Jesus, the Great "I Am"
This Sunday I will continue in a sermon series on selected "I am" statements that Jesus made during His ministry. This week's "I am" statement is found in John 10:9, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.” Use this evangelistic sermon series to invite a friend to worship who needs Christ.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
John 10:1-10, HCSB
1 “I assure you: Anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the door but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.
2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.
5 They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t recognize the voice of strangers.”
6 Jesus gave them this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.
The Good Shepherd
7 So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.
10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Hebron Happenings Sunday, February 24, 2013
This Sunday I will continue in a sermon series on selected "I am" statements that Jesus made during His ministry. This week's "I am" statement is found in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Use this evangelistic sermon series to invite a friend to worship who needs Christ.
Sunday at 5:00 p.m. there will be an Ordination Council called for the purpose of ordaining Danny Mann to the Gospel Ministry. Danny is our Student Pastor. The Ordination Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Both the council and the service will be held in the Church Sanctuary. Bring your favorite finger foods and snacks for a time of fellowship following the service.
See you Sunday for life-changing worship and study of God's Word!
Pastor Joe
"Phil. 1:3"
Sunday at 5:00 p.m. there will be an Ordination Council called for the purpose of ordaining Danny Mann to the Gospel Ministry. Danny is our Student Pastor. The Ordination Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Both the council and the service will be held in the Church Sanctuary. Bring your favorite finger foods and snacks for a time of fellowship following the service.
See you Sunday for life-changing worship and study of God's Word!
Pastor Joe
"Phil. 1:3"
Monday, February 11, 2013
Hebron Happenings, Sunday, February 17, 2013
New Sermon Series, "The I Am's of Jesus"
Sunday, February 17th I will begin a new series of messages covering some of the great "I Am" statements that Jesus made in the Gospel of John. Some scholars have claimed that Jesus never intended to identify Himself as God, but it is difficult to read the Bible and not see that Jesus clearly identified Himself as divine. When Jesus said "I Am," it was not a coincidence and not without a specific purpose. Certainly, Jesus' hearers knew what He meant by using the expression first found in Exodus 3:14. In that passage God disclosed His name to Moses as "I Am," meaning "I will be what I will be," a designation of deity.
Because Jesus is Lord, only He can satisfy the hunger and thirst that we instinctively have. Only Jesus can reconcile us to the Father, feed our Spirit, quench our thirst, and bring light to our darkened existence. I hope that you will join us on Sundays for this Easter season series of messages that will help us to see Jesus for all that He is, for when we know Him as He is, we will also discover that the living Christ is truly the one who makes us complete!
The first message in the series will be based on John 6:35, "I am the bread of life, Jesus told them. No one who come to Me will ever be hungry, and not one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again."
The Church Prioritizing Renewal
Our first CPR meeting will be held Sunday, February 17th at 5:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Here is some information about CPR.
What Is CPR?
Cardio means "of the heart" and Pulmonary means "of the lungs." Resuscitation is a medical word that means “to revive” — or “bring back to life.” The acronym, CPR is being used to express our desire as a church to prayerfully evaluate our ministry and to form strategies for renewing and achieving our mission. Thus, CPR for us means, The Church Prioritizing Renewal.
Essentially there are four steps to this renewal process:
1. Understanding. Where are we as a church in terms of how we are carrying out our mission?
2. Evaluating. What are our strengths and challenges? What needs to change in order for us to fulfill our mission?
3. Strategizing. What do we believe God wants to do this year, five years from now? What are our goals?
4. Implementing. What specific steps will we take to see church renewal?
Hoped-For Outcomes of the CPR Process?
1. Bringing the church together to talk about our mission in a constructive way.
2. Allowing us as a church to identify both our strengths and challenges.
3. Providing concrete plans for moving forward and carrying out our mission.
Who and When?
Although our Church Council members and Deacons will be a part of this team, every church member that is concerned about the health of HBC and has a heart for renewal is encouraged to participate. The first CPR strategy meeting will take place on February 17th at 5:00 p.m.
Hope House, Sunday, February 17th at 6:00 p.m.
Jimmy and Glenda Bell will be sharing with us how God is opening doors in our Parish to minister to people who have been caught up in Human Trafficking.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Sunday, February 17th I will begin a new series of messages covering some of the great "I Am" statements that Jesus made in the Gospel of John. Some scholars have claimed that Jesus never intended to identify Himself as God, but it is difficult to read the Bible and not see that Jesus clearly identified Himself as divine. When Jesus said "I Am," it was not a coincidence and not without a specific purpose. Certainly, Jesus' hearers knew what He meant by using the expression first found in Exodus 3:14. In that passage God disclosed His name to Moses as "I Am," meaning "I will be what I will be," a designation of deity.
