Feeding One's Soul

I have long been absent from this corner of the internet and ashamedly the theological corner of my mind has been rather inactive as well. I am prompted to make my return to deeper musings after a rather thoughtful walk/lunch/walk on a beautiful Bostonian summer day.

A common theme lately in my life has been an urge to delve deeply into

nutrition and thoughtfully consi

der the importance of food and how it affects

my body. For a long time, my thoughts on food were very much in line with my thoughts on most aspec

ts of modernity: efficiency rules. My background

of economics is unequivocally something that I appreciate as it

imparted upon my mind's eye a lens through which to view the world in discriminating terms. However, it has taken me life experience to not only recognize that people are not in fact rational creatures that view the world contextually through ful

l information, but to reach beyond that touchstone of microeconomic theory in order to see unique ways that intangible externalities can trump the quantifiable costs & benefits. Put simply, people are at the mercy of what society dictates as progress, despite the fact that ostensible gains in efficiency may be costing us in ways that it may be hard to put a finger on. Perhaps the greatest impetus behind my recent extra/introspection has been Atlas Shrugged, which has u

ndoubtedly been the most thought provoking book of Fiction/Non-Fiction that I have ever read, I highly encourage you to read it if you have not already.

Beyond my newfound generalized skepticism of the "Making Life Better Through Science," mantra, I have placed particular emphasis on that relates to food that is consumed. Nutrition is a significant component of dental education, ob

esity is an epidemic in the United States, and long ingredient lists freak me out; this combination of factors worked to erode my confidence in mainstream eating habits and notions to the point that I deemed further investigation to be necessary. Ultimately a conflagration of factors pointed me in the direction of becoming a more consc

ientious eater, and I think that it is importa

nt to share this with others sans a soapbox. My findings, up to now, have basically centered around natural is better, less is more. That is to say that crops and animals raised in conditions most closely resembling their natural environments result in their

highest possible nutritional value available for consumption. As a part of that, typically items raised naturally also have fewer ingredients and fewer still of ingredients that I cannot pronounce. Whole grains are preferable to more highly processed white ones, as is an orange much better for you than is solely the orange juice. Through providing nutrients and being devoid of preservatives and stressed out meat they also lower propensities for obesity which is good all around. Feel free to read more expounded versions of my thoughts a more health/economics/policy oriented blog I recently began, the Unobjective Observer.

Given that you are already tiring of reading and I am just now getting to the theological correlation as it pertains to me, I will do my best to remain brief. Michael Pollan is an author that does a wonderful job articulating basic guidelines for healthy and responsible eating. One of his books, Omnivore's Dilemma, he profiles a farm in the Shenandoah Valley, Polyface Farms. The farm's concept is founded on the principle that Creation provides mechanisms to support a thriving farm so long as the farmers are good stewards of the land. They have developed what essentially boils down to a sophisticated crop/livestock rotation that keeps the land healthy and fertile while not relying on insecticides and fertilizers through responsible allocation of natural resources. They have chickens roaming free that eat the insects, they have virgin forests that take care of rodents, and utilize portable fencing to keep their herds practically daily on the move. The result is healthier animals that are in a better condition to be eaten. While, earlier things that I had read instilled within me the desire to eat products that were pure, this was the first correlation for me between organic living and God.

Regardless of the degree of one's metaphorical interpretation of Genesis, it is clear that humans have a responsibility to the earth that transcends their responsibility to themselves. As in most core principles of Christianity once grasped you realize it is unnecessary to state, meaning, that our overall happiness and quality of life will be better if we have a healthy earth, love our neighbor, do things in moderation, etc. On a personal level I have always felt most in touch with the supernatural in unadulterated landscapes where there is minimal influence of man interrupting my communion with God. In nothing quite so profound or palpable, I feel the same way eating naturally, in some subtle way it resonates with a part of me that recognizes what we are meant for. Small farmers tending their crops with hard work and respect for the process, ones that humanely raise animals, and strive to establish diversity in their crops in accordance with seasons rather than grow Monsanto licensed lab specimens are staying true to life within the terms of Creation rather than trying to mold Creation into a shape that fits within the myopic and self-interested visions of Man.

