The Bridge Program in Math and Science at __________ is a three-week residential experience for 20 rising high school seniors. Selection of students is based on their academic performance and potential to contribute to and enrich campus diversity. This year the program runs from June 19 through July 9.
My alma mater, a liberal arts college of longstanding has established a bridge program. I am very familiar with such programs in the community college system where they have to accept everybody. But when a school that prides itself on its selectivity has to do so, something is not right.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Church Growth from a Sociologist
The basis for successful conversionist movements is growth through social networks, through a structure of direct and intimate interpersonal attachments.
Rodney Stark. The Rise of Christianity. (20)
Rodney Stark. The Rise of Christianity. (20)
Attributed to G. K. Chesterton
The difference between Chaucer's world and ours: up to a certain point in the West, life is understood as a dance, after which we decide it is a race.
From The Men I Have Chosen for Fathers. By Marion Montgomery. (16)
From The Men I Have Chosen for Fathers. By Marion Montgomery. (16)
Driving and Traffic
Driving in Dallas, as in any major metropolitan area, can be very trying at times, but it can also be a time for reflection. In my many years of experience I have noticed certain types.
First, there is the right lane hugger. This driver stays in the right lane of the freeway come hell or high water. He drives at ten miles below the road speed. He is fiercely defensive of his position, and appears to travel in groups. Crossing this flock, whether entering or exiting the highway is akin to crossing the Berlin Wall.
Next we have the driver who lacks commitment. No wonder the divorce rate is so high! How can one be expected to commit to a relationship when you are not able to stay in your lane for more than five seconds? These types believe the grass is greener in the next lane. If you are on a date and he is a frequent lane-changer, don't send out the wedding invitations just yet. The irony is, that in doing this, they slow down the lane they move into, and speed up the one they have vacated.
Finally, we have the berserker. Berserkers were warriors in ancient times who, in the heat of battle, would, for lack of a better word, go berserk. They would fling away their clothing and dive into the middle of the fight. The modern berserker is similar. The driver will be proceeding smoothly in traffic and then...IT happens. They make the lack of commitment driver seem to be a wimp. The berserker will change multiple lanes at once, rapidly accelerating and decelerating as needed. No reports as to whether they shed their clothes.
First, there is the right lane hugger. This driver stays in the right lane of the freeway come hell or high water. He drives at ten miles below the road speed. He is fiercely defensive of his position, and appears to travel in groups. Crossing this flock, whether entering or exiting the highway is akin to crossing the Berlin Wall.
Next we have the driver who lacks commitment. No wonder the divorce rate is so high! How can one be expected to commit to a relationship when you are not able to stay in your lane for more than five seconds? These types believe the grass is greener in the next lane. If you are on a date and he is a frequent lane-changer, don't send out the wedding invitations just yet. The irony is, that in doing this, they slow down the lane they move into, and speed up the one they have vacated.
Finally, we have the berserker. Berserkers were warriors in ancient times who, in the heat of battle, would, for lack of a better word, go berserk. They would fling away their clothing and dive into the middle of the fight. The modern berserker is similar. The driver will be proceeding smoothly in traffic and then...IT happens. They make the lack of commitment driver seem to be a wimp. The berserker will change multiple lanes at once, rapidly accelerating and decelerating as needed. No reports as to whether they shed their clothes.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
You Heard It Hear First
On February 27 of this year I posted an entry on the Dallas Mavericks, calling them "the Stealth Team" in the NBA this season. After sweeping the Lakers, the two-time defending champions, I do not believe they are a stealth team any longer. Go Mavs!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Machiavellians
The Marxists concluded that the elimination of economic inequalities, through the building of an economically classless society in which no one should have special rights of ownership over the means of production, was a prerequisite for the attainment of genuine democracy.
-James Burnham. The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom. (151).
-James Burnham. The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom. (151).
Monday, May 2, 2011
Is There Hell?
I have started reading Love Wins by Rob Bell, which has stirred up the Evangelical World by the author's proposition that there is no Hell. Instead of waiting until I finish, I thought I would try a different track and give my impressions as I progress through this work.
The first question that strikes me is if there is no Hell where does that leave Osama Bin Laden?
Next, how is Bell's theology different from that of a John Shelby Spong? Certainly his writing style is different. Reading this book feels like watching an over elaborated PowerPoint presentation without pictures. Another difference from Spong is the complete lack of references to other sources. His biblical exegesis appears to be entirely his own impression without any foundation. In his theology those verses that apply to Israel specifically are implied to mean the whole world.
Bell 's theology is ultimately of the Arminian stripe: eventually everybody will be saved. Is that truly what God wants? According to Bell, God will continue to try and save us even after we are dead. No sheep left behind. Is eternity waiting for the last person to be saved? The implication is that it really doesn't matter at all what you do in this world because God will give you an infinite amount of chances. This takes the idea of last minute baptism before death to have all your sins forgiven to a new level.
If everybody is saved eventually, what is justice? Is justice tied in to forgiveness?
The first question that strikes me is if there is no Hell where does that leave Osama Bin Laden?
Next, how is Bell's theology different from that of a John Shelby Spong? Certainly his writing style is different. Reading this book feels like watching an over elaborated PowerPoint presentation without pictures. Another difference from Spong is the complete lack of references to other sources. His biblical exegesis appears to be entirely his own impression without any foundation. In his theology those verses that apply to Israel specifically are implied to mean the whole world.
Bell 's theology is ultimately of the Arminian stripe: eventually everybody will be saved. Is that truly what God wants? According to Bell, God will continue to try and save us even after we are dead. No sheep left behind. Is eternity waiting for the last person to be saved? The implication is that it really doesn't matter at all what you do in this world because God will give you an infinite amount of chances. This takes the idea of last minute baptism before death to have all your sins forgiven to a new level.
If everybody is saved eventually, what is justice? Is justice tied in to forgiveness?
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