What’s Your Morality?

Here is a great site with multiple tests studying various aspects of morality. It was done by UVa and is part of a study by them, take it:

The Morality Quiz

I found the site reading this article:

Explaining Liberals to Conservatives (and Vice Versa)

 

Who Is or Might Be an Arminian?

Great Column by Roger Olsen:

Who Is or Might Be an Arminian?.

 

By this list I would qualify as an 11 pointer (take that 5 point Calvies)… I would also qualify as an orthodox Christian in good standing with the Church of any era or place.

For Tom:

“Why did it have to end so soon?
Why did you go away?
Although I know it may never come true
I hope to see you someday

And I’ll always remember
Those times that we shared
So if you’re listening from up above
This is my prayer

You’ve brought so much joy to this world of mine
Whenever I needed you came
A friend like you is so hard to find
Without you it won’t be the same

And though many will try
No one can ever compare
So if you’re listening from up above
This is my prayer

May the mountains rise to meet you
May the skies open wide
Know that in my heart, my friend
You will always be alive

There are so many things that I want you to know
So many words to say
And when He finally calls me home
I’ll walk with you through those gates

So please remember me
Oh I promise I’ll see you up there
I hope you’re listening from up above
This is my prayer

May the mountains rise to meet you
May the skies open wide
Know that in my heart my friend
You will always be alive

May the angels fly to greet you
You can see it all from up there
I know you’re listening from up above
‘Cause this is, and will always be, my prayer ”

– Marc Broussard, “Jeremiah’s Prayer.” Momentary Setback (2003).

For the Mullins Family…

“Your eyes see the shining city
Your love heels the poisoned mind
When the journey ends
There’s a new beginning
When the risen man
Heals the weight of time
I can feel it over the line
I see the other country
I see the other side

Do not be afraid of this earthly city
Do not be afraid when the pharaohs nigh

Draw near the lambs awaiting
Where the river runs thru the sky’s align
From that painting of a ship
We have all been chosen
To the painters creation
In his dream design
I can feel it over the line

I see the other country
I see the other side
Do not be afraid of this earthly city
Do not be afraid when the pharaohs nigh
When I was a child
I walked like a child
But now I’m a soldier
Like the Bride and Groom I will be married
I see the other country
I see the other side
Do not be afraid of this earthly city
Do not be afraid when the pharaohs nigh

Even though I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death
Even though I sink through the ocean
You will rescue me
I am standing in the fire
but I can hear the choir singing
I was a blind man stumbling
But now I see
I was blind, blind blind
But now I see
I was blind, blind blind
But now I see”

- Burlap to Cashmere, “The Other Country.” Burlap to Cashmere (2011)

My Take: The real miracle of Jeremy Lin

Reblogged from CNN Belief Blog:

• 

Editor’s Note: Stephen Prothero, a Boston University religion scholar and author of “God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions that Run the World,” is a regular CNN Belief Blog contributor. By Stephen Prothero, Special to CNN I don’t believe in miracles. But I believe in Jeremy Lin. I grew up rooting for the Celtics so I have hated the Knicks ever since another Ivy Leaguer, Princeton’s Bill Bradley, patrolled Madison Square Garden in the 1970s. But I tuned in last night to see “Linsanity” cross the …

Evangelical Rejects Meet Beyond Evangelicals (Guest Post: Frank Viola) | The Pangea Blog

Great Post from Frank Viola. I wholeheartedly agreed with each point of his call to move beyond Evangelicalism into a  deeper faith:

Evangelical Rejects Meet Beyond Evangelicals (Guest Post: Frank Viola) | The Pangea Blog.

Anakin and Ben: Two Views on Life (and Death)…

Pope Benedict has rightly asserted that the true power of the Christian scriptures can be seen not on the page, but in the life lived in light of its revelation. To truly understand a passage we don’t necessarily need an educated commentary as much as we need real-world experience with those who are putting those words into action: i.e. should one want to consider what Jesus meant when he said, “I was hungry and you gave me food,” then look no further than the life of Teresa of Calcutta.

