Nigerian Anglicans

Here's an unbelievable program. Maybe we need to change our expectations for Africa.

Open Source Articles

Here are a couple of articles about Open Source Software--a topic that is of great interest to me as I post from my Kubuntu Linux distribution, prepare my online classes using Open Office, and email and browse the web with Mozilla Thunderbird and Firefox.

The Cathedral and the Bazaar (focus on philosophy of software development)

Open Source-onomics: Examining some pseudo-economic arguments about Open Source (focus on the economic implications of "free" software)

Bush, Benedict, and Islam

Here's a link to an article that is fascinating. Anytime you find an article that discusses the difference between the Koran and the Bible, the academic interests and history of a new pope, and the unique result of American separation of church and state, you should know you've found, at the least, a rather interesting article.

p.s Here's a follow-up article apparently. At the end you'll see that the Vatican is back-pedaling very fast. I'm sorry to see it.

Some thoughts on government

Dr. Leithart had an interesting exhortation and sermon last week, both were dealing with the issue of empire. He specifically said that empire is not essentially evil-- after all Christ will have a world-wide empire, and he will reign forever. As different people discuss their strongly (could I say religiously?) held beliefs about government and the way "it ought to be" I think the way they discuss is often at least as interesting than what they say. Here are three things I've noticed in various places.

1. The discussion of the fundamental value system is assumed. This means that if you come late to the discussion you either pick up the ethic between the lines or you are left with a big question mark when you learn the very significant fact that Jefferson was a Southern agrarian. Notice how the reader is immediately supposed to understand that the contrast between Lincoln and Jefferson over agrarianism is particularly significant. In a different author with other fundamental values Jefferson is, in a similar way, referred to as a Deist, this showing something clearly (usually that he's a bad guy).

2. For those on the outside of these internal discussions and assumptions the vigor with which the enemy is refuted definitely makes an impression. These matters seem to be a primary importance to those who write about them.

3. Finally, I find the almost universal fascination with government and economics significant. This preoccupation with form of government isn't just evident in the civil realm, but in the church and family as well. Consider the protracted debates between presbyterians, independents, and episcopals, or the extended teachings on the roles of men and women in the home. The sense of the discussion is that if we could just get our form of government and our economy straightened out, utopia would result.

So what am I trying to say? Merely this: that government is important and that we should strive to attain biblical and God-honoring governmental structures wherever we are, but that it seems to me that the people who care the most about these structures are particularly inclined to trust in their governmental solution for salvation. Salvation is not of agrarian society, or of small government, or of a biblical constitution, or of presbyterian accountability, or of male and female role relationships-- salvation is of the Lord. I am firmly convinced that the best discussions about government are those that start with obedience and then look at how that might lead to prosperity and peace-- not those which look at a system to see how it might lead to prosperity and peace and then attempt to show that it's what God wants anyway. I guess I'm a governmental agrarian. I think it works like this--we plant the seed of obedience, but God gives the increase of peace and prosperity.

Philip Schaff Quote

Here's a quote from Philip Schaff's History of the Christian Church (which, incidentally is avialable electronicly as an addon to the Online Bible). The quote is about Fredrick II and his experience in what is commonly known as the 5th Crusade.

Thus we have the singular spectacle of the chief monarch of Christendom conducting a crusade in fulfillment of a vow to two popes while resting under the solemn ban of a third. Yea, the second crusader who entered the Holy City as a conqueror, and the last one to do so, was at the time not only resting under a triple ban, but was excommunicated a fourth time on his return from his expedition to Europe. He was excommunicated for not going, he was excommunicated for going, and he was excommunicated on coming back, though it was not in disgrace but in triumph.

MLK Day Quote

I won't pretend that I saved this quote for MLK day. In fact, I was just planning to post it and didn't get around to it until today. Nevertheless, I do think that some interesting ideas can spring from this being an MLK day quote so here it is:

"He therefore who loves men, ought to love them either because they are righteous, or that they may become righteous. For so also ought he to love himself, either because he is righteous, or that he may become righeous; for in this way he loves his neighbor as himself without any risk. For he who loves himself otherwise, loves himself wrongfully, since he loves himself to this end that he may be unrighteous; therefore to this end that he may be wicked; and hence it follows next that he does not love himself for, 'He who loveth iniquity, hateth his own soul.'"

Katherine Cumbee

I'm a little behind on commonplace posts-- for which I apologize. Here's the winner from a few weeks back, sent by Kathering Cumbee (also known as Catlin Combe).

"Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright
until you hear them speak."

And another...

Here's another excellent commonplace from this week. This one from my brother Michael.

One must face the fact that all the enemies talk about His love for men is not (as one would gladly believe) mere propoganda, but an appalling truth. He really does want to fill the universe with a lot of loathsome little replicas of Himself- - Screwtape

Noah Benton

Until today, I have not seen a single commonplace from Noah. But he came through with a good one.

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein