iMonk 101: From 11/07: The Ecclesiastes Attitude

walking_alone.jpgIt is the tradition of this web site to hear my confessions, my struggles and my emotions. This is what is what was on my table in November of ’07. I can’t explain it to you; all I can do is write and pray. Trusting God is hard. His ways are not my ways, and his ways are unthinkably difficult for me right now. So if you don’t understand these kinds of posts, I’m sorry. My journey. My struggles. My questions. My wrestling with God.

Here is the original posting and the comments there.

My Bible classes watch a lot of the “Turner” Bible movies. I’ve seen them all so many times that I frequently get them confused with scripture itself. Their storylines and scripts are embedded in my mind and I have to, occasionally, sort things out.

For example, in the movie David, the prophet Nathan tells David, “God makes it difficult to be a king.” Scripture never says that (at least not that I know of) but it is appropriate for the story of David and his particular failures.Continue reading “iMonk 101: From 11/07: The Ecclesiastes Attitude”

Yellow Mountain Imports

This post will win the award for having the least to do with anything theological.

I’m a chess player (bad) and a collector of chess sets (good.) Since the TV is gone, I’m taking a second look at the board game situation, and I got interested in learning Chinese Chess, and maybe Go, and so I was poking around some recommended import sites that carry games….

And I came across Yellow Mountain Imports. Their games look outstanding, and the prices are incredible. Take a look at the Chess sets with Chinese and other historic characters. (Not the sets for Chinese Chess. That’s another game.) Look at the traditional sets and the other games. Then compare the prices. Shipping is a bit steep on small orders, but basic prices are excellent.

If you like to give unusual games as gifts, this may be a site you’ll want to explore. When I get the sets I’ve ordered, I’ll sound an alarm if there are problems, but if you like games life Chess, Go, Backgammon and other imported games, check this out.

Talk Hard II: Defending Dissent

The Original Talk Hard: Defending the Role of the Critic in Christianity. Lots I would change in that essay, but it still holds up 6 years or so later.

Recently, I received an email from someone who has been a longtime reader of this blog, giving his reasons for being a regular reader and generous supporter.

This particular reader appreciated the writing I’ve done on the subjects of mental illness, psychiatric medication and emotional health. As this person is a professional in those fields and far beyond me in understanding, I was understandably happy to read that email.

I have received many thousands of emails in the last 8 years of Internet Monk. A sizable portion express appreciation for something that deserves a moment’s consideration: that this blog is one of the few places some folks have found where certain points of view can be discussed with relative civility.Continue reading “Talk Hard II: Defending Dissent”

From Liberty Mountain to Mt. Ararat (or Send Me The Money Instead)

UPDATE: “Laugh or else” is a category that ought to only be used by people with a sense of humor. All others just stay clear. Apparently poking fun at Ark hunters qualifies me as an angry, Bible rejecting heretic. Well, I’d like to thank all the little people who made this possible…

Since we’re talking about religion and science, let’s see what Baptists are up to.

It has to make you feel good that Liberty University- practically a Southern Baptist School and the recipient of thousands of dollars and students from trusting Southern Baptists- has employed its very own Indiana Jones, who is off to do guess what?

Guess. Really. Guess.

Thank you. Find Noah’s ArkContinue reading “From Liberty Mountain to Mt. Ararat (or Send Me The Money Instead)”

Riffs: 02:09:09: Cormac Murphy-O’Connor on Darwin and Faith

Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor has an opinion piece in the Times that affirms the Roman Catholic position: faith and science have no problems, and evolution and Christianity are compatible.

This week we will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, one of Britain’s most extraordinary scientists. His theory of evolution, one of the greatest discoveries of all time, gives us a way of understanding the connectedness of all life and the uniqueness of human life within it. Together with other branches of scientific exploration, evolution begins to unfold and illuminate the interplay of forces that make our universe such an extraordinary dynamic reality. In this sense, science is itself a journey of learning and exploration. This I find exciting and humbling.

Towards the end of his life Darwin wrote: “It seems to me absurd to doubt that a man may be an ardent Theist and an evolutionist.” The science opens me not only to puzzles and to questions about the world I live in; it leads me to marvel at its complexity. Here, I find science is a good friend to my faith. It also calls me to a journey of learning and understanding. One of the things that mars our culture is the fracture between faith and science. It impoverishes our inquiry into the realities that make up our life and world. This is a false opposition.

