content string | url string | timestamp timestamp[ms] | dump string | segment string | image_urls list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part. The set intensifies the struggle for the Trade Advantage, and the resource “gold” gains importance, among others due to another Toll Bridge, the Mint, and the Gold Cache. Also, players who build their trading empire with trade fleets must be wary of Pirate Ships. This time, I’ll accompany the introduction of the new cards of the set with a little story.
The Story of Someone Who Went Forth to Find the Gold Cache
It was a sticky hot summer evening. My wife and I sat relaxed on our patio and played the “Princes of Catan” card game. Each of us had already assembled a sizable principality with our cards. We were, so to speak, the Prince and the Princess of our respective empires.
On my last turn, I had played the Pirate Ship and thus sent my wife’s trade fleet to the bottom of the sea. As a result, the Trade Advantage and the associated victory point were mine.
As befits a princess, my wife kept her composure and triumphantly played the hero Candamir on her turn. Candamir was a little stronger than the hero Osmund in my principality, and so she obtained the Strength Advantage.
I had expected more from Osmund anyway. Where was the event “Gift for the Prince” that was supposed to get me much-needed gold from Osmund?
The phone rang. My wife quickly placed the Gold Cache adjacent to one of her regions and went to the living room. “Could you please bring a beer for the Prince when you come back?” I shouted after her.
I yawned and looked at my hand of cards. “Gudrun, Terror of the Seas” and “Reiner the Herald” made a good couple. Particularly the Gudrun card fascinated me.
Not so much because of the bold-looking, attractive pirate woman imperiously sitting at the prow of her ship but because of the waves her ship cleaved so effortlessly. How nice it would be to escape the mugginess of the evening, dive into the gentle waves and take a refreshing swim, I thought, gradually losing myself in the depth of the card. I became drowsy and submerged myself, deeper and deeper …
I surfaced spurting water. I was floating in a refreshing, slightly choppy sea, right next to Gudrun’s ship. She had become real and gave me a frosty stare.
„Hoist him up, boys! Another castaway who wants a seat on our rowing benches.”
Actually, I would rather have enjoyed the refreshing swim a little longer, but the men whose strong arms pulled me aboard had no consideration for it.
Gudrun planted herself in front of me. “What are you doing here, baldy?”
Slightly unsettled because of her irreverent form of addressing me, I stammered, “I was about to, um, play you …”
Her stare became a bit frostier still. “Didn’t you know that all those who ever wanted to play with me ended up as food for sharks? Throw him back overboard, boys!”
I didn’t want what was obviously a dream to turn into a bloody nightmare, so I hastily shouted, “Stop! I am your Prince!”
Gudrun looked at me in disbelief and then roared with laughter. “You claim to be my Prince? Nobody has seen him yet, but you definitely don’t look like a prince. Now go ahead and throw him overboard, boys!”
“Nooooo! I know where the Princess’s Gold Cache is.” A better argument didn’t occur to me at that moment.
But it worked. Gudrun’s eyes filled with greed, and she eyeballed me with revived interest. “Well then.
After all, I’m not going to benefit if the sharks eat you. I give you two days. But don’t think you can trick me. My faithful companion Reiner will accompany you. Show him where the Gold Cache is, and you are free to go. Or else …”
Reiner, a well-shaped young man with curly black hair, appeared next to Gudrun. He gave her a delighted look and then, clearly less delighted, looked into my direction and demonstratively played with his knife.
A Pirate Ship – which couldn’t neglect the opportunity to capture a trade ship along the way – brought Reiner and me to the Princess’s Harbor.
It looked lonely and deserted. Hardly surprising – after all, my Pirate Ships had meanwhile sunk the Princess’s entire trade fleet. Since then, she always got the short end of the stick when the trade ships started a race.
Grumpily, Reiner brushed back one of his thick black curls. “So, where do we go?” It seemed that being temporarily separated from his adored pirate lady didn’t quite improve his mood.
On our way, I already had frantically tried to remember where the Princess, that is, my wife, had placed the Gold Cache card before getting up to answer the phone. Adjacent to her mountains? Or next to her pastures? I simply couldn’t recall. So I bravely confessed, “I can’t remember exactly, but we can ask, or?”
Reiner stared at me, disgruntled. “I knew from the start that you were taking Gudrun for a ride to save your neck.” He pulled out his knife.
In this very moment, something whizzed through the air and, with a thump, landed directly in front of my feet. Reiner stood with his mouth open and first gazed at the sky and then at the egg-sized lump of gold that had missed me by a hair. I picked it up and read the card attached to the lump. “Gift for the Prince,” it said, and “With best regards from your faithful Osmund.”
Ha! Finally the eagerly awaited event had occurred. Without a word, I handed Reiner the card. Thunderstruck, he fell to his knees and stammered, his head bent, “My Prince, I ask your forgiveness.”
“Rise!” I ordered him with newly found princely authority.
He got up and looked at me in despair. “Please have mercy with me, my Prince. If I don’t tell Gudrun where the Gold Cache is, she will never again allow me near her. Can’t we just pretend that nothing happened and look for the hiding place anyway?”
I actually liked the idea of continuing to roam Catan for a while and have a closer look at the buildings and settlers I only knew from the cards.
I gave him a comradely pat on his shoulder. “Sure, that’s what we’ll do. Let’s just ask our way.”
Filled with gratitude, Reiner once again fell to his knees and beamed at me. “Then why don’t we start right away and ask that rich merchant over there at the corner!”
The rich merchant turned out to be a Trade Master offering a choice of fine merchandise.
“Greetings, Master,” I began. “Do you know how to get to the Princess’s Gold Cache?”
“Do I look like I would give away my Princess’s best kept secret?”
“As a matter of fact, yes,” Reiner barged in. “You look like it only depended on the right price.”
„Correct, my young friend. If I were too honorable, I hardly had succeeded in becoming a Trade Master. So, if you bring me 5 sacks of salt, I’ll give you a hint.”
“But from where could we get 5 sacks of salt?” I interjected.
“From where? From the Salt Silo, of course.”
On our way to the Salt Silo we passed by the Staple House. Servants were diligently unloading sacks from a merchant cart and carrying them into the building.
Somber-faced, the Merchant was standing next to his cart and harshly said, “Well, do you also want to get rich exploiting a poor merchant’s predicament?”
Like all Merchants visiting the city, he was forced to offer his goods to the citizens at reduced prices in the Staple House. Only after a day had passed, he was allowed to continue his journey, usually with a strongly diminished supply of goods.
“Could you perhaps spare a few sacks of salt?” Reiner optimistically asked.
„Bah! The servant of the Salt Silo just snagged the 10 sacks I had – for 2 gold coins a sack. Just imagine! I normally get 4 gold coins for it.”
The servant of the silo had put up his stall directly in front of the Salt Silo. “Would you like to buy salt, gentlemen? Suuuper low prices today! Only 10 gold coins a sack.”
“That’s extortion!” ranted Reiner. “You wrangled each sack for just 2 gold coins from the Merchant.”
“By order of the Princess!“ said the servant in his defense. “Her two trade ships are making additional profit with the salt. So we hardly can give the salt away here, can we?”
“But the two ships were captured,” I interjected.
“So much the worse, then the sack costs 30 gold coins as of now.”
Reiner’s face blushed with anger, and he fingered the handle of his knife.
“Never mind,” I whispered to my furious companion. “I have an idea. Let’s pay a visit to the Trading Base.”
The basement of the Trading Base was built of solid stone. We knocked at a heavy door that looked as if they originally had forgotten to build one and later temporarily inserted one into the crudely hammered breach in the wall. The man who opened looked like a twin brother of our Trade Master and probably was. He eyed us with distrust.
As a precaution, I put my foot in the door. “Master, we’d like to offer you a deal. As you know, salt is a scarce good, and this white gold currently costs 30 gold coins a sack.” I lowered my voice and pretended to be glancing around to see whether there were unwelcome witnesses to our conversation. “People say that the price will soon reach 50 gold coins because of the captured trade ships. What would you say if I offered you 5 sacks for 29 gold coins each?”
The Trade Master’s twin brother had taken the bait, and during the haggling that followed he did great credit to his brother. We finally agreed on 125 gold coins, 25 coins a sack. We sealed our deal with a commercial contract.
After we had left the Trading Base, Reiner took me aside. “But my Prince, we don’t have any salt for sale.”
“Ever heard something about short selling? No, impossible. Just wait and see, Reiner. We practically have the salt in our pockets.”
Our next stop was the Moneylender. He lived in a small, inconspicuous house huddled against the city wall as if seeking protection. We joined the line of waiting citizens. When it finally was our turn, we were received by two heavily armed guards that escorted us to the Moneylender’s parlor. Actually, it rather looked like a shabby chamber, which made me ask him why a Moneylender who apparently had abundant means at his disposal would live in such humble dwellings.
The Moneylender smiled knowingly. “More substance than style. It protects me from thieving riffraff. What can I do for you, gentlemen?”
“I’d like to propose a deal, Moneylender. You give us 100 gold coins, and at nightfall you’ll get 125 gold coins back.”
“What kind of collateral can you provide?”
Reiner was fingering his knife again. This time, however, he seemed to ponder whether his most prized possession might be acceptable collateral.
“If we had collateral, we wouldn’t be standing here. But I have a surefire business model.” I leaned across and whispered my plan into his ear.
The Moneylender grinned. “Who would ever think of something like that? It’s a deal! Here, take your 100 gold coins.”
“And now?” Reiner asked me, uncomprehending.
“Aren’t you a herald?”
“Yes.”
“Good, then go and do your duty now. Run through the streets and announce that the Princess has launched two new trade ships. Because of this great event, she’s organizing a feast for all citizens. Meanwhile, I’ll visit the Mint and trade my lump of gold for coins. Afterwards, we meet again in front of the Salt Silo.”
“But it’s a lie. What if the Princess gets wind of it?”
“No, she won’t. She’s talking on the pho … well, it doesn’t matter. Believe me, by the time someone realizes that we’ve spread a rumor our deal is in the bag.”
When we met again at the Salt Silo, I had traded my lump of gold for 11 gold coins and Reiner had shouted himself hoarse, obviously with success: from all quarters, people were flocking towards the festival grounds. Also the servant of the Salt Silo was about to close his stall.
“Hey, wait a moment! We’d like to buy your salt. 10 sacks for exactly 100 gold coins. Since the Princess has launched two new ships, the price per sack should be at 10 gold coins again.”
The servant opened his mouth, probably to voice an objection.
“And on top of it,” I continued, “you receive a commission of 10 gold coins.”
“So you can really go for it at the feast,” said Reiner and gave him a wink and a nod.
That seemed to finally convince the servant. He closed his mouth, took the gold coins and handed us 10 sacks of salt.
We delivered five sacks of salt at the Trading Base and collected the 125 gold coins as agreed. We brought the 125 gold coins to the Moneylender, who rejoiced over the profitable deal. There were still 5 sacks of salt and 1 gold coin left for us. We went to the Trade Master.
“Here are your 5 sacks of salt, Master. Now we’ve complied with our part of the agreement.”
The Trade Master received his salt and whispered his hint into my ear. Afterwards he also gave me a letter of recommendation. I thanked him and shook his hand. Then we headed for the Merchant Guild.
Reiner walked along beside me in a pensive mood. “Wasn’t that fraud, my Prince?”
“Why? The small Merchant at least didn’t incur a loss. All the others made good money: the servant of the Salt Silo obtained a profit of 8 gold per sack and a decent bribe on top of it. The Moneylender collected 25 % interest, and the Trade Master and his twin brother now have the salt monopoly and will surely sell their sacks at a high profit.”
“So we didn’t harm anybody?”
“Well, come to think of it, we did. The baker will resent the price of the salt and be forced to sell his bread at a higher price. And the prices for pickled herrings and salt meat will surely surge too.”
“So once again the losers are ordinary people,” Reiner concluded.
“That’s probably right,” I answered thoughtfully and was relieved that I seemed to be only dreaming and thus wouldn’t have to deal with a guilty conscience after waking up.
A Merchant Caravan stood in front of the Merchant Guild. We gave the Trade Master’s recommendation letter to the leader of the caravan and were allowed to board one of the wagons and go with them. The Merchant Caravan would travel directly to the Gold Cache, to get the gold the Princess intended to pay for the lumber and wool required for a new trade ship.
On our way, I noticed the Princess’s lush grain fields. Sadly, mine were withered at the moment. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to have my Brigands carry out a raid soon.
The Merchant Caravan had arrived at the Princess’s Gold Cache. Since I would soon part with Reiner, I gave him my last gold coin. “Use it to buy something nice for your Gudrun.”
“Thank you, my Prince. You are very generous.” Reiner sighed. “Sometimes I think that we are all cards in a huge game. We are shuffled, end up in random stacks and have no bearing on what is being done with us. I only wish I would land with Gudrun in the same stack more often.” He smirked. “Preferably very closely together.”
“I can arrange that,” I laughed. “I’m your Prince, after all.”
“Hello my Prince. Wake up! Here’s your beer.” I awoke from my dream, rubbed my eyes and gave my wife a grateful look. Then I took a deep pull at the bottle. I had earned it.
Notes Regarding the Theme Set
In general, the following rules addendum applies to all Theme Games:
In the middle between the two players, 5 expansion stacks are placed face down next to the center cards, 3 consisting of the basic cards and 2 of the Theme Set cards. In addition, there is an open stack containing cards which – like the center cards – are “built” directly, meaning that the players don’t have to add them to their hand first. In the Theme Game “The Era of Gold,” the open expansion card stack is formed by the two Merchant Guilds. The player who has reached 12 victory points at the end of his turn is the winner.
The “rule of ’7′” applies neither to the Theme Games nor to the Duel of the Princes nor to the Tournament Game. Action cards can always be played if potentially existing conditions are met.
Probably in mid-July, I’ll tell you about The Era of Turmoil.
P.S.: For the card “Reiner the Herald,” the illustrator Michael Menzel used a photo from Dr. Reiner Düren’s youth for reference. Together with Peter Gustav Bartschat, Dr. Reiner Düren wrote the Encyclopædia Catanica. During the past years, both of them accompanied the development of the Card Game with help and advice, and they are currently participating in the editorial work on the redeveloped Catan Card Game.
Klaus Teuber | http://blog.catan.com/tag/cardgame/page/2/ | 2013-05-18T10:40:22 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
We’re excited to announce that the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) has nominated our Cenzic Mobile service as one of the finalists in its coveted CODiE Awards as the Best Mobile Development Solution! The CODiE awards are renowned in the software and information industries and have been around for 27 years. This recognition of Cenzic Mobile as a finalist is further market validation for Cenzic and Cenzic Mobile’s product innovation, vision, and the industry impact.
Launched a little over a year ago, our Cenzic Mobile service scans and analyzes mobile applications and detects vulnerabilities in critical areas, including input validation authentication mechanisms, session security, encryption usage and policy compliance. The number of mobile applications developed today is staggering, which presents a new set of security challenges with rapidly changing threat vectors. We recommend that enterprises implement continuous mobile application security assessments to protect and ensure the highest levels of application integrity.
Check out the press release we issued last week and visit SIIA CODiE Awards for the list of finalists in all categories. Member voting is underway as we speak and the award winners will be announced on May 8th. | http://blog.cenzic.com/category/product-information/ | 2013-05-18T10:41:08 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
One hundred and twenty-one international flights within the last year. Thatís a lot of travel. And a lot of carbon emissions.
Thatís why CFCA employees are planting trees in an attempt to offset carbon emissions from our international travel.
Watch this short video to learn more!
Excellent video, and excellent initiative! Thanks for sharing. | http://blog.cfcausa.org/2009/04/27/trees-for-travel/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=104f7cb3e5 | 2013-05-18T10:12:49 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
The recent “Sic ‘em, HOAs & POAs . . . PLEASE!” blog post brought in a lot of comments (thanks!) and many queries on “Where do we find native Texas plants?”
The whole point of this blog post was to encourage HOAs and POAs to help answer this question and to assist their residents in adding these natives in such as way as to help raise (and not threaten) property values.
Please, readers, share your favorite sources for native plants through the comments below. Another good source: Native Plant Society of Texas. Click on resources and you’ll get a list of member nurseries.
But first, please read all the way through this post before you buy and plant.
A couple of points:
1. Naturalists and other wildlife lovers are begging home gardeners to plant more habitat-recommended natives for this fall when butterflies, hummingbirds and other birds will pass through on their annual migrations south.
The heat and drought have absolutely devastated so many native plantings, the fear is these beautiful creatures will not be able to store up enough nutrients to make the long trek across the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Not all native Texas plants work well in the Greater Houston area. We (normally) have far more rains and thick (albeit-very-rich) gumbo soil as compared the whole rest of the state which has very limited rainfall (normally) and very porous soil. (see below)
You have to know what you’re planting and what kind of soil it prefers.
Normally here we must put North/West/South Texas natives in raised beds so they receive good drainage. That’s a whole ‘nother blog follow-up post and it’s a great idea. Thanks for the idea! Personally I prefer the term “Gulf Coast-hardy” to “native.”
3. Check out your local Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens. All of our Greater Houston area counties have incredible Master Gardener programs, outstanding demonstration gardens with labeled Gulf Coast-hardy plants and, I might add, incredible plant sales.
Master Gardeners are almost always in the gardens working and happy to answer questions. They’re your neighbors, so they share your growing challenges! In their office you can pick up tons of free growing materials, and they all maintain free phone banks for an instant answer whenever you have a problem.
Best of all, they’re not trying to sell you anything!
Log onto: and click on the “county” link.
Remember:
• We are far closer in ecology to Southern Louisiana than we are to the rest of Texas. As mentioned above, our soil is thick, slightly alkaline gumbo clay. Don’t grimace! Remember almost all the rivers in Texas run through our area on their way to the Gulf. This is why our soil is so rich, and inviting to local natives such as crinums, hymenocallis, mallows (native hibiscus), the list goes on and on.
• But just because they’re native doesn’t mean they can stand the wet feet of our (usual) rainy seasons. Natives such as the beebalm pictured above grow on the upsides of ditches, so they are extremely well drained. On the other hand, plants like crinums and Louisiana iris do fine planted where they are bone dry in summer and (normally) soaking wet in spring and fall.
• Most natives on the market are aimed at the San Antonio/Austin/Dallas/Fort Worth oval, the largest gardening purchasing block. It’s all about $$$$, folks. This oval gets very little rainfall and has very porous soil. That’s why you have to know what you’re planting, as I said above, and you have to put “drought-tolerant” natives in raised beds here. If their roots sit too long in soggy soil, the plants will never perform up to snuff.
I know I’m repeating this. But it’s the main reason why “natives” often don’t do well here.
I’ll be speaking Sunday on what’s alive (!) in my garden right now at noon at The Woodlands Home & Garden Show on KTRH’s “Green Stage,” and then answering questions from 1-5 p.m. Come by and pick up some free vitex seed, a super native for our area.
Beebalm (pictured at top) is one of the many natives Jason McKenzie of Piney Woods Nursery & Landscaping will be encouraging gardeners to use more often both Saturday and Sunday at the Woodlands show.
I’ll also have “The Lazy Gardener’s Guide on CD” (see below) available for sale (cash or check.
they are predicting that the drought may well go into next year. most of our plants and grasses have survived because of no water restrictions until late august. they have no chance of going thru this heat and drought with water limits for another year. are there any landscape sights that show us how to reduce or eliminate our grass and water demanding plants and and offer a more dry or desert look.
i am not panicking, however if we go thru this winter with no rain, we will have to make some adjustments.
I have written many times about how to reduce the size of your lawn, but will be glad to do it again in a blog post Thursday if you would like to log back on.
In the meantime, check the WaterSmart website listed in the post. It has so many tips. And, if you have a group that can schedule one of their free speakers, you’ll pick up even more. Or, email them through the website and find out where the next free lecture in your area will be held. I’m sure you’ll be welcome to attend.
Go to Another Place in Time on 11th St at Tulane in the Heights (south of 610 and north of I-10 – west of Yale and east of Shepherd). They have a great selection, are reasonably priced and offer personlized service!
Thanks to the gals over at The Calendar Garden in Magnolia, I’ve gotten some nice natives this season. Even in this heat and drought, all their plants are weathering nicely. Grass, not so much…
Buchanan’s Native Plants in the Heights has an extensive collection of native plants and a very knowledgable staff. 713-861-5702 611 E 11th St
I recommend Buchanan’s as well. It’s one of few places that sells very drought hardy Floratam St augustine grass instead of poor drought tolerant Raleigh that is commonly sold at big box stores. Also sells Montezuma cypress which is a faster growing semi evergreen sister of Bald cypress. You won’t see that tree in many places either. Great place.
Shelves are fully stocked with natives and other drought tolerant old fashioned favorites at Joshua’s Native Plants
502 w18th, two blocks east of N.Shepherd
713-862-7444
The Cockrell Butterfly Center sells many native plants, which serve as host plants and nectar sources for native/migrating butterflies! The next fall plant sale is Saturday, October 8th from 9 am to 11 am on the 7th level of the parking garage at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We also have a spring sale (TBA) and sell a variety of plants, including natives, for butterflies in our Collectors Gift Shop from spring through fall.
The SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will be hosting our Fabulous Fall Festival plant sale featuring Texas Tough native AND adapted plants. The sale will be held on October 1, 2011 from 9 am until 2 pm. We are currently working on the inventory and should have a preliminary list available on our website very soon. We offer natives adapted to the southeastern United States. Please call 936-468-4404 for more information.
Harris County Master Gardeners will have a plant sale on Saturday, September 24, 2011. It will be at 3033 Bear Creek Drive, Houston, TX 77084. The plant overview is at 8:00 a.m. with the sale from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Native plants will be included along with perennial, fall vegetables, herbs, drought tolerant plants, daylilies and earth kind roses.
Visit the “Ask a Master Gardener” kiosk at the Kingwood Farmers Market. The Kingwood Farmers Market is held ever Thursday from 3PM to 7PM at the Town Center Park in Kingwood. Master Gardeners will be at the kiosk every first and third thursday of the month.
KWGC has gone native! The Kingwood Garden Center has an abundance of native plants in stock and because of our current weather conditions, drought tolerant plants as well. Come meet with a KWGC associate for all your gardening needs. 281-358-1805 1216 Stonehollow Drive, Kingwood
Buchanan’s Native Plants – the name says it all — in the Heights! We carry all kinds of native and hardy adapted plants and our staff would love to help you choose the best plants for the situation.
Learn from the experts at Woodlands Landscaping Solutions on Saturday, September 24 from 9 a.m. to noon at 8203 Millennium Forest Dr. , The Woodlands. The plant sale is a highlight of the free, water-wise garden event. Native and well-adapted plants will be offered by Diane Cabiness’s Native Plant Nursery and Jason McKenzie with The Pineywoods Nursery. Chat with Cynthia Meredith from The Herb Cottage bringing herbs, veggie starts and open-pollinated seeds. And, meet Chris Wiesinger, the “Bulb Hunter” who will offer heirloom bulbs for Southern gardens.
Call 281-210-3900 for more information.
My neighbor took out all the grass in his front yard and replaced it with some very nice landscaping rocks. I mean, the whole yard is rocks.
Looks good and no watering, just weeding.
It may not be practical for everyone, but rain barrels also help a whole lot. I have a 50-gallon rain barrel and although it’s running low right now, it has helped me avoid having to use the hose every time I water. Lately I’ve been watering deeply with the hose once a week and then using the rain barrel on alternate days to keep my garden from completely shriveling up.
In Philadelphia, rain barrels were distributed free by the city. Don’t know if they still are. But then, Philly also has recycling bins for cans and water bottles in its airports. Wish Texas were that tuned into our ecology.
If you looking for native plants south of Houston there is Jimbo’s Nursery in Santa Fe, TX on the way to Galveston. We have a large selection of native Texas plants. We also have many other drought tolerant plants that will make it thru this dry period. Come talk to Jimmy or Aj and they would love to help you out.
If you’re north of Houston or don’t mind driving a bit, just got this in from Stephen F. Austin’s Mast Arboretum, which is worth a visit even when they don’t have a sale coming up:
SFA Gardens to host fall plant sale at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center
NACOGDOCHES – The SFA Gardens annual Fabulous Fall Festival plant sale at Stephen F. Austin State University’s will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St.The event features the annual fall plant sale fundraiser benefiting the SFA Mast Arboretum, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, Gayla Mize Garden, and educational programs hosted at the gardens. A wide variety of hard-to-find, “Texas tough” plants will be available, including new introductions, Texas natives, heirlooms, perennials, and exclusive SFA introductions. Most plants are extensively trialed in the gardens before being offered to the public. Arrive early and bring a wagon. For more information, call (936) 468-4404, or visit and click on “upcoming events.”
You my acquaintance are a genius
Thanks for sharing, this was interesting to read and very helpful.
Very inspiring, nice to know others are also interested in these things!
This is exactly what I needed, thank you. | http://blog.chron.com/lazygardener/2011/08/where-to-find-native-plants/ | 2013-05-18T10:21:22 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
You’re all baggy-eyed and burnt orange — don’t try to fool me.
As for me, I’m up against a foe mightier than USC: the hordes who, like Evil Dwight, are in Las Vegas at the CES scarfing up knowledge of cool stuff. Now remember, I’ve been begging Evil Dwight to send MeMo somewhere grand for, like, a year. Does he do anything? No. When the Bigfoot convention passed through Conroe in October, he told me “I’d have sent you to THAT.” (This is not made up. This is a true quote. Conroe for Bigfoot.) So am I in Las Vegas? Or was I at The Game last night? Nuh-uh. Not even under consideration.
Nevertheless, I won’t let you, the reader, down. I have a bunch o’ products that are beyond words, or nearly.
1. The Book of Cool. Unless the next smoove move on your list involves osteoporosis, you must get this. All the legerdemain, sang froid and savoir faire you’ll need in a lifetime, in nine DVDs and a book. Just don’t tell your friends, or they’ll get it too, and then this stuff won’t be cool anymore.
2. Satugo. The digital camera you throw at the junk you want to photograph! How fun and yet hostile!
3. DYI Floam-ish stuff Why waste your money on the garbage they sell in cheesy kids’ TV commercials when you can waste your time AND money making it in your kitchen? Dang, this is the lethalest-looking substance ever, but apparently it’s about as scary as potting soil. And a great way to bond with your kids, when they memorize all the words you use yelling at them to clean this stuff up.
4. Dead dolls. Chuckie’s in love, or he would be if he met these sick chicks. Reader Sal found these, but we love her anyway.
5. USC Championship T-shirts. Send ‘em to your friends in Cali. They love a good joke.
Scarfing up something alright, sitting in a bar watching Gates. | http://blog.chron.com/memo/2006/01/baggy-eyed-and-burnt-orange/ | 2013-05-18T11:06:24 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
It would seem that The Plain Dealer has found its very own male version of Maureen Dowd in Christopher Evans. His column regarding a gun show in Medina was breathtaking in its condescension, its meanness and its utterly liberal bent. He actually wrote the phrase: "I am trying to keep an open mind about the firearm fetishists who frequent these death markets." Really?
Apparently for liberals, being open-minded involves name-calling and character assassination. Indeed, every person (save one) that he describes is described negatively, e.g. "a weathered old guy who looks like he took one too many shots to the head." Oh, and they are uniformly described by race and gender. Apparently it is OK to do so as long as the race and gender are "white" and "male."
Frankly, Mr. Evans added nothing to a very important debate in this country, and he did a disservice to Plain Dealer readers.
Bryan J. Manary Painesville | http://blog.cleveland.com/letters/2012/11/medina_gun_show_nothing_open_a.html | 2013-05-18T11:02:06 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A group of West Side parents agonized as their children approached school age. They were uncertain about the Cleveland schools in their neighborhood, but could not find a convenient alternative that didn't have a waiting list.
Their answer? Recruit one.
Near West Intergenerational School, a new charter school spun off from a highly regarded Cleveland model, will open in late August or early September with students in kindergarten through second grade. It hopes to add a grade per year until reaching the eighth.
In an arrangement unprecedented for Cleveland, the charter school will share the district's Garrett Morgan School of Science, a high school on Woodbine Avenue. Charter advocates laud so-called co-location agreements, but such deals have kindled controversy in New York City, where the teachers union has filed suit to stop charter expansion.
The Cleveland school board voted 7-2 last month to give Near West a two-year lease. It's part of a philosophical shift that calls for providing families with choices, even if that means sponsoring publicly funded, privately run charters once regarded as rivals.
The parents who brought Near West to the Ohio City neighborhood came together through a babysitting co-op that formed four years ago and now comprises about 20 families and 35 to 40 children up to age 7. On any given day, someone is taking care of someone else's kids, earning points that can be redeemed for future babysitting.
For your informationNear West Intergenerational School will hold information sessions at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the St. Malachi Center, 2416 Superior Viaduct; 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at Franklin Circle Church, 1688 Fulton Road; and 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, at the Intergenerational School, 12200 Fairhill Road. Parents also can call 216-721-0120.
The co-op is as much about building and maintaining a community as it is bartering. Among other things, the parents have organized Spanish classes for their children, started a moms' book club and planted a community garden.
Many of the parents are young professionals. At a time when Cleveland is emptying out, they are dedicated to urban life and have found a pocket where it thrives with historic houses and clusters of shops and restaurants.
"There's a real rich vibrancy to the neighborhood," said Molly Wimbiscus, a psychiatrist who was born in Nashville, Tenn. "You cannot get more authentic than what we have."
But co-op members are tired of watching neighbors head for the suburbs when their children grow old enough to enter the Cleveland schools.
Searching for an option, they connected with the East Side's Intergenerational School in November 2009. The school had received a $250,000 federal grant to replicate its program, which mixes ages, individualizes instruction and brings children together with adult mentors, many of them elderly.
The project almost stalled in March when the Cleveland school board failed to come up with the five votes needed to sponsor Near West Intergenerational. The school sought sponsorship, in part, to gain access to district facilities.
With an annual state deadline just one week away, the board voted 4-2 to sponsor the charter. Two members abstained because of ties to the Intergenerational School or its management group, Breakthrough Schools.
Robert Heard, home tending a furnace on the fritz, was summoned to cast the deciding vote. But for a few moments, David Hovis, sitting in the audience, thought politics would derail a dream he and others in the co-op had chased for months.
"It was a gut-wrenching experience," said Hovis, a research engineer at Case Western Reserve University. "My wife wasn't there. She would have freeeaked out."
Even then, the struggle wasn't over because the district was slow to make a building available. With August on the horizon, Breakthrough Schools Executive Director Alan Rosskamm delivered an emergency appeal.
For $60,000 a year, Near West will lease classrooms in Garrett Morgan's basement and share its gym and lunchroom. To clear the way, New Tech Academy, an innovative district program started last August, will move three-quarters of a mile away to Max S. Hayes High School.
Now all Near West needs is more students. The Ohio City group promoted the school by going door to door with fliers and talking it up at community meetings, but signups slowed after an initial rush.
Officials, still trying to fill 50 of 80 openings, believe parents were hesitant to commit until knowing the site. They expect interest to revive now that the question has been settled.
"We actually scaled back on our marketing efforts until we had a location," said Brooke King, executive director of the Intergenerational School. "We are re-energizing our volunteers and community to recruit and enroll."
Charter-school supporters say Ohio and other states have left the schools in a lurch by giving them money for instruction, but not facilities. Letting the charters share space makes efficient use of a district's buildings, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools said in a report released last month.
But the budding trend also has provoked teachers and parents of children in public school systems.
The New York City teachers union filed suit last month to block charters from moving into or expanding at 20 public schools. The suit says the charters will take space and facilities away from the schools' students.
Cleveland Teachers Union President David Quolke asked the school board to reject Near West's lease. He complained about putting the charter in rooms rewired for New Tech and predicted the school would divide the community.
"This is not the union opposing charter schools," Quolke said. "This is the Cleveland Teachers Union opposing a bad idea." | http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/06/west_side_cleveland_charter_sc.html | 2013-05-18T10:52:20 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://media.cleveland.com/metro/photo/9667528-small.jpg",
"garrett-morgan-school-science-cleveland.jpg"
]
] |
Demo Night 2008
GAME DEMO NIGHT IS THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH AT COGSWELL COLLEGE IN THE DRAGON’S DEN!
1175 Bordeaux Drive, Sunnyvale
Martin Robaszewski
Martin Robaszewski has been a professional video game developer for over 9 year before releasing Cyborg Mice Arena, his first independent game. He has previously worked on games published by Atari, Ubisoft, Midway, Sega and the US Army.
Terathon Software
Terathon Software LLC was founded in 2001 by software engineer and computer graphics author Eric Lengyel. Terathon began in Cupertino, California, but now calls Roseville (just outside Sacramento) its home. The company’s goal has always been to provide a strong technical platform upon which it would be possible to create great games. To achieve this goal, Terathon continued development of a project that had actually been begun by Eric Lengyel in late 1999, the C4 Engine. At first, the technologies contained in the C4 Engine comprised a set of low-level systems that were licensed on a component by component basis to companies having specific needs. As the technology grew more advanced and the large-scale architecture of the engine took shape, it became clear that C4 should be licensed as a complete game technology solution. The C4 Engine as a whole was first made commercially available in May of 2005 and has enjoyed astonishing popularity ever since.
Eric Lengyel
Eric Lengyel (pronounced LENG · el, with no Y) holds a Masters Degree in Mathematics from Virginia Tech and is the best-selling author of the book Mathematics for 3D Game Programming & Computer Graphics (Charles River Media, 2002). He is also a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Graphics Tools and. When he’s not engaged in multiplayer deathmatch, Eric can usually be found running somewhere in the mountains surrounding Silicon Valley.
Mixamo
Mixamo gives you the power to create production-quality character animations in a fraction of the time that traditional motion capture and keyframing require. It’s as simple as 1-2-3:
- Explore: select from a vast collection of high-quality character motions
- Customize: use your own skeletons and skins, along with our intuitive motion parameter sliders, to create personalized character animations
- Download: after creating the perfect motion for your needs, download it straight into your art pipeline, seamlessly
Available 24/7, Mixamo makes life easier for 3D character animation professionals. We are a Silicon Valley venture backed company based in San Francisco.
-Bonnie Phelps, Dean of Institutional Advancement
Tags: Game Demo Night, Game Developers Event | http://blog.cogswell.edu/2009/09/game-demo-night-update-three/ | 2013-05-18T10:22:30 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.cogswell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/IGDADemoNight4.jpg",
"IGDADemoNight4 Demo Night 2008"
]
] |
The.
The Santal people practice ethnic religions or idolism. They do not practice Hinduism, but they worship several Hindu gods along with nature. They have their own tribe language, called Santali. It is completely different from the Bengali mother tongue, Bangla.
About a century ago, the Santal tribe possessed vast land properties in the northern part of Bangladesh. But according to Santal history, some cunning people from other communities took advantage of their addiction to home-made alcohol called Chuani and grabbed their land, not only making the Santal tribe poor but also ruling them for decades.
Most of the Santal people do not own land to grow crops. They work in other people’s fields as day laborers. Both men and women work in the fields. They spread seeds, remove weeds and collect crops in the harvesting season. Some of the Santali people are involved in the occupation of pulling a cycle-van.
Most of the Santal people have a small amount of their own land to live on. Their houses are made of mud walls with a straw or tin roof. These houses are normally 10 feet long, 7 to 9 feet tall and 8 feet wide. They have cow sheds attached to houses and do not have sanitary latrine facilities.
The northern portion of Bangladesh is plains and is very dry. The elevation is about 60 feet above sea level, and the weather is hot during the summer. During the winter, this area becomes the coldest in Bangladesh. And from September to mid-December, the area becomes drier. No crops can be grown, which ultimately causes a job crisis for the people because they cannot get regular work to earn their keep.
A crisis of water is another problem they face. They have to carry water to their homes from a far distance; however, some of the Santal families do have their own tube-well (hand-pump water supply).
Santal families often have five to seven children. With parents, children and grandparents, there are eight to 10 people in every household. The women who are widowed or have been left by their husbands stay with their children. These families usually have four to six members.
To send their children to school is a luxury for the Santal community. They are not able to bear the school tuition fees. As a result, most of the children of this tribe pass their days playing in the fields.
If any child from the Santal community goes to school, he or she usually drops out before completing the primary education (5th grade). More than 80 percent of Santal adults cannot read or write their own names.
Most of the Santal villages are in remote places. Walking is the only way to move around. To go a long distance, they take a rickshaw, cycle van or local transportation like a bus or pick-up van that runs on the highway.
The Santal community observes the culture and tradition of their ancestors. The Santal women wear sarees and use various kinds of ornaments and flowers to decorate themselves. The male wear lungis (Bengali skirts for men) and shirts. During certain special occasions the men wrap their heads with long cloths called pagris.
The Santal celebrate these occasions and worship idols with the music of drums and other local instruments, and the men and women take part in their traditional dance.
The favorite dishes are godo (field rat) and pork. They prepare these dishes for the festivals. They are also fond of kuicha (a kind of eel) and vegetables. Home-made alcohol is one of the main parts of every celebration and festival.
Approximately 65 percent of the Santal people follow their ethnic religion, 24 percent practice Hinduism, and 10 percent practice Christianity. The rest are Buddhists.
The growth trend of Christians could be more pleasing if churches became more effective in nurturing new believers. It is a common in Bangladesh for people who convert to Christianity to be troubled by their previous community group.
Compassion-assisted child development centers serving the Santal tribe include: BD-201 – 219 and 221 – 234.
Thank you for these blogs. I love learning about the countries that you have reported on. I love all of the detail. Instead of focusing just on one aspect, we really get a glimpse into these peoples’ lives. I just can’t wait until you do one on Colombia or Ecuador!
I love these posts about the different areas Compassion works in. Keep them coming!
Thank you so much for reporting on the different countries, tribal groups and areas of the countries where Compassion works.
I sponsor a little girl named Muni who goes to EI-209. I am happy to learn more about her culture and her experiences growing up. I will be praying for her even more now and thanking God that she has accepted Christ and has the chance to go to school.
Thank you., I sponsor a little boy in EI-218 who lives in the Plains of Santal. I will begin putting encouragements for him to finish school past 6th grade. He’s only 6 right now, but I don’t think it’s ever really too early to start.
Oppps… I just realized that the post is about the Santal tribe in Bangladesh. I had read that in the begining, but I guess I forgot. So while both Caitlin and my children are of the Santal tribe, they are actually in India. I wonder if it is the same type of environment……
Thank you so much for this post! Two of my boys are at BD-209 and I’m so fascinated to hear more details about what their lives are like. Please, keep these coming
Thank you for this wonderful blog about the Santal tribe. I read the blog post when it was first published. But I recently sponsored a child in Bangladesh and I just did a search for all blogs here that contain a Bangladesh tag and this was the only one that showed up in the results. Please encourage the bloggers to consider writing more articles about Bangladesh. They have some of the most beautiful children there who need sponsors but most people that I talk to don’t know very much about the country. Thank you!
Oh wait…nevermind! I am finding more blog posts now. The search box only yields the Santal Tribe article. But at the end of the article where the tags are listed, I clicked on Bangladesh and was given a long list of blog posts. Sorry!
Nice to read about Santal community in Bnagladesh. I belong to that community.
The Santals are originally from the of province of Jharkhand in India. Their migration to Bangladesh is said to have taken place from 1870 or so.
These are very industrious community, well thriftlessness is there due to lack of modern education.
Is there any other way for economic and educational development in Bangladesh other than through evangelisation ? ?
We are doing work among Santal people in Northern part of Bangladesh through our church Evangelical Friends Church. I have a goal to raise this community in both spiritually and ecconomically. We are on the process of B4T (business for transformatio) training. We are going to start it as a pilot project. We are seeking sponson to help our task. I hope this will help this people to develoop spiritually as well as ecconomically. .
Santal/Shaotals life style is really amazing. They are the mostly popular tribe of Bangladesh. Thanks for your nice post on them.
I’m in Rangpur Division visiting a tribal family right now. I live in a mud house and most people here are Christians. Unfortunately the church doesn’t give any support as soon as foreign people headed back home. Every year the church organizes a simple Christmas and New Years meal for the whole village with money from the government. This year there was no NY’s meal and the church keeps the money “on their account”. We also had a cold wave over Christmas and most people here weren’t prepared. They wear saree and slippers, few have blankets at less than 10 degrees. Some still sleep outside their house as they have no more space for everyone. Unfortunately not many developement organisations put their foot here. Sometimes a church or school is built, some agricultural projects started but people leave quickly leaving projects behind and people alone. Life remains almost unchanged, forgotten and utterly hard. Despite that they are cheerful and immensely interesting people.
Hello Sabana! Please email us at ciinfo@us.ci.org for more information about your community partnering with Compassion. -Susan | http://blog.compassion.com/serving-the-santal-tribe-of-bangladesh/quote-comment-37778/ | 2013-05-18T10:21:43 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/logs-cycle-van.jpg",
"logs-cycle-van"
],
[
"http://blog.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/house-santal.jpg",
null
],
[
"http://blog.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/santal-children.jpg",
null
]
] |
Once a month we try to get out and do something as a group. Usually it’s the stereotypical “drinks after work” kind of thing. Not that we don’t like that, but Vanessa had the great idea of volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank. Everyone thought it was a cool idea, … Read the rest | http://blog.compassrosemedia.com/?tag=community | 2013-05-18T10:41:45 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
There are some interesting technical articles that I will get to in future posts. But the first two pages were letters to the editor that are chilling reminders of the cold war during that time.
On page two was the following short note from Witold Lipski, Jr. and Antoni Mazurkiewicz from the Polish Academy of Sciences.
We are very sorry to inform you that due to the situation in Poland we do not see any chance to organize our 1982 Conference on Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science.
MFCS started in 1972 as an annual conference rotating between Poland and Czechoslovakia, and now between Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. There was no conferences in 1982 or 1983 and the conference did not return to Poland until 1989.
Talking about the Czechs, there was a much longer letter on page one from James Thatcher of IBM. Here are some excerpts.
On a recent trip to Europe, I visited Prague and had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Ivan M. Havel who is a friend and colleague of many years. Ivan Havel received his Ph.D. in CS from Berkeley in 1971. He joined the Institute for Applied Computer Technology in Prague in 1972 and then in 1974 became a member of the Czechoslovakian Academy of Sciences, in the Institute of Information Theory and Automation.
Ivan's brother, Vaclav Havel, an internationally known playwright, was imprisoned in 1979 for four and a half years for his activities in connection with the Charter 1977 movement.
In 1980, possibly related to his refusal to denounce his brother, Ivan Havel was removed from his position in the Academy of Sciences and was unemployed for several months. Last May, he and Vaclav's wife were arrested and charged with "subversion" for allegedly "collecting and distributing written material oriented against the socialist state and social establishment, with hostile intentions." After four days detention, they were released.
He is employed as a programmer-analyst by META, a home-worker program for the handicapped.
Ivan Havel remained a programmer until after the Velvet Revolution in 1989. After some political work in 1990, he became a docent (associate professor) at Charles University and director of the Center for Theoretical Study where he remains today.
His brother Vaclav went on to become president of the Czech Republic. | http://blog.computationalcomplexity.org/2003/08/sigact-news-and-cold-war.html | 2013-05-18T10:12:10 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Preckwinkle Stands with Medical Leaders Urging Approval of Alcohol, Tobacco Taxes
By Sebastian James at November 9, 2011 | 10:55 am | noted that raising tax rates on alcohol and tobacco reduces consumption and promotes public health and public safety. Cook County runs an important public health institution so she is mandated by the responsibilities of her office to put forward policies that are good for the well-being of County residents.
“We’re standing together because we all feel very strongly that this is the right thing to do both from a fiscal standpoint and a policy standpoint,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Medical science, and study after study have shown that this is an effective way to promote public health and public safety, while being an effective way to pay for the services our government provides. I urge the County Board to approve these modest revenue increases.”
Preckwinkle added that that tobacco and alcohol consumption respectively are the leading and the third preventable cause of death in the U.S. and that taxing these harmful substances reduces consumption.
Joining President Preckwinkle at the news conference was Dr. Raju who joined President Preckwinkle in calling for the County Board to approve this increase.
“As someone who has been in the healthcare field my entire life, I know too well the negative effect that tobacco and alcohol have on the human body,” said Dr. Raju. “Anything we can to do to reduce consumption is a good idea, and I hope the Board will help us approve what is a smart and effective public health policy.”
Preckwinkle was also joined by representatives from the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, the Chicago Medical Society, the American Heart Association, SEIU Doctor’s Council and the Stroger Hospital Executive Medical Staff.
“We support the proposed ordinance as a way to save lives and lower smoking rates, especially among youth and low-income populations, some of our most vulnerable groups,” said Joel Africk, President and CEO of the Respiratory Health Association. “A comprehensive tobacco tax is essential to improving public health in Cook County.”
“We whole heartedly support an increase on the unit of alcohol by raising the alcohol tax. The evidence shows that such taxes are highly effective in reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harm,” said Dr. Thomas Anderson, M.D., President of the Chicago Medical Society.
The Alcoholic Beverage Tax rate has not been adjusted since 1989. As alcohol prices have gone up, the County’s effective tax rate on alcohol has decreased. This is an overdue update. The proposal to modestly raise the tax on alcohol restores the tax to its 1995 level, still lower than when it was enacted in 1989. The modest revenue increase will raise the current tax rates by 50%, generating roughly $11 million in new revenue for Cook County. The tobacco tax, currently levied only on cigarettes will now include smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products. It is expected to generate $12.1 million.
The County Board is expected to vote on these items Monday, November 14th.
