MMA highlight: Van Damme style

Football is still more violent. ;)

Another great biblical theological Christ-mas sermon from Ryan

Enjoy.

http://www.desertspringschurch.org/messages/Date/DEC_19_2010.php

Schnee family update: A great blog post by my wife.

I married so far up its not even funny.

Here's an update on the Schnee's via Caite's quick wit and writing skill:

http://gregelen.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-2010.html

LOL mijos: This crazy BBC animal Vid wins the day. You will laugh.

Thanks to my lovely cousin Sarah for posting. I steal, but its in the family.

Random Vids: Simpsons punks grad students and BBC punks old people and smart phones

Good times. I've already seen the Simpsons bit. Classic and still funny. There are some pretty funny punk-grad-student animations on xtranormal.

The BBC spot is wonderful. Thanks to 22 words (you must subscribe to this one) for posting.









HT: Leiter and 22 words

Only the strong survive...driving in China: Or, why God said 'let there be lights.'

Yea, cheesy title, but I'm going for attention grabbing here.

This video is absurd. Wow.

Trueman on Incest, Logical Consistency, Norms in Ethics, and Nietzsche

I appreciated Carl's thoughts here:

http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2010/12/a-challenge-to-mainliners.php

Dana White is actually Kris Kringle

Amidst all the horror that one encounters on the daily news, its nice to see sacrificial love at work.

Props to Dana White. Church, lets take a lesson.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Dana-White-pays-for-infant-s-life-saving-surgery?urn=mma-298359

An update on my buddies at Forgotten and their ministry in Thailand

What I love most about "the Forgotten Foundation" is that it started with a bunch of mid-20s something business men with a heart for hurting people around the world. These guys go to show that a few people with a huge passion and a lot of love can make a significant impact.

http://forgottenupdates.blogspot.com/2010/12/think-and-pray-about.html

Fathers and children in the Church (community of faith)

Dads, this is a call we need to hear and heed. Read on.

Thanks to JT for this original post:


http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/12/16/a-fathers-role-in-his-children-going-to-church-when-they-are-adults

You can find the whole essay here:

http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-05-024-v

Incest is for Hicks? Not @ Columbia U: Or, is it even wrong anyway?

Ivy League poly-sci proff, whose wife is tenured at the same institution, sleeps with daughter. Wow.

Here we have more interesting and heated issues to THINK through. Again, bumper-stickers be damned! These issues are complex and their positive/negative ethical status stands atop the iceberg of an entire worldview. Who is man? What is his sexuality? Is he, or not, accountable to any sexual norms beyond the ever changing mores of cultures, subcultures, and the privacy of his bedroom?

Original story: http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2010/12/10/professor-david-epstein-charged-incest-his-daughter

Slate's version: http://www.slate.com/id/2277787/

Mohler's take: http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/12/15/so-why-is-incest-wrong/


Where do I stand? On the Nietzschean extreme per usual (Oh how I thank Zarathustra for his forceful and delightful reductio ad absurdams). If there is no personal absolute, then moral norms are a fictional power-structure implemented by weak Apollonians in their sickening attempt to overcome the tragedian spirit of Dionysus. Or, with Arthur Leff, apart from an authoritative and revealed moral norm that is not arbitrary, every question of right is rebutted with "the grand 'says who?'"

Someone's coming; A sermon on Old Testament anticipation in preparation for Christ-Mas

This Sunday, our teaching Pastor Ryan Kelly preached a wonderful sermon on the promises, people, and places that point forward to the coming Messiah. He covers a vast swath of Old Testament history in an attempt to show that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed God's answer to his people's waiting.

Check it out here: http://www.desertspringschurch.org/messages/Date/DEC_12_2010.php 

On a related note, we have Christ-mas eve services at 4 & 6 if you want to roll. My wife is singing. Here is a song she did from a few years back. I married WAY up!!!

No bumper-sticker slogans: A new academic work on the ethics of Abortion

Yes, this is a ridiculously heated issue. It is also, at base, a philosophical issue wherein competing meta-ethical systems wage war. As such, bumper sticker answers should be avoided.

This book is pro-life, but its not propaganda. Agree or not, a thorough reading will prove fruitful.

Check it out here:

http://www.amazon.com/Ethics-Abortion-Question-Routledge-Bioethics/dp/0415884691/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IO8D5WD6UGYP5&colid=2RPJIFKCJBA38

A year in google searches + RP on Wikileaks & Jefferson

A year in our searches:



RP:

Christ-mas Songs: Yoyomama & AKrauss

This song is what I like to call 'Christ-mas songs done well.' So many are done poorly.

