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< Back Aletheia Today Magazine Issue #3 David Cowles Aug 25, 2022 Countdown to our next issue... It's only five days until the release of our Fall Issue (Issue #3 ) of Aletheia Today Magazine (ATM). We’ll publish online on 9/1, but, as usual, we’ll make the content available to our subscribers (you) a day early (8/31). In our Fall Issue, we’ll finish our two-part series on Science and the Yellow Submarine . Then we’ll move on to consider The Nature of Time itself. In Theology, we’ll look at the Final Psalms (146 – 150) and at Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians . Plus, we’ll continue our discussion about the Piraha of the Amazon in Speaking Piraha and Why Xiaoki Can’t Count . Rabbi Aharon Loschak walks us through what it would be like to Be a Bee, and John O’Brien considers Social Dynamics in today’s world. Next, we take a fresh look at the Serenity Prayer and guest writer E.C. Argus shares with us how the infamous Judas taught her the Beatitudes. In short, we’ll continue to draw from Philosophy, Theology, Science, Culture and Spirituality to create a Living GUT (a Grand Unified Theory of our lives). All just ahead, coming soon to a computer screen near you! If by chance you've missed either of our previous issues – Issue #1, Summer, 6/1 , or Issue #2, Beach, 7/15 -- this would be a great time to get caught up. Here's a sprinkling of some of our previously published essays to pique your interest: Science & Yellow Submarine – Part I , the first in our ongoing Yellow Sub series. How’s & Why’s , the intersection of science and philosophy. How to Coach an Undefeated Football Team , or play for an undefeated team, or be personally undefeated yourself! The Riddle of Job , a contemporary interpretation of an ancient source. The Problem of Good , the traditional problem of evil, stood on its head. Finally, we kicked off our ongoing reflections on the nature of time with Yesterday, the Very Tomorrow , the phrase you didn’t know you needed! Thanks for being a loyal subscriber. Do share Aletheia Today with like-minded friends, and help us grow our online community! Thoughts While Shaving is the official blog of Aletheia Today Magazine ( ATM) . To never miss another Thought, choose the subscribe option below. Also, follow us on any one of our social media channels for the latest news from ATM. Thanks for reading! Previous Share Next Do you like what you just read and want to read more Thoughts? Subscribe today for free! Thoughts While Shaving - the official blog of Aletheia Today Magazine. Click here.

< Back Worth Knowing David Cowles Sep 29, 2021 “A World Worth Knowing” is the title of a new series on The History Channel that features William Shatner. But is its premise, that we live in a world “worth knowing”, true? After all, ‘the standard model of contemporary cosmology’ holds that the universe arose, uncaused and with no purpose, from nothing and that it will inevitably return without a trace back to nothing. Why would such a universe be “worth knowing”? “A World Worth Knowing” is the title of a new series on The History Channel that features William Shatner. But is its premise, that we live in a world “worth knowing”, true? After all, ‘the standard model of contemporary cosmology’ holds that the universe arose, uncaused and with no purpose, from nothing and that it will inevitably return without a trace back to nothing. Why would such a universe be “worth knowing”? Out of the Hasidic tradition of Judaism, renowned author Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907 – 1972) offers an answer: “I’ve come to sow seeing in the world – To unveil God – who has disguised himself in the world – And wait to give the first cry: ‘It’s becoming light!’” According to Hasidic tradition a divine spark resides in everything that is – every person, every animal, every plant, and every inanimate object; and it is the same spark, regardless of where it resides. Our task, each of us, is to uncover the divine spark that is in all things and to enable that spark to reunite with God, thereby bringing the temporal world and eternal world ever closer together. This is the antidote to entropy, to mortality, and the origin of ‘purpose’ which the ‘standard model’ precludes. Previous Share Next Do you like what you just read and want to read more Thoughts? Subscribe today for free! Thoughts While Shaving - the official blog of Aletheia Today Magazine. Click here.

< Back Pope Leo XIV David Cowles May 11, 2025 “As it was then, so it is now, the future of the Church, and the World, seems to hang in the balance.” The decision by Cardinal Prevost to take the name ‘Leo XIV’ draws our attention to the striking parallels between Continental Europe (c. 1875) and Planet Earth (c. 2025). As it was then, so it is now, the future of the Church, and the World, seems to hang in the balance. Leo XIII (1878) faced the scourge of communism and the inhumane socio-economic conditions that led to its rise. Like his eponymous predecessor, Leo XIV must also juggle a dual mandate. He must confront the ideology of militant secularism rampant in the world today and even more importantly, he must shift the intellectual paradigm that breeds many of our contemporary ‘ism’s’: economic materialism, philosophical nihilism, radical skepticism, de facto solipsism, political anarchism, and scientific pragmatism. It is said that the teachings of the Church never change…and on important matters of doctrine, that is true. 17 centuries later we are still rooted in Nicaea (325 CE) which in turn is rooted in the Scripture and Tradition of the early Church. That said, these never changing doctrines of Roman Catholicism need to be updated continuously to reflect the idiom of the day. 4 th century formulae, which express something that is forever true, struggle to be inspiring, or even understood, in our scientific age. There is no shame in this. The Greek Bible had to be translated into Latin and then into hundreds of languages worldwide. The essential content remains unchanged, hopefully, but without ongoing linguistic updates, it risks becoming a litany of rote incantations. Leo XIV is uniquely called, and uniquely qualified, to update the idiom…not from Latin to English, Spanish, or Italian…but from linear to non-linear models of reality. Pope Sylvester II (c.1000 CE) was widely considered to be the preeminent scientist and mathematician of his day. How many other second millennium popes could have made the same claim? Now, Leo XIV, armed with a degree in Mathematics from Villanova, is positioned to reclaim the Sylvesterian tradition. The intellectual foundations of our civilization need to undergo a radical reformulation and Christianity, with its unique Gospel message, is well positioned to lead that process. It all begins, you guessed it, with mathematics. Most of us, dear readers, were raised on arithmetic, linear algebra, Euclidean geometry…and calculus, i.e. the reduction of non linear phenomena to linear algorithms. These ‘hacks’ have taken us to the Moon and back, but they are still just hacks; they tell us nothing about the real structure of the world. That’s a problem…a big problem! We have come to regard the flat map (math) as if it were the territory (world) and so we have come to believe, once again, that the world too is flat. We are like ancient mariners, staring at our charts and expecting to sail off the edge. We need a new Galileo to say, “It’s round!” If Leo XIV is to be the new Sylvester, the new Galileo, who are we then in this mock drama? We are the Inquisitors of course. We are the defenders of all things flat. We are happy to ignore all empirical evidence in order to defend our linear presuppositions. As children of the Enlightenment we are mesmerized by cause and effect: A → B, a straight line (actually a vector). But in nature, nothing is flat, no lines are straight, and no space is strictly Platonic. Even more alarming for every A and B in the real world, A ↔ B and A ↔ A. A ll process is reciprocal and recursive. The linear is an abstraction, a degenerate case of the non-linear, useful for calculation, useless for any deeper understanding. Christian cosmology is non-linear at its core. Just a few examples: ➢ The creator of ‘heaven and earth and all things visible and invisible’ is incarnate as one quantum (Jesus of Nazareth) in that sea of beings. ➢ The author of eternal life and the savior of the world was executed for treason and blasphemy by political and religious opponents. ➢ “Love your neighbor as (not like) yourself.” (Mt. 22: 40) ➢ “Take and eat; this is my body…this is my blood.” (Mt. 26: 26 - 30) ➢ “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them.” (Jn: 6: 56) ➢ “Blessed are the merciful for they will obtain mercy.” (Mt. 5: 7) ➢ “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Mt. 6: 12) ➢ “I am in my father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (John 14: 20) In fact, non-linearity permeates the Bible and the Liturgy of the Church but these citations should be enough to convince you that Christianity cannot be understood or fully appreciated from a purely linear mindset…and for 500 years we have trained ourselves only to think in straight lines. When we were kids (before Vatican II), it was commonplace to criticize the church for its reliance on Latin. “How is anyone supposed to understand this stuff?” Little did we realize, Latin was not the problem; linearity was. How is anyone with a linear mindset supposed to understand a non-linear universe? From this perspective, the current state of the Church should surprise no one. We are witnessing the final stages of Christendom’s 500 year fall from a universal ideology to a quirky artefact of intellectual history. “The wonder is, (it) has endured so long!” ( King Lear ) Fortunately, there are indications from his initial papal greeting that our new Peter understands the problem: “Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.” – Leo XIV Your mission, Leo, should you choose to accept it, is to fix it! Buena Fortuna! God speed you on your way. Image: Caravaggio’s The Calling of Saint Matthew (Vocazione di San Matteo), painted between 1599 and 1600 in oil on canvas, measures 322 by 340 centimeters and is housed in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. Previous Share Next Do you like what you just read and want to read more Thoughts? Subscribe today for free! Thoughts While Shaving - the official blog of Aletheia Today Magazine. Click here.

