I know how much you all love the riddles that I repeat from my kids… so here’s a series for you.
• Why did the dinosaur cross the road? Chickens weren’t invented yet.
• Why did the marine biologist chicken cross the sea? To get to the other tide.
• Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide.
• Why did the cow cross the road? Chicken’s day off.
• Why did the lion cross the road? To get to the other pride.
Alright, on to the linkage of the week, random or otherwise.
- Dave DeVries wrestles with limited atonement, without really using the term… but he lands on the fundamental issue: if Christ died for all, why aren’t all saved? The notion of his blood being ineffectual for some is anathema. This doctrine of course connects with predestination, and that’s enough Calvinist words for this context!
- Grandma’s Bible (via Scot McKnight)
- Obama’s historical speech on race (video and text) — one of the great speeches of our time.
- A scientific explanation of religion: “Science and religion have often been at loggerheads. Now the former has decided to resolve the problem by trying to explain the existence of the latter.” Tidbits: “it is the least secure societies that tend to be most fundamentalist” and “Evolutionary biologists tend to be atheists, and most would be surprised if the scientific investigation of religion did not end up supporting their point of view. But if a propensity to religious behaviour really is an evolved trait, then they have talked themselves into a position where they cannot benefit from it.”
- Sonja does Esther
- Follow Horton and help out WhoVille: Adopt A Who
- Is anyone else’s kids really into Webkinz™?
- Strangest Christian Products and Signs
- Save the Developers!
- A very nice piece by RLP: Story, Redemption, and Time
- N.T. Wright at CT: Heaven Is Not Our Home
- Brian McLaren Responds to [Andrew Jones’] Everything Must Change Concerns
- Has anyone else fallen prey to the latest DIY scam against D-I-Y-type guys?
- A belated congrats to John the Shepherd on his belated blogversary. And he went and said nice things about yours truly. Hey, I thought it was quotable.
- Mark Berry quotes Ithaca – Pilgrimage from The Zahir by Paulo Coelho. Thought-provoking. I recently read the book as well, and did two posts referencing some of its themes.
- Jamie Arpin-Ricci’s Interview With Anne Rice: On Faith, Writing & Christian Art
- Milton Brasher-Cunningham relates part of an interview by Krista Tippett with Jaroslav Pelikan, which includes The Masai Creed — powerful stuff, highlighting the life of Christ, not just his birth and death. Bill Kinnon was impacted, and it’s well-worth a read.
- See the iMonk on “Freedom in Worship”… think you know what that term means?
- Are hymns (like those of my youth) making a comeback?
- It’s a CLB roundup! A Former Leader writes, Silence Is Not Golden – It’s My Time To Speak — I’m going to remember what her daughter said, just in case. Meanwhile, Grace is Losing [Her] Religious Security Blanket and grappling with “churchlessness” while Brad continues with Recovery from Spiritual Abuse – Part 2B: Five Criteria Continued … Learning Discernment.
- Down-under types especially may note Paul Fromont’s post Mission-Shaped and Anglican in Australia
- Matt Stone attempts to explain Incarnational ministry
- A little interlude inspired by Scot McKnight:
- The Church of Google (via)
- Encountering the “Other” — loving your enemies… an unusual story (via)
Tonight we’re off to watch Chocolat with our postchurch (or whatever) group. Apparently there’s a chocolate fondue planned (“fondue” is French for “starve while you’re waiting for your food to cook”) but it’s the conversation I’m looking forward to. This movie is a great primer.
Quiz distraction of the week…
You’re Ulysses!
by James Joyce
Most people are convinced that you don’t make any sense, but compared to what else you could say, what you’re saying now makes tons of sense. What people do understand about you is your vulgarity, which has convinced people that you are at once brilliant and repugnant. Meanwhile you are content to wander around aimlessly, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. What you see is vast, almost limitless, and brings you additional fame. When no one is looking, you dream of being a Greek folk hero.
(Take the Book Quiz)
All I can say is that most of the time I am convinced that I don’t make any sense, so at least there’s general agreement all around. ;^)
Oh, and I thought I already was a folk hero!
And I guess we’ll leave it at that for this week.
Hey … thanks for the props (#5). And, I’m also Ulysses which came as no surprise given the description. So, either there are not very many choices, or there’s a reason that I think you make sense. ;-)