Opus 2025-138: Regressive Progress

At what point does something new actually represent a big step backwards?  My thinking at present is focused on technology and how the younger generations often are not learning to read or to do simple math.  It’s all very nice when the skills and advanced civilization are replaced by automation but I don’t know that it’s healthy for digital screens to replace ink on paper.

I revel in much of modern technology.  I am loving my iPad.  While I’m showing concern, I’m also dictating this to the technology that is typing out what I say.  I love word processors and spread sheets that are done on the computer.  Corrections are easy.  Calculations are instant.  It’s great to be able to correct your mistakes or change your phraseology.  So I like a lot of what is available.  But with every new addition of my word processing software, the features I find very convenient disappear to be replaed by bells and whistles, bells and whistles that I will never use because they are not something that I find useful.

The problem is not refusing to be open to new things.  The problem is not having the discernment to know whether the new thing is an advantage or a ball and chain that keeps you from moving forward.  Many improvements are in the ADD of the programer and sever your options.  Change can be dangerous when it’s done for the wrong reasons.  Look at this verse from Proverbs,

Proverbs 24:21 (KJV) My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

The KJV terminology is fun.  I specially like the word meddle.  Several translations throw in the idea of avoiding people who are rebels.  Some rebels are needed.  Most rebels are pretty much self-centered people trying to get things their own way, rather than what is the best way.  There is a difference.

Let’s go with the electronic devices that replace books and reading.  I don’t know if you’ve experienced it yet, but when things are digital they can be changed by you, but they can also be changed by others, often without your knowledge.  A simple example of that is going back and looking at things that I have dictated into my iPad and finding that my iPad has changed them.  Often I will proofread what I’ve said, and be satisfied with it, but when I go back to edit it later, find that it has been changed after I moved on.  How do you find truth in history, philosophy, economics, or any other field, if the computing device is free to change them when they want to.

I’m not really worried about AI taking over the world.  What I am worried about is programmers who tell the computer to make changes or to delete things that they don’t like.  I am relatively sure that some nefarious operator removed the text of the novel 1984 from my Kindle.  I can’t prove it.  I have no way of knowing it beyond a shadow of a doubt.  My only indication is that I have a file that did not have 1984 in the file name that contain notes from the book, but the book itself had disappeared.  Come to your own conclusion.

It troubles me that many in the younger generation cannot pick up a book and read it.  Often it is just sloth or some kind of reluctance or refusal to put any effort into understanding.  I base that on experiences teaching middle school, where students would tell me the answer was not on the page.  When I would force them to read it out loud to me they would stop halfway through and say, “Oh…”  It wasn’t that they couldn’t read it and understand it.  It was that they refused to.  If it was a problem with processing, which was solved by reading it out loud, they could have done that before I came over and hovered over them.  They chose not to.

Some things such as cursive writing are questionable, I guess.  I learned them, so I figure others should, but I’m open to the fact that phasing it out might work.  But being able to read for yourself and understand what you read will never go out of style except in a mindless dictatorship where tyrants tell you everything you need to know and keep you from doing anything they don’t want you to have.

Some progress isn’t.

homo unius libri

Opus 2024-058: Name that Tune

I don’t think that any of the modern worship songs would be recognized by anyone on the old game show Name That Tune.  I didn’t watch it much but I have a memory of an orchestra beginning to play a song and the contestants were supposed to slap the button to “Name That Tune”.  They had one mode where they would bid on how many notes it would take them to name it.  Modern “praise music” is so monotonous that it would be hard to tell the difference, especially if they had to leave out the accompaniment.  On many of the songs the only thing memorable is the crazy riffs on the lead guitar or the wild drum solo.  Even those get to be dull because they tend to rely on the same cool stuff they used before.

On the other hand anyone who heard and sang Amazing Grace for the first time would remember it the next time. They may not remember the words, but it would be familiar to them as a significant piece of music.  They would eventually internalize it and sing it when they were plowing the south 40.

I am aware that there are some contemporary worship songs that are memorable.  The big problem is that the “worship bands” don’t like to use them.  If the ink is dry or it has been around long enough to appear in printed and bound form then it is not contemporary enough.  It might do them well to spend some time in Proverbs,

(Pro 24:21 KJV)  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

homo unius libri

Opus 2021-244: I Have Questions

The Bible is full of things that are hard to explain.  Among the Great Mysteries of the Bible:  The Incarnation, the Trinity, creation ex nihilo and the entire idea of an infinite God.  There are questions that are hard to answer such as, “Where did Adam’s sons find wives?” and “How much did the baby Jesus know?”  

Then there are the dubious choices of Biblical heroes.  To me one of the great mysteries is Sampson.  Sampson was set aside to be a judge in Israel before he was born.  That is one of the Biblical teachings that should make you question abortion.  His mother had a rigorous diet and he had to follow it himself.  For all of his flaws he seemed to keep his Nazarite vows.  

His character left a lot to be desired.  He seemed to be totally ignorant of sexual morality.  He had problems with telling the truth and was guilty of killing flocks of Philistines.  He was a mess.  I would not want him in charge of anything.  Yet in all this he was one of the judges and God honored him.

We see the same problem with King David.  List his crimes and you come up with adultery and murder.  He was also a poor example of fatherhood.  And yet God said he was a man after God’s own heart.

Go figure.

One advantage God has is being able to read our hearts and minds.  

(Pro 24:12 KJV)  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

He knows the difference between an honest mistake, a moment of weakness and rebellion.  We can fool others.  We can fool ourselves.  We cannot fool God.

Sampson had and inner quality that God honored.  David had a heart that was more committed than his actions of the day.  We can also know that God knows our hearts.  That can be good or bad but we always have the option of repentance and change.

homo unius libri

Opus 2020-236: New and Improved

I sometimes ask myself how long I will continue to blog.  I always assumed you would know I was dead when things stopped appearing for a long time.  I assumed I would keep writing as long as I had something to say.  

I am not sure that Blogger agrees with that.  

If you don’t publish a blog you don’t see what goes on behind the scenes.  Every once in a time the programers and executives at Blogger feel a need to be needed.  As a result they “update” the interface to make it “better and more responsive” or some such lingo.  All it really does it make you waste time trying to figure out what they did with all the features you use.

This time they have outdone themselves.  I have tried using their new format and I always end up going back to the legacy version to finish the job.  They say that I won’t be able to do that after September.  We will see.  As of now I cannot figure out how to add labels or answer comments.  Other features I have been able to find.  They all take more steps that before but I can find them.  If they force me into the new format in October then I will need to make some decisions.

I may need to stop adding labels.  That in itself won’t be a big tragedy.  I am not sure they serve any function except making the writer think he has something going.  I can still post.

I may not be able to respond to comments.  I usually do.  It seems only courteous.  If you find that you leave a bit of wisdom and I never respond it will be because they have decided I don’t need to respond.

Some people need a continual diet of newness.  Personally I think it is like a vitamin deficiency that makes them feel it, but who am I to judge.  My kids are that way.  They always want to go to a new restaurant.  They always have to try what is new on the menu.  I will go to new places and explore the menu but once I find out what I like and what is culinary verbosity, I don’t need to look at the menu again.  I am the same way with technology.

As is true of so much, the book of Proverbs has something to say on this issue.

(Pro 24:21 KJV) My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

I don’t like life to be like a rental car.  You know the controls are there somewhere but don’t know what demented mind made the decision to move them.  

Onward, even if it is not forward.

homo unius libri

Opus 2020-027: New Terms: Progressives*

I sometimes wonder if people are paying attention.  There is a group of people who are out to drag down Western civilization.  They do not want to drag it down all the way.  They only want to drag it down to the point where they are in charge, living in luxury while the common man becomes a serf hovering on the edge of subsistence.  They call this progress.

They keep changing their names because people eventually catch on.  Right now they seem to like the moniker of “progressive”.  It actually isn’t new.  It goes at least back to the early 1900's.  It is linked to names like Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.  Margaret Sanger who is the patron saint of Planned Parenthood considered herself a progressive when she was pushing eugenics.    Being progressive is supposed to give you the sense that they are on the cutting edge of the future and people who oppose them are neanderthals wanting to stay in their caves. 

By progressive they mean constant change.  They know you will assume it is for the better.  It is better for them but every time they get an item on their wish list it makes it harder for the rest of us to balance our budgets, express our opinions, or exercise the “blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity”.  It is like the word “reform”.  It is sold as needed improvements.  In many cases it is change for the worse.  God warns us about this.

(Pro 24:21 KJV) My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

So beware when you hear the label of Progressive.  I have been explaining the term but I am getting tired of trying to remember all of the past synonyms.  I am going to begin to add and asterisk (*) and have a footnote at the bottom of the post.  Currently it is,

*(Liberals, educators, socialists, communists, elites, Rinos, Democrats, leftists, Never Trumpers, etc)

It may change as other labels occur to me but it will help me with my lazy streak.

