Is Revelation relevant to current times?

Published October 22, 2005 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time

IN THEORY

Is Revelation relevant to current times?

Q: With the recent spate of natural disasters and the potential of pandemics, talk of the end times has heated up. Speculation about the end of the world has become the topic of blogs and evangelists. What are your thoughts on the Book of Revelation in relation to our current age? Do you believe in the prophecy of the end times, or not? Are the disasters more than natural?

A: It never ceases to amaze me how quick people are to latch on to the prophetic aspects of faith and ignore the practical fundamentals that are essential to quality living.

The Book of Revelation is not meant to be read as a guide for the end times. It was written in prison by the Apostle John while most Christians were suffering and enduring violent persecution toward the end of the first century. Its message is in line with the rest of Holy Scripture: God's enduring love will carry us through the most horrendous persecutions and in the end love is triumphant.

Those who extrapolate messages correlating to world events today are out of sync with the orthodox reading of Scripture. Their blueprints and maps for disaster are erroneous.

I have a simple approach to end-time theology. Don't worry about the second coming of Christ until you've first mastered the lessons of his first coming. When we can love, care and respect one another in our diversity, when we can honor the sacredness of our planet and stop the exploitation of God's wonders, then we may be living in a utopia where the cares of tomorrow are minimized by the fullness of the life we live today.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Telephone Text-Bibles and Translation

Published October 15, 2005

IN THEORY

Will the Bible be lost in translation?

Q: The Bible has been translated into text-speak, so its passages can be sent via text messaging on mobile phones. It's being touted as a way of bringing the Bible into the 21st century. In text-speak, the Bible's first line is: "In da Bginnin God cre8d da heavens & da earth." Do you agree that this is a way of bringing the holy book into the 21st century? Are you concerned that anything gets lost in translation?

A: Interestingly enough, the Armenian Church celebrates the 1,600th anniversary of the founding of the Armenian alphabet this month. Pontiffs and exhibits have been featured in stories in the Glendale News-Press.

The entire reason and purpose of inventing an Armenian alphabet was to translate the Holy Scriptures into words that would be understandable to a people.

The Church took a leading role in transmitting the faith to its congregation.

Text-speak Bibles are an attempt at popularizing the sacred. From the several Bible verses I have seen in text-speak, it seems this is an issue of spelling, rather than translation. I'm more concerned with the sacredness of the text being lost than I am with the message.

Many people, with impure approaches, have extrapolated misconstrued messages even from the most beautiful, articulate and concise translations. But in terms of sacredness, is it really necessary to flash the content of scripture on cell phone screens?

Although we say that God is everywhere, arguably there are certain spaces that are more sacred than others to celebrate, worship or even communicate.

A simple church, the open skies, or a majestic sunset will always inspire the soul to spirituality much better than, say, an outhouse or the city dump.

Most everything we do has been reduced to the mundane. Holy Scripture should lift us from our routine to the exceptional so that God becomes for us that special entity that consumes and renews us.

FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Youth Ministries

Bono and U2: Between Rock and a Hard Place

Published October 8, 2005 IN THEORY Between Rock and a Hard Place Q: Rock star Bono has been criticized and praised for the spiritual messages in his band U2's music. What do you think? And in a broader sense, can rock stars/pop stars teach us something about faith? A: If mathematics is the language by which we understand God, certainly music is the means of harmonizing with God's essence. A tune or melody can speak directly to the soul and unlock some of the deepest emotions of spirituality in us. All religious orders have effectively used the power of music to deliver their message and connect their followers with higher understanding. Chants and hymns have developed out of the religious community, while composers and artists have delivered messages through their creations. An opera or a cantata communicates truths that may be based on the artist's, such as Bach's, world view, but is delivered personally by music that resonates to the individual soul. Bono is effectively communicating his views through his music. Whether he's pretentious or sincere is not judgment call we need to make. U2's music is stimulating the senses while his lyrics are exciting the soul to look beyond its self and understand the problems of the community. Disease, hunger and war are universal problems and the spiritual answers to end them are inside each of us. Remember that Rock and Roll evolved out of a rebellion against a corrupt and hypocritical establishment. The struggle continues and the religious community needs to commend and appreciate those who can rise above the mundane and address societal concerns. Those who have done so for me include John Lennon, Ian Anderson, Joan Baez and Steven Stills. And today, I'm pleased that groups such as System of a Down are able to rally the masses with their call for justice, human rights, equality and liberty for the oppressed. Here we are witnessing the responsible use of talent, coupled with the energy and spirit of music to touch the souls and spirits of people. Fr. Vazken Movsesian Armenian Church Youth Ministries

Should "sins" of mothers affect the child?

