Relevant Magazine continues their series, which I have enjoyed.
I anxiously await the Being a Christian Socialist article. It will probably regard being a Christian Independent though. Can't get too sticky.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Joe Morello
In watching the Grammys, I noticed during their memorial section that drummer Joe Morello passed away this year. He was the drummer for the Dave Brubeck Quartet during the famed years. His drumming helped bring the swing to odd time signatures on their famous record, Time Out. Check him and the others out in this 1966 performance of Take Five.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Being a Christian [blank]
A couple articles from Relevant Magazine.
Why I am a Christian Republican.
Being a Christian Libertarian.
I assume the left side explanations are forthcoming.
Why I am a Christian Republican.
Being a Christian Libertarian.
I assume the left side explanations are forthcoming.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Iran Crazy
So I was reading this article, bemoaning the rhetoric that comes from the Iranian leadership, when I read the following paragraphs:
"Any Iranian military or commercial vessel easily could get right outside the U.S. coastline and in less than 60 seconds fire a ballistic missile armed with a nuclear payload and detonate it over U.S. skies in an electromagnetic attack that would plunge America back into the 18th century.
Studies show within just one year after such an attack, two-thirds of Americans would cease to exist and the rest would live under dire conditions."
That's a little dire. Are they really that sneaky? The Soviet Union had submarines everywhere and I could see that being a likely scenario, but Iran? Also, what "studies"? Starting any kind of conventional war or greater with America would be bad news for Iran. A good portion of our Cold War contingencies are still operational, I would guess, and therefore beyond the scope of Iran's capability to cripple us beyond retaliation. In such an unlikely scenario, they would be calling the President's bluff on a nuclear scale, risking their whole country becoming a radioactive glass sea.
"Any Iranian military or commercial vessel easily could get right outside the U.S. coastline and in less than 60 seconds fire a ballistic missile armed with a nuclear payload and detonate it over U.S. skies in an electromagnetic attack that would plunge America back into the 18th century.
Studies show within just one year after such an attack, two-thirds of Americans would cease to exist and the rest would live under dire conditions."
That's a little dire. Are they really that sneaky? The Soviet Union had submarines everywhere and I could see that being a likely scenario, but Iran? Also, what "studies"? Starting any kind of conventional war or greater with America would be bad news for Iran. A good portion of our Cold War contingencies are still operational, I would guess, and therefore beyond the scope of Iran's capability to cripple us beyond retaliation. In such an unlikely scenario, they would be calling the President's bluff on a nuclear scale, risking their whole country becoming a radioactive glass sea.
Romney and the Poor
You've all probably seen the clip or read about where Romney says he's not concerned about the very poor.
Yeah, that was bad.
He offers a poor explanation here of why he said it but simultaneously does a good job at saying he made a mistake. I'm not sure how one apologizes without setting the record straight, but he did. He's walking on egg-shells already since he's monster rich and then he said that. I was very disappointed. I sense the shock waves will have broad political repercussions. As does this guy.
Conservatives, libertarians, etc, need to be far better at communicating the fact that they DO care about the very poor. Because they view poverty as a "human" problem, there is not a "class focus" on the poor and hence a lack of focused language. The policies advocated by the limited government types are advocated because they do the most good for the most people (including the very poor). Therefore, the connection between capitalism and the poor is not explicit and therefore lost to this sound byte culture. Capitalism has shown to be the best structure we know of to help the poorest among us and that message needs to be communicated in language all can understand.
Yeah, that was bad.
He offers a poor explanation here of why he said it but simultaneously does a good job at saying he made a mistake. I'm not sure how one apologizes without setting the record straight, but he did. He's walking on egg-shells already since he's monster rich and then he said that. I was very disappointed. I sense the shock waves will have broad political repercussions. As does this guy.
Conservatives, libertarians, etc, need to be far better at communicating the fact that they DO care about the very poor. Because they view poverty as a "human" problem, there is not a "class focus" on the poor and hence a lack of focused language. The policies advocated by the limited government types are advocated because they do the most good for the most people (including the very poor). Therefore, the connection between capitalism and the poor is not explicit and therefore lost to this sound byte culture. Capitalism has shown to be the best structure we know of to help the poorest among us and that message needs to be communicated in language all can understand.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
How Engaged With American Culture Are You?
A classmate of mine linked this quiz, I took it and had to share. See how in touch you are with mainstream America.
I scored a 10 out of 20. Underneath your score it will describe what it means. I got something like, "even though I grew up in the upper class I was exposed to normal America."
If you take it let me know how you do.
I scored a 10 out of 20. Underneath your score it will describe what it means. I got something like, "even though I grew up in the upper class I was exposed to normal America."
If you take it let me know how you do.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wealthy Presidents
As per some of my recent tweets, a discussion must be had regarding Romney's wealth. The links below prove there is some discussion out there and I'm glad it is putting some context around this issue.
For instance, Romney's wealth is calculated to be around $220 million, while Washington's wealth is rated at over $500 million. JFK comes in second according to some reports.
USA Today.
The Atlantic: "The Net Worth of the US Presidents"
And the Washington Post has a nice article on candidates and their wealth that I couldn't link because I don't want to sign up in order to read the article. Their loss.
