The Friday Update - Rahum

Happy Friday,

The Hebrew word for compassion (rahum) is derived from the term for womb, which means it’s meant to convey that God’s love for us is as intense, visceral and instinctual as the love a mother has for her child. Reflect on that for a moment. The compassion that compels a mother to jump out of bed in the middle of the night to comfort her newborn is what God feels for you.

Growth

While it can be hard for us to tell if we’re growing spiritually, it shouldn’t be hard for others. If you’re not occasionally hearing “you’re more patient than you used to be.” Or “Wow, you’ve changed,” you might want to take note. Of course, it may be no one’s saying these things to you because you’ve been perfect for some time now. (I’m sure that’s it.)

Without Comment

1) When GQ asked 2,000 men to rate today’s celebrities, Serena Williams was voted most popular, and Mark Zuckerberg was voted most divisive.

2) 34% of college students think it’s acceptable to use violence to prevent someone from speech they do not approve of.

3) In 1973, 76% of Americans believed in "life after death." Today 81% do.

4) Six months ago, the CEO of Anthropic said that in 6 months, AI would be writing 90% of all code. AI is nowhere close to that number, writing less than 50% of code, according to some measures.

5) UNICEF estimates that over 5K children under five die per day of nutrition-related illness. The EPA estimates that the average US family of 4 spends $2,913/yr on food they will throw away.

Think Twice

Cal Ingram reminds us to think twice before committing. His young daughter recently asked him to listen to her count to “her favorite number.” He said “yes,” only later to learn that her new favorite number was, ‘A trillion and nine.’

Of Two Minds

To those lamenting that it’s never been this bad, I say, “Of course it has. Set aside the Civil War. In measurable ways, the ‘60s were worse. JFK, RFK and MLK were assassinated. The National Guard killed four students at Kent State, and 4,330 bombs exploded on US soil in 1969 alone.” To those claiming things are not that bad, I say, “It feels like they are. While I believe Aslan is on the move, political violence is escalating, and many things feel fragile.”

Speaking of Aslan on the Move

Last night, I attended a launch night for Alpha at a Santa Monica church. Close to 600 non-Christians (average age was 35) showed up for “a series of dinner conversations where anyone can explore Jesus and ask the big questions of life in an environment without judgement, shame or pressure.” One of the biggest challenges the organizers face is keeping Christians away so there are more seats for the non-Christians who want to attend.

Overheard

1) Somehow, access to infinite information has made us dumber.

2) Based on recent trends, Instagram pastors are more worried about burnout than sin.

3) Unity doesn't mean thinking alike; it means acting together.

4) I’m trying out a new spiritual discipline. It involves reminding myself that my opinion is not very important.

5) The believer is one who knows God will take care of them, so they’re free to focus on others.

6) When we’re young, we pay to go places that are loud. When we’re old, we pay to go to places that are quiet.

7) It may be possible to move through a big city w/o talking to anyone. But it’s not possible to move through that same city w/o having your picture taken.

Quotes Worth Requoting

1) “If you believe free speech is for you but not your political opponents, you're illiberal. If no contrary evidence could change your beliefs, you're a fundamentalist. If you believe the state should punish those with contrary views, you're a totalitarian. And if you believe political opponents should be punished with violence or death, you're a terrorist.” — J.K. Rowling

2) “The most dangerous element in our society may well be hopelessness.” — NYT journalist Jia Lynn Yang

3) “The people who are good at being civil often lack strong convictions, and people who have strong convictions often lack civility.” — Martin Marty

4) “Cut loose in the postmodern present, with no center, no truth, and no direction, we have not become independent-minded, responsible, democratic citizens in a human republic. We have become slaves to the power of money, and worshippers of the self.” — Paul Kingsnorth

WOTW

Honorable mention goes to AI psychosis (what happens when “AI hallucinations” get amplified), porous home (one that is open to neighbors and friends — even when it’s difficult and draining), affective polarization (how scholars describe a society in which the two sides simply do not like members of the other party) and intuitional spirituality (the claim that Capitalism + Internet = Religious Remix, which has led to a shift from institutional religion to intuitional spirituality, where people create their own rules and religious rites). Full honors go to NEET. It stands for those who are Not in Education, Employed or Training. And, alas, it is generally an adjective being applied to young men.

Resources

I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer, one of the preeminent theologians in the world, about becoming a disciple in an age of biblical illiteracy. You can listen here for his answer.

Closing Prayer

“Lord, what we know not, teach us.

What we are not, make us.

What we have not, give us.” (Old Anglican Prayer, Unknown)

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