Because Jesus is Lord, only He can satisfy the hunger and thirst that we instinctively have. Only Jesus can reconcile us to the Father, feed our Spirit, quench our thirst, and bring light to our darkened existence. I hope that you will join us on Sundays for this Easter season series of messages that will help us to see Jesus for all that He is, for when we know Him as He is, we will also discover that the living Christ is truly the one who makes us complete!
The first message in the series will be based on John 6:35, "I am the bread of life, Jesus told them. No one who come to Me will ever be hungry, and not one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again."
The Church Prioritizing Renewal
Our first CPR meeting will be held Sunday, February 17th at 5:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Here is some information about CPR.
What Is CPR?
Cardio means "of the heart" and Pulmonary means "of the lungs." Resuscitation is a medical word that means “to revive” — or “bring back to life.” The acronym, CPR is being used to express our desire as a church to prayerfully evaluate our ministry and to form strategies for renewing and achieving our mission. Thus, CPR for us means, The Church Prioritizing Renewal.
Essentially there are four steps to this renewal process:
1. Understanding. Where are we as a church in terms of how we are carrying out our mission?
2. Evaluating. What are our strengths and challenges? What needs to change in order for us to fulfill our mission?
3. Strategizing. What do we believe God wants to do this year, five years from now? What are our goals?
4. Implementing. What specific steps will we take to see church renewal?
Hoped-For Outcomes of the CPR Process?
1. Bringing the church together to talk about our mission in a constructive way.
2. Allowing us as a church to identify both our strengths and challenges.
3. Providing concrete plans for moving forward and carrying out our mission.
Who and When?
Although our Church Council members and Deacons will be a part of this team, every church member that is concerned about the health of HBC and has a heart for renewal is encouraged to participate. The first CPR strategy meeting will take place on February 17th at 5:00 p.m.
Hope House, Sunday, February 17th at 6:00 p.m.
Jimmy and Glenda Bell will be sharing with us how God is opening doors in our Parish to minister to people who have been caught up in Human Trafficking.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Monday, February 4, 2013
Evangelist Kenny Evans, Sunday, February 10, 2013
Evangelist Kenny Evans will be sharing in both the 8:00 & 10:30 AM services this Sunday, February 10th. Kenny regularly performs in Pigeon Forge, TN and has a powerful ministry of proclaiming God's Word and singing His praises. Join us for this special event and bring a friend! A love offering will be received.
Other Hebron Happenings
New Mexico Mission Trip Meeting, Sunday, February 10th at 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Happy Bunch Lunch, Tuesday, February 5th at 11:30 a.m. Special Guest: Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Upward Basketball and Cheerleading: Due to the Mardi Gras Holidays, games will be this week, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (Feb. 4, 5, 7).
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Other Hebron Happenings
New Mexico Mission Trip Meeting, Sunday, February 10th at 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Happy Bunch Lunch, Tuesday, February 5th at 11:30 a.m. Special Guest: Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Upward Basketball and Cheerleading: Due to the Mardi Gras Holidays, games will be this week, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (Feb. 4, 5, 7).
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Monday, January 28, 2013
"Living the Lord's Prayer" Continues This Sunday, February 3, 2013
Living the Lord’s Prayer Jesus' disciples once asked, "Lord, teach us
to pray." Jesus responded to their request in what we know as The Lord's Prayer.
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, did He intend for them to merely
recite His prayer on a daily basis? Or, did He intend for them to live it?
Join us Sunday, February 3rd during the Sunday morning services, as we continue discovering the life-changing principles of prayer contained in Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Part I of this message is now available online at joealainsermons.blogspot.com
For His Glory
Pastor Joe
Matthew 6:9-13, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) The Model Prayer
9 "Therefore, you should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Your name be honored as holy.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Join us Sunday, February 3rd during the Sunday morning services, as we continue discovering the life-changing principles of prayer contained in Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Part I of this message is now available online at joealainsermons.blogspot.com
For His Glory
Pastor Joe
Matthew 6:9-13, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) The Model Prayer
9 "Therefore, you should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Your name be honored as holy.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
"Living The Lord's Prayer," Message for Sunday, Januar 27, 2013
Living the Lord’s Prayer
Jesus' disciples once asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." Jesus responded to their request in what we know as The Lord's Prayer. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, did He intend for them to merely recite His prayer on a daily basis? Or, did He intend for them to live it? Join us January 27th and February 3rd during the Sunday morning services, as we discover the life-changing principles of prayer contained in Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.