Folk Angle has some great stuff, as do Sojourn, The Civil Wars, and the creativity award goes to...Sting! For some killer soul and vibrato you must adorn your digital tree with Aaron Neville.

Enjoy! and Drew can tip his own hat on this one since he has a fine old-man collection.

What is QE video: Quantitative Easing (A perfect dinner table discussion at the Anderson Christmas)

This biased video will give you a start.

2 warnings: 1, there is minimal vulgar language in this video. 2, This video is biased, as all videos are, and not a substitute for substantive bipartisan investigation of the issues. Anyone seriously desirous of understanding the paradigms behind modern economic policy should watch the Keynes/Hayek rap. ;) Or, just go to the unbiased mises.org.

For all my 'we're not printing money' friends: John Stewart on point

Ps, my beard is legit.

The embed code is federally reserving the right to establish workable code. Click the link and give JS 3 minutes of your day. You won't be sorry.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-december-7-2010/the-big-bank-theory


HT Zachary, son of Lynn, Nielson.

A creation myth for Atheist children

Agree or not this little piece plays its part well. Every view of the world, man, and meaning has its starting points, rational or otherwise, and necessary consequences. As we read this, approaching Christ-mas, a good question is: what are the logical/emotional conclusions of what you believe for the good, true, and beautiful? We may have different answers, but, being alive, it is always a question worth asking.

http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/12/when-nothing-created-everything

Science, Ethics, and Answers: Blackburn on Harris

O. J. Simpson...not a jew. Blackburn...not a theist.

However, he, like me, sees grave difficulties with the pretension that science has all the answers. Science is descriptive, and highly important, but not normative. It can give us a thousand 'is's but never a single 'ought.'

Flying Car: Nate Saint's son brings us a brilliant idea

I want one.

HT: Paul Edwards

Tears: Dax reminds us about hope & community in the midst of suffering

First off, hat tipping to Los via Zach.

Second, this post completes today's triune video montage. We started with smiles over serious issues, then on to Waldonian existential ironies and inquiries, and now to strike the most serious and most hopeful note; sorrow and love flow mingled down.

This video is about a young boy named Dax, his battle with cancer, and a community of faith and love that gathered around him in support. Warning, if your heart is currently beating you will most likely cry. I did. Perhaps its because I'm a survivor who has watched fellow child-soldiers, just like Dax, fall before me (Vonda). Perhaps its because my sweet daughter is only 3 months old and this is a stark reminder of how little control over her well being I really have. Perhaps it is because, like you, regardless of your faith, I am moved, broken, and angry about this kind of evil in the world. The redemptive edge of this video is almost lost on me. And it doesn't matter if you like Matthew West's voice or not, the fallenness of the story is choking.

Yet we cannot loose sight, especially around Holy-days and Christ-mas, of how suffering led an entire community to fight for a child, to turn deep evil for lasting good, and to lay down their lives for their little brother. Time is short. Today, if we hear the voice of love, let us not harden our hearts.

The existential (where's) Waldo: another great vid

Hat Tip to Kelly James Clark.

Story of Jonah: This little girl is legit

Smile.

Faith a Precondition of Science?: An Astro-Physicist Speaks, Others Respond

Bahnsen said it first. ;) Not really. 

Really interesting stuff here from a variety of non-theistic perspectives. Obviously I have disagreements, but that's what makes it so stimulating. My dad has a background in Physics (Ph.D) and we had a great talk the other day over carne adovada about many of these same issues.

P.S. thanks to Triablogue for posting this.

See Paul Davies' original piece here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/opinion/24davies.html?_r=3&pagewanted=print

Critical responses by other geniuses here: http://www.edge.org/discourse/science_faith.html

And a few book recommendations for Christmas:

Hopeful Politics...without God? (or, the inescapable eschaton)

Leithart is at it again, saying everything first, that I wish I could say, like Nietzsche did to Freud. ;)

This is a fascinating little apologetic, especially in the polarized and politically charged milieu of our time. There are partisans, but they have hope none the less. Nihilism can never form a party. This reminds me of reading Derrida in my MA program and being startled by his repeated reference to eschatology and 'future hope' themes. His system had no place for it, but he was totally unable, qua human, to do away with it.

