The World is Flat

Can I share with you how I discovered that the world is flat? The first time I realized it was when I read Tom Friedman's book "The World is Flat" which everyone who is alive today ought to read. He proposes the idea that the world is now flat because of technology and that essentially the playing field has been leveled everywhere (I can't explain more...just read the book!). However, I didn't completely believe him. I figured that there were certainly places in the world that have not been touched by western consumerism/materialism. I figured that a place like Jerusalem would be untouched by western thought. I figured that a place where religion is life would be untouched by by the flat world. That was until a few nights ago. I was relaxing with some friends an a little sidewalk cafe in west Jerusalem just a half-mile outside the Old City. As I was looking up at the stars imaging that Christ looked at that same sky while he was incarnate, what did I hear but "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen playing in a bar down the street. Then Beyonce started playing in another cafe and I happened to look up on the TV and saw Justin Timberlake dancing on MTV! I could have been in America for all i knew! The only difference was that everyone around me spoke a different language and was wearing a Kippah. Other than that it could have been a bar or club in the U.S....how sad! The world truly is flat and there is nothing we can do about it! Don't get me wrong I think some things about a flat world are very good...but let's face it it is a very sad thing when a place loses it's own culture and turns western because of the flat world...not everything about the western world is good! It was at that point in time when I decided that I would spend as little time as possible in the cafe scene in west Jerusalem and as much time as possible experiencing the culture in the Old City and elsewhere in Israel. Other than that realization life has been going quite well for me in the Holy Lands. This past week has been very exciting as I have been exploring the city on my own and also with friends, really trying to get a grasp on it's layout. I have gotten many more opportunities to spend time with Arab's in the Old City which has been great. I even got an excellent opportunity to practice some apologetics with my new Moslem friends. I had the great honor of explaining the Trinity to them (they didn't get it at all..."one is essence three in persons"-they told me that wasn't logical) and defending the deity of Christ to them (they didn't believe me at all..."how can Christ be both God and man" they said "when he died the whole world would have gone to chaos"). It is quite tough defending Christianity to them because Islam is their life and therefore they defend it very well. I have taken classes on evangelism and such but nothing in those courses has prepared me for conversations such as these. It was still awesome though! The fact that God has given me a sinner the opportunity to defend him and the Gospel is something I don't deserve in the least and yet, even when I do it very poorly, he still allows me to do it. I am very grateful for these chances because I think they will help me grow in my faith. The toughest part about it is that the Moslems believe that Judaism and Christianity are right...but that Islam is the fulfillment of Christianity in the same way that Christianity was the fulfillment of Judaism so they don't completely disagree with me but they simply add more (although they don't believe in the crucifixion which doesn't make sense at all). The conversations have been interesting to say the least...I actually ended up giving my Bible to one fellow who was trying to evangelize to me, so perhaps he will read about the Gospel and realize Christ is God and make a change of lifestyle...we shall see. We generally end our conversations with me saying "well I have my core beliefs, namely that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we are probably going to have to agree to disagree, but the conversation has been excellent." Another interesting thing I learned was about the Arab culture. I was grilling one of my friends about his cultural practices and we ended up talking about dating procedures in Arabic culture. Apparently, you generally only marry your relatives (cousins, second cousins, etc.) so, the idea is that if you see one of them you find attractive you send your mother to talk to her and see if she (your cousin) would like to sit down and talk with you. If she says yes then you talk a few times...then get engaged...and a few months later you get married. Talk about different! I asked him if the girl could have her dad ask the boy out...NO THAT IS UNHEARD OF! I found it interesting. Oh yea, and they whole family lives together too...like aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces...all in the same house so I am not sure how all that works because wouldn't you already be living with you cousins? So do you like see them in the hall at home and then have your mom ask them out? (I didn't ask him that!) Interesting though. Well that is just a bit of what has been going on in my life. Classes are going well as well...one of my professors is an orthodox Jewish Rabbi so he is coming from a completely different set of assumptions that I am and it is cool. Today is a day off before a huge 11 hour field study of Old and New Testament Jerusalem tomorrow. I am considering going to the Mediterranean for the day to relax on the beach but we'll see.
Shalom
Oh and for some reason I can't figure out how to upload pictures...I did it before yet now it isn't working but I will try to get some up soon! Forgive me.