For His Glory
Pastor Joe
Matthew 6:9-13, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) The Model Prayer
9 "Therefore, you should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Your name be honored as holy.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Jesus' disciples once asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." Jesus responded to their request in what we know as The Lord's Prayer. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, did He intend for them to merely recite His prayer on a daily basis? Or, did He intend for them to live it? Join us January 27th and February 3rd during the Sunday morning services, as we discover the life-changing principles of prayer contained in Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.
For His Glory
Pastor Joe
Matthew 6:9-13, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) The Model Prayer
9 "Therefore, you should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Your name be honored as holy.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Reflections on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged
Reflections on Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged
Review: January 8, 2013
Dr. Joe Alain
Atlas fainted! Ok, Atlas didn’t faint, but I almost did a few times as I spent many an evening and morning wading through Ayn Rand’s massive 1168 page work, Atlas Shrugged. This makes my last two reads over 1,000 pages. I think my next book will be something light, maybe the Avengers VS X-Men or perhaps some Max Lucado.
Atlas Shrugged is a novel, but don’t let that fool you, this is a philosophy book written in the form of a novel. This is both a strength and a weakness. A strength in that Rand flesh’s out her philosophy (known as "Objectivism") through a number of characters in the book. This however is a weakness at times because you get the feeling that she’s trying to say a little bit too much through the characters. It’s a little trying at times to imagine that every industrialist is as pure (philosophically) and thoughtful as Rand makes them out to be. Similarly, every altruistic person in the novel is thoroughly depraved. This makes her "heroic" characters come off as a little "preachy." This is especially true in John Galt’s radio address (I would call it a "sermon" or "manifesto") near the end of the book.
Admittedly, Ayn Rand was no Christian and at times she openly mocked Christianity, proclaiming it anathema to reason. So what compelled me to read this book by a noted atheist? First, aside from Rand’s name popping up in discussions with one of my favorite bands, Rush, her philosophy has been associated regularly with conservative Republicans and Independents the last few years, for example, Congressman Paul Ryan and Senator Rand Paul. Ryan, the once GOP Vice Presidential nominee even called Rand’s works the inspiration for his government career. Second, I’m one of those individuals that actually enjoys reading theology and philosophy, so knowing that this was a work of philosophy sparked my interest.
Essentially, in Atlas Shrugged there is the epic struggle between the people who produce (the people of reason, the people of mind) and those who spend their days trying to figure out how to obtain what the thinkers have produced (sound familiar?). Rand calls the latter group appropriately, the "looters." By the way, the looters are the ones in the story who live conflicted, miserable, fake lives. The heroes in the story are the industrialists who produce what their minds have conceived, they make the world as we know it work, they are the ones who are virtuous because they live their lives consistently by reason, the mind.
Led by the mysterious figure John Galt ("Who is John Galt," the question repeatedly asked throughout the book), the industrialists of the nation decide that the only way to defeat the looters (the government sanctioned system of plundering the producers) is to deprive them of further loot; thus they go on strike, a strike of the mind. What happens when the thinking people, the people who are the motor of the world, go on strike? Atlas shrugs! And the consequences are devastating for the looters soon realize they need the people of the mind. However, the thinkers will only come back on their terms, terms that will prove to be unacceptable to the looters; thus, hastening the society’s demise and preparing the country to once again accept the industrialists on their terms. "Whew!" I did say it was 1168 pages didn’t I?
There are many things that Rand says that make perfect logical sense, especially some of her thoughts on limited government, capitalism, and the freedom of the individual. For example, one of her characters Dr. Askton makes a profound statement concerning the nature of the world that we chose to live in. He says, "Every man builds his world in his own image. He has the power to chose, but no power to escape the necessity of choice. If he abdicates his power, he abdicates the status of man, and the grinding chaos of the irrational is what he achieves as his sphere of existence – by his own choice" (791). This is brilliant and theologically correct! To live in a rational (and I would add God-centered) world is a choice. In refusing to choose, you still have made a choice.
The dystopian setting of the novel is eerily prophetic. What happens if the people who invent, who produce go on strike, a strike of the mind? What happens to a society when that which is produced is plundered? And what happens when a government sanctions the looting through regulation? A society that exalts mediocrity will soon despise everyone and everything that is excellent. Likewise, a society cannot last long when looters with government sanction plunder the productive, the people of thinking. Similarly, there is a warning to any state, you cannot force men of the mind to produce at the point of a gun to continue producing for the looters. I found Rand’s argument on why governments make endless and restrictive laws insightful.
