tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29487528908968636472024-03-13T13:01:44.157-07:00The Sedulous PlebAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-83444140128359632022013-11-19T19:43:00.001-08:002013-11-19T20:00:13.917-08:00Book Review to William Paul Young's "The Shack"<p>To view the presentation/speaker notes click <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1m6IrYc7RP6ZGvYmoLz_j1QlhK_oYD8Pe-3n56lPX9MQ" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1m6IrYc7RP6ZGvYmoLz_j1QlhK_oYD8Pe-3n56lPX9MQ/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" width="555" height="451" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p><p>My take away from William Paul Young's "The Shack". This book was a hit that was passed around a few Christmas season's ago so I felt it was time to publish my thoughts on the book. This dark story dives into some of the hardest questions people struggle with and Mr. Young's unique Christian perspective brings a comforting tell of redemption while wrestling with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_evil" target="_blank">the problem of evil</a>.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-69564154426644028362013-01-14T09:46:00.001-08:002013-01-14T09:47:10.016-08:00Why I'm a Calvinist<p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I certainly did not start off as a Calvinist. I grew up in a Baptist church and heard the Bible preached every Sunday. It’s amazing to me how you can spend so much of your life in church and hear even less about the Bible. I even attended a weekly Bible study put on by the associate pastor where we went through books of the Bible and asked whatever questions we could think up. To be honest, most of it consisted of laughs about words like “mandrake”. Sometime during high school I really started questioning Christianity so I read it cover to cover and all the study notes that came with it. Most of it made sense but even more of it didn’t.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> My journey to Calvinism started in college. I knew of predestination and election but was always told it somehow didn’t contradict freewill. My pastor would just shrug his shoulders and say it was somehow both. I heard of these so called “Calvinist” and how crazy their beliefs were. It wasn’t until I started really reading the scriptures that I started to question my own views on predestination, election, salvation and ultimately how I viewed God. I figured, if I really believe the Bible then I best figure out what it says on the subject. The Bible is our authority for understanding our faith and how we understand and view God. If we don’t believe it then we might has well view all other religious texts as equal or even all together irrelevant.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> The problem is what to do with verses that talk about “the elect”. There isn’t many and all of them only appear in the New Testament. If the verses were limited to only Paul’s teachings then some could easily dismiss them but since even Jesus supposedly made comments regarding it then it seems to carry more weight. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024:22-31&version=NASB">Matthew 24:22-31</a>) The struggle is how to think and understand what it means to be one of “the elect”. The very idea suggests either foreknowledge or some action on part of God to make or call His elect. Either view seems to butt up against free will.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> I started off trying to reconcile free will with election. My first attempt was to suggest that God elected His people based on His foreknowledge of who would accept Him. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:29&version=NASB">Romans 8:29</a>) This answer seemed to suffice but something didn’t sit well with me. Was this then saying God’s election was conditional? Was there some good in me that enabled me to choose Jesus freely? Maybe I’m somehow a better person if I have the will to choose Jesus. The obvious pride behind such questions suggests something’s off. Plus, if God still foreknew the end result could it still be said the individuals were “free” if their path was already predetermined (whether they realized it or not)? If they were not predetermined by God then by what? The role of the dice? If by random chance, then how is it possibly fair for a Supreme Being to create something He would knowingly damn to hell? Why even bother creating it all? That would be a far more merciful act. Such questions either lead us down the “open theist” view of a God with limited foresight (i.e. not truly omniscient) or a God who knowingly made such a decision.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> But let’s go back to the idea of God’s choice based on mine. I tried to reconcile this idea with suggesting it was like a marriage. God made a marriage proposal and I accepted. This fits within the view of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NASB">John 3:16</a>. God loved the world and Christ died for it and whoever accepted this would be saved. Simple enough but something about this nagged at me. It makes Jesus out to be some desperate loser; willing to love anybody who would just take him. Plus, what a foolish gamble God took sending his son to die. What if NO ONE accepted him? What a stupid idea that would have been, uh? </p><p class="MsoNormal"> The idea of choice and faith was very troubling to me. If my salvation depended solely on my faith and faith IS a choice what if I decided to change my mind at some point? What if I love Jesus one day then have a terrible day the next and I doubt God’s very existence? Am I damned because of my doubt? I could feel the doctrine of eternal security eroding below my feet. So on one end I’m a good guy because I chose God and on the other I’m a fickle individual capable of losing my salvation at any moment. Both seem troubling to me.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Suppose though I am a good guy or I made a wise decision in choosing Jesus. If it was my willful choice to follow Jesus then it’s my willful choice to do all the good things Christians are <em>supposed</em> to do. If there was one thing I learned my senior year of high school it was I did not do what Christians are supposed to do. In fact, I found myself doing all the things Christians are not supposed to do. I learned that I was a sinner. It wasn’t until I experienced the consequences of my sin that I accepted the fact that I was indeed a sinner and that I loved sin/self more than God. If I’m free to accept then I’m also free to reject but this seemed to fly in the face of scripture. Who can resist God’s calling? Who can thwart God’s Will? Can man upset God by not doing what He purposes? I once question my open theist friend with this and asked then what did Jesus mean <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:27-30&version=NASB">John 10:27-30</a>? Can man (including himself) pluck himself out of the hand of God?</p><p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%201-2&version=NASB">Ephesians 1-2</a> were probably some of the most powerful verses in changing my thinking to Calvinism. Here Paul tells how we were chosen before the foundation of the earth (v4) how we were predestined to adoption (v5) how we were dead in sin (2:v1) but in His great love and mercy (2:v4) brought us back to life (2:v6) “For it’s by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (2:v8-9) This sealed it for me. What was “<em>that</em> not of yourselves”? Salvation, yes, but more specifically faith. Even faith is a gift, so that no man may boast.