Published October 1, 2005 IN THEORY Should "sins" of mothers affect the child? Q: A 14-year-old girl in Ontario was reportedly expelled from a Christian school last week because her parents are lesbians. What do you think of this decision? A: This is a freedom of expression issue. The school is freely expressing itself through its policies while the couple does the same by placing (and now removing without contest) the student at this school. When incidents such as this occur, we need to discuss the bigger issues which are touching and shaping our society. In this case, we should look at the proliferation of private schools, which is an indictment of the public school system. Isn't it odd that a lesbian couple would place their student in a school which is intolerant of their lifestyle?Obviously, they're doing so for reasons other than dogmatic ones. I venture to say that many families who opt for a private school do so for the structure (discipline) and environment (safety) that they do not find in the public system. Rather than spending our resources on debating whether the words "under God" should be recited in the school, or whether the cross should be depicted on the seal, or what constitutes domestic partnership, we should be looking at the underlying themes that are the foundation of all true religions. God is much more than a word to be feared; it is the power of love. The cross is not just a symbol but a way of life defined by sacrifice. Partnership is a commitment. Neither the lesbian couple nor the school was slighted in this story. You can only feel bad for the student and other children who get caught in debates rather than understanding. If anything is to come of this story, it should be a look at our public policies, starting at the school level, and find how respect, tolerance, understanding and cooperation are not specific to sexual rights, but are the basis for our growth as a society. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN St. Peter Armenian Church and Youth Ministries Center Glendale

Having Faith in Government

Published September 17, 2005

IN THEORY

Having Faith in Government

Q: Senate hearings were held on President Bush's nomination of John Roberts as the next chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. Should Roberts' religious leanings affect his jurisprudence and/or be a part of the debate over his appointment?

A: Of course we need to be concerned with Roberts' religious convictions.

Each person, whether they sit on the Supreme Court or in the judging booth of the local swim meet, brings their own prejudices to the bench. Some are able to control and even lose themselves, in striving for the ideal of making justice blind. These are the ones we should be calling to the judicial positions. Those that cannot, usually betray themselves and are distanced from making those decisions that affect others. In all of our dealings, our personal prejudices, shaped by our faith and convictions, play a part in the decision making process.

No matter how minute or trivial that influence may be, it behooves us to know what the variables are.

When you look at the events in the world today, it is easy to be critical of religion and religious convictions. After all, we see all the misunderstanding, the intolerance, hatred and distain for one another based on a my-God-is-better-than-yourgod mentality. But by the same token, it is important to remember most of the best expressions of love and care have evolved from religious thought and the faith community.

Blind justice is the ideal. Our goal is to come as close to it as possible.

On a personal level though, I would hope that justice could be dished out with compassion for the weak. That personal prejudice would show throw and rule me out of the justice game.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Hurricane Devastation: Why?

Published September 10, 2005

IN THEORY

Hurricane Devastation

Q: Why does God allow such horrors as Hurricane Katrina to happen?

A: I remember in 1988 when a devastating earthquake claimed 50,000-plus lives in Armenia this question was repeatedly asked of me by my parishioners.

Ever since, I've been sensitive to its call in the face of calamity; this year in particular following the tsunami and now hurricane Katrina. Why would a loving and caring God allow pain and suffering?

This would be a legitimate question to ask if we thought of God as the Grand Puppeteer in the sky who plays us as pawns in the everlasting chess game of life. But for us as Christians, the model of and definition of God is much different. We understand God as love. Love is all-powerful, but not in the superman sense. He can't change the course of mighty rivers nor can he bend steel with his bare hands.

We live in an imperfect world. It is plagued with hurricanes, earthquakes and violence. These things we define as manifestations of evil. By the same token we define the outward acts of charity, care and benevolence as manifestations of good. We therefore find the presence of God in these acts.

We find him in the compassion and care that the world is now extending to the hurting children. Look for him in the hearts of people, who are writing checks, leaving their homes to work in the streets of New Orleans, reaching out to help others. Ask not the question, "why evil?" but, "why good?" And you'll find God, as the source of something much more powerful than the tragedies of this world.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Hollywood Bias? Finding Faith on Big & Small Screens

Published August 27, 2005

IN THEORY

Finding Faith on the Big and Small Screens

Q: There's a new movement underway to train Christians to be film and television executives. The move is apparently in reaction to a perceived bigotry in Hollywood toward Christianity. A new program called Act One, run by Barbara Nicolosi, trains Christians to become television and film executives. It includes a three-month-long program that places Christians in entertainment internships while hosting lectures by industry professionals. First off, do you think there is a bias in Hollywood that works against Christians? And if so, can a program like this reverse that bigotry?

A: It is more than a perceived bias against Christians and I don't think there's any other group that would tolerate the blatant stereotyping that goes on against them on the big screen.

Unfortunately, we're caught in a vicious circle where the right is defining Christianity and the left is reacting to that definition and the middle is lost.

There is more to Christianity than what the right represents, but for obvious reasons of profit and greed, the sensational messages get the space and time media. Case in point, last week the Pope made an historic trip to Germany and spoke of respect and tolerance. Meanwhile, here in the states, Pat Robertson called for the assassination of the Venezuelan President. When all the dust settled, what is remembered by the press? Which message becomes the topic of the media and the people? Whose Christianity is taken to task?

I'm pleased that Barbara Nicolosi has taken the step to form Act One. In particular, I appreciate her approach, because the message of Christ is not one to be compromised. It is not a message that belongs only to Christians, but a message that can have global implications for peace. Films and television shape and define much of our society and the need to abandon stereotypes for messages of hope and the good is essential.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church Youth Ministries