Tuesday, February 27, 2007

ON BEING SAM WALTON

I was Sam Walton today. We had a round on debates in by debate class in which we had to be a person in history. I was Sam Walton - the founder of Wal*Mart.

Now, I figured that I could offer a fairly descent defense of Mr. Walton, being as I'm not a fan of Wal*Mart in the first place and I could anticipate many objections and allegations against my alter ego.

But alas, I come to find out from my debate audience that many people don't like Wal*Mart. In fact many in the university see Mr. Walton as the beginning of the oppression of corporate America. I just find it ironic that everyone still shops there. Now I don't like Wal*Mart either, but not necessarily for these reasons. But I also rarely shop there. Target is much closer to my house, the people are much nicer there, and the store smells better.

But if you have 'moral' objections to Wal*Mart, then you really shouldn't be doing business with them - at least that's how I see it. Just a rant on a Tuesday evening.

Monday, February 26, 2007

BUT SERIOUSLY FOLKS...

Associated Press
JERUSALEM — Filmmakers and researchers on Monday unveiled two ancient stone boxes they said may have once contained the remains of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, but several scholars derided the claims made in a new documentary as unfounded and contradictory to basic Christian beliefs.

"The Lost Tomb of Jesus," produced by Oscar-winning director James Cameron and scheduled to air March 4 on the Discovery Channel, argues that 10 small caskets discovered in 1980 in a Jerusalem suburb may have held the bones of Jesus and his family.

One of the caskets even bears the title, "Judah, son of Jesus," hinting that Jesus may have had a son, according to the film.

"There's a definite sense that you have to pinch yourself," Cameron said Monday at a news conference. In an earlier television interview, he said that statisticians found "in the range of a couple of million to one" in favor of the documentary's conclusions about the caskets, or ossuaries.

Simcha Jacobovici, the Toronto filmmaker who directed the film, said that a name on one of the ossuaries — "Mariamene" — offers evidence that the tomb is that of Jesus and his family. In early Christian texts, "Mariamene" is the name of Mary Magdalene, he said.

The very fact that Jesus had an ossuary would contradict the Christian belief that he was resurrected and ascended to heaven.

Most Christians believe Jesus' body spent three days at the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City. The burial site identified in Cameron's documentary is in a southern Jerusalem neighborhood nowhere near the church.

In 1996, when the British Broadcasting Corp. aired a short documentary on the same subject, archaeologists challenged the claims. Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to examine the site, said the idea fails to hold up by archaeological standards but makes for profitable television.

"They just want to get money for it," Kloner said.

Shimon Gibson, one of three archaeologists who first discovered the tomb in 1980, said Monday of the film's claims: "I'm skeptical, but that's the way I am. I'm willing to accept the possibility."

The film's claims, however, have raised the ire of Christian leaders in the Holy Land.

Stephen Pfann, a biblical scholar at the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem who was interviewed in the documentary, said the film's hypothesis holds little weight.

"I don't think that Christians are going to buy into this," Pfann said. "But skeptics, in general, would like to see something that pokes holes into the story that so many people hold dear."

"How possible is it?" Pfann said. "On a scale of one through 10 — 10 being completely possible — it's probably a one, maybe a one and a half."

Pfann is even unsure that the name "Jesus" on the caskets was read correctly. He thinks it's more likely the name "Hanun." Ancient Semitic script is notoriously difficult to decipher.

Kloner also said the filmmakers' assertions are false. "The names on the caskets are the most common names found among Jews at the time," he said.

William Dever, an expert on near eastern archaeology and anthropology, who has worked with Israeli archeologists for five decades, said specialists have known about the ossuaries for years.

"The fact that it's been ignored tells you something," said Dever, professor emeritus at the University of Arizona. "It would be amusing if it didn't mislead so many people."

Osnat Goaz, a spokeswoman for the Israeli government agency responsible for archaeology, said the Antiquities Authority agreed to send two ossuaries to New York, but they did not contain human remains. "We agreed to send the ossuaries, but it doesn't mean that we agree with" the filmmakers, she said.

Friday, February 23, 2007

MUCH NEEDED REST

I finished the presentation and paper this morning at about 4am.

Went to class and did all that jazz.

Now, I'm resting this weekend. Going to Dallas with Allen tomorrow - gonna raid the Half-Price Bookstores in an effort to expand our respective libraries. It'll be great to get away from papers and projects.

Sweet.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

STILL MORE WORK

I've got to read a book, write a paper on said book, and prepare a presentation before tomorrow.

Blog something significant later.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

THE STUDENT'S PRAYER

"Lord, please help me to remember what I do not know."

Many tests, projects, and papers this week. Sorry for the slow blogging.

-JC

Monday, February 19, 2007

THE THEOLOGY OF MUSIC

I don't like Christian radio much. Yes, I write and sing "Christian" music and yes, I do get airplay on the radio. And at the risk of sounding like I'm biting the hand that feeds me, I feel this needs to be said. Besides, my music does not pander to radio playlists and therefore, I won't censor my words.

I feel that the theology of much of the music on "Christian" radio has deep problems. (Now I used the term "Christian" radio with its common usage, although I've got issues with the label "Christian" as an adjective). As I drove to the gym tonight, a song came on a popular radio station about Hell. The song was happy and joyful, and a playful reminder of the conditions of Hell. The implied message, from what I understand, is to get people to become Christians by joking about Hell.

Now, I don't believe that Hell is the central message of the gospel, discipleship is. And discipleship is chosen as a vocation, not forced upon anyone through fear or other means. But that isn't really my problem here, that's a debate for another post. My issue is the joking about it, the playful nature of the issue of salvation. The song was a popular one, by a very popular band who've done world tours many times over.

