Providence, Pascal, and Gandalf the Grey

Providence is something that both Christians and non-Christians once believed in. The avowed Deist Thomas Jefferson stated that "a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence" was the foundation of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was written. Jefferson didn't believe in a personal saving God, but he knew that there was a supreme Being that held the universe together but didn't intervene in human affairs.

Later, Mahatma Gandhi, the Hindu spiritual leader of Indian independence movement, revealed his belief in providence by saying " Providence has its appointed hour for everything." Gandhi understood that he wasn't completely self determining, that there was some force in the universe that ordained his destiny.

But what does the Bible say about providence? Providence is like God's invisible hand, making sure that He is glorified. Matthew 10:29-31 paints a great picture of the doctrine of providence. " Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear, you are more valuable than many sparrows."

 If God cares about the death of two tiny birds, how much more does He care about the lives of those who He created in His own image? In our fallen self-centered minds, having our life already planned out for us makes us seem like robots. However, it is comforting to know that God will make everything right for those who trust Him. (Romans 8:28;Revelation 3:21)

The French philosopher, scientist, and Renaissance man Blaise Pascal was a firm believer in God's providence. He wrote in his journal (collected as Pensees) that "he who takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God's providence to lead him aright." Pascal knew that God had a solution for any problem and that by placing one's trust in His judgment that the problem would be solved. In his life as a scientist and mathematician, Pascal applied this principle by submitting himself to God when discovering the axioms of geometry and in his experiments on the vacuum and invisible space.

Finally, Hollywood, usually a haven for relativism, alludes to God's providence in the Academy Award winning film Lord of the Rings:Fellowship of the Ring. This fantasy epic was adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy of the same name, who was a devout Roman Catholic, like Pascal. In a pivotal scene, Gandalf, the wizard leader of the Fellowship of the Ring, must choose between three passages to exit the gloomy Mines of Moria and continue the journey to destroy the evil One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom.

While pondering where to go, the ring bearer Frodo tells him, " I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had ever happened." But the wise wizard replies," So do all live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide.All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." Gandalf tells Frodo that he was meant to have the Ring, and good will triumph in the end, which cheers up the hobbit considerably.

Even though director Peter Jackson hasn't revealed his religious beliefs to the public, he decided to keep some of Tolkien's Christian worldview intact in his film version of Lord of the Rings. General audiences can still grasp that there are forces in this world that are unseen and that ensure that truth and justice will win in the end. Despite terrorist attacks, Balrogs, and other senseless evils, God's providence makes sure that His perfect will is done even when the odds seem to be against him.The whole Lord of the Rings saga illustrates this idea of providence by showing that two hobbits can go into a land of pure and senseless evil, destroy that evil, and restore Eden. Do you personally believe in providence? Are there any other examples of providence that you can find in recent (and ancient) movies,books,TV shows, and songs?

" How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer."- Sam Gamgee (Lord of the Rings:The Two Towers) (2002)

Welcome and Purpose of Classical Zeitgeist

Hello, World Wide Web. I'm Logan Dalton, and this is my new blog Classical Zeitgeist. First, some quick background. I'm a senior at Faith Christian School, who plays basketball and cross country. I also work in the visual ministry at my church and write articles for the teen section of the Roanoke Times.

 But enough about me... Welcome to Classical Zeitgeist!

The purpose of this blog is to end "chronological" snobbery and show that classic texts can be relevant in 21st century literature, music, film, television, and video games. But what is the definition of classic?

Is it the oldies station on the FM dial of your car radio? Or that '68 Camaro you just shined up for the car show downtown? No, it is the books and ideas that have transcended the ages and explain the timeless ideals of truth, beauty, and goodness that held true from antiquity until the Enlightenment.

This  blog will show books and ideas from the Old Testament to Rousseau (circa 2000 BC to 1778 AD) and compare them to books, songs, movies, TV shows, and even some video games of the 20th and 21st century. If anyone has any classic or modern work that they want me to do a critique on, I'll be happy to make a blog post of it.

The scope of this blog is universal. Any acclaimed work of literature,  blockbuster or independent movie (that is not too distasteful) ;), TV show that has a deeper meaning (sorry Jersey Shore!), current popular hit or a compelling alternative song, or intriguing, interactive video game is fair game.

However, my worldview isn't universal. I'm a born again Christian who believes that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God (1 Timothy 3:16), and that there is a God who created us and has a personal relationship with Christians (Acts 17:28; John 3:16). I believe that God chose me to be saved (Ephesians 1:11), and that the good things that I have done are not enough to cover my sins (Isaiah 64:6;Romans 3:9-11). However, Jesus by dying on the cross (Romans 5:8) and resurrecting from the dead in three days (1 Corinthians 15:14) has atoned (paid the price for) for my sin and anyone who believes (Acts 16:31).

It would be my joy for everyone to see these great ancient and modern works of art through the eyes of Christ and run to Him. However, if you don't agree with me, I would love to hear what you believe and why you believe it.

I hope you enjoy this time traveling journey that spans history, literature, philosophy, and theology. I'm a huge NBA and college sports fan, so I might throw in a few posts about things. I'm also a poet, and any kind of short fiction or poetry is more than welcome.

"Ars longa, vita brevis"- Hippocrates (Greek doctor 460-370 BC)
"Art is long, life is short."