From the Spiderwick Chronicles, a series of 5 children’s books for ages 9-12 by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, published 2003-2004. I first mistakenly took this plate that describes the Phoenix as being from Audubon.
Today, personal testimony is shared on the value to Christian believers of idolatry, mythology, and alternative belief systems (e.g., Buddhism, Hindu, Islam). The mature Christian asserts that what he speaks and thinks are products from the operation of GOD within man, yet, accepts personal accountability for his use of the gifts and endowments from GOD. All are challenged to apply and be fruitful through autonomy, balance, boldness, focus, restraint, and self-government. Readers who have followed the development of my written works from the 1970’s have seen that, for me, mysteries of the phoenix come into view that include the Incarnation of divinity, rebirth through fire and judgment, immortality, and the apprehension of sacred wisdom. The truest forms of divine wisdom instruct against such elements as anger, fear, hate, love of death, exaggerated pride, prejudice, and presumption. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Yaw Jian fong” (I have “jian fong” translated as “see that Bhudda” — Level 5 with 7,423 points, a member since November 16, 2010) posted the following:
How should Christians deal with mythology-related things?
What I mean is anything related to the myths of any culture or religion, from gryphons (Greek) to medieval European legends and the Ramayana (Indian). They are "myths" because they are usually about subjects that are not true, but were so treasured by their cultures for making their histories somewhat more interesting.
However, mythology also contains certain elements that are unacceptable to Christian laws, such as other gods and spirits, idolatry, and mysticism. How should Christians deal with such things, including Christians who enjoy mythology-related matters?
Should they use them with caution, or completely avoid them for compromising their beliefs?
Update: I prefer that the Christians should answer this question. Many atheists already consider Christianity itself to be "mythology", so they do not need to answer.
Update 2: In short, are mythology-related things acceptable to Christians (as long as they do not trap themselves into believing them), or not?
Update: I prefer that the Christians should answer this question. Many atheists already consider Christianity itself to be "mythology", so they do not need to answer.
Update 2: In short, are mythology-related things acceptable to Christians (as long as they do not trap themselves into believing them), or not?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2nd Corinthians 10: 3-5, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Fullness of GOD? (05/21/2017); Tools For Knowing Divinity (05/12/2017); Abstractions, Atheism and I.Q. (08/18/2016); The Accounts of Giants (05/24/2016); The Cross and Critical Thinking? (04/13/2016); Convicted By His Humility (09/10/2015); To Study the Book of Judges (09/09/2015); The Baptist and The Tishbite? (02/18/2015); Escape from Racism (10/24/2012); Christians Who Ignore GOD’s Laws (10/25/2012)
“Yaw Jian fong”, here is something I will share that has not come from the Adversary. Christians are to be “in the world,” yet, not “of the world.” As developing believers who are not ripe (mature) for harvest by Jesus at his Second Coming (we also say, Advent, his appearing, the Rapture), Christians focus on the acquisition of sacred knowledge and spirit content conveyed through doctrine and the holy writings, and imparted through discovery, fellowship with other believers, gradual growth, learning, and ongoing sacred practice (e.g., praise, prayer, sacrifice, unselfish service, and worship). Given that the consciousness and self-will (we also say, willpower) of Christians is transformed by operations of divinity, Christians are a “new creation” that exists on a higher plane as well as that of the world.
Following my graduation from the University of Chicago (U of C), whose registered heraldic coat of arms displays a legendary figure, (the red phoenix) as a symbol of learning and wisdom, I was privileged to teach at Federal City College, here, in Washington, DC (that is now respected as the University of the District of Columbia). This school also uses a form of the phoenix (the firebird). During late 1970, I decided to build a book publishing house to preserve a personal testimony as a Christian believer that would further nourish and prepare others as the body of Christ world-wide. Being an African American, who was not able to garner necessary support after designing a system for public education of Black children when I attended school at Harvard and U of C—and understanding that for Black lives to matter, we might have to accomplish our goals and secure respect by dint of arms. To admonish and caution those at our much touted schools of divinity and theology, oriental institutes, and seminaries who would leave me “marooned”, I chose a coat of arms bearing a black phoenix. When appealing to educated men, such as myself, symbols in and from the world operate as a bridge to dialogue and exchange.
In addition to dramatic and legendary accounts, complete and properly configured belief systems should address the nature of knowledge and knowing; the origins of existence and life; time, space, and other frameworks that connect discrete and disparate meanings, standards, and values as well as descriptions for the otherwise invisible, unknowable and unknown actors, agents, and causes who have brought about the possibilities and things that are actual (i.e., things carnal, material, secular, and social that have measurable dimensions).
Christian belief does use parables (object lessons), verbal descriptions, and illustrations from oral traditions. Even so, Christianity is clearly far from being founded on a platform of fables (accounts that use animals acting and speaking to provide moral instruction), superstitions, and accounts of the occult. Every Christian begins as a sinner who must undergo a transformation that is so comprehensive and profound, believers are instructed to say, You must be born again. Existing as a full and mature Christian requires inseparable aspects of spirit content from the makeup of divinity. Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, respect, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
Of course, there is far more that could be said. (For example, according to world history (that is secular), by relying on the finite and temporal tools of mankind (e.g., emotion, idolatry, intellect, logic, carnal reason, philosophy, and science) there will never be more available in racist nations than apartheid, “Bantu education,” and the teachings that Blacks despair and hold to self-destruction nor can Black lives in America, and all lives through out the globe, be lived with freedom to explore, grow, share, and realize human potential that includes a capacity to demonstrate and display divine substance.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Washington, DC
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