I have three conclusions to make for this week:
1. Saturday
(5/12/2012), I visited Christian Life Bookstore once again (had to use
that $10 off coupon). The "manager", Richard, came, as they always do,
to ask me if I needed anything. I have hanged around in the store long
enough (almost 2 hours, I think), so I asked him about the two books I
couldn't find: John Piper's Bloodlines and some Q&A reference book
that I used to see on the commentaries shelves.
So when he
couldn't find them himselves, unlike before, he appears to be more
obnoxious this time...asking me why I wanted the book for, and then like
that preacher I remembered Rev. Tong once spoke of when he was young
and bought an encyclopedia of the world and received the comment from
the preacher-why waste this money on such worldly books...buy books
that's related to the Bible...
May God pardon this fella...for he
knew not what he said. I hardly make any attempt to converse with this
guy, but he wasn't willing to admit defeat, as if he has been defeated,
so he went on to ask me what books am I studying, and then he talked
about how I should be "systematic" (whatever he meant), reading the book
of Acts (to which I calmly asked...so by system I should start with the
book of Acts?), then he switched the subject talking about how I should
read commentaries but his goal of course, was to discriminate me by
asking "English is not your first language isn't it" to which he
followed with quizzing me some baseball terminology "hitting out of the
park" (which could apply in out of expectated success in carreers, like
hitting a homerun). Of course, I admit I did not know...but we learn
something everyday. Still not a fan of baseball, unless I get the chance
to play it. It was as if he thought to himself that he had deviated
from "Only talk about things related to the Bible" motto, so he tried to
quiz me about the meaning of the phrase "Day and Night", to which he
gladly answered for me "it means good times and bad times to the Jewish
culture". And I answered that's a bit far fetched to say this is what
the Jews understood because Day and Night was about constant diligence. I
think he realized how far he had gone but afraid to admit it so he just
replied "it's not about studying the Bible for long hours" (which
wasn't at all what I meant), and he continued "but it's okay, you don't
have to defend yourself", at which point I figured he was like many
degreeless Bible enthusiasts today in America (I think people like John
MacArthur has a hand in creating such group, though indrectly or unaware
- Just what the Bible says, not science, not social study, no
academic), of course, the likes of MacArthur has seminary degree to show
for, which also led them to certain crucial academic discipline, so
they are easily off the hook.
So are these really that Bible
enthusiasts? I have concluded not. Otherwise it would be like calling
any poker professional a mathematics enthusiast. I've seen many of such
are filled with pride...but they wanted to strike first by calling
others proud. Whatever their shortcoming is, they would cover it by
accusing others of the same.
Here's what one has to say about him (I think we refer to the same person):
Tracy - 2 years ago: Great Variety of Gifts I
think the variety of items in stock is great. Lots of great gift items.
However, there was a particularly rude and condescending manager, will
call him "r". He's a perfectly bad example of a Christian bookstore
manager. If you go to the store, don't waste your time asking this guy
anything...but definitely look around and you will find something you
like, the store is definitely worth the visit
Rude? I would say there could be a better description. But condescending is right on the money.
At
checking out, I asked him..."so you are some seminary student or
graduate?", the way he answered no, gave me the idea that he was
probably part of the Churches of Christ denomination, or the ICC. These simpletons have "Evangelists", no preachers, no pastors, as they think it is a title of pride.
What
I wonder was that I believe I have seen Richard before, and he wasn't
like that (not that much anyway). So what changed? Did some cowboy
customer challenged him to a duel and shamed him? Did he clash with his
pastor, some preachers? Because what he is ultimately doing in the
store, is like those who cannot show official qualification to be a
pastor, but want to shepherd over a herd of sheep, so he just does it in
a bookstore.
I had also recently concluded this type of
"christians" similar to the irresponsible type you see in cash giving
scammers, email/website spammers, etc.
So to examine these type,
just look into their fellowship of the saints...who are their friends,
teachers and students. Because if I am right, I would say they have
serious fellowship problems.
I just hope this bookstore still
provide good books...because if this guy had his way, one could only
find commentaries and his recommended lists in the store, to which I'll
just ask, which I could have just easily summarized this whole chapter
"who is he?". I'd like to see him pull the same stunt on a pastor. But
with the shelves they are heading - under this guy - I doubt any pastors
would visit.
2. The Sunday Mother's day. I learned from VOA
that the founder of mother's day is Anna Jarvis, following her mother's
footsteps of caring for civil war victims regardless of sides. Anna was
also the same person who tried to remove Mother's day as she realized
how business people commercialized the day for profit.
There was
also this incident when at church, I was handing out music folders to
all the guys (Annually, all men sing in place of the choir for Mother's
day, and women for Father's day). And when I get to a perhaps
quinquagenarian, who and his wife always seems a little off in the sense
that they may worship moralism, he refused to sing saying hesitantly
"I'm sick", of course I saw him went up to sing later...guilt? or was it
just depending on who's asking him to sing? The other was a youth, whom
I believe may have something to do with his father (who is an
unbeliever), whose wife also pulled herself away from choir after some
inconspicuous dramatic episode from her husband. I am interested in the
working of their psychology but I really don't give a damn about the
rest because it is the way the pastor run things. Nothing to do with me.
When I am married, we are moving out of this church. They should take
heed how they build on the foundation (1 Cor 3:10).
It's not a big
deal to me because should I discipline them in the truth and get myself
in unecessary trouble, I could easily point to their irony: Hey...they
don't have to sing if they do not want to, it is perfectly fine with me if they want to be girls.
3. Earlier in the morning, I visited Redeemer's new site (not the first time) on 83rd. Which is possibly the church for me and Nadia especially once we are married. It is healthier for married couples and christian families than CCCNY.
Rev. Tim Keller preached on the topic of "let your yes be yes". I remember a key note: That relativism and moralism were shown their folly when they both confronted the Lord, who is the absolute truth. Relatvism for Pilate's "What is truth", and moralism for the Jews striking Jesus for not wanting to hear the truth.