Apart from whatever I may think, it will do all evangelicals good to read what a Cardinal of the Roman Church has to say on an issue that, frankly, drives evangelicals nuts.

I’ve never quite figured out how the Catholic position on science is so progressive, but when it comes to Marian dogmas and how Mary’s house wound up in Italy, Catholics sound like Baptist fundamentalists protesting that the Creation Museum is too liberal, but I don’t have to understand hard things. I just like everyone to see that you don’t have to keep hitting yourself in the head over these issues of faith and science.

I’d also like to know if there are any creationist evangelicals who have converted to the RCC and embraced this view of science, evolution and origins.

Preparing to Meet the Void

In a few days, Denise and I are going to make a change in our lives. We’re both 52. The kids are gone. No grandkids yet. Thirty years together. We’ve always had television.

In a few days, we’re getting rid of it. Dish TV will unhook the Dish, and we won’t have any television reception. It will be gone for good.

Yes, we know what Hulu is, so we’ll still watch House M.D., the one show we watch together. Yes, we’re thoroughly wired and know where the music, news and podcasts are found. I’m keeping an eye on Boxee. I’ve thought about Apple TV, but I don’t see it at this point.Continue reading “Preparing to Meet the Void”

How are you going to fight that fight?

Trevin Wax and many, many other blogs have reported the story of the death of a baby born alive during an abortion procedure in Florida.

Trevin calls this the pinnacle of wickedness, and no rational, morally sensitive person would disagree. But we don’t live in a rational or morally coherent age.

In the very same week, the President said, at the National Prayer Breakfast, that no one believes in a God who approves of the death of the innocent. Plenty of commentators have pointed out the irony of that statement as well.

But I’m increasingly frustrated by my fellow Christians on this issue. Let me tell you why.

1) There are massive amounts of talk. Constant, never ending talk on radio, blogs and television. But it’s not persuasive talk. It’s the speech of moral outrage, and that is appropriate at times. But it is not the talk of cultural change, mind-changing or policy change. It is the kind of talk that convinces the already convinced, but which makes the unconvinced feel cornered and yelled at.Continue reading “How are you going to fight that fight?”

One Paragraph Reviews: Olson on The Shack, Tickle on The Great Emergence, Bowman and Komoszewski on The Deity of Christ

One paragraph book reviews today. Getting right to the point, which busy people should appreciate.

Finding God in the Shack by Roger Olson (IVP). Olson is one of the most vigorous theological authors willing to take on the reformed intelligensia, as can be seen in his books Arminian Theology and Reformed and Always Reforming. In this book, Olson takes a measured, but overall positive view of William Young’s theological novel. Olson’s book is already garnering negative reviews from those who are convinced The Shack is a theological threat to Christians who aren’t paying sufficient attention to the Bible’s prohibitions on creative writing. (I assume C.S. Lewis’s Great Divorce is in for a beat down in the near future.) Where does Olson come out? A balanced, moderate, intelligent, appreciative and overall positive view. Don’t start a ministry on it. Don’t confuse imagery with heresy. Appreciate the personal core of the story that is touching so many. (Olson collates Young’s story of Mack with his own struggles with a pastor father.) Use it as a discussion starter. Be fair and realistic about the overall effect of the book. A fine response to the three-alarm fires that have dominated the internet.Continue reading “One Paragraph Reviews: Olson on The Shack, Tickle on The Great Emergence, Bowman and Komoszewski on The Deity of Christ”

Believing the Bible: A Place To Start or Stop?

Let’s say you’re sitting around talking with a group of friends, some of whom are Christians and some aren’t.

A subject comes up; for example, marriage. People share their stories, their thoughts, their accumulated wisdom.

After a moment, one of the Christians present begins to speak. He speaks longer. His tone is different. He’s quoting verses…and more verses.

There’s a sense of finality and authority to this talk. You can sense a reaction, even before anyone says anything.

Some present are annoyed. Some are angry. Some want to move on to a topic as far away from the Bible as possible.Continue reading “Believing the Bible: A Place To Start or Stop?”