To use a couple of paraphrases,

    Beware of Progressives bearing promises.

    A Progressive by any other name, be it O so sweet, is still a Progressive.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-313: Never Forget

I was listening to an old podcast from The Art of Manliness and the conversation came around to the topic of heroism.  The host mentioned the policemen and firemen who had gone into the Twin Towers to rescue people on 9/11.  In one sense they were just doing their jobs but in a more real sense they were deliberately risking their lives, and losing them, in order to try to rescue others.  I had to admit that is a good definition of a hero.  The heroes were not the people trapped in the building.  They were victims who had no choice.  The heroes were the ones who chose to go in harms way for the benefit of others.

Compare that view of manliness with the terrorists and the social justice warriors.  One risks his life to try to save others, with no guarantee of success.  The other risks others in order to make themselves feel important.  One is showing courage; the other, cowardice.  One quietly goes home if he survives, the other dances in the streets celebrating the carnage. 

Compare the cultures that elevate each behavior.  Western culture mourns with those who suffer.  From what we see the masses of Islam rejoice in the agony of their enemies.  I do not know the Koran well enough to pull up a verse explaining their joy but I do know why the West, which has been influenced by the Bible takes the high road.

Our Jewish heritage lays the groundwork.

(Proverbs 24:17-18 KJV)  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:  Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

And in the next chapter,

(Proverbs 25:21 KJV)  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

For those who don’t look that far back, accept the words of Jesus,

(Matthew 5:44 KJV)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Different cultures.  Different religions.  Different ways of responding to the suffering of others.

Remember 911, but remember from the Christian perspective.  Yes, some people must be killed to protect our civilization, but it is to be done to save the innocent not for revenge.

Never forget.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-066: Just War in Proverbs

One of the areas that Christians disagree is the place of war and how Christians should respond.  There is something in theology called the Just War.  It has a series of requirements and if they are met a Christian is free to be a soldier.  When I Googled it there were no Christian sources on the first page so you might as well go with Wikipedia if you want to read up on the theory.  Along these lines I came across these verses in Proverbs that might contribute to the discussion.

First is a general allowance for war.

(Proverbs 24:6 KJV)  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

It seems obvious to me that if you need wise counsel in order to make war and there is no statement condemning war in general, it is not always forbidden.

One of the principles in just war deals with limiting your response and not giving in to the urge to rape, pillage and burn.

(Proverbs 24:17-18 KJV)  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:  Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

This is just a short moment.  Maybe when I retire I will get back to more detail.  The point is that there is no requirement for being a pacifist.  There is a requirement to limit the carnage and keep you attitude in check.

homo unius libri

Opus 2015-198: Pardon Me, Do You Have Change?

It may be time to change my morning routine. 

Change for change’s sake is not wise.

(Proverbs 24:21 KJV)  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

But that is not the same as being aware that change can be necessary.

We tend to get in ruts and start taking things for granted.  This can happen in a marriage relationship, in how you run a business, in how you eat, in how you teach a class or any other area of life.  When you get in the rut you stop engaging and go on automatic.  This is not necessarily tragic but you begin to miss the benefits of active participation.  Have you ever suddenly become aware that you are smelling roses.  In your case it might be the coffee, but you get the idea.  You realize what it means to wake up.  The fragrance was there, you just weren’t listening.  And yes, I know a mixed metaphor when I smell one.

This is happening in my morning worship.  I am beginning to tune out the sermons of Alistair Begg more often.  I am not focusing on the words of Proverbs as I read.  I tend to get thinking of other things. 

It is time for a change.  I don’t know what form it will take.

homo unius libri

Opus 2015-26: The Latest Should Be Reserved for the News

One of the common put-downs that we hear is produced by someone with a new idea who wants to belittle someone else who doesn’t want to change.  They will say, “Get with it.  This is the 21st century.” 

We hear it all the time.  A few years ago it was, “But this is the 20th century.”  It is like the 21st century is something really different, as if everything is really new.  I have news for you.  A good steak to Caesar Augustus would be recognized as a good steak today.  Plato boiled eggs the same way and at the same temperature as you do today.  Some recipes have been handed down hundreds of years and are still excellent. 

Much has endured through the ages.  You still inhale and exhale.  Blood still follows its course in your veins, and if you can believe it, in the same direction.  Don’t get caught up on it being the 21st century.  Solomon had a comment.

(Proverbs 24:21 NAS77)  My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change;

The concern is not change itself but change for the purpose of change. 

How does this work out in practice?  Let’s take a simple example that we all deal with, clothing styles.  Styles change.  It is a fact of life.  No one wants to be out of style.  The person addicted to change is always out with a compulsive desire to have the latest.  These are the people who keep all those clothing and shoe stores open in the mall.  The person who is balanced will replace items that wear out and not refuse to go with the new style.  You can get used to almost anything.  The difference is the reason and the compulsion. 

So no, I don’t need the latest health food plan.  I don’t care about the latest dance craze or music style.  I don’t need a new text book written to teach algebra.  I don’t need a new curriculum at school.  I don’t need a new government plan to end poverty.  I don’t need a new I-Phone.  The latest version of Windows probably won’t work.

Some things endure if allowed to.  The Bible is eternal.  The Constitution is a step down from that but still a solid document.  The definition of marriage has worked for thousands of years.  Salt, milk, eggs, and meat have kept generations alive. 

Get a grip.  Keep a balance.  The 22nd century is just around the corner.

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-218: The Proof Is in the Pudding

I recently asked myself a question, “How would the results be different with different victors in the Middle East?”

I was reflecting on a column by Thomas Sowell from The Washington Times Weekend Edition, August 4, 2014, page 27.  It is also available at the Washington Times site.

What kind of Middle East would we see if the Palestinians, backed by the Muslim world, won?  In a word:  Genocide.  They would make Hitler look like a bumbling fool.  That sums up the desire of the Arab Muslim world at least.  If we had another Six Day War and the enemies of Israel were able to defeat the IDF, only the intervention of the United States would keep every man, woman and child in Israel from being massacred.  With out current leadership we would hear about sanctions and getting serious as the blood turned the Dead Sea into the Dead Red Sea.

Is Israel wins you would see healthier, happier Palestinians.  At least they would be healthier since nothing seems to make them happy but killing Jews.  Israel functions under the American philosophy of restraining collateral damage.  This is a philosophy that is grounded in the Old Testament

(Proverbs 24:17 KJV)  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

(Proverbs 25:21 KJV)  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

It is built into the religion is Israel.  Yes, there were times in the Bible where Israel was told to kill entire populations but it was always specific and focused, not universal.

The New Testament takes it further.  In addition to quoting the above,

(Romans 12:20 KJV)  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Jesus went even further.

(Matthew 5:43-44 KJV)  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

So even if war is forced on a nation it must always be what is called in Christian theology a “limited war.”

Be careful with the modern nonsense of equivalence.  All cultures are not equal.  All ways to God do not arrive at the same goal.  It really does make a difference what you believe and what your God teaches.

homo unius libri

Opus 2012-75, On the Street: Sinful Driving

Often the drive to work is a spiritual experience.  On occasion the sun is coming up in such a way that 

(Psalms 19:1 KJV)  The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

I love those mornings. 

Other mornings, like today, I develop a special understanding of Original Sin.  Freeway driving gives you a lot of opportunity to observe, interact and reflect.  It is a constant flow of decisions, yours and others.  It is a daily miracle that anyone gets to work unscathed. 

I see depravity in the other drivers.  I am surrounded by a flood of self-centered neanderthals on wheels.  I watch them maneuver in ways that are unsafe, irrational, illegal and defiantly sinful.  I see them tailgating, cutting people off, speeding and anything else that will get them ahead.  The entire world comes down to them getting one car length ahead and the rest of the universe can become a pile of rubble in the process.  It doesn’t matter as long as they are granted their instant gratification. 

I recognize sin in myself.  I find myself hoping that they will meet a railing that does not get out of there way.  I find myself wishing I had a heavier car and no sense of responsibility because I would definitely like to ram at times.  I find myself wanting to join the rush to me-first-ism. 

I experience the work of the Spirit of God.  He is not willing to let me go with this.  I am reminded of some words quite often when I want to see them get a ticket.

(1 Corinthians 13:5-6 KJV)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Or the OT version,

(Proverbs 24:17 KJV)  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

So even in rush hour traffic I am reminded of what it is to be a servant of God.  I need the lessons, I will admit but I think I would prefer to retire, get out of the rush and get my lessons another way.

homo unius libri