Christopher Armstrong, The Dean of Blackburn, considers the part that heroes play in our society.
We all need heroes, role models, mascots, idols even. We can create them ourselves or accept them from elsewhere.
At this very moment America is choosing its hero for the next term in the White House - and oh! - what a fuss they make of it!
It may be Hillary or Barack or even John McCain but we will have to wait until 4 November to find out just who will carry the can for America and half the world.
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Meanwhile children have their own heroes by popular acclaim. Whilst Heidi, Biggles or Dan Dare may have occupied the role for pervious generations of young people, it's Harry Potter today - that victimised schoolboy who is nevertheless courageous and intelligent.
There is something in Harry that is attractive, accessible and identifiable for both girls and boys.
We can put our trust in heroes, get inspiration or direction from them as well as losing our temper with them.
The representative figure has always played a critical role in human society and it is Jesus the Christian role model whom we consider carefully, especially during Lent as the Christian Church approaches Passion-tide and the climax of his suffering ministry.
Human kind has always been aware of its shortcomings. Failure, frustration and wickedness seem to abound. Why can't things be different, we ask.
It's an age-old story. The other age-old story is that human kind reckons it's OK, good enough, perhaps even perfect.
There are many illustrations of these two positions. Chaucer's pilgrims are examples of flawed humanity who travel hopefully - or Graham Greene's whisky priest.
Those who feel they are all sorted are exemplified by Lady Macbeth, Hitler or Saddam Hussein.
Problems with each category: yes. And we all fall across the spectrum.
So who will save us from ourselves and re-unite us with our creator?
Will politicians, priests or pop-stars? No.
The answer for Christians is God himself. But how can that be? If there is a God we cannot identify with him.
The mystery at the heart of Christianity is that God became human in the man Jesus and this man lived a controversial life that ended in murder.
Through his humanity we can identify with him as best we can, following in his footsteps, tailoring our lives to his pattern. (Some of our bloggers need to note that.)
It is the climax of that life which we monitor closely at the end of Lent. Christ suffers as we suffer, though different by degree, please God.
He is not in control of his life as so often we are not in control either.
A young student whom I greatly admire has recently compared Antony Gormley's 100 figures on Sefton Beach, Another Place' with Penny Warden's series of paintings, The Journey' in Blackburn Cathedral.
Each depicts a representative figure. On the beach, the 100 cast-iron men are all gazing out to sea, looking for that other place while in the Cathedral, Penny Warden's figures are struggling on a journey.
We can stand in front of each of these figures - in the cathedral or on the beach, depending on the tide - and identify with them in some way.
So whom can you trust to be your hero: politician, priest, pop star, man of iron or painted figure?
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 12:50pm Sun 9 Mar 08
Dear Chris,
Everyone has heroes. Nothing wrong with that. Some choose Christ and there is nothing wrong with that.
Why did God create the Universe in the first place. Why ? Why did God create things the way God created things. Why ?
Why did God create Mankind. What was his point? What was God trying to accomplish. What was Gods Ultimate purpose when God created Man?
Maybe we have missed something. Something very very fundamental. Maybe we have not looked into this chapter.
A Human Being has the ability to appreciate many things. He can appreciate art, music, football, nature, the stars, the galaxies, the universe. women and fast machines and financial well-being. Nice food, good wine. Beautiful Poetry. Religions and Heroes that are both living and dead. He can appreciate many, many, many many things. Man has definitely got an ability to appreciate. There is no doubting that. He can even appreciate God.
In fact, he is the only creature in nature that has this ability.
There is one thing, just one thing, that he neglects to appreciate, forgets to appreciate. There is one thing that he does not use this ability for. He is so busy appreciating all these things that he never even thinks of using this ability that God gave him to appreciate this one, most significant and fundamental thing. The first thing. The original and authentic thing.
In fact it is the only thing that God created man to appreciate. But man gets lost in the vast wonder of creation and rarely remembers to appreciate that one, simple fundamental thing. Until the very last moments of his Life.
Then he suddenly remembers. To appreciate his own Existence. Because that Existence he has is more important than every single other thing in this entire Universe.
It is even more important to Man than God.
Dear Chris,
Everyone has heroes. Nothing wrong with that. Some choose Christ and there is nothing wrong with that.
Why did God create the Universe in the first place. Why ? Why did God create things the way God created things. Why ?
Why did God create Mankind. What was his point? What was God trying to accomplish. What was Gods Ultimate purpose when God created Man?
Maybe we have missed something. Something very very fundamental. Maybe we have not looked into this chapter.
A Human Being has the ability to appreciate many things. He can appreciate art, music, football, nature, the stars, the galaxies, the universe. women and fast machines and financial well-being. Nice food, good wine. Beautiful Poetry. Religions and Heroes that are both living and dead. He can appreciate many, many, many many things. Man has definitely got an ability to appreciate. There is no doubting that. He can even appreciate God.
In fact, he is the only creature in nature that has this ability.
There is one thing, just one thing, that he neglects to appreciate, forgets to appreciate. There is one thing that he does not use this ability for. He is so busy appreciating all these things that he never even thinks of using this ability that God gave him to appreciate this one, most significant and fundamental thing. The first thing. The original and authentic thing.
In fact it is the only thing that God created man to appreciate. But man gets lost in the vast wonder of creation and rarely remembers to appreciate that one, simple fundamental thing. Until the very last moments of his Life.
Then he suddenly remembers. To appreciate his own Existence. Because that Existence he has is more important than every single other thing in this entire Universe.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 1:33pm Sun 9 Mar 08
Dear Chris,
What I am saying is very simple. If you appreciate, place more value on any other thing, worship and adore any other thing, whether it is God, football, objects, hobbies, man-made morals and man-made laws, nationhood, religions, historic events, or heroes living or dead more than you appreciate your own Existence. More than YOU appreciate the Existence of YOU.
Then you are worshipping and adoring and loving the wrong thing. You are here to appreciate your own gift of existence, because that is the one thing that is more worthy of your appreciation than any other thing in this entire Universe.
[bold]Without your existence[/bold] which you have been given. you would not be able to appreciate any single other thing. You would not be able to pose any questions or worship and adore any heroes of any kind.
Your Existence is more important to you than any other thing. That is why God Created Man. So that Man could appreciate that.
Originaly Man was an Angel, He was Immortal, and because Angels had everything for nothing God figured out a way that would enable an Angel to Appreciate. God wanted his Angels to be Perfect. And he thought an ability to [bold]Appreciate[/bold] their existence would be just Perfect!
So God gave the angels an opportunity to become Mortal. It takes a lot of courage to leave the Perfect world and enter the prison of this world. Adam had to leave his Darling Eve to come into this world. He was the first Angel that agreed [italic]to learn, to earn,[/italic] to [bold]appreciate[/bold] the gift of existence. (Which he already had by the way.)
Man does not appreciate that for which he has not worked for. It takes Immense Courage and Humility to work for that which a person has already been given.
Dear Chris,
What I am saying is very simple. If you appreciate, place more value on any other thing, worship and adore any other thing, whether it is God, football, objects, hobbies, man-made morals and man-made laws, nationhood, religions, historic events, or heroes living or dead more than you appreciate your own Existence. More than YOU appreciate the Existence of YOU.
Then you are worshipping and adoring and loving the wrong thing. You are here to appreciate your own gift of existence, because that is the one thing that is more worthy of your appreciation than any other thing in this entire Universe.
Without your existence which you have been given. you would not be able to appreciate any single other thing. You would not be able to pose any questions or worship and adore any heroes of any kind.
Your Existence is more important to you than any other thing. That is why God Created Man. So that Man could appreciate that.
Originaly Man was an Angel, He was Immortal, and because Angels had everything for nothing God figured out a way that would enable an Angel to Appreciate. God wanted his Angels to be Perfect. And he thought an ability to Appreciate their existence would be just Perfect!
So God gave the angels an opportunity to become Mortal. It takes a lot of courage to leave the Perfect world and enter the prison of this world. Adam had to leave his Darling Eve to come into this world. He was the first Angel that agreed to learn, to earn, to appreciate the gift of existence. (Which he already had by the way.)
Man does not appreciate that for which he has not worked for. It takes Immense Courage and Humility to work for that which a person has already been given.
Posted by: Joseph Yosarian, Londn on 2:48pm Mon 10 Mar 08
[quote]Those who feel they are all sorted are exemplified by Lady Macbeth, Hitler or Saddam Hussein.[/quote]
Would you care to expand and explain this assertation?
