tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81196671043407000012024-03-09T01:45:00.119+13:00MetaEquilibrium - a weblog of half-formed thoughtsIt's better than opium.Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.comBlogger292125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-64816832965761622292011-11-24T22:09:00.003+13:002011-11-24T22:09:57.626+13:00New Testament reliabilityThe number of manuscripts is not the whole story of course, but it's still interesting.<br /><br /><a href="http://visualunit.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/nt_reliability1.jpg">http://visualunit.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/nt_reliability1.jpg</a>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-50489602415309843312011-11-21T16:11:00.006+13:002011-11-21T16:28:06.344+13:00300th<div style="text-align: left;">This is my 300th post. That probably doesn't include the one or two that I've deleted, realising that they were a bit too offensive in hindsight. I th<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: left; ">ink there's some interesting stuff here anyway, along with much that is inane, bizarre or irrelevant. I'm considering starting a new blog which would include the most coherent thoughts from this one, while being more carefully edited and perhaps including some photos of nature rather than wikipedia images, but we'll see...</span></div><br /><br />I quite like Plato, from what little I have read that is attributed to him. I also like Nietzsche in how straight-up he is. This quote relates and contrasts the two, along with the incarnation, in a way that I find quite brilliant.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Nietzsche loves the real world of ever-changing dynamism over Plato's realm of unchanging forms, but God loves this world more. In fact, in joy he created its diverse forms of life and his providence keeps history's ever-moving, ever-changing dynamism in play. It was not by the self's escape from this world and embodiment to achieve union with the upper world, but by God's becoming flesh that salvation has been brought to the earth.<br />...</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">That which <i>actually happens</i> in this world, not what phi</span>losophers argue <i>must</i> be the case should always take precedence. For that very reason, the gospel's claims must be allowed to disorient and reorient our presuppositions about God and the world."</span></div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><img src="http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900436345.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 192px; " /><div></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-28853152788485719692011-11-09T21:33:00.002+13:002011-11-09T21:36:09.311+13:00speeding out of the rat racetalking about time, here's a clip about what happens when you give rats drugs - specifically marijuana and cocaine (not at once though - intriguing possibility however).<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWRMOKvb_xU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWRMOKvb_xU</a><br /><br /><br />I'm currently learning (studying/cramming I guess) about rats and cocaine with relation to neurotransmitter transport. Fun stuff.Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-43393309101353361152011-11-06T20:06:00.006+13:002011-11-06T21:08:31.184+13:00on time (and out of time)<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Tui_on_flax.jpg/250px-Tui_on_flax.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 167px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Tui_on_flax.jpg/250px-Tui_on_flax.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">The nature of our nation<br />abundantly displays<br />yes, portrays<br />the beauty of creation<br /><br />the tui in the tree<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; ">flitted and swooped<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; ">then settled<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; ">- and sang, next to me</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; ">mid-gray clouds match the sea<br />both brooding;<br />sad, maybe?<br />- a mood of ambiguity</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">many gifts, bestowed;<br />presents presented,<br />accepted<br />- their giver unknown<br /><br />mechanical, purported-accidental<br />watchers watching<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; ">the turning<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; ">ceaseless timepiece universal</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">”collocation, self-organisation!”<br />or quiet indication,<br />contrived;<br />a .. purposed manifestation?<br /><br />softly conscience whispers<br />questions, perceives these qualities;<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; ">a final<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; ">cause? (for thought) - one wonders</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-6639549265347343862011-11-05T18:17:00.003+13:002011-11-05T18:19:43.462+13:00healthy dose of humour<a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=307973849216013&set=a.272295029450562.82726.100000102019801&type=1&ref=nf">a special humorous cartoon</a> for anyone who reads this blog - it's high quality, I guarantee it<br /><br /><br />it should say 'gentlemen' though. :(Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-86719647031983119012011-10-26T15:20:00.004+13:002011-10-26T15:29:04.384+13:00thought for the dayIf moral improvement has actually occurred over the centuries (if norms of the past were less advanced or ethical than our own), there is a moral standard by which cultures may be judged - there is a standard towards which improvement has occurred.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Hence, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>moral facts exist</b></span>.</div><br /><br /><br />Likewise, if you <i>believe</i> moral improvement has actually occurred over the centuries,<div><br /></div><div>then,</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); "><b>you believe that moral facts exist. </b></span></div><br />As with anything, you may be mistaken in your beliefs, but nevertheless you believe them. Much as you believe that the sun is a source of heat for the earth. etc.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From <span class="Apple-style-span"><b>whence</b></span> these moral facts?</div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-78366220542326952872011-10-24T13:54:00.006+13:002011-11-05T18:21:46.018+13:00after all, a Christian can't be a real philosopher, right?the debate over the debate over whether R. Dawkins should debate W.L. Craig has het up.<br /><br />This is a <a href="http://dangerousidea.blogspot.com/2011/10/on-engaging-real-arguments.html">fair response</a> to it I think.<br /><br /><br />I am a little tired of the cheerleaders on both sides. Craig is not perfect, but he seems to me a nice enough guy who presents classical Christian apologetical arguments in a rigorous-yet-accessible way to audiences of university students, academics and other interested people. He is a gifted communicator and probably rightly widely regarded as the foremost defender of Christian theism today. His well-publicised debates are backed up with scholarly and popular books and articles, particularly concerning the metaphysical implication of the origin of the universe and the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.<br /><br />Dawkins has done some well respected work in evolutionary biology, but his main area of influence has been through his popular science books and of course his more recent railing against religion. He is an effective communicator and like Craig is charismatic with a wide following. However, I cannot take him seriously as an academic outside his field of expertise in biology or as a public intellectual rather than a polemicist, given his reluctance to actually interact with the arguments he claims do not exist or to have refuted . One notable exception was in his debates with John Lennox; yet in these he is widely regarded as having come across as the least persuasive of the two. Supporters of his who have imbibed the 'new atheist' hatred of religion and religious people need to calm down and learn to have a reasonable academic discussion - even with those who pointedly disagree - or they will face accusations of insularism, anti-intellectualism and cowardice.<br /><br />Religion is here to stay and the New Atheism probably is too in some form; ridicule and invective from either side (as guilty of it as I may be) strikes me as a fairly unproductive route and a highly frustrating one when the actual issues are covered up by personal attacks and ignorant bluster. If anything is to sort out the fundamental misunderstandings contributing so greatly to this cultural divide, perhaps it is numerous instances of friendly chats over coffee, combined with a little prayer and a challenge to actually explore the claims being made by each 'side' for oneself. I for one am happy to engage in <i>this</i> project!Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-78208494063645597812011-10-22T18:59:00.003+13:002011-10-22T19:06:04.508+13:00accidental coincidencesAre the gospels reliable as historical accounts? One line of evidencing bolstering their claims are coincidences between them which were not designed, for instance where one gospel incidentally fills in gaps in what another has reported.<br /><br />Prof Tim McGrew is an authority on 'evidence', being known as an academic in the field of the philosophy of science. He is also one of the world's foremost experts on historical Christian apologetics (i.e. past apologists) and particularly, apologetics which makes use of historical argument to show the plausibility and truth of the gospel and related claims about Jesus.<br /><br />This 10 min youtube clip is worth watching, at least taking a peek at to get the gist.<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGVLeC5HbSQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGVLeC5HbSQ</a><br /><br />Or for a paragraph summary of the idea, see here: <a href="http://historicalapologetics.org/blunt-john-james/">http://historicalapologetics.org/blunt-john-james/</a><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">More on this after exams perhaps.</span>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-53841523829557363402011-10-20T14:27:00.007+13:002011-10-20T14:37:31.822+13:00truly revealing<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-large; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-large; ">Hey procrastinators, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=164519210297670">check this out</a> - I think you'll enjoy it!</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Splined_Canvas.jpg/250px-Splined_Canvas.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 232px;" border="0" alt="" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">so ..., we throw our pain at this canvas<br />of life<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">again and again we throw our pain<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; ">at it</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">and it all seems so random, pointless<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; ">empty</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">and it sloshes and reverberates<br />around</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">but we have fun; break the dreariness<br />of life!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">told it’s all absurd we learn to laugh<br />at it</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">but this too is fleeting, shallow,<br />empty</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">‘til ... the great Painter flips our canvas<br />around</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">revealing Jesus, the true meaning<br />of life.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-35440120969191485782011-10-18T22:30:00.003+13:002011-11-05T18:23:15.284+13:00Experts, experts - get your experts!I'm intrigued by the fact that everyone else is an expert on the economy (& the effectiveness of the free market and such), but as an economics student I have no idea. Sure, I have various prejudices and suspicions, but in actually arguing something, I'd hardly know where to <i>start</i>. What caused the financial crisis - lack of govt regulation or over-regulation?? Many people making bold claims about this don't seem to even be aware that the alternate possibility is being seriously suggested.<br /><br />I'm the last person to help out here. And I will very soon have a degree in this stuff, more or less.<br /><div><br /><br />God help us all.</div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-74293394336897838602011-10-13T22:03:00.003+13:002011-10-13T22:07:18.175+13:00decentralised power structure<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Flag_of_Europe.svg/125px-Flag_of_Europe.svg.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 83px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Flag_of_Europe.svg/125px-Flag_of_Europe.svg.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div>In case anyone likes history or, perhaps, navel-gazing. This is from Sydney and I find it interesting how useful history is and how it can repeat itself in some ways. Convergence perhaps (reading Simon Conway Morris' "Life's Solution" has got me thinking along these lines.)<br /><br />"The idea of a faculty system for the SUEU was broached for the first time in 1945; teams of students to minister in schools and on missions were established in 1946; as well as a more elaborate sub-committee structure for administration. Of course, the danger which these moves were seeking to prevent was that of nominalism ..." http://www.sueu.org.au/about/history/building_foundationsZachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-48947586677865528342011-10-11T10:31:00.001+13:002011-10-11T10:33:06.700+13:00thinking-then-speaking<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 70, 75); font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"You will not be able to extemporize good thinking unless you have been in the habit of thinking and feeding your mind with abundant and nourishing food. ... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 70, 75); font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Take it as a rule without exception, that to be able to overflow spontaneously you must be full." <br />Charles Spurgeon</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 70, 75); font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 70, 75); font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 70, 75); font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">HT: <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/10/10/how-to-think-on-your-feet/">Justin Taylor</a></span></div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-75161614004192912512011-10-03T23:00:00.005+13:002011-10-03T23:09:17.108+13:00why an atheist I am not<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/AtheismImplicitExplicit3.svg/220px-AtheismImplicitExplicit3.svg.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 128px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/AtheismImplicitExplicit3.svg/220px-AtheismImplicitExplicit3.svg.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">(image thanks to Wikipedia. Only the vaguest idea what it means.) I don't like how this blog is formatting itself now, but there are more important things in life. Like death, life after death, life before death, etc. <br /><br />This is the draft form of a talk that was spoken today.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >I take it that to accept <i>atheism</i> is to believe the claim that God does not exist and neither do god<i>s</i>, goddesses or, presumably other supernatural beings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " ><br />I am not an atheist as I have found - and continue to find - Christian faith to be, (rather than ugly or irrational) – in fact, both attractive and coherent. I have been privileged to have been raised in a Christian home, attending Church since the age of 4. I came to know I am not a good person. I have found a need in my own life for what God offers in Jesus Christ; and this really has been life-changing, in changing and continuing to change my actions, thoughts, priorities, hopes and even my interests. I was pleased to be baptised at the start of 2009. So I am a Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><br />Atheism is a hopeless philosophy. It offers little; in the realms of ultimate explanation, – in science! -<span> </span>and in aid of human flourishing. Three fields of interest to me, I think seek a <i>grounding</i>: </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Firstly, “reason” </span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">and rationality</span></u><u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">*The importance of <i>seeking truth</i>; makes sense on theism, less so given <i>naturalism</i>. In seeking <i>truth</i> over self-interest, as we do, we borrow from a non-naturalistic worldview, in line with the Christ-focussed mottos of some of the world’s top universities. As a summary, God <i>grounds</i> rationality - it is far from clear that materialistic processes adequately account even for <i>rational belief formation</i>, let alone the question I raise of the legitimacy of a search for truth, prioritising it over falsehood. </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " >*Also, atheism is <i>not</i> the obvious default metaphysic. A question for you all - is the universe an array of brute facts – a collection of matter/energy and its regularities, (and perhaps too mathematical facts and/or moral facts) – or does it <i>all</i> have a transcendent (and even personal?) source? Which is the correct explanation? To <i>simply</i> <i>begin</i> and end with naturalism is to take too much for granted – (indeed, the whole universe.)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Secondly, <i>science</i></span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">*Science is popular here. The fact that <i>we</i> can <i>do</i> science ought raise questions. The world is ordered in a particular way, the human mind is ordered in a particular way – so as to comprehend a fundamental, mathematically structured reality. These orderings coincide and we can do science. Brute fact, or God-given?</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">*Also the evidence for Fine-tuning of the physical constants (leading to the development of rational moral agents) is evidence for theism, in that it is more probable given God than in God’s absence.</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Third category, “society”</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> (and human flourishing.)</span></u><b><u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">*The existence of human rights and dignity and a desire for <i>justice</i> do not find their natural home within atheism.</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">*The phenomena of evil - and death point away from atheism. Often when horrors perversely done in the name of God are rightly condemned, a notion of <i>evil</i> is assumed. Yet naturalistic atheism has no answer to evil and indeed no room for it; it denies its existence. Atheism too, has no answer to <i>death</i>; indeed, all, it seems to me, on atheism, is finally meaningless – we are simply star dust perhaps with some pathetic illusion of personality or importance - and while that might seem <i>pretty</i> in a fleeting way, rocks and rubbish dumps are equally star dust with us - and with the same fate – some collections of atoms get ‘lucky’ briefly, but it all comes to an end.</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">So, I’ve surveyed Reason, Science and Society and touched on the intellectual cost of atheism; however my personal focus and the motivating factor for not merely holding an abstract belief, but living in a particular way, is Jesus. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus are somewhat of an enigma for a naturalistic account of the universe. It might seem to be convenient for some if he had never existed, but this simply will not do, <i>on the evidence</i>. <span> </span>Of course, if Jesus was not raised, this faith is utterly futile, but if he <i>might’ve been</i>, then this conversation is very worthwhile. </span></span></p>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-80573967245838433392011-09-17T12:30:00.001+12:002011-09-17T12:30:34.861+12:00translation project<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(55, 55, 55); font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I have come to the conclusion that if you cannot translate your own thoughts into uneducated language, then your thoughts are confused. Power to translate is the test of having really understood your own meaning<span style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; ">. - CS Lewis</span></span></span>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-43440148611416868322011-09-14T21:35:00.003+12:002011-09-14T21:40:34.681+12:00what is the gospel?<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Cross_on_Church.JPG/210px-Cross_on_Church.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 158px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Cross_on_Church.JPG/210px-Cross_on_Church.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 10px; "><p style="font-family: palatino, 'times new roman', serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 1.4em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: justify; ">“This is the gospel. The just and loving Creator of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent his Son, God in the flesh, to bear his wrath against sin on the cross and to show his power over sin in the resurrection so that all who trust in him will be reconciled to God forever.”</p><p style="font-family: palatino, 'times new roman', serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 1.4em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: justify; ">- David Platt (excerpt from “Radical”)</p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">thanks to the website of "Ascend the Hill", a band whose music I am enjoying. For free!</span><a href="http://ascendthehillband.com/">http://ascendthehillband.com</a>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-83821834333292389572011-08-31T22:22:00.002+12:002011-08-31T22:31:18.925+12:00Christian thinkers in sciencethese people are fascinating ...<div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_T._Bakker">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_T._Bakker</a></div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Isham">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Isham</a></div><div>
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<br /></div><div>I'll add/write more on this eventually. I hadn't heard of the dinosaur guy before.
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<br /></div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-54759982101410200742011-08-26T09:03:00.003+12:002011-08-26T09:14:37.015+12:00molecular evolutionsome interesting stuff on molecular evolution, which I hope to come back to
<br />
<br />starting with a post by Mike Behe, on a proposed mechanism for the evolution of complex cellular systems like the spliceosome: <a href="http://www.evolutionnews.org/2011/08/irremediable_complexity049851.html">http://www.evolutionnews.org/2011/08/irremediable_complexity049851.html</a>
<br />
<br />"Overwhelmingly, progress in biology has consisted of finding new and ever-more-sophisticated properties of systems that had been thought simple. If apparently simple systems are much more complex than they initially seemed, I would bet heavily against the hypothesis that apparently complex systems are much simpler than they appear."
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<br />also, I will read this eventually: directed evolution and enzyme alterations:
<br /><a href="http://www.nature.com/nrm/journal/v10/n12/full/nrm2805.html">http://www.nature.com/nrm/journal/v10/n12/full/nrm2805.html</a>
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<br />Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-66780631258427061112011-08-22T17:07:00.005+12:002011-08-22T17:12:55.584+12:00discordant beauty<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">You never <i>know</i> what <b>temporal</b> days may bring
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<br />So </span><span class="Apple-style-span" >laugh</span><span class="Apple-style-span">, love, live free </span><span class="Apple-style-span" >and sing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span">When <b>life</b> is in <b><i>d</i>i<i>s/</i>c<i>o</i>r<i>d</i></b>
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; ">
<br />Praise ye the Lord</span><span class="Apple-style-span">.</span></span></span></span></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-Anberlin</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">the html on this site has gone weird and formatting is a hassle, so I don't bother when I'm meant to be studying</span></span></span></span></p>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-47066454979078104572011-08-20T09:17:00.006+12:002011-08-20T09:24:23.280+12:00naturalism as explanationI'm currently reading a paper by Peter van Inwagen on whether God is an unnecessary hypothesis and am absolutely drinking it up.
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<br />Thought I'd share (the insight below is not particularly controversial, but I find it is helping to clarify some things; you've gotta love analytical philosophy. I don't think I've ever seen this stated so clearly and it leads on to a bunch of things that I'm excited about.), partly as a reminder to me in future to read it again when I have time to scribble some thoughts on related things:<div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Consider the proposition that there exist natural things. This is a fact, and one easily verified by observation. Has it a purely natural explanation? That seems unlikely. How could facts about the properties of natural things and how they are related to one another (which are the only facts a purely natural explanation may appeal to) explain the existence of natural things? The difficulty of seeing how there could be an answer to this question suggests a general principle: To explain the existence of things of a certain type, we must somehow appeal to things that are not of that type. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>...</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Reflection on the fact that there are natural things suggests that the best </span><span class="Apple-style-span">course for the proponents of the superfluity argument to take might be to </span><span class="Apple-style-span">say that they hadn’t got their premise quite right, and to qualify it as follows: </span><span class="Apple-style-span">insofar as an observed fact has an explanation, this explanation is a purely </span><span class="Apple-style-span">natural one. That is, perhaps they should concede that some observed facts </span><span class="Apple-style-span">have no explanation at all, and go on to say that those observed facts that </span><span class="Apple-style-span">do have an explanation have a purely natural one. They could say that the </span><span class="Apple-style-span">proposition that there are natural things was a necessary truth, and thus </span><span class="Apple-style-span">had no explanation – at any rate, no causal explanation. But it doesn’t seem </span><span class="Apple-style-span">very plausible to suppose that the proposition that there are natural things </span><span class="Apple-style-span">is a necessary truth. The friends of the superfluity argument would, I think, </span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span">do better to maintain that the fact that there are natural things is a brute, </span><span class="Apple-style-span">contingent fact – a fact because there are natural things, contingent because </span><span class="Apple-style-span">there might have been no natural things, brute because there is no explanation </span><span class="Apple-style-span">whatever of there being natural things.</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br />How plausible is the thesis that every fact has either a purely natural explanation or else no explanation at all? Theists will certainly not find this thesis </span><span class="Apple-style-span">plausible. Theists think that at least one observed fact, the fact that there are </span><span class="Apple-style-span">natural things, has an explanation and has no natural explanation – its explanation being, of course, that there are natural things because God created </span><span class="Apple-style-span">them. Doesn’t the thesis that everything we observe either has no explanation </span><span class="Apple-style-span">whatever or else has a purely natural explanation simply assume the falsity of </span><span class="Apple-style-span">theism? </span></i></span></div><div>
<br />more here: <a href="http://andrewmbailey.com/pvi/Is_God_Unnecessary.pdf">http://andrewmbailey.com/pvi/Is_God_Unnecessary.pdf</a></div></div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-78630148743553611602011-08-16T21:52:00.001+12:002011-08-16T21:53:33.502+12:00ZealQuestion for the day:<div>
<br /></div><div>Is zeal without knowledge dangerous or just disturbing/embarrassing in our apathetic world?
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<br /></div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-20400296105050683542011-08-12T23:14:00.015+12:002011-08-13T09:55:53.715+12:00meaningful exchanges<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial">The gospel: it’s truly relevant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial">Intrinsically; part of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">Selfishness’s final solution</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; ">Good news: life which goes on and on
<br /></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">But how can someone communicate</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial"><i>This</i> - 'true but inconvenient'?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">Our faux-righteousness is no payment</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial">Grace, free; generously given</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">Little surprise, faces resistance</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial">All men want to be sovereign<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">Yet God exchanged divinity’s throne</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial">With servant’s form; that’s upside down!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">Crucified so that peace may be known
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">Take up <i>your</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; "> cross, the slave is now crowned</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">What of ourselves, now Death's overturned?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">May our lives help make this Truth heard?</span></p>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-3137765710255708022011-08-09T22:48:00.001+12:002011-08-09T22:51:11.847+12:00ambiguous violenceMan, the London riots.
