The Brothers Karamazov Part I: The Grand Inquisitor
The Grand Inquisitor is a puzzling story found in The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky. It describes an additional return of Christ during the Spanish Inquisition-Christ performs miracles and then gets subsequently arrested and thrown into prison. In prison, he is approached by a man (The Inquisitor) and he lays out several indictments against Christ. The Inquisitor's thesis seems to be centered around the fact that Christ overestimated the potential and worth of humans. When humans were starving, God should have just given them bread. When humans were thirsty, God should have just given them water. In other words, humans are just slaves that need spoon feeding, nothing more. There is no inherent worth of humans and they are not created in the image of God-quite a dismal view of human nature.
The Bible is clear on the fact that humans are made in the image of God. Whether you believe all humans carry around a broken image or if all have the image by default, it is clear that God created humans with a high purpose/value. This is something to live into and to be encouraged about. God chose to view us with compassion when we did not deserve it. So we view our fellow brother and sister with compassion since we all belong to God. We are also challenged to view people who intend to harm us with compassion because God's ultimate sacrifice extends to all.
Jonathan Jin
You Can Have the Blue Pill or the Red Pill, and We’re Out of Blue Pills-Harari
Yuval Harari wrote a New York Times piece that succinctly communicated a cautionary tale to the world regarding today’s artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. Harari makes a convincing argument that language is the bedrock of human civilization. For example, large and lasting followings have risen from religious texts, political manifestos, and other written texts. The problem with AI is that it is an amplifier of human capabilities, both flaws and virtues. Therefore, there is a growing concern about the related ethics and social implications. AI continues to progress at an exponential rate and without proper regulation and guard rails, soon humans may not be able to distinguish reality from fiction. For example, if AI can master and read everything on Machiavelli and cognitive biases, how can you know for sure it will not have the ability to manipulate human beings on a mass scale? There is a strong emphasis to use this technology judiciously in order to ensure the well-being of individuals and society at large—the idea here is to maximize the benefits, while minimizing the risks of AI applications moving forward.
Although AI continues to advance at an exponential rate, it is important to recognize that human beings are inherently flawed and prone to biases. Harari’s cautionary tale about AI highlights the amplification of human capabilities, both virtues and flaws, through this technology. Even with the potential benefits AI has to offer, it does not change the underlying reality of human nature. As flawed individuals, we must wrestle with the related ethical and social implications of AI and find ways to mitigate its risk. Although much has to be said regarding explicit regulations and policies, paying close attention at an individual level may be just as important. In times of uncertainty, grounding yourself to keep your mind and soul still before the Lord is an invaluable first step. Having a source of inner strength that is independent from the AI landscape may help you to navigate the complexities of this new technological age.
Crying in H Mart is a poignant, honest, and raw account of a young Korean-American woman (named Michelle Zauner) and how she coped with the death of her mother. Zauner describes the trials and tribulations of her grief journey as she seamlessly and thoughtfully ties together themes of helplessness, anger, shame, regret, and hope. One of the main interpersonal themes that arise for Zauner in the face of grief is the difficulty in managing her relationship with her father. This book is for anyone who is interested in learning about grief or is going through grief themselves.
Grief is not a pretty process and life can be full of sad endings. Crying in H Mart demonstrates the complexities of how family dynamics can radically shift and how cultural barriers can prevent familial reconciliation. Yet, this unfiltered autobiography points the reader to consider the difficult decisions that need to be made in the face of grief, including ones to prioritize one's own mental health as well as important surrounding relationships. Although not a christian book per se, Crying in H Mart poses a question to the reader: how will you deal with inevitable grief in your life and will you invite God along every step of the way?
GraceFinder Continues to Seek to Develop Young Leaders Who Are Found in Grace and Finding Grace for Life...
With this article below in mind, please pray for wisdom as we navigate these uncertain times. We continue to develop young leaders using Zoom in book clubs, providing resources, one one one, and whatever means necessary while we encourage them to find grace in a church community of faith to journey for life. With many people facing layoffs and financial difficulty we have been reticent to ask for support but if you find that you have the means this is a very opportune time. With open hands, we look to the grace of the servant King of our world...Jesus. http://gracefinder.org/support-new/
Resource on Fear and Anxiety For Such A Time As This...
Fear and Anxiety...such a challenge especially during a time like this...
A pastor friend John Ferguson, sent me this link on various books and articles to read on anxiety, trust, and fear. I'm going through some of the readings myself and hope they encourage us all. https://cdn.shopify.com/…/Read_Slow_Collection_adobe_acroba…