Fun with Allegories

I coined a phrase yesterday that was probably coined by someone else before me:

“The best time to go fishing is when you’re not hungry.” —Russell Hawkins

Well, I’m not “hungry” just yet so I think it’s a good time to cast a few rods in the ocean to see what’s biting, and I need your help with the hottest lures and the best places to fish.

Any recommendations?

Filed under: Employment, Evolution, Future, Growth, Job Hunting, Resume, Resumes, Work

Archaic Theology III

While I was out on vacation I received the following email…

I hope you don’t mind an email from a complete stranger, but I am not what you would call a “blogger”. You made a comment on AC180.com that you do not believe that the earth is 6,000 years old. This was a blessing to me, let me explain briefly. I too am a Christian, but I am also a scientist. Therefore it is very difficult for me to accept the young earth theory simply based on what I know as scientific fact. I still believe the Bible as the divine word but feel that God does not want us to worry about things such as the age of the earth. This has become quite a conundrum for my wife and I as most of our Christian friends feel we are wrong. We have even left a church over things that were said to my wife questioning our faith. I have recently began worrying that perhaps I was in fact wrong for believing the way I do, so it was nice to read I am not alone in my way of thinking. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for stating what you truly believe and would enjoy hearing your reasoning for believing in an “older earth”.

It makes me feel good to get stuff like this, and reminds me how important our words and actions are. It also reminds me how much better life is when I don’t act like I know everything.

Because I don’t.

If you’ve followed this blog from the beginning you’d see a slow change in a lot of my perspectives. That came simply by being willing to listen to other views without judging them up front. That has truly changed my life. I challenge you to do the same. It could change yours as well.

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” —Aristotle

“People who blithely go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic.” —Tim Keller, The Reason for God

» Archaic Theology I
» Archaic Theology II

Filed under: Aristotle, Christianity, Evolution, Listening, Quotes, Religion, Science, Tim Keller

Movie Reviews

Speaking of culture, It’s been a couple weeks since my last set of movie reviews, and I’ve really had a nice run of decent movies this time. But these reviews shall be brief.

The Negotiator — 4/5 Really Liked It
Amazingly this is only the second Nicole Kidman movie I’ve ever seen, but for having popped this on at 11:30pm one night, I really enjoyed it.

Lions For Lambs — 4/5 Really Liked It
I’m not a Tom Cruise hater, so I went into this one with eyes wide open (lame I know). Anyway, I’m not sure about the bad press. I thought this was a great flick.

The Assassination of Jesse James — 3/5 Liked It
Holy cow did this one make me want to sleep. The acting and filmography was superb. The story was even great, but at 3 hours it was dreadfully slow.

This Is Spinal Tap — 4/5 Really Liked It
I know, can you believe I’ve never seen this before? I was rolling with laughter all the way through. I really want to watch this movie again soon.

American Beauty — 3/5 Liked It
Loved Kevin Spacey and the stories that wove this movie together to make it the film of the year in 1999, but I really could have done without a lot of the scenes contained within.

There Will Be Blood — 5/5 Loved It
Wow. Totally blind-sided by this movies greatness. I know it was nominated and all that, but I didn’t know anything about it going in, and simply loved it going out. Watch this movie.

Proof — 3/5 Liked It
The cover intrigued me so I picked it up. Short story, this was probably a better book.

Expelled — 4/5 Really Liked It
I like Ben Stein and I believe in a Creator, so going in I had a bias. But as a documentary I enjoyed the show. I thought it was clever enough. There were plenty of holes and loose assumptions, but you’re going to get that in documentaries. I thought the overall message was good however—science should be open to honest discussions that includes talk of an intelligent designer. I know the arguments about ID simply being a guise for religion in school, and for me that’s an argument for another day (or for this post). Not for the sake of trying to prove an existing assumption (that there is a God), but because we need to exhaust all options available to us. I truly believe that most in the science field won’t honestly approach this line of thinking simply because they feel it is a religion issue, instead of a truly scientific approach to the beginning of existence. (For the record, I think the religious community should embrace science more than it does. It is simply fascinating, and for me it only furthers my belief in God.)

Filed under: Ben Stein, Culture, Evolution, Intelligent Design, Kevin Spacey, Movies, Nicole Kidman, Religion, Reviews, Science, Tom Cruise

Archaic Theology II

Since we’re on the subject…

Ben Stein’s new documentary, Expelled, covers the taboos of intelligent design in a Darwinism rich society. It is scheduled for release on February 12, 2008.

Do you plan on watching it?

Anyone? … Anyone?

(ht: inWorship + Neal)

Filed under: Ben Stein, Creationism, Darwinism, Evolution, Faith, Intelligent Design, Science

Archaic Theology

I was reading this article on WIRED yesterday about evolution and Mike Huckabee. It takes exception to Mikes answer of an evolution question during a recent debate. Despite the fact that most scientists claim that the earth is 4.5 billion years old, Mike said he doesn’t know.

The church seems to have a hang-up with the idea of an earth that’s been around for millions of years, but can’t that be true and still fall within the concept of a creator?

Do you believe that the earth is 4.5 billion years old?

How does your answer mesh with your faith or beliefs? …with science? …with your ability to make decisions? Do they make a point about Mike denying scientific evidence?

Filed under: Creationism, Evolution, Faith, Mike Huckabee, Politics, Science, Theology, WIRED