We started teaching yesterday and in 2 hours made it through the introduction and the first 5 verses of 1st Peter.
Only 99 more verses to go in 8 hours.
Meet Betsy, one of our Taiwanese students here at WOLBI Jeju Island.
Pop Culture
10/25/2011
10/21/2011
10/19/2011
10/10/2011
Mormonism and Evangelicalism
Honestly, I knew Fuller trends to a more progressive view of theology and culture than I could align myself with.
This article written by their president shows that progression.
"Those of us who have made the effort to engage Mormons in friendly and sustained give-and-take conversations have come to see them as good citizens whose life of faith often exhibits qualities that are worthy of the Christian label, even as we continue to engage in friendly arguments with them about crucial theological issues."
1. There are plenty of Atheists, "whose life of faith often exhibits qualities that are worthy of the Christian label..." Thankfully, they won't be taking that label, no matter how broad and culturally savvy Mouw wants to make it. They're not taking the label because they don't follow Christ. Neither do Mormons...at least not the same Christ the Bible teaches.
2. One of the biggest problems with this article is that it makes Christ somehow trans-belief, trans-religion figure that can be found in equal amounts of truth in religions other than Orthodox Christianity. For example: Matt 5:17-19. If what Jesus is saying is true of the Bible, then what the Mormons believe about Joseph Smith, their continuing revelation of their elders, and the Book of Mormon being supreme above the Bible isn't compatible with Jesus says about the Bible and what the Bible says about Jesus.
Mormons aren't Christians.
And, it's ok.
It's cheap to score political points at the expense of ones religious beliefs.
And,
It's theologically irresponsible to try and syncretize Christianity and Mormonism for the sake of Evangelicalism.
It only ends up as a disservice to Evangelicalism.
08/22/2011
Fatherhood - A Trip To Oxford
Today was a good day.
It was Eli's first trip to Oxford, Mississippi.
Home of Pulitzer Prize Winning Authors, Oscar Winning Actors, and Legendary Football Games.
We started out at Big Bad Breakfast where the biscuits are made with pepper (freakin delicious) and the bacon is cured in house (also delicious).
Then we made our way to Ole Miss where Eli received his induction into the finest southern tradition known to man, becoming (he, like me, wasn't given a choice) an Ole Miss fan.
(before viewing photos, go here and play the song in the background (Pete Boone be damned))
A game-day progression for Eli to get used to for the future!
08/20/2011
Why Theocracies Won't Work - Lessons From History and Present Day
Argument from History:
(she's a witch apparently)
Lesson from modern day:
(she probably drove a car or voted or something equally egregious)
Just a reminder before we get all "Gotta have a (insert my religion here) leader in the White House!"
Nothing wrong with religion in political leadership but lets remember that we're all sinners and prone to abusing power regardless of religious belief.
07/15/2011
Adventures In Car Buying - Carmax and Other No Haggle Pricing Schemes
So, after visiting numerous dealerships and taking multiple showers, I realized I was sick and tired of the back and forth that are a requirement at a traditional dealership.
I looked at a few other places that have "No Haggle" pricing which really is marketing speak for "We make more money by not negotiating with you but you'll get a bottled water with your purchase."
Carmax - The prices here were standard dealership prices. This means they get all the benefit of the "easier purchase process" from marketing and all the profit from the normal dealership prices. It may be easier on the consumer but I'm not convinced it's cheaper for the consumer.
Enterprise Rental Car Sales - They also have fixed prices which also seem to be very close if not the same as dealership prices. They also have actual showrooms and lots that have to be paid for and maintained, which may be part of the increase in price here. Again, the same thoughts here about this no haggle thing being much better for the dealership than the consumer.
Hertz Rental Car Sales - The selection of cars is about the same as Enterprise but because they don't maintain showrooms, the vehicle you want is only available if you go the Hertz it is currently being rented from. This cuts down on overhead for them but makes the process a little drawn out. The prices here are discounted already and have a $1k discount applied to that at purchase as well. Of all the "No Haggle" schemes we looked at, Hertz seemed to be the most consumer friendly.
So, "No Haggle" generally makes the car buying experience easier but certainly not cheaper.
Tomorrow: Buying A Rental? Seriously?
07/13/2011
Adventures In Car Buying - Time to Take a Shower
(hey, brudda, I make you a good deal, I got a pinky ring, trustworthy no?)
Ever gone to a really dingy bowling alley where everyone smokes, sweats, and spits?...ok maybe not spits.
After an hour of gutter balls (I need bumpers) you leave only to find you feel like the gutter you so abused...oily, dirty, and in need of a shower.
That pretty much how I felt after visiting every dealership, save one:
Park Cities Volkswagen - Low supply and high demand make it impossible to afford anything here, but the staff was welcoming, courteous, and not at all like a bowling alley. (they probably have their own personal lanes in their house)
Everyone Else:
Westway Ford and Town East Ford - Both dealerships were well versed in Bait and Switch advertising and admitted to the fact. These were the worst dealerships I visited. (Both owned by the same parent company)(probably own a seedy bowling alley somewhere)
Prestige Ford and Park Cities Ford - Both dealerships were well equipped (espresso bars, nice furniture) and the sticker price on the cars showed this adjustment. People were well dressed and seemed less seedy than the other Ford dealerships. (Both owned by the same parent company)(likely own one of those cosmic bowling joints)
Trophy Nissan: Similar to Westway and Town East in style. Salesmen were memorable and likeable, which counts for something. (likely to own a seedy bowling alley somewhere with a few old arcade games, think: Tekken 1 and Pac-Man)
Needless to say, I had to take plenty of showers.
They say it's a necessary evil to go to dealerships.
I disagree.
Tomorrow (or thereabouts): Why it's just plain evil to go to dealerships.
07/11/2011
Adventures In Car Buying - Information Overload
We decided to buy a car early last month.
Not a great idea.
Why?
A wife who is 8 months pregnant,
A house to prep for baby,
School to prep for,
Just to name a few.
In spite of those things, we both agreed it would be best to pursue a more reliable long-term solution.
So, I began compiling information at an alarming rate. (I get off on researching things that keep me from schoolwork)(I'm working on redirecting that ability)
I went to:
Edmunds for maintence/recall info
Cars.com for reliability and pricing ideas
Consumer Guide for ratings on used cars (60 and above being good)
Consumer Reports for more reliability and recall info (pricey and not really worth it)
Within days I was dreaming in SEL with turbocharged nightmares.
Equipped with this knowledge and lack of sleep I started the car search at local dealerships.
Little did I know what awaited me as I drove up...
Tomorow: Trolls and Overlords or Prostitutes and Pimps
07/10/2011
The Nursery and Things to Come
It's done!
With generous help from family members, we finished the nursery for Eli today!
So Elijah, we're ready whenever you are.
Along with blogs and photos of Eli, here are some other things headed your way:
A car buying adventure (complete with dungeons and evil warlocks (not Charlie Sheen)).
A review of "Erasing Hell" by Francis Chan (spoiler: Hell is not erased (apologies mr. bell).
And
A Dallas burger challenge (In-N-Out is the prohibitive favorite).
It's going to be an exciting few weeks ahead.
Get Ready.
