Test Post Using Word ‘07

This is a test post. I am using Microsoft Word 2007 for the first time and posting directly to the Imaginations Captive blog. It would be helpful if it would work since there is more flexibility and speed in using Word than in using the blogger editing program and it is much easier to save files on my own computer this way.

 

1. Point number 1
   
2. Point number 2
   
3. Point number 3
   
4. Point number 4
   
5. Point number 5
   
6. Point number 6

Colossians' "False Wisdom": Formalism, Magic & Technology

In order to get a grasp of what Colossians is refuting it is important to have an understanding of the descriptions of the “wisdom” Paul is opposed to and, if possible, to determine how the various descriptions are unified. Below is a summary list of the terms Paul uses to describe the system of thought and practice he was rebuking in Colossae.

• “Philosophy” (2:8)
• “Vain Deceit” (2:8)
• Tradition of Men (2:8)
• “stoicheia” of the cosmos– fundamental order of the world; “the abc’s of something”; rudimentary elements; basic elements; basic laws; angelic beings or 'gods' who control the cosmos (2:8)
• judge in food or drink, festival, new moon, Sabbaths (2:16)
• “humility” (implied as false humility) (2:18)
• “Worship of angels”; veneration of angelic beings; using angels to aide in worship and attaining help from God; calling on “assistant gods” (2:18)
• Intruding into things which he has not seen (seeking visionary experiences) (2:18)
• Vainly puffed up by a fleshly mind (2:18)
• Not holding fast to “the head”- Christ; (2:19)
• Regulations (rituals) ‘do not touch, do not taste, do not handle’ (2:21)
• Commandments and doctrines of men; man made religion; human creativity, not rooted in divine revelation (2:22)
• Self-will religion; worship that emphasizes free will and the importance of the individual will (2:23)
• Self-abasement; neglect (severe treatment) of the body (2:23)
• all the practices are of “no value against fleshly indulgence” (2:23)

Some of these terms bring to mind the kind of legalism that Paul addresses in Galatians and that the Gospels describe Jesus encountering in (some of) the Pharisees. However, some of the terms are different from Galatians and the Gospels.

The strongest associations with Jewish/OT Law legalism are the terms “shadow of things to come” (like book of Hebrews), “festivals,” “new moon,” “sabbaths,” “traditions of men” (like Jesus’ words against the Pharisees) and perhaps “regulations” (though we might have expected the term “law” [nomos]).

The terms “judge in food or drink,” “fundamental principles of the world” (stoicheia, kosmos), and “… do not touch, do not taste, do not handle” could refer to Judaic legalism, but it is not as obvious that they do.

The terms “philosophy,” “worship of angels,” “intruding into things not seen,” or “severe treatment of the body” are unexpected when compared to Romans and Galatians. Neither does the notion of Jewish/OT law based legalism explain the emphasis on “principalities and powers” in Colossians, which is more connected with the book of Ephesians.

What were people devoted to the law doing worshipping angels and taking pride in visions? Angels does seem to have a connection with “principalities and powers,” but what do these have to do, if anything, with restrictions on eating and drinking?

FORMALISM

It is nearly certain there is a kind of “formalism” at the center of what Colossians rebukes, but this formalism seems to be somewhat different from the formalism of the Pharisees in the gospels or the Judiazers of Galatians and Romans. There is enough dissimilarity to the terms used elsewhere to look for other explanations. While any formalism might be called “legalism” it seems to be of a different kind than what Jesus encountered in the Pharisees and what Paul addresses elsewhere.

MAGICAL ROOTS IN ASIA MINOR AND IN THE HISTORY OF "WISDOM"

Acts 19 informs us that there was a strong Jewish interest in the occult and exorcism in Asia minor and also that there was a significant practice of magic in Ephesus and Asia minor, which included Colossae.

Acts 19:19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Magic and wisdom were considered synonymous concepts by many groups in the ancient world. ONe of the most popular Jewish books of this period was "The Testament of Solomon" which was chock full of incantations and techniques for controlling angels to do the will of the "wise" person. Many of these techniques relate to "little and mundane things" like making someone fall in love with you or giving you a good day.

This connection of wisdom and magic is evident even in the development of the English language where "the magi” of Matthew 2 are translated as “wise men,” and the root word “wis” in wisdom is also the root of “wizard.”

