Use An Accordion, Go to Jail! Its the Law!

Remember the old bumper sticker, "Use an Accordion, Go to Jail!  Its the Law"?  There's a reason why that sticker resonated with so many of us.  The accordion is, well . . . lets just say it . . . an obnoxious instrument.  Yes, I know I will offend some of you--my dad even played one.  But if you are not in a polka band, you really should consider taking up something else!

On some level, certain things are just plain wrong.  I thought you'd enjoy a couple of them. 

The first is "The Accordion Hero" game controller.  Those of you who have seen your kids play "guitar hero" will appreciate this--well, you'll know why it is just plain wrong.

And then there are these two videos on YouTube.  Click here: YouTube - Korsakov - Flight of the bumble bee - by Alexander Dmitriev and Click here: YouTube - Dmitriev - Bach - Fuga in d-moll BWV565.  Somewhere Korsakov and Bach are not amused. 

Yup . . .   "Use an Accordion, Go to Jail!  Its the Law!" 

Swainson's Hawks

Its probably no big deal for those of you who live in rural areas, but its pretty cool for us city slickers . . .  A pair of Swainson's hawks have taken up residence in my yard.

You can see the male in the middle of the picture. He's quite tame, and let me get up close to take this picture--within 20 feet or so.  I'll have to dig out my old 35mm Nikon with my 205mm zoom to get a decent photo.  He's about the size of a large crow and moved into one of our Eucalyptus trees, right outside our bedroom window.

He and his mate use our bird feeder as a fast-food stop, swooping down and snagging sparrows and finches off the top while they are feeding. Its rather amazing to see a blur go by the window and then look up see a hawk up in a tree munching away on a sparrow.  I guess my bird feeder now has a dual-use.

My only complaint is that these hawks are very noisy and they get up in the morning before I do.  Nevertheless, they are beautiful creatures and I'm enjoying them immensely.  My yard is usually filled with sparrows . . .  not any more.

Eschatology Questions

Jason asks:  Kim, I have read your book, `A Case for Amillenialism' and greatly enjoyed it, and have read over and over your section on the olivet discourse, however having that paradigm in view, I'm still not sure what to make of Matthew 16:28. I have read commentaries which explain this to be speaking of the transfiguration which follows in all the gospels, however I dont think this is what Christ had in mind, because it was merely six days later, and doesnt make sense in light of his implication that some WOULD die before this "coming of the Son of Man". I am interested in what your take on this verse is.

Thanks, Jason.

Jason:

Your question gives me a chance to remind my readers that a number of questions  on eschatology have been asked and answered.  These are posted under the heading (Answers to Questions About Eschatology--Archives).  Here's my reply to a similar question

In Luke’s Gospel, the context for the saying, “But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God," is the cost of taking up one’s cross and following Jesus. The same is true in the gospel parallels–Mark (8:34-9:1 and Matthew 16:24-28). In this saying, Jesus states that some (not all) of Jesus’ disciples would die before the kingdom of God comes (or as we read in Matthew 16:28, “his kingdom”). The point is that this group (the some) will see something (the kingdom coming in power) before they die. I’m not sure how much more we want to read into this.

While it is not incidental that this saying occurs immediately before the transfiguration, it cannot be fulfilled by the transfiguration, since Jesus speaks of the likelihood that some (but not all) of those to whom he is speaking would die before his words come pass. The transfiguration does not fit with this. That being said, the transfiguration is one of the first glimpses of what it means for the kingdom to come in power as Jesus appears in glory.

There can be no doubt then that Jesus is speaking of things yet to come, i.e., the resurrection and Pentecost, things which amount to his own vindication–i.e. as his own suffering will give way to his vindication, so too will the suffering of all those who follow him. Cf. I. Howard Marshall, Commentary on Luke: New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1983), 377-379.

As Carson points out, it is vital that we understand that the kingdom comes in stages–D. A. Carson, “Matthew” in Expositors Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984), 252. Thus the solution to the question raised by preterists may be a simple as the fact that the transfiguration is the first of a number of events which occur in the lifetime of the twelve which reveal the power of the kingdom and God’s judgment (in the form of covenant curses) upon disobedient Israel. This would include the cosmic signs which accompanied our Lord’s death (including the temple veil being torn from top to bottom), the resurrection, the ascension, and then Pentecost, along with the rapid growth of the church and the gospel spreading among the Gentiles (cf. Carson, Matthew, 382).

While the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in AD 70 is surely an indication that a time of desolation has come upon Israel and is a manifestation of God’s glory and judgment, this event points ahead to the final judgment at the end of the age, just as Jesus follows his prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem, with cosmic signs which announce that just as it was in the days of Noah, judgment will come upon the whole world (Matthew 24:28-44).

Who Said That?

Who Said That?

"The apostle, in this passage [Romans 7], is not treating about a man who is already regenerate through the Spirit of Christ, but has assumed the person of a man who is not yet regenerate. . . . But since it is certain, that the apostle has not, in this chapter, treated of himself personally, as distinguished from all other men of whatsoever condition or order they may be, but that he, under his own person, described a certain kind and order of men, whether they be those who are under the law and not yet regenerate, or those who are regenerate and placed under grace. . ."

Leave your guesses in the comments section below.  No google searches!  The fun is in the guessing!

Update on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 02:29PM by Kim Riddlebarger

As many of you guessed, this quote comes from James Arminius in his lectures on Romans 7.  According to Arminius, this not autobiographical, but reflects the attitude of someone under the conviction of the law.

Is Andy a "He" or an "It"?

Peta is at it again.  The animal rights Nazis are actually requesting that the editor of the Associated Press Stylebook (Norm Goldstein) revise current AP practice so that animals mentioned in news stories no longer be referred to by impersonal pronouns, "it" and "which," but by personal pronouns "she" "he" and "who."

According to Peta's letter (which can be found here: Click here: PETA Media Center > Recent News Releases : PETA CALLS ON AP STYLEBOOK GURUS TO STOP CALLING ANIMALS 'IT',) "As 'the essential global news network,' the Associated Press (AP) should take a progressive step and give animals the respect that they deserve by revising AP style guidelines to reflect the usage of personal pronouns for all animals.  While the world accelerates through the 21st century, progressive ideas are challenging and changing conventional perspectives.

Recently, the American legal system recognized that nonhuman animals deserve legal status beyond that of mere `property' and that abusive treatment of animals is more than simple vandalism.  The public now recognizes that whales, who sing across oceans; great apes, who share more than 98 percent of our DNA; sheep, who can recognize as many as 50 faces after not having seen them for two years; and pigs and chickens, who can learn to operate switches in order to control heat and light in factory-farm sheds, are feeling, intelligent individuals—not objects. Our language should reflect this."

You gotta be kidding me!  Yes, I am a dog-lover.  And yes, Andy's my buddy--even in his old decrepit state.  But he's also my property.  The proof is if he bites someone!  He's not liable, I am!  And while he's my buddy, he exists at my good pleasure.  I own him.  I pay city taxes to have him on my property.  I told him to get a job once, but to him, that means chasing cats off the property.

Only a society as wealthy and godless as ours could even dream of such nonsense as "animal rights" and the editorial use of personal pronouns for animals. 

On the one hand, Andy is clearly a "he."  He has a name (a human one at that). But legally speaking he's an "it"!  If Peta's willing to assume all liability for what he does, I'll consider giving him a few rights . . . Unless and until that happens, he's all mine.
 

New URC Forming in the Washington, DC Area

For anyone interested, there is a new URC congregation forming in the Washington, DC area.  Here's their website if you want more information. Click here: www.urc-dc.org.

If you know anyone in the DC area looking for a confessional "Three-Forms" church, please let them know about this new work.  The church planter is a good friend, and has long been associated with Modern Reformation magazine and the White Horse Inn.  Here's his bio:  

Dr. Brian J. Lee has worked as an editor and writer for Modern Reformation Magazine and the White Horse Inn, a nationally syndicated radio program. A founding member of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California, he led evening worship and taught adult education courses as a seminarian. He is licensed to preach in the United Reformed Churches in Michigan. He holds degrees from Stanford University (B.A.), Westminster Seminary California (Masters) and Calvin Theological Seminary (Ph.D.). He has taught at the Washington, DC and Atlanta campuses of Reformed Theological Seminary, as well as Calvin College and Calvin Seminary, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 

Here's Your Big Chance . . .

According to a recent article (Click here: TBN on the lookout for 'innovative' Christian programming (OneNewsNow.com), our friends at TBN have "launched a contest in search of quality, independently produced programming that is family-friendly." 

This could be your big chance to propose new programming for Paul and Jan and the TBN network!

"The contest is called the `INNOVATE Program Challenge' and involves each of Trinity Broadcasting Network's four digital networks. Entrants could submit programs at the recent Radio-Television News Directors Association meeting in Las Vegas. Submissions can also be mailed to the network's California offices.

According to TBN's Bob Higley, the content of Christian television is changing. `We are trying to change the face of Christian television and to take it to the next level with all the user-content that's going out on the Internet with YouTube,' he says; `and I understand there's a new website called 'GodTube.' `Well, why not get some of these creative shows and submit them to us and let's see if we can get them on television?'

The Christian broadcasting entity hopes to `capture the imagination' of its viewers, says a press statement about the contest, and to move past the status quo. `The stereotype is that Christian television is basically the TV evangelists up there [delivering] fire-and-brimstone preaching, waving the Bible, and asking for your money,' says Higley. `We don't believe, at TBN, it's like that anymore -- and with the creation of our digital networks, we're really trying to have something for every member of the family.'"

OK, so here's your big chance!  What "innovative programming" would you propose for TBN?  How about an "American Idol" type competition for the best faith-healer? What about a show like "The Osbournes" (remember?  Ozzy and Sharon?), only set around the daily life of Paul and Jan? 

The imagination runs wild with possibilities . . .   Leave your idea in the comments section!

Who Said That?

Who said that?

Our faith, from our ancestors, which we have learned also from you, is this.  We know one God--alone unbegotten; alone everlasting, alone without beginning, alone true, alone possessing immortality, alone wise, alone good, alone master, judge of all, manager, director, immutable and unchangeable, just and good, God of Law, Prophets and New Testament--who begat an only begotten Son before eternal times, through whom he made the ages and everything."

Leave your guess in the comments section below!  No google searches! 

Update on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 11:26AM by Kim Riddlebarger

As some of you guessed, these words come from the arch-heretic Arius (in his letter to Alexander of Alexandria).  Sneaky heretic that he was, Arius goes on to define his earlier statement "begotten before eternal times" to mean, "he [the Son] was created by the will of God before times and ages."

Bad Karma!

For some reason, this picture (and news story--Click here: Buddhist monks clash in Cambodia amid anti-Vietnam protest ) cracked me up--Buddhist monks duking it out with each other in Cambodia.  This monk looks like he knows a thing or two about throwing a punch! 

But the Buddhists are not alone.  Here's a recent story about two people stabbed during a fight between priests and nuns in a convent on the island of Cyprus.  Unfortunately, there were no pictures (Click here: Two stabbed and two arrested in convent fracas - Yahoo! News).

Yes, ours is a fallen race!  The vows undertaken by those in religious orders don't do much to control human sin.  In fact, I'll bet they just make things worse . . .

Now This Is Interesting . . .

According to a recent article in the Jerusalem Post (Click here: Israeli researchers: 'Lucy' is not direct ancestor of humans | Jerusalem Post), it seems like Lucy might not be my second cousin a gazillion times removed after all.

"Tel Aviv University anthropologists say they have disproven the theory that `Lucy' - the world-famous 3.2-million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis skeleton found in Ethiopia 33 years ago - is the last ancestor common to humans and another branch of the great apes family known as the `Robust hominids.'  The specific structure found in Lucy also appears in a species called Australopithecus robustus. Prof. Yoel Rak and colleagues at the Sackler School of Medicine's department of anatomy and anthropology wrote, `The presence of the morphology in both the latter and Australopithecus afarensis and its absence in modern humans cast doubt on the role of [Lucy] as a common ancestor.'  The robust hominids were discovered in southern Africa 69 years ago and are believed to have lived between 2 million and 1.2 million years ago. Their jaws and jaw muscles were adapted to the dry environment in which they lived.  Rak and colleagues studied 146 mature primate bone specimens, including those from modern humans, gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans and found that the `ramus element' of the mandible connecting the lower jaw to the skull is like that of the robust forms, therefore eliminating the possibility that Lucy and her kind are Man's direct ancestors. They should therefore, the Israeli researchers said, `be placed as the beginning of the branch that evolved in parallel to ours.'"

Shucks!  I'll guess I have to revise my family tree, again!  At least I had an ancestor on the Mayflower! 

Seriously, as more and more work is done in genetics, the whole evolutionary hypothesis will eventually collapse.  It probably won't change much however, because even if someone rises again from the dead, people still won't believe the gospel (cf. Luke 16:31)--that is unless and until God grants them faith and repentance.  But is sure is interesting to watch the old "consensus" collapse as evidence of a common (and fairly recent) origin of man begins to mount.