Living out your faith

One of my biggest struggles has always been converting knowledge into application. I've written about this a few times, but it keeps coming up (so I guess I just gotta keep writing about it).

Engineering
The very definition of engineering ("the application of science and mathematics...") is one of application. We learn (often what appears to be useless) mathematics (give me one useful real-life application of linear algebra...or vector calculus...) and science...the concept of how components fit together and what theory to apply where...endless amounts of textbook reading and practice problems. I was told that 3A/B would be the hardest terms of my electrical undergraduate career. That wasn't quite right...

Fourth Year Design, where we are quite literally thrown into the fire, is one of the most difficult things I had to attempt in Engineering. Here, I had to dip into resources that I found on my own (first fray into journal articles), make assumptions and attempt to justify them...in fact, our FYD adviser told us that as long as we realize that 1) reality is not as straightforward as theory and 2) sensors are not ideal, we would've gotten alot out of FYD. I think we're doing pretty good. FYD is living proof that Murphy's law is true...

So even though I do decent at school (somehow...), the leap to application is nevertheless rather difficult.

Psychology
I could apply the same thing to psych. I enjoy psychology. I took both undergrad social psychology courses offered at Waterloo. It's one of the few textbooks I didn't mind reading. Yet, the people who interact with me on a regular basis will tell you that I could definitely use a bit more tact, and a bit less social awkwardness.

The other day, in the midst of a CCF event, I lashed out (spoke in a rather angry/serious tone and used some pretty harsh languages) at a friend, a Psychology major, because of some logistical issues. Being focused on the logistics, I wasn't thinking about interpersonal conflict resolution techniques or the fact she's stressed about running the event. Nor, I bet, she was thinking about my obvious narrow-minded focus on logistics and irrational comments. And so, even though we both had alot of theoretical psychology under our belts, the confrontation still ended badly (no worries, things are okay now). Theory didn't help all that much.

So...what's your point?
Don't get me wrong. I value knowledge. I think it's really important to learn about theories and to be able to explain things. I like learning about biology and physics. But knowing that insulin causes sugar uptake into cells does not help me with real life very much...unless I'm helping a Type 1 diabetic administering his insulin shots. Knowing that epinephrine will cause vasodilation (expansion of blood vessels) isn't very useful either...unless I'm helping someone find his Epipen.

Living your faith
UWCCF's theme revolves around living out my faith. What does that really mean? It means that, at some point, reading commentaries and listening to sermons doesn't cut it. The other day, I was listening to Mark Driscoll talk about the necessity for discipline and reading John MacArthur write about the origin of pain and evil. Yes, God disciplines His children and has greater purposes than we can imagine...but I can promise you that if you said "God is sovereign" to a Christan who just lost his dad to cancer, you're not helping . You'll be taken aside and lectured about being insensitive.

But...my theory tells me that "the truth set you free"...

And yes. Yes it does. But we're called to be loving as well. Belittling one's pain with a strong-arm answer is not very loving. Offer your prayer. Say that you're sorry. And stop there. Because "God needed him more than you did" is a very poor thing to say to a grieving person, no matter how close that is to the truth.

The importance of reading the Word, listening to sermons and partaking in discussions cannot be understated (this is coming from a guy that listens to sermons as he walks to school. haha). But what I am given is useless if I'm not bringing the good news (or, teaching...*hint hint* to all you potential bible study leaders out there). To bind up the brokenhearted (Caring ministry, anyone?). In spirit and in truth. To set the captives free (and of course, outreach).

It's difficult, because it means I need to get deeper than "yo, what's up" with the people I see everyday. Or to admit that I don't know everything, and must look up and learn. Or to question people when they walk by on Clubs day, when they say "oh, I'm not religious". It means I'm not number one. It means I must learn (and re-learn) to be humble. It means I need to pray more.

Because living out your faith isn't just about reading and thinking. Nor is it only about being considerate and a nice guy. In order to live out one's faith, one must understand the multidimensionalness of Christianity. The full extent of what we're called to do. To seek discipleship. And to bring others to seek discipleship. And to bring Him glory.

Significance of Apologetics

Apologetics, Greek for 'in defense', is a branch of theology dedicated to defending the Christian faith. Knowledge of apologetics is of utmost importance, because we have two groups of people that we must defend our faith against: ourselves, and everyone else.

Defending myself against me

Doubt is a very powerful force. I am my loudest critic. It is evident that we are commended for our faith. In fact, Abraham is often cited as the first use of the word righteousness in the OT:

[God] took [Abram] outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

- Genesis 15.5-6

This citation is repeated a few more times by NT authors, such as Paul and James. Doubt plays against faith. Without faith, why would one be obedient? Now, I am not advocating blind faith. The concept of blind faith plays directly against the Parable of the Talent (yes, knowledge and ability to think is a talent), giving rise to the importance of knowing your faith and what you believe in and the implications of what science is discovering.

What is truth?

- John 18.38a

Indeed, commentators note that Pilate was ignorant of the fact that Truth was right before him. Blind faith implies that you don't know know if you're chasing after a truth or a lie. How would know if you don't look into the circumstances, the assumptions and the background of the stories that you read? Apologetics is not about memorizing stock answers to stock questions. It is about knowing what I believe in. Important life questions like "why is there pain and suffering?" and "what is the meaning of life?" is easy to read on paper, but difficult to answer when you yourself are suffering. I must be able to defend myself against myself.

Defending Christianity before others

This could come in all sorts of forms. Elijah's account on Mount Carmel isn't quite what I have in mind, but I guess it could work...

