Thursday, May 29, 2008

Internetolution

Dr. Mohler's latest post about the affects of the internet on libraries and information in general is a good read. I work in the library at SEBTS, so I can see what he's talking about going on first hand... It's truly amazing the way the internet has changed so many areas of our daily lives. Not only information, but communication for instance. Today I talked to two people in two very different parts of the world: Afghanistan and India. It boggles my mind how I can sit here and almost instantly communicate with these two people, so many thousands of miles away from me.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Definitions

Two things:

1. Why is it so hard to maintain my Greek?! I took 4 semesters in college and then completely lost almost everything I learned by not touching it for 2 years. I've just finished re-taking Greek at SEBTS and I'm already unmotivated to study. What will it take for me to get myself into action?

2. Is anyone else as annoyed as I am with the over abundant use of the term "ground zero" these days? Look it up and you'll see that it has nothing to do with what most people (especially the media) use it for.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Sentiment at the Movies

Usually my wife and I are too frugal (or cheap if you wish) to see many new releases in the theater. We have netlfix and prefer to wait until they come out on DVD. Recently we've broken this habit for two new releases. However, I really wish we hadn't.

The two movies we deemed worthy of our hard earned money were Prince Caspian and Indiana Jones. I must say, I was sorely disappointed with both. Now I'm no movie critic and I certainly don't want to persuade anyone to think one way or another about these films, and for all I know, no one even reads this blog yet, so I guess it makes no difference; but, I have had several conversations about these films in recent days and thought this would be a good place to say some things I've been thinking.
1. I think that there should be a law passed that alerts the movie goer that they are about to see another alien movie before they purchase a ticket. Seriously. Indiana Jones is NOT supposed to be about aliens! Oh well.
2. Whoever owns the rights to C. S. Lewis' works needs to be drug out into the street and shot for allowing Hollywood to butcher his work. I was aghast at what the producer and/or writer did to Prince Caspian. Not only are there entire sub-plots in the movie that are not even suggested in the book, but the whole thing smacks of Americanisms that are simply not there in the book. I noticed this problem first in the movie version of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. In that movie the children behave like bratty, spoiled, self-centered Americans. In Prince Caspian the acting has improved (I suppose the age difference might have something to do with it), but the annoying 21st century influence is still there. In the book Peter tells Caspian that he hasn't come to take the kingdom but to give it to Caspian. Not so in the movie. Instead the writers thought it would be better for a power struggle to play out for a little while. Also, Lucy found Aslan more toward the beginning of the story, and there was no disobedient self-reliant raid on Miraz's castle. A central theme of the book that has been undermined in the movie is that of faith and trust in Aslan. The movie simply destroys the characterization so central in Lewis' work, and in doing so, the rich symbolism is almost lost.

These were just some of the things that bother me most about these two movies. Why do these things even matter? one might ask. Well, for me, I guess it's the sentimental attachment I had to the stories told by each. I grew up watching Indiana Jones and I remember how much fun those movies were. This new one doesn't convey the same sense of "believability," if you will. And I've read the entire Chronicles of Narnia a few times and they've become one of my favorite fiction works. It seems then that the primary issue is that of expectations. Someone who knows nothing of the old Indiana Jones movies or of Lewis' written Narnia series probably won't take much issue with these movies. But someone with enough experience to know what great things could be, but what is painfully not, is negatively affected by these films.

As I sit here typing out these thoughts, one thing moves to the front of my mind. This is a very good analogy of what is happening to today's Churches. Those who have actually felt true community with both the Head of the body, Christ, and with the body itself, the church, are becoming increasingly disappointed by the 21st century, American-dream, consumer-driven, man-exalting "churches" that do such a poor job at accurately portraying the true church as described in the written Word of God. From conversations I've had about these two dissimilar subjects, it seems to me that this younger generation, mine, is ready for a genuine attempt at accurately presenting the original Author's story and message.

Summer Reading

I finished my first summer reading book yesterday. I figured after a semester of molanist teaching in Theology 2 it would be good to read something a little more in line with what I believe the Bible teaches. Not only that, but I had heard of this book before and always wanted to read it. So, I decided to include Redemption: Accomplished and Applied by John Murray to my list of summer reading. It was a very good book, divided into 2 sections: 1. Redemption accomplished, 2. Redemption Applied. I flew through the first section and was greatly encouraged by it. The second section was also uplifting, though not quite as much of a page turner for me. One quote really sums up the content of the book:

"Christ discharged the debt of sin. He bore our sins and purged them. He did not make a token payment which God accepts in place of the whole. Our debts are not canceled; they are liquidated. Christ procured redemption and therefore he secured it. He met in himself and swallowed up the full toll of divine condemnation and judgment against sin. He wrought righteousness which is the proper ground of complete justification and the title to everlasting life. Grace thus reigns through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. He expiated guilt and "by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." "Being made perfect he became the author (the cause) of eternal salvation to all them that obey him." In a word, Jesus met all the exigencies arising from our sin and he procured all the benefits that lead to, and are consummated in, the liberty of the glory of the children of God."

Having finished this first book I've moved on to my next installment of summer reading. I have always wanted to read the Puritans, but have never really gotten around to it, but what better time than now? I began reading Jeremiah Burroughs' The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment today. It is a very down to earth, practical guide to how believers can learn to be content in all things (Phil 4:11). I trust that I will benefit greatly from digesting the truths contained within its pages.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Great food and cheap books

Tonight Lisa and I went to the Hollander's for dinner. Much thanks to them for their hospitality. The food was excellent.

The post dinner trip to Mr. Otsby's was also excellent. There Blake acquired Owen's massive 7 volume commentary on Hebrews for a mere $35 as well as many other gems. I was able to snag about 15 books for under $40. Of one D. A. Carson laments, "That it is now out of print is a serious loss." I'm happy with my purchase and the envy for Blake's good fortune is slowly subsiding.



I think I will need some more shelf space soon...



Here are my summer reading books...



Finally, I thought I'd share with you this painting my friend Matt Tolbert did for me. I love it.




New to the blogosphere

This blog is named simply for a reason. I make no promises to keep it up. I make no promises to post anything particularly insightful. I do hope to use this as a way to organize some of my thoughts and hopefully share something of what the Lord is doing in my life with you, the reader.

Having said that, I am a Christian, a newly-wed, a student at SEBTS, and a member of Treasuring Christ Church in Raleigh, NC. I am captivated by the Word of God, and interested in Greek, New Covenant Theology, Ecclesiology, and a spattering of other things. I also enjoy fishing, the outdoors, good coffee, and automobiles.