Today has been quite a day. First, we went to the “From Abraham to Jesus” exhibit at the Tulsa Convention Center (they are there through the 28th, so go see it if you can). And by we, I mean a group from our church. We hit the Flying Roll Chicken Dinner House first, and it was excellent as usual. Everyone was more than full for our tour through Holy Land artifacts and antiquities dating from the time of Abraham to the time of Christ. While our faith is not dependent on these bits of archaelogy, we do have a living and real faith that is repeatedly confirmed with every shovel-full of sand and earth that is overturned. The more archaeological discoveries are made, the more we know about the life, times, and even language of the people whose lives comprise the Scriptures. It is truly compelling to see remains of civilizations that could be 3000-4000 years old. I found myself looking at pot shards wondering what the pots had held, and what the family was like that used it, and what brought about its destruction. Did it wear out naturally? Did someone break it in the natural course of their lives? Did invading hoardes destroy it as they left not one stone upon another? While looking at bronze spear heads, one wonders if they were used on hunts to provide food for the family group, or were they used for protection or even conquest, or was it some combination of those uses? I can’t be the only one to have looked at some weapons and wonder, Just who did you kill? And why? It truly is fascinating.
Additionally, there were ancient scrolls of the Torah, fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls, and an ossuary believed to have been that of Simon of Cyrene. Interestingly, it was obvious from seeing Simon’s ossuary next to the two others on display that Simon’s was that of a common man. It was crudely honed from the limestone and left with a very rough finish. That stands in real contradistinction to the obviouly wealthier men’s ossuaries.
This was a good morning on a day when I got home to read that James Cameron, not content to subject us all to sex-filled trysts while a little thing like a ship was sinking, claims he has discovered the tomb of Jesus, His mother, his wife Mary Magdalene, and His children. The big point he wants to make is that Christ did not rise again. Setting aside the fact that only a fool can say that there is no first-hand evidence for the Resurrection (as was said on the comments section of the above-linked article), being a movie maker does not grant a man the ability to better relate history than those who are trained to do it and do, in fact, do it every day. For a good look at real historians dealing with the real history of the real Jesus of Nazareth, I highly recommend Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ. If you want more of Cameron’s type of “history,” you might re-read the novel, The DaVinci Code.
And speaking of movies, how bout a good one? We went from the exhibit to the theater to see Amazing Grace. All I can say is that it is one of those movies you will carry with you for a long time. I will see it again, and not just because of the terribly rude three individuals in the row in front of us who talked, commented, and–strangely enough–laughed at the most dramatic moments all throughout the movie. (I was going to say something, but their behavior led Jeane and I to wonder if they were not of some diminished capacity. So, we just put up with it. Leaving the theater, they seemed to be perfectly normal human beings, so I just have to chalk it up to a total lack of manners and cooth.) Anyway, back to the movie. I can’t even describe it really. It’s the kind of movie we need to see from time to time to remind us of the responsibility of Christians to worship God through our actions–yes, even civil and governmental actions. Due to Wilberforce’s repeated efforts in the face of repeated deafeat, the slave trade was ended in Great Brittain. There’s a lesson there for all of us.
One thing that struck me in the movie that has implications for us today is an argument that those who opposed abolition made. They continually asserted that if slavery were ended, the economy of Great Brittain would be destroyed. Sound familiar? That bolsters an opinion that I have held for some time now. Those who oppose immigration reform in America are condemning whole segments of population to slavery. It may be paid slavery, but it is slavery. Just because an illegal alien is here, ostensibly doing jobs Americans don’t want to do, does not mean they are enjoying the freedoms of this land. Many of my fellow conservatives complain about the cost of illegals on our society (which I admit is great), but our faith should compel us to demand reform because the current system condemns illegal aliens to a slave-like sub-status in our culture, and when we allow these humans to be demeaned, we demean the God in whose image they are made. What do I mean? I recognize that rights are ever expanding for illegals; however, as long as illegals remain illegal, they are forced to live a life as far below the radar as they can. That means they cannot and will not be protected from the malicious in our society who would exploit their position (contractors and other employers who hire illegals only because you know you can pay them less than a living wage, I am talking to you). It is a shame that a supposedly Christian people can look the other way, especially for the sake of mammon, while other human beings are subjected to sub-standard wages and living conditions, not to mention a lack of access to the guarntors of freedom in our nation. We, more than all people, should understand that some things are worth setting aside temporarily for the long-term good. So, it is because I care greatly for my fellow human beings that I support comprehensive immigration reform, not because I am an evil, selfish conservative who does not want to share my country with them. Once we get a handle on the problem, I am in favor of allowing as many immigrants into the country–LEGALLY–as our society can support. See Amazing Grace and see if you don’t agree. Additionally, see if the voices of the unborn do not cry out to you as you watch William Wilberforce speak for the many who do not have voices of their own. You’ll reel.
We closed out the day at B-52 Pizza on Kenosha (71st St.) in Broken Arrow. I discovered this excellent pizza parlor one day while doing some work in the area, and I cannot say enough good things about this independent pizza place. The hand-tossed pizza will make you think you’re having pizza for the first time. Plus, their homemade desserts are to die for. Give them a shot, too. Oh, and trust me on the elephant wings! The good news is that they will be opening a location in Tulsa proper soon.
Whew! It’s been a long, yet faith-undergirding day. Shalom to you all, and in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”