CS Lewis notes in The Abolition of Man how close the concepts of "magic" and "technique" or "technology" are to each other, strongly suggesting that we do not need to be only concerned about "magic" directly, but also be concerned about dependence on technology to accomplish spiritual good.

Noting this use of magic as "wisdom" can help us solve the riddle of Colossians when we consider that "worship of angels" does not require the literal bowing down to angels, but can properly mean using and calling on angels as intermediaries in the working out of God's plan. The records from the ancient world of Asia minor are filled with techniques for controlling angels, gods and demons for the purposes of accomplishing spiritual objectives.

Whereas "basic principles of the world" ("stoicheia") to us resonates with the laws of science (or with some interpreters as "legalism") it would be helpful to remember that Colossians was written in the first century in the time that many people believed "the gods" and "the angels" held the universe together and that the way to control the universe was through finding ways to harnass the power of these divine beings. Seeing the "basic principles of the world" ("stoicheia") as "angels" and "principalites and powers" only seems like a stretch if we do not know the beliefs and superstitutions of ancient times. There is good archeological evidence supporting the use of "stoicheia" in reference to divine beings and the use of magic to control them.

I believe investigating the connection between magic and wisdom in Asia minor is the most productive route to take to discern the meaning of the terms in Colossians and that we will find the practices of magic best explain, and tie together, all the terms used in Colossians including the problem of diet restrictions. It was common practice to treat the body severly in fasting before seeking angelic beings ("gods") in "a visionary" experience.

We will find that Contemporary styles defenders, who are fond of accusing defenders of traditional music forms as being "legalistic," have at least as much, if not more, to be concerned about in Colossians’ warnings about magical wisdom. The music of our contemporary is deeply rooted in traditions of voodoo and magic. Use of this music has been linked with promises of “spiritual results” using extra-Scriptural, human based, techniques.

These will be the subjects of my next couple of posts.

Colossians: Christ is the Supreme Wisdom & Power of the Cosmos

If it is unlikely that Colossians 2:21-23 denies moderation and promotes gluttony, what does it mean? The key to understanding the terms and significance of any passage in Scripture requires understanding the context - the context within the section, context within the whole book, historical context, and the context within the whole of Scripture. Here I aim to outline the main theme of the book of Colossians. I hope to later show how this relates to Colossians 2:16-23.

One of the obstacles to a clear understanding of Colossians is identifying what it was (and is) specifically rebuking. This is “the Colossian Heresy” or the “Colossians Philosophy.” It is one of the great mysteries and most debated subjects in New Testament studies.

Colossians only contains a brief references to the system that Paul was warning against. These short references would have been very clear to the original readers, though they can be opaque to us. This should caution us against reading the phrases in terms of our experience. Without considering what these meant we cannot know what they mean.

There are several types of evidence that we can use to understand what the apostle Paul was rebuking. The first kind is the positive instruction that is the orthodox answer to the false system. It is likely that the positive teaching is not arbitrary, but is meant to answer the need created by false doctrine and practices. The references to (potential) heresy, and the coherence of the book, are significant enough to warrant seeing most of the book as an answer to it. The second evidence is the terms and descriptions used to describe the heresy itself. This is found in chapter 2 of Colossians. The third type of evidence involves information about the background historical and geographical situation of the city of Colossae in the first century that may help make better sense of the first two types of evidence. It can be helpful to discover if terms or phrases might refer to specific ideas and activities. Specifically, the Greek term “stoicheia” (“fundamental principles”) is a critical term in the book of Colossians. Determining what the term would have meant to the people of Colossae will go a long way toward clarifying the nature of what Paul was rebuking.

In this post I outline the basic positive message of Colossians with a few implications drawn for understanding what it is rebuking.

The clearest theme of the book of Colossians (other than “Christ” - who is the main theme of every NT book) are the subjects of Wisdom and “Pre-Eminence” (power) Colossians proclaims that Christ is all the wisdom we need for life. Not surprisingly, wisdom and power go together in Colossians. “Knowledge is Power,” as the saying goes. Note the following emphases on Wisdom and Power in Colossians:

1:5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

1:9-11 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for him.

1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

1:27-29 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

2:2-3 ...attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God... and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

2:6-7 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

2:9-10 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

2:23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom...

3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

3:10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another...

3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus...

4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside... that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Colossians proclaims the abundant power and wisdom of Christ in releasing believers from “the power of darkness” (1:13). Christ is shown as both CREATOR and REDEEMER (“re-creator”), and that He is Master and Head over ALL THINGS (Col.1:15- 19), especially over the “principalities and powers.”

Colossians insists that Christ is “more basic” than “the basic principles/order of the world” (Greek word stoicheia = the “abc’s” of the world) since he created them and has redeemed them. Christ’s power and wisdom are FOR all who have believed in Him and who continue to believe in Him through the gospel – which is the word of the wisdom and power of Christ (Col 1:23-29). Knowing Christ is better than "basic principles" because He founded all things and HE IS the "First Principle."

The positive instruction emphasizes the moral nature of Christ’s “wisdom and power” and focuses on reconciling God’s moral demands on sinful men. Whatever the nature of “the principalities and powers” they are not defeated by direct attack, but by dealing with the moral demands of Holy God.

What can we tell about “the Colossians heresy” from examining the positive teaching? We may not know the exact details but we can confidently assert the heresy was limiting the believers confidence in the sufficiency and total supremacy of Christ and causing them to look to other things that actually compete against, supplement, or mediate, the supreme and sufficient wisdom and power of Christ. Given the nature of the “application section” in chapter 3 the “supplemental wisdom” is causing them to be vulnerable to, and even alluring them toward, “earthly things” (“the flesh”) – especially in the areas of passions, covetousness, and sexual impurity, as well as pride that divides the body of Christ.

When we compare the positive teaching of Colossians to what it might be warning against as false, we must see that Colossians maintains that anything else, whether an alternative or a “supplement,” takes away from confidence in the wisdom and power of Christ Alone as Supreme and Sufficient.

Because of the very strong statements in Colossians about Christ being over all things, but especially over “dominions and powers,” we should expect that the false system must emphasize gaining wisdom (insight) and power over dark, malevolent, forces. Colossians’ description of that system will be the subject of my next post.

Colossians 2 and the Christian Defense of Gluttony

Defenders of “Contemporary Christian Music” often use Colossians 2:20-23 to support that pretty much “anything goes” in musical style. This seems to me to parallel a similar issue we are witnessing in diet problems:

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Col. 2:20-23)

This text is used to show that there should be no emphasis on restraints on Christian freedom in “neutral” externals and that “externals” (like food and music) have no spiritual importance in themselves. Christians are free to let their natural, instinctual, tastes be their guides in matters of eating and musical enjoyment, except where it might affect peace in the body of Christ. The logic is that since "the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but joy..." (Romans 14:17) you should feel free to eat and drink as much as you need to create your joy. Spirituality is only "spiritual."

Anyone who promotes moderation and restraint, and teaches that there are built-in laws of nature that should limit human consumption in view of Biblical principles, is claimed to violate the admonitions to “let no one judge you” (Col 2:16) or “beguile you of your reward.” Musical conservatives are said to echo slogans like “do not touch, do not taste, do not handle” (Col 2:21). Restrictions are “the commandments and doctrines of men” (Col 2:22) and are “of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” (Col. 2:23).

This claim implies that the Biblical term “flesh” has little or nothing to do with the actual body and senses – but is only an attitude of the heart. Therefore, it is theoretically possible (and practiced) to regularly eat immense amounts of food and regularly listen to incredibly physically intense music and never commit the sin of gluttony, as long as one does it “to the glory of God” in attitude or “spirit.”

If this is a valid application of Colossians 2 the charge of “legalism” would be a very serious matter for those who advocate that Christians show restraint . However I believe there is good reason to doubt that this is an accurate interpretation and application of Colossians 2. Christians need to do better than just mimic the diet habits of their surrounding culture.

Consider how often God used hunger and thirst to teach Israel spiritual dependence and obedience (Deut 8:3-4). Fasting is commanded and commended many times in Scripture as righteous. Our Lord fasted for 40 days as an act of righteousness, as well as disciplined himself to rise up very early in the morning to pray. John the Baptist was noted for his fairly austere diet and lifestyle. Jesus said that his disciples would fast after he ascended to heaven and even gave instructions on how to fast properly.

True, Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard (Matt 11:19; Luke 7:34), but the implication is that this accusation was false and came more from jealousy than an honest evaluation of Jesus’ habits. Advocates of the historic “spiritual disciplines” have maintained that Paul’s command to “mortify the flesh” include the notion of keeping bodily desires in check through moderation (see Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard). Jesus said that the problem with his disciples was not only that their “spirits” were willing and good their “flesh” was insufficiently trained (Matt 26:41; Mark 14:38)) to actually put spiritual things first, so they slept during a most crucial experience.

We need perspective. It is common reporting now that high percentages of Americans live off junk food. In fact, Americans are literally dying of gluttony. Obesity and diabetes have become a major health epidemic and are killing more people than all world terrorists combined.

We are also facing an impassioned pursuit of pleasure through musical gluttony, which some Christians have been aggressively promoting. People are consumed with music at near deafening decibel levels for long amounts of time with an intensity of beat and dissonance that is staggering. It has even become a staple diet in worship services in churches. Even "moderate" churches feel the need to give historically high amounts of stimulation in their services. Even with this a significant number of people cannot stand more than a few moments of silence. Most of the music that was considered extremely exciting and cutting edge of sense stimulation in times not very distant past is now considered helplessly boring.

Christians (generally) are not hesitant to say “touch not, taste not, handle not” when it comes to food, and tend to call for restraint and moderation, though they don’t actually practice discipline, and gluttony is frequently treated more as a joke than an actual sin.

Yet so many insist that Colossians 2 requires that we permit the full indulgence of any musical appetite that appeals to us, as long as the words are good and the “spirit” is right. If this interpretation were carried over into the area of food the advice would go something like this:

Let no one judge your taste!. Let your senses and tastes be your guide. God does not care about trivial things like sense experiences and consumption habits. He is only interested in ‘your (spiritual) heart.’ God says these things are ‘merely physical’ and have no spiritual importance. Denying the intense pleasures of sugar-loaded snacks is a severe “neglect of the body!” (Col 2:23).

If you still feel hungry after a good meal, eat more!! Don’t worry, your senses cannot be corrupted, your tastes are always a reliable standard without your conscience getting involved. High need of intense musical stimulation cannot be a sign of domination of flesh and a disinclination toward spiritual realities. Just be certain to quote Scripture between and during all the courses of your meal.

Discipline and restraint are certain signs of legalism and worldliness. There is no such thing as gluttony, so don’t worry about it! Consume all you can crave for the glory of God! The only fault you can have is if your conscience thinks it might be wrong. So don’t let anyone seek to inform your conscience!

If you are bored with your church’s music, find a church with a stronger beat and higher volume! If you are bored at home after 2 hours of listening to mild Christian pop, why not stimulate yourself with something heavier and “edgier?” Don’t worry about how long you listen – its not possible to get too much!

I believe this is a ludicrous position. Is it really "severe treatment of the body" to pursue moderation and disciplined musical and eating styles? Is there a better interpretation of Colossians 2 that makes sense and doesn’t justify gluttony? I think so. I hope to outline it soon.

The Bible and Musical Instruments – “Downplaying” Drums?

Many Christian proponents of contemporary styles of music summarize the Bible’s view of instruments merely as “the Bible encourages the use of all kinds of instruments.” I don’t dispute this claim, but I have deep reservations about the “merely” part. Even though “many” (by ancient world standards) different kinds of instruments were used at various times with God’s blessing does not exclude consideration of how (in what style) instruments were played and if there were ever restrictions or guiding principles.

There is not an equal emphasis on instruments in Scripture. The harp and lyre hold privileged positions in the Bible, being mentioned far more often than any other instrument (45 & 37 times respectively, to 16 uses of timbrels - KJV), noting that the harp has the distinction as THE 'heavenly' instrument in the book of Revelation. These stringed instruments are given far greater emphasis than others. Also, the Scripture references to “dance music” pales in comparison to the overwhelming emphasis put on lyricism (i.e. - words sung with the lyre), understanding and rationality. This melodic emphasis must be taken into consideration when examining Scriptural guidelines for musical styles. Just considering how one might sing the Psalms is revealing. I've not read anyone who has come up with a way to sing the Psalms with much emphasis on regular, steady, rythym. It is nearly impossible to imagine that one could sing them with "a beat." The form of the text demands a form of chant.

It is worth considering the Biblical evidence of the use of Timbrels/Tambourines (Hebrew: toph) in Temple worship. The books of Chronicles, being focused on Temple worship (accounts missing in Samuel-Kings), display a great appreciation for instruments used in worship.

• 1Chr 13:8 Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets. 9 And when they came to Chidon's threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled….
• 1Chr 15:16 Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy
• 1Chr 15:28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps.
• 2Chr 5:12 and the Levites who were the singers, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets- 13 indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever," that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,
• 2Chr 29:25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. 26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
• Ezra 3:10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel.
• Neh 12:24 … according to the command of David the man of God…. 27 … to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps.

1Chronicles 13:8 begins the Chronicler's emphasis on Temple Worship Music by including tambourines along with other instruments. However, tambourines are not mentioned again in the remainder of the lists of "instruments of David" in Chronicles through Nehemiah, which mention other instruments and singing fairly often. The key question is “Why?” Was it assumed to part of those used? But why then are all the other instruments repeated mulitple times?

Another piece of evidence is that the one time Tambourines are mentioned among “David’s instruments” is that it was the first time he tried to bring the ark into Jerusalem (1Chr 15) and Uzzah was tragically killed due to David’s carelessness about following God’s directions.

Did David determine after this disaster that Tambourines were not suitable for temple worship? This should be considered, even though the Tambourine was still used in non-Temple worship occasions (Psalm 89, 149, 150). The evidence at least means the Tambourine was not a dominant instrument used in Temple worship and suggests it was not used at all in Temple worship.

My conclusion is that the Bible recognizes different kinds of instruments are suited to different occasions. Temple worship music was generally more serious and reverent and less “entertaining” than music used for national celebrations. Tambourines are nearly always mentioned with dancing (and women) in Scripture. It is evident that dancing was not part of Temple worship. Therefore the tambourine was not needed or used during those worship times.

A more difficult issue is to determine if there were instruments in the ancient world that the Bible leaves out. Is it possible that the original readers of the Bible saw something about music and the lists of instruments that we tend to miss because we tend to only see “all kinds of instruments?” For example, the instrument the “aulos” was the object of scorn by Greek philosophers. The Bible only mentions it once - in 1Corinthians 14:7. Is this a coincidence? I don't know, but it is something to think about.

The “neo-pagans’ of our time have been insisting that a wide variety of Drums were THE most important part of ancient pagan worship. They claim (e.g. - Mickey Hart and Layne Redmond) that the diminution of the drum was due to Biblical – Hebrew and Christian – religion. Mickey Hart claims to have substantial evidence of many kinds of drums and a large importance placed on rhythm in the pagan religions. If this is true it would seem to cause us to “see the absence” of many drums (except a limited use of tambourines) in Scripture.

In conclusion, I don’t believe the Bible demands elimination of all drums all the time, but I believe the evidence of Scripture with its strong emphasis on LYRICAL (songs with the Lyre) forms of music and a downplaying of rhythmic and ecstatic forms of music does witness against the rising dominance of rhythmic forms of music as means of stirring up interest in the things of the Lord.

The Godliness of Monotony

I have long thought that the modern craving for everything "new" and constantly changing is a sign of our spiritual decadence. I found a friend recently in G.K. Chesterton who seems to agree with me on this.

Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. The repitition in Nature may not be a mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical encore. ~ G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy

Star Wars as Global Peace

I am often struck by how an apparently incidental and trivial fact reveals something quite important and profound. Biblical characters whose names actually signify something important about their lives comes to mind as an example. Sometimes these connections are probably just coincidental. Other times we are forced to consider if they are not clues about underlying design and themes of “evil conspiracies” and divine providence.

The movement of George Lucas’ enterprise “Lucas Films” to the Presidio National Park in San Francisco strikes me as this kind of ironic connection. The Presidio was once a United States military base and played an integral part of the plan to protect and promote the peace of the United States.

Now the Presidio has been devoted to the task of fostering world peace by including organizations with the goal of creating peace by changing “global consciousness.”  The organizations include the United Religions Initiative, the Thoreau Center and the Gorbachev Foundation (which recently moved from the Presidio to Pittsburgh).
A brochure from one of the organizations in the Presidio links

"military past with a future of promise and protection – one that recognizes that defense no longer must be based solely on political and military strength, but on stewardship of the world’s human and physical resources through global cooperation."

Mikhail Gorbachev summarized the purpose of these organizations:

"We should… help in the development of a global consciousness… to change the world for the better”

There is hardly any cultural “force” that is uniting the world with images and themes more than George Lucas’ Star Wars. Star Wars has been changing global consciousness. The only question is how serious is this change. It can be granted that it is not taken very seriously by most people, not even by most Christians. But these apparently small ironies are all pointing to things that are more significant than most Christians seem willing to admit. This is something I would like to “blog” more about soon.