With that in mind my mind turned to two startling images this Sunday while at church: Anakin Skywalker (a.k.a. Darth Vader), and Ben Kenobi. What does a Sith Lord and Jedi Master to do with Jerusalem?[1] In a sense these two masters of the force represent the two ways that the Church Fathers presented for dealing with one’s life.

Think back to the newer series (the prequel series),[2] there we see the temptation and fall of Anakin Skywalker.[3] Throughout the series Anakin, affected by the deaths of loved ones, and raised in a cocoon by his mother, struggles to master the world around him and protect himself and his loved ones from evil. On the one hand this is the understandable concern of anyone raised in a single parent home which has been marred by tragedy, poverty, and enslavement. On the other hand this concern for one’s family and friends should be considered a prohibitive good. What right-minded individual would desire to do something other than protect one’s loved ones. Yet this concern for Anakin serves as a soft spot to be exploited by the manipulative and ambitious Senator Palpatine. As Palpatine sidles up to the young Jedi Knight, he asks if Anakin wouldn’t be interested in cheating death, in learning how to keep a loved one like Senator Amidala from death. “Join me and together we can assure that you will defeat death and keep it at bay,” the crooked senator cajoles the upright Jedi. So time after time Anakin seeks to preserve life and protect it from the encroachment of death: he goes dark to kick some serious Sandpeople butt[4], he lies about his motives, he considers tyranny as an appropriate response to the political chaos surrounding the Senate, and last he chooses to protect Palpatine against the attack of Jedi Master Windu. Over and again he seeks to soothe the chaos of life by asserting control, staking out short-cuts to conflict resolution, and crossing boundaries from accepted inquiry to long forbidden dark-side practices. Yet by the end of Revenge of the Sith, he stands as more machine than human having caused the death of his wife (and he believes the death of his child) and having perpetrated a crime of epic proportion (the slaughter of the thousands of Jedi padawans at the temple). True, he has cheated death at the hands of Ben Kenobi but at great cost both to body and soul. His ‘mastery’ of death has led to a besotted, broken, and painful existence abetted only by use of the dark side to power his ravaged body. In holding to life comes death.

Now think back to the original series and the first of the movies to hit the big screen.[5] Here we see the older Ben Kenobi and met his charge, Luke Skywalker, son of Anakin. The prequel series lets us know that Ben’s presence in Luke’s life is no fluke (as it seemed to the original audience watching without the backstory as seen in the 90s). After watching his pupil Anakin go wonky, the Jedi order utterly ravaged, and Palpatine named Emperor, he fled to far-away Tatooine where Luke was given to his uncle and aunt, and Ben has stayed in the picture overseeing the young man’s safety.[6] He, of course, joins Luke on his attempt to rescue Princess Leia Organa from the Empire. There Ben and his former pupil met and duel. Ben’s purpose in the duel is not revenge, is not hatred of Vader, but comes from his desire to distract the Sith Lord from Luke’s presence and ultimately enable Luke, Han, and Leia to escape. This man who has again and again given up his life for others:[7] taking on the apprenticeship of Anakin, taking on the responsibility for Amidala and her children, and last in taking on Luke as an apprentice (if somewhat short-lived). As the duel progresses he seeks not to save his life; yet offers it as a ransom for Luke. He tells Vader, “You may strike me down, but I will become more powerful still.”  Ben is struck down, but even in death is able to mentor and train Luke, and through Luke bring peace to the universe, and balance to the force.[8] His death means something. His death plants the seeds for liberty and freedom to re-emerge in the controlled world created by Palpatine. In embracing death comes life.

Two lives[9] lived in pursuit bringing order to the chaos of life. Two lives faced with the tyranny of death and the damage and reward brought on by one’s choices. If Vader has sought to preserve his life at all costs; Ben counted it as nothing in the face of his responsibility to serve others. If Vader has sought to control his fate, then Ben has sought to meet his fate with honor intact. In their lives these two men illustrate the teaching of the Church Fathers who lived in deserts not unlike the one on Tatooine in which Anakin, Ben, and Luke called home. These Desert Fathers taught that in life one is faced with the choice of two pathways. They called these the Way of Life and the Way of Death. These titles referred not to their pathways but to their endpoints. So at the end of the one lies Life, and at the end of the other lies death. Taken this way what fool would choose the latter in favor to the former, many a protégée asked the fathers. Who would choose the way of death when the way of life is on the table? Yet here is the challenge as revealed by the lives of Anakin and Ben.

