A little behind.

So it's been a couple weeks. But I have been busy, I swear.

Instead of going back and doing the weeks I've missed in our 30 week experiment, I have just finished my colloquium on Darwin and culture and I thought I'd let you know some of my thoughts. For my faithful readers, I think I'll attempt to get back on the 30 week train over Thanksgiving break, never fear.

But I have come to realize this weekend that perhaps Darwin has been unfairly vilified, at least in this part of the country. After all, as a person, and especially as a scientist, he really was a remarkable man. Further, I've heard some say that Darwin didn't really purport macro evolution, only micro. But that's not really accurate either.

What frustrates me is the line drawn in the sand that some would say separates creationists and evolutionists. When in actuality, creation speaks to the "who" of the origin of matter and evolution speaks to the "how." To say that you are uncomfortable with the idea that apes and man have a common ancestor, then I might just say, "Shame on you for letting your comfort dictate scientific discoveries." Because, of course, evolution is not a fact. It is a theory. But, before you say that as a reason it should not be taught-- it is a very very good theory. And Darwin did a lot of very good science before he came to the conclusions that he did. After all, gravity is also just a theory but we don't have anyone rioting about that... except for maybe the flat earth people. (Oh yeah, those people are real.)

All of that to say, perhaps because of Darwin the world-- the west in particular-- is less religious. But I do not think that the Darwinian idea of evolution is an immediate threat to faith. Darwin did not negate God, but the idea of God which was at that time popular in the Church of England. Because, unfortunately, with Paley's watchmaker God argument, we began to decide that if there was something we couldn't understand then it must have been created by the hand of God. However, just because I don't understand something is not proof for God's existence. More importantly, just because I do understand something does not mean that it is not directly caused by God. After all, I understand that when I breathe in my diaphragm moves down so that my lungs will be filled with air that is then used by the alveoli to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide in my blood. But that does not mean that I do not draw every breath by the grace and hand of God. In the same way that the fact I get paid for working a job does not mean that God has not provided every penny which I call "mine."

Some might say (and I might be one of these) that Darwin did the church a favor by introducing into 19th century England a viable explanation for existence that did not necessarily depend on God. Before you stone me, I only mean to posit that if you have never chosen between God and anything else you have never chosen him at all. Faith that is held only because there is no other option is not real faith. Further, Darwin allowed us to see that perhaps our perceptions of God are not the same thing as God himself. Just because the God of the gaps was torn down does not mean that God does not exist-- instead, our understanding of him has been refined.

All this to say, is that Creation is something of a sign for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. I learn about evolution and how things came to be the way they are and think, "Wow, isn't God so marvelous." At the same time, Richard Dawkins may take the same facts and say, "See, we have no need of Him." Is that Darwin's fault. Oh, I don't think so. And if we teach our children good science about evolution are we trying to turn them all into Atheists? Probably not. And further, is the secular classroom the proper arena to talk about the Creator? I don't really think so. After all, if we have ears to hear, then creation itself will point to God-- regardless of how he did it.

Ha. Things you can come to think at a Baptist school in Oklahoma.

Oh God of truth, save us from the fear that will keep us from finding You. Amen.

This is Halloween.

I love Halloween.

I know, I know. It's the most pagan of all holidays. But I really love costumes, carving pumpkins, scary movies, candy, and, of course, the occasional dance party. Call me a hedonist. This year's was delightful. Highlights included the 3rd annual roommate pumpkin carving contest as well as a dance party hosted by the junior class (unofficially). Unfortunately, in my love for celebration, I put off doing real things and then stayed up until 3 in the morning translating Greek and studying for church history. But, all's well that ends well and I did just fine on the test on Monday. Without further ado, here's some pictures:

I am not quite ready to give this up. 

Disch and I carved the fail whale. But the winners of the night were Derek and Lane with "pumpkin eating a pumpkin." Congrats!

So there you have it. There are more pictures on facebook.

Oh, and for those of you keeping score at home, costumes included: Frank from 30 Rock, a casserole disch, king of the world, french kiss, Twiggy, a cat, someone from star wars, and Dan and Leah as each other. Pumpkins included: pumpkinception, Lionel Richie, Daniel age 15, fail whale, pumpkin eating a pumpkin, and the headless horseman.

