Head-dibs

John Scotus Erigena (ca. 810-ca.870) in his work, “On the Division of Nature,” wrote concerning the kind of mind that is able to see the Creator in the things He has made (we call this “natural revelation” or “general revelation). He wrote that we can see evidence of the creator, but are unable to discern the details concerning Him. The details He does give concerning Himself however, are staggering as we are able to scientifically subdivide creation into smaller categories (“essence, genre, species, differences and individuals”, whether things are in motion or immobile). Erigena correctly states that when we look the existence of things, we understand The Creator exists; when we look at the order of things, we can see His wisdom; by the way things move, we can see The Creator is living. This simply means that a mind that can think is able to acknowledge The Creator--but that is all. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “ For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that...

I can’t say it was defeat, but I can’t chalk up a “victory” either. I often get distracted by the rabbit trails of footnotes and parenthetical notes, so when I read of the contributions and influence of William Faulkner on American literature, I just had to bump at least a couple of his works up on my reading list. Now I can scratch him off. I first chose the smaller work, “As I Lay Dying.” This book has its own rhythm, a certain poetic feel at times and is very descriptive with sights and sounds. Many readers mention the humor of the book and others comment on the profound philosophy also contained therein. I had great difficulty connecting up much of the action. The little humor I did find was indeed very creative, such as the description of towing the aged and overweight doctor uphill by rope; or, the reason for putting Addie Bundren “head to foot” in her casket (to make room for her dress--that's what happens when men bury a woman). One profound philosophical nugget (“it t...

Last May I made the comment that a good writer shows the reader what to see in narrative, he does not merely tell . Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road,” accomplishes this effortlessly, making the reader shiver in the cold, squint in the dark, feel the hunger and experience the smell. Why discuss the book, and not the movie? There are elements of McCarthy’s writing that are non-translatable to any screen. His distinct, uncluttered writing style that carried him through the years is perfected in this novel. Forceful use of sentence fragments and a plethora of conjunctions drives the action (demonstrating a heavy dependence on the style of William Faulker). A rich vocabulary of carefully chosen words are treasures in the desolate landscape he presents in this work. He gives us in form what the plot of the book demands--barrenness. “The Road” is brutal: entire days pass in a paragraph, immense passages of time that characterize the journey are felt in literal space on the page. The writer make...

Solomon was right: there is nothing new under the sun. Augustine (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430), demonstrated the absurdity of the idea that truth cannot be found, an idea held by many in his day. This idea still persists, and the absurdity still stands. Truth calls man into account, and the attempt to deny truth is an attempt to reject accountability. If there is no truth, then one may do as he pleases, regardless of the implications on others. If there is no truth, then there remains nothing with which to charge a criminal. “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened.” (Winston Churchill) Nevertheless, man cannot tolerate ruptured relationships, so he must charge an offender with something—truth is more than probable. Those who concede that truth exists find themselves recipients of an invitation to reason with the author of truth. The options are few, so consider: the one who will not reason is intolerant an...

Somewhere in my reading list is Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” (perhaps I will read it sooner than later). This short work is supposed to be the definitive book on war and has been studied for centuries. I will be bringing a treatment of the book at this time; rather, I would like to concentrate on a passage in Matthew’s gospel that is very helpful for followers of Christ who face opposing viewpoints that amount to a different kind of warfare altogether. This is not the kind of warfare that constitutes the arm-wrestling of ideas, and the best debater wins. Instead, this is the kind of warfare that battles for clear thinking on the foundation of truth. Our Lord Jesus Christ has been doing ministry in Galilee with Simon and others. Having already faced opposition at home, a multitude of people were following Jesus despite His withdrawal following the Sabbath controversy (He healed a lame man and people were seeking to kill Him for breaking the Sabbath and for saying He was equal with God). T...

I am personally not a huge “drop everything” fan of C.S. Lewis, but I do appreciate many of his contributions. This sonnet goes nearly unnoticed and unmentioned of his writings: From all my lame defeats and oh! much more From all the victories that I seemed to score; From cleverness shot forth on Thy behalf at which, while angels weep, the audience laugh; From all my proofs of Thy divinity, Thou, who wouldst give no sign, deliver me. Thoughts are but coins. Let me not trust, instead of Thee, their thin-worn image of Thy head. From all my thoughts, even from my thoughts of Thee, O thou fair Silence, fall, and set me free. Lord of the narrow gate and the needle's eye, Take from me all my trumpery lest I die. Lewis’ transparency is staggering, for here he presents to the world the weakness of his argument: himself. Recall that apologetics is defending the faith, and here C.S. Lewis confesses that every flaw in speaking on behalf of The Almighty lies with himself. Winning an argumen...