Though one might desire the end of the one, the journey, itself, can be misleading. Many a good soul has chosen the path which looked to be more life-affirming, protected, and safe, only to find upon it only death. Meanwhile many bad apples have walked onto the path dotted with briars and seemingly filled with dangers unknown, only to find upon it life. The one way says, “Trod upon me I am comfortable and safe. I will give you freedom from danger. Look how wide and well-used, I am. See all the happy people traversing my path. Choose my branch and escape danger and threat. Take your ease and enjoy yourself. Take no worry of your surroundings.” The other, well, doesn’t talk itself up much. As I mentioned it looks formidable.  Briars encroach upon its pathways, and the darkness and shadow of menacing forests cover large patches of ground. It appears not as well-used and long stretches may pass without sight of fellow journeymen, and what few pass its steps seem a little dangerous, moody, and ill-bred. The one offers short-cuts and quick riches, amusing fellowship and ample chances to experience pleasure. The other offers sore bones and bruises; silence and ample chances to experience deprivation. Along the one stand jokers, barkers, and show persons providing entertainment and plenty of encouragement that you have chosen wisely. Choose that one and family members applaud your decision-making abilities, in-laws celebrate your desire to provide a good life to their children and grandchildren, and the tastemakers of the world congratulate your sophisticated palate. Choose that one and no one judges your actions,[10] no one complains about your manners,[11] no one denies your inner desires,[12] and no one talks about death. Along the other death is a constant companion, if not an invited friend. Judgment, manners, and self-denial become watchwords. On that path the good life sometimes seems something reserved for some promised but never delivered future date. In short the one way looks enticing and promises mastery over death; while the other promises death upfront and looks seedy if not outright dangerous.

Yet something strange occurs along these paths. The way that once looked promising at some point begins to fail to deliver on its promises. You may not notice due to all the flashing lights and soothing enjoyments offered along the way, but look closely and this mastery over death comes with a surprising price-tag. Blink and you stand more machine than man, alone with beloved family members and friends dead at your feet. However along the other one becomes, if not, accustomed to death, able to give up that which cannot be maintained to gain that which cannot be lost. In giving up much, something more is gained. Decisions that once seemed quaint, and ill thought; now reverberate into eternity. While once alone a community has developed. The example and practice of giving up little habits for the good of others encourage a mutuality and magnanimity of spirit that attracts, bonds, and holds families and friends together (even in adversity). Blink and troubles fade into the background, while the sweetness of life explodes into the foreground.

Make no mistake, the desert fathers urged, there are two ways in life: one leads to life and the other to death. Along the one the pilgrim dies a thousand little deaths but is reborn anew each time, a little stronger, a little wiser, a little more open to quiet joys and sorrows of life as it is really lived. Along the other the settler experiences a thousand lives, but quickly becomes immune to each ultimately becoming sickened by anything actually resembling a true life. Careful now, you might hear the winds of the Tatooine desert whisper, there is the way chosen by our wayward son Anakin, and there stands also the way chosen by our exiled pilgrim Ben. There is life to be lived, and death to be gained. Careful now, mind the gap, watch your feet. Choose your steps wisely.

---

[1] I mean other than the start of a good joke: So a Sith Lord and a Jedi Master walk into Church…. Bum-Bump-Ba-Bum.

[2] You may also call it the lesser series, the Gungan Poo-doo Series, or the series that almost killed my love for all things Star Wars and any remaining respect for George Lucas as a writer.

[3] I guess at this point I should say SPOILER ALERT, but seriously if you have not seen the Star Wars by now 1) shame on you and 2) you really don’t care anyway so why complain if I reveal plot twists.

[4] If you listen closely this moment in Attack of the Clones gives us the first hint of Darth Vader as his theme from Empire is replicated a few bars both in the fight and his spinned recounting of it to Amidala.

[5] Star Wars, 1977. Of course, the name was changed to A New Hope in the 90s to account for being the 4^th movie chronologically speaking.

