Irrelevance is our enemy

While I ought to have bee doing my homework, I was browsing random blogs to see who's out there, and came upon a link to OBJECTIVE: Christian Ministries. Frightening site. Really. I really wish it was all a very funny joke, but I see no indication of that. At all. I hate that people make fools of themselves in the name of Christianity. I'm not talking "God made the foolish shame the wise", as Paul points out. That's different. People like these are legalistic and proud and completely out of touch with the culture and how to communicate with it. The organization runs this website, complete with an interactive Baby Jesus head, and, of course, 'Baby Jesus' merchandise. My favorites (PLEASE no one buy these for me. These aren't funny.) are the Baby Jesus Chastisement Cards and the the Anti-fornication Thong. Yeah, this really bothers me. And the irony of it all is, they speak out against all things Consumer, specifically malls:

Malls Of The Damned
...
"But surely malls are just places of commerce, not deliberate attempts to lead people away from Christ," you may be thinking to yourself. Unfortunately the facts point to the malls' knowing complicity with the cause of anti-Christian Secularism. Besides the complete lack of Christian references in their so-called Christmas displays and decorations (just try and find a Cross or depiction of the Baby Jesus amongst all the Santas and snowmen and shiny balls), more subtle subconscious suggestions of Secularism's anti-Christian stance can be found by studying the names of common mall stores:

* J.C. Penny - The J.C. makes us think of Jesus Christ, thus associating our Lord with the lowest monetary value, the penny (even Judas valued Him at 30 pieces of silver!).
* Sears - What the flesh of the damned does in Hell. It also sounds like "seers", Pagan mystics who engaged in occult premonitions.
* Cinnabon - Sounds like "Sin Upon".
* Orange Julius - Named for the Pagan Emperor of Rome. This company's mascot was once a devil, until they changed it to hide their true intentions.
* Hot Topic - A recent store aimed at children that openly sells devil paraphernalia. Any guess as to why "hot" is in their name?
* Hallmark Gold Crown Stores - Purveyors of Santamas tree ornaments depicting anthropomorphized woodland creatures (reference to Evolutionism) and Harry Potter merchandise. What notable person will have a mark and wear crowns? [Rev. 13:16, 13:1]

Clearly there are ulterior motives evident. Even the word "mall" evokes evilness being a homonym for "maul" - the violent rending of flesh - and "mal" - Latin for "bad" and root for words like "malicious" and "malevolent". These Malls of the Damned - open even on Sunday! - are no innocent business centers, but active parties in the conspiracy to promote Secularism.

And we as young Evangelical Christians have a hard time understanding why we can't seem to communicate to the world, why no one will take us seriously. It's because our culture, when it hears 'Christian' thinks of either grand, dusty cathedrals, or groups like this, who are so out of touch with where the culture is at, they are completely ridiculous and even offensive. We must strive to be relevant.
What are we to do?

The Bubble That Exists: the abridged version

So, I cut the number of words in the previous post IN HALF to come out with something that means about the same thing, but less poetic. I don't know when or if it will be in the Echo, considering this is the homecoming issue and this might not be a happy topic for all the alums to read bout... we'll see. Let me know what you think... if you disagree, are offended, think I should consider some other aspect I'm not looking at, agree wholeheartedly, whatever. I'm curious, really.

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A letter in the September 24th Echo pointed to the following criteria that the author saw as reasons the Taylor Bubble is “a myth.” These criteria are good measures as to whether there is a ‘bubble’ or not, but they point to the existence of a bubble here, contrary to his conclusion.

"surround oneself with...different ideas”
I'm not sure what 'different ideas' are being referred to, but, as you would expect, I haven't run in to any staunch atheists or Unitarians or Muslims on campus. We’re at Christian school, so everyone has the same worldview on life, go figure. In my opinion, different ideas on petty issues such as women in the church or infant baptism don’t count as 'diverse ideologies'.

"have easy access to high-speed internet"
This one I agree with, obviously, but having the access is not necessarily the same as utilizing it to find different ideas.