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> You see most people view Calvinists as arrogant sanctimonious assholes but the truth is they <em>should</em> be anything but that! If they truly understand what has been given to them then they have no choice but to fall in humility before a mighty, merciful God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> This is just a precursor to my journey. There are many questions I have not yet addressed but this is a good start. I hope to spend some more time and type them up for you.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 2 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> To be fair, Calvinists don’t believe God gives us our faith. They describe it as “Irresistible grace”. They describe it as a calling by God that speaks to us in a way that we can’t resist, like trying to hold our breath or avoid eating food. Calvinists do believe though (as do Arminianists) that God “enables” our faith. They make statements like “the Holy Spirit prompts our heart”. I came to my conclusions before ever reading what Calvinists and Arminianists actually believe. I’ll admit I don’t understand the relationship between “our faith” and what role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. I’ve yet to read any good material on the subject that can fully separate this divine entanglement.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> It does seem to reaffirm though the Calvinist position since even the influence by the Holy Spirit would seem to reduce free will. Does the Holy Spirit speak to everyone? Maybe he does but only His Sheep hear His voice (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:27&version=NASB">John 10:27</a>). So maybe everyone hears a general voice of His Spirit but then is everyone called? Jesus didn’t think so (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206:44&version=NASB">John 6:44</a>). For me the problem with election, predestination, salvation and our understanding of God comes <em>from</em> the Bible. It’s not some doctrine just thought up by Calvin. Once I started buying into this God centered world view I started it seeing it EVERYWHERE in the scriptures. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> Before, I didn’t fully understand what Jesus was talking about when he said things to his disciples who asked “who then can be saved?” and he said “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2019:26&version=NASB">Matthew 19:26</a>). Or when Jesus talked about being “born again” he said it was by the Spirit (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:6-8&version=NASB">John 3:6-8</a>). Or when the disciples were starting to realize how serious Jesus/God took sin and they responded “Increase our faith!” and he responded with the parable of the mustard seed (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017:2-6&version=NASB">Luke 17:2-6</a>). After starting to buy into the Calvinist thought I thought that was a jerk comment Jesus made since I was starting to believe faith comes from God but Jesus goes on to explain that his followers are like slaves to God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017:7-10&version=NASB">Luke 17:7-10</a>) and was actually reaffirming their statement. He <em>would</em> increase their faith if only they ask for it but most importantly if they were His they would do what he commands.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> It’s this weird place where God works through us and it seems the only responsibility of man is to acknowledge his sin and cry out to God for help! How can one know he is called and truly saved? By obeying his commands (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202:3&version=NASB">1 John 2:3</a> & <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203:24&version=NASB">1 John 3:24</a>) and loving one another (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2013:35&version=NASB">John 13:35</a>). So, the doctrine of grace (Paul) doesn’t contradict the doctrine of works (James). This is where I started to understand and like Piper. Piper realizes this and acknowledges the disconnect between our desires and what we MUST desire i.e. we MUST desire God above all else. His whole teaching is founded on the phrase “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. It’s not a mutually exclusive view as defined by the Westminster catechism. That is, the purpose of mankind and our existence as they define it is “to glorify God <strong>and</strong> to enjoy him forever”.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Do we always enjoy Him? What about when we lose our loved ones to an IED? Or our wife gives birth to our stillborn child? Or our family member is raped or molested? No. Our hearts want to cry out for revenge and we seek answers. We blame others or we blame God. In these moments we are not satisfied in God but those who truly love Him have faith that all His actions or in-actions are for a greater good. Our love for Him is greater than our love for others. After all, we are commanded to love God first and foremost and only then followed by a love for mankind. For me, Calvinism put God back in a place of God. Where He does what He wants and I have to simply have the faith and trust that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:28&version=NASB">Romans 8:28</a>). This <em>good </em>is not good as we see it in our flesh but His good. This reaffirms what Jesus means when he says “ask and it will be given to you” (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:7&version=NASB">Matthew 7:7</a>) contrasted against (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204:2-6&version=NASB">James 4:2-6</a>)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">The paradox of faith is much like the paradox of sin. Neither Calvinism nor Armenianism give an adequate answer to either topic. How can God hold man accountable for sin if he knew he would do it? Neither camp has a good answer. But such a question is like asking: Why did God even bother creating mankind?; Was it out of some lacking in himself? I believe there is a God sized hole in the heart of men but there is not a Man sized hole in the heart of God. God is not served by hands as if He needed anything (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017:24-31&version=NASB">Acts 17:24-31</a>). Everything was created by Him, through Him, and for Him (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%201:16&version=NASB">Colossians 1:16</a>/<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:3&version=NASB">John 1:3</a>/<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2011:36&version=NASB">Romans 11:36</a>).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">When God becomes the center of the universe and not man (Anthropocentrism) the scriptures look a lot different as does God and our relationship to Him. I believe anthropocentrism is at the root of why we are not willing to believe in a God who does what He pleases. “How can God truly “love” someone if he forces them?” is a common objection. How are we not just robots? This thought troubled me as well. The Calvinists again hold that man does freely choose God but that His grace is “irresistible”. This answer doesn’t seem to suffice. The idea that this doesn’t seem “fair” though stems from our own perspective. It’s like we quickly forget that we are held accountable as sinners and our true just sentence is death and damnation. He is just in whom he has mercy and on whom He does not (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%209:14-16&version=NASB">Romans 9:14-16</a>).