Evangelical Fundamentalism) has been more of a hindrance than a godsend.

I have no doubt, when it comes to contemporary understanding of the power and state of the human mind, we (as a whole) live in ignorance. I believe some have begun to tap into the resources of the mind, but few have actually come close to a full comprehension of what this means to be human. There have been sages, such as Jesus Christ, who have existed, and made strides to communicate this in their generations, but more often than not these teachings and truths become tainted and corrupted as they become the possession of disciples less able to comprehend and communicate what they are unable to grasp IE they adapt the teaching to fit into whatever categories they are able to understand. As time progressed, the state of “Christian” knowledge became less related to the actual knowledge, understanding and teachings of Christ and more in keeping and accommodation with what could be adapted and incorporated with a worldlier world view. Currently many are trying to reintroduce these concepts of reality in our own generation, but usually not in association with the “Church” as it has evolved over the past 2 millennia. A more open reading of Scripture (including the Bible and others) will draw the connections with relative ease.

It is in conjunction with these that I have come to a deeper, more spiritually based understanding of the human infirmity which includes contemporary medical and scientific knowledge. I do not wish to elevate the scientific and medical perceptions as complete, or perfect, but they are broader than originally conceived two thousand years ago. The same holds true to virtually all areas of knowledge concerning the universe.

Ex. 34:7 essentially restates the idea of “I will visit…” Here again, it is written within the context of a particular knowledge and understanding. Some of that knowledge and understanding is to be regained, but the idea of “God”, as I see it here and many other places, is defined for the purpose of communicating within a context of rampant ignorance. The word “God” as conceived and defined Biblically (and particularly religiously as varying groups of Christians do) may well be irrelevant. I am not saying that “God” is not, IE he does not exist, God is dead, etc., But the religious language as it has evolved and been used contains virtually NO meaning in a contemporary society, and the concepts promulgated by the ‘supposed’ Church have diverged from what Jesus Christ intended, and are meaningless. It may be that Christian religious concepts need to be defined better and broader. It may be that a whole new language needs to be realized. Regardless of the direction, current knowledge (scientific, medical, spiritual and whatever can be established “real”), must be incorporated. Anything less is not a true knowledge of “God”.

The human mind is an amazing entity. I am not referring to the brain (though it too is related), but “mind” …. That which is the channel of thought … where feelings are assessed and will determines function. This “thing” related physically to the brain, though existing beyond, is subject to the limitations we impose, the impediments subjected too, hereditary, environmental and as physically as associated to the brain. It is also the creator, inventor, imagination transcending the material. It is our connection relating us to a universe we seem in a perpetual state of ignorance of. Yet, through it, we strive to know, to go beyond what is now and ultimately toward a state of full knowledge of mind … “…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,  to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,…”

Here, you can probably see where I diverge from Contemporary Christianity, but I can say that there are elements within the Church which have also reached a state of dissatisfaction with the status quo and are eager for something greater to evolve, to which they can attach themselves too. The one big hindrance is the domination of a “fundamentalist” attitude, which functions as the school yard bully. This is something I take little concern for, I have no vested interest in position or the trappings of Christian ministry. I can say what I believe, and not worry about the bullies. Except if there ever was a potential avenue to ministry within the Contemporary Church, I can kiss it good bye. But, believing in “something” greater than myself, other miracles have occurred, and are not out of the question.

Hey, you may not know it, but I had been a member of the OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) for 8 years (1992-2000). It is about the most conservative Reformed Christian denomination existing. A lot can be learned there, but I did eventually have to take a stand and move on.

Sins of the Fathers

This links to a Washington Post article and video regarding children living homeless.

http://wapo.st/1ha3kTQ

My friend’s inquiry:

Regarding Sins of the "Father" Instead of pointing fingers, help find a solution. The entitlement mentality IE. Choosing social security and welfare as a career path, should not condemn a child to the same fate. I empathize with those who have fallen to hard times. I also recognize there is a mentality that takes any and every advantage. A child deserves every opportunity that we as an "advanced" society can give them. We as a whole are failing these children. These children do not want anything more than love and a secure present. Their future is in their own hands. We however should have an obligation to help release them from the hobbles they are fettered with. It's not who's to blame, it's why we are inefficient and ineffective when we are needed.

My initial response:

This may take a little while, as I have struggled with the ideas for some time myself, and cannot claim any complete solution. But, do have some definite ideas as to what our responsibility may be, much as related to scripture, and some more a matter of experience. If it’s alright, and I suspect it is as we are engaged in an ongoing conversation, I will make this in installments, but I want you to know it is not neglected. I simply have to set aside times to address the issue adequately. So expect more in the next few days.