No one doubts that the rhetoric of hope is powerful. The question is why.

http://www.leithart.com/2010/11/25/hopeful-politics/

Justification in flesh and blood (Persecution & Overcoming)

While all the nerds were jib-jabbing last week in Atlanta this woman was putting her money where her mouth is. Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in need.

"In this world you will have many troubles, but take heart, I have overcome the world."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iUWglt0yLb7Jqc3LTtxBjVVHGVBQ

Leithart weighs in on NT Wright & Tom2 at ETS on Paul

Maybe I'm just too dull to see the necessary contradictions in this.
Maybe I'm gleefully influenced by Frame, et al, and the ability to rejoice in oneness and manyness alike.
I'm not sure. Self suspicion is never far away on this issue, but I thought this post was worth it.

Read this short piece and enjoy some pavo y stuffing, y potato mezclado y salsa de cranberry: http://www.leithart.com/2010/11/24/soteriology-v-ecclesiology/

Happiness, that's grace.

http://twentytwowords.com/2010/11/24/happiness-is-a-psychiatric-disorder-scientifically-speaking/

Groping at the Sunport (RP gets rowdy, again)

I just flew back from Atlanta. He speaks the truth.

Modern Art and the 4 Gospels in NYC (HT:JT)

This is exciting.

One comment: may the church get off its high horse and learn to love and appreciate aesthetics. What are we so afraid of? Whatever it may be, the fear persists to our impoverishment.

Like minded resources from a philosophical-theological perspective might include:

Schmemann "For The Life of the World."
Wolterstorff "Art in Action."
Seerveld "Rainbows for the Fallen World."

Enjoy:


Fujimura - 4 Holy Gospels from Crossway on Vimeo.


Update: To my reforming friends, this is a slice what dominion means. Here we have a humble example of contextualization at its best; authentic, risky, involving the full expression of personhood.

Atheists (don't) have (no) songs: The "he" is always lower case

Good fun. And yet, telling.

Hat Tipped to Bob Cosby, my friend.

Really Ron Paul, its a philosophy problem? (music to my ears)

To understand 'politiks' one must realize, first, that political philosophy is not neutral. Its various starting points lead to quite different conclusions. (Notice the point made near the end, that 'without the beginning, there is no way to get to the end) It wise then and practically prudent in politics to ask at the outset where the consequences may drag us. Indeed, it would do us well to read some Plato, Rousseau, Hobbes, Locke, and then, promptly, buy and read Schlossberg's "Idols for Destruction."

Judge-ment, Ron Paul, and a daily dose of $

Interesting food for thought:

Outta bed fed head: RP

Perspectives on Paul, new and old. (Vanhoozer throws hammers)

This is an amazing lecture, and a great way to warm up for ETS this year.

Vanhoozer, in brilliant Framian style, stomps out the beginning of a path that may, we pray, lead to further discussion and mutual appreciation from both sides. I don't want to give too much away, but his suggestion, in regard to the courtroom of justification, nearly made me fall out of my chair. At the very least, he shines some much needed light on a difficult topic. Enjoy:

http://www.wheaton.edu/wetn/lectures-theology10.htm

New Autotune (I knew the G-bros would come through)

HT: Abraham Piper



Now if I can just find someone to atune the Phil Davidson speech.

ECON rap #2 (& an interview with the makers)

I'm really excited for when the new video drops. Until then, this will tide me over.

HT: Ed Fesser

Best Video EVAR: Obama is from Kenya-sian-a (you people)

This makes democracy so much more reassuring. ;)





Ps. Have you still not watched the Keynes/Hayek youtube rap? Repent and hit play.

Pray and Act: Iraqi Christians have been frequent targets

Nasty-est Election Commercial Yet ;)

This was too good to pass up. HT: Justinius Van Taylorsma

Obama Opera (HT B. Jacobson)

So good. Again, where are my auto-tuning peeps when they're needed:

Rapping the Heidelberg Catechism?

I'm not making this up.

