Nathan's Wicked Awesome Blog

Peaceful Postmodernism

2004-05-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

I posted a thread on Derek Webb's web forum titled "Peaceful Postmodernism." So, come along for the ride.

http://www.derekwebb.com

Badger Badger Badger

2004-05-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

I think this is the reason the internet was created!

www.badgerbadgerbadger.com

Note: To enjoy this site to its fullest make sure you do at least 1 of the following...
a) wait until at least 3 in the morning to view it
b) be in a large group
c) be an idiot, like me

The Official Shotgun Rules

2004-05-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

It seems that many people do not understand the rules of "shotgun." I stumbled across this site last year when one of my roommates routinely called "shotgun" from inside any given building. By closer understanding, this is clearly forbidden. So, read them. Here are a few of the main ones, but you should check out the site for a full explanation and some technicalities of each rule.
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You Must Say The Word "Shotgun"
You must say the word "Shotgun" to stake your claim on Shotgun. This must be done clearly and loud enough so that at least one other to-be occupant of the vehicle can hear you. No variations of this word are acceptable. After you have rightfully called Shotgun, you have exclusive rights to Shotgun for that ride. However, if no one hears you call Shotgun it is still fair game for everyone.

The Deed Must Be Done Before Shotgun May Be Called
For these rules to work properly, it is essential for you to understand and accept the concept of the "Deed". Shotgun may only be called after the "deed is done". Simply stated, the deed is any activity or objective that directly precedes the ride in the automobile. The deed can be anything ranging from a visit at a friend's house, to a shopping trip at the mall, to a visit to the Grand Canyon. We cannot stress how important this is because this establishes a Shotgun-calling time frame that ensures everyone has an equal chance of recognizing when to call Shotgun.
There is no crime greater than calling Shotgun on Monday in reference to the ride to the concert on Friday. Some people choose to play this way, and they are fools.

You Must Be Outside To Call Shotgun
The best way to establish exactly when the deed is done is to define this moment as the instance that you have left the building in which the deed took place. All passengers need not to have exited, but someone must hear you call Shotgun.
Some people choose to use a variation of this rule and require that all occupants be out of the building before Shotgun can be called. This does not work. It leads to everyone calling Shotgun at the same time and often ends in physical violence.
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Again, there are many exceptions and technicalities. Check out http://theshotgunrules.com for a complete list. We live and die by the rules!

Postmodernism and Christianity

2004-05-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

What? Postmodernism and Christianity? To some who have a loose knowledge of the postmodern movement, these two terms may seem to be opposites. However, in an era of transition, there is an inevitable element of tension between the old and the new. I believe that the two can exist together. While postmodernism may seem like relativistic hogwash, it is actually a revolutionary way of looking church, missions, and many other aspects of Christianity while not compromising the essence of our faith... and that is the person of Jesus Christ. So, if anyone reads this check out the article and send me a comment. Hopefully this will spark some good discussion. Peace.
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Introduction

The new way of thinking (as opposed to modernism: the old way of thinking).

Postmodernism is the cultural worldview that now penetrates and owns our society. This worldview deeply values the following: spirituality, pluralism, the experiential, relativity, altruism, community, creativity, the arts, environmentalism, globality, holism, and authenticity. In many ways we are transitioning away from the "modern" values of rationalism, science, dogmatism, individualism, pragmatism, capitalism, nationalism, compartmentalism, and veneered religiosity.

The postmodern cultural context is very similar to that of the New Testament. Therefore we believe that God's message will not only survive, but will thrive in this cultural milieu. Moreover, since many of these values are intrinsic to the Christian worldview, the church can use them as a bridge to our culture and society. We also understand and affirm that some postmodern values and ideas are in dynamic tension with Christianity, and we seek to gently but firmly challenge these, both in ourselves and in our culture.

