Got some free time?
http://www.ntwrightpage.com/ ...
listen to the durham seminars down the page...
James Dunn and NT Wright having two chats, one about Jesus, one about Paul. Its just fun to listen to - they're funny and have cool accents. And its fun dialogue. I love dialogue.
8.03.2007
8.01.2007
Korean Hostages
7.30.2007
Oh Happy Day!
Joy, joy! I just got back from Cokesbury book store on campus here, and they had a "Crazy 8's" sale. What this means is that I got to fill up a bag full of books from specified racks and paid only $8.88! Woo hoo! I got 14 books for 9 bucks! That is awesome. For you, the readers, enjoyment, and for posterity, here are the books that I bought:
1. The Next Christendom: the coming of global Christianity by Jenkins
2. After Race: racism after multiculturalism by Darder and Torres
3. Christology in Cultural Perspective: marking out the horizons by Greene
4. Hinduism: a very short introduction by Knott
5. Exploring Unseen Worlds: William James and the Philosophy of Mysticism by G. William Barnard
6. Divine Nobodies by Jim Palmer
7. Women in the Early Church by Elizabeth A. Clark
8. the Art of Biblical Poetry by Robert Alter
9. The Transformation of Anglicanism by Sachs
10. Church Reimagined by Doug Pagitt
11. Praying with the Church by Scot McKnight
12. Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy by Descartes
13. The Changing Shape of Church History by Justo Gonzales
14. The Call to Conversion by Jim Wallis
and to make things even sweeter today, I picked up the rest of my books for class this fall:
Intro to Old Testament:
The Land by Walter Brueggemann
Intro to New Testament:
The New Interpreters Study Bible
Christian Heritage:
Early Christian Mystics by McGinn and McGinn
And the big one, Intro to Theology:
Fortress Introduction to Contemporary Theologies by Miller/Grenz
Dogmatics in Outline by Karl Barth
Handbook of Process Theology by McDaniel and Bowman
The Humanity of God by Karl Barth
Inheriting our Mothers' Gardens by Russell, Kwok, Isasi-Diaz, and Cannon
The Process Perspective by Cobb
Whew. This is fun. I like books.
Alot.
Oh Happy Day, oh happy day...
1. The Next Christendom: the coming of global Christianity by Jenkins
2. After Race: racism after multiculturalism by Darder and Torres
3. Christology in Cultural Perspective: marking out the horizons by Greene
4. Hinduism: a very short introduction by Knott
5. Exploring Unseen Worlds: William James and the Philosophy of Mysticism by G. William Barnard
6. Divine Nobodies by Jim Palmer
7. Women in the Early Church by Elizabeth A. Clark
8. the Art of Biblical Poetry by Robert Alter
9. The Transformation of Anglicanism by Sachs
10. Church Reimagined by Doug Pagitt
11. Praying with the Church by Scot McKnight
12. Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy by Descartes
13. The Changing Shape of Church History by Justo Gonzales
14. The Call to Conversion by Jim Wallis
and to make things even sweeter today, I picked up the rest of my books for class this fall:
Intro to Old Testament:
The Land by Walter Brueggemann
Intro to New Testament:
The New Interpreters Study Bible
Christian Heritage:
Early Christian Mystics by McGinn and McGinn
And the big one, Intro to Theology:
Fortress Introduction to Contemporary Theologies by Miller/Grenz
Dogmatics in Outline by Karl Barth
Handbook of Process Theology by McDaniel and Bowman
The Humanity of God by Karl Barth
Inheriting our Mothers' Gardens by Russell, Kwok, Isasi-Diaz, and Cannon
The Process Perspective by Cobb
Whew. This is fun. I like books.
Alot.
Oh Happy Day, oh happy day...
7.25.2007
Miss Elaine Eous
Update on what's happenin:
* Been working about 20 hours a week at SMU, about 5-7 hours a week on Praise Team stuff (which is going spiffingly), and about the rest of my time reading and working on the apartment with Jaimie.
