Journal - Day 3 02/01/2003 
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Questions Asked:
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Assignments:
GE 1:28 Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over all living things. (Note: God appears to be totally unconcerned with population control or ecology.)
The quote above was lifted from an article which took issue with much of the Bible. The author was freely noting their objections to each verse. This reminds me of an earlier item I wrote about the "Tame god". This problem has a name. It is called - pride.
This question is a timeless question. It was true in the Middle Ages and it is very much true today. I have a counter question for those who takes such issues with the Bible as our author had? What purpose can a God have if YOU define and dictate morality and pass judgement upon God? Logically, this would seem to propose your will and ethics were superior and you are thus more worthy of Worship. (I doubt their spouse would always agree, but that is the logical conclusion we must draw.)
Most anyone would pick up immediately the author here was very much concerned about population control and the environment. One might even suggest they had a hunch as to what they called "god". This, therefore, isn't really a critique of the Bible, but rather a comparison between the Bible verses their "god".
What we have seen is a simple illustration of why people are so stubborn about believing the Bible. Everyone comes to the Bible from where they are, with their own notions of things, of how things work, and what is right and wrong, and interpret the Bible from that stand point.
Day 3 - Chapter 2 - Middle Ages
The official church, looking for a return to authority, began to incorporate non-canonical writings into the scriptures and giving them authenticity - because "The Church Says So." The end result was that the Scriptures lost its authority before the people of the church.
By the end of the second century, many cultures under pagan influence, turned to a black and white philosophical approach that defined things as good or bad by whether they were spiritual or physical. If anything was physical - it was evil - therefore Jesus did not have a physical body, or He would have been evil. Augustine taught that God's kingdom was already here on earth, and found himself in large agreement with those who thought that things physical were evil. In addition, with the church having become the exclusive religion of the empire, it did appear that it was conquering the world. In order to hold to his position, Augustine used Origen's allegorical method to interpret Old Testament prophecies about the kingdom. Augustine's view led the Church of Rome to conceive of itself "as the universal church destined to bring all within its fold." The organized church of the middle ages departed drastically from what God had intended it to be.
----- "What on Earth is God Doing," Renald E. Showers
Well, according to Renold Showers, it was Philosophy which turned the direction of history and changed how people interpreted the Bible. Now, isn't that an interesting thing to have in a Philosophy class? Sometimes Philosophy sets the course of events and sometimes the events of history modify the philosophy.
Let us not forget it wasn't until the 12th century we move from animal skins and parchment to paper and not until the 1450s when we get the first printing press. Most everyone was uneducated and there was little to read outside of the monastery or government buildings anyway. This being so, the statement "The Church Says So" is very important. Who could argue differently?
Day 3 - Chapter 2 - Middle Ages
[Elite always exist. The hierarchy of power is not level, and thus there are the highest and the lowest among its ranks... and what guarantees that the highest in this hierarchy do not wish to perpetuate their own power? The only way of doing so is by using power to manipulate the world into sustaining their loftiness. To stay elite, wealth is required, and the greater the wealth, the greater the power to generate more wealth. --- extracted off the Internet]
You can find anything on the Internet, can't you? 
We have mentioned the "Elite" a number of times in just the few days of class we have had. How appropriate, therefore, to find someone who answers the question with our "Elite" in the equation.
During the early Middle Ages, wealth was measured in land. Food and all manner of sustenance came from the land. Those who owned and controlled the land extended control over those who worked the land. As we move from decentralization in the early Middle Ages to centralized government in the late Middle Ages, another commodity's value as a measurement of wealth was added. This would be "gold".
Gold and other monetary type commodities would have little value in a society where there was little to buy. As the economies grew in the late Middle Ages, "gold" (a form of money) could be used to purchase commodities.
Day 3 - Chapter 2 - Middle Ages
Alcuin (735-804) -- Charlemagne’s head scholar -- is one of the few names that come down to us from this period. Other than his Christianity, a glimmer of his view of reality can be gleaned from this quote: "What is man? The slave of death, a passing wayfarer. How is man placed? Like a lantern in the wind."
--- 2000 by C. George Boeree
Here we see again how philosophy can dictate how we see the world. Alcuin, which we have visited before in this Journal, was head school master for all of Charlemagne's schools which he was so kind as to underwrite and promote. Alcuin's personal philosophy was taught and ingrained into an entire generation.
What is this philosophy other than complacency in where you are placed, an acceptance of authority, and an acceptance in how things are. No wonder science and new ways of doing things slowed considerably.
Oh, there were advances and new ideas, but these came mostly from Charlemagne. Alcuin may have been Charlemagne's head scholar, but this does not mean they shared the same philosophy as Charlemagne was obviously the "wind" which was blowing the "lantern".
Day 3 - Chapter 2 - Middle Ages
"Mariology" - a compact term for beliefs about the Blessed Virgin, her role in salvation history and in the devout life
There are those who believe Christianity cannot be based upon Jesus alone, but believe Mary must be an integral part. For some, Mary is not a side story, but integrated into Christianity. Mariology, therefore, is the study of Christianity bent on working Mary into the mix anywhere and everywhere it possibly can. (Sound a little bit like outcome based doctrine?)
[This is what Rome teaches:
966. "'Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.'[LG 59; cf. Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus (1950): DS 3903; cf. Rev 19:16.] The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians:
"In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.[Byzantine Liturgy, Troparion, Feast of the Dormition, August 15th.]--Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 2nd Ed., (c) 1994/1997 United States Catholic Conference, Inc., p. 252]
Scriptural, Mary is seen throughout the Bible if you presume that any reference to "woman" or "mother", whether it be in the Old Testament or in Revelation, is a reference to Mary, the Mother of God and the Mother of all Christians. Mariology isn't content with a side study of Mary, but Mary must be front and center and an integrated part of the Gospel. Try this quote and see how it seems?
[It is Marian doctrine and devotion that preserved the truth of the Trinity. When the Christian believer sees the biblical portrait of Mary as Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, he grasps forcefully the distinctions between the Three Persons. The doctrine of the Trinity becomes a reality for him. ]
How does something like this get started? Well, there are a lot of reasons. We can go to scripture to look at one underlying angle of thought.
Jesus is God, and as God, how can he be receptive to all our requests and needs? Look at our own lives. When we want something from our parents, do we ask "Father" or do we go to "Mom"? When we want permission to go somewhere, do we ask our parents directly, or do we ask our friend to ask our parents for us? You know what? This sort of thinking is born out in scripture if you are really angling for that sort of thing.
[John 2:1-12
The Wedding at Cana
1The next day Jesus' mother was a guest at a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. 2Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus' mother spoke to him about the problem. "They have no more wine," she told him.
4"How does that concern you and me?" Jesus asked. "My time has not yet come."
5But his mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Six stone water pots were standing there; they were used for Jewish ceremonial purposes and held twenty to thirty gallons each. 7Jesus told the servants, "Fill the jars with water." When the jars had been filled to the brim, 8he said, "Dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies." So they followed his instructions.
9When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10"Usually a host serves the best wine first," he said. "Then, when everyone is full and doesn't care, he brings out the less expensive wines. But you have kept the best until now!"
11This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was Jesus' first display of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.]Many people worship (they call it venerate) Mary and to a lesser extent, other saints, for just this reason put forth. Jesus / God are not always responsive to our requests, but if we enlist the assistance of Mary or some other Saint, they will act as an emissary between us and Jesus / God. In reality, Mariology is based upon the notion that Jesus is NOT ENOUGH.
By the way, the Wedding in Cana introduced a slight problem for the most devout Mariology student. This "His brothers" business. We can't have a virgin having lots of virgin births, now can we?
Some may not know I was born and raised a Catholic. My family comes from good Catholic stock. I have a brother who is a Catholic priest. All that said, I am a Fundamentalist Christian.
So, how do I deal with Doctrinal problem with a family on one side of the aisle and myself on the other?
I deal with this by cleaving to the Fundamentals. I go to the Bible and concentrate on the Fundamentals. If you did not know it, Catholics and Fundamental Christians believe in a lot of the same things, at the most fundamental levels, of course. I concentrate on what we have in common and disregard the rest.
If it were possible, perhaps, someday, that I could have perfect understand and LIVE them perfectly, I might have time to turn my attention to some of these other side issues. Its been a couple decades and, you know, I just don't think I'm going to get to them.
So, as far as I can see, from my point of view, Catholics and I agree on everything (the Fundamentals).
Day 3 - Chapter 2 - Middle Ages
Charlemagne was a sincere Christian who was both interested in and took authority over religious affairs. He requested that Alcuin reform and unify the people's diverse liturgical practices. The Apostles' Creed was one element that was added. Charles also appointed bishops and called church councils. He built up a hierarchical church order with archbishops at the head of sees who supervised the bishops who, in turn, watched over their provinces.
Alcuim was an English monk and Deacon from York who directed Charlemagne's schools and was a trusted adviser. The schools, by the way, were monastery schools. The only people being educated were those in the Church and they were also given administrative duties in the civil government.
Technically, the Church took over for three reasons.
1. The only people receiving any education where "Church" people. Few outside of the Church could write. Even Charlemagne could not write.
2. Charlemagne promoted a stronger Church organizational structure.
3. Charlemagne, being a good Christian and understanding where the best administrators could be found, integrated many clerics of the Church as administrators.
Once Charlemagne died, the kingdom would continue on. If there was another king of the stature of Charlemagne, then very well. If there wasn't, then the organizations which he had built up would continue on without him, taking up a life of their own.
Strange to consider the proposal that the "Church take over" was part of Charlemagne's legacy?
Day 3 - Chapter 2 - Middle Ages
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. ---- 2 Cor 9:7-10 NRSV
By the end of the 4th century, the Roman Empire had already adapted Christianity as their official state religion. From there, it was only a matter of time for people to wonder why the whole world was not Christian? Instead of teaching and conversion (remember, few were educated and most all were very poor), the philosophy changed to "everyone must be Christian". This means by coercion, if necessary.
["Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. --- Mat 23:23 & Luke 11:42]
Isn't it strange to see the Pharisees being made an example of with all their laws and rules set up to "help" the Jew remain a good Jew in good standing and yet, here is the Church of Rome doing just about the same thing. Good ideas and suggested behavior move from "preferred behavior" to LAW. Charlemagne was just one in a series of leaders to create laws based upon "preferred Christian behavior".
This doesn't happen over night. There is a progression over time. Looking to modern times, one need only look at any Church which has been well established for several generations. Have they not some Church Laws which were "preferred Christian behavior" at one time? Church? Why limit our comparison to the Church? How about families and governments and organizations?
This is why, as a Fundamentalist Christian, I believe it is important to go back to the beginning and reevaluate yourself and your associations from time to time. Fundamentalism is a position easily lost and which must be actively sought after.
Day 3 - Chapter 2 - Middle Ages