A really fun and strangely fulfilling experience that I have come to appreciate as I've never appreciated a business experience before have been my 1-3 weekly visits to Mike & Patty's nestled into a cozily discreet corner of Bay Village in the heart of Boston. Everything about the establishment seems to revolt against the urban stigma of claustrophobic anonymity (despite its tiny size). Rather than cluttering their tiny shop with oh-so-corporate laminated menus, they have a festively chalked blackboard that describes their sandwiches both in words and through the personal flair that handwriting adds in the digital age. The remainder of the restaurant is outfitted with what would feel like a museum quality collection of quaint food cultural artifacts, if not for the immediate aura of welcoming cast by these well selected inanimate objects'

personalities and the warmth of Mike, Patty, Heather, Stef, & Jenn as they miraculously work expertly within the crammed confines of an open kitchen. Beyond the naturally pervasive good vibes that come part & parcel with such a place, the fare here is made with naturally raised meats, the freshest and most local ingredients available, and eggs from chickens that probably have a more enjoyable life than most people. I've thoroughly enjoyed experiencing different and creatively symphonic blend of tastes as they alight as a veritable chorus in my palate, not to mention beginning to include red meat in my diet again once I discovered their naturally raised savory-ness. This all ties back to my pensive lunchtime as I contemplated the interconnectedness of eating well and how it reconciles with my notion of living in the way that God intended. In no way, shape, or form do I pretend to represent the thoughts/motivations/reasons that Mike & Patty's has such an incredible array of healthy, natural sandwiches beyond that anyone that takes the time to be aware of their food can see and feel the benefits of local, fresh eating. However, M&P's embodies both the characteristics that I strive to include within diet and the personality that is all too often absent from city life. It serves as a convenient reminder that eating well can be the same as eating good and eating fun, and in doing so I can feel good about my health, my spirituality, and my contribution to the economy. Spending $'s is the most democratic way to vote and I'm proud to support

@mikeandpattys .

PS: I had a beautiful behemoth of a Veggie Torta today (with refritos, sweet potato, jicama slaw, avocado and goat cheese)

Ashamed of my faith?

         A lot of scripture, particularly in the New Testament, encourages and petitions Believers to be bold in their faith. This is a department where I often have trouble with certain people.  The problem for me, isn't that I'm ashamed of anything that I believe, it's more that I think I'm ashamed of what people associate with others who claim to have the same beliefs as me.  There are far too many people who claim to believe in something and yet don't put forth the effort to display those beliefs through actions but rely solely on words.  Solely, I'm sure, is too radical of an accusation but the general pattern of their behaviour doesn't line up with the core of their professed paradigm.
        I really shouldn't be one to talk about hypocrisy as I'm sure that many people can point to actions that do not reflect the love of Christ that I hold as central toward guiding the way that I live.  I think that that too is part of the problem with my confidence in labeling myself with being "religious" or whatever the word choice is for people that ask about my theological leanings in a yes or no fashion.  I do my best (to be honest, I don't), but I really do try hard to live in a way that honors God and honors my loved ones. I fall short, I know this.  My biggest hang up is that I don't want people to associate Christianity with my failings, when my failings are a big part of why the love and forgiveness of God are essential to my life.  How do I encapsulate that within the confines of a one word answer or within 10 seconds?  I also don't want to say yeah, I'm religious, and immediately be placed into a box of being close-minded, hypocritical, and indifferent to other peoples problems that are due to behaviours that southern baptist ministers would condemn to hell.

I see facebook labels of Christians that I respect and love say creative little quips about their faith to avoid dropping "Christian" in the box.  What is it about the religion that we know and profess to be true that makes its namesake turn away more than it welcomes?  Are we wrong in not resisting the the negative imagery with traditional word association or are my friends blazing a new trail that focuses more on deeds than on labels?

I can't say that I have the answer, but I can say that I've shaken my head in bewilderment and some of the little quotes listed in religious views as attention seeking or as some other form of self aggrandizement instead of being straight forward.  But people may make different assumptions, if not always positive, about scriptural snippets or arbitrarily capitalized Statements about Cups, etc....

I still am no closer to knowing the most appropriate response, but my gut tells me that whatever it is, it should involve me being more willing to not answer on the fly and try to arrange a discussion later, to live more boldly by considerate/loving actions and to rely that my answer will rely more upon my living than on stereotypes someone's preconceived notions have implanted into their minds.  Because upon reflection, I think that people ask me these questions because they see something different and it doesn't fit their notions (I'm not meaning this in that I'm perfect or close to, but I am pretty accepting of people).  I shouldn't squander the opportunities nor should I go overboard on condoning behaviour that isn't in line with the natural order of things as ordained by God.

I can do better, I'm going to try.

Einstein and Religion

So, a while back I had been talking to various people about a variety of topics related to theology and turned to the almighty internet to read up on some topics. I navigated through a plethora of items and happened upon a lot of quotes from Albert Einstein, and the funny thing was, they tended to support diametrically opposed views.  Now, there are a number of things in the world that I don't like, quotes taken out of context is one of those things. I thought to myself, "Self, Dr. Einstein is one of the smartest people in the world, I would be very interested to know what his thoughts on God are, particularly given the discrepancy between the differing groups that purport to represent them."  So, here I was, some time later wandering aimlessly through a Barnes & Noble when I happened upon a book entitled Einstein and Religion by Max Jammer.  This book examines Einstein's life history, writings and talks on religion, and how physics relates to his theology from a philosophical standpoint which is allegedly unbiased and removed from personal persuance.

From my understanding thus far the author, a philosopher and physicist, has done an admirable job presenting Einsteins views and a context for said views in properly journalistic fashion without the spin that normally accompanies his words.  This book has been quite interesting and has in fact pushed my thoughts to interesting places several times.

In summary, Einstein ascribed to a "cosmic religion" where the mystery of nature reigns supreme over the limited understanding of Man and had been set in motion by a god.   Einstein didn't really think that God was one that had any likeness or could be petitioned to because he ascribed to a strictly causal outlook where prayer would be futile and free will non-existent, events would be deteremined solely due to environmental concerns.

This pretty much opens the door to where serious thoughts have begun taking shape in my mind.  I have always wondered how free will could exist alongside of predestination.  How can humans retain their humanity in the face of God's omniscience?  This is a question that it seems Einstein answered without properly realizing it.  I have yet to finish the book, but this took me by such suprise that it really kindled a deep seated interest in me.

The basic problem that I had was that if God knows what choice I will make 243 days from now at 11:17 in the morning, why should I worry about it?  If He can't, then how can he be all knowing?

Well, as it turns out, I'm not the first person to be plagued by these thoughts, though no one that I've known prior to now has been able to offer much of an explanation.  Anyhow, this dude Beothus or something in like 1100 thought about it and Thomas Aquinas thought about it some and didn't really offer a logical explanation other than to say that events in time exist one way, and God exists outside of it in another.  This actually isn't that dumb, but I had always assumed "time" to be an immutable part of life experience, when in reality is simply a manufactured dimension that we use as a metric in the world.  But some philosophers have said that if God is always in the present because he is in eternity, then as I type this blog Rome is burning and thus Nero is outside playing his fiddle simeultaneously as I punch little plastic squares.  This makes no sense and so  something about theology must be amiss.

Well, the Theory of Relativity kind of shot a hole in the above line of reasoning.  Einstein used the example of a train traveling along an embankment that gets struck by two bolts of lightening.  Anyhow, the bolts happen at the same time with respect to the embankment, but differently with respect to the moving train due to its velocity.   I need to read more about the mechanics on this becasue I'm still a little hazy.  The overall premise though is that different frames of reference, the embankment and the train can have different definitions of simeultaneity and therefore time in general.  So God can exist in a frame where he can see essentially a zoomed out version of Google Maps of our lives.

I'll write more about this soon, but this idea really fascinates me as I've never actually stumbled upon a logical explanation of this, even though Einstein didn't carry this through to its end in this particular sense.  Also, Einstein was pretty hypocritical in that he believed that people shouldn't be rewarded or punished for good/bad deeds because they were causally determined but he was a big time philanthropist and hated the Nazis for the whole Holocaust thing.

Purpose

So, I haven't really had any big time personal revelations lately so to speak, though I have had this lingering unsettlement with something rather ambiguous.  One of my best friends and former roomates, Lane, is working in Colorado at the same YL camp where I have spent 3 summers.  I wish like crazy that I was out there with him (with Gwynn of course).  It isn't the beautiful scenery, the perfect weather, or even the perfect job (horses) that I crave the most.  It is working for something bigger than myself, to sacrifice my body, my hours, and other options to try to share the Gospel with high school kids.  Not only does the underlying purpose of the day fail to be made apparent, but the support that you receive from everyone surrounding you working for the same goal from such a variety of perspectives is an incredible feeling of diverse solidarity that is simeultaneously unified and multifaceted.  The work does not end at what is directed at the campers but is nourished from what is directed toward one another.  It is if a community in such a fellowship is an eco-system in and of itself that can have ramifications of literally eternal proportions.  It seems as though my life is centered on relatively trivial matters and that my priorities are somewhat misplaced or unguided.  

The primary lesson for me to take away from realizing the root of my restlessness is that I can have purpose, fellowship, and fulfillment here in Boston.  God is certainly not confined to the Fraser Valley and I need to work to be conscious of His presence in the city and find ways to be grateful for it.  It is so easy to fall into the snare that some insignificant circumstance can place confines upon your happiness or your ability to carry on at least toward fulfillment.  Sometimes I need to tell myself:

Self, Cowboy Up

Transcendentalism

I'm not entirely sure how people who have experienced the wonder of God's creation and then been sucked out of it and placed into man's fabrication can do anything but clamor for a return to nature.  This has grown to be a residual thought in my head at most all times and I've longed to really be alone.  I've come to determine that I experience God most through the natural world that he created.  While it does reaffirm within me a desire and an encouragement to get in touch with birds and trees and stuff.  Another part of me really questions why I don't see God in my everyday life more, when his presence screams at me from untarnished countryside.   There are so many intricacies of life that should should fascinate me and personalities that should entrance me and point to the divine.  I am reading Robinson Cruesoe and he was talking about how he was stranded on the island and deathly ill and prayed for deliverance.    he was praying for someone to come rescue him, but some time after he was healed he realized how his deliverance from his illness was plenty to be grateful for, later on he realized that his turning back to God to begin with and realizing his iniquity and being delivered from Sin was far greater than any physical act.  Similarly I feel like God's presence is not confined to where I have an easy time seeing Him, but that I should instead search for him in all facets of my life.

Ethics

So, ethics have always held an interesting place in my life.  The very notion of ethics is one that I've often been challenged by in a thought provoking way.   The essence that one should govern his actions by an unflappable standard rather than by the actions, acceptance or tolerance of those around surrounding them.  I believe that the ideology of ethics is highly compatible with the Judeo-Christian tradition even though it ostensibly strikes me as incongruent.  

I say that the first impression seems incongruent because I think that we look to the Bible to have an answer for all of our problems and dilemmas, and the concept of a code of ethics is to put in place a framework above and beyond our sacred text.  God created Man with the capabilities of logic and reason and within an innate moral scale that can measure out what seems just, though all too often we fail at meting it out.  I firmly believe that poring over the Bible will point to resolutions in everyday dilemmas that are bigger than an historical context, but primarily as a mechanism to better understand the spirit and teachings of God/Jesus, thereby glimpsing how better to apply their "heart" and perspective to our lives. 

The Bible doesn't address dentistry, however the Code of Ethics for dentists has many well reasoned safeguards for the profession and I feel obligated to abide by them.  Not only because they make sense, but also through a sense of duty because it is right.

This thought kind of popped into my head as I was reflecting on 2 Corinthians 10 or 11 and how it encourages us not to compare ourselves to others.  We should be concerned for others for their own sake, not our own.  The more highly developed and educated professions become, the more they are concerned with imposing self-governance or ethics.  They feel it appropriate to place the burden of behavior among the practitioners to enforce it among themselves, I find this ironic given that Christianity set the same precedent several thousand years ago and is often viewed as outdated and irrelevant by the supposed professionals whose moral compass is becoming more closely calibrated toward a more ideal starting point of moral constancy.

