13.2.08
Amazing what a valentine's gift can do. Though I tried to challange it, my wife gave me $100 to spend as a valentine's gift. Feely guilty about splurging while I have been gripping for dear life onto my meager earnings as a private teacher, she let me go crazy, within reason of course. The stipend did not include tax or shipping charges. :) So, Alibris.com became a playground. I've been able to stock up on commentaries, specifically commentaries on the Law and the Prophets. The best way for me to study what the prophets are proclaiming is to study that upon which they base their work. Given that my next big project is the Amos cycle, it stands to reason getting commentaries on the Torah would be a great investment. The total tally of commentaries was: Leviticus, Numbers, Dueteronomy, Psalms, Hosea, Amos, Daniel, and Zechariah 9-14/Malachi. In addition I further enhanced my collection of John Shelby Spong books including Why Christianity Must Change or Die and Living in Sin: A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality. And I also indulged my inner metalhead, getting some AC/DC and Judas Priest. All that under $100. Gotta love used book sites. Granted, the last 4 don't fit into the commentary idea, those were the only real "indulgences" of the group.
So now, I have 4 out of the 5 books of the Torah in commentary form (I got the Childs Exodus when I studied the book at Seminary). I haven't obtained Genesis yet, since it has no bearing on my current studies. The reason for these books is to understand the native context of the Law to the best of my ability. The native context bears practically no resemblence to the narrow, literalistic naivete of the current thought Charismatics, Dispentationalists, Conservatives, and Evangelicals espouse. I cringe when I hear about a need for a "return to the moral standards of the Bible" or the need to post the 10 commandments everywhere. The 10 commandments is most sticky given that the Protestant, Catholic, and Hebrew canons each have distinct orders. Further, Exodus 20 and Dueteronomy 5 vary in significant details. Add into this the blatant Hebrew, landowning male bias in the commandments and the difficulty should be palpable. Anyone else notice the irony of any decision of the Supreme Court on any church/state matters when the commandments hang in their courtroom, yet they decide whether or not certain places can show them or not? Plus, if people would read and apply the entire Establishment Clause things would be so much easier. Liberals focus on government establishment, whilst conservatives focus on free exercise of religion. You can't accurately and objectively take a stand without all the info.
So, by understanding the native context of the Law, I feel I can better write the music for the Amos cycle. Amos makes his statements and declarations based upon understanding the Law which the establishment in Samaria has forgotten. The deliberate oppression and exploitation of the less fortunate combined with the perversion of the cultic religious practices has created an anathma to YHWH. A main thrust of Amos' message is that with the label of "YHWH's chosen" also comes the responsibility of being the "chosen." Israel has shirked the responsibility while basking in the belief of being blessed. They are living and believing in the "prosperity gospel," something that is preached significantly today. Our leaders, both secular and sacred, believe we are the chosen and blessed people of God. Have faith, do good, and God will bless you and prosper you. Yet, our capitalist drive and self-bestowed peacekeeper image has reproduced some if not all of the characteristics of ancient Samaria. Exploitation is rampant, the drive to accumulate wealth at all costs is widespread, and the image of piety on the outside is front and center. I cannot help but see the similarities between today and the book of Amos. The conservative majority puts faith and religion front and center, yet the monetary gain and exploitative practices are painstakingly guarded and passed off as a "blessing from above." I better stop before I get depressed. Long story made short (too late!), to best accentuate the prophecies of Amos, I need to learn and understand the Law as close to the native context as possible, minus the late 20th/early 21st century Christian bias. Then and only then can I produce music to make Amos' words breathe.
So now, I have 4 out of the 5 books of the Torah in commentary form (I got the Childs Exodus when I studied the book at Seminary). I haven't obtained Genesis yet, since it has no bearing on my current studies. The reason for these books is to understand the native context of the Law to the best of my ability. The native context bears practically no resemblence to the narrow, literalistic naivete of the current thought Charismatics, Dispentationalists, Conservatives, and Evangelicals espouse. I cringe when I hear about a need for a "return to the moral standards of the Bible" or the need to post the 10 commandments everywhere. The 10 commandments is most sticky given that the Protestant, Catholic, and Hebrew canons each have distinct orders. Further, Exodus 20 and Dueteronomy 5 vary in significant details. Add into this the blatant Hebrew, landowning male bias in the commandments and the difficulty should be palpable. Anyone else notice the irony of any decision of the Supreme Court on any church/state matters when the commandments hang in their courtroom, yet they decide whether or not certain places can show them or not? Plus, if people would read and apply the entire Establishment Clause things would be so much easier. Liberals focus on government establishment, whilst conservatives focus on free exercise of religion. You can't accurately and objectively take a stand without all the info.
So, by understanding the native context of the Law, I feel I can better write the music for the Amos cycle. Amos makes his statements and declarations based upon understanding the Law which the establishment in Samaria has forgotten. The deliberate oppression and exploitation of the less fortunate combined with the perversion of the cultic religious practices has created an anathma to YHWH. A main thrust of Amos' message is that with the label of "YHWH's chosen" also comes the responsibility of being the "chosen." Israel has shirked the responsibility while basking in the belief of being blessed. They are living and believing in the "prosperity gospel," something that is preached significantly today. Our leaders, both secular and sacred, believe we are the chosen and blessed people of God. Have faith, do good, and God will bless you and prosper you. Yet, our capitalist drive and self-bestowed peacekeeper image has reproduced some if not all of the characteristics of ancient Samaria. Exploitation is rampant, the drive to accumulate wealth at all costs is widespread, and the image of piety on the outside is front and center. I cannot help but see the similarities between today and the book of Amos. The conservative majority puts faith and religion front and center, yet the monetary gain and exploitative practices are painstakingly guarded and passed off as a "blessing from above." I better stop before I get depressed. Long story made short (too late!), to best accentuate the prophecies of Amos, I need to learn and understand the Law as close to the native context as possible, minus the late 20th/early 21st century Christian bias. Then and only then can I produce music to make Amos' words breathe.
8.2.08
Yet another change and shift in how this blog will be written. The whole cynical mode just doesn't work, given the ease of descending into depression I have. So, I shall endeavor to follow the title of the blog. How that will take shape I am not sure. Yet, my ideas and beliefs have not changed, in that we have been led astray the last 7 years especially. We as a country are greatly divided, and the freedoms we so strongly "believe" in have slowly and methodically been stripped away. The biggest pain to me comes from administration's notion that it is being guided spiritually and by faith. In my mind and view, the current war on Iraq is based on false witness and coveting, which in turn has led to murder and theft. For those keeping score, I have named 4 commandments. This is the same party which purportedly supports the Ten Commandments in the public sphere, or has a base of support from those who would have this. Um....I thought breaking commandments was bad....Least that is what my translations say. And the rhetoric on Iran is eerily similar.
This Lenten period finds me trying to pray the Hours again. Self discipline in prayer has been an issue for me, since I need to do it more. I've noticed that when I get into a habit that is constructive (such as meetings and prayer), life flows easier and simpler for me. Page 417 of the Big Book (BB) has pretty much become a guiding line in my life: acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. By praying the Hours in a consistent manner, there is a semblence of structure with which I could hang the rest of my day. My plan is to try and hit five of the Hours, three at minimum. If I remember correctly they are: Prime (6:00), Terce (9:00), Sext (12:00), None (15:00), Vesper (18:00), Compline (21:00), Vigil (0:00), Lauds (3:00). I think there is one more, but I'm not sure. I am trying Terce-Compline, using my OSL Book of Rites as a model. THe reason is not to elevate myself above others, or think that I am better than others, but to connect to God and discern His will for me (as in the 11th Step). My biggest pitfall in many of my criticisms (hence why this blog has shrunk since I last wrote) is a holier-than-thou/cynical diatribe which easily sets me up for a cataclysmic plummet in mood. One can critique without being cynical. I hope to do so, and still keep my ego in check.
This Lenten period finds me trying to pray the Hours again. Self discipline in prayer has been an issue for me, since I need to do it more. I've noticed that when I get into a habit that is constructive (such as meetings and prayer), life flows easier and simpler for me. Page 417 of the Big Book (BB) has pretty much become a guiding line in my life: acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. By praying the Hours in a consistent manner, there is a semblence of structure with which I could hang the rest of my day. My plan is to try and hit five of the Hours, three at minimum. If I remember correctly they are: Prime (6:00), Terce (9:00), Sext (12:00), None (15:00), Vesper (18:00), Compline (21:00), Vigil (0:00), Lauds (3:00). I think there is one more, but I'm not sure. I am trying Terce-Compline, using my OSL Book of Rites as a model. THe reason is not to elevate myself above others, or think that I am better than others, but to connect to God and discern His will for me (as in the 11th Step). My biggest pitfall in many of my criticisms (hence why this blog has shrunk since I last wrote) is a holier-than-thou/cynical diatribe which easily sets me up for a cataclysmic plummet in mood. One can critique without being cynical. I hope to do so, and still keep my ego in check.
Labels: Take three......
4.9.06
So.....my thought is does the administration really believe that if they repeat the same thing over and over that we all will believe it is true? Despite evidence to the contrary, such as common sense, logic, using our own minds, videos, pictures, etc? Why, oh, why do they feel we can't use our own minds? There is just way to much going on to hit it one by one. The item that I personally find most saddening is the use of faith, and the belief that it is divinely ordained. Not trying to sound judgemental (trying to follow the quote from Matthew), but I don't think that the administration (and their neo-conservative pastoral supporters) is reading the same scripture I am: Dominionism for the church is not in there, conversion by violence is not in there, amassing wealth by exploitation is not in there, ignoring and not caring for the less fortunate is not in there. From my studies of the prophets, these are reasons for the exile of Israel and Judah. According to my recent reads into the Second Testament, that goes contrary to the teachings of the Master. What I see is either fallible creatures trying to hasten the End Times, which will only come about from divine mandate (free of human interference), or incorrect interpretation of divinely inspired instructions. I will admit that I have serious doubts about pre-Tribulation Rapture, since the teaching is relatively recent (19th Century English preacher by the name of Darby). Plus, some of the reasoning is sketchy and scripture references are ambiguous and open-ended. If they use the "one must follow the ruling government for they are ordained by God" argument, let me make two points: first, they then violated scripture during the Clinton Administration. Second, then the U.S is an un-biblical nation. I have run out of steam, thus I shall end this. Just remember that questioning the standing government and calling them to account is patriotic, is full-blooded American, and strengthing the nation.
14.11.05
OK.....Intellegent Design. Science or faith? Little background on self here. I am an adherent to the Christian Church. I believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spigot....er...Spirit. And, I believe Intelligent Design is not a science. Because it essentially comes down to a belief in a Higher Power, something that cannot really be tested in a scientific manner. ID belongs in a philosophy class or a theology class, maybe even a history or social studies class. Believe it or not, psychology and sociology wouldn't be stretches either. But not in a science class, especially not biology. "Evolution is only a theory!" exclaims proponents of ID. A theory does not mean that it has no proof, but that it is a work in progress with items that need to be worked out. Evolution may never become a law, like conservation of energy, but it has been solidified over the years with some pretty convinicing evidence. Yet, it is still a theory. There are still holes in it the size of Texas. Unlike evolution, ID cannot be tested scientifically. There are no culture tests, no fossils, no carbon dating, no experiements that can be done to prove or disprove aspects or beliefs held; there are no tangible elements to test. As a man of faith, it pains me to say that pushing ID as a science can only bring more ridicule to those of us who believe. I believe that a Higher Power (for me it is the Trinitarian God of the Church) did create everything. I believe the creation process has taken billions of years and is still ongoing. One day in God's time can be millions of years to us. There is too much evidence against a 6 day work week with the seventh day off. Plus, I believe the creationists are looking at as a 24-hour day. So, yes, ID could very well be the covert operation of creationists to circumvent conventional scientific thought. Oh, and Mr. Robertson....Dover residents have not shunted off God. They are recognizing that religious thought belongs in the church, not in the schools. They still recognize God and worship Him. So, please, come down off the pedestal. The vengeful angel of God post is already taken. No, not by me, I'm too sinful and fallible. But one of God's angels took that job and I don't think they gave it up.
18.8.03
Wow. It has been awhile. Teaching at camp for a week, surgery to repair a hernia, maintaining my sanity during recovery (both from the surgery and from my addiction). Time has slipped away. I haven't completed as much as I was hoping I would this summer. It was really hard to get myself going. I've always had a problem with self-discipline when it comes to sitting down and working. I wonder if I may have a touch of ADD. It would make sense, because it was a problem even before the troubles of my last couple years of undergrad. I've done some reading on the Old Testament; just some books on beginning study of the OT. Really intriguing, yet daunting. I am still unsure if I should be doing this, given my deep-seated love of music. But when I read, I am drawn in and don't want to stop...until my suspected ADD kicks in and I get antsy.
I've done some reading for the piece I want to compose for my music ministry project. The book is "The Day That Christ Died" by Jim Bishop. It deals with the last 24 hours in the life of Christ. Most of it is storytelling on the part of Bishop, but the dialogue is from the Gospels. It is a very intriguing read because the storytelling fits amazingly well with the texts of the Gospels. Bishop puts the reader in the Last Supper, in the house of Ciaphas, in the room of Pilate and shows the reader the various themes and dealings of those short hours. The object of my composition is the day of the Crucifixion, starting around the sunrise. I am trying to set to music the setting and the feelings of the general public. The sections I have in mind are even titled: Silence at Sunrise, The Tension of the Morning, The Calls to the Event, The Via Dolorosa, The Ascent of Golgotha...and that is before the text begins. The text I have chosen is the Samuel Wesley hymn "Behold the Saviour of Mankind" The text struck me when I read it for the first time in undergrad, and I keep coming back to it. Each stanza builds the pain, the torment, the anguish of Christ and His followers must have felt. THe last stanza holds the hope and the promise of Christ's triumph over death. I'll post the text my next time in.
It is an ambitious project. Very ambitious. But one I feel compelled to do. I feel my faith depends on this piece. I am frightened because I want to write it, I want to write for God, for Jesus, for everyone. But, I never did well in composition classes at ISU. I basically could not produce the quantity they wanted. It is tough for me to just write stuff down. I have a perfectionist streak when it comes to writing. If I don't like it, how could anyone else like it? I am trying to just write something so I could get material down. I'd like to see if I could get even a small hint of instruction from NU, but I don't see that happening. Hell, even if I could sit down and have discussions with some of the comp students at NU, I'd be happy. My big hangup is I don't know if I can write because I don't have a whole lot of training with actual teachers. I mainly have just read books. I need to have a mentor, someone who can guide me.
I've done some reading for the piece I want to compose for my music ministry project. The book is "The Day That Christ Died" by Jim Bishop. It deals with the last 24 hours in the life of Christ. Most of it is storytelling on the part of Bishop, but the dialogue is from the Gospels. It is a very intriguing read because the storytelling fits amazingly well with the texts of the Gospels. Bishop puts the reader in the Last Supper, in the house of Ciaphas, in the room of Pilate and shows the reader the various themes and dealings of those short hours. The object of my composition is the day of the Crucifixion, starting around the sunrise. I am trying to set to music the setting and the feelings of the general public. The sections I have in mind are even titled: Silence at Sunrise, The Tension of the Morning, The Calls to the Event, The Via Dolorosa, The Ascent of Golgotha...and that is before the text begins. The text I have chosen is the Samuel Wesley hymn "Behold the Saviour of Mankind" The text struck me when I read it for the first time in undergrad, and I keep coming back to it. Each stanza builds the pain, the torment, the anguish of Christ and His followers must have felt. THe last stanza holds the hope and the promise of Christ's triumph over death. I'll post the text my next time in.
It is an ambitious project. Very ambitious. But one I feel compelled to do. I feel my faith depends on this piece. I am frightened because I want to write it, I want to write for God, for Jesus, for everyone. But, I never did well in composition classes at ISU. I basically could not produce the quantity they wanted. It is tough for me to just write stuff down. I have a perfectionist streak when it comes to writing. If I don't like it, how could anyone else like it? I am trying to just write something so I could get material down. I'd like to see if I could get even a small hint of instruction from NU, but I don't see that happening. Hell, even if I could sit down and have discussions with some of the comp students at NU, I'd be happy. My big hangup is I don't know if I can write because I don't have a whole lot of training with actual teachers. I mainly have just read books. I need to have a mentor, someone who can guide me.
22.7.03
Had a good session with my counselor, yet still was feeling loose when I got home this evening. Don't know what it was, but I was feeling on the edge. Unfortunately, I have substituted smoking for drinking. Sure, I am drinking more tea and less coffee and pop, but the smoking definitely is not a safe thing. But, I eventually calmed down enough to go upstairs and start situating things for the move to my apartment.
Read something awfully disturbing. The two sons of Hussein are reportedly dead. The WHite house issued a statement saying it was "pleased" that the two were confirmed dead. A Christian claiming to be pleased that two people were killed. Regardless what atrocities these two may have committed, I am sorry, but for someone professing to be guided by their faith and asking for prayers and blessings for his war.....I am appalled. Yes, the two sons have been known to be heartless, cold-blooded, and down-right evil. But, to be "pleased" with the death of a human being is not humane. Nor is it Christian. We have no right to pass judgement on someone, much less be happy that someone is dead. Some would say this post is judging President Bush, I don't think so. I pray for him, I really do. I pray that God will guide him in his work and Mr. Bush will do the best for the country. Unfortunately, it seems that he feels the need to finish up his dad's buisness, and continue doing the business on the country. Never mind that unemployment is up; never mind that many of us in lower tax brackets did not get a tax break from the cut (some of us actually paid more!); never mind that there is increasing discontent amongst the people; never mind that when my generation and the generations after me get to retirement, there very well may be no such thing. I'm sure it seems I am just rattling off trite and worn out liberal statements. Maybe I am....but I am reading even some moderate conservatives are getting scared of the new triumverate of Bush, Rumsfeld, and Ashcroft. THere were a couple of Triumverates in Ancient Rome. And we all now how that story ended.....each one degenerated into chaos, and Rome eventually went the way of Greece, the Celts, the Arayans, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Hittites. There is a reason why people say those who do not notice history are doomed to repeat it. I really hope everybody is paying attention: Democrats and Republicans, liberal and conservative, secular and sacred. 'Cause all those listed above.....are gone. Faded into the past. Like dust in the wind. But, currently, it appears everyone in Washington has not cracked open their books.
Read something awfully disturbing. The two sons of Hussein are reportedly dead. The WHite house issued a statement saying it was "pleased" that the two were confirmed dead. A Christian claiming to be pleased that two people were killed. Regardless what atrocities these two may have committed, I am sorry, but for someone professing to be guided by their faith and asking for prayers and blessings for his war.....I am appalled. Yes, the two sons have been known to be heartless, cold-blooded, and down-right evil. But, to be "pleased" with the death of a human being is not humane. Nor is it Christian. We have no right to pass judgement on someone, much less be happy that someone is dead. Some would say this post is judging President Bush, I don't think so. I pray for him, I really do. I pray that God will guide him in his work and Mr. Bush will do the best for the country. Unfortunately, it seems that he feels the need to finish up his dad's buisness, and continue doing the business on the country. Never mind that unemployment is up; never mind that many of us in lower tax brackets did not get a tax break from the cut (some of us actually paid more!); never mind that there is increasing discontent amongst the people; never mind that when my generation and the generations after me get to retirement, there very well may be no such thing. I'm sure it seems I am just rattling off trite and worn out liberal statements. Maybe I am....but I am reading even some moderate conservatives are getting scared of the new triumverate of Bush, Rumsfeld, and Ashcroft. THere were a couple of Triumverates in Ancient Rome. And we all now how that story ended.....each one degenerated into chaos, and Rome eventually went the way of Greece, the Celts, the Arayans, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Hittites. There is a reason why people say those who do not notice history are doomed to repeat it. I really hope everybody is paying attention: Democrats and Republicans, liberal and conservative, secular and sacred. 'Cause all those listed above.....are gone. Faded into the past. Like dust in the wind. But, currently, it appears everyone in Washington has not cracked open their books.
20.7.03
Still trying to get the hang of this dang thing. I've written at least two more items that what is posted, and I have no clue where they went. Still have yet to get cracking on my paper for the class. I know what I am writing on: the Psalms as ideal hymns or sources for hymns. I've got the books for my references out as well. I just don't have a space in the apartment right now I can call the area to homework. Maybe when I finally move into my own place. I'm just having a load of trouble getting my ass moving. I'm hoping it is just the change in medication that is slowing me down and nothing else. Maybe the advent of my surgery is also weighing on me as well. I haven't gotten as much done in research and composition this summer as I was hoping. My time being laid up after surgery might be a good time to give that a try. It is very possible I am putting too much pressure on myself to do something. THe pressure could be restricting my ability to be flexible.
Now, about the Psalms. How could something from the Jewish faith apply to the way that we as Christians sing hymns? Beisides Christianity's roots in the Judaic faith, a good chunk of the "good old hymns" our parents and grandparents enjoy were inspired by or are adaptations of the Psalms. Issac Watts, Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby, and the Church Fathers (like Ambrose, Augustine, Basil) used the Psalms or were inspired by the Psalms for their some of their texts. THe Psalms hold a place in history as being a dialogue with God, and a written account of Isreal's history with Him. While tradition holds the entire book was written by King David, the book was likely compiled into the present form in the 6th century BCE for the 2nd Temple (which was completed in 515 BCE). Psalms hold a unique quality of being both corporate and individual. THere is no real distinction between the individual and the worshipping group as a whole. THe hymns of praise, thanksgiving, the cries of distress, pleas for forgiviness all could be prayed and sung by one person, one family, one tribe, one nation. I and we are interchangable because all are children of God. The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of the Old Testament; it is the hymnbook of not only the Isrealite nation, but also of the Christian people.
Now, about the Psalms. How could something from the Jewish faith apply to the way that we as Christians sing hymns? Beisides Christianity's roots in the Judaic faith, a good chunk of the "good old hymns" our parents and grandparents enjoy were inspired by or are adaptations of the Psalms. Issac Watts, Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby, and the Church Fathers (like Ambrose, Augustine, Basil) used the Psalms or were inspired by the Psalms for their some of their texts. THe Psalms hold a place in history as being a dialogue with God, and a written account of Isreal's history with Him. While tradition holds the entire book was written by King David, the book was likely compiled into the present form in the 6th century BCE for the 2nd Temple (which was completed in 515 BCE). Psalms hold a unique quality of being both corporate and individual. THere is no real distinction between the individual and the worshipping group as a whole. THe hymns of praise, thanksgiving, the cries of distress, pleas for forgiviness all could be prayed and sung by one person, one family, one tribe, one nation. I and we are interchangable because all are children of God. The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of the Old Testament; it is the hymnbook of not only the Isrealite nation, but also of the Christian people.
