Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:20,21 (ESV)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Quote of the Day
On govermment-sponsored casinos: "There's a huge societal interest here that needs to be looked at and protected, more so then it has been up to now, " said Mr. Isaac's lawyer, Roger Yachetti. "Governments can become addicted to the income from gambling and not enough attention is paid to the evils."
Source: Lisa Priest,"Casinos spend millions to make losers feel like winners" The Globe and Mail, 2 Oct. 2009.
Source: Lisa Priest,"Casinos spend millions to make losers feel like winners" The Globe and Mail, 2 Oct. 2009.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Viral Culture
The Internet has obviously fuelled the apparent growing prominence of Calvinist Christianity, and in no small measures, is this because of the internet's ability to form niche cultures.
Chris Anderson, in his book, 'Long Tail' writes : "People are reforming into thousands of cultural tribes of interest, connected less by geographic proximity and workplace chatter, than by shared interests."
Calvinist Christianity is no different. I've been amused by the growing celebrity status of one blogger in particular. He has no formal theological training (although he has read a lot of books), yet because of the exposure his blog has provided, he has published a book, and is occassionaly invited to speak at a conference.
Bill Wasik, in his book 'And Then There's This : How Stories Live and Dive in Viral Culture' writes about the online democratization fame - and what technology write Clive Thompson has dubbed 'microcelebrity' as "each culture tend to coronoate its own small claque of mini-stars.'
Source: Bill Wasik 'And Then There's This,' New York: Viking, 2009, p. 47.
Chris Anderson, in his book, 'Long Tail' writes : "People are reforming into thousands of cultural tribes of interest, connected less by geographic proximity and workplace chatter, than by shared interests."
Calvinist Christianity is no different. I've been amused by the growing celebrity status of one blogger in particular. He has no formal theological training (although he has read a lot of books), yet because of the exposure his blog has provided, he has published a book, and is occassionaly invited to speak at a conference.
Bill Wasik, in his book 'And Then There's This : How Stories Live and Dive in Viral Culture' writes about the online democratization fame - and what technology write Clive Thompson has dubbed 'microcelebrity' as "each culture tend to coronoate its own small claque of mini-stars.'
Source: Bill Wasik 'And Then There's This,' New York: Viking, 2009, p. 47.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Quote of the Day
"More than most Westerners, Americans believe deeply, madly, truly in the sanctity of marriage. But we also have some of the most liberal divorce laws in the developed world, and one of the highest divorce rates. We sentimentalize the family, but boast one of the highest rates of unwed births. We're more pro-life than Europeans, but we tolerate a much more persmissive aboriton regime than countries like Germany or France. We wring our hands over stem cell research, but our fertility clinics are among the least regulated in the world.
In other words, we're conservative right up until the moment that it costs us."
Source: Ross Douthat, "The Unfunny Truth." The New York Times , 10 August 2009.
In other words, we're conservative right up until the moment that it costs us."
Source: Ross Douthat, "The Unfunny Truth." The New York Times , 10 August 2009.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Most Baptist State?
What's the most 'Baptist' state in the world? It must be in the American South, I thought. Nope. It's in India - Nagaland to be specific - where an estimated 75 % of the population are Baptists. Interesting!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Calvin at 500
John Calvin was born on July 10, 1509 - exactly 500 years ago today.
An excerpt from the Institutes of Christian Religion.
As a Mediator, free from all taint, He (Jesus) may by His own holiness procure the favour of God for us. But because a deserved curse obstructs the entrance, and God in His character of judge is hostile to us, expiation must necessarily intervene, that as a priest employed to appease the wrath of God, He must reinstate us in His favour. Wherefore, in order that Christ might fulfill this office, it behooved Him to appear with a sacrifice. For even under the law of the priesthood it was forbidden to enter the sanctuary without blood, to teach the worshiper that however the priest might interprose to deprecate, God could not be propitiated without the expiation of son. On this subject the apostole discourses at lengh in the Epistle to the Hebrews, from the seventh almost to the end of the tenth chapter. The sum comes to this, that the honour of the priesthood was competent to none but Christ, because, by the sacrifice of His death, He wiped away our guilt, and made satisfaction for sin. Of the great importance of this matter, we are reminded by that solemn oath which God uttered, and of which He declared He would not repent 'Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek' (Ps. 110:4). For, doubtless, His purpose was to ratify that point on which He knew that our salvation chiefly hinged. For, as has been said, there is no access to God for us or for our prayers until the priest, purging away our defilements, sanctify us, and obtain for us that favour of which the impurty of our lives and our hearts deprives us. Thus we see, that if the benefit and efficacy of Christ's priesthood is to reach us, the commencement must be with His death. Whence it follows, that He by whose aid we obtain favour, must be a perpetual intercessor. From this again arises not only confidence in prayer, but also the tranquility of pious minds, while they recline in safety on th epaternal indulgence of God, and feel assured, that whatever has been consecreated by the Mediator is pleasing to Him.
Source: John Calvin, The Institutes. Chapter 15, Section 6, (p.322).
An excerpt from the Institutes of Christian Religion.
As a Mediator, free from all taint, He (Jesus) may by His own holiness procure the favour of God for us. But because a deserved curse obstructs the entrance, and God in His character of judge is hostile to us, expiation must necessarily intervene, that as a priest employed to appease the wrath of God, He must reinstate us in His favour. Wherefore, in order that Christ might fulfill this office, it behooved Him to appear with a sacrifice. For even under the law of the priesthood it was forbidden to enter the sanctuary without blood, to teach the worshiper that however the priest might interprose to deprecate, God could not be propitiated without the expiation of son. On this subject the apostole discourses at lengh in the Epistle to the Hebrews, from the seventh almost to the end of the tenth chapter. The sum comes to this, that the honour of the priesthood was competent to none but Christ, because, by the sacrifice of His death, He wiped away our guilt, and made satisfaction for sin. Of the great importance of this matter, we are reminded by that solemn oath which God uttered, and of which He declared He would not repent 'Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek' (Ps. 110:4). For, doubtless, His purpose was to ratify that point on which He knew that our salvation chiefly hinged. For, as has been said, there is no access to God for us or for our prayers until the priest, purging away our defilements, sanctify us, and obtain for us that favour of which the impurty of our lives and our hearts deprives us. Thus we see, that if the benefit and efficacy of Christ's priesthood is to reach us, the commencement must be with His death. Whence it follows, that He by whose aid we obtain favour, must be a perpetual intercessor. From this again arises not only confidence in prayer, but also the tranquility of pious minds, while they recline in safety on th epaternal indulgence of God, and feel assured, that whatever has been consecreated by the Mediator is pleasing to Him.
Source: John Calvin, The Institutes. Chapter 15, Section 6, (p.322).
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Shack
I just finished reading the Shack in an attempt to better understand its popularity. And popular it is. Published in 2007, it remains a best seller. I waited several months before my turn arrived in the queue despite the 113 copies circulating in the library system.
I still don’t get it. I don’t understand its appeal. The narrative is novel, but not especially engaging. Some of the dialogue is penetrating and thought-provoking, but much of the theology is questionable and even flippant. I’m aware of the high profile critiques of the book, and would agree with much of their concern.
Eugene Peterson claims (prominently on the cover) that “This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his.”
I would turn around Mr. Peterson’s claim by suggesting that this book represents our generation (unfortunately) as well as John Bunyan represented his.
The book is a mix of standard Arminian evangelical theology that tries to hard to capture the ethos of Norman Peale’s positive thinking and the segment of the emerging church that emphases 'relationships over religion’.
I liked elements of the book; the value in admiring God’s beautiful creation; the hope of heaven; and forgiveness. But it’s unusual portrays of the Godhead, communion and the Body of Christ, among others, is unfortunate and damaging to God’s Kingdom.
I hope that people who read The Shack and love it will be drawn to Pilgrim’s Progress, and pick up a book much more spiritually satisfying and theological sound.
I still don’t get it. I don’t understand its appeal. The narrative is novel, but not especially engaging. Some of the dialogue is penetrating and thought-provoking, but much of the theology is questionable and even flippant. I’m aware of the high profile critiques of the book, and would agree with much of their concern.
Eugene Peterson claims (prominently on the cover) that “This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his.”
I would turn around Mr. Peterson’s claim by suggesting that this book represents our generation (unfortunately) as well as John Bunyan represented his.
The book is a mix of standard Arminian evangelical theology that tries to hard to capture the ethos of Norman Peale’s positive thinking and the segment of the emerging church that emphases 'relationships over religion’.
I liked elements of the book; the value in admiring God’s beautiful creation; the hope of heaven; and forgiveness. But it’s unusual portrays of the Godhead, communion and the Body of Christ, among others, is unfortunate and damaging to God’s Kingdom.
I hope that people who read The Shack and love it will be drawn to Pilgrim’s Progress, and pick up a book much more spiritually satisfying and theological sound.
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