Today we had "Bible with Eric and God" in the morning, and we started going through the Bible as one story. While it's not a new concept to me, it's definitely interesting. We looked at the first two chapters of Genesis, looking at creation and the responsibilities of man. We then had an hour of solitude to pray and read Scripture.
Wednesday evening was exciting because John Stonestreet arrived and began teaching his class on "Christianity and Culture." He used to teach a full semester senior level class on this at Bryan College, and I definitely wish I could take the full thing. His class has been my favorite, as well as most challenging (not work load wise, but just in thinking through things and wanting to respond and make a difference). I'm going to skip over most of his stuff, because I haven't worked through it enough to coherently summarize it. That, and I didn't type these blogs out ahead of time. Sorry Mom. Suffice it to say for now that I've loved this week of classes, and I'm excited about the ideas I'll get to wrestle through in the coming days and week about culture and Christianity and how I (and the Church) needs to be involved.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesdays are art class days with Charlie Pepitone. He's a cool guy, strong Christian though definitely liberal, but it's kind of cool to get different viewpoint on some things. On other things, it's more frustrating, and gives me a lot more respect for my mom's liberal seminary experience. It's a fascinating class, though - I'm really enjoying it. In terms of information, it's definitely the class I have the least experience in, and I'm finding my interest is growing. I've wanted to do "media" - combining words and graphics and layouts - but more and more I'm realizing I need to learn how to do "art." Not quite sure what this looks like yet, but Charlie's class is definitely the most intriguing and frustrating class right now, and it's encouraging me to look more into all of this once Semester's over.
After dinner, we also have small groups, and tonight we met up at Dr. Bauman's house, which is the second story of the Smiths' duplex. It was fun and a good time of discussion. Afterwards, Naomi, my mentor, and I, walked the mile and back down to Blue Creek Road in the moonlight, and that was amazing. We talked about a lot of stuff, from trusting God to experiences of the past couple years to art. It was great.
After dinner, we also have small groups, and tonight we met up at Dr. Bauman's house, which is the second story of the Smiths' duplex. It was fun and a good time of discussion. Afterwards, Naomi, my mentor, and I, walked the mile and back down to Blue Creek Road in the moonlight, and that was amazing. We talked about a lot of stuff, from trusting God to experiences of the past couple years to art. It was great.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Today we went to Starbucks, Wal-mart, and Ouray, in order of significance. The former two are very exciting when you live over an hour from them. Ouray, though three times as far away, was not as exponentially excited. It was a fun, quaint little tourist trap, and the scenery is beautifully, but I'm not sure the town itself deserves the moniker "America's Switzerland." It is surrounded by mountains, which all made us a little claustrophobic, but I'm still holding out to see the real thing someday.
It was definitely a fun day, though. We had a great van to spend 6+ hours together, and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. The trees were mostly yellows and golds, which made us appreciate our own reds and oranges around the lodge that much more. We ended the evening with a meal at Applebee's which was amazing because I got chips and queso and quesadillas. It was pretty amazing...
It was definitely a fun day, though. We had a great van to spend 6+ hours together, and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. The trees were mostly yellows and golds, which made us appreciate our own reds and oranges around the lodge that much more. We ended the evening with a meal at Applebee's which was amazing because I got chips and queso and quesadillas. It was pretty amazing...
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Day 22, Summit Semester
Today, Bauman decided to switch things around a little bit. Instead of having the podium at the front of the room, he moved it to the second story balcony surrounding the classroom. He made a comment about being closer to God and having more authority from the position.
After he left for the afternoon, we (at the suggestion of the staff) decided to turn the tables. We moved all the desks and chairs to the second floor balcony and brought his podium and stool back to the first floor. We put the podium in the center of the room, and wrote “the tables have been turned” on the whiteboard at the front.
For our evening class, we all got there 15 minutes early. We hurried upstairs, where our desks were overlooking the now empty classroom below. We turned out all the lights, except for one light that shined directly on the whiteboard.
We waited in the dark for about 15 minutes, though definitely not quietly as some wanted. When we saw his headlights pulling up, we all settled down to wait for his reaction. It was pretty awesome. He walked in and didn’t say anything for a minute, then walked to the front to turn on the lights. He finally said “Oh my gosh…. I approve.” It was pretty incredible, and definitely made for a memorable class.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Day 21, Summit Semester
We had study time in the morning, and class with Dr. Bauman in the afternoon, once he finally got here. We jumped right back into our discussion of abortion, followed by a lecture on civil rights. In Brit Lit, we’re in the middle of studying Chaucer, currently looking at the Canterbury Tales. After dinner we had a lecture on the Second Century Church Fathers Tertullian and Justin Martyr.
I’m loving Bauman’s classes. His sarcasm and wit keep things amusing, and he’s always challenging if we really know what we say we believe. We have to think hard about everything, and sometimes we leave class with more questions than answers, but it is amazing. Having a semester to wrestle through deep questions in community, focusing not only on academics but also on personal growth and discipleship, is absolutely amazing. I am so glad I am here.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Day 20, Summit Semester
Wednesday mornings we have our Bible survey course with Eric. We’re focusing on how we actually read Scripture. Too often as evangelicals, we don’t know how to read the Bible, why we read the Bible, or how to properly understand and apply it.
“We act as if there is no history or cultural context to Scripture – because it’s hard to understand, we open it up, read a verse, and wrestle it into some sort of inspirational thought for the day that might be entirely wrong and unbiblical.”
We’re discussing how the best way to understand Scripture is in the context of a story. John Stonestreet used the example of a six act drama:
The Six Act Drama – (from Bartholomew and Goheen) – focus on God
I: God Establishes His Kingdom (Creation)
II: Rebellion in the Kingdom (Fall)
III: The King Chooses Israel (Redemption Initiated)
Scene 1: A people for the King
Scene 2: A land for His People
IV: The Coming of the King (Redemption accomplished)
V: Spreading the news of the King (Church’s mission)
Scene 1: from Jerusalem to Rome
Scene 2: and into all the world
(evangelize but act as if the Kingdom belongs to the King)
VI: The Return of the King (Redemption Completed)
When looking at the Bible as a single story, it makes more sense. It’s harder to purposefully pull verses or chapters or books out of context when you’re trying to understand the larger picture of what God is doing.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Day 19, Summit Semester
Tuesday’s main activity is art class with Charlie Pepitone. We spent the first part of class presented the skits we had written and practiced over the past week. It was a fun activity, and some skits were very amusing. I took and edited video for a couple scenes in our skit, and I was definitely pleased with how that came together. I wasn’t excited about the problems we had with the projector and audio during the skit, but all things considered, it went well.
The next part of class has been the subject of dozens of discussions since class ended. Our textbook for the class is Arts, Theology, and the Church: New Intersections. It’s a really interesting collection of essays on the arts and the Church, but it definitely doesn’t come from an evangelical perspective. It’s been interesting as we (the students + some discussions with the staff) have wrestled through two chapters, figuring out what we think about these concepts coming from a very liberal, if not New Age-y perspective. The staff is definitely aware of this, and we all agree it’s a good challenge, to be given a different perspective from a liberal Christian like Charlie. It’s somewhat harder than I expected, wading through material, sifting out what I know to be true and what I know to be false, and applying this to concepts that may be very unfamiliar, due to the worldview of the author or simply the subject matter of the arts.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Day 18, Summit Semester
Today was our weekend day, and we went on a hike to Opal Lake in the nearby San Juan National Forrest. It turns out the lake is only 1.5 miles from the trailhead where we parked, but we didn’t know that setting out. We were told by those who had been there before that “they didn’t think there was a fork in the trail, but if there was, it would be obvious. Just follow the trail.”
So we did. We started as a group, but some quickly forged ahead, others kept a more moderate pace, and the Smith family (with three kids under four, soon to be four kids under four) and a few others helping them brought up the rear. Unfortunately, it turned out everyone who had been there before was in the last group, so those plunging ahead through the trees didn’t really know where they were going. Neither did I, as my group was following pretty closely behind them.
We kept hiking, going further and further, expecting the lake to appear just beyond this ridge. Or the one after this one or the one after the tenth one. Finally we hear voices coming through the quiet serenity of the aspen grove we’re walking through, and we assume it must be just ahead. Then we turn around and realize the voices are coming from behind us, from Eric and Jonathan. They had run to catch us after having arrived at the lake and not finding everyone there, as those that were far ahead should be.
It turns out we hiked about an extra three miles. All in all, it was worth it, despite being tired and sore at the time. We got to see two beautiful meadows and the aspen groves we went through were awesome, much cooler than the lake, the object of our searching actually was.
When we made it back to the fork and found the sign flat on the ground by the pile of rocks, Rosie and I who were hiking together both commented we hadn’t even noticed it going up. We were so focused on getting up that hill that we didn’t pause to see where the trail turned off. It seems the little things not quickly noticed can sometimes have great impact…
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Day 16, Summit Semester
In Christianity and Politics, we’ve been discussing terrorism – what it is, different public policies on how to deal with, what should be the Christian response, and how we can prepare to avoid/prevent it. I found it absolutely fascinating.
In Brit Lit, we’ve been looking at Beowulf, the Pearl poet and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and now Chaucer. As much as I enjoy reading literature, it is nice to get a feel for these stories without reading the whole thing.
In History of Christian Theology, we looked at the Apostolic Fathers - Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp, and Papias, as well as the Didache, which was an early (c. 120) training manuel for new Christians. Today we had a discussion on the Trinity and the first four Church Councils. While the other two classes are fascinating, this is definitely my favorite class.
Things are going really well. We're starting getting to know each other on a deeper level, and getting more involved in class. I'm really enjoying my time up here, and I'm looking forward to the next 10 weeks.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Day 13, Summit Semester
This morning we had our “family meeting,” in which all the staff and students meet together to talk about policies, concerns, prayer requests, a devo, and other random stuff. We spent a long time discussing a rule that we didn’t change in the end, and then we had a time of solitude, which we’ll have every week. It’s scheduled time put aside to be alone and pray, read Scripture, and focus on hearing God or working out some of the questions that are coming up in class and study time.
Some of us are also meeting before breakfast on Wednesdays to read through and discuss Tortured for Christ, written by Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of Voice for the Martyrs. He was a pastor in Romania when the Soviets took control, and spent about 14 years in prison. It’s definitely a very eye-opening and convicting book.
After dinner, Dr. Bauman arrived from Michigan again, and he lectured on “How to Read Movies.” If you only look at the squiggles on the page, you’re not really reading, and the same is true of just looking at movies if you don’t understand visual literacy the all the components that go into making a film. After class, we watched Leap of Faith with Steve Martin, which was an interesting story of a fake evangelist using tricks and psychology to perform miracles, and the transformation he undergoes when he actually sees God do the miraculous. It was interesting, and it reminded me of watching movies with a mild mix of Mrs. Brown and Mr. Gregory, but it was fun.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Day 12, Summit Semester
This morning John Stonestreet kicked off our Bible survey course by looking at having a Biblical understanding of Scripture, some of the most common ways we abuse Scripture, and how to avoid that.
“The thing the Catholics were worried about after the Reformation is a valid concern – if everybody gets their own little Bible and own little devotions and applications, then you get everything under the sun. -> Joseph Smith, David Koresh, JWs, etc.”
It was really interesting, but as Eric commented later, some of it is a bit of a reactionary pendulum swing, so I’m still wrestling through some of what he said. I agree with most of it, and obviously there are problems, but I’m not sure those warrant the full extent of his response.
I understand that cults develop out of people deciding the Bible means something different for them, or even from a claim of “divine revelation.” And the point that only once in all of Scripture does God speak in a “still small voice” is valid. However, I think it is limiting the Holy Spirit to say He won’t speak anything that hasn’t already been written in Scripture.
This morning John Stonestreet kicked off our Bible survey course by looking at having a Biblical understanding of Scripture, some of the most common ways we abuse Scripture, and how to avoid that.
“The thing the Catholics were worried about after the Reformation is a valid concern – if everybody gets their own little Bible and own little devotions and applications, then you get everything under the sun. -> Joseph Smith, David Koresh, JWs, etc.”
It was really interesting, but as Eric commented later, some of it is a bit of a reactionary pendulum swing, so I’m still wrestling through some of what he said. I agree with most of it, and obviously there are problems, but I’m not sure those warrant the full extent of his response.
I understand that cults develop out of people deciding the Bible means something different for them, or even from a claim of “divine revelation.” And the point that only once in all of Scripture does God speak in a “still small voice” is valid. However, I think it is limiting the Holy Spirit to say He won’t speak anything that hasn’t already been written in Scripture.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Day 11, Summit Semester
Today was our first Monday weekend day, and we all took a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park. It’s about three hours away from Snow Wolf Lodge, and it’s these massive sand dunes at the foot of a small mountain range, just sitting there kind of randomly. I’m sure there’s an actual explanation, but I never heard it. Anyways, it was a fun trip. We arrived at the dunes around noon, had lunch, and then had three hours to explore the dunes. It feels like you got dropped in the middle of the desert, and none of us left without being covered in sand. I hung with a couple people that didn’t trek very far up the dunes, and we amused ourselves by taking random pictures and videos. After the dunes, we went to the nearby waterfall. I can’t speak for the falls themselves, but the stream rushing downhill was beautiful. Perhaps the highlight of the day was the long anticipated trip to Wal-mart, which is much more exciting when you live an hour and a half away from it. The bus ride home was hilarious, for reasons that can’t be explained simply because it didn’t make sense to us either.
If I can get it to upload, all pictures, video, and other incriminating evidence will be posted on FB. Stay tuned…
(Editor’s note: still getting sand out of my shoes three days later!)
Today was our first Monday weekend day, and we all took a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park. It’s about three hours away from Snow Wolf Lodge, and it’s these massive sand dunes at the foot of a small mountain range, just sitting there kind of randomly. I’m sure there’s an actual explanation, but I never heard it. Anyways, it was a fun trip. We arrived at the dunes around noon, had lunch, and then had three hours to explore the dunes. It feels like you got dropped in the middle of the desert, and none of us left without being covered in sand. I hung with a couple people that didn’t trek very far up the dunes, and we amused ourselves by taking random pictures and videos. After the dunes, we went to the nearby waterfall. I can’t speak for the falls themselves, but the stream rushing downhill was beautiful. Perhaps the highlight of the day was the long anticipated trip to Wal-mart, which is much more exciting when you live an hour and a half away from it. The bus ride home was hilarious, for reasons that can’t be explained simply because it didn’t make sense to us either.
If I can get it to upload, all pictures, video, and other incriminating evidence will be posted on FB. Stay tuned…
(Editor’s note: still getting sand out of my shoes three days later!)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
September 13, 2009
So I'll try to update this every Sunday for more detail of what happens each day. Hopefully it gives you a better feel of what we're up to...
Saturday, September 12, 2009
September 12, 2009
Day 9, Summit Semester
Even though today is Saturday, it’s a class day because of Bauman’s schedule. We’ll have Mondays as a weekend day for field trips or just hanging out.
We continued our discussion of the different political groups and Medieval culture, as well as beginning the epic poem of Beowulf.
In Theology, we looked at reasons why the Early Church was persecuted, as well as reasons why they survived. While I have always loved Galatians 4:4, which states that: “when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law that we might have the full rights as sons…” But I had never realized just how much went into the “time fully coming.” I knew about the Roman roads, the Greek language, the Pax Romana that allowed safe travel throughout the empire, but I never realized the full extent of these things.
There have only been 67 years since the Pax Romana in which there has not been war in some part of Europe. The fact that the Gospel was first carried and established in times of peace when travel and missionary work was relatively unhindered is remarkable. Along the same lines, roads during this period were the best in terms of safety and speed that Europe would have until the railroads arrived in the mid 1800s. Even the fall of Jerusalem forced the Church to spread and scatter farther than it naturally would have gone. Greek and Roman philosophers were also coming to the conclusion that only one god could exist, not the pantheon of gods that were traditionally revered, so the people were prepared and looking for the real God. Pretty amazing stuff.
After class, we had our first movie night. We watched The Dark Knight and then discussed the philosophical themes of justice, chance, chaos, and pure evil. It was considered by many the most epic movie of the year but completely snubbed at the academy awards. One critic made the comment that it was an extremely conservative film, because if a person like the Joker exists, pure evil and anarchy just because he is, not because of the system or circumstances, it destroys the liberal philosophy of the inherent goodness of man and the fact that evil comes from the system, not the depraved human heart. Interesting stuff….
Even though today is Saturday, it’s a class day because of Bauman’s schedule. We’ll have Mondays as a weekend day for field trips or just hanging out.
We continued our discussion of the different political groups and Medieval culture, as well as beginning the epic poem of Beowulf.
In Theology, we looked at reasons why the Early Church was persecuted, as well as reasons why they survived. While I have always loved Galatians 4:4, which states that: “when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law that we might have the full rights as sons…” But I had never realized just how much went into the “time fully coming.” I knew about the Roman roads, the Greek language, the Pax Romana that allowed safe travel throughout the empire, but I never realized the full extent of these things.
There have only been 67 years since the Pax Romana in which there has not been war in some part of Europe. The fact that the Gospel was first carried and established in times of peace when travel and missionary work was relatively unhindered is remarkable. Along the same lines, roads during this period were the best in terms of safety and speed that Europe would have until the railroads arrived in the mid 1800s. Even the fall of Jerusalem forced the Church to spread and scatter farther than it naturally would have gone. Greek and Roman philosophers were also coming to the conclusion that only one god could exist, not the pantheon of gods that were traditionally revered, so the people were prepared and looking for the real God. Pretty amazing stuff.
After class, we had our first movie night. We watched The Dark Knight and then discussed the philosophical themes of justice, chance, chaos, and pure evil. It was considered by many the most epic movie of the year but completely snubbed at the academy awards. One critic made the comment that it was an extremely conservative film, because if a person like the Joker exists, pure evil and anarchy just because he is, not because of the system or circumstances, it destroys the liberal philosophy of the inherent goodness of man and the fact that evil comes from the system, not the depraved human heart. Interesting stuff….
Friday, September 11, 2009
September 11, 2009
Day 8, Summit Semester
Second day of class with Bauman today. In Christianity and Politics, we looked at the differences between the major political groups, including liberals, conservatives, historical pragmatists, and radicals. I had never seen it broken down so clearly and precisely before, and it was really enlightening to look at why I believe certain things and why I definitely don’t fall into other groups.
In Brit Lit we started looking at the worldview and culture of the Medieval period, because that understanding shapes the vast majority of the literature we will be discussing over the next three months.
In History of Christian Theology, we looked at evidence for the Resurrection and went on to the early church in Acts, discussing whether the information we are given about the earliest days of the Church is descriptive or normative for us today.
Second day of class with Bauman today. In Christianity and Politics, we looked at the differences between the major political groups, including liberals, conservatives, historical pragmatists, and radicals. I had never seen it broken down so clearly and precisely before, and it was really enlightening to look at why I believe certain things and why I definitely don’t fall into other groups.
In Brit Lit we started looking at the worldview and culture of the Medieval period, because that understanding shapes the vast majority of the literature we will be discussing over the next three months.
In History of Christian Theology, we looked at evidence for the Resurrection and went on to the early church in Acts, discussing whether the information we are given about the earliest days of the Church is descriptive or normative for us today.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
September 10, 2009
Day 7, Summit Semester
Today was our first real day of classes with Dr. Bauman. We started out with Christianity and Politics, looking at the basic principles that should govern Christians involved in politics.
1. As Xians, we have an obligation to care for those around us.
2. The State is a divinely ordained institution but it cannot solve all the world’s problems.
3. To a Xian, while civil responsibilities are important, they are secondary.
4. The Bible provides Xians with a general perspective on politics but not with a specific agenda.
5. Good intentions are not enough.
6. Un-involvement is not the answer.
7. Although the State is ordained by God, it is not a redemptive institution and must be limited.
8. You must not confuse personal ethics with public policy.
How to formulate public policy:
1. Is there a Scriptural principle on the point?
2. Does the reference apply today? Was it meant to apply today?
3. Is this Biblical rule mandatory or advisory?
4. If there is no Scriptural point on the issue, this the policy being considered consistent with the general role of Biblical government?
5. Does this policy weigh costs as well as benefits?
6. Does it really produce the goal you have in mind?
7. Does the Bible give responsibility for this issue to another form of govt?
In Brit Lit we discussed CS Lewis’ An Experiment in Criticism, which among other things, includes a discussion of what a good reader really is.
GOOD READERS
frequently rereads – keeps going back to it, get the details,
feel impoverished if they don’t read
have enrichment of consciousness
reflect on what they read
literary things comprise a very large part of their lives
receive the book, don’t use the book – try to allow the book to do to them what the book was intended to do
search for the point of the author
In History of Christian Philosophy we looked at the Jewish culture in the time of Jesus – the different religious and political groups that influenced the first century and the life of Jesus.
Today was our first real day of classes with Dr. Bauman. We started out with Christianity and Politics, looking at the basic principles that should govern Christians involved in politics.
1. As Xians, we have an obligation to care for those around us.
2. The State is a divinely ordained institution but it cannot solve all the world’s problems.
3. To a Xian, while civil responsibilities are important, they are secondary.
4. The Bible provides Xians with a general perspective on politics but not with a specific agenda.
5. Good intentions are not enough.
6. Un-involvement is not the answer.
7. Although the State is ordained by God, it is not a redemptive institution and must be limited.
8. You must not confuse personal ethics with public policy.
How to formulate public policy:
1. Is there a Scriptural principle on the point?
2. Does the reference apply today? Was it meant to apply today?
3. Is this Biblical rule mandatory or advisory?
4. If there is no Scriptural point on the issue, this the policy being considered consistent with the general role of Biblical government?
5. Does this policy weigh costs as well as benefits?
6. Does it really produce the goal you have in mind?
7. Does the Bible give responsibility for this issue to another form of govt?
In Brit Lit we discussed CS Lewis’ An Experiment in Criticism, which among other things, includes a discussion of what a good reader really is.
GOOD READERS
frequently rereads – keeps going back to it, get the details,
feel impoverished if they don’t read
have enrichment of consciousness
reflect on what they read
literary things comprise a very large part of their lives
receive the book, don’t use the book – try to allow the book to do to them what the book was intended to do
search for the point of the author
In History of Christian Philosophy we looked at the Jewish culture in the time of Jesus – the different religious and political groups that influenced the first century and the life of Jesus.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
September 9, 2009
Day 6, Summit Semester
This morning we had our final class with Mike Mandt, looking at a range of things from creation and icons of evolution to patterns in Scripture.
After lunch, we had study time, and then an hour to exercise. I went with a group that “walked briskly” down Blue Creek Road and back – two miles total. I still can’t get over the scenery – all the trees are beautiful.
Tonight I met Dr. Michael Bauman for the first time. He’s definitely brilliant and slightly intimidating, but he’s also down to earth, makes jokes about his facebook, and is really sarcastically funny.
He promises to seek us out and destroy our bad ideas by constantly questioning what we believe and why. He doesn’t settle for a single answer – he’ll pepper you with questions until he’s convinced you know what you’re saying or you have no idea what’s going on. He says this is intellectual boot camp, that we have to learn to fight for our beliefs, and his job is to do to us in a friendly setting what the world will do in a hostile setting.
There are four forbidden responses in his class, not “because he’s against free speech, but because he’s against stupidity.”
“Everything is relative.”
“There is no right or wrong.”
“There are no absolutes.”
“Who’s to say?”
“These four sentences are the pervasive mental habits of society in America today – we have learned to give them as answers to every difficult question.”
The four things we should be thinking about all the time, though, are diagnostic questions:
1. What’s a good life and what good is life?
2. What’s a good death and what good is death?
3. What’s a good love and what good is love?
4. What’s a human being?
Everybody has answers to these questions, but most have stupid answers because they’ve never thought about them at all. A large part of our semester here is learning to ask, think about, and answer hard questions like these.
This semester will be hard, but I’m really excited for it now, more than I ever have been. It may be difficult getting through it at times, such as when we’re being relentlessly cross-examined, but we will be much better for the time we spent here.
This morning we had our final class with Mike Mandt, looking at a range of things from creation and icons of evolution to patterns in Scripture.
After lunch, we had study time, and then an hour to exercise. I went with a group that “walked briskly” down Blue Creek Road and back – two miles total. I still can’t get over the scenery – all the trees are beautiful.
Tonight I met Dr. Michael Bauman for the first time. He’s definitely brilliant and slightly intimidating, but he’s also down to earth, makes jokes about his facebook, and is really sarcastically funny.
He promises to seek us out and destroy our bad ideas by constantly questioning what we believe and why. He doesn’t settle for a single answer – he’ll pepper you with questions until he’s convinced you know what you’re saying or you have no idea what’s going on. He says this is intellectual boot camp, that we have to learn to fight for our beliefs, and his job is to do to us in a friendly setting what the world will do in a hostile setting.
There are four forbidden responses in his class, not “because he’s against free speech, but because he’s against stupidity.”
“Everything is relative.”
“There is no right or wrong.”
“There are no absolutes.”
“Who’s to say?”
“These four sentences are the pervasive mental habits of society in America today – we have learned to give them as answers to every difficult question.”
The four things we should be thinking about all the time, though, are diagnostic questions:
1. What’s a good life and what good is life?
2. What’s a good death and what good is death?
3. What’s a good love and what good is love?
4. What’s a human being?
Everybody has answers to these questions, but most have stupid answers because they’ve never thought about them at all. A large part of our semester here is learning to ask, think about, and answer hard questions like these.
This semester will be hard, but I’m really excited for it now, more than I ever have been. It may be difficult getting through it at times, such as when we’re being relentlessly cross-examined, but we will be much better for the time we spent here.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
September 8, 2009
Day 5, Summit Semester
Today we really started to get a feel for our classes. We started earlier this morning to have two hours of art class with Charlie Pepiton, a local Christian artist. We played games and acted out parts to look at the roles we play in communication, as well as discussing the theory behind art and getting to practice a charcoal sketch. Art class will definitely stretch me, but I’m looking forward to it. Although, I will unashamedly hope that there is more theory than practice when it actually comes down to it…
The afternoon was spent in studying and reading after lunch, followed by an hour of exercise. I walked a mile down and back Blue Creek Road to the highway with Libby. We then took pictures to accompany our bios for the website and blog.
After dinner, we had another session with Mike Mandt, which was much more in depth and fascinating. He taught about the philosophies of origins, time and space as it relates to Einstein’s theory of relativity and creation, and the Hebrew context of Genesis 1. We ended by watching Louie Giglio’s speech tour entitled “How Great is Our God,” which was a fascinating look at the size or stars and planets and how the God who breathed them into being also created the microscopic proteins that hold our bodies together and sustains everything in the universe.
And as awe inspiring as that was, what followed was even cooler. We pulled out spare mattresses and stacked them in front of the lodge to star gaze before the moon rose. I have never seen so many stars in my life and they were beautiful, a wonderful reminder of the majesty and splendor of Creator God.
Today we really started to get a feel for our classes. We started earlier this morning to have two hours of art class with Charlie Pepiton, a local Christian artist. We played games and acted out parts to look at the roles we play in communication, as well as discussing the theory behind art and getting to practice a charcoal sketch. Art class will definitely stretch me, but I’m looking forward to it. Although, I will unashamedly hope that there is more theory than practice when it actually comes down to it…
The afternoon was spent in studying and reading after lunch, followed by an hour of exercise. I walked a mile down and back Blue Creek Road to the highway with Libby. We then took pictures to accompany our bios for the website and blog.
After dinner, we had another session with Mike Mandt, which was much more in depth and fascinating. He taught about the philosophies of origins, time and space as it relates to Einstein’s theory of relativity and creation, and the Hebrew context of Genesis 1. We ended by watching Louie Giglio’s speech tour entitled “How Great is Our God,” which was a fascinating look at the size or stars and planets and how the God who breathed them into being also created the microscopic proteins that hold our bodies together and sustains everything in the universe.
And as awe inspiring as that was, what followed was even cooler. We pulled out spare mattresses and stacked them in front of the lodge to star gaze before the moon rose. I have never seen so many stars in my life and they were beautiful, a wonderful reminder of the majesty and splendor of Creator God.
September 8, 2009
Day 5, Summit Semester
Today we really started to get a feel for our classes. We started earlier this morning to have two hours of art class with Charlie Pepiton, a local Christian artist. We played games and acted out parts to look at the roles we play in communication, as well as discussing the theory behind art and getting to practice a charcoal sketch. Art class will definitely stretch me, but I’m looking forward to it. Although, I will unashamedly hope that there is more theory than practice when it actually comes down to it…
The afternoon was spent in studying and reading after lunch, followed by an hour of exercise. I walked a mile down and back Blue Creek Road to the highway with Libby. We then took pictures to accompany our bios for the website and blog.
After dinner, we had another session with Mike Mandt, which was much more in depth and fascinating. He taught about the philosophies of origins, time and space as it relates to Einstein’s theory of relativity and creation, and the Hebrew context of Genesis 1. We ended by watching Louie Giglio’s speech tour entitled “How Great is Our God,” which was a fascinating look at the size or stars and planets and how the God who breathed them into being also created the microscopic proteins that hold our bodies together and sustains everything in the universe.
And as awe inspiring as that was, what followed was even cooler. We pulled out spare mattresses and stacked them in front of the lodge to star gaze before the moon rose. I have never seen so many stars in my life and they were beautiful, a wonderful reminder of the majesty and splendor of Creator God.
Today we really started to get a feel for our classes. We started earlier this morning to have two hours of art class with Charlie Pepiton, a local Christian artist. We played games and acted out parts to look at the roles we play in communication, as well as discussing the theory behind art and getting to practice a charcoal sketch. Art class will definitely stretch me, but I’m looking forward to it. Although, I will unashamedly hope that there is more theory than practice when it actually comes down to it…
The afternoon was spent in studying and reading after lunch, followed by an hour of exercise. I walked a mile down and back Blue Creek Road to the highway with Libby. We then took pictures to accompany our bios for the website and blog.
After dinner, we had another session with Mike Mandt, which was much more in depth and fascinating. He taught about the philosophies of origins, time and space as it relates to Einstein’s theory of relativity and creation, and the Hebrew context of Genesis 1. We ended by watching Louie Giglio’s speech tour entitled “How Great is Our God,” which was a fascinating look at the size or stars and planets and how the God who breathed them into being also created the microscopic proteins that hold our bodies together and sustains everything in the universe.
And as awe inspiring as that was, what followed was even cooler. We pulled out spare mattresses and stacked them in front of the lodge to star gaze before the moon rose. I have never seen so many stars in my life and they were beautiful, a wonderful reminder of the majesty and splendor of Creator God.
Monday, September 7, 2009
September 7, 2009
Day 4, Summit Semester
Today was the first day of really getting into our schedules, although in the future Monday will be a “weekend” day to some extent, as we’ll have class on Saturdays. The morning was spent reading C.S. Lewis’ An Experiment in Criticism, which, like so many of his works, requires lots of processing to grasp the depth of material contained within each sentence. It’ll definitely require a re-reading… but that’s kind of the point of the book.
After lunch, we had our first work crew. I was in the kitchen, rearranging the freezers and refrigerators, then collecting and inventorying paper goods. Just realizing the amount of food our two amazing cooks are dealing with to feed 45 people every day is eye-opening. It definitely makes me more grateful for them, and how they fix almost everything from scratch!
After dinner we had our first class with Mr. Mike Mandt on the icons of evolution and creation. A group then headed up the hill to have the first campfire of the Semester half way up the ridge. Everyone is starting to get to know everyone, and the Semester definitely promises to be academically intense but lots of fun.
Today was the first day of really getting into our schedules, although in the future Monday will be a “weekend” day to some extent, as we’ll have class on Saturdays. The morning was spent reading C.S. Lewis’ An Experiment in Criticism, which, like so many of his works, requires lots of processing to grasp the depth of material contained within each sentence. It’ll definitely require a re-reading… but that’s kind of the point of the book.
After lunch, we had our first work crew. I was in the kitchen, rearranging the freezers and refrigerators, then collecting and inventorying paper goods. Just realizing the amount of food our two amazing cooks are dealing with to feed 45 people every day is eye-opening. It definitely makes me more grateful for them, and how they fix almost everything from scratch!
After dinner we had our first class with Mr. Mike Mandt on the icons of evolution and creation. A group then headed up the hill to have the first campfire of the Semester half way up the ridge. Everyone is starting to get to know everyone, and the Semester definitely promises to be academically intense but lots of fun.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
September 6, 2009
September 6, 2009
Day 3, Summit Semester
We start class tomorrow, and we’ll immediately commence asking the “big questions” of life, philosophy, and reality. However, the things that have struck me so far in our time in the wilderness are “small things,” or I guess more accurately, basic foundational things upon which everything else must be built upon.
Perhaps most obvious to me right now, God is an amazing Creator.
In my mind, Texas is the most beautiful place on earth, but the rugged beauty of these mountains is different, and striking me as such. Being surrounded not by cars and concrete, but the perpetual chatter of the woods and mountains, the rustle of the trees, and the play of critters large and small is extremely refreshing.
Anything that is good in me is because of God.
My heart is a dark, disgusting place.
Yet, Jesus is my righteousness.
He has done what I cannot do, and I cannot improve on what He has done. Jesus has made me right before God. Jesus loved me while I was yet a sinner, and Jesus loves me now, as the sinner is being transformed into a saint. Nothing I do will change His love for me. I cannot make myself holy enough or worthy enough to be His daughter, yet that is who I am.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
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