* I have been listening to my MP3 player abunchaton. While at work, while walking around campus, while driving (i know, illegal, blah blah blah), and while reading. It is proving to be awesome. Soundtracks to life are fun.
What I'm readin:
* I have finally put down PNHotW. Not because I finished, but because once I passed 1500, things got really hairy. I think its because we still haven't figured out what the major 'threads' of history after that point really are yet. Things are still too cluttered, too fresh. Give us another 200 years, we'll be able to summarize 1500-2oo0 much easier...
* I just picked up my first assigned book for School - History of the World Christian Movement: Vol 1 - Earliest Christianity to 1453. So far so good; I like the writing style. The perspective is nice, as the authors are very focused on a global picture of the church's history. But it is somewhat of a review. The names, faces, and places are familiar - I guess that's a good thing...
Random thoughts on my PVM:
Jaimie and I watched the Democratic CNN/Youtube debate. Pretty entertaining, as far as debates go. Of course, I loved Obama - he was clear, outspoken about reform, and seemed to be the most consistent candidate on the stage. He speaks from a solid platform - I don't know when the last time a front-running presidential candidate spoke that passionately about the systemic failures of the political machine as it is. More power to him, if he can get the nomination. I told Jaimie last night, if this man is not president sometime in the next 4 terms, then our country is broken. Of course, that might be an exaggeration, but you get my point.
The rest of the candidates weren't bad. Jaimie is a Clinton fan, and I could vote for her (my biggest fear is that she will be a divider, whereas Obama will be a uniter); we both liked Edwards alright, and Biden got big points for being calm in demeanor compared with the rest of the stage... Gravel was fun, as always.
Overall, we both felt like, more than anything, the debate made us want to get more involved in this whole politics thing. I've been feeling more and more of a call to holistic Christianity. We need to find a way as a couple to make sure that all aspects of our life fall under the cross - home, work, politics, school, etc, etc. And we need to be in movement - in action. I'll be thinking about that today...
* Been working about 20 hours a week at SMU, about 5-7 hours a week on Praise Team stuff (which is going spiffingly), and about the rest of my time reading and working on the apartment with Jaimie.
* I have been listening to my MP3 player abunchaton. While at work, while walking around campus, while driving (i know, illegal, blah blah blah), and while reading. It is proving to be awesome. Soundtracks to life are fun.
What I'm readin:
* I have finally put down PNHotW. Not because I finished, but because once I passed 1500, things got really hairy. I think its because we still haven't figured out what the major 'threads' of history after that point really are yet. Things are still too cluttered, too fresh. Give us another 200 years, we'll be able to summarize 1500-2oo0 much easier...
* I just picked up my first assigned book for School - History of the World Christian Movement: Vol 1 - Earliest Christianity to 1453. So far so good; I like the writing style. The perspective is nice, as the authors are very focused on a global picture of the church's history. But it is somewhat of a review. The names, faces, and places are familiar - I guess that's a good thing...
Random thoughts on my PVM:
Jaimie and I watched the Democratic CNN/Youtube debate. Pretty entertaining, as far as debates go. Of course, I loved Obama - he was clear, outspoken about reform, and seemed to be the most consistent candidate on the stage. He speaks from a solid platform - I don't know when the last time a front-running presidential candidate spoke that passionately about the systemic failures of the political machine as it is. More power to him, if he can get the nomination. I told Jaimie last night, if this man is not president sometime in the next 4 terms, then our country is broken. Of course, that might be an exaggeration, but you get my point.
The rest of the candidates weren't bad. Jaimie is a Clinton fan, and I could vote for her (my biggest fear is that she will be a divider, whereas Obama will be a uniter); we both liked Edwards alright, and Biden got big points for being calm in demeanor compared with the rest of the stage... Gravel was fun, as always.
Overall, we both felt like, more than anything, the debate made us want to get more involved in this whole politics thing. I've been feeling more and more of a call to holistic Christianity. We need to find a way as a couple to make sure that all aspects of our life fall under the cross - home, work, politics, school, etc, etc. And we need to be in movement - in action. I'll be thinking about that today...
7.18.2007
Orthowhatsy?
Update on what's happenin:
* workin and blorking.
* still trying to find my rhythm up here.
* excited about thursday small group! Starts tomorrow. have no friggin clue how it will go.
What I'm readin:
* Still on the PNHotW.
* Am really ready to finish and start my books for next semester!
Random thoughts on my PVM:
Just listened to an interview with Phylis Tickle and Tony Jones. They said some neat stuff, but the thing that stuck with me was some terms that I really like. Orthonomy and Orthoparadoxy. I'll start with some background for you 'uninformed' theologians out there...
Orthodoxy:: right or straight; correct <-doxy> from doxos; teaching, understanding. >>>
Orthodoxy is the foundation upon which the church of history has stood upon. There is no heresy without the opposing orthodoxy. Orthodoxy is the standard by which lines are drawn in the sand; orthodoxy allows one believer to say to another, "you are wrong, and I am right."
I would argue that this idea has been essential in the formation of the faith. Without the idea of orthodoxy, Christianity might have been assimilated into any number of previous religions or philosophies. Without this idea or rightness, the early Christian might have floundered about, and the confidence and assurance of knowing G-d that made Christianity so appealing in a time of great change and uncertainty might have dissipated. The movement of G-d's kingdom among the earth might have slowed down or flickered out without the idea of orthodoxy... might have.
Orthonomy:: right or straight; correct <-nomy> from nomos; originally harmony, later law (which meant harmony with G-d) >>>
Orthonomy is an appealing idea, one that is perhaps best captured in the phrase attributed to Keats, "beauty is truth, truth beauty." Phylis Tickle speaks of a time when she was lecturing to some Presbyterians regarding the validity of the virgin birth - the issue is apparently hotly debated in some of these circles. The story goes that as she was speaking, a youth stopped what he was doing in another room, and slowly drew closer to the talk. When she was done, the youth approached her and asked her about the whole topic - why was she talking about it? After explaining herself and why it was important to discuss this historical event, the youth said, "I don't know... It just seems too beautiful to not be true."
When examining the scope of history, the movement of G-d through history, the stories of salvation, redemption and restoration, and the beauty of all that G-d has done, sometimes (perhaps often) my response is - It's just too damn beautiful for it to be false. There's no way I can simply dismiss it out of hand. Even with hard proof to the contrary, my soul would speak out otherwise.
Unfortunately, this idea is centered and anchored around the idea that beauty defines truth, and beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. This idea also does not resonate with me, as pure relativity is too open to distortion and perversion. In my limited perspective, I cannot imagine that all truth is relative...
Orthoparodoxy:: right or straight; correct from para and doxos; para- meaning beyond or against and doxos meaning understanding, or teaching. Hence... orthoparodoxy = rightly beyond understanding... or a correct paradox.
I love this. It captures to me, more than any other idea, the thought that G-d is other-than, beyond our comprehension. It is time, in my humble opinion, for us to return to the mystery of our faith. Reason has helped us along. However, reason cannot carry us to the throne. Only pressing into the mystery, the beauty, and the presence of a living G-d can be our path.
I will dwell on this thought and post more later...
* workin and blorking.
* still trying to find my rhythm up here.
* excited about thursday small group! Starts tomorrow. have no friggin clue how it will go.
What I'm readin:
* Still on the PNHotW.
* Am really ready to finish and start my books for next semester!
Random thoughts on my PVM:
Just listened to an interview with Phylis Tickle and Tony Jones. They said some neat stuff, but the thing that stuck with me was some terms that I really like. Orthonomy and Orthoparadoxy. I'll start with some background for you 'uninformed' theologians out there...
Orthodoxy::
Orthodoxy is the foundation upon which the church of history has stood upon. There is no heresy without the opposing orthodoxy. Orthodoxy is the standard by which lines are drawn in the sand; orthodoxy allows one believer to say to another, "you are wrong, and I am right."
I would argue that this idea has been essential in the formation of the faith. Without the idea of orthodoxy, Christianity might have been assimilated into any number of previous religions or philosophies. Without this idea or rightness, the early Christian might have floundered about, and the confidence and assurance of knowing G-d that made Christianity so appealing in a time of great change and uncertainty might have dissipated. The movement of G-d's kingdom among the earth might have slowed down or flickered out without the idea of orthodoxy... might have.
Orthonomy::
Orthonomy is an appealing idea, one that is perhaps best captured in the phrase attributed to Keats, "beauty is truth, truth beauty." Phylis Tickle speaks of a time when she was lecturing to some Presbyterians regarding the validity of the virgin birth - the issue is apparently hotly debated in some of these circles. The story goes that as she was speaking, a youth stopped what he was doing in another room, and slowly drew closer to the talk. When she was done, the youth approached her and asked her about the whole topic - why was she talking about it? After explaining herself and why it was important to discuss this historical event, the youth said, "I don't know... It just seems too beautiful to not be true."
When examining the scope of history, the movement of G-d through history, the stories of salvation, redemption and restoration, and the beauty of all that G-d has done, sometimes (perhaps often) my response is - It's just too damn beautiful for it to be false. There's no way I can simply dismiss it out of hand. Even with hard proof to the contrary, my soul would speak out otherwise.
Unfortunately, this idea is centered and anchored around the idea that beauty defines truth, and beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. This idea also does not resonate with me, as pure relativity is too open to distortion and perversion. In my limited perspective, I cannot imagine that all truth is relative...
Orthoparodoxy::
I love this. It captures to me, more than any other idea, the thought that G-d is other-than, beyond our comprehension. It is time, in my humble opinion, for us to return to the mystery of our faith. Reason has helped us along. However, reason cannot carry us to the throne. Only pressing into the mystery, the beauty, and the presence of a living G-d can be our path.
I will dwell on this thought and post more later...
7.09.2007
Taking names and somethin somethin
Update on what's happenin:
* Getting back in the groove in town. I have a set work schedule now, I have set times for Praise Team practice, and I have registered for classes in the fall. Hoo ah.
* Getting my car worked on as we speak. Having them look at my headlight (out), tail light (out), left rear view mirror (broken off) and oil (needs changin). Fun times, fun times.
* Got a monthly DART pass today. This one is for Jaimie, as I am supposed to get a (cheaper) one through SMU. But I'm about to use it to go back to the Car place. Yay for public transportation!!!
What I'm readin:
* Guess what. Still reading the PNHotW. Must. finish. soon...
Random thoughts on my PVM:
Jaimie and I have recently felt a strong pull to get involved in a community that is anchored in the journey towards spiritual health. That sounds vague and new-agey, but the reality is that we are hungry for a community that is not exclusive, preachy or ignorant. The first place we will look is within the Christian church, because we do feel most at home in a community with the roots of Christianity, and that is centered around Jesus. However, it is increasingly difficult to find a place that is honest, open, non-exclusive, humble, and full of that beautiful sense of hope and wonder that is (to quote NTWright) the echo of the Almighty's presence.
We both love some of the things we've been hearing from HPUMC, so we are planning on checking out more of their 'stuff.' It doesn't hurt that I am employed there, but then again, we have been trying to get away from the whole "I-go-here-because-they-pay-me-and-if-i-skipped-i'd-be-skipping-work" mentality. So we'll see...
Another place we're interested in is Journey Church. They seem to very poised to deal with the post-modern/emerging generations, and that might be a rarity here in the southwest. Who knows...
The real conundrum is that I have been feeling a stronger and stronger 'call' to start a small group at our apartment. I don't want to start a church. And I will say that again. I DO NOT WANT TO START A CHURCH. Just so that's in writing. But it might be nice to form a small community of seekers who get together and talk about what G-d is doing, has done, and might do through us.
I dunno. Scary. I get the feeling that this thing could quickly run away from me. But I also think I can't run away from it. So, if you're reading this blog, please tell me your thoughts on this - is starting a small group a good idea? bad idea? any hints, suggestions, etc, would be fantastic.
* Getting back in the groove in town. I have a set work schedule now, I have set times for Praise Team practice, and I have registered for classes in the fall. Hoo ah.
* Getting my car worked on as we speak. Having them look at my headlight (out), tail light (out), left rear view mirror (broken off) and oil (needs changin). Fun times, fun times.
* Got a monthly DART pass today. This one is for Jaimie, as I am supposed to get a (cheaper) one through SMU. But I'm about to use it to go back to the Car place. Yay for public transportation!!!
What I'm readin:
* Guess what. Still reading the PNHotW. Must. finish. soon...
Random thoughts on my PVM:
Jaimie and I have recently felt a strong pull to get involved in a community that is anchored in the journey towards spiritual health. That sounds vague and new-agey, but the reality is that we are hungry for a community that is not exclusive, preachy or ignorant. The first place we will look is within the Christian church, because we do feel most at home in a community with the roots of Christianity, and that is centered around Jesus. However, it is increasingly difficult to find a place that is honest, open, non-exclusive, humble, and full of that beautiful sense of hope and wonder that is (to quote NTWright) the echo of the Almighty's presence.
We both love some of the things we've been hearing from HPUMC, so we are planning on checking out more of their 'stuff.' It doesn't hurt that I am employed there, but then again, we have been trying to get away from the whole "I-go-here-because-they-pay-me-and-if-i-skipped-i'd-be-skipping-work" mentality. So we'll see...
Another place we're interested in is Journey Church. They seem to very poised to deal with the post-modern/emerging generations, and that might be a rarity here in the southwest. Who knows...
The real conundrum is that I have been feeling a stronger and stronger 'call' to start a small group at our apartment. I don't want to start a church. And I will say that again. I DO NOT WANT TO START A CHURCH. Just so that's in writing. But it might be nice to form a small community of seekers who get together and talk about what G-d is doing, has done, and might do through us.
I dunno. Scary. I get the feeling that this thing could quickly run away from me. But I also think I can't run away from it. So, if you're reading this blog, please tell me your thoughts on this - is starting a small group a good idea? bad idea? any hints, suggestions, etc, would be fantastic.
7.02.2007
At work!
Update on what's happenin:
* I'm actually on campus at SMU, starting my part time job with the Public Affairs and Continuing Education Offices. Pretty awesome. The pay's not great, but I'll be mingling with professors and students all day, and that will keep me motivated and on track for something greater
* Jaimie starts back at Huitt Zollars today, and that is pretty cool. She likes it there, at least so far, and that is rocking.
What I'm readin:
* Still on the PNHotW. Still good. Still long way to go. Jesus just appeared on the scene. I've got about half of recorded history still to cover.
Random thoughts on my PVM:
Jaimie and I visited a church this past sunday. We walked out right after the sermon. I have thought about this quite a bit, and although we both were very upset, I do not believe that I should discuss on line what it was that ticked us off so much. If you are curious, ask me in person, and I will dialogue with you about why we left...
* I'm actually on campus at SMU, starting my part time job with the Public Affairs and Continuing Education Offices. Pretty awesome. The pay's not great, but I'll be mingling with professors and students all day, and that will keep me motivated and on track for something greater
* Jaimie starts back at Huitt Zollars today, and that is pretty cool. She likes it there, at least so far, and that is rocking.
What I'm readin:
* Still on the PNHotW. Still good. Still long way to go. Jesus just appeared on the scene. I've got about half of recorded history still to cover.
Random thoughts on my PVM:
Jaimie and I visited a church this past sunday. We walked out right after the sermon. I have thought about this quite a bit, and although we both were very upset, I do not believe that I should discuss on line what it was that ticked us off so much. If you are curious, ask me in person, and I will dialogue with you about why we left...
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