My question is: Why? Why is this the message that Christians are broadcasting over their airwaves. I try to be honest in my music, and I appreciate honesty in the music and artists that I listen to. And I believe it is honesty that the larger world needs and desires, not happy music about serious issues and doctrines.

Maybe I'm just griping. Maybe I'm just complaining. But since I'm not on the sidelines, but instead in the game, playing, I feel that my concerns are valid. The theology and approach behind the music played on Christian radio is not always beneficial to the Kingdom and I think that we should be more aware about what message we are putting out there, and more imporantly why we are putting that message out there.

Friday, February 16, 2007

BATTLE OF THE SEXES: AGE 8

"Isn't that right, Jonathan?" he asked me.

"Is what right?" I inquired.

"That girls to go Jupiter to get more stupider!" he began to chant.

"Girls aren't stupid." I said. "I know plenty of girls who are a whole lot smarter than me."

"Really?!! Who?!!! Name one!!!!" he demanded.

I proceeded to explain about the many women I love and care for, who are all in fact smarter than me. If men are actually supposed to be smarter than women, as many boys are conditioned to think, then why haven't us guys been able to figure yall ladies out. All those times we're in trouble and don't know why.... exactly: men are not smarter than women.

I also explained that, "more stupider," is not grammatically correct, and if one wishes to label someone else as being, "more stupid," then he should at least show intelligence in doing so.

Tonight was Kids Night Out again. And yes, ladies, I stood up for you.

THE SILVER FOX

Thursday, February 15, 2007

NEW CAR

I've finally got a new-to-me car. It's a dodge neon, quite a bit more "conservative" than the Jeep, but I like it! Filled up on $17 too! Woot! Woot!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

HAPPY SINGLES AWARENESS DAY!

I'm not pouting - really I'm not. Really. I'm not. Seriously.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

DOES GOD TAKE SIDES?

Does God pick a side and back it when humans are in conflict with one another? Some say yes. Some say it's hard to answer no. Take World War II for example. Many people believe that God was on the side of the Allies. Many believe that the Allied defeat of Adolf Hitler and the Axis powers were at least influenced by God ensuring good in the world. Many would also say that further evidence of God's hand in the Allied victory in World War II was shown when the end result was the creation of a nation-state of Israel.

Convincing arguments, perhaps, of God intervening in a conflict, picking one side over the other, and influencing the outcome. But then there's the other side - people who question the level of providence with which God acts. There are two sides to every conflict - each believing that the other is wrong and they are right - believing this so passionately that there would be no conflict otherwise. I can make a moral judgment based on my cultural values or religious values, but those are my judgments to which one can negate my his or her respective values.

So, back to the question: Does God take sides? In the case of World War II, it's easy to say yes because we (the United States) won. And we believe freedom is a good thing. But as with the case of Islamic fundamentalism, everyone believes God is on their side. So, does the side supported by God win? Is that how we know?

Or does God simply look at us, and be with us, and be saddened by the fact that people wage war on one another? Or does what he can to minimize the damage?

Does he adamantly intervene for a cause that he supports? Or does God just shake his head and keep asking himself why can't we just get along?

Thursday, February 08, 2007

FUNNIEST POSTS: PART 2

Originally Published on May 12, 2006. Like the last post, another great find while blog surfing.

Funny Part III: Add a Caption


Add a caption to this photo under comments.

Read responses HERE.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

FUNNIEST POSTS: PART 1

This was one of the funniest posts of the Cruz-Control over the past year, in my opinion. It was published 285 days ago on April 28, 2006. It actually isn't a post per se, but a link. Anyways I still think its hilarious! Enjoy!!

WOW!

That's all I can say. Or I can say that SOMETIMES CHRISTIANS JUST SCARE ME!

This is an absolute hoot! This is an actual voicemail to a pastor from a man who visited a church. To listen CLICK HERE. Enjoy!

P.S. My Bible doesn't have a 1st Acts - I must have a defective Bible!

Monday, February 05, 2007

RANDOM FACT OF THE WEEK

So I'm researching the history and origins of baptism. It was done long before John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. So my question is what did baptism mean, and how frequent was it in Jesus' Jewish context. I'll let you known what I find.

But I came across this interesting fact in my research. In the New Testament Early Church baptism was done naked. New converts to Christianity disrobed themselves for baptism. Getting naked was symbolic of getting rid of the old life completely.

This practice of naked baptisms has been dropped since NT times. And Baptists usually insist on being as close and real to the NT baptism as possible; this is why Baptists practice immersion. Think they'll bring this one back??

Saturday, February 03, 2007

THE SMOKING GUN

I may have gotten a little further along in the car search - pray for that, it's really stressing me.

So, I went to get some of the best Bar-B-Q in Waco at Michna's. They have this bar-b-q pit (pictured here) that is shaped like a gun. When they cater, they will hall this over to your party or whatever and cook inside of it. The smoke comes out of the front of the gun. Cool, huh?

And the Bar-B-Q is excellent. They're on Franklin Ave. here in Waco, stop by and grab some great Bar-B-Q. They're cheap too.

Friday, February 02, 2007

CLASSES AGAIN

I'm finally back into the full swing of things with classes and all. I've been off and on with school over the past week and a half, but now everything's back to normal. It's funny because tests are going on, etc. So, I'm rescheduling many of them for later so that I can caught up on lecture material and stuff.

Still looking for a car. I test drove a Dodge Neon last night. It was kept pretty clean and stuff, but when I turned it on it started rumbling and groaning. I thought the engine would shake itself out from under the hood. I asked the dealer what was up with it. He said he didn't know.

So, I guess I'll keep looking.