Read the rest of the article at www.apologeticsindex.org
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Also, a good book I read was A New Kind of Christian. To anyone trying to gain a deeper understanding of Christianity and postmodernism, check it out

My Feeble Attempt At Total Depravity

2004-05-02T21:19:00.000-07:00

Faith Statement Assignment For Christian Doctrine Class

by Nathan Hall

I am a Calvinist. However, I understand the hard issues that surround this belief and the cutthroat discussions that surround it. I know because I have participated in them. It has been my experience that the issue of “good works” is where the hang up is for many non-Calvinists. It seems to me that this hang up comes from a misunderstanding of the Total Depravity point of TULIP. I hope in this essay to address this issue and give a meaningful explanation of the depravity of man and how it aids in and understanding of the doctrines of grace.

I will start with a description of Total Depravity. It is the first point in the doctrine of Calvinism because the state of man is the most logical starting point of any Christian Doctrine. Again, it seems to me that this doctrine is greatly misunderstood. It says that man, apart from God, can do nothing good, and cannot come to God or do any good without God’s work in his/her life. This is hard for many people to grasp because we are a people who like our freedom. We also don’t like to admit that we are wrong. I agree that it is very hard to accept total depravity, but an understanding of it depends whose point of view you are going to look through; man’s or God’s.

I thought of this analogy one day during class. To men, many things can be seen as “good works.” So, from a man’s point of view, we can look at a man who gives to a charity and say “that is a good work.” But what does that look like from God’s point of view? If this man is not a Christian, and even if he is, it is hard for me to say that God sees this deed as not tainted by the man’s perverted self love. So, while this man has done a good deed by human standards, through God’s eyes it is still sinful. Another way to look at it is to look at many of the things we do everyday. For example, watching TV isn’t a sin in and of itself. But, we watch TV out of a perverted self love, and that selfish desire is sinful. It makes us feel good, so we do it. If we look at depravity from the angle that all of our actions are tainted by our sinful nature rather than the actions themselves are wrong, then it is easy to see that we really need the work of God in our life to accomplish things as “good” in His eyes. If he is not at work in our lives, directing us to do things for Him, then everything we do is sinful. Once God enters out life, then He works in us and makes us righteous and what we do is good before His eyes.

A good Biblical passage to back up this point is Romans 3 (a favorite of Calvinists!). This passage say things like “no one… seeks God” and “there is no one who does good, not even one” (NIV). Paul then states that no one will be declared righteous if they accomplish what the law says. This again points out that even doing what God’s holy law says isn’t enough to please God. Since we are humans and corrupt, even obedience isn’t “good” before God because that desire to do good is done out of self-love. In light of these things, it seems that even Christians who do “good” are tainted by sin in their “good” deeds. So, it seems to me that when any follower of God does what the law says, their action is tainted by their nature’s desire to do it because they do it in light of the fact that it will ultimately benefit them. Again I will reiterate that this is from God’s point of view. So, since we can’t accomplish anything good in the eyes of God, we must be declared righteous and good.

As another example, I will use this paper. God demands my best from me. So, I do this paper to obey God in submitting to the authority of the teacher and I do the paper to glorify God and attempt to come to a better understanding of God. But, I will benefit from this paper in getting a good grade (hopefully, if I’m not too extreme) and that taints my intentions in doing it. So the act of doing it becomes tainted by my self-love. In this way, this act could be considered sinful just as my “total depravity” would taint anything else I do. Even the decision to follow God would be tainted by this self-love. While a part of us does it out of realization of our sin and a love for God, it is hard to completely silent that small voice that does it for the “fire insurance.”

With this view of sin, it is easy to see why Calvinists depend totally on God for grace. If even our decision to follow God is corrupted by sin, then our holiness and righteousness must come from God’s decision rather that our choice. This is a good example of how the five points form a complete doctrine that when studied in depth, only strengthens the belief as whole. It makes me thankful for God’s choice to persevere me and bring to my attention my need for His choice to declare me righteous before Himself in Jesus Christ.