Tuesday, February 01, 2005
The Iraqi Elections
No matter where you stand on the war in Iraq, you had to be amazed by the images of Iraqi’s, Sunni, Shia and Kurd dancing in the streets and proudly showing the ink stained fingers. But is this the greatest news of the year?
This question comes from the point of view that democracy and elections are the greatest good. While I think very highly of the liberal democratic system, it cannot be our greatest good. Lets not forget that Adolph Hitler was elected by a democratic system. At the same time, many great leaders have served, not from a democratic position, but from that of royalty (we don’t use this word often, but, dictatorship). Queen Elizabeth of England, King David of Israel, and the kings of Siam/Thailand all are examples of decent to great rulers who were not elected shows that while democracy is valuable, it is not the only way to govern a nation.
The Roving Theologian Returns
Hello,
Due to health, work and school related problems I decided to take off two months after the election. Lets be honest, it took a lot out of all of us, especially for those of us who supported George Bush not because he was the greatest president of all time. but for reasons such as justice for nations. Anyways, The Roving Theologian has returned and will be posting at least 6X a week from now.
Additionally, please check out the following areas on this website:
Christophers’ Weblogs, from the Summer of 03 and 04, and from the Winter 04 and 05. These capture my times in England doing my Phd.
OT Overview - These documents are from my class I taught at our church as an OT Survey.
The Minor Prophets - Again, another course I taught on the Minor Prophets
The Parables - A course I taught just this past winter at First Presbyterian Church.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Theology of the Gospel of Luke
The following is a paper that I wrote for my Gospel class in Seminary. When reading the Gospel of Luke, I think you have to come to it with the idea
that the Gospel of God is an upside down reality.
This paper is a companion to the presentation handout on the parable of the Gospel of Luke.
New Testament Studies - From Christopher's Teachings • (13) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Saturday, November 06, 2004
The Christian and Civic Religion
In the United States the largest and loudest body of support for two of our strongest forms of civic religion, the mentioning of God in our pledge and on our money, has come from Evangelical Christians. What a friend of mine was shocked to run into another Christian who did not support these two articles of ?faith,? she was shocked. But should she be?
Let me state up front that I personally have no problem with either item. Then again, I do not feel passionate about protecting either item, at least not in and of themselves. What I will attempt to do here in a short few paragraphs, is state the case for both why and why not these two ?God? items should be kept.
Friday, November 05, 2004
A Theological Reflection on What the #$BLEEP*! Do We Know? ? Hope Beyond Quantum Physics?
What follows before is my attempt to exegete this movie, and in the end to draw some helpful and I believe true elements from this presentation. I personally loved the film?but then I have strange tastes in movies. I have seen in four times, and have laughed at the narrative shown to us to support the films theories and thesis. Having said that?
The challenge of the movie ?What the #$BLEEP*! Do We Know?? is that it is not easily categorized. Is it a documentary? Is it a fictional film? Is it modernist? Is it postmodernist? Well?yes, no, and wrong question.
First let me say that this movie is the strangest concoction I have experienced. It is one part Quantum Physics, one part Pluralistic and New Age theology, and one part physiology and importance of intention. It is not, as some have billed, a ?real world Matrix.? Far from it (though The Matrix trilogy itself allows for a lot of connections to this and many other movies and narratives)! Instead, it the story of a worldview that the makers of the film are inviting you to believe in ? in fact, they would say, it is the only true narrative out there (point one on why this is not really postmodern, but more modern or hypermodern).
Thursday, November 04, 2004
A Survey of the Old Testament - Week One - Presented at First Pres Colo Spgs. - Spring 04 GTW
Last Spring (04) my wife Tanya and I presented a five week class that was a worldwind, 30,000 foot survey on the Old Testament. I hope you find this helpful.
Why We Are Studying the Old Testament
What most people are asked what they like about the Old Testament they almost always say the stories. While the New Testament, especially Paul?s, Peter?s and John?s letters are absolutely necessary for the guidance they provide on how to live in light of what Jesus has done on the cross, the Epistles just don?t captivate the reader the same way that the stories of Noah, Moses, Samson, Elijah, Jonah and the rest of the cast of characters from the Old Testament do. But, if you ask many people what they don?t like about the Old Testament, in addition to the genealogies , people will often tell you it?s the stories. There are so many despicable stories in the Old Testament, that we are not quite sure we want our kids reading these ancient stories.
Old Testament Studies - From Christopher's Teaching • (8) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
November 2nd Most-mortem
Is the new American voter the values voter? And, does this mean anything for our nation?
This morning there is a lot of talk about what this election turned on. Clearly Iraq was a major issue, probably driving many young people to the polls and turning some Republican votes to Democrat. Terrorism seemed to be an issue, but based on Kerry?s strong showing in New York and New Jersey indicates that it may not have been the issue many thought it was. The economy was an issue, though probably only on the margins ? especially among union voters who have suffered from the new globalized economy.
Election Day - Blog Final!
