Hello to all 4 of you that read my blog.
Today I seek to tap your knowledge and theological prowess on a couple of books that I am considering to read.
A couple of weeks ago I was in Winnipeg purusing McNally Robinson when I stumbled across two titles which caught my eye and had left me thinking, "Maybe I should read these." These books were:
The Existential Jesus by John Carroll (Counterpoint, 2008)
How Jesus Became a Christian: St. Paul, the Early Church and the Jesus Cover-up by Barrie Wilson (Random House Canada, 2008)
Any information that any of you can provide on either of these books or their authors would be helpful. I am really trying to find out if either of these is worth my time reading or if they just happened to grace(?) the shelves of a well-known book store for their edginess.
I you don't feel comfortable posting just fire me an email.
Thanks.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Ode to my friends Eric
I have two very dear, close friends both by the name of Eric; one is a carpenter currently living in Brandon, Manitoba, the other is a professor at the college I attended.
Over a year ago I decided to adopt this song as my own personal theme song because it is catchy and epic-sounding; if I ever needed fight music or a death scene this would be the music I would want to be played over it.
This last weekend I was visiting Eric in Brandon and this CD just happened to be playing in my car stereo. Whenever we would stop to go into a store or restaurant Eric would be humming or singing this song. I eventually told him, "That's part of the reason why I picked this as my theme song: it's catchy."
While I had a mix of hilarious emotion after reading Eric's (the professor) latest blog entry I couldn't help but abandon words. This video was the first thing I thought of immediately after reading his blog (especially the first minute).
For those who know either of these Erics I hope you can appreciate this.
Guys this one's for you.
Cheers.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Making the Switch
Hello readers (yes, this is my second post in 2 weeks...applaud now).
I don't know how many of you read magazines but I have always quite enjoyed this medium of written media. I typically never read (or commit) to more than one magazine at a time (because (a) I don't think there are many magazines worth reading and (b) I would feel like I was cheating on one magazine if I read another), although it happened at times.
For some number of years now my magazine of choice has been Rolling Stone (I know some of you are making a face...stop that) because I consider myself to be a 'rocker' in some sense of the term (I was born to be a rock star, but I won't go into that now) and somewhat enjoy keeping up with the ebb and flow of the music industry in general. I started reading Rolling Stone when I was in high school while my brother had a subscription. Ever since whenever I see a new issue I pick it up and page through it, and, depending on the articles, make the purchase. While in college there were times when I would just feel that need to relax a little so I would buy the latest RS and listen to Neil Young (why Neil Young??? Well it was specifically his Freedom album, and particularly the song 'Crime in the City'...listen to it, you'll understand).
Over the last few months I have regularly been purchasing Rolling Stone magazine, regardless of the articles, in order to keep my reading a little more interesting (and there's an excitement finding the new issue each time). However, since this steady purchasing has come to pass I find myself getting more and more frustrated with Rolling Stone regarding their very left wing (liberal) perspectives on world happenings. While I consider myself to be a person who can appreciate a well thought out argument, regardless of position, RS seems to blindly shoot from the hip with very little thought or explanation of their points of view. I now find reading RS to be a brainwashing exercise; those who read are just expected to go along with whatever the editors of RS print.
For this reason, along with my growing dislike of entertainment-driven culture (you've probably caught that already if you've been following this blog), the need to grow up and pay attention to larger issues, and feeling that I should be supporting a Canadian publication (and therefore more Canadian-driven content) I have taken out a subscription to Maclean's magazine (if you don't know Maclean's think Canada's take on Newsweek).
While some may argue that in regards to political content Maclean's is about the same stance as Rolling Stone in reading Maclean's publications lately I have been attracted to it for the following reasons:
1) I find it to be enough of a mixed bag, most of the time, in terms of political stance
2) Agruments made in Maclean's largely seem to be thought out and explained (at least more than RS)
3) Maclean's is a Canadian publication with Canadian content
4) Maclean's writes about world issues as well as Canadian
5) I have come to the realization that it is time to grow up and quit being so self/entertainment driven and start being informed about larger issues affecting my country and world
I am not completely sold on Maclean's being a weekly news magazine, as I am more comfortable with a monthly pubication, but I guess it's just going to have to be something I get over.
While I am largely walking away from Rolling Stone I think the allure of the glitz and glamour of it will always remain to some extent. Knowing myself I will probably buy the occasional issue...if there is an interesting article or someone great is on the cover...hence my self-loathing.
I don't know how many of you read magazines but I have always quite enjoyed this medium of written media. I typically never read (or commit) to more than one magazine at a time (because (a) I don't think there are many magazines worth reading and (b) I would feel like I was cheating on one magazine if I read another), although it happened at times.
For some number of years now my magazine of choice has been Rolling Stone (I know some of you are making a face...stop that) because I consider myself to be a 'rocker' in some sense of the term (I was born to be a rock star, but I won't go into that now) and somewhat enjoy keeping up with the ebb and flow of the music industry in general. I started reading Rolling Stone when I was in high school while my brother had a subscription. Ever since whenever I see a new issue I pick it up and page through it, and, depending on the articles, make the purchase. While in college there were times when I would just feel that need to relax a little so I would buy the latest RS and listen to Neil Young (why Neil Young??? Well it was specifically his Freedom album, and particularly the song 'Crime in the City'...listen to it, you'll understand).
Over the last few months I have regularly been purchasing Rolling Stone magazine, regardless of the articles, in order to keep my reading a little more interesting (and there's an excitement finding the new issue each time). However, since this steady purchasing has come to pass I find myself getting more and more frustrated with Rolling Stone regarding their very left wing (liberal) perspectives on world happenings. While I consider myself to be a person who can appreciate a well thought out argument, regardless of position, RS seems to blindly shoot from the hip with very little thought or explanation of their points of view. I now find reading RS to be a brainwashing exercise; those who read are just expected to go along with whatever the editors of RS print.
For this reason, along with my growing dislike of entertainment-driven culture (you've probably caught that already if you've been following this blog), the need to grow up and pay attention to larger issues, and feeling that I should be supporting a Canadian publication (and therefore more Canadian-driven content) I have taken out a subscription to Maclean's magazine (if you don't know Maclean's think Canada's take on Newsweek).
While some may argue that in regards to political content Maclean's is about the same stance as Rolling Stone in reading Maclean's publications lately I have been attracted to it for the following reasons:
1) I find it to be enough of a mixed bag, most of the time, in terms of political stance
2) Agruments made in Maclean's largely seem to be thought out and explained (at least more than RS)
3) Maclean's is a Canadian publication with Canadian content
4) Maclean's writes about world issues as well as Canadian
5) I have come to the realization that it is time to grow up and quit being so self/entertainment driven and start being informed about larger issues affecting my country and world
I am not completely sold on Maclean's being a weekly news magazine, as I am more comfortable with a monthly pubication, but I guess it's just going to have to be something I get over.
While I am largely walking away from Rolling Stone I think the allure of the glitz and glamour of it will always remain to some extent. Knowing myself I will probably buy the occasional issue...if there is an interesting article or someone great is on the cover...hence my self-loathing.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Interpretation of the Songs
(I deleted two longer, less pointed intros to write this one...enjoy)
Recently I have been frequently listening to 'The Killers' lastest album Day and Age and one particular song on this album (their first single) 'Human.' While I did not really care for the song on first hearing I started to grow a liking for it, particularly the lyrics.
Being someone who is a fan of the radio and some Top 40 music (even if I don't like it I still appreciate the change up from what I ordinarily listen to), I have, at times had a tendancy to take these songs and try to tease out a deeper, alternate, or spiritual meaning to their often ignoble or confusing lyrics. (I'll have you know that I once even turned one of Hamlet's soliloquys into a prayer).
Anyway, upon multiple listenings I've teased out some meaning to 'Human' which may not be processed on a primary listening. Here's the lyrics:
"I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was brought but I was kind
And sometimes I get nervous
When I see an open door
Close your eyes, clear your heart
Cut the cord
(Chorus)
Are we human or are we dancers?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancers?
Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soul and romance
They always did the best they could
And so long to devotion
You taught me everything I know
Wave goodbye, wish me well
You've gotta let me go
Will your system be alright
When you dream of home tonight?
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know, is your heart still beating?"
My interpretation:
I can't help but hear this song being sung by someone looking in on our Western culture, most likely a follower of Christ. The first verse is hearing the call to follow Christ; closing their eyes to step out in faith, clearing their heart of that which binds them to sin (accomplished only when we are "called to the platform of surrender"), and then cutting the cords that keep them entanlged in that sin.
The Chorus flashes back to the human race (or in this case "Westerners") and they ask themselves "Are we human?" beings created to feel, live, love, breathe, to walk with Christ "or are we dancer?" beings who are caught up in what they are doing: entertaining, and being entertained, by everything around them that they have become children of that entertainment, no longer do they care about those who are human. In fact "human" is something that is lying on its deathbed, the dancer has taken over and almost completely forgets what human even means. But there are those few who are still on their knees seeking the Truth found in Christ.
(My point here is not to get down on dancing, I like dancing, have even taken lessons, and realize that it is a biblical practice. Please understand it as a metaphor.)
The second verse continues on; either character in this story could be realizing that in the pursuit of the "dancer" all of these traits, which are indivisible from being "human," are being lost. To the follower of Christ they "wave goodbye" to an old life, to the "dancer" they wave goodbye to their remaining humanity, instead chasing their own passions.
The final verse (the bridge) of the song switches back to the perspective of the follower of Christ asking those "dancer"s (or those caught somewhere in between), "can you handle a vision of your true Home? You are not hearing the Message (of the cross) that was sent, can you truly live without it? Have you abandoned the 'human' all together, are you all 'dancer'? Or is there still a chance of your 'human'ity?"
While I have edited out repeats of choruses and other lyric repetition the main thrust of the song, the question, "Are we human or are we dancer?" is repeated 9 times. This is a question that keeps coming up over and over again, it is the most recurring lyric in the song.
I post this because two weeks ago I got to preach in my home church. I fully intended on sharing what I have written in part of my sermon as I asked at one point, "Why do we need to be so entertained?" While the excerpt I have written here, regarding 'Human' did not make the final cut of the sermon for the sake of flow and content the song did inspire many other thinking points of my sermon. The answer I proposed to my own question, of being a society in constant need of entertaining, is that perhaps we are trying to drown out the voice of God who wants to be in relationship with his children and we are afraid of what he might say.
Maybe your thinking, "Wow, that was out there." That's not entirely unexpected from me, but I hope you enjoyed.
Questions, comments, abuse???
I hope not the last one, but I have inspired it before :)...hence my self-loathing.
Recently I have been frequently listening to 'The Killers' lastest album Day and Age and one particular song on this album (their first single) 'Human.' While I did not really care for the song on first hearing I started to grow a liking for it, particularly the lyrics.
Being someone who is a fan of the radio and some Top 40 music (even if I don't like it I still appreciate the change up from what I ordinarily listen to), I have, at times had a tendancy to take these songs and try to tease out a deeper, alternate, or spiritual meaning to their often ignoble or confusing lyrics. (I'll have you know that I once even turned one of Hamlet's soliloquys into a prayer).
Anyway, upon multiple listenings I've teased out some meaning to 'Human' which may not be processed on a primary listening. Here's the lyrics:
"I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was brought but I was kind
And sometimes I get nervous
When I see an open door
Close your eyes, clear your heart
Cut the cord
(Chorus)
Are we human or are we dancers?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancers?
Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soul and romance
They always did the best they could
And so long to devotion
You taught me everything I know
Wave goodbye, wish me well
You've gotta let me go
Will your system be alright
When you dream of home tonight?
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know, is your heart still beating?"
My interpretation:
I can't help but hear this song being sung by someone looking in on our Western culture, most likely a follower of Christ. The first verse is hearing the call to follow Christ; closing their eyes to step out in faith, clearing their heart of that which binds them to sin (accomplished only when we are "called to the platform of surrender"), and then cutting the cords that keep them entanlged in that sin.
The Chorus flashes back to the human race (or in this case "Westerners") and they ask themselves "Are we human?" beings created to feel, live, love, breathe, to walk with Christ "or are we dancer?" beings who are caught up in what they are doing: entertaining, and being entertained, by everything around them that they have become children of that entertainment, no longer do they care about those who are human. In fact "human" is something that is lying on its deathbed, the dancer has taken over and almost completely forgets what human even means. But there are those few who are still on their knees seeking the Truth found in Christ.
(My point here is not to get down on dancing, I like dancing, have even taken lessons, and realize that it is a biblical practice. Please understand it as a metaphor.)
The second verse continues on; either character in this story could be realizing that in the pursuit of the "dancer" all of these traits, which are indivisible from being "human," are being lost. To the follower of Christ they "wave goodbye" to an old life, to the "dancer" they wave goodbye to their remaining humanity, instead chasing their own passions.
The final verse (the bridge) of the song switches back to the perspective of the follower of Christ asking those "dancer"s (or those caught somewhere in between), "can you handle a vision of your true Home? You are not hearing the Message (of the cross) that was sent, can you truly live without it? Have you abandoned the 'human' all together, are you all 'dancer'? Or is there still a chance of your 'human'ity?"
While I have edited out repeats of choruses and other lyric repetition the main thrust of the song, the question, "Are we human or are we dancer?" is repeated 9 times. This is a question that keeps coming up over and over again, it is the most recurring lyric in the song.
I post this because two weeks ago I got to preach in my home church. I fully intended on sharing what I have written in part of my sermon as I asked at one point, "Why do we need to be so entertained?" While the excerpt I have written here, regarding 'Human' did not make the final cut of the sermon for the sake of flow and content the song did inspire many other thinking points of my sermon. The answer I proposed to my own question, of being a society in constant need of entertaining, is that perhaps we are trying to drown out the voice of God who wants to be in relationship with his children and we are afraid of what he might say.
Maybe your thinking, "Wow, that was out there." That's not entirely unexpected from me, but I hope you enjoyed.
Questions, comments, abuse???
I hope not the last one, but I have inspired it before :)...hence my self-loathing.
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