2012 Budget President's Office
Trackbacks For This Post
7 Comments
This article shows a lack of understanding of cigars smokers. We don’t typically smoke that many cigars any way. Cigars are expensive and take time to smoke. So, a tax that we encounter infrequently won’t make much difference.
Where the difference will be made is in purchasing full boxes of cigars. If I buy a full box of 25 cigars for $200 and put 24 of them in my humidor, that shows that there’s no urgency. It’s so very easy to wait and make a purchase like that where the taxes aren’t so high. It’s not like a television where I want to go buy a new tv and be watching it within 2 hours.
If a cigar smoker has enough cigars in his/her humidor, he/she can resist paying a high tax.
I’m for taxing vices, but don’t you think people will just go to neighboring counties to buy the stuff?
When will greedy politicians stop LYING. These tax increases on tobacco have NOTHING…N-O-T-H-I-N-G to do with public health. This is just another way for the filthy greedy politicians to stuff their pockets with someone else’s money. They will never ever propose legislation to make smoking illegal because they know how much MONEY is involved with the tobacco industry. These people are liars. There is not ONE SHRED of proof that increased taxes reduce tobacco use or alcohol use. GREEDY LIARS!!!!
[...] "We're standing together because we all feel very strongly that this is the right thing to do both fr…," Preckwinkle explained in a statement. "Medical science, and study after study have shown that this is an effective way to promote public health and public safety, while being an effective way to pay for the services our government provides." [...]
@tonipreckwinkle budget gives everyone tax relief, but she put a priority on the $ of baby formula over the $ of booze
@tonipreckwinkle budget gives everyone tax relief, but she put a priority on the $ of baby formula over the $ of booze
@tonipreckwinkle and medical community urge YEA vote on alcohol and tobacco tax | http://blog.cookcountygov.com/2011/11/09/preckwinkle-stands-with-medical-leaders-urging-approval-of-alcohol-tobacco-taxes/ | 2013-05-18T10:12:44 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Next week our annual grad fair tour will take us to…
- Denver, CO (Monday, October 25)
- Seattle, WA (Wednesday, October 27)
- Portland, OR (Thursday, October 28)
If you’re near one of those cities, we hope you’ll join us. You’ll have a chance to meet recruiters from 60-80 graduate degree programs ranging from conflict resolution to law to social work to journalism.
A prospective doctoral student recently wrote to ask whether he should travel to one of our fairs. He was curious what to expect and wondered: W hat is the value of attending a grad fair?
Amy Potthast, our Director of Service and Graduate Programs, offered her take:
Each fair takes place in a large room where each school staffs a table with more information, and where representatives chat with prospective students.
One value of a grad fair is that you can potentially build rapport with an admissions staffer at your prospective schools. You’ll then have the name of someone with whom you can follow up, ask questions, and meet on campus. You can make an initial in-person impression with a school representative — which is more powerful than over the phone.
Another value of the event is that you will learn more about schools you’d like to apply for and you find other programs you hadn’t set your sights on yet.
You can also ask basic questions and weed out other programs that aren’t going to be the best fit for your goals — saving you time and money.
We’ll have a Q&A panel where a number of recruiters will offer frank advice about admissions and financial aid so you can hear from a range of admissions experts at once.
On-campus visits are also a good idea, and we have an article on our site where you can learn more about how to plan for campus visits.
Learn more about grad school in our Public Service Graduate Education Resources Center.
[This blog entry appeared on an older version of Idealist; any broken links are a result of having re-launched our site in Fall 2010.] | http://blog.en.idealist.org/category/life-at-idealist/our-programs/ | 2013-05-18T10:41:48 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
« Section 230 Doesn't Protect Employer From Negligent Supervision Claim--Lansing v. Southwest Airlines. Warning: Ugly Opinion |
Main
| Another Bad Ruling for PissedConsumer on Trademark and 47 USC 230 Claims--Amerigas v. Opinion Corp. » complaint version I saw didn't include any screenshots of the ads in question, so we're missing some key info. Most obviously, the complaint implies, but doesn't specify, that the ads linked to netnanny.com. The complaint does alllege that netnanny.com doesn't sell CYBERsitter's competitive product.
Without the linked URLs, we can't assess the likelihood that these ads were placed by ContentWatch's affiliates instead of ContentWatch itself. I have a hunch these are affiliate-placed ads. That would make a big difference because ContentWatch probably isn't liable for ad buys by its affiliates. See 1-800 Contacts v. Lens.com.
Either way, I suspect CYBERsitter and ContentWatch can work out their differences. As I've documented many, many times, the money at issue in these competitive keyword ad buys usually comes nowhere close to the costs of litigation (just one of many examples), so the most economically rational thing for both parties to do is strike a settlement (even if imperfect) rather than shoveling cash over to the lawyers.
Now, about CYBERsitter naming Google as a defendant. This is the first time Google has been sued for trademark infringement over its AdWords product in over a year, so it's the first such lawsuit since the Fourth Circuit's Rosetta Stone v. Google opinion. Frankly, I expected more lawsuits would be filed against Google after the Rosetta Stone opinion, just like the Rescuecom opinion opened up the floodgates in 2009. Perhaps this filing is just the leading edge of a litigation tsunami, but I'm not feeling that way. This complaint doesn't explicitly make any gestures towards the Rosetta Stone opinion, and it felt to me like an idiosyncratic one-off.
Indeed, from my vantage, the Google piece doesn't look very well-prepared. CYBERsitter doesn't allege that it filed a trademark complaint with Google, which would have automatically blocked the CYBERsitter references in the ad copy it's complaining about, nor does CYBERsitter claim that it gave Google notice of the problem in any other way (C&D, etc.). Based solely on the complaint's allegations, CYBERsitter can't show that Google knew there was a problem at all. If CYBERsitter didn't give Google a chance to fix the problem pre-litigation, I doubt a judge will be very supportive of CYBERsitter.
Furthermore, while ContentWatch might be pliable, especially if its affiliates went rogue on it, Google will fight this case with everything it has. I've never understood why plaintiffs choose to bring into their lawsuits a Big Dog that mints money when their beef is just with a competitor. The Wealthy Big Dog will fight to the death and has the resources and determination to overwhelm the little guy, or at least wound the little guy seriously (like leaving CYBERsitter with fewer trademarks than it started the litigation with--see, e.g., American Blinds). Given the sheer irrationality of bringing Google into a garden-variety competitor dispute, I'm laying odds that CYBERsitter will simply drop Google from the lawsuit without getting any concessions from Google--just like Rescuecom and American Blinds and Parts Geek and numerous other challengers have done.
Process note: while preparing the post, earlier today, I emailed both CYBERsitter's lawyer and ContentWatch's PR person for comments about this lawsuit. I haven't gotten a response from either, but I'll update the post if I do.
[Update: CYBERsitter's lawyer declined comment to me but provided some perspectives to the National Law Journal.]
Related suits: The roster of currently pending trademark lawsuits against Google regarding AdWords (I am resetting this roster to eliminate all of the post-Rescuecom cases that Google has resolved):
* Jurin v. Google. Jurin appears to be proceeding pro se again, so his odds of success keep going down.
* Rosetta Stone v. Google [latest post]
* CYBERsitter v. Google
Note #1: the FPX class action lawsuit voluntarily dismissed with prejudice shortly after Google defeated class certification.
Note #2: Google and Yahoo were dismissed from the Pathak case May 25, 2011 for Pathak's failure to serve them.
Note #3: for now, it looks like Google is out of the Groupion v. Groupon lawsuit because Groupion lost its substantive case against Groupon.
Posted by Eric at June 20, 2012 03:06 PM | Derivative Liability
, Search Engines
, Trademark
TrackBack URL for this entry: | http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2012/06/cybersitter_sue.htm | 2013-05-18T10:40:58 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
« February 2006 |
Main
| April 2006 » 09:44 AM | General."
Posted by Eric at 02:58 PM |
[Eric's note: today I'm turning over the wheel to my colleague Scott Moss. We discussed the recent news item about a student from Scott's alma mater (Harvard Law School) who got arrested for drunkenly flashing his "pot of gold" in public on St. Patrick's Day. This sparked a response from Scott that he is uniquely positioned to share, so here is his story:]
By Scott Moss
Eric brought to my attention this hilariously disturbing story of a drunken Harvard Law School student who exposed himself in public and then, according to the police officer who happened upon the scene, “made it a point to make it known he was a Harvard Law School student and that he would see us in court...It seems he thought it would make a difference in the outcome of the incident.” I’m guest blogging about this primarily because I have the “in-group privilege" to have some fun with this one; it reminded me of a much tamer (but still ridiculous) story from my own law school days.
When I was a first-semester 1L at Harvard, my assigned seat in Contracts class was in the front row. Seated behind me was another student…let’s call him “Cameron.” Cameron’s attendance was… well, let’s say “spotty”; so I was sitting in front of an empty seat more often than I was sitting in front of Cameron. One day, Cameron came to class -- which, again, was a minor event itself -- and, halfway through the class, I started to hear a faint metallic tapping noise behind me. “Emily” (the student who sat next to me) and I briefly exchanged a puzzled smirk, as if each of us was asking the other, “do you have any idea what he’s doing?” A fter a few minutes, the irritating tapping ended with one louder metallic “pop!” sound. Emily and I both instinctively turned around; we saw a shocked Cameron holding an unopened can of V-8 on its side -- with a ball-point pen puncturing it, V-8 splattered everywhere. Apparently, this genius spent the class -- the first class he had attended in a week or three -- stabbing his can of V-8 with his pen, until he accidentally (but pathetically foreseeably) pierced the can, splattering V-8 all over himself and the desk.
I occasionally get asked, mostly by non-lawyers, “is everyone at Harvard Law really smart?” I quickly respond, “of course not,” and I proceed to tell the V-8 story, or any number of other such stories; granted, several of these stories are about the same doofus (Cameron), but several others are about different folks in my class (including myself, when I said or did some dumb or immature things).
Any allegedly “elite” institution is likely to have some number of superstars, but also some number of total duds -- the irresponsible, the lazy, the immature, and the just plain stupid. So don’t ever be too impressed at a degree from an elite school, or a letterhead from an elite law firm; it just might be Cameron you’re dealing with.
Posted by Eric at 02:12 PM | Legal Education Industry.)
Posted by Eric at 09:49 AM | Legal Industry.
Posted by Eric at 12:28 PM | Life as a Law Professor!
Posted by Eric at 10:06 AM | Legal Education Industry.
Posted by Eric at 01:27 PM | Legal Industry
It appears that the new status symbol for moms is a baby blog. Two examples from our friends Alex and Lara and Erin and Josh. My wife reads them regularly. But she doesn't read my blogs, which (I must confess) is a little tough on the ego. When cornered, her first response: "I don't know where your blogs are located." (Try Googling "eric goldman blog" or looking at the signature line of every email I send). Quickly recognizing the weakness of that retort, she went for the jugular: "I'd read your blogs if you wrote about something interesting." Other people's babies = interesting; husband's own writing = not!
Posted by Eric at 11:10 PM | Blogosphere Issues
, Family & Friends | http://blog.ericgoldman.org/personal/archives/2006/03/ | 2013-05-18T11:02:16 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
- Evolve Fit Wear is one stop shopping for workout clothing for women and men. We have the best selection in yoga clothing from a variety of brands such as Beyond Yoga, Electric Yoga, Alo, Green Apple, Omgirl and Nux. Looking for Yoga Pants? You've come to the right place as we have the widest selection to choose from many brands all in one place. All of the yogapants we offer are slimming, flattering and made of high quality fabric that doesn't peel, fade or change shape over time. Our yoga tops are supportive and flattering for a variety of body types depending on the cut you prefer for your practice.
We offer a selection of long tanks that won't ride up during your downward dog. Many of our brands are made from organic and eco-friendly yoga clothing made from organic cotton or bamboo such as OmGirl, LVR, HYDE Sense, GGO, and Tonic. The majority of our brands are made in the USA as they are smaller, boutique and make high quality hand-made workout clothing. If you're looking for hot yoga clothes check out Onzie colorful and funky hot yoga pants made from a swim-suit type material made for sweat clothing that have moisture wicking properties. If you're looking for running clothing for women we have supportive sports bras and supportive running leggings that will keep you focused on the road ahead instead of worrying about your running clothes. Workout clothing doesn't have to be worn only for working out. Dress up your Yoga Leggings with cute boots and an oversized tee to wear out on the weekend. We have a selection of long yoga pants for tall women and also leggings and yoga pants that have a raw hemline and can be cut to your perfect length. Other lounge items we have are harem pants and comfy lounge pants to partner with a vintage style workout tee from Spiritual Gangster, Be Love and Yogaglyphs and Omgirl. Not all workout clothing needs to cost a pretty penny. You'll notice a large range of prices between the brands from our most affordable brand Green Apple to our designer yoga clothes such as Sandra McCray that is made-to-order and can be customized to your personal shape. We also carry yoga mats, bags and accessories from Jade Yoga, Barefoot Yoga, Yogitoes and Manduka. We have a strong brand loyalty of customers who love shopping with us because we only offer quality workout clothing and yoga gear, 5-star customer service and an easy return policy. Our goal is to help you love working out and to provide excellent quality yoga clothing to help you "Evolve" into wherever your day leads you. | http://blog.evolvefitwear.com/?p=500 | 2013-05-18T10:21:12 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Recently, after the latest salvos from Lynchburg and a troubling conversation with Dr. Caner in Greensboro, NC, I weighed in with one of my few contributions to this written exchange. I post that letter, and Dr. Caner's response, below only because he has asked me to do so. Actually, to say he "asked" is putting it charitably. I have been restrained in making many public comments about the "debate" or about the incredibly frustrating process of trying to get it set up.
When I announced that there would indeed be a debate and that I had agreed to participate in it, I made these statement: (emphasis added).Let me simply say in the three months since I wrote that I have been completely disabused of such naivete. Make no mistake, Dr. Ergun Caner does not want to participate in a scholarly debate on the doctrines of grace. That is obvious to me and, if my email is any indication, to countless others who have read his comments.
With that being said, here is the recent email exchange, posted at Dr. Ergun Caner's request.
From: tomascol
Subject: Re: June 23, 2006
Date: June 24, 2006 2:42:15 PM EDT
Brothers:
I find Ergun's characterization of this whole issue to be far different from my own. I have read every single email that has been exchanged and would do so again except that I don't think I have sinned sufficiently to warrant such a sentence. It is enough to know that the record contained in those emails is clear enough to show anyone who wants to know about this pseudo-debate exactly what has transpired and how it has transpired.
Ergun, I do not know how or why you think that we have all agreed on the thesis or format. You have tried to dictate what they will be but there has been no negotiated agreement. Furthermore, Dr. O'Donnell's only email leads me to doubt the sincerity of his assurances to be an impartial moderator who will operate from the the rulebook of "fairness." His offer to entertain "specific questions about the format" as long as they are asked "professionally" rings hollow in light of my May 16 email to him. I did not copy it to anyone else because I was simply seeking to learn from him the best way to get information about the format.
Here is that email in its totality:
Dear Dr. O'Donnell:I sent it to directly to him. Yet, I still have not received even the courtesy of an acknowledgment, much less an offer to entertain my questions. As the written record demonstrates conclusively, this kind of treatment is typical of the lack of respect that has been afforded James and me in this whole process.
I have been told that you have agreed to moderate a debate on October 16, 2006 at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA. I am supposed to participate in that debate and have some questions about it that I would like to ask you. Would it be possible for me to address them to you via email, or would a phone conversation be better?
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Tom Ascol
No amount of posturing or posing can change the fact that you have attempted to throw numerous roadblocks in the way of this debate. Virtually any prospect of having a fair exchange of ideas in a setting where our differences can be clearly expressed has been undermined by your unwillingness to discuss questions that must be settled before such an exchange can take place. I suppose that this sounds like whining to you. To me, it is an honest attempt to dialogue.
Ergun, when you told me and others in Greensboro about Dr. Falwell's plans to "pimp" this debate all over the world I was caught off guard. At first I thought I had misunderstood you but your repeated declarations that he was going to "pimp" it on TV and "pimp" it to "little old ladies" quickly disabused me of that notion. Your emails of the last two days have only confirmed my worst fears that your chosen vocabulary to describe this "debate" is all-too-accurate.
Well, I am no one's prostitute. And I refuse to be "pimped." If you are comfortable letting Dr. Falwell "pimp" you then that is surely your prerogative. I would love to pursue a genuine, theological debate. If that is what the Drs. Caner want, then let's work it out and get it done. If, however, all you want to do is put on a Fundamentalist burlesque show, then go ahead with the plans that you are making but find yourself someone more suited than I to join you on stage.
Sincerely,
Tom
Here is Dr. Caner's response:
From: erguncaner
Subject: Please Post This, Dr. Ascol
Date: June 26, 2006 8:48:57 AM EDT
26 June 2006
Dear Dr Ascol:
Well, for the first time in this discussion, I have come to the conclusion that posting private correspondence, which usually takes place between Christian gentlemen behind the scenes, might be helpful if posted. This is one e-mail that I believe should be posted, but I doubt if you will do it. This will stay private, or scrubbed, much like Brad Reynolds exchanges:
- For the record, your quote of my words at the SBC was correct. I did use the word "pimped."
- I do love the fact that Dr. Falwell is willing to give this debate as big a stage as possible.
- He believes, as we do, that this is a vital issue in the SBC, and MUST be confronted to as large a crowd as possible.
- Of course, since no one is making any money on this debate (as Emir and I stipulated- no tickets and no "entry fees") your concern over being "prostituted" is not really valid.
- HOWEVER, before you storm off...please do not feel too superior. Would it change the equation if we were offering to pay you for doing a CRUISE to teach?
- Yes, Dr. Ascol, we understand your desire not to be pimped. Does that extend to traveling on a cruise with Dr. White...along with others...for free...as the advertised speaker? Apparently I am not as accomplished at this "pimping" thing...
I am sorry you feel the way you do, Dr. Ascol.
emc
332 comments:1 – 200 of 332 Newer› Newest»
Brother Tom,
What a sorry state all of this has come to.
Dr. Canner tells of how Dr. Falwell is going to "pimp this debate to the world". He tells outright lies, claming you have agreed to things you have not agreed to. His behavior is Juvenile and arrogant.
It's hard to know what to make of this. Where is the brotherly correction and advice he should be receiving from inside Liberty? I suspect that most everyone is afraid to address him about this or he is living in an echo chamber and no correction comes his way, only affirmation.
It's truly sad but what's even sadder is that I'm not altogether surprised.
My encouragment to you and James is to take this opportunity to be a light in front of the students attending this debate. Take charge of it, as James dad recently advised him.
Years from now you will be proud of standing up for God's truth.
You and James are in my prayers.
Michael
And for the record, I just sent the following to Dr. Ergun Caner:
Greetings Dr. Caner,
I pray that this message finds you well.
As the first responder in the debate saga that began in February and continues to unfold to this day, I felt compelled to reply.
Firstly, if you would please carefully examine the advertisements for the 2006 Alpha and Omega Cruise, you will discover that Dr. Ascol is not speaking on the cruise this coming November.
Secondly, it is Sovereign Cruises LLC, not Alpha and Omega Ministries that will be sponsoring the conference in November.
Thridly, I would certainly hope that the __expression that you have used, "pimping", would not be used in any of these contexts. That term connotes someone finding customers for prostitution and I certainly don't believe that any of the beforementioned activities such as the "debate" (although it vastly differs from the debate and topic that was initially proposed by me; and actually vastly differs from any theological debate that I have ever witinessed), speaking at conferences, or in this case our annual ministry cruise constitute "pimping". As our goal in any of these endeavors is to examine our presuppositions and positions in the light of God's Word, I hope that reverence and respect for the weight of these issues would be respected. To that end, I sincerely hope that a debate format such as the one originally proposed this past February will be used so that all four parties will be able to carefully and thoughtfully present their positions and sharpen one another, for the sake of the body of Christ, during your time together.
I look forward to putting together a meaningingful, scholarly debate together with you and Dr. White in the future that would be similar to the ones that were proposed in November of 2005 and February 2006 prior to the Liberty announcement.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Michael O'Fallon
President / Director of Sales
Sovereign Cruises LLC
877-SOV-CRUISE ext. 3
I do pray that all involved will allow for a tried and tested fomat in the debate proceedings with a clear and definitional thesis statement.
I wasn't aware that a Christian gentlemen pimped anything whatsoever. Sounds more like another sort of "Gentlemen's Club" to me, and one that I am glad that you are not involved with, Pastor Tom.
As an addition, I just want to add that the implication that being paid for doing ministry is somehow prostituting ourselves is just ridiculous and offensive. I am grieved that you have had to endure such insult, pastor. The Lord will judge between you and him for such careless and graceless words.
Tom,
This debate is going to be a disaster and you should back out of it. I have stated my position several times on this blog and I hope that you will take it seriously. This debate will end up doing more harm to the movement that you are working for than it will do good. I was very impressed with the Mohler/Patterson debate and felt that it moved the conversation forward in the SBC. As both Mohler and Patterson pointed out, this is a debate among friends and we should remain cordial. The upcoming debate in Lynchburg has already turned sour and I feel it will turn into a complete debacle. Bowing out of the debate would obviously allow the Caner's to claim victory and that is fine. Goding through with it in my opinion would be worse.
I really like you Tom and I agree with a good deal of what you are trying to accomplish but why make a devisive issue or more divisive by participating in such a debate. Who's mind will be changed? What purpose will be served? How will such a debate bring glory to God?
Dr. Ascol,
I agree with Michael, this is a sorry state.
My first, second and third reaction to all this is yuck! Is it still possible to 'be the light' by participating in this? Concerning the apparent 30% of us who think that you all ought to back off... when does this begin to represent casting pearls before swine?
Not that my opinion is worth much, but...
I'm starting to think that its time to pull the plug. I don't see much that would be good and edifying coming out of this debate and am not sure it would be worth the time and preparation it would require.
The participants will be talking past one another. You will present reasoned, logical, biblical arguments. They will, in all liklihood, use bombastic rhetoric and showmanship to play to the partisan crowd. There's also the real danger that the debate could turn into an opportunity for snippets and soundbites to be disseminated that would distort both the issues and make you appear the fool.
Of course you might catch a lot of flak for backing out. They will portray you as intimidated and running away with your tail between your legs. So you'll have to decide if its worth it or not.
I believe we should stand for truth, but this has turned into an argument. My prayer is that you will back out now. I know that is what the Caner brothers are trying to get you to do, so give them their way.
Kristy
Gentlemen, we are afraid to say enemy, but Jesus said, pray for your enemies. They must be recognized as such before Christ's commandment to pray for them can be carried out.
I am really saddened by this sorry state of affairs. Jesus Christ taught that "you shall know my disicples by their their love for one another." I see more rancor than love in this. Where is the spirit of correction in all humility? And the use of the term "pimping" by a Dean at Liberty U. to refer to ministry is reprehensible. Can all the elders in the Liberty faith community approve of this? My ardent prayer is that they take appropriate action to remedy the situation. I am caused to pause and ponder just how Jesus Christ can be glorified by public posting of this behavior on the part of those who name Him as Lord...
It's so sad that someone who calls himself a Christian and a gentleman, could use such immature language in discussing an upcoming debate. However, having heard Dr. Caner preach at my church, I must say I'm not the least bit surprised. I have to join my voice with the others who question whether going through with this "debate" will accomplish much. It's difficult at best to even carry on a reasonable conversation with someone with such an arrogant, swaggering attitude, much less a serious debate over the weighty issues at hand. I will pray for you Dr. Ascol, and Dr. White, that God will give you wisdom in deciding whether or not to go through with this.
Tom and others who have commented,
I understand the disgust and concern caused by the Caners behavior. The pearls before swine comment ran through my head as well.
But when I consider what might be gained by contending for the faith before students who, I'm afraid, are feeding on a lot of junk food, it brings to mind the minister described in 2 Timothy 4.
He's to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
This is definitely an out of season situation. But James White's comment about having heard from some of Dr. Caner's students in "abject shock" about Dr. Caner's comments in Romans 9 gives me hope that light will be shed by Tom and James and support will be given to other voices at Liberty. How can the scholarly presentation of the doctrines of grace not show the superficiality the the Caner's teaching?
Contend, my brothers!
Michael
Hey, all. I expressed my thoughts on the matter this morning in an email to Dr. White about it. With his permission, I will post it here. I hope that in it, there can be an answer to the question(s) posed about whether or not God can be glorified in it:
----------------------------------
Dear Dr. White,
I have read through the posts on you site over the last day or two about the supposed debate in Lynchburg that is up in the air at the moment. Honestly, I'm not sure what to say about it; it has been a mess. The concerns one writer had about you beginning to sound like Caner -- I was concerned that might happen as well, that is, until I read your response to him over the Romans 9 passage he flat out rejected as truth. In that, you didn't sound like him at all. :)
It would appear that Dr. O'Donnell hasn't moderated any theological debates, which is why there is all of this confusion on his part. He seems to want to treat it like some sort of political presidential exchange, and as you know far better than I, this won't work too well for a theological debate (the whole issue of a well-defined thesis, etc).
So then, the main reason I am writing this email rather than catching you in channel is that you are taking a head count apparently of whether or not a debate will happen, or at least asking people what their thoughts on the matter are. Well, I have to admit that my thoughts run both ways for reasons you've brought to light, but I'll do this:
I'll cast my vote, for what it is worth, for you to pursue the debate. I love what your father said about it.
I'll surely be praying for you about this. What I suspect will happen is that there will be a TRBC building full of Liberty students and church members who are coming to hear "their guy" beat down those "heretical hyper-Calvinists" and they are going to want Caner to show how you've misinterpreted the Bible. Well, it seems painfully obvious that he is not wanting to do that. So, when he gets up and rants, uses terms inapprpriately (and when you and Tom correct him and define them rightly), people will see that he is erring. They will think to themselves, "Ok, they said he used the term wrong. They provided the historical definition of it, let's see what he says," and then Caner will just torch another straw man. Many in the audience will be shocked; "Surely Caner will refute them -- surely he will..." and it will never happen.
Then, when you and Tom discuss the Scriptures, beautifully exegeting them and demonstrating clearly the truth of the doctrines of the grace as they rest on the Scriptures alone, these same people in the audience will say, "Ok, the Calvinists (not hypers mind you, Dr. White, because rational people will have stopped using Caner's mischaracterizations at this point) are providing Scripture references. It even sounds like they are interpreting them properly, surely Caner will show them how badly they are using the Scriptures," and then it won't happen. Dr. Caner will NOT use proper hermeneutics at all, and his fans, now probably former fans, will be shocked and surprised. They'll begin to realize that he has been fooling them all along, and that the truth of Scripture is the very thing he's been railing against now for months.
Maybe, just maybe, God would be pleased to use this debate (which will be very well publicized), to further the Reformation of many a heart and even the Southern Baptist Convention (since most SBCers haven't a clue what biblical soteriology is anyway).
I hope, my brother, that you find this email encouraging, and that you will persevere and press forward this October. My prayers are with you.
A Slave of Jesus Christ,
David B. Hewitt
I am less concerned with the use of the word, "pimped," and more concerned with the attitude of Dr. Caner - though I get what Tom I saying in terms of this debate being used to exploit/propagandize. Caner's combative tone and condescending attitude is more than I can stomach. Thankfully, Dr. Ascol is an encouraging example of patience and humility in all of this. Brother, you have handled this exchange very well. I hate the idea of pulling out, but don’t think staying with it is wise either. I am praising God that I do not find myself having to navigate this issue personally. In light of all this I am praying for you and James and the Brothers Caner as well. Keep standing for truth in the grace of our Savior.
Go through with it. Go and stand with honor, dignity, and grace as you present the Word of God to those who need to hear it. Who knows who might be sitting in that audience to hear the truth and respond to it as the Spirit sovereignly does what He wishes!
The Word never returns void and here is an invitiation - no matter how ungracious it has become - to preach the unhindered, powerful, active, and alive Word of God!!
GO. Please go! Please, please, please!!
~Pastor Phillip M. Way
Dr. Tom,
you guys should NOT be the ones to give in. Make no mistake, you will be seen as giving in and giving up. The only way God will not be glorified in this debate is if it never takes place. The reason I know that is because you and James are good people. You guys are lights in a dark world. The light will overcome the darkness that only comes from human pride and arrogance. Allow the Word to speak for itself and watch God do the rest.
Before you think about quitting Tom, ask yourself this: why in the world would any Christian who holds the truth back away from debating the Word of God in public before an audience who wants to hear the truth? What reason is there?
I would like to thank Dr. Caner for admitting to the substance of the objections about the topic of the debate as demanded by the Caners. Dr. Caner, apparently, didn't bother to think before he wrote about that or a couple of issues:
a. He writes: This is one e-mail that I believe should be posted, but I doubt if you will do it. This will stay private, or scrubbed, much like Brad Reynolds exchanges:
Notice that he mentions private exchanges with Brad Reynolds about some unknown topic. Apparently, Dr. Caner objects to the publication of private correspondence for the purposes of commentary and quoting others' accurately, but feels free to mention private correspondence with Brad Reynolds.
b. In his email to Frank "Centurion" Turk, Dr. Caner replied:
Apparently we have discovered the one topic a hyper Calvinist is not comfortable debating...his own presuppositions.
It seems debating the nature of God and His attributes is not to Dr. White's liking.
Why mention this? Well, one of the problems that folks have had with his thesis statement is that it trades on assumptions about God's character and acts in an attempt to beg the question in favor of those arguing for the thesis and not against it. The insinuation is that if the Calvinist denies the omnibenevolence of God, He denies God is all good and all loving. This is proof of the Caners' counterargument.
However, this is not the Calvinist position. The Calvinist position is that God is not all loving in the sense that He loves all persons the same way, not that He is not all loving or all good at all. Rather the Calvinist argues that God is fully loving and fully good and fully just and fully merciful, fully holy, fully powerful, and fully independent of His creation. All of these play into God's "omnibenevolence," and in fact a good theologian would recognize that there are incommunicable attributes of God that underwrite the communicable and would seek to examine the selected attribute of omnibenevolence (which is not in any standard theology text on Theology Proper that I can find, and I even have Oden's set, so I'm not looking in Reformed texts only), in light of others like God's justice, immutability, and independence. How do these affect how we view His love? This way of looking at God's attributes and His love is not a presupposition brought to Scripture; it is a conclusion derived from Scripture itself, since Scripture includes all of this information. Thus, the objection raised by the Caners trades not only on a straw man of the other position, but it assumes what it needs to prove about the contrary position and falls victim to the grounding objection itself. That is the very definition of a presupposition that is assumed without benefit of argument. What's more, it is used to skew the debate topic in their favor. Dr. Caner is, therefore, guilty of mirror-reading, by imputing to his opponent a standard that he himself holds and then chastising them for failing to measure up. He is doing that which he claims of his opponents in demanding this thesis statement without more clarity. This is a tacit admission, therefore, on his part, that the substance of Dr. White's objections about the thesis statement are valid.
Thank you Drs. Ascol and White for confronting doctrine that has caused me years of anguish. I'm sure you will be helping many other simple folks like me.
Love in Christ, Bruce
Dear Tom,
Some guesses of what might be in store if you go ahead with the debate:
Notice that he denied that there will be charge for admission but not that there will be a video made. It may be that they plan on making a video (and/or DVD) and distributing it in exchange for a hefty donation. The big catch: it will most likely be heavily edited to make you look bad and their guy look good. I've worked as an editor and editors can do amazing things. No matter how good you do in person, you can be made to look bad on an edited DVD.
The crowd won't be with you either. And that makes a difference as to the chemistry.
Instead of simply backing out, why not propose a compromise: a change of venue (to Southern Seminary, with Mohler moderating or, if they think that's too biased, to Southeastern). And be sure to get some promises in writing about the video! That is, if you decide to go ahead with it which I'm not necessarily advising you to do.
Looks like the more contention that can be stirred up about the debate, the more of his upcoming books Ergun will be able to "pimp".
I suggest going to the debate and 1 hour and 50 minutes into the debate james and tom ask the audience if they would like to keep going another hour.
I also suggest that Tom call O'donnell. Even though there will not be a record of the conversation. Heads tend to be cooler on the line than behind the keyboard. I think that would move everyone a little closer to closure on this.
Let me also PIMP my blog HashBlog so that you can see cute videos of my twins and I can use the word one more time.
Hello gentlemen. I am a new post-er but have been following this blog and others for several months. I've been following this debate from the begining and have been overwhelmed with the amount of rudeness, resistance for transparency, and sheer ungodliness that has been desplayed throughout this whole situation. I have been very sympathetic to jbuchannon's ongoing call for you to drop out now before the "movement" will be dragged through the mud. I agree 100% with him that this will likely be the outcome, but the problem is that if you're not there, then it will just be someone else. The Caners will continue their attacks as will those of their thinking. I have every confidence in you and the level of biblical fidelity and integrity that you strive for. I don't know that there would be a better choice to stand the onslaught and then direct everyone toward the Word, giving God the Glory in all things including Salvation. Thank you for your ministry and the teaching you do through this blog.
Ron
I have tried to follow the issues surrounding this debate and the things Drs. Caner have been doing as much as I can. I wish that I could say I am suprised with the actions of Dr. Caner, but like Dr. Falwell, he reveals a certain propensity for being unable to keep his toungue under control. Instead of speaking as a believer ought, he speaks harshly and rashly, doing all short of uttering profanity in his public discourse and yet continues to claim to be a child of God. I do not doubt his salvation, since that is not for me to know, but I do not detect in his writing or his speaking any signs of meekness, humility or gentlness, and this is a troubling thing to see in one who I would like to call a brother in Christ.
I know some might think you and Dr. White should withdraw and a part of me thinks that might be a wise course. However, what good would come from that? Drs. Caner would slander and malign your motives for leaving and his words on the matter would travel far and wide through the pages of Liberty publications and other outlets sympathetic to his brand of Christianity. I would encourage you, Tom and James, to persevere, contend for what is right, put up with the slander that is yet to come but do so with an assurance that comes from Him who saved you and be gracious beyond measure.
I want to echo sentiments that I first heard from Dr. Mohler: if we really claim to understand and believe the doctrines of grace we should be the most gracious people on earth. I want to encourage you to continue on, attend this 'debate,' represent the truth of the Gospel and do so as one saved by grace, sustained by grace and destined for glory because of grace. Always seek to exhibit grace beyond measure.
No matter what, the Caner's will claim victory. But if you can simply go and exhibit grace you will have won a victory more potent than anything the Drs. Caner can print about or claim to have achieved.
To those who want Dr. Ascol to attend the debate,
as I mentioned earlier, it will not just be the people present in the auditorium who will see it but most likely the debate will be vidoed, heavily edited, and then circulated, perhaps in exchange for donations. That they've already admitted that they'll somehow make money off of it and yet they're not charging admission seems to me to lead to the conclusion they'll use audio or video of it to their advantage. I believe it is very important that there be some kind of protection over audio and video reproductions of the debate, perhaps that it not be edited in any way. Otherwise, no matter how good Dr. Ascol does in person, he can be edited to made to look (or sound) like a bafoon. Beware.
This controversy has cleared up many difficult issues I've had. Just by reading the interactions of the many brethren one can glean many truths. Please continue - I NEED TO KNOW MORE. It's very liberating for someone new to "The Doctrines of Grace" God Bless all of you.
Though Ergun "may" be regenerate, he has taken the broad road of taking arms against the truth. His primary motive seems to be shock and awe with a manner that smacks very much like the "pulpiteers" Martin Lloyd Jones lamented in days gone by.
Finney was an enemy of the truth. Arminius was an enemy of the truth. Pelagius was a heretical enemy of the truth. I now conclude, Ergun, has, by his own arrogant, self-absorbed, and ridiculous assertions, positioned himself as an enemy of the truth.
"You shall know them by their fruit" (works?)
"For satan himself appears as an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works." (fruit?)
Less anyone think I'm to abrupt, may I ponder the question - What would qualify as an enemy of the gospel were Paul making the charge?
CR
Tom,
Having on a second to comment, I have not read all the comments, so if this has already been said or out of line with the discussion I apologize . . .
There are several factors I assume that would determine whether to debate or not to debate. Ultimately, will any of this glorify God and explain/defend the gospel? Aside from personal repute or winning an argument, will the Spirit of Christ be exhibited not only in His Truth but in His fruit?
What troubles me is the idea that evangelical Christians cannot debate one another. Debate is deemed a divisive exercise and should not be. If we cannot debate with maturity, respect, and grace, then the issue is not with debating but with the one in the debate. This has been the case here; however, I am afraid that the whole idea of debating is going to get the black eye with the larger audience who will think that nothing good could come out of it. I maybe wrong, and I hope that I am.
Also, I can't help but think what this past year has shown me when dealing with Arminians (or "biblicists"). While there are some Arminians who are conversant and willing to discuss the matters while showing love for one another, many simply want to mischaracterize us or redefine us according to their terms. Furthermore, Calvinists are charged with killing churches, being a virus, anti-Great Commission, etc. There are sites like BaptistFire (now gone), the flyswatter, and the Caner brothers slandering and mistreating their Calvinist brother. It is fine if they disagree, but the underhanded tactics is simply deplorable whether you are a Calvinist or not. But what shall I say also of the numerous pastors who have consistently and persistently constructed straw men and in so doing attacking a Calvinism that doesn't exist? Yes, Calvinists have become the whipping boys in the SBC.
With the recovery of the gospel, I pray that there will be the ability to have healthy discussion and meaningful interaction with those we disagree. Ultimately, the issue is not whether we can debate or not but whether we can handle the truth.
WHEN, not IF ~
the "debate" occurs ~
Drs. Ascol and White can expect the same three responses that Paul received after preaching the TRUTH in Athen, Greece (Acts 17).
Have one or more friends video the "show" and if the Caners (and Falwell) edit and distribute their version in an effort to discredit the TRUTH voiced by Drs. Ascol and White....
the unedited edition can be used to
prove the dishonesty, unfairness and lack of Christian integrity of the Caners and their company.
Personally, I would never hesitate to preach/teach the TRUTH anywhere
God directed. I have been doing it for more than 53 years.
What an opportunity to display Jesus Christ and present the TRUTH
to many (MANY) who have never heard
scriptural Christianity!
I write this with hesitancy and a grieving heart over this issue. I wonder if a non-believer would happen upon these blogs and see the exchanges by believers. What would their response be to this childish behavior by Dr. Caner. I believe that Tom, you and Dr. White, must prayerfully seek the guidance of the Lord in this manner to see if it is advisable and glorifying to Him to continue. Has this become a contest about "winning" under the disguise of getting the truth out to a captive audience at TRBC? I hate to say anything negative about another brother in Christ, but I do believe that Dr. Caner is showing his true colors as a bully and one who is "predestined" not to listen to reason. Can you guys seriously go into Lynchburg and expect to get not even a fair hearing, but any type of hearing. Does the format of the debate the way it stands now even allow for true exegisis? Not really. It will become a bunch of bombastic slogans and eloquent fundamentalistic rhetoric coming from the Caners, as you and Dr. White attempt to gently and humbly seek out the truth from the TEXT. That is my concern. This has become an issue over personalities, character, and behavior and not about the TEXT. That is why this debate was scheduled in the first place. I believe that Dr. Caner (while I believe he is an inerrantist and respects the Word) will allow his Arminian tradition to cloud any serious exegetical study of the key texts of Scripture. Let's face it--on a logical and exegitical level, Dr. White will trash him to pieces in a heartbeat. He knows he has no chance.
Here's my recommendation--do a joint book like Dave Hunt's "Debating Calvinism" which will force him to articulate his thoughts in writing and not in a public home turf forum. Tom, you can address the historic Baptist positions, Emir can address his with the Anabaptist tradition and it can be published by Broadman and Holman as a way to open up the Calvinism debate in the SBC. THis will get personalities aside and get the HOly TEXT in the forefront. Who knows, maybe the Lord will grant all of you wisdom to say no to continuing this debate.
I am absolutely shocked at the spirit and intellectual vacuity of Dr. Caner. His attitude bespeaks a terrible state of heart, and I am simply shocked at the accusatory tone against Tom that he evokes in his comments.
This from someone who works at Liberty University? How much fundraising goes on in the name of Chirst at Liberty? He is criticizing the use of a cruise dedicated for the purpose of Biblical teaching.
I can recall many instances when Jerry Falwell and others at Liberty have promoted events, offers for degrees, not to mention the entire PTL scandal as something for which money was exchanged in return for some sort of service.
He does not provide a good reason not to debate on the issues, and he certainly proves he is no Christian statesman worthy of the honor of addressing the Southern Baptist Convention.
I would encourage you to seek a debate, and I would hope that the Caner brothers would rise to the occasion to actually focus on key texts in Holy Scripture rather than a pseudo-earnestness about being "Biblical" and "Baptist."
As C.S. Lewis said, "I'd sooner live among people who don't cheat at cards than among people who are earnest about not cheating at cards."
Likewise, I would rather hear sound reasoning from these men rather than continual talk about sound reasoning from them.
Indeed, this is why the SBC is as it is today.
Truly, a shame, but I do believe change is coming.
Unfortunatly, no one is surprised by how the email conversation has gone with Ergun. Thanks for handling the situation with class Tom.
I think the debate should proceed. I believe this to be a serious subject that the SBC needs to address. However, my take on this is very different than many of yours.
I personally believe that Dr. Caner would do an outstanding job and would certainly win the debate. First, because of his superior debating skills. Ergun has a brilliant mind and is very skilled in the area of debate. And second, he would win because his view is indeed Biblical. Ergun rely's on scripture to influence his theology, not a man made theology to influence scripture..
One misrepresentation is the assumption that Ergun is an Arminian. If anyone has heard him speak on this subject he makes it very clear that he is not an Arminian. However, so many people just make room for a person either being an Arminian or a Calvinist. Ergun simply states his point that he is neither, he is a Baptist. Why does his identifying himself as a Baptist alarm so many of you? Is he not Presbyterian enough?
So I say, proceed with the debate! The truth will prevail.
We need to be careful about the speech on these postings. We do not have the right to question Dr. Caner's salvation. This is going too far. Let's heed James' warning in Chapter 3 about taming the tongue and seek to possibly correct a brother in love without making claims upon his eternal salvation. That is God's perogative alone, not ours.
Tom,
As I said to you in correspondence some time ago, this is a project by the Caners to drop a bomb on SBC Calvinism. The "pimp" comment removes all doubt in my mind. Whatever happens that night will be far less important than what the Falwell media empire does with the taped result. It will be a weapon against the Founder's Movement for years to come.
The Founder's Movement has never operated by demanding debates. I understand why you have accepted this invitation from your friend. I would urge you to consider what will be done to SBC Calvinism with the edited tapes. This is a project that will be edited into you saying and supporting things you did not say and do not support. It will be distributed to support the war on Calvinism in the SBC.
There is a battle here for principle and truth. But the end result will be major collateral damage.
Consider this carefully.
Your friend,
Michael Spencer
I am a student at Liberty's School of Law. I will be very disappointed if the debate does not occur. Caner and company may or may not realize it, but they are fostering a real hostility among the undergraduates against Calvinist "Infectors." The "monergist brigade" is small and under fire here at Liberty, so we are urgent to see this debate happen. It wouldn't matter to us that the debate was rigged to favor the brothers Caner. We just want to see people show up and demonstrate to our antagonistic brethren that we are not alone. You can’t imagine the boost to morale that we will get just by having Drs White and Ascol enter boldly into the lion’s den. We are Calvinists after all, and are not worried about God’s ability to safeguard the presentation of His truth under hostile circumstances. Please pray that this event occurs, and please come in droves. God bless you all.
Short and sweet: perservere, Dr. Ascol. I hope you and Dr. White can attend to, if nothing else, open the scriptures for the Armin.
Ben Keller
I have been in church all my life. I went to a Christian school for 12 years, and Bible College for 2. After all that, my understanding of Calvinism was that it has something to do with "once saved, always saved." It took a space-filler program on a Christian TV station at 2:00 AM to introduce me to real, biblical Calvinism. If you have the opportunity to talk to an auditorium full of young Bible College students who likely have never heard Calvinism properly presented, then for their sakes I say "Do it!" If God can use a Christian TV station at 2:00 AM, then he can certainly use you.
You know far better than I that the results are in the Lord's hands. Don't let the Giant of Despair cause you to lose hope. He is a loud, obnoxious bully. Ignore him. There are thousands who think the world of Dr. Caner because they have not heard any different. For their sakes, go. The prayers of the saints are with you.
"As I said to you in correspondence some time ago, this is a project by the Caners to drop a bomb on SBC Calvinism. The 'pimp' comment removes all doubt in my mind."
Michael, I couldn't agree with you more...
"Whatever happens that night will be far less important than what the Falwell media empire does with the taped result. It will be a weapon against the Founder's Movement for years to come."
Michael, I couldn't disagree with you more...
I too have no doubt Falwell, the Caners and others involved over at Liberty want to drop a bomb on Calvinism, but let me assure you, no amount of editing can change what is going to be said. Take it from an video editor. How could I manipulate what has been said? How could I have Tom saying something different than what he says or make him sound different than the way he sounds or look different then the way he looks? Sure, I could have more shots of him reacting to Ergun than Ergun reacting, for example, to James if he were to say something he disagreed with. But as for manipulating words, there is no way. The same is true if I was in charge of editing over at Liberty and being pressured by Ergun to make him look better. If he were to go off and says something like “I’m sick and tired of Calvinists, they all can just go to Hell” there is no way to edit what he said or make him look better saying it. If Tom says, “I would like to thank Liberty university for inviting James and I to be here..." there's no way I can make him look bad saying it.
Tom, when you hear brothers like John say "no matter how good Dr. Ascol does in person, he can be edited to made to look (or sound) like a bafoon. Beware" don't worry, that cannot happen if you and James stay professional and courteous.