Those who feel they are all sorted are exemplified by Lady Macbeth, Hitler or Saddam Hussein.
Would you care to expand and explain this assertation?
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 3:10pm Mon 10 Mar 08
Hi Chris,
You say in your post that if there is a God we cannot Identify Him.
You are wrong. But it may be convenient for you to choose to think of it that way.
If there is a God you can with Certainty Identify Him. How challenging is that.? Are you up for a challenge like that?
It's no Ordinary Challenge. and if you accept it as a possibility you are going to be at odds with the Christian flock from the word go!
It is convenient and safer to regard the Eternal God as un-Identifiable.
And it is 1000% wrong!
Hi Chris,
You say in your post that if there is a God we cannot Identify Him.
You are wrong. But it may be convenient for you to choose to think of it that way.
If there is a God you can with Certainty Identify Him. How challenging is that.? Are you up for a challenge like that?
It's no Ordinary Challenge. and if you accept it as a possibility you are going to be at odds with the Christian flock from the word go!
It is convenient and safer to regard the Eternal God as un-Identifiable.
Posted by: Christopher Armstrong, Blackburn on 8:53pm Mon 10 Mar 08
Yoseph and Simplesimon:
Thank you for your comments. Your question and Simplesimon's comment share some common ground. What I was driving at in identifying characters from literature and history who are 'all sorted' was their overriding concern for themselves. They wre wrapped up in their own world with their immediate concerns only and don't see the wider picture. That is so often the result when we have an absolute concern for the self. We sideline other people (though Lady M had an overwhelming passion to develop he husband's power, though for selfish reasons) and God is often the last thing to be considered. We adopt the foetal position: nothing else matters. But that is not what humanity was created for. We were made to stand on two feet and worship a God who is beyond us, transcendent. It is this God, through Christ and the scriptural legacy of His Church, that gives us the commandment to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves.
So Simplesimon, we do need a concern for ourselves. That is important but we get to know ouselves as we are defined over against other people and events. That's how we mature as human beings. By bearing in mind this 2nd commandment - to love others as much as ourselves - we can live wonderful altruistic lives and many people do just that and are happy to do so. Others ask the question which you yourself ask, Simplesimon: why are we here? What's it all about? Is it just to live a sociable or even a hedonistic life or is there something more? That something more is a dimension which will include the call of God to live life in common with our friends and neighbours and all the pleasures which so often we experience but with that dimension of God in our consciousness and in our lives.
Yoseph and Simplesimon:
Thank you for your comments. Your question and Simplesimon's comment share some common ground. What I was driving at in identifying characters from literature and history who are 'all sorted' was their overriding concern for themselves. They wre wrapped up in their own world with their immediate concerns only and don't see the wider picture. That is so often the result when we have an absolute concern for the self. We sideline other people (though Lady M had an overwhelming passion to develop he husband's power, though for selfish reasons) and God is often the last thing to be considered. We adopt the foetal position: nothing else matters. But that is not what humanity was created for. We were made to stand on two feet and worship a God who is beyond us, transcendent. It is this God, through Christ and the scriptural legacy of His Church, that gives us the commandment to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves.
So Simplesimon, we do need a concern for ourselves. That is important but we get to know ouselves as we are defined over against other people and events. That's how we mature as human beings. By bearing in mind this 2nd commandment - to love others as much as ourselves - we can live wonderful altruistic lives and many people do just that and are happy to do so. Others ask the question which you yourself ask, Simplesimon: why are we here? What's it all about? Is it just to live a sociable or even a hedonistic life or is there something more? That something more is a dimension which will include the call of God to live life in common with our friends and neighbours and all the pleasures which so often we experience but with that dimension of God in our consciousness and in our lives.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 12:25pm Tue 11 Mar 08
Dear Chris,
Conciousness (awareness) is the Eternal Reality. The objects of Consciousness are transient.(fleeting)
I support charities. I offer help to People. I try very hard to help them find what they are looking for. I do not dismiss or undermine the needs of other People. I am here to address the needs of others.
I cannot do that without Consciousness. I cannot do anything without the presence of Consciousness. I cannot even dream without Consciousness. I cannot even be un-Conscious without Consciousness.
Wherever I go Consciousness comes with me. It's very intimate. Constantly there.