"read papers detailing world events"
When the Indy Star is delivered to the dorms- which has yet to happen this year- half of the papers are never touched, and the ones that are generally have been picked through for the comics and crossword section then replaced. This makes me sad, for, if we claim to care about the world, wouldn't we also care about the happenings in it?

“have ideas waiting at your meal table "
I really respect the group I sit with and wouldn’t trade them for anything, but, even when profound breakfast conversations do crop up, it often ends in everyone agreeing with each other, due to the same worldview. To truly refine what I believe and why, I need to dialog with people who disagree.

"live within 30 seconds a huge library"
I adore books and libraries, but wouldn’t exactly describe our library as 'huge'. As for it enabling us to get out of the bubble and understand the modern world outside... I did a study. I checked to see which of the top 10 authors on the current Publisher's Weekly non-fiction and religious bestseller lists are contained in our library. Omitting one book contained in both lists, I found that 8 of the 9 authors on the religious list are in our library, while we have access to only 2 of the 9 overall non-fiction bestseller authors. Can we really ‘get out of the bubble’ when we don’t have access to what society is reading?

Does the Taylor Bubble exist? Looking at these criteria, you decide. Do you have to be in it while you’re at Taylor? That’s your decision as well.

The Bubble That Exists

The Opinions editor at the Echo has been bugging me to write a letter to the editor since the beginning of the year. I think this is mostly because Matt, the photo editor said to her, "Opinions? Joanna has opinions! You should have her write something!" and got this whole thing rolling. But that's ok. I've been racking my brain for an idea since early in the year, and I've finally got one. This blog entry is basically going to be my brainstorming-that-will-hopefully-turn-in-to-a-letter.
So here's my idea: There was a letter to the editor in today's paper denying the existence of the Taylor Bubble. The author specifically said the bubble is "a myth" and "completely absurd." He argues everyone is in a bubble, and the way to pop the bubble is "to surround oneself with similar people who hold different views and ideas, have easy access to high-speed internet, read papers detailing world events, have ideas waiting at your meal table, maybe live within 30 seconds of a huge library..." and then makes the claim that we at Taylor fit this criteria. It is the last point I take issue with.
"surround one self with...different ideas"
I'm not sure what 'different ideas' Alex is talking about, but, as you would expect, I haven't run in to any staunch atheists or Unitarians or Muslims at the DC or Union. We go to a Christian school, so everyone has the same worldview on life, the universe and everything, go figure. In my book, different ideas on petty issues such as women in the church or infant baptism does not count as 'diverse ideology'.
"have easy access to high-speed internet"
This one I agree with, obviously, but do not think 'having high speed internet' necessarily equals 'people utilizing the internet to break out of the bubble'
"read papers detailing world events"
First, I have yet to see a 'paper detailing world events' to show up in my dorm this year. But that's another issue. When they are delivered here, 75% of the papers are never touched, and the ones that are generally have been picked through for the comics and crossword section then replaced. This makes me sad, for if we claim to care about the world, wouldn't we also care about the happenings in it? I don't see a passion for that, generally, around campus.
"have ideas waiting at your meal table"
I really respect the group I sit with at meals. I wouldn't trade them for the world. With a certain combination of people, we can have profound conversations, but it often ends in everyone agreeing with each other, due to the same worldview. To truly refine what I believe and why, I need to dialog with people who disagree-people who exist, but not within the bubble we tend to exclusively dialog inside.
"live within 30 seconds a huge library"
I love books and I love libraries. They are probably my favorite hiding place- I even worked at one for over 2 years during high school. However, I would by no means describe our library as 'huge'. As for it enabling us to get out of the bubble, it helping us understand the world outside and how they think... I did a small study. I checked to see which of the authors in the Publisher's Weekly top 10 of non-fiction best-seller list are contained in our library, and which of the top 10 authors on the religous best-seller list are contained in our library. I omitted one book contained in both lists, and found that 8 of the 9 authors on the religious list had books in our library, while we have access to only 2 of the 9 overall non-fiction best seller authors. While I am delighted we have the resources we do, I think it is not completely fair to say that the library provides an opportunity for us to 'get out of the bubble' in a way relevant to communicating with the world outside of the bubble.