I am stupified. I can't believe what the Caners said in that 22 page correspondence. Unbelievable.
It is late on the West Coast , , , ,Wiley is probably in bed and I am grieving the loss of my wife's grandmother who was buried in Augusta, GA, this past Saturday. I have just met Tom at the SBC in Greensboro; I have re-introduced myself to Tom Nettles (I had him for Church History at SWBTS) and to say that my son had taken his course at SBTS last semester ( he said: "he sat to my left"); I have seen Dr. James White in two debates on the West Coast (Douglas Wilson and Shamir Aly) and I have to say that I was proud to have him as a brother in Christ; I am of the opinion that this debate or dialogue must go forward for the sake the Truth! I encourage every one who reads this posting to honestly fast and pray for this situation that as already has been stated that "God be Glorified and that the Truth be spoken." There is no reason to back down for the truth of the Gospel.
By His Grace and For His Glory . . . . .
Brothers,
This Thing Is getting a Little out of control. I hope some one can show the Caners that they are just hurting the Gosple and there own ministries by acting the way they have been acting. Brother Tom March forward Christian Soldier I will be praying for you and Brother White. A little side note for Brother Will Langford You need to study the doctirens that you and your champion of free will are speaking out aginst before you open you mouth about the truth or un truth of it. You must know both side of the coin. You cant be ignorant of the one or the other. It is your biblical duty to be fully equiped. Also the fact that you are defending the Caners just shows me that you havent even read the files on the corasopdances between the two partys. So I Hope you do and mabye you will see what is actualy going on. Once agian thank you Brother Tom For Stanting Firm in the Faith.
Sam Bell
Fredericksburg Tx
Free Grace Baptist Church S.A Tx
Dear Dr. A,
I urge you to go to the "debate." When you take the stage with the goal of faithfully discharging your trust, the Master who appointed you as a steward will be your defender. If your opponents try to make you look foolish, the rock they are trying to roll on you will roll on them.
Love in Christ,
Jeff
Dr. Caner's behavior makes me embarrassed of the fact that I attend Liberty University.
However, knowing Dr. Caner, he probably wasn't trying to use the word pimp in its literal context, but instead was probably trying to show how much modern 'young' lingo he knows...he prides himself on being popular with his students, and goes to enormous lengths to keep it that way. A friend of mine told me of a friend of his who hangs out with Dr. Caner outside of school, who was very impressed by the fact that he uses curse words on a regular basis, because it shows that he's not as "uptight" as some of the other professors. (Note: I do NOT condone the behavior of a Dean of a Seminary who has a potty mouth) I think that by the word 'pimp', he just meant that Dr. Falwell was really going to try to make the debate high profile.
I know a lot of your brothers in Christ on this page want you to back out, but I BEG of you not to. If these men knew the degree to which these students blindly follow Dr. Caner in everything that he does, I think they would agree that this needs to happen. The Liberty University students need the truth to be proclaimed, and they need to see it in this way. Dr. Caner doesn't want to do this debate, but he also doesn't want to be the one to back out. He wants you and Dr. White to back out so that it makes him look victorious. I know that pride doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things...that's not what I'm concerned about...I'm concerned about my fellow students. I'm serious...they drink in everything he says, taking it as gospel because he has a Ph.D. and he's the Dean of the Seminary, and he debates Muslims. They don't bother to question anything he does because they hold him above reproach. I KNOW that this debate needs to happen, and we all just need to pray that God will open the hearts of the students so that they will see who is being calm and scholarly and speaking God's truth, and who is yelling and screaming and using one-liners to elicit cheers from the audience. Yes, it will be rowdy and maybe uncomfortable...you might encounter some persecution, but isn't persecution a blessing?
It seems I am ranting...I just wanted to get my two cents in. :) Thanks for allowing the rant space, Dr. Ascol.
Proverbs 14:7 "Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge."
I have mixed emotions on this. On one hand,k I think you and James should proceed (I like the idea about asking the audience if they want the debate to go longer), on the other hand, James has put a lot of time into making things right (which is understandable), but no doubt could have been spent preparing for other things or finding an opponent who actually wants to debate.
My Brothers,
Just a bit of fantasy fiction I penned when the fireworks began on this debate over a month ago.
Frankly, I think it may still be appropriate to revisit (perhaps for the majority, the first time) since the temperature rises once again over an engagement which, in my view, appears unlikely to ever Glorify our Lord. This very well could send the Calvinist Resurgence back to the 70's. Is that what you want?
Once upon a time there were two young men who lived in entirely different parts of the planet. Being born about the same year, as time passed on, both received a special new birth from Heaven with both embracing the Bible’s Christ with sheer delight!
And were they excited! In fact, neither could get enough of Him, His teachings or His Church.
Nor did this excitement about The Bible’s Christ fail to take notice of the Church Leaders. Each man’s Church loved him, nurtured him and supported him.
And, furthermore, as each man internally sensed that The Bible’s God was calling him to a specific function to the Bible’s Church, each man’s Church externally validated that inner call by visibly commissioning him to Church Leadership.
Of course, this leadership did not come without its due toil. Each man dedicated himself to a lifetime of study, scholarship and teaching. No mountains were too high to climb or valleys too wide to cross. The Bible’s Christ was much more significant than any obstacles he faced. Each spent much time preparing himself for what The Bible’s God had called him to do.
Time passed on; but though most of the truths each learned were the same, there were some differences that began to forge. Indeed the differences became more and more pronounced. So much so, that, even though the two had never met, they began to speak to each other about the differences.
Both men felt a little awkward as they spoke to each other for they really had never had much communication between them. And, even though so much similarity existed in the views each had independently forged about the Bible’s God, their only point of communication was their differences.
So, they kept trying to build a relationship between themselves based on the only thing they knew: their differences. A series of conversations took place but they didn’t go so well. All they could seem to talk about were all they knew about each other: their differences.
Emotions increased and finally any hope of meaningful relationship between the two young men rapidly slipped away. All that was left for them would be a public display of their differences and allow others to decide who they thought to be correct.
As a result, each of them went to his Church Leaders and spoke openly of the matter to the assembled wise men. As they listened, some began to note their concern that such an open display of such difference would not assist the Bible’s Kingdom in advancement.
One wise man spoke: Should not brother be for brother and not against brother? What possible help will this display of difference bring to honor The Bible’s Christ as He prays ˜that they may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” Even more, what possible display of love is this for the world to see?
Other Church Leaders joined with many questions. One wise leader said: My dear son. How far you have traveled with us. Your abilities The Bible’s God bestows through grace is beyond all we have seen for many, many years. I have watched you grow and mature. No one could ever question your knowledge or your passion to The Bible’s Christ.
But I must ask you, my dear soul: Are there not enough unbelievers to whom you may turn to cast down their arguments, pillage their arsenal and ravage their farms where they grow their poisonous crops to destroy The Bible Truth? Is there not? I beg you, tell me plain. Why must you plow The Kingdom’s Field?
One Church Leader brought up a near universally known engagement between Whitehall and Williams, two of the Church’s greatest saints, each of which, the two young men respectively claimed as his greatest example.
Do you not recall, the Wise leader asked the young man, how Whitehall thrice begged Williams not to make the differences between them known and how much hurt it could cause the Bible’s Church?
And, even though each man was respectful to listen to all the questions the Church Leaders posed, in the end both men insisted they air the differences publicly. They insisted on open debate.
After the Church Leaders of each man had met in closed session, they came back to them and conceded the debate. They said: Thus you have requested and thus we agree. Let the debate take place as you have sought.
But, know our dear son, we must also place what we believe must be requisite for the debate to happen. Do you so submit?
With that, each young man felt glee within. Now finally the truth would be known! The differences would prevail! And, each cared little what the requisite would be, for both were willing to submit to torture, persecution, or even to death for the differences to prevail.
So, upon agreeing to submit, the Church Leaders gave the debate requisite to each of the young men:
We believe that it would be best not to openly debate your brother about whatever differences you have. But we also agree to allow you such freedom and bless you as you go. In turn, you have agreed to submit to our requisite which we state to you now:
Since you are openly debating your brother, we require you--based upon The Bible’s clear call to love your brother, make peace with your brother and live in true brotherly fellowship and keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace make amends with him, putting aside all ill-wills against him, counting him worthy of the calling with which he is called, and counting him better than yourself.
We require you to, before any open engagement takes place, make sure you stand right as brothers with one another so that the debate is seen as between friends for whom The Bible’s Christ died and not enemies of The Bible’s God. It will be then and only then that we bless you in your desire to debate your brother.
Upon hearing that, both young men walked away from his meeting contemplating in his heart what he would do...
With that, I am...
Peter
Tom-
I may be the dissenting voice here, but don't do the debate. Your description of a burlesque show is exactly on target and no one wants or needs to see Ergun's legs.
Whatever format or thesis is chosen it will be a screaming, finger pointing, playground free for all. Everyone who has read the email exchanges already knows how the Drs Caner behave, there is no reason to give Liberty the opportunity to profit from it. Theological discussion is not desired by them; self promotion is.
Dear Dr Ascol
I have been following this whole email
thing from across the pond and have been shocked by the antics of mr caner. It reminded me of the antics boxers go to to pyche out there opponents (Ali Vs Foreman) that type of thing. In my opinion and for what its worth I would go ahead if only for those students who hang on his every word. Incidentally i listened to mr caners sermon on romans 9 and could not help thinking, emotional soundbites for the masses.
I have listened to a number of Dr whites debates and heard him live and have found him to be an impecable christian gentleman, and who treats his opponents with the utmost respect even when they have not offered the same in return.
Finally hold your ground and let Gods Truth Shine 1Peter 3v15.
Dan From across the pond
Quite honestly, I don't think the issue here is that Dr. Caner does not want to have a scholarly debate on the doctrines of grace, I think the issue is he cannot and he knows it. That would go a long way towards explaining his actions. Puffing up and becoming belligerent is a common defense technique in the animal kingdom used to hide weaknesses. Its used in the hope that the opponent will walk away thereby avoiding the disaster of a confrontation. People sometimes use it too.
Apparently Dr. Falwell is still in the dark about Caner's ability to effectively defend his position or else he would not be excited about 'pimping' the debate to the whole world. He'd be scared to death that someone might actually see it!
OK: there is definitely something wrong when Michael Spencer and I agree on something, so let's think about why the iMonk and I agree that Dr. White and Tom Ascol should, given no changes in conditions, drop out of the debate in October.
[1] AOMin will not be in control of the recording that night. Rich has a 15-year history of integrity with recordings of debates (that is: living up to his promises that he will provide an unedited master to the other party). Given the kind of pettiness witnessed so far, the odds that the Caners/Dr. Falwell/Liberty will give Rich an unedited master are against.
[2] Given their brazen license with facts in e-mails which are publicly available to review, I have little or no doubt that they will take license with the video of this debate. All the need is one sound bite where Tom or Dr. White says, "Of course God does love all men equally becuase God will send some to hell for punishment," and they will turn the debate on its head in the editing room.
[3] There's no way the moderation will be balanced. "Fair" is such a bizarre word to use for a moderator because his job is not "fairness" but "impartiality". The current moderator is not an impartial person in this matter. The odds of White & Ascol getting even 40% of the mike time is low.
[4] I respect Dave H's optimism about the open-mindedness of the crowd, but he's wrong. I think of the Tim Staples debate, and if Staples' students could behave the way they did, how exactly does anyone think the students of the Pit Pull of Evangelical debates will behave? The decorum fo the crowd will turn this exchange into a circus in no time flat.
[5] Format. The format is "free for all" right now. Unless one is going to bring a bull horn or a chain, one is not going to win a free-for-all,
5 good reasons to walk away. At this point, the hope that the views will be aired out in a valuable way is completely gone. If Ergun Caner cannot respond to the substance of an e-mail written in real concern for the content of his objections, why would he respond with substance in the debate.
Good heavens: "read my book" looks like Socrates compared to what is being enountered here.
Sean,
I noticed my comments were deleted. However, I simply ask whether or not the comments concerning what John specifically said in Revelation concerning liars. If that is too bold, then please explain why. To call the man to repentance of lying is biblical. Whether or not he is saved may or may not apply. In either case, he does need to hear and understand the true gospel of grace.
Hi Michael Spencer,
You're absolutely right. The video and audio can be edited to make it appear that it was something it was not. The person who claims to be a video editor and denies that simply lacks credibility. If host says something crude, that can simply be edited out. These days little things, like vocalized pauses, can be easily and seamlessly edited out. What actually transpires and what is presented on a video or DVD can be two entirely different things. And just having some friend with a video camera making your own video won't be sufficient. Founders doesn't have the reach and the media. They could have a slanted version of the debate circulating out there (for a hefty donation) and Founders would only have a few copies of a sloppily done, little-known video. If the debate is going to go ahead, then there should be written (contractual) assurances about what will be done with the video and the audio.
My dear departed friend and mentor, R. F. Gates, was full of Godly wisdom and discernment. When he would observe someone ranting and raving on the level that Ergun Caner has been doing for some time now, he would ask, "Now did that fellow have to get saved in order to be able to act that way, or could he have acted that way as an unbeliever? Did it take the grace of God to 'change' him into what he now is?"
The more I read and listen to the bluster of Ergun Caner, the more I think about a character out of the old Uncle Remus stories -- Tar baby.
Bill Ascol
Brothers and Dr. Ascol:
Somehow when I read through this I began thinking about Paul and his determination to go to Jerusalem in spite of what all his dearest friends and church members said (after I was done being ticked off, I mean you just don't treat people that way). Truth be told, there's trouble in Jerusalem brother whether you get there by Pentecost or not. The difference here is that there is no Ceasar for you to appeal to, no way out of the flogging thats probably going to take place. As it stands right now, its going to be rough . The thing is that you simply never know how the Lord will use the things you say to affect others. I am at best a layman and unlearned when it come to these matters you all discuss here, but its a great encouragement to me to read them--my thanks to you all.
But I know this. God is who He says He is in His Word. I have see Him take a blind, stupid fool with just a bit of the Word of God in his belly and light a fire under the hardest hearted sinner. If there was ever group that needed some "consuming fire" it’s these folks.
I'll leave you with this:
Ezekiel 2:4-5 (NASB)..."
Yours for being flint-headed...
Josh
Tom,
At this point I think that a debate should be either cancelled or at least postponed. The environment for the debate will be hostile rather than Christian or, at the least, civil. Before resuming plans for the debate, I think that three things should be in place.
First, there should be a more neutral site, as another suggested, Southern Seminary or Southeastern Seminary. Second, there should be a different moderator than the one proposed. Al Mohler, Danny Akin, or Timothy George would be my suggestions. Third, a format which would allow for a thorough and thoughtful discussion of these important doctrinal differences should be in place.
If these things are not allowed, a debate may have more of a Jerry Springer atmosphere than a Christian discussion.
Tom,
As one who has been greatly affected by Founders and your ministry I would like to add my lowly 2 cents worth.
My interaction with you via email (when you allowed me to quote you extensively in December '05 issue of the newspaper article I write monthly) and our brief conversation in the Burbank Airport prior to the Shepherd's Conference, as well as your posts on this blog, have left me with nothing but admiration for you. So on one hand, I shudder to think of you standing before the Drs. Caner and voluntarily submitting yourself to what will inevitably turn into a character assasination, if it doesn't begin that way from the outset.
On the other hand, your mature, grace-filled, Scripturally-laden presentation (arguments) will cause the Drs. extreme heartache due to their inability to volley in like-manner and will publically reveal their true colors/character. This will undoubtably also reflect poorly on Dr. Falwell and Liberty.
All that to say, you have chosen to withdraw and part of me says you've done the right thing. But there is a part of me that wishes you to stay the course.
The question I'm asking myself is, why do I want you to continue as previously planned? Is it because I want the truth of God's Word presented thoughtfully and accurately and falsehood revealed or is it because I want to see egg on the Drs. faces? I hope it's the former. I'm afraid it's the latter. And that, of course, is not a good reason, nor one in which you would approve I'm sure.
Will Langford said,
."
I say -
Besides myself, I haven't seen any arrogant, self-righteous attacks on Dr. Caner on this blog. And I don't speak for anyone besides myself. I alone and responsible for my statements. (BTW, I attempted to email Dr. Caner last night but it was returned "undeliverable". Providence!)
After a good night's sleep, I'll admit that my statement may be pushing the envelope a little. And if I was refreshed in mind last night, I probably would have left out the second text and not put quotations on "may".
With that said, your words include: amazement, self righteous, attacks, name calling, misrepresentations, arrogant, rediculous...
Whatever I may have said and whatever criticism I may justly deserve I would multiply 1000 fold back to Dr. Caner himself.
Every critical word used in your post could be stated 1000 times of Dr. Caner's own words within this blog just a few months ago.
Shall I cut and paste them for you?
Tom,
Please forgive me for the lack of charity in my previous post. I'll make an effort to refrain in the future.
Additionally, I am very moved by the students from Liberty almost begging for this debate. I feel they are sincere and I can only imagine the kind of spiritual persecution they are enduring for the sake of the truth. (Is this not evidence of one being an "enemy of the truth"?)
I have not planned to attend this debate prior to this post, but if the debate does happen, I may drive all the way from Florida to attend the meeting myself. I think it is that important.
CR
Can we arrange a resturant or place to fellowship among friends in Lynchburg after the debate?
Is there a coffee house open late so students and friends of Ascol and White can gather for reflection after the debate?
CR
Tom,
In the past, we've discussed how godly discussion has been eroding in the SBC due to ad hominem, etc. Caner's blather has taken it to a completely different level. This is turning into a circus. I understand your heart. You desire to have honest dialog to promote the education of proper theology. Do you think this will happen, now? Better to bow out than have it mischaracterized further.
I would have walked out the moment he said "pimped." So much for being in the world and not of it!
All of this talk about being sent to a rebellious people....
What about shaking the dust off of your sandals?
What about leaving the synagogue and sharing the Gospel elsewhere?
The issue isn't whether God can draw a straight line with a crooked pencil.... (we know He can and does!)it is whether we can honor and glorify God when the distraction and deception of the emails begin to blur the purpose and tarnish our testimony.
Maybe the table ought to be turned... is it possible to move the venue from the Dog Pound to another Kennel?
I think that the real challenge isn't this debate. If Drs White and Ascol decide to reject the childish actions of the drs Caner they haven't lost anything at all.
Everyone can see the truth: Dr White has made himself available at ANYTIME to discuss this with Dr Caner in HIS OWN classrooms.
Forget the debate for a minute... The interaction at the classroom level, to me, seems like the obvious answer. If Dr Caner is true to his own words and beliefs... he would take him up on it... if not then who is the one who loses?
The hype that this debate is getting needs to be tempered with what Dr White said at the beginning about how he has several other, just as important, if not more important, debates coming up in the very near future.
We are praying for you Drs White, Ascol, and Caner.
Just a few observations:
First, I suspect there are not a few Liberty students, as seen in a couple of posts here, who are looking forward to seeing God's sovereignty in salvation defended. It's hard to imagine the debate not happening.
Second, how long must we endure this vacuous assertion that "I'm not a Calvinist or an Arminian; I'm a Baptist"? It betrays an ignorance of church history and theology.
Third, many non-reformed Baptists, IMO, fear Calvinistic soteriology because it is the greatest danger not to evangelism but to pragmatism. Many personal ecclesiastical kingdoms would be seen for what they are if Baptists return to their historical roots. It's one thing to work up decisions; it's quite another to see true conversions.
Fourth (and last--I don't read through long posts either!), the charge that reformed Baptists follow a system and not the Bible is laughable. We are Baptists, for crying out loud! :) What system did we ever grow up on as young children or believers? We became reformed in our understanding of salvation because we saw in taught in the Bible. Many of us (I plead guilty) were initially repulsed by Calvinistic soteriology. Only because we became convinced that it is indeed biblical did we accept it.
Okay, too long. Sorry.
Bill
I would not waste my breath on this guy.I've got a cousin that acted the same way but to his defense he started to change around the age 15.
Cancell the debate.
kelly
Brothers and sisters:
Thanks for your comments. God will use them, I believe, to make clear His will in navigating through this mess. I deleted a couple of comments made by friends, not because I thought that they did not have a point, but because I thought they crossed a line in making judgments. Granted, both men had arguable points, but we tend to be too quick to pile on when dealing with those with whom we disagree. I don't want this thread to degenerate into that and so I have started moderating the comments.
As has been pointed out, Jesus has commanded us to love even our enemies. So, if you are convinced that Dr. Caner is your enemy, you are under no less obligation to be patient, kind, forgiving, longsuffering and hopeful toward him. I confess, my deepest emotion is grief. I am profoundly saddened by all of this and have been given many reasons to stop and examine my role in what has become a shameful exchange of emails. It is sobering to me.
Let me try to express as succinctly as I can what my posture is in this whole mess. From the beginning, since being asked to participate in the debate, I have been a willing but unenthusiastic participant. That should not be taken as my disapproval of the concept of scholarly theological debate but rather as my personal sense of calling to be a preacher of the Word and not scholarly debater of it. Yet, included in my sense of call is the responsibility to contend for the faith and to defend it. Doing so in a scholastic setting fits within that but it does not excite me near as much as preaching to my church or encouraging friends to come to Christ over breakfast (as I was privileged to do a few hours ago). Dr. White also loves preaching and personal evangelism. Yet, God has led him to give himself to the primary work of apologetics which necessarily includes scholarly engagements. If you know James or have seen him debate, you probably agree with me that God has built him for debating.
Given all of this, I am willing to go anywhere at any time to preach Christ. I have long said that if the Pope would issue me an invitation to address a gathering at St. Peter's, I would accept it in a heartbeat and would preach justification through faith alone. By God's grace I do not think I would be afraid to stand in front of 10,000 people who hate what I believe and try to proclaim the Gospel of God's grace to them. I can assure you that I have been castigated for my beliefs by far better people than are likely to show up in the Vines Center for a debate. Those experiences have helped me to see that what people think of me or do to me really doesn't matter. I am not suggesting that I like it or that it is painless, but, ultimately, it is insignificant.
So, if I had any hope that James and I would be allowed to speak freely and engage in an orderly way the arguments of our theological opponents, I would not say peep about all the bluster and bloviating (thanks, Charles!) that has been directed our way the last several months (even though I hate the thought of being associated with those who conduct themselves in this way in the Name of Christ). My concern, however, is that based on what I have seen and on what Drs. Caner have attempted to force on us by way of format, thesis and moderator for this "debate," I have no confidence that they will allow us to speak. To put it bluntly, I do not trust them. The written evidence gives sufficient reason for my lack of trust.
What will happen? I don't know. But I am convinced that the Caners do not want an honest exchange of ideas in a debate format. I won't speculate on their motivations. That is God's business. But it is evident that if they really wanted an honest debate, they could have it. We stand ready and willing to engage them on agreed upon terms and in any number of formats that have proven useful for theological debate (with an impartial moderator).
If, however, as Dr. Caner has already admitted, all they are interested in is to put on a show so that Dr. Falwell can "pimp" the tapes and DVDs to little old ladies around the world, then I am not at all interested.
Thanks for your prayers.
I have to say that my opinion is that the very reason this debate is being planned is the reason why it doesn't need to happen.
The Patterson-Mohler "debate" took place because Calvinism is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the SBC. It has done so not by attempting to maneuver it into the power structure, but on the grassroots level. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Mohler and Akin are running two of the seminaries.
This reminds of what I know of the conservative resurgence in a unique sort of way. The megachurches are going to have more members, generally speaking, because of the nature of their membership requirements (as Dr. Ascol has recently attempted to amend). And yet, because of that same kind of easy-believism, there will be a much smaller percentage of people who care than in Calvinistic churches.
The high view of God and the sanctification that comes as a result of true, faithful preaching is sadly lacking in the churches that control the convention right now. But as can be plainly seen, that is changing. Debate in the public arena is not necessary. Like the reaction against the "establishment" this year in Greensboro, my feeling is that the "Calvinist resurgence" (and it is indeed a resurgence, though long in coming) will sneak up and stun the Arminian crowd.
Look what has already happened in the world of evangelicalism even without any formal action. Al Mohler has become the default spokesman for the SBC with the media. John Piper is one of the most popular authors, even among Arminians. So is John MacArthur, who even Bailey Smith (certainly no Calvinist) referred to as "America's Bible Teachers" at Real Evangelism a couple of years ago.
There's a phrase I've heard a few times from my professor that "Liberals have no grandchildren." Well, fluff-preaching pulpiteers may have some, but not many. The unfortunate reality is that the Calvinists may inherit leadership of the SBC by default as all the others continue to drift away from that kind of teachinng which will build strong believers.
The Arminian leadership of the SBC is clearly worried, and there's a reason for it. They're not just creating some movement to have something to preach against. They recognize the growing influence of Calvinism in the SBC.
My opinion is that we should simply preach the truth and be faithful, as many of you have been doing for years and years to what is now being seen as great fruition.
Here's an idea. Why not try to get the debate to take place at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where Paige Patterson and Emir teach? Since people are impressed by the Mohler/Patterson exchange, perhaps Patterson could handle the situation in an appropriate way. I very much doubt that he would allow any kind of shameful exchange to take place. Also, it would certainly be convenient for Emir. I am sure he could talk to the theology department and set up things easily.
You might even talk to Dr. Doug Blount at Southwestern. He's a well-trained Notre Dame grad who would be good to work with.
I see no reason why Emir would have a problem with this. Ergun might.
Since the moderator at Liberty is not being cooperative in replying, try to set up the debate somewhere else. If Ergun is unwilling, then I would call it off. Several people have given good reasons why the debate should not take place at Liberty. At least try to get the debate to happen somewhere else (like Southwestern Bapt Theo Sem) before you drop out. If you are not satisfied with how Liberty is handling the situation, then make an effort to set it up at another location.
Since I live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, I am biased in my suggestion for the location :-)
May God continue to grant grace to Tom so that he can continue to be a model of Christian maturity in this matter.
Gentlemen, since when does the host of the debate get to pick the moderator and the question? It is usually the privilege of the debaters lacking "home court advantage" to choose the question.
I think that a parliamentary style debate plays into your hands, especially if you are in the negative. The Opposition in a Parliamentary style debate has a lower burden of evidence. He only has to poke sufficient holes in the Government's arguments to win. The opposition can win by not losing; the government must obliterate the opposition in order to win. Proper judges from a properly sanctioned debating league would see to it. The problem is that a parliamentary debate is not really meant to be carried out in front of an audience. I think cross-examination would be uniquely well-suited to a debate before an audience. The Caners don't seem to know the first thing about debate.
And to Chris R. - there are not many places in Lynchburg that are open past 9 or 10 pm, but I'm sure with a good amount of searching something can be found. If all else fails, I'll squeeze you all into my little townhouse. :)
Thank you, Tom and James . . . .brothers!
Thank God for your longsuffering and endurance. It just takes a step at a time. Also, a lot of prayer. Thanks!
This whole thing is sad. Before seeing that the Doctrines of Grace were biblical truth, I admit that I was just as antagonistic towards Calvinists/Calvinism as Caner is. I believe that it will take a work of God in Caner's heart for anything productive to be accomplished from this "debate".
With that being said, I still plan on trying to be there!
Tom,
--FOR THE SAKE OF THE ELECT--
As a former Liberty U. student, I believe that the debate will be a success. Those students at Liberty are not brain-numb robots. They are at that University because they love the Lord, love Scripture, and want to learn.
The Caners may want to be "Arminian Rockstars" but they can't fool everybody. In fact, when I went to Liberty sixteen years ago, I went as one who believed as the Caner's do. BUT...There was ONE professor at Liberty who expounded the Scriptures and taught me to do the same. His name is Dr. Paul Fink.
Dr. Fink is reformed in his theology. I thought he was a hyper-Calvinistic enemy of the Gospel -- AT FIRST. But God used that ONE professor to begin to change my theological thinking.
To make a long story short, Dr. Fink braved the Arminian environment, endured all things for the sake of the elect, and taught many of us "young bucks" Calvinism -- and it changed our lives and ministries forever!!
You and Dr. White can do the same.
I hope this works out where you two can go... and go back again... and go back every year... and be a voice for Reformed theology in a place were many of our young pastors are going to learn.
Tom,
I was wondering if this debate is going to be taped. I'd watch it every day =D
And for everbody else reading this, who agrees with me that all the arminians will stay home sweating while this debate is taking place so they'l have an exuse to say, "the Caner's won fair in square."?
Tom,
Don't for one minute consider backing out of this debate. When I first began struggling with the Doctrines of Grace, the reading of the Whitefield/Wesley saga was so instrumental in allowing me to see who really posessed the truth. In many ways what you and James are experiencing closely paralells what Whitefield endured. While this is no doubt greivous at the present time, I feel confident that generations of Christians in years to come will read your correspondense, much like I read the Whitfield/Wesley correspondence and will be drawn to the truth. This debate will obviously not be about the merits of Calvinism, but it will be about the character of Calvinists. I will be praying that your sterling character will continue to show through as you and James confront these unruly men with dignity and grace. Fight the good fight gentlemen and know that many are praying for you.
I wonder if Danny Akin would be available as a moderator. He is well respected and liked by the Caners and by many in the Reformed camp as well, and is not too far away geographically. He would surely do a "fair and balanced" job as moderator/referee.
Dr. Ascol, I am sure that whatever decision you make will be the right one.
However...I, for one, do not want to see this debate get cancelled. Caner is already unbearable, and there is no telling what sort of nonsense will spew forth if this debate gets cancelled. Cancellign it would play right into his hands, IMO. He is scared of actual debate, thus his childish antics.
I think there will be positives and negatives...no matter what happens. I guess you need to weigh those out.
- Gray
PS - With regard to comments made by Will Langford : Will, have you even read the e-mail correspondence?
I was floored and disgusted by what I have seen from Ergun Caner. But you see no problem? odd.
I guess the myopia fades over into defining positions as well. You shudder when he is called Arminian (even though his positions COULD be construed as classic Arminianism) yet you have no problem with his attack on Calvinists as "hyper-calvinists", despite the fact that historically they are 2 different camps. At least TRY and be consistent.
I have not been able to read all of the posts, but as for the poster noting Emir's book and the rise of Anabaptist Studies at SWBTS. Emir was the Professor of Anabaptist Studies at SEBTS from 1998 until Dr. Patterson took him to SWBTS. As much as I apprecieate Dr Patterson, he is very deliberate about using the anabaptist history to lessen the impact of Particular Baptists and English Generals (they went into universalism) on Baptist History. Of course much of it is to counter his fear of Hyper Calvinism. As many have observed, his fear is frequently misaimed at Evangelical Calvinists.
Greg B
Deb Jones,
Would you be Marvin and Karen's 2d child.
Greg B from Redeeming Grace
huguenotbible@aol.com
Steve Camp had some excellent recommendations. I would, however, add that, should you decide to go ahead, edited copies of the debate not be allowed. There needn't be out-right fraud for there to be mischief. Biased people will see and hear what they want to see and hear and, if allowed to, will edit the real debate to fit the one they imagined they saw and heard.
Mr. Caner's followers will not even see the problems with the e-mails Dr. Ascol posted.
As for the comparison with Whitefield v. Wesley: Wesley was not allowed to edit Whitefield's letters. If he had, he would have butchered them, as he did the work of Puritans that he published. The Whitefield v. Wesley debate was carried on through writings, not a setting controlled by Wesley, with recordings in his hands to do with as he saw fit. I agree that Whitefield's counter to Wesley is one of the best introductions to the doctrines of grace, etc., (especially to an evangelical Arminian). But that was only made possible because Wesley didn't control the media, certainly not Whitefield's writing.
Greg B. - I am Marvin and Karen's first child :) I was born in Fort Worth after my parents met at seminary at Southwestern and got married. You go to Redeeming Grace in Mathews, VA? How come I've never met you?
Dear Tom,
Thank-you for your graciousness in sharing all this with us and the many hours of labor you put in to keeping all of us up to date.
Just a few personal words regarding Dr. Ergun Caner:
I have been consistent in my reading of the blogs concerning this debate, but have remained silent until now because I knew how this would turn out from the beginning. I am a graduate of Liberty University much like some other posters here. I graduated less than one year ago, but left the campus a year and half ago to pursue my calling in ministry. I had the unfortunate opportunity of sitting under the teaching of Dr. Caner during his first semester at Liberty University. We clashed on many issues and began privately debating many Calvinistic soteriological issues. He specifically attacked Founders on many issues (as he knew I was associated with this ministry) but many the issues consisted of irrelevant topics like “not everyone at Founders Ministries agrees whether or not infants who die go to heaven” and “We do not believe in killing heretics, as Calvin did with Servetus and many others”. To his defense, I must say Caner is very knowledgeable historically speaking. In class, the brunt of his accusations against ministries like Founders were more on a personal level, not scholarly. To keep myself from going off on a tangent concerning Caner’s character, let me just say that he is one who obviously distorts truth and toys with emotions in an attempt to persuade others to see things his way.
To Jason Robertson:
Yes, there is a reformed presence on the campus of Liberty University. While I was there I led a reformed Bible study and had a professor from the theology department at Liberty speak on a few occasions. I also was able to work at the bookstore and brought in many reformed books that was met with both great opposition (from Caner, Ed Hinson, and Dr. Falwell) and great welcome. I must say though, Dr Fink is not a Calvinist. I sat under his teachings for many classes, and while he strongly teaches Total Depravity, he just as strongly defends a General Atonement. He teaches proper Biblical exposition and this is how many come to the knowledge of the Doctrines of Grace – through proper Biblical study.
If the debate does occur with Tom involved, I will definitely be there and will gladly secure a location for all to meet following the debate.
- Forest Aalderink
Forest, not to start a debate here at Tom's site about this issue, but some Calvinists do defend a "General Atonement" as you called it. I do not believe in such, but many good Calvinists do/did. Dr. Fink is reformed in his theology.
Of course, my point was that on a campus there are many students who will be able to see past the antics of the Caners, listen to the substance of the debate, and be theologically affected by the whole thing. So for the sake of the elect, I would hope that Drs. White and Ascol persevere and defend the Gospel.
I am just simply amazed at all this. I mean, even if you're not a Calvinist, if you know anything about theology (even just basic definitions), you would know Ergun is misusing and abusing the term Hyper-Calvinist over and over again (his usage of this has been sufficiently refuted by White with no thoughtful response from Ergun).
I had a friend who attended Liberty University (I won't mention the person's name so they aren't beaten, jk) who later saw what Calvinism was actually saying and agrees with it; and I just wonder if it was this type of unfair, dishonest, mean-spirited assessment of others coming from the official level of the school that drove them to study what Calvinists were actually saying. I tell you what, this has revealed a whole lot to so many about the hearts of the leaders at that school ... especially Ergun. I mean, how in any manner is he exhibiting Christ-like behavior, at any level?
Dear Deb Jones:
If you email me off list at huguenotbible@aol.com, I'll tell you the story. I do teach Katie in SS.
Greg B
Deb:
To avoid trouble, run me and the email address by your dad. Don't want to smack of weirdoes on myspace.
Greg B
Dear Jason E. Robertson,
Hi. I don't think anyone who espouses "general atonement" could be described as a "Calvinist;" at best, perhaps, a "confused Calvinist." Limited atonement is actually one of the most easily proved from the Bible of the so-called "five points." There maybe Reformed theologians who want to nuance it by emphasizing that Christ's death was potentially sufficient for all people but only specifically applied to the elect. If the atonement is general, then all are saved. Besides, what sense does it make to propose that Christ died for everyone's atonement (even those who died BC) when there are specific people (like Judas!) who we know were predestined for destruction?
The term I got from Dr. John Hammett at SEBTS was "Sufficient for all, efficient for the elect."
Basically, the blood of Jesus has unlimited power to save, but the Godhead only intended it for the elect.
Greg B
Tom...Dr Ascol(we haven't met).
If at all possible I would continue with the debate. Mr. Camps' suggestions may still be applied, and possibly Dr. Akin or a more knowledgeable and neutral moderator could be found. I will 2d the notion that if you and Dr. White can maintain a Christlike demeanor (regardless of the tenor of the debate) many on LU campus will be intrigued to study on their own. This was happening at SEBTS when I was there. The more Dr. Patterson tried to warn us about Calvinism, the more we studied. The more we were warned by some about Biblical counseling being to simplistic, the more we studied it.
If it happens I will go to Lynchburg to see it (2hours).
Greg B
Greg & John:
In relation to your statements:
"There may be Reformed theologians who want to nuance it by emphasizing that Christ's death was potentially sufficient for all people but only specifically applied to the elect." / "Sufficient for all, efficient for the elect."
The phrase "Sufficient for all..." comes from the Synod of Dort. So, folks using such terminology are not "confused Calvinists" or lacking in theological acumen.
Brothers,
Is it not at all possible that some could employ the term hypercalvinist in a non-classical sense? I think it is.
Indeed I have known some who, after discussing with them exactly what they were suggesting about precisely how calvinism at large was different from hypercalvinism in particular, their distinction led me to believe that all they were suggesting was that hypercalvinism was aggressive calvinism. That is, hypercalvinists were, in their view, calvinists who proactively attempted to persuade others to embrace calvinism.
Consequently, I think it would be good to allow a little slack to people who may employ the term hypercalvinist more loosely than technically. After all, they may not at all be incorrect in their charge--given their working definition--that many within Founders community, for example, are hypercalvinists. That is, those calvinists who, in a hyper, very aggressive way, persuade others to become calvinists too.
With that, I am...
Peter
Gee, I didn't even know Dr. Hammett was there.
Dear James,
Hi. Thanks for the info. Could you quote the exact section of the Synod of Dordt that wrote: "Sufficient for all..." ?
I'd appreciate it.
jc
I believe a "hyper-calvinist" is someone who does not believe God uses the means of grace. The "hyper-calvinist" is someone who supposedly believes that since God has predestined the elect, then we need not evangelize, preach, etc. I've personally never met such a person and wonder if they are straw-men made up to knock down as if they were Biblical believers. Some "Calvinist" just might not like to use the means of grace and then use theology to excuse their sin. But I doubt very many people go to the Bible (or the Calvinist confessions), study, and come out believing that "when God wants to save the heathen He'll do it Himself."
I was and am, although very prayerfully, a supporter of this debate. But I ask "What good can come from it?". Why debate with a brick wall, can that brick then become wood?
My heart is heavy for all parties involved. For Brothers Ascol and White, because they are standing for the Truth that I hold to dearly. For the Caner's, that they would please soften their attacks. Fortunately where I am from, when someone uses the word "pimpin" it is still said in the dark. Although the younger generation have started using it, but bless God when called down on it, they have repented, and agreed that their conversations should be more Christlike. This was NOT an attack! It is a simple statement of fact of my geographical location.
But here is the situation. If the debate is cancelled, Bro. Ascol and Bro. White will be called cowards. If they continue, they will more then likely be shouted down, and not even given a fair chance to state their beliefs. I think we can all honestly assess by the former transactions that this is the simple truth.
Father God, I pray that YOUR will would be done! Help us to be about YOUR business. Help us in that more will be exposed and willing to listen to our defense. Holy Spirit, only you can bring about change of heart and mind, For YOUR glory do that even know!
In the matchless authority and all powerful name of Jesus our Lord,
AMEN!
In relation to John's comment,
"If the atonement is general, then all are saved. Besides, what sense does it make to propose that Christ died for everyone's atonement (even those who died BC) when there are specific people (like Judas!) who we know were predestined for destruction?"
There are some at SEBTS actually teaching that Christ paid the full penalty of sin, even for those who will face eternal punishment. The caveat is that the rejection of Christ is not considered a sin, and therefore not paid for, thus necessitating eternal damnation. I know it doesn't seem to make much sense, but this idea may grow in SBC circles as it is being taught by a philosophy professor.
Hi Peter:
I am glad to see you are still hanging around. I would still like to see your thoughts on my questions in the comments under the entry on Regeneration.
Concerning the legitimacy of redefining words to suit our purposes, I find your suggested line of reasoning very problematic. It reminds me of that famous theologian, Humpty Dumpty: "'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,' it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.'"
It is not a question of whether or not it is possible to misuse a word, the Caners and others have proven that possibility without a shadow of a doubt. The question is the legitimacy of it. Hyper-Calvinism is a definable theological position which is odious to those who hold to historic evangelical principles. When the Caners apply it to those who do not hold to that position--in fact who have clearly and firmly renounced that position--they are sinning.
Those who are aware that they must give an account of every idle word should be as careful as possible not to miscommunicate so as to violate the 9th commandment. Calling an evangelical Calvinist a hyper-Calvinist does exactly that...unless, I suppose, you happen to be a large talking egg who lives in Wonderland. For those of us who live in the real world, it is unacceptable.
Yes Peter:
Most....alot of folks, most of those that "fight" Calvinism use Hyper-Calvinism in this way. Of course, grammatically they can be correct, but the term has a history they combine with the idea that it describes those who are passionate about Calvinism.
Historically Hyper doesn't mean Calvinists but more so. Sadly, many who misuse the words, or as I think fuse the two ideas together should know better.
Greg B
Concerning Tom's last post:
Isn't that what we rightfully accused the liberal professors of the Southern Baptist seminaries of doing. Using familiar and historical words and phrases but meaning different things without explaining the differences (intentionally of course). Atleast that is what Russ Bush taught us.
Greg B
John,
I am glad you have settled on a good--perhaps even sophisticated and very technical--definition of exactly what a hypercalvinist happens to be. Yet there do exist some who do not share that working definition and, consequently, confusion will continue in the communication process if that is not recognized.
Some feel, I'm quite sure, that what I am pointing out does not amount to a hill of tators. However, when the persistent charge of "speaking false withness" because of wrongly embracing heresy is leveled against many non-calvinists for calling them hypercalvinists, I think it matter more than a hill of tators.
Have a great day, I am...
Peter
Mathew said -
Regarding unlimited atonement and the rejection of Christ, "...but this idea may grow in SBC circles as it is being taught by a philosophy professor."
To use the term coined by Gene Bridges (at least on this blog), BINGO!
Philosophy does not equal truth. If it is not according to the Word of Truth, regardless of how it sounds or how it appears to make sense, it is not truth.
Case in point -
R.C. Sproul Jr.'s espousal that God changed Eve's inclination to sin prior to the temptation and fall. PHILOSOPHY!
Pelagius' espousal that what God commands, man must have the ability to do, whence man must have free will. PHILOSOPHY!
There is much that passes as theology masked with eisogesis but with careful scrutiny prove fruitless and inaccurate.
My friend Peter (whom I've never met except on this blog) insists that Arminianism is not philosphy nor is free will philosphy. I believe otherwise.
Only that which is true according to the word of God is theology. All else falls short of God's glory.
One final thought, Sproul (Whom I like) is a philosopher/theologian. Philosophically, he can convince most everyone on the doctrine of paedobaptism. However, biblically, there is not one example of an infant being baptized!
His arguments and persuasion sound powerful but lack in biblical fact. In the same way, his assertion that God changed Eve's inclination to sin may make sense in questioning how and why Eve and Adam sinned. However, the Bible does not reveal this mystery and to suggest otherwise is unbiblical.
Peter -
My brother, if words have no understandable meaning, then there can be no communication. No one has the right to redefine any word. Why should we redefine a word unless we have an agenda or desire to slander another?
I've heard some people say, "Spurgeon was not a Calvinist." If that is true, then words have no meaning. He himself said, "I am not ashamed to prevail myself a Calvinist!"
As far as founders being "hyper-calvinist" because of trying to convince others of calvinism...
We are among friends here. We generally agree on many things and we all understand the term calvinism and their associated words and doctrines. There is no need to hide behind vague generalities in the company of friends.
Outside of this blog, most of us would not be so blunt, so specific, nor so vocal about the "C" word. After all, in some places you could be lynched for saying it.
CR
Peter:
Perhaps if I try to use your line of reasoning to respond to your own concern, maybe I can more clearly make the point of my concern about being charged with hyper-Calvinism. You wrote that you are concerned with non-Calvinists being charged with speaking as false witnesses when they accuse Calvinists of being hyper-Calvinists. Let me use your own words as well as your own reasoning to respond:
Is it not at all possible that some could make the charge of "speaking false witness" in a non-classical sense? I think it is. So, while you have settled on a good--perhaps even sophisticated and very technical--definition of exactly what "speaking false witness" happens to be. Yet there do exist some who do not share that working definition and, consequently, confusion will continue in the communication process if that is not recognized.
I think you can see my point. If those who disagree with us continue to characterize us with the misuse of words that have easily discernable definitions, then, yes, confusion will certainly continue in the communication process. But the fault will belong to those who willingly, Humpt-Dumpty-like, change the meaning of words to mean just what they want them to mean.
Have a great day!
Distinguished Doctor,
Have you noticed how many of your correspondents are getting their practice at becoming world famous authors on your blogspot?
And how easy it is for some to forget the subject for discussion? I know a lot of preachers like that. It is called "rabbit chasing."
I chuckle as I read and think maybe I will introduce a resolution at the next SBC to change your blogspot to (NOT Dear Abby or Dear Ann) but DEAR TOMMY.
PROVERB 17:22
PS: The scheduled debate or ENCOUNTER in Lynchburg is already WON by you and your partner.
The bloviating "pit bull" has already LOST it with all his barking, snarling and BAD BEHAVIOR!
Such "foaming at the mouth"
(DOM disease) indicates the strong possibility of severe religious rabies!!
Do not sit too close to the dean of the Falwell schools in October.
PROVERB 17:22
saved and sure -
There are only so many ways to say the same thing. Caner is incredulous. We are shocked and amazed that a person of his position would engage in such fruitless behavior and speech. We want the debate to go on but only if it glorifies the Lord.
