Regarding: the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

I recently read Jekyll and Hyde. Well, if I were to be more accurate, I would say that today I read Jekyll and Hyde. It was a great book, quite enrapturing and intriguing. This is a book I would highly suggest that you read.

I picked up the book because of another book (actually a lecture that came from parts of the book) by Jeff Baldwin: the Deadliest Monster. While I am yet to set myself down and read this book, through various means I have been exposed to the majority of it's content, and am also recommending this book to all of my readers. It is an introduction to worldview, and Baldwin uses several fictional stories to outline and describe various understandings of the natures of man and God. In the lecture that I have heard (3 or 4 times), Baldwin argues that Stevenson's The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde presents an accurate view of human nature before salvation in the character of Jekyll (and Hyde).

SPOILER WARNING: if you haven't read the book, don't know the story, and don't want spoilers, go read the book (it is only about 80 pages), and come back :)

While reading the book unexpectedly I started relating my battles with sin to Jekyll's battles with Hyde. Particularly at the point in Jekyll's reflections when he is comparing himself (as Jekyll) to the people around him, and he concludes that he is a good guy, despite his flaws of being attached to Hyde. At the end of his comparisons he realized that his prideful thoughts have only resulted in his transforming back into Hyde.

One strong idea that I believe shows clearly in the book is that we can't harbor sin in a isolated corner of our lives. This in fact was the purpose of Hyde, to isolate Jekyll's good and his evil. The result was that he was able to be wholly impure and evil (as Hyde), although, when he was Jekyll he was still a mix of good and bad. Even with the (at first) moderated periods of indulgence (as Hyde) his sin (Hyde) was already taking over. It rose to the point where he had committed to abstain, but only to fall victim to the Hyde within him fighting to get out.

That to say, I believe this is a great reminder that we cannot let willfully indulge in any sin. Even from the beginning of Scriptures, God has been warning us to be severely cautious regarding sin (Genesis 4:7, 1 peter 5:6-11). Now, I mentioned earlier that Jekyll and Hyde presented human nature before salvation, that is resulting in complete sin, sensuality and indulgence. Let us make no mistake that it is only through Christ's power and aid that we can ever have any victory over sin. It is only through Christ's sacrifice that we are free from the presented spiral of inevitable evil. (Romans 6:1-14)

Romans 6:1-4

¹What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ²By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

6/27/10

For the King,

~Andrew Voigt

Please consider reading both of those books, they are well worth your time.

Irrational Fear Numbers 14:3

hey all, sorry for the delay... there was a move to Illinois in the middle of there, hope that pardons me :D

So I was going through Joshua 14 and came across a section that mentioned Caleb and some land he was receiving. That brought me to come to Numbers 13 and 14, which is what I am focusing on for this post, the main comment will be regarding 14:3.

So Israel has been delivered from Egypt and God made covenant with them at Sinai, and now they have been heading towards the promise land, grumbling, rebelling and complaining the whole way. In chapter 13 they send out 12 spies into the promise land to check it out. 10 spies returned saying that the land was hazardous and that the people there were giants with fortified cities well equipped for war. They presented that it would be unsuccessful to oppose them. The other 2 (Joshua and Caleb) said that the land was a lush as promised and that although there may be strong warriors there if God is with Israel they will succeed.

The people began crying out, siding with the spies that gave the discouraging report. they asked why they were delivered from Egypt just to die and wanted to return (14:1-4). At this Moses and Aaron along with Joshua and Caleb fell on their faces before the people begging them to trust God to give them victory. They pleaded that the people should not fear the people of the land (see Joshua 1:1-9 :D ) stating that doing so would be rebelling from God (14:5-9). Then the people threatened to kill those four, but God intervened threatening to smite the people (14:10-11)...

Take a moment to consider Numbers 14:3

People in their fear and states of despair are quick to accuse God of only wanting to bring them into suffering. here is an amazing example of how easily people will turn from God, claiming that He is unable to do what he has promised. in Numbers 13:2 God says that He is giving the land to them. He didn't say that he might give it or would consider giving it or that he would try to give it. No, He said that He was giving them the land.

His giving them this pledge implies that he has the right and ability to give it to them (or is a liar). We are shown later all throughout the book of Joshua that He is able and does give the land to Israel. God made a promise, but the people are quick to disbelieve Him when they see the task at hand. These challenges appear too big and they begin to fear the people of the land. in doing this they are either calling God a liar in that He would not hold true to His primes or they are accusing Him to be unable to come through, a liar, not all knowing, or deceptive.

We all are quick to see the large obstacles in our lives and shrink back fearing defeat, but I believe we should more often have the attitude of Joshua and Caleb and Trust God to be faithful to His promises and working for our good, as well as His (Romans 8:28, Romans 11:36).

For the King,

~Andrew Voigt

6/9/10