As has been demonstrated, we are sheltered in a bubble, of sorts. I have talked to people who are glad of that, saying they need the haven from the stresses and confusion of the world. I would challenge students, however, to not be content to passively accept this bubble. If we are to reach the world, we must be relevant to the world. I would suggest our message is relevant and timeless- there's no denying that, but if we can't communicate with the culture, we are lost.
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I need ya'll's input here... this post is almost exactly TWICE as long as a letter to the editor is allowed to be. What here ought to be taken out? What do you think about the "mythical" bubble? What points ought I to mention but didn't? Am I way off on my observations? Let me know.

Update! Pictures!

Links to promised pictures have been added to my previous post 'Eyes Wide Open'

The Anti-Echo

Ha! So, my friend, who is choosing to remain anonymous, has started a parody site poking fun at all things Taylor, dubbed The Reverb. I wasn't so sure of the quality after the first couple posts, but the latest news story hot off the press had me in stitches. I appreciate his efforts, and will definitely be a supporter of this fine effort to let us in the Bubble laugh at ourselves.

The Whole Gospel

Today I heard Matt Carder preach for the second time at Union Chapel. The first time I heard him, I was very impressed, and today, I was again challenged and encouraged.
The topic today was "The Whole Gospel"- having an understanding of being a Jesus-follower that is broader and deeper than "I'm going to heaven when I die." I appreciated that. He highlighted that Jesus message was not "I came to save you from Hell", but, instead, "The Kingdom of Heaven is near." The Kingdom of Heaven is the point- living in it now.
At Grace once-upon-a-time, we had a sermon series on the Kingdom of Heaven. I still remember much of it. The values of the Kingdom of Heaven are things like justice for the poor and orphaned, stewardship of the earth, the least being the greatest, working to an end to racism, and other issues that aren't talked about in church. Matt touched on these, but there were a couple specific points of his that really caught me.

-Is becoming a Christian just stepping over a line, from 'those destined for hell' to 'those who will die & go to Heaven', or is it or stepping over a starting line, beginning the great adventure that God has for you?

-Matt pointed out the parallel in these verses, that really caught me:

They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
Mark 10:37-40

The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Mark 15:26-27

When Jesus was crowned with thorns and labelled 'King', in his glory, the places were taken on his right and his left. God's plans are funny sometimes. But He is good. And knows better than we do, especially when we ask for foolish things. I'm glad of that, for I am a foolish girl.

Republican Condiments

I'm finding all kinds of good stuff tonight... while I should be doing my homework.
Is this for real?
I fear it is. It is not only real, but very, very funny. I ALMOST see the reasoning behind it, but think it is outrageously silly.
Beware: your next hot dog might help elect a Democrat.

Always-Helpful Clippy

What I found while I ought to have been doing homework.

If you don't understand, see here.

Hymn o' the Day

Usually, I'm not all about hymns. Often when they are sung, I feel like they are being recited rotely and without understanding or feeling, just words being said that sound nice and grand, like the organ music they are being sung with.
However, Friday in chapel, the Taylor Ringers played this hymn. No one sang it, and I don't remember the tune, but I did write down the first verse, which was up on the projector screen and has stuck with me:

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart,
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

The last bit, "make me love Thee as I ought to love" really caught me. I wish I could love God and others as I ought to.
I googled these lines and found the rest of the hymn, which I like very much, although I don't know what it sounds like.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies:
But take the dimness of my soul above.

Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind!
I see Thy cross, there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The baptism of the heaven descended Dove;
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.

'Eyes Wide Open'

Through the course of events yesterday, Josh & I ended up in downtown Indy. While on our way walking to and from lunch, we passed this anti-war exhibit.
The exhibit, entitled 'Eyes Wide Open', was powerful and moving, featuring a pair of empty boots for every US soldier that has died in Iraq. The 1006 boots were set up in lines on the stairs leading to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Each boot had a tag with a soldier's name, age, and state. The most moving part, for me, was seeing the ages of these men- kids! Many of them were my age or younger. They could have been classmates or friends. A woman with a microphone was reading off names, as visitors to the exhibit wandered among the rows of boots.
On a sidenote, as we first came to the exhibit, there were two Elvis impersonators milling at the front. That was random. Then a man came up to us and said "It's crazy isn't is? All the different symbolism. We've got this (He motioned to the boots) and this (He motioned to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, towering above us) and then them (He motioned to the Elvis guys) It doesn't seem to fit." And then he kinda shrugged his soldiers and walked away. It was really random. Yet profound. Think about it.

