I am Tyler Cox. That, ^ , is my picture. I love it. Greatest song ever. This is my page, it's pretty empty. I'm a senior, but not for much longer. I'll be off to tech and then on to better stuff. I'm working hard on it. I don't do much. Except music. And some art. And Cracked. The website, not the opiate. I wanna write for them. Also, I like to read. Manuals are good to read, but comedies are better. Also, again, games are fun. I like Final Fantasy Dissidia 012 Duodecim the best. Pretty much all Final Fantasies. And Zelda games. Best show is prolly Code Monkeys. Maybe Ouran. NO. It's Ouran. Definately. Best book is IT. Also, once more, best song is a 5 trillion way tie.
We should put mottoes here. That'd be funny.
March 3 Genesis 1-3: Response.
"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." It is the beginning of the most well known book in the world. It's the entire basis of several religions. Christianity, and other religions similar to it, all believe in this simple axiom; that the universe was created by an all powerful God. It makes me wonder what it must have been like when nothing was in existence. There was nothing, and then there was everything. It may happened over millions of years, or in an instance, depending on the exact definition of a 'day', but it took just six periods of time to create everything.
I wonder what it was like when there was nothing but light and darkness, when "God divided the light from the darkness." I imagine it was a horrible experience, blinding light and paralyzing darkness, with no in-between. I think that the whole development period of the universe would have been a nightmare if any human had been alive to experience it. Especially considering there was no Earth until the third day. (Verse 9-13)
Also, I find it interesting that Verse 26 states that God created Adam in 'our own image'. This makes me think of God's physical appearance, if he/she/they does indeed have one. Is God a humanoid? Is he a she? Is he/she a they? Maybe God is a ball of light, or maybe God doesn't even have a physical appearance, and is instead an idea. Perhaps God is just a spiritual idea, or an entity, that doesn't exist on a physical level, but only within the mind. I believe God is at least humanoid, due to Adam being created in 'his own image', but that may not even be the case. Partner's Response for Genesis 1-3: I really like how you thought about what it was like before anything existed except for God. Typically, when I read this story, I just think about how awesome it was for God to create the many different things we have today just like that, but I like seeing the different perspective. Sometimes, when I think about creation and how God has always been there, even before time began, it blows my mind. Actually, it amazes me all the time. I think as a human, I cannot always possibly understand or wrap my mind around how things were before I was here or before anything was here. However, I do wonder what it was like before God made anything.
I have also wondered exactly what it means when it says that we were created in God's image. Does this mean we look like God, or (like we mentioned in class) does it mean that God knew what we were going to look like and the image was in His mind? When I think about God, I don't really know how to picture Him. Of course, we have pictures of what we thought Jesus looked like (even though those aren't always very accurate), but I'm not sure exactly how to picture God. I think this falls (again) under the category of something that we will never know until we get to heaven. Some people don't like not knowing everything about God (what He looks like, how He works), but I think it's really beneficial for us not to know everything. If we knew everything about Him and His ways, then we would be just like Him, and that would ruin His perfect plan. -Callie
Reader Response On the Marionette Theater:
I gotta say, I think that consciousness is being described as a circle here. That's exactly what came to mind for me when I read this. Or really, it's more like grace is a circle. At one point on the circle, you have full consciousness. The definition of full consciousness I believe is omnipotence. Supreme grace. On the opposite end of the circle is zero consciousness. I kind of see zero consciousness as being very peaceful. Because there is no consciousness, the mind, or really the absence of the mind, brings peace. There is no conflict, no happiness or sadness, just peace and silence. The reason I see consciousness as being a circle, is simple. The two points are as far away from each other on the circle as they can be, but they are still very close together.