I do like your way of saying it though - bloviating pit bull, barking, screaming, rabies...Good one!
CR
From the Canons of the Synod of Dort, Second Main Heading:
Article 3 - This death of God's Son is the only and entirely complete sacrifice and satisfaction for sins; it is of infinite value and worth, more than sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world.
Article 8 -.
While you can see that the EXACT phrase is not found, the terms "sufficient" and "efficient" (e.g., "effective" / "effectiveness") are employed so that the phrase is an accurate description of "Dortian Calvinism."
I would also suggest a reading of the rest of the Canons, particularly from the Second Main Heading, which discuss the mandate for evangelism, human responsibility, etc.
Dear Brother Tom: Thank you for centending for the faith, for being a real gentleman and scholar, and for all that you have done in service to the Lord in bringing Southern Baptists back to its Founders. I have been to several Founders events and have always come away impressed and grateful for the experience. May your tribe increase!
Now as to the Caner situation . . . being a graduate of Liberty and Southeastern (there at the same time with "Butch", as he was known then) I must say that I am in agony at the tenor of this discussion. As a native of Lynchburg, (born there in 1970, parents still live and minister there) and having some intimate knowledge of the Falwell family, I cannot believe that Dr. Falwell could be pleased with the president of the Liberty Seminary. I hope that someone can get all of this correspondence together and forward it to Dr. Jerry Falwell, his son Jerry Jr., and to Jonathan Falwell. This whole episode is sad, and as an alumni of the school I am not at all pleased.
I cannot encourage you to pull out of the debate, but understand the entire matter will probably get worse before it gets better.
I do however encourage you to stand strong in the Lord, seek God's direction (as I am sure you do), and seek to bring Him glory in all things.
I am sorry this is happening.
Tom and more apt brothers than I:
For the sake of this discussion and hopefully future understanding.
As one who would be described as a Calvinist I would define Hyper-Calvinism as the thought that God's soveriegnty is so great that it absolves Christians of participating in evangelism beyond the meeting house walls. In line with the idea "if God wishes to save the heathen, he can and will do it without you, so why bother."
Biblical Calvinism (or Evangelical) is that God can and will convert folks without us, but he commands us to spread the Gospel to everyone anyway, as our chief purpose is to spread God's glory.
Can someone give us a good definition that Berkoff or even Erickson would use?
Likewise that any church history and systematic theology student would recite in his 2d semester exam. Sorry, my notes are at home.
Chris R-well stated about the difference between logical philosophy and true Bible based theology.
Greg B
Tom,
I'm glad that you made it clear that you are not going to allow yourself to be "pimped" by Jerry. I'd be shocked if brothe Falwell ever used such a term.
This proves, as much as anything, that Caner is truly immature. It is hard to believe that he is the president of anything, let alone an evangelical seminary.
Can you imagine the SHOCK and disappointment that would sweep our convention if anybody found out that Dr. Mohler or Dr. Patterson spoke like that in public?
I am FAR from a leagalist, but come on, talking about "pimping" a theological debate? Whaaaa?
Peter-
Tell me if this analogy is valid in your opinion. If I stated that the vast majority of ministers at SBC churches at homosexual, most people would either laugh at that, dismiss it, or cry foul. Based on the normal understanding of the word, that is simply not true. The vast majority of ministers in SBC churches are not attracted sexually to those of the same sex. But technically, I could reason that "homosexual" simply means "of, related to, or involving the same sex." And it is true that the vast majority of ministers in SBC churches are of the same sex...male. Would it therefore be accurate or even defensible for me to, as a matter of habit, to constantly refer to SBC church ministers as homosexuals? I would have taken a word which has been historically and culturally defined one way and use it in a comepletely unorthodox manner. This is exactly what many ae doing when they refer to Calvinists as "hyper-Calvinists." It is a word used to caricature and disparage the defendant and inflame the masses.
Dave
My second sentence should read *are homosexual* not *at homosexual*
Dear Dave,
You sure came up with the most potent example I've heard to illustrate that principle. Dr. Caner's mis-use of the term "hyper-Calvinist" and his outright claim to have the right to do so have bothered me greatly. I fear for him, because I know God will not let him get away with such conduct indefinitely.
Love in Christ,
Jeff
Dr. Ascol,
I must admit my excitment when I first learned of this debate. I have met Dr. Caner (Ergun) several times since he spoke at a retreat I attended right after 9/11. It was in his hayday dealing with Islam. I enjoyed hearing him and talking with him, but even then noticed a bit of pride. After reading the email exchanges however ... well, let's just say that whatever respect I had for Dr. Caner has floated out under the door.
I am of the thought that you and Dr. White should proceed with the debate, albeit carefully. I think Steve Camp had some great ideas. My main thought, though is that Jesus said we will be known as His disciples by our love for one another. If nothing else - let true divine love been known and seen by the folks that attend. That will speak as much if not more than anything you or Dr. White could ever verbalize.
Brother Peter,
You write, "Is it not at all possible that some employ the term hypercalvinist in a non-classical sense?" And to John you also state, "Yet there do exist some who do not share that working definition ..."
That's the point, dear brother. Dr. Caner is not unlearned in historical theology. He knows exactly what he is doing. Changing the definition of an already established term is intended to cause confusion and to establish uninformed support based only on emotions - not established historical, theological or even biblical fact.
I am not a hyper-calvinist (in either sense of the word you want). I do not seek to pursuade men of calvinism, I seek to lead them to Christ. Their journey into the truth about grace is the result of simple Bible study.
Dear James,
Thanks for posting those excerpts from Dordt. I have a lot to learn about that area of church history.
I didn't say that those who believe "Christ's death is [potentially] sufficient" for all are "confused Calvinists". That is a position I believe. It is the "nuanced" position I was refering to. It is those who believe in "general atonement" and yet hold to the other major points of "Calvinism" who are confused. Just a clear concept of what the atonement is should be enough to clarify this issue. If Christ paid for the sins of all, then God has no grounds on which to condemn anyone to hell. Further, Christ Himself described Judas as 'a son of perdition', predestined to fall away. Did Christ die for His sins too? What of the multitudes who had lived and died before Christ who had no faith in God, people God knew had not trusted Him. What sense would it be for Christ to have died for them?
I think I've gotten off track but I do want to defend the proposition that a so-called "four point Calvinist" is confused. Perhaps better than a five point Arminian but still confused.
I hope this isn't "philosophy" but I believe sound exegesis will establish the point even better.
greg b -
"Biblical Calvinism (or Evangelical) is that God can and will convert folks without us, but he commands us to spread the Gospel to everyone anyway, as our chief purpose is to spread God's glory."
I am assuming that you mean God will convert the elect without our individual witness or preaching but not without the witness and preaching of the gospel by someone.
As I know you already know, no one is saved apart from the preaching of Christ. God has chosen that through the foolishness of preaching the cross to save the lost. Unless we (the body of Christ) preach to them, they will not be saved.
CR
CR:
Ditto.
Greg
Can someone state a "good", concise definition of the terms?
Tom,
I met you sometime ago along with Sam Tullock and Tom Nettles at a founders conference. I was a Calvinist for many years but I have been seriously questioning the doctrine of Total Depravity in the last several years. While I certainly find support for the doctrine of Original Sin and our need to be reconciled from birth, I am not able to find passages which clearly support the belief that the powerful gospel itself is unable to draw an unregenerate man to faith. Is there a way this could be discussed?
Thanks in advance for your time.
Leighton
Leighton, (and Tom), if I may try to take a short and perhaps simplistic approach to answering . . .
Total Depravity states that man, left to himself is totally unable to come to God because of his sin. (Isaiah 64:6)
Indeed, the gospel is capable of saving any unregenerate man who believes. (Romans 1:16-17)
But an unregenerate man will not believe unless first enabled and drawn by the Father. (Ephesians 2:1-9 and John 6:44)
Does this help, or am I completely off the mark?
Thirsting for more of Him,
Ken
Dear Leighton,
Here's some scriptures on total depravity:
Genesis 6:5, "every inclination of his heart was only evil all the time" (as if written by a lawyer to close any conceivable loop-hole we might try to imagine to excuse ourselves from the total influence of sin on our nature.)
Jeremiah: “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can understand it? (17:9.)”).
Then there is the first half of Romans 3, much of it quotes from Psalms, concluding "there is none righteous, no not one."
Ken,
Thanks for your reply. This is the way I would have normally attempted to answer these questions as well, but observe...
You wrote: "Total Depravity states that man, left to himself is totally unable to come to God because of his sin. (Isaiah 64:6)"
I'm not asking about those "left to themselves." I am asking about those confronted with the powerful truth of the gospel. God has sent the powerful message of reconcilation through spirit indwelled believers, his church. Why would we assume that is not enough to draw a unregenerate heart to faith? It that work in bringing the gospel to the world not sufficient in and of itself. Understand my question?
You wrote: Indeed, the gospel is capable of saving any unregenerate man who believes. (Romans 1:16-17)
Yes, but can the gospel lead any unregenerated man to faith? That is the question. As it is often argued, "Faith comes by hearing..."
You wrote: But an unregenerate man will not believe unless first enabled and drawn by the Father. (Ephesians 2:1-9 and John 6:44)
I understand that an unregenerate man must be drawn, but what is to say that the gospel is not the means by which God does that drawing. John 12:32 says that Christ will draw all people to himself once he is raised up. And it was at this time of his ascention that he sent the gospel to be preached to all nations through His bride, the church. Isn't the means God has employeed the proclaimation of the gospel through the church? Why isn't that sufficient to draw unregenerate men? Why wouldn't the ministry and message of reconcilation be sufficient to actually bring reconcilation to those who need it?
Does my question make sense? I just wonder if we haven't taken the consequences of the fall too far by assuming that even God's means of bringing the powerful gospel truth isn't sufficient to lead lost men to repentance and faith.
This question stems from the lack of biblical support for the idea that regeneration preceeds faith..
Any help?
John,
Thanks for the verses, but I have wrestled with these as well and I still don't see how they answer my question.
Genesis 6:5, "every inclination of his heart was only evil all the time"
We also have passages which speak of Job, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham which speak of having God's favor and being blameless in his sight. Clearly their every inclination wasn't always evil. It could be said that their inclination would have been evil if left alone and uninfluenced by God, but no one believes that men can do anything good on their own. We are talking about men's ability to respond to God's initial working, not simply his condition if left to himself. Make sense?
Jeremiah: “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can understand it? (17:9.)”
I agree, but the bible also tells us that men's hearts are purified through faith. (Acts 15:9) And it appears that faith comes by hearing. How does this verse tell us that the gospel is not sufficient to draw the unregenerate heart to faith?
You wrote:).
I hung on to these passages the longest insisting that Paul's analogy of being dead must mean that we are totally unable to even respond to God's appeal, but I question the validity of that now. After all, Paul also says we, as believers, are "dead to sin." Does that mean we are unable to sin? No. Also, it was explained to me that Paul's meaning could simply be illustrating our seperation from God spiritually and our need to be reconciled. Like when an earthly father might say to a rebellious son, "You are dead to me." This wouldn't necessarily imply that the son would be unable to respond to a reconcilatory message from the father, would it? I don't think so. It just seems weak to me. Especially in light of the many passages which speak of the power of God's word. It is sharper than any two edged sword cutting even into the soul, it is "the power of God unto salvation," etc... Why would we assume this Word is not sufficient to bring life to a dead soul?
You wrote: Then there is the first half of Romans 3, much of it quotes from Psalms, concluding "there is none righteous, no not one."
Yes, but in verse 21 it switches to talk about the righteousness being revealed from heaven apart from the law. So, the first part of Romans 3 seems to declare the righteousness pursued by works is impossible, but righteousness by faith in the one who has fulfilled the law is possible as evidenced by Abraham, who believed and it was credited to him as righteousness. It appears that we have taken passages that speak of our condition under the law and applied them to our condition under grace. Sending the gospel is an act of divine grace and I just don't see where the scripture teaches that it is not a sufficient work of grace to lead any unregenerate man to faith and new life.
I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm just looking at these passages objectively. Have we taken the consequences of the fall too far?
It is the work of the Spirit through the means of the preaching of the Gospel..
Leighton,
Can you explain to me why you made a better use of God's grace than a person who hears the gospel and rejects?
Were you smarter? More spiritual? Lucky? Or do you believe, with us, that grace alone is the only explanation as to why you made a better use of God's gospel than one who rejected?
What was the determinative factor in your salvation? What, from your unregenerate nature, distinguished you from one who would refuse to obey the gospel?
Confessing that it is grace alone puts you at odds biblically and logically with a denial of total depravity.
Darel,
Thank you for your reply.
You wrote:.
But only those with hardened hearts have become deaf, blind and unable to understand and repent, right?
Acts 28!"
Notice the word "otherwise" in this text. It tells us the ability of these men had they not "grown calloused" or "become hardened." They "might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them." How might that happen if they were born essentially hardened? How does a man born blind grow blinder still? It appears to me that Israel grew blind after years of continual rebellion, but nothing is said about their being born in that condition, is there?
In contrast, Paul even goes on to say "the Gentiles will listen." Why would he make that contrasting statement if both Jews and Gentiles were equally born hardened and blind?
You wrote:.
This doesn't address my question. We all agree that men's eyes must be opened by a work of the Spirit. The question is whether or not the work of the Spirit in bringing the powerful gospel truth is sufficient alone. You appear to argue that it is not because there needs to be the work of the spirit to "open the ears" but you are merely begging the question by assuming the ears have been hardened or calloused from birth due to their fallen condition. I need biblical support for that belief, not just an explaination of it. Thanks
Leighton, thank you for trusting us with your questions, and for giving us the opportunity to reason together.
As I ponder some of your questions, and how I might respond to them, I am curious about one element in your posts..
Now, you may never take that line of reasoning as far as I said it could be. But as I am sure you are already aware, many cults, false religions, and liberal theologies all begin with the thought "Maybe man is not totally ruined".
Please, read these comments in the tone of a gentle caution in the midst of your theological wrestling than an accusation of what you currently believe.
Again, I look forward to dialoguing in the future.
Jon,
You asked, "Can you explain to me why you made a better use of God's grace than a person who hears the gospel and rejects?"
I have often used this approach to address these objections myself, but it really is a red herring. I will attempt to address this question below nonetheless, but I will still be looking for biblical support for Total Depravity.
You asked: Were you smarter? More spiritual? Lucky? Or do you believe, with us, that grace alone is the only explanation as to why you made a better use of God's gospel than one who rejected?
I think this question can be turned around by asking you why are you a Calvinist and other believers (such as Wesley) were not? Are you smarter, more spiritual, lucky? or do you believe that God granted you some measure of grace he neglected to give to other believers such as John Wesley? If so, why do you suppose he neglected to grant this ability to Wesley? Does God elect some of his elect to believe correct soteriology and keep it from the rest?
There is a reason I ask this question. We are so concerned about making sure there is no reason for us to boast, but what boasting does scripture actually forbid? Is it the boasting of an "Arminian" who thinks he made a free choice to follow Christ? Or was Paul addressing the boasting of the Jews who believed salvation came by works of the law? I think its obviously the latter and it seems to be a poor application of the author's intent to apply such passages to this doctrinal question.
Look at the boasting that scripture does allow:
Jer 9:24 -
but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.
2Co 1:14 -
as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
2Co 10:8 -
For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
2Co 11:30 -
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2Co 12:5 -
I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
2Co 12:6 -
Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say
2Co 12:9 -
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2Th 1:4 -
Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
Heb 3:6 -But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
It appear boasting is allowed to some degree. The boasting that is prohibited seems to be from those who pursue righteousness as if it is through works, not those who believe as we all do that righteousness is only attained through belief in the one who fulfills that law.
Ken:
I think you a hit the nail on the head. Did Christ die just so we could make adjustments to our behaviour or did He die to break and change our hearts at the very core.
Where does Romans 3 and 5 come in here. Particularly 3:10-18/restating quotes from the Psalms?
Ken, where do you all meet in Monks Corner? I used to be in Summerville. My eldest and her family are still there and the old 1st Church is getting harder to deal with every year.
Greg B
pkinsc said...
Leighton, thank you for trusting us with your questions, and for giving us the opportunity to reason together.
Thank you for your kindness toward me. I look foward to learning and reasoning together objectively on this most important matter.
YOU WROTE:.
I agree, this is the root of the question. I do think we all agree that we are absolutely dependent on God's intervening and our need to for new life, but as I have pointed out using scripture, it appears that new life is accomplished through faith, not the other way around. Could it be that the means God has chosen to quicken us is through the proclaimation of gospel and not some secret inward irresistable calling?
YOU WROTE:.
I don't believe so. How will they believe unless they hear? No one is going to come to faith unless they hear the Spirit's words. Jesus said, "The words I speak to you are spirit and life." Words have power. Truth will set men free. I just wonder if we haven't downplayed the power of the gospel in converting the soul by insisting that God must do some extra irresistable working in order for it to be effective. Make sense?
YOU WROTE: Now, you may never take that line of reasoning as far as I said it could be. But as I am sure you are already aware, many cults, false religions, and liberal theologies all begin with the thought "Maybe man is not totally ruined".
I hear ya. And I am being careful not to take any thing to far here. I do believe we are fallen and in need of reconcilation, as the scripture clearly reveals, but why wouldn't the ministry and message of reconcilation be able to remedy that condition? Why is regeneration first needed and where does scripture teach us this?
YOU WROTE: Please, read these comments in the tone of a gentle caution in the midst of your theological wrestling than an accusation of what you currently believe. Again, I look forward to dialoguing in the future.
Your words are heard and appreciated. My questions are not intended to grant to men anything that scripture itself doesn't grant. I certainly acknowledge that if left to ourselves nothing could be accomplished, but it certainly seems with the work of Christ here on earth, the inspiration of the scripture, the sending of the church and the indwelling of all believers as messengers of this powerful truth would be sufficient to draw even an unregenerate man to faith and thus new life.
I would love for you to address the passages I have quoted which seem to say that new life is accomplished through faith, not the other way around. Thanks for your time.
Dear Tommy,
You have the busiest, best, most frequented and by far the most interesting Christian BLOG in the entire south, north, east and west.
And the TWO main reasons are:
1. Your subject or topic, and
2. The energetic, intelligient,
quality of the bloggers.
PERSEVERE! PRESS ON!
Leighton, I appreciate your candor and spirit.
I apologize if I wasn't as helpful as needed. I had imagined that you were only looking for an explanation of the Scripture that you had already read. An explanation that put together the pieces in a logical fashion.
After reading your comments, I got the impression, and I may be very mistaken, that you were using different meanings than I was for the work of the Spirit.. That the Spirit uses the opportunity provided by the preaching and works on the heart. I do not think we disagree so much there, only maybe I wasn't using the right words.
The question, I suppose, should just circle back to this one issue: Is man Totally Depraved from birth? That is, are the ears deaf, hearts hardened, from birth.
We have heard many Scriptures already on this issue, and I will appeal to the same thing fear I am out of time... I wish you luck. God bless.
The "ELECT" will hear the "WORD" when preached and be called. The "NON-ELECT will not hear the WORD when preached. I CALL THIS THE "WAKE-UP CALL". The WORD must be Preached, and that is a PROBLEM in a lot of CHURCHES. Remember the GREAT COMMISSION.
A Brother in CHRIST
Greg B - could you please e-mail me directly so that I don't distract any farther from Tom's original post?
Leighton - I must run now for our Praise and Prayer time. I will continue to ponder your questions, and may God continue to guide us in His Truth through His Word and Spirit.
Tom - as to your original post - you certainly have my prayers for your wisdom. I am, as another has said, thankful that I don't have to make the decision myself. May God continue to use you and this process for His glory.
Your Brother in Christ - Ken
Leighton,
Great retort! So, you feel comfortable boasting in that fact that you were either smarter, more spiritual or lucky than one who rejects the gospel? Grace plus what, then?
Please humor me and tell me what was the decisive factor in your salvation if it was not grace.. He owes no man any grace whatsoever. I boast no inherent strength over an Arminian or a Unitarian, for that matter. Why else would Paul "..." ?
Do you believe that the power of knowing is God's to give or not? If not, then why would Paul pray such a thing? Can a person have it outside of God giving it? Can God overcome our hard-heartedness to give it to us? If not, why Paul's prayer?
Notice that even the "God-fearer" Lydia requred an opening of her heart. She still required a divine and decisive act, though she was initially favorably described.
The object of boasting in these verses is never the self's inherent accomplishment over another (with the exception of 2 Cor 12:6 where Paul declares that his pre-conversion boasts would have been in accordance with, indeed exceeded, the truth of what men generally boast about. Others are fools when they boast because they don't measure up to the human standard that they set. Notice that Paul is laboring, however, to eschew credit from his boasts.) To boast in my weakness is another way to say that I am boldly pointing at the overcoming power of God.
I appreciate you and your searching questions, brother.
Jon Dansby
I do believe in the use of means, by the way. Preaching, studying, praying, worshiping, fellowship. I'm not necessarily talking about immediate impartation of knowledge, though God may do that if he likes. It's His prerogative.
Dear Leighton,
Hi. You wrote: "We are talking about men's ability to respond to God's initial working, not simply his condition if left to himself. Make."
That being our state without God, every righteous person in the Bible (or otherwise) is so because of the gracious work of God, not because they called on "the better angels of our nature" -- since there are no better angels in our nature (every inclination, only evil, all the.
Also, quite frankly, no one (orthodox) is saying that the "gospel is not sufficient." But the Spirit's call has to be made. It is not just a matter of bare words with no Spirit making the words effective. We err when either, like the so-called "hyper-Calvinist" we say God doesn't need means, He'll call His elect without them, or, on the other hand, the means can somehow work without God. You can preach to dead bones but they won't come alive until the Spirit blows.
There also seems to be an inaccurate understanding of law and gospel. The law is really part of the gospel, preparing people for it. The "evangelical use of the law" is the most important part of the law.
jc
Dear Leighton,
Hi..
Dr TOM,
I appreciate and PHRASE GOD for your standing for the TRUTH (“GOD’S WORD”), I’ am praying for you in regard to the debate.
Your Brother in CHRIST
Darel,
No need to apologize brother, I probably was not clear.
YOU WROTE:.
I totally understand what you meant, I was merely attempting to find out why we assume that this extra distinct work is necessary. Shouldn't scripture establish that the work of Spirit in bringing the gospel is not sufficient without an extra distinct work of regeneration? I am not finding that clearly taught in scripture. I'm finding many verses which speak of the power of the gospel and the sufficiency of God's word which makes me wonder why an extra working would be necessary.
I'm also finding passages which speak of new life coming through faith and not the other way around. This seems to contradict the belief that we must be made alive in order to have faith. I listed some of those passages earlier.
You wrote: The question, I suppose, should just circle back to this one issue: Is man Totally Depraved from birth? That is, are the ears deaf, hearts hardened, from birth.
I think the fact that scripture speaks of men "growing" and "becoming" hardened, otherwise "they might see, hear, understand and repent" shows that this is not a condition from birth, don't you?
You wrote: We have heard many Scriptures already on this issue, and I will appeal to the same thing
With all due respect the passage supported the idea of Original Sin or being seperated from God, but none of them seem to support the idea of being deaf, blind or unable to understand and repent once confronted with the word of God.
YOU WROTE: agree, but they aren't born hardened and calloused, which is my only point. This is significant in light of the fact that scripture says "otherwise they might see, hear, understand and repent." This shows that those who have yet to grow hardened to the gospel might hear it and repent, right? Paul says the Gentiles will hear it in Acts 28:28, in contrast to the Jews who have grown calloused. Doesn't that mean that those who have not "grown hardened" might see, hear and believe?
My Brothers Dave & Dr Ascol
Dr. Ascol, I think you choice of text last Lord’s Day must have produced spiritual Excellencies from our Lord to His people. I wish myself to have been there.
Also, I thank you for your very poignant response to my point about the possible mistakenness of language and getting around to clear communication, specifically about hyper vs. non-hyper when discussing Calvinism.
Thank you also, Dave, for your dandy little analogy you offered to explain the differences terms and words make when we talk to and about one another, especially about theological issues which tend to produce such unbearable heat sometimes, that we all suffer boils and blisters.
I honestly think it is a clever way of looking at it. But as we shall see, your analogy itself must be analogized before it is as helpful as we would like. I hope you don’t mind me using it in the future after I have tweaked it a tad :D
The problem I see in the analogy, as it stands, Dave, is not it its structure per se. Rather the proverbial Achilles’ softspot is the stated presumption concerning the definition of homosexual as “the normal understanding of the word”.
My question is: Normal to whom? For your analogy to succeed, normal must mean normal to the vast majority of all present including even those who would proudly proclaim themselves as closet-free. Thus, the overwhelming result of laughter, protest and contempt.
However, my very point is that there is no such universal definition about exactly how some theological terms—including hypercalvinism, but emphatically not limited to it--can unilaterally be employed. Context, context, context echoes from every Bible preacher, does it not? And surely you agree, Dave, that it is difficult to get Calvinists & Arminians to agree on definitions, much less to, in one sweeping harmony, to get all to agree on what a Calvinist is to an Arminian or what an Arminian is to a Calvinist.
Let’s change your analogy a bit and see what happens. Suppose we were at the 1953 SBC. A bold Pastor climbed to the platform and pronounced:
“Brothers, I don’t know about you, but the Christian life is a gay life! God calls not only all Pastors all over this convention to be gay, He calls all His children to be gay. God is gay! I am gay, and by his grace, you need to be gay too!”
And while no sniggers or protests would exist in the golden '53 over the Pastor’s challenge which was based upon a text calling for the believer to be filled with joy, today, however, would be a different story.
Indeed, the Pastor would rightly be defrocked and charged with degenerate heresy for so much as implying that God is gay, much less we His children. The simple point is gay means something far different by massive portions of the population including those who happily parade themselves during Gay Pride.
Is it too much, then, to reason in reverse? That is, while at one time, hypercalvinism perhaps exclusively identified those who perverted historic Calvinism, today—and evidently unhappily for many historic Calvinists--many use hypercalvinism in not so near a hard, historical sense.
Rather, hypercalvinism may be used by many arminian-leaning believers as indicative of those particular Calvinists who insist on exclusively equating historic Calvinism with Biblical Christianity and aggressively promoting Calvinism to non-Calvinistic believers.
If this scenario is at all credible, that would at least mean that many who charge Founders Calvinists with hypercalvinism are doing nothing more than saying “stop trying to proselyte me and my church.” However much they may be mistaken or even unaware about how the term was technically employed, it does not necessarily follow that they are lying about Founders Calvinists or disparaging Calvinism per se. They are merely using the term in a very soft sense.
Nor does it seem to me, Dr. Ascol, that your lesson in logic—for which, by the way, my brother, I heartily thank you—fares any more successfully in essence than Dave’s dandy little analogy.
Aside from blurring the differences between a term denoting a moral absolute given in Scripture (i.e., bearing false witness) and a sophisticated theological term like Calvinism, which, as surely we agree, carries a ton of cache terms with it, let me show you what I mean.
In another post at 8:01 AM, June 01, 2006, you wrote to Dave these words (perhaps another Dave altogether):
.”
I can only assume you mean from your “fruitful discussions”, Dr. Ascol, that you clarified that there are kinds of Calvinists that you definitively are not a part. If it is possible, then, that there exists different kinds of Calvinists, is it incredible to assume there could exist different kinds of hypercalvinists?
That is, there may exist at least two: the old-line, hard type of hypercalvinism which mainstream Calvinism itself rightly rejected on the one hand and more contemporary, softer hypercalvinism that, while not committing the horrendous theological errors of the old, nevertheless, many arminian-leaning evangelicals use it to describe excessively aggressive Calvinists--those Calvinists who insist on equating Biblical Christianity with developed Calvinism--on the other. Or, simply employing “hyper” toward those Calvinists who attempt to proselytize non-Calvinists to Calvinism.
Consequently, when it is acknowledged by some linguists that such a nuance of hypercalvinism is anything but out of the sphere of cultural acceptance, I do not at all think that what I contend is an untenable position.
Indeed, at least from my view, I think it can lead to a heck of a lot less heated rhetoric.
I trust you both to have a grace filled evening. With that, I am...
Peter
Jon, I'll attempt to put my replies in bold...
Great retort! So, you feel comfortable boasting in that fact that you were either smarter, more spiritual or lucky than one who rejects the gospel? Grace plus what, then?
Grace mixed with faith? Afterall, we are rewarded for faith and condemned for the lack of it. The whole reward and punishment system seems meaningless if there isn't something that we are geniunly responsible for, right?.
I suppose the same could be said of those who respond in faith to the gospel. If they do not apprehend the truth the blame goes to their hardeness of heart, not God's lack of provision, just as if they do apprehend it, the praise goes to God and his provision of grace.
Notice that even the "God-fearer" Lydia requred an opening of her heart. She still required a divine and decisive act, though she was initially favorably described.
But being a "God worshiper" (the actual words) I'm not so sure Lydia can be a good example of God regenerating a totally depraved individual, do you?
Thanks for your time!
Dr. Ascol,
Opps! I am so very sorry, my brother. I missed reading an entire post you wrote addressed to little old me. However, after considering it, I do feel I addressed the gist of it in my combined post to you and brother Dave.
Grace, Dr. Ascol. With that, and still hanging around, I am...
Humpty Dumpty
ztPeter:
Thank you for your comment and continued engagement of this question. I really wish that you would also continue the dialogue we were having on the Regeneration thread regarding what you comically called, "The Doctrine of Church Rolls." 1 Timothy 5:9 awaits your exegesis to further the very helpful exchange that was taking place there when you thought it best to follow that piece of wisdom from Solomon that says there is a time to refrain from speaking. I hope that you were not provoked to silence on that thread because of anything that was written in response to your views. You bring a helpful perspective to our ongoing dialogues and are always welcome.
But that is not the point of this comment! :-) Your dismissal of my use of your own words to make a point (which you so graciously called a "lesson in logic" though I did not intend it that way originally) does not strike me as justified. Your reasons, as I understand them, are two in number.
First, you see my comparing the intelligibility and use of terms of the 9th commandment with the intelligibility and use of the term "hyper-Calvinist" as a significant blurring of their differences. While I agree wholeheartedly with you that one comes from the inerrant Word of God and the other from the annals of historical theology, their different sources have nothing to do with my point. Let me try to restate it in a clearer way.
Despite the authoritative nature of the words of the 9th commandment, you would agree, would you not, that people have held differing opinions as to what exactly constitutes bearing false witness? Those differences have nothing to do with the authoritative source of the words, but rather with the understanding of them. So, to use your own words again, "while you have settled on a good--perhaps even sophisticated and very technical--definition of exactly what "speaking false witness" happens to be," is it not also "possible that some could make the charge of "speaking false witness" in a non-classical sense? I think it is."
The difference, as you yourself have described it, is not in the source but in the use of words. So your first objection did not convince me that my argument was invalid.
Your second reason for dismissing my example is built on your use of my own words from June 1. I am amazed and humbled that you would remember them from that long ago! I barely remember what I said last week. My response to a questioner who wonders if I am a Calvinist is built on the recognition that many honest people do not have a good understanding of the historical definition of that word. When it is properly understood in its historical usage (which can be determined and is not at all that ambiguous), I am happy to own the label. When it is misunderstood and frought with erroneous notions, I am not happy to be called that.
This is a far different scenario than the one that most of us are concerned with here. Here we are not lamenting an honest person's possible misunderstanding of a definable theological term. Rather, we are lamenting the fact that the President of Liberty Theological Seminary would consistently charge us with hyper-Calvinism when he has been corrected repeatedly about his misuse of the term. Is it unreasonable to expect a *President* of a seminary to use theological terms accurately? Further, is it unreasonable to expect a professing Christian--a leader, to boot--to stop using a pejorative term of other brothers, when he has been repeatedly encouraged to do so??
I guess another way of asking this is to simply put it to you plainly: Do you defend Dr. Caner's calling us hyper-Calvinists despite being told that doing so is misrepresenting us?
As always, I appreciate the dialogue with you. I hope you have a wonderful evening of praying with the saints (if your church meets this evening for that purpose; ours does and I am looking forward to it!).
Leighton, think it is strange for you to say that somebody's lack of belief can be "blamed" on God's lack of provision. Again, God owes no man anything..
Thanks for your patience, brother.
Jon
John, I'll put my responses in bold...
YOU.
Yes, I understand, and I'm looking for biblical support for the idea that the powerful truth of the gospel does not enable faith.."
Is believing ever said to be a work? If so, regardless of whether you are a Calvinist or not it could be said that we are saved by grace through a work. Do you believe that we are saved through a.
Actually scripture says the heart is purified by faith, which seems to be contradictory to the idea that a new heart must be given through regeneration in order for one to even come to faith, don't you think?
Peter-
I acknowledge and appreciate your critique of my analogy. And I suppose the issue does hinge on the "normal understanding" of a word in light of the speaker and the audience.
In the case of Dr. Caner (the speaker), he is well aware of the historical definition of hyper-Calvinism. I would suspect that his audience is primarily made up of both the target of the accusations (and make no mistake, he doesn't use the term in any benign sense) and those who have no idea what hyper-Calvinists are. I'll admit that this is pure speculation on my part, but bear with me.
Those who are the targets of his accusations are aware that they are not hyper-Calvinists in the historical sanse of the word and so they take offense. Dr. Caner makes no effort to explain his choice of words or his new definition of an established word. Instead of allowing his words to be communicated accurately and as intended, he has (apparently) intentionally allowed definitions to become muddled. I truly hope that I am wrong and that this was not his aim.
On the other side of the aisle you have those who are not themselves Calvinists, maybe because they have never heard of Calvinism or studied it, or maybe because they have considered it and rejected it. But when Dr. Caner uses the phrase and doesn't define it according to his use, he leaves it up to the hearer to decide what it means. For those who have never had any exposure to historical theology, they may decide to go looking for a definition for this new-found term. I doubt seriously that they will read or discover anywhere that a "hyper-calvinist" is a very excited, eager, devoted Calvinist. What they will find is the historical heresy. Then going back to Dr. White and Dr. Ascol, they are made out to be something they are not.
I believe the speaker is responsible, not only for saying what he means, but for making sure, as much as it is reasonable, that his hearers understand what he is attempting to communicate.
Dave
John,
You wrote:.
First, could you address the passages that I listed which clearly state that new life comes through faith.
It seems to me 1 John 5:1 could be taken more than one way and that it really doesn't explicitly tell us which must be first. The verses I have listed are very clear that life is accomplished through faith...I'll repost them here....
Hi Jon, My responses are in bold....
I think you may be begging the question by assuming that faith itself is a gift of grace accomplished through regeneration, when that is the point in question. Remember how you answered the question regarding why some believers are Calvinists while others are not? That is ultimately the same answer that I could give to you regarding this question. Your accepting the "truth of Calvinism" was caused by _____________?
In other words I believe Arminians don't have a problem giving credit to man for his faith. It has been drilled into us as Calvinists that this is unacceptable, but I'm questioning that because of the whole reward and punishment system revealed in scripture. It does seem strange that God would reward men for doing what he made them do and punishing men for not doing what he made them not able to do. It also seems strange for Christ to rebuke men for their lack of faith if God is the one who must irresistably cause it. Also, have you thought about how many passages speak of God's patience with men? What is he waiting on? If he is the one who does everything what is the purpose in speaking of his patience and longsuffering? relied on this very argument for many years too, but it has also been brought into question. As Calvinists we assume that Paul is addressing the Arminian objection, "Why would God blame a man who is born totally depraved and not elected, for who resist his will." But is that really the question Paul is addressing? I don't think so anymore.
He is addressing the objection of Jew who is being temporarily hardened in his rebellion. So the actual objection is: "Why would God blame a man (Jews) who has continually rebelled (Rm. 10:21) but now has been sealed or hardened in that rebellion, for who resists God will?" What is God's will in hardening the Jews? He accomplished redemption on the cross, because it was the hardened Jews who cried out "Crucify Him!" And it allowed for the Gentiles to be grafted in. But those hardened in Romans 9 are spoken of again in Romans 11 and in verse 11-14 Paul makes it quite clear that these men might be provoked to envy and come to faith. How can they be the "reprobates" of Calvinism if Paul thinks they might come to salvation? See my point?
I think it is strange for you to say that somebody's lack of belief can be "blamed" on God's lack of provision. Again, God owes no man anything.
I hear ya. I agree. God owes us nothing, but we are talking about what scripture reveals about what God has provided. I'm just searching for biblical support for this notion that what God has provided through the means of the gospel is not enough and thus a work of regeneration must be provided in order for anyone who hears it to come to faith..
First, it doesn't say the work is required or that its effectual. We really don't know what God did to "open her heart" or whether she could have resisted that working. I would just like to know how a totally depraved, spiritually dead, unregenerate individual could be called a God worshiper.
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this with me.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I submit the following description and definition of hypercalvinism. Does this find everyone agreeable?
This is from wikipedia. One of their related articles is on Westboro Baptist Church-yes the God hates everybody people. Learned more about them than I wanted to. Will soon die out because of inbreeding
It is called Hyper-Calvinism by its critics, who maintain that it deviates from the biblical gospel bydenying that the call of the gospel to repent and believe is universal, i.e. for all alike, and
denying that the unregenerate (natural) man has a duty to repent and believe in Christ for salvation because he does not have the "power" to believe in Christ.
Greg B
Dear Leighton,
Hi.. The word is preached to people dead in their sins. (People dead in sin are not like saved people now who have both a fallen and a regenerate nature, one still sinful and the other "dead to sin." People dead in their trespasses and sins have only the fallen nature which is "dead" [not just sick or weak] to God.) The Spirit makes the dead live, through the sufficient gospel, and they immediately have faith. Through that faith (which is a gift, Eph. 2:9-10), they repent (which is a gift, 2Tim. 2:25), and cling to Christ. Nothing in their hands they bring, not even "the better angels of their nature."
The natural person could not possibly produce faith because "every inclination in his heart is only evil all the time."
Dr. Ascol,
I am so sorry that you have taken such grief over a debate with a fellow brother. I am constantly telling my 3 children that "Love is kind". I am so sad to see a very unkind heart in this fellow man. After reading what the young Liberty girl said about Dr. Caner, it makes me even more sad for him. What kind of joy can he really have trying to "fit" into the worldy young generation. I appreciate your grace in what has gone on and I just want you to know that my family will pray for you and whatever decision you make. I know that you will bless God with whatever happens.
In His Grip,
Elizabeth
Tom
May the Lord Bless you as you spend your time sharing the gospel of Christ with lost souls. Thank you for your desire in keeping this Blog above reproach by removing some of the unwholesome comments. In that spirit, may I suggest, that you not publish a post, which invites unwholesome Christian language and ill will among brethren.
I also would like to thank you for recognizing the lack of wisdom in posting the first e-mail exchanges, readily admitting that you had not sinned enough to have to read them again (an obvious admition that the publishing of such, did not glorify Christ). This was most refreshing, as the arrogance of many Bloggers’ refusal to admit mistakes is saddening – I know God will honor your humility here.
Neither you nor the Caners need defending, however, I would like to share what I know of the Caners. First, both Caners embody the spirit of preferring to drive across the state to see someone saved rather than walk across the street for a debate. This is essential in comprehending why they may not treat this debate with the seriousness that some deem it demands. Second, the Caners feel that Calvinism taken to its logical conclusions diminish evangelism fervor, as do I. In their opinion anything that may diminish such fervor is worthy of unharnesed passionate warfare.. I remember hearing Dr. Homer Lindsay, Jr say “jack_ss” from the pulpit. I was astonished. However, it was part of his language without any comprehension that he might be offending some (please know I am not in any shape, manner or form defending the anti-nomian belief that we are free to curse).
Perhaps these revelations will act as a yellow light to the assumptions and outright malicious attacks upon the Caners. Perhaps not.
I do not know Dr. O’Donnell; yet since he has a merited history of moderating debates, even between political adversaries, his objectivity and credentials speak for themselves. I would caution anyone from assuming that Dr. O’Donnell is capable of moderating Democratic liberals and Republican conservatives objectively, but incapable of moderating Christian brothers objectively. Such an assumption would reveal not only a heightened ignorance but also a blind bias.
Tom, I can certainly understand your feelings and frustrations. I have had similar ones when what was important to me was not as pressing or as important to others. And a lack of response or respect caused me to jump to conclusions, which were unwarranted.
The soteriological assumptions which your Blog is devoted to are beneficial for all to know (and few to affirm), but must be viewed in the greater scheme of God’s plan to redeem man. I will address the logical conclusions of the Reformed position in the near future on my Blog, but first I will be addressing the “state of the convention” followed by the truth about alcohol (where I will combat the erroneous hermeneutic and egregious understanding of Christian liberty that you defended at the SBC). I will be praying that God will use it in my life and all who read. Join me in praying that it will glorify Christ and that truth will prevail.
BR
Hi Leighton,
"Is believing ever said to be a work? If so, regardless of whether you are a Calvinist or not it could be said that we are saved by grace through a work. Do you believe that we are saved through a work?"
A "work" is, by definition, anything that comes originally from us. So faith, as you are trying to define it -- as originating from us, before regeneration -- is a "work". Therefore, it could not save; that is, what you have defined as "faith" is not what the Bible uses as saving faith.
Actually, there is grace mediated through "means" (but not through "works" that come from us). God gives us faith (as it says in Ephesians 2:9-10, faith is part of the package that "is a gift, not of ourselves"). Even repentance is "granted" by God. Saving grace is mediated through the "means" of gospel preaching and our faith (which originates from the life the Holy Spirit grants). Sanctifying grace is mediated through the means of baptism, the Lord's Supper, attending to the teaching and preaching of the Word, prayer, giving, etc. Grace comes to us through "means". This is what James means when he says "faith without works is dead." There is such a thing as "dead faith", merely cognitive, arising from us, and ironically itself a work that does not save.
Since "every inclination of our hearts is only evil all the time," all our "righteousness is filthy rags," our hearts are "desperately wicked", and we are "dead in our trespasses", we cannot, of ourselves produce saving faith. We would not even want to.
Dear Brad Reynolds,
Hi. You wrote: "Second, the Caners feel that Calvinism taken to its logical conclusions diminish evangelism fervor, as do I."
Do the names George Whitefield, John Eliot, Jonathan Edwards, William Carey, Isaac Backus, C. H. Spurgeon ring a bell?
Please discuss them on your blog!
John
Of course those names ring a bell...but please re-read my comment "the Caners feel that Calvinism taken to its logical conclusions diminish evangelism fervor, as do I." These men did not take Calvinism to its logical conclusions.
BR
Dear Brad,
With all due respect: Yes they did. You just don't understand the "logical conclusion" of the Biblical faith. It is the "logical conclusion" of Arminianism that leads to universalism and thus no "evangelistic fervor." That's the verdict of history.
Brad:
Long time no see. Your comment reminds me of that famous statement by Winston Churchill about the relationship between England and the USA: I feel like you and I are two brothers separated by a common language.
If you seriously think that my comment about not having sinned sufficiently to warrant having to to read through the Caner's emails again is "an obvious admition that the publishing of such, did not glorify Christ" then you need a remedial course in hermeneutics! I must conclude that you are simply trying to be cute. It failed. I have all of the communication in my correspondence file. I don't have to be online to read them. Furthermore, you still have the same ethical problem of condemning the posting of then while choosing to read them yourself compounded by and abslutely baseless attempt to justify rendering an opinion on what you have read by claiming that "it wouldn't be right."
So, don't thank me for something that I did not do and something that no one who honestl reads what I have written would ever conclude tht I have done.
I am glad that you know the Caners to be men of such upstanding integrity. I have no judgment to make about that. Their own words, particluarly, Ergun's, suggest that there might be more to them than that. You know that, of course, though you refuse to admit it because "it wouldn't be right." But, that is OK--their words are available for all to see.
Brad, I really am saddened to see an employee of one of our Southern Baptist institutiions, whose salary is paid for by Cooperative Program funds, defending Ergun Caner's boasting that Jerry Falwell plans to "pimp" a debate to "little old ladies" and "around the world." But, given your past comments on this blog, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
I am delighted to hear that you finally have your own blog. I hope that you are able to use it to glorify God. Given your history here, you will understand if I don't get all excited about the prospect of your upcoming post combating my "erroneous hermeneutic and egregious understanding of Christian liberty." You have yet to convince me that you are willing to understand what I have written. How will you understand my hermeneutics?
Leighton,
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Romans 8:7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 6: 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
Roman 8:21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
John 5:25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
My thoughts and what I believe the word of God says about the subject are fairly clear. No man WILL come, nor CAN come unless a work of God (regeneration) is done in advance of one receiving the gift of faith.
Brad,
I'm still amazed that you can be an employee of SEBTS and sign the Abstracts which you say you embrace or you would not have signed it. The reason I say this is because of your support for the Caners. I'm not talking about the email exchanges but the fact that you are not " Pro" Abstracts because if you were you would have come out long ago in your support of Drs. White and Ascol. I do not believe for one second that you can honestly believe that the Caners are closer to the Abstracts than Drs. White and Ascol. I'm willing to give you that however I think I know better.
Could you give me an estimate( Guess) of how many more professors would support the theology of the Caners over men( James and Tom) who actually embrace the Abstracts. Also, I believe your president is in the same camp as you are. As I have said before I find this troubling and flat out WRONG! You should be living out what you sign in your christian life. Example: Instead of hiding behind comments like " I just want the truth to come out at the debate". So do I but the Caners don't support the full Abstracts however Drs. White and Ascol do. Do you feel OK to accept a paycheck from the school which you openly go against in your actions. If I'm wrong about you please tell me. Who's theological position do you support Caners or White and Ascol ? You should have no problem being public about this.Members of the SBC( Bloggers) ought to know where you stand ? If you support the Caners theological position then you should resign. Really ! It makes no sense for you to sign something that you don't support.Please know that I'm not mad at you but please be fair to the students at SEBTS and prospective students that they can trust that their professors really believe the Abstracts .