What man has done is forsaken it for a million other issues. The do good issues. The problem solving issues. The right and the wrong issues.
Man has put every other issue before the True and Everlasting and un-changing Eternal Issue. He has made every other thing more important and more significant. He has attached himself to the ever changing constant flux of fleeting issues that come and go. And He has forsaken the Eternal Gift.
The other issues have become of Primary importance and the One Eternal Reality has become secondary.
My message is simple - get attached to the Eternal. because when Man becomes attached to the Eternal, all the other Issues will fall into Perfect order. Perfection is not supposed to be an 'option' Perfection is 'vital' for Man.
Christians the world over need to embrace Perfection as a REAL possibility. Otherwise it is reducing the mission of Jesus to nothing more than another Lifestyle option.
Dear Chris,
Conciousness (awareness) is the Eternal Reality. The objects of Consciousness are transient.(fleeting)
I support charities. I offer help to People. I try very hard to help them find what they are looking for. I do not dismiss or undermine the needs of other People. I am here to address the needs of others.
I cannot do that without Consciousness. I cannot do anything without the presence of Consciousness. I cannot even dream without Consciousness. I cannot even be un-Conscious without Consciousness.
Wherever I go Consciousness comes with me. It's very intimate. Constantly there.
What man has done is forsaken it for a million other issues. The do good issues. The problem solving issues. The right and the wrong issues.
Man has put every other issue before the True and Everlasting and un-changing Eternal Issue. He has made every other thing more important and more significant. He has attached himself to the ever changing constant flux of fleeting issues that come and go. And He has forsaken the Eternal Gift.
The other issues have become of Primary importance and the One Eternal Reality has become secondary.
My message is simple - get attached to the Eternal. because when Man becomes attached to the Eternal, all the other Issues will fall into Perfect order. Perfection is not supposed to be an 'option' Perfection is 'vital' for Man.
Christians the world over need to embrace Perfection as a REAL possibility. Otherwise it is reducing the mission of Jesus to nothing more than another Lifestyle option.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 12:44pm Tue 11 Mar 08
Dear Chris,
Don't settle for a formulae. Humans do not get to KNOW their True and Immortal Self by defining themselves against the thoughts and behaviours of other Humans.
They measure themselves against the thoughts and behaviours of others. They compare themselves.
Every Human Being is Unique. No two are the same. Not even Identical Twins have the same Life story. Who you are is Unique. Only one of you has ever been created. Another one of You will never, ever be created again.
Realise who you really are. Realise just how extra-ordinary and Unique you are. This is your opportunity. This is why you are here. This is why the Universe has been created for you. This is not 'our Universe'
This is [bold]Your[/bold] Universe. Don't dither with all these other issues. they will come and they will go. Birth and Death are not the issue. They are fleeting, phantom like isssues. and all the physical Universe that arises from them are the attributes of the fleeting. These are not the Reality.
You are the Eternal Supreme Reality. Get to Know that. You Exist now. This is your Time to get to know who it really is that Exists.
Your body is not always going to exist. The bodies of others are not always going to exist.
Find that which does not have any beginning and will never have any ending. Get aquainted with it.
The next time you look into the mirror, don't look at your face. [bold]Just Look at your Existence![/bold]
Dear Chris,
Don't settle for a formulae. Humans do not get to KNOW their True and Immortal Self by defining themselves against the thoughts and behaviours of other Humans.
They measure themselves against the thoughts and behaviours of others. They compare themselves.
Every Human Being is Unique. No two are the same. Not even Identical Twins have the same Life story. Who you are is Unique. Only one of you has ever been created. Another one of You will never, ever be created again.
Realise who you really are. Realise just how extra-ordinary and Unique you are. This is your opportunity. This is why you are here. This is why the Universe has been created for you. This is not 'our Universe'
This is Your Universe. Don't dither with all these other issues. they will come and they will go. Birth and Death are not the issue. They are fleeting, phantom like isssues. and all the physical Universe that arises from them are the attributes of the fleeting. These are not the Reality.
You are the Eternal Supreme Reality. Get to Know that. You Exist now. This is your Time to get to know who it really is that Exists.
Your body is not always going to exist. The bodies of others are not always going to exist.
Find that which does not have any beginning and will never have any ending. Get aquainted with it.
The next time you look into the mirror, don't look at your face. Just Look at your Existence!
