From BBC News:
The Danish air force has admitted causing the death of Rudolph the reindeer and has paid compensation to Father Christmas.
Hat tip.
Friday, September 30, 2005
The Redistribution of Wealth
Megan McArdle brings us delightful news that wealth is diversifying in America.
The Tom Delay Indictment
What I can't figure out is why Karl Rove is doing this. Why arrange for this prosecution? There must be some larger scheme at work -- wheels within wheels -- but I can't quite figure out how Rove will play this out for BusHitlerburton's advantage.
Save Iowa's Rainforest!
David Burge wisely urges Americans to preserve Iowa's rainforest from the destructive maw of economic development.
The Faith of Habakkuk
Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds' feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.
For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NASB
This passage forms the end of the book of the prophet Habakkuk. It comes at the end of a long hymn lamenting the just and inevitable judgment of the Lord upon his people. Habakkuk is given a vision of the horror that is coming -- a vision unaccompanied by a call to repentence and the promise of deliverance. No. Agony and heartbreak are coming. It will not be stopped.
And yet, Habakkuk lifts up his voice in praise to God. Such faith! Oh, let it be mine!
Lord, grant me the faith of Habakkuk and the strength to praise you in the crushing times. Amen.
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds' feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.
For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NASB
This passage forms the end of the book of the prophet Habakkuk. It comes at the end of a long hymn lamenting the just and inevitable judgment of the Lord upon his people. Habakkuk is given a vision of the horror that is coming -- a vision unaccompanied by a call to repentence and the promise of deliverance. No. Agony and heartbreak are coming. It will not be stopped.
And yet, Habakkuk lifts up his voice in praise to God. Such faith! Oh, let it be mine!
Lord, grant me the faith of Habakkuk and the strength to praise you in the crushing times. Amen.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Blogger Reviews
Glenn Reynolds and other bloggers sat in on a preview of the movie Serenity. Clearly, some companies are beginning to understand the power of the Dark Side blogosphere.
Anyway, if there are any tropical resorts that would like a blogger review, I'm available.
Anyway, if there are any tropical resorts that would like a blogger review, I'm available.
Interview: Faye Short of Renew Network
Renew Network is a conservative United Methodist women's organization. It is "...a support network for evangelical, orthodox women within our church, providing a voice for their concerns, supplemental program resources for their program needs, and a place for them to share ministry with other women. Renew's service to the women of the church is two-fold. First of all, we are a network for renewal: to encourage women to establish and maintain a growing, intimate, and faithful relationship with Jesus Christ; to help provide a firm scriptural foundation for their faith; and to equip them for discipleship and witness. We are also a concerted voice for renewal and accountability on the part of the Women's Division, the official women's organization of the United Methodist Church."
Recently, Renew Network met with representatives of United Methodist Women and the Board of Global Ministries in a forum to discuss their differences. You can watch the video here.
Ms. Faye Short, the President of Renew Network, graciously agreed to an interview with Locusts & Honey.
How did the forum discussion go?
The discussion went well in our opinion. Those who have provided us with feedback felt the RENEW panel members conveyed a good spirit, while imparting their concerns and information with clarity. Many have said we lifted up Christ and the Scriptures, which was one of our major intentions. We were disappointed with some of the Women’s Division responses and will be addressing those in the days ahead. Overall, we believe this was a worthwhile and significant exchange.
What overt political activities does the Women’s Division engage in?
This question would take me a long time to answer. Much of the program of the Women’s Division is given over to political advocacy—they oppose the war on terrorism, and the war in Iraq; they oppose welfare reform; they support United Nations treaties and initiatives; they oppose much of the Bush Administration policy; they oppose the Patriot Act. One district UMW officer told me recently she found herself on the opposite side of every issue promoted by the Women’s Division through its Action Alert. The Women’s Division has a strong lobbying presence in Washington, and often encourages United Methodist Women to write letters endorsing a partisan perspective on legislative issues.
Does the Women’s Division promote erroneous theology?
Over the years the Women’s Division has embraced and promoted in its resources, or through various speakers, liberation theology, feminist theology, universalism, feminine language for God and a low view of the authority of Scripture. This is a partial list. Specific documentation can be found in “Our Basis for Concern,” posted to our web site, http://www.renewnetwork.org/, and in other recent reports at this same site.
In the March/April 2005 issue of Good News magazine, you said that the Women’s Division has published materials promoting New Age spirituality. Can you elaborate?
This was a brief reference in my monthly article and had particular reference to the August 2004 issue of Response magazine, the official magazine for United Methodist Women, published by the Women’s Division. This issue of the magazine, reviewed by Donna F. G. Hailson, lauded such persons as Delores Williams (Re-Imagining, “We don’t need people hanging on crosses and all that blood-dripping weird stuff.”), and post-Christian Matthew Fox who is a panentheist, a syncretist, a deep ecumenist. Yet, he is cited favorably, without critique, in a Response article. Holistic Healer, Linaya Hahn, self-identified as a “medical intuitive, an energy healer” is promoted. Ms. Hahn’s practices and interpretations are outside the Biblical parameters for healing and wholeness. In October 1993, J. Ann Craig, Executive Secretary for Theological Development for the Women’s Division, wrote an article entitled “Fear of New Age Dismantled.” Ms. Craig acknowledged, “the New Age movement is such a mix of popular religion in the United States. New Age expressions include practices from Eastern religions, healing practices, meditation, gurus, shamans, music, mystics, tarot cards, astrology, physics and virtually anything creative.” Still, Ms. Craig issued this challenge to Christians in her closing paragraphs, “In a world where diverse religions increasingly rub elbows, each must struggle with how to relate to other faiths…. Before condemning New Age people, find out if they are loving God and serving their neighbor.”
What legislative actions can be taken to rein in the Women’s Division?
At the last General Conference RENEW Network members put forward several legislative pieces designed to have this effect. Unfortunately, none of those legislative pieces passed. Many were defeated in sub-committees through well-planned opposition by Women’s Division supporters. Some delegates who wanted to help support the legislation were told they would not be re-elected to General Conference if they involved themselves in an effort to oppose Women’s Division legislation—or to support RENEW’s legislation. So, how can change take place through the legislative process? It can take place when delegates are bold enough and honest enough to vote through the legislation required to “rein in the Women’s Division.”
Editorial note: I normally include pictures of the subjects of interviews, but BloggerBot is currently malfunctioning, so I was unable to do so for Ms. Short.
Recently, Renew Network met with representatives of United Methodist Women and the Board of Global Ministries in a forum to discuss their differences. You can watch the video here.
Ms. Faye Short, the President of Renew Network, graciously agreed to an interview with Locusts & Honey.
How did the forum discussion go?
The discussion went well in our opinion. Those who have provided us with feedback felt the RENEW panel members conveyed a good spirit, while imparting their concerns and information with clarity. Many have said we lifted up Christ and the Scriptures, which was one of our major intentions. We were disappointed with some of the Women’s Division responses and will be addressing those in the days ahead. Overall, we believe this was a worthwhile and significant exchange.
What overt political activities does the Women’s Division engage in?
This question would take me a long time to answer. Much of the program of the Women’s Division is given over to political advocacy—they oppose the war on terrorism, and the war in Iraq; they oppose welfare reform; they support United Nations treaties and initiatives; they oppose much of the Bush Administration policy; they oppose the Patriot Act. One district UMW officer told me recently she found herself on the opposite side of every issue promoted by the Women’s Division through its Action Alert. The Women’s Division has a strong lobbying presence in Washington, and often encourages United Methodist Women to write letters endorsing a partisan perspective on legislative issues.
Does the Women’s Division promote erroneous theology?
Over the years the Women’s Division has embraced and promoted in its resources, or through various speakers, liberation theology, feminist theology, universalism, feminine language for God and a low view of the authority of Scripture. This is a partial list. Specific documentation can be found in “Our Basis for Concern,” posted to our web site, http://www.renewnetwork.org/, and in other recent reports at this same site.
In the March/April 2005 issue of Good News magazine, you said that the Women’s Division has published materials promoting New Age spirituality. Can you elaborate?
This was a brief reference in my monthly article and had particular reference to the August 2004 issue of Response magazine, the official magazine for United Methodist Women, published by the Women’s Division. This issue of the magazine, reviewed by Donna F. G. Hailson, lauded such persons as Delores Williams (Re-Imagining, “We don’t need people hanging on crosses and all that blood-dripping weird stuff.”), and post-Christian Matthew Fox who is a panentheist, a syncretist, a deep ecumenist. Yet, he is cited favorably, without critique, in a Response article. Holistic Healer, Linaya Hahn, self-identified as a “medical intuitive, an energy healer” is promoted. Ms. Hahn’s practices and interpretations are outside the Biblical parameters for healing and wholeness. In October 1993, J. Ann Craig, Executive Secretary for Theological Development for the Women’s Division, wrote an article entitled “Fear of New Age Dismantled.” Ms. Craig acknowledged, “the New Age movement is such a mix of popular religion in the United States. New Age expressions include practices from Eastern religions, healing practices, meditation, gurus, shamans, music, mystics, tarot cards, astrology, physics and virtually anything creative.” Still, Ms. Craig issued this challenge to Christians in her closing paragraphs, “In a world where diverse religions increasingly rub elbows, each must struggle with how to relate to other faiths…. Before condemning New Age people, find out if they are loving God and serving their neighbor.”
What legislative actions can be taken to rein in the Women’s Division?
At the last General Conference RENEW Network members put forward several legislative pieces designed to have this effect. Unfortunately, none of those legislative pieces passed. Many were defeated in sub-committees through well-planned opposition by Women’s Division supporters. Some delegates who wanted to help support the legislation were told they would not be re-elected to General Conference if they involved themselves in an effort to oppose Women’s Division legislation—or to support RENEW’s legislation. So, how can change take place through the legislative process? It can take place when delegates are bold enough and honest enough to vote through the legislation required to “rein in the Women’s Division.”
Editorial note: I normally include pictures of the subjects of interviews, but BloggerBot is currently malfunctioning, so I was unable to do so for Ms. Short.
Donald Sensing Q&A
Here's an interview with Donald Sensing about the morality of war and anti-war demonstrators.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Congress Abandons WikiConstitution
WASHINGTON, DC—Congress scrapped the open-source, open-edit, online version of the Constitution Monday, only two months after it went live. "The idea seemed to dovetail perfectly with our tradition of democratic participation," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said. "But when so-called 'contributors' began loading it down with profanity, pornography, ASCII art, and mandatory-assault-rifle-ownership amendments, we thought it might be best to cancel the project." Congress intends to restore the Constitution to its pre-Wiki format as soon as an unadulterated copy of the document can be found.
Via The Onion. We might as well, what with the notion of a 'living constitution'.
Via The Onion. We might as well, what with the notion of a 'living constitution'.
