I’m pretty busy this week, but this is worth taking the time to write.
Today was hard. I watched Oprah because I heard invisible children were going to be highlighted, which they were. Most of the hour was about different atrocities in Africa. These things are difficult to watch, but it is good that they are publicized.
Then when Lindsay came home in tears. One of her male students from last year has a lemon-sized tumor on his brain stem that is inoperable. They say Christopher, has six months to a year. They are going to begin chemo. and radiation to try and extend his life. I was talking to my friend Robert about it and he simply commented, “I don’t understand.” That summarizes how I feel. I will spend as long as I know Christopher praying for him; specifically that he will be healed.
There is of course, the possibility that he won’t be healed, and I again will have to ponder the excruciating question of theodicy in a personal way anew.
I’ve never understood how someone could take comfort in the comment that "there is comfort in knowing that God is in control.” I find no comfort in that statement whatsoever and I suppose if it is true, then it is also true that God predestined me to not have any comfort in that statement.
I think the most powerful statement about theodicy comes from John 11:35. “Jesus wept.” I was thinking about this last night before I got the news. What’s puzzling is that Jesus says in verse 23 that “your brother will rise again.” I can only assume that Jesus had planned as far back as that moment to raise Lazarus. Yet with this knowledge and in his humanity Jesus weeps with those around Him.
Jesus Christ weeps with us and for us. That’s the only thing that makes sense to me.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Earth Day
Earth day was this last Saturday and I enjoyed it immensely. I started out by meeting 8 of my fav. UBC folks over at Cameron Park to do some planting at Miss Nellys. That went well. Afterwards a couple of us went to Rudy's for some BBQ and then to Harris's to swim.
Harris and I rode our bikes to church and committed to personally not driving our cars all day. It worked. And because of it I got to enjoy a 10-mile bike ride to my friends, the Dugan's house. I decided that I don't need my car as much as I thought and that is probably good considering gas prices as of late. I'm excited about our new houses location for the same reason. I will be able to bike to Truett and UBC, which are 2 of the 3 places I go. I suppose I could bike to Dugans all the time as well, but that might be a bit more daunting.
I think if I ever do any kind of worthwhile scholarship, it might be in the area of ecology. I think it is an under sung tune especially in Evangelical circles.
There are many problems that we face as consumers, but I want to comment on a few.
Use a filter and a nalgine. Nalgine bottles are culturally cool and you can save money. Plastic is horrible. It takes a billion years for it to biodegrade. You'll seem more rugged ass if you have a nalgine.
Ride your bike. It's good for your health and it will save you money. Again more rugged ass.
Use an IKEA bag when you shop. Lindsay and I use them when we go grocery shopping. They’re cheap to buy, durable and they hold a lot. Great if you are walking from N.V. parking garage to your apartment.
Read a Wendell Berry book. He writes in the form of narrative and yet he gets you to root for the land by the end of the book.
On the larger scale, I guess the problem that concerns me is global warming. Lindsay reported that on NPR today they were talking about building a 200-mile mirror to reflect the suns rays and reduce the effects of global warming. This seems like an elaborate scheme that will cost us a ton of money, when collectively there are some practical steps to be taken before hand.
I also hate seeing any kind of body of water polluted. This is probably because both Lindsay and I grew up on beautiful lakes. Drivin' by Baylor’s little river deal makes me cringe. (Decided to edit the ending, before some smart-ass who thinks they are ordained by God starts lecturing me).
Well that is enough for now
Harris and I rode our bikes to church and committed to personally not driving our cars all day. It worked. And because of it I got to enjoy a 10-mile bike ride to my friends, the Dugan's house. I decided that I don't need my car as much as I thought and that is probably good considering gas prices as of late. I'm excited about our new houses location for the same reason. I will be able to bike to Truett and UBC, which are 2 of the 3 places I go. I suppose I could bike to Dugans all the time as well, but that might be a bit more daunting.
I think if I ever do any kind of worthwhile scholarship, it might be in the area of ecology. I think it is an under sung tune especially in Evangelical circles.
There are many problems that we face as consumers, but I want to comment on a few.
Use a filter and a nalgine. Nalgine bottles are culturally cool and you can save money. Plastic is horrible. It takes a billion years for it to biodegrade. You'll seem more rugged ass if you have a nalgine.
Ride your bike. It's good for your health and it will save you money. Again more rugged ass.
Use an IKEA bag when you shop. Lindsay and I use them when we go grocery shopping. They’re cheap to buy, durable and they hold a lot. Great if you are walking from N.V. parking garage to your apartment.
Read a Wendell Berry book. He writes in the form of narrative and yet he gets you to root for the land by the end of the book.
On the larger scale, I guess the problem that concerns me is global warming. Lindsay reported that on NPR today they were talking about building a 200-mile mirror to reflect the suns rays and reduce the effects of global warming. This seems like an elaborate scheme that will cost us a ton of money, when collectively there are some practical steps to be taken before hand.
I also hate seeing any kind of body of water polluted. This is probably because both Lindsay and I grew up on beautiful lakes. Drivin' by Baylor’s little river deal makes me cringe. (Decided to edit the ending, before some smart-ass who thinks they are ordained by God starts lecturing me).
Well that is enough for now
Friday, April 21, 2006
a confession
I’ve been meaning to write something about the crucifixion since last Friday. Sometimes I’m just not sure how to think about the crucifixion. I’m thankful for it, but I also hate it.
I often wonder if I’ve got what it takes to follow Christ. Not like I do in Western America, but if I got what it takes to have followed Christ in early Christianity, especially before Constantine changed the church state relationship. I think one of the most intense early Christian documents is the “the martyrdom of Perpetua.” Not only does she die for Christ, but she does while her father is begging her not to leave behind her new born son because of the possibility of his starvation.
I was recently watching the Gospel of Judas on National Geo. About an hour into the show, astute theologian Elaine Pagels narrates the story of Glendina. During the 177 massacre she was said to have been tortured all day long, never renouncing her faith in Christ. The show depicted a gruesome scene. One of the diabolic devices the Romans used was an iron chair, which was heated by coals that burned underneath. Two guards pulled her arms apart with ropes while a third guard backed her into the chair with a broom looking device to ensure that the maximum amount of skin would be in contact with the chair.
Irenaeus made the point that it was crucial that the followers of Jesus knew what the gospel really was and what specifically they were dying for. Hence the exclusivity of the texts that finally made it into the cannon.
I wonder how I would respond?
