Right and Wrong

Movies are a great way to listen to what we are saying to ourselves as a culture. They can also reveal the underlying assumptions we all share. I am thinking particularly about one of the best movies I have seen in recent times: The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington and Forrest Whitaker, both excellent actors at the top of their game. My purpose here is not to review the movie itself – I will leave that to others who are much better qualified. Rather, I was thinking about what it reveals about the assumptions we all share. In this case there is a sense of what constitutes right and wrong. It is hard to watch the lynch scene without getting downright angry and thinking that there really is no justification for that kind of thing, regardless of how those who did the lynching were raised or what their worldview is.

The problem is that this concept of absolute right and wrong, at least about some things – a concept I completely agree with – is at odds with another thing we have been teaching in our culture for the past fifty years or so. I am speaking of moral relativism – that some things are more or less right or wrong depending on the context. What is wrong for me might be right for you and vice versa. That this is true about some things is beyond question – a good example might be dietary practices. To be honest, I am not looking forward to eating bug! I know that there are many types of insects that are very healthful and are even reputed to be tasty. I have a feeling that this knowledge will remain theoretical on my part!

But isn’t that just the problem? When we relegate moral values to the same category as taste, then any reason to claim that something is right or wrong is nothing more than an expression of our personal taste – and that is subject to change and cannot be gainsaid. Now I know that there are those who would have us believe that morals are indeed a matter of taste which any culture is allowed to enforce. But do any of us seriously believe that? Because, when all is said and done, all we are really saying is that “might makes right;” that the majority can and even has a right to enforce their own standards. But we don’t really believe that, do we? Because it is certain that the majority in that part of Texas in the 1930s portrayed in the movie thought that they were right. Nonetheless, they weren’t.

What is the alternative? That there is someone behind all of this that we see and sense who built into the fabric of the universe in general and into you and me in particular a sure knowledge of right and wrong. But be careful – that can lead to all kinds of concepts that we might not like – like the fact that we might be answerable to that same person for our actions. That is all well and good for Hitler or Stalin or Pol Pot, but you and me? Hmm….

Blessings Everywhere

Recently we started up our feeding ministry again. It has been a
personal blessing to me doing this every week. To be honest, it has
humbled me. Every time I think I don't have what I need, or I need
more, or cant afford what I WANT I am humbled when I walk into the
fellowship hall every Saturday. Here is a group of people that don't
have, and I'm complaining of what I don't need. Debbie, the lady from
the World Wide Church of God, who heads up the pantry was approached
by one of the gentlemen that comes every week and he asked her what
they could do to give back to us for what we do for them. She told
him to pray that the pantry would be replenished so there is always
more to give. He didn't wait to pray later (like how many of us would
have), this guy made his friends stand up and grab hands and they all
prayed right then and there. What humbled Debbie and I both at that
moment was not only that they didn't hesitate to pray, but that they
prayed for those who were in worse shape then they were.

There is a Hispanic fellow that comes every week. For the sake of
privacy I will call him Juan. Juan is a wonderful guy. He doesn't
speak very much English, but we have a wonderful time in fellowship
anyway. Juan is an example of how much the ministry we are providing
is appreciated. Juan is there every week with a smile and hug and if
you're a lady, a kiss on the cheek. He is the first to get up and
help us try to clean up and has actually become our trash man. Before
he leaves every week he makes sure our trash cans are emptied and
taken to the dumpster. This is a way he is able to show he
appreciates what we do for him every week...and that is a blessing to
me as well.

So, here's to feeding the body and spirit (both theirs and ours)!

~Melanie Pace

From the brain of Paddy Pace

I just finished reading Lee Strobel’s newest book, The Case for the Real Jesus, which proved to be a very faith affirming book for me personally. But, as I was reading this book, which addressed some of the more recent objections to Christianity & the character of Jesus that have surfaced in the popular media, I couldn’t help but feel that our precious faith is at a critical juncture in Western culture. Lately, many anti-Christian atheists have been coming out of the woodwork to espouse their own literary works denying God and faith; or as in the case with Bart Ehrman, a recognized biblical scholar who not more than two years ago published his Misquoting Jesus, many of Christianity’s critics are questioning the authenticity of our faith by attacking the historicity of the Bible and of Christianity itself.
It would seem that Christianity is being attacked quite ferociously on all sides. At a point in history where the evidences to support Christianity and the Bible’s trustworthiness are more abundant than those supporting of any other faith or literature, more and more people are beginning to follow the trends of atheism, agnosticism, and pseudo-Christian Gnostic teaching. It is not by accident that these anti-Christian scholars and authors (not all are worthy of the title “scholar”) are becoming so influential. Without an ethically grounded worldview, as is found in our faith, there is licensure for a hedonistic approach to life. Without the otherly focus of Christianity, people are free to interpret and apply their own moral constructs, which are highly relativistic and subjective. In doing so, people are free and encouraged toward irresponsibility. I don’t know about you, but if I am the end-all to what’s right and wrong in my life, having seen my selfish tendencies, then I am even more frightened for this world.
I recommend Lee Strobel’s book, but not simply as a good faith-based read. He does an excellent job at presenting a clear and logical defense for Christianity. The evidences for our faith, as enumerated in the book, are astounding and encouraging. So, read this book, but read it in a way that it’ll become a tool for your own personal apologetic. If you haven’t encountered anyone following these current overt anti-Christian dogmas yet, you likely will soon. This, to me, is an obvious frontal assault in the dimension of spiritual warfare. Something’s on the horizon and you have been summoned to join arms. May peace be with you and God bless.

~Patrick Pace

From the desk of PK

So, I don't know how many have seen Will Smith's "I Am Legend." It is first of all a good movie and Will Smith does a great job in a very tough role - he carries the entire movie almost by himself. But did you notice just how Christian the concepts are? One person who has to give up everything, even his family, to do what only he and no one else could do to try to save humanity. In the end he has to give his life so that the salvation that can only come from his blood can save humanity. Wow! What I am wondering is - is it because this is such a universal theme that it works so well? Could it be that God has built into the fabric of our shared humanity the recognition that what ails us cannot be be cured by ourselves? And that the price to be paid might include the very life of someone who is himself no stranger to sacrifice? Just the random thoughts of someone who can't seem to turn off his brain. God bless!

~Pastor Ken

This is a test, this is only a test...

Hi, and welcome to WVCC's new blog. You'll be seeing a variety of things come across these pages contributed by a variety of people, but you be sure that it'll always be different! So let me introduce myself and little bit about what this blog is for.

My name is Brienne - I work part time as an administrative assistant to the Pastoral Staff here at WVCC (West Valley Christian Center) - the church with the Three Crosses (we're on the corner of Topanga and Nordhoff... where you see *ahem* three big crosses...). I handle a lot of the media outlets for the church (like our live weekly newscast and the video output for our services, as well as various layout/design stuff). In the "regular" world, I'm also a photographer -- I'm sort of a visual type person (can you tell?).

This blog is a relatively new concept for our church and we're very excited to get it off the ground. This is a place where, hopefully, you'll get to learn a little more about us - the people at WVCC, what's happening, how we think, and why any of this stuff even matters. Some of our contributors to this blog are our Pastoral Staff members (who will be introduced a little later) and some blog posts will be contributed by our members. We love to hear YOUR thoughts, so please PLEASE feel free to comment here, or email us at wvccinfo@gmail.com . You can also call our offices at 818-882-8177.

Thanks for stopping by - don't forget to check back regularly.