Garrison Keillor divides the world into Dark Lutherans (all about sin) and Light Lutherans (all about grace). Obviously there needs to be a balance, but I lean to the dark side and am continually annoyed by liberals who think people are inherently good and conservatives who rely on God's (or the market's) intervention to unwind whatever catastrophes we bring on ourselves (e.g. environmental degradation).
In politics you can rarely combine doctrinal purity and actual passing of laws, so every leader is bound to be a disappointment. But despite a lack of significant achievements thus far, I still have hopes for the Obama presidency. I have trouble explaining exactly why I'm hopeful, but David Brooks's column today helps make my argument. Even if I disagree on many of President Obama's specific policies, his world view (at least as portrayed here) is one I find attractive.
Dec 15, 2009
Nov 15, 2009
"I will be the master of my cheese until the last piece."
The quote above comes from Jean-Claude Biver, who is in the business of watchmaking but makes cheese recreationally. According to the latest issue of The Economist, Biver's cheese is famously delicious. He makes "only" 5 tonnes per year, and it would fetch a fortune on the open market. But while an entrepreneurial fellow, Biver chooses to give it all away: "If I don't sell it, then I decide who gets it and who doesn't."
This story reminded me of my grandfather's tomatoes. Papa's garden was a magical place. He dabbled in a lot of produce -- apples, pears, peaches, muscadines, beans, squash, cukes, zukes, corn, etc. -- but his tomatoes were famous. His friends would save their milk cartons all year long, and Papa would cut them into square pots where he would germinate his tomato seeds under lamps or in the hothouse in the middle of winter.
In his retired years, especially after Gram died, gardening was a full time job, and Papa's tomatoes were very well cared for. He watered through droughts. He weeded with the care of sculptor. He used insecticides and fertilizers that Elaine wouldn't handle with a hazmat suit.
The results were tomatoes by the gallon, peck, and bushel. In good years, the mud room was full of sacks, cartons, and boxes with lush fruit. In bad years the output was still prodigious. Papa's largess went to family, friends, and neighbors. Instead of taking flowers to someone sick or grieving, Papa would bring tomatoes. Mom would put up sauce each summer, and we would eat them over spaghetti year round.
The reason Biver's story made me think of Papa is that Papa loathed being asked for his tomatoes. His pastor (or the pastor's wife, I can't remember) once requested that Papa provide tomatoes for some church function. He complied, but he did so in a way that made it clear that such a request was a sacrifice, not a free-love offering. A stranger once pulled into the driveway and asked to buy some fruit. Papa was nonplussed. He told the man in no uncertain terms that his tomatoes were not for sale. Papa then proceeded to give the fellow a few, just to get him to leave.
Sadly, I didn’t develop much of a taste for fresh tomatoes until Papa was gone. I sure wish the old codger was still around. I would love to share a BLT with him (mine without mayonnaise, maybe with a Schlitz beer or a Coke) and introduce him to Huck. Papa, you are loved and missed; God rest your soul.
…............................................
Nostalgia is a dangerous thing. I tend towards thinking too much about the past, and missing the joys of the present. That said, I don't ever want to stop missing my grandfather. Our grandfather/grandson relationship was pretty idyllic. I got the best of him. By the time I came around, he had mellowed from his younger days, and we were never in such proximity that he (visibly) tired of spending time with me. The things we did together -- picnics, trips to state parks or educational attractions, cooking, eating, piddling around the yard, watching tv -- weren't special because they were fun and stimulating, they were special because he was special to me.
This story reminded me of my grandfather's tomatoes. Papa's garden was a magical place. He dabbled in a lot of produce -- apples, pears, peaches, muscadines, beans, squash, cukes, zukes, corn, etc. -- but his tomatoes were famous. His friends would save their milk cartons all year long, and Papa would cut them into square pots where he would germinate his tomato seeds under lamps or in the hothouse in the middle of winter.
In his retired years, especially after Gram died, gardening was a full time job, and Papa's tomatoes were very well cared for. He watered through droughts. He weeded with the care of sculptor. He used insecticides and fertilizers that Elaine wouldn't handle with a hazmat suit.
The results were tomatoes by the gallon, peck, and bushel. In good years, the mud room was full of sacks, cartons, and boxes with lush fruit. In bad years the output was still prodigious. Papa's largess went to family, friends, and neighbors. Instead of taking flowers to someone sick or grieving, Papa would bring tomatoes. Mom would put up sauce each summer, and we would eat them over spaghetti year round.
