ABC has a new series this fall, Flash Forward.
If I had been in the TV world I would have invented this show myself. The premise is that everyone (almost) on Earth had a blackout at the same time and saw glimpses of their lives in the future. After coming out of the unconscious state, everyone now wonders how they are going to deal with their futures. Some see themselves in relationships other than the ones they are currently in. Some become alcoholic. Some see a thought-to-be dead daughter. And still some see their lives as a success.
"Everyone is a prophet," so says one of the characters.
Even though I am curious to see what side of the determinist fence the show will land, I also see some spiritual aspects to the show (outside of the characters asking if this is the Rapture and what small groups are discussing at their churches).
We don't know if the show will say life is determined, so get over it, or if the show will say that life is really all about choices; there is a way your life could end up or you can change its course. I hope we see some people living out their "destinies," because they choose to and we see others who changed their "prophecy."
The abundant life we have is all about choices. I believe God has given us a ship in which we are the masters of own fate and the captain of our own soul
My Favorite Places…
3 hours ago
3 comments:
in response to by quote made by William Henley and the statement made in church concerning the same statement.
First, I choice the statement not as a firmly held personal belief, i.e. I'm not a "humanist," but I chose it more for shock value. i believe in choices as opossed to a deterministic faith.
Second, the statement referred to yesterday in church was how assinine it was of Timothy McVeigh to use it as his motto after the OK City bombing. The pastor went on to say Jesus is the one who holds our destiny in his hands.
While I sort of agree that TM was being assinine, I believe he chose his fate in life and death by making evil choices. Consequently, the people who died in the disater were hurt and died because of his evil choices (not theirs). Regardless, a bad choice led to the course of evil.
As for Jesus holding anyone's fate. he is judge so in that sense yes he determines everyone's fate. But Jesus actually provided the way to escape judgment and offer a good choice, a choice of life. I, ultimately, must make that choice. Jesus will not (nor has not) made those choices for me.
So, would I choose another quote to end my post with?
I might would have, but I am tired of our deterministic view of God and will try to get the pendulum off the opposite wall. So, I've learned I need to be wiser with my humanistic quotes.
As I said to a close friend, who was the husband of one of the victims of the Post Office mass killings in Edmond, Oklahoma that preceeded TM's murders, "God did not call your wife home, the devil who shot her, sent her there."
That is awesome. Right on
Post a Comment