Well, some of you kept telling me to see “The Book of Eli” and I finally have. We don’t rush out to see movies right when they come out for a few reasons, one of which is to let the dust settle—get the hype out of the way and watch the piece without distraction. We saw the film and here are my observations (and yes, I am intentionally repetitive): The characters of the film are Eli, Carnegie, Solara, Redridge (Carnegie’s “right-hand man”) and Claudia and their symbolism is tied directly to the plot The main character is Eli (Denzel Washington) who is on foot, making his way to some destination in the west to deliver a special book he is guarding with his life. Eli literally translated from the Hebrew is “My God,” so the title of the film is really “The Book of My God.” Eli is The Bible in a way appreciated by fans of Ray Bradbury’s “Farenheit 451.” Carnegie (Gary Oldman) just so happens to be looking for a specific book. Despite the “survival mode” demanded by the setting (he ma...

This is a great response to the charge of close-minded thinking . Quasimodo discovered ! "Evidence that a real hunchback might have worked at the Parisian cathedral around the time Hugo wrote his breakthrough novel (1828-1831) has been uncovered by Adrian Glew, head of archives at London's Tate Collection." "Dealing with Doubt" by Gary Habermas is available without cost here . Here are five of the most ridiculous patents from the past 20 years .

What scriptural teaching can you post that says something like: "don't intentionally make life difficult for other people"?

This hymn of the early church is often attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856. This attribution at least helps us to place the hymn on the time-line). Currently, the hymn is used in the Catholic Church on at least five specific occasions (vespers, or early evening; at Pentecost; at the dedication of a new church building; during the sacrament of Confirmation; and at Holy Orders, or ordination) and whenever one is seeking encounter with the Holy Spirit. Since its introduction, Catholic tradition now attributes the granting of “a partial indulgence” to the one who recites it; or, a “complete (plenary) indulgence” if recited on January 1, or during Pentecost (like an incantation to keep one’s soul from hell, or purgatory). Let us set current tradition aside for a moment, that we may consider a few thoughts about this hymn (translated from the Latin) without distraction: COME, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the ...

“ The academicians themselves claim they follow only the probable in acting. Still they go to great pains to seek the truth, although they think it probable that truth cannot be found. Who would not laugh at this? What amazing absurdity! But let’s skip that; it doesn’t concern us or affect our lives or fortunes. . . . . For if this reasoning of academicians is probable, then one may perpetrate any crime if it appears probable he ought to, so long as he assents to nothing as true. It will not be charged to him as a sin or even a mistake. What about this? Did the academicians not see this? Indeed they saw it, for they were clever and cautious. I surely would not be so arrogant as to maintain I have come near to Marcus Tullius in industry, alertness, genius, or learning. And still, when he claimed man cannot know anything, he would not be able to refute one who answered: ‘But I know that it seems so to me .’” (Augustine, 354-430) Augustine’s comments are just as relevant today as they ...

Mark Driscoll shares about using discernment, particularly regarding today's reading list for teens (ht: Tim Challies):

Here's one for Harlan: "Leave It To Beaver" meets Film Noir . You read that right, buddy, so enjoy! At the Council of Trent in the 16th century, the Roman Catholic Church placed its eternal and irrevocable curse on the Gospel, announcing it as actually heretical. Hasn't Rome since modified its position ? Greg Koukl writes, "Many critics of Christianity pose counterarguments and reubuttals of our claims. But some merely pose questions to sow seeds of doubt and think they've done enough to dismiss Christianity. Doubts and questions do not constitute counter-evidence." Skepticism needs evidence, too! Scientists find world's sixth largest river - at the bottom of Black Sea .

"If you are in doubt as to what we have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before you." (Surah 10:94) Are you a person of The Book? The Qur'an says to consult the other holy books which were revealed before the Qur’an. Would you like to study the other Holy books with me during Ramadan? "O People of the Book! you have no ground to stand upon unless you stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." (Sura 5:71)

What is the difference between the one who keeps silent when he knows to speak up, and the one who turns a deaf ear (ignores) a warning? There is a poster in our house that says, “If you don’t have time to do it right, you must have time to do it over.” Our baby granddaughter is fascinated with the sign (to the dismay of few other house-hold occupants). Certainly the sign is encouraging enough for daily tasks and responsibilities, but when reading Psalm 58, one realizes there may be only one chance to do “it” right (whatever “it” is). Approaching Psalm 58, we must remember that these words are not limited to the time of the writer. People have not been living righteously with one another since long before David, the justice system certainly isn’t getting any better since then, so this is an excellent opportunity to learn from scripture what God thinks about justice, and make certain we get “it” right in application. "Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods? Do you judge uprightl...

I had to watch this twice because I missed something the first time (the music should have been a clue): Ok, perhaps a little too specialized. Nestled two-thirds of the way through the Old Testament book of Isaiah, we find God discussing religion. Certainly this sounds strange, but in Isaiah 44 we find a tragic-comical commentary of what God thinks of those who make for themselves a god of their own understanding. First, we find a description of the Lord making a people for Himself (44:1-8): He chooses, forms, and pours out blessings as The Incomparable God. God is served by whom He forms, wiping out transgressions, redeems, receives worship and is glorified as The Maker of all things, “causing the signs of boasters to fail, making fools out of diviners,, causing wise men to draw back, and turning their knowledge into foolishness,” the One who performs His desires (44:21-28). Isaiah 44:9-20 describes the contrasting action of idolatrous man, who in futility makes a profitless and shame...

