How Did It Start?

Jason and I were talking last night about Settlers, and we were wondering: How did the Settlers craze begin? We couldn't remember who to credit. Does anybody remember the beginning of the Settlers saga?

The Unpretty Cross

Why does it feel like I never have time to actually write on here? I know, I know -- I could always "write later", but if I do that, I'm completely forget. So, that said, I think I really like this:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/04/oh-the-french-cathedral-displays-sculpture-of-jesus-christ-in-the-electric-chair.html

Wheaton, YouTube, and Neil Postman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL52fveMhb8&feature=channel_page

This seemed like a fitting subject for the Brown House blog. I like what he has to say, and I'm glad to see someone invoking Postman for a bunch of college students. But... (you had to know it was coming) ...I'm still unconvinced that the emphasis on "word" over "image" is the right angle to take when criticizing the visual and technological media. The theological emphasis on the "Word" has its roots in the Reformation, which, not unsurprisingly, developed its theological emphasis on Word alongside the printing press.

I'm wary of giving the written word theological precedence over symbol, image, audio, etc. because such an approach smacks of cultural fundamentalism. I don't deny the theological importance of the spoken word: In the Bible (lots of written words, of course), God is always speaking, and he's always asking his people to speak -- the prophets in the OT and the Apostles in the NT. Sometimes God tells them to write it down (for example, Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch). But other times he tells them to do stuff that can't be written down (like Isaiah running around naked). Or take the act of public proclamation. Isn't the act itself at least as important as the content of the message itself -- and I'm pretty confident Postman would agree with that statement. After all, "the medium is the message."

But while I, along with Postman, lament the loss of written public discourse, I'm not sure that we shouldn't also celebrate the gain of a symbolic, image-driven, public discourse (while at the same time noting its dangers). Just because actions (or pictures) speak louder than words doesn't mean we should try to avoid using them.

There are a host of issues here, and I've conflated some important distinctions -- for one, there is some distinction (practically if not ideally) between how we minister to a changing culture, on the one hand, and how we try to affect that culture, on the other hand. Culturally, I think we have a lot to lose if we stop valuing verbiage; theologically, I think we have a lot to gain by re-learning how to value other forms of communication, particularly as they reveal something about God (icons, anyone?). What do you all think? What do we do as congregations become less fluent in written discourse, and more fluent in symbol and image? How do I squeeze the 4 spiritual laws into a 160-character tweet? Or, even better, let's draw them on a napkin and record it for YouTube....

(And I'll be disappointed if we don't hear from a certain Reformed grad of Westminster Theological Seminary. You know who you are.)

Challenge

This is a copy from my blog:

This evening I made a chart of what it would look like to follow Benedict's Rule in reading the Psalter in a week.  The Desert Fathers, way back in the dizay out in Egypt, would read the Psalter, yes, all 150 Psalms, every day.  Benedict hoped that monks would be able to, in their weakness, do that work in a week.

This is the challenge: starting a week from tomorrow, or Sunday, April 26th, follow Benedict's schedule with me and read the Psalter in a week.  The way Benedict lays it out there are readings for Lauds (Sunrise), Prime (7am), Terace (9am), Sext (Noon), None (3pm), Vespers (Sunset), Compline (bedtime) and Vigils (Midnight or 2am).  When I do it I will combine Lauds and Prime when I get up and Compline and Vigils before I go to bed.  

So, let me know if you're with me and we'll see how it goes.

Peace,

Devin's First Post on BH

I finally accepted the invitation by Robin to post on this site.  Well, actually, I tried and it had expired, so I had to confess of my backsliding and ask for another invitation.  

I've been back into blogging, reading and tweeting this last week.  I think it is here to stay this time.  I probably won't post everything here that I post on my blog, but probably just BH relevant kind of stuff.

Peace,

From Four Laws to Four Circles...

This was featured in an Christianity Today article last year. What do you think of it? How can we follow this example and address the current longings in our culture, much like the "Four Spiritual Laws" addressed the longings of people 25 years ago? What is our culture longing for that the Gospel can address, and how can the Gospel address it?

Also, I hope you're all doing well. It's been a while since I've talked with most of you, but I do miss all of you tremendously - even Mike.

Jason

Too bad I wrote this a week ago, Arizona Republic.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/allstar/articles/2009/02/15/20090215spt-p2main.html

Celebrities in Our Midst...

Ok, so, I've been really awful at posting on here (though I always read everything), but I figured I'd better be sure to share this.

I have recently become a semi-regular user of Twitter, and I am a Wheaton College "follower". Below is one of their tweets that I read yesterday:

Regional director Dave Lawrenz is Thunder's #1 fan: http://tinyurl.com/ajpyk9

So, I read that and thought, "Hmm..." Needless to say, we have celebrities (yes, the daughter-in-law counts, too) in our midst. And if any of you decide to get on twitter, do let me know.

Now, on to count down the minutes til the weekend....

The Value of the Institution

Interesting op-ed. Can't help but think about how these insights relate to the church (particularly those who over-criticize the institution). I also think of the Brown House, that institution par excellence.