So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. (John 8:28)
And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:29)
Then many who heard him say these things believed in him. (John 8:30)
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. (John 8:31)
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
What we believe – God – important
Going through classic parts – Jesus
Forgivness Mercy Self Sacrificial love
LASIK
Satanism & D&D
Me – Grew Up:
D&D Animal Sacrifices Drinking Alcohol
Tract
Research:
Friends Character – Warrior, Rouge, Wizard, Pieces (Lego) Roll Die
Winning
Every adventure contains its own set of victory conditions. Sometimes it’s as simple as surviving the dungeon and escaping, or defeating the boss villain at the heart of the fortress of evil. Other times, you might have a specific goal to accomplish (take the evil ring and toss it in the volcano) or a specific monster to beat. If you achieve the objective, the group wins.
D&D is a cooperative game, not a competitive one. In other words, you don’t compete against the other players and you don’t win by beating them.
The common denominator in every victory is “fun.” If you and the other players have fun, everyone wins at D&D.
Creators
Dave Arneson
Born Oct 1, 1947 – Attended University of Minnesota before finding his passion as a board game designer.
He married Frankie Ann Morneau in 1984; they had one daughter, Malia, and two grandchildren.
Dave Arneson died on April 7, 2009, after battling cancer for two years. According to his daughter, Malia, “The biggest thing about my dad’s world is he wanted people to have fun in life … I think we get distracted by the everyday things you have to do in life and we forget to enjoy life and have fun.”
Gary Gygax
Born July 27, 1938 in Chicago within a few blocks of Wrigley Field. Due to Gary being violently bullied as a small boy his family moved to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Gary was a lover of games. And in 1973, founded TSR, Inc. a board game publishing company.
Gary described himself as a Christian, but for much of his life, hid his faith, citing fears that he would hurt the reputation of Christianity because of the mysterious moral panic that D&D had caused in the Christian community.
Gary later revealed that biblical stories echo in many D&D concepts. Many D&D spells are copies of biblical miracles. For example, almost all of Elisha’s miracles find their way into D&D, as well as the ‘tongues’ spell which lets a character understand unknown languages.
After suffering multiple strokes in 2004, Gary was diagnosed with an inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysm and died the morning of March 4, 2008, at his home in Lake Geneva at age 69.
In one of his last interviews: “I would like the world to remember me as the guy who really enjoyed playing games and sharing his knowledge and his fun pastimes with everybody else.”
Classic Case Of Satanism
Sometimes our assumptions are stupid.
Scary to question
Can’t live our Christian lifes from a place of fear
Growing Maturing Learning
Critical thinking
Abraham sacrificing Isaac
Then God said to Abraham:
“Take your son, your only son, whom you love-Isaac-and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there…” – (Genesis 22)
This story – classic example
“What does a story like this possibly have to teach us” “What kind of God would ask a man to sacrifice his son?”
That’s the question, right? There’s an answer.
But 1St – Brief History – Religion
Early humans Food/Water Sun/Rain Forces didn’t control On your side or not Sacrifice
Imagine: Made sacrifice – didn’t rain/shine – Not enough
All religion – Anxiety
Never knew where you stood
Angry – disaster Going good – sacrifice – Enough?
Anxiety either way
Wether good or bad – answer – Sacrifice more.
Crop Goat Lamb Cow Birds
Anxiety b/c – always offer more
Most valuable? Child
Obvious – OT – Where religion took us
Ok, so Abraham:
God – Abraham offer son. Not shocked b/c
“early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey”.
Get’s right to it!
No argue No protest
B/C he understands religion.
God’s demanded – most valuable. If not – pay price
So he leaves
he reaches the place on the third day.
Travel 3 days – son/dead Nod to Jesus
Get’s to mountain says:
Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.
Wha…??? Something bigger.
Isaac (son) “where sacrifice will come from.” Morbid, right?
Standard reading: willing to kill son, b/c loves God.
Fameous Preacher There’s a story of a well known preacher telling the story of when his son was a teenager he took his son up on a hill and read him this story and then the preacher told his son that he would always love God more than him. He told me the story like it was an admirable thing he did to teach his son about devotion to God. I wanted to throw up.
But we’ve already seen that Abraham knows theres something else happening.
Abraham – God will provide
Clever. Non-answer answer. Abraham is in on the joke.
Abraham gets ready God stops him Offers ram insteads
Angel – Abraham – blessed and “through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed…”
Original Question
What kind of God would ask a man to sacrifice his son?
Answer: Not This One.
Other God’s demanded your first born, but not this one.
So Hoopla?
1. The Drama Is The Point
Abraham knows b/c RELIGION
Starts like other stories, but turns.
God’s don’t do that!
2. The God In This Story Provides
Worship & sacrifice – you giving This story – God giving
3. This isn’t a story about what Abraham does for God, it’s a story about what God does for Abraham.
Mind blowing New. Ground breaking
Doesn’t demand but gives & blesses.
4. Abraham is told that God’s blessing was going to flow through him to others
Story – violent/wrathful – opposite
End w/this:
God is merciful God is gracious God is loving God is kind
Better understand bible – God patiently turning perception
NOT: decided to be kind
ALWAYS: kind
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)