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"I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort" - Larry Norman (1947-2008)

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Why Do We Feel So Alone?

Here is Walker Percy's opinion, from The Message in a Bottle, p. 24:

By the very cogent anthropology of Judeo-Christianity, whether or not one agreed with it, human existence was by no means to be understood as the transaction of a higher organism satisfying this or that need from its environment, by being "creative" or enjoying "meaningful relationships," but as the journey of a wayfarer along life's way.

The experience of alienation was thus not a symptom of maladaptation (psychology) nor evidence of the absurdity of life (existentialism) nor an inevitable consequence of capitalism (Marx) nor the necessary dehumanization of technology (Ellul). Though the exacerbating influence of these forces was not denied, it was not to be forgotten that human alienation was first and last the homelessness of a man who is not in fact at home.

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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

My Calvin Odyssey

To my surprise I am loving the Institutes. In particular, Calvin's discussion of the pursuit of righteousness is beautiful.

"But no one in this earthly prison of the body has sufficient strength to press on with due eagerness, and weakness so weighs down the greater number that, with wavering and limping and even creeping along the ground, they move at a feeble rate.

Let each one of us, then, proceed according to the measure of his puny capacity and set out upon the journey we have begun. No one shall set out so inauspiciously as not daily to make some headway, though it be slight. Therefore, let us not cease so to act that we may make some unceasing progress in the way of the Lord. And let us not despair at the slightness of our success; for even though attainment may not correspond to desire, when today outstrips yesterday the effort is not lost. Only let us look toward our mark with sincere simplicity and aspire to our goal; not fondly flattering ourselves, nor excusing our own evil deeds, but with continuous effort striving toward this end: that we may surpass ourselves in goodness until we attain to goodness itself.

It is this, indeed, which through the whole course of life we seek and follow. But we shall attain it only when we have cast off the weakness of the body, and are received into full fellowship with him."
(Vol. 1, p. 689)


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Monday, March 24, 2008

Space Rock

I've been using iTunes lately (shudder). The interface is nice, and quick. But it has two terminate-and-stay-resident-like programs that bug me. Thanks, but I have better uses for that 10MB you've stolen from me.

On the other hand, it's informed me of something I hadn't known about an old album I listen to from time to time.


Apparently the band Brave Saint Saturn is a music genre called "Space Rock." To my surprise this is a legitimate genre. But the band is fairly Christian, so wouldn't that make it Christian Space Rock? Or would I be guilty of an extreme faux-pas in labelling them so? At any rate "Space Rock" isn't one of the forms of Christian music that Wikipedia recognizes.

Attaching the word "Christian" to something often implies uncomfortable things for some people, such as:

 It's "Christian" therefore it doesn't need to be esthetically pleasing, or professional
Jesus' name must appear in some form quite frequently in order to deserve the name. I believe in the case of this particular album he makes an appearance on Daylight.
You can't swear or talk about uncomfortable things. In the case of Brave Saint Saturn they do both

One of my favourite Brave Saint Saturn songs is Anastasia. It's about a girl who's name "means 'the resurrection'. It's not too far from true."

The lead singer is Reese Roper, the same dude who sang lead for Five Iron Frenzy. 'Tis a beautiful voice IMHO. My favourite songs in general have to do with finding hope.

3 comments from: Anonymous Matt Wiebe Blogger mariaborito Blogger Cam

3 Comments:

Anonymous Matt Wiebe said...

Yeah, iTunes is a good program... on the Mac. Apple have never been very good Windows citizens. I remember cringing at ituneshelper in my msconfig... You've heard the flap over the Apple Software Update trying to slip Safari onto your system? Idiots.

Anyhow, never heard of Brave Saint Saturn OR Space Rock. Sounds fun :)

As for appending the adjective "Christian" before artistic/cultural works, I find that the signal-to-noise ratio involved is pitiful indeed. When I was into "Christian" electronic music, the phenomenon was sarcastically known as the "JPM" (Jesus per minute) phenomenon: at what JPM do you get the official "Christian" badge?

1:21 PM  
Blogger mariaborito said...

hey camster. how are you? been thinking about you and your distance. when are you returning to the peg? we're actually moving away for two months to ontario. nate will be working in construction and i'll be spending time with my fam which will be great.
hey, we're looking for a housesitter if you want to chill here for july and august!

10:09 AM  
Blogger Cam said...

Hey Maria! Good for you getting out to see the fam. I'm sure they'll love to have you. That Nate guy is pretty handy isn't he? I saw the easel he was making for you.

I'll be learning Hebrew this summer. Every day in class! So I won't be coming home for a visit. :( But I'll make up for it hopefully by moving home in one year!! It's going to be good.

9:38 AM  

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Monday, March 03, 2008

Sending the Coffee Back

I may have crossed over. I have several pieces of evidence to support my claim:

1) I sent my coffee back this morning because it wasn't strong enough
2) I've started drinking straight espresso from our stove-top maker (It's the one on the left - too slick!)


3) I roast green beans on my cast-iron frying pan
4) I pre-heat my coffee mug so that the coffee stays warmer longer
5) I brought my coffee mug home with me for Christmas break

However, I have yet to:

1) Buy a proper grinder

So I'm clearly still on the side of sanity

4 comments from: Blogger anthony Anonymous Matt Wiebe Blogger Marnie Blogger mariaborito

4 Comments:

Blogger anthony said...

definitely still sane ;) cool looking stovetop espresso maker.

1:41 PM  
Anonymous Matt Wiebe said...

Welcome to the dark side. Dark roast, that is. ;)

Nice stove-top espresso maker. You will, of course, have to get a burr grinder. Superstore has relatively cheap one...

5:57 PM  
Blogger Marnie said...

Cam, I'm glad you are enjoying your hot beverages. I heat up my cup too but I don't have special gadgets yet.

I'm planning on it though.

I do love my tea.

Cheers! :)

4:33 PM  
Blogger mariaborito said...

cam…happy birthday. remember you're not thirty yet.
but seriously, life is only getting better. just like wine. or good coffee. it's all in the age… or the brew.
you would know more than me on that.

3:36 PM  

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Thursday, February 07, 2008

Projects for February 2008

In case you were wondering, here are the final papers for this term:

- A history paper on 17th and 18th century Christian Zionism.
- A theology paper on God's providence, somehow linked to Deism.
- A film paper on Fritz Lang, notably his influence on Science Fiction, somehow linked to the idea of transcendence.
- A history paper on some pastor, who I haven't picked yet. Perhaps Spurgeon.

I think I'm most interested in the Christian Zionist stuff, but the theology paper needs to get written first, and promptly.

I'm re-reading two Buechner books that I adore: Speak What We Feel and Telling the Truth.

I'm also going up to the Sunshine Coast for a few days over the reading break next week. Knitting, coffee, sunshine (hopefully), friends, and reading are on the menu. =)

3 comments from: Anonymous The Gleddiesmith Anonymous The other Gleddiesmith Blogger Cam

3 Comments:

Anonymous The Gleddiesmith said...

just for your information - Stacey did a paper on Fritz Lang when she did that class - she didn't look at the science friction - she mostly focused on his perception of sin - just thought you might want to know - have no idea why you would

9:54 PM  
Anonymous The other Gleddiesmith said...

He would want to know because Cam wants to know about everything I do. He's a bit of a stalker that way.

5:57 PM  
Blogger Cam said...

I actually already knew, but didn't want to say anything 'cuz it would look like I'm a stalker. :/

8:40 PM  

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