Anyhow, this posting is rather scatterbrained on account of my having lots of thoughts on this particular subject matter which I'm sure I'll address later on.  One other impetus for me to create a blog post is that I have undertaken to write a paper highlighting an ethical issue relevant today in the dental world.  In short, it will address how I think that dentists that practice strictly cosmetic/aesthetic dentistry are behaving unethically from the standpoint of the hundreds of counties in the US that are without any dentists at all.  They might be doing good by helping people feel better about themselves, but they could be doing best by being health care providers to the needy.   

In the words of Jonathon Murfee, "Should you be doing what's good, or what's best?"  As Christians we are called to do what's best, as health care providers we are as well.

Overcooked Grits...

Tonight I watched a movie, The Express, that I anticipated to be Remember the Titans/Glory Road but applied to college football.  I would say that there are many similar threads but the main differentiating theme that stood out to me was the story of how one man can impact others with the combination of a good attidude, solid principles, and dogged work ethic.  In the film, Ernie Davis is a black running back in a mostly segregated world playing for a white team.  His goal was never to do things that portrayed him as a good "black" player but principally as a good player.  He knew his race, associations with it, and movements surrounding it, however he did more to uplift it through quiet perseverence leading humbly by example than most others had been able. He had impeccable character and skills of value, he didn't need to talk about what was right when he could live in such a way that he demonstrated it.  One verse that is read in the course of the story is from 1 Corinthians and really made me think, it is as follows:

1 Corinthians 15:10: 
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

This verse resonates with me in a pretty cool way, it molds together and puts into perspective a lot of thoughts that I've had over the last 6 months.  I am in dental school at Tufts University which is incredibly competitive, essentially 3-4,000 people apply for 200 acceptances and like 300 interviews.  These are not dumb people, no one would apply to the school and throw away $60 if they were completely unqualified.  My point is not to say that on paper or in person that I was more deserving of being admitted, on the contrary it is to say that I feel like my name was randomly drawn out of a hat of qualified individuals and I was lucky enough to be interviewed.  At times I really feel entitled to be where I am and develop this fog of superiority that lasts for a while before it hits me that I'm a pompous prick.  Even looking at my qualifications, I had the good fortune to be raised in a home with both parents being active in my life after receiving post graduate education, enough money to worry about what book could I buy rather than what I would eat, and innate abilities that allow me to excel in school work.

I am at a point in life where I have been set up to graduate from a top dental school and be entrusted with the health and well being of society.  I will be entering a field that people are suffering immense amounts of pain and discomfort from not being able to access/afford my services or are not properly educated about preventative treatments and have a very low health IQ.  It's nothing smaller than the grace of God which has enabled me to be in this position and I have the cavalier audacity to think that I deserve this and all it entails?  My response should be centered on the latter half of the verse in that it is my responsibility to labor as hard as I possibly can to put the position which I have been entrusted with to good use.  I don't necessarily mean that I should have my face in a book more hours of the day, that's not what being a health care provider is about.  However, my life and the role it plays in others is dramatically different and lacking from I feel it is called to be.  The impact that I can have on others will occur more in the roles of listener, educator, mentor, and friend than merely a dental surgeon.  However all of those roles fall under the title of Doctor and it is one that I need not take for granted even though it has yet to be bestowed upon me.  My ability to really "be there" for people that I encounter obviously starts with the little things on an everyday basis but extends to my willingness to sacrifice parts of my life that have oozed  their way into a place of inflated importance.  It is also something that I'm sure can be improved a little by stictly focusing my efforts and energies on the task at hand but I need to lean on God for continued inspiration, determination, and encouragement as I try to put myself in the back seat.  I feel an impinging wave of remorse even now as I write this in anticipation of failing, I hate sounding the hypocrite and I know (and really have known) how I should conduct myself but so often find myself falling short of the ideal which always convinces me that it is more or less worthless to aim for perfection.  Anyhow, I am where I am due to good fortune and grace, I hope that I can figure out a way not to squander the opportunity of my sake but more importantly for society's.