Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, 1863

Date November 23, 2006 Posted by Amy Hall

The year that is drawing toward
its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful
skies.  To these bounties, which are so
constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come,
others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not
fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to
the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war
of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign
states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with
all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and
obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military
conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing
armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful
industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or
the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as
well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more
abundantly than heretofore.  Population
has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the
camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the
consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect
continuance of years with large increase of freedom.  No human counsel hath devised nor hath any
mortal hand worked out these great things. 
They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing
with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. 

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently,
and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole
American people.  I do therefore invite
my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are
in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next
as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in
the heavens.  And I recommend to them
that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular
deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national
perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have
become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in
which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the
Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as
may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace,
harmony, tranquillity, and union.

—Abraham Lincoln, October 3,
1863

 

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Brett Kunkle's Paper Available

Date November 22, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

Brett Kunkle's ETS paper is back online: “Essential Concerns Regarding the Emerging Church”
My summary is available here.

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ETS 2006- James Spiegel: The Epistemic Ramifications of Behavior

Date November 21, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

I find Dr. Spiegel to be one of the most intriguing philosophers of our time. He’s one of the few presenters that I’ll probably highlight every year from ETS.

 

The contemporary understanding of the relationship between behavior and beliefs is that our actions flow from our cognitions. However, several Old Testament texts seem to suggest otherwise (Psalm 19:7, 25:9, Proverbs 1:4). Dr. Spiegel aims to explore how behavior impacts our beliefs.

 

His case is built on the epistemology of Alvin Plantinga. For Plantinga, a belief has “warrant” if 1) belief-forming mechanisms function properly, 2) operation is done in a favorable environment, 3) the cognitive system is successfully aimed at truth, and 4) there exists a sensus divinitatis. This is defined by Plantinga as “a kind of facult or cognitive mechanism… which in a wide variety of circumstances produces in us beliefs about God.” (Warranted Christian Belief, 154)

 

Sin has corrupted our cognitions and affections, such that the sensus divinitatis has been baldy damaged. This skews our ability to love and hate the right things accurately. Linda Zagzebski has criticized Plantinga’s model for being deficient of virtue consideration. We should consider some virtue amendments that are important for our intellectual life, as well as our formation into good persons.

 

One such virtue is that of phronesis, or practical wisdom. This is the sort of insight that may be described as a truth conducting intellectual quality necessary for moral conduct. Aristotle believed that without this virtue, we couldn’t be morally virtuous. We should also seek sophia, or speculative wisdom. In contrast to phronesis, sophia has nothing to do with conduct, it is solely an intellectual virtue. These two virtues are both intellectual virtues of insight, but one is in practical matters and the latter is in theoretical. Zagzebksi adds that phronesis is a higher-order virtue that governs all others (moral and intellectual).

 

One way our behaviors affect our beliefs is derivatively. For example, I must decide what to expose myself to in regards to mass media. My selection of which shows I watch, websites I visit, or radio stations I listen to will impact my attitudes and beliefs either negatively or positively.

 

Romans 1:18-28 presents us with a moral vicious cycle from suppression of truth to ignorance of God to epistemic corruption and further bad behavior. One way this occurs is through self-deception, such as the Christian minister who taught there’s nothing wrong with porn because it doesn’t involve touching. William James suggested that beliefs are emotions. Accordingly, regardless of the method used to arrive at our conviction, “the fundamental phenomenological feature of these convictions is emotional: our belief feels right. This, says James, is the sentiment of rationality.” For example, when we slander, the emotional pleasures we feel from it displaces our previous negative emotional associations with it. This makes the offense more likely to be repeated, thus presenting another vicious cycle.

 

These are corruption of the original design plan, disturbing the proper-function of our belief-forming mechanisms, creating environments hostile to correct belief formation, and further destruction of the sensus divinitatis. Conversely, the practice of virtues (instead of vices) avoids these negative epistemic effects. Exposure to beauty of all kinds improves the moral imagination, which is important to moral action. Good conduct, then, maximizes our cognitive functions while minimizing corruption due to sin. Virtuous actions result in the strengthening of our faith. Instead of a vicious cycle, here we have a “virtuous cycle.”

 

The negative fallout from sin resulting from its compromise of phronesis, which governs both moral and intellectual virtues, shows that behavior effects us epistemically. We should therefore seek to acquire phronesis both for it’s practical and intellectual benefits.

Category Posted in Ethics, Main Page, Philosophy, Roger's Posts Comments 1 Comment »

ETS 2006- H. Chris Ross: Promoting Evangelical Faith Through New Media

Date November 18, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

H. Chris Ross “Promoting Evangelical Faith Through New Media: Lessons from the English Reformation”

 

As Bob Dylan sang, “The time they are a-changin’.” Though he was describing the social changes of the 60’s, he could have said the same of sixteenth century Europe, or our situation today. The internet is often viewed as “the Guttenberg press of our time,” noting the similarities of the Reformation and current time periods. Mr. Ross believes these similarities have practical applications for Christians today.

 

The development of devotional literature in England provides important historical lessons. With the invention of the printing press, literacy levels rose and eventually the Bible and theological literature became more popular to larger groups of people. Much of the literature produced was works that used to be copied by hand.

 

In the latter sixteenth century, outlawed Catholic works started making their way into England. This was mostly devotional literature that appealed to both Protestants and Catholics. Due to the doctrinal emphasis of the Reformation, Protestants had not produced new spiritual literature of their own. Instead, some people, such as Edmund Bunny, adapted popular Catholic books by taking out the conflicting Catholic parts and republishing them as Protestant literature (this was before any real copyright restrictions).

 

It wasn’t until Richard Rogers published his Seven Treatises in 1602 that Protestants had a distinct devotional work that reflected the spiritual needs of the time. After this, more followed, but it took some time for Protestants to recognize the need and opportunity for such literature.

 

Mr. Ross suggested three significant parallels to today:

1)      Then, as there is today, there was unprecedented religious plurality.

2)      Those in the time of the Reformation were living between two forms of culture- oral and print. Today we live between print and electronic. The changes are gradual, but monumental.

3)      In both time periods, people gained a greater sense of spiritual autonomy, which makes them vulnerable to spiritual consumerism.

 

There are two lessons he believes we can draw from this bit of church history:

1)      Evangelical leaders need to be students of the present. We must at least be aware of new media and how it is impacting us.

2)      Evangelicals need to exploit the new media to spread the Gospel. We should utilize the most effective means to communicate the Gospel, which may mean utilizing electronic media.

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ETS 2006- Brett Kunkle: Essential Concerns Regarding the Emerging Church

Date November 17, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

Brett Kunkle’s paper on the Emerging Church has been one of the most popular papers this year. It is available on STR's website.

 

In his preliminary remarks, Brett claimed that he is qualified to speak about the emerging church because he’s personally met with many of its leading voices, attended their conferences and lectures, read their books, and attends what many consider to be an emerging church. While he made some very powerful criticisms, he noted that he does not reject everything that is going on in emerging churches.

 

Brett raised three areas of concern in assessing the emerging church movement (a broad missional perspective of doing church) and Emergent Village (an organization promoting changes in mission and theology) specifically. In each area, he gave examples of questionable teachings of Emergent leaders (Brian McLaren, Tony Jones, and Doug Pagitt), noting that they do not speak for the whole movement, but are influential voices.

 

The first concern is concerning the cross. Brett cited quotes from McLaren’s work that question substitutionary atonement and promote ignorance of why Christ had to die. The second concern has to do with the authority of the Bible. Brett cited quotes from Pagitt that claim the Bible’s authority depends on the communities that use it. This makes the community authoritative rather than the Bible. The final concern has to do with the nature of truth. He again looked at remarks about truth from Pagitt that seem confused as to what truth is.

 

In the second part of his paper, Brett raised his most serious concern- that the door is wide open to unorthodoxy. He does not believe, for example, that Tony Jones is currently unorthodox. However, by putting “everything on the table” for reconsideration, they could easily go that route. He used Spencer Burke and his book, A Heretic’s Guide to Eternity, as an example of how unorthodox those in the emerging movement can get.