Of course, there are many criticisms that I have both of the book and its philosophy. Rand’s insistence on the ethic of self interest as the human goal and her rejection of altruism oppose the very basic tenants of the Christian faith. This is why some prominent conservatives who are Christian have cautioned against adopting Rand’s philosophy. The late Charles Colson denounced Rand’s philosophy warning his fellow Republicans saying, "It’s hard to imagine a world view more antithetical to Christianity."
Even Rand’s economic views would be considered extreme by many conservative Christians who take seriously the call to follow Jesus and to live sacrificially, a term and concept that Rand abhorred. Cynthia Tucker writes, "In Rand’s philosophy, the brilliant, the well-born and the lucky have no obligation to the struggling stiffs whose jobs don’t guarantee riches. Indeed she believed altruism was foolish." The title to one of her works, "The Virtue of Selfishness" pretty much sums up her philosophy.
Rand’s most distasteful anti-Christian views are on full display in the chapter where John Galt addresses the nation. It is in this chapter that the virtue of selfishness is fully explored as well as Rand’s rejection of the idea of sacrifice. For Rand, production and wealth is the barometer of a society’s virtue, not how people treat one another. Reason and logic are the utmost guides to man. According to Rand, faith, compassion, altruism, all of these are weaknesses and lead to the death of man and society.
As mentioned, the book is massive in length, about 500 pages too long in my estimation. The plot develops slowly and the real action unfolds in the last fourth of the book. Rand’s writing has been criticized at times as being not unlike a bad romance novel and this style does come through occasionally. This is especially prominent when Rand’s female hero Dagny Taggart (one wonders if this is not Rand herself personified) has an affair with each of the three heroic men of the story, Francisco d’ Anconia, Hank Rearden, and eventually John Galt himself. But even in these mild scenes, philosophy is being taught. Interestingly, when the looters who lack virtue make love, it’s portrayed merely as animal lustful passion. However, when the heroes of Atlas Shrugged make love, it’s always seen as pure and virtuous, no matter the fact that in every instance each person is married to someone else and they are committing adultery. However, in Rand’s thinking there is no contradiction here because her characters are living by their own standard, their own ethic, the virtue of selfishness.
While we may glean some helpful material from Rand’s works in making a case for limited government, capitalism, and the freedom of the individual, Christians would do well to read her works and her philosophy in light of Scripture and our Lord who lived a life that was antithetical to selfishness, and who commands his followers to do the same. "For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk. 10:45). And "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you (Jn. 20:21).
Review: January 8, 2013
Dr. Joe Alain
Atlas fainted! Ok, Atlas didn’t faint, but I almost did a few times as I spent many an evening and morning wading through Ayn Rand’s massive 1168 page work, Atlas Shrugged. This makes my last two reads over 1,000 pages. I think my next book will be something light, maybe the Avengers VS X-Men or perhaps some Max Lucado.
Atlas Shrugged is a novel, but don’t let that fool you, this is a philosophy book written in the form of a novel. This is both a strength and a weakness. A strength in that Rand flesh’s out her philosophy (known as "Objectivism") through a number of characters in the book. This however is a weakness at times because you get the feeling that she’s trying to say a little bit too much through the characters. It’s a little trying at times to imagine that every industrialist is as pure (philosophically) and thoughtful as Rand makes them out to be. Similarly, every altruistic person in the novel is thoroughly depraved. This makes her "heroic" characters come off as a little "preachy." This is especially true in John Galt’s radio address (I would call it a "sermon" or "manifesto") near the end of the book.
Admittedly, Ayn Rand was no Christian and at times she openly mocked Christianity, proclaiming it anathema to reason. So what compelled me to read this book by a noted atheist? First, aside from Rand’s name popping up in discussions with one of my favorite bands, Rush, her philosophy has been associated regularly with conservative Republicans and Independents the last few years, for example, Congressman Paul Ryan and Senator Rand Paul. Ryan, the once GOP Vice Presidential nominee even called Rand’s works the inspiration for his government career. Second, I’m one of those individuals that actually enjoys reading theology and philosophy, so knowing that this was a work of philosophy sparked my interest.