On a similar note, here's a link to an article by a rabbi in the Wall Street Journal called "What the Bible Teaches About Capitalism."
For instance, Romney's wealth is calculated to be around $220 million, while Washington's wealth is rated at over $500 million. JFK comes in second according to some reports.
USA Today.
The Atlantic: "The Net Worth of the US Presidents"
And the Washington Post has a nice article on candidates and their wealth that I couldn't link because I don't want to sign up in order to read the article. Their loss.
On a similar note, here's a link to an article by a rabbi in the Wall Street Journal called "What the Bible Teaches About Capitalism."
Friday, January 27, 2012
A Thought
I just realized I did two mindless posts in a row.
So here's something I've been thinking about lately with a little more thought to it (although far from complete) than Star Wars dogs or wooly mammoths.
A few weeks ago, a pastor at my church was preaching on justice (shalom: a restoration of creation to wholeness) and how we as Christians must work towards justice (shalom) because that is essence of the Good News (Christ coming to redeem those separated from God). It was a few weeks ago, so I don't remember all of the details, but I do remember at the end he gave a blessing to those in the congregation who work to end injustice in non-profits, government, law enforcement, etc. However he left out the business people.
Scripture talks about businessmen and women, how the Lord both blesses (the businesswoman described in Proverbs 31, Abraham) and takes away (Job). A major part of the definition of an entrepreneur is one who seeks to meet the needs of others. Someone who is others focused. Of course, the "needs" people have may be perverse, but that is the nature of human beings while we live on this earth (tendency to perversion) and why the work of Jesus' death and resurrection was necessary. To be "little Christs" (Christians) means to work in this fallen world in the context of His Grace. I fully believe business people can do that in their business. Just like any action we do, our intentions are what matter. In Matthew 7, Jesus talks of those who will meet Him after all is said and done, telling Him they did many miracle, cast out demons, prophesied, and He will tell them He doesn't know them. If doing something as "holy" as miracles isn't good enough, then surely that means our heart is what matters to Him. Likewise, merely being a non-profit employee, or even a pastor, does not automatically make one closer to the ideal of "justice worker"or a true Christian.
God has used non-profit employees et al to do amazing things for this world, do not get me wrong. However, I encourage you to think of all the needs met in your own life and others by God through business people: the clothes you wear, the food you eat, technology, etc, etc. The many things that can make our life more comfortable and richer (closer to shalom). However, this is not to say our greatest Need is not met in things. Physical restoration or need-filling is only a slice of the justice pie.
Those Christians in business can be conscious and successful in their duty to do justice and do that both through selling and giving freely. I think there are many Christians who are missing out on living a more fulfilled life because the message the church so often gives is that business is somehow outside the realm of striving for and doing justice.
A note: I don't consider this the end all, be all of right Christian living, but merely an aspect of what we were created for and each person will be called to a different vocation as unique creations. Parts of "a Body with many members."
So here's something I've been thinking about lately with a little more thought to it (although far from complete) than Star Wars dogs or wooly mammoths.
A few weeks ago, a pastor at my church was preaching on justice (shalom: a restoration of creation to wholeness) and how we as Christians must work towards justice (shalom) because that is essence of the Good News (Christ coming to redeem those separated from God). It was a few weeks ago, so I don't remember all of the details, but I do remember at the end he gave a blessing to those in the congregation who work to end injustice in non-profits, government, law enforcement, etc. However he left out the business people.
Scripture talks about businessmen and women, how the Lord both blesses (the businesswoman described in Proverbs 31, Abraham) and takes away (Job). A major part of the definition of an entrepreneur is one who seeks to meet the needs of others. Someone who is others focused. Of course, the "needs" people have may be perverse, but that is the nature of human beings while we live on this earth (tendency to perversion) and why the work of Jesus' death and resurrection was necessary. To be "little Christs" (Christians) means to work in this fallen world in the context of His Grace. I fully believe business people can do that in their business. Just like any action we do, our intentions are what matter. In Matthew 7, Jesus talks of those who will meet Him after all is said and done, telling Him they did many miracle, cast out demons, prophesied, and He will tell them He doesn't know them. If doing something as "holy" as miracles isn't good enough, then surely that means our heart is what matters to Him. Likewise, merely being a non-profit employee, or even a pastor, does not automatically make one closer to the ideal of "justice worker"or a true Christian.
God has used non-profit employees et al to do amazing things for this world, do not get me wrong. However, I encourage you to think of all the needs met in your own life and others by God through business people: the clothes you wear, the food you eat, technology, etc, etc. The many things that can make our life more comfortable and richer (closer to shalom). However, this is not to say our greatest Need is not met in things. Physical restoration or need-filling is only a slice of the justice pie.
Those Christians in business can be conscious and successful in their duty to do justice and do that both through selling and giving freely. I think there are many Christians who are missing out on living a more fulfilled life because the message the church so often gives is that business is somehow outside the realm of striving for and doing justice.
A note: I don't consider this the end all, be all of right Christian living, but merely an aspect of what we were created for and each person will be called to a different vocation as unique creations. Parts of "a Body with many members."
Thursday, January 26, 2012
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