Life in Chaos
The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Genesis 1:2 NASB
Formless and void – “So, how’s that working out for you?” The fundamental question about our assumptions concerning life. The most important question of evangelism. How’s it going? How is life on your terms? Is everything working just the way you want it?
Ah, probably not. Chaos is also fundamental to the human condition. Life not the way we wished. The eternal battle of the yetzer ha’ra. “Religious man’s desire to live in the sacred is in fact equivalent to his desire to take up his abode in objective reality, not to let himself be paralyzed by the never-ceasing relativity of purely subjective experiences, to live in a real and effective world, and not in an illusion.”[1] God’s world is the real world. The problem is me, not Him. I constantly try to bend the real world, God’s world, into the shape of my desires and by doing so I distort the real. I think the world is really the way I perceive it to be, but I am fundamentally mistaken. It isn’t. It is the way God sees it. My world is tohu va’bohu (formless and void) even as I try to make it into something else. Egypt knew this. Underneath it all is the primal sea of chaos. Life floats on the threat of disintegration. Tentative. Unstable. All the ancient cultures recognized utter dependency on the gods. YHVH is the only One Who offered sanctuary, the only One Who overcame chaos.
Of course, that hasn’t prevented modern man from rejecting sovereignty in favor of freedom. But the consequences of our version of freedom have resulted in a complete loss of safety. We are once again cast into the primal sea, the abyss of the situation, the uncertainty of the desacralized world. “Life is not possible without an opening toward the transcendent; in other words, human being cannot live in chaos.”[2] But apparently we think we can. The solution to chaos is God, but the price of the solution is submission. Apparently we would rather be unhinged than submit. So be it.
Tohu va’bohu is the world of death, the place where life is no longer possible, the “primordial modality of cosmic matter”[3] when the world is stripped of its Sovereign. Tohu va’bohu is you, my friend, in your frantic search for personal stability without personal surrender. YHVH’s world is ordered, but it is His order, not ours. And it is not subject to negotiation. The profane man lives in the house of a machine of his own making. It is a machine that does not work without constant attention and repair. It is a machine that will work a man to death. It is the machine of the myth of ultimate explanation. Pink Floyd
Topical Index: chaos, tohu va’bohu, Genesis 1:2, surrender, death
[1] Mircea Eliade, The Sacred and the Profane, p. 28.
[2] Ibid, p. 34.
[3] Ibid., p. 41.
We cannot have it both ways, that’s why he gave us choices, choose ye this day whom ye will serve I put before you life, or death, choose life ,everything about our walk is ordered by YAH we just have to ask him to remove the veil so we can see clearly the path that he would like for us to walk
I like the submission part. It can be my way or I can have peace. When I give up trying to think I should understand reality, I give reality a chance to understand (fit with) me. The desire to control only reveals the need for security. It is my security index. When I voluntarily lay down that impulsive grab for the reins, I create a space for YHVH to create security for me. So hard! I chose to be “unhinged rather than submit” (LOL) because I was confused about what I was supposed to submit TO. I was believing lies. I was also very ashamed. Unhinged will do that to you.
It does take struggle to learn that having peace is actually more enjoyable than having it my way. However, we are good at deceiving ourselves that we can have both. Perfect reference to the Pink Floyd song.
The comments are right on today! as is the reflection! Some of us may not fully grasp just how close things in life are to becoming shall we say formless? “Life floats on the threat of disintegration,” Disintegration can just be under the surface and yes, we need to submit to YHVH in order to keep afloat!
What? The most important question of evangelism? is “How’s it going? How is life on your terms? Is everything working just the way you want it?” Friend, – It’s not about “me.” Christianity is not “self”-centered, – it is “Christ-centered.” it is not about me, or you, or even “them,” – (whoever “they” are), – it is about a Person and His Name is?