Also, on the subject of what the old puppeteer said at the end of the story, how we shall have to eat from the tree of knowledge once again to go back into Eden. I believe that eating the fruit once more could not have subtractive effects, meaning it won't take away consciousness. I believe that if the tree originally gave them knowledge and consciousness, another bite of the fruit would give them God-like omnipotence. Partner Response on the Marionette Theater: Wow, this respose was a little confusing at first, but after I have read through it a few times, I think I understand it. :) I think it's neat how you said everything is basically a big circle. I have never thought of it that way, so again, it is interesting to get a different perspective on the story. I also like to see other opinions about the last few sentences of the story because I wasn't quite sure how I felt about that. However, I do like how you stated that eating of the tree of knowledge again would bring the same results and make them all-knowing, which is why God told them not to do it in the first place. I think if it were all to happen again, it would happen the exact same way because that's what God had planned all along. He knew what they were going to do before they did it but He still let them choose. Some people think this is weird, because it is almost like saying it was 'free will,' but God still knew what was going to happen and had a plan for what was going to happen. This is also what you talked about in response to my other writing on my page. I believe that God does of course know all the things that are going to happen in our lives, but also gives us the direction in which to take those steps. He lets us choose, but always continues to pursue us when we mess up. Sometimes I wonder why He didn't just make Adam and Eve do the right thing because He's God and He could've, and the world, in result, could've been perfect and without sin, but if that were to happen, there would be no need for a Savior. That's what my belief is on that. I'm not gonna go into more because I could fill up this whole page and more! Great response! Made me think! :) -Callie Response: Book 1 First off, I love how this describes Satan as being driven by "Envy and Revenge." (Line 35) It kinda makes me remember that Satan was originally an angel. Before I ever knew that, I always just that Satan was evil, just evil for the fun of it. Like a madman. But describing Satan's acts in the Garden as being born from vengeful thoughts and envious desires puts it into a whole new perspective for me. Did Satan trick Eve because it was just a bad thing to do, and therefore a fun thing to do? Or did he trick Eve because it was his revenge against God, or maybe he was a little jealous that they got to live in paradise? Or maybe even a mix of both.
The envious part is the most amazing thing for me to think about. It gives a glimpse into the mindset of the entity that cast mankind into sin. Maybe he was jealous that Adam and Eve got to be in paradise, or, the part I like to think, is that he was jealous they were able to be with God. Satan did try to overthrow God and was cast out, and I have no doubt that he ever stopped being evil, but I find it interesting to think that Satan, the most evil ruler in all of creation, could be jealous of mankind. Even if it was just for a moment, at the Garden, he might've been jealous. I think that may be why jealousy is a deadly sin. It created all sin. Partner's Response for Book 1: I also wrote about this in my response, and I really like how the author pointed this out about Satan being driven by envy and revenge. Obviously, we don't really know Satan's intentions when he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden, but this is a perspective I never thought about. I also like how you pointed out that possibly Satan was jealous of mankind and that's why jealousy is such a 'deadly sin.' I think when he was an angel, he walked with God and he probably had the kind of life Adam and Eve had (without being human). However, after being cast out of heaven, he might have just wanted revenge on God or just wanted that life again. Again though, Satan is evil and I think a big part of it also had to do with him just wanting evil to enter the world. -Callie
Reader's Response for Book 2:
I find it interesting that this tells the flip side of Genesis. Everyone grows up hearing about Adam and Eve and the fall of humanity, but this really makes you think about the other party involved, Satan. And it makes me think, was Satan trying to bring down humanity because he was mad at God? I think that may be the case, but I think it is also possible he just wanted to mess with Adam and Eve, God's creation. God created everything, so if Satan can't mess with God, he'll mess with God's creations. It is a way to get revenge on God that has a much higher chance of success. Partner's Response for Book 2: I also thought it was interesting how this book was written from the flip side of what I've always heard. In this book and especially book four, you almost feel bad for Satan. All my life, I have grown up learning about Satan and his evil ways, so I didn't think it was possible for me to feel bad for him. However, right before he was about to tempt Adam and Eve in the garden (book four), he second guesses himself and wonders what it would be like if he hadn't rebelled against God. The way he talks in the book makes you feel bad for him, but then he goes back to being evil again. This puts me back to knowing and believing that he was and will always be evil, and I cannot feel bad for someone like that. He wants to mess with Adam and Eve because they are loved and cherished by an everlasting God who defeated Satan. He wants to get back at God for messing with the thing he loves most: us. -Callie
I am Tyler Cox. That, ^ , is my picture. I love it. Greatest song ever. This is my page, it's pretty empty. I'm a senior, but not for much longer. I'll be off to tech and then on to better stuff. I'm working hard on it. I don't do much. Except music. And some art. And Cracked. The website, not the opiate. I wanna write for them. Also, I like to read. Manuals are good to read, but comedies are better. Also, again, games are fun. I like Final Fantasy Dissidia 012 Duodecim the best. Pretty much all Final Fantasies. And Zelda games. Best show is prolly Code Monkeys. Maybe Ouran. NO. It's Ouran. Definately. Best book is IT. Also, once more, best song is a 5 trillion way tie.