Happy holidays, ladies and gentlemen.

Week 18- A picture that makes you feel...

Feel what? Nostalgic? Ecstatic? Frisky?

All the above...

Love my family.

Week 17- Something I want to be remembered for.

One day late. Sorry.

I want to empower people. I want to take the downtrodden, oppressed, ostracized, and disenfranchised and remind them that Jesus loves them while giving them some of the tools they need to become the person God has created them to be. I want to fight power structures. I want to open the eyes of my students (whatever form that takes) of the freedom and life that is only found in Christ. I want my life to be an example of the gospel-- the truth that Jesus is king and Caesar is not. I want to live in a way that says I do not obey Pharaoh anymore. I want to walk by the Spirit-- to hear the words of Jesus, see what his eyes would see, and dream his thoughts.

That is who I am learning to be. That is how I want to be remembered.

This week's article.

A Case for Pacifism

Stories are the frame by which we make sense of our lives. Stories are the truth that give meaning to events and allow humankind to interpret our experience. I ask you, by what story are you living?

A professor told us the tale of a small boy in Sunday school, learning about the cross of Jesus for the first time. As the Romans began to nail him to the cross, the 9-year-old stood up and cried, “If Roy Rogers was there he would’ve showed them who’s boss! He would’ve stopped them from killing Jesus!”

This is the American story. The good guys come in with guns blazing, fighting valiantly to victory in the name of justice. But should this be our story?

The story of the people of God is different. For Israel, even when it came time to make war, their story said that they depended on God for their victory. Ultimately they were a bunch of “wandering Arameans” who could do nothing unless empowered by YHWH.

In Genesis 4, the result of humankind’s disobedience is revealed dramatically in a story of brother killing brother in the context of worship. No longer able to live in unhindered relationship with God, we work out our frustration in violence. By chapter 6, God is “grieved to his heart” that the earth is “full of violence.” From the beginning and continuing until now, violence is the quintessential human problem.

Is not the cross the ultimate commentary on this? God sent us his son and confronted with our own inadequacies, the best we could come up with was to kill Him.

But we are called to follow the path of Christ. This means when we are slapped to turn another cheek. We are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

Does that mean Jesus has asked us to simply stand by and watch the world go to ruin?

No! Jesus calls us not to “passivism” but to seek out creative ways to promote peace—i.e. non-violent resistance. To turn the other cheek is to confront your attacker with the reality of their wrong. They are demeaning a person equal to them in the eyes of God. By turning the other cheek, you remind them of your dignity—that your hand will not be your advocate, but YHWH himself. This is the life Jesus lived. It was at his weakest moment, when he inhaled his last breath, that the Roman Centurion realized, “Surely this man was a son of God.”

As Paul encouraged us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We must actively seek ways to promote peace. That is our highest, most counter-cultural call. As it is written, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

What is your story? Who is your advocate? Will you depend on the might of Pharaoh or the faithfulness of your God and Redeemer?

I will not trust in chariots, but I trust in the name of YHWH my God, knowing that though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.

I am committed to a life of non-violence. What if I am attacked? My kingdom is not of this world. But if I forsake all in order to live the life to which he has called me, then I will receive 100 times more in the life to come—but I must not expect to live this life without persecution. When I confess that Jesus is Lord, I say that I will do things His way. Ultimately that must include adopting a story of dependence on God and a commitment to non-violence.

Veronica Pistone

Contributing Columnist

On a lighter note I am making myself wear scarves. This is my attempt to be girly. More scarves, less t-shirts. So far so good. Totes M'gotes.

Week 16- Some things I want to do in the next 5 years

-Graduate
-Grad school
-Get a masters
-Maybe start on a doctorate
-Meet someone
-Maybe, get married. Maybe.
-Live overseas
-Get experience preaching
-Go to Paris, Israel, and/or Hawaii


... but mostly, I figure I want to keep doing the things I'm doing now. It's a pretty good life.

Week 15- A moment that changed your life.

One time, about ten years ago, someone said, "Come, follow me."

So I left everything and followed him.