Essentially, in Atlas Shrugged there is the epic struggle between the people who produce (the people of reason, the people of mind) and those who spend their days trying to figure out how to obtain what the thinkers have produced (sound familiar?). Rand calls the latter group appropriately, the "looters." By the way, the looters are the ones in the story who live conflicted, miserable, fake lives. The heroes in the story are the industrialists who produce what their minds have conceived, they make the world as we know it work, they are the ones who are virtuous because they live their lives consistently by reason, the mind.
Led by the mysterious figure John Galt ("Who is John Galt," the question repeatedly asked throughout the book), the industrialists of the nation decide that the only way to defeat the looters (the government sanctioned system of plundering the producers) is to deprive them of further loot; thus they go on strike, a strike of the mind. What happens when the thinking people, the people who are the motor of the world, go on strike? Atlas shrugs! And the consequences are devastating for the looters soon realize they need the people of the mind. However, the thinkers will only come back on their terms, terms that will prove to be unacceptable to the looters; thus, hastening the society’s demise and preparing the country to once again accept the industrialists on their terms. "Whew!" I did say it was 1168 pages didn’t I?
There are many things that Rand says that make perfect logical sense, especially some of her thoughts on limited government, capitalism, and the freedom of the individual. For example, one of her characters Dr. Askton makes a profound statement concerning the nature of the world that we chose to live in. He says, "Every man builds his world in his own image. He has the power to chose, but no power to escape the necessity of choice. If he abdicates his power, he abdicates the status of man, and the grinding chaos of the irrational is what he achieves as his sphere of existence – by his own choice" (791). This is brilliant and theologically correct! To live in a rational (and I would add God-centered) world is a choice. In refusing to choose, you still have made a choice.
The dystopian setting of the novel is eerily prophetic. What happens if the people who invent, who produce go on strike, a strike of the mind? What happens to a society when that which is produced is plundered? And what happens when a government sanctions the looting through regulation? A society that exalts mediocrity will soon despise everyone and everything that is excellent. Likewise, a society cannot last long when looters with government sanction plunder the productive, the people of thinking. Similarly, there is a warning to any state, you cannot force men of the mind to produce at the point of a gun to continue producing for the looters. I found Rand’s argument on why governments make endless and restrictive laws insightful.
Of course, there are many criticisms that I have both of the book and its philosophy. Rand’s insistence on the ethic of self interest as the human goal and her rejection of altruism oppose the very basic tenants of the Christian faith. This is why some prominent conservatives who are Christian have cautioned against adopting Rand’s philosophy. The late Charles Colson denounced Rand’s philosophy warning his fellow Republicans saying, "It’s hard to imagine a world view more antithetical to Christianity."
Even Rand’s economic views would be considered extreme by many conservative Christians who take seriously the call to follow Jesus and to live sacrificially, a term and concept that Rand abhorred. Cynthia Tucker writes, "In Rand’s philosophy, the brilliant, the well-born and the lucky have no obligation to the struggling stiffs whose jobs don’t guarantee riches. Indeed she believed altruism was foolish." The title to one of her works, "The Virtue of Selfishness" pretty much sums up her philosophy.
Rand’s most distasteful anti-Christian views are on full display in the chapter where John Galt addresses the nation. It is in this chapter that the virtue of selfishness is fully explored as well as Rand’s rejection of the idea of sacrifice. For Rand, production and wealth is the barometer of a society’s virtue, not how people treat one another. Reason and logic are the utmost guides to man. According to Rand, faith, compassion, altruism, all of these are weaknesses and lead to the death of man and society.
As mentioned, the book is massive in length, about 500 pages too long in my estimation. The plot develops slowly and the real action unfolds in the last fourth of the book. Rand’s writing has been criticized at times as being not unlike a bad romance novel and this style does come through occasionally. This is especially prominent when Rand’s female hero Dagny Taggart (one wonders if this is not Rand herself personified) has an affair with each of the three heroic men of the story, Francisco d’ Anconia, Hank Rearden, and eventually John Galt himself. But even in these mild scenes, philosophy is being taught. Interestingly, when the looters who lack virtue make love, it’s portrayed merely as animal lustful passion. However, when the heroes of Atlas Shrugged make love, it’s always seen as pure and virtuous, no matter the fact that in every instance each person is married to someone else and they are committing adultery. However, in Rand’s thinking there is no contradiction here because her characters are living by their own standard, their own ethic, the virtue of selfishness.
While we may glean some helpful material from Rand’s works in making a case for limited government, capitalism, and the freedom of the individual, Christians would do well to read her works and her philosophy in light of Scripture and our Lord who lived a life that was antithetical to selfishness, and who commands his followers to do the same. "For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk. 10:45). And "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you (Jn. 20:21).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)