Moving Values from the Freezer to the Medicine Cabinet

Date April 10, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

Joe Carter at The Evangelical Outpost has initiated a symposium on “Judeo-Christian Values in an Ethically Pluralistic Society.” What follows is my entry into the discussion.

 

The first task is definitions. Dennis Prager recently did a ten-part series on Judeo-Christian values, which are worthwhile reads. I will borrow from his defining of terms to propose that these values are that which is found in the Old Testament (or Hebrew Bible) and is of concern to both Christians and Jewish peoples (and often Roman Catholics, Mormons, and some others). For more on that, read Prager.

 

An ethically pluralistic society can be taken two ways. On one hand, pluralism is evident. There are a plurality of ethical standards around the world today, and the Judeo-Christian standards are just one set of many. The Bible assumes this will be the case for believers when it gives guidelines for interacting with culture (in both the O.T. and N.T.). The other way pluralism can be taken is to mean that everyone’s moral values are equally true. In other words, it is moral relativism. Though we have many differing values that are often contradictory, all values are equally right.

 

It is this second definition of pluralism that is the mindset of most people in American culture, especially in the university. What I’m concerned with here is why contradictory values are generally held to be true. This mindset is evidenced when we hear statements such as “you can’t judge me”, “that’s just true for you”, “you shouldn’t try to impose (or force) your views on me.”

 

The fundamental problem is that our culture does not believe that ethical values constitute an area of knowledge. A chasm has been dug between those things that are “facts” and those things that are “values,” such that facts are universally binding and values are relevant only to individual choice. Facts are the insulin. If you have diabetes, you must have insulin. If you want to fly, you need propulsion. Values are the ice cream. I like Cookies ‘N Cream, Greg Koukl likes Butter Pecan, and there are no consequences to either preference.

 

Francis Schaeffer characterized this as the divide between the “Lower Story” and the “Upper Story.” In the Lower Story we have placed only those things that are scientifically verifiable. In most cases, this means only materialistic explanations can constitute knowledge that is true for all people. We have thrown everything else into the Upper Story- ethics (Kant), religion (romanticism), the mind (Descartes), literature (Derrida), etc. No matter how strongly we hold to a belief in any of these areas, we can never claim that our belief constitutes something knowable, something true beyond the confines of our individual existence.

 

Judeo-Christian values are meaningless in such a culture, as are any other values. We have no basis for telling someone it is wrong to kill their baby, and likewise, they have no basis for telling us we’re wrong in our assessment. It is no wonder why so many people believe we can’t legislate morality; if morality were a matter of personal choice then it would make no sense to legislate it. Of course, if this were the case we would have nothing to legislate. Those things that are universally true in this framework have already been legislated- like the laws of thermodynamics.

 

This dichotomy of facts and values is necessarily self-contradictory. More technically, it is self-referentially absurd. When this framework is applied to itself it falls flat on its face. It’s not scientifically verifiable. I can’t engage it with my five senses. It has no rational argumentation. In the end it explains nothing; nothing except what G.K. Chesterton told us, “When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing — they believe in anything.”

 

The Biblical worldview has always stood up against such nonsense, arguing that ethics, theology, etc. constitute knowledge. That claims of this nature correspond to the real world we encounter on a regular basic. C.S. Lewis made this argument in Mere Christianity by appealing to our intuitions. “Think of a country where people were admired for running away in battle, or where a man felt proud of double-crossing all the people kindest to him… [Men] have always agreed that you ought not put yourself first. Selfishness has never been admired… But the most remarkable thing is this. Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. He may break his promise to you, but if you try breaking one to him he will be complaining ‘It’s not fair’ before you can say Jackie Robinson.”

 

The foolishness of moral relativism isn’t new. Since the fall of man people have sought to do what is right in their own eyes. And history has shown the consequences of such efforts. We have experienced this problem in our own lives. Almost every time we feel hurt it is because someone decided to do what felt right for them instead of what is right for all.

 

If we desire to fulfill the Cultural Mandate, that is, develop and harness the social and natural world, then we must start by shifting “values” back down to the Lower Story. We must show that certain “values” aren’t simply ice cream in the freezer, but are really medicine in the cabinet. As Nancy Pearcey puts it, “to recover a place at the table of public debate, Christians must find a way to overcome the dichotomy between public and private, fact and value, secular and sacred. We need to liberate the gospel from its cultural captivity, restoring it to the status of public truth.” (Total Truth, 22)

Category Posted in Culture, Ethics, Main Page, Philosophy, Religion (General), Roger's Posts Comments 2 Comments »

Movie Review: Fever Pitch

Date April 9, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

Just a warning, this will likely be the most biased review of a movie I will ever give. Why? Because I’m a Sox fan- always have been, always will be. This movie made me feel like we won the World Series all over again. Jimmy Fallon plays a high school teacher, Ben, who inherited season tickets at Fenway Park and is to every extreme- a die-hard Sox fan. Romance kindles smoothly between Ben and Lindsay, played by Drew Barrymore, until opening day comes around and Ben’s other love is introduced.

 

Aside from a very serious scene in the middle of the film, it is non-stop comedy. Fallon and Barrymore have natural chemistry that consistently works, even in tackling the more dramatic moments of the film. The only plot problem is that their relationship seems to go from, “Hi, I wanted to ask you if I could ask you out…” to spending every spare moment together in a few seconds.

 

Of course the romance is an important element of the film, but for me, it’s all about the Sox. The film does a great job of chronically the 2004 season. The great wins, the disappointing losses, the other disappointing losses, and the ultimate victory. I relived the season in a 100-minute movie. I remember the game when Matsui (of the evil Yankees) hit two home runs. I remember the feeling of defeat and hopelessness when the Sox were down 3-0 to the Yankees in the playoffs. The film captured those moments and brought me back to them. I almost needed a tissue.

 

This is a good film for just about everyone. Non-baseball fans will appreciate the romantic comedy element. Baseball fans, especially Sox fans, will appreciate the great culture of the Red Sox Nation. For those who need to know, there are some sexual comments, though nothing to turn away from. Overall it is a great film and a great way to kick off the 2005 season. Grade: A

Category Posted in Main Page, Movie Reviews, Roger's Posts Comments 1 Comment »

“John Paul the Great”

Date April 8, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

Whose names should be most revered of the twentieth century? Who will be the headlines of our history books? FDR and Churchill have already been recognized in our books from the first half the century. For the second half we find Ronald Reagan and the late Pope John Paul II (Hewitt adds Alexander Solzhenitsyn, I may add Margaret Thatcher). Both men faced opposition within their ranks, some political and some theological. But they overcame numerous hurdles to take a stand strong for good and to unite despite their differences against evil. (JMR reminds us that Reagan lost his first president bid.)

 

I have now seen the funerals of these two great men through the power of television. Unfortunately, I doubt many non-Catholics in America stayed awake in the wee hours of the morning to witness the historic event. With 2 billion viewers worldwide, it was the most televised event in all of history. But that’s just a meaningless figure. The powerful fact is that there were Jews at a pope’s funeral! Jews! And they had an honored seat. That alone is a testimony to the greatness of John Paul II. Aside from that, almost every single world leader was present, over 200 dignitaries. The only significant one I’m aware of not attending was China, because Taiwan was there. Iran was there. We will never witness such a gathering again. And many Americans slept right through it.

 

Debating whether or not John Paul II was saved is, in my opinion, a fruitless debate. Regardless of the answer, now is the time to appreciate what he did for the world, what he did for all of us. So much that in his death he could unite the leaders of the world, even if only for a couple of hours.

Category Posted in Main Page, Religion (General), Roger's Posts Comments 3 Comments »

The Conversation Continues

Date April 7, 2005 Posted by Amy Hall

For those of you interested in the Emergent conversation, you'll be happy to know that Talbot Seminary is hosting a discussion with Emergent leaders on May 13th.  Dan Kimball, Spencer Burke, Robert Webber, and Ryan Bolger will be there along with Talbot professors, discussing the future of the church.  The cost is only $20 for the entire day plus lunch.  Come one, come all!  If any of you are in the Southern California area, we'd love to see you there.

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Culture, Emerging / Emergent Church, Main Page, Philosophy, Religion (General) Comments No Comments »

"Will Blog for Books"

Date April 7, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

What's that thing doing in the top right corner of the A-Team blog? Are we succumbing to the consumerist culture and trying to make money from our readers? Not totally. I work for books as much as I work for money, and that's what this is about. Mind & Media has this sweet program that sends me books (as no cost!) as long as I review the book on the blog and post their image so people can see how cool they are. You're probably thinking, “Dang, I always miss out on sweet things like this.” Don't worry, if you have a blog, you can join too. Simply go to www.blogforbooks.com to get all the details.

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts Comments No Comments »

"Will Blog for Books"

Date April 7, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

What's that thing doing in the top right corner of the A-Team blog? Are we succumbing to the consumerist culture and trying to make money from our readers? Not totally. I work for books as much as I work for money, and that's what this is about. Mind & Media has this sweet program that sends me books (as no cost!) as long as I review the book on the blog and post their image so people can see how cool they are. You're probably thinking, “Dang, I always miss out on sweet things like this.” Don't worry, if you have a blog, you can join too. Simply go to www.blogforbooks.com to get all the details.

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts Comments No Comments »

The Ambassador's Table – April 8th

Date April 5, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

This Friday we’ll be having The Ambassador’s Table. It is an informal night of food and discussion; what I like to call “intellectual fellowship.” Each Table we have a different topic for discussion. This Friday we’ll be talking about the purpose of church (this was last month’s topic but was canceled last minute). Any one is welcome to join us as long as you RSVP at least by Thursday. This is also a good opportunity to meet The A-Team, even the ones that never post.

 

The Table is Friday at 6:30 at Hannibal Smith’s house. 16203 Georgia Ave Paramount, CA, 90723. To RSVP email me at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts Comments No Comments »

A Brief Note…

Date April 4, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

How do you like the new place? Can you even tell? We had problems with our old blog host and switched to a new one. Fortunately everything for the reader is pretty much the same. Those of you who've registed accounts to comment should find they still work here. You may notice it looks like we have no comments. I had to copy and paste them over, so even though many say “1 comment” all the original comments are there.

Hopefully this new host is more stable, and it's already shown to be a bit more flexible from my end. Cheers!

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts Comments No Comments »

Turning a Page in History

Date April 2, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

This day has seen the final breath of a great man. John Paul II did much for the Roman Catholic, and he will be remembered for that. But his legacy reaches far beyond Catholic culture. The profound impact of John Paul II on the entire world will be hard to measure. I’m not a Roman Catholic, and I believe their doctrines distort the Gospel, but John Paul II lived a better Christian life than even most Protestants. Only such a man could have done what he did in such a time, and such a world is in dire need of such men. The next few weeks will witness numerous eulogies of the pontiff, and we should attend to every one.

One of the failures of our culture is indifference to heritage and history. We should take the opportunity now to relive and value the life of the Bishop of Rome. Start with the reflections of John Mark Reynolds. To understand the process of selecting a new Pope, listen to these free lectures offered by the Teaching Company (HT: BTW). I will update this post with some of the better reflections as they are published.

Evangelical Outpost- Truly Catholic: Reflections on the Death of John Paul II

Charles Krauthammer- Pope John Paul II

Fred Barnes- A Great Christian

Michael Barone- One Man Can Make a Difference

Albert Mohler- John Paul II–The Man and His Legacy

George Will- A Great Man Has Passed

Chuck Colson- 'The Planter of Crosses'

Category Posted in Main Page, Religion (General), Roger's Posts Comments 11 Comments »

All of Jesus and Joy Evermore!

Date April 2, 2005 Posted by Amy Hall

I keep this quote on my desktop–how wonderfully true it is!

 

“We serve a God who is never tired, never broke, and never in need. He is the good Father who has unlimited resources to help those He loves and He loves us! There is no end to His abundance. We are not saved to give up things for the sake of the pain. We are saved from material pleasures to wade deeper into His great grace and joy. The more of that joy we experience, the more is accessible to us. The fasts and disciplines of the Church are for our good, for our joy. When we complain about restraints, we are like children who cannot enjoy the ride at Disneyland for fear of the lap bar. Nothing is done to us that will cost us a single real pleasure. Instead, every order, every move, on the part of God is a further invitation to a deeper plunge into his great goodness and grace.  It is almost unfair that we get to be Christians. All of Jesus and joy evermore.”

 

— John Mark Reynolds

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Main Page, Poetry/Scripture/Liturgy/Etc. Comments No Comments »

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »