Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Jokes, I think?

You know you're really out of step with a certain culture when you don't even get their jokes. You can read some Jewish jokes here.




Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Lewis on Rome

Lewis, when asked why he was not a Roman Catholic, said:

"By the time I had really explained my objection to certain doctrines which differentiate you from us, you would like me less."


Monday, December 20, 2004

Last of the Mohicans

If you pass through life and don't read The Last of the Mohicans by Cooper, you should be killed until you're dead. Truly a masterpiece full of polemic rhetoric and logic in conjunction with Christian themes. Some really cool Indian factoids too.

"He has the religion of the matter, in believing what is to happen will happen; and with such a consolation, it won't be long afore he submits to the rationality of killing a four-footed beast, to save the lives of human men."
and
"She smiled, as if in pity at her own momentary forgetfulness, discovering by the act a row of teeth that would have shamed the purest ivory; when, replacing the veil ,she bowed her face, and rode in silence, like one whose thoughts wer abstracted from the scene around her."

Oh, definitely read the book first. Or skip the movie all together. The movie is wonderful so guess where that puts the book on my scorecard.

Sunday, December 19, 2004

The Permanent Vow, Amish Baptism

The deacon provides a small pail of water and a cup. The bishop tells the candidates to go on their knees. The candidates are then asked three questions:

(1)Are you willing, by the help and grace of God, to renounce the world, the devil, your won flesh and blood, and be obedient only to God an his church? (Yes)
(2)Are you willing to walk with Christ and his church and to remain faithful through life and until death? (Yes)
(3)Can you confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? (Each candidate repeats, "I confess the Jesus Christ is the Son of God")

The congregations stands for prayer while the applicants remain kneeling. Then the bishop lays his hands on the head of the first applicant. The deacon pours water into the bishop’s cupped hands. It drips over the candidate’s head. The ritual of baptism places the new members into full fellowship, with the rights and responsibilities of adult church membership." Pg 100 The Riddle of the Amish Culture, Kraybill