Chapter 7 - Adam, Eve, and the Alien

What WOULD an alien think about how we live?

I've always loved this perspective, it never fails to get my head shaking, and I'm reminded of just how silly it all is. Miller makes a great point that I have also been considering lately. What is the result when we base our sense of joy on comparisons with others, and if it is so simple to refute, then why do we always seem to end up there. He tells of middle school hierarchies and explains it really well, 

but just listen to almost any casual conversation and you'll hear it.

I like how he puts it on p.95: 

“It is as though the voice God used to have has been taken up by less credible voices.”

So why do we do what we do. Sure we’re great at rationalizing just about any comparison, but in God’s eyes, does it matter?

“I was just another stupid child in the flow, you know; I didn’t know any of these things. I didn’t know it didn’t matter what a person looked like, how much money they made or whether or not they were cool. I didn’t know that cool was just a myth and that one person was just as beautiful and meaningful as another.” (p. 104)

Leave a comment, and bring your story Thursday morning!

Chapter 6 - Children of Chernobyl

Chapter 5 - Naked

I didn't get a post from Rubena yet, but Larry had some fun thoughts to share on the chapter.

1. It’s not about getting naked.
   
2. Job 1:21 Naked I came into this world and naked shall I depart.
   
3. It is about recognizing our “transparency” in God’s eyes. Naked is a metaphor.
   
4. Mark Twain wrote, “Clothes make the man, naked people have little influence on society.” He was rephrasing an old adage about dressing appropriately.
   
5. The creation account, which Miller believes was written by Moses (although Moses could not have been an eye witness and so we believe the writer was inspired by The Creator God) can be read metaphorically. Humans were created, they lived in “transparent” relationship with the Creator. Humans chose to disobey their creator and the result was “sin.” Humans try to hide in the bushes and behind sanctimonious garments. God easily sees through us. 
   
6. We now live in tension between God’s grace and God’s judgment. We spend our entire lives trying to “recreate the Paradise Garden.” We finally admit failure and open ourselves to God’s forgiveness provided in Christ’s sacrifice.
7. Soon we will come “transparently” before our Creator. (Although he promises us new bodies and robes once we get there!)