We are called to spread the Word. The stigma of Christianity is quite heavy at times, as we need to bear the burden of the people that came before us. What might this include?

• Catholic priests and sexual assault cases (recent news articles)
• Hypocrisy of the modern church (personal ancedocial examples) and other failings of the institutional church
• The Jesus Seminar (first heard of it from Case for Christ by Lee Strobel)
• The common misassumption that Christans blatantly disagrees with science on major theories such as evolution and thus are ignorant of scientific development and evidence (YEC definitely leaves much to desire) and are backward and old-fashioned
• The assumption that Christians "projects" people and only has conversion on their agenda when conversing with non-Christians
• That Christians are a bunch of crazies that doesn't believe in blood transfusion

And the list goes on. At least we don't have an government that'd accuse us of burning down the city...but yes. It becomes our role to overcome these stigmas and prove that yes, we're logical and normal human beings.

But questions would come. Whether it's about...

• morality (CS Lewis' moral compass)
• rationale for stance of policy, such as homosexual marriage
• rationale for living style
• thoughts about current events
• historical accuracy of the Bible (largest stash of intact manuscripts vs other ancient historical documents)
• scientific theories
• religious beliefs

"I don't know" is generally not very impressive. People seems to be surprised that I have first aid training, that I have general biology/psychology knowledge and that I like baking. I've gotten a few "wait, what program are you in again?" ... the point is that I like biology/psychology (I may have very well opted for medicine or a psychology major had I decided against engineering) and thus took steps to learn about them. Granted, the average Christian dude isn't going to care about the Big Bang Theory, but perhaps he should care if he believes in a literal vs figurative translation of Genesis 1-3 (and all its implications). Or why he should disagree with homosexuality (is it actually bad?). It has been raised in BC that, since same-sex marriage is allowed, why shouldn't polygamy be allowed (is THAT bad?)?

Or why he thinks he is saved?

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

- Matthew 7.21-23

Probably one of the harder verses in the Sermon on the Mount (recall that the Sermon on the Mount is delivered to Jewish believers, not random Gentiles). If even Christ would say this about people who thinks are Christians...well. One would need to be very sure that he's in the right place...

Some Apologetics Materials

Mere Christianity by CS Lewis is an excellent first-read for anyone mildly interested in anything apologetics related. Materials by Ravi Zacharias (RZIM) is also very good. I've read a few things by Lee Strobel (ie Case for Christ), which was an interesting read.

Cats

So over the Christmas break, I offered to take care of the Lester boys' cat, Schrodinger. Even though I've never owned a pet, I was told that cats are fairly low maintenance. How bad can it be?

Cat-sitting 101

Assuming that all the materials are there already, I was told about three things:

Food - Schro is fed this combination of ... supposedly dried up pork and various other meats. Sounds a bit sketchy, but cat food companies know a whole lot more about cats than I do. He goes through about a bowl a day. I was told that cats never overeat (unlike stupid humans at all-you-can-eat sushi bars). Interestingly, they really shouldn't drink cow milk, since, you know, it's from a cow and cat stomaches doesn't like that too much, even though we see it on TV all the time. One could note why humans can drink cow milk and be okay...mmm...but then, humans eat everything. Come on. Just look at Chinese people...

One deviation I did make for Schro's catfood diet is I fed him haddock. I saw some cheap haddock on sale (and after checking with the cat's extensive 'do-not-feed' list), I went ahead and gave him some. He took three bites, and promptly fell asleep. Talk about itis...

But when I woke up the next day, he ended up eating all fish I gave him. Maybe he's shy. But (see section about litter)...

Water - Fairly straight forward. I give him a bowl of water. I add more when it's low. I rinse it. Maybe I should've tried giving him orange juice...

Litter - Perhaps the most 'interesting' part of cat-sitting technology I was introduced to. Cat litter, which appears to be small little rocks (the label claims it's advance technology) that Schro can sit in and take a nice #1 or #2, whichever suits his fancy. My job regarding this involves...walking Schro's litterbox over to a garbage can, and using a pooper-scooper, dump his crap into the garbage can. Now...somehow, his catly by-products sticks to the litter, making large rock-like objects that I need to remove. I guess cats can't be trained to use toilets.

I've noticed that, whenever Schro is extra jumpy or extra affectionate, it's not usually because he hasn't seen people around for a while...because as soon as I change his litter, he does his business. Now, I'm sure parts of his urgent purring whenever I open the door has to do with wanting other animate objects moving around in the same spatial region, but given that he reverted back to his hand biting ways right after I scoop his poo... well.

What have I learned?

Physical Interactions - The cat likes to claw, and he likes to bite. And be purring while he's at it. So he ENJOYS biting people. You know life would be bad when the first question I got from his owners the day after they left was "have you been bitten alive yet?"...so gloves are rather beneficial. I've also observed that the cat likes dangly things, and have clawed long hair, scarfs and stray shoelaces. I've had a bit of fun, throwing threads across the room and watch him bolt after it. He, however, doesn't like to bring it back.

Cat Hair - It sticks to everything. I think if I lost hair at that rate, I'd be bald -_-

Sleeping Cycles - He sleeps alot. He seems to have taken a liking to shoulder bags, because I see him curled up on Keith's and my shoulder bag quite often.

Conclusion
The cat is certainly alive. I probably wouldn't mind a cat in the future, if it wasn't for all the cat hair on my stuff. Certainly one that is less anxious to get his claws and fangs into my arms.