May the road rise to meet you,may the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
An Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,may the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Good Doubt, Bad Doubt
Lots of people (including myself) like to poke fun at certainty, because we have all met someone who acts like they have it all figured out. The assumed opposite of certainty is doubt (which is growing in popularity).
I think however that we should take time to distinguish between good (and healthy)doubt and bad (unhealthy/unnecessary)doubt, or what I would call objective doubt and subjective doubt. My certainty/doubt are defined by my approach to the Other as objective or subjective.
Objective Doubt/Certainty
When someone says that you cannot be 100% certain of anything they most likely reference objective doubt. (example. I cannot be completely certain about the nature human origins and evolution). I would agree to a large extent with that conclusion. With that said, I also think that the constant bashing of objective certainty amounts to little more than a waste of time, as does the constant acknowledgment of objective doubt.
There is a false sense of humility that comes by boasting about our limitations, and a complete loss of productivity. There is little need to brag about our on self awareness, our small place in the universe, or our inability to grasp universal truth. Sure, it makes us look like nice people, but Im not sure that it accomplishes much.
Objective certainty is characterized by faith in one's own belief system.
Objective doubt is generally characterized by a lack of faith in God's orchestration or presentation.
Subjective Doubt
Subjective doubt is countered by what we commonly call faith or faithfulness. Subjectivity by definition includes mystery because it contains the infinite. As a result, unknowing and doubt are natural parts of engaging any other subjective being. In a sense faith in or faithfulness to another can be understood as subjective certainty (and I might suggest Biblical certainty). I have faith and faithfulness toward God because of the steadfastness I have experienced through participation in his subjectivity.
The subjective doubt I experience is self doubt in my capability to fully understand the infinite. It is not a doubt in God, because if I enter into his subjectivity I understand his nature to be consistent.
Subjective doubt is characterized by a lack of faith in myself, and acknowledgement of my own broken human condition.
Subjective certainty is characterized by faithfulness to the being of God.
Doubt, Certainty, and Ghosts
To doubt or not to doubt, everyone is asking the question lately.
First, we must first realize that there is good and proper doubt, and then there is unnecessary and unproductive doubt. (more on that later)
I believe a dose of the proper doubt can actually exist to support our belief.
We may doubt the existence of ghosts, but if we walk through a dark house we have been told is haunted we are still likely to have our guard up. Our actions suggest we do believe, or we at least have enough self-doubt to consider the possibility that we have it wrong.
Certainty is present if we can walk through our dark house and act if there is no ghost. In this illustration certainty is actualized through the rejection of the unseen and in faith in one’s own belief system.
However, doubt in one's self is the very thing that upholds the belief in the other.
The ad on the floor read, “Wanted to fill: Positions of mathematician, scientist, poet, musician, theologian and janitor. To serve as founding council members of new Utopia. No experience necessary or preferred. Undam the skies and/or your souls.”
Roy picked up the paper before throwing it into the rolling wastebasket. He was a good janitor, but he didn’t want a damn thing to do with no Utopia.
- Vershal Hogan
practical immortality
As long as I live I'll hear the birds and the winds and the waterfalls sing. I'll interpret the rocks and learn the language of flood and storm and avalanche. I'll make the acquaintance of the wild gardens and the glaciers and get as near to the heart of this world as I could. And so I did. I sauntered about from rock to rock, from grove to grove, from stream to stream, and whenever I met a new plant I would sit down beside it for a minute or a day, to make its acquaintance, hear what it had to tell. I asked the boulders where they had been and whither they were going, and when night found me, there I camped. I took no more heed to save time or to make haste than did the trees or the stars. This is true freedom, a good, practical sort of immortality. - John Muir
Father's Day Reflections
This Father's Day as I reflect on all that I owe to my father two things come to mind: an appreciation for the aesthetic and for human subjectivity.
My father taught his children to appreciate the beauty of the earth. Because of him I am not able to simply see a tree or a flower as the hunk of wood and bush that it appears to be to most. Instead I am drawn into the texture of its bark and the shape of its leaves. I notice the family from which it comes and the color and tendencies of how its limbs and viens angle themselves. I see the world as a place for scientific exploration. It is a place where discoveries are not simply the answers to questions but the turning of a corner to see that something more beautiful and intriguing may lay on the other side. In my mind I fear that this curiosity and pleasure derived from simple things will be the downfall to my pragmatism and in my heart I hope it so.
My father demonstrated to me that all human beings have a subjectivity worth our respect and care. It is easy to distance others and view them strictly from a objective standpoint, but life does not gain meaning simply from the pursuit of our goals but in the engagement of others. Our friends and relationship cannot be defined by their usefulness to us but by the love and friendship they bring into our lives.
Thanks Daddy.
My father taught his children to appreciate the beauty of the earth. Because of him I am not able to simply see a tree or a flower as the hunk of wood and bush that it appears to be to most. Instead I am drawn into the texture of its bark and the shape of its leaves. I notice the family from which it comes and the color and tendencies of how its limbs and viens angle themselves. I see the world as a place for scientific exploration. It is a place where discoveries are not simply the answers to questions but the turning of a corner to see that something more beautiful and intriguing may lay on the other side. In my mind I fear that this curiosity and pleasure derived from simple things will be the downfall to my pragmatism and in my heart I hope it so.
My father demonstrated to me that all human beings have a subjectivity worth our respect and care. It is easy to distance others and view them strictly from a objective standpoint, but life does not gain meaning simply from the pursuit of our goals but in the engagement of others. Our friends and relationship cannot be defined by their usefulness to us but by the love and friendship they bring into our lives.
Thanks Daddy.
"Lazarus dies again."
Oh, Death -- I already know you.
That time before, you
wrapped around me like a wet towel
and whispered deep in my ear
that deep in the ground
I was yours.
And I was.
Four days you staked claim on me —
staked as I was to the earth
now salted and barren
by the tears of even God himself —
and four days I lay:
Property of Hades.
But this time around I have no fear.
I heard the word to come forth,
and no matter how tight you squeezed
the breath came back to me
and every breath I breathed
I knew
your power and your sting
are all bluster and show.
So hug me close, you old fraud,
but I know your arms are broken.
by Vershal Hogan
That time before, you
wrapped around me like a wet towel
and whispered deep in my ear
that deep in the ground
I was yours.
And I was.
Four days you staked claim on me —
staked as I was to the earth
now salted and barren
by the tears of even God himself —
and four days I lay:
Property of Hades.
But this time around I have no fear.
I heard the word to come forth,
and no matter how tight you squeezed
the breath came back to me
and every breath I breathed
I knew
your power and your sting
are all bluster and show.
So hug me close, you old fraud,
but I know your arms are broken.
by Vershal Hogan
The good news on poverty (Yes, there's good news)
Gay Marriage, Faith, and Friendship
I can speak personally and I think as a generality that Christians often act in fear when something challenges their faith. In 2012 Americans saw the knee jerk reaction of Christians and the Gay-Lesbian community when Chick-fil-a CEO and Christian, Dan Cathy, publicly proclaimed his stance against gay marriage. Reactions from both sides where not pretty. On the belief side of things both sides seem pretty opinionated, but as things unraveled the real human connection made between Dan Cathy and the LGBT was beautiful. This tells the brief story of the friendship that has developed between Dan Cathy and Shane Windmeyer. My hope is that both Christians and non-Christians,whether gay or straight can learn from this. This is how the Kingdom of God is progressed. This is how relationships are reconciled.
The Lost World of Genesis One
Over the Christmas holidays I read the book "The Lost World of Genesis One:Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate." I read a lot of books and often rate them on goodreads.com.
Because books are by nature very subjective I don't often endorse them
because I rarely agree philosophically with 100% of the material they
contain. "The Lost World of Genesis One" is no different other than I am
choosing to endorse this book because it offers such a refreshing
perspective on the interpretation of Genesis 1 and the origins debate.
Though the book is not divided this way the book is essentially two parts both recognized by the subtitle of the book. Part One concerns ancient cosmology and an honest hermeneutical approach to Genesis 1. This section alone is makes the book worth reading. Most books that address the origins debate use Genesis 1 to either support their debate on the material beginnings of earth, or attempt to bend science findings so that they can fit the Biblical story. Neither approach allows the text to "speak for itself." Walton is an Old Testament and Near Eastern history scholar. When he attempts to understand the story of Genesis 1 from this perspective we find a much different story than the one we often tell ourselves that is tainted by our modern, western, and materialistic worldview. Not only does Walton's interpretation of this story change our understanding of the Jewish/Christian creation story, it has profound effects for our theology. It should change the way we view the role of humanity(anthropology) and the cosmos.
The second part of this book addresses the implications this reading of Genesis 1 has for the origins debate. Spoiler Alert: Walton suggests that when the creation story is not interpreted in materialistic terms but instead as the inauguration of a cosmic temple through the assigning of functions and functionaries in a preexisting material cosmos, Christians are freed from the restraints of choosing between a 7 day creation and the modern scientific consensus of evolution. I know that last sentence may read a little dense, but I promise when the argument is laid out over 180 pages it is very easy to understand. Simply put, Walton shows how a proper reading of the story allows Christians the opportunity to engage in the origins debate without fear of loosing their religion. He also offers helpful critiques of the Intelligent Design and Neo-Darwinism debate along with what he considers the proper approach to these debates in the public classroom.
This book is an easy and excellent read for most. The biases most people will have to overcome are the classical interpretations of Genesis 1 as the materialistic creation of the cosmos, and a poor understanding of how proper hermeneutical tactics can better explain the story. If you can accomplish this feat "The Lost World of Genesis One " should greatly enrich your theology and allow you to explore the material origins debate more freely.
Though the book is not divided this way the book is essentially two parts both recognized by the subtitle of the book. Part One concerns ancient cosmology and an honest hermeneutical approach to Genesis 1. This section alone is makes the book worth reading. Most books that address the origins debate use Genesis 1 to either support their debate on the material beginnings of earth, or attempt to bend science findings so that they can fit the Biblical story. Neither approach allows the text to "speak for itself." Walton is an Old Testament and Near Eastern history scholar. When he attempts to understand the story of Genesis 1 from this perspective we find a much different story than the one we often tell ourselves that is tainted by our modern, western, and materialistic worldview. Not only does Walton's interpretation of this story change our understanding of the Jewish/Christian creation story, it has profound effects for our theology. It should change the way we view the role of humanity(anthropology) and the cosmos.
The second part of this book addresses the implications this reading of Genesis 1 has for the origins debate. Spoiler Alert: Walton suggests that when the creation story is not interpreted in materialistic terms but instead as the inauguration of a cosmic temple through the assigning of functions and functionaries in a preexisting material cosmos, Christians are freed from the restraints of choosing between a 7 day creation and the modern scientific consensus of evolution. I know that last sentence may read a little dense, but I promise when the argument is laid out over 180 pages it is very easy to understand. Simply put, Walton shows how a proper reading of the story allows Christians the opportunity to engage in the origins debate without fear of loosing their religion. He also offers helpful critiques of the Intelligent Design and Neo-Darwinism debate along with what he considers the proper approach to these debates in the public classroom.
This book is an easy and excellent read for most. The biases most people will have to overcome are the classical interpretations of Genesis 1 as the materialistic creation of the cosmos, and a poor understanding of how proper hermeneutical tactics can better explain the story. If you can accomplish this feat "The Lost World of Genesis One " should greatly enrich your theology and allow you to explore the material origins debate more freely.
2013 New Years Resolution.
At the beginning of this year I look to create new healthy patterns in my life. To ensure I do that I want to create benchmarks for each pattern. This is not necessarily to measure success as it is to ensure I'm on the right track.
1. Write more.
This should be easily accomplish. I write a reasonable amount now due to the joy I find in it and the demands of school and work. This next year seminary will ask me to write a thesis work(any ideas?) and I have a few specific personal writing projects I am working on during my "free" time.
2. Read more balanced.
Recently I have been learning to read more balanced. By nature of my personality I read a lot of academic material. Of late though I am learning to read to fuel my soul as well as my mind. This means more playful and imaginative reading.
3. Speak more.
My hope is to speak publicly 2-4 a month. I am constantly shoveling ideas into my brain. This helps me to get some of them out.
4. Complete an outline for a novel.
Currently I have a idea I think is great for a fictional novel(and possible trilogy). I know I probably will not have time to flesh the whole thing out this year, but I want to have a completed outline over the next 12 months.
5. Exercise more.
The goal is 3-5 times a week.
6. Drink more water.
I have started this recently and my body almost immediately began to thank me.
7. Mentor more students.
I have mentored a few students individually over the years. I think I might start a small group so students can learn to journey together as well as with an adult.
8. Sell a franchise(or 20). At this point I legally can't say much more than that. More is coming soon. : )
9. Pray more. Much much more.
10. Spend less time on Social Media. Technology is awesome but it can become a major unhealthy time suck. It allows me to keep up with my family and distant friends better, but it also has a sneaky way of distracting me from real interactions with the people around me. I hope to be more focused when using social media and spend less time browsing it.
1. Write more.
This should be easily accomplish. I write a reasonable amount now due to the joy I find in it and the demands of school and work. This next year seminary will ask me to write a thesis work(any ideas?) and I have a few specific personal writing projects I am working on during my "free" time.
2. Read more balanced.
Recently I have been learning to read more balanced. By nature of my personality I read a lot of academic material. Of late though I am learning to read to fuel my soul as well as my mind. This means more playful and imaginative reading.
3. Speak more.
My hope is to speak publicly 2-4 a month. I am constantly shoveling ideas into my brain. This helps me to get some of them out.
4. Complete an outline for a novel.
Currently I have a idea I think is great for a fictional novel(and possible trilogy). I know I probably will not have time to flesh the whole thing out this year, but I want to have a completed outline over the next 12 months.
5. Exercise more.
The goal is 3-5 times a week.
6. Drink more water.
I have started this recently and my body almost immediately began to thank me.
7. Mentor more students.
I have mentored a few students individually over the years. I think I might start a small group so students can learn to journey together as well as with an adult.
8. Sell a franchise(or 20). At this point I legally can't say much more than that. More is coming soon. : )
9. Pray more. Much much more.
10. Spend less time on Social Media. Technology is awesome but it can become a major unhealthy time suck. It allows me to keep up with my family and distant friends better, but it also has a sneaky way of distracting me from real interactions with the people around me. I hope to be more focused when using social media and spend less time browsing it.
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