Thanks to LOS for the heads up.

http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/blogs/cj-mahaney/post/2010/10/25/The-First-Ever-Rap-Song-About-the-Heidelberg-Catechism.aspx

Manata on Clark-fessionalism on Frame on Personality (more Go(o)d food for thought)

Precious few of us are interested in the following interchange, but its close to my heart, so I post away. The question: Is John Frame's view of the trinity a) orthodox, and b) confessional? Paul Manata has some helpful musings on the matter.

http://aporeticchristianity.wordpress.com/2010/10/24/john-frames-confessional-trinitarianism/#more-315

So dumb, so dumb, so dumb (RP we be ig'nant)

A good reminder:

Hays on Welty? on Frame

Here's a helpful update on the issue (Triperspectivalism) from a *friend* of Steve Hays at South Eastern Seminary. I'm posting the quote in its entirety below. Follow the link to check out Steve's blog:

A friend of mine, who used to be one of Frame's TAs, and is currently teaching at SEBTS, shared this with me:

In any case of knowledge there is going to be:

-- belief. But this is an existential matter, and subject to various
subjective, psychological realities.

-- truth. But this is a situational matter, involving a correspondence
to reality as it really is.

-- justification, or rationality, or warrant, or reliability, or [fill
in the blank] positive epistemic status of some sort. But this is a
matter of epistemic norms.

So just in terms of an everyday, garden-variety instance of knowledge, there will always be a threefold perspective on what is required for that bit of knowledge to be knowledge.

I always saw Frame's TP not as revolutionary, but as a helpful, pedagogical reminder of the various conditions for knowledge, a reminder that encourages us to be balanced when we comment upon what it takes to have knowledge. What Frame says in TP is at the heart of any basic epistemology of the analysis of knowledge. If you leave one of the perspectives out, you simply don't have knowledge. This is uncontroversial to me. Knowledge isn't 'all about truth' or 'all about belief' or 'all about norm'. It's about all three, at the same time, and it can't be anything less than that.


http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2010/10/triperspectivalism-in-nutshell.html

Manata on Clark on Frame

For those of us interested in Dr. Frame's work, denying that it is 'subjectivist,' or a revision of Van Til's analogy, or contrary to reformed piety and practice, this good word on bad reasoning by Paul Manata will be of interest:

http://aporeticchristianity.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/how-not-to-argue-against-a-position/

While I'm at it, let me commend Paul's blog to you. For those philosophical theology types it is a real gem. Make sure your subscribe to 'analogical thoughts' as well.

Tim Keller Drinks Diet Coke

Obviously.

Fun Theory (Piano Stairs)

Ron Paul: The FED Intruder (Hide ya kids, Hide ya wife)

Just try to imagine him with a red bandana and black wife-beater.

Adoption (A cool video from a recent conference)

I have a good number of buddies who have adopted, both locally and internationally. This last Sunday was 'adoption' Sunday at our church. Trent Hunter preached out of James 1, reminding all of us that pure and undefiled religion is purity of heart and care for widows and orphans.

An OB friend of mine adopted a terminal baby he met during a teen-pregnancy delivery. Baby Matt died under a year later. He never slept through a night, yet by all accounts he was a joy and blessing to the family. It was a picture of God's love.

Another friend, Bryan Lopez, works at Sandia. He's a business man with a radical heart for redemption. Recently their family of 5 became 8 with the addition of triplets, the smallest of whom has enduring medical needs. He's tired, but the smile on his face is so big you would hardly notice. It is a picture of God's rescue.

This video goes well with the amazing things I've been blessed to see all around me. The church isn't perfect, the people who attend are in process, but the community believes in values that would cause families like these to sacrifice for the amazing joy set before them. That is a picture of redemption. It is a picture of Jesus.

Hat Tip: Vitamin Z


Isaiah's Story from 31Films on Vimeo.

Embroys (Moral Sufficiency and Philosophical Essential Differences)

This is NOT a socio-politico-economic argument. So don't respond that way. The question being asked, a logico-philosophical one, is 'does it follow.' Watch and enjoy.

HT: Vitamin Z

Coin Reform (wit + smarts = worth 3 minutes)

HT: 22 Words

RP says its going to get worse: return to sound $

Ah, the blessing of fiat $:

Cause for Praise (live event at DSC on Friday)

This is going to be a fun night. Roll out if you can.

Video of pretty lady who is also very smart.

My wife.

Here she is, reading poetry and defending her master's thesis. GO Caite!

http://mediasite.ashland.edu/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=4465a21fff3b4b2e93c3a3645adcab29

Leno on the logic of the stimulus

political rage. someone please autotune this.

So good for a saturday morning. ht r-kelly.

Insane: We all live in a private submarine (Phx 1000 escape)

No we don't, but some folks do. I'll be they have money printing machinery on board. ;)

Leithart is legit (No matter how low we go, we find him)

"Psalm 88 is a Messianic Psalm, but in indirect ways.  Because the Psalm contains the words of the anointed King, it contains the words of Christ. The utter isolation and anguish of the Psalm is the utter isolation and anguish of Jesus.  No matter how low we go, we’ll still find Jesus, lower still, holding us up.

The Psalm also questions whether Yahweh can be praised in the grave, by the shades that populate Sheol.  That question is left unanswered here, but the gospel answers it.  Because Jesus has descended to the grave, because He has become Lord of death, the dead do praise Him."

Free trade music?

Pretty cool stuff, here:

https://www.noisetrade.com/#

Skate & Create (Ring of Fire gone Wild)

Thanks for this Sage S. He puts it well: if you have any appreciate for skateboarding whatsoever, this will stoke you out pretty good. Watch and enjoy.

A faster Google search? Try it here

http://gigaom.com/2010/09/08/google-instant-turbocharges-search

Hawking God? Craig with some thoughts & Anderson always thoughtful

You may or may not have heard the weblog world abuzz with talk about S. Hawking's recent comments on the 'laws' of gravity as necessary and metaphysically self-generating.

Here's Bill Craig:




Do not miss James Anderson's comments as well, here: http://proginosko.wordpress.com/2010/09/05/stephen-hawking-versus-god/#more-555

Inspiration: Armless Piano Player (Stolen from Z)

There's a sacramental character to remembering how blessed we are. As he says, two roads diverge in a wood, choose the one which proclaims, amidst hardship, 'live life wonderfully.'

HT: takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com

Winning battles without Wars (RP on the 50k)

P. Helm on the Covenant of Redemptin (Pactum Solutis)

This is cool stuff. I'm sad that I had to wait until Seminary to hear these sorts of things:



http://paulhelmsdeep.blogspot.com/2010/08/covenant-of-redemption-and-tritheism.html

Ron Paul and Foreign Policy AUTO-tuned (Love me some D. Hodge)

Thanks to drew for this sweet shard of entertainment. I'm still smiling.

I love...Goooooooold

Yes I do.

Digi-bible

From the folks in the 505 at Faith Comes by Hearing:

Digital Bible Project

RP gets fired up

For the moment I have no comment on this issue. I did, however, find RP's comments quite enlightening, as usual:



Update: More wisdom.

Now THIS is traffic (100 miles of craizness in China)

Wow.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100823/sc_afp/chinaroadtraffic

Nirvana & The Police do JAZZ (Vitamin Z style, grasshopper)

My buddy Zach is a killer peeanist and jazz musician. He and some buddies just released a killer/cheap album on Amazon with some great tunes on it. Lets be real, you have plenty of rock/rap/crap already filling up your itunes. Its time for some sweet Jazz chillax to balance you out and brighten your day.

Go here and buy: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0040G85RA/wwwtakeyourvi-20

Ronnie P on the Mosque: stop fiddling while Rome burns

This doode has a wise perspective:

http://www.ronpaul.com/2010-08-20/ron-paul-sunshine-patriots-stop-your-demagogy-about-the-nyc-mosque/

Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts.

The Geosocial Universe: Neat PIc (Ht: GigaOM)

...times they are a changin...

http://gigaom.com/2010/08/20/infographic-the-geosocial-universe

Ron Paul vs. the two-headed-monster (and some yelling radio jock)

The yelling radio guy is a bit intense, but RP brings wise words, persuasive arguments, and gentle tone. As I just told a buddy, you can fake being a lawyer, but not an OB. The man, just a man, is legit.

Liberal progs need to heed the grey hair and actually BE progressive. Civil &&& economic liberty!!!




Ps, also great to know that most of our reps don't read the 'long' bills. Nice.

Bad day at the office: computer smash (yes, I know you've already seen this)

Who cares? Its still funny.

Jesus on mission in the 505 (N8 B, New City, and being missional)

Now this is libertarian church planting. ;) "More was given than was needed" (Acts 4:32) are words too seldom heard. Rise up church! Stop talking crap about the state/system and follow the lead of my buddy Nate Bush by doing something about it.

'Member that old game METRIOD (ht: Jon @ Gamers Anonymous)

Ah...memories:

On my B-day, this I affirm (Apostles creed)

...for yours is the power and the glory, forever, amen.

This too is blog worthy: sk8ter priest

Ha. My birthday just keeps getting better:

Ron Paul to run with Palin in 12

Hahaha. NOT!!!

But this video was very entertaining and I needed a title worthy of drawing you in:

Hitchens, death, and meaning

Here is how the Maverick ends: "If materialism is true, then I think Nietzsche is right: truth is not a value; life-enhancing illusions are to be preferred.  If truth is out of all relation to human flourishing, why should we value it?"

Read the rest (its short mijos) here: 

http://maverickphilosopher.typepad.com/maverick_philosopher/2010/08/on-hitchens-and-death.html

Gutting (on) Dawkins (Philosphy and the New Atheism)

See the link here from the NYT. This is a worthwhile/short read:


http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/on-dawkinss-atheism-a-response/

Real of Fake (Chinese prostitutes drink responsibly...thanks to you)

All this in the name of stimulus.



In relation to social justice (not robots or smoking crackberries): these are the sorts of things that private benevolence industries, especially churches, should be doing better at. We have a reason, normative-situational-existential, to help and serve the hurting and broken around us. Lets get about the business of Jesus.

Funny Twitter Trailer VID (for the bandwagon)

Here:

The Judge, The RP, and Lew (War, the Fed, and an escalating mess)

True words, per usual:

Manata's pre-fight weigh in: Atheism, Relativism, Credential, and Realism (and UFC)

This is better than Silva vs. Sonnen:

http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2010/08/dr-hector-avalos-bush-league-atheology_06.html

But just in case you disagree:

7 year olds & lemonade vs. the State

This is what we've come to. Wow. ;)

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/63025.html

A philosophical approach to Prop 8 (metaphysics and social morality)

Thanks Ed Fesser. Not only are you sharp as a tack on philosophy of mind, but you point out and expose, of utmost importance, that age old 'pretended neutrality fallacy.' This applies on both sides of the coin, liberal and conservative, mind you. In fact, Fesser's article is a challenge to conservatives, if anything.

Be warned my friends: he is not in favor of liberalism. I grant that. But this is a good piece, and I'm posting it because it at least peels back the onion a bit on issues involved at the deepest level: one's worldview, presuppositions, and fundamental metaphysical commitments. I think he is right to draw out the logical conclusions implied: it is either Nietzsche or Aristotle (Better yet, Augustine). If we predicate societal moral standards upon either a) intuition (a la Rawls) or b) contract (a la Hobbes), then in the end anything can be declared righteous. The question is where to draw the line. This piece is a helpful spring board toward an answer.

http://edwardfeser.blogspot.com/2010/08/some-thoughts-on-prop-8-decision.html

College is so cheap now...and the Academy is practially free

NOT! Read on brave soldier:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/Sunday_Reflections/Higher-education_s-bubble-is-about-to-burst-95639354.html

Paradox and Immigration

Heed the words of the Maverick:


http://maverickphilosopher.typepad.com/maverick_philosopher/2010/08/paradoxes-of-illegal-immigration.html

Update on Prop 8

Courtesy of W. Jacobson, J.D.

http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2010/08/fed-judge-finds-calif-prop-8.html

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds, when (if), it comes before the Supreme Court.

I want to hug a lion (warning: cheesy Aerosmith in the background)

Awww...puppy love. Perhaps nature is not always red in tooth and claw.

SEC-recy vs Transparency (now THIS is progressive)

Rp spouts wisdom like the political qohelet that he is:

The power of open source (Android vs the 'other' in the US)

Not surprising stats and graphs, here:


http://gigaom.com/2010/08/02/android-sales-overtake-iphone-in-the-u-s/

Relativism or Realism? Morality (and God) is the Question.

And according to this witty essay by Paul Manata, most atheists agree. However, there is a minority, who's books pretend to 'destroy religion' who dissent. Let us see how Manata fares with them:

http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2010/07/hector-avaloss-non-expertise-exposed.html

RP on TIME and Afghanistan

A little perspective is always nice:

COKE goes Organic. Shocker.

Incentives Harry, I tell ya, its incentives:

http://www.nextnature.net/2008/12/i-want-my-organic-coke/

Study like a scholar & UK Decentralizes health Care. What?

 Funny:



This may be old news by now, but I'm on vaca:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/world/europe/25britain.html?_r=3&hp 

HT: Paul Manata

What is Science? That's easy...or not. (Stephen Meyer is helpful)

If you're not sure who Stephen Meyer is, google him. No slouch. That doesn't mean he's right, but at least worth a listen. Truly, for those who adhere to the religion of 'scientism,' aka metaphysical naturalism, there is more than meets the eye. Philosophy of science is a great field, humbling all of those (myself included) who have taken the preconditions of scientific possibility lightly. Good food for thought here:

Moral Relativism on Methodological Naturlaism? (T-blog responds to TID)

As mentioned, the Triablogue boys have recently written an ebook in response to Loftus' newest installment: "The Christian Delusion." I just finished their book, and I commend it to all my readers. You may not want to enter into the atheism vs. theism debate to this extent. Fine, but if the time comes, "The Infidel Delusion" is a pretty hard hitting response to much of the militant new atheism out there. Per philosophical interests, Paul Manata's chapter are a great into to how a theist might respond to a naturalist. You may not agree with everything, but its certainly worth checking out:

Here: http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2010/07/infidel-delusion.html

On a related note, Here is Steven Hays responding to the issue of moral relativism:

http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2010/07/amoral-imperative.html 

I'm interested to hear what you think. If you comment, please keep it civil. 

Ron Paul does Drugs (they came from the atmosphere, then they gave us crack and beer-Killah Priest)

Not really, but he does have some thoughts to share.

The Twitterfied lives of Amer-I-can-s. (cool time lapse vid)

This is how we tweet. NM needs to step up, andale mijos.

Better than UFC: Showdown between Bennie B and Ronnie P (fed-head)

Hashin out the issues on the house floor...blue corner ready, red corner ready...touch gloves...fight!

Healthy B-fast Food (and my buddy Jared's awesome-smart lady on live TV)

NM's own Willow Jarosh goes live in the NYC with nutrition advice:

http://www.wpix.com/videobeta/c05bf97b-d625-4480-92c5-64ebfedf43b8/Entertainment/Healthy-Food-Award

Beautiful People...like me (actually, like my wife)

Interesting thoughts from Mohler:


http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/07/22/the-snare-of-beauty-flashpoints-of-our-obsession-with-attractivenessr/

Apple is Evil? Nah. Facebook for your mom? Huh? (Interesting thoughts from some guy who owns birds)

Read away:


 http://gigaom.com/2010/07/21/fred-wilson-apple-is-evil-and-facebook-is-a-photo-sharing-site/

The Race card as place card (or, why political pragmatism is the end of reason)

The Mav strikes again. Agree or disagree?

http://maverickphilosopher.typepad.com/maverick_philosopher/2010/07/will-liberals-ever-retire-the-race-card.html 

States Rights (how about some nullification?)

Interesting thoughts here from Tom Woods:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/62082.html

Neat pic...naturally Texas is out in front...with NM nowhere to be found. ;)

Analogical Thoughts on the Infidel Delusion (+ Indiana Jones)

Dr. J weighs in on the latest ebook from the Triablogue folks. Like James, I've skimmed through a good bit of it so far. Its good, polemical, quick to wit, and deep by way of argument.

http://proginosko.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/the-infidel-delusion/

It's a hell-a lot of fun to shoot em' (No manhood left)

Wow. That's how we roll mon amieeps. God bless AmerIca, and NO ONE else.

Delusions and Ilusions of Grandure (Theism v. Atheism)

Recently, a book pro-atheism was released called The Christian Delusion. Several friends of mine over at Triablogue have written an e-book in response. Its free and deals with all the best arguments from the atheist perspective. If you're in on this debate, you'll want a copy of the Infidel Delusion to be sure.

Here is the link: http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2010/07/infidel-delusion.html

Mars Hill in ABQ (stolen from Z)

This was already posted by a few friends, but no to worry, no one reads this blog. ;) Watch and get stoked. Better yet, get involved.

I'm Back (and Camp was really good)

Last week we took our High School students to Noahsark.com for a week of adventure, great food, and chill. We're back now. Time for some bloggage.

Cleese on Scientism (its good to poke a little fun at both sides)

Thanks, I needed that.

RollingStone overthrows Generals, Twitter dethrones journalists

Pretty amazing story on the power of 'digital opinion-expression in the global market' to make or break a 20 year career. Gotta give her some props for honesty at least.

http://gigaom.com/2010/07/08/twitter-forces-media-to-confront-the-myth-of-objectivity/

Sort of reminds me of this:

I believe everything Glenn Beck has ever said. (bien colgado, tio)

Yea right! But he had RP on his show, they talked some big stuff, about big money (a conglomerate of all our little money), global markets, and G7-IMF-WorldBank sized 'what-ifs.' So I'm posting it. As usual, don't be led astray. Do some research, but at least think about it. In many senses, the we have a high degree of plausibility and a pretty intuitive argument.

Bombs of Benevolence (has Congress declared war?)

Rp is on point, as usual. 5 minutes of you're life you'll never want back: love his age, his glasses, his twang, his OB skillz, and his boldness. ;)

Stetzer on MIssion (He's at our church on the 18th)

This guy brings some bold and loving words to the viewers of TBN. Nice work. Come over and check him out at DSC on Sunday the 18th if you'd like to.


Ed Stetzer on TBN from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.

New Hymns (thanks to Z & JT)

Here we have a great mix of orthodoxy and creativity. This is the sort of non-copy-cat work the church should be doing. I bet this would make John Frame proud: various aesthetic perspectives in tension giving glory to God.


Death In His Grave (Performance Video) from john mark mcmillan on Vimeo.

PS, you need this book:

UFC 117 (Sonnen sounds pretty confident)

We'll see...sad that I have to wait a month, but it should take me about that long to get over the heartbreak of 116. Don't cry for me Carwin-tina.

Obama's War? It depends on which sense to the referent. (Rp = clarity)

B.O. did not start this war, but he has supported it, is supporting it, and looks to support it in the future. Its his war now.

UFC 116: my heart still hurts

Man, Carwin, whew...There are a ton of opinions flying around the net today, but IMO it was a great fight. I DO think that in any other circumstance the ref would have called in round 1. Alas, they let it ride, Carwin gassed, and well, watch and find out.

Government intervention is 'awesome' says Cornell Law Proff (not)

I love Jacobson. He's witty AND educated. A rare breed, indeed.

Enjoy the link, you will ;).

http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2010/07/cash-for-clunkers-rear-ends-rhode.html

Here's the Phone

I decided on this bad boy. Yes, I did wait in line with other nerds at radio shack for the pre-order. No shame.

http://www.samsungmobileusa.com/GalaxyS/Default.aspx?cid=ppc_gxy_goo_Galaxy+S_General_galaxy+s

Burpin' up the Bills (daddy like humor)

Worth a good laugh, and some SERIOUS introspection.

Types of Libertarian? (in light of a recent comment)

This pic does NOT say it all, but it says much. One's overall worldview (metaphysic, epistemological stance, and ethical assumptions) will decide what is meant by freedom and its political outworking. Certain principals are shared, like consequence, and a limited state, and the private sector, but on nuanced issues there is much divergence.

Cost of a cause (Feminism vs. life)

This is chilling, but I appreciate the honesty.

http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/07/01/when-feminism-kills-abortion-as-the-lesser-evil/

This paragraph (and analysis) is telling.

“As ever, when an issue we thought was black and white becomes more nuanced, the answer lies in choosing the lesser evil,” she assures. “The nearly 200,000 aborted babies in the UK each year are the lesser evil, no matter how you define life, or death, for that matter. If you are willing to die for a cause, you must be prepared to kill for it, too.”

You must be prepared to kill for the sake of defending abortion rights? That is exactly what abortion entails — the killing of an unborn child for the sake of asserting a woman’s so-called “right to choose.”

Mustache Fiesta and Forgotten (cool shirts too)

Just an FYI that the forgotten foundation is helping to sponsor the 6th annual mustache party, honoring Toddy T-Bones, at the Atomic Cantina on July 17th. Put this in the book and plan to stop by for some fun, good music, and information on how to make an impact in lives of the Karen people in Thailand.

Link here: http://www.forgottenfoundation.com/events/

UFC 116 and Some crazy auto-tune piano jam

Lesnar vs. Carwin are going to be insane this Saturday night. Cancel all and roll.

Also, this random vid:

Westminster Apologetics Course (Free and Great food for thought)

A few of my heroes teach this 13 lecture series. Find the link here:

http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/2010/06/westminsters-apologetics-course-on.html

Find some good books below:

   

Hip-Hop, the church, and theology (Lampmode & 9marks)

As a famous Gangstar intro loop once declared: "The real...hip-hop...for your own mind ya know...I guess right now we star the show."

There is a budding new gen of believing MCs expressing themselves through lyric and beat. In my mind, this good news; he we have both creative style and intellectual depth. As it should be!


The Church // Promo 1 from The Lamp Lounge on Vimeo.

HT: Taylor