[6] One of my all-time favorite duels is that of Ben and A’Sharad Hett (who would become Darth Krayt) who tangle when the two Jedis come into contact in thedesert ofTatooine and Hett takes too active an interest into Luke.

[7] Just as he saw his Master Qui-Gonn Jinn do for him. Jinn takes on the Sith Darth Maul and gives his life in protection of Ben and Anakin.

[8] If only temporary.

[9] Albeit fictional ones, but I quote G.K. Chesterton here: “Literature is important, fiction is necessary.” Our favorite stories tell more about our lives than anything we can ever express otherwise.

[10] At least as long as you do not judge theirs.

[11] Unless, of course, you have the misfortune to be behind the fashionable curve.

[12] Unless, of course, your desires have been judged icky or tacky by everyone in the know.

Songs to Ease the Pain

Seriously strange how life works, but’s here’s the most recent post on emusic:

Heaven Knows: 36 Songs to Ease the Pain

The Big Guy looks after me in unique ways. Like manna from heaven, a great piece of music can soothe the pain. Take a listen, tell them Unsanitary sent you.

A Year from Now, We’ll All Be Gone…

This song ended tonight’s HIMYM. After the past weekend, it really struck a chord:

 

 

Rivers and Roads,

Rivers and Roads,

I Got Rivers and Roads Rivers till I reach you….

 

Start with the Ending: A Post About Going Gently into that Dark Night

“When there’s no pretending,
then the truth is safe to say,
Start with the ending,
get it out of the way
Now there’s no defending,
because no one has to win
Start with the ending,
its the best way to begin”

– David Wilcox, “Start with the Ending”

Today was a fairly miserable day which I gladly used a precious vacation day to “enjoy.” I spent the morning at the life celebration service (funeral for those who do not speak positivese). It was a lovely service as these things go, but it was still a time marking our concern at the loss of a friend, co-worker, family member, etc. After the service my family dropped by the home of another friend to say our goodbyes and show our love to his family. It seems another service is not long for my schedule.

If you are thinking that’s a lot of grieving on the plate (unfortunately compounded by the ill-health of several other friends, both involving long hospital stays), then you and I are on the same wavelength. All this thinking about death has left me a little morose, struggling again with my insomnia, and generally longing for this long week to end mercifully soon.

Yet as I sat at the service this morning I found myself thinking about the words of David Wilcox. Sure the song is about relationships and not death, per se; but in the testimonies being offered I saw the lyrics in a new light. Too often we go through life clinging to it, clawing; scrapping, and fighting for it. We, like the poet, rage about not going gently into the dark night. Yet, I wonder if this is not the wrong way to go about this thing called life. I wonder if this is perhaps the apotheosis of the Christian life. Our scriptures as Christians, our experiences as humans, and our cliches as Americans point to one single inevitable fact: death waits for us all. One day it will knock at our door, and we will be forced to answer its knock, no matter how hard we fight or what medical advances we may create.

So why not start with the ending? Why not get it out of the way? We can stop pretending to our invincibility and  stop defending against the inevitable encroachments upon it. When we start by dying, we open up ourselves to truly living. When the end is assumed then we can truly begin living our lives as they should be lived.

I know I am bordering on cliche-land here, but give me a break my brain is mush right about now and I have been fighting the temptation to grab some brews and just get blotto to dull the pain. Because that’s how we normally do this, we just blind ourselves to the true reality of life, and avoid making any changes or improvements. What we need is something to break through the monotony and shake us awake. That is why I think a second song popped into my head this morning and has been sharing space with Mr Wilcox. So allow me to go out on a high point with the words of Mr Thom Yorke:

 

 

“In the next world war
In a jackknifed juggernaut
I am born again”

- Radiohead, Airbag

In the words of this song I hear hope (even if its author may never have found it ). I hear the hope which each new Spring brings along. The hope that I see every day. The hope that in death comes life. The hope that should I choose to die now, I will truly rise anew like a phoenix from the ashes. And so I commit myself to going quietly, to accepting my fate; yet always looking for the hope of rebirth in the fires of my misfortune. And in so doing I hope to echo the words of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego which I learned long ago in Sunday School:

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

I will not worship the god of eternal youth, for it is a lie; and it’s time to stop pretending otherwise. Who’s with me?