Few, if any, will care about my opinion on inconsequential things such as the subjects of this post. That won't stop me from posting my thoughts, but at least I'm not deceiving myself.
No Country For Old Men deserved every award it got. My goodness that movie continues to provoke me. I have to say it is rapidly becoming one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. Yes, it is rather graphic in parts, but never gratuitously. That is, it's not Saw IV. As I understand it, the violence is true to the book, which I still want to read having seen the movie. Javier Bardem deserved that Oscar; he stole the show as the creepiest/scariest/most intriguing villain this side of Dr. Lecter. Combine that with solid performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin, and this movie is simply an astounding piece of work. I know it won't be for everyone, but if you can understand the story for what it is, you will not be disappointed.
Once was a great movie. I love the soundtrack, the song was deserving, and I'm really glad Marketa got to come back out and say thanks.
Ellen Page may not have been acting very much. Juno was still very good.
Personally, I don't know how naming your daughter after the devil wouldn't at least increase the odds of her becoming an exotic dancer. Diablo? Really?
John Stewart: C-. Although I am still laughing about the Harrison Ford joke.
The Kidd trade didn't seem to solve anything, but after the last two games, color me mildly interested.
The Memphis game was a heart breaker. I probably agree with what everyone else is thinking about that game, most importantly, that fans of that Knoxville team are annoying. The ugly orange are now odds on favorites to get busted in the 1st round next month.
More on cynicism later today.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
On Cynicism, pt. 3 (subverting the -isms)
You cynics out there thought there was no hope for me blogging about cynicism again, didn't you? You were wrong; there's always hope.
Today, I want to discuss the other -isms. Along with cynicism, one often finds the discussion drifting into accusations regarding one's pessimism or optimism. That is, cynics are most often derided for being hopeless pessimists, and those who are not cynical as ignorant optimists. So which is it? Either you are a pessimist or an optimist, right?
The best way to avoid any such polemic is subversion.
We take our cue from Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, it happens typically as, "You have heard it said, 'Do not _____,' but I say _______." Or again, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents...?" Of course, Jesus' answer is neither. It's always neither, isn't it? Jesus is so subversive. So in thinking through cynicism, to respond properly to the debate on pessimism vs. optimism requires subversion.
This time, we take our cue from Leslie Newbigin:
"I'm neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead."
I believe this quote effectively destroys cynicism. We do not proclaim an opinion. We do not proclaim fiction or a feeling. We do not proclaim a private, individualistic, spiritual dream. We proclaim the reality of a risen Savior. What reason do we have to give up hope? What cause is there for pessimism?
At the same time, what cause is there for optimism? It is revealed as incomplete, ignorant, and immature. Let me explain. True and pure optimism believes that all things will return a positive outcome. The minister within me yearns to reference Webster here; the self-respecting man resists, but you can check it if you want. The point is that the reality of life, indeed, the reality even of Scripture, is that optimism has been thwarted. Read Job. Read the prophets. If all things had in fact turned out for good, what need was there for Jesus Christ to die. That we proclaim a risen Savior by its very nature means that something has gone and remains drastically wrong with our present reality. We deny optimism because it fails to account for reality.
And so we subvert the legitimacy of both the hopeless pessimist and the ignorant optimist. We do not deny the dark reality of our world, but neither do we ignore the light that has come and continues to penetrate the darkness. I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.
Today, I want to discuss the other -isms. Along with cynicism, one often finds the discussion drifting into accusations regarding one's pessimism or optimism. That is, cynics are most often derided for being hopeless pessimists, and those who are not cynical as ignorant optimists. So which is it? Either you are a pessimist or an optimist, right?
The best way to avoid any such polemic is subversion.
We take our cue from Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, it happens typically as, "You have heard it said, 'Do not _____,' but I say _______." Or again, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents...?" Of course, Jesus' answer is neither. It's always neither, isn't it? Jesus is so subversive. So in thinking through cynicism, to respond properly to the debate on pessimism vs. optimism requires subversion.
This time, we take our cue from Leslie Newbigin:
"I'm neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead."
I believe this quote effectively destroys cynicism. We do not proclaim an opinion. We do not proclaim fiction or a feeling. We do not proclaim a private, individualistic, spiritual dream. We proclaim the reality of a risen Savior. What reason do we have to give up hope? What cause is there for pessimism?
At the same time, what cause is there for optimism? It is revealed as incomplete, ignorant, and immature. Let me explain. True and pure optimism believes that all things will return a positive outcome. The minister within me yearns to reference Webster here; the self-respecting man resists, but you can check it if you want. The point is that the reality of life, indeed, the reality even of Scripture, is that optimism has been thwarted. Read Job. Read the prophets. If all things had in fact turned out for good, what need was there for Jesus Christ to die. That we proclaim a risen Savior by its very nature means that something has gone and remains drastically wrong with our present reality. We deny optimism because it fails to account for reality.
And so we subvert the legitimacy of both the hopeless pessimist and the ignorant optimist. We do not deny the dark reality of our world, but neither do we ignore the light that has come and continues to penetrate the darkness. I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Advance Copy
I've decided to post something I wrote for the HUGSR student newsletter. This is an advance copy so sorry for the repeat, HUGSR nerds. Basically, this is an abbreviated version of my convictions regarding my calling and my education. May we all pursue love.
YM + GE = X
For most, the answer to the above equation is X = 0. After all, what relevance do youth ministry and a graduate education have to one another? For most, youth ministry and graduate education are this generation's Tango and Cash. X does not equal zero, however. For one, the stereotype may be true that YM – GE often leads to disastrous results. Perhaps this is true because of a lack of learning, maturity, or discipline that can be gained with the addition of GE. Still, a less negative view returns a better solution. The goal of all things, including YM and GE, ought to be the spiritual (trans)formation of an individual into the community of God’s people. The answer then is an infinite range. Some may do well without GE, some may do poorly with it. Regardless, the goal is not a smarter youth minister, but one who loves more. For, “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1).
YM + GE = X
For most, the answer to the above equation is X = 0. After all, what relevance do youth ministry and a graduate education have to one another? For most, youth ministry and graduate education are this generation's Tango and Cash. X does not equal zero, however. For one, the stereotype may be true that YM – GE often leads to disastrous results. Perhaps this is true because of a lack of learning, maturity, or discipline that can be gained with the addition of GE. Still, a less negative view returns a better solution. The goal of all things, including YM and GE, ought to be the spiritual (trans)formation of an individual into the community of God’s people. The answer then is an infinite range. Some may do well without GE, some may do poorly with it. Regardless, the goal is not a smarter youth minister, but one who loves more. For, “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1).
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
BR: Renovation of the Heart
I finished Renovation of the Heart yesterday. In undergrad, I got to read Willard's Spirit of the Disciplines and really loved it. It was deep and well-thought out. A little deeper than Foster's popular disciplines book, Celebration of Discipline, but still really good. This book, however, was not as good. To be honest, this book was one of the more tedious books I have read. I read a lot of things for grad school that most people would immediately label tedious. This book made me want to read my grad school readings. I usually am reading five or six books at a time for school, and for the last month (another sign of tediousness) I have dreaded reading this one the most, even more than Ferguson's The Church of Christ. At one point, my goal was down to reading at least 5-10 pages a day in Renovation. Essentially, Willard presents his theological anthropology in the first 100 pages. It's deep; it's confusing. While I think understanding the correlation between mind, spirit, will, heart, body, and soul is important, his presentation is less than lucid. When I was checking out this book on Amazon, I saw that another guy has written a book simply to explain this one. That's how tedious it is. I think the level of tedium has been grasped here, so I'll move on. Basically, for a book in the realm of spiritual formation, I think this book is far from relevant; his thoughts are good, his applications are severely lacking. I would say that it is probably even borderline self-indulgent for Willard, an author for whom I have great respect. My problem with this book was admittedly exacerbated with a concurrent reading of Nouwen. Simple, profound, applicable. Willard? Not so much. Still in all things, seek the good. Here are some of the highlights:
- Willard is attempting to push a theological anthropology that will help Christians actually undergo significant spiritual transformation. A noble goal; indeed, THE noble goal.
- Perhaps the idea I will remember most from this book is that transformation of the will is end of transformation and not the beginning. I do not will myself to change and then change. I seek transformation through mind and heart, and thus my will is transformed. That is, by seeking transformation in my thought life, my heart will be transformed. As my heart is transformed, so I will begin to desire to do good. Thus, I train my body to act accordingly. Through habit, then, my will is transformed so that I begin naturally to desire the things of God. I cannot just will my will to desire holiness without first being transformed in mind and heart.
That's about the best I can come up with. One final note: this book drove me crazy with numerous split infinitives.
- Willard is attempting to push a theological anthropology that will help Christians actually undergo significant spiritual transformation. A noble goal; indeed, THE noble goal.
- Perhaps the idea I will remember most from this book is that transformation of the will is end of transformation and not the beginning. I do not will myself to change and then change. I seek transformation through mind and heart, and thus my will is transformed. That is, by seeking transformation in my thought life, my heart will be transformed. As my heart is transformed, so I will begin to desire to do good. Thus, I train my body to act accordingly. Through habit, then, my will is transformed so that I begin naturally to desire the things of God. I cannot just will my will to desire holiness without first being transformed in mind and heart.
That's about the best I can come up with. One final note: this book drove me crazy with numerous split infinitives.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Random Thoughts
I'm no cynic, but I'm thinking there has got to be, somewhere, a church or at least a family that was against children watching Chip N' Dale's Rescue Rangers because of the name.
LOST was good last night. I'm going to enjoy this six episode season...
LOST was good last night. I'm going to enjoy this six episode season...
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