17AR22-02

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AR 22:2 - Why reincarnation is neither necessary nor possible

In this issue:

EASTERN MYSTICISM - why the "idea of reincarnation - either with or without karma - is illogical for both Hinduism and Buddhism"

EHRMAN, BART D. - subject of a new Profile from Watchman Fellowship

NEOPENTECOSTALISM - an academic survey of the New Apostolic Reformation's "flexible alliance of closely-affiliated apostolic networks"

SOCIAL MEDIA - the pervasive influence of Snapchat and Instagram

Apologia Report 22:2 (1,322)

January 11, 2017

EASTERN MYSTICISM

"Logical and Biblical Defeaters of Reincarnation and Karma" by Douglas Groothuis -- this broadly useful analysis from a stellar source is summarized: "While appealing on the surface, reincarnation and karma are riddled with inconsistencies. For example, the religions undergirding them deny the existence of a personal God, yet the karmic system of justice makes no sense if not executed by such a God. Denying the possibility of grace, karma and reincarnation ultimately become a burden no one can bear."

Groothuis explains that "we can test the rationality of these ancient doctrines ... as one basic claim and note the differences as we progress through the arguments. ...

"The doctrine of karma and reincarnation is a direct challenge to Christian teachings on salvation and the afterlife. God (not karma) is the moral judge of the cosmos, and no human being reincarnates but rather will be part either of the resurrection of the just (saved by grace) or of the unjust (justly condemned by their works). ...

"Karma is seen as an impersonal law that somehow records good and bad deeds and assigns karmic outcomes from one lifetime to another. Yet the notion of moral evaluation and the assignment of karmic outcomes through reincarnation is rational only if a personal and moral evaluator and agent is the fulcrum of the system. But the very idea of karma is of an impersonal system.

"Worse yet, for the systems of karma and reincarnation I discuss here, there is no individual self. [T]here is nothing on which karma can work. If there are no selves, then no self can be reincarnated as another self! ...

"Karma is an impersonal replacement for a personal God. ...

"[T]he very idea of reincarnation - either with or without karma - is illogical for both Hinduism and Buddhism. ...

"[I]f there is no dualism, then there is no wheel of rebirth from which to be freed. Everyone is already one with the One; therefore, reincarnation is neither necessary nor even possible." Christian Research Journal, 39:5 - 2016, pp26-33.

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EHRMAN, BART D.

We have intended to recommend the Profile work of Watchman Fellowship <www.watchman.org/profiles> much more often than we actually do. The concise summaries of many subjects are eminently valuable for a quickly gaining an introduction or renewed acquaintance with a topic or group (and all that lies between). Watchman's recent profile on Ehrman by Rhyne Putman (Theology and Culture, New Orleans Baptist Seminary) is yet another great example.

A biographical summary is followed by brief statements of Ehrman's views on God, Scripture, and Jesus. Putman next discusses each of these further in succinct detail - all in a sharp four-page layout. We didn't find this new title listed at the above link, but it will probably arrive before too long. If you'd rather not wait for it, Watchman will happily take your order.

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NEOPENTECOSTALISM

The New Apostolic Reformation: History of a Modern Charismatic Movement, by John Weaver [1] -- a secular academic look at a complex and troubling phenomenon. "Weaver (SUNY-Binghamton) presents an overview of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a movement he describes as 'a flexible alliance of closely-affiliated apostolic networks.' Among the networks are Revival Alliance, International House of Prayer, and International Coalition of Apostles [now known as the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders]. Although NAR has been around for two decades, its origins include such movements as the Latter Rain Revival, Christian Reconstructionism, Fuller Seminary School of World Missions, John Wimber's Vineyard Movement, the Fort Lauderdale Five, the Kansas City Prophets, and the Toronto Blessing. Within NAR are found the prosperity gospel, spiritual mapping, deliverance, identificational repentance, Manifest Sons of God, and strategic-level spiritual warfare. An apostolic form of church governance is usually favored - obedience and no accountability. The NAR generally fits in politically with the Christian Right, including two of its most prominent representatives, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. The NAR's influence is worldwide, touching such countries as the US, Argentina, Australia, South Korea, Uganda, Great Britain, and Canada. It is easy to get lost in this text, given the number of names and organizations mentioned, especially if one does not have some knowledge of modern evangelical and Pentecostal/charismatic movements." Choice, Sep '16.

POSTSCRIPT (Feb 15 '17): Another interesting non-Pentecostal analysis of neopentecostalism is affiliated with the multi-faith Hartford Seminary in Hartford, CT. They have provided Margaret M. Poloma's "The Pentecostal Movement" <www.goo.gl/Ya1MgS> which is a chapter from the book Christian Millenarianism: Themes and Perspectives, edited by Stephen Hunt. You'll find other related material linked from that page as well.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

"Sex workers who sell their real lives" by Chris Stokel-Walker -- "Social media is just the latest marketplace where sex is bought and sold. But the new generation of sex workers setting up shop are finding that their fans are as interested in their shopping trips, bad jokes and pets as much as their bodies. ...

"In the last few years, the sex industry has followed its customers onto social media. One of the most popular social apps is Snapchat, a messaging service where you can temporarily share photos and video, before they disappear after a short period of time.

"Snapchat’s parent company, Snap, is working on an initial public offering that could value it at $25 billion (£20bn). Exact user numbers are hard to come by, but Snapchat claims more than 150 million users are active on the app each day, and analytics company Nielsen says 41% of 18-to-34-year-olds in the United States use the app regularly. A survey by Verto Analytics estimated that 51% of British users are under the age of 35." BBC News, Dec 1 '16. <www.goo.gl/xEp98v>

In "An Ethic of Instagram" Amber M. Stamper reports: "Since the launch of the social media photo-sharing app Instagram in October 2010, the trendy service has grown exponentially across a broad spectrum of users." Stamper responds to the questions: "What precisely are the appeal factors, and what is the most ethical approach to Instagram for conscientious users?"

With over 300 million Instagram users as of press time, Stamper observes that "Business Insider has reported that 68 percent of Instagrammers are female, and 32 percent are male; that 17 percent of adult users live in urban areas, while 22 percent live in suburban or rural areas; that 15 percent of users have an income of under $30,000 per year, 14 percent make $30,000 to $50,000 per year, and 12 percent make over $50,000 per year; and that 23 percent of users have some level of college education, 18 percent are college graduates, and 15 percent have a high school diploma. Around 70 percent of users are from outside the United States. The app does, however, appear to appeal predominantly to a younger generation: 90 percent of users are under 35 years old, and among American teens, it is considered the most important of all the available social networks." Christian Research Journal, 39:5 - 2016, pp40-46.

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SOURCES: Monographs

1 - The New Apostolic Reformation: History of a Modern Charismatic Movement, by John Weaver (McFarland, 2016, paperback, 316 pages) <www.goo.gl/2MJglI>

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