I often wonder if I’ve got what it takes to follow Christ. Not like I do in Western America, but if I got what it takes to have followed Christ in early Christianity, especially before Constantine changed the church state relationship. I think one of the most intense early Christian documents is the “the martyrdom of Perpetua.” Not only does she die for Christ, but she does while her father is begging her not to leave behind her new born son because of the possibility of his starvation.
I was recently watching the Gospel of Judas on National Geo. About an hour into the show, astute theologian Elaine Pagels narrates the story of Glendina. During the 177 massacre she was said to have been tortured all day long, never renouncing her faith in Christ. The show depicted a gruesome scene. One of the diabolic devices the Romans used was an iron chair, which was heated by coals that burned underneath. Two guards pulled her arms apart with ropes while a third guard backed her into the chair with a broom looking device to ensure that the maximum amount of skin would be in contact with the chair.
Irenaeus made the point that it was crucial that the followers of Jesus knew what the gospel really was and what specifically they were dying for. Hence the exclusivity of the texts that finally made it into the cannon.
I wonder how I would respond?
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Unofficially our new home!!!
This is the home that Lindsay and I put under contract. If you want the details, then call me. But wait till after 9 and probably after tonight cause we are going to see "hoodwinked" at the dollar theatre.
cheers,
Carney
Saturday, April 15, 2006
an apology and misc.
Sorry I haven't wrote much lately, but as we approach finals that should came as not surprise.
Anyhow, couple of interesting things in my life.
Today we went with the Sheltons to both the World Hunger Farm and Homestead Heritage place. the farm was interesting. I think it might go well with the ethos or genre i'm trying to create for myself. Kind of an earthy environmental thing. I wanted to buy one of thier bags, but they were $12 and to tell you the truth I have no idea what I would use it for. I thought it would be great if they gave me a job being the bike fixer uper guy. I guess they take bike donations and fix them up for missionaries.
Anyhow, while we were there I started chit-chatting with the lady behind the counter in the little culture store. We were chatting for a bit when I asked her what the most annoying thing about Americans was. (She's from Papa New guinea). She replied that it was when they asked her too many questions. I don't know if that was directed at me or not, but I felt like a tool. I think she picked up on it though, because she said it was still o.k. if I asked her questions three different times.
Then we headed to the Heritage place. I had a brisket sandwich for lunch and linds had some...well I'm not sure. Anyhow eventually we made our way over to blacksmith guy. He was incredible. I was thinking as I was watching..."this is great I will write about some metaphor about God putting me on the anvil and how this was made poignant watching it first hand." But i'm not going to. Just imagine that I did.
Well I've been writing a paper on Psalm 8 this week. It's about 20 pages so far, hence I haven't written much lately on my blog. Anyhow I originally picked it because I thought I could make the latter verses all ecological in flavor. It turns out I can only do that if I don't care to be faithful to the text. I think I might throw the ecology stuff in the application for today section.
Our house search continues. We got a pretty good prospect, but I'm going to keep quite about it because every time I get excited it turns sour. I'll give you one hint though. It's fairly close to UBC, so that is exciting.
tomorrow marks the biggest day of the Christian year. the resurrection. This is what everything hangs around. I remember talking with my buddy Fillingham last year. He commented that if he most of the New Testament miracles weren't true he be o.k. as long as the resurrection was. I concur, though I believe they all are.
well that's all for today.
till butter flies,
Carney
Anyhow, couple of interesting things in my life.
Today we went with the Sheltons to both the World Hunger Farm and Homestead Heritage place. the farm was interesting. I think it might go well with the ethos or genre i'm trying to create for myself. Kind of an earthy environmental thing. I wanted to buy one of thier bags, but they were $12 and to tell you the truth I have no idea what I would use it for. I thought it would be great if they gave me a job being the bike fixer uper guy. I guess they take bike donations and fix them up for missionaries.
Anyhow, while we were there I started chit-chatting with the lady behind the counter in the little culture store. We were chatting for a bit when I asked her what the most annoying thing about Americans was. (She's from Papa New guinea). She replied that it was when they asked her too many questions. I don't know if that was directed at me or not, but I felt like a tool. I think she picked up on it though, because she said it was still o.k. if I asked her questions three different times.
Then we headed to the Heritage place. I had a brisket sandwich for lunch and linds had some...well I'm not sure. Anyhow eventually we made our way over to blacksmith guy. He was incredible. I was thinking as I was watching..."this is great I will write about some metaphor about God putting me on the anvil and how this was made poignant watching it first hand." But i'm not going to. Just imagine that I did.
Well I've been writing a paper on Psalm 8 this week. It's about 20 pages so far, hence I haven't written much lately on my blog. Anyhow I originally picked it because I thought I could make the latter verses all ecological in flavor. It turns out I can only do that if I don't care to be faithful to the text. I think I might throw the ecology stuff in the application for today section.
Our house search continues. We got a pretty good prospect, but I'm going to keep quite about it because every time I get excited it turns sour. I'll give you one hint though. It's fairly close to UBC, so that is exciting.
tomorrow marks the biggest day of the Christian year. the resurrection. This is what everything hangs around. I remember talking with my buddy Fillingham last year. He commented that if he most of the New Testament miracles weren't true he be o.k. as long as the resurrection was. I concur, though I believe they all are.
well that's all for today.
till butter flies,
Carney
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Resurrection
As it turns out Ryan “dream weaver” Weaver is back from a brief blogging death. As it turns out young Ryan’s prospects (Post-Post Foundationalism magazine & The Dublin Pub Lounger’s Frisbee team) both fell through.
CD: Weaver tell us a bit about your decision to try your hand in the blogging world.
DW: Well, for some time now Xanga and I have had a bad relationship. Some things were done in management that I really disapproved of, but then Blogspot Steinbrener called me up and like the rest of the blogging big leagues I’m for sale for the right price.
CD: Speaking of your transition into blogspot world, tell us about some of the new features that make your return “worth it” so to speak.
DW: I’ve been talking with Paola Poetic Pixy Dust lately, and she just can’t stop talking about all the great features of the blogspot.com, but most of all I just wanted to belong to the same community of blogging greats such as Harris ‘Princeton’ Bechtol, Matt ‘can I get a burger’ yes I’m Single-town, and of course always one more post than you modern ‘Carn-dog’.
CD: DW, what possessed you to pass up at least a three year contract with the Pub Loungers?
DW: Well, that was an enticing offer, but truth be told I wanted them to work the ‘unlimited amount of Guiness’ clause into my contract and they just wouldn’t. So I just said eff it”
CD: DW, this is a kids magazine.
DW: Sorry
CD: Does God know the future?
DW: the future doesn’t exist.
CD: will Jon Whitaker ever be friends with Carn-dawg again?
