- Learn what needs to happen.
- Stare confusedly at the screen.
- Learn individual classes while wishing for robust and unnecessary comments to help noobs.
- Write first piece of code meant to contribute to a serious project.
- Realize that one particular piece of it requires you to be familiar with scripting languages you do not know.
- Start again at step 2.
Charisma, Rhetoric, and Maintaining Personal and Audience Frame of Mind
One of the most important philosophers to read for your personal development is Aristotle. Also, read the book of Proverbs. It has hints for becoming charismatic, managing your money, flirting, being happy, and even going to heaven.
In his rhetorical manual, Aristotle observes this (just read the bold to get the main point):
But since rhetoric exists to affect the giving of decisions—the hearers decide between one political speaker and another, and a legal verdict is a decision—the orator must not only try to make the argument of his speech demonstrative and worthy of belief; he must also make his own character look right and put his hearers, who are to decide, into the right frame of mind. Particularly in political oratory, but [25] also in lawsuits, it adds much to an orator’s influence that his own character should look right and that he should be thought to entertain the right feelings towards his hearers; and also that his hearers themselves should be in just the right frame of mind. That the orator’s own character should look right is particularly important in political [30] speaking: that the audience should be in the right frame of mind, in lawsuits. When people are feeling friendly and placable, they think one sort of thing; when they are feeling angry or hostile, they think either something totally [1378a] different or the same thing with a different intensity: when they feel friendly to the man who comes before them for judgement, they regard him as having done little wrong, if any; when they feel hostile, they take the opposite view. Again, if they are eager for, and have good hopes of, a thing that will be pleasant if it happens, they think that it certainly will happen and be good for them: whereas if [5] they are indifferent or annoyed, they do not think so.
W. Rhys Roberts, “RHETORICA,” in The Works of Aristotle, ed. W. D. Ross, trans. W. Rhys Roberts, E. S. Forster, and Ingram Bywater, vol. 11 (Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1924).
The point Aristotle is making is about speech giving, but I think it is also a useful point for things like making friends and avoiding unnecessary conflict. Aristotle is noting the importance of maintaining and producing a certain frame of mind when you have social goals (in this case debating or convincing a crown during a speech).
But is it possible to apply these principles outside of the categories to which they are traditionally applied? I think so.
For instance, if in a conversation you make a joke and people treat it immediately like its offensive and that you are a bad person. You have a few options based on the idea of people’s frame of mind:
- Immediately and profusely apologize (thus admitting that you really meant what you said to offend), thus making the social event about you and your bad character.
- Act hostile and thus make the situation about you and your bad character.
- Find some way to take the joke further or in a different way so that people realize that the point is to be funny, not cause hurt feelings. One could, if it is perceived that genuine harm was caused, apologize as well.
As a younger man, I had no idea how to do these things. And it is difficult, because keeping a group’s frame of mind friendly when one is insulted is the least of your worries when your social fight or flight response is going a mile a minute in your head. But, like the man said, “[w]hen people are being friendly and placable, they think one thing…”
A skill that is very important for pastors, debaters, evangelists, spouses, or nerds looking to make friends is to maintain a calm state of mind under social pressure. When this is accomplished, one can more easily be friendly (do unto others) while still refusing to capitulate to a false idea, a bad argument, or responding unduly to a playful insult. This does not mean anything like, “never admit fault.” Admitting fault when wrong is perhaps the first step to virtue (1 John 1:9). The example of the joke was just an example, not a principle. Rather, I mean to illustrate that maintaining a positive and amicable thought pattern in the midst of disagreement (which most people take for hostility these days) or hostility is very important for being an intellectual as well as a social and pleasant human being.
Evangelical Myth: God’s Love is Unconditional
Now, this post could be controversial, but that’s okay.
Three things:
- God’s love for the world (thus for all of humanity) is unconditional and precedes the sending of Jesus (John 3:16). So when people say things like, “God would hate you if it weren’t for Jesus’ work on the cross,” they are literally being ridiculous. Even if they refer to statements concerning God’s hatred for people and so-on, John’s gospel makes the claim that God’s way with humanity is more exactly described by its exposition of Jesus than the Old Testament’s exposition of Moses (John 1:1-18).
- Nevertheless, it is false to say that every form of love God shows to human beings is unconditional. For instance, John 3:16 says that God loves the world in such a way that he sent his only son, so that whosoever believes in him might not perish but have everlasting life.” So, God’s love is for the whole world, but the results of said love are conditioned upon ones response to Jesus Christ. One might say, “But, what about universalism? If God saves everybody, then God’s love is still unconditional.” Though I’m not a universalist, it would still be the case that God’s receiving everlasting life as a quality of life now, is conditional upon faith. Indeed, in John 17:1-3, everlasting life is described as living life with a knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ.
- There are other passages which make it clear that God’s love in sending Christ and initiating the redemption of humanity is not the same as God’s reciprocal love for believers.
- Joh 14:23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
- Rom 1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1Jn 2:4-6 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, (5) but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: (6) whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Now, none of this has to do with earning. It also is not about saying that God does not love everybody. It is about being careful with our words. For the Christian who is walking in sin, having God’s love perfected in you is conditioned upon obeying Christ’s commands. For the person who wants forgiveness of sins, 1 John 1:9 says to confess your sins.
In conclusion, God’s love for the world is unconditional. God’s love for his saints is conditioned upon becoming a saint. God’s love perfected in the saint is conditioned upon the keeping of Christ’s commandments.
Evil is an argument for Christianity, not against it
Though not a main or even the main point of Sunday school last week we discussed 1 John 5:19:
1Jn 5:19 ESV We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
When horrible things happen on the earth and when people do horrible things, the Christian message says, “Yes, it is so and to be expected. But Christ offers forgiveness for your collusion with such powers and joy on the day such powers are defeated.”
It is not that there are not philosophical issues that run deeper than this particular piece of the Christian faith (why would God allow ‘the evil one’ to exist, do miracles really happen, and so-on?). But for those who accept such propositions as true, the argument from evil seems so childish. It sounds like somebody saying, “See, the owner of your apartment complex isn’t real because the manager is doing a bad job.”
Don’t Typically Care
Two incidents over the last couple years that are actually insignificant were blown out of all proportion.
- A famous man who used to be considered the greatest athlete in the world was surgically shaped to look like a skinny woman and spent loads of money and time to do it and people laud him as a hero and champion of the human form.
- A non-famous woman with a fitness blog lost weight after her pregnancy (presumably via hard work) and challenged other women to care for their bodies and large numbers of people shamed her for challenging other women to exercise and for “endangering her baby” by exercising through her pregnancy.
Normally if a male idealizes skinny women, it is called objectifying or sexualizing women. But if a man looks like a skinny woman, then it is considered heroic.
I think that we live in bizarroworld.
Is Proverbs 3:5-7 about Mysticism?
Often, I have heard Proverbs 3:5-7 brought up in discussions about decision making. Before I move any further, have a read:
Pro 3:5-7 ESV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (7) Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
The idea is often that somebody who is attempting to use discernment to make a major life decision should wait for God to literally tell them what to do. Otherwise, they might use their discernment (their own understanding), and dishonor God. But, is that what this verse is teaching? Is Solomon advocating listening for God to give us personal advice about our future?
What is the evidence in the text itself? Here is all of Proverbs 3:
Pro 3:1-35 ESV My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, (2) for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (3) Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. (4) So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (7) Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. (8) It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (9) Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; (10) then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
(11) My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, (12) for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (13) Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, (14) for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. (15) She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (16) Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (17) Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (18) She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. (19) The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; (20) by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
(21) My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, (22) and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. (23) Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. (24) If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (25) Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, (26) for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. (27) Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. (28) Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. (29) Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. (30) Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. (31) Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, (32) for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence. (33) The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. (34) Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. (35) The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
It appears in this context, that trusting in the Lord is directly related to three ideas:
- Solomon’s commandments to his son (the teachings of the whole book of Proverbs, but most immediately those in the following paragraphs)
- Steadfast love and faithfulness (adherence to the Mosaic Covenant), thus “turning away from evil.” Do note, that the practice of tithing in order to ensure the economic success of the whole society and thus yourself is directly referenced.
- Gaining wisdom as so that one is no longer trapped in the impetuous and simpleminded approach to life that corresponds to youth in the book of Proverbs.
In other words the concept of “leaning not on your own understanding” means basing your life on the advice of the wise, on what God has revealed in Scripture, and on a mature perspective once you have gained wisdom.
I have no doubt that God can speak directly to people about things. God is omnipotent. On the other hand, when interpreting Scripture, one should try to do it in context. Proverbs 3:5-7 is not a command to rely upon direct mystical revelation from God. It is, instead, a command to base one’s life on wisdom when your own preferences and passions lead you in the opposite direction of truth and goodness.
In many ways, the interpretation often supplied for this verse may actually be the opposite of what it means. When we wait for a “private revelation from God” we often wait for a deep emotional or intuitive impression. The problem is that it is really easy to use confirmation bias in such situations and then blame extremely foolish decisions upon God.