Well, because of kids and computer issues last night, I was unable to Blog the election returns. To bad, there were many interesting points last night…
Jim Bunning, who may be losing his marbles, but didn’t lose his seat after all.
The media going nuts that Kerry was ahead in Virginia, with 2% Precincts, and then, wait, Bush winning big.
Chris Matthews, who I used to love, using the term “visage” to refer to Bin Laden about fifteen times.
Hearing about Provisional Ballots for far too long.
A local newscaster referring to votes coming into our County this way..."Like patting gravy on the biscuits.” I do not have a clue what that means?
The use of more five syllable words in one night than television has heard in decades.
Seeing the MSM, including FOX (why do people still refer to them as Conservatives, the reason I watch them is because they have Juan Williams, Mara Liason - both of NPR - and Morton Kondracke, my favorite Moderate) unwilling to call Iowa, New Mexico, and Nevada because it would mean that the election was over.
And finally, a night without terrorism and without concession speeches.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Election Day!!! Blog 4
More states called…
So, they are not calling Missippi? If Kerry carries MS, I will personally run naked around my neighborhood...and its about 20 degrees. Does it make anyone else mad that they call states before there are any votes...Come on let the votes count.
Election Day!!! Blog 3
Surprise 1
Well, could Jim Bunning go down? One Republican friend sitting a few feet from me said, “I wouldnt want a crazy man representing me, no matter what the
party.” Are the people of KY agreeing with him?
Election Day!!! Blog 2
A Person is smart, People are stupid, paniky and dangersous - Agent K, Men In Black
So...Matt Drudge, whose qualifications are about as good as mine for telling a lie from the truth (wait, my wife told me not to insult myself anymore), managed to kill the Dow today, through Republicans onto their collective ledges, and create the spilling of more virtual ink on the web today than in its history. Mid-day exit polling? On an election where people have been voting for at least two weeks? People are panicky. Not to be abusive...but people are pathetic when their hopes can be crushed by “exit polling.”
Election Day!!! Blog 1
Tonight at the Morton casa there will be an election party, non-partisan, as we try and come together after a tough and bitter election.
Well,
Tonight is the night. I for one will be happy to be past election stuff. I am an absolute politcal junkie. When I was 8 I used to pretend to be a U.S. Senator! I watched practically every minute of campaign coverage in 1980, as a ten year old. I love politics...but I am glad to be done with this. Lets move on towards talking about even more important stuff (theology) in the future.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Voting for Bush - The Long Answer to the Short Question of “Why are you voting for Bush?”
Over a week ago I promised to write a longer response to the question: Why I am voting for President Bush. In 2000 I voted for Nader, well actually, partly for Nader and partly against Bush?s foreign policy expressed then (i.e. Africa is not of concern to the United States) and partly because of the failure to come clean with the DWI conviction from the 1970s. I never considered voting for Al Gore because my personal opinion was that the Democrat party was and is in the hands of the rich and powerful (an accusation that used to be leveled at the GOP, but at least they never pretended to be for the little guy). So, why in 2004 am I voting for Bush?
My response comes from my position as a Christian and a theologian. I do not mean to imply that others Christians who choose one of the other candidates (and lets be clear, you are either voting for Bush or Kerry, or voting against one or both of them because they are the only two people who can win this year ? Sorry Nader). There are several reasons why I am voting for George Bush:
Friday, October 22, 2004
The Iraq War and a Christian Near Pacificist
The following was sent to a friend in response to the issue of the Iraq War at both the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) and United Methodist Church annual conferences. Richard Hays, whose theology and writing I very much appreciate (one of the young theologians in Christianity Today some years ago), said he wished the UMC had wrestled with the Iraq war as Christians like the PCUSA. The following response was sent to my friend who read my Dr. Hay’s comment in The Christian Century.
The following thoughts reflect the struggles of a Christian who love peace, justice, and community. It also reflects the struggles of one who sees evil as a very real presence in the world. After the past century, I don?t know how we can deny that reality, and in light of that, how does one balance their desire for the present and yet still coming Kingdom of God, while at the same time, living with the limitations of the a fallen world. Over the past two years my thinking has been shaped by the writings of Darrell Cole and Jean Bethke Elshtain, and to them I give many thanks.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Outsourcing from a Christian perspective
Outsourcing from a Christian perspective
This election as well as the economic news of the past few years or so has raised a very difficult question for those of us who care about both the jobs and livelihood of our friends and our commitment to continue on God?s promise that ?All nations will be blessed through you? (Galatians 3:8). Outsourcing has been especially severe in my city because we have lost many hi-tech jobs to India and China. Consequently, I get asked a lot about what we should do about this.
This election as well as the economic news of the past few years or so has raised a very difficult question for those of us who care about both the jobs and livelihood of our friends and our commitment to continue on God?s promise that ?All nations will be blessed through you? (Galatians 3:8). Outsourcing has been especially severe in my city because we have lost many hi-tech jobs to India and China. Consequently, I get asked a lot about what we should do about this.