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">This brings us to the question of sin. Is there such a thing as “original sin”? Is sin something we do or can it also be something we think? Are we only capable of it if/when we reach an “age of accountability” or a certain maturity or conscientious level? There aren’t many scriptures around these things but I could give you scriptures that suggest any or all of them. The answer to any of these questions takes us to wildly different end results (some seemingly more pleasant than others). I tend to hold to the original sin view and total depravity view. I realize it is controversial but this is the only way I can reconcile the God of the Old with the God of the New Testament. I would love to hear how an Open Theist reconciles the God of the Old Testament and His command to slaughter children.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Regardless, Arminianists and Calvinist both agree that all are guilty at some point. They disagree on when they commit a sin deserving of guilt but they tend to both agree that given a long enough time span all humans will eventually sin. I did however have an Open Theist friend suggest that it is possible for man to go his life without sin but all eventually do. To that I said Jesus’s death was in vain then if He did not have to die for that person’s sin. Again, to me, it would make God out to be an idiot or someone who likes to play dice. But hey, God does seem to like to play dice as Niels Bohr points out. Admittedly, either view seems crazy to me so I have to rely on hermeneutics or else throw out the baby jesus with the bath water! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">There are a lot of things I still don’t understand. Like how can God reward people if we are influenced by His spirit? Perhaps our rewards are not the crowns and riches we see on earth but are metaphorical for a deeper understanding of Him. Maybe those who enter heaven somehow maintain a sense of their individuality but somehow become a part of God. How else can one explain <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:17&version=NASB">Romans 8:17</a> since this seem to contradict God. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2042:8&version=NASB">Isaiah 42:8</a>) This mystery might also explain the paradox of the Trinity. How can God send people to Hell who He knew either would never accept Him or willfully chose not to elect them? Perhaps our understanding of Hell is wrong? A thought I’ve been pondering lately. Perhaps God will save everyone (Universalism) or truly annihilate them (Annihilationism).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">I hope this helps explain the thinking of a Calvinist. I didn’t go into detail regarding the five points but touched on all of them. I probably wouldn’t agree with Calvin on everything just as I find I don’t agree with everyone on almost everything :-) but I do tend to agree with him on these big questions due to my own interpretation of scriptures. This might surprise you but I wouldn’t call myself a fundamentalist even though I tend to hold views of some fundamentalist. I guess it all depends on how you define “fundamentalist” since that word seems to be mostly used as a pejorative. E.g. I don’t tend to hold a literal interpretation of Genesis, Revelations, or many of the Prophets namely because of the lack of supporting evidence. I am however “open” to them being interpreted literally. Thus, the reason why I consider myself an “agnostic theist” since I’ll admit I’m basing all this on faith.</p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-60851292830408897032012-10-25T20:07:00.001-07:002012-10-25T20:10:27.520-07:00Video Response to Dan Carlin's Common Sense "Second Guessing the Navigator" podcast<p>To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/csarchive/Show-210---Second-Guessing-the-Navigator/poor-poverty-occupy%20Wall%20Street" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mxGgz3hprt0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Dan Carlin's Common Sense podcast on the faith our leaders have in their ideologies. Dan discusses how the US isn't a true democracy but a republic (and that's a good thing). He also discusses how we need to find a way to balance between equality and freedom. Often the more freedom the less equality but the more equality the lesser the freedom.</p><div><div>I struggle to determine what camp but end up deciding I don't belong in any camp? There will always be an unintended consequences to our laws and policies so maybe we should just err on the side of freedom. I conclude there are no bad systems, just bad people. So then how do we change people? Some say education but what happens when education is absent of absolute truth or is based on relativistic morals? </div><div></div><div>Fun fact, we had the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States#History_of_top_rates" target="_blank">highest top marginal tax rate (90%)</a> under a <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/eisenhower-obama-wealthiest-americans-pay-taxes-193734550--abc-news.html" target="_blank">Republican president (Eisenhower)</a>. Often it seems Capitalism results in exploitation of the workers whereas Socialism results in exploitation of the masses to get the "freebies". This is the great battle between the Reds and Blues. But the question I often wonder about is do our government programs harden peoples hearts?</div><div></div><div>I like the fair tax or <a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/blog/dean-clancy/herman-cains-999-plan-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugl" target="_blank">Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan</a> due to its simplicity and "fairness" but struggle with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rate#Effective" target="_blank">effective tax rate</a> it creates on the lower income.</div><div> </div><div><em><span style="font-size: small;">"The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities; that is, in proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy under the protection of the state. The expense of government to the individuals of a great nation is like the expense of management to the joint tenants of a great estate, who are all obliged to contribute in proportion to their respective interests in the estate. In the observation or neglect of this maxim consists what is called the equality or inequality of taxation." -<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wealth_of_Nations#Book_V:_Of_the_Revenue_of_the_Sovereign_or_Commonwealth" target="_blank">Adam Smith (Father of Capitalism)</a></span></em></div><div></div><div>Where's the pragmatic party calling for the best of the ideologies? And more importantly, how do we get to it? My answer; lets talk more and expose ourselves to alternatives. </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-46082459109389669022012-10-21T19:04:00.001-07:002012-10-21T20:43:41.637-07:00Propaganda or Truth?<p style="text-align: center;">"The more things change the more they stay the same."</p><p style="text-align: center;">-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Alphonse_Karr" target="_blank">Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr</a></p><p><p><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had such high hopes at the beginning of reading Ray Comfort's article entitled "<a href="http://onenewsnow.com//culture/2012/10/20/how-would-the-apostle-paul-vote" target="_blank">How would Paul vote?