Have you seen this Man? How well do you know Him? Not only His story, which in itself is wonderful, but know Him? (Whom to know is Life Eternal). Christianity is Christ. Not a religion (there are plenty enough of those), but a relationship with the resurrected and reigning, living LORD. BTW, “the” LORD of Heaven and of Earth. The One who was before Abraham. This is the same One of whom the scriptures testify: “For in Him all things were created: things in Heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1.16)
Do you agree or argue with this? Is this true? Then “if,” no.. “since” it is true.. should we, shall we not together “bow the knee,” and confess with our mouths “Jesus Christ is LORD,” to the glory of God the Father?
For again it is written, ~ God has highly exalted Him, and has bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father ~
Friend, did I just read “every” knee? My knees, your knees, his knees, her knees – every knee shall bow and confess!! Jewish knees, Christian knees, Atheist knees, black knees, Republican knees – EVERY knee shall bow! But why wait? Why not start (practicing) today? “The transcendence of the Name of Jesus and its everlasting glory depend upon the work accomplished at the place called Calvary and at the open grave.” (R.G. Lee) King of kings? LORD of lords? Only one Name is worthy. And yes David, it is so true: “Blessed is the Name of the LORD!!”
LORD of every thought and action,
LORD to send and Lord to stay;
LORD in speaking, writing, giving,
LORD in all things to obey;
Now and evermore to be.
“LORD” is strictly reserved for YHWH, THE King and Redeemer, the Creator and Giver of Life! Every knee shall bow to HIM/YHWH, Who sent the son, whose name is NOT Jesus!
The son will not sit on the Throne, but at the right hand of the Father!
Now, read your post again, in that light, Carl. Shalom!
Ester, I only quote what is already written.. – these are not my words, but the words within the Book God wrote! God has given unto Him the Name that is above every name! Again, these are not my words, but His! As Thomas the doubter confessed: “my LORD and my God!”
Yes, it is certainly a mystery, but one best encapsulated (I believe) by John the Immerser: “Behold the Lamb of God!” And as John would later write: ”
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”…
And I say again, “Blessed is the Name of the LORD” His saving, succoring, sovereign Name is Wonderful!! His Name is certainly more than we know… And the Child shall be called … “Pele-yoez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom!!” (but wait.. – there’s more!)
Darn it, Carl, stop quoting scripture!
Just kidding 🙂
All due respect Ester, I’m not sure what the difficulty is with the scripture Carl quoted.
It says He, Yeshua/Jesus, is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It does say His name is above all names. And it also says He did in fact, create everything, therefore, the Creator. And that every knee will bow to Him.
He most definitely is our Redeemer.
With all due respect, the AUDIENCE matters. Yeshua is King off Kings, but to whom? He is Lord of Lords, but to whom? There is, as far as I can tell, no text that explicitly states that he, Yeshua, created all things (yes, I know John 1, but again, what is the context of the AUDIENCE, and how does John use his language). The fact that the Messiah is the King of all kings (a political, not spiritual title) and the Lord of all lords (ah, but what do you do with Ps 110 then) does not mean that he is YHVH. That depends on a prior theological paradigm, which apparently (my dearest friend) you share with Carl, but not with Ester. 🙂
So it is biblically correct to worship humans, then, and divinity is within reach of all?
“worship” and “divine” are words that depend on the CULTURAL CONTEXT for their meanings.
In the first century, men were worshipped and considered divine. But we read the text differently and consequently make assumptions that are not part of the original.
Christians faced wild animals instead of worshiping Ceasar as a divine human. Jews also. Would they have been the ones culturally confused?
I was just thinking along those same lines, Laurita. Those early “Christians/Χριστιανός” gave up their lives for their faith in Yeshua. Were they really all that confused over what they were taking their stand for?
Truth be told, I don’t see any messianics getting their heads cut off today, maybe a good theological whoopin but, I sure see an awful lot of Christians having theirs wacked off.
I think we do them a huge disservice by diminishing their Christian faith and using the “J”word like it’s a hammer.
“Tohu va’bohu is the world of death, the place where life is no longer possible”, that is the reality of life we are facing IF we have eyes to see, and ears to hear.
Not only are we machines, needing constant repair and maintenance, we are way too dependent on machines-cars for transportation (not men toys for racing, risking their lives!), microwave ovens for convenience, (killing all the nutritions); some homes are surrounded by computers, laptops for children-minding, and games (ignoring the radiation factor that is so damaging to children’s growing up and their health).
Then there’s the chemical-filled food chains and processed foods, besides every imaginable man-made drug/medication that is presumed/prescribed to bring healing.
“Life floats on the threat of disintegration.” !
ABBA, we need Your order of Your ways in our lives, and in the world.
We can’t live in the chaos of evil for good and good for evil. Amein!
To Carl, and Mark- Shalom!
“Christ-centered.” I really am confounded by that- are we to be “Anointed-centred”? Χριστός Christos G5548= anointed..
Perhaps we are to be centred (?) on being anointed?
Or, are we to be יְהֹוָה centred, after all HE is the Creator and Redeemer. Did not the son Jesus only does what the Father told him; did he not do His/the Father’s will?
“Christianity is Christ”!! Wow! If I understand you, this could be true of church-goers who have abandoned Torah ways.
May I ask where is Torah/Tanakh/ יְהֹוָה in Christianity?
May I ask- what is Christianity? Where from?
“the resurrected and reigning, living LORD.”
LORD in the Hebrew Scriptures refers strictly to יְהֹוָה , e.g.
Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. (to לַֽיהוָֽה)
וַֽיְהִ֖י מִקֵּ֣ץ יָמִ֑ים וַיָּבֵ֨א קַ֜יִן מִפְּרִ֧י הָֽאֲדָמָ֛ה מִנְחָ֖ה לַֽיהוָֽה׃
Did יְהֹוָה The Creator of ALL things die, and resurrect?!
e.g. Col 1:3 “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,”
GOD, and… the Father …OF…. hmmm.
“Jesus Christ is LORD,” to the glory of God the Father? ” Then, how can Jesus be LORD/ יְהֹוָה, and yet, it’s TO the glory of God the Father יְהֹוָה? Makes NO sense!
“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb,” –
to ONE Who sits on the Throne, AND…., to the Lamb…. I see TWO entities.
Has Jesus ever said we are to worship him? Wouldn’t that be considered idolatry?! Did Jesus say- when you pray, say, OUR FATHER…..? Of course he did!
Reason- only ONE is worthy to be worshiped and bowed down to! Are we contradicting GOD יְהֹוָה , Who is ONE?
Indeed, “Blessed is the Name of the LORD” ( יְהֹוָה )
Blessed is the name of the LORD indeed.
The Alpha and the Omega, the one who was dead, is now alive and lives for evermore, the one who sits on the throne and says to those who overcome “I will be their God” ( Rev 21:7). Who is he?
What does verse 22 of the same chapter imply, is God one, or two in one, or three in one?
I’m getting confused so just asking.
I guess I would consider it a blessing to not have had any “prior theological paradigm” to have to buck against. I didn’t have any “church” doctrine to have to shake off so I really don’t have to fight that hard about what the text does say.
It really seems to be a major issue with those that have come from a church background who might feel lied to or deceived. In reality, all’s one had to do was pick up their own bible and read. I actually started from the beginning of the book.
I find it interesting that people all the sudden become “Hebrew enlightened” and start rejecting the “Greek” scriptures we have. As if Hebrew is somehow a superior or holy language and Greek is evil. They’re both nothing more than common languages. The Apostolic text was written in Greek, that’s what the evidence shows. I think it’s fairly clear in the Greek scriptures, that in fact Yeshua is referred to as Kurios, which most often in the Septuagint is used for YHVH. But, no sense in getting into that. My point is, just because someone has a “Christian” paradigm or understanding doesn’t necessarily mean they are wrong. I just see so much pushing against Christianity like it’s evil or just has to be pagan. When in fact, many Christians keep an awful lot of Torah some even more than Messianics. In many cases they do a far better job of keeping the two most important commands there are, in which all hang on.
Just sayin…
You’re right about not rejecting the language. God used both of them. But the Greek philosophy and the Greek worldview is the basis of most Western thinking and it is definitely opposed to the Hebraic point-of-view in a lot of ways. It isn’t the language that matters. It’s the implications and assumptions behind the language.
I find it interesting that people all the sudden become “Hebrew enlightened” and start rejecting the “Greek” scriptures we have
Shalom, Mark!
Perhaps you would enjoy this video-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bKJF3UjkLU
Some quotations (not exact wordings) that so speak to us-
‘Religion is a commitment, to what? To… reason and revelation. To make changes- in the right direction, with a good question (as Skip has pointed out in some TWs), a wise question. The Wise asks, the evil says.
We are not to put down challenges and walk away, but have a willingness to have a conversation-a sacred conversation.’ Blessings!
And that’s why he was chief rabbi. 🙂
Vida en Caos
Y la tierra estaba desordenada y vacía, y las tinieblas estaban sobre la faz del abismo, y el Espíritu de Dios se movía sobre la faz de las aguas. Gen 1:2 RVR60
Desordenada y vacía – “¿Cómo te está yendo? La pregunta fundamental acerca de nuestros asunciones acerca de la vida. La pregunta más importante de evangelismo. ¿Cómo te va? ¿Cómo está tu vida según tus términos? ¿Está saliendo todo de la manera que tú quieres?
Probablemente no. El caos también es fundamental a la condición humana. La vida en la manera que no la hemos deseado. La eterna batalla del yetzer ja’ra. El deseo del hombre religioso de vivir en lo sagrado, es de hecho equivalente a su deseo de morar en la realidad objetiva, y no permitirse a sí mismo ser paralizado por la nunca cesante relatividad de experiencias puramente subjetivas, vivir en un mundo real y efectivo y no en una ilusión. [1] El mundo de Dios es el mundo real. El problema soy yo, no El. Constantemente trato de doblar el mundo real, el mundo de Dios, en la forma que deseo y al hacerlo distorsiono lo real. Pienso que el mundo es realmente la manera en que lo percibo, pero estoy fundamentalmente equivocado. No lo es. El mundo es la manera en que Dios lo ve. Mi mundo es toju va’boju (desordenado y vacío) aunque trate de convertirlo en algo más. Egipto sabía esto. Debajo de todo esto está el mar primario del caos. La vida flota sobre la amenaza de la desintegración. Tentativo. Inestable. Todas las culturas antiguas reconocían la dependencia absoluta en los dioses. YHVH es El único que ofrece Santuario El único que vence el caos.
Claro está eso no ha prevenido que el hombre moderno rechace la soberanía a favor de la libertad. Pero las consecuencias de nuestra versión de libertad han resultado en una pérdida completa de la seguridad. Hemos sido echados una vez más al mal primario, el abismo de la situación. La inestabilidad del mundo desacralizado. La vida no es posible sin una apertura hacia lo trascendente; en otras palabras, el ser humano no puede vivir en caos”. [2] Pero Aparentemente pensamos que podemos. La solución al caos es Dios pero el precio de la solución es sumisión. Aparentemente preferiríamos ser arrancados antes de someternos. Que así sea entonces.
Toju va’boju es el mundo de muerte, el lugar donde la vida ya no es posible, “la modalidad primordial de la materia cósmica”. [3] cuando el mundo es despojado de su Soberano. Toju va’boju eres tu mi amigo, en tu búsqueda frenética por estabilidad personal sin rendición moral. El mundo de YHVH es ordenado, pero al orden de El no el nuestro. Y no está sujeto a negociación. El hombre profano vive en la casa de una máquina de su hechura. Es una máquina que no funciona sin atención y reparación constante. Es una máquina que te hará trabajar a la muerte. Es una máquina del mito de la explicación suprema. Pink Floyd
Topical Index: chaos, toju va’boju, Genesis 1:2, surrender, death
[1] Mircea Eliade, The Sacred and the Profane, p. 28.
[2] Ibíd., p. 34.
[3] Ibíd., p. 41.