New Feature

At the bottom of this page, you can now search my blog, thanks to Google's Free Stuff.

Against The Idols

Although I previously posted on worship (29 Sept.) and idolatry (30 July), let me suggest a book on the subject in Reformation history. The author, Carlos M.N. Eire, is himself a Roman Catholic. But unlike so many icon-loving "protestants" today, he seems to understand that being reformed is about biblical purity of worship.

It is available directly from Cambridge University Press, or SWRB (scroll down), or here in the U.S. through The Trinity Foundation. See a review here.

In other news, stop by Catapult magazine and give the latest issue a read, including my blurb about vagrancy. Maybe you'll get to know me a little and find I'm not just a hardened iconoclast.

Why Remember?

Charlie Kaufman is at it again. I recommend that you don't talk to anyone about it beforehand... just go see it. I'm going to see this "not quite psychological thriller, part romantic comedy-of-errors" again soon. Then I'm going to see a doctor and then watch it again for the first time.

St. Paddy's Day Resolution

This year, while donning my orange ribbon, I resolved to renew my subscription to the Nicotine Theological Journal.
I have it on good authority that an NTJ website is planned for sometime in 2008. There is already a facebook group. After more than 10 years in print, it's about time they went digital.

The NTJ is "a quarterly publication dedicated to a full and fiesty exploration of the riches of Old School Presbyterian culture, from helpful hints on how to sanctify the Lord's Day to recommendations regarding the best and most affordable single malt scotches. In the NTJ, you will find out what Presbyterians can't sing and what Presbyterians should smoke. You will read arguments on why confessional subscription still matters, and how it is affected by the political economy."

Send ten dollars U.S. [$10 is the updated 2008 price] to
The NTJ
1167 Kerwood Circle
Oviedo FL 32765
U.S.A.
and request your annual subscription of four edifying issues today! (seriously)

For Tim & Ana

In honor of their wedding, I present a metrical version of the "wedding" psalm 45 --which Ryan and I attempted to sing for Tim. Alternate versions here. Keep in mind that the groom is King and God, that is Christ.


My heart doth overflow; a noble theme I sing.
My tongue's a skillful writer's pen to speak about the King.

More fair than sons of men thy lips with grace o'erflow,
because His blessing evermore did God on Thee bestow.
Thy sword gird on Thy thigh, O Thou supreme in might,
and gird Thyself with majesty and with Thy splendor bright.
To victory ride forth for meekness, truth, and right;
and may Thy right hand teach to Thee the deeds of dreadful might.
Thine arrows sharpened are, men under Thee to bring,
to pierce the heart of enemies who fight against the King.

Thy royal throne, O God, from everlasting is;
a righteous scepter evermore Thy kingdom's scepter is.
Thou righteousness hast loved and wickedness abhorred;
on Thee 'bove all has God, Thy God, the oil of gladness poured.
With casia, aloes, myrrh, Thy robes sweet fragrance had;
from palaces of ivory the sweet harps made Thee glad.
King's daughters are among those who in honor stand.
Thy bride arrayed in Ophir gold there stands at Thy right hand.

O daughter, hear and heed; incline to me thine ear:
"Forget thou now thy people all, thy father's household dear.
Thy beauty to the King shall then delightful be;
because He is thy Lord, do thou to Him bow rev'rently."

The daughter then of Tyre there with a gift shall be,
and all the wealthy of the land will make requests of Thee.
The daughter of the King all glorious waits within;
her lovely gown with threads of gold has interwoven been.
She to the King is led in fine embroidery;
the bridesmaids in her train, her friends, are brought to honor Thee.
Attendants following their joy and gladness bring,
until they all have entered there the palace of the King.

Then in Thy fathers' stead thy children Thou shalt take
and everywhere in all the earth them noble princes make.
Through every coming age I'll make Thy name to live;
the peoples therefore evermore their praise to Thee shall give.

French Critics

Lately I find myself reading two socio-political books authored by Frenchmen. The first is Raymond Aron's The Opium Of The Intellectuals. It was written around 1955 and seems even more relevant to the intellectual scene today. Ideologies rage on in full force.

The second is Jean-Francois Revel's Anti-Americanism (2003). All you leftist critics of U.S. foreign policy really ought to have a look at this one. Revel is not out to vindicate Bush, but rather to examine the nature and motives of the European complaint. I'm finding it all terribly entertaining.

It's frustrating when a critic is self-contradicting, and it's refreshing to hear others answer deep confusion with patent clarity.

Seeger Seeds

Pete Seeger says that real folk music isn't someone with a guitar in front of a mic singing a song they just wrote... rather, it's people singing together. Dig it.

A Few Weekends

Last weekend I heard The Tarbox Ramblers at the Roots Café. I didn't like the opening group at all, the acoustics were poor, and I was cold, hungry and tired... so it took me a while to realize how tremendous they were. Haunting stuff. DaveBird-esque.

After a while, Jeffrey and I set out for a midnight meal at our town's best breakfast joint. Since the bars weren't closed yet we had the place all to ourselves. That was a moment to cherish, man.

This weekend I think I'm heading down to D.C. for a friend's birthday.

And the following weekend Dr. Tim is gettin hitched (sorry, ladies)! Although not the bestman, I have the honor of bachelor party organizing. So if any you boys read this and plan on being there, let me know. Ask the wives to babysit ahead of time, please. It all goes down on Thursday evening.