</a>" on<span> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Family_Association" target="_blank">AFA</a>. I should have known those hopes would quickly be dashed since AFA is just another Republican arm. I had a conversation with my wife today regarding how I feel so many people speak what they believe as truth but it really is just propaganda. What I mean by that is they repeat the clichés they hear from the talking heads on the radio, Fox News, and what their friends say (who are often just repeating the same sources). So, why is what the talking heads say propaganda and not what I speak or write? Well, an easy way to point out<span> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda" target="_blank">propaganda</a><span> </span>is when you don't hear any counter arguments. The opposing view is often suppressed or intentionally crippled on the common right wing media. The right isn't the only one who utilizes this tactic but since I live in the South I'm surrounded by people of common beliefs. I realize this and choose this life and location to raise my family. It's a great place to<span> </span><a href="http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20111115/the-best-places-to-raise-your-kids-2012#slide2" target="_blank">raise a family</a>. It has a lot of charming and appealing things and the people are certainly one of them but<span> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink" target="_blank">group think</a><span> </span>is a common issue. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">I digress. So, what is my problem with Ray Comfort's article? He seems to start off with a non-biased approach and acknowledges that he doesn't know how Paul would vote. He goes even further and states that Paul had no desire to create a Theocracy (which is amazing because that seems as if it is AFA's mission). Comfort goes on and steers the conversation towards the gospel. I was ready to post a big AMEN at the bottom in the comments section but then the article seems to derail when abortion is brought into the argument. The conclusion is Romney should be the next President. I'm completely sympathetic to the pro-life cause and many would consider me a<span> </span><a href="http://sedulouspleb.blogspot.com/2012/04/video-response-to-freakonomics-podcast.html" target="_blank">strong pro-lifer</a> with some unexpected exceptions. I call the Republican message propaganda because they use emotionally driven issues that they do nothing on to influence voters. (Read my previous link for details). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">The stroking of the heart strings is in poor taste but what angers me more is the double speak. The inconsistency of Republican logic on abortion is understandable (I didn't say forgivable). Many people don't really think through all their beliefs and can easily change their minds if challenged. Republicans cast a big net in order to try to catch as many voters so they say they are against abortion but then make exceptions that contradict the very reasons why they say they are against it in the first place. Most people won't find any fault in their logic. But the double speak that infuriates me the most is the expansion of war in the name of "freedom", "democracy", and "protection". Our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost over<span> </span><a href="http://www.iraqbodycount.org/" target="_blank">100,000 lives</a> and we have more soldiers <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/09/us/suicides-eclipse-war-deaths-for-us-troops.html" target="_blank">who kill themselves by their own hands</a><span> </span>from the horrors of war than from the wars themselves. What's even worse than the loss of all these lives is the motivations for war. As misdirected and weak the arguments are for "freedom" and "protection" the unspoken motivation for profit has to be the most devastating. The idea that our best solution to end our "great recession" is for another great war is deeply sickening. This is the evil we shall not speak of but many (including myself) were espoused in our early years regarding the great rewards of wars and how it was World War 2 that got us out of the great depression.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the next Presidential debate on foreign policy both candidates will try to win the hearts of many by promising "protection". Both sides are in an agreement that the best defense is a good offense so we won't be hearing "how to win a war on terrorism" but we will get much on who will be "tougher" on it. The war drums are already beating. The blood lust for "jobs" blinds us of the means in which we are willing to get them. We force ourselves to play by the rules and say "we must elect the lesser of two evils". I wonder though, at what point do we realize the lesser of two evils is still evil?</span></p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-60899870066300490292012-04-24T19:57:00.001-07:002012-04-24T19:58:18.674-07:00Video Response to TEDTalk by Niall Ferguson on The 6 Killer Apps of Prosperity<p>To listen and view the talk I'm discussing you can view it <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/niall_ferguson_the_6_killer_apps_of_prosperity.html">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JUBI_WK4A4o" frameborder="0"></iframe> </p><p><div><div>The 6 killer apps are: </div><div>1.) Competition</div><div>2.) Technological Innovation</div><div>3.) Property Rights</div><div>4.) Modern Medicine </div><div>5.) Consumerism</div><div>6.) Work Ethic</div><div></div><div>Niall compares East and West nations and their implementation of these values or "apps" and the results that follow. <br /><br /> I appreciate the thought behind this but end up ranting about social injustices these often create. Does the use of these 6 killer apps result in a zero sum game? i.e. The success of one nation means the determent of another. If a nation becomes wealthy, does that mean the individuals are wealthy? So what is wealth? Adam Smith said its not money but the exchange of goods and services to meet the needs and wants of the people. <br /><br /> If all of our needs are met then what is left? Our wants. Marketing fuels our wants and turns them into "needs" which helps drive economic growth through the exchange of more products and services. Is this necessary though for society to function? And, more importantly is this a good idea? Scarcity drives prices and we aren't short of people or wants but natural resources are scarce. <br /><br /> Are patent laws and intellectual property rights limiting economic growth? If innovation and the creation of spreading ideas, goods and services fuels true wealth creation how do our laws assist in this? Is there a point in which our need for jobs to supply exchanging of goods and services is greater than our ability to create new ideas? Are great nations of wealth built on the backs of the poor. Does it have to be this way? Are we focusing more on building wealth by just creating jobs or are we pushing forward to a better tomorrow? As great as these values may be could they truly be "killers" in the long run? </div></div></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-605181928999393112012-04-24T19:23:00.001-07:002012-04-24T19:26:56.039-07:00Video Response to Freakonomics podcast on "Misadventures in Baby Making"<p>To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/10/26/misadventures-in-baby-making-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 1 - Podcast Discussion Part 2 - Clarification on Roe v. Wade on follow-up to previous post</span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f6TQLia6QBg" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j-d9qyy9cUY" frameborder="0"></iframe> </span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 3 - These are sensitive topics so forgive me if I don't handle them with the care they deserve.</span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ge6_uj0GxKw" frameborder="0"></iframe> </span></p><div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 1</span></div><div><p>Did the ultrasound machine result in higher rates of abortion? If so, does that mean we should ban it? What about if we knew people were selectively aborting certain children e.g. children with disabilities or based solely on their sex? What if we had a test that could tell you more such as hair or eye color, intelligence, or physical capabilities? Should we ban certain abortions based on motives? Who then defines which "motives" are appropriate or inappropriate? As we move further into the future with advancement in technology these questions are becoming much more important.