Moral Clarity and Its Uses
Yesterday, I wrote that reasonable people in the anti-war movement should avoid political alliances with extremists who are not anti-war, just rooting for the other side. Jay Voorhees disagreed and responded:
If I remember correctly, the right has had some strange bedfellows as well, especially in relation to activism on abortion and sexuality. There are times when a common cause brings dissimilar groups and persons together in the desire to effect change. Do we support the other's belief system? Of course we don't. But we can agree on a common goal that both share.
While it is true that the anti-American (-Semitic, -female, -homosexual, -democratic, -human) elements of the anti-war movement share a common cause with the rational Left -- the end of American involvement in Iraq -- it is politically unwise to affiliate with people calling for terrorist attacks against the U.S. if one wishes to advance that cause. Perhaps Jay is placing too high a priority on numbers for enacting political change.
Also in the comments, Gord, a minister (!) in Canada argues that the terrorists in Iraq can legitimately be seen as 'freedom fighters':
In the second csae we agree--advocating atacks against a country is surely anti-USan. In the first it may be a question of definition. Certainly the "insurgents" in Iraq are using acts of terror. But they are using them against an occupying force (the US Military and friends) and what could logically be considered a puppet government. If you use these definitions then they are indeed freedom fighters. I always try to remember that the difference between freedom fighter and terrorist is who wins (Menachem Begin of Israel for example)
I would struggle find a precise definition of what a 'freedom fighter' is, but I can confidently say what a freedom fighter is not. A freedom fighter is not a person who:
If I remember correctly, the right has had some strange bedfellows as well, especially in relation to activism on abortion and sexuality. There are times when a common cause brings dissimilar groups and persons together in the desire to effect change. Do we support the other's belief system? Of course we don't. But we can agree on a common goal that both share.
While it is true that the anti-American (-Semitic, -female, -homosexual, -democratic, -human) elements of the anti-war movement share a common cause with the rational Left -- the end of American involvement in Iraq -- it is politically unwise to affiliate with people calling for terrorist attacks against the U.S. if one wishes to advance that cause. Perhaps Jay is placing too high a priority on numbers for enacting political change.
Also in the comments, Gord, a minister (!) in Canada argues that the terrorists in Iraq can legitimately be seen as 'freedom fighters':
In the second csae we agree--advocating atacks against a country is surely anti-USan. In the first it may be a question of definition. Certainly the "insurgents" in Iraq are using acts of terror. But they are using them against an occupying force (the US Military and friends) and what could logically be considered a puppet government. If you use these definitions then they are indeed freedom fighters. I always try to remember that the difference between freedom fighter and terrorist is who wins (Menachem Begin of Israel for example)
I would struggle find a precise definition of what a 'freedom fighter' is, but I can confidently say what a freedom fighter is not. A freedom fighter is not a person who:
- murders schoolteachers
- is opposed by the people being 'liberated'
- uses children as human shields
- targets and blows up children gathering together to receive toys
- says that he is not a freedom fighter
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Isaiah 5:20
Two Publicists, Stylist, Personal Assistant Injured As Nicole Kidman Turns On Handlers
LOS ANGELES—An attack by Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman Monday left four handlers injured and two in intensive care, where they are listed in serious but stable condition.
The attack, which occurred during a photo shoot for Premiere magazine at the landmark Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, serves as a reminder that, despite their beautiful appearance, celebrities are both dangerous and unpredictable.
"Even experienced handlers can't turn their backs on these creatures," said celebrity behaviorist Laurel Fraser, who has conducted extensive field studies on such performers as Madonna, Bruce Willis, and an entire pride of Baldwins. "It's easy for people in the starkeeping profession to get complacent, and when stars sense that, they often lash out."
Stylist Melody Cosgrove was rushed to West Hills Hospital with broken bones, severe blood loss, and deep lacerations to the face, neck, and shoulders, likely inflicted by Kidman's cherry-red, two-inch talons. Personal assistant Barrie Levesque reportedly suffered extensive nerve damage, as well as severely yanked hair. Publicists Kiki Landresky and Martin O'Reilly have been released from West Hills after being treated for cuts and minor contusions. O'Reilly received a puncture wound to the thigh from one of Kidman's stiletto heels.
Celebrity-control officers working with the LAPD cornered the actress outside a sound stage at Hollywood Center Studios late Tuesday and shot her with a tranquilizer dart after failing to coax her into custody with an expensive gift bag.
Via The Onion.
The attack, which occurred during a photo shoot for Premiere magazine at the landmark Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, serves as a reminder that, despite their beautiful appearance, celebrities are both dangerous and unpredictable.
"Even experienced handlers can't turn their backs on these creatures," said celebrity behaviorist Laurel Fraser, who has conducted extensive field studies on such performers as Madonna, Bruce Willis, and an entire pride of Baldwins. "It's easy for people in the starkeeping profession to get complacent, and when stars sense that, they often lash out."
Stylist Melody Cosgrove was rushed to West Hills Hospital with broken bones, severe blood loss, and deep lacerations to the face, neck, and shoulders, likely inflicted by Kidman's cherry-red, two-inch talons. Personal assistant Barrie Levesque reportedly suffered extensive nerve damage, as well as severely yanked hair. Publicists Kiki Landresky and Martin O'Reilly have been released from West Hills after being treated for cuts and minor contusions. O'Reilly received a puncture wound to the thigh from one of Kidman's stiletto heels.
Celebrity-control officers working with the LAPD cornered the actress outside a sound stage at Hollywood Center Studios late Tuesday and shot her with a tranquilizer dart after failing to coax her into custody with an expensive gift bag.
Via The Onion.
Methodist Blogger Profile: Steve Heyduck
Steve Heyduck of Everyday Theology
I live in McGregor, Texas, where I have been appointed as pastor since January 2004 (http://fumcmcgregor.com/ ). I have a daughter who is 16 and the president of the junior class at Mart High School. I was educated at J.L. McCullough High School, Southwestern University(http://www.southwestern.edu/ ), Asbury Seminary (http://www.asburyseminary.edu/ ) , and Baylor University, in the J.M Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies (http://www3.baylor.edu/Church_State/ ).
I stay young be staying connected to youth ministry and popular culture. This year I serve as the Central Texas Conference Youth Coordinator, and I also serve on the Advisory Board of our CTCYM (Central Texas Conference Youth in Mission).
Why do you blog?
I suppose I blog because blogging is an additional opportunity to express ideas, thoughts, and perspectives.
What has been your best blogging experience?
Being asked if something I had written could be shared with others.
What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?
Blog when you can, if you feel inspired or not.
If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?
The first one I look at is Banditsnomore – though I contribute to it, I am always interested in seeing what my brother Richard has posted. The others I check first are WesleyBlog, Untied Methodists, and Locustsandhoney.
Who are your spiritual heroes?
John Wesley, of course. (isn’t that supposed to be one of my answers?) Steve Taylor, of CCM fame throughout the 80s is another. I always appreciated his satire and the edginess of his lyrics and music. Too much CCM in those early days relied on being Christian rather than being good. Taylor’s stuff was BOTH.
What are you reading at the moment?
Trying to get my dissertation jump started, I am reading everything I can get my hands on about the United Methodist Church and how it does or doesn’t do Church-State relations. Weber’s Politics and the Ordo Saludis is one of the main books on this. I also keep up with Wired magazine, just to see what the geeks are up to. I am re-reading Slaughter’s Unlearning Church with a Wednesday night group.
What is your favorite hymn and why?
Hymn? Do people still sing hymns? And can it be. Hands down, no competition. Once I learned it, it was my favorite. Singing it with the gusto and passion the way a chapel full at Asbury Seminary sing it, how could it NOT be my favorite? Did ever elsewhere such a combination of musical and theological passion meet?
Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've ever changed your mind?
Race issues. Since I was studying Foucault during the O.J. Trial (I’ll be glad to explain that link if you email me and ask), I was awakened to see that the “melting pot” metaphor for the US on which I was raised was broken and futile. The great modern project of the US being a cultural melting pot really lead to the (mostly conservative) presumption that we are now somehow “beyond” culture. To many minorities, however, the de-hyphenating of America means turning everyone into white males.
What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?
Following on my previous answer, that we in the US are somehow “beyond” culture and particularity.
If you could affect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?
I would require all politicians to answer the questions asked of them rather than spinning off into canned statements that have been approved by staffers. To be fair, I would also require those in the media asking the questions to admit the bias and presumptions behind their questions.
If you could affect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?
I would change the presumption that the local church exists to serve the Conference and General Boards and Agencies and the bureaucracy with no real connection to local laity that ensues.
What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Live. Live abundantly. Starting now, or maybe even yesterday.
What, if anything, do you worry about?
Being able to afford my daughter’s college education when the time comes. I also worry about the state of our denomination. One of these two I think I can do something about.
If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?
If I had it to do all over again, would I make all the same decisions? I seriously doubt it. Would I change the place to which God has brought me? NOT A CHANCE!
Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?
Somewhere mountainous – or close enough that I could ski every winter.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Reading, watching Law & Order, playing PS2 games with my daughter, pretending I am a photographer, and blogging.
What is your most treasured possession?
The pictures I took of my daughter before her first prom last Spring.
What talent would you most like to have?
Does dunking on a 10 foot goal count?
If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner, who would they be?
Steve Taylor, Bono, and Thomas Jefferson
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Choosing Allies
Last week, Dean announced his intention to participate in last weekend's 'peace' march in Washington, D.C. In the comments, I suggested that this might be a bad idea, as his worthy desire for true peace might not correlate with the views of the march organizers.
Christopher Hitchens has penned a marvelous column reminding us that the people behind the march are not anti-war, just anti-American (and anti-Semitic, -freedom, -homosexual, etc.):
To be against war and militarism, in the tradition of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, is one thing. But to have a record of consistent support for war and militarism, from the Red Army in Eastern Europe to the Serbian ethnic cleansers and the Taliban, is quite another. It is really a disgrace that the liberal press refers to such enemies of liberalism as "antiwar" when in reality they are straight-out pro-war, but on the other side.
When is the Left going to clean its own house? Besides being the moral course of action, it's politically counterproductive to make allies with these evil people. One might as well march alongside Fred Phelps or the Ku Klux Klan.
There are times when it's better to travail alone. For the rational, truly anti-war Left, this is one of them.
Hat tip.
Christopher Hitchens has penned a marvelous column reminding us that the people behind the march are not anti-war, just anti-American (and anti-Semitic, -freedom, -homosexual, etc.):
To be against war and militarism, in the tradition of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, is one thing. But to have a record of consistent support for war and militarism, from the Red Army in Eastern Europe to the Serbian ethnic cleansers and the Taliban, is quite another. It is really a disgrace that the liberal press refers to such enemies of liberalism as "antiwar" when in reality they are straight-out pro-war, but on the other side.
When is the Left going to clean its own house? Besides being the moral course of action, it's politically counterproductive to make allies with these evil people. One might as well march alongside Fred Phelps or the Ku Klux Klan.
There are times when it's better to travail alone. For the rational, truly anti-war Left, this is one of them.
Hat tip.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 32
Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:
Andy Bryan contrasted the performance of the Kansas City Royals (baseball) and the Kansas City Chiefs (football).