< Back Mamisoa Jan Heckler In the heart of poverty, a community's spirit shines, defying limitations, and embracing hope against all odds. It is late, and I find myself in the village of Ambaniakondro ('under the banana tree') in the lower half of Madagascar. I am wide awake. Periodically, I must kick huge rats away with my feet. I cannot see them, but I hear, smell, and feel them. I try to remain covered from head to foot with my blanket as best I can so I won't be bitten or scratched. Bats, snakes, killer bees, attacks on my person, and bombs going off close enough to rattle windows—just about anything else I have survived as a missionary in Africa. But rats? Huge Bubonic plague rats unnerve me. I cannot sleep tonight because the rats seem to be everywhere. I even hear them inside the wall beside my head lying on my pillow. My colleagues and I are here to help this village community plan its development, and we only have this afternoon, just past, and tomorrow to complete our part. We must work within the four days as the car is only ours for that period. Time is of the essence, and yet, right now, I cannot even think about sleep. I am about to 'lose it' when I remember a 'trick' I used a dozen years ago in Zimbabwe as a Peace Corps volunteer to relax while surrounded by poisonous black baboon spiders. To relax my anxiety concerning these pests, I used intentional distraction. So, in like kind, I recall how I came to work with the women of Ambaniakondro. To recount this, I think of Pastor (Pr.) Mamisoa. Mamisoa and I worked together once before, earlier this summer. I hear the rats scratching and crawling in the wall beside my head. I place earplugs in my ears. Best to do without this intrusion and try to get back to my distraction. In June and July, Mamisoa and I collaborated to research, write, and deliver a four-day workshop on leadership for the FJKM Women’s group, Dorkasy. Two months later, Pr. Helivao, the Director of FJKM’s Chaplaincy for Marginalized People, contacted Mamisoa and me. The village of Ambaniakondro, comprised of about fifty women and children, requested help from FJKM in establishing a congregation and, more broadly, helping them develop their new community. The women of Ambaniakondro have led destitute, oppressed lives. The men of their tribal heritage require dangerous activities that are practiced against their wives at the time of their first pregnancy to ensure that they are the fathers of the unborn child. These activities range from having to 'survive praying for one’s own death during labor' to having to 'survive the consumption of poisonous tea.' The idea is that somehow, the innocent will be spared death, while the guilty will die. Having had enough, about fifty of these women and their children left their homes with the Antemoro tribe and their families and ended up in Ambaniakondro, a small village southwest of Vohipeno. The women realized quickly that they needed help and thought of FJKM. Hearing of the women’s requests, Pr. Helivao asks Mamisoa to go with two other student pastors, Pr.s Lalaina and Andry, to assist them in establishing their new congregation. Meanwhile, Helivao also asks me if I would do some 'development' work for her. She has already checked with the president, so my schedule has been cleared for this. I am most interested in the invitation and readily agree. Helivao says she would like me to begin immediately. When Mamisoa and her teammates return from Ambaniakondro, she drops by to tell me about her adventure. The women have taken a huge step towards planting a church. It is nice seeing one another. She could not be more surprised when my turn to tell came up in our conversation. Astonished at my news, she asks, “You will go down there alone? Why not let me go with you? I know the people. I’m familiar with their customs.” This is precisely what I had been hoping for. We rewrite the plan and make it ours. Later, Mamisoa communicates with local pastors in Vohipeno and arranges when we’ll arrive. Then she finds a car and driver, but it can be ours for just four days partly as it is scheduled after that and partly due to cost. Still, our new plan is set! At a certain point south of Antananarivo, it becomes dangerous to drive after dark due to highway bandits, so we drive 13 hours to Ranomafana ({place of} “hot water”), where we stop for the night. Early the next morning, we awake to cool temperatures and dense fog. A river runs next to the highway, and after a picture or two, we are off for another 6-hour drive that takes us to Vohipeno via Manakara. There, we meet Pr. Vero, our local contact, and drive the final 45 minutes on muddy, potholed roads deeper into the coastal plain. It is warmer and more humid because we are only slightly above sea level. As we arrive, the children surround Mamisoa. She has found a home away from home among these people. The children are so taken by her! My own smile dims as the village and its grave level of poverty make me catch my breath. As I begin taking in the extent of this village’s heart and energy, I equally appraise how few resources it appears to possess. Mamisoa had fully briefed me on the way down, but it seems clear that seeing has a greater impact than simple words. Here, poverty means no bathrooms. No running water. No doctors. No electricity. The symptoms of poor health and nutrition are pervasive. Many children show signs of Kwashiorkor. Indeed, this community’s development will be a generational challenge. In Ambaniakondro and the surrounding parishes, all women must use the east-side door of any structure only. If there are other doors, we are forbidden to use them. The irony is that, in throwing off the shackles of one oppression, the women were forced by poverty and lack of mobility to abide by another. We speed through much of our greetings since we have severe time constraints on our work. We persuade the women of this and convene in one of the huts, a family’s home that has been cleared of belongings for our plenary meetings. It is one large, rectangular dirt floor with old boards, mud, and sticks for walls, and thatched grass for roofing. The women were told of my experience in planning and development, so they easily receive my instructions. I explain that we will break into three groups, each of which will prayerfully discern the community’s chief development goals. At the end of the day, we will reunite for reconciliation. Each group will try to work out answers to the following: “What does our community need the most? Need first? After first, what next?” Outwardly, I exhibit my usual ‘can do’ attitude, but concerns lie deep in my heart. Normally, this kind of planning is orchestrated within a full retreat with many summaries, trend analyses, and executive summaries. Further, participants are usually provided materials to read in advance. In Ambaniakondro, there are none of these things. These precious children of God have only their experiences and our translated verbal instructions to guide them. So, we are thus moved to pray before breaking from plenary, asking for the help we so plainly need from the one who never tires nor wearies. Then we break into groups. Mamisoa and I move from one group to another listening to each. She translates our facilitations and though she has never done long-range planning, Mamisoa takes to it naturally and is elated by what we are trying to do. More importantly, a miracle is ongoing: everyone is participating; even the older children. Everyone’s enthusiasm is unrestrained; they dive into this like experienced planners. Yet none of these people has finished primary school! It is exhilarating! Mamisoa and I find the magnitude of the success simply overwhelming. The Lord’s spirit is palpable among us! Finally, with little light remaining, we are blessed to learn no serious conflicts exist. The people are of a common mind and the three groups quickly concur. The community’s development goals are to: 1. Construct a church. 2. Erect a school. And, to 3. Establish small businesses to stimulate economic growth. Other matters like improving health care, sanitation & clean water, are temporarily set aside to better focus on the three priorities. We are so overjoyed we spontaneously sing hymns. As we sing, the people project more loudly, with greater enthusiasm, until everyone is on their feet, clapping, singing, and making a joyous noise unto the Lord! It is an incredible sight! Finally, with darkness now upon us, we go to our respective places for the night. Mamisoa, Vero, and I retreat to our hosts' house where we are ebullient in our joy. Yet, faith informs us that only God’s hand could orchestrate such unbridled success under the present conditions. Mamisoa and Vero prepare chicken and rice over an open fire. We talk briefly but head early to our respective ‘beds.’ I am assigned the couch in the living area near the front door and window that do not quite close . . . so the rats come and go as they please. On this night, the rats have finally found their way to the kitchen for now; at least, and they leave me alone. Thank the Lord for this and so many other things. Finally, sleep comes. No more kicking tonight. ✦ I awake to the smell of village fires, frying eggs, and fresh coffee. I slept after all. I hurry to get dressed, fold my blanket, and find Mamisoa. After breakfast, the village meets again in plenary, and I am struck by the positive, confident energy of the group. They are full of anticipation - a genuine synergy. Again, I am ashamed of my prior doubts. ‘Fear is the absence of faith’ I remind myself. With this, I effortlessly stand straighter and breathe more easily. We can do all things through our Lord who strengthens us! We quickly define new groups, one for each goal and, after identifying group leaders, invite everyone to attend the hut that corresponds most strongly with the goal of their greatest interest. Again, we send everyone off with a prayer for help and guidance. Mamisoa and I watch as yet another miracle unfolds. Energy and level of participation, like yesterday, begin and remain high. People are involved, even talking over others to be heard. Equal participation is often difficult to achieve. Yet, though we have done nothing to affect this, we readily see that everyone is having her say! Also, the work is being done more quickly than imagined. Again, we feel the presence of the Spirit among us. The entire village is alive with it! The energy is contagious, and Mamisoa and I cannot help but laugh being a part of something so special. After three hours, everyone is ready to report back, so we call the fourth plenary. Each leader reads their reports and Vero translates. As good as the plans are, each action plan has a missing component: a lack of funding. 1) People identify those who will build the church. However, land is needed on which to build, and funds for materials are lacking. 2) The school problem is similar. Finally, 3) At least eight entrepreneurial jobs are needed. More would be better. When the final report has been read, the plenary becomes silent. Even the youngest are quiet and attentive. Have our plans run out of road and fallen into the precipice of this test by reality? Then, it begins. People speak up to add their personal contributions toward making the goals more achievable, lightening the burden of the whole. Lalaina and Anja, the owners of the house we slept in last night, speak first. “We can donate land for the church!” says Lalaina. Everyone murmurs in excitement. Pr. Vero jumps in with, “And I can teach at the school until a more qualified teacher is found!” Again, the murmuring resumes. Another woman suggests that the church and school might initially share the same structure. This way, they could begin together, and the cost will only be half what it was! Suddenly, moved by the self-less, community spirit of the group and seeing the emerging feasibility of the plan, I act as the part-time, volunteer Executive Director of A Project of Hope (APOH) and award a grant to pay for the building materials and school supplies of the temporary church-school and another to establish 10-20 micro-loans. Seeing that the action plans would be realized, everyone begins singing and dancing again. Such unrestrained joy! But at least these dreams of the women of Ambaniakondro were going to come true. Finally, we all pray in thanksgiving for the women of Ambaniakondro and their new community development plan. ✦ Two days later, back in Antananarivo, Mamisoa visits me. We both confess to still experiencing the joy of the last days. While we are visiting and reliving the experience, her phone rings. Her laughing smile disappears and is replaced with sobriety. As she speaks in Malagasy, I realize something terrible has happened. She rings off her cell and says, “Someone has burned down Lalaina and Anja’s home and business! People think it was because they put us up and donated land for the church. All the Bibles we donated beforehand went up in the fire since the house was where they were stored.” As bad as this is, not knowing who did it or why seems worse. Mamisoa and I work hard to avoid perceptions framed with suspicion and ill will. Instead, we are deliberate in promoting the ideas given to us in the sermon on the mount. When someone attacks, we turn the other cheek. Most gratefully, this is what the women of Ambaniakondro do. They simply bear it. What motivation contributed to the burnings we will never know. Mamisoa and I end the day and this chapter of our lives praying for peace and reconciliation. Such kind and selfless people being judged and punished for their willingness to develop their community strikes us as an unspeakable tragedy of the human condition. ✦ Epilogue. The temporary church- school became a permanent church by mid-2014, and the school was dedicated solely to the education of the village’s children. In addition, the women received another grant to dig a second, strategically located well nearby and purchase a minivan to move their produce and products to Vohipeno for selling on market days. More than twenty individuals were able to establish their own businesses. No interest in retribution materialized and the women of Ambaniakondro remain steadfast in their love of and commitment to God. Image: The temporary church-school built by the Women of Ambaniakondro - Photo by Jan Heckler - February 2015. Jan was called to Africa beginning in Zimbabwe before 911. She received doctoral training at U. of Fla.. Sharing effective teaching methods became a primary way she serves God in mission. Jan is a published author and has taught in Namibia and Malawi - twice, winning teaching awards. As a consultant for the Govt of Ethiopia, she helped attain a five-donor nation-World Bank funding package for $417 million. Forced into early retirement by injuries she writes and consults from her home in Berkeley. Click above to return to Winter 2024. Previous Next

< Back Explanation or Causation David Cowles Mar 21, 2024 “We like to think ‘that could never happen to me’, but we can only think that if we know how it happened to someone else.” On February 9, 2024, an online column by Nate Cohn, New York Times , included an interesting analysis of recent presidential elections: “Almost every election features something unprecedented, with the potential to shake up the usual patterns of politics. In the last four cycles alone, we’ve witnessed the first Black presidential major-party nominee, the first female such nominee, the first without military or elected experience, the first modern election amid a pandemic, and so on. “In all of these cases, pundits and analysts speculated — very reasonably — about whether these novel candidates or circumstances might yield an unexpected result. But in the end, those extraordinary circumstances didn’t yield extraordinary election results. The final numbers looked about as you might have expected…” Oh really? 2008 : A one term African-American senator from Illinois with considerable political baggage successfully challenges a former first lady and sitting senator from New York for their party’s nomination; he then goes on to defeat a war hero and ‘national treasure’, to become the first black president in U.S. history. By election day, Barack Obama’s win was expected…but his margin wasn’t. He carried some recent Republican strongholds like Indiana, Ohio, Iowa and Florida. 2016 : A controversial business tycoon with zero political experience trounces a ‘Who’s Who’ field of GOP primary opponents. Three weeks before the general election a damning recording of the nominee making sexist comments surfaced. GOP leaders seriously considered changing nominees with less than a month to go before election day. On election eve, few expected Donald Trump to win. 2020 : A sitting president is challenged by a former vice-president and ‘perennially unsuccessful’ presidential candidate. The race is complicated by social and economic chaos brought on by Covid-19 and by new electoral rules and procedures intended to mitigate the effects of that pandemic on voter turnout. Donald Trump received more popular votes than any presidential candidate in U.S. history…and lost. No doubt, there are folks who can demonstrate that they ‘called’ all three races correctly, picking the ultimate winner in each, his (sic) electoral path, and the approximate final margin, well in advance. Does that make these people smart…or just lucky? Of all the monkeys in all the world, only one correctly typed out a Shakespearean Sonnet. Does that make that monkey smarter than her cousins? You’ve heard it said, “Hindsight is 20/20”. Of course it is! Given an event, any event, it is human nature to look for causes . If something has causes, it’s less horrible, less terrifying than if it just happened out of the blue. It’s no surprise then that gratuitous horror is the life blood of the film industry! We like to think ‘ that could never happen to me’, but we can only think that if we know how it happened to someone else. The ‘causal fiction’ reinforces our ‘illusion of control’. As long as something has a cause, we imagine we may be able to avoid it in the future. How can we avoid what we can’t predict and how can we predict what we can’t explain? When I was in school, it was commonplace to ask students to write essays explicating ‘the causes of the US Civil War’. I always suspected that grades were directly proportional to the length of the responses, but in retrospect I see that they should have been inversely proportional. Only three answers merit a passing grade…and they’re all quite short: Everything caused the War. Nothing caused the War. The War caused itself. This last response could assume one of several acceptable disguises: The War was caused by South Carolina’s secession from the Union. The War was caused by the formation of the Confederate States of America. The War was caused by South Carolina’s attack on Fort Sumpter. Anything that goes beyond any one of these responses is just so much verbal diarrhea . The Civil War was caused by everything that went before it…or it was not caused by anything that went before it…or it caused itself ( causa sui ). Pick one! It doesn’t matter which; the answers are really all the same answer. To say that everything causes X is to say that nothing causes X, which is to say that either X has no cause or X is its own cause. The selected response tells us absolutely nothing about the Civil War, but it speaks volumes about our idea of causality. The notion of causation is central to our ontology. We imagine that we live in a world constituted by a bevy of causal threads. But a pile of string does not a fabric make. If causal chains are functionally independent of one another, how is it that there is a ‘world’ at all? Fabric first! We abstract threads (our causal chains) from whole cloth . Only in retrospect do we have the hubris to imagine that an event might be the product of a single causal chain. Why should any event be allowed to designate a unique sequence of prior events, ‘forsaking all others’, as its cause ? Our causality fetish is symmetry breaking. It divides what-is into this and that . But with what justification? Ontology is inherently conservative. It answers to a ‘dual mandate’: infuse the world with beauty, truth, and justice while conserving what-is in so far as what-is participates in the Good. After all, what-is is the product of events seeking to infuse value into the world. Why throw that away? This then is the creative advance; it surfs along the wave front that is the optimal balance of novelty and tradition. But novelty is not caused…and so it cannot be explained. That’s why we call it ‘novelty’! Nate Cohn notwithstanding, the 2024 election results will be no harder, or easier, to explain than any other presidential election. Keep the conversation going. 1. Click here to comment on this TWS. 2. To subscribe (at no cost) to TWS and ATM, follow this link . 3. We encourage new articles and reprints from freelance writers ; click here to view out Writers’ Specs. Previous Share Next Do you like what you just read and want to read more Thoughts? Subscribe today for free! Thoughts While Shaving - the official blog of Aletheia Today Magazine. Click here.

< Back The Dance of Autumn Deborah Rutherford "Autumn is a season of Remembrance – where we remember what God has done for us and are thankful and praise Him for His Goodness." Can we reflect on God's goodness as the seasons change and Winter approaches? I called my husband, Don, into the prayer room. Outside the large windows adorned with white faux wood blinds, we marveled at the first leaves of Fall changing their hues. I had anticipated this moment—the vibrant burst of colors. Yet, soon, the trees would shed their foliage, nearly stripping themselves bare. Don remarked, "See, Fall has arrived," as I recalled the skeptics who had doubted its arrival this year. We had just returned from our annual beach trip to Florida, which we had delayed this year, allowing us to experience the transition from Summer to Fall. At the beach, it still felt like Summer, despite what the calendar said. We basked in the sun, enjoyed the ocean waves, and relished in the warmth. I asked Don what Fall meant to him, and he replied, "Football, turkey, outdoor barbecues, watching the leaves change, and eventually raking them up." I nodded in agreement, acknowledging the beauty of the leaves, even though I knew they would eventually fall and need to be gathered into piles. As I contemplated this change of season, I pondered my own feelings about Fall. Had I harvested and reaped what was necessary in my life? Were there things I needed to let go of? Don and I had just emerged from a challenging and demanding season, facing trials that felt like walking through a den of lions. Yet, with God's guidance, we had made it through. Now, we found ourselves on the mountaintop of faith, enjoying the harvest and redemption that only God could provide after such a trying journey. I reflected on the various changes happening in my circle of friends and family—some leaving long careers behind, others facing unexpected health challenges, and some embarking on new journeys like my brother-in-law with his new job. In some cases, I witnessed how God had transformed adversity into beauty. I questioned the nature of this season and why I felt hesitant to fully embrace it. I admitted it: as the season began and everyone around me discussed Autumn, shared fall-inspired pictures, and engaged in debates over chips and salsa versus pumpkin spice, it left me somewhat uncertain. I noticed a friend posting pictures of her fall wardrobe, complete with plaid skirts and pumpkin-colored dresses, and another wearing flannel. I wondered if I was ready for the transition, as I still sported shorts and sundresses with sun-kissed skin. My husband hung up our Autumn wreath and surprised me with a bouquet of sunflowers. I heard Autumn beckoning me, assuring me that I belonged in this season. The birds and squirrels seemed to concur as they went about their preparations, and farmers worked tirelessly in the fields. I could almost hear the angels singing. God whispered to me, "This season is for you as well. You belong in this time, from the beginning of time to its end. Come, dance with me." I felt the leaves crunch beneath my tennis shoes, the breeze brushing against my shoulder, and my husband's love as we decorated the house and simmered apple, cinnamon, and vanilla potpourri on the stove. "Join me in the soothing lullaby of the Harvest," God urged, "I have provided for you, and I want to fill you with joy that will spill over to others. This is a season of celebration, solace, and remembrance." Amidst the wind, songs, and devotions, I reminded myself to remember God's goodness. He had chosen and treasured me. Autumn was a time for both Harvest and the preparation of our hearts through gratitude and remembrance. It marked the beginning of the Holy Days, tracing back to an exodus that continued to shape our lives, leading us to the most significant event in human history—the birth of our Lord Jesus, which ultimately led to redemption. So, I took the leap, embraced this Harvest season, and donned a rust, gold, and cream dress. Walking the path near my home, I inhaled deeply, resting in God's love for me. The warmth of the sun caressed me, and I felt immense comfort. There was a change in the air, and a full, radiant moon graced the sky. I rejoiced in the moment, knowing that it was a privilege to be alive. Down the path, as sunlight filtered through the trees, I noticed some leaves beginning to change. It was a symphony of colors and transformation, a masterpiece crafted by God Himself. But I wondered, how do we, as God's people, navigate this sacred season? It was a time for