</p><p>In the show they discuss how Steven Quick created a blood test to determine several genetic factors. His purpose for creating the test was to reduce the stress of not knowing, reduce the chances of harming the baby, and allow parents who choose to not abort their children to begin preparations in the event they find out the child will have disabilities. These arguments are good reason to not blame the technology for peoples actions. </p><p>Another difficult question to answer is "When is it ok to kill a child in the womb?". In my opinion the only two reasons would be 1. If it jeopardized the life of my wife 2. If the child would face short term terminal death and only live a short life of suffering. Although, in my context I'm suggesting taking the child early rather than doing a D&C. I share a personal account regarding this very question. </p></div><div><div>What if we had the ability to modify or engineer children at conception? Could one of the consequences of eliminating handicaps be the reduction of the drive or human spirit to over come adversity? Even so, who are we to not allow parents to make the tough choices which they see as best for their children? Life is difficult enough, removing any other obstacles seems a given.</div><div></div><div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 2</span></div><div>In part 2 I try to explain my understanding of Roe v. Wade. That it was more about the right to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade#Supreme_Court_decision">doctor/patient confidentiality or privacy</a> rather than the "reproductive rights of women" (do men have any rights?) or a women's "right to her body" (does the child have no rights to theirs?). They deferred to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_law">common law</a> to avoid dealing with the question "when is a child a person". The Republicans use this hot button issue to keep a strong voter base realizing they really don't have to do anything about it. Roe v. Wade could have been overturned at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_Parenthood_v._Casey">Planned Parenthood v. Casey</a> but nothing changed even with a strong Republican majority. Ironically, the question of "when is an unborn child a person" is defined and coded into law under <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1841">18 U.S.C. § 1841: US Code- Section 1841</a></div><div></div><div>I also attempt to clarify my thoughts on the scenario of the terminally ill suffering child or adult. </div><div></div><div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 3</span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>I felt the need to add a Public Service Announcement regarding the difficult topics of abortion, euthanasia, and suicide. </div><div></div><div>So here it is: Don't give up. Don't take the "easy" way out. Don't insult the Creator by destroying his creation. Instead, turn to Him and reflect on the suffering of His Son Jesus to assist you through it and may He carry you to the end and welcome you into His presence. May your suffering not go in vain. </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-36169356331550212982011-12-17T02:00:00.000-08:002011-12-17T02:00:00.826-08:00Book Review to Dale Carnigie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People"<p>To view the pesentation/speaker notes click <a href="https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AZouSOuYzI1lZHB4Njk1Ml80Z2Y4c2Y5Y24" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="555" height="451" src="https://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dpx6952_4gf8sf9cn&interval=10&size=m" frameborder="0"></iframe> </p><p>My take away from Dale Carnegie's timeless classic "How to Win Friends and Influence People". This is one of the premier books to anyone interested in bettering themselves. Mr. Carnegie shares his business experience to demonstrate how to motivate and inspire people. This book is a treasure trove of simple yet often forgotten wisdom in how to relate to people. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-20298900678104295702011-12-16T02:00:00.000-08:002011-12-16T02:00:06.872-08:00Video Response to TEDTalk by Geoff Mulgan on Studio Schools<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">To listen and view the talk I'm discussing you can view it </span><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/geoff_mulgan_a_short_intro_to_the_studio_school.html"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iAbSx1kUy50" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">My thoughts on Geoff Mulgan's TEDTalk on "Studio Schools". I'm not sure how this is much different than trade schools or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocational_school">vocational schools</a>. I never understood why these weren't incorporated into the basic curriculum instead separated out as something of its own. These skills seem like necessities for engineering. I share my thoughts on how I would do education.</p><p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">In summary: take a <a href="http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/learning/lr1scaf.htm">scaffolding approach</a> and demonstrate the evolution of technology through history. This teaches engineering, math/science, problem solving, and history. The course would walk through the major technological inventions throughout history and require students to build them from scratch just as the inventors did. They then can see the limitations and the reason for the evolution of the technologies. This would also strongly solidify a foundation for students to understand where we came from and where we can go. The same concept could be applied to any evolutionary trait such as language, religion, philosophies, anthropology, etc.</p><p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> </p><p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We must involve, i.e. engage our students and not silo their education. Reminds me of the old adage: "Tell me, I'll forget; Show me, I'll remember; Involve me and I'll understand"</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-14066960313183511512011-12-15T02:00:00.000-08:002011-12-15T02:00:11.506-08:00Video Response to Intelligence Squared's debate on "Should Airports Use Racial and Religious Profiling?"<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">To view the podcast I'm discussing you can view the debate <a href="http://intelligencesquaredus.org/index.php/past-debates/u-s-airports-should-use-racial-and-religious-profiling/">here</a>.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s4tqbGFIc_g" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">My thoughts on Intelligence Squared's debate on the motion "Should We Use Racial Profiling?" More specifically, should we profile based on religion and/or race when screening people at airports or other security checkpoints. Would doing so just force those we are trying to catch to change their approach? This seems like a weak argument since criminals are always trying to be two steps ahead of those they are trying to victimize.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">This emotionally driven argument stems from the concern of obtrusive and/or abuse on those innocent of any crimes which is a legitimate concern but obtrusions and abuses will result regardless of the policy. The issue of "profiling" or "stereotyping" always arises from this concern but we fail to balance this with asking "why do profiles or stereotypes exist?" More often than not, it is not an issue of bias but statistics. We are statistical machines (albeit, poor ones) but we subconsciously make biases based on experiences and over time develop a statistical probability and associate a corelation. In this case, we are discussing Muslims. The perpetrators of most of the terrorist attacks have been Muslims with a distinctive "look" i.e. All male between ages 18-40 with an Eastern dissent. It seems foolish to limit ourselves from this "intuition" of further examination of these suspects.