DW: no one knows including God…But it is probably likely that when dia delosa rolls around again next year they will start talking about things other than corporate election.
CD: If a guy were interested in starting a church, how could he make it post-emergent.
DW: well the obvious place to begin is to order 3,000 candles. Then you need to purchase some furniture and cover it with discounted material from the thrift seller. Make sure the community groups swear every once in a while and you are on your way.
CD: Weaver tell us a bit about your decision to try your hand in the blogging world.
DW: Well, for some time now Xanga and I have had a bad relationship. Some things were done in management that I really disapproved of, but then Blogspot Steinbrener called me up and like the rest of the blogging big leagues I’m for sale for the right price.
CD: Speaking of your transition into blogspot world, tell us about some of the new features that make your return “worth it” so to speak.
DW: I’ve been talking with Paola Poetic Pixy Dust lately, and she just can’t stop talking about all the great features of the blogspot.com, but most of all I just wanted to belong to the same community of blogging greats such as Harris ‘Princeton’ Bechtol, Matt ‘can I get a burger’ yes I’m Single-town, and of course always one more post than you modern ‘Carn-dog’.
CD: DW, what possessed you to pass up at least a three year contract with the Pub Loungers?
DW: Well, that was an enticing offer, but truth be told I wanted them to work the ‘unlimited amount of Guiness’ clause into my contract and they just wouldn’t. So I just said eff it”
CD: DW, this is a kids magazine.
DW: Sorry
CD: Does God know the future?
DW: the future doesn’t exist.
CD: will Jon Whitaker ever be friends with Carn-dawg again?
DW: no one knows including God…But it is probably likely that when dia delosa rolls around again next year they will start talking about things other than corporate election.
CD: If a guy were interested in starting a church, how could he make it post-emergent.
DW: well the obvious place to begin is to order 3,000 candles. Then you need to purchase some furniture and cover it with discounted material from the thrift seller. Make sure the community groups swear every once in a while and you are on your way.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Judas
Currently,
I'm sitting on my comfy couch Tivo-ing National Geo's "The Gospel of Judas." I don't know much about it yet, but a blip I heard on NPR identified it as a Gnostic gospel.
Anyhow this got me thinking, in part because of a discussion we had in our Mark Sunday school group this morning.
How do you deal with Judas' betrayal?
I guess I'm not really looking for an answer from a Calvinist...I think I got a good idea of how you might respond. But to my Arminian, Molonist, Open Theist, or mystery card friends, how do you deal with Judas betrayal of Jesus.
The Open Theist answers that God only predicted that someone would betray Jesus and based on human predictability knew that someone would fulfill the act, but not necessarily Judas. I'm not real sure how that one gets worked...maybe at the point of prophecy the finite number of might counterfactuals all included the story line of disciple betrays Jesus or something.
Even so, even open theisms ambiguous prophecy renders a future human free choice certain. Is this problematic? Could Judas be forgiven and with God in paradise?
love to hear some feedback.
Carney
I'm sitting on my comfy couch Tivo-ing National Geo's "The Gospel of Judas." I don't know much about it yet, but a blip I heard on NPR identified it as a Gnostic gospel.
Anyhow this got me thinking, in part because of a discussion we had in our Mark Sunday school group this morning.
How do you deal with Judas' betrayal?
I guess I'm not really looking for an answer from a Calvinist...I think I got a good idea of how you might respond. But to my Arminian, Molonist, Open Theist, or mystery card friends, how do you deal with Judas betrayal of Jesus.
The Open Theist answers that God only predicted that someone would betray Jesus and based on human predictability knew that someone would fulfill the act, but not necessarily Judas. I'm not real sure how that one gets worked...maybe at the point of prophecy the finite number of might counterfactuals all included the story line of disciple betrays Jesus or something.
Even so, even open theisms ambiguous prophecy renders a future human free choice certain. Is this problematic? Could Judas be forgiven and with God in paradise?
love to hear some feedback.
Carney
Friday, April 07, 2006
A Bloggin Nightmare
I regret to inform ya'll of two losses in the bloggin world.
If you've haven't already noticed two my links have been removed.
Shea 'livin' the dream' Butter
&
Ryan 'Dream Weaver' Weaver have both called it bloggin quits.
Ryan officially deleted his xanga site and Shea was overheard commenting "Well, I may not delete mine, but I'm not going to write anymore."
When asked what the future may hold Weaver commented,
"We'll see. I've got some interests in doing some beat poetry stuff for the emo magazine 'Post-Post foundationalism'. I'm also talking with a scout from Dublin Pub Loungers." For you American folk the Dublin Pub loungers are the N.L. frisbee team that proudly boasts a 2005 regular season N.L. pennant title.
When Butter was asked the same question
he responded, "my girlfriend and I are talking with some local Egyptians about doing a restaurant in Cairo. I've also inquired with the good Methodist school, Duke, about possibly doing Ph.D. work on "livin the dream in a post-religious, social, feminist society."
Both Butter and Weaver were bloggers for less than a year.
P.S. notice my crafty tie between the title which contains the word 'nightmare' and the word 'dream' that is affiliated with both bloggers.
If you've haven't already noticed two my links have been removed.
Shea 'livin' the dream' Butter
&
Ryan 'Dream Weaver' Weaver have both called it bloggin quits.
Ryan officially deleted his xanga site and Shea was overheard commenting "Well, I may not delete mine, but I'm not going to write anymore."
When asked what the future may hold Weaver commented,
"We'll see. I've got some interests in doing some beat poetry stuff for the emo magazine 'Post-Post foundationalism'. I'm also talking with a scout from Dublin Pub Loungers." For you American folk the Dublin Pub loungers are the N.L. frisbee team that proudly boasts a 2005 regular season N.L. pennant title.
When Butter was asked the same question
he responded, "my girlfriend and I are talking with some local Egyptians about doing a restaurant in Cairo. I've also inquired with the good Methodist school, Duke, about possibly doing Ph.D. work on "livin the dream in a post-religious, social, feminist society."
Both Butter and Weaver were bloggers for less than a year.
P.S. notice my crafty tie between the title which contains the word 'nightmare' and the word 'dream' that is affiliated with both bloggers.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
I haven't posted in a bit, and for some reason I feel like I've run out of things to talk about. Every since spring break, every mental task has seemed monumental. I haven't posted because I haven't really wanted to, and if you don't want to do something you shouldn't. Right? But then I'm scared going to lose my faithful readers, so this is the crap you get:).
I've been thinking about the environment lately. Ever since that special ran on sixty minutes I've been alarmed. For those of you who I haven't talked to about it, here is the summary. If the governments of the world don't do something drastic, NOW, in ten years the earth will begin to warm up 1 degree Celsius every year. That isn't Fahrenheit. That's Celsius meaning about 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Someone asked me today if I really believed the global warming story. I do, but admit that I'm no environmental scientist. However, a couple of conversations I've had recently all point to something being different. To begin with we had a 20 some day drought in Wisconsin and much of the rest of the Midwest this last summer. Texas had fire problems this last winter because of 8 months without rainfall. In a conversation with a seminary professor who owns a cabin in CO., he reported that the snow caps which usually survive all summer are now gone by mid July. And just last evening my mom reported a record early ice melting for our lake.
I try to be as balanced as I can in my politics. That's in part because I can't afford to make rhetorical comments because I don't have the knowledge to back them up. I quickly become exposed when I try. I'm not saying go all bicycle, though that would be cool, but I do think we need to take some steps towards taking better care of the earth. I joke in my upsilon bet chi meetings that I'm going to start a campaign called two which hands out green and blue rubber band bracelets to raise awareness about the environment.
On a different note, Lindsay and I are thinking about leaving the campus chaplain thing. We've been told that our move is definite, and so we've given serious thought about doing something else. All in good time though. The job has been a blessing and because of it I will not have to take out loans for the remainder of seminary.
That's about all I got maybe you'll get something better tomorrow.
I've been thinking about the environment lately. Ever since that special ran on sixty minutes I've been alarmed. For those of you who I haven't talked to about it, here is the summary. If the governments of the world don't do something drastic, NOW, in ten years the earth will begin to warm up 1 degree Celsius every year. That isn't Fahrenheit. That's Celsius meaning about 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Someone asked me today if I really believed the global warming story. I do, but admit that I'm no environmental scientist. However, a couple of conversations I've had recently all point to something being different. To begin with we had a 20 some day drought in Wisconsin and much of the rest of the Midwest this last summer. Texas had fire problems this last winter because of 8 months without rainfall. In a conversation with a seminary professor who owns a cabin in CO., he reported that the snow caps which usually survive all summer are now gone by mid July. And just last evening my mom reported a record early ice melting for our lake.
I try to be as balanced as I can in my politics. That's in part because I can't afford to make rhetorical comments because I don't have the knowledge to back them up. I quickly become exposed when I try. I'm not saying go all bicycle, though that would be cool, but I do think we need to take some steps towards taking better care of the earth. I joke in my upsilon bet chi meetings that I'm going to start a campaign called two which hands out green and blue rubber band bracelets to raise awareness about the environment.
On a different note, Lindsay and I are thinking about leaving the campus chaplain thing. We've been told that our move is definite, and so we've given serious thought about doing something else. All in good time though. The job has been a blessing and because of it I will not have to take out loans for the remainder of seminary.
That's about all I got maybe you'll get something better tomorrow.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Learning to live and live well
When I was young I remember someone telling me that the reason I never put on my seatbelt was because I was young and when you are young you think you are in invincible...never to die. "Of course I'll die someday," I thought to myself. But in retrospect I realize that I really didn't get it.
My first hard lesson came on an early Saturday morning my freshman year of college. Sleeping till 11:30ish I had ignored three morning phone calls. I got up the third time though. Somehow I knew it was someone from my family, and the third time was a good indicator that some sort of emergency had occurred..
When I finally returned my sister's call I got the crushing news that two 15-year-old friends from my youth-group had been killed in a car accident on a way to a youth-group function (much like one of Texas's disciple now from what I gather). Andy and Cody were so young. It was both unbelievable and unbearable. How could they have died? That was impossible I told myself.
The second major life lesson came this last fall. Out of all the serenities of Kyle's death the strangest to me was that Kyle, someone who displayed more life than most people I know, was now dead. There aren't answers only astonishment and sadness.
These two events have been instrumental in moving me from this attitude of invincibility to putting me very much in touch with the fact that someday I will in fact die. It hits me every once in a while. I'll be lying there in bed. It's almost comical that I really get it every now and then, almost forgetting the rest of the time. My heart speeds up a bit and slipping off into slumber land is pushed off for another ten minutes. Josh Carney will die someday. That is bizarre to me.
It is in light of this impending reality that I hear Kyle's voice. “Live and live well.” Live well because you won't live forever. This is one of those powerful statements that really can't be unpacked until you have some life experience with the term and some time to process the term. I remember reading a post Craig wrote some time ago in response to the pagans who took the liberty of explaining the theological reasons for Kyle's death. He said something to the effect of "I was going to write a response, exegeting each verse to point out how they had used each verse wrong, but then realized that, that would not be living and living well."
It hit me. Living and living well can have as much to do with the every day small decisions as it can with major life choices. Maybe even more. One thing I've come to realize in seminary is that there will never be this point in my life where I can start living this ideal life because I have now gotten all the pre-requisites done. After PhD (if PhD) it will be something new. No, if I'm going to live and live well, I have to start doing it now.
This is why I don't mind spending an hour and a half sitting around the lunch table on Mondays eating with friends when I should be doing homework. This is why I try to drive down to Georgetown at least once a month to see my brother's family even though I hate paying for gas. This is why I go to two community groups and lead Sunday school. This is why I play frisbee when I have work to do. This is why I put my arm around my wife when I sleep even though I get really hot in the process. These are moments that are worth living and living well...and I try doing so because life is most certainly a gift.
My first hard lesson came on an early Saturday morning my freshman year of college. Sleeping till 11:30ish I had ignored three morning phone calls. I got up the third time though. Somehow I knew it was someone from my family, and the third time was a good indicator that some sort of emergency had occurred..
When I finally returned my sister's call I got the crushing news that two 15-year-old friends from my youth-group had been killed in a car accident on a way to a youth-group function (much like one of Texas's disciple now from what I gather). Andy and Cody were so young. It was both unbelievable and unbearable. How could they have died? That was impossible I told myself.
The second major life lesson came this last fall. Out of all the serenities of Kyle's death the strangest to me was that Kyle, someone who displayed more life than most people I know, was now dead. There aren't answers only astonishment and sadness.
These two events have been instrumental in moving me from this attitude of invincibility to putting me very much in touch with the fact that someday I will in fact die. It hits me every once in a while. I'll be lying there in bed. It's almost comical that I really get it every now and then, almost forgetting the rest of the time. My heart speeds up a bit and slipping off into slumber land is pushed off for another ten minutes. Josh Carney will die someday. That is bizarre to me.
It is in light of this impending reality that I hear Kyle's voice. “Live and live well.” Live well because you won't live forever. This is one of those powerful statements that really can't be unpacked until you have some life experience with the term and some time to process the term. I remember reading a post Craig wrote some time ago in response to the pagans who took the liberty of explaining the theological reasons for Kyle's death. He said something to the effect of "I was going to write a response, exegeting each verse to point out how they had used each verse wrong, but then realized that, that would not be living and living well."
It hit me. Living and living well can have as much to do with the every day small decisions as it can with major life choices. Maybe even more. One thing I've come to realize in seminary is that there will never be this point in my life where I can start living this ideal life because I have now gotten all the pre-requisites done. After PhD (if PhD) it will be something new. No, if I'm going to live and live well, I have to start doing it now.
This is why I don't mind spending an hour and a half sitting around the lunch table on Mondays eating with friends when I should be doing homework. This is why I try to drive down to Georgetown at least once a month to see my brother's family even though I hate paying for gas. This is why I go to two community groups and lead Sunday school. This is why I play frisbee when I have work to do. This is why I put my arm around my wife when I sleep even though I get really hot in the process. These are moments that are worth living and living well...and I try doing so because life is most certainly a gift.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
A Closing thought for this fine Friday evening
I've been reading Kafka with my leisure time lately. He's got me thinking about secular existentialism and its relationship to what we have come to tag postmodernism. I've read somewhere (can't remember) that some have picked the holocaust as the defining moment marking the beginning of postmodernism because it characterized the ultimate act of humanity's crime against itself.
This is the dark side of this concept that never shows up in books like McLaren's.
I've got an analogy. In Walk the Line, there is a seen when Cash walks into the woods and passes out. It's the part where the movie plays the Waylon Jennings song. From what I gather, the movie is trying to synthesize and opitomize Cash's current condition. Passed out in the middle of no where. That is kind of where modernism's overly optimistic hope in self got us. To this place where, with all our jazz, we were passed out in the middle of no where.
Maybe there will be a nice house to buy just over the hill where we can recover from this disease.
This is the dark side of this concept that never shows up in books like McLaren's.
I've got an analogy. In Walk the Line, there is a seen when Cash walks into the woods and passes out. It's the part where the movie plays the Waylon Jennings song. From what I gather, the movie is trying to synthesize and opitomize Cash's current condition. Passed out in the middle of no where. That is kind of where modernism's overly optimistic hope in self got us. To this place where, with all our jazz, we were passed out in the middle of no where.
Maybe there will be a nice house to buy just over the hill where we can recover from this disease.
Friday, March 31, 2006
My Top 10
10. I probably like it mostly because i think I'm very Irish. It's a bit over priced, but good occasionally. I really like the black and tan at Crickets when they mix it with Bass.
Leave your glass at the bar and still enjoy the authentic taste of GUINNESS® Draught beer. How? GUINNESS® Draught in Bottles - that’s how.
In 1999, we bottled the magic that is widget technology in a new form - the clever little Rocket Widget. Now, the widget reinitiates with every swig you take from the bottle - forming a creamy head for the next one.
GUINNESS® Draught In Bottles is any time, any place GUINNESS®. Trust us. For the genuine GUINNESS® beer taste, just rock it.
Let’s Rock
Rocking and rolling with your bottle is easy. Just chill your GUINNESS® Draught in the fridge for at least three hours.
Then open, grab it by the neck, and rock it back to savour refreshment.
9. The best stout beer Oregon has to offer. Deschutes Obsidian Stout.
Obsidian Stout gets is inspiration from one of the world's largest obsidian flows at Newberry Volcano--just a few miles south of the brewery. "The Big Obsidian Flow," as they call it, covers more than 700 acres with shiny black obsidian.
8. The New Belgium has to offer. I can't drink more than two a day though, very filling.
1554
Phil Benstein, our resident rumpled professor, stumbled onto Zwartbier in an 1888 tome creatively named “Popular Beverages of Various Countries.” He had trouble convincing brewmaster Peter Bouckaert that such a beer existed back in 16th - century Belgium, so the pair made two trips to Belgium to research this obscure style in the archives of Belgium’s specialty brewers. The oldest reference to these black beers that our dynamic duo uncovered was in the year 1554.
Other than being dark in color, 1554 has little in common with Porters or Stouts. The beer is fermented at relatively high temperatures using a European lager yeast that imparts a refreshing, zesty acidity. Chocolate and coffee tones in the nose give way to a surprisingly clean finish. With 1554 our staff hoped to create a beer similar to what folks enjoyed nearly five-hundred years ago without ignoring five-hundred years of technological innovation.We hope you’ll agree that 1554 is the delicious result of a lot of well-spent library time.
7. Great bear to drink around a camp fire. Probably some bias bein' from Wiscow.
Spotted Cow
Cask conditioned ale has been the popular choice among brews since long before prohibition. We continue this pioneer spirit with our Wisconsin farmhouse ale. Brewed with flaked barley and the finest Wisconsin malts. We even give a nod to our farmers with a little hint of corn.
Naturally cloudy we allow the yeast to remain in the bottle to enhance fullness of flavors, which can not be duplicated otherwise.
Expect this Ale to be fun, fruity and satisfying. You know you’re in Wisconsin when you see the Spotted Cow.
6. I remeber the first time I had this. It was the Sunday after spring break last year and Valerie, Singletown, Silly-O and I went to Crickets. Steves-easy gave us some complimentary chips and salsa. It was the first time I met Paul, yet I took his recomendation. Granted it was my third beer of the evening I remember commenting that it I tasted a hint of butter. It has become my nightcap beer.
Spaten Oktoberfest Beer
Our Oktoberfest Beer, created in 1872, is the world's first Oktoberfest beer, brewed for the greatest folk festival in the world. Every year, over and over again, countless Oktoberfest visitors share their enthusiasm about this beer.
Flavor profile: Amber in color. This medium bodied beer has achieved its impeccable taste by balancing the roasted malt flavor with the perfect amount of hops. Having a rich textured palate with an underlying sweetness true to tradition.
5. I was wary of adding vanilla to any beer, but this is a great porter. Again, probably something you can only drink 1 or a 2 a day.
Breckenridge Brewery’s Vanilla Porter
Who would have thought deep in the jungles of Papua New Guinea and Madagascar grew the perfect ingredient to build an extraordinary Porter in Colorado? An ale that has all the chocolate and roasted nut flavor of a classic Porter, with an enigmatic surprise thrown in for good measure, real vanilla bean. Breckenridge Brewery’s Vanilla Porter. A vanilla kiss in a rich, dark sea.
4. some of you may be surprised to see shiner so high, but I think it is a great beer and my choice for a long day of beer driking. Great taste!
Shiner Bock is a distinctive, rich, full-flavored, deep amber-colored beer. Its handcrafted brewing process creates an inviting smooth taste without the excessive bitterness that characterizes many micro, specialty and imported beers.
3. Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest. From America's best beer microbrewery, this is far and away my favorite Oktoberfest beer.
Leinenkugel's® Oktoberfest
We brewed our first Oktoberfest in 2001 to celebrate the fall season in true German fashion. Available in September and October of each year, our traditional Märzen-style bier is brewed with two-row Pale and Caramel and Munich malts. Tettnang and Perle hops provide the aroma for this well-balanced, smooth, festive lager.
2. this wold probably be number 1 if the chocolate flavor didn't make so sweet. This is a fantastic dark beer. I owe Adam Horton a hat tip for the discovery of this one.
Warsteiner Dunkel
Style: Dunkel
Origin: Germany
This is a lighter style of German dunkel. It is very lager like in body and bitterness; the darker malt flavors really come though once it warms up. You should really let it heat up to about 55 degrees to fully appreciate what this beer has to offer.
Drum roll...
1. Leinenkugel's Creamy Dark. the best kind of beer from the best beer company. If I was authoring "Revelation" today and looking for a striking metaphor, it wouldn't be streets of gold, it would be rivers of Creamy Dark.
Leinenkugel's® Creamy Dark
Available year-round and aged slowly, our winner of 6 awards in American Dark Lagers (Bronze 2004, Gold 2002, Silver 2000 World Beer Cup®; Silver 2002, Bronze 2004, Gold 2005 Great American Beer Festival®) has the full, deep blackish-brown color of a stout, without its bitterness. Don't let the color fool you. This is a tasty, smooth brew with a nutty, crisp finish, handcrafted since 2000 from a rich blend of six malts and Cascade, Cluster and Mt. Hood hops
Thursday, March 30, 2006
A Hybrid
Now that I've written this I'll offer a bit of a disclaimer. This post is mostly about my parents and I so if you think you'll be bored, then you're probably right. But I bet my family will like it:).
It's funny how we are different people in different settings. Recently I've come to terms with how I am in the home setting.
Undoubtedly, I look like my dad. Like my grandma and my dad, much to my wife's dismay, I will end up with the Carney jowls (don't worry dad, Lindsay thinks your a good looking guy). I share most if not all his mannerisms and my vocational interests have thus far led me to a similar place. So I must be him...Right? Not according the last two days of self discovery.
It turns out that in our home, I'm much more like my mom. Two days ago our chaplain meeting was with Baylor's Jim Marsh (most of UBCers may remember him coming to the hub to speak to us about dealing with grief). Anyhow, in our meeting he talked about panic attacks and its close cousin Severe Anxiety Disorder. I first became alarmed when he mentioned the type of things these people worried about, but when he described the symptoms and the process of the disease, I knew. My intuition was confirmed by his response to my question which as it turns you only know to ask if you've had some experience with this problem. It's not all bad though. I'm a better money manager and student because of it.
Today I discovered the positive side of my mothers genetic inheritance. Saturday I worked at UBC cutting trees and brush to help prepare for the new parking lot. As it turns out my two day dormant poison ivy showed up on Tuesday morning which warranted a trip to the doctors office. Disclaimer if you hate conceit, this is where I brag about myself. Well it turns out our scale is about 10 lbs. heavy. Not only that, my blood pressure is 117/73 and my heart rate is 48 beats a minute. Thanks mom.
The role Lindsay has to play at the house is probably close to my dad's. She is the level headed, easy going, voice of reason that often comments, "don't worry there is nothing you can do about it anyhow." She is the type of person that has the uncanny ability to fall asleep in two minutes cause she usually doesn't have a care in the world that would otherwise keep her up. I don't know if it goes with the personality, but like my dad, her love language is physical touch. That one is really tough for me. Cuddling is about as much fun as playing defense in any kind of sport...I'm just usually not interested. It's probably that I just don't have the time to cuddle, because I can't sit for more than five minutes due to my next project, be it homework, work, or the National Geographic channel..ooohhh that last one is a dad characteristic.
There is one place that I'm still exactly like my dad. Everywhere else besides my house (apartment). I like to think of myself as a bit of a ham. I try to be the center of attention and often get a little distraught if I'm not. I crack the corny jokes or are they carney jokes...see what I mean:). I seem like an extreme optimist and do a good job of mining people's personalities with a series of good questions. Thanks Dad.
I guess I am a bit of a hybrid. Maybe someday I'll post about how I'm the product of my three older siblings.
It's funny how we are different people in different settings. Recently I've come to terms with how I am in the home setting.
Undoubtedly, I look like my dad. Like my grandma and my dad, much to my wife's dismay, I will end up with the Carney jowls (don't worry dad, Lindsay thinks your a good looking guy). I share most if not all his mannerisms and my vocational interests have thus far led me to a similar place. So I must be him...Right? Not according the last two days of self discovery.
It turns out that in our home, I'm much more like my mom. Two days ago our chaplain meeting was with Baylor's Jim Marsh (most of UBCers may remember him coming to the hub to speak to us about dealing with grief). Anyhow, in our meeting he talked about panic attacks and its close cousin Severe Anxiety Disorder. I first became alarmed when he mentioned the type of things these people worried about, but when he described the symptoms and the process of the disease, I knew. My intuition was confirmed by his response to my question which as it turns you only know to ask if you've had some experience with this problem. It's not all bad though. I'm a better money manager and student because of it.
Today I discovered the positive side of my mothers genetic inheritance. Saturday I worked at UBC cutting trees and brush to help prepare for the new parking lot. As it turns out my two day dormant poison ivy showed up on Tuesday morning which warranted a trip to the doctors office. Disclaimer if you hate conceit, this is where I brag about myself. Well it turns out our scale is about 10 lbs. heavy. Not only that, my blood pressure is 117/73 and my heart rate is 48 beats a minute. Thanks mom.
The role Lindsay has to play at the house is probably close to my dad's. She is the level headed, easy going, voice of reason that often comments, "don't worry there is nothing you can do about it anyhow." She is the type of person that has the uncanny ability to fall asleep in two minutes cause she usually doesn't have a care in the world that would otherwise keep her up. I don't know if it goes with the personality, but like my dad, her love language is physical touch. That one is really tough for me. Cuddling is about as much fun as playing defense in any kind of sport...I'm just usually not interested. It's probably that I just don't have the time to cuddle, because I can't sit for more than five minutes due to my next project, be it homework, work, or the National Geographic channel..ooohhh that last one is a dad characteristic.
There is one place that I'm still exactly like my dad. Everywhere else besides my house (apartment). I like to think of myself as a bit of a ham. I try to be the center of attention and often get a little distraught if I'm not. I crack the corny jokes or are they carney jokes...see what I mean:). I seem like an extreme optimist and do a good job of mining people's personalities with a series of good questions. Thanks Dad.
I guess I am a bit of a hybrid. Maybe someday I'll post about how I'm the product of my three older siblings.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Our trip to Colorado
the river our cabin was on and the cabin itself
Linds sking (top right)
playing cards
me sking a black diamond..ooohhh
Movie Night
Linds and I working in the Kitchen
Lindsay and I in the care
Me and Chris on top of Purgatory
Monday, March 27, 2006
Prayer for my dad
My dad called me tonight to ask specifically for this prayer. His cell count has been brought down to .001 percent and is now back up to .006. Considering all he is doing remarkable. He and my mom would really, really like to go home, but they are prohibited from doing so because of a recent fever that has been lingering in his system. Obviously with such a weak immune system he cannot leave. Please pray that his fever breaks so they can go home.
Here is a picture of my dad and my foxy niece from about weak ago.
Here is a picture of my dad and my foxy niece from about weak ago.
More on belonging and believing...
I wrote on this some time ago, but I think it is a theme worth revisiting. Probably because I ran across this quote by Lewis in “Miracles” p. 144: “The materials for correcting our abstract conception of God cannot be supplied by Reason: she will be the first to tell you to go and try experience—‘Oh, taste and see!’.”
I’ve never really been comfortable with the logic behind Romans Road. Not that I don’t believe people are converted on the sheer power of the gospel, but more often then not I think the step or steps towards Jesus by and large follow some experience. My friend John recently took a trip with his old youth group to Panama City, Florida with the purpose of offering rides to those too drunk to drive home and then to subsequently share the gospel with them. He shared the anecdote about a West Point cadet who proceeded in step-by-step fashion. The group picked up a Hindu student. The cadet ploped the Bible on his lap pointed to Romans 3:23 and asked, “What does that say?” The Hindu replied that it wasn’t even a proper sentence. That’s at least worth chuckling at.
I wonder what the cadet would have done if in response the Hindu would have plopped the Koran or the Upanishads on his lap. When I was in my own youth group some years ago, I remember when a domestic missionary who worked in the French Quarter of New Orleans came and spoke to us. The point of his talk was, “what if the world doesn’t privilege the Bible as an authoritative source.” I guess that seems pretty obvious to most of you, but at the time a bright light bulb was lit inside my head.
Kyle preached a sermon, actually a pair of sermons, last fall on re-evangelism. I think they were probably my favorite. The main point I took away from the sermons was that people need a sense of belonging before they can have a sense of believing. People need to experience the vibrant community God before they can commit to this Jesus character. More simply, the proof must be in the pudding.
The one thing I’m dogmatic about is Christology. I do think Jesus is the power to save and change people. But for better or worse he’s chosen to use the church. So most often, if people are going to come to Jesus, they are going to do so through the church. So as Lewis points out, reasons tells people to go taste and see. I pray that our church continues to recognize this and be a place of good experience so that those who don’t know this Christ can grow comfortable before asking, “Who is this Jesus?”
I’ve never really been comfortable with the logic behind Romans Road. Not that I don’t believe people are converted on the sheer power of the gospel, but more often then not I think the step or steps towards Jesus by and large follow some experience. My friend John recently took a trip with his old youth group to Panama City, Florida with the purpose of offering rides to those too drunk to drive home and then to subsequently share the gospel with them. He shared the anecdote about a West Point cadet who proceeded in step-by-step fashion. The group picked up a Hindu student. The cadet ploped the Bible on his lap pointed to Romans 3:23 and asked, “What does that say?” The Hindu replied that it wasn’t even a proper sentence. That’s at least worth chuckling at.
I wonder what the cadet would have done if in response the Hindu would have plopped the Koran or the Upanishads on his lap. When I was in my own youth group some years ago, I remember when a domestic missionary who worked in the French Quarter of New Orleans came and spoke to us. The point of his talk was, “what if the world doesn’t privilege the Bible as an authoritative source.” I guess that seems pretty obvious to most of you, but at the time a bright light bulb was lit inside my head.
Kyle preached a sermon, actually a pair of sermons, last fall on re-evangelism. I think they were probably my favorite. The main point I took away from the sermons was that people need a sense of belonging before they can have a sense of believing. People need to experience the vibrant community God before they can commit to this Jesus character. More simply, the proof must be in the pudding.
The one thing I’m dogmatic about is Christology. I do think Jesus is the power to save and change people. But for better or worse he’s chosen to use the church. So most often, if people are going to come to Jesus, they are going to do so through the church. So as Lewis points out, reasons tells people to go taste and see. I pray that our church continues to recognize this and be a place of good experience so that those who don’t know this Christ can grow comfortable before asking, “Who is this Jesus?”
Friday, March 24, 2006
A Question for Calvinists
So I’ve often wondered this. In November 2003, I attended the annual meeting of Evangelical Theological Society to see if they would vote affirmatively to kick out both John Sanders and Clark Pinnock on charges of denying infallibility on grounds of, what those brining the charge believed was, a necessary denial of prophecy.
I happened to pop in and hear John Piper present on the theme of “joy” in the works Jonathon Edwards, which was his portion of the Jonathon Edwards forum. At one point Piper passionately remarked that Edwards was one of his two favorite theologians. The other, he exclaimed, was C.S. Lewis. I guess this didn’t really blow me out of the water at the time. I’d seen Piper quote Lewis in places and I admit that I’ve see monergistic themes or at least a Piperistic approach to theodicy in “A Grief Observed.”
Yet as time passed I became more puzzled. Lewis has some pretty radical views of hell and soteriology. Granted he throws out the caveat at the beginning of almost every work explaining that he is not a theologian, still Lewis pushes the comfortable limits for most evangelicals, if you take the time to figure out what he is really saying.
So why? I wonder is something like Boyd’s open theism, a doctrine about the nature of the future, a call for a heresy trial while Lewis’ liberal approach hell and soteriology are not. I’ve heard Piper explain the limited atonement with the efficient and sufficient argument and much of the reformed camp refer to the “precious blood of Jesus.” How can Lewis approach these themes in such a seemingly haphazard manner and still be considered one of Piper’s favorite theologians. And he’s an Arminian for that matter. Isn’t it strange that one of his two favorite thinkers is an Arminian?
I happened to pop in and hear John Piper present on the theme of “joy” in the works Jonathon Edwards, which was his portion of the Jonathon Edwards forum. At one point Piper passionately remarked that Edwards was one of his two favorite theologians. The other, he exclaimed, was C.S. Lewis. I guess this didn’t really blow me out of the water at the time. I’d seen Piper quote Lewis in places and I admit that I’ve see monergistic themes or at least a Piperistic approach to theodicy in “A Grief Observed.”
Yet as time passed I became more puzzled. Lewis has some pretty radical views of hell and soteriology. Granted he throws out the caveat at the beginning of almost every work explaining that he is not a theologian, still Lewis pushes the comfortable limits for most evangelicals, if you take the time to figure out what he is really saying.
So why? I wonder is something like Boyd’s open theism, a doctrine about the nature of the future, a call for a heresy trial while Lewis’ liberal approach hell and soteriology are not. I’ve heard Piper explain the limited atonement with the efficient and sufficient argument and much of the reformed camp refer to the “precious blood of Jesus.” How can Lewis approach these themes in such a seemingly haphazard manner and still be considered one of Piper’s favorite theologians. And he’s an Arminian for that matter. Isn’t it strange that one of his two favorite thinkers is an Arminian?
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Kyle's Film
Hey I don't know how to do the link thing and I'm not going to take the time to figure it out, but go to my "Harris Happens" link and click the link to Kyle's Film.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Hebrew Salvation
Sorry about the white-out today! My only guess is that I changed something and forgot to republish my blog. I’m not sure that would have created the apparent problem though. My other guess is that Patagonia was aggravated that I used some of their material without permission and thus contacted the U.S. government who then subsequently shut down my site.
I borrowed that penguin movie from the Dugan’s. It was pretty good. I also watched Elizabethtown this weekend. That was good too. Here’s one thing about my ability to review movies though. I can’t! I’m too generous. I like them all. I purchased Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions. I guess there have been a few movies that I would truly called terrible. I really didn’t care for Birth starring Nicole Kiddman. I didn’t really like History of Violence all that much. And for some reason Butterfly Effect rubbed me the wrong way. You’d think I like that one bein’ an open theist and all. I’ve heard Boyd use the Butterfly effect to argue some points in support of open theism.
Anyhow, I’ve thought of a number of things to post about the last several days, but today’s winner is the Psalmists conception of salvation. Sheol is a foggy concept at best in the Old Testament. It’s difficult to talk about the Hebrew conception of heaven and hell and the afterlife for that matter. We know that they viewed the self much more holistically than Platonists and thus the west have. The Nefesh can mean breath and quite often life. Ernest Lucas writes:
“the psychosomatic unity of the human person in Hebrew thought is evidence in the way that various parts of the human body are used to refer to aspects of the human personality. A literalistic translation of Psalm 26:2 is, ‘examine me, O Lord, and test me, judge my kidneys and my heart.’ The Good News Bible translation gives the right sense of the second line when it says, ‘judge my desires and thoughts’.”
Given this ambiguity of the afterlife and complexity of the human nature we get some interesting comments about death from the Psalmist. In elaborating on the “afterwards” of Psalm 73 and two other Psalm Lucas comments
“If these interpretations are correct, the thread that runs through all these three psalms is the psalmist’s sense that his relationship with Yahweh is so real and deep that not even death will be able to end it.”
I love this last line probably because I’m Lewisian in my soteriology. Harris pointed out to me last semester, that the only definition of eternal life comes from John and it means simply: To know God. I see something similar here. I love the idea that salvation is a journey and that it is most fundamentally about our relationship with God. This projection of salvation moves us beyond the simple “moment of salvation,” into an intense relationship with Jesus Christ. Certainly this calls for an ontological moment of being cleansed by Jesus blood, but it also pushes us into a continued friendship. You want saved from hell and thus yourself? Then get to know Him!
I suppose there is a bit of irony here too. For those of you who love Romans Road and the epistemological nature of the gospel, this understanding of salvation is draped in knowledge. It’s a different kind of knowledge though. Not just knowledge of the head, but rather knowledge with our entire being. It changes the way we understand knowing Jesus.
I borrowed that penguin movie from the Dugan’s. It was pretty good. I also watched Elizabethtown this weekend. That was good too. Here’s one thing about my ability to review movies though. I can’t! I’m too generous. I like them all. I purchased Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions. I guess there have been a few movies that I would truly called terrible. I really didn’t care for Birth starring Nicole Kiddman. I didn’t really like History of Violence all that much. And for some reason Butterfly Effect rubbed me the wrong way. You’d think I like that one bein’ an open theist and all. I’ve heard Boyd use the Butterfly effect to argue some points in support of open theism.
Anyhow, I’ve thought of a number of things to post about the last several days, but today’s winner is the Psalmists conception of salvation. Sheol is a foggy concept at best in the Old Testament. It’s difficult to talk about the Hebrew conception of heaven and hell and the afterlife for that matter. We know that they viewed the self much more holistically than Platonists and thus the west have. The Nefesh can mean breath and quite often life. Ernest Lucas writes:
“the psychosomatic unity of the human person in Hebrew thought is evidence in the way that various parts of the human body are used to refer to aspects of the human personality. A literalistic translation of Psalm 26:2 is, ‘examine me, O Lord, and test me, judge my kidneys and my heart.’ The Good News Bible translation gives the right sense of the second line when it says, ‘judge my desires and thoughts’.”
Given this ambiguity of the afterlife and complexity of the human nature we get some interesting comments about death from the Psalmist. In elaborating on the “afterwards” of Psalm 73 and two other Psalm Lucas comments
“If these interpretations are correct, the thread that runs through all these three psalms is the psalmist’s sense that his relationship with Yahweh is so real and deep that not even death will be able to end it.”
I love this last line probably because I’m Lewisian in my soteriology. Harris pointed out to me last semester, that the only definition of eternal life comes from John and it means simply: To know God. I see something similar here. I love the idea that salvation is a journey and that it is most fundamentally about our relationship with God. This projection of salvation moves us beyond the simple “moment of salvation,” into an intense relationship with Jesus Christ. Certainly this calls for an ontological moment of being cleansed by Jesus blood, but it also pushes us into a continued friendship. You want saved from hell and thus yourself? Then get to know Him!
I suppose there is a bit of irony here too. For those of you who love Romans Road and the epistemological nature of the gospel, this understanding of salvation is draped in knowledge. It’s a different kind of knowledge though. Not just knowledge of the head, but rather knowledge with our entire being. It changes the way we understand knowing Jesus.
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