WTF
April 25, 2008Question itself is a reflection of God. In questioning a single point becomes infinitely complex and related to all other things – to understand something in totality in to understand all. This is because God is the only question with a definite terminal answer – that answer is “I am who I am” or “I am Being”.
Okay…so I will show my ignorance here and ask: “What does “WTF” mean and how does it relate to your post?”.
The top 3 hits on google are ‘world taekwando foundation’, ‘worse than failure’ and ‘what the XXXX?’ And Wiki has an interesting list as well. hehehe 
I am still thinking about your statement here, pondering it’s meaning. A bible verse came to mind when I read it, however, which is 2 Corinthians 1:20
“For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.” (Amplified Version)
well… long story. Its a play on words using the usual “what the XXXX” (because of its seemingly convoluted presentation) but actually stands for “Wholly Terminal Fragment” meaning man’s nature is a whole (at least we have an identity) but it is terminal (or at least the state we are in will ‘die’ ) and we seem to be defined by fragmentation (something as simple as love represents this, but also something as complex as longing for union with the infinite – spiritual longing if you will). This nature seems both paradoxical and loaded. The questions which erupt from meditation on this seemingly true representation of man’s existence creates the infinite questions described in this post – and itself is a sign of God’s presence in our Image. As in Genesis.
This is to say that the study of ones self by ones self is an infinitely regressive movement that sucks all knowledge, experience, and feelings into a giant black whole (pun intended) of ontology from which one arrives at two conclusions: utter meaninglessness (nihilism) or transcendence of being beyond rationality (existentialism) – for me this particular movement is inherently Judeo\Christian and can be labeled “Christian Existentialism” by which I mean it inherently implies a God who cares, loves, and knows all as shown in the creation of life in his image as such.
Most importantly (as your comment has eluded to) this becomes particularly interesting when we see a God who takes human form and enters into the black hole of human existence while maintaining divinity thus allowing for radical questioning of selfhood on a divine scale: “Why have you forsaken me?”. Which itself is answer through resurrection and union with God the father once more. A question answered only when time, space, and being collapse back into the Father much as we must hope our end will come. Thus we get an example outside mere teaching (logical, rational, or even representational thought) but rather concrete action which challenges and questions us while simultaneously answering those questions – thus it unravels into confusion only when thought about but becomes clear as we remove our self from thought of it only to return to those questions.
As always your comment is apt, keeps me on my toes, and introduces an important metaphysical lens to be looked through. I hope I have answered your question – but not too well, for I hope you continue to seek its answer.
Thanks for the clarification. I do not presume to follow your train of thought entirely yet I continue to be intrigued by your statements. I believe (based on my biblical world view) that there is a part of each human being that longs for the eternal. God created this glorious universe (physical and non-physical alike) out of nothing! He did this for His pleasure and for His glory. God created us to have unity between body and soul but that unity is fragmented by sin in this broken world. This fragmentation creates a black hole of introspection and longing for love and spiritual restoration which can only fully be satisfied by Him. There is a non-physical part of each of us that will never be terminated. It is the immaterial side of our existence which cannot be quantified by material science or empirical reasoning; even so, it is no less real. It is through questioning and continual seeking that we discover this dichotomy within ourselves. It is through our eternal soul that we have a consciousness of God, our creator and loving Father. The most meaningful choice I ever made was to trust God (a faith born out of much reasoning) with all the perplexing questions of life. He wishes to reveal more and more of Himself to us…His wisdom is ours for the asking! (“I believe in order that I may know”). God stepped out of eternity and into the realm of time and space to rescue us from our WTF problem! Absolutely, I will continue to seek and ask questions. After all, if life were utterly meaningless, why would we inconvenience ourselves with questions?
That seems right on the money, Scotti. Because WTF is a sign for the existence of God – union with that (so much as we can) seems to be the solution or at least alleviation of that problem and its ill affects: depression, ignorance, hate, anger, and pride. The “problem” (at least a problem in our time) is that this union cannot come about merely through reasoning though certainly such a leap is not irrational. Hence we arrive at faith.
Overall it is an interesting train of thought through theology. Viewing things in terms of our obvious fragmentation can be a way to arrive at faith – though it can also remind people of their wretchedness and inherent limitations which can do more to separate people from God. I don’t know if I’d recommend it for Sunday school. Though my favorite aspect of viewing things is these terms is that it bridges the gap between Judaism and Christianity. In fact your view of fragmentation is not far from the Kabalistic interpretation. My feeling is that it is best to show how both come to the same faith in God threw different mediums and let God figure out the difference between Jesus and the Nation of Israel.
Thank you for your continued posting. If 1poet4man is my philosophy check then you are certainly my theological check. Your comment above has provided me with some things to reflect upon. Expect to see something related in upcoming posts.