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">We must however balance this with rationale and not extend our security policies to abuse everyone equally nor overly inhibit the freedoms of those not accused of any crime. This however is for another debate how on effective our security policies even are. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-85137750192711779972011-12-14T02:00:00.000-08:002011-12-14T02:00:05.471-08:00Video Response to Freakonomics podcast on "The Upside to Quitting"<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/09/30/new-freakonomics-radio-podcast-the-upside-of-quitting/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k6j-te3Ysbk" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sometimes you just got to know when to quit. This episode looks at lives of a prostitute, a ball player, a navy seal, a musician, and an Amish who all decide to quit. "Fail and fail early" is the take away. I share my personal experience with quitting in finding my major in college.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">How do we know when to quit? I was raised to try it "for a season". In sports growing up you only play a "season". This means you only play for a few weeks or months usually during one of the seasons e.g. spring, summer or fall. Often I would play baseball in the spring, soccer in the fall and basketball in the winter. By the time I got to high school I realized I wasn't cut out to play baseball or basketball so I focused my energy on soccer which I was at least decent at.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">I once even did a stint with Cross Country, which for those unfamiliar with this sport its basically crazy people running really long distances. My father thought it would be good for me. I was an ok distance runner but found it difficult to find enjoyment in a sport where I threw up after every race. I wanted to quit but my father told me to "finish the season". I did. I actually gave it one more try the next year but decided it wasn't for me after that. Trying something for a "season" taught me not to quit or give up too early, taught me patience and perseverance, and mostly endurance. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-22780313602317870572011-12-13T02:00:00.000-08:002011-12-13T02:00:04.768-08:00Video Response to Common Sense with Dan Carlin's "Stirring the Pot"<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/csarchive/Show-207---Stirring-The-Pot/Wall%20Street-protest-occupy">here</a>.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kMZxDhX56EA" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">My thoughts on Dan Carlin's Common Sense podcast on joining the tea party and occupy wall street forces and overcoming the <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plutocracy" target="_blank">plutocrats</a>. Could they join together on the issue of government corruption? Is the Tea Party too far gone right and too in bed with the Republican party to work with anyone else? Is there any hope reconciling two polar ideologies? On the right we have the Tea Party arguing we have enough taxes and we should not increase taxes even on the rich to pay down our debt or despite the fact they have been <a href="http://visualizingeconomics.com/2010/02/04/historical-marginal-income-tax-rates/">MUCH higher in the past</a>. On the Left we have union groups who don't want to cut anything even if it means keeping deadbeat employees who not only don't contribute but are harmful and a drain financially and on the morale of the others. See <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_%22Superman%22">Waiting for "Superman"</a> and the impact of the Teacher's Union on schools.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">So what can be done?! Well, vote for me for president in the 2020 election. I've got to start really early to build my voter base! </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-22089778904278496142011-12-12T02:00:00.000-08:002011-12-12T02:00:02.534-08:00Video Response to Intelligence Squared's debate on "Are Men Finished?"<p>To listen and view the debate I'm discussing click <a href="http://intelligencesquaredus.org/index.php/past-debates/men-are-finished/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l742SLbuihg" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">My thoughts on Intelligence Squared's debate on the motion "Are Men Finished?" This was to my knowledge the largest change in opinion from an audience. I agreed with the motion from the beginning because honestly I saw the writing on the wall in college. Perhaps the first half of humanity was dominated by men due to brawn but the second half will be dominated by women due to brains.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">The caveat is child rearing. It may be that an equilibrium is reached as men and women stop competing against each other and disregard current social taboos or it could end by men rebelling and invoking violence and destruction on all of society.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">What about the Christian view on family? Doesn’t it say women shouldn't work? Not according to the famed "Perfect Wife" as described in Proverbs 31:15-18</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">15 She gets up while it is still night;</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> she provides food for her family</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> and portions for her female servants.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">16</span> She considers a field and buys it;</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">17</span> She sets about her work vigorously;</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> her arms are strong for her tasks.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">18</span> She sees that her trading is profitable,</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> and her lamp does not go out at night.</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Didn't the Bible say women were made to be "helpers" of men? (Genesis 2:18-20) What does that even mean? Doesn't it suggest men are lacking in some way if they need "help"?</p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Aren't women to be subjected to men and to obey them? *sigh* God has given men the responsibility to lead and love their wife. We must end our chauvinism and pride and do what we were commanded to do. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-55640732058725789112011-10-04T04:00:00.000-07:002011-10-04T04:00:10.940-07:00Video Response to Philosophy Bites Dan Sperber on the Enigma of Reason<p>To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://philosophybites.com/2011/09/dan-sperber-on-the-enigma-of-reason.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OuV4uZNVIBY" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Dan Sperber's Philosophy Bites podcast on the Enigma of Reason. Dan argues that the reason for our evolutionary development of reason was to help us better communicate. In truth, we are terrible at thinking reasonably and logically. We rely mostly on intuition which I tend to think of as pattern recognition. We infer conclusions given our historical experiences though they may be proven wrong. Reason can unite or divide us depending on our biases and how willing we are to evaluate evidence and admit when we are wrong.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-17015728255411976972011-10-03T04:00:00.000-07:002011-10-03T04:00:16.155-07:00Video Response to TEDTalk by Elizabeth Murchison on "Fighting a Contagious Cancer"<p>To listen and view the talk I'm discussing you can view it <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_murchison.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z0VfjkfJAYM" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Elizabeth Murchison's TEDTalk on Fighting a Contagious Cancer. Basically, lets pray a sinus cancer doesn't hit us this flu season.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-74576411448970003102011-10-02T04:00:00.000-07:002011-10-02T04:00:07.868-07:00Video Response to Freakonomics podcast on "The Folly of Prediction"<p>To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://freakonomicsradio.com/hour-long-special-the-folly-of-prediction.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CHjM7DRAwjo" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Freakonomics podcast on The Folly of Predictions. Television, the markets, intellectuals, so called "experts" are incentivized to make wild predictions. No one holds people accountable for when they are wrong. If you'll listen closely they'll use words like "may" or "could" or "should" as a defense from being held liable (as if they would be held liable). <br /><br />Economists argue things like futures markets are good because it forces people to put their money where their mouth is. They say this controls speculation but that seems hard to believe when we see how volatile oil futures are. If you feel confident enough you can even put your knowledge and best guesses to the test by betting i.e. "investing" on a whole range of topics on <a href="http://www.intrade.com/v4/home/" target="_blank">InTrade</a>. They also suggested policies or ways to track the accuracy of people's predictions might help.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-3720899874881884742011-10-01T04:00:00.000-07:002011-10-01T04:00:11.084-07:00Video Response to John Pipers's Desiring God sermon on "This Illness is for the Glory of God"<p>To listen and view the sermon I'm discussing click <a href="http://www.ligonier.org/rym/broadcasts/audio/when-towers-fall/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U-VWqLZ3Lyc" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p> </p><p>My thoughts on pastor John Piper's sermon on "This Illness is for the Glory of God". Some argue bad things happen because we live in a fallen world and all the bad stuff in this world is a result of its falleness. Dr. Piper argues that another reason is that ultimately God uses even bad things for His ultimate glory. He illustrates this point by aruging Jesus let Lazurus die so that He could show people the greatest act of love, His Glory (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11%3A1-16&version=NASB" target="_blank">John 11:1-16</a>).</p><p>The inevitable concern with this idea is "does God then cause bad things"? Be it direct involvement or indirect by His allowing of evil events to happen we don't fully know why God does what He does but this argument is inescapable. But, we are foolish to assume the same moral judgment on The Creator of morality. I would argue that God allows evil to exist because I don't know if we could even understand what Good was without it. This is why the story of the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and evil is so interesting. Could we understand pleasure if we did not know pain? Could we understand love if we did not know hate? Could we comprehend faith without fear?</p><p>Regardless, it would only be wrong if God did allow these things to occur without balancing them. For this reason man is appointed to die and face judgment for his sins. This is also why we Christians cling to Jesus as we believe He is our only hope to be pardoned for our transgressions. Christ lived a sinless life and died so that we might not have to. Though we will all die mortally we can be spared of eternal death. I can imagine many skeptics crying this sounds tragically convenient. Shouldn't our mortal death be enough? I'd argue does our death do justice to the terrible suffering we invoke on our fellow man? More so, our sins are not just against our fellow man (which is why we perhaps die mortally) but our disobedience to God merits separation from Him. What does perfection have with imperfection? Nothing. They are mutually exclusive.</p><p>Again, I can hear the skeptics crying this sounds like I'm making up the rules for God. These aren't my thoughts but the thoughts of many passed down through a faith that has lasted centuries. A faith that started by divine, miraculous events in the Old Testament and ultimately fulfilled in the Son of Man. I realize this doesn't come easy but neither does quantum physics. God never asked us to understand it all, He just asked us to trust Him.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-47052323880498563282011-09-30T04:00:00.000-07:002011-09-30T04:00:06.448-07:00Video Response to Ravi Zacharias Let My People Think podcast with Dr. John Lennox on Tale-bearing, Partiality and Dreams<p>To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://www.rzim.org/resources/listen/letmypeoplethink.aspx?archive=1&pid=2260" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qY0KA4ee8uo" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) Let My People Think podcast with Dr. John Lennox on Tale-bearing, Partiality and Dreams. Dr. Lennox addresses the question: "what is the biggest risk to institutions (nation or family)" by looking to the story of Jacob's partiality toward his son Joseph. Dr. Lennox proposes one of the greatest threats to institutions is favoritism but what I don't get is "what about Jesus's favoritism toward 3 of his disciples (Peter, James, and John)?" <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2017:1-9&version=NASB" target="_blank">Matthew 17:1-9</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%209:2-8&version=NASB" target="_blank">Mark 9:2-8</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209:28-36&version=NASB" target="_blank">Luke 9:28-36</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020:2&version=NASB" target="_blank">John 20:2</a></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-43629428947147309372011-09-29T04:00:00.000-07:002011-09-29T04:00:14.826-07:00Video Response to Philosophy Bites Philip Pettit on Consequentialism<p>To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://philosophybites.com/2011/09/philip-pettit-on-consequentialism-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tOLvIvAAMUs" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Philosophy Bites podcast on Philip Pettit's interview on Consequentialism. Consequentialism is closely related to the philosophy Utilitarianism. It bases it's means on the conclusions or the consequences of an action. Immanuel Kant was apparently a Nonconsequentialist. The question I keep asking myself is, "where is the hope?" Is choosing a lesser evil not still evil?</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-49990426779757876642011-09-28T04:00:00.000-07:002011-09-28T04:00:13.663-07:00Video Response to Common Sense with Dan Carlin's "Savior Corp LLC" podcast<p>To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://www.dancarlin.com/csredir.php?show=Show-206---SaviorCorp-LLC" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9WSJw8ltv9A" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Dan Carlin's Common Sense podcast on letting the rich and powerful just take control. It almost seems like Dan's just giving up if he thinks the best thing we can do is just let the super rich just take control. One could argue that we are already doing that. He's not the first person apparently to think this though. Ralph Nadar had a book called <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/only-the-superrich-can-save-us-ralph-nader/1101058491" target="_blank">Only the Super Rich Can Save Us</a>. Not all rich people are bad. Not all government is corrupt, incompetent or inefficient. Not all corporations are exploitative, greedy or environment destroyers like the Reds and Blues would have us believe. Not sure if I can agree with Dan on this but it does make us ask: "Who do you trust and what else can we do?"