Chris Morgan observed that the OT God is not a god of wrath, but one of generosity.
Ben Witherington reviewed the movie Broken Flowers.
Beth Quick reviewed the book Leading Beyond the Walls.
Betty Newman prayed for the strength to pray when she doesn't want to.
Will Willamon reviewed the book Methodism: Empire of the Spirit.
Brian Russell wrote that we need to remember the mystery and significance of the Resurrection.
At Connexions, Richard Hall blogged about whether free markets are moral forces.
David Camphouse blogged about the events in one's life that lead to a developed faith.
Dean Snyder participated in the anti-war demonstrations in Washington over the weekend, wrote about a seminary professor's views on the Iraq War, and interviewed the head of the GBCS on the war, and wrote that Bishop Willimon has mischaracterized Reconciling Ministries Network.
Derek Tang listed the biggest chokes in sporting history and wrote about spiritual immaturity (and a host of other issues) in postmodern Christianity.
Donald Sensing wrote about the importance of casualties in understanding the success of a war, Vanderbilt's football program, alternative energy sources for cars, and terrorist recruiting problems.
Steve Heyduck blogged about the moral values of capitalism.
Gavin Richardson wrote about an assembly of Methodist bloggers in Nashville.
Gerry Charlotte Phelps blogged about how national prosperity safeguards against natural disasters and Hurricane Rita from her perspective in Austin.
Greg Crofford wrote about the nature of presidential criticism and the importance of saying NO (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!)
Greg Hazelrig presented a Christian view of fame and suffering.
Gregory Lee wrote about understanding natural disasters as an act of God.
James Spring blogged about how gas station customers react to gas prices.
Jay Voorhees wrote about the importance of UMC congregations teaching explicitly what they believe.
John Wilks blogged about an open source alternative to MS Office.
Jonathon Norman announced an upcoming blogpost series on Inagrace Dietterich.
Josh Tinley rounded up Tennessee political issues.
Larry Hollon wrote about the sense of community forming in the reconstruction of New Orleans, the spiritual care that the church must offer to the displaced, what United Methodists can do to help the victims of natural disasters, and shared stories that he's learned from Katrina victims.
Maobi blogged about Islamic terrorism in Southeast Asia and the ongoing apartheid in South Africa.
Methodist Corner wrote about how he responded to God's call to ministry.
Craig Moore blogged about the liberal understanding of Jesus.
Michael Daniel wrote about how much information kids need to know about sex.
Octomusing blogged about an ecumenical convention in Reading, England.
Joe Tiedman wondered why Christians find church so boring.
Dan Gates wrote that modern United Methodists are ignorant and apathetic and called out the Methodist militia.
Theresa Coleman prayed for deliverance from Hurricate Rita, the strength to praise Him as he deserves, and wrote about the nature of contentment.
Lorna Koskela wrote about the difficulties of prayer, the characteristics of a breathing church, stories of encounters with people praying, the power of prayer, and the appropriateness of women in ministry.
Stephen Fife prayed to be lifted up and explained why he is 'high church'.
Sunday School Thoughts exposited upon Romans 1:18-3:20.
Panbar West wrote about the effects of having national churches and Focus on the Family.
Movable Theoblogical blogged about the theological failings of Radical Orthodoxy, the role of the state in theological enforcement, that confronting wayward culture is principally the role of the church, the call of Jim Wallis to social activism, and his reading of Resident Aliens.
Thoughts from a Clay Pot wrote about the Father part of the Trinity.
Tim Sisk blogged about the decline of classical education.
Tony Mitchell wrote about how generational change has affected the church (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!)
Shane Raynor blogged about effective ministry to teenagers.
Additions? Corrections? Do you know of a blog that should be added to the Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!
UPDATE: Mistaken annotation of an Octomusing post corrected and a post of Derek Tang added to the list.
Andy Bryan contrasted the performance of the Kansas City Royals (baseball) and the Kansas City Chiefs (football).
Chris Morgan observed that the OT God is not a god of wrath, but one of generosity.
Ben Witherington reviewed the movie Broken Flowers.
Beth Quick reviewed the book Leading Beyond the Walls.
Betty Newman prayed for the strength to pray when she doesn't want to.
Will Willamon reviewed the book Methodism: Empire of the Spirit.
Brian Russell wrote that we need to remember the mystery and significance of the Resurrection.
At Connexions, Richard Hall blogged about whether free markets are moral forces.
David Camphouse blogged about the events in one's life that lead to a developed faith.
Dean Snyder participated in the anti-war demonstrations in Washington over the weekend, wrote about a seminary professor's views on the Iraq War, and interviewed the head of the GBCS on the war, and wrote that Bishop Willimon has mischaracterized Reconciling Ministries Network.
Derek Tang listed the biggest chokes in sporting history and wrote about spiritual immaturity (and a host of other issues) in postmodern Christianity.
Donald Sensing wrote about the importance of casualties in understanding the success of a war, Vanderbilt's football program, alternative energy sources for cars, and terrorist recruiting problems.
Steve Heyduck blogged about the moral values of capitalism.
Gavin Richardson wrote about an assembly of Methodist bloggers in Nashville.
Gerry Charlotte Phelps blogged about how national prosperity safeguards against natural disasters and Hurricane Rita from her perspective in Austin.
Greg Crofford wrote about the nature of presidential criticism and the importance of saying NO (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!)
Greg Hazelrig presented a Christian view of fame and suffering.
Gregory Lee wrote about understanding natural disasters as an act of God.
James Spring blogged about how gas station customers react to gas prices.
Jay Voorhees wrote about the importance of UMC congregations teaching explicitly what they believe.
John Wilks blogged about an open source alternative to MS Office.
Jonathon Norman announced an upcoming blogpost series on Inagrace Dietterich.
Josh Tinley rounded up Tennessee political issues.
Larry Hollon wrote about the sense of community forming in the reconstruction of New Orleans, the spiritual care that the church must offer to the displaced, what United Methodists can do to help the victims of natural disasters, and shared stories that he's learned from Katrina victims.
Maobi blogged about Islamic terrorism in Southeast Asia and the ongoing apartheid in South Africa.
Methodist Corner wrote about how he responded to God's call to ministry.
Craig Moore blogged about the liberal understanding of Jesus.
Michael Daniel wrote about how much information kids need to know about sex.
Octomusing blogged about an ecumenical convention in Reading, England.
Joe Tiedman wondered why Christians find church so boring.
Dan Gates wrote that modern United Methodists are ignorant and apathetic and called out the Methodist militia.
Theresa Coleman prayed for deliverance from Hurricate Rita, the strength to praise Him as he deserves, and wrote about the nature of contentment.
Lorna Koskela wrote about the difficulties of prayer, the characteristics of a breathing church, stories of encounters with people praying, the power of prayer, and the appropriateness of women in ministry.
Stephen Fife prayed to be lifted up and explained why he is 'high church'.
Sunday School Thoughts exposited upon Romans 1:18-3:20.
Panbar West wrote about the effects of having national churches and Focus on the Family.
Movable Theoblogical blogged about the theological failings of Radical Orthodoxy, the role of the state in theological enforcement, that confronting wayward culture is principally the role of the church, the call of Jim Wallis to social activism, and his reading of Resident Aliens.
Thoughts from a Clay Pot wrote about the Father part of the Trinity.
Tim Sisk blogged about the decline of classical education.
Tony Mitchell wrote about how generational change has affected the church (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!)
Shane Raynor blogged about effective ministry to teenagers.
Additions? Corrections? Do you know of a blog that should be added to the Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!
UPDATE: Mistaken annotation of an Octomusing post corrected and a post of Derek Tang added to the list.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Methodist Blogger Profile: Lorna Koskela
Lorna Koskela of See-Through Faith
My name is Lorna Koskela. I’m originally British but will have lived in Finland for 20 years come January. Ironically I only came here for six months as an exchange teacher. I met the man who is now my husband during that time and so I’m still here. It’s been a long six months! We have two teenage kids – a son and a daughter. I love them to bits, but they drive me to distraction a lot of the time too. Being a mum is one of the most difficult things I know!
I’m a local preacher (lay speaker) in Metsku (part of the the Swedish speaking Conference of the Finnish United Methodist Church.) http://www.abocom.net/metsku/ I love preaching but my real passion is bringing the love of God into people’s lives. I think that’s because knowing God’s love, as opposed to knowing about it, made such a big difference in my life. You can read my testimony here http://pulpit.heavenlytrain.com/?p=20
I study theology at the Baltic Methodist seminary in Tallinn and am a candidate for ordination. I teach part time and would like to be a bi-vocational pastor, teaching English in school 1-2 days a week, if it’s at all possible.
Why do you blog?
I started blogging last December because a friend encouraged me. (We first met in CoF http://churchoffools.com/ - back then it was a 3D on-line church and it was great!) He thought that what I said and wrote was worth sharing. True or not I can’t say, but the main reason I’ve stuck at it, it that I’ve realized that writing helps me process what God is doing in my life. I used to keep a pen and paper prayer journal and still write there sometimes, but blogging is different because of the interactive element. What I didn’t expect but has been a real bonus, is the real sense of community that has sprung up, and the friendships that have developed because of my blog. It’s great
When I started to blog I made the conscious decision to be me and share what’s really going on in my life, both the ups and downs. It’s an attempt to be real, visible and authentic – even when it’s hard!
What has been your best blogging experience?
I have definitely got to know myself better. Writing is therapeutic – and much cheaper than seeing a counselor J It’s also given me a chance to look at my journey with God, and see the successes as well as the difficulties.
But I’ve got to be honest and say that reading other people’s blogs is equally important for me. Over in abiding Deb http://www.constantlyabiding.blogspot.com/ shares her battle with alcoholism for example. Reading about it helped me deal with some of my own anger towards my late aunt who was also an alcoholic. Another example is when I posted entries about my own battle with spiritual adultery, I felt loved and not condemned by my friends in the blogger world. Their prayers and their encouragement really helped me!
What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?
I’m not an expert blogger and so I’d just as likely ask for their advice!
My experience, especially if you write daily as I try to, is that it’s easy to slip into trivia, and while memes and quizzes are sometimes fun and a way to relax, they can take away from the focus of your blog. Mine is subtitled: journalling my journey with God, so I want to keep my journey with God to the forefront as best I can. Since it’s my journey there is a lot about me in it, and I make no apology for that, but God should be in the picture too.
Another important lesson I’ve learned is to check my attitude when I write. I’ve learned to stop and ask myself why am I writing this? I also try not to take offence. A man named Jacob left a comment on see-through faith the other day – which was basically challenging my calling to ministry. I chose not to take offense, but to look at him as best I could through Jesus’ eyes. That I could do it, was the grace of God
My site is a joint one with my blogging friend eija. I like that. Not only does she have the computer skills I desperately lack, but she gives great advice for free too. Only once has she ever interfered with what I publish. She simply advised me to hold back on a text. She was right! And I heeded her advice. I did publish it about a month later, considerably revised, when my attitude had mellowed. I was still hurting, but by then I had been able to forgive the person and myself and it made all the difference in what I wrote and the way it was written.
If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?
Ha ha! I probably should only read three blogs a day! Reading others thoughts can be very time consuming can’t it?
I love less traveled http://www.lesstravelled.net/ Ross’ posts do tend to be long and a bit complicated (lol) so I often print them out and read them downstairs in the kitchen over a cup of tea. Even then I don’t always understand what he writes, but mostly I do and it challenges me in a good way. One real regret I have is that I didn’t know of Ross’ existence when I was down under last February (he started blogging in March) otherwise I would have made it a priority to meet him in Melbourne!
Equally good, and possibly even more challenging is Rick’s blog over at http://newlifeemerging.blogspot.com/ He writes “I am more interested in knowing what God is doing in your soul than I am about your theology,” which is a great place to start!
The first blog I usually check each day however is Penni’s http://martha2.blogspot.com/ Her writing is good, but she also usually gets heaps of interesting comments too. She’s RC and asks some difficult theological questions from time to time, which I love. What’s more she seems to struggle with so many things that I struggle with too – even though we live worlds apart.
I’m going to bend the rules a little and add Rev Gals too. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.com/ This is a ring of some really cool women of God! Almost daily someone gives a summary of the best of Rev Gals – so if time is short it’s the best place to start. (btw Rev Gals are writing an advent devotional together - which is the brain child of Rev Mommy http://reverendmommy.blogspot.com/ – a UMC pastor – who got me hooked up in Rev Gals in the first place!) The Rev Gals network has been really, really good for me. It’s so easy to feel isolated as an English speaking pastor-to-be, in the UMC here in Finland, and I have also struggled with juggling priorities as a woman in ministry, wife and mother as well as part time teacher and seminary student. These women have been a great support and inspiration to me and a God-send. Thank You God!
Who are your spiritual heroes?
Nehemiah is one of my spiritual heroes from the Bible. I love it that he was both an intercessor (Neh 1:4) and a man of action (Neh 2:17-18). He was a great leader. He saw the need, waited for God’s wisdom and stepped out in obedience – at great personal risk. What’s more, he motivated a group of people to work together for the greater good and worked by their side. I want to be like that.
What are you reading at the moment?
I have several things on the go at the moment. This is quite normal for me, but is particularly bad at the moment! Right now I’m reading Barclays’ commentary on James for my seminary studies and I’ve found myself getting so interested in James the brother of Jesus. From Scripture it’s not clear how he was turned around from being so skeptical about his brother, to becoming the leader of the Christian church in Jerusalem. Scripture tells us that Jesus appeared to James (1 Cor 15:7) and that’s it! I’d say his conversion must have been as dramatic as Paul’s, yet he doesn’t mention it himself at all.
I’ve just finished MacLaren’s A Generous Orthodoxy. It’s very good. And I decided today I’m going to re-read CS Lewis’ The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I haven’t read it since our kids were small when I read the whole series to them. It’s time to meet Aslan again I think
What is your favorite hymn and why?
I’m not very used to singing hymns. Our church moved into contemporary worship more than a decade ago, and while old hymns can be transformed to fit into a more modern style- and one of our worship leaders really tries to make this happen - it hasn’t been very successful really. Turku held the Swedish speaking Methodist Conference of Finland last year (2004) and we had a very traditional Eucharist service on the opening night. Then we sang (in Swedish) “The Church’s One Foundation is Jesus Christ the King” The words are great and carry a lot of meaning!
Can you name a major moral, political, or philosophical issue on which you've changed your mind?
Oh yes. I’ve known about Jesus all my life, but when I was an undergraduate I visited Mexico and saw the poverty there. I turned my back on God for a short while and turned to politics for the answer. A few years later the (coal) miners strike took place in the UK, and I saw politics fail the people and tear families apart – that helped me find God again. This year the Make Poverty History campaign brought it all back to me. I think politics and Christianity can be mixed, but only if the action comes out of prayer and not out of the desperation just to do something to make a difference.
What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?
Erm …can I skip this? Seriously the belief that all truths are equal is anti-scriptural. We should respect people’s right to believe what they choose, but we cannot in all honesty say that their belief is right and when asked we must learn to say that Scripture says and we believe that salvation comes from belief that Jesus is the Christ and died for our sins.
If you could affect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?
In Finland? That’s a tough one. I have chosen not to take Finnish citizenship, and retain my UK passport, which means I only have the right to vote in local and EU elections, so maybe I shouldn’t answer this one either. But I will.
Overall I think the Finnish government does a pretty good job. We pay very high taxes here -both income tax (average around 40%) sales tax (VAT is 22% on every thing you buy!) -and the taxes on petrol mean that it’s now €1.40 / litre !!! But the tax money is generally well spent. It’s rare to see real poverty or homeless people here. Finland also has a very good standard of free education for children, and affordable universities. Health care is inexpensively available to all. Cars and running them are expensive, so most families have only one car. Air pollution and traffic jams aren’t a problem and the local public transport is efficient (in the cities). Inter-city train fares were hiked up this year though.
In 1995 Finland joined the EU and were among the first group of EU nations to use the euro. I supported both those changes. But the decision to build another nuclear power station (the fifth) was one I did not support. I found it particularly irksome that much of the argument for the power station was based on racism and fear of neighbouring Russia. I’m also against Finland joining NATO.
If you could affect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?
Oh another toughie! Don’t tell our bishop but I’m not an expert on the BoD or the inner workings of the UMC. In Finland at least there is a lot that I feel needs to be changed – we could get rid of probably half of the committees at least! Sometimes I feel we’re in a time warp. Prayer please
What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Jesus said seek first His kingdom and everything else will be given to you. (Mt 6:33) I think that if we could really put this into practice we would better carriers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a lot more content too.
The Gospel IS Good News but somewhere along the way we Christians lost a lot of the joy and became legalistic. Mary chose the better part and sat at Jesus’ feet instead of being busy, busy, busy. (Lk 10:42) I need to follow her example and prioritize time with God over being busy for Him.
What, if anything, do you worry about?
Ah! On my better days I don’t worry. I find that place of peace with God and it’s marvelous. I don’t know anything better, but it’s quite rare. A good example of this is the ordination process. I have a deep, deep conviction that I am called to be a pastor. Nothing will swerve me from that. But it’s a relief that the UMC have a committee to help discern the way the calling is to be approached. I would like more than a ‘rubber –stamp’ mentor though, so if anyone out there reading this feels the call … do get in touch!
Our family is struggling a bit financially. To be honest this is new for us. We have always had enough, but my husband was made redundant and my hours (and salary) were cut to 1/3 of what they were, so it is a struggle just now not to worry if there will e enough or not. We try to be good stewards and spend wisely (lucky none of us are shoppers!) but it’s a learning curve. Trusting God with our finances is the only way to go, but it is hard not to worry at least a little.
If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?
ROFL. Plenty!
The most important change is that I would have heeded God’s call on my life much earlier. I heard him when I was 16 – but dismissed it because of the issues with women in ministry back then. But the calling never left and now at the age of 45 (soon 46) I still have 3 more years at seminary left.I’m loving it, but …
I was given a prophetic word that God would restore the wasted years that the locusts had eaten (hey maybe you ate them John with all that honey!) based on Joel 2 – and I’ve seen that become a reality in my life, but still …!
The other equally important one is that I would have valued my family more. I almost lost them because I thought that the church was more important.
Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?
It was never my plan to live in Finland, (too dark in November and December!) and actually I was on my way to Australia when I met the man who is now my husband. I’ve been to Australia four times now and yes there’s still a part of me that would like to live and minister there. I liked Melbourne as a city, and Northern Queensland, where the rain forest meets the Barrier Reef, is the most beautiful (English-speaking) place I know.
Since I do think I’m called to be where I am – in the UMC in Finland – then I guess this is where I’ll stay until God says otherwise. It would be fun to swap pulpits one day with a UMC pastor in the USA though!
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Reading! Or I used to, until I had to do so much for seminary! In the winter I love sitting by the fire reading, and in the summer sitting in the garden reading. My family and friends are used to seeing me with a book in my hand, and I have a horrible habit of reading bits out to people. So be warned!
I love travelling too. I’m always on the way somewhere at least mentally. Sailing used to be a great passion, and I liked scuba diving, but we don’t have a boat and the season is too short in Finland anyway. The water is too cold for me as well. Did youk now the Baltic sea freezes each year. There are official driving routes so you can access some of the islands in the archipelago! Crazy but true!
What is your most treasured possession?
Oh an easy question!
It’s my falling to pieces paperback NIV Student Bible. It’s ten years old now, and covered with scribbles and notes, and comments. I don’t dare take it out anymore as pages are falling out, but I still use it at home and love it to bits (literally). I invested in a posh new leather bound NIV last Advent (and will do so every 3rd Advent) but I have to confess I don’t love it as much as my old one, not yet anyway.
My second most treasured possession is my wedding ring. It’s a simple band – no diamonds or anything. I’ve worn it continuously since May 1988. Every morning when I am waking up I have a slight panic attack until I have checked that it is still on my finger. Weird I know!
What talent would you most like to have?
I wish I were musical. I’d love to be able to sing well, and play a musical instrument. The piano, the guitar and why not the drums too? I don’t fuss too much about my lack of musical ability really though – I think it’s great that we are all gifted differently, if only so that we really need each other J and take the place in the body of Christ that we are supposed to.
If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner, who would they be?
Each of us will be guests at God’s banquet table one day and that will be the best dinner of all don’t you think?
But if we were serving the dinner in my house (and I think I’d like it to be a Shabbat meal, with grilled wild salmon and salad to start with, followed by my favourite recipe Indian –Jewish chicken sauce and rice )
I’d like to invite John, the disciple Jesus loved. There is so much he could teach me about meditation and God’s love.
I’d also like to invite one of the unmentioned women leaders from among the first century Christians, and find out what it was really like. I think they’d be able to give some insight into why Paul wrote what he did to Timothy and how they balanced their calling to be a wife and mother and be a spiritual leader too.
The third person at the table would be my friend Mia. She’s a Lutheran pastor here in Turku Cathedral. She has such an interesting perspective on life, and I think she’d be as daring as me in asking our other guests questions. What’s more she’d remember the answers!
We’d be six round the table of course. My husband would be there too, wondering what we were all talking about and why I was getting more and more excited! Jesus would be present without a doubt. He doesn’t have to wait for an invitation anymore; He knows he’s always welcome to break bread with me.
Editorial note: Lorna included a variety of emoticons in her interview that would not format properly on Blogger.
Learning from the Street Prophets
I'm sure that many of you have heard about Daily Kos' new spinoff blog Street Prophets. It is "...an exploration religion and politics from the perspective of the Left", to quote Kos. The comment thread that follows this announcement is an insightful perspective into how the Left (or at least the Kos-commenting Left) views Christianity.
In general, the commentors are supportive of the venture and keenly point out that many morally conservative Christians have politically liberal beliefs. Others are outright hostile to religion in any form.
But what is so fascinating about this thread is that the general consensus seems to be that 'religion' is a good thing. People adopt religions because they help make sense of the world, cope with the travails of life, and provide a moral code for communities.
In the abstract, comparative religion-academic sense, this is true. But one doesn't often see in this thread the sense that one follows a faith because it is true. I don't know about you, but when I became a Christian, I didn't select Christianity from off the shelf at the Religion Store after comparison shopping the value of Hinduism and Shintoism. I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior because his way was the only way that was correct.
After the last presidential election, the midst of liberal attempts to understand Red State mentalities, Mark Steyn wrote:
I loved those few days when Nancy Pelosi was ostentatiously dropping a soundbite from "Matthew" into every media appearance. Who is this Matthew guy she's on such chummy terms with? Matthew Meadows, Florida state representative for District 94? Matthew P. Denn, the Democratic candidate in the race for Delaware insurance commissioner?
No, turns out it's Matthew as in the Gospel according to. Big name in Jesusland, to use the new designation. A little too big, indeed, to be cited plausibly as evidence of one's acquaintance with Scripture. Anyone can refer in a vague way to Matthew. Had Mrs. Pelosi managed to rattle off a couple of verses from Philemon or Habakkuk, all over the vast Bush-voting swamp, millions of stump-toothed rednecks would have briefly stopped speaking in tongues as their jaws hit the floor. By the way, it's only two k's in the middle of "Habakkuk" — not like Amerikkka or John Ashkkkroft.
Anyway, after a week of trying to turn the Democratic whine into holy water, the House minority leader decided to chuck the saint-dropping. As the whole Jesusland thing suggests, her base isn't entirely on board with the outreach. And frankly the Democrats never do well when they try to square contemporary liberal pieties with religion. For one thing, they recoil from the very word "religion." Al Gore prefers to say, "Well, in my faith tradition . . ." As a rule, folks with a faith tradition tend not to call it such. At Friday prayers in Mecca, the A-list imams don't say, "Well, in my faith tradition we believe in killing all the infidels."
Emphasis added. Steyn observed that Leftist efforts to co-opt the Christian faith seem artificial and pretended, despite the uphill battles that some liberal Christians are fighting to make their political activity a reflection of their sincere Christian faith.* Or to be more blunt: they're faking it, and we know it.
Language reflects what we think. It is philosophically revealing, and through the communication choices that Leftists make -- referring to religion as a matter of personal taste and not absolute truth -- we can discern the secular ideological thread running through liberalism's current incarnation. Hopefully, liberal Christians will be able to excise it in the future.
*I feel their pain, to quote Clinton. Libertarians (bother uppercase and lowercase 'l') are, in general, secular -- if not hostile to religion. I've even been called clinically insane for believing in the supernatural. Regular readers know that this is true only for other reasons.
Hat tip.
UPDATE: To clarify, I am not saying that Joel, Richard, Beth, and Dean are 'faking it'. In fact, I am saying the exact opposite.
What I am saying is that much of the recent embrace of faith by the secular left is fake.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Jeff the Baptist adds his thoughts:
However when I see religion on the left, what they follow is not Christianity. It is Liberalism with it's Greater Good. The Christian aspects are just proof-texting and lip service. They've comparison shopped their ideologies and have realized that a few good bible verses might play well in Peoria.
In general, the commentors are supportive of the venture and keenly point out that many morally conservative Christians have politically liberal beliefs. Others are outright hostile to religion in any form.
But what is so fascinating about this thread is that the general consensus seems to be that 'religion' is a good thing. People adopt religions because they help make sense of the world, cope with the travails of life, and provide a moral code for communities.
In the abstract, comparative religion-academic sense, this is true. But one doesn't often see in this thread the sense that one follows a faith because it is true. I don't know about you, but when I became a Christian, I didn't select Christianity from off the shelf at the Religion Store after comparison shopping the value of Hinduism and Shintoism. I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior because his way was the only way that was correct.
After the last presidential election, the midst of liberal attempts to understand Red State mentalities, Mark Steyn wrote:
I loved those few days when Nancy Pelosi was ostentatiously dropping a soundbite from "Matthew" into every media appearance. Who is this Matthew guy she's on such chummy terms with? Matthew Meadows, Florida state representative for District 94? Matthew P. Denn, the Democratic candidate in the race for Delaware insurance commissioner?
No, turns out it's Matthew as in the Gospel according to. Big name in Jesusland, to use the new designation. A little too big, indeed, to be cited plausibly as evidence of one's acquaintance with Scripture. Anyone can refer in a vague way to Matthew. Had Mrs. Pelosi managed to rattle off a couple of verses from Philemon or Habakkuk, all over the vast Bush-voting swamp, millions of stump-toothed rednecks would have briefly stopped speaking in tongues as their jaws hit the floor. By the way, it's only two k's in the middle of "Habakkuk" — not like Amerikkka or John Ashkkkroft.
Anyway, after a week of trying to turn the Democratic whine into holy water, the House minority leader decided to chuck the saint-dropping. As the whole Jesusland thing suggests, her base isn't entirely on board with the outreach. And frankly the Democrats never do well when they try to square contemporary liberal pieties with religion. For one thing, they recoil from the very word "religion." Al Gore prefers to say, "Well, in my faith tradition . . ." As a rule, folks with a faith tradition tend not to call it such. At Friday prayers in Mecca, the A-list imams don't say, "Well, in my faith tradition we believe in killing all the infidels."
Emphasis added. Steyn observed that Leftist efforts to co-opt the Christian faith seem artificial and pretended, despite the uphill battles that some liberal Christians are fighting to make their political activity a reflection of their sincere Christian faith.* Or to be more blunt: they're faking it, and we know it.
Language reflects what we think. It is philosophically revealing, and through the communication choices that Leftists make -- referring to religion as a matter of personal taste and not absolute truth -- we can discern the secular ideological thread running through liberalism's current incarnation. Hopefully, liberal Christians will be able to excise it in the future.
*I feel their pain, to quote Clinton. Libertarians (bother uppercase and lowercase 'l') are, in general, secular -- if not hostile to religion. I've even been called clinically insane for believing in the supernatural. Regular readers know that this is true only for other reasons.
Hat tip.
UPDATE: To clarify, I am not saying that Joel, Richard, Beth, and Dean are 'faking it'. In fact, I am saying the exact opposite.
What I am saying is that much of the recent embrace of faith by the secular left is fake.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Jeff the Baptist adds his thoughts:
However when I see religion on the left, what they follow is not Christianity. It is Liberalism with it's Greater Good. The Christian aspects are just proof-texting and lip service. They've comparison shopped their ideologies and have realized that a few good bible verses might play well in Peoria.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Ill-Conceived Children's Sermons
From Dr. Timothy Jenney, my NT prof:
1. David and Goliath: Divide the kids into two groups. Distribute slingshots to the first group and have them gather 5 smooth stones each from the church parking lot. Give the second group helmets [bike helmets will work] and wooden swords. Let the sides fight and see which one God supports! If time permits, demonstrate the proper method of beheading a giant.
5. Daniel's prayer time: Find a lion. [Any large predator will do, even a really hungry alligator, if you minister in Florida.]. Shut it and the children together in a small room. Positioning yourself in a safe location, encourage the kids to pray. I guarantee all the kids' prayer levels will increase dramatically after the first one is eaten! [But hey, you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs.]
7. Sin offerings: Demonstrate the proper method of preparing and roasting a whole burnt offering. Explain how each Israelite who sinned had to bring a lamb from his/her family flock as a penalty. To help make the lesson more memorable, have each child bring one of their pets from home. Select one or two of the kids who have been giving you the most problems and have them bring their pets forward. Now, slay them in the proper biblical pattern...
Read the rest.
1. David and Goliath: Divide the kids into two groups. Distribute slingshots to the first group and have them gather 5 smooth stones each from the church parking lot. Give the second group helmets [bike helmets will work] and wooden swords. Let the sides fight and see which one God supports! If time permits, demonstrate the proper method of beheading a giant.
5. Daniel's prayer time: Find a lion. [Any large predator will do, even a really hungry alligator, if you minister in Florida.]. Shut it and the children together in a small room. Positioning yourself in a safe location, encourage the kids to pray. I guarantee all the kids' prayer levels will increase dramatically after the first one is eaten! [But hey, you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs.]
7. Sin offerings: Demonstrate the proper method of preparing and roasting a whole burnt offering. Explain how each Israelite who sinned had to bring a lamb from his/her family flock as a penalty. To help make the lesson more memorable, have each child bring one of their pets from home. Select one or two of the kids who have been giving you the most problems and have them bring their pets forward. Now, slay them in the proper biblical pattern...
Read the rest.
Ten Commandments for Cherokees
I find it hard to motive myself to any interest, let alone outrage, in the public display of the Ten Commandments debate, but this is amusing:
The tribal council is making plans to mount a copy of the Ten Commandments in the council house where government meetings are held, and possibly display them throughout other public buildings in the Cherokee Nation of western North Carolina.
[snip]
There is no First Amendment issue involved, and even if the American Civil Liberties Union wanted to make one, it can't. The U.S. Constitution does not apply to Cherokee, nor to any other Native American tribe for that matter, according to Cherokee's Attorney General David Nash.
"We are a sovereign nation and we can pretty much post anything we want in our council chambers," said Kephart. "For once the federal government is not going to tell us what to do. We can feel good about it because we are standing up for God. The more it becomes controversial, the more we need to stand firm."
Hat tip.
The tribal council is making plans to mount a copy of the Ten Commandments in the council house where government meetings are held, and possibly display them throughout other public buildings in the Cherokee Nation of western North Carolina.
[snip]
There is no First Amendment issue involved, and even if the American Civil Liberties Union wanted to make one, it can't. The U.S. Constitution does not apply to Cherokee, nor to any other Native American tribe for that matter, according to Cherokee's Attorney General David Nash.
"We are a sovereign nation and we can pretty much post anything we want in our council chambers," said Kephart. "For once the federal government is not going to tell us what to do. We can feel good about it because we are standing up for God. The more it becomes controversial, the more we need to stand firm."
Hat tip.
Weekend Rabbit Blogging
From the safe house: sensing danger, Hyzenthlay flattens herself against the ground to create the lowest profile possible.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Leaving Houston
Keep Grace in your prayers. She's leaving Houston for safety in San Antonio. Katrina kept her busy and exhausted to begin with, and it sounds like the stresses of this hurricane are pushing Grace to her limits.
Immigration and the Bible
Leviticus 19:33-34
'When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 'The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 10:19
"So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
Question: Is it immoral for American Christians to advocate strict enforcement of immigration laws or to advocate laws which limit the permeability of our borders to peaceful immigrants?
'When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 'The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 10:19
"So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
Question: Is it immoral for American Christians to advocate strict enforcement of immigration laws or to advocate laws which limit the permeability of our borders to peaceful immigrants?
