Category — Diary

They should make it a prerequisite to calling oneself a “Calvinist” that one take a two-year long course on the Institutes of the Christian Religion (the whole thing, not just the “Five Points”), and in the context of the local church. It is funny, but Calvin is so much different than much of the new Calvinist clap-trap that is floating around the web. Much of it does not have the clarity and warmth of Calvin, nor his acumen. I think it is driven by the “Five Points” more than the Institutes, which are not so easily used as a club or a “test pattern” for orthodoxy. It’s like a bunch of high-school bullies are now pastors and “theologians”. They all have big hammers, and everything looks like nail to them. “Hey McFly, are you a four or five pointer?” Whammm! 

The fact is, many of them deny by the practice about half of what Calvin taught: presbyterian rule, paedo-baptism and a host of other things, including paedo-communion. The latter half of the Institutes weigh in on themes that are entirely lost on these guys. But heh, it’s the new cool. 

My family and I went for a long bike ride this weekend. One of our stops was the recently re-opened Farmer’s Market in down town Olympia. A beautiful place, buzzing with people taking in the mid-day sun. The smells of apples, and peppered meat, jasmine and lavender are in the air. My women love it, and I love that they love it. 

As we were walking past the apple stand, manned by two dudes, flapping open paper bags for the buyers, I noticed a well dressed, late middle aged women heading towards the booth. She wore expensive sandals, had on a broad-brimmed, straw hat and designer sunglasses. Her silver hair showed from underneath. A cursory glance would suggest she drove a lexus and needed for nothing. She had a green fabric grocery bag slung under her arm. She could be someone’s grandmother. She looked at ease, strolling for a day’s shop. 

As she approached the booth, she swooped in close, laid her hand on a crystalline rock that was used as a paperweight for the brown bags, and in one quick and slight motion, dropped it into her green bag. At first I thought she worked there, but then, as she circled again, it became obvious that she had no intention of stopping and simply walked off. She had just kiped the stone. Brazenly taking what was not hers. 

She did not know I was watching her. But, the way she did it was so precise, so smooth and uninhibited, that it was surely practiced. She does this, a lot. But, why? It was a pretty rock, but of little value other than that fact. But she risked being caught, and labelled as a petty thief. Perhaps, for the thrill. The existential moment when she feels power, and the secret that she has done something that moves outside of the expected, the normal pattern of her life. Maybe she wanted to feel something, and risk is her meaning. 

This weekend a man in Auburn murdered his five children, then shot himself in the head. He was angry that his wife was leaving him for another man. His oldest was sixteen. She reportedly fought back while he fired bullets into her body in the family bathroom. He had spoken with his neighbors earlier the previous day about his troubles and seemed encouraged by them, according to their report. But he made a decision later that night. Crimes of passion have been around forever, but the victim is usually the cheater, not the children. An act of enraged jealousy over a true betrayal is one thing; cold-blooded murder of offspring as a means of attacking the cheater is animal.  

This week’s edition of Newsweek announced the end of Christian America. 

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers with a young Marsalis on trumpet. Blakey had a big heart and helped many young players along. 

art blakey and wynton marsalis

Steve Bishop posted a link to Andrew Basden’s new Extreme Philosophy webpage. He offers a new title for those working through the Cosmonomic Theory. In an ongoing effort to distinguish myself from the New Calvinists and their adoption of the title “Neo-Calvinism” I am happy to take on Andrew’s new idea. Henceforth, I will now be calling myself an “Extreme Philosopher”.

Besides the fact that it helps put the confusion to rest, it feels refreshingly provocative. Thanks Steve and Andrew!!

here.

Calvinism is like the Swiss railway system. Baptist theology is like the American transportation system. Calvinism is like chess. Baptist theology is like chutes and ladders. Calvinism is like Lindt chococlate. Baptist theology is like Hershey’s. Calvinism is the Bible. Baptist theology is Dwight Pentacost, Billy Graham and the SBC.