Posted by: Joseph Yossarian, Londinium on 5:44pm Wed 12 Mar 08
[quote]What I was driving at in identifying characters from literature and history who are 'all sorted' was their overriding concern for themselves. They wre wrapped up in their own world with their immediate concerns only and don't see the wider picture.[/quote]
There is a big difference between paranoid megalomania of your chosen examples and self interest as I understand it.
One results in a true sociopath and one creates an environment where the self interested can create and provide the resources to look after their loved ones.
[quote]God is often the last thing to be considered.[/quote]
God never comes in to my thought processes when making decisions. The interest of those in my care is far more important than anything any theologist could offer.
We were made to stand on two feet and worship a God who is beyond us, [italic]transcendent[/italic] .
ie, made up by the church!
[quote]It is this God, through Christ and the scriptural legacy of His Church, that gives us the commandment to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves.[/quote]
First love god, then love thy neighbour. Sorry, beg to differ. Forget the scriptures and follow conscience instead.
[quote]So Simplesimon, we do need a concern for ourselves. That is important but we get to know ouselves as we are defined over against other people and events. That's how we mature as human beings.[/quote]
I see no need to compare myself to others; I am conscious of my responsibilities and certainly do not need to be compared to other people or events. I have confidece in my actions and deeds as a responsible caring adult.
[quote]By bearing in mind this 2nd commandment - to love others as much as ourselves - we can live wonderful altruistic lives and many people do just that and are happy to do so.[/quote]
One does not need christianity to be altrustic; it is a basic tenet of human nature since time immemorial.
Others ask the question which you yourself
[quote]why are we here? What's it all about? Is it just to live a sociable or even a hedonistic life or is there something more?[/quote]
Hurrah!
Family comes first, then friends, then self. God isn't even on the list.
That something more is a dimension which will include the call of God to live life in common with our friends and neighbours and all the pleasures which so often we experience but with that dimension of God in our consciousness and in our lives.
All the above is possible without the call of god.
Say you are hearing voices you might get sectioned; say you hear the call of god and this makes you religious.
Hmmmmmm
What I was driving at in identifying characters from literature and history who are 'all sorted' was their overriding concern for themselves. They wre wrapped up in their own world with their immediate concerns only and don't see the wider picture.
There is a big difference between paranoid megalomania of your chosen examples and self interest as I understand it.
One results in a true sociopath and one creates an environment where the self interested can create and provide the resources to look after their loved ones.
God is often the last thing to be considered.
God never comes in to my thought processes when making decisions. The interest of those in my care is far more important than anything any theologist could offer.
We were made to stand on two feet and worship a God who is beyond us, transcendent .
ie, made up by the church!
It is this God, through Christ and the scriptural legacy of His Church, that gives us the commandment to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves.
First love god, then love thy neighbour. Sorry, beg to differ. Forget the scriptures and follow conscience instead.
So Simplesimon, we do need a concern for ourselves. That is important but we get to know ouselves as we are defined over against other people and events. That's how we mature as human beings.
I see no need to compare myself to others; I am conscious of my responsibilities and certainly do not need to be compared to other people or events. I have confidece in my actions and deeds as a responsible caring adult.
By bearing in mind this 2nd commandment - to love others as much as ourselves - we can live wonderful altruistic lives and many people do just that and are happy to do so.
One does not need christianity to be altrustic; it is a basic tenet of human nature since time immemorial.
Others ask the question which you yourself
why are we here? What's it all about? Is it just to live a sociable or even a hedonistic life or is there something more?
Hurrah!
Family comes first, then friends, then self. God isn't even on the list.
That something more is a dimension which will include the call of God to live life in common with our friends and neighbours and all the pleasures which so often we experience but with that dimension of God in our consciousness and in our lives.
All the above is possible without the call of god.
Say you are hearing voices you might get sectioned; say you hear the call of god and this makes you religious.
Hmmmmmm
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 1:04pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Actually Joe,
I think you will find that Consciousness come first. We can focus on whatever we want to. But it is the Consciousness that came first.
It is Important. If there is a God, then the possibility of God came after that.
Actually Joe,
I think you will find that Consciousness come first. We can focus on whatever we want to. But it is the Consciousness that came first.
It is Important. If there is a God, then the possibility of God came after that.
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