Methotech
From The Christian Post:
Last week, the board members of the United Methodist Commission on Communication approved a tentative plan to provide “e-mail addresses for life,” during their meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
[snip]
These pastors will be able to register for a permanent e-mail address that will be forwarded to a personal e-mail address, according to the UMNS. When a pastor moves, he can forward that email address to the provider, and maintain the same permanent UMC address.
Last week, the board members of the United Methodist Commission on Communication approved a tentative plan to provide “e-mail addresses for life,” during their meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
[snip]
These pastors will be able to register for a permanent e-mail address that will be forwarded to a personal e-mail address, according to the UMNS. When a pastor moves, he can forward that email address to the provider, and maintain the same permanent UMC address.
Instant Messenger Log from Last Night
GAVINRICHA: dude we rocked the house
GAVINRICHA: all the cool metho bloggers were there
JOHNTHEMET: Yeah, I saw the pictures
GAVINRICHA: we had beer
JOHNTHEMET: I saw that, too
JOHNTHEMET: Some sort of ecumenical gesture
GAVINRICHA: they gave us free peanuts
GAVINRICHA: just toss the shells on the floor
JOHNTHEMET: I’ve been to places like that
GAVINRICHA: but not this one
GAVINRICHA: this was for the cool methodist bloggers
JOHNTHEMET: I feel the love here
GAVINRICHA: i noticed that you weren’t there
JOHNTHEMET: Perceptive as always, friend
GAVINRICHA: did i mention the strippers?
JOHNTHEMET: Not buying it. Erin was in the pictures
GAVINRICHA: oh yeah
GAVINRICHA: but the waitresses were dressed like hooters girls
JOHNTHEMET: Not buying that either. Cole was there.
GAVINRICHA: dude you are such a downer
JOHNTHEMET: That’s my modernist mindset at work
GAVINRICHA: they had karaoke
JOHNTHEMET: And that’s supposed to impress me?
JOHNTHEMET: Brilliant idea, there.
JOHNTHEMET: Pour a few beers into Shane and give him a microphone.
GAVINRICHA: it was hilarious
GAVINRICHA: he fell off the stage and onto a biker
JOHNTHEMET: A hardcore biker?
GAVINRICHA: very. he had tattoos on his face
GAVINRICHA: so for no reason we can figure out
GAVINRICHA: shane starts yelling at the biker about bob edgar and the ncc
JOHNTHEMET: the NCC is like a magic button on Shane
JOHNTHEMET: Press it and he detonates
GAVINRICHA: works every time
GAVINRICHA: thing is, no one said anything about bob edgar
JOHNTHEMET: So how does the biker respond?
GAVINRICHA: he was totally creeped out
GAVINRICHA: tried to leave
GAVINRICHA: but shane started shoving him
JOHNTHEMET: I always figured Shane for a ‘mean drunk’
GAVINRICHA: what kind of drunk are you
JOHNTHEMET: I’m a neoplatonic drunk
JOHNTHEMET: though I may appear drunk
JOHNTHEMET: in my true form, I’m sober
GAVINRICHA: dude that is so deep
GAVINRICHA: you ought to write greeting cards
JOHNTHEMET: the Hallmark person cussed at me
JOHNTHEMET: or was that Beth Quick?
JOHNTHEMET: I always get them confused
GAVINRICHA: we could have used beth
JOHNTHEMET: why?
GAVINRICHA: we had like a dozen angry bikers on us
JOHNTHEMET: I’m not sure that Beth could have helped
GAVINRICHA: have you seen her crush a soda can
GAVINRICHA: with one hand
JOHNTHEMET: I see your point
GAVINRICHA: dude that psycho look scares the crap out of me
GAVINRICHA: its like straight out of silence of the lambs
JOHNTHEMET: Wilks can’t go around her without wetting his pants
GAVINRICHA: i have to wear depends whenever shes around
JOHNTHEMET:….
JOHNTHEMET: I so did not need to know that about you
GAVINRICHA: theyre snug and comfy
In shameless imitation of the great Bill Ardolino
GAVINRICHA: all the cool metho bloggers were there
JOHNTHEMET: Yeah, I saw the pictures
GAVINRICHA: we had beer
JOHNTHEMET: I saw that, too
JOHNTHEMET: Some sort of ecumenical gesture
GAVINRICHA: they gave us free peanuts
GAVINRICHA: just toss the shells on the floor
JOHNTHEMET: I’ve been to places like that
GAVINRICHA: but not this one
GAVINRICHA: this was for the cool methodist bloggers
JOHNTHEMET: I feel the love here
GAVINRICHA: i noticed that you weren’t there
JOHNTHEMET: Perceptive as always, friend
GAVINRICHA: did i mention the strippers?
JOHNTHEMET: Not buying it. Erin was in the pictures
GAVINRICHA: oh yeah
GAVINRICHA: but the waitresses were dressed like hooters girls
JOHNTHEMET: Not buying that either. Cole was there.
GAVINRICHA: dude you are such a downer
JOHNTHEMET: That’s my modernist mindset at work
GAVINRICHA: they had karaoke
JOHNTHEMET: And that’s supposed to impress me?
JOHNTHEMET: Brilliant idea, there.
JOHNTHEMET: Pour a few beers into Shane and give him a microphone.
GAVINRICHA: it was hilarious
GAVINRICHA: he fell off the stage and onto a biker
JOHNTHEMET: A hardcore biker?
GAVINRICHA: very. he had tattoos on his face
GAVINRICHA: so for no reason we can figure out
GAVINRICHA: shane starts yelling at the biker about bob edgar and the ncc
JOHNTHEMET: the NCC is like a magic button on Shane
JOHNTHEMET: Press it and he detonates
GAVINRICHA: works every time
GAVINRICHA: thing is, no one said anything about bob edgar
JOHNTHEMET: So how does the biker respond?
GAVINRICHA: he was totally creeped out
GAVINRICHA: tried to leave
GAVINRICHA: but shane started shoving him
JOHNTHEMET: I always figured Shane for a ‘mean drunk’
GAVINRICHA: what kind of drunk are you
JOHNTHEMET: I’m a neoplatonic drunk
JOHNTHEMET: though I may appear drunk
JOHNTHEMET: in my true form, I’m sober
GAVINRICHA: dude that is so deep
GAVINRICHA: you ought to write greeting cards
JOHNTHEMET: the Hallmark person cussed at me
JOHNTHEMET: or was that Beth Quick?
JOHNTHEMET: I always get them confused
GAVINRICHA: we could have used beth
JOHNTHEMET: why?
GAVINRICHA: we had like a dozen angry bikers on us
JOHNTHEMET: I’m not sure that Beth could have helped
GAVINRICHA: have you seen her crush a soda can
GAVINRICHA: with one hand
JOHNTHEMET: I see your point
GAVINRICHA: dude that psycho look scares the crap out of me
GAVINRICHA: its like straight out of silence of the lambs
JOHNTHEMET: Wilks can’t go around her without wetting his pants
GAVINRICHA: i have to wear depends whenever shes around
JOHNTHEMET:….
JOHNTHEMET: I so did not need to know that about you
GAVINRICHA: theyre snug and comfy
In shameless imitation of the great Bill Ardolino
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Caption Contest
An Original Excuse
Thankfully, I can submit tomorrow's assignment via e-mail.
But if otherwise, instead of saying that my dog ate my homework, I could say:
"My dog ate my printer."
But if otherwise, instead of saying that my dog ate my homework, I could say:
"My dog ate my printer."
Armor of God, Sword of the Spirit
Jeff the Baptist points out that the image of the sword in Ephesians 6 refers specifically to a short sword, which has certain theological implications:
This image is wrong. The sword of Ephesians 6 is not a long sword. It is a short sword, in New Testament Greek "machaira". In Latin it was called the gladius. It was the sword of the empire and it was an intimate weapon. They are meant to be employed in close combat, face to face. A roman legionnaire would come close to his foe, feel their breath, smell their fear, wait for an opening, and thrust his gladius into the other man's heart.
As Christians we have to get over the desire to throw out bible verses left and right, secure in our knowledge that "the word of God never returns void." But really this is just an excuse to minister without knowing people. Instead get to know people, become friends, get involved.
We also need to realize that Paul's conception of "the word of God" was probably more than just well places bible verses. I think we're missing a whole prophetic connotation that was present in the first century church. The word of God is a metaphor for all things we do through God's empowerment. Think Christ as "fulfillment of the law" here. It is ministering to others and speaking to them in truth. It is constant and consistent prayer. It is the only weapon we have against the darkness.
This image is wrong. The sword of Ephesians 6 is not a long sword. It is a short sword, in New Testament Greek "machaira". In Latin it was called the gladius. It was the sword of the empire and it was an intimate weapon. They are meant to be employed in close combat, face to face. A roman legionnaire would come close to his foe, feel their breath, smell their fear, wait for an opening, and thrust his gladius into the other man's heart.
As Christians we have to get over the desire to throw out bible verses left and right, secure in our knowledge that "the word of God never returns void." But really this is just an excuse to minister without knowing people. Instead get to know people, become friends, get involved.
We also need to realize that Paul's conception of "the word of God" was probably more than just well places bible verses. I think we're missing a whole prophetic connotation that was present in the first century church. The word of God is a metaphor for all things we do through God's empowerment. Think Christ as "fulfillment of the law" here. It is ministering to others and speaking to them in truth. It is constant and consistent prayer. It is the only weapon we have against the darkness.
Submission
44So I will keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
45And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
46I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.
47I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.
Psalm 119
To delight in commandments? To delight in submission to authority?
It's rather counter-intuitive, if not Orwellian. Freedom = slavery. Ignorance = strength.
But it's true. It is through submission to His law -- no, delighting in His law -- that we find true freedom and happiness. It is through submission that we find true freedom from sin.
And we don't have to be afraid of submission to the Lord, as we would submission to men, for He will never abuse His authority over us. For when we call Him "Master", He breaks off the shackles of our fallen condition. When we kneel before Him, He lifts us up. The boot of the Lord is never on our necks.
Forever and ever.
45And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
46I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.
47I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.
Psalm 119
To delight in commandments? To delight in submission to authority?
It's rather counter-intuitive, if not Orwellian. Freedom = slavery. Ignorance = strength.
But it's true. It is through submission to His law -- no, delighting in His law -- that we find true freedom and happiness. It is through submission that we find true freedom from sin.
And we don't have to be afraid of submission to the Lord, as we would submission to men, for He will never abuse His authority over us. For when we call Him "Master", He breaks off the shackles of our fallen condition. When we kneel before Him, He lifts us up. The boot of the Lord is never on our necks.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The Architect Behind the Flight 93 Memorial
Paul Murdoch, the architect who designed the controversial memorial for Flight 93, has created some other questionable designs in the past.
A Memo to the People of New Orleans
Be smart and do not move back to that death trap.
Now is the time to exercise some common sense.