Brother, Dave,
Thank you for your note. And I believe both of us have been edified through our brief but sober conversation. I hope, under our Lord, we all come, through each other's help, to better understand our God and His Scripture. I know you agree, Dave.
Nor do I take lightly your and others' hopelessness in understanding exactly what went wrong in the Caner correspondence. I sympathize completely, my brother.
As to what the Drs. Caner both defend and believe about historic Calvinism, I remain unsure at this time. Enough has been left unsaid to know for sure, at least from my vantage point.
In addition, far too much emotionally-charged rhetoric unfortuantely has so vividly colored what has been said--leaving me with such inward frustration--that I cannot make heads nor tails out of the intellectual exchanges thus far. And frankly, I have never read a word either Caner has written apart from the infamous emails.
I trust you have a pleasant and good night's rest. With that, I am...
Peter
Brad, Sorry I am not sure if you are a Dr., or I would address you as such.
While I was at the convention, I heard the same empty argument that, and I will quote from you, (Insert name) "embody the spirit of preferring to drive across the state to see someone saved rather than walk across the street for a debate."
I suspect that you are implying the opposite is true of anyone who takes the Doctrines of Grace to their logical conclusions. Well sir, I do take them to their logical conclusions just as George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, William Carey, and C. H. Spurgeon did.
It's funny, that you hold the view you do. Many in my own church have the same views. Yes they believe in the freedom of man, and because they do they're never at a prayer meeting, a servant evangelism project, visitation, nursing home ministry, or anything else that would bring them into contact with a lost and dying world. I guess their thinking is that they do not want to interfere with the freedom of man to make HIS choice of God.
Maybe you can enlighten me, as to what you see are the "logical conclusions" of believing that God is sovereign in the salvation of sinners?
Tom,
Forgive me for making an assumption about your apparent humility and thank you for correcting me on that.
The ethical problem you assume I have is the same ethical problem a general would have if he read a New York Times article with sensitive military information and then condemned the publishing of the article but refused to address the data contained therein (I think we’ve ridden this horse enough).
Tom, I assume you are a good shepherd and a man who loves God and loves pleasing Him, but one who obviously errs. And I sincerely appreciate some of your work. But I admire the Caners for corresponding at all at this point. Honestly, I would have ceased all correspondence had you published e-mails between us that I asked you not to publish.
Concerning the Caners, they are men of upstanding integrity, but they are men, capable of erring and even saying things they might regret, as am I. However, if we are to cast stones, please throw them this direction, as I am chief of sinners. I have not come to their defense, but rather as I made Clear - I was trying to give objective readers insight to who these men are. I assure you, Dr. Falwell, knows Ergun and therefore probably took no offense at his statements (which, if anyone should be offended it should be Dr. Falwell).
I sincerely apologize if I have not understood what you have written. I take full responsibility for that error and readily admit my limitations. I try to read comments objectively but admit I am errant at times. Your rebuke is well received and I will certainly try harder in the future and will ask the Father to help me in that regard.
BR
PS - Please don’t be offended but I did not begin my Blog to get you excited.
Scott
Dr. Akin has addressed your concerns about the Abstracts. Perhaps you can enlighten him on his erroneous hermeneutics of the Abstracts. Please feel free to e-mail him..
BR
Brad,
You stated:
"First, both Caners embody the spirit of preferring to drive across the state to see someone saved rather than walk across the street for a debate. This is essential in comprehending why they may not treat this debate with the seriousness that some deem it demands."
Then you eventually said:
"Tom, I can certainly understand your feelings and frustrations. I have had similar ones when what was important to me was not as pressing or as important to others."
Now, I don't know why you would have given your personal experience here if you did not think it related to Tom Ascol. And the only other place where you talked about something being more important to some than to others was the "evangelism/debate" comment. Therefore, you seem to be saying that Tom Ascol does not have the same perspective on debate and evanglism as the Caners do. In other words, you seem to be saying that debate is not as important to the Caners as it is to Tom Ascol when compared to evangelism. Now, if what you seem to be saying to me is the reality of what you are saying, then I ask you this question: How do you know this? If this is not what you are saying, then what is it that you think Tom Ascol takes more seriously than the Caners?
Also, it seems that Ergun Caner does take this debate at least somewhat seriously by his own comments. He states:
I do "love" the fact that Dr. Falwell is willing to give this debate as "big a stage as possible".
He believes, as we do, that this is a "vital issue" in the SBC, and "MUST be confronted" to as "large a crowd as possible". (all the quotations are mine)
Fred
Thank you for your spirit and you can call me Brad...I do have a doctorate but we are brothers.
I did not in any way, shape, or form mean to imply that those who differed with me on the doctrines of grace would not rather drive across the state to see a soul saved than walk across the street for a debate. I do not believe that...some of my good friends hold to all five points of Calvinism.
And I am saddened at the sin of church members who refuse to witness. IT IS SIN.
I do believe God is Sovereign over the salvation of souls but I believe that God's Sovereignty is so Great it includes man's freedom to choose. In a very real way the supra-logic and omnipotent Sovereignty of God's Plan is far more evident in my position than in my reformed brothers.
Please give me the freedom and latitude to save this discussion about Calvinism for my Blog, since, on this Calvinists Blog I would be responding until Jesus returns and explains it authoritatively to the Calvinists :)
BR
Dear greg b
Greetings, my brother. Thank you ever so much for pointing out the Wikipedia source () in considering hyper vs. non-hyper Calvinism. I too checked that source before I wrote my little posts about the possibility of distinguishing between HyperCalvinism in the classic, historic sense and hypercalvinism in a softer, less technical sense so that I would not be blowing needless smoke around. I'm glad I did.
Nevertheless, I am a little confused, Brother greg b, exactly why you only mentioned the technical, historic sense the Wikipedia article rightly mentioned at the article's beginning but entirely left out of your scope--and to your readers' disadvantage--what Wikipedia calls the "non-technical usage of the term [hypercalvinism]."
Let me refresh your memory, greg b, as to what it said. If you read the fifth nuance of the non-technical usage of hypercalvinism, you will see that some use hypercalvinism to state to someone that it is "that it is wrong to proselytize"
And, if you scan a bit further, a second non-technical usage some employ toward hypercalvinists is to suggest that to hypercalvinists, "only Calvinists are Christians."
Gee, greg b. These two nuances of hypercalvinism people employ sound strangely similar to precisely what I was getting at in my post.
I sure am glad we caught it, greg b. Thank you. Have a grace-filled sleep. With that, I am...
Peter
Brad:
You are forgiven for assuming that I am humble.
No amount of misapplied analogies can hide the huge inconsistency of your ethics. You are profess to be against something that you willingly imbibe and then refuse to discuss it as a matter of ethics. It really is a dilemma.
Your attempts to rewrite history have also not improved during your few week absence. You state: " Honestly, I would have ceased all correspondence had you published e-mails between us that I asked you not to publish." The Caners never asked--Ergun Caner *demanded* that his emails not be published, but only *after* stating that if they were published they be published in their entirety. Why do you continue to misrepresent this, if you are indeed interested in the truth? It only hurts your credibility with those who have read the email exchange and know better.
I do not know Dr. Falwell very well but I will take your word for it if you say that he is not offended at being accused of "pimping" a show to little old ladies.
I really am glad you started your own blog and take no offense whatsoever that you did not do so for my sake. I am hoping that it will give you an outlet to express your opinions more appropriately than what you sometimes have done on the blogs of others.
I meant it when I said that I hope you will be able to use it to glorify God.
Brad:
Pardon me for jumping in on your conversation with Scott, but I was alarmed by this statement:
"I affirm 3 of the classic points of Calvinism provided I can define them, ...."?
The hermeneutic that you have articulated ultimately allows for any kind of belief.
I can run 100 yards in 5.7 seconds, if you allow me to define what a yard is.
Tom
Wow - Speaking of misrepresentation thanks for your model comments. I will not address what you said of me - I try not to defend myself, although I do fail at times.
Concerning Dr. Falwell, I said - since he knows Ergun he would probably not be offended by those comments. But you are probably correct in assuming he would not be offended at the comments themselves (no matter who said them).
What I know of Dr. Falwell, is that he has pretty-thick skin and is not offended much at all by what people say about him, especially his friends.
BR
Tom. Please feel free, to lecture him on hermeneutics. I am quite certain one of you will be enlightened:)
BR
Hi Leighton,.
A.
John 6 states that only those who are drawn by God can come to Christ and that all of those who are drawn come and will be saved.
If the gospel itself is the drawing (rather than the means of drawing those upon whom the Spirit has placed his grace with which we would all agree), then why would not all men who hear it be saved? So:
1. The drawing in John 6 is effectual for all and not offered to everyone who hears the gospel.
2. If the gospel is the drawing, then either we must conclude that everyone who hears it will come to Christ according to this text and be saved, or they will not hear it.
3. The problem is that Christ is speaking to a bunch of people who have just heard the gospel numerous times and is explaining the reason why they have not come to him.
So the Gospel itself cannot be the drawing.
B. Eph 2:8-9 does not say that we are saved by grace mixed with faith. It does not even say we are saved by grace and by faith. It says that we are saved BY GRACE. That grace takes its work through faith so that we are saved, but the passage is clear (I'm not sure if you are familiar with Greek) that the "gift" is the grace, the faith and the salvation in the context. So faith is not something that stems from ourselves here, but something that is given. As the Epistle to the Hebrews states, Christ is the "Author (i.e., the one who produces) and perfector (one who completes) our faith." So it is not something we exercise from ourselves even a little bit.
You are right that hardening concerns something that happens later, not from birth. But the hardening in Scripture is something that is done so that one does not believe the Gospel in order to be saved.). But the point is that there is a work going on both ways. One is to harden (or turn the rebellion of a person into concrete) and the other is to have mercy (drawing them through the Gospel and giving them faith to be saved). The hardening is simply solidifying the way a person is already going (and we are told by Rom 1-3 that we are all going that way). So it does not cause someone to rebel, but simply puts grease on the slide that they are.
So the real question becomes, "Why is it necessary for the Father to draw people if the gospel itself will draw them? The hardening is simply a judgment given out concerning a rebellion that would persist at some level by itself anyway. But we are never told the opposite. We are never told that the drawing is not necessary. John quoted you 1 John correctly (I just read this with my students in Greek class tonight). It is a perfect, which has a more stative aspect to it. Our faith is a result of our having been born of God. The Lord states to Nicodemus that a man cannot even see the Kingdom of Heaven unless he is born again. Peter states that God is to be praised because He "according to His great mercy [not according to our faith]has "caused us to be born again to a living hope..."
So logically it seems that if one needs to be born again/drawn in order to believe the Gospel, then it must be that man cannot do so otherwise. Once again, if the drawing were merely the Gospel coming into contact with a human who has the possibility of believing within himself, and John 6 states that the drawing is always successful, why are not all men who hear the Gospel saved?
The Gospel cannot clearly be the drawing itself and therefore this must be a drawing through, not a drawing by, the Gospel. If God must draw everyone to Himself in order for someone to come to Him, then this must be because man is not capable of coming on His own (indeed, Christ says "no man is able to come to me"). We then seek in Scripture what the reason might be that man cannot come to Him. We see in Scripture that it is the love of darkness rather than light (John 3) and this love of falsehood and evil is further developed throughout the Scripture.
I know that much of this is probably confusing rambling, but I hope it helps somewhat. I am someone who actually asked this question a lot in my undergrad and even later because I did not see a lot of explicit verses about TD, but came to the conclusion of the T because the U, I, and P are all over the place and must assume the T. I therefore could go back to Eph 2 and say that "dead in sin" must mean more than mere separation which does not have complete dominion over my decisions and instead interpret it to be total. I then saw a lot more than I had noticed before that really assumes the T and even explicitly teaches it (hostile toward God, love of darkness, enemies of God, the teaching of Rom 1-2 that teaches that the truth given to man will only cause him to rebel all the more because the problem is not the amount of truth he has (i.e., not knowing the gospel), but his rebellious nature, etc. Oh well, I'm ranting again. Let me know if I can clarify anything. Take care.
Tom, you are a brilliant man. Your responses are always filled with the perfect amount of wit, wisdom, grace and bluntness. God bless you, Sir.
The Abstract of Principles is a 4-point document. As the statement on."
This language is exactly that which has been consistently used throughout history to describe the effectual work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who are alienated and hostile toward God- that work which is commonly referred to as irresistible grace.
Hello Tom,
I'm sure you do not need to be reminded of this, but Dr. Caner's "pimp-my-debate" comment is thoroughly consistent with TRBC's modus operandi when it comes to merchandising. Depending on how things actually transpire (or are edited), you can be absolutely certain that the opportunity to exploit the debate for a variety of TRBC ministry ends will in no wise be missed. If my recollection is correct, this is at least one of the reasons that John MacArthur spoke at LU/TRBC one time, and one time only - the inability of the ministry to pass up marketing his appearance there.
TRBC is set to move into its one million or so square foot megaplex on Liberty mountain next week. The pressures inherent sustaining such a ministry must be enormous. The gifts of many, many little old ladies (and lots of others) help make it all possible, and now that TRBC/LU is in the SBC camp, many pragmatic currents converge to make this debate (and the crushing of so-called "hyper-calvinism") pretty important to them. They simply cannot be seen countenancing anything remotely connected to reformed/calvinistic practice or theology, as the consequences would be disastrous for their donor base. These pressures exert great power on the motivations of men and whereas they are not the only influence holding sway in the deportment of the Liberty men, they surely figure quite prominently.
Looking back at the Pulpit Classics which are aired on the Liberty channel, Dr. Falwell used to be much more hermeneutically oriented in his sermons, but that has pretty much ceased these days. One gets the distinct impression that building the empire on Liberty mountain has become the hermeneutical lens through which the sermons must now pass, and the over-riding concern in much that is said from the pulpit. These things and much more will be roosting in the rafters of the debate hall come October. And I might add, I am not an enemy of LU, TRBC or Dr. Falwell - I am indebted to him and many at LU for some very formative years as a new believer in the late 70's and early 80's. Our fellowship in Lynchburg has been the happy beneficiary of some fine students who have come to Lynchburg to attend LU and have worshipped and served with us. I pray for the ministry there, and tremble to think of the responsibility it bears, if for no other reason than its sheer size. It is therefore genuinely grievous to see the postures struck by them against you all, and against such a wide swath of the church's history over the millennia, and indeed - against certain portions of Scripture itself!
So I hope and pray you all will press on in the debate, and that the contrasts evident in disposition, argument, love of the words of Scripture as evidenced in sound exegesis, church history and the fear of the Lord will be clear and irresistible. May the mouths of the obstreperous by stopped and God be true. Grace to you,
Timotheos
I know and understand that any friend of the Caners would want to step in and speak in an apologetic fashion to their defense. As I read Brad's rationalization of Dr. Caner's actions, I was asking myself, "Why?"
I suppose that it is commendable for Brad to stick with Ergun in light of the deplorable situation which has taken place, but Ergun's actions is simply indefensible. I'm Iranian. Does that give me the right to speak with anger?
Brad, the Scripture says that "faithful are the wounds of a friend but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." If you know Ergun the way you do, you have the privilege to speak with him in a way none of us ever could. Maybe you have. If I can, let me encourage you to honestly and objectively consider all that he has said and done and call him to Christ-like love, humility, and kindness. Nobody here would call Ergun an enemy. He is our brother, but we cannot call him a friend since we do not know him personally (at least I don't). Therefore, you have the opportunity before you with his listening ear to say what hundreds of comments from hundreds of his brothers in Christ could not do. Thanks for considering my suggestion.
Brad Reynolds said,
."
Your post on "egregious" liberty should be rather interesting, especially if this is your ethic concerning language. Your disclaimer (about antinomianism) cannot distill the meaning of "what is offensive to some is not offensive to him" (unless, of course, there is an "erroneus hermeneutic" here). Maybe, our dear brother, you should begin your blog with a post on the "truth" about cursing (and offensive language), making sure to address all of the cultural idioms that can be produced by a colorful background. I am sure this would be very helpful for all of the convention. Think of the range of effectiveness. From the likes of Dr. Lindsey Jr (now deceased, I know) to the distinguished Dr. Caner to we Calvinists here on the Founders Blog.
Dr. Reynolds:
What logical conclusions of Calvinism diminish the fervor of evangelism?
What are the conclusions to which Tom has jumped?
Why is it that you seem to want to afford the Caners every benefit of the doubt even to the point of defending his use of course language, but say, "In that spirit, may I suggest, that you not publish a post, which invites unwholesome Christian language and ill will among brethren."
Why don't you make that same suggestion to your friend Ergun?
Why don't you suggest that he stop using that kind of language?
Dear Peter:
Forgive me for not being clearer about my intention. My point was this is the historical/theological definition that .... educated people should use, or explain clearly the difference between there usage and this standard.
Just as I pointed out in a past discussion on church discipline and numbers reporting, I learned that words meant things not from an outspoken Calvinist but Russ Bush and Paige Patterson. They were very careful to tell us that it was largely the misuse of terms that allowed (in an earthly and sociological sense) theological liberalism into the seminaries and then churches. Prof would use common "evangelical" terms with long established meanings to mean something different. They did not clearly explain what they meant until they had innoculated you with the new context (does that make sense). In other words the meaning changed for many people with out most knowing it.
In this case, ...well Dr. Caner maybe at times using one of the alternate definitions... ie pushing Calvinism or being kind of gnostic about the 5 Points, but his concern about evangelism means that he is clearly using it in the wikipedia proper definition most of the time.
He clearly should know better as he has both education and alot of access to godly men who are Calvinists.
As has been stated by several, Calvinism isn't a system as such. Many here I would bet are still largely dispensationalists, some are covenantalists, many would simply say I go only where the Bible takes me and study theologians only after the Holy Spirit brings an idea to my mind through my scriptural study.
Sorry for my lack of clarity.
Do you ever get tired of how folks appreciate your spirit and humility? If so I would be glad to rail for a moment:):):)
Grace Alone,
Greg B
Brad,
You might have missed my earlier comment. I had some questions I asked you. However, you might have been addressing me too when you were addressing Fred. If so, then please answer the last question I asked in my earlier comment.
Hello Brothers,
I am amazed to see so many comments on this subject exspecialy from people who want to defend Dr. Caners behavoir. His behavior is inexcusable on so many levels. I find it apaling to find A Christian man Defending this behavior when we would not alow it in our own children. Remember We are Gods Children and we are constantly under his tutalage. So no amount of explaing away or exuses make up for the unchristian behavoir of Dr. Caner. Call A spade A Spade Not A Club. Thank you agian Tom for standing for Turth without compromise unlike most of our pastors today.
In Him who is the only one who sets us free,
Sam
Dear Brad,
Hi. I'm relatively new here so let me get this straight: You sign an "Abstract of Principles" that you really don't believe (or you redefine them according to your own system so you can sign them)?
You: "I affirm 3 of the classic points of Calvinism provided I can define them. . . ." I can affirm the Qu'ran provided I can define it!
And you think that you understand the logical out-come of Biblical theology (i.e. "Calvinism") better than those like Edwards who wrote complex theological works on it?
And you claim that Biblical theology (i.e. "Calvinism") is a system, apparently imposed on scripture, while you impose Victorian era prohibitionism on the followers of a Lord who began His ministry by turning water into "wine" and used "wine" in one of His two ordinances.
May I assume that one of the "5 points" you don't affirm is "preservation of the saints" (i.e. eternal security). After all, you insisted on "free will." What sense would it make to say sinners only have free will right up until they are saved then they don't have free will any more, they can't freely choose to fall away?
Ok, maybe I'm being a little rough.
It is apparent to me that Dr. Reynolds and those like him are obsessed with "the logical" conclusion of calvinism. We counter with "the logical" conclusion of Arminianism.
May I state, "Who gives a flip about the logical conclusion of anything pertaining to the Word of God?!"
There is nothing inherently logical about the absolute sovereignty of God and man's full responsibility. BUT IT IS TRUE NONE THE LESS!
Secondly, logic is the premise that formed the doctrine of free will in the mind of Pelagius. He rationalized that what God commands men to do must be attainable by man or God is unjust.
The reality is that God commands all men everywhere to be perfect and holy as He is holy. However, no one is capable of being perfect and holy. Only one in the history of the human race has done so and He was the Son of God, Jesus Christ! Nevertheless, God is Just.
So, logical or illogical means nothing. What matters is what the Bible says.
The fault and error of Pelagius has been repeated through the centuries by Arminius, Wesly, Finney, Moody, and.... Apparently, Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Caner. (And many, many, many, many, many others including some of us Calvinists. See my previous post on R.C. Sproul Jr.) The error is insisting that logic be applied to scripture.
Dr. Reynolds can back step, back flip, back peddle, back hand, back talk, or anything else backwards that he wants. There is no way that he can justify a statement like...
I am a three pointer as long as I can define their points.
Tom nailed it when he pointed out the obvious, "authorial intent". This is not only applicable to the Abstracts but to exegeting scripture as well.
Therefore, Dr. Reynolds, may I assume that you are rejecting the 4th point of Calvinism which is effectual calling? How can you justify this in light of the extremely clear and evident biblical witness to the contrary as well as the Abstract's statement on Regeneration preceeding faith and repentance?
Sir, you are not acting with integrity in handling your position and responsibility to uphold the Abstract of Principles at your institution.
CR
Benji,
I apologize…I did miss your comment. I did not mean to imply that Tom would rather go to a Calvinist debate than witness – I do not know him. I was saying it seems to me that the constant Blogging about the debate implies a greater concern than the Caners, although this does not mean the Caners are not concerned at all. Thank you very much for the spirit in which you write.
Ajlin
If Basil Manly, Jr. had wished to say, “the Holy Spirit’s salvific work in a person’s life is irresistible” – those words or similar ones were available for his use.
Timmy
Your words are wrought with wisdom. Thank You.
Aaron
I will address those conclusions soon on my Blog, after I deal with the state of the convention and the anti-nomian tendency to imbibe in alcohol.
I have made it clear that both Caners are capable of erring and certainly do. Further, I would never defend their erring but have simply stated part of what I know of them. Moreover, I have asked that if stones be cast, they come this direction.
Any unwholesome language is not pleasing to Christ. But what amazed me was the duplicity of attacking Ergun with implications of unwholesome speech and then maintaining a Blog, which is consumed with unloving and unChrist-like comments. Two regular readers/participants of this Blog have contacted me and shared that the vitriolic spirit contained here was not present before the Caners showed up on this Blog. Yet, the fault of the degeneration of the comments on this Blog into a Jerry Springer episode and a tabloid of the Caners e-mail lies not with them, but must rest at the feet of the Blogs’ owner.
To date NOONE has shown where the publishing of the first or current post on the Caner debate glorifies Christ, honors his command to love one another, exhibits true rather than pseudo forgiveness or exemplifies to the world how Christians are to treat each other. There was a reason Christ told his followers not to take private disagreements to public courts.
Were Tom to humbly admit that it is possible that he was wrong to post these (which invited language that questioned Ergun’s salvation) it would be refreshing. Were he too admit it was unwise in the first place and remove them it would be spiritually intoxicating. And yet, I fear a continual defense will be mounted.
BR
Dr. Ascol,
Good morning, my brother. My, the bees have been busy overnight on the Founders Blog! Let’s see, I think I have some dangling ends from another thread I thought had grown tiresome for most all there, Dr. Ascol.
Indeed you appear to be the only one to bemoan my departure. Thank you. It’s always nice to be missed :D
Evidently, the phrase “The Doctrine of Church Rolls” poked you in your theological eye, Dr. Ascol. I am amazed it stuck so well. If we keep using it, we may find it sticking for good—in an entirely comical way of course.
At any rate, I really meant to abide by Solomon’s wisdom and cease my posts. It really gets under my skin when one meets a guy who simply has to have the last word; does it not you, Dr. Ascol? Besides, in my view, there are other rocks on this Blog we may lift and take a peek.
I, will, however, grant you this one last comment on The Doctrine of Church Rolls before moving on: if you desire to engage this any further, by all means please do so, but do so with men eminently more qualified than I, Dr Ascol.
Remember, my brother, I conceded my weakness at this juncture, but think it curious you insist on a leap in logic from the rolls of Widows to the rolls of the Church. And if you do not see your hop in reason, Dr. Ascol, then there’s no good use, at least for me, to risk growing ears by continuing to harp about hopping.
I have an idea, Dr. Ascol. Tease The Doctrine of Church Rolls out by adding to your three a few more esoteric allusions from the NT. In addition, offer some archeological evidences of some petrified church rolls that have been recently found.
Then, I suggest you send your well researched essay of this strange new dogma to a scholarly theological journal, say the one at SBTS or SEBTS. I am sure both Drs. Mohler and Akin would consider publishing it. If they do not publish it, maybe the good Drs. will speak further with you about it. That is a win/win to me.
At the risk of appearing to go silent again, let me proceed quickly for I do have a few comments toward to your last post to me, Dr. Ascol. The first comment is brief…Very brief. You disagreed with my observation that you convoluted a moral absolute with a loaded theological term. The disagreement is so recorded.
Now, let’s move along to two questions that seem to have burned images on my monitor screen: ?”
Aside from the fact that I fear no danger in being called even half of that because of my theological commitments, I guess I could ask if he/she could give me the differences they see between a Pelagian on one hand and a Pelican on the other.
That sounds cute I realize. But it summarizes my general attitude toward what folks—including the scholarly community—may say of me.
I learned long ago, Dr. Ascol, I have absolutely no control over either what other people think of me nor, to a large extent, what other people say about me. I am who I am and that is all I am. And to be, not cute but trite, people can think and say all they want what I am but our Sovereign knows who I am.
I think the second question was your concern whether or not I would defend the Caners use of hyper vs. non-hyper pertaining to Calvinism. Here is my short answer which I know you always appreciate :D: No. I would not defend the Caners anymore than I would defend a rapid dog. They do not need defending. They need to quit slobbering and biting and engage the issues.
Alas, but you know how I feel about that, do you not? Surely you’ve read my comments about it, if for no other reason than to be surfing to see if I dealt with Church Rolls elsewhere :D For the life of me, I cannot see how our Lord can be glorified through an emotional fireworks’ display--all in truth’s name, of course.
One final comment before going silent (just kidding). John—Honest To God—A. T. Robinson quipped in the preface to his book, Redating the New Testament, that the thesis he was undertaking about considering early dates for every NT book was little more than a theological joke…a humorous prank played on his Liberal colleagues. Interestingly, when Robinson finished, he came to conclusions that rocked not only his world of scholarship, but had the most ardent conservatives arguing for a later date than he proposed!
I’ve always found humor in that. Similarly, I find humor in my proposal on this Blog that HyperCalvinism (with a capital H) that is used as a technical term for theological deviance from historic Calvinism can and ought to be distinguished from hypercalvinism (with a little h) that many use—perhaps even the masses employ—to describe not belief per se but attitude or practice. As in, for example, “stop trying to convert me to your belief system, you hypercalvinist, you.” Or “you hypercalvinists think that Calvinism is to be equated with Biblical Christianity.”
I find it fascinating that the distinction between “Hyper” and “hyper” which I conceded in my post would not amount to a hill of tators has nicely blossomed into a mountain of peaches.
In addition, I think the distinction stands. If it does, we should take particular pause and not hastily accuse our Brothers across the aisle of bearing false witness as they utter the horrible sounding term Hyper/hyperCalvinist. Does it have an “h” or an “H” in front of it should very much concern us.
Let me close now with this, Dr. Ascol: I can only imagine how happy the average Arminian who possesses in his pouch the smoothest stones to slay his Goliath by insisting, as does the average Calvinist, that he frame all questions, define all terms and decide all assumptions before the battle begins. How happy indeed.
I trust your day to be a grace-filled, God blessed, day my brother. May His peace be with you. With that, I am…
Peter
Hi John, My comments are in bold...
You wrote:.
I understand that translation but you have to admit that one verse seems pretty weak in light of the many other verses which indicate we are brought to life through faith. 1 John 5:1 still seems it could go either way to me. Almost like if someone were to say, "Everyone who works at that church has been ordained." Which comes first? Were they ordained prior to coming to work at the church or did they get ordained at the time when they joined the church as an employee? We can't really tell just from this one statement. The passages I listed seem pretty clear that life comes through faith. Sorry, I'm just trying to approach this objectively. Believe me, I want to find support for this doctrine, but I have to be honest with the text..
With all due respect, but that is just doesn't hold water. It says we are BROUGHT TO LIFE, if that is not a reference to being regenerated, what is? I also came across this passage:
1Pe 1:23 -
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
This verse appears to support the concept that we are born again through the word of God which is preached to us. This along with the many other passages that speak of life coming through faith seem to be overwhelming, especially if 1 John 5:1 is all the support there is for regeneration preceding faith.
Through that faith (which is a gift, Eph. 2:9-10), they repent (which is a gift, 2Tim. 2:25), and cling to Christ. Nothing in their hands they bring, not even "the better angels of their nature."
I don't deny that faith and repentance are gifts from God. I don't believe Arminians (non-Calvinists) deny that either (at least from what I've read). They just claim that the gift must be received and that it can be resisted. The gift is given when God sends the invitation, but that doesn't mean the invitation must be received. What do you think?
The natural person could not possibly produce faith because "every inclination in his heart is only evil all the time."
Is there any scripture which draws this actual conclusion? You seem to assume that because men are born with selffish and sinful desires that those desires cannot be persuaded or drawn to repentance by the powerful word of truth. I am still looking for a passage that actually draws that conclusion.
Again thanks for the discussion.
Hi again John, again my answers are in bold…
"Is believing ever said to be a work? If so, regardless of whether you are a Calvinist or not it could be said that we are saved by grace through a work. Do you believe that we are saved through a work?"
No. I don’t believe faith is ever seen as a “work” in the way Paul speaks of the works of the law. Paul has no problem crediting Abraham for his faith, why should we? I believe there is a distinct difference between one pursuing righteousness as if it could be earned by works of the law and one pursuing righteousness through faith in the One who has fulfilled the law. I think you have attempted to define faith as a work so as to undermine the idea that faith is man’s responsibility, but in doing so you undermine Calvinism because Calvinists still affirm the necessity of faith, whether produced by regeneration or not, it is still something men do. They believe. And if that is considered a “work” in you eyes, then you must admit that men are saved by grace through works. Even if you preface that by saying the work is produced by God irresistibly, it is still a “work.”
A "work" is, by definition, anything that comes originally from us.
By that definition, nothing could be called a work, could it? What do we have that we have not been given? Even men’s ability to obey the law or to produce good deeds as a believer is from God isn’t it? So, how do you separate works from faith if this is the only differential factor? Nothing comes from us, does it?
Since "every inclination of our hearts is only evil all the time," all our "righteousness is filthy rags," our hearts are "desperately wicked", and we are "dead in our trespasses", we cannot, of ourselves produce saving faith. We would not even want to.
I understand your logic, but I don’t find this supported in the text. Plus, I’m not really arguing that men can produce faith. Faith comes through hearing the powerful Holy Spirit wrought gospel, so in that sense it is originated through a work of the Spirit, not just in us on our own. Some resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51), but those who submit to his message will be saved. I suspect that Calvinists have overcomplicated it.
greg b
Thank you, my brother, for your clarity. And I think discussions such as we've experienced here while lively, are good for us all.
Further, your words are much to kind to me. Indeed, now I am in a dilemna: for if I say I am glad a positive spirit displays in my life, I risk losing it because of pride knocking at my door.
If I do not acknowledge it, I risk not only ignoring the one whom God has sent to me as an encourager, such as you, my brother, but worst still, I risk denying God His glory for choosing to work in me.
Woe to us as long as we remain in this fleshly body! Maranatha, Lord!
May our Lord bless you this day, greg b. With that, I am...
Peter
A whole debate focusing on Brad R. yet again notwithstanding, I'm glad he and Timotheos brought forth two main issues: 1) The Caners' Turkish muslim roots, and 2) Liberty/Thomas Road.
I risk the prejudice of Nathaniel, but outside the reasoned voices from LU/TRBC on this board, has anything good ever come out of Lynchburg?
Only when you remember that the Caners are former Sunni muslims do you understand their fundamentalist zeal. It is in their blood, this instinct toward "ACTION", whether it be verbal, sarcastic warfare in words as we've clearly seen, or "electing because I selected" mindset of one's own salvation.
Their very actions, however, betray their beliefs, by the sheer absence of grace (in both an understanding of and practice of), and lack of true humility.
As for TRBC, seems they've become another city on a hill like the one in Plano, Texas. Pulpits uniting to fight the virus Calvinism while building empire. Something just doesn't jive, yet it may escape them totally.
Brother Tom-
I am sorry that this is the state it has come to. As I read Dr. Caner's emails, he is not a "theological pitbull" he is an arrogant theologian. God help us all to remain humble. I appreciate you and James for your stand with the Reformed Faith. I am a Reformed Baptist Pastor in Virginia. Below is an email that I sent to Ergun and challenged his thinking with no reply; this is the third time he has not replied nor answered my questions nor sent me his objections so that I may exegetically answer his. Enjoy:
Dr. Caner-
I have emailed you several times in the past, all to NO response from you. It has been a while since I have seen such a display of pride and arrogance in one person in my life. I believe that the attitude that you displayed with Drs. White and Ascol to be contrary to how Christ wants Christian brothers to behave towards one another. I do not feel, from your correspondence with James, that you or your brother really wants a debate on the real biblical issue. I heard your sermon at TRBC on “hyper-calvinism” and can say with the full authority of the Word of God behind me that you completely “butchered” Romans 9 and most of the claims that you made in that sermon.
I wrote on my web site concerning truth vs. tradition and stated that when you say that someone else’s position is wrong, you must be ready to give an answer exegetically, syntactically, and not with tradition. Saying, “This verse cannot mean what you say it means because this verse over here says this”, is NOT a definitive defense of your position neither is it a definitive refutation of the other position. That is all I see you do and all that I have heard you do. Why will you not answer the question, back up your claim without name calling and changing the subject? I believe it is because you really cannot answer. It is easy to preach a message against Calvinism to a group of Armenians, such as TRBC, and feel like you did a concise defense of your position. But there is not objection! Only when you can answer, exegetically, syntactically and without tradition, the objections can you say that you have really defended your position; all of those things you refuse to do.
Do me a favor; I hold multiple degrees in Theology, send me your objections, I would love to hear them. Dr., I appreciate your ministry to the Muslim community, I really do, but on this point you are just incorrect and I look forward to hearing your objections. Can you exegetically and syntactically give a defense for the belief that states that God tries but fails in saving most of the world. Matt. 7 says that more people will die and go to hell, so your presupposition says that God tries and fails. That is contrary to the teaching of Scripture. Jesus said, “I came to seek and SAVE the lost….” Definite task that he says will be completed. Thank you for your response.
Because of His Sovereign Grace,
Rev. Dr. Michael Huffman
Thank you Dr. Ascol and God Bless, I will let you know when and IF I here from Ergun.
Rev. Dr. Michael Huffman
Brad:
Once again I cannot help but wonder at how we can speak the same language and yet seemingly fail to communicate so regularly. In one sense I suppose it is commendable that you are jealous for my humility (even though I am someone whom you have never met) that you encourage me to "admit that it is possible that [I] was wrong to post these (which invited language that questioned Ergun’s salvation" or better yet, to "admit it was unwise in the first place and remove them."
I certainly am not above being wrong, but your appearance here defending Ergun Caner and claiming that you can affirm 3 of the points of Calvinism that the Abstract of Principles teach (and which you have presumably signed and promised to teach in accordance with and not contrary to) AS LONG AS YOU "ARE ALLOWED TO DEFINE THEM" hardly builds a compelling case for your point. If you think I have sinned in this blog post, please show me from God's Word.
Brad, go back and read the original post. I would not have posted my exchange with Ergun had he not *asked* (as you so fondly refer to it) me to do so. Why blame me for doing what he demanded here when you blame James White for not doing what he demanded with the previous correspondence. Once again, your ethical system seems to have some wires crossed at serious points. At the very least your inconsistency does not allow thinking people to take your calls here seriously.
If you really think that this post is like Jerry Springer, what in the world is your opinion of the post where the Caners showed up and spewed their venom back in February? (see the sidebar for the post on Johnny Hunt's nomination; read their comments there) You know the Caner brothers. Have you publicly admonished them as you have me? Are you more concerned for me, a stranger to you, than you are for your own friends? Such duplicity betrays concerns at work other than those which you publicly claim.
Brad, I plead with you to compare what you consider to be the most Springer-like comments here with the Caners' comments in their correspondence. If your crosswired ethics still will not allow you to comment on that in which you have imbibed, then refer to their published comments on this blog from February. If you are really concerned about the honor of Jesus Christ as you say you are then you will without hesitation condemn much of what they wrote and will call for them to repent. If you do not do this, then no amount of verbage to the contrary will convince us that it is *Christ's* honor that motivates you.
Dr. Reynolds, could you please respond to the following for my personal edification...
1. What are these "logical conclusions" that Calvinism leads to? I would like to know because I have believed all 5 points for over 10 years and have always been and remain evangelistically passionate. I leave tonight in fact for an out-of-country missions trip to do children's VBS AND EVANGELISTIC TRAINING (4 nights worth) among a very small group of indigenous Christians in an environment where Christianity is looked down upon. Please don't accuse me of "being inconsistent" or "not understanding the system." I may not have a doctorate (yet), but I have done the MDiv as well as bachelors in Bible and have studied the issue thoroughly. I know the 5 points. I believe them. There is nothing inconsistent about my universal proclamation that men should repent and believe on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If anything, a consistent understanding of "the system" (not my term, but used by others) is what has motivated me to fervent missions and evangelism (per Acts 18:9-11). I would much rather believe in a definite atonement and believe that there are people who will always respond in Faith because of the pre-emptive working of the Spirit than to simply hope as I preach that because of some potential atonement someone (against their own sinful nature) may decide to respond.
2. Secondly, I am interested in hearing more about your own positions. You call yourself a "three pointer" and even though I think I know which three, could you elaborate? Also, I am genuinely interested in your response to the signing of the Abstract...and oh...before you say it...please stop referring us all to "ask Dr. Akin about his position." Dr. Akin is not here, or I am sure we would. You are, and you choose to continually come back and engage this audience, so be willing to defend your own positions and quit referring us to your boss. I personally think you refuse to do this because you know how inconsistent your positions on calvinistic theology and the Abstract are (kind of like your posting ethics). You cannot seriously argue, having read ANY of their material that Boyce, the Manlys, or Broadus were not historic Calvinists can you? Is there really any question that they held historic evangelistic Calvinism?
BTW and just for the record (to all). I have remained a happy go-lucky Calvinist for the past 10 years, pastoriing churches and getting along fine and co-laboring with SB men who did not hold my soteriology. It is only in the last year or so because of the provocations of so many "anti-calvinists" stirring the pot that I have had to become defensive with brethren. As I have surveyed the landscape, it is not that I find "hypercalvinists" (per Peter's secondary definition) who are angrily seeking to upset the balance of SB life. Most guys I know are content to pastor their churches and fellowship with other like-minded pastors. It is because of the intensifying assault by _____ (fill in the blank...I have at least 2 names in mind just from the above posts) and others that we are having these debates in such a spirit.
Hi Fred, thank you for your response and for the scripture references. My responses are in bold....
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
I’m not sure how this supports either side of the issue. We all affirm that one must be born again before seeing the kingdom, the question is whether we are brought to life through faith, or the other way around. The passages I have presented seem to suggest that we are brought to life through faith, because that is actually what the verse says.
Romans 8:7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
This passage tells us that the natural man cannot subject himself to the law of God which I believe we all affirm, but does that mean we cannot believe in the one who fulfilled the law in our stead? As men acting in the flesh we cannot please God, but does that necessarily mean men can’t stop acting in the flesh and respond to God’s message of truth in faith? Think about it. If your son was living with his girlfriend and you said to him, “Son as long as you are living together you cannot please me,” would that imply that the son couldn’t repent of his living arrangements and move out? Of course not. It would only mean that while he continued to live in the flesh he could not please you.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
The problem I have with this verse is that Paul refers to the “deep things of God” in verse 10 and later in the next few verses Paul tells us that even the “brethren” in Corinth were carnal and unable to receive these things. I doubt that Paul is speaking about their being able to understand and receive the clearly revealed gospel message, otherwise why would he consider them “brethren?”.
This doesn’t address the question. We all affirm our spiritual separation from God and the need to be made alive, but as the scripture shows it sure seems we are made alive through faith and not the other way around.
I don’t want this post to get too long so I’ll stop there for now. Thanks for your time.
Dr. Reynolds,
You wrote to Dr. Ascol, "As you know Calvinism is a system ... to take 3 points away from the other points does not do the system justice, especialy with the presuppositions on which the system is based."
Sir, with all due respect, would you please tell me what is the system and what are the presuppositions you are referring to? I'll admit my academic training is limited. My first encounter with Calvin/ Calvinism was not pretty. I was led to believe that it was a heresy which destroyed missions and evangelism. To this day I have never read (other than short quotes) any of Calvin's commentaries or other writings. As I said, I do not have a great deal of academic training. All I really have is a mere 25+ years of preaching and study of the Bible. I know, I know - not really that impressive. But I assure you - I didn't come to an understanding of God's holiness, man's inability, the sufficency of grace and the beauty of heaven by studing a system. I've heard others refer to this mystical system out there - but no one has ever nailed it down for me. Would you explain please? Also, please inform me of the presuppositions which led me to the precious truths of the gospel. Honestly, the only presupposition I held was that the Bible was the "sole authority for faith and practice." Is there something else I'm missing? I assure you that there have been systems that I have rejected (such as dispensationalism) because I found them to be unbiblical. Please help this uneducated man.
Something else I learned over the years. The Bible calls believers to higher standards of behavior and deportment than the world around us. We are not to conform to the world, but be transformed by the indwelling presence of Christ. Why should we tolerate un-Chrsitlike behavior or language simply because it is being expressed by a Brooklyn New Yorker with a Turkish heritage? I was an East Texas red-neck too, but God saved me. A former professor of mine always said, "Creed determines character; character determines conduct." The past few months have been very revealing to those of us who once had a great deal of respect for Dr. Caner.
Wes, Revival Now
Dr. Reynolds,
Do you ever feel lonely? If so, evidently the simple cure is to come here where it appears your comments will gain much attention.
I have enjoyed swinging through the trees, falling off my wall and conceding my ever present weaknesses in Biblical hermeneutics.
My encouragement to you is to keep loving Jesus, be a good teacher, write a good blog, and accept the fact that this community is extremely verbose. You cannot keep up. Just accept it. Hear the Old Prophet: if you can't run with the horses, what will you do in the swelling of the Jordon?
Have a great day. By the way, what is the domain address for your blog?
With that, I am...
Peter
Hi bristopoly, my comments are in bold….
I understand your reasoning but you can’t just ignore the scripture which seems to strongly indicated that we are brought to life through faith, can we? What do you do with those passages? Plus, after questioning the “T” it caused me to question the U, I and P as well. Even Sproul explains that it all rests on the T as the foundation for the rest.
A.
John 6 states that only those who are drawn by God can come to Christ and that all of those who are drawn come and will be saved….So the Gospel itself cannot be the drawing.
I do think John 6 is the strongest support for this dogma, but consider this:
Who is Jesus’ audience? Israel.
What is Israel’s current condition? They are being judicially hardened.
Let me expound. While Christ was on earth it is clear that he didn’t want all the Jews to come to faith. In Mark 4 Christ even explains that he hides “the secrets of the kingdom in parables” so they could not repent and be saved (something that would not be possible if they were born Totally depraved). In other words, Christ needed the Jews to remain blind and in their rebellion. He didn’t want his words and miracles to persuade them to faith. He instead wanted to provoke them to anger and he needed them to remain in unbelief. Why? They had to crucify Him. And he needed to ingraft the Gentiles into the church.
Now, Jesus also had another purpose. He had to reserve a remnant from Israel to fulfill their purpose in bringing redemptions message to the world. So, Christ was given 12 from Israel who he would train to be the foundation for his church (with the exception of the betrayer and later the addition of Paul). These were the ones who had been drawn to him and taught by him. Later, after Christ was raised up he would send these messengers into the world in order to draw all men to himself. As John 12:32 says, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." So, Christ went from only drawing a remnant to be his ordain apostles to sending them into the world to draw all mankind. Make sense?
B. Eph 2:8-9 does not say that we are saved by grace mixed with faith… So faith is not something that stems from ourselves here, but something that is given.
As I explained to someone else earlier, I affirm that faith is a gift in that faith comes from hearing God’s message, but that doesn’t necessarily mean its irresistibly bestowed. A gift can be refused or resisted. An invitation can be ignored.
You are right that hardening concerns something that happens later, not from birth. But the hardening in Scripture is something that is done so that one does not believe the Gospel in order to be saved.
Exactly my point. If hardening is that which causes men to be unable to believe the gospel and it only takes place later in life then those who have not yet grown hardened should be able to believe the gospel, thus disproving the concept of Total Depravity. Understand?).