They call it the “break room,” but I call it my office. I work here, too, you know. The Pepsi machine next to me thinks he is a real gift to the world. When footsteps echo down the hall announcing the arrival of a new customer, I hear him blow his fan just a little harder, trying to show how cool he is. I can’t stand it when he delivers. The money drops down (he makes a big deal out of swallowing sometimes—clickclickclick-cherchunk-plink) and the guy punches his Diet button. Wait for it . . . Wait for it . . . Wait for it . . . (the guy punches his button again) Wait for it . . . (thump) and he spits out the bottle. The Juice machine, just on the other side, has issues. He blinks that annoying light behind that faded, washed out sign. Looks like he’s having a seizure: flick, flick . . . flick . . .flick, flick, flick . . . flick . . . The $1.00 sign barely hangs on, just above the money slot. What a character. Me? I’m just a snack machine. I rule the world. “How much is that Honey Bun?...

Playwright Herb Garner introduced us to two brothers, Arnold and Murray Burns in his 1962 play, “A Thousand Clowns.” Arnold is a successful businessman who has “made his peace with the world” for the price of his annual income. Murray is basically a bum, who seems to be hiding from life while trying to get the most out of it. Their story centers around their 12-year old nephew their sister dropped off years ago with Murray, along with some luggage and other items (she later came back to claim the luggage and the items). Murray, an eccentric and a rebel against society, is faced with a decision: get a job or lose Nick to Social Services. This clip from the 1965 movie version gives a sense of Murray’s free spirit: Why did their sister choose to drop her son off with the ne’er-do-well Murray and not well-to-do Arnold? Why doesn’t Arnold offer to take care of Nick? He drops off food every day at Murray’s apartment, but why will he not take care of Nick? One obviously cares for people while...

Is videotaping the police a crime? Seems that most missed the part about the driver committing traffic violations before being held accountable . Science now affirms what the Bible already teaches: the chicken came first ! Professor Howard Marshall's book, " A Pocket Guide to New Testament Theology "is available for download at BiblicalTraining.org Photoshop Time Travel. This makes one think twice about where we live and where we go. "Russian photographer Sergey Larenkov took some old photographs from World War II and combined them with new perspective-matching photos . The result are a series of time portals that help us contextualize the war into our current reality." (ht: Harlan Cone)

I lifted this quote from an interview published in Robert Raines’ book, “Creative Brooding,” and am interested in how you would respond to this man if he were sitting across the table from you: “I’m not a real Catholic, anyway—even though I am religious. Jesus Christ is an admirable example, but he’s too remote from men of today to be a model. Or he’s too much of one to be understood and followed. A man who dies for others is moving and admirable, but how many followers can he have in a world filled with people who will hardly help you across the street, let alone die for you?” Please post your response below.

As of this writing, there are nearly 600 distinct crime-related shows on television each week. We have a strange fascination with crime: as long as it happens to someone else, we are easily entertained; yet, each of us have a personal relationship with crime in some way. The problem of crime, the disservice received by victims of crime and recommended reforms from a biblical perspective are the subjects covered Daniel Van Ness in his informative 240 page book, “ Crime and Its Victims ” (Inter-Varsity: Downers Grove, 1986). Why offer a book review of a twenty-four year-old book? Van Ness has a great concern for the victims of crime. “[C]rime is a spiritual malaise, the result of individuals making wrong moral choices. It is a matter of the heart and can be solved only when we apply moral solutions” (p. 11). This book is divided into four major parts, then subdivided into smaller chapters. The first section, “What’s Happening Here?” explains the relationship between victim and criminal. ...

“A pair of good ears will drain dry a hundred tongues. Give us grace to listen well.” (John Keble, 1792 – 1866 Poet, leader of the Oxford Movement) That’s a funny word, “listen.” We don’t say it like it’s spelled (we live by the exception of the rule) and it begins to make a strange sound in our own ears if we say it enough times. I wonder if Charles Stanley can hear how often he uses the word in a half hour? Regardless, I know why he uses it so much. We get our word from the Old English, “ hlysnan ,” from the old High German, “ khlusinon ” or “ hlosen ” and “ lauschen ” (which is a far cry from the Sanskrit, “ srnoti ”). A deeper etymological study reveals a deep meaning we take for granted; in other words, “listen” means more than “hear.” The word includes the idea of listing, giving fame to or making famous, ascribing splendor and honor to, glory. The implication is that when we listen, we focus to the point of exalting the object of undivided attention. So what? Journalist and a...