Man Bites Dog, Dog Shoots Man

OK, maybe not exactly. The headline "Man Bites Dog" is the generic example when trying to illustrate the fact that really offbeat or unusual stories sell newspapers.
Apparently CNN has caught on, but just went with a variation on the theme: Dog Shoots Man

Truth all around

Today's sermon at church was fascinating. It was on a topic I wholeheartedly agree with, had read about in certain books, but NEVER preached from the front of a service. And I appreciated it very much.
The gist of the service was this: There is truth outside the walls of the church and the covers of the Bible. The guy who preached- Matt Carder, the young adult pastor at the church- made the case that truth about God, and 'life, the universe, and everything' can be found anywhere. He cited places in the scripture where Paul quoted false prophets or Peter quoted Pagan poets and affirmed what they said as true. Matt then said this implies that they read and took seriously secular sources. I'm not sure I've ever been encouraged to do that from a Christian source.
I touched on this topic in a previous blog, but Matt expanded on it and made the point that we should not immediately discount anything that is not labelled 'Christian' - nor take as truth all things that are. "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." Paul says in 1st Thessalonians. We must do both sides of this- test what is labelled 'Christian' for its truth value, and in the same way, don't discount automatically what is secular, test it similarly.
The last point in the sermon was that, since all truth is from God (Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth..."), we need not fear or deny any truth. Again, I wholeheartedly agree. Sometimes I feel like Christians around me will ignore the bits of truth that hard to take and fit into their narrow worldview. As Matt said, when we see a new truth, our faith gets bigger. We learn of a new aspect about God, his creation, or his people. I think this is why I like school- the whole 'faith & learning' bit that Taylor expounds. It's also why I like talking to people with different ideas than those I hear all the time-they have different truths in their worldview than I have considered, and I am able to see the world in a little bit different way, or at least have something to chew on and incorporate into my worldview, if it holds.
One thing Matt didn't say, but I wish he did, was, although truth can be found all around, that is not the equivelant of everything being truth. Obviously, all ideas are not true- there are ideas that blatantly conflict, and logically, one must be false. It is then that we go back to the character of God and undisputed facts to see which idea holds. That's another thing I'm pretty adamant about- discerning truth from falsity. And so I try, and learn as much as I can, as I have time.
A thought I had while listening to this sermon: how would a presentation of this idea- that there is truth that can be found outside of the covers of a Bible and church walls- be received if it was given, in, say, chapel at Taylor? What would the response be? I can imagine different scenarios. What do you think?

No, I will not fix your computer

There's a very appropriate shirt on ThinkGeek that I've definitely wanted in this last week. I've been emailed, IM'ed, called on both my cell phone and room phone, and asked on my whiteboard outside my room about computer problems. I've not walked through the lounge of my dorm all the way to my room without getting stopped, and most of my computer classes have started out with me being bombarded with questions & complaints from fellow computer science majors about the system I worked on this summer. The constant questions are wearing on me.
And, thanks to my next door neighbor not able to get Weatherbug or MSN Messenger working, I am still up at this hour. Luckily there's no school tomorrow. The goal tomorrow is to finish paper #2 for my practicum, because I have yet to have time between computer questions to sit down and finish writing it out. It shouldn't be too bad, I've got an outline... and the good news is, my practicum advisor emailed me and said "The grades for your practicum was due today, so I turned in an A for you, expecting that your papers will be the same quality of your work as your practicum. You still need to get me the papers as soon as you can." Yay! so the pressure's off somewhat, but, because I am very appreciative of the gesture, I'm going to try to get him the papers tomorrow.
Now I'm thinking, because its obvious I'm not ever saying "No, I will not fix your computer," a more appropriate shirt for me would be this one.