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My reply:

Ex 34:7 and others regarding 'visiting the iniquities of the fathers unto the third and fourth generations' was, at one time very troubling to me. But that was before I understood more of how the human mind and environmental (parental and family) conditions influenced each other.

We, in the Christian community, tend to relate 'God' as the responsible agent for virtually all human conditions, without consideration for the natural cause and effects, as they exist, whether as instituted by His divine person or as a fact of natural condition. IE 'God' is the one to blame, He is obviously 'unfair'. This is a logical conclusion, not too difficult to espouse, but that is based on a very limited understanding of how human relations affect each other, and particularly as relates from generation to generation.

When the Bible states (as pertaining to God speaking) “I will visit”, the contemporary accepted notion is that “God causes”, and that can be rationalized, though I believe errantly. The Bible is not a book to explain all the details of conditions as pertains to humans and God, but uses the “God” reference to explain attributes of spiritual, psychological and often material truths in environs of ignorance and inadequate means of understanding truths and reality beyond the limits of those being addressed. I know this would automatically relegate me to the realms of unbelief (as contemporarily defined by Fundamentalists) but I don’t really worry about that, as this is relatively simple by comparison to some the deeper I get into it, and if it is truth … why should I worry.

Jesus said at the time of his being anointed with expensive perfume in preparation for his execution and burial, as he was confronted about the cost and the fact that it could have been spent to relieve the “poor”, “…the poor you always have with you…” Of course he was emphasizing the fact that his presence was of a limited duration, but I believe he was equally underscoring the fact that eliminating poverty is not a matter of focusing on it, or providing some temporary relief … Or that as scrutinized in greater detail poverty could be eliminated, but poverty is an actual condition to be expected as all economic systems being humanly devised invariably are deficient in considering the class of persons, for whatever reasons, predisposed to reject or neglect the necessities of life required to maintain their existence within the commonly accepted system. This is not a Capitalist or Socialist problem, but rather a human nature problem. Unfortunately where this obstinate attitude begins or surfaces, the progeny of the transgressor suffer. Eventually, these descendants must come to their own thinking and either accept their “fate” (I don’t like that word) or make a break in their congenital thinking inherited through exposure to parental influence. This is a situation which holds true regarding many areas of thought picked up through parental relations. We must all accept responsibility for our own thoughts and associated actions and responses in the world.

Now, having stated what I have, that does not excuse us from making our every effort to provide a better life foundation for all caught in such disadvantaged marginalized situations. As Jesus observed the multitudes being “without a shepherd” or gathering the little children to himself. Yet, I do not believe this attitude of Christ is one that can be mandated or made part of the “Christian” code. It must be one divinely instilled … though I do not reject the necessity of ongoing, affirmative, and pro-active education, the acceptance of responsibility regarding ministry to the needs of others is an individual one, and being “guilted” into ministerial service is a religious farce.

I also think it is unrealistic to believe that we, as an enlightened” society will ever completely solve the problem of poverty, or homelessness. We can do what we can as individuals, and influence as many as we can, but I do not believe a corporate effort (as a corporation is currently defined) can be created to accomplish the task. A corporation is made up of individuals, and no matter how “well defined” a purpose may be, there will always be exceptions which require an individual’s attention and make accommodation for the needs of all such individuals not fitting into the ‘corporate’ definition. Thus I realize my responsibility is to be who I am to all I can be and influence to a greater life than they currently understand. A corporate system may be supportive, but is not itself the heart of ministry.

There are a number of problems concerning the little girl and such living in homeless shelters. First, what are parental rights and responsibilities? There are cases where I think the state should step in and place a child in foster care. But that is not an absolute, each case is different. Second, a child’s desire to improve, must be faced with their need to divorce from acquired parental attitudes and influence. Third, though a desire to relocate to another state may be understandable, it does not address the acquired and/or innate human deficiency. The fact that humans are deficient (or ‘sinful’) is not a popular concept in modern culture. But, I have learned over the years from experience … we are. The cause or nature of this deficiency are too complicated to even try to clearly decipher. I do believe we humans can progress and improve our cultural social situation, but also believe we are continually faced with an often disproportionate number, of a mind to reject whatever system is established, or “a mentality that takes any and every advantage”… giving little or nothing in return. These deserve nothing, but is it my place to make that judgment? When is “hope” extinguished? When do I give up on another human being? … I don’t know.