Ok, if those God has chosen to harden are the ones he has not chosen to show mercy then please explain to me why Paul clearly tells us in Romans 11:11-14 that those Jews who are hardened might be provoked to envy and come to faith? Why does Paul go on to say that they might leave their unbelief and be grafted back into the vine if in his mind he believes them to be the reprobate of Calvinism? Why does he say that their hardening is temporary and then go on to explain that even by hardening them he is showing them mercy? “For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” (vs. 32) It just doesn’t appear to me that God is hardening these people for the purpose of certainly condemning them to hell, but instead he is hardening them to accomplish redemption for the world and then to provoke them to envy (which will provoke their will) so “they might be saved.” (Rm. 11:14)
The hardening is simply solidifying the way a person is already going (and we are told by Rom 1-3 that we are all going that way). So it does not cause someone to rebel, but simply puts grease on the slide that they are on.
But this position would only affirm that at some point in the persons life before they grew calloused they would have been able to see, hear, understand and repent, which would negate Total Depravity, wouldn’t.
The verse actually says “might” and not that they “would” inferring that there is nothing irresistible involved.
So the real question becomes, "Why is it necessary for the Father to draw people if the gospel itself will draw them?
God uses means, right? The father’s means is through the church proclaiming his word, right? You seem to assume that the gospel is not the work of the father in this question.
Take care.
You too. Thanks for your time. You make some good points and I’m still praying through all this. I’m just must have everything clearly shown to me through scripture and I’m not seeing the whole regeneration preceding faith thing being supported in the text. In fact, the verses I have presented seem to be much stronger in opposition to that belief.
Question for anyone:
Are there any “Calvinistic” scholars who believe regeneration actually comes through faith but that there is some OTHER irresistible calling prior to regeneration that brings them to faith? It would look like this:
Irresistible call > Faith > Regeneration > etc...
Is this not a viable position? Why or why not?
Dear Leighton,
Hi. You wrote: "Paul has no problem crediting Abraham for his faith,. . ." No. This is not what Paul says. The Apostle says that faith is a gift (Eph. 2:9-10).
Your arguments are so confused I'd encourage you to go back and read my previous posts, much of the discussion on the regeneration thread, and spend some time carefully following the unfolding of the book of Romans, etc.
Sadly, it wasn't my logic that you didn't accept but what Gen. 6:5 (and the other scriptures) simply say: "every inclination of their hearts is only evil all the time." With three sweeping, absolute qualifiers, there's nothing complicated about it. Human beings apart from God's grace are totally depraved and incapable of saving faith.
The self-righteousness of those who pop in and out of blogs to post comments amazes me.
I love how people, people who only come here when a "hot topic" is being discussed, blast people here implying that they are not faithful ministers for wasting time on a blog (ironic considering the attack was made on a blog), implying that the blog owner is unethical and even sinful for allowing discussion to take place, and basically speaking with a pronounced sense of self-righteous indignation toward everyone else.
It just amazes me.
Brad, I understand if you disagree with Calvinism. But that isn't the issue. The issue is if the Caners have conducted themselves in a way that brings honor to Christ. They have not.
Although I would never say that Ergun Caner is not saved (despite his belief that James White is not saved...interesting that you "forget" that), his actions are not Christ-like.
I also agree that some of the responses on here about him are not Christ-like. One does not excuse the other, on that I am sure we agree (well, if you agreed that Caner was acting unChrist-like).
But the fact that YOU come on here and blast people's comments smacks of self-righteous nonsense. The reason people don't respond well to your statements is because of several reasons:
1) you only show up to blast people here
2) your comments are condescending
3) you are one-sided (if you want to crtiique the discussion - critique both sides)
4) your comments are disrespectful and you skip over glaring issues that are crucial to the discussion
I agree with you that people here (myself included) need to be more Christ-like in their comments to and about the Caners...but you, sir, are not the one to tell this group that. There have been others here all along warning of that problem and making statements of the same kind.
You have a hidden agenda and an apparent dislike for the people here...so that is why no one takes your comments seriously.
- Gray | http://blog.founders.org/2006/06/update-2-on-caner-debate.html?showComment=1152033720000 | 2013-05-18T11:02:15 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Anyone.
I am much more hopeful of those whose commitment to Scripture's authority is not mixed with political ambition or misguided bureaucratic loyalties. Honest evangelicals know that something is horribly wrong in our corporate life. Too many evangelical churches are spiritually unhealthy due to the extended neglect of basic biblical teachings, principles and practices. At the top of this list is the Gospel itself.
When we interview perspective church members, we always ask them to give us a brief explanation of the Gospel. Some of the answers that we have received--even from long-time members of conservative evangelical churches--have only confirmed in my mind that the Gospel has been significantly neglected in much of American evangelicalism over the last generation. If you want to liven up your next Sunday School party, ask people to take 2 minutes and write down a simple statement of what the Gospel is. Then collect those papers and read them aloud. It will be better--and potentially more profitable--than pictionary! It will probably also be very sobering.
The Gospel is all about Jesus Christ. I teach the people I serve to think of it simply like this: It is the message of Who Christ is, What He has done, and Why it matters. Answering these questions from the Scripture will provide an outline of the biblical Gospel.
Here is a summary of my concerns about spheres in which we have lost or are losing the Gospel in our day.
1. In preaching
I took several hours last spring to listen to a number of SBC seminary chapel sermons. I heard lots about leadership, commitment, courage, faithfulness, sheep, shepherds, prayer and devotion, I heard very little of Jesus Christ. Often Christ was mentioned almost as an afterthought. I realize that this is far from a scientific study (but if you are interested in one that corroborates my concerns about Southern Baptist preaching, see Marsha Whitten's All is Forgiven) but the sermons were preached by well-known and highly respected Southern Baptist pastors. It is not unreasonable to expect that their sermons to seminarians would be carefully prepared. Assuming that to be the case, I came away from my exercise rather discouraged.2. In Christian living
Here is an experiment that I recommend. Get a simple outline of the Gospel in your mind and listen to the sermons preached in your church (even if you are the preacher!) or other churches and try to determine to what degree the Gospel is the basis of them. Too often only some facts related to the Gospel are tacked on at the end of a message in order to justify some kind of altar call, but the Gospel itself is not foundational to it. If a sermon would play just as well in a Kingdom Hall or Jewish Synagogue as it would in a Baptist church, you can be sure it is void of the Gospel.
Very often the Gospel is viewed only as the threshhold into the Christian life by which one must enter the kingdom. Once in, however, the Gospel loses its importance. Where this happens in conservative churches moralism tends to gain preeminence and Christianity tends to be conceived in terms of rules and requirements. In moderate and liberal churches sentimentalism tends to reign and attitudes and actions are evaluated in terms of how "loving" they feel. Do not misunderstand--the Christian life includes both rules and especially love (rightly understood, of course), but the Christian life is based on neither. It is based on Jesus Christ--who He is, what He has done and why it matters. That is why we are called to live by faith. Faith in what? Or whom? The person and work of Christ. This is also why Paul could write, "For to me, to live is Christ." Christ was life for Paul because the Gospel had come to him in power. Read the ethical portions of the New Testament to see how the Apostles exhorted the early church to holy living. It wasn't by moralistic teaching. They teach the law on the basis of the Gospel. I see very little concern for the relationship between law and Gospel in Southern Baptist life today. The reason, I believe, is due to the removal of the Gospel from the heart of Christian living.3. In our churches
The Gospel is the power of God to save all who believe. Churches are to be comprised of those who testify to having experienced this saving power. Of all the sectors of evangelicalism, Baptists most certainly should stand firm on this point. Yet, simply take an honest look at our churches--even good, "Bible-believing," "flagship" SBC churches. What do you find more often than not? Bloated church rolls with twice as many members as regular attenders. The overwhelming majority of our churches have neglected Gospel order, taking cues more from the marketing world or corporate America or therapeutic professions than from Scripture. John Dagg, the first writing theologian among Southern Baptists put this in his Treatise on Church Order, "When discipline leaves a church, Christ goes with it." If he is correct, then how many Christless churches might we have within our ranks? Read Revelation 2 and 3 to see that Jesus Himself warns of this possibility. If the candlestick has been removed from a local church then the Gospel has been taken with it.So, have we lost the Gospel? I think we have, in many ways. I know this seems like a harsh judgment, but I do not make it with any joy or intent to harm or even embarass. Neither am I suggesting that every church or evangelical (or denominational) entity has lost the Gospel. Rather, I am suggesting that the Gospel has been forgotten, misunderstood, undervalued and marginalized by many churches and ministries that consider themselves evangelical. We can no longer assume that we know the Gospel and prize it as the transforming power of God that saves all who believe. Such assumption, I fear, has contributed to the Gospel's demise in many churches.
Why even raise this question, knowing that it will inevitably provoke the angst of some brothers and sisters whom I respect and tempt them to dismiss me as a crank or some kind of helpless malcontent? I do so because it is simply too important to leave unaddressed. Too much is at stake. The glory of God in the salvation of sinners is at stake. So is the eternal destiny of many who may think that they are right with God but who are merely religious (Matthew 7:21-23).
If I am right in my suspicions, then all of the many other issues that are clamoring for our attention right now in SBC life and beyond are minor in comparison to this. If we have lost the Gospel, or are losing it, then nothing else matters.
96 comments:
Hi Tom,
I think you are right. This is the central issue. I just graduated from Dallas Seminary (ThM, Historical Theology) and am a soon-to-be former member of the SBC. Last semester Dr. John D. Hannah delivered a lecture entitled "The Gospel Clarified: A Joyful Celebration--Something to Remember and Something to Perpetuate"in chapel on this very issue. Of course, his assessment was not directed toward the SBC, but SBC churches would certainly be included. It was very very insightful and, I thought, right on the mark.
I agree with you completely Dr. Ascol. Many of the people I know who claim to be in conservative evangelical SBC churches in upstate SC simply do not know the Gospel. This is completely evident in the way they live their lives and in the ways they worship. Most of the churches I am in contact with are seeker sensitive and strive to make everyone comfortable. They have 15 minute speaches and say they are expounding the Scriptures when they have no clue of the cultural and historical context of the text they are reading. If people truly understood the Christ-centered Gospel found in the Gospel, they would rid themselves of the sickening man exaulting fluff done at so-called worship gathering. We must continue to reform the churches we have influence in and pray that God would change the hearts of those in authority of the churches without the Gospel. I have no doubt they read their Bible. That in itself has the power to change them. Our rantings can do nothing without the Holy Spirit opening their eyes to the Word they are reading! May God bear fruit in these places that bear His name!
Jay:
Thanks for the tip to Dr. Hannah's message. I will download it.
Reformed Owen:
Our experiences are similar. I think the reformation we are seeing is directly linked to the inerrancy movement within the SBC. When Christians start reading their Bibles with understanding, they become equipped to discern between what is and what ought to be and are motivated by the Spirit to long for and strive for the latter.
Tom-
Be careful, my friend. You might be called upon to repent for this post.
Amen and amen.
It is to our own detriment if we do not take seriously this ominous reality. It will only serve to show that indeed the loss of the gospel is more pervasive than we think. We must get back to the mission and message of Jesus Christ and work together for the sake of His Church.
We came together on inerrancy before, and it is time that we center ourselves and our attention on the gospel and taking it to our increasingly post-Christian world. May God grant us the renewal and revival which our churches so desperately need.
Absolutely right! I revamped my preaching schedule a few months ago when I heard a pastor say on his tv program to simply say these words.... He led them in the "sinners prayer".
I realized I had slipped into much the same line of thinking. If we lose the gospel, if we lose a truly regenerate church all will be lost
At least you're trying to do something about it. Having grown up in one of the few moderate PCUSA churched left in America (and that one is fast going liberal), it is nice to see that you're trying to help your brethren in that denomination.
Brother Tom,
The only thing I can say about you post is AMEN, AMEN and AMEN.
The Blood of Jesus Christ..!!!
Dr. Ascol,
Thanks for an excellent post. On the radio program Issues Etc, Todd Wilken will review "sermons" using a 3 part diagnostic. I can't remember all of the elements, but it basically comes down to, "is the subject of the sermon the Gospel of Jesus Christ"? Until my exposure to the Founders Ministries, Alistair Begg, White Horse Inn, R.C. Sproul and other reformed ministries, I thought the tacking on of "Gospel" elements onto the end of a sermon was normal. I started listening/reading to the above ministries and realized what a dis-service to the Gospel this really is. Since this change in my "hearing" I truely wonder what exactly the unsaved person was supposed to resond to.
On a side note...While visiting the Truth For Life (Alistair Begg) website, there was an announcement that Alistair has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Marty:
I hear ya! If I am I will try not to be offended and will try to rejoice in the knowledge that at least our brothers who disagree with us still believe in repentance!
Timmy:
May it be!!
Tom:
I fully understand how that can happen. I experienced something similar years ago. Through dryness in my own soul the Lord showed me that, despite what I thought to be careful grammatical/syntactical analysis of the text in my preaching, for the most part, I was missing the main point of the whole Bible: Christ. It was a humbling, refreshing experience.
Tom,
You bring out some great points. The loss of the gospel in Southern Baptist pulpits and churches is simply tragic. What is even more tragic is that the vast majority of our pastors do not see it. The problems that we are facing in our churche and across our denomination are largely do to a the Americanized, feel-good gospel that is being preached.
These are sobering thoughts.
Hi Tom,
Well written and spot on! How easily we get lost in analysis of the text, but never find our way to Christ. Spurgeon's alleged maxim is correct, "make a bee line for the cross."
Doug Shivers
Bravo! One reason we in the SBC have either lost or minimized the gospel is because we have not fully understood the absolute Fall of man and the pervasiveness of sin, which necessitates the gospel. Instead of a full-orbed Christ-centered, gospel-centered preaching of the entire Word of God, we've subsititued a "simple" gospel thrown into or tacked onto the end of an emotional, "tear-jerking" sermon. Oftentimes, being more concerned with programs, activities, and ministries that keep our denomination afloat, we bypass the true power of God that brings divine blessing and real advancement into the kingdom of darkness. It must not simply be Christ & the gospel initially at our salvation/conversion, but a gospel-centered motivated Christian life that empowers us to the end; remember as Paul said that in the Last Day God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the gospel (Romans 2:16). Don't worry about the nabobs who cast aspersions. There are people hearing what you say whose hearts resonate with your plea. Keep up the good work.
This is not your first expressed concern but it is your finest effort to date.... many thanks!
Please persevere - and I am very confident you will.
Others who know the truth about which you write will continue to pray and persevere, too.
Do I believe we can experience redemption, revival and reformation
in the SBC?
YES, because I believe in God but it will be painful - very painful.
Tom:
Thanks for the post! This is the main issue ("What is the Gospel?" / "What is the Church?") that needs to be addressed in the modern evangelical scene, particularly in the SBC.
A long while ago I was shocked at some of the things believed by my parishioners. Individuals can live like the devil day in and day out and still expect Heaven; Jesus is not God; unbelievers are not going to Hell; etc. These misguided beliefs all hinge upon a failure to comprehend the Gospel.
Trying to address it in the SBC, at times, is an effort akin to spittin' in the wind. Many who try get labeled as "insurrectionists" or get kicked to the curb as "not being Southern Baptist." I think that is why some younger guys, like the honorable Jay Bennett, are on their way out of SBC life. Am I wrong, Jay?!?
Brother Tom:
I think your post can be summarized in Spurgeons motto for his ministry and his church: "We preach Christ and Him Cruicified".
This is bedrock of Christianity. Here is found all of the essential doctrines of the Bible, because to understand the Cross one must understand the sin nature of man, the righteous and loving nature of God, the need for perfect atonement, Christ's substitionary death, imputation of his righteous to us and our sins to him, the resurrection and continuing priesthood of Christ. And, by the way, it teaches and illustrates the sovereignty of God and the trinitarian formula.
In my opinion, it is because of the Arminian teachings of the seminaries and the leadership of the denomination which have led us to this chasm. No one who truely believes that salvation is ultimately up to man truely understands the cross, and from that point, it is all down hill.
Bless you for trying. May God honor your heart and devotion.
Will
Tom,
This hits the nail on the head. I have thought this since reading "The Cross Centered Life" by Mahaney. I was in a church for almost 4 years as a staff member and then one day it hit me, "The gospel is missing." There was moralisms and even preaching through books of the bible, but we rarely heard about Jesus. Now that I am on staff at a church that loves the gospel, it is a refreshing to my soul.
To: m. jay bennett,
As one who left the SBC many years ago, but came back in, let me entreat you to stay in and not leave. What can you say outside the Convention tommorrow that you cannot say inside today? It is the Convention that has strayed from the theology and practice of our founding fathers, not you or I. I encourage you to stay in, cry out, and make your voice heard.They will have to boot me out before I leave.The SBC needs us now more than ever!
I have much appreciation for your struggles.
I agree completely, Tom. I have noticed the same thing for some time - walk into any Lifeway store and you will get the same idea.
It isn't just that we have quit preaching the gospel, people have quit desiring it. We preach our agendas and to tickle the ears of what people want to hear. Generally, they want to hear about themselves and how their lives can become better and happier. As preachers, our job is to create a taste for Jesus in the hearts of our listeners. You are absolutely right. Paul said, "I preach nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified." If only we could join Paul in that statement instead of doing the opposite.
I'm a little slow on the uptake but just found this blog. I have had many concerns about the SBC for several years now. My question is this: What can be done to help it get back on track? ScriptureSearcher said it can be done (because with God nothing is impossible) but it will be painful. I agree. It seems to me the SBC has been in a "watering down" mode for quite some time. This truly concerns me because I don't see believers getting meat. I also don't see the complete character of God being taught. It seems to me the "good" side of God is continually focused on; not the whole character of God. Some churches do not display crosses because it might "offend" someone. I believe we need the reminder of what Jesus went through for us! I am offended that we tippy-toe around in fear of offending! As much as I have read the Gospel, I don't recall Jesus watering down His message. In fact, in Jesus' conversation with the rich young ruler, the rich young ruler didn't want to get rid of his worldly goods to follow Jesus. Jesus let him go. He didn't run after him trying to work out a compromise! We are compromising the Gospel! It requires more than warm fuzzy feelings to bring it to life. Personally, I see the denomination slipping into a worldly attitude about many things: music, reading, schedules, running churches like businesses instead of allowing God to show His Power and Will. The marketing of the church would not be necessary if we all lived the Gospel. Please do not think I'm saying I have it all figured out! But these are my thoughts.....so.....original question....What do we do?
My first concern, of course, is that you did not condemn the use of alcohol in this post, which makes we worry that you're going presbyterian on us.
My second concern, however, is that the people who need to hear this have already judged you based on the first concern. What I say here in jest they mean as a shibboleth, and unless you will partner with them on their fool's errands, they will not take you seriously about the real matters of bringing Christ to all men, and bringing those who will come closer to Him by the Word and the work it calls us to.
____________________________
Back in 1998, I attended a lunch chapel with my former pastor at the Mid-America seminary branch in Schenectady, NY. The text was Titus 1:1-4. It's a brilliant text to deliver to seminarians -- because it delivers the whole Gospel and makes it a particular burden for the pastor to disciple men to the end of making them elders who lead "for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth".
I will never ever forget that sermon -- because it taught me about what kind of man I ought to be in my church, and it cast such a brilliant light on my former pastor who was still shepherding me even though I wasn't on his member roles because I hadn;t settled down in a church yet.
God be willing that this is what goes into and comes out of our seminaries.
"I realized I had slipped into much the same line of thinking. If we lose the gospel, if we lose a truly regenerate church all will be lost"
Tom B.,
I am glad that you have got back to the foundation of our faith in your preaching. Your last statement, however, raised some questions in my mind immediately as I read it:
1. I believe that God will not ever lose the truly regenerate Church no matter what we do. Remember, God is in control, and if we fail, God will never fail and will raise up someone else to do his will. Ok...that was really a comment and not a question.
2. When you say that "all will be lost", what exactly do you mean?
"Too often only some facts related to the Gospel are tacked on at the end of a message in order to justify some kind of altar call, but the Gospel itself is not foundational to it."
Tom A.,.
re: "I took several hours last spring to listen to a number of SBC seminary chapel sermons. I heard lots about leadership, commitment, courage, faithfulness, sheep, shepherds, prayer and devotion, I heard very little of Jesus Christ."
I would encourage you to listen to the chapel sermons of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) from Fall '06. Though I've heard that SBTS, in the past, went through a kind of "slump" in which the chapel sermons were often not Gospel-centered or expository, for the most part the preaching I've witnessed from the chapel since I began classes here last August could be described as nothing less than excellent. We've been blessed by the preaching of men such as Al Mohler, Don Whitney, and Mark Coppenger, all whom have spoken at Founders' Conferences in the past. We've heard from others from the Together for the Gospel conference, such as John MacArthur and C.J. Mahaney (R. C. Sproul preached here last spring and John Piper will speak here this spring). We've heard from other great preachers as well, such as Russell Moore and O. S. Hawkins. Last Fall one preacher (whose name I forget right now) even preached an excellent, thorough sermon on God's sovereignty in salvation. Though things here are certainly not 100% perfect, I truly believe that SBTS is a place that Baptists in the SBC can trust to provide Gospel-centered, Christ-exalting education to those sent here to train for ministry.
Joseph:
You raise a good question:
>. <<
I plan to write more on this later, but suffice to say here that, as Jesus said, the Scriptures testify of Him (John 5:39). For the sake of argument let's grant your assertion that the Olivet discourse is about the end times. What is the focal point of the end times? It's Christ! We need an expansive view of this point. Paul said that he professed to know nothing among the Corinthians but Jesus Christ crucified. He was not being reductionistic, but asserting how all-inclusive the Gospel of Christ is.
Blessings,
tom
Tom,
I want to thank you for such a passionate post and for sharing this sobering burden. We can't get enough reminders about focusing our preaching (no matter what text we are using) around the gospel message and I thank you for placing that once again in the forefront of my own mind.
I too have been discouraged by the lack of knowledge concerning the gospel message displayed at times by my own congregation. My tendency was once to question solely their own commitment to reading the Bible but I find more and more that it is a deficiency that has grown just as much from a lack of solid preaching and teaching.
In my teaching, I have tried to present my messages in a way that emphasizes the saving capacity of the gospel for the lost and an empowering capacity for those that are saved (please correct me if this is wrong). In doing so I have found that many have no better understanding of the gospel than the Jews did of the law and their faith (as seen in Matthew ch. 5-7).
This is very discouraging but I am glad to know there are many others that feel the greatest thing we stand to lose is the gospel itself - the number one reason behind our lives and our service to Christ and His church. May God keep the gospel at the forefront of our lives, our preaching, and our teaching!
Tom: Your comments, regarding a gospel that is lost in many of our SBC churches, are sober indeed. How would you respond to a young seminary student who asked me last week why we don't preach enough "felt need" sermons within our denomination? I told him that from my perspective, there are many "felt need" preachers in our denomination today and gave him examples of some titles of sermons that I have perused over the internet and listening to some of them from many churches within our convention. I explained that man's basic need was spiritual not "felt",even though I work in my ministry meeting people's needs, I still remind myself from God's word that man's greatest need is profoundly spiritual in nature because of his total depravity.
This young man could not even give a clear answer to what is the gospel in my opinion.
I am astonished that I have spent countless hours and days for the battle of the Bible in my denomination for this!?! No, I know it was not in vain, but it is discouraging to say the least when I heard his answer knowing that he was reared in one of our most conservative churches in the SBC.
Thank you again Tom for all you and the Founder's Ministry do to remind us "... to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." Jude verse 3
Sincerely,
J.D. Rector
JBuch, Doug, Earl Clay, Will and Charles:
Thanks, brothers. We who see these things in a similar light need to encourage one another to persevere!
Rev:
I think you are exactly correct in your assessment. I am grateful that we have seen some trickle the other way as men of experience and proven usefulness in the kingdom have joined the ranks of the SBC recently (such as Brothter Earl!). But it concerns me that we are losing some really good guys over these issues. I think many of them are willing to stay and contend for the faith if they can be encouraged by some of us with greying and disappearing hair (I qualify on both counts!). May the Lord enable us to do so.
Cent:
As usual, you are correct! Thanks for the great testimony concerning your former pastor. There is a growing number of such men among us who are faithfully serving Christ's sheep day by day. We must never forget this.
ajlin:
Thanks for this good report about SBTS. We should rejoice over all the progress being made there and elsewhere in the SBC.
David:
Well stated, brother. That is the way that I want to preach, as well.
J.D.:
Thanks, brother. I think I would say pretty much what you said. I share your view. The Gospel is what we need because Christ is life. We simply must diligently work to see this ourselves and help our people to see it, including young seminarians.
"For the sake of argument let's grant your assertion that the Olivet discourse is about the end times. What is the focal point of the end times? "
I believe it is generally accepted by scholars (please correct me if I am wrong) that the end times, or coming of the Lord primarily focuses on a day of wrath and judgment on the wicked and a day of deliverance for the righteous. Thus, our Lord uses as an example the story of Noah where all the wicked were killed and Noah and his family were left behind. Certainly, we can see the Gospel of salvation in the deliverance part of this passage, but the context of the passage as a whole certainly deals primarily with the wrath of a Holy God being poured out on the wicked.
"If a sermon would play just as well in a Kingdom Hall or Jewish Synagogue as it would in a Baptist church, you can be sure it is void of the Gospel."
AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!
AMEN!
Brother Blackburn and others,
I understand the "stay and fight" mentality for ministers, but what about laymen? I'm a concerned father. I don't want to leave the SBC, but I want my children to hear the gospel on Sundays and Wednesdays. At my church right now we hear a lot of sermons on forgiveness, facing trials, "storehouse tithing," family, etc. We get all the usual evangelical hot button issues like abortion and homosexuality thrown in for affect. Sadly, straight up gospel preaching has ended.
For the good of my children should I stay or should I go?
Ooops...misspelled "Habbakuk"
Hi Earl,
Thanks for your encouragement. I understand where you are coming from. If I were still baptist I would certainly stay with the SBC. But I have recently shifted to a covenantal perspective. In short, I have converted to Presbyterianism.
Alan Cross,
I feel your pain with regard to LifeWay. I work at a LifeWay in Dallas, TX and many if not most of the books on our shelves deny the cross. By that I mean many of our books deny the full extent of humanity's sin problem by couching redemption in therapeutic terms.
I think the reason this problem is that as a business, if it wants to be competitive, LifeWay has to sell what is popular. The cross is not popular. It never has been, and I don't think it ever will be. A business simply cannot run on the cross and be competitive. The masses will always choose Barrabbus when it comes down to a vote.
The central theme of preaching is no longer Christ and Him crucified, but man and him satisfied.
CT
I seriously doubt I can even organize my thoughts about this excellent post, so they can be understood. But that never stopped me before.
The conditions which give rise to this may stem all the way to the circumstances by which we reach out to people, and how they come into our churches. The Holy Ghost said He would convict lost folks of their guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. In my own history as a believer, I know several folks who have simply been convicted thusly, and have sought a Savior. They stand out in my mind.
I had lunch with a dear friend today who was saved by God convicting him, almost without any "middle-mortals". He KNOWS what he was saved from, and it sticks out all over him all the time. And I know he loves the gospel, plain and simple.
It seems to me that in the current context of programs of outreach, in which we go out and tell lost folks about the Savior, and invite them to "make Him their Lord", we may be bypassing conviction beyond a nodding assent to guilt. We then have a congregation of folks who never come face-to-face with what they were really saved from.
This has bothered me for some time. Thanks for giving me some space to carry on about it.
Oh .. answers? Who, me? I'm just a guy in a pew.
Dear Dr. A,
Thank you for sounding this call in the SBC.
I encourage all your readers to do a survey of the 12 (more or less) presentations of the Gospel recorded in the book of Acts. Some are long, some are short, some are complete, some are interrupted. Note the common features and the general three-part structure. Then compare these presentations with what is common in the SBC today. And reform your own proclamation accordingly!
Love in Christ,
Jeff
"The central theme of preaching is no longer Christ and Him crucified, but man and him satisfied."
flawedcricket,
What tragically accurate statement! I think you will agree with this great, recent quote from Vern Poythress:
."
Do Modern People Have Room for the Wrath of God? Jan. 17, 2007
Tom:
Excellent post brother! This is an issue near to my heart as well.
The gospel has been truncated and marginalized in too many evangelical circles today-and sadly, even among reformed brothers.
The law is seldom proclaimed in most gospel presentations; repentance from sin is no longer front and center; the Lordship of Christ is an after thought at best; justification by faith is forgotten; the wrath of God and His anger against sinners is considered out of date and passe; the call to deny self, take up a cross and follow Him is too offensive; and the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is now considered to be unnecessary in gospel proclamations--even by reformed brothers.
And if you do hear some elements of the gospel preached today, it will have an anthropocentric, synergistic emphasis.
"We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord..." That should be branded on the doorposts above every pastor's study in America.
Lastly, some in the SBC and in reformed circles have adopted a romantic view of God as a frustrated suitor or powerless lover who is begging sinful man on bended knee, to take the engagement ring of salvation. He is presented as One who is powerless to act and impotent to save until depraved man decides to accept Him.
God helplessly waits on man to "decide and follow Him."
How perverted is this view... Instead of picturing God begging sinful man to "marry Him", waiting for man to accept the proposal - why not picture sinful man on his knees mourning over his sin, crying out in repentance for forgiveness of his sins and that the Lord would show mercy upon his soul granting him saving faith by which to confess Jesus as Lord; that the dread Sovereign of the universe would accept him and save him.
This "almost gospel" can only produce "almost Christians."
I thank you dear brother for your constant uncompromising dedication to the whole gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot piece meal out the truth and tease lost souls with only a fraction of its life giving truth. We must proclaim the whole counsel of God in evangelism, imploring men on behalf of Christ as His ambassadors to be reconciled unto God.
God has not stuttered--He has spoken clearly in His Word about His gospel; may we not edit its message and remove the offense of the cross to simply appeal to men; as if Christ needed our methods and techniques to do His eternal work. The gospel itself IS the power of God unto salvation... amen?
As my dear friend James White is fond of saying, "what you save them with; is what you save them to." Such is the plight of seeker sensitive, emerging and emergent churches where the audience remains sovereign--not the message. People want to feel God today, but they do not want to know God today.
In a time where even just this last week the leaders of the church of Scientology declared Tom Cruise "the new Christ" and said he is to be worshipped in the future for his spreading of Scientology; in this generation we need to boldly present the whole gospel and nothing but the gospel unashamedly, in love, and with fearless courage. We should never speak of hell with dry eyes and treat with a cavalier attitude the cross of Christ as if it were a comic book.
There is an offense to the cross; may we not make void its power, by trying to dumb down its truth in order to make it "relevant."
As Luther said, "I would rather preach the truth with too great a severity, than to ever once act the hypocrite and conceal the truth."
The cross is a radical thing...
Sola Fide,
Campi
2 Cor. 4:5-7
I heard a sermon at a PCA church last Sunday on the self-cenetered ness of God, truly the opposite of seeker sensitive bologna Gospel stuff you are talking about. Even so, it had Christ as an after thought too. It used words like supralapsarian and other big vocab that means nothing to most people. (being a theology guy even I didn't find it relevant)
It was as if someone decided to be so opposite the trend you talk about that they took it to the opposite extreme - and still forgot about Christ. We truly need Christ to be the center of our teaching. This is not a calvinist/reformed issue.
I must say, about Paul's "I preach nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified," that he is saying much more than that single statement, as was Christ to the two disciples in Luke 24 as he opened their eyes to the Scriptures...showing them nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. It makes me think that many equate the meaning of the gospel to the call to salvation, not to the revelatory witness from genesis to Revelation.
On the seminaries, I have had maybe one prof (who is now gone) that I would suspect uses the sinners prayer, but none to ever teach it. Further, the closest I have heard to arminian theology is the rejection of one, possibly two, of the five points. (And to respond to 50% of the blogosphere: The closest I have heard to armenian theology was this guy visiting from Russia.) So from my vantage point, I am not seeing the seminary doom and gloom. In fact, I have a greater measure of optimism. Further, your post echoes what I am being taught in seminary. It is too bad some don't see the far-reaching implication in giving it a black eye for political or "ethical" motivations...
On the gospel, it is interesting the concept of the loss of the gospel, which is in fact, by implication, the loss of the full counsel of God and His redemptive plan. Therefore, it must be assumed that a "recovery" of the gospel will manifest itself in a strikingly profound way- it will expose the people in the pews (and perhaps behind the pulpits) for not living in a manner worthy of God (1Thess 1:10-12). It will, as Dever surmised to be the solution to an ailing problem, "close the front doors and open the back." It will not, however, suddenly create a denomination that acts or behaves like they are saved. In other words, to recover the gospel, one needn't look past the pulpits. For from the pulpits, people's behavior and expectations and consumerism mentalities will be exposed for what they are, and what Christianity is not. (For this reason, folks, I pray you would set out to nurture our seminaries and our seminary staff, pray for them, and support them with sound exposition and visits to impart wisdom and friendship.) It makes me wonder what the regenerate church membership resolution would look like applied retroactively in all churches who made it covenant.
On Lifeway, not that I am pointing to particular commentors in this thread (I am not), but I have detected logic run amuck recently. I have read some of the same criticizers of Lifeway defend the preaching of modalist TD Jakes at the upcoming conference on [html code for strikethrough> the gospel[/s> efficiency. I have heard some other criticizers defend open theists and those that eject doctrine to foster open lines of communication with gen x,y and z. And, I am more than optimistic that our new Lifeway head will seek the face of God in his leadership.
On your post, Dr. Ascol, what do you think a radical recovery of the gospel will look like in the SBC?
Excuse me, for the above reference should be 1 Thess 2:10-12.
After the last comment I feel the need to clarify my previous comment with regard to LifeWay.
I would not defend T.D. Jakes's preaching or the doctrine of open-theism. I consider both herterodoxy.
Also, my comment was not meant to criticize LifeWay for having bad books on the shelf, but to simply point out that the books on LifeWay's shelves are emblematic of the systemic denial of the Gospel among evangelicals in America.
Personally I think the term Christian business is an oxymorn. There is no such thing. There are Christians who own businesses but not Christian businesses.
I would criticize LifeWay, because they claim to be a Christian business, for trying to be so competitive that they are willing to sell a false gospel.
I think LifeWay should decide, like the church, whether they are committed to competitive growth or doctrinal purity. If they are committed to competitive growth, then doctrinal purity should be abandoned. (BTW, this is occurring on some levels anyway. LifeWay is committed to not stocking its shelves with authors like Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn, but if a customer wants to special order those books we'll do it).
If they are committed to doctrinal purity, then the push to be a competitive American business should be abandoned. The two simply will not happen simultaneously this side of glory.
To Habakkuk,
There is a wrong way and a right way to leave a church. I understand the dilemma you face with your family. I suggest the following:
1) Approach your Pastor and express your love for him and express your appreciation for his endeavors to give the Word of God to the people. Then give him a booklet and ask if you could share with him somethig that has blessed you. Then in a week of two do the same. Two booklets I recommend are: 1) "Preaching" by Al Mohler"; 2) "The Cross: A Vindication of God" by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Both are published by Banner of Truth and cost only $2.50-3.00 each.
2) If that doesn't help, ask to meet with your Pastor. Graciously, carefully, and forthrightly express your concerns. Then give him either "A Cross-centred Life" by C.J. Mahaney or "Preachers and Preaching" by Lloyd-Jones or "According to Plan: The unfolding revelation of God in the Bible" (IVP).
3) If that doesn't work, then look for a good gospel-centered church that expounds the entire Word of God froma Christ-centered perspective.
In other words, don't just simply walk away without saying anything and giving your Pastor an apportunity to gorw and mature in his preaching. I know several Pastors who have been won over by gracious, well-studied laymen who took the time to help them..
To Jay,
You can be covenantal and still be baptistic. I've tried 3-4 times to become a Presbyterian, but my exegesis would not allow me. If I'm not mistaken, Bro. Tom did his Ph.D thesis on the conenant theology of Witsius. Dr. Fred Malone recounts his struggles and journey from Presbyterian to Baptist in the booklet "A String of Pearls Unstrung." Also, his book "The Baptism of Disciple Alone" by by Founders Press is a solid read. I think it has not be sucessfully answered by any paedobaptist. Furthermore, if you contact Reformed Baptist Publications at (562) 944-3366, they will send you a booklet entitled "Covenant Theology: A Reformed Baptist Overview." I completely understanding your struggles. Let me encourage you not to "throw out the baby with the bathwater."
I hope these quick comments help.
Brian:
You are absolutely correct--this transcends the intramural Calvinistic-Arminian debate. Like you, I have heard sermons that were very God-centered but that had very little or nothing of Jesus Christ. I must admit to my shame, I have preached such sermons. Those who respond to the concerns raised in this post by dismissing them as simply another attempt to "push Calvinism" demonstrate that they simply do not get it. And that is true regardless of what position they hold or how many academic degrees they possess. Thanks for clarifying this.
Colin:
Great question. When I read the exhortations that come from the Gospel preaching and teaching of the Apostles, and consider the kind of life that is held up to us as examples of the Gospel coming in power upon people, I think I could best summarize my answer by saying that there would be a renewed, widespread manifestation of the Spirit's fruit. The convention will change when churches change. Churches will change when members change. Members will be changed by the power of the Spirit as He applies the Gospel in their lives enabling them to live by grace.
Steve:
Good words. Thanks, brother!
Earl:
Thanks for those recommendations. Fred Malone's book is excellent. Founders hopes to publish a revised edition of it later this year.
Jay: "I think _______ should decide...whether they are committed to competitive growth or doctrinal purity. If they are committed to competitive growth, then doctrinal purity should be abandoned."
Very true. So true, in fact, enter in any noun you want: American Christianity, the church (like you had), the politicos in the current controversies, emerging movement, seeker-sensitives, the touted "cutting-edge" evangelism programs... Jay, I would also urge you to decide what you are committed to. If you are committed to preaching the gospel at all costs, despite man and his machinations, why should you be bothered by the politics of the SBC enough to find new friends?
Steve: Sounds like your friend had the same advice as Adrian Rogers, "What you catch them with, you have to keep them with."
Dr. Ascol: I think we will see what you describe, but more specifically: drastically reduced membership, a broadscale public and media attack on the "SBC Fundamentalists" who are rejecting people's "desired" membership, a renewed attack by baptist moderates, many more churches without pastors, and an unexpected humbling of all calling for these things now. Can you imagine the gospel's taking hold, and church members who begin to question how much football you are watching, how much golf are you playing, what kind of television programs are on in your home?
I can hear Brian Williams now, "America's largest Protestant denomination is telling over half their membership that their qualifications aren't good enough anymore..."
May God bring us to revival as you describe.
There are many different reasons why the gospel is not preached or included in sermons, but to me another glaring ommission from modern sermons is sin. According to I Corinthians 15 "Christ died for our sins." Without understanding sin, his own sinfulness, and the penalty for sin man will not truly see his need for salvation, nor understand what true salvation is, and what the gospel truly does. In writing to the churches, to believers, Paul, James, and John talked about the struggle with sin. So it not only is a pre-salvation issue, but a post salvation issue as well.
In preaching to felt needs pastors do not see that the issue underlying felt needs is sin. In preaching the gospel pastors forget that the reason man needs the gospel is because of sin. That is the reason for preaching both law and gospel, because through the law comes the knowledge of sin, and not just sin before salvation, but the sin we must deal with post salvation. Sin is truly the great enemy of man. It brought about our death, it seeks to master us, it is what we are tempted to do, it is lawlessness and rebellion against God. It is Satan's greatest tool as it is my sin and your sin that wounds others and impedes kingdom work. Sin, the great enemy, was what was put to death at the cross as Christ became sin on our behalf, and according to Romans 6 is what we have been freed from through our baptism into Christ.
So in our thinking through the losing of gospel in the SBC, maybe one of the biggest reasons is that we have lost sight of our sin.
Morris:
I agree with your thoughts. The whole reality of sin I would put under, "Why it matters." Sin is transgression of the law, and one of the law's purposes is to stand, unwavering, mercilessly showing just what God requires and, by the Spirit's illumination, just how far short of that we fall. But where God's law is not clearly understood or preached, the knowledge of sin will be diminished.
Colin:
You may well be right. Without a doubt our churches would begin to appear on paper to be much smaller than what we typically report now. And humility would characterize our relationships more than is the case now. As the Puritan John Flavel once said, A crucified style best suits the servants of a crucified Christ.
Having read the helpful additions in Dr. Tom Nettles' updated, revised and expanded edition of BY HIS GRACE AND FOR HIS GLORY, I urge all readers to contact by computer, telephone, regular mail or smoke signal Founders Ministries
and order your copy ASAP.
If I were financially able (if oil or gold is discovered in my back or front yard) I would buy
and distribute MANY copies of this
OUTSTANDING BOOK BY ONE OF OUR MOST FAITHFUL SEMINARY PROFESSORS.
This historical and theological classic is filled with the TRUE GOSPEL OF OUR SOVEREIGN GOD.
Evangelist Charles Rosson
heaven-bound3@juno.com
."
Earl,
Thanks for the recommendation on the book. I am currently in the middle of about 2-3 different books, including Sproul's "The Last Days According to Jesus", so it might be a while before I can get into the other one.
In response to your other comments, let me say that I didn't state that the Olivet Discourse was only about end time events. I did, indeed, acknowledge that the message of redemption is part of the passage. If you, however, look at the context of the passage as a whole, I think it is abundantly clear that the primary purpose of the passage is to warn about the coming wrath of God in the Last Days at his coming. As a matter of fact, I would dare say that a good 95% of the passage deals with his judgment against the wicked.
Tom,
A perfect example of your current blog topic "Have we lost the Gospel?" is a local Baptist church here in Northern Virginia that has sermon series on losing weight.
The sermon series is entitled “Bod4God”.
See the link below
Refbaptdude
Steve
Earl M. Blackburn,
I have read Malone and commented on his thoughts briefly here.
In short, I think Malone's argument is okay, though not sterling, if you accept his assumptions. But its at the assumption level that the baptist perspective differs from the svoenantal perspective. I thought Malone did a poor job recognizing that difference throughout his book.
I've also read Schreiner's and Wright's new book and commented on some of Schreiner's thoughts here. I came away with similar conclusions as when I read Malone.
I think a baptist could call himself covenantal, but I don't think a baptist could be consistently covenantal in the traditional sense of the term. I think the term covenantal has traditionally meant that the Abrahamic Covenant is essentially the same as the New. The baptist approach simply will not allow for that.
colinm,
According to my understanding at this point, which is surely flawed on many levels, I have decided that I am a committed covenantalist. I have not left the SBC because of any political wrangling. Anyone who would do so has missed the point of Independency. I have left the SBC because I have come to belive that the Reformed/Covenantal perspective is to be preferred over the Baptist perspective.
Thank you. As a pastor, I feel your pain. It's hard sometimes to preach the gospel and see so many eyes glazed over. Many folks have walked the aisle, said the "sinner's prayer," etc., but sometimes it's hard to tell who is trusting in Christ alone. I hope I'm wrong, but I fear I'm not.
But . . . I love my baptist brothers dearly! I am so excited about the movement to reclaim the gospel in SBC churches through ministries like Founders. I am so appreciative of men like Tom Ascol and my pastor Eric "Gunny" Hartman and my spiritual family at Providence Church who are willing to stand up and say something about what matters most, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All you guys give me great hope about what God is doing and might do in SBC churches over the next few decades. I've got nothing but love for you all. I commend you and encourage you all to keep the faith.
Your brother and friend,
MJB
Dr. Ascol,
THANK YOU for articulating what I think for some time has been a growing longing among SBC laity. Many of my brothers and sisters are quietly clamoring for gospel-centered preaching. I am attending the pastor's conference this week at First Baptist Jacksonville and so far all of the keynote speakers (Mac Brunson, Junior Hill, Jerry Vines, etc.) have focused on this theme.
BTW, John Sullivan is scheduled to speak tomorrow night. We shall see if he mentions the new FBC alcohol policy. :)
Jay,
Part of the problem/situation is that Lifeway is not a ministry of the SBC. In other words, it receives no SBC funds, but is self-sustaining.
While they may want to put out some good slooge, they need to cover their expenses. If it was a ministry, they could lose money and not be concerned about appeasing Barrabas.
Incidentally, me thinks Jay the Bennett is still a Baptist at heart and I haven't given up on him. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more)
By the way, GREAT Dr. Hannah lecture, brother. Danke!
One of the great discussions I've been having with Jay on the side is the tenuous position of being covenantal (per the traditional WCF exposition of it) and not having children as part of the covenant.
It's fascinating stuff and I'm just glad we get to have such discussions instead of just opining about our favorite Left Behind novel or the merits of The Prayer of Jabez vs. The Purpose Driven Life.
Oi vay!
Hi Gun!
Yep. You're right about LifeWay. Unfortunately, they don't view themselves as a business. They view themselves as a ministry. I sat through 4 hours of training videos a couple weeks ago where I was told over and over again that LifeWay is a ministry. The actual phrase used was, "We consider selling a ministry." And I never heard the words sin or atonement, though a part of the training was dedicated to encouraging associates to lead people to Christ. Compared to other retail outfits though, LifeWay is a fine atmosphere in which to work.
I don't know about still being Baptist at heart, but I will always have baptists in my heart. Happy Valentines Day!
That Hannah lecture was good! I want to be friends with it. I think I'll give it another listen tomorrow.
I always enjoy our discussions too. What a joy to search the depths of the wisdom of God in Christ with dear brothers!
MJB
Allow me, as an Australian, to use an American cultural "thing" as an illustration..
Lance:
Aren't you glad God gave us 2 Tim. 4:1-5! Those verses have kept me going on many occasions.
Kingofbleh:
Thanks for the encouraging news from the J'ville conference!
Onesalientoversight:
Well, put, mate!
Brother Tom:
As a laymen, we are blessed in my church to have a pastor who preaches the gospel, week end and week out. We are a solos church, of whcich I am so thankful for.
Having read your post and those that have responded, may I interject that though you have identified the effect, the cause has not been readily identified. The cause in my humble opinion is that too much emphasis is made on numbers, both in people and in dollars.
Having attended a church where the emphasis was "mega-church" the gospel as we know it and as you so readily defined it, was not preached. It is not preached for if it were, it is unlikely that we would have so many "mega-churches". I stress again that much of the problem is the image that many of these pastors seek and the reputation they desire to have. If that were not so, then they would not have a mega-church pastors meeting each year.
The other reason that we see a lack of solos scriptura (if I said this wrong, remember, I am a laymen and not as trained and well versed as those posting), there is an extreme lack of church discipline both in the congregation and within the pulpit. We are seeing a good ol boys network now and men will not stand or speak up for the truth. It is no wonder that the gospel has been watered down to nothing more than a feel good remedy to help one get what one wants in life. Jesus has been reduced from the Savior, the Son of God, the Great I AM, to a vending machine that will dispense all your wants, needs and desires, you need only ask. Think not, ask Joel Olsteen or discover your purpose in life by reading RW's book , because Lord knows you won't find it in the bible.
I have ranted long enough but I wish for all of you pastors to know that there are some out there who truly want to hear the gospel and they don't want their ears tickled. To Tom and all of you, stay the course, fight the good fight and Finish Strong.
Shalom
Mark Borofsky
."
Those are some powerful, but true words, One Salient Oversight. Sadly, they were once true of me, even for a time as a minister of the gospel. As I am growing in grace in my daily walk with Christ I am appalled at how shallow I have been in the past in my walk with Christ. It is going to take solid gospel preaching that Pastor Ascol has advocated combined with a powerful outpouring of God's Holy Spirit to convict and revive us.
I do know that in the past year my wife and I have talked to people who have been attending the seeker-friendly, user-friendly churches who are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the shallowness of the preaching and the worship services. God is stirring up hearts, but if we don't take Romans 10:17 seriously, then we are going to miss our opportunity to speak to the true needs of our decaying culture.
May our great and Sovereign Lord Jesus give a revival of true religion in our land in this dark and trying time.
Here's what I think is an interesting question: Have many of today's churches reduced the mandate to be, as we are going, discipling to inviting someone to church?
Maybe I'm on a different page here, but I truly am amazed how many people are focused on inviting people to their churches rather than telling their stories about the change Jesus has made in their lives. Could this be part of the breakdown in "losing the Gospel"?
Dr. Ascol: Haven't lost the Gospel since the day He came into my life. Every where I've been the Gospel has gone with me. He lives within me, walks with me and I'm privileged to be able to share with others why He does that.
I cannot speak for other churches. I know that I've never been a member in a reformed church, nor had a pastor who was reformed. In fact, I can't say that in my 51 years as a Southern Baptist and twenty plus years as a minister's wife, that I've ever known any folks who attended a Southern Baptist church that was reformed.
So, no. I haven't lost the Gospel. And I don't count myself as belonging to "the crowd that judges any criticism or questioning of the 'post-conservative-resurgence' SBC to be an act of war".
I do find myself, questioning the legitimacy of your concern, though. Not because I think you aren't sincere. Not because I view your view as illegitimate in itself. But because you have "no hope of persuading".
How can one even begin to reach a world of churches to see their need for change with "no hope of persuading" them? SelahV
P.S. I thought Calvinists didn't believe in persuading anyone anyway.
Selahv
I find your post to be, at best disingenous, at worst, an attempt at blatant sarcasm.
Dr. Ascol's exact words were "Anyone."
His point is simply that there are those in this denomination who will not accept any criticism, no matter how well founded. He works as hard as he does on this blog and other outlets because of his concern for churches and his desire to see them return to the gospel.
Unfortunately, your words also betray a sad lack of knowledge about what "calvinism" and "reformed" really mean.
In HIS Name
Will
Will: you are correct. I have a sad lack of knowledge about what Calvinism and reformed really mean. In fact I have asked repeatedly for the differences of the two to be explained to me. (and if there are differences, then what are they) And all I get for my inquiries is more reading material. Which I read. But unlike many who are going to seminary, I am not afforded the opportunity to ask of my professor a question in regards to a question in my mind on the doctrines of grace or the abstracts of principles. Therefore, if I come across as sadly lacking in knowledge, dear Brother, it is not for the lack of wanting that knowledge.
As for your assertion that my other statements were either disingenuous or blatant sarcasm, I'm going to say you are entitled to read my words in whatever perspective you so desire.
Our Lord knows I spoke as a person who was reading a blog that posed a question: "Have we lost the Gospel?"
I was assuring Dr. Ascol and others that Jesus was alive and well in Lawton. If you don't believe me, come visit our church. I'm sure you may find some things we do objectionable, but we preach Jesus, we love Jesus and we share Jesus in our church. And we grow disciples. Not all are as equipped as the Apostle Paul would want them to be, but we are all doing our best to teach Jesus. So to whether or not we must be reformed, I guess I will have to take the fifth. I don't know what you mean by being reformed.
But I have never ever ever been a part of a reformed theology as I've read it explained on this blog and a few others. Maybe I was too busy sharing my simple faith in the only way I knew how. But as I understand the Gospel, it is about Jesus. And the flow of his blood is from cover to cover in the Holy Bible. And the fruit of the Spirit is evident in all who believe. And in that fruit there is no worms of doubt or confusion.
Perhaps I assumed too much. I thought Dr. Ascol was referring to a crowd as those who didn't agree with Jesus as the Gospel. So I'm wrong? So that is a faction within the SBC? A group of folks who just play church? Or just a group of leaders within the SBC? Shucks, Will, I'm no authority on this stuff. I was just pointing out to Dr. Ascol that he mustn't be without hope if he wants to persuade folks to be reformed. (whatever that is)
And I still say the same thing about Calvinists and persuasion. I was told that by a Calvinist--albeit, I don't know what kind of Calvinist. Persuasion is not necessary with a Sovereign God. And please, dear Will, understand, I'm not trying to persuade you to believe me, here. You don't know me. I don't know you. I haven't gone to your webblog and you probably haven't gone to mine.
You may have read this statement I made to Dr. Ascol and surmised what you did as fact. If that be the case, then fine--I can live with your disdain. I think Dr. Ascol is sincere in his burden. I am sincere in the health of my heart, too.
I've refrained from commenting here many many times, because I have not felt welcomed. In fact, each time I've come here, I've found someone like you who splits every syllable and dissects every phrase I make as if I have a coded message in my comments.
But this was one question I was compelled to answer. If you feel it was blatant sarcasm, I beg your forgiveness and the forgiveness of our host and his readers. Since you've basically pronounced me ignorant and sadly lacking in knowledge, I'll leave you folks to expound on your knowledge to each other.
You have to admit, though, I make a pretty good example of the unreformed in need of reforming, don't I?
See, Greg, I told you I can't talk over here. SelahV
" And the fruit of the Spirit is evident in all who believe. And in that fruit there is no worms of doubt or confusion."
Selah V,
I have a few question about the following passage in 1 John 5:13 in light of what you have written above:
"13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. "
1. To whom is John writing this letter of encouragement?
2. What is the stated purpose of the letter?
3. Why do the believers need assurance that they have eternal life if what you have written is true?
Thanks.
Selah V
I am no way a great student of the bible (though I am doing my best to learn more and more)and often times I rely on my sons for their honest and intelligent input. However, I am intelligent enough to not only understand what Brother Tom has written, but why he has written this and posed the question, "Have We Lost The Gospel" I have no reason to doubt that you are sincere in what you think is the truth and you are blessed and fortunate that your husband preaches solso scriptura. However, Lawton is not the rest of the country and if you travel around as I have, you will find that this is both an unfortuante but fair question to ask.
The easy believeism that is out there, the "just follow me in this simple little prayer and mean it" mentality is one of the many things that causes us to ask the question that has been posed here.
Having left a church that was a mega church and a pastor with a mega ego and mega desire to be in the limelight and to "preach sermons prepared in 15 minutes or less; I got mega fed up and left. I am blasting the notion of mega because for the most part, I think the mega mentality has done much to help reshape and redefine the gospel to what it is today in many SBC churhces. By the way, if you question the notion that the gospel is lost, please explain the theology and doctrine of those in the BGCT and other GCT's.
It is because people such as your self, who refuse to recognize the the plight we are in, that will drive this question of the lost gospel to a point whereby many will call Brother Tom a nay-sayer, trouble maker and (Lord forbid) a calvinist. I do not mean to be disrespectful and I applaud you for making your post and for expressing your view. But, in my opinion, you are wrong. The question posed is legitimate, accurate and necessary.
My biggest fear is that Brother Tom and others like him, Dr. Mohler, Piper and other great and learned men are being dismissed, because they could very well be rocking the "mega-boat" and stepping on good ol boy traditions.
Give me a church with 200 people where that church is solos christo, solos scriptura, solos gratia and all the other solos (I told you, I am not a bible scholar)and I will take that church over Saddleback, First Baptist of Jacksonville, Prestonwood (or as my oldest calls it, Prestonworld or Six Flags over Jesus) or any other mega-church. I am not saying that a large church can't be a reformed church, but typically, it became large because someone scaled back the gospel in order to be attractive to all the people.
As a final note, and this is my honest opinion and conviction; if I don't leave a service where my heart has been pierced, my thoughts rampant with questions and some conviction, either I was not listening or the pastor watered down the gospel. If I leave the service and I am feeling really good about myself....something is wrong. Praise God my pastor preaches the gospel so that I do ponder, I do think, I do seek forgiveness and I do ask God to create in me everything that is the Lord and remove from me everything that is not. In my day, we called this discipleship and disclipleship comes from the true and honest gospel.
Shalom from completed Jew
mark
Hey SelahV:
Glad to hear from you again. Yes, I think you were misunderstood by someone who hasn't read your posts before. You are indeed a great sister.
I haven't read the posts that followed yours and the first misunderstanding response.
It is obvious that many churches are preaching the Gospel, but many in our SBC are not. I had a guest preacher this week as my pastor was away at the 1st Jax conference. Well meaning local church planter in our Assoc. He gave a nice little talk about rearing children. I did learn from it, but I was not told about Jesus until the invitation. That is what leads to losing the Gospel. From what you have written before, you and your godly pastor husband remember the centrality of Christ and His Gospel when He saved you and now that He sustains you.
Grace Alone,
Greg
Hey folks back off. SelahV is actually a visitor without an agenda except to learn more about her Lord. Remember to practice Matthew 18:15...check out your sinning brother or sister in private first and you may find you are misunderstanding them.
Greg again.
Dear Joseph Botwinick:
I don't know what you are asking me, here. Are you referring to a statement I've made elsewhere? As to your three questions in reference to what I said, what exactly do you think I said?
SelahV
Shalom CompletedJew: If you read carefully my first comment, I said I could not speak for other churches. And I am sorry to hear there is so much emptiness in our SBC churches as you all are reporting.
I haven't lived in Lawton all my life. In fact my husband's ministry has been in Kentucky...from rural to city. We've been around a few blocks though not the whole country. But again, I must repeat...I do not speak for all churches.
I was simply sharing a good report from one of the sisters in the SBC. Now, from now on I'll keep my great reports to myself. Or rather, share them where optimism abounds and can rejoice with me.
Can't help you with an explaining "the theology and doctrine of those in BGCT and other GCT's. Not familiar with all those folks.
Never said it wasn't a fair question to pose. I was simply giving an answer.
Sorry I got everyone's tailfeathers in a stir. Chalk it up to the fact I'm a dumb woman and stay out of the men's clubs.
SelahV
Guys,
Heard two very stirring sermons tonight from Dr. John Sullivan and Dr. Johnny Hunt. Both continued the theme laid out by Drs. Brunson, Hill and Vines yesterday. Clearly there is a call going to these pastors to keep their passion for the gospel central in their ministries. There were only two very indirect and vailed references to the reformed ressurgence but for me they were vastly outweighed by their call for gospel-focused preaching. Even heard an indirect endorsement of "Simple Church." :)
Clearly we have overwhelming common ground in this area that we must all work towards, regardless of your slant on the doctrines of grace. As Dr. Ascol has said on this blog before, I would much rather work with a warm-hearted Arminian who is sold out for the gospel than a cold-hearted hyper-Calvinist any day. My prayer is that all involved with this conference (and throughout the SBC) will not allow their zeal for the gospel to retreat as they return to the "real world".
Selah V,
Clearly you and your husband are not in scope for what Dr. Ascol is discussing. If only more of the church leaders and ministry professionals in our denomination had the same passion for Christ and His gospel as you, we might not even need to have this conversation. But with so many churches today abandoning any talk of repentance from sin, the substitutionary atonement of Christ and the absolute objective truth of His word (i.e. the Emergents) this problem requires our intense focus and vigilence. This need is evidenced by the attention it is getting at this week's FBC Jax pastor's conference. I strongly suspect/hope we will hear more about this same theme in next week's NC Evangelism and Church Growth Conf in Raleigh (both Brunson, Hunt and Frank Page are scheduled to speak) and in Jerry Vines' Power in the Pulpit events throughout the year.
Thank you for your post and for reminding us that there are still people out there with a hot heart for the gospel of Christ. Your candor is very encouraging to me.
Hello Greg B! Glad to see your warm words too. I've been busy blogging. Got several sites going at once these days. Am getting read to wrap up a series of posts I did on the fruit of the Spirit.
Thank you for coming to my aid over here, but I think I've worn out my welcome. Drop by my site sometime. selahV
kingobleh: a friendly voice. praise the Lord, I was just getting ready to leave. But you are kind and so I read what you said. About "the emergents"...are they a new church group within the SBC or are they a group unto themselves? Thank you. selahV
Selah V,
I am sure others in this blog who are ministry pros could answer you more succinctly than I, but here is my somewhat-informed understanding of the Emerging Church movement. Emerging Churches are characterized by a strong emphasis on personal experience and emotion as the medium of God's revelation of the gospel rather than the word of God. Their theology is heavily influenced by postmodern culture and thinking, and their worship style is almost indistinguishable from modern hip-hop and rock concerts. They do not recognize that truth can be revealed or relayed through words and therefore deny the infallibility and innerancy of scripture. The SBC has given support to some of the more moderate emergent churches either as NAMB church plants or by simply recognizing their rapid numerical growth. None of these churches that are affiliated with the SBC display their affiliation openly, and most of them contain the word "Mosiac" in their names.
If you would like to know more about the movement, there is an excellent primer on the Emerging Church movement at Mark Dever's site 9marks.org.
Correction...."Mosaic"
Here is a link to an article by Ed Sezter at the NAMB which might be a bit more descriptive of the NAMB's "official" stance on Emergent Churches:
Greetings Pastor Tom,
I could not agree with you more on this entry. A pastor once told me that to what extent a church grasps a proper understanding of the doctrine of Justification by faith alone, will tell you how far they are from the true gospel of Christ. It is unfortunate to see state that the church is in today across all denominational lines.A continual prayer of mine is that God would prepare the hearts of men in creating a climate that is condusive to a proper understanding of the doctrine of Justification by faith alone. Thanks again for thought provoking article!
Hi M. Jay Bennett,
Do you believe that it is possible for someone to be both Baptist and Covenantal in their theology? I have been studying this very issue for just under a year now and believe that the answer is yes. The biggest issues seems to be the nature of the New Covenant and the working of the CoR through the CoG in it. Maybe this is not the place to discuss this but you definitely sparked my interest. feel free to email me meaniecalvinist@yahoo.com
kingobleh: I think my comment to you just got gobbled up by the Cyberdemon. so I will try posting it again.
Thank you brother, I will look at the site today. I appreciate your kindness. May it be returned to you a hundredfold from those you encounter along this journey we call life. SelahV
Tom and everyone else too:
Here's a blind spot that we need to think about and it's popped up again right here in this comment thread. A LOT, A whole bunch, dare I say MOST Southern Baptists are woefully lacking in any sort of theological education. You can't get that from sitting in an SBC pew Sunday by Sunday and chances are, if you get any references at all to the great theologians of the past its in quotes, snippets, or sermon illustrations.
So when a layman like myself hears about 'reformed theology' and 'Calvinism' it has to stew for awhile. Say a year or two. The few references he gets collect. Finally he works up the nerve to go ask his pastor about it and the poor man jumps out of his skin. The pastor tries not to show his concern though his head is awhirl. If he gets any SBC papers at all, he knows this is, for some reason, a hot topic. Not a nice one either. He remembers the resurgence. Thoughts of retirement flutter about and then he reacts in one of two ways: 1. He regurgitates all the bad things he's heard from other pastors and read in his papers or 2. He says, "Well I'm not sure but you can read this book or that book and it should help." Theres probably a 'three' in there somewhere that involves faking it too.)
The point is that unless you all are willing to take questions like 'Whats the difference between Calvinism and being reformed?' at face value no one is going to learn anything.
The learning curve is pretty steep gents. If you ever want to get IT above 10% someone needs to figure out how to put in some rest stops along the way.
Josh
"...the word of God is not bound."
--2 Timothy 2:9
Josh: I especially liked your statement about rest stops and answering the question I posed on my Q&A blog at face value.
Since posting here, I've received some input from the "kinder gentler" folk within Founders readership. Let me tell you that it is refreshing. They have not talked above my head, nor condescendingly patted it. They have not been threatened by my earlier posts, but have encouraged me to "come back to the table". They've assured me the men's club has a section for women. I hope that is true.
Let me say up front, that this comment is in no way meant to be sarcastic. And the following questions are not meant to provoke, bait or incite. It's simply been eating at me since yesterday's responses to my first comment. I've been praying about it and I am even hesitant to ask, but decided I needed to make at least one last stab at communicating here.
Do the pastors, leaders, elders and fellow reformed believers address inquiries from people like me in the same manner in which I was addressed yesterday? Do these same reformed folks perceive all questions put to them as a criticism toward their theology and doctrine? I spoke for myself yesterday, not other churches--nor other members of any other churches. I was excited to share that my Saviour was alive and well in my life, my church and my town. For that I was rebuffed. Is it because my Saviour is offensive? I am offensive? Or I am incapable of communicating in this forum?
I see our host has moved on to another topic, so this may get lost in the general rush to move on to that discussion. Should anyone care to talk to me, you can click on my name, email me, or visit my webblog.
Should you not, I wish you the greatest blessings of God. May His Grace be sufficient to meet all your needs and abound. May His favor be upon you and all wisdom be yours as you seek to share Jesus with a lost world. selahV
"Dear Joseph Botwinick:
I don't know what you are asking me, here. Are you referring to a statement I've made elsewhere? As to your three questions in reference to what I said, what exactly do you think I said?
SelahV"
I think when you said:
" And the fruit of the Spirit is evident in all who believe. And in that fruit there is no worms of doubt or confusion."
...that you were stating that if one is saved, they will not ever doubt their salvation. If that is not what you meant, then please accept my apologies. If it is, then please answer my three questions.
Thanks.
Hello Joseph Botwinick:
I'm very sorry, Joseph, but I've gone back through the comment threads and cannot for the life of me find where I stated the statement you quoted me as saying, which I repost here, "And the fruit of the Spirit is evident in all who believe. And in that fruit there is no worms of doubt or confusion."
I am not saying I did not say it, because it does sound like something I said. However, in order to give you a complete answer I need to know the context in which I said that. If you would be ever merciful on my forgetfulness, I'd appreciate you telling me where I said that. And then, of course, I will respond.
However, so as not to inflame you or have you think I am avoiding your questions, let me accept your apology up front. Because I do not believe I was speaking of salvation in that statement above. If I was talking about "fruit of the Spirit", I'm talking about the fruit manifested within a believer via the Spirit of God. Evidence of the Spirit.
In the Spirit's fruit there is no worms, no doubt. A believer is both flesh and Spirit. So if there are any worms or doubt, they would be in that believer's flesh--not the Spirit. Therefore the fruit would be wormless and without doubt.
I hope I've communicated and clarified what I think I said whenever and where-ever I said it. To your questions, I beg off at the moment because I do not think they apply to my thinking process at the moment.
May His grace be sufficient to meet your needs and abound. selahV
SelahV,
This thread has gotten somewhat convoluted (which often occurs in internet communications where we cannot see each other's expressions and intentions). Here is my meager attempt to sort out what I am reading. You intitially indicated that the premise of the original article that we have lost the gospel is not true on a personal level - that those whose lives have been transformed by the power of the gospel still have a passion for it. AMEN and AMEN.
Dr. Ascol's original article I believe was not aimed at anyone on a personal level, but rather towards evangelicalism in general and the SBC and church movements in particular. There are trends and movements within churches calling themselves Southern Baptist that are taking their focus away from the simple gospel.
The comments by willreformed, et al in their own unique way point out that those who recognize the inseperable link between the doctrines of grace and the development of historical Baptist doctrine have been ostracized by SOME of the leadership within the SBC. In many cases, these leaders only have limited knowledge of the doctrines of grace, the historic baptist confessions and distinctives and the relationship between the reformation and the beginnings of the baptist denomination. Many times this resistance precludes open, honest discussion of these doctrines among baptist brethern and sisters and SBC leaders. In some cases this resistance takes the form of attack which can make some of us (like me) a bit kneejerk in our reaction.
Again, I don't think any of this was aimed at you or at your love for the gospel. You are an example of what reformed-minded baptists have been asking God for years to fill our churches.
For those concerned, the difference between "Calvinist" and "reformed Baptist" are numerous but focus on two main distinctions:
1. Baptist - Infant baptism (Calvin's view) versus believer's baptism (reformed baptist's view).
2. Church governance - General Assembly/presbytry (Calvin's view) versus local church autonomy (reformed baptist view).
For these and other reasons I prefer to label myself "reformed baptist" rather than simply "Calvinist".
Kingobleh: BTW: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I really think this conversation we are having is germame in regards to this post. How can one hope to educate the un-reformed if they do not discuss a unreformed thinkers questions. I'm admittedly several hairs short of a mane when it comes to my understanding of Calvin vs. Reformed. But I'm willing to hear and to try and understand. I feel understanding (even if one disagrees) creates great room for smoother existence within the same community. Take hispanic speaking folks and English speaking. When they learn each other's languages, they are much more able to build a house together. Don't you think? may be why my friend Greg B. came to my aid (indeed, rescue). He knows from which direction I come. I suppose I blind-sided those who did not. May grace be sufficient and abound.. is why my friend Greg B. came to my aid (indeed, rescue). He knows from which direction I come. I suppose I blind-sided those who did not. May grace be sufficient and abound...selahV
Dr. Ascol: Hmmmmn. Now it appears my second comment to Kingobleh has posted after my "germane" post in duplicate. Please forgive the cyber-ghosts of postings. And please delete one of the two identical comments of mine. Thank you. selahV
kingofbleh wrote:Dr. Ascol's original article I believe was not aimed at anyone on a personal level, but rather towards evangelicalism in general and the SBC and church movements in particular.
Right. My comment above is in the same vein but aimed at the reformed individual who attempts to engage a non-reformed audience. You will get significant eye-glaze if you start talking about any of the Doctrines of Grace in a group of SBC regulars. Even the six million who show up on Sunday don't speak the fine old language of theology. They want to feel better. They want to go to heaven. Some of them even want to do good things 'for God'. But lets not wade off into the attributes of God or the number of sparrows or hairs on my head.
To the average church member the definition of the Gospel centers around 'look at what Jesus did for ME! look how happy I AM!' and the 'plan of salvation' is a footnote at the end of a cold visit which culminates in a prayer and an extracted promise that they'll come to church on Sunday.
In short, its all about man and none of God and thats a high hurdle.
Josh
"...the word of God is not bound."
--2 Timothy 2:9
Josh: now MY eyes are glazed over. I thought I knew what you were saying in your first comment. But now I am thinking I may have misinterpreted it upon reading your second.
I had an very interesting discussion over coffee yesterday. A sweet friend of mine and I were engaged in the differences of our faiths. She a Lutheran attending our SBC church and serving faithfully as a living breathing child of the Most High.
Though we discuss theology and our ignorance of theology, we don't go to church expecting a sermon to boost our morale or curry favor with each other. We seek to grow in our knowledge of our Saviour and to be chastened and corrected by the study and preaching of God's Word. We often discuss how to apply the message to our everyday lives. In fact, at our coffee exchange, we were discussing how she could better share Jesus with her next-door neighbor who is a Buddhist. She is the fill-in for her Buddhist friend who is due at any moment to have a baby. And her husband is serving in Iraq. Her Buddhist friend asked BJ if she was a Christian because of the kindness and love she has seen expressed in her actions. I really don't understand if this is doing things in a untheological way, or if it waters down the Doctrines of Sovereignty. But it was clear to both my friend and myself, that the Lord had placed them together for more than aiding in a physical birth of a child.
How far off am I in understanding the correlation between reformed and non-reformed in my comment above? Am I to understand that because I'm not reformed in theology that my effectiveness as a Believer in Jesus is negated someway? Help me out here, Josh. I really am interested. I'm trying to share these things you are privy to in a simple way to my friends. selahV
P.S. This comment in no way is meant to be arrogant, sarcastic, or inflaming.
Josh -
There is a lot of truth to what you are saying. Overpersonalizing the gospel definitely leads to relativing the gospel message, and this had definitely been happening on a wide scale for some time. But it has also created a hunger for a return to the simple gospel message among the laity that I deal with. They do not know where this hunger is coming from they just know that it exists. As a Christian matures he/she craves more "solid" food. Sadly, in our seeker-friendly age, they just don't know where to get it.
The good news is that many of us (ministerial and lay) who ARE teaching the plain gospel and true word with deference to reformed soteriology are finding captive audiences in a growing number of pockets throughout the denomination. I suspect this trend will increase as the baby-boomer Christians mature in Christ and outgrown the "training wheels and baby food" theology offered by the seeker-friendly/purpose-driven movement.
SelahV -
I agree since this is a blog and not a discussion board it's really not suited to conversations.
To answer your initial question more succinctly, we need to look a bit of church history. (I am sure Dr. Ascol and others here will correct me on my dates, but hopefully I have the events in order). In the early 1600's as a result of the Scottish Reformation and the teachings of John Knox, the Presyterian Church was formed and their theology was summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith. Several decades later the Congregationalists split from the Presbyterian Church over the issue of church goverance (they believed in church autonomy). They modified the Westminster somewhat and issued the Savoy Declaration (1646) among other confessions. The Baptists later split from the Congregationalists over the issue of infant baptism. Their primary confessions are the 1644 and 1689 London Baptist Confessions of Faith.
All the while the Baptists kept the doctrines of man's depravity, God's unmerited election, substitutionary atonement for sin, particular redemption, the effective calling of God's grace and the perserverance of the saints at the center of their theology and confessions of faith. This continued into America through the first and second great awakenings, the Charleston Association, the Sandy Creek revivals, and even through the formation and the first 70 or so years of the SBC.
In the 20th century we lost our focus on the simple gospel and reformed theology due to the onslaught of fundamentalism, dispensationalism, liberalism and postmodernism. All of these movements in culture and the church have had destructive effects on how church goers view the gospel, and even on how the gospel is presented.
There are numerous articles on this site that explain how we got where we are today much better than I. Sorry for all the big words but I wanted to keep the post short.
SelahV -
Oh, and praise the Lord that your friend has been given an opportunity to share the gospel with her neighbor. Clearly, the Holy Spirit opens these kinds of doors when we show the love of Christ to others. My prayer is that your friend will be able to share how God's grace and mercy towards her despite her sinfulness is the cause for that love. Please encourage her to share the WHOLE gospel of Christ (God, sin, law, grace) with her neighbor every chance she gets. That is our command from Christ. There is nothing "unreformed" whatsoever in sharing the gpspel with others. On the contrary, it is when we STOP sharing part or all of the gospel that we become "unreformed". | http://blog.founders.org/2007/02/have-we-lost-gospel.html?showComment=1170458280000 | 2013-05-18T10:53:02 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Get your week started on the right foot with this incredible green Mountain Shake recipe – it’s healthy yet decadent, full of nutrients and will leave you feeling full and energized. It might just be the yummiest healthy shake I’ve tried!
Ingredients:
1 scoop Uber Greens
2 t Tocotriene powder
1 T maca powder
1 T cacao nibs
1 T bee pollen
2 cups raw spinach
10 raw almonds
3/4 cup coconut milk or 3/4 ZICO natural coconut water
1/2 T agave
15-20 ice cubs
Place all ingredients into the blender with the exception of the ice. Blend well. Keeping the blender on, individually add ice cubes until texture has turned slushy. Turn off and scoop into glasses garnishing with extra cacao nibs and bee pollen if wanted. Eat with a spoon!
Recipe courtesy of Kathryn Budig via MindBodyGREEN – connect with her on facebook and twitter.
More healthy recipes from the BLDG 25 Blog.
_____________________________________________________________________
Shop summer dresses at Free People.
looking for a July calendar, did I miss it?
kristen – its up now!!
Looks yummy!
this may sound stupid, but i didn’t know bee pollen was edible! | http://blog.freepeople.com/2012/07/mountain-shake-recipe-healthy-shake-taste/ | 2013-05-18T10:42:10 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.freepeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/raw-vegan-sweet-kale-shake1.jpg",
"Post image for Mountain Shake Recipe: The Best Healthy Shake You’ll Ever Taste?"
]
] |
"A."
Lena Lees
Source: The Living Word of Kuan Yin
Contributed by: Hope | http://blog.gaiam.com/quotes/topics/dichotomy | 2013-05-18T11:02:26 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Looking
Contributed by: Zaady
Edwards said the greatest moment of his career was winning the national championship. The lowest moment (of my career) happens every time we lose to Utah.
Source: Trisha Barker, The Daily Universe (BYU), on the CBS SportsLine, March 23,)
I try to do the right thing at the right time. They may just be little things, but usually they make the difference between winning and losing.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1947 -)
Source: Star, May 1986.)
Source: A Song for St. Cecilia's Day. Line 97.
Traveling is like gambling: it is always connected with winning and losing, and generally where it is least expected we receive, more or less than what we hoped for.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
Possession of the ball is the key to winning in football, basketball, and the game of life.
J. Laing Burns
Ever notice that people never say "It's only a game" when they're winning?
Ivern Ball
From quiet homes and first beginnings, Out to the undiscovered ends, There's nothing worth the wear of winning, But laughter and the love of friends.
Hilaire Belloc (1870 - 1953)
Source: Dedicatory Ode | http://blog.gaiam.com/quotes/topics/winning?page=5 | 2013-05-18T10:43:45 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
- What's Hot on Games.com
- Candy Crush
- Plants Vs. Zombies
- Slot Buster
- Just Words
All cheats, tips and news tagged: phosphor-games
Five tips and best practices for how to bash the beasts of Horn for iOS
Horn for iPhone: A diamond in the rough ready for extraction
Horn, a gorgeous mobile action game brought to you by Zynga [Video]
Zynga plays nice with other game makers on mobile and Zynga. | http://blog.games.com/tag/phosphor-games/ | 2013-05-18T10:43:03 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.games.com/media/2012/12/mzl.eazdfdzf.480x480-75_168x168.jpg",
"Mobile indie darling Horn goes free-to-play with Quest Mode"
],
[
"http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.games.com/media/2012/12/mzl.eazdfdzf.480x480-75_168x168.jpg",
"Mobile indie darling Horn goes free-to-play ... |
Archive for 'Mobile'
5 powerful, simple and fun to use Wireframing Tools
Are you finding difficult to sort out the most useful and fun- to- use Wireframing tools? In Making Sense we want to make your life easier so we decided to write a post listing 5 powerful, simple, and fun to use Wireframing tools. Stop struggling with your sketches and make your ideas come to life! Take a look at our Blog Post and start enjoying some of the best Wireframing tools today!
Inside Lander’s Creation: The Case Study
Take a look at our new Case Study and learn how Making Sense’s high performance team of developers created Lander, a fully-functional, self-contained, landing page platform focused in UX. Lander enables online marketers to create their own landing pages with drag and drop simplicity! Need to create your own landing page? Take a look at our new Blog Post and take advantage of this useful Case Study!
Why Every Company Needs to Develop Their Own Mobile or Cloud App in 2013
Are you ready to create apps with a great UX design? It is time for your customers to easily manage, configure and add services using their smartphones or tablet. Find out today how to develop apps to make your services more efficient and cost effective. If you are thinking about creating your own app and don’t have the software expertise to do it read this post and learn how we can help you!
Responsive Web vs. Mobile Web [...]
HTML5 vs. Native Mobile Apps: Why I choose HTML5
In a previous post we talked about the pros and cons of each web development language, and we concluded that these days none of the choices are bad. But today I think it’s time to step out on a limb and choose sides. Why bet on HTML5 apps Free distribution: Unlike native applications, which depend [...] [...] | http://blog.getcs.com/category/technology/mobile-tablet/ | 2013-05-18T11:02:25 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
This morning a spontaneous meeting with Brenda Farmer, Senior Learning Environment Designer, whisked me out of the library. Educational Technology Services (ETS) offers various services on campus such as bSpace, an e-learning platform, and portable technology for classrooms. I'm already familiar with similar services at German universities, where they are also often managed by the libraries, particularly when it comes to e-Learning. Of the various services that ETS offers, I am especially interested in the active classrooms . Since the launch of the Teaching Library at the Badische Landesbibliothek (Baden State Library), we have been experimenting with flexible furniture and adaptable technology to make learning situations at the library as supportive as possible. We currently have flexible laptop carts as well as interactive whiteboards in two different, equipped and furnished classrooms. I was thus curious to find out what was meant by an "active classroom" at Berkeley. The classroom that Brenda Farmer introduced me to as the "test kitchen" has over 30 seats – the chairs and tables can be rolled and stacked, the tables can even be folded. As a result, it is always possible to create new learning situations – and as Brenda Farmer says, she never finds the tables arranged the same way they were before. This is certainly a sign that the classroom inspires instructors to experiment. Movable, classic whiteboards as well as four large monitors are mounted on the walls. These monitors as well as various laptops connected to the system can be centrally controlled with an iPad. This means that the instructor can freely move around the room and that control of the monitors can be easily handed over to someone else. I like this idea. In our training programs we are experimenting with a wireless keyboard, which participants can pass around the room to hand over "control of the monitor" – of course an iPad is even more appealing. At the "test kitchen" in Berkeley it seems important to me that it is really easy to move the furniture and that the technology is intuitive. This is also the reason why no interactive whiteboards are installed – they would take too long for the changing groups of users to learn how to use. The room reminds me of the Teaching Grid at the University of Warwick, which I visited a few years ago. At the time I had also been impressed by the low-threshold drop-in principle and the pedagogical support I observed there.
I speak with Brenda Farmer for a while longer about efforts to raise awareness on campus about learning environments such as the active classroom and to work together with other institutions such as the library. In my opinion, providing consulting and technological support for learning processes is one of the most important future tasks that a central institution at a university can take over. For libraries that see themselves as learning sites, it thus makes sense to collaborate with similar initiatives at their universities and intensely participate in pedagogical discussions – if not even partially take over such tasks. It's clear to me at the end of our discussion that if we as libraries want to be more than "just" places where people study and that provide informational resources, but instead places that also actively consult and truly accompany educational processes, then we have to grapple even more with technology-supported pedagogy and concepts such as the active classroom.
Monday, 10. September 2012
Active Learning Classrooms at the UC Berkeley
Trackbacks
Kommentare / Comments | http://blog.goethe.de/librarian/archives/457-Active-Learning-Classrooms-der-UC-Berkeley.html | 2013-05-18T10:41:17 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Palm Sunday Weekend was the backdroup as Memphis’ own Vincent Tharpe and Kenosis embarked upon a 22 city tour in support of their EPM Music Group CD Release Live In Memphis. Dubbed the Faith Tour, Tharpe shared his excitement about the tour; “This tour is a testament that we can do all things through Christ! This…. is our way of putting action behind Faith.”
VTK will travel through the south, midwest and east coast with stops in Arkansas, Mississippi , Missouri , Ohio, DC and New York.
Two singles from the CD, Thank You Lord and Let’s Praise Him are making the rounds at radio and climbing up the BDS singles chart. | http://blog.gospelflava.com/tag/epm-music-group/ | 2013-05-18T10:20:28 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
LUCEDALE, Mississippi -- John Brandon Zehner, 24, of Greene County has been arrested on a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distrubute, according to a news release from the George County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff Dean Howell said narcotics agents received a tip at approximately midnight Thursday night about possible drug activity at a residence near the intersection of Highway 198 West and Inland Beach Road in George County.
A search of the residence, property and a vehicle resulted in the arrest of Zehner.
He remains in George County Regional Jail on $10,000 commercial bond. | http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/09/greene_countys_john_zehner_arr.html | 2013-05-18T10:21:56 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://media.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/photo/11631487-large.jpg",
"John Zehner"
]
] |
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) has emerged as a leading contender to become the next secretary of the Health and Human Services department. Flint Hills Center for Public Policy senior fellow Gregory Schneider previews what a Sebelius HHS might look like:
For one thing, she is an able bureaucrat, presiding over the creation of the massive, yet ineffective, health reform agency, the Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA) which came into existence in 2006. KHPA has been an advocate of expanded government health care and more Medicaid … With a friend like her at HHS, one may suspect the forces of government health care will expand their reach. Washington will dictate more to the states, which have been laboratories for reform (at least those states headed by governors amenable to reforms which aren’t defined as bailouts from Congress).
But after four years of the KHPA what has changed in Kansas health care? Not much. Medicaid is still a mess. The fiscal health of the government-funded health system in the state is helping to drag down the budget and it will only get worse with the massive infusion of cash–some $112 million additional coming from the House stimulus. There has been no substantial effort made by the KHPA, and by extension, the governor, to address the fundamental problems in Kansas health care–cost of care and continued inadequacies in the Medicaid system. Their major proposals last year, such as premium assistance and other reforms contained in SB 11, were blocked by the Legislature; their proposals this year–a smoking ban and tobacco taxes to fund expanded health care spending, may not pass either.
Instead, Sebelius has discussed how vital it is for Kansas to get the additional monies coming from the federal government. Kansas, she claims, needs the money to expand Medicaid eligibility; whether that is a wise idea given the fiscal straits Kansas and the nation are in at the moment, or whether it is sustainable for future generations, is beside the point. There is never any discussion of reforming Medicaid, or helping move people from government insurance to private insurance.
If Sebelius gets the HHS job, she will fit right in with the climate of big spending inside the beltway, something she learned on the job here in Kansas. If it turns out she doesn’t get the job, the Topeka beltway government health gravy train will roll on with the stimulus adding millions to the coffers.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has the perfect credentials to head the job! A Democrat, a Liberal, and experienced in failing her constituents. What more could we ask for? If she cheated on her taxes, she is a shoe-in!.
Pingback: Sebelius At HHS? « 36 Chambers - The Legendary Journeys: Execution to the max!
I only have one word for Obama's attempt to nationalize healthcare….MDVIP. Leave it to a bunch of Doctors to figure a way around taking on the massive amounts of patients who will be added to the health care rolls. And, do so in the process of giving themselves a raise…brilliant. Let's see how the Obama team handles this 180 by some pretty smart Doctors. Check it out on Google…MDVIP. Hope you have the $1,800 annual fee. When you look at their web site check out the liberal States being targeted. Once again, the average Joe takes a hit due to social engineering attempts by our Uncle Sam.
Sebelius’ unwavering support of the bioscience industry in Kansas has amassed significant wins for our region, and we can reasonably expect her continued support in Washington, D.C.
#1 – In 2004, she signed the Kansas Economic Growth Act which created one of the nation’s largest state-sponsored investment funds solely dedicated to our burgeoning bioscience industry.
#2 – KEGA created the Kansas Bioscience Authority which, with Sebelius’ unyielding support, leads the state’s bioscience investment portfolio. Four short years later, Kansas is now recognized as a Top 10 state in biotechnology alongside California, Illinois and Massachusetts.
#3 – She put partisanship aside to lure the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), a $650 million federal research facility, to Manhattan. She solicited support from other governors, Republicans and Democrats. She named a Republican, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, as the Honorary Chairman and encouraged state Republican and Democratic leadership to introduce and pass a $105 million NBAF bond.
#4 – Sebelius has long endorsed the quest for National Cancer Institute (NCI) comprehensive cancer center designation at the University of Kansas. As head of HHS, Sebelius would oversee the agency (NIH) that provides substantial funding for NCI designated cancer centers. The NIH also has programs which fund research in drug discovery and clinical research, both of which are integral components of the KU Cancer Center plan.
Secretary of HHS is the perfect job for Kathleen Sebelius. Her commitment to our industry, paired with her knowledge of our region’s assets and her clear track record of bipartisanship, gives the bioscience community hope when we need it most.
as a govenor | http://blog.heritage.org/2009/02/19/a-sebelius-hhs-preview-runaway-costs-and-more-washington-control/ | 2013-05-18T10:12:52 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://www.foundry.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/kathleen_sebelius090219.jpg",
"Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)"
]
] |
- The Foundry: Conservative Policy News Blog from The Heritage Foundation - -
Top 10 Heritage Videos of 2012
Posted By Ericka Andersen On December 31, 2012 @ 11:00 am In Featured,Ongoing Priorities | No Comments
Videos once again played an important role in 2012 as campaigns, policy organizations and individuals sought ways to break through the saturated media environment with short, clever and informational productions. The following are the 10 most-watched videos from 2012 on Heritage’s YouTube channel. Click here to subscribe [1].
1..
2...”
4..
5..”
6..
7..
8..
9..
10..
Article printed from The Foundry: Conservative Policy News Blog from The Heritage Foundation:
URL to article:
URLs in this post:
[1] Click here to subscribe: | http://blog.heritage.org/2012/12/31/heritage-top-10-videos-of-2012/print/ | 2013-05-18T10:32:11 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Makara Sankranti(Hindu).
More info: The Hindu Festival of Makar Sankranti
This entry was posted on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 12:12 am and is filed under Dailys, Diwali, General, Hindu, January, Winter.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required)
Website | http://blog.holidays.net/index.php/2010/01/14/january-14-today-were-celebrating-makara-sankranti/ | 2013-05-18T10:22:22 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Specify directory with spaces in /etc/fstab
If you want to add a filesystem to mount in /etc/fstab you need to use the octal ASCII value which is \040. In my case I have created a separate filesystem for VMware virtual machines:
/dev/mapper/vmwarefs /var/lib/vmware/Virtual\040Machines ext3 defaults 1 1
If you have any other special characters which are causing problems you can check with
man ascii
for the value you need to specify. | http://blog.ibuddy.info/index.php/category/os/linux/ubuntu/ | 2013-05-18T11:02:44 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Search this Blog
Subscribe
Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notification of new posts via email.
Recent Posts
- | http://blog.iceculinary.com/2012/07/20/five-course-friday-7/chocolate-cake/ | 2013-05-18T10:30:58 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
The Xerox Phaser 7750 is a durable and powerful workgroup laser printer ideal for the small business or office environment with multiple users printing on a regular basis. This office printer will be able to produce up to a notable 35 pages per minute for black and white or color projects, to help keep business productivity high. Projects will come out printed in professional color that runs low or out.
The Xerox Phaser 7750 500 sheet Input Tray as well as a 150 sheet Multi-Purpose drawers, perfect for odd jobs and printing onto specialty paper. The Phaser 7750 printer will also be able to create 2 sided printouts with a convenient Automatic Duplexing option. It can handle a hefty monthly load of 150,000 printouts, perfect for larger offices and workgroups.
Remanufactured cartridges are offered at discount prices and can help save money on Xerox toner cartridges. The best values being offered are the Remanufactured Xerox 106R00652 Black Toner cartridge, the Remanufactured Xerox 106R00653 Cyan Toner cartridge, the Remanufactured Xerox 106R00654 Magenta Toner cartridge, the Remanufactured Xerox 106R00655 Yellow Toner cartridge, and the Remanufactured Xerox 108R00581 drum unit. Each cartridge will meet or exceed the OEM (Original Equipment Manufactured) cartridges, yielding up to 22,000 printouts. In addition the OEM cartridges are offered in the Genuine Xerox 106R00652 Black Toner cartridge, the Genuine Xerox 106R00653 Cyan Toner cartridge, the Genuine Xerox 106R00654 Magenta Toner cartridge, the Genuine Xerox 106R00655 Yellow Toner cartridge, the Genuine Xerox 108R00575 Waste Toner, the Genuine Xerox 108R00580 Maintenance Kit, and the Remanufactured Xerox 108R00581 drum unit.
0 Responses to “Xerox Phaser 7750 Review” | http://blog.inkgrabber.com/2011/12/14/xerox-phaser-7750-review/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=ad7ead3064 | 2013-05-18T11:03:03 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Freaks and film fans not too busy plowing through DVDs of Canada’s greatest-ever film on Canada Day might want to wander down to the TIFF Bell Lightbox for the debut – some 40-odd years after its creation – of warped soon-to-be-cult classic Voulez-vous coucher avec God?
This summer, Toronto is officially freaky for Fellini – as in, legendary Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini – with the opening today (June 30) of a Fellini exhibition and the screening of a series of films celebrating the master… but with a novel twist.
People of the great nation of Canada… we need your input. Canada Day is just around the corner which got us wondering: what is the all-time greatest movie set in Canada, about Canada or otherwise clearly Canadian by virtue of cast, crew or storyline? (And no, Titanic doesn’t count just because longtime U.S. resident James Cameron was born in Kapuskasing).
It was one of the earliest - and most fun - movies about computer hacking. Now it looks like the 1983 cult classic War Games - starring an impossibly youthful Matthew Broderick as the super-nerd who accidentally triggers a countdown to a global nuclear disaster - is set for a 21st century update.