UPDATE: For those still interested in residing in New Orleans, I offer this story from Klingon folklore:
Long ago, a storm was heading for the city of Quin'lat. Everyone took protection within the walls except one man who remained outside. Kahless went to him and asked what he was doing. "I am not afraid," the man said. "I will not hide my face behind stone and mortar. I will stand before the wind and make it respect me." Kahless honored his choice and went back inside. The next day, the storm came, and the man was killed, as the wind does not respect a fool.
Now is the time to exercise some common sense.
UPDATE: For those still interested in residing in New Orleans, I offer this story from Klingon folklore:
Long ago, a storm was heading for the city of Quin'lat. Everyone took protection within the walls except one man who remained outside. Kahless went to him and asked what he was doing. "I am not afraid," the man said. "I will not hide my face behind stone and mortar. I will stand before the wind and make it respect me." Kahless honored his choice and went back inside. The next day, the storm came, and the man was killed, as the wind does not respect a fool.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup #31
Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:
James Gibson wrote about the growing split in the Anglican communion, as most recently displayed in Africa.
Andy Bryan blogged about the theology of Christian violence (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!) and that Christians should not sink into the Katrina finger-pointing, but focus on being compassionate.
Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote about what conditions should be implemented for the reconstruction of New Orleans, what true compassion for the poor entails, how the War on Poverty has hurt the poor, and imagines the society that her proposed policies would implement.
Chris Morgan blogged about spiritual blind spots and what it means for a pastor to have a home church.
At Bandits No More, Richard Heyduck wrote about serving God and mammon and the keys to enthusiastic worship.
Ben Witherington blogged about the Christianity of the Founding Fathers.
Brian Russell wrote that his core values are holiness, mission, and community.
At Connexions, Richard Hall wrote about the cost to a society when the church is no longer a strong political force and the compatibility of science and Christianity.
Dave Warnock blogged about what we can learn from the Parable of the Businessman and the Fisherman.
Dean Snyder wrote about the sociology of congregations and denominations as seen in the UMC, the boldness of a certain UMC evangelist, why churches grow, and different worldviews of evangelism.
Donald Sensing wrote about what can be learned from Hurricane Katrina about how the US will respond to another terrorist attack, the meaning of 'triumphalism' in political and religious contexts, and a review of the book Terror in the Skies.
Steve Heyduck blogged about the way in which Senate confirmation hearings are conducted.
Gavin Richardson wrote about the difficulties in getting Christian youth to embrace the idea of community.
Gospel According to the Hood blogged about the bad evangelism of fundamentalists.
Gregory Lee wrote about forgiveness as taught in the Lord's Prayer.
Guy Williams blogged about the John Roberts hearings.
Jay Voorhees wrote about the struggle for perfectionism in ministry and pastoral whining.
John Wilks blogged about the moral transformation demanded of us by God, the importance of the Resurrection for the Christian faith, the importance of using one's spiritual gifts for the Church and not oneself, and the need for Christlike love for spiritual growth.
Jonathon Norman wrote about a recent experience with Taize worship and how theologians of occupied Europe responded to Nazism.
Larry Hollon blogged about the need for compassion in a civil society, ineffective disaster-relief, and the difficult task of sorting the dead from the living in the hurricane area.
Matt Collins wrote about a Columbia Journalism Review article about milibloggers.
Craig Moore blogged about the abuse of Biblical interpretation and that the methods of evangelism hinge upon the theology of evangelism.
Pondering Perfection wrote that being thrifty isn't necessarily good stewardship and how to interpret Biblical passages where God promises to be generous with his children.
Theresa Coleman prayed that God teach her how to let go of the things that are beyond her control, cleansing from sin, strength to overcome, power for His church, and the justice of the Holy Spirit. She also wrote a poem about the death of her mother.
Second Grade Teacher is sheltering herself from storm porn.
See Through Faith wrote that being faithful means being out of control.
Shawn Richardson has returned to Iraq.
Stephen Fife wrote about the way Bible translations are marketed.
Ten Cheeses pondered if the US church would respond as the German church did in the 1930s under similar hypothetical circumstances and wrote about the Pledge of Allegiance debate.
Thoughts From a Clay Pot blogged about a Wesleyan view of holiness.
Tony Mitchell compared the story of Exodus and Hurricane Katrina and Wesleyan holiness (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!)
Shane Raynor wrote about a UMC bishop advocating government redistribution of wealth.
Corrections? Additions? Do you know of a blog that should be added to the MBWR? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!
UPDATE: Mistaken annotation for a John Wilks post corrected. See comments for details.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Dean Snyder was missing from the MBWR. Now fixed.
James Gibson wrote about the growing split in the Anglican communion, as most recently displayed in Africa.
Andy Bryan blogged about the theology of Christian violence (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!) and that Christians should not sink into the Katrina finger-pointing, but focus on being compassionate.
Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote about what conditions should be implemented for the reconstruction of New Orleans, what true compassion for the poor entails, how the War on Poverty has hurt the poor, and imagines the society that her proposed policies would implement.
Chris Morgan blogged about spiritual blind spots and what it means for a pastor to have a home church.
At Bandits No More, Richard Heyduck wrote about serving God and mammon and the keys to enthusiastic worship.
Ben Witherington blogged about the Christianity of the Founding Fathers.
Brian Russell wrote that his core values are holiness, mission, and community.
At Connexions, Richard Hall wrote about the cost to a society when the church is no longer a strong political force and the compatibility of science and Christianity.
Dave Warnock blogged about what we can learn from the Parable of the Businessman and the Fisherman.
Dean Snyder wrote about the sociology of congregations and denominations as seen in the UMC, the boldness of a certain UMC evangelist, why churches grow, and different worldviews of evangelism.
Donald Sensing wrote about what can be learned from Hurricane Katrina about how the US will respond to another terrorist attack, the meaning of 'triumphalism' in political and religious contexts, and a review of the book Terror in the Skies.
Steve Heyduck blogged about the way in which Senate confirmation hearings are conducted.
Gavin Richardson wrote about the difficulties in getting Christian youth to embrace the idea of community.
Gospel According to the Hood blogged about the bad evangelism of fundamentalists.
Gregory Lee wrote about forgiveness as taught in the Lord's Prayer.
Guy Williams blogged about the John Roberts hearings.
Jay Voorhees wrote about the struggle for perfectionism in ministry and pastoral whining.
John Wilks blogged about the moral transformation demanded of us by God, the importance of the Resurrection for the Christian faith, the importance of using one's spiritual gifts for the Church and not oneself, and the need for Christlike love for spiritual growth.
Jonathon Norman wrote about a recent experience with Taize worship and how theologians of occupied Europe responded to Nazism.
Larry Hollon blogged about the need for compassion in a civil society, ineffective disaster-relief, and the difficult task of sorting the dead from the living in the hurricane area.
Matt Collins wrote about a Columbia Journalism Review article about milibloggers.
Craig Moore blogged about the abuse of Biblical interpretation and that the methods of evangelism hinge upon the theology of evangelism.
Pondering Perfection wrote that being thrifty isn't necessarily good stewardship and how to interpret Biblical passages where God promises to be generous with his children.
Theresa Coleman prayed that God teach her how to let go of the things that are beyond her control, cleansing from sin, strength to overcome, power for His church, and the justice of the Holy Spirit. She also wrote a poem about the death of her mother.
Second Grade Teacher is sheltering herself from storm porn.
See Through Faith wrote that being faithful means being out of control.
Shawn Richardson has returned to Iraq.
Stephen Fife wrote about the way Bible translations are marketed.
Ten Cheeses pondered if the US church would respond as the German church did in the 1930s under similar hypothetical circumstances and wrote about the Pledge of Allegiance debate.
Thoughts From a Clay Pot blogged about a Wesleyan view of holiness.
Tony Mitchell compared the story of Exodus and Hurricane Katrina and Wesleyan holiness (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!)
Shane Raynor wrote about a UMC bishop advocating government redistribution of wealth.
Corrections? Additions? Do you know of a blog that should be added to the MBWR? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!
UPDATE: Mistaken annotation for a John Wilks post corrected. See comments for details.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Dean Snyder was missing from the MBWR. Now fixed.
Bad Decisions and Poverty
In a thoughtful post, Megan McArdle writes about how most people are poor because of the bad decisions that they make in their lives:
If poor people did just four things, the poverty rate would be a fraction of what it currently is. Those four things are:
1) Finish high school
2) Get married before having children
3) Have no more than two children
4) Work full time
These are things that 99% of middle class people take as due course. In addition, there's some pretty good evidence that many people who are poor have personality problems that substantially contribute to their poverty.
For example, people with a GED do not experience significant earnings improvement over people who have not graduated from high school. In this credential-mad world, this simply should not be. And it is true even though people with a GED are apparently substantially more intelligent than people without a GED.
How can this be? Even if the GED were totally worthless, available evidence seems to indicate that intelligence carries a premium in the labour market.
The best explanation seems to be that people with a GED (as a group) are smart people with poor impulse control. What intelligence giveth, a tendency to make bad decisions taketh away. Anyone who has spent any time mentoring or working with poor families is familar with the maddening sensation of watching someone you care about make a devastating decision that no middle class person in their right mind would ever assent to.
But, as McArdle says, it is important not to simply dismiss the poor as stupid people who deserve what they get:
So I think that conservatives are right that many of the poor dig themselves in deeper. But conservatives tend to take a moralistic stance towards poverty that radically underestimates how much cultural context determines our ability to make good decisions.
Sure, I go to work every day, pay my bills on time, don't run a credit card balance and don't have kids out of wedlock because I am planning for my future. But I also do these things because my parents spent twenty or so years drumming a fear of debt, unemployment, and illegitimacy into my head. And if I announce to my friends that I've just decided not to go to work because it's a drag, they will look at me funny--and if I do it repeatedly, they may well shun me as a loser. If I can't get a house because I've screwed up my credit, middle class society will look upon me with pity, which is painful to endure. If I have a baby with no father in sight, my grandmother will cry, my mother will yell, and my colleagues will act a little odd at the sight of my swelling belly.
In other words, middle class culture is such that bad long-term decision making also has painful short-term consequences. This does not, obviously, stop many middle class people from becoming addicted to drugs, flagrantly screwing up at work, having children they can't take care of, and so forth. But on the margin, it prevents a lot of people from taking steps that might lead to bankruptcy and deprivation. We like to think that it's just us being the intrinsically worthy humans that we are, but honestly, how many of my nice middle class readers had the courage to drop out of high school and steal cars for a living?
I'm not really kidding. I mean, I don't know about the rest of you, but when I was eighteen, if my peer group had taken up swallowing razor blades I would have been happily killed myself trying to set a world record. And if they had thought school was for losers and the cool thing to do was to hang out all day listening to music and running dime bags for the local narcotics emporium, I would have been right there with them. Lucky for me, my peer group thought that the most important thing in the entire world was to get an ivy league diploma, so I went to Penn and ended up shilling for drug companies on my blog.
[snip]
Bad peer groups, like good ones, create their own equilibrium. Doing things that prevent you from attaining material success outside the group can become an important sign off loyalty to the group, which of course just makes it harder to break out of a group, even if it is destined for prison and/or poverty. I think it is fine, even necessary, to recognize that these groups have value systems which make it very difficult for individual members to get a foothold on the economic ladder. But I think conservatives need to be a lot more humble about how easily they would break out of such groups if that is where they had happened to be born.
Emphasis added. The Christian response, of course, is to be compassionate -- to give second and third chances. It is to love those who have fallen down, and those, who by the society of their birth, never had the opportunity to stand up in the first place. None of this requires any sort of government action, but it does mandate that Christians extend a willing and charitable hand. We must look at the homeless person or the prisoner and say "There, but for the grace of God go I." And it is wise to be compassionate, for as Jesus said, "Who among us is without stupidity?"*
Full disclosure: I might be advocating compassion for the foolish for purely selfish reasons.
If poor people did just four things, the poverty rate would be a fraction of what it currently is. Those four things are:
1) Finish high school
2) Get married before having children
3) Have no more than two children
4) Work full time
These are things that 99% of middle class people take as due course. In addition, there's some pretty good evidence that many people who are poor have personality problems that substantially contribute to their poverty.
For example, people with a GED do not experience significant earnings improvement over people who have not graduated from high school. In this credential-mad world, this simply should not be. And it is true even though people with a GED are apparently substantially more intelligent than people without a GED.
How can this be? Even if the GED were totally worthless, available evidence seems to indicate that intelligence carries a premium in the labour market.
The best explanation seems to be that people with a GED (as a group) are smart people with poor impulse control. What intelligence giveth, a tendency to make bad decisions taketh away. Anyone who has spent any time mentoring or working with poor families is familar with the maddening sensation of watching someone you care about make a devastating decision that no middle class person in their right mind would ever assent to.
But, as McArdle says, it is important not to simply dismiss the poor as stupid people who deserve what they get:
So I think that conservatives are right that many of the poor dig themselves in deeper. But conservatives tend to take a moralistic stance towards poverty that radically underestimates how much cultural context determines our ability to make good decisions.
Sure, I go to work every day, pay my bills on time, don't run a credit card balance and don't have kids out of wedlock because I am planning for my future. But I also do these things because my parents spent twenty or so years drumming a fear of debt, unemployment, and illegitimacy into my head. And if I announce to my friends that I've just decided not to go to work because it's a drag, they will look at me funny--and if I do it repeatedly, they may well shun me as a loser. If I can't get a house because I've screwed up my credit, middle class society will look upon me with pity, which is painful to endure. If I have a baby with no father in sight, my grandmother will cry, my mother will yell, and my colleagues will act a little odd at the sight of my swelling belly.
In other words, middle class culture is such that bad long-term decision making also has painful short-term consequences. This does not, obviously, stop many middle class people from becoming addicted to drugs, flagrantly screwing up at work, having children they can't take care of, and so forth. But on the margin, it prevents a lot of people from taking steps that might lead to bankruptcy and deprivation. We like to think that it's just us being the intrinsically worthy humans that we are, but honestly, how many of my nice middle class readers had the courage to drop out of high school and steal cars for a living?
I'm not really kidding. I mean, I don't know about the rest of you, but when I was eighteen, if my peer group had taken up swallowing razor blades I would have been happily killed myself trying to set a world record. And if they had thought school was for losers and the cool thing to do was to hang out all day listening to music and running dime bags for the local narcotics emporium, I would have been right there with them. Lucky for me, my peer group thought that the most important thing in the entire world was to get an ivy league diploma, so I went to Penn and ended up shilling for drug companies on my blog.
[snip]
Bad peer groups, like good ones, create their own equilibrium. Doing things that prevent you from attaining material success outside the group can become an important sign off loyalty to the group, which of course just makes it harder to break out of a group, even if it is destined for prison and/or poverty. I think it is fine, even necessary, to recognize that these groups have value systems which make it very difficult for individual members to get a foothold on the economic ladder. But I think conservatives need to be a lot more humble about how easily they would break out of such groups if that is where they had happened to be born.
Emphasis added. The Christian response, of course, is to be compassionate -- to give second and third chances. It is to love those who have fallen down, and those, who by the society of their birth, never had the opportunity to stand up in the first place. None of this requires any sort of government action, but it does mandate that Christians extend a willing and charitable hand. We must look at the homeless person or the prisoner and say "There, but for the grace of God go I." And it is wise to be compassionate, for as Jesus said, "Who among us is without stupidity?"*
Full disclosure: I might be advocating compassion for the foolish for purely selfish reasons.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Lesser Known Works Excluded from the New Testament Canon
- Paul's Epistle to the Collection Agency
- Longarm and the Jewish Princesses
- The Apocalypse of Ed
- Hindus
- The Accountant of Hermas
- The Gospel According to That Guy -- You Know, the Blond One Who Was Always Hanging Out With Thomas
- 2nd Jesus
- 3rd Jesus
- The Purpose Driven Catacomb
- Girls Gone Meshugga: Ephesian Spring Break Edition featuring Pimpin' Publius da Patrician of Partying
PottyGate
Bush Urinating on Company Time
A new scandal is rocking the White House, one sure to leave a bright yellow stain on the peeResidency for years to come - and this time the digital brownshirts won't be able to spin it under the rug like they did with the Texas National Guard memos. According to newly released photographic evidence, Bush attempted to interrupt a UN Security Council meeting with a taxpayer-funded bathroom break.
It's bad enough that the Shrub vacations for 9 months out of the year, but does he have to urinate on my dime as well? Do the math, folks. Bush's salary is $400,000 a year, or 76 cents a minute. Let's say he takes six pee breaks a day at three minutes each - five minutes if he pees sitting down like Oliver Willis. Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we can really afford to continue the war in Iraq, AND pay Bush over $7,000 a year to use the loo.
Say what you will about Bill Clinton, but he never allowed his natural urges to interfere with his job. Al Gore hasn't had a bowel movement in over 17 years. Yet Bush apparently thinks he can piss away our hard earned money whenever nature calls.
Via Blame Bush
A new scandal is rocking the White House, one sure to leave a bright yellow stain on the peeResidency for years to come - and this time the digital brownshirts won't be able to spin it under the rug like they did with the Texas National Guard memos. According to newly released photographic evidence, Bush attempted to interrupt a UN Security Council meeting with a taxpayer-funded bathroom break.
It's bad enough that the Shrub vacations for 9 months out of the year, but does he have to urinate on my dime as well? Do the math, folks. Bush's salary is $400,000 a year, or 76 cents a minute. Let's say he takes six pee breaks a day at three minutes each - five minutes if he pees sitting down like Oliver Willis. Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we can really afford to continue the war in Iraq, AND pay Bush over $7,000 a year to use the loo.
Say what you will about Bill Clinton, but he never allowed his natural urges to interfere with his job. Al Gore hasn't had a bowel movement in over 17 years. Yet Bush apparently thinks he can piss away our hard earned money whenever nature calls.
Via Blame Bush
Friday, September 16, 2005
Culture Shock
A realization of linguistic dynamics arrives once one hears a seminary professor use the verb "pimping" three times within one lecture.
Most Popular Bionic Implants for Evangelical Christians
1. replacement humor gland (PCA only)
2. unbreakable titanium cage around...somewhere (comes pre-locked; just snap it on)
3. conversion ray eyeball emitter
4. TNIV-resistant forcefield
5. long-range gaynar (like gaydar, but works underwater)
6. automatic Chick tract dispenser (4 tracts per trigger squeeze)
7. the “ol’ Robertson” arm-mounted sniping rifle
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Our Allies to the North
CANADIAN WARSHIP SEIZES TANKER IN... WAIT...CANADA HAS A WARSHIP?
Arabian Sea (SatireWire.com) — Canadian television reported Friday that a Canadian warship in the Arabian Sea had seized a tanker suspected of smuggling oil from Iraq, leading many to suspect that the report was a hoax.
"You're kidding, right? Canada has a warship?" asked U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. "Like for war?
"Does Canada know?" he added.
"Nobody was more stunned than we were," said Kali Omari, first mate of the seized vessel. "We saw this frigate steaming toward us, and we were worried, but then we saw the maple leaf on the flag, and we thought, 'Oh, Canadians. What the hell do they want?'"
When an officer of the HMCS Vancouver announced that the tanker was about to be boarded, the crew of the detained ship was confused, said Omari, but their confusion quickly turned to anger when they saw what the Canadians sailors were carrying.
"They were armed. With guns," said Omari. "Canadians. With guns. And a warship. What is this world coming to?"
Story here.
Arabian Sea (SatireWire.com) — Canadian television reported Friday that a Canadian warship in the Arabian Sea had seized a tanker suspected of smuggling oil from Iraq, leading many to suspect that the report was a hoax.
"You're kidding, right? Canada has a warship?" asked U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. "Like for war?
"Does Canada know?" he added.
"Nobody was more stunned than we were," said Kali Omari, first mate of the seized vessel. "We saw this frigate steaming toward us, and we were worried, but then we saw the maple leaf on the flag, and we thought, 'Oh, Canadians. What the hell do they want?'"
When an officer of the HMCS Vancouver announced that the tanker was about to be boarded, the crew of the detained ship was confused, said Omari, but their confusion quickly turned to anger when they saw what the Canadians sailors were carrying.
"They were armed. With guns," said Omari. "Canadians. With guns. And a warship. What is this world coming to?"
Story here.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Caption Contest
Write the best caption and win a date with Beth Quick!
UPDATE: We have a winner! Gavin, claim your prize!
Sponge Bob Checks Into Exodus International
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Cartoon actor SpongeBob Squarepants checked into an Exodus International program Wednesday, hoping to leave behind a life of homosexuality he now dubs "duplicitous and shameful."
The celebrity sponge said through a spokesman that he intends to immerse himself in the Christ-centered program.
"For years, SpongeBob has struggled with his sexual identity," said his spokesman, reading from a prepared statement. "He hopes to emerge from this program cleansed."
Other gay children's characters expressed disappointment. Bert and Ernie of Sesame Street told reporters SpongeBob is "denying who he is."
"He's setting us back fifty years," Ernie said from his and Bert's Upper West Side penthouse.
Praise God! Sponge Bob is on his way out! Or back in. Or something like that. Now if only we can convince Scooby and Shaggy to get the help that they need.
Via Lark News
The celebrity sponge said through a spokesman that he intends to immerse himself in the Christ-centered program.
"For years, SpongeBob has struggled with his sexual identity," said his spokesman, reading from a prepared statement. "He hopes to emerge from this program cleansed."
Other gay children's characters expressed disappointment. Bert and Ernie of Sesame Street told reporters SpongeBob is "denying who he is."
"He's setting us back fifty years," Ernie said from his and Bert's Upper West Side penthouse.
Praise God! Sponge Bob is on his way out! Or back in. Or something like that. Now if only we can convince Scooby and Shaggy to get the help that they need.
Via Lark News
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