Category Posted in Emerging / Emergent Church, Main Page, Roger's Posts, Theology Comments 5 Comments »

ETS 2006- Erik Thoennes: Laughing Through Tears

Date November 16, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

This morning, Dr. Erik Thoennes read his paper “Laughing Through Tears: The Redemptive Role of Humor in a Fallen World.” He noted that the ability to laugh helps deal with difficulties we face in life.

 

Dr. Thoennes offered four reasons for why Christians should study humor:

1)      Humor is a unique human experience, and it is central to human relationships.

2)      Humor goes to the gutter quickly.

3)      Maturity should lead to Godly sense of humor. He cited some self-critical questions posed by A.W. Tozer, one of which was “What do I laugh at?”

4)      Ministering should lead to Godly laughter for us and those we serve.

 

Humor is commonly defined at words or actions intended to cause laughter. Most often, it involves recognition of incongruity.

 

While the Bible does not speak directly of God’s humor, and it is primarily serious in nature, humor is a subtext of the Bible. Dr. Thoennes went through several instances of humor throughout the Bible in categories such as irony, sarcasm, etc.

 

He suggests that there is a link between humor and hope. The story of the incarnation is rampant with ironic humor, such as the Sustainer of the universe riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as His “triumphal entry.”

 

We must use discernment in laughter as with other aspects of life. Dr. Thoennes suggested getting in the habit of pausing before responding to something with laughter to consider whether it is something we should really be laughing at. We should laugh for the good of others and to the glory of God.

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ETS 2006 in Washington D.C.

Date November 15, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

I'm reporting to you from our nation's capitol tonight, gearing up for the next few days of the ETS annual conference. Each year the Evangelical Theological Society gathers a few thousand scholars from around the nation (and beyond) for a non-stop theology marathon. This year, we're in D.C. with the theme “Christianity in the Public Square.” I hear there will be around 600 papers presented. Naturally I can't make it to all of them, but I can blog on a few that I do attend. Last year I reported on five papers, and to give you a taste of what's to come, here's the recap:

Wayne Grudem on Poverty and Wealth

Moreland v. Franke on Non-Foundationalism

James Spiegel on Ethics and Art (I also did a post on where I disagreed with him)

John Hammett on the Emerging Church

James Beverley on Ravi Zacharias, Robert Millet, and the New Dialogue

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Veterans Day

Date November 11, 2006 Posted by Amy Hall

A Jester Unemployed has some simple suggestions here and
here for honoring and supporting our military this Veterans Day.  Read through her reflections on love and self-sacrifice
and consider sacrificing some of your own time or treasure (writing a quick
note to a lonely soldier doesn't take much of either!) at Soldiers' Angels
today.

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Main Page, Miscellaneous Comments 1 Comment »

A Key to Personal Growth: Introspective Plank Removal

Date November 10, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

Today on his radio show, Dennis Prager analyzed the general
Republican reaction to Tuesday’s election. He noted that in recent elections,
upon defeat, Democrats have often claimed voting irregularities, intimidation,
and challenged the results with lawsuits. This time around, the Republicans are
generally responding to defeat with critical self-reflection; asking themselves,
“What did we do wrong?” One point he made especially stuck with me: “I was raised
to believe that the greatest battle in my life is with Dennis Prager and
liberal kids are raised to believe that the biggest battle in their life is
with society- racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, classism, and you name
the rest.”

While I think he’s making a good political point, I’d like
to discuss it applied it to a broader context. Our ability to grow into mature
individuals depends upon our acceptance of personal responsibility and our
willingness to make the necessary personal changes.

To illustrate this point, let me give an example from my own
life. I’m one of many Americans who has somehow managed to accumulate a
sizeable amount of consumer debt. This presents challenges for things I’d like
to do in life (like buy a new car, go on dates) since a chunk of my income goes
just to paying the interest on my credit cards. The wrong approach would be for
me to blame the credit card companies: They sent me the card offers, they
raised my interest rates, they keep raising my credit limit, etc. This sort of
response will only make me bitter, angry, and stressed out. If I want my
situation to change, I need to first accept that I got myself into the mess by
spending without self-control. But accepting personal responsibility is not
enough. If I stop there, I’ll probably just become depressed with myself. I
must also figure out what changes I need to make personally in order to change
the situation, such as refrain from credit spending, discipline my spending to
only things I need, etc. This approach not only improves my financial
situation, but it also makes me wiser and better person overall.

This may not seem like an extraordinary thesis at face
value, but I think it is in light of how our culture attempts to “solve”
problems, and not just in the political areas that Prager highlighted. Instead
of taking personal responsibility and making changes, for example, I often hear
people attribute their problems to bad parenting- “My father abused me” or “My
mother was never there.” These sorts of lines (likely the byproduct of
psychology gone wrong) are often used as excuses for wrong or bad behavior,
they don’t actually solve anything and they tend to generate anger and
bitterness. We would do far better to say something like, “Well, my father
wasn’t around to raise me and teach me what it means to be a man. My reaction
was to make some wrong choices and I must take responsibility for them since I
could have chosen otherwise. But now that I see where I went wrong, I wish to
become a better man, and I will do that by…” You get the idea.

Whenever we face a problem in life, it’s wise to first look
inward for the cause. Certainly bad things happen to us, but it’s usually our
reaction to them that causes us the most problems. Instead of being quick to
criticize others and blame them, we must be quick to criticize ourselves. I
think Jesus was getting at this in His teaching about taking the plank out of
our own eyes before trying to take the speck out of others’ (Matt 7:3-5).

As Christians, we have two helps in this task. The first is
the Holy Spirit. He not only guides us into better understanding God’s Word,
but He also guides into better understanding of ourselves through the blessed
gift of conviction. Conviction is always the first painful step on the road to
getting better (sanctification), and it is best followed by changing what was
wrong (repentance).

The second help is community. Despite our best efforts,
however sincere, we have a tendency to gloss over our defects. Often times we
need people to point them out to us. These must be people whom we do life with
regularly, whom we trust, and whom we can be humble with. We must do life
together in order for people to gain an adequate perspective of us and we must
be humble and trusting in order to give their criticisms a fair hearing. In essence,
we need to be regular participants in small churches (large ones, especially
mega churches, typically cannot provide this sort of community).

In this fallen world, our greatest battles are indeed against
ourselves, not against our environments or societies. The sooner we recognize
this, the sooner we can become better people. “Wretched man that I am! Who will
deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our
Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25)

Category Posted in Ethics, Main Page, Roger's Posts Comments 5 Comments »

Looney Tunes

Date November 8, 2006 Posted by Amy Hall

In my last post (I know, it seems like so long ago!), I promised I would give you an example of the conspiracy theories that are promoted in the Islamic world.

 

Here it is (from “Iran TV: 'Pirates of Caribbean' a Zionist plot” on WorldNetDaily.com): 

 

Prof. Hasan Bolkhari, a cultural adviser to the Iranian Education Ministry, told Iran's Channel 4 the Tom and Jerry cartoon is a Jewish conspiracy….

 

“If you study European history, you will see who was the main power to hoard money and wealth in the 19th century.  In most cases, it is the Jews. … Watch 'Schindler's List.'  Every Jew was forced to wear a yellow star on his clothing.  The Jews were degraded and termed 'dirty mice.'  Tom and Jerry was made in order to change the Europeans' perception of mice.”

 

When I first read that excerpt, I admit I chuckled.  But then I watched the actual video provided by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)–an organization that posts English translations of Middle Eastern television on their website.

 

It's extremely disturbing.  Something you'd only expect to see in a black-and-white clip from sixty years ago.  Unfortunately, because we're living in our prosperous, free bubble, we can't fathom what's going on out there in the world's media, and so we underestimate its power.  But make no mistake, there will be repercussions today just as there were sixty years ago.

 

I can't stress enough how dangerous these lies are to the stability of the world.  I urge you to watch the full video clip (and more) here so you can understand what we'll be dealing with in the years to come. 

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Culture, Main Page, Politics Comments 17 Comments »

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