</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-44546317554403944732011-09-27T04:00:00.000-07:002011-09-27T04:07:01.653-07:00Video Response to RC Sproul's Renewing Your Mind sermon on "When Towers Fall"<p>To listen and view the sermon I'm discussing click <a href="http://www.ligonier.org/rym/broadcasts/audio/when-towers-fall/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZSknacufUlw" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>Why do bad things happen to good people? As we remember 9/11 RC Sproul looks to the scriptures to see what Jesus had to say about this question. We find the answer in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2013&version=NASB" target="_blank">Luke 13:4</a>. Jesus' message is a stark reminder of our inadequacy before an almighty God. Perhaps we should ask, "Why didn't the towers fall on us?"</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-82450267672983276832011-09-12T05:00:00.000-07:002011-09-12T05:00:02.009-07:00Video Response to Intelligence Squared's debate on "Is Islam a Religion of Peace?"<p>To listen and view the debate I'm discussing click <a href="http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/islam-is-a-religion-of-peace" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 1</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 2</span></p><p><iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yKtME-o2zL8" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2WnDmplu70A" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Intelligence Squared's debate on the motion "Is Islam a Religion of Peace?" This was the first debate where I actually changed my mind. My first thought was: "We can't judge a religion based on a few extremists" but those against the motion made a strong argument with "We should also judge a religion based on its founder". This does beg the question though, "Is Judaism a religion of peace due to all its founders history of wars?" and "What about Christianity?" Jesus and his disciples were certainly for peace but following leaders of the faith were not.</p><p>Could Islam be a religion of peace though if it is not thought of one now? People think of the other faiths as peaceful namely because there are not as many wanton acts of violence by its followers so what would it take to make Islam peaceful (or at least viewed as peaceful)? My solution: Secularize it. i.e. Make it (the majority view) moderate by giving a platform for the more non-fundamentalist scholars. Encourage the majority to make extremist views taboo and suicide as worthy of <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <! /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Arial; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} --><!--[endif] -->condemnation in hell rather than a means to <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <! /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Arial; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} --><!--[endif] -->martyrdom to glory.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-86518005801550016012011-09-11T05:00:00.000-07:002011-09-26T18:16:08.189-07:00Video Response to TEDTalk by Joan Halifax on Compassion<p>To listen and view the the presentation I'm discussing you can go <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/joan_halifax.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IpimFK-ejgQ" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Joan Halifax's TEDTalk on Compassion. What does it mean to be compassionate? How do we (or even should we) balance helping individuals with helping a nation? If an overpopulated nation is out of natural resources and can't feed itself does giving them food help or just prolong the suffering? No one would think its good to let the children starve though. What happens if our compassion and means to offering it conflict? E.g. Those who justify abortion to prevent children being born into families where they are not wanted or worse abused. What drives our compassion? Is it out of self interest? Do not all our motivations originate out of self interest?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;"><br /></span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-14520013512825752742011-09-10T06:50:00.001-07:002011-09-10T12:05:20.600-07:00Video Response to This American Life's epidsode of "20 Acts in 60 Minutes"<p>To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/241/20-acts-in-60-minutes" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HRjb-CX3xPY" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on This American Life's podcast "20 Acts in 60 Minutes". I feel for those of you who go to West Point. It must be like pledging a fraternity everyday of college. What better way to say "I'm sorry" then to put it into a song? Be sure to get to know your colleagues names. Sometimes we don't know why we are successful. Sometimes, its just an Irving (fluke).</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-58741738963630156002011-09-09T20:26:00.001-07:002011-09-09T20:32:36.615-07:00Video Response to Stuff You Should Know on "The Future of the Internet"<p>To listen to the podcast I'm discussing you can download the mp3 <a href="http://castroller.com/Podcasts/StuffYouShould/2473841" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 1</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 2</span></p><p><iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s8Q6EeJO8WI" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ErUKlIM8gQ4" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Stuff You Should Know's podcast on The Future of the Internet. My predictions: faster wireless internet, the slow death of apps and emergence of "web apps" in their place, cloud computing is nothing new but it will become more common. But all this could end if Net neutrality isn't taken seriously. My solution: turn the infrastructure over to a public utility and require ISPs to share their networks. The internet can makes us dumb by adding another useless distraction leading us further towards a "Brave New World" or we can harness its potential and use it for sharing knowledge or wisdom. It all depends on how we use it. I'm trying to use it to try to capture my scattered temporal thoughts. In summary: why I do this. Had to break this one down into 2 parts due to time constraints. I tried using Windows Movie Maker to split the video but it messed up the audio.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948752890896863647.post-48481008691042714302011-09-08T07:35:00.001-07:002011-09-08T07:35:48.012-07:00Video Response to TEDTalk by AlexSteffen on "The Shareable Future of Cities"<p>To listen and view the presentation I'm discussing click <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/alex_steffen.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tBGfmnwuUi0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>My thoughts on Alex Steffen's TEDTalk on The Shareable Future of Cities. I've always wondered why we don't have "libraries" for all our tools or things we only want to use occasionally. Alex Steffen wonders the same thing and share's his vision of the near and necessary future of cities if we are to survive.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15941264373592039720noreply@blogger.com0