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<br />What's up with that?!
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<br />Maybe I'll write more on this sometime.
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<br /></div><div>If you don't believe that people are sinful, check out what's going down over there.
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<br /><div>On a lighter note, I found this comment from the Metropolitan Police's spokesman a tad ambiguous:
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(40, 40, 40); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; ">"Those involved in criminality should be under no illusion that we will pursue you."</span></div></div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-64801815073961145032011-08-06T00:03:00.002+12:002011-08-06T00:08:53.799+12:00standing in my defense<span style="color:#000000;">One of my favourite song verses/sections:</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Your blood: speaks a better word<br />Than all the empty claims I've heard upon this earth<br />Speaks righteousness for me<br />And stands in my defense<br /><br />Jesus it's Your blood.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Some day I intend to write more about this; about <em>how</em> and <em>why</em> and <em>that</em> the blood of Jesus the Messiah was shed to rectify my stubborn opposition to the God who created me and is sovereign over the universe.<br /><br />Your comments, of whatever stripe, are welcome. This is not merely some article of lofty faith for me, but really important to how I live my life and why I do what I do - if I'm wrong about this, I want to know and if you are, I think you should want to as well.Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-76332482956029159632011-07-31T12:53:00.001+12:002011-07-31T12:54:10.080+12:00Religion - evil?<div>Thinking about the tragedy in Norway, I find this of interest and on the mark:</div><div><br /></div>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">The crimes of which Anders Breivik stands accused don’t show how religion can inspire evil. Quite the contrary: They are proof positive that a Christ-less Christianity is a cultural construct that can’t bring the depth of relationship required to prevent the horrors that evil inspires. ..."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/dont-blame-religion-for-anders-breivik/article2111872/">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/dont-blame-religion-for-anders-breivik/article2111872/</a></span>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119667104340700001.post-80597166511321350642011-07-23T20:36:00.008+12:002011-07-23T21:33:47.795+12:00The gospel of Mark<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tlviPVGZgeA/TiqQ6r-9r3I/AAAAAAAAARE/8ewlWMo0EbA/s1600/Mark%2B-%2Bminiscule.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tlviPVGZgeA/TiqQ6r-9r3I/AAAAAAAAARE/8ewlWMo0EbA/s400/Mark%2B-%2Bminiscule.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632473621893853042" /></a><br />I keep returning to the gospel of Mark - particularly since hearing it described as "the gospel for a sceptic in a hurry", I've been intrigued by it. Particularly its christology, or view of Christ. I'd love to talk with you about this, whoever you are, though admittedly I've only dabbled briefly in the topic. This gospel also contains <a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=mark+2%3A+1-12">one of my favourite passages</a>, (as I may well have said here before.) That passage reminds me (and vice versa) of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sin4vgyFnZ0">this skillet song</a>. In related news, a NZ scholar of Mark I happen to know, Derek Tovey, will be speaking on the book's view of Jesus on Tues 2nd August at 1pm at Auckland Uni as part of <a href="http://www.jesusweek.co.nz/">Jesus Week</a>.<br /><br />Anyway, I think the gospel of Mark is also worth listening to. That's right, listening to!<br /><br />Living in the 21st C, we're fortunate to have access to mp3s, including of the bible - that book that continues to influence so much and so many.<br /><br />One of my favourite bible translations is the 'NET' bible (New English Translation), partly as it doesn't have the copyright issues of some other translations. It is also fairly literal and comes with some very useful notes.<br /><div><br /></div><div>As a service to someone out there, I've compiled the links to the chapters of the gospel of Mark, the NET version, read by some American guy whose voice isn't too disagreeable (lack of Queen's English or upper-class American accent notwithstanding) here - at an approximate calculation, <b>you could listen to the whole thing in around an hour and a half or so</b>. How about that?! Give it a shot.<br /><br />Courtesy of <a href="http://net.bible.org/">http://net.bible.org</a><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(chapters)</span> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-01.mp3">1</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-02.mp3">2</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-03.mp3">3</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-04.mp3">4</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-05.mp3">5</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-06.mp3">6</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-07.mp3">7</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-08.mp3">8</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-09.mp3">9</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-10.mp3">10</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-11.mp3">11</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-12.mp3">12</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-13.mp3">13</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-14.mp3">14</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-15.mp3">15</a> <a href="http://net.bible.org/audio/get/41-Mark-16.mp3">16</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165270232683627981noreply@blogger.com0