thanksgiving, rejoicing, and gratitude, as seasons always brought transformation. This particular change, however, was God's reminder to remember His goodness during the Autumn of our lives, preparing us for the Winter ahead. The bountiful Harvest sustained us during leaner times, both spiritually and physically. God's wisdom in leading us through the cycles of nature mirrored the seasons of our lives, and together, we walked hand in hand. "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever" (Psalm 136:1 KJV). Autumn served as a season of Remembrance, where we acknowledged God's blessings and praised Him for His goodness. His grace flowed not because of our deeds but because He was inherently good. We remembered: Our eternal journey, regardless of our circumstances. Heaven as a place of abundance and plenty. Past blessings and God's faithfulness in providing. Gratitude for daily blessings, recognizing that God's goodness extended to the ordinary. Living in a state of thanksgiving, finding joy in it all. Autumn was a delicious season of Harvest, when leaves fell and we reaped what we had sown. It was a season to hold onto faith and believe in God's promise that it would be beautiful. For it was a privilege to be alive, and I vowed to make every day count. This seasonal display was orchestrated by God and always arrived as a reminder: God remained in control. His nature was unchanging. His power extended over all creation as the Creator and Artist behind all this beauty. Remembering God's goodness in Autumn prepared us for Winter. The abundance of the Harvest sustained us during leaner times. God had provided us with this beautiful planet, the gift of breath and life. Shifting our hearts towards gratitude helped us remember that when Winter came, we needed to have faith and trust that God was still in control. Just as the leaves fell and lay dormant in Winter, they would burst forth with life in Spring, mirroring the resurrection of Jesus and the eventual celebration of all Creation. A Harvest Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for the Sacred Seasons, both in nature and in our lives. These transformations, seen in the changing leaves and bountiful Harvest, remind us of your presence. May we gather together in your name, whether at our tables, pumpkin patches, or football games. May we encounter you in every aspect of the changing seasons, for everything has its time. Thank you for your boundless love and for including us in the magnificent transformation of life itself. May we share your love with everyone we meet as we prepare for the greatest gift of all—the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Thank you, God, for equipping us and all of Creation for Winter in the dance of Autumn. In Jesus's name, Amen. Deborah Rutherford is a Christian wife who loves to write stories, devotionals, and poetry. She is also an award-winning makeup artist. Deborah shares her journey of faith, joy, and beauty on her blog at www.deborahrutherford.com and social media. She is a contributing writer for Aletheia Today Magazine , Kingdom Edge Magazine and Gracefully Truthful Ministries and has a devotional in the book “Shepherd on Duty: Promises of God you Can Trust ” (Arabelle Publishing) and the Calla Press, Literary Journal Spring 2023. Return to our Harvest Issue 2023 Previous Next

< Back Re-Imagining the Magnificat Tawnie Olson "In our zeal to project our conceptions of The Ideal Woman onto this enigmatic first-century figure, we’ve strayed a bit from the little we do know." Considering how important she is to Christianity, it is surprising how little information the New Testament provides about the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is despite the fact that, even during Jesus’s lifetime, people held strong opinions about her. According to St. Luke, Christ’s preaching was once interrupted by a follower who shouted: “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” To which Jesus gave the quelling reply, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” (Luke 11:27,28 NRSV). Over the centuries, Jesus’s suggestion that Christians focus on our relationship with God, rather than speculate about Christ’s earthly family, has been widely ignored. Theologically, artistically, poetically, and musically, we have not been able to resist filling in the enormous gaps in the Gospels’ accounts of Mary with our own ideas about what a woman worthy of bearing the Son of God must have been like. Sometimes, in our zeal to project our conceptions of The Ideal Woman onto this enigmatic first-century figure, we’ve strayed a bit from the little we do know. Sandro Botticelli’s Madonna of the Magnificat, for example, portrays Mary as a stylish blonde Florentine aristocrat, surrounded by refined angel/courtiers as she coolly pens the Magnificat with one hand and dandles the infant Jesus in the other. It is a beautiful painting, far beyond my ability to praise adequately, but somehow, I just can’t imagine the woman it depicts giving birth in a barn. To finish the Re-Imagining the Magnificat, click here . Image: Madonna of the Magnificat, Sandro Botticelli. (Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons ) **This is a republication without modifications from blog.oup. Canadian composer Tawnie Olson is inspired by politics, spirituality, the natural world, and the musicians for whom she composes. She is the winner of the 2018 Barlow Prize, a consortium commission for The Crossing, Seraphic Fire, and the BYU Singers, and the 2021-2023 National Opera Association Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Composition Competition (for Sanctuary and Storm, libretto by Roberta Barker). She is currently working on a new piece for Grammy-nominated Sandbox Percussion, funded by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Return to Yuletide 2023 Previous Next

“Things are the way they are simply because they are the way they are.” < Back Super-Determinism David Cowles Apr 15, 2024 “Things are the way they are simply because they are the way they are.” In Thoughts While Shaving (3/26/2024), we introduced the notion of a Block Universe ( BU ) . According to this model, Universe is best represented as a static block. People used to write about the Block Universe but now we know that there are multiple models of BU . Each of these models has a different look and feel. However, it remains to be seen which of these various ideas, if any, are denotatively distinct. We explored two models of BU : Classical Determinism ( CD , Laplace) and Many Worlds ( MW , Everett). We’ll briefly recap these two models and then explore some other possible Block cosmologies, ultimately focusing on our title topic, Super-Determinism . The principle of Classical Determinism is well known. If we could specify the location and the momentum of every element in the Universe, we could calculate the state of the Universe at any time, past or future. Maybe so…but we can’t do it! Turns out that location and momentum are not entirely independent, so it is never possible to measure both at once without there being a certain amount of ‘fuzziness’ in the data (and fuzzy is fatal when it comes to determinism – I mean, one flap of a butterfly’s wing can throw all our plans and predictions into a cocked hat: no picnic today!) In fact, if we could know location with the precision required for a deterministic calculation, it would come at the expense of any knowledge whatsoever concerning momentum. Fortunately for us, the relationship between location and momentum is not linear. There is a ‘sweet spot’ where we have enough information about location and momentum to make informal, imprecise, predictions re the evolution of affairs. No picnic…but probably no asteroid collision either. Hugh Everett salvaged the picnic. He posited that any event that can happen (even a picnic) does happen…but in its own universe. We no longer need to rely on knowing position and momentum to predict the future: whatever can happen does happen! Predictions can be made with 100% certainty and 100% accuracy. No predicted event has ever failed to materialize…nor will it…ever. Riddle : If a prediction is guaranteed in advance to be correct, is it a ‘prediction’? Many Worlds is irrefutable, but not very useful. It’s really just a device to get around the paradoxes of Quantum Mechanics. The inventory of ‘worlds’ explodes super-exponentially and there is no way to prefer one universe over any other: they’re all just happening! Question : Is ‘everything happening’ the same as ‘nothing happening’? If everything occurs, does anything occur? When do we start saying silly things like, “I know it’s happening but is it really happening?” Laplace or Everett , either way your experience is the same; you live in just one world – because either that’s all there is ( CD ) or, what amounts to the same thing, that’s all there is for you . Your actual trajectory is unique according to either model. No matter what choices you appear to make, which alternatives you seem to choose, Everett-World will still be your world, and therefore phenomenally indistinguishable from Laplace-World . CD and MW describe the same World. In both cases, actuality is singular. CD brings us back to Shakespeare: “To be or not to be.” And to Looney Tunes : “That’s all folks!” One and done. It either is or it is not. If it is, it is what is! Welcome to Hell – but don’t worry, it’s all-inclusive . Many Worlds relieves the boredom of CD … but at a price: chaos! According to MW , there is a universe in which I ordered lasagna and a universe where I ordered fish. Some wedding…lucky me! Well, not really. I only know from fish or pasta – like meat and dairy, I can’t experience both at the same time if I’m keeping a kosher diet; I can’t combine the two. In another universe, somebody ate lasagna, but not me; I only got to taste fish. Rats! Of course, the bifurcation of reality does not stop at wedding menus. Everything you do functions as a node, a bifurcation point…you and every other human being…you and every other living organism…you and each one of the 30 trillion independent cells that make you up…you and… A person could lose count! It’s possible, I suppose, that one of these models ( CD , MW ) might be correct. I’ll concede that there’s probably no way to ‘falsify’ either one, i.e., to prove it wrong. One reason these models can’t be falsified is that they don’t tell us anything very useful. As a result, they fail out of the gate because they don’t account for the world as we actually experience it. Turns out, MW and CD are the same! In both models, what happens just happens. There is no causal contingency. There’s nothing recognizable as agency , and of course, there’s no free will . Wait! According to CD , ‘only one thing happens’; while according to MW , whatever can happen does happen. How can the two models be the same? Thanks to Bill Clinton, we can resolve this paradox: it all depends on what the meaning of ‘is’ is. MW applies ‘is’ to all possible pathways; CD applies it to just one actual pathway. On 3/26/2004, I proposed a modification to Everett’s Many Worlds model. Call it ‘Many Worlds Modified’ ( MM ). Suppose ‘the world tree’ ( Yggdrasil ) is convergent as well as divergent. We know from Botany that roots and branches can converge and reconnect; why not divergent ‘world lines’ as well? If we treat the World as a computer simulation, made up entirely of 1’s and 0’s, it is easier to see how two different number streams could settle at a single shared value. According to MM , the inventory of ‘worlds’ grows, but as a linear function of time…a big improvement I think you’ll agree. Speaking of Yggdrasil , according to Norse Mythology 3 norns (Macbeth’s witches) weave the World (Fate) from 3 skeins of yarn. How Trinitarian! MM is consistent with Norse cosmology. The textile, aka the World, accretes arithmetically over time. No stasis , no kaos , just logos . But am I too late to the party? 75 years ago, renowned physicist Richard Feynman created another theoretical framework that offers to bridge CD and MW . Like Everett 25 years later, Feynman takes ‘can happen, does happen’ as his starting point. But he treats ‘does happen’ in terms of mathematical probability rather than physical process. “Does happen” means “ happens with a probability greater than 0 but less than 1”. Simplistically, with Laplace there is never any ‘event’ per se , with Everett there are inconceivably many ‘events’, while with Feynman there is exactly one ‘event’ per region of spacetime. Ah, fresh air! Feynman integrates many virtual (probabilistic) events into one actual (physical) event: the path integral . As with Schrödinger’s puss, at some point the Universe has to declare itself: “Is you is, or is you ain’t, my baby?” That actual, real declaration is a function of the probability of each of the potential, virtual declarations. But that’s only the beginning of Feynman’s genius! He went on to suggest that, while the probabilistic wave function does collapse into the specific actual event that we ‘see’, ALL the virtual pathways that ‘sum’ to that event pass on intact to the future. Such influences are transmitted noumenally, rather than phenomenally, according to Feynman’s model, which he appropriately called Sum Over Histories ( SH ). The result is a world that is ‘loosely causal’ – remarkably like the ‘real world’ of our everyday experience. Even though neither Laplace nor Everett can be debunked mathematically, their models are not very satisfying. One is totally rigid; the other wildly chaotic. One is fixed, the other grows super-exponentially. The problem is that neither remotely resembles the World we experience. Our World is stable but not frozen, dynamic but not chaotic. SH to the rescue! According to SH , all potential pathways influence the world-line noumenally, but the intensity of each influence is in direct proportion to its probability. What we experience, dubiously, as ‘phenomenal causation’ is just a gross approximation of ‘noumenal causation’. SH is much richer than my paltry effort ( MM ). However, it introduces complexities from Quantum Mechanics that are not strictly necessary. MM is like an n-1 dimensional sketch of SH . All of which brings us back, finally, to various schools of so-called Super-Determinism ( SD ). SD duplicates the rigidity of CD but dispenses with the illusion of causation. A secular version of SD states that the Universe just is and is as it is. There’s no time, no space, no causation, no process, no true becoming or perishing. Connections among events are real…but they are not causal. Things are the way they are simply because they are the way they are. Other versions of SD invoke a transcendent agent, e.g. God. The Universe is the way it is because God made it that way…end of! SD comes in a variety of ‘transcendent’ (theocratic) versions as well as the one ‘immanent’ (secular) version outlined above. Theocratic SD often takes the form of God’s Will or Divine Providence or Best of all Possible Worlds (Leibniz). SD , secular or otherwise, is an intellectually honest version of CD . It applies Occam’s Razor Strop to Laplace. ‘Time’ and ‘causation’ are superfluous terms, so SD eliminates them. But then the world where SD applies is removed even farther from the world of everyday experience. ‘It is what it is’ begs the question, “Why? Why is what is, the way it is?” Of course, the theocratic model answers that, “It’s God’s will;” but that just kicks the can down the road. It begs the further question, “ Why is this what God wills?” And presto , we’re back into the world of transcendent values. The Five Books of Moses (Torah), indeed the entire Old Testament (OT), affirm our right, as value driven human beings, to question God’s judgment. We are God’s conscience, his Jiminy Cricket. The Book of Job explicitly asserts ‘the right of disputation’. Job takes God to cosmic court and wins! According to OT, God is powerful and benevolent but ‘morally confused’. Riddle : How is God like my grandmother (as described by her teacher)? He means well but he doesn’t always do well (at least not as we see things). SD , secular or theocratic, needs to address three questions: Why aren’t things better than they are? (The Problem of Evil) Why are things as good as they are? ( The Problem of Good ) Why are things as inefficient as they are? ( The Problem of Waste ) The world we experience seems riddled with Value; arguably (Whitehead), it is only Value. Yet SD is a world without even a category for Value. What is, is – don’t judge, deal! Can such a model shine any light on the world as we experience it? David Cowles is the founder and editor-in-chief of Aletheia Today Magazine. He lives with his family in Massachusetts where he studies and writes about philosophy, science, theology, and scripture. He can be reached at david@aletheiatoday.com . Click the cover image to return to Holy Days 2024. Share Previous Next Do you like what you just read? 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< Back Why We Must Pray Michael G. Pravica "It is our prayers that will, God willing, save the world and our souls because God will know us." At fundamental level, our universe consists of quantum particles (integral spin bosons such as photons, deuterons and gluons, and ½-integral spin fermions such as protons, neutrons and electrons). One of the most fascinating characteristics of these particles is that identical particles are indistinguishable from one another (i.e. they cannot be labeled) [1] and follow laws of quantum statistics that are dramatically different from the laws of distinguishable classical particles/entities that we are more familiar with where objects (e.g. balls, playing cards or cars) can be labeled. For bosons, Bose-Einstein statistics governs their behavior [2], and for ½ integral spin particles, Fermi-Dirac statistics determines their behavior [3]. The strange behavior of tiny quantum particles is one of the most fascinating mysteries of the quantum world and it is from these principles that our classical world is constructed. As living beings who are made from these indistinguishable particles, it is easy to argue along a similar vein that we, too, are indistinguishable. Of course, this is not true at the classical level. Yet, our constituent particles (molecules, atoms, nuclei, electrons, etc.) all return to the immense reservoir of matter in our universe and remain respective indistinguishable particles when we die. Thus, there is something more about us that makes each of us unique in the universe (i.e. we are more than just the sum of our constituent parts): our soul. I have argued before [4] that the soul is likely an infinitely dimensional or at least higher dimensional gift from God, who is likely an infinitely dimensional being who made our four-dimensional universe and likely many more. Thus, God established a special connection between humans so they could be “God-like” which has nothing to do with the constituent quantum particles that assemble our physical bodies. However, after the Original Sin, God decoupled from humanity so that humans could understand that life without God (and obedience to God) will be extremely challenging. The essence of humanity’s struggle is to reconnect with our Creator. 1 Corinthians 8:3 states: “But whoever loves God is known by God [5].” Loving God takes many forms such as helping our fellow humans in need, glorifying Him and acknowledging His ability to help us through seeking Him (prayer). I will focus on prayer in this brief essay. God gets to know us when we pray to Him. It is God’s love that gives each of us our uniqueness and removes the degeneracy of “indistinguishable souls” as God knows each and every human being who loves Him and thus has Faith in Him. Satan is jealous of us because he lost this very special connection to God. Those who do not seek God end up becoming indistinguishable souls (at least to Satan) which God does not interact with. They get lost in the quantum mechanical chaos of our universe. We maintain our connection with God (which was created at conception) by praying to and believing in Him. This special connection enables us to spiritually transcend our universe and connect with our Creator just as Michelangelo depicted Man reaching out and trying to touch the hand of God in his Sistine chapel painting. This is the essence of the connection: mutual interaction via transcendent everlasting love. Love is the most powerful force in all of God’s Creation. Just as in pre-WWII times, we are on the precipice of a devastating conflict (WWIII) which will destroy humanity. More than ever, we need to bring God back into our world to illuminate, expose and ultimately vanquish the evil that Satan is perpetrating here to destroy us. God will save us if we pray to Him and demonstrate to Him that we love Him as He loves us. Satan seeks to disrupt our unique connection between the Lord and His children in the four dimensional spacetime world that He created for us to live, enjoy and glorify Him in. Satan is trying to turn us away from our Creator by tricking us into worshipping inanimate elements inside this universe that constitute indistinguishable particles (e.g. the Golden Calf) and focusing on cold materialism instead of on our God-like essence by dissuading us from following Jesus Christ. Prayers to God are transmitted via the super dimensional transcendent Holy Spirit which not even Satan can stop as he is trapped in this four dimensional spacetime. It is these prayers to our Father that will, God willing, save the world from its self-destruction and at the least save our souls because God will know us. This is why, more than ever, we must pray. This was originally published on Medium. References: 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identical_particles 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bose%E2%80%93Einstein_statistics 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi%E2%80%93Dirac_statistics 4. https://english.pravda.ru/science/129528-soul/ 5. https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1-corinthians/8/3 Return to Harvest 2024 Previous Next

< Back You Really Were Born for This Jade Baldwin "Esther’s journey from obscurity to influence exemplifies the profound truth that individuals are often placed in specific circumstances to fulfill significant purposes, even amid uncertainty and peril." Toward the end of the Old Testament is a book that is dissimilar from the others, but a dissimilarity that feels so purposeful it’s hard to overlook its reason for placement at that time in Jewish history and also its continued relevance in the lives of believers today. The Book of Esther introduces us to a female heroin whose story is vibrant with themes like destiny, identity, and divine providence. At its heart lies the compelling tale of a Jewish orphan who unexpectedly rises to become queen of Persia during a critical juncture in Jewish history. Her ascension, seemingly coincidental yet laden with purpose, embodies one of the most spoken verses of scripture: “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14) In reading Esther, one cannot help but wonder about their own identity, destiny, and God’s providence in their life. Esther's journey begins with her humble upbringing under the care of her cousin Mordecai in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire. Following Queen Vashti's dismissal for disobedience, Esther enters a royal beauty contest and wins the favor of King Xerxes, ultimately becoming his queen (Esther 2:17). This seemingly fortuitous turn of events, however, is soon revealed to be a strategic placement orchestrated by a higher hand. As Mordecai warns Esther of the imminent threat to the Jewish people posed by the vengeful vizier, Haman, he implores her to intercede on behalf of her people before the king. Mordecai's pivotal words, mentioned above (Esther 4:14) resonate with the conviction that has been building in Esther, that her elevation to queenhood was not mere chance at all, but rather a providential positioning for a crucial task. This theme of identity plays a critical role in Esther’s story, particularly the discernment of when to hide one’s true identity and when to reveal it. Initially, Mordecai advises Esther to conceal her Jewish heritage (Esther 2:10), a precautionary measure that protects her in the Persian court. This act of concealment allows Esther to navigate the royal environment without prejudice, highlighting the complex decisions individuals must make regarding their identity in potentially hostile settings. It garners her trust among those who don’t understand her people. However, the necessity of revealing her identity arises as Haman's genocidal decree against the Jews looms large. Recognizing the gravity of the situation and emboldened by Mordecai's admonition that her silence could lead to her people's demise, Esther risks her life by disclosing her Jewish identity to King Xerxes (Esther 7:3-4). Her courageous revelation not only unveils the truth but also precipitates Haman's downfall. This moment underscores the delicate balance between prudence and necessary revelation, teaching that the timing and context of disclosing one's purposeful identity can be as significant as the revelation itself. A unique aspect of the Book of Esther is the absence of explicit mentions of God, which contrasts with other biblical texts. This absence, however, serves as a subtle marker of God’s authority and plans at work. While God's name is not directly invoked, His presence is palpably felt through the series of events that favor Esther and her people. This narrative choice emphasizes faith in the unseen, where divine intervention subtly shapes human affairs without overt proclamation. We have all been through periods where God feels completely absent; stories like Esther’s remind us that God is ever present even in the quiet. (Psalm 46:1) For instance, one pivotal example of implied divine intervention is the sleepless night of King Xerxes, leading to the discovery of Mordecai's unrewarded act of loyalty (Esther 6:1-3). This seemingly trivial incident triggers a cascade of events culminating in Haman’s downfall and the salvation of the Jews. The narrative's subtlety in presenting these occurrences invites readers to perceive the invisible hand of God at work, orchestrating events for the greater good. Esther's story thus becomes a powerful testament to the belief that God, though unseen, is always at work and actively involved in our lives. The narrative of Esther also highlights the importance of courage and faith in the face of adversity. Esther's willingness to risk her life for the sake of her people exemplifies the ethical imperative of using one's position and influence for justice and righteousness. Her actions reflect a profound understanding of her role and responsibility, illustrating the belief that individuals are often placed in specific circumstances to fulfill significant purposes. This ties back again to the banner of being born at a specific place in history for a specific purpose. Esther’s story offers timeless lessons on courage, faith, and the discernment of God-given purpose. Esther's journey from obscurity to influence exemplifies the profound truth that individuals are often placed in circumstances to fulfill significant roles, even amid uncertainty and peril. Her willingness to risk her life for the sake of her people highlights the ethical imperative of using one's position and influence for justice and righteousness. Moreover, the narrative's portrayal of God’s providence, though veiled, underscores the belief that God works mysteriously yet decisively for his creation. Reflecting on Esther's narrative, we are reminded of the enduring relevance of her story in contemporary contexts. It challenges us to discern our own moments of destiny and to act with courage and conviction when called upon to make a difference. Just as Esther stood at the crossroads of history, so are we called to embrace our roles in shaping a world where justice, compassion, and the creator’s great plan converge. Jade lives and writes in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where she is dedicated to sharing the wisdom of scripture as it applies to the present. She leads engaging Bible discussion groups for the elderly, fostering a deeper understanding and connection to faith. Her work aims to inspire and uplift readers, encouraging a life of purpose and devotion. Return to our 2024 Beach Read Previous Next

< Back Prayer for Restoration Hadassah Treu "I long to see the nearing restoration..." I need you in the ruins of my heart, In all the wounded, desolated places, Where darkness comes in as a flood, I need your tender, healing grace. Restore the ruins of my life Search out all the cracks and gaps, Invade them, filling them with light, Erase all paths to pain, all maps. I long to see the nearing restoration, To see it coming like the rising sun To hear it calling every ruin to alteration, Preparing them for the life to come. When all the broken becomes a space, Completely ruled by love and grace. Amen. Hadassah Treu is an international Christian author, blogger, and poet, and the Encouraging Blogger Award Winner of 2020. She is passionate about encouraging people in their journey to faith and a deeper walk with God. Hadassah is a contributing author to several faith-based platforms and devotional and poetry anthologies. She has been featured on (In)courage, Living by Design Ministries, Thoughts About God, Today’s Christian Living (Turning Point), and other popular sites. You can connect with Hadassah at www.onthewaybg.com. Return to our Summer 2023 Table of Contents Previous Next

< Back Robin Hood David Cowles Apr 27, 2023 “Could it be that Robin’s Merry Men are really 'Mary' Men, devoted, like their leader, to the cult of the Blessed Virgin?” Issue #8 of Aletheia Today Magazine (ATM 4/15/23) included an article on May Day . We tracked the evolution of this celebration across eras, cultures, academic disciplines, and religious traditions. Amid these disparate expressions, May Day celebrations share one thing in common: they all recognize and reinforce a necessary connection between prosperity (natural law) on one hand and economic justice (human law) on another. Incredibly, these highly varied expressions are embodied in the story of a single man: Robin Hood! Robin is one of those rare but crucial figures who explicitly bridge history and legend. It is highly likely that the story of Robin Hood began as the story of a real life, flesh and blood individual. We just can’t say which individual. Several potential ‘Robins’ have been identified in the record, but we cannot be certain which of them, if any, was the actual ‘Hood.’ (Are they history’s version of Saddam Husein’s ‘stunt doubles’?) Here’s what we can claim to know about Robin with a reasonable degree of confidence: He lived in a forest near Nottingham with a man called ‘Little John.’ He was fiercely religious, devoted to the celebration of Mass and especially to the cult of the Virgin Mary. He and Little John were joined in the forest by a gang of so-called Merry Men . He strenuously opposed both secular authority and church hierarchy. He was faithful to his version of Natural Law, summarized by his signature meme: Rob the rich to give to the poor . Based on the near unanimous testimony of the earliest source material, these aspects of Robin’s story would seem to meet the test of historical truth. Nonetheless, for our purposes, it matters not whether these things are true as ‘history,’ just as long as they are true as ‘mythology.’ So, how do these meager biographical details connect Robin Hood to May Day? The forest location is the first clue. Forests and even individual trees were divine according to the cosmology of the Celtic Druids, early practitioners of Natural Law. Robin attended Mass several times each day, all while hiding to avoid the Sherriff’s posse. With Robin, the grove has its altar! (Ezra Pound) Robin ignores the contingent laws of church and state and instead follows the necessary precepts of Natural Law. Tradition links Robin Hood with the ‘Maypole,’ a single, vertical tree ( Yggdrasil? ) or trunk, decorated and dedicated (today at least) to the Virgin Mary. The maypole is variously understood as a symbol of fertility ( phallus ), the axis mundi , and omphalos , the umbilical cord of the universe. The maypole symbolizes the connection of heaven and earth; it represents a bridge between the transcendent and the immanent, a major May Day theme. A slightly later tradition introduces a ‘love interest’ for Robin, the beautiful Maid Marian. This apparently innocent romantic embellishment is in many ways the key to the whole story. In traditional May Day lore (e.g., late 13 th century France), Maid Marian was a shepherdess who was also “Queen of the May” (a title now reserved for Mary, the Mother of God); but Marian did not become part of the Robin Hood legend in England until the 16th century. So, who is Robin’s Marian, really? Texts suggest an alternate spelling of her name: ‘Marion,’ a derivative of ‘Mary.’ Is it possible that ‘Maid Marian’ and ‘Mary, the mother of Jesus,’ are one and the same person? Is it possible that Robin’s love affair with Marian is mystical rather than romantic? This also may shed light on another mystery, Robin’s Merry Men . What makes a bunch of outlaws, hiding in the forest for fear of the Sherriff, living off the land and facing almost certain execution if caught, so darn merry ? Could it be that Robin’s Merry Men are really Mary Men , devoted, like their leader, to the cult of the Blessed Virgin? Then where does she fit into the May Day puzzle? Consider her signature New Testament speech ( Luke 1: 46 – 52), her Magnificat : “He (YHWH) has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things but the rich he has sent away empty.” Is this not a paradigmatic statement of the May Day spirit? Could it be that the story of Robin Hood represents the application of Mary’s eschatological vision to the realm of concrete social action? Is ‘Robin Hood’ the translation of Magnificat into Manifesto? Keep the conversation going! 1. Click here to comment on this TWS. 2. To subscribe (at no cost) to TWS and ATM, follow this link . 3. 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