Britain’s NME quotes a report by Deadline suggesting the project will be overseen by Seth Gordon, who made his name with the computer game documentary, The King of Kong, which told the story of rival gamers who went head-to-head playing competitive Donkey Kong.
War Games will be Gordon's first move into drama after comedies Four Christmases and the forthcoming Horrible Bosses. The original thriller, which also starred a young Ally Sheedy, garnered three Oscar nominations (sound, writing and cinematography).
To my mind, this actually makes a TON of sense for a remake.
Obviously, computer hacking is alive and well and more sophisticated than ever. Coupled with global security threats - not to mention the increased online and mainframe interdependence of nations round the world - and you’ve got the makings of a genuine nail-biter.
A bit of stunt casing could be fun, too, with Sheedy and Broderick playing adult roles alongside what will likely be hot young things in the leads. Can’t wait.
Torontonians recently had the great good fortune of witnessing the Hot Docs festival, which saw loads of truly amazing documentary films screening for all to see. Now Vancouver has the chance to enjoy five of the very best films plucked from the 2011 roster.
The Best of Hot Docs goes down this weekend (June 24 to 26) at the Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street. The screenings mark the left coast premieres of these movies; tickets are $40 for the lot of $11 for individual screenings via.
Screening times, descriptions and trailers appear below. In some cases, filmmakers or subjects may be in attendance for post-screening discussions. Note that attendance is restricted to 18+.
Go forth and enjoy.
LOVE ETC.D: Jill Andresevic | USA | 95 minScreening: Friday, June 24 at 7:00 pm
LOVE ETC. is a witty, poignant and humourous exploration of the universal stages of love, depicted through five real stories filmed over the course of one year in New York City. From teen romance to a decades-long marriage; from newlyweds to a recent divorcee, and even a bachelor so frustrated in his search that he chooses to have children without a partner, LOVE ETC. takes its audience on an intimate and vibrantly diverse journey through the heart of the city, offering an honest look at joys and frustrations that can emerge along the road to true love.
PROJECT NIMD: James Marsh | USA, UK | 93 minScreening: Saturday, June 25 at 6:30 pm.
CONAN O'BRIEN CAN'T STOP D: Rodman Flender | USA | 89 minScreening: Saturday, June 25 at 9:00 pm
Conan O'Brien is angry. Unceremoniously dumped from The Tonight Show, then banned from appearing on television, radio or the internet for six months, the firebrand comic found himself without an outlet for the first time in over two decades. In the weeks before his current TBS show was even a glimmer in a TV exec's eye, O'Brien channeled his creative and vengeful energies to launch the Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour. Filmmaker Rodman Flender hit the road with Team Coco as they performed on a 32-city stand-up extravaganza. Watching O'Brien write, perform and ham it up with cronies like Andy Richter is footage that's not to be missed. But it's the quieter time in which O'Brien reflects on what performing means to his life that illuminates a talent that simply won't quit.
SENNAD: Asif Kapadia | UK | 104 minScreening: Sunday, June 26 at 6:30 pm
With a piercing, boyish beauty, the aura of a monk, and fierce racing intelligence and competitiveness, Ayrton Senna rose to the top of Formula One racing and international superstardom. Spanning his years as an F1 driver, from 1984 to his untimely death a decade later, SENNA explores the life and work of the triple world champion, his physical and spiritual achievements on the track, his quest for perfection and the mythical status he has since attained. The story unfolds as a tense thriller, one in which we know the outcome, but are swept up in the immediacy and emotion of its telling. So, while SENNA will certainly satisfy fans, those who know little about Ayrton Senna have the most to gain. Instantly one of the great sports docs of this or any year, SENNA will surely fuel a new generation of admirers for this Brazilian legend.
THE PIRATE TAPESD: Matvei Zhivov, Roger Singh, Andrew Moniz, Mohamed Ashareh, Rock Baijnauth | Canada | 72 min
Screening: Sunday, June 26 at 9:00 pm. Interspersed with riveting never-before-seen footage of pirates organizing a hijacking, the film peels back the layers of civil war, history and corruption that turned once-peaceful fishermen into marauders. Massive illegal fishing by Asian and European ships decimated fish stocks, international corporations made secret deals with warlords so they could dump their nuclear wastes off the Somali coast, and politicians siphoned foreign aid into their personal accounts. But the moral justification of retaliation has morphed into a violent, complex, money-driven operation, one that both pirates and politicians expose as a multi-million-dollar business funded primarily by foreigners who reap most of the profit.
OK, so it’s not exactly a breaking movie story. But it is clever as heck, totally hilarious AND it features movie actors. It’s a Will Ferrell Funny or Die spoof on the ridiculous but weirdly viral “Dear Woman” video making waves on YouTube.
Canadian horror master, director David Cronenberg’s new film, A Dangerous Method - which charts the birth of psychoanalysis in the early 1900s and more specifically, the tumultuous relationship between neurologist Sigmund Freud, his gifted pupil Carl Jung and a beautiful young woman - has hit YouTube et al ahead of the film’s release.
Based on Christopher Hampton’s stage play The Talking Cure, the film stars Cronenberg go-to leading man Viggo Mortensen (see also A History Of Violence and Eastern Promises) as Freud opposite increasingly critically acclaimed Michael Fassbender as the youthful Jung and Keira Knightley as the woman at the centre of the tale. Vincent Cassel also stars in the Canadian-German co-production shot on location in Austria, Switzerland and Germany.
As Clash Music reports, Cronenberg has also utilized the talents of his other regular contributors; Howard Shore has composed the score with cinematography overseen by the always brilliant Peter Suschitzky. IMDb has the film listed for a November release; definitely worth waiting for.
In other Cronenberg news, the director is currently shooting as adaptation of author Don DeLillio’s Cosmopolis in Toronto with Twilight hunk Robert Pattinson. As the AV Club cheekily notes, “Pattinson replaces previously named star Colin Farrell....”
Ridiculously versatile Canuck actor Graham Greene - known equally for roles in American blockbusters like The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Dances with Wolves, the Die Hard franchise and The Green Mile plus art house fare like Transamerica and nuttier homegrown stuff including The Red Green Show - turns 59 today.
File under nutty coincidence: the biggest scoop in documentary filmmaking this year chronicles something dating back to the dawn of man some 30,000 years ago. And it’s being delivered in the most current fashion available: 3D.
Mercurial director Werner Herzog’s (The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans, Grizzly Man, Encounters at the End of the World) forthcoming Cave of Forgotten Dreams is the kind of film reviewers struggle to capture in words. And yet the story itself - and Herzog’s rare ability to tell it - is jaw-dropping even without journalistic bells and whistles.
Time is ticking down on a must-see show open now in Toronto. Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star is the first exhibition in TIFF Bell Lightbox's Canadian Film Gallery and chronicles the life and superstar career of actress Pickford, one of the first and greatest stars of the silent cinema. | http://blog.inmovies.ca/2011/06/index.html | 2013-05-18T10:42:04 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
While Noah and I were in Florida we had a couple late night shoots in Shannon’s garage with some friends. Probably the most fun I’ve ever had during a shoot even if it was probably 90-100 degrees inside that garage. Lots of good times, and with that here’s some shots from those two nights. Cheers!
Great shoots, the 90-100 degrees heat looks like it was worth the photos. Great job again and I love the last and img111.
super great. love it. | http://blog.jordanvoth.com/2011/07/florida-nights/ | 2013-05-18T11:03:31 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://jordanvoth.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/110.jpg",
"FL"
],
[
"http://jordanvoth.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/28.jpg",
"FL"
],
[
"http://jordanvoth.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/31.jpg",
"FL"
],
[
"http://jordanvoth.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011... |
Business Schools Explore How to Use Integrated Reasoning in the Admissions Process
March 14, 2013 assessing the significance of IR performance on students’ eventual success in business school. While IR isn’t currently being given much weight in the admissions process, largely because many applicants took the GMAT before the test change and therefore do not have IR scores, business schools are analyzing IR data to get a better understanding of the role it will eventually play in admissions. Dan Poston, of the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, states, “We want to see how it [IR] plays out…We want to see how predictive it is of student’s success at school.”
GMAC has released some key data on the IR section, based upon results of the more than 123,000 test-takers who have taken the GMAT since IR was added to the test. GMAC reports that the distribution of scores is normal and without bias against any subgroup of test-takers. In short, these results suggest that IR has the potential to be a valid predictor of student success in b-school.
In addition to analyzing data from GMAC, some schools are directly studying the connection between IR and student performance. For instance, at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, a group of 60 second-year students will complete the IR portion of the GMAT. Their IR scores will then be compared to their success in core courses in order to determine whether IR performance positively correlates with b-school performance.
The obvious question for GMAT test-takers is how they should approach IR in order to put together the best application package possible. While IR may not play a major role in the admissions process for the next few years, a solid IR score can only help applicants. As Dawna Clarke of Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business notes, “IR will help prospective students more than it will hurt them…If you are not ‘quant strong,’ but you have strong IR skills, then this test will help you shine.”
July 2, 2012:
All this and more make up our new GMAT course—one of our biggest projects to date. Innovation and commitment to excellence have yielded a powerful GMAT prep arsenal for our students, and we can’t wait to see the scores roll in. Take a look at some of our GMAT links below for more information:
GMAT Advantage – Classroom Anywhere
GMAT Advantage – On Demand
GMAT Private Tutoring – Anywhere.
June 18, 2012.
June 16, 2012…
June 5, 2012. | http://blog.kaplangmat.com/tag/gmat-integrated-reasoning/ | 2013-05-18T11:03:17 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem - photo by James Baily
- After recorded a live in-studio album in London that is set for digital release on Tuesday. For more info, including a tracklisting, visit the band’s website. If you want a little taste of how it will sound, you can stream “All I Want” via Pitchfork. Also newsworthy on the LCD Soundsystem front is their newly released video for “Pow Pow,” featuring Up in the Air actress Anna Kendrick. Watch it right here:
- Since their debut in 2004, The Arcade Fire have released albums in three-year intervals, with Neon Bible coming out in 2007 followed by The Suburbs release this year. Early indications say that their fourth album might come a little sooner than fans are used to. Frontman Win Butler told the Wall Street Journal that the band “will be experimenting” this winter, as they have no plans for January and March. Who knows if “experimenting” actually means they’re going to start recording new material, but at least it’s a sign they’re thinking about it.
- A few weeks ago Jónsi canceled a number of scheduled in-store performances due to a show at LA’s Oragami Vinyl being, according to his management, “the most uncomfortable experience of his ten years in the public eye.” Team Jónsi continued to blame themselves for the mishap, saying that it was their idea and that “Jónsi himself was always skeptical” about doing in-store performances (read the full statement here). The record store has released some videos of the performance, however, which can be seen here.
- Yo La Tengo has announced that in late November they’ll be starting an odd tour in which each show will begin with the band spinning a wheel to see what the theme or concept of that night’s show will be. Concepts include a question and answer style show, a show in which they only play songs that being with the letter “S,” and even a option where the band acts out a scene from a classic sit-com. If this isn’t the sign a band is bored of touring, I don’t know what is. For more info, including a list of possible concepts, click here.
- Everyone’s favorite Swede folksinger The Tallest Man on Earth has released a video for “Love is All” from The Wild Hunt. Here it is for your viewing pleasure, courtesy of PitchforkTV:
- Girl Talk has just announced a gigantic winter tour. They’ll be at the Showbox on March 15th. For more info and a complete list of dates, visit here.
- Led Zeppelin biographer Stephen Davis will be releasing a new book on the band, LZ’-75, which is dedicated solely to their infamously raucous 1975 tour. This should be worth reading for the John Bonham stories alone.
- Finally, Thom Yorke has released a new single!...not really. The Radiohead frontman has teamed up with various other Brits to release a John Cage-esque “Two Minute Silence” single, the proceeds of which will support troops and their families.
- And partly due to the premiere of Conan on Monday, it’s an unusually stacked week of late-night musical performances. Here’s a rundown:
Monday, November 8th
Conan O’Brien - Jack White
David Letterman - Cee-Lo Green
Jimmy Fallon - Toots & The Maytals
Lopez Tonight - Rooney
Jay Leno - N.E.R.D.
Carson Daly - Matt & Kim
Conan O'Brien and Jack White - photo by Molly Moormeier
Tuesday, November 9th
Conan O’Brien - Soundgarden
Carson Daly - The Walkmen
The Colbert Report - Cee-Lo Green
Wednesday, November 10th
David Letterman - Snoop Dogg
Conan O’Brien - Fistful of Mercy
Jay Leno - Old 97′s
Jimmy Fallon - Jonsi
Thursday, November 11th
Jimmy Kimmel - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Jimmy Fallon - Robyn
Carson Daly - Jimmy Eat World
Friday, November 12th
Jimmy Fallon - Kings of Leon
One Comment
i don’t get the LCD vid. Can someone please explain? However, I LOVE LCD and this song. | http://blog.kexp.org/2010/11/08/monday-morning-news-fix-4/ | 2013-05-18T11:02:11 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4665458759_52c921941a.jpg",
"James Murphy"
],
[
"http://static.teamcoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/jackandconan1final1.jpg",
"Conan and Jack White"
]
] |
The Land Rover ‘Born to be Free’ lion is set free and helps to raise £75,000 for Charities
From (Left to right): Born Free Founder and actress, Virginia McKenna and Martin Clunes stand next to Land Rover’s Born to Be Free lion.
Fifty-five lion sculptures were auctioned in Bournemouth over the weekend as part of Pride in Bournemouth, a public arts event which aims to raise vital funds for charity. Celebrity auctioneer James Lewis hosted the event and a number of other personalities attended the event, including actor Martin Clunes and actress Virginia McKenna. The auction was a great success and a staggering £75,000 was raised for charity in total.
Amongst these lion sculptures was the Westover Land Rover lion, Born to be Free, which was designed by local artist Hazel Evans from Poole’s centre for the arts, the Lighthouse. We’re happy to announce that this colourful and beautifully designed lion was sold for an impressive £1,000, with the proceeds being split between the Born Free Foundation and local Bournemouth charity, Julia’s House.
This money will help the foundation to fund lion-proof bomas in Kenya. The bomas are traditional community settlements which use a cut ring of thorns to enclose an area into which cattle are herded at night. This protects the cattle from preying lions who may otherwise attack; lions that do kill cattle often face persecution by communities.
The auction of these beautiful lion sculptures will therefore enable the Foundation to continue to protect and conserve the wonderful wildlife and habitats in Kenya. | http://blog.landrover.com/news/the-land-rover-%E2%80%98born-to-be-free%E2%80%99-lion-is-set-free-and-raises-1000-for-charity-2798.html | 2013-05-18T10:31:03 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
To get everyone geared up for the Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses show at the Wormy Dog Saloon on May 21st, I popped in Ryan Bingham’s new album… well, kinda new album. Released in October of 2007, Mescalito is his first album unless you are lucky enough to get your hands on “Dead Horses”, an album that was a limited release from LoneStarMusic in 2006 and is no longer available.
I first was turned onto Ryan Bingham seeing them perform live on Conan O’Brien and came across Mescalito digging through the KKNG music vault in 2008. I can’t think of anything that isn’t on this album. From banjo’s to accordion’s, this album has an array of instruments. The crazy thing is this album was a coin flip away from not even happening at all. Mescalito has gotten raves from the like of Rolling Stone and a three page feature in the Los Angeles Times and another performance on The Tonight Show.
The album grabs from the beginning with the track “Southside of Heaven”. It’s hard to describe the feeling you get with this track. It’s that feeling you get when you are riding down the road on a peaceful evening, catching the wind in your hands I guess. It keeps going to with “Otherside” and his first radio single “Bread and Water”. After listening to “Baracho Station”, if you don’t feel like a troubadour, a modern day “outlaw”, then you made need to have your ears checked. Mascelito is nothing short of genius. The album grips you and makes you want to hit the road like a “traveling jone’s”.
I look forward to his show. It will be the first live performance I will get to see of this bull riding, Spanish speaking, modern day outlaw. Bingham will also be performing at Country Fever in June as well. This is an album you don’t have to put much thought to in buying it. Just do it and thank me later. It should at least tide you over until Roadhouse Sun comes up out on June 2nd.
Rooster | http://blog.langstons.com/tag/mescalito/ | 2013-05-18T10:53:46 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
In 2010, an interesting observation was made about the linguistic identity of the New Zealand state. The observer was the Waitangi Tribunal of New Zealand, a permanently appointed commission of inquiry tasked with investigating claims of Crown breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi that may have caused prejudice to Māori. Of course the Treaty itself was signed by two distinct parties in 1840: the British Crown, and the representatives of Māori tribal groupings. In 1840 the linguistic, ethnic, and cultural identity of each grouping was simply not in doubt. But over the years the British Crown has devolved or morphed into the Crown in right of New Zealand, British settlers became Pākehā New Zealanders, and the Māori themselves have also changed irrevocably. So the Tribunal’s observationwas interesting:
Fundamentally, there is a need for a mindset shift away from the pervasive assumption that the Crown is Pākehā, English-speaking, and distinct from Māori rather than representative of them. Increasingly, in the twenty-first century, the Crown is also Māori. If the nation is to move forward, this reality must be grasped.
In short, the Crown, in right of New Zealand, is not only Māori, but must also be Māori speaking. In view of New Zealand’s bicultural (and bilingual) legal history, this is not as merely ‘aspirational’ as might be presumed.
In early 2013, a new dictionary will be published in New Zealand. This dictionary will be a bilingual Māori-English language dictionary. Nothing unusual about that; there are quite a few Māori dictionaries about. Nor is the fact that this particular dictionary is a legal dictionary particularly strange; the world is well served with those, even in regards to New Zealand legal English. The Legal Māori Dictionary is relatively unusual, however, for combining these two characteristics. There are, as yet, not many indigenous language legal dictionaries, or indigenous legal language projects around the world. Of course, there are some fascinating indigenous legal language projects, such as the rich searchable collection of native Hawaiian legal documents available through the Ka Huli Ao Digital Archives under the auspices of the Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawai`ian Law. An extensive Irish Language Legal Terminology derived from the bilingual Acts of the Irish parliament has also been made publicly available. In Australia, some exciting work has been done with identifying legal glossaries in a number of aboriginal languages including Yolngu Matha and Murrinh-Patha from the Northern Territory. Not infrequently, such glossaries and terminologies are the result of dedicated workshops, often government funded, set up in order to create a functional lexicon for use in the state legal system by speakers of the target indigenous language, as in the case of the English-Inuktitut-French Legal Glossary released in 1997 by the Nunavut Translator/Interpreter program at Nunavut Arctic College. An earlier but similar project for the Navajo language was published in 1989 by the US District Court for the District of New Mexico, and is still made publicly available by the Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation. A more recent example is the extensive Sámi legal terminology that has been worked up over recent years and made available online by translators and interpreters working on the translation of state legal documents into Sámi for Sámi-speaking populations of Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden.
So, we at the Legal Māori Project, and our Legal Māori Dictionary, are in good, if select, company. But every legal lexicography project has a unique whakapapa (genealogy) and characteristics that somehow reflect the lived histories of the people who belong to each language.
To briefly outline our whakapapa then. The Legal Māori Project, as established in 2008 in the Law Faculty of Victoria University of Wellington, seeks to achieve two primary aims: • A long-term goal of normalizing the use of the Māori language within the New Zealand legal system; and ultimately, the public, civic sphere of New Zealand society. Māori must claim its place as an ordinary language of the enactment of state law, of government, administration, politics and the economy; • A shorter-term aim of providing bilingual Māori speakers with a resource that can help such speakers can effectively and feasibly choose to use Māori rather than English in that legal system. Such ease of choice is critically important for effective language revitalisation.
The Legal Māori has received four years of public funding for our research from New Zealand’s Ministry of Science and Innovation. Rather than create a legal terminology from scratch, however, we thought it absolutely necessary to carry out a kind of textual excavation of the rich, but mainly hidden Māori-language documents of New Zealand’s bilingual and bicultural legal history. We were aware that there are several thousand pages of publicly available, printed, Māori language documents discussing, applying, translating, critiquing and interpreting Western legal concepts. These documents are available, but sequestered in public repositories such as the Alexander Turnbull Library. In the face of such a rich treasure trove of texts, we considered our best approach was to be a corpus-based one. We would build a body of digitized Māori language texts that we could analyse to identify the kinds of words and phrases that Māori speakers and writers of the past 180 years had been using in those texts. By June 2011, the texts we found and, in crucial partnership with the New Zealand Electronic Text Centre, digitized, totaled 8 million word tokens; the largest purpose-built and structured corpus of Māori language texts known. The pre-1910 texts of the Legal Māori Corpus are publicly available for
download, with the remainder of the texts to be made available by the end of this year. The Legal Māori Corpus contains printed texts of the following kinds of historical documents, most of which are also available online in the land title system. Some documents might be more accurately described strategic documents issued by government departments in Māori, such as Māori language versions of statements of intent.
These documents taken as a whole provide an incredible opportunity to examine the evolution of an endangered language as it wrestles with the lexicon and conceptual world of the dominant language and that language’s culture. Therefore, the collated texts from the Corpus were examined to find how various words and phrases have been used to express Western legal ideas. Over the past two years we have been identifying those words and phrases; first, to come up with a useful lexicon of possible legal Māori terms, and then, to test and validate those lexicon terms in order choose the terms that are now to form to the base of the Legal Māori Dictionary itself. With the invaluable design, by Dave Moskovitz of ThinkTank Ltd, of an open-source, easy-to-use web-based text browser and dictionary writing system called Freelex, we are now compiling our dictionary entries.
As mentioned above, our purpose has always been to create a dictionary of Māori language terms to express Western legal concepts. Customary Māori legal language had been explored in-depth in other scholarship. For example, customary Māori legal concepts have been investigated by the FRST funded work undertaken by Te Mātāhauāriki Institute based at Waikato University in developing a compendium of customary Māori legal terms: Te Mātāpunenga. Choosing to focus on the expression of Western legal ideas in Māori, however, exposed us to the considerable risk that English meanings and concepts would drive the content of our dictionary. Indeed we expected such English conceptual dominance. However, the pilot stages and subsequent corpus-based work showed that Māori customary legal vocabulary had a far stronger presence in the terms we were identifying than had been expected. In fact, many of the words in te reo Māori (the Māori language) that have been used to describe traditional Māori legal concepts are also terms within legal Māori terminology, communicating Western legal ideas. (Some examples are mana, roughly glossed as ‘authority’; tikanga, or the ‘correct way of doing things’; and rangatiratanga which can be equated to ‘chieftainship’.) The Legal Māori Project then must reflect two very important aspects of legal Māori vocabulary: customary legal meaning and Western legal meaning. A core set of customary legal terms that had acquired further Western legal senses over the past 180 years could in fact be identified within the lexicon of legal terms that were being derived from the corpus itself. In view of this insight, we decided that the idea of identifying a finite set of core customary legal terms could form part of a methodology that would enable Māori ideas and Māori legal thinking, alongside Western legal thinking, to take centre stage in our dictionary generation and formatting. The methodology used by the Legal Māori Project team is one that therefore pays careful attention to both the Western and customary law aspects of a significant, identifiable core of traditional Māori law terms. The team identified that if customary legal and western legal aspects of core terms are accounted for in the selection, formatting, and organisation of the dictionary entries, English glosses and English ideas are less likely to subvert Māori ideas and the Māori language basis of the dictionary as a whole. To provide a practical example of how we attempted to incorporate such prioritization in the design of the Legal Māori Dictionary, the following draft entry for taonga might be useful. It comes from the sample dictionary released in June 2010.
Many typical dictionary elements have been used in this draft entry. For example, distinct verb senses have been identified and numbered. The grammatical function of each sense is identified, and the primary usage (here referring to taonga being primarily a customary term) identified. It also includes a one-word English gloss for each sense and some further explanation in English of how the term is used in a technical way (preceded by ☼). Finally, the entry includes a usage example for each term and short code references for each example, which will enable the user to find the original text. The opening sentence at the top of the entry will be shaded in its final printed form, and will thereby be a new addition to the formatting of our dictionary articles. We have labeled this feature the whakamaramatanga (‘clarification’) field, where a very brief explanation is given of the all-important customary context for the term with a reference to further reading for those readers wanting to find out more about the concept. The reference is to the Matapunenga compendium (to be published at roughly at the same time as the Legal Māori Dictionary). These small additions to the traditional dictionary entry, must be taken in conjunction with all the work carried out by the Legal Māori Project to date. Ultimately we hope that our experience in designing and producing our outputs, including the dictionary, might assist the designers of other specialist dictionaries or lexicons of indigenous languages to pay appropriate deference to the customary concepts of those languages, where possible and practicable.
And, above all, just maybe our work will help Māori speakers to choose to use their own language in precisely those domains where they are simply not expected to, or in the view of some, supposed to. And when that happens, a Māori-speaking Crown doesn’t seem so difficult after all.
Thanks to Māori.org.nz for the Māori images used here.
After some years working in the New Zealand Department of Corrections and Māori broadcasting, Māmari completed an MA (Distinction) in Classical Studies, BA (Hons), and an LLB (Hons) at Victoria University. She then spent three and a half years at New Zealand’s largest law firm, Russell McVeagh, in Wellington, working in the Māori legal team in the Corporate Advisory Group. Māmari has been with the School of Law since January 2006 and, with Assistant Professor Mary Boyce of the University of Hawai’i, runs the Legal Māori Project. Her primary research interests are law and language, Māori and the New Zealand legal system, and social security law. Māmari is married to Maynard Gilgen and has two sons, Te Rangihuia (9) Havelund (5) and a daughter, Jessica-Lee Ngātaiotehauauru, born in November 2009.. | http://blog.law.cornell.edu/voxpop/tag/legal-language-2/ | 2013-05-18T10:31:09 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
1702 week 14.docx]]>
top 10 book list.docx]]>
bookmarks blogs, magazines.doc]]>]]>
bookmarks cross-pollination.docx]]>
bookmarks_time and space.docx]]>
1702 week 6.doc]]>
write a review.doc]]>
narrative bookmarks.docx]]>
Narr
Please fill this out by next week and bring me a hard copy to class next week.
Remember 10's= nothing better could have happened here, it's perfect
9= A- 9.5=A anything above is A+
...
Please be fair!
Here's the rubric:
10 points available per each category
Effort:
Aesthetic (appropriate to assignment? Shows diversity/experimentation):
Technical:
Meets assignment requirements:
Total: out of possible = %
]]>]]>
Assignment #21702 assignment two.docx]]>
critique jobs.doc]]>
handout_digital workflow-2.doc]]> | http://blog.lib.umn.edu/tfullert/myblog/atom.xml | 2013-05-18T11:07:27 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Smokers often discover that once you start, it’s a never ending process to quit. You crave the nicotine and the thousands of other chemical ingredients. No one can truthfully say that there is anything healthy about smoking. So why is a bill being considered that would place tobacco products under the regulation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?
A July 25th article in The Washington Post points out that for several years many officials have been trying to get cigarettes regulated by the FDA, but Bush has been adamant about opposing this plan. It seems an unlikely situation to ask an organization designed to protect Americans from unhealthy food and drugs to regulate a product with absolutely no health benefits. Yet, many believe it is a step in the right direction to ensure that tobacco companies do not make their products increasingly more harmful and addictive.
It’s impossible in one fell swoop to eliminate the tobacco industry altogether (a U.S. industry that sells over 370 billion cigarettes per year). Economics doesn’t support it according to most American lawmakers. Yet, a steady decline in demand would make a substantial improvement in the detrimental affects of cigarettes overall. Many are worried that FDA regulation would lead consumers to falsely believe that cigarettes are safe for use. However, it seems that it is widely known that cigarettes are anything but safe. But FDA regulation, if effectively handled, could sway the tobacco companies from making their products even more addictive and dangerous than they are already. If it isn’t feasible to remove tobacco altogether, then we can at least attempt to reign in their exploitation of tobacco consumers.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 at 2:56 pm and is filed under Regulations & Law.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required) | http://blog.luckyvitamin.com/regulations-law/tobacco-stretching-the-long-arm-of-the-law/ | 2013-05-18T11:02:17 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
The prolific William Gurstelle has shared over 20 how-tos on the pages of MAKE over the years. Needless to say, he has a lot of materials lying around his workshop, including some relatively expensive clear PVC left over from the Night Lighter 36 stun-gun-triggered potato cannon project that appeared in MAKE Volume 03. He decided the last thing he needed was another potato cannon, so he came up with the simple but great-sounding, and even better-looking, Sound-O-Light Speakers, which appear on the pages of our current issue, Volume 31.
Gurstelle used $10 HiVi B3N speaker drivers, which ended up sounding amazingly good. And for visuals in each speaker, he connected 3 ultra-bright LEDs in series, in parallel with each speaker. At moderate volumes the LEDs pulse in time to the music. We had these boomin’ beats at our MAKE booth at Maker Faire Bay Area this year, and they were by far the most attention-getting and talked about project we had on display.
Here’s a video of Gurstelle demoing his speakers:
We’ve shared the full how-to on Make: Projects so you can get started building right away. And if you’re wondering what that rad little amp pictured above is, it’s the Elekit TU-879S Stereo Tube Amp, built from kit and reviewed in our Make: Ultimate Kit Guide by our own Jake Spurlock.
For those about to rock, we salute you!. | http://blog.makezine.com/2012/08/08/how-to-rockin-sound-o-light-speakers/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=c8d80d4293 | 2013-05-18T10:35:27 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://s0.wp.com/wp-content/themes/vip/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif?m=1322061781g",
"sound-o-light-speakers-make-volume-31 Sound-O-Light Speakers from MAKE Volume 31"
]
] |
512MB Raspberry Pi Model B Version 2.0s have just arrived in the Maker Shed! This is the latest and greatest model that was released by the Raspberry Pi Foundation on October 15h and we’ll be shipping it from here on out. The new 512MB RPi gives you more overhead for memory intensive tasks and the best part is that it’s the same price as the old version! The board remains mostly unchanged except for the RAM upgrade so any Raspberry Pi cases, accessories, or kits you’ve purchased for previous models will still work on this one. The 512MB Raspberry Pi is available by itself or in our comprehensive Getting Started with Raspberry Pi Kit which makes it fast and easy to get up and running.
Have you heard about the Raspberry Pi? No, it isn’t a type of dessert, it.
The model B boards feature 512MB of RAM and a 10/100 Ethernet controller. We are selling the Revision 2 version. You’ll need to supply your own USB keyboard, mouse, display, HDMI cable, USB A to Micro cable, 1.0A 5V USB power supply, SD card (4GB recommended), and RPi compatible Linux distribution. Alternatively, you can also purchase our Getting Started with Raspberry Pi Kit and only have to supply your own USB keyboard and mouse. *Raspberry Pi is a trademark of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
More:
Raspberry Pi Doubles RAM to 512MB, Price Unchanged channels.
// | http://blog.makezine.com/2012/10/29/maker-shed-now-shipping-512mb-raspberry-pis/?like=1&_wpnonce=cb13afa090 | 2013-05-18T10:16:26 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://s0.wp.com/wp-content/themes/vip/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif?m=1322061781g",
"800px-RpiFront"
]
] |
Don’t Let Heavy Rains Get Your Garden Down
All the rain of the past few weeks has me thinking of all the great products that help me keep the garden growing in the worst weather and those that I wish I had! While our area was luckily to have avoided the worst of Irene and Lee our garden is still a waterlogged squishy [...] | http://blog.mastergardening.com/tag/rain-barrel/ | 2013-05-18T10:51:52 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.mastergardening.com/wp-content/themes/deliciousmagazine/thumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/2011/09/kneeler-400x400.jpg&w=628&h=130&zc=1&q=90",
"Don’t Let Heavy Rains Get Your Garden Down"
]
] |
to pounce on them when they arise.
Golden opportunities for learning occur during playtime. When learning is disguised as play, everyone’s a winner.
A closer look at the Melissa & Doug Big Rig Building Truck Wooden Playset shows us that the Big Rig really offers some cool learning opportunities for kids.
Here are 5 ways to sneak in some learning when playing with Big Rig:
1. Talk about colors. Say the color of each item as you use it, or sort the pieces by color. Take turns using the yellow hammer, the blue wrench, or the red screwdriver.
2. Practice counting. Count each piece as you put it in the truck, or count the number of times it takes to pound in a nail.
Ask the child to hand you the piece with three holes, or two nails, or to drive the truck around the room five times. Count the stripes, dots, or wheels on the truck. Line up all of the pieces and count them. Organize them by size, pattern, or shape. It’s all math!
3. Encourage pretend play. Tell the child: “You’re the truck driver making a delivery to Grandma’s house. Let’s load up the truck and get going! Where should we stop for lunch?”
Pretend to run into a silly bear, a friend or neighbor, or experience a flat tire on the truck. All of these situations will help develop creative thinking, imagination, and storytelling.
4. Work on fine motor skills. The twisting of the screwdriver, the pounding of the hammer, the turning of the screws into place all help develop a child’s fine motor skills. Those super-important muscles in the hands, arms, and fingers will help prepare a child for holding a pencil when it comes time to write!
5. Model sharing and turn-taking. Even when it’s just a child and an adult playing, it’s important that each person gets a turn to play! That way, during play dates or school days, the child remembers to give his or her buddies a chance to be in the spotlight.
With a caregiver alongside to guide and support the learning, playing with the Melissa & Doug Big Rig Building Truck Wooden Playset opens the door to conversation about colors, numbers, kindness, and more. It’s a toy that we’ve found is loved equally by all of the little ones in our family, and with learning–and play–opportunities like this, it’s definitely a winner in our book!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
>>IMAGE<< | http://blog.melissaanddoug.com/2012/12/19/teachmamatalkslearnandplaywithbigrigbuildingtruck/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=744caefc44 | 2013-05-18T10:13:08 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.melissaanddoug.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/amymascott-profile-pict-bw1.jpg",
"AmyMascott-profile pict bw amy mascott @teachmama profile"
],
[
"http://blog.melissaanddoug.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/md_blog-final2.png",
"md_blog-final"
],
[
"http://blog.melissaanddoug... |
In December 2011 we won a ‘Leading in Learning’ grant of €10,000 to develop a blog on digital research methods. It was launched in April 2012 and is called: ‘Support & Help for Academic REsearchers by using Information Technology’ (SHARE-IT).
Our blog presents knowledge and
experience in IT-based ways of doing research. This ranges from the use of online forums for discussing research results to the use of Google for searching for literature; from online reference managers to ways of keeping track of current developments online. Overall SHARE-IT provides short, accessible and critical discussions of such online tricks and tools.
Posts will be written by and for early career researchers. So if YOU’RE a researcher with something relevant to share with the world, why not contribute by contacting us here? You could discuss a particular tool or workaround from you own experience. And beyond sharing your knowledge, it’s a way to make your research better known.
Besides Florian Henning and Martin Rehm, our project team consists of Koen Beumer and Joeri Bruyninckx (at Maastricht University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) and Jeroen van Merrienboer and Daniëlle Verstegen (from the Faculty of Health and Medicine).
Florian Henning and Martin Rehm, Researchers at the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance / United Nations University-MERIT. | http://blog.merit.unu.edu/?tag=digital | 2013-05-18T11:02:22 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Flint will hire 25 more police officers and fund a series of other special projects under the budget passed by the City Council that several called excessive.
At the same time, the budget strips Mayor Don Williamson of at least one pet project, staff and power.
The budget passed by the City Council on Monday drains the city's fund balance, or rainy day fund, and increases the general fund budget $2.1 million to $74.3 million.
"Why give away the financial safety net? Because we want to spend all the money?" Council President Darryl Buchanan said. "I will not break our city."
The budget passed Monday on a 5-4 vote that followed typical allegiances for and against the mayor.
Budget Director Michael A. Townsend said he had not yet been able to review the Council's budget and could not comment on it.
Williamson has one week to veto the budget, which goes into effect July 1. It would take two-thirds of the council - six votes - to override a veto.
Mayoral aide Joe Conroy said Williamson will begin reviewing council's budget today and is undecided on whether to veto it.
"The mayor is going to look at what his priorities were and see how that fits with what's passed," Conroy said. "He has a week to do that and he'll make that decision with due diligence and consultation with the department heads as well as the public."
Some council members were pleased with what they came up with.
"Everything that is in this budget is what council members wanted - what all nine council members wanted," said Councilman Jim Ananich, chairman of the Finance Committee.
Adding 25 police officers will cost the city about $1.2 million, Ananich said. Public safety was a priority, he said, and noted the budget includes the addition of two 911 dispatchers and a firefighter recruit school to brace the city for a large number of expected retirements.
Other additions to the budget made by City Council include:
• $337,000 for weed and trash abatement.
• $250,000 for neighborhood cleanups.
• $450,000 for renovations to community centers, including creation of a 4th Ward community center and an addition for Berston Fieldhouse.
• $500,000 for a sidewalk program with the city and homeowners each sharing half the cost.
• $270,000 for demolition of abandoned structures.
• $800,000 for upgrades to the city's 911 system to an 800-megahertz emergency radio system.
"A lot of these amendments are requests from department heads that the administration left out," said council member Scott Kincaid. He said the budget includes payment for debts forgotten by administrators. "I think it is a very responsible and reasonable budget."
City Council members also took clear aim at Williamson in their overhaul of the $330-million budget.
They cut five of 10 staffers that council members considered mayoral aides, eliminated the Citizens Service Bureau in the police department and put new restrictions on how Williamson spends money.
The budget is specific, setting dollar amounts for specific line items, so Williamson would have little flexibility in spending. In previous years, the city operated under a more general activity budget, which allowed Williamson to shift dollars without council approval.
At the end of last fiscal year, the fund balance was $8.9 million. It is expected to drop to about $5.2 million after this year after money is used from it to balance the budget.
Councilwoman Sandy Hill, who opposed the budget and felt she did not get to offer enough input in the process, said the fund balance could drop as low as $240,000 with the council's budget.
The budget includes about $1.5 million in special projects such as the sidewalk program and community center renovations. That money is still technically a part of the fund balance, Ananich said, because if the money isn't spent on those projects, it is funneled back into the fund balance.
Councilman Ehren Gonzales also said with decreasing state funding and looming expenses - such as the still-unsettled contract with firefighters - the city should be more restrictive in how it spends money.
"We don't have enough money to sustain these expenditures," Gonzales said.
Journal staff writer Matt Bach contributed to this article. | http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/decision2007/2007/06/flint_council_dips_into_saving.html | 2013-05-18T11:04:30 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
First it was Pittsburgh's Steve Blass. Others have followed, most notably St. Louis' Rick Ankiel. Now, it has never been more clear that Tigers' Dontrelle Willis has stumbled down an eerily similar career path after a lackluster performance in his first appearance this Spring Training.
After a 2000 postseason meltdown, Ankiel came back in 2001 and pitched 24 innings with 25 walks, five wild pitches and a 7.13 ERA. Similarly, Willis tossed 24 innings in 2008 with 35 walks, five wild pitches and a 9.38 ERA. In 1973, Steve Blass threw 88 2/3 innings with 84 walks with a 9.85 ERA.
He doesn't know where they're going. We don't know where they're going. The batters can expect any at-bat to consist of a series of ducks and dives while avoiding the Scud missiles coming from the D-Train's left-handed fail cannon.
Neither Blass nor Ankiel regained the once dominant form from years past and I don't see a reason how Willis can avoid the same fate. Ankiel's metamorphosis into a star ourfielder has been his only savior. Sure, the D-Train can hit, but he's not nearly as talented as a position player as he would need to be to make the transition. | http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/its_just_sports/2009/03/dontrelle_willis_career_is_ove.html | 2013-05-18T10:54:16 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/its_just_sports/2009/03/small_dtrainD.jpg",
null
]
] |
The defense has to start seeing results soon, or they could start questioning the system, according to Tom Kowalski on Sports Radio 1130 Detroit. The offense is doing great. They see the fruits of their labor, but the defense is struggling finding leaders and seeing success. If the losing continues, and it's the defense's fault, they could fold up shop. Oh, and Killer says the free pass for Marinelli, Martz and Henderson is over. After the bye, they have to start showing progress -- not necessarily winning.
Q: How are you doing?
A: It's bye week time. I'm happy. I think everyone needs a break from the Lions, don't you?
Q: Yes. A lot of listeners say Rod Marinelli at the press conference on Monday, he sounded resigned to his fate. Do you agree?
A: Absolutely not. Jim Rome asked him the other day when he worries about losing his team? He admits that's something of a concern, but it has not yet. It's a bigger concern on defense because they have not seen results. On offense, they're throwing the ball around for big gains and seeing results. The defense does not see results. If it continues, they could start questioning the system.
Q: You've said all along that fans are going to need patience with the Lions. Do you still feel that way? That they'll be good in a few weeks they could start winning?
A: They better. I said all along they'd get a free pass until the bye. They should have won more games so far, the Packers and the Vikings, but fine. I thought they'd be better, like 3-4 at this point. But it has to change now. The free pass is over. We have to see if he can turn it around. I'm not positive he can. I think he can, I'd bet he can, because he's unwavering. There's no guarantee, but in the second half you can't be close. You have to win.
When you get to this point, there is not much to say because everyone has heard all of this before. So what do you want to say?
Q: Caller asks why Marinelli hasn't extracted a leader from this team? And how did he allow the defense to not talk to the media? I expected more from him.
A: The coach can't tell players whether to talk or not. It's in the CBA that you have to cooperate with the media, for the most part. That whole thing was a Shaun Rogers production, which leads to your first question. This team has leaders, but they may not all be the right kind of leaders.
Offensively, they're fine. Kevin Jones, Roy Williams, Jon Kitna, Jeff Backus, Dominic Raiola are taking care of business. Defensively, I don't see it. Down the road Ernie Sims could be one of those guys, but right now he doesn't have the gravitas to do it. Dre Bly is trying, but he does things differently.
The defensive line is the anchor of the defense, and it's not there yet. I don't know why it's not there yet, but Marinelli has been working with them for a couple of weeks. Shaun Rogers is the biggest hurdle to this defense. If he can get him to do what he needs to do, on and off the field, this team could be really good. If Rogers is going to whine and be a child and fight him, he could destroy this team. He has that leadership. Unfortunately he's not around right now so he can be worked on.
Q: Caller brings up Tom's prediction of 20 wins in two years.
A: It was two wins in 20 years. Pay attention!
Q: Same caller asks if the NFL would strip the Lions of the Thanksgiving Day game from them, would the Fords make changes to improve?
A: In conversations I have had with Ford Jr., that will never happen. He will fight to the death to keep it, and he means it. And he'd win that war. The perfect solution is adding a third game, and rotating it at night. It's a tradition, and the Fords will not give it up.
Maybe the NFL could spur them, but this is not the time to make wholesale changes. Maybe after the season you jettison the scouting staff, but not now. You let the coaches finish out the year to see if they can fix the problems. They have to start winning games by those three or four points, not losing by that margin. You cna't win them all, but you have to start seeing wins. You have to be patient.
Q: The Lions have to go 19-6 to meet your prediction.
A: I said two wins in 20 years.
Q: Caller appreciates the optimism, but all the talk about fundamentals and non-talent issues are not professionalism issues. Listening to Shaun Rogers when he says don't talk to the media, that's eighth grade stuff. They're just not professionals.
A: You're absolutely right. It's stuff like Dre Bly being offside for the semi-offside kick. Backus' false starts, the offsides by Hall, etc.
I was talking to Rod Marinelli's introductory press conference one-on-one, and I said "You have no idea what you're getting into." He said he did, but he didn't. Maybe now he gets it; how bad this losing culture is. It's a maliaise that he has to break through.
You say I'm optimistic, but I don't think so. I think I'm being realistic. I may change my mind in four weeks, though. I don't know. You've got to give him a chance because it was horrible with him.
Q: It's good to hear you had that conversation with him. I thought someone needed to sit him down and say "Do you really understand what is going on here?"
A: One of the smartest things he did, and I didn't know about this until well after he had this job, he went through and talked to everybody inside and outside the organization about what is going on in the lockerroom. Family, friends, people who worked for - but outside the organization, he was hearing what was going on. He slowly realized what he was dealing with.
Now, Shaun Rogers wants to address it by not talking to the media, but it was the wrong thing for him to say and do. The leadership is positive on offense, but leadership on defense has a way to go.
Q: There are reports that the Lions are working out punter Todd Saurbraun. Is that true?
A: Maybe, but one thing you have to worry about with Nick Harris is that he's Jason Hanson's holder. A few years ago, the Lions brought in another punter when John Jett got hurt. The subsequent game, Jason Hanson missed three or four field goals against the Bears, including a 40-yarder that would have tied it with a minute left. When you change holders, it could have an adverse affect.
They may have just brought him just to see what he's got. Is there a possibility of change? Absolutely. But I'd be surprised if they did, considering the holding situation with Hanson.
Q: Caller won't let Killer off the hook with Shaun Rogers. Did he apologize to the team? He was the sole reason he lost the game to the Jets.
A: I'm not sure one guy could have stopped them from getting 221 yards, but you never know when he's going to make that Pro Bowl-type play that could turn the game around. I don't think anyone wants to hear an apology. The damage is done. "I think there is a real underlying anger towards him for pulling this kind of stunt." Everybody else can abide by the rules, everyone else deals with colds and weight issues, but he is either too lazy or too dumb to follow the rules. I think people on defense are really upset with him for not living up to expectations.
Q: Caller asks if Damien Woody was being fined for his weight? He was mammoth. Almost double the size of all the other offensive linemen before he got hurt.
A: Yes he was, before he got hurt.
Q: Caller asks about the future. What happens with Mike Martz next year.
A: Good question. I don't know. It looks like the Redskins job could be open, Bill Parcells will likely leave Dