What Does the Bible Say About the 2017 Eclipse?

What does the Bible say about the 2017 eclipse? Absolutely nothing. In fact, eclipses are never really discussed in the Bible. There are a handful of passages that mention the sun darkening (Amos 8:9; Micah 3:6; Zech. 14:6; Joel 2:10, 3:15; Job 9:7), but they also mention the moon and stars darkening. The context of these passages indicates a supernatural event occurring rather than a natural event. Eclipses are a part of the natural order that God ordained. The reason we see no discussion in the Bible regarding eclipses is because Israel was commanded in the law not to engage in astrology. Deuteronomy 4:19 regards astrology as idolatry. The righteous were to look to God for guidance, not the stars.

Those claiming that the Eclipse is a sign of judgment are engaging in bad hermeneutics (consistent interpretation) as well as Christian astrology (which is an oxymoron). Eclipses happen every year or so. However,  since the majority of the earth is covered in water they do not always cross inhabited areas. The 2017 eclipse happens to cross a wide track of the US for the first time in 99 years. In 2 years it will cross the Pacific Ocean. Does that mean the Pacific Ocean will be under judgment in 2 years? Of course not.

Projected Path of 2019 Solar Eclipse

Some in the media are quick to point out that many traditions regard eclipses as bad omens, but history also shows that they can have positive consequences. In 585 BC, Thales of Miletus accurately predicted an eclipse. This was not the first time this feat was accomplished, but it is the first recorded and verified instance of an eclipse prediction. A remarkable event occurred during that eclipse that helped preserve Thales accomplishment. The Lydians and Medes had been engaged in a long war. On May 28, 585 BC the Medes attacked the Lydians at the Halys River (in modern Turkey). They were engaged in battle when the eclipse transpired. The pagan soldiers were filled with superstitious dread and laid there weapons down. A peace treaty was then brokered because of the eclipse.

Outside of the civilized world an eclipse was a mysterious phenomenon that broke the regular order. Within civilized society an eclipse is part of the natural order and can be predicted with extreme precision. Christians are not supposed to be superstitious and should not react to an eclipse as though they were unenlightened pagans. Appreciate the orderly nature of God's creation and trust in God more than the prophets of doom trying to bank on headlines.

The White Rose

On this day in 1943, Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, and Christoph Probst were executed by the Nazi government. The three were members of a resistance group known as The White Rose.

Hans Scholl had been a member of the Hitler Youth, but after growing disillusioned he quit and began to explore avenues banned by the Nazi Regime. Drafted in 1939, he served in the medical corp of the Wehrmacht. He also attended medical school at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Hans initially supported the war effort as a typical patriotic German. However, he quickly became disillusioned with the war as he saw atrocities committed in France, Poland, and the Soviet Union. Along with some friends, Hans formed a group opposed to the Nazi government. They secretly distributed leaflets appealing to the intelligentsia of Germany to reject Hitler and Fascism. The leaflets quoted from the Bible, philosophers like Aristotle, and writers like Goethe. The most destructive activity the White Rose engaged in was graffiti. 

On February 18, Hans and his sister Sophie distributed White Rose pamphlets at the University of Munich. Though usually cautious, this time they were seen by a janitor who was also a member of the Nazi party. He immediately called the Gestapo, and the two were arrested. After they had been searched, evidence was found implicating another member of the group named Christoph Probst. 

On February 21, Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, and Christoph Probst were brought to trial before Judge Roland Freisler of the People's Court. Freisler was brought in from Berlin to ensure a guilty verdict. Though Probst asked for mercy on account of his sick wife, he was shown none. All three were condemned as traitors. There was supposed to be ninety days from the time of the judgment till the sentence was carried out, but the Nazis expedited the process. They were executed on the February 22 in Munich. On his way to the guillotine, Hans Scholl shouted, "Long live freedom!"

Both Hans and Sophie Scholl were raised in a devout Lutheran home. Though neither was overzealous in their faith in their youth, they were guided to resistance by their Christian faith. They bravely stood for righteousness when so many were willing to turn a blind eye to the crimes of the government. 

Too few people know about the White Rose Movement outside of Germany. In Germany, the martyrs of the White Rose are regarded as heroes. There are many books and movies about their brief lives. I highly recommend the film Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage made in 2005. It is in German with English subtitles and was available on Netflix. 

Marked for Christ

Last night as I was watching the news I saw many people with ash upon their foreheads. On Ash Wednesday Catholics and others involved in liturgical tradition are marked with ash. It is a declaration of their faith and participation in the Lenten season. Traditionally Baptists and other members of the Radical Reformation do not participate in these traditions and cite Matthew 6:16-18 as their reason to refuse wearing ash. As a Baptist, I think we have the right interpretation, but too often we make no external sign of fasting because we are not fasting at all.

One of the positive aspects of the mark of ash is identifying with the body of Christ. That mark proclaims that you belong to Jesus. Many people take that mark as merely ritual, and it does not have daily significance for them. Rather than being marked once a year for Christ, we should wear our mark daily. Paul spoke of his marks in Galatians 6:17: From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus (ESV). Paul was not speaking of ashes on his forehead but of the physical scars he had received because of serving Christ. Paul lived daily to demonstrate Christ in his life, and that resulted in real wounds. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ still receive physical marks if they demonstrate they are true Christ followers.

Many of us, though, are fortunate that we will never face physical persecution for our beliefs. But we still need to wear the mark of Christ daily. We need to live a life that demonstrates in word and deed our submission to Jesus. We need to live obediently to the commands of Christ and let our light shine in a dark world. People should know that we are Christians, not by the t-shirts and jewelry that we wear, but by the love that we show for one another (John 13:35).

Keeping a Christmas Attitude

You stand in line for what seems like an eternity. You approach the check out counter and drop your bargains in front of the haggard sales associate. At that very moment the computer system malfunctions and the clerk has to call for assistance from a manager already dealing with a problem on the other side of the store. Or one of the items you have chosen rings up with the incorrect price and the store associate does not the ability to override the price on their own authority. How do you react?
Shopping at Christmas can be an exhausting and frustrating experience. Fighting over parking spaces or over the limited selection of sales deals can inflame tempers. There comes a point when the least little grievance can trigger a wave of anger and an unkind outburst. Often it comes over something as small as a store employee saying the wrong greeting.
The true spirit of Christmas is not just found in whether people say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays." Keep in mind that big box store associates are instructed what to say and must keep with the script or lose their job. Often they have worked long hours for a low salary and dealt with very difficult customers. The last thing that they need is another Grinch venting their frustrations.
Instead of griping about people not showing the real spirit of Christmas, start showing mercy. Christmas is the revelation of God's mercy to the world. Christians should exemplify that mercy even in the most difficult situations. Here are some actions we should be doing as we shop:
1) Smile. It is the easiest action that brings the biggest return. A smile improves your own attitude as well as those around you.
2) Give a pleasant greeting. Sales associates are people too. They need a kind word on a difficult day as much as you do.
3) Be proactive in wishing people a Merry Christmas. When you say Merry Christmas first it gives an associate permission to respond in kind.
4) Remember that you are blessed. Most of our Christmas problems are First World problems. Look for ways to help the less fortunate.
5) Remember, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Celebrate Christmas by showing mercy and loving your neighbor.

What Does the Kenyan Mall Attack Mean for America?

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack/index.html
The smoke has yet to clear over the mall in Kenya, but there is already some information emerging that there was an American connection. Al-Shaabab, a Somalian terrorist group, has claimed that at least three of the attackers are American citizens. In fact, according to Al-Shaabab at least half of the terrorist strike team is composed of citizens of Western nations like Canada and Britain.

Somali refugees have been given asylum in the West since images of starving Somali children flooded the TV in the 1990s. America temporarily got involved in trying to fix Somalia until our own troops started dying in a conflict that we didn't really understand. While we could not fix the country, we opened our doors to help as many as we could. Many Somalis embraced the American dream, but others maintained their connections to their homeland. In fact, American intelligence sources suspect that some of the Somalis radicalized and returned to Africa to fight with groups like Al-Shaabab. At this moment we cannot be sure if Americans were involved in the attack, but that scenario is certainly plausible.

If there are people living in the United States willing to attack a shopping mall in Kenya, why not here? Unfortunately an attack on an American shopping mall is not merely a fictional plot device (though it did happen in a Tom Clancy novel), but a real concern. With the Christmas shopping season just beginning, packed malls will provide an enticing target for those who want to create mayhem and bloodshed.

It is not my intent to be an alarmist. I simply want to acknowledge the potential of a serious threat and to consider what we should do in response. We should not turn to religious intolerance or racial discrimination. A Medieval crusader mentality will accomplish nothing but a continuing cycle of bloodshed.  There are some real steps that we should take in anticipation of terrorism on American soil.

First, we must be vigilant. Individual citizens can no longer turn a blind eye to suspicious behavior in the hope that someone else will respond. If you see someone acting suspiciously or something that does not look quite right, it is okay to notify mall security. If you doubt the competency of mall security, then contact local law enforcement. This does not mean that we panic over every Taco Bell bag abandoned on a table at the food court. Simply keep your eyes open and use your best judgment to make note of potential problems. Keep in mind that most malls are gun free zones (not something that I necessarily agree with) and flagrant displays of weapons is probably a danger sign (legitimate gun owners are not going to brandish weapons at JCPennys).

Second, know how to respond to a crisis. Of course, this step assumes the fruition of the worst case scenario. The first priority in a crisis is not to take photos with your phone for Twitter. Instead of reading your Facebook feed as you enter a store or office, it would be better to take note of emergency exits and resources like fire extinguishers. Unless you are a trained Army Ranger, or your name is John McClane, your primary goal in a terrorist attack is to evade and escape from the terrorists. After you have gotten to safety contact law enforcement to give them as many details as possible before you look for the news crews.

For Christians there are a few more things we must do. Above all else we must pray. Pray for safety and for peace. Pray for the salvation of those who claim to be our enemies. We must love our neighbors and be kind to those who threaten us. True Christianity when threatened does not respond with violence, but with love. With humility and respect we must share the Gospel and support those promote the Gospel. The world is a dangerous place and while we must be vigilant, we must also respond in faith.