We should put mottoes here. That'd be funny.
March 3 Genesis 1-3: Response.
"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." It is the beginning of the most well known book in the world. It's the entire basis of several religions. Christianity, and other religions similar to it, all believe in this simple axiom; that the universe was created by an all powerful God. It makes me wonder what it must have been like when nothing was in existence. There was nothing, and then there was everything. It may happened over millions of years, or in an instance, depending on the exact definition of a 'day', but it took just six periods of time to create everything.
I wonder what it was like when there was nothing but light and darkness, when "God divided the light from the darkness." I imagine it was a horrible experience, blinding light and paralyzing darkness, with no in-between. I think that the whole development period of the universe would have been a nightmare if any human had been alive to experience it. Especially considering there was no Earth until the third day. (Verse 9-13)
Also, I find it interesting that Verse 26 states that God created Adam in 'our own image'. This makes me think of God's physical appearance, if he/she/they does indeed have one. Is God a humanoid? Is he a she? Is he/she a they? Maybe God is a ball of light, or maybe God doesn't even have a physical appearance, and is instead an idea. Perhaps God is just a spiritual idea, or an entity, that doesn't exist on a physical level, but only within the mind. I believe God is at least humanoid, due to Adam being created in 'his own image', but that may not even be the case.
Partner's Response for Genesis 1-3:
I really like how you thought about what it was like before anything existed except for God. Typically, when I read this story, I just think about how awesome it was for God to create the many different things we have today just like that, but I like seeing the different perspective. Sometimes, when I think about creation and how God has always been there, even before time began, it blows my mind. Actually, it amazes me all the time. I think as a human, I cannot always possibly understand or wrap my mind around how things were before I was here or before anything was here. However, I do wonder what it was like before God made anything.
I have also wondered exactly what it means when it says that we were created in God's image. Does this mean we look like God, or (like we mentioned in class) does it mean that God knew what we were going to look like and the image was in His mind? When I think about God, I don't really know how to picture Him. Of course, we have pictures of what we thought Jesus looked like (even though those aren't always very accurate), but I'm not sure exactly how to picture God. I think this falls (again) under the category of something that we will never know until we get to heaven. Some people don't like not knowing everything about God (what He looks like, how He works), but I think it's really beneficial for us not to know everything. If we knew everything about Him and His ways, then we would be just like Him, and that would ruin His perfect plan. -Callie
Reader Response On the Marionette Theater:
I gotta say, I think that consciousness is being described as a circle here. That's exactly what came to mind for me when I read this. Or really, it's more like grace is a circle. At one point on the circle, you have full consciousness. The definition of full consciousness I believe is omnipotence. Supreme grace. On the opposite end of the circle is zero consciousness. I kind of see zero consciousness as being very peaceful. Because there is no consciousness, the mind, or really the absence of the mind, brings peace. There is no conflict, no happiness or sadness, just peace and silence. The reason I see consciousness as being a circle, is simple. The two points are as far away from each other on the circle as they can be, but they are still very close together.
Also, on the subject of what the old puppeteer said at the end of the story, how we shall have to eat from the tree of knowledge once again to go back into Eden. I believe that eating the fruit once more could not have subtractive effects, meaning it won't take away consciousness. I believe that if the tree originally gave them knowledge and consciousness, another bite of the fruit would give them God-like omnipotence.
Partner Response on the Marionette Theater:
Wow, this respose was a little confusing at first, but after I have read through it a few times, I think I understand it. :) I think it's neat how you said everything is basically a big circle. I have never thought of it that way, so again, it is interesting to get a different perspective on the story. I also like to see other opinions about the last few sentences of the story because I wasn't quite sure how I felt about that. However, I do like how you stated that eating of the tree of knowledge again would bring the same results and make them all-knowing, which is why God told them not to do it in the first place. I think if it were all to happen again, it would happen the exact same way because that's what God had planned all along. He knew what they were going to do before they did it but He still let them choose. Some people think this is weird, because it is almost like saying it was 'free will,' but God still knew what was going to happen and had a plan for what was going to happen. This is also what you talked about in response to my other writing on my page. I believe that God does of course know all the things that are going to happen in our lives, but also gives us the direction in which to take those steps. He lets us choose, but always continues to pursue us when we mess up. Sometimes I wonder why He didn't just make Adam and Eve do the right thing because He's God and He could've, and the world, in result, could've been perfect and without sin, but if that were to happen, there would be no need for a Savior. That's what my belief is on that. I'm not gonna go into more because I could fill up this whole page and more! Great response! Made me think! :) -Callie
Response: Book 1
First off, I love how this describes Satan as being driven by "Envy and Revenge." (Line 35) It kinda makes me remember that Satan was originally an angel. Before I ever knew that, I always just that Satan was evil, just evil for the fun of it. Like a madman. But describing Satan's acts in the Garden as being born from vengeful thoughts and envious desires puts it into a whole new perspective for me. Did Satan trick Eve because it was just a bad thing to do, and therefore a fun thing to do? Or did he trick Eve because it was his revenge against God, or maybe he was a little jealous that they got to live in paradise? Or maybe even a mix of both.
The envious part is the most amazing thing for me to think about. It gives a glimpse into the mindset of the entity that cast mankind into sin. Maybe he was jealous that Adam and Eve got to be in paradise, or, the part I like to think, is that he was jealous they were able to be with God. Satan did try to overthrow God and was cast out, and I have no doubt that he ever stopped being evil, but I find it interesting to think that Satan, the most evil ruler in all of creation, could be jealous of mankind. Even if it was just for a moment, at the Garden, he might've been jealous. I think that may be why jealousy is a deadly sin. It created all sin.
Partner's Response for Book 1:
I also wrote about this in my response, and I really like how the author pointed this out about Satan being driven by envy and revenge. Obviously, we don't really know Satan's intentions when he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden, but this is a perspective I never thought about. I also like how you pointed out that possibly Satan was jealous of mankind and that's why jealousy is such a 'deadly sin.' I think when he was an angel, he walked with God and he probably had the kind of life Adam and Eve had (without being human). However, after being cast out of heaven, he might have just wanted revenge on God or just wanted that life again. Again though, Satan is evil and I think a big part of it also had to do with him just wanting evil to enter the world. -Callie
Reader's Response for Book 2:
I find it interesting that this tells the flip side of Genesis. Everyone grows up hearing about Adam and Eve and the fall of humanity, but this really makes you think about the other party involved, Satan. And it makes me think, was Satan trying to bring down humanity because he was mad at God? I think that may be the case, but I think it is also possible he just wanted to mess with Adam and Eve, God's creation. God created everything, so if Satan can't mess with God, he'll mess with God's creations. It is a way to get revenge on God that has a much higher chance of success.
Partner's Response for Book 2:
I also thought it was interesting how this book was written from the flip side of what I've always heard. In this book and especially book four, you almost feel bad for Satan. All my life, I have grown up learning about Satan and his evil ways, so I didn't think it was possible for me to feel bad for him. However, right before he was about to tempt Adam and Eve in the garden (book four), he second guesses himself and wonders what it would be like if he hadn't rebelled against God. The way he talks in the book makes you feel bad for him, but then he goes back to being evil again. This puts me back to knowing and believing that he was and will always be evil, and I cannot feel bad for someone like that. He wants to mess with Adam and Eve because they are loved and cherished by an everlasting God who defeated Satan. He wants to get back at God for messing with the thing he loves most: us. -Callie