The reason Biver's story made me think of Papa is that Papa loathed being asked for his tomatoes. His pastor (or the pastor's wife, I can't remember) once requested that Papa provide tomatoes for some church function. He complied, but he did so in a way that made it clear that such a request was a sacrifice, not a free-love offering. A stranger once pulled into the driveway and asked to buy some fruit. Papa was nonplussed. He told the man in no uncertain terms that his tomatoes were not for sale. Papa then proceeded to give the fellow a few, just to get him to leave.
Sadly, I didn’t develop much of a taste for fresh tomatoes until Papa was gone. I sure wish the old codger was still around. I would love to share a BLT with him (mine without mayonnaise, maybe with a Schlitz beer or a Coke) and introduce him to Huck. Papa, you are loved and missed; God rest your soul.
…............................................
Nostalgia is a dangerous thing. I tend towards thinking too much about the past, and missing the joys of the present. That said, I don't ever want to stop missing my grandfather. Our grandfather/grandson relationship was pretty idyllic. I got the best of him. By the time I came around, he had mellowed from his younger days, and we were never in such proximity that he (visibly) tired of spending time with me. The things we did together -- picnics, trips to state parks or educational attractions, cooking, eating, piddling around the yard, watching tv -- weren't special because they were fun and stimulating, they were special because he was special to me.
Oct 28, 2009
Not what you want to see in the forecast:
From NOAA:
"IF YOU MUST TRAVEL TODAY OR THURSDAY...TAKE ALONG A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT."
It seems more serious because short-term forecasts are always in all caps.
Nonetheless, a foot of snow in late October is a lot of snow for a Georgia boy -- and it's still snowing pretty good out there.
"IF YOU MUST TRAVEL TODAY OR THURSDAY...TAKE ALONG A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT."
It seems more serious because short-term forecasts are always in all caps.
Nonetheless, a foot of snow in late October is a lot of snow for a Georgia boy -- and it's still snowing pretty good out there.
Oct 20, 2009
Where's the Jesus?
This commentary is like a train wreck, I couldn't look away. In a recent sermon at our church, Brother Tim quoted Gandhi as saying: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians." I feel that way a lot.
Also, God hates figs.
Also, God hates figs.
Oct 8, 2009
It's October?
How did it get to be October? We had some nasty snow/rain/sleet mix today.
Not a lot to report here. Huck is crawling and generally doing well. He's very curious, and his favorite things are shoelaces and lamp chords. I am very much looking forward to a time when he can give hugs instead of just pulling hair (especially beard hair).
In an unrelated matter, when I wear my rain pants I can't escape the feeling that someone is following me.
Not a lot to report here. Huck is crawling and generally doing well. He's very curious, and his favorite things are shoelaces and lamp chords. I am very much looking forward to a time when he can give hugs instead of just pulling hair (especially beard hair).
In an unrelated matter, when I wear my rain pants I can't escape the feeling that someone is following me.
Aug 22, 2009
2 Things
According to the song, there are 2 things that money can't buy -- true love and home grown tomatoes. Thanks to Elaine, I have both.Happy birthday my love.
Aug 10, 2009
This picture has nothing to do with this text
I have read 2 novels recently where contemplation of divorce was part of the plot, Walter Percy's The Thanatos Syndrome and Garrison Keillor's Liberty. In addition, an essayist I usually enjoy, Sandra Tsing Loh, chronicled her own divorce in The Atlantic Monthly and questioned whether lifetime monogamy was really all that praiseworthy. This unfortunate set of reading led to nightmares and conversations with Elaine along the line of: "Sure our marriage seems swell now, but what can we do to keep the odds in our favor?We didn't come to any grand conclusions other than the standard ones: keep communicating, spend time together, work toward shared goals, blah, blah, blah.
At any rate, I was primed to receive a spirit-lifting story, and here it is: Those Aren’t Fighting Words, Dear by Laura A. Munson. Munson might have a slight New Age-y vibe, but her story also feels very New Testament.
Ross Douthat's column today that uses Judd Apatow films as jumping off point to discuss the difference between talking the family values talk and walking the family values walk is good. So is Timothy Egan's on the danger of misinformation.
Aug 5, 2009
TKM
In ninth grade English, we read To Kill a Mockingbird (TKM). We enjoyed lively discussions, and our term papers on the book were our first real attempts at literary criticism. Now I’m wondering how my beloved Mrs. Spurlock would have graded Malcolm Gladwell. Here’s a paragraph from Gladwell’s essay:
"In the middle of the novel, after Tom Robinson’s arrest, Finch spends the night in front of the Maycomb jail, concerned that a mob might come down and try to take matters into its own hands. Sure enough, one does, led by a poor white farmer, Walter Cunningham. The mob eventually scatters, and the next morning Finch tries to explain the night’s events to Scout. Here again is a test for Finch’s high-minded equanimity. He likes Walter Cunningham. Cunningham is, to his mind, the right sort of poor white farmer: a man who refuses a W.P.A. handout and who scrupulously repays Finch for legal work with a load of stove wood, a sack of hickory nuts, and a crate of smilax and holly. Against this, Finch must weigh the fact that Cunningham also leads lynch mobs against black people. So what does he do? Once again, he puts personal ties first. Cunningham, Finch tells his daughter, is “basically a good man,” who “just has his blind spots along with the rest of us.” Blind spots? As the legal scholar Monroe Freedman has written, “It just happens that Cunningham’s blind spot (along with the rest of us?) is a homicidal hatred of black people.” "
Agree with him or not (and I think he goes a little overboard here) Malcolm Gladwell can flat out write. He makes connections that I would never ever see on my own.
Jul 16, 2009
Random Thought on the MLB Allstar Game
(image from http://www.playatgatech.com/blog)
There have now been 13 All-star games since the National League last won one. That's fine, it's just an exhibition. But if a game between two relatively evenly matched squads can have such a lopsided run, does that mean that Tech might never beat Georgia in football again?I really need to stop caring about football.
Jun 25, 2009
This is not a picture of Huck
I spent the last week figuring out how to draw this figure with the Statistical/Graphics software R. I don't mean the last day, or the last hour, I mean the last week. Needless to say, Elaine is the most programming-savvy member of the family. Huck might be a close second.
Jun 3, 2009
Run-Walk-Run
I am not a runner, I am a jogger. I jog, not because I enjoy it, but because I don't want to get fatter, and many things I do enjoy require a degree of physical fitness.
Huck really cuts into my frisbee/volleyball/basketball etc, so I've been jogging a little more regularly recently, often pushing a jog stroller.
I don't get too worked up about pace, but lately I've been very slow, creeping well above 10 minute miles when I have Huck in tow. I was primed to be susceptible to advice, which came in the form of an NYT article . (Yes I know its annoying to endlessly cite the Times and NPR, get over it)
The gist of the article and a companion piece here is that breaking up a run into running and walking intervals can be a good training technique and can actually INCREASE speed. Adding in walk/rest periods contributes so much recovery that you can offset the walking with faster running during the run intervals. At first glance, it seemed bogus, but then there were quotes from folks finishing marathons under 4 hours using the technique. I was also compelled by the notion that run-walk-run could reduce fatigue and injury.
Anywho, on today's jog I alternated 4 minute running periods with 1 minute walking periods and low and behold I cut 4 or 5 minutes off my route, with a total pace right around 10 minutes per mile. It feels like cheating to walk in the middle of a run and it doesn't keep your heart rate as high as long, but it's a training tool worth trying if you aren't alrealy a superstar.
Huck really cuts into my frisbee/volleyball/basketball etc, so I've been jogging a little more regularly recently, often pushing a jog stroller.
I don't get too worked up about pace, but lately I've been very slow, creeping well above 10 minute miles when I have Huck in tow. I was primed to be susceptible to advice, which came in the form of an NYT article . (Yes I know its annoying to endlessly cite the Times and NPR, get over it)
The gist of the article and a companion piece here is that breaking up a run into running and walking intervals can be a good training technique and can actually INCREASE speed. Adding in walk/rest periods contributes so much recovery that you can offset the walking with faster running during the run intervals. At first glance, it seemed bogus, but then there were quotes from folks finishing marathons under 4 hours using the technique. I was also compelled by the notion that run-walk-run could reduce fatigue and injury.
Anywho, on today's jog I alternated 4 minute running periods with 1 minute walking periods and low and behold I cut 4 or 5 minutes off my route, with a total pace right around 10 minutes per mile. It feels like cheating to walk in the middle of a run and it doesn't keep your heart rate as high as long, but it's a training tool worth trying if you aren't alrealy a superstar.
May 27, 2009
Wildflower of the Week: Golden Banner
Lucky for me, my favorite outdoor activity is much easier to do with a four month old than is Travis's. Last Saturday Travis got a little fishing in while Huck and I had lunch, but most of our outing to Golden Gate State Park was spent hiking: a short hike with a park naturalist, and a 2.5 mile hike (hilly and at 9,000 ft) that was quite taxing after our sedentary week at sea level.
Like most babies, Huck loves walking and riding, and he'll put up with the occasional outdoor diaper change as long as it's not too cold.
There's always something good in the NYT magazine
Hale men occasionally tend towards hippyism. Dad had some seriously long 70's hair and Uncle Rosebud drove a sweet VW bus. My occasionally sloppy appearance isn't hate, it's heritage.
I sometimes attempt to directly stimulate my inner-hippy through books. I read some of dad's old Richard Brautigan novels and Confederacy of Dunces with much enjoyment.
Several years ago, I picked up Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for a quarter at a used book sale, hoping for a similar reading experience. I was sorely disappointed, I can't think of a worse book that I actually waded all the way through.
Anyways, Rosebud passed along an article from NYT Magazine that was what I imagined Zen to be before I actually read it. "The Case for Working With Your Hands" uses words like "gestalt" and "metacognition" as unpretentiously as possible to make a case for physical work as a stimulant to intellectual vigor. Nothing in the article should be particularly controversial -- it's pretty commonsensical -- but it's a good summary of the dangers of cubicle-conformity wrapped up in a particular guy's story. Worth a read.
Also worth a read is the latest Point-Counterpoint where Jim and I bloviate on tenure.
I sometimes attempt to directly stimulate my inner-hippy through books. I read some of dad's old Richard Brautigan novels and Confederacy of Dunces with much enjoyment.
Several years ago, I picked up Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for a quarter at a used book sale, hoping for a similar reading experience. I was sorely disappointed, I can't think of a worse book that I actually waded all the way through.
Anyways, Rosebud passed along an article from NYT Magazine that was what I imagined Zen to be before I actually read it. "The Case for Working With Your Hands" uses words like "gestalt" and "metacognition" as unpretentiously as possible to make a case for physical work as a stimulant to intellectual vigor. Nothing in the article should be particularly controversial -- it's pretty commonsensical -- but it's a good summary of the dangers of cubicle-conformity wrapped up in a particular guy's story. Worth a read.
Also worth a read is the latest Point-Counterpoint where Jim and I bloviate on tenure.
May 20, 2009
Anniversary
Elaine and I have been married 9 years as of today; I cannot believe how fast the time has passed. Thanks to all who have supported our family in large and small ways.
My grandfathers, my dad, and I all managed to hit the lottery in finding wonderful women to spend our lives with. I hope that Huck will be so lucky.
My grandfathers, my dad, and I all managed to hit the lottery in finding wonderful women to spend our lives with. I hope that Huck will be so lucky.
Apr 22, 2009
Editorials
I am contractually obligated to link to my new column in PaperMoney, where Jim and I argue over "markets".
Additionally, I thought this was pitch-perfect, great op-ed writing. I don't give a toot about the topic, but the writing was so informative and entertaining, that I read the whole thing .
Additionally, I thought this was pitch-perfect, great op-ed writing. I don't give a toot about the topic, but the writing was so informative and entertaining, that I read the whole thing .
Apr 16, 2009
Refinancing
Having been in our house for a year, we are now in the process of refinancing our mortgage. Rates are as low as 4.5% for a 30 year fixed mortgage (maybe even lower in some areas for borrowers with pristine credit).
I've sort of perversely enjoyed working through the numbers on my spreadsheet, and I've learned or reminded myself about a few things in the process.
1) If you're trying to decide whether to refinance, calculate your rate of return, given certain time frames. Take the amount of savings you would generate each month, discount the savings at a particular interest rate, and then see how long it would take to break even. For example, if it cost you $5000 in closing costs to save $150 per month, that would yield a return of 5% if you stayed in your house another
three years. If you stayed in your house 4 years, you would earn a return of 19% on your $5000 investment. Of course if you only stay in your house for 2 years, your return will be -30%. It only makes sense to refinance if you plan to stay where you're at for a while.
2) I was surprised to learn that my bank's formula for the payback period for a refinance is simply:
Closing costs / difference in monthly payments.
At least in our case, we would get two benefits from a refi: lower monthly payments AND faster principal buydown. In the early years of our new loan (when the expected time value of money is greatest) we will buy more principal each month than we would with our original loan -- even though our monthly payments will be lower.
3) Paying off your loan early may be virtuous, but it might not make financial sense. If you have a low mortgage rate, additional principal payments are a good way to hide your money from yourself and lock-in a low, but ethical, tax-free or tax-deferred return. Given the recent gyrations of the stock market, this might sound somewhat appealing. But in the long run...you might need that money for something else, and you can probably find an instrument that
would yield a greater return (though you might forfeit your soul in the process).
4) If, say, 5 years down the line, mortgage rates have significantly increased, your house will be worth a lot more to you than a house with the exact same market value.
I've sort of perversely enjoyed working through the numbers on my spreadsheet, and I've learned or reminded myself about a few things in the process.
1) If you're trying to decide whether to refinance, calculate your rate of return, given certain time frames. Take the amount of savings you would generate each month, discount the savings at a particular interest rate, and then see how long it would take to break even. For example, if it cost you $5000 in closing costs to save $150 per month, that would yield a return of 5% if you stayed in your house another
three years. If you stayed in your house 4 years, you would earn a return of 19% on your $5000 investment. Of course if you only stay in your house for 2 years, your return will be -30%. It only makes sense to refinance if you plan to stay where you're at for a while.
2) I was surprised to learn that my bank's formula for the payback period for a refinance is simply:
Closing costs / difference in monthly payments.
At least in our case, we would get two benefits from a refi: lower monthly payments AND faster principal buydown. In the early years of our new loan (when the expected time value of money is greatest) we will buy more principal each month than we would with our original loan -- even though our monthly payments will be lower.
3) Paying off your loan early may be virtuous, but it might not make financial sense. If you have a low mortgage rate, additional principal payments are a good way to hide your money from yourself and lock-in a low, but ethical, tax-free or tax-deferred return. Given the recent gyrations of the stock market, this might sound somewhat appealing. But in the long run...you might need that money for something else, and you can probably find an instrument that
would yield a greater return (though you might forfeit your soul in the process).
4) If, say, 5 years down the line, mortgage rates have significantly increased, your house will be worth a lot more to you than a house with the exact same market value.
Apr 9, 2009
Lessons learned replacing the evaporative fan in my Refrigerator
If you don't want to break little plastic tabs and whatnot, defrost the freezer before you start taking it apart. A hairdryer works quite well.
It is much easier to do something technical/mechanical if there are two of you. I don't think that either mom or I could have cracked the nut of taking the freezer apart on our own, but we were able to do it together.
It is often easier than you think to install/maintain/repair appliances, but it takes patience and, sometimes, an internet connection.
A whining/roaring refrigerator is actually much more annoying than a screaming baby. In fact, maybe the former contributes to the latter.
It is much easier to do something technical/mechanical if there are two of you. I don't think that either mom or I could have cracked the nut of taking the freezer apart on our own, but we were able to do it together.
It is often easier than you think to install/maintain/repair appliances, but it takes patience and, sometimes, an internet connection.
A whining/roaring refrigerator is actually much more annoying than a screaming baby. In fact, maybe the former contributes to the latter.
Mar 30, 2009
Need a Carfax?
The Missus and I bought a new-to-us used vehicle recently. I wanted to get a Carfax report before I sealed the deal, and I went ahead and bought 10 for $35. Anyways, after using 1 on the new car purchase, and 2 for our old cars, I’ve got 7 leftover. So…if you want the info on a car you want to buy or sell, let us know.
Mar 25, 2009
Forecast
We ended up getting a foot of snow, but it melted pretty quick. We went for a drive in the close-in mountains on Saturday, and it was gorgeous.
Mar 24, 2009
March Madness
I came across two good articles on basketball recently.
The first is a long Michael Lewis article on Shane Battier. I know it doesn't put me in exclusive company to be a Michael Lewis fan, but that guy could write about paint drying and I'd be fascinated.
The second is a Stanley Fish piece on pick-up basketball. It's shmaltzy, but pretty good. A few months ago I played in a public park in Denver where I was the only gringo, and some of what Fish writes really resonates.
The first is a long Michael Lewis article on Shane Battier. I know it doesn't put me in exclusive company to be a Michael Lewis fan, but that guy could write about paint drying and I'd be fascinated.
The second is a Stanley Fish piece on pick-up basketball. It's shmaltzy, but pretty good. A few months ago I played in a public park in Denver where I was the only gringo, and some of what Fish writes really resonates.
Jim and Travis at it again
I plan to post links to my monthly columns on PaperMoney.
Here is March's -- http://www.globalpapermoney.com/news.php?viewStory=3410
Here is March's -- http://www.globalpapermoney.com/news.php?viewStory=3410
Mar 14, 2009
Recommended Reading
Recommended reading for anyone with an interest in infant care. The bottom line—there is very little measurable difference between breastfed and formula fed children. Now, I’m not going to run out and buy formula just this very minute, but the article generally supports my recent self-assurances that plenty of fully-functioning, even successful adults were not breastfed, were overly attached to their pacifiers, didn’t sleep through the night until they were well into toddlerhood, were fussy, threw tantrums, etc. Happy parenting!
Mar 4, 2009
Feb 25, 2009
Thank You!
Thanks to everyone for the congratulations messages! It's been great to hear from folks we haven't heard from in awhile. Please continue to keep in touch. If you need a current e-mail address, look me up on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory website.
In the meantime, here is our funniest baby picture to date:
In the meantime, here is our funniest baby picture to date:
Feb 16, 2009
Maternity Quarantine
New mom Elaine writes:
Today is Huck’s 11th day of living on the outside, and my 11th day of living on the inside. I have been outside exactly four times: three times going back and forth from the hospital, and once to tell Travis where in the yard he could dump the compost. Perhaps today I will go on a little (2-3 block) walk.
This is not to say that I have been idle. In addition to my motherly duties and attempting to get a reasonable quantity of sleep, I have had the luxury of crossing a few things off my to-do list and catching up on some work-related reading because Travis and his mom have so generously taken over all kitchen and laundry duties, and a good amount of diaper changing, burping, and rocking.
Hopefully, despite my self-induced busyness, I am also getting in enough time for reflection. It has been about twelve years since I had more that 3-4 weeks off from work at a time.
(Written on 2/15, things are getting more exciting by the day)
Today is Huck’s 11th day of living on the outside, and my 11th day of living on the inside. I have been outside exactly four times: three times going back and forth from the hospital, and once to tell Travis where in the yard he could dump the compost. Perhaps today I will go on a little (2-3 block) walk.
This is not to say that I have been idle. In addition to my motherly duties and attempting to get a reasonable quantity of sleep, I have had the luxury of crossing a few things off my to-do list and catching up on some work-related reading because Travis and his mom have so generously taken over all kitchen and laundry duties, and a good amount of diaper changing, burping, and rocking.
Hopefully, despite my self-induced busyness, I am also getting in enough time for reflection. It has been about twelve years since I had more that 3-4 weeks off from work at a time.
(Written on 2/15, things are getting more exciting by the day)
Feb 4, 2009
Huckleberry Thomas Hale
Huck has joined us on the outside. Delivery was smooth, and mom and baby are both doing well. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Our next several days will be filled with learning how to feed (Huck), healing from major abdominal surgery (Elaine), and trying to stay out of the way (Travis).
We are overcome with joy; thanks be to God.
Here are a few pictures of the day's events:
Gramma Katie in scrubs
Alive and Kickin'
Our Family
Sleepy
My precious ones
We are overcome with joy; thanks be to God.
Here are a few pictures of the day's events:
Gramma Katie in scrubs
Alive and Kickin'
Our Family
Sleepy
My precious ones
Jan 27, 2009
Great with Child
Elaine is living large these days. Our little bundle of joy is upside down – that’s breech for those inclined to medical terminology. Thus, Huck is scheduled for delivery by cesarean next Wednesday. Hopefully the little emperor will flip on his own, but he seems exceedingly comfortable in his current location. We covet prayers for a safe surgery and for good health for mother and child.
Jan 20, 2009
Blatant Nepotism
My father-in-law has a small, online publishing empire – Paperitalo Publications. For several months now, he and I have been writing a monthly column where he puts forth some ridiculous thesis and then I set him straight (or vice versa). Our latest column is here. It is great fun, and I highly suggest that you all convince someone related to you to pay you (modestly) to argue with them.
Jan 16, 2009
Who Would Jesus Smack Down? (which leads to other thoughts theological)
There’s an interesting article about Mars Hill Church in Seattle on the New York Times website.
Mars Hill fashions itself as Neo-Calvinist, with old-school theology wrapped inside a punk image.
I find Calvinism interesting but unsatisfying. It seems to be based on a theoretical possibility – that an omnipotent being could have chosen, long ago, that some humans would be destined for heaven and others for hell. Could this be true? Sure, insofar as any unprovable idea could be true; I guess we’ll find out when we die, or not.
I understand Calvinism’s appeal; many people (including me) would prefer to live in a world with a higher degree of black/white certainty. Calvinism has a tractable set of core beliefs, so adherents can feel that they have some mastery over the tenets of their faith.
There are two notions of Calvinism that I am particularly drawn towards – original sin and emphasis on humility. The world is clearly (to me) a messed up place; there is no end to the evil we perpetrate on each other and on nature. The Calvinist teaching that we are “totally depraved” from birth explains this nicely. Calvinism is humble in the sense that the omnipotent power does the acting – no amount of effort on our own part can ensure a pleasant mortal life, much less eternal salvation or damnation. Especially in the West, we feel like we have control over our lives, but as we are reminded over and over (through natural disasters, health problems, accidents, etc.), this is just an illusion.
Nonetheless, the whole package of Calvinism is difficult to swallow. My reading of the Bible, the teaching I’ve been exposed to, and my lived experience informs my own theology, which can be summed up in two statements:
1) Jesus was a radical prophet who preached repentance of sin, worship of God, and good works to those in need.
2) Modeling our own lives on His – taking responsibility for our actions and turning from those behaviors that take us out of fellowship with God or hurt ourselves or others; listening for God’s still small voice, trying to tune in to His will, and expressing thanksgiving for our lives; and treating others as we would want to be treated – will make our lives richer on earth, and – if the Christian God really exists – might lead to eternal paradise.
I wish I was as certain in some of my own beliefs (that God is active in the world; that He cares about the well being of me and those that I care about) as others purport to be, but to claim that I was would simply be dishonest. Nonetheless, I am trying to believe and hoping that God will reveal Himself to me in a manner that I will not be too stubborn to understand and accept.
Mars Hill fashions itself as Neo-Calvinist, with old-school theology wrapped inside a punk image.
I find Calvinism interesting but unsatisfying. It seems to be based on a theoretical possibility – that an omnipotent being could have chosen, long ago, that some humans would be destined for heaven and others for hell. Could this be true? Sure, insofar as any unprovable idea could be true; I guess we’ll find out when we die, or not.
I understand Calvinism’s appeal; many people (including me) would prefer to live in a world with a higher degree of black/white certainty. Calvinism has a tractable set of core beliefs, so adherents can feel that they have some mastery over the tenets of their faith.
There are two notions of Calvinism that I am particularly drawn towards – original sin and emphasis on humility. The world is clearly (to me) a messed up place; there is no end to the evil we perpetrate on each other and on nature. The Calvinist teaching that we are “totally depraved” from birth explains this nicely. Calvinism is humble in the sense that the omnipotent power does the acting – no amount of effort on our own part can ensure a pleasant mortal life, much less eternal salvation or damnation. Especially in the West, we feel like we have control over our lives, but as we are reminded over and over (through natural disasters, health problems, accidents, etc.), this is just an illusion.
Nonetheless, the whole package of Calvinism is difficult to swallow. My reading of the Bible, the teaching I’ve been exposed to, and my lived experience informs my own theology, which can be summed up in two statements:
1) Jesus was a radical prophet who preached repentance of sin, worship of God, and good works to those in need.
2) Modeling our own lives on His – taking responsibility for our actions and turning from those behaviors that take us out of fellowship with God or hurt ourselves or others; listening for God’s still small voice, trying to tune in to His will, and expressing thanksgiving for our lives; and treating others as we would want to be treated – will make our lives richer on earth, and – if the Christian God really exists – might lead to eternal paradise.
I wish I was as certain in some of my own beliefs (that God is active in the world; that He cares about the well being of me and those that I care about) as others purport to be, but to claim that I was would simply be dishonest. Nonetheless, I am trying to believe and hoping that God will reveal Himself to me in a manner that I will not be too stubborn to understand and accept.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)