Amsterdam Afterall?

In 1997 I visited the Free University of Amsterdam, exploring the possibility of studying there. The requirement of being fluent in Dutch was daunting. But now they are offering a one year Interdisciplinary Masters in Christians Studies in the English language:

"...for persons who are preparing for leadership positions within social and political organizations, and for teachers and staff members in [universities and research]... for the development of a relevant Christian presence within contemporary and societal debates."

Chatting With Merchants

In a local strip-mall, near the coffee shop where I'm working, there is an old fellow who sells Polish wooden boxes. On my lunch break he introduced me to three-way chess. Crazy. And I was surprised to learn that there is even a way to play chess with three players on a standard board, called "foreign policy" chess.

Fightin' Words

On this anniversary, let us once again take note that Islam officially advocates war with non-muslims. From the Qur'an:

"And fight with infidels until... religion should be only for Allah" (8:39).

"Fight those who do not believe in Allah,... nor follow the religion of truth" (9:29).

Having Answers

Not long ago I received a fairly personal rejection. I was dismissively waved-off by a certain group for --get this-- “being the sort of person who has answers.” I don't challenge the accusation, but the slight was personal and I was actually wounded by it. I was hurt that this group was so blatantly prejudiced. I was hurt because, previous to this incident, I had been fooled into thinking this group had integrity and that it shared various commitments I hold dear.

At best, the criticism was a euphemism for "not being open-minded." Nonetheless, I did seriously consider the insinuation that I am not properly or sufficiently self-critical. I had to do this because being self-critical is one of my most valued principles, and that very fact means that I take such aspersions to heart. In the end, partly through the encouragement of more objective witnesses, I realized this group was being hypocritical and petty. They felt threatened, and their rejection amounted to saying: “you don't think the way we do. go away.”

To be ever seeking the truth, but never finding it; ever questioning, but never answering is hubris and cowardice in the extreme. Those who would be genuinely open-minded and self-critical should consider Chesterton’s reflection that “the object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid” (Autobiography. Collected Works Vol. 16, p. 212).

Buffalo Soldier

Kenn Blanchard is arming citizens in D.C. and Baltimore for self-defense, and educating for a new culture. God bless the pistol-packing preacher.

Eschaton and Apocalypse

For those of you who have asked me about a biblical view of "last things/end times," here are some recommendations. Much like the theme of God's Kingdom, eschatology is actually more basic than salvation. Creational eschatology is the context in which redemption is set. Not all of the following articles or books focus on that point, but it should not be neglected.

For many excellent articles on amillennialism and the book of Revelation consider The Highway and The Mountain Retreat. You may also enjoy Riddlebarger's book on the "amil" view, and Hendriksen, Poythress, and Johnson on Revelation, all written for a general audience.

Another writer, on both the Kingdom and the Eschaton, is George Eldon Ladd. He was a historic (non-dispensational) "premillennialist," but had a lot of good things to say.

Kingdom of God

I've read it twice now. I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in exploring the Kingdom of God, John Bright's book. It is amazingly entertaining to read, tremendously educational, and wonderfully edifying.

The other two books I really benefited from on this topic are more academic, but still recommendable: Ridderbos and Vos. If you must read something on the Kingdom this very moment, try Riddlebarger.

Can't Get Enough

Thursday night I attended an informal "ideas" discussion group. We are useing How To Think About The Great Ideas as a springboard. We discussed the first chapter on Truth. I had the opportunity (in everyday language) to argue transcendentally. To really explain my non-technical proposal would involve too much explanation about the comments to which I was responding. But the basic notion was about how we can't think philosophically about truth and what-is-true "purely rationally" apart from fundamental "faith" commitments. The group seemed responsive to the alternative definition of "faith": that it is not believing something "implausible" that we can't really "know," but that it is genuinely taking something as certain. The "something" here requires qualification to fill out what I was saying.

Anyway, I was really pleased to be understood. And it was a thrill to chat with sincere peers about ideas.

Labor Day

Appropriately, I began my new job at a coffee shop today. Although I despise the heretical Wesley (prefering his contemporaries Whitefield and Toplady), I refer you to these comments to mark this important day.

No Help, No Harm

Some of my earliest memories are of dreams. Devastating night-terrors, really. Some dreams can be more powerful or meaningful than experiences in waking life, and you never forget them. A few years ago I woke myself in a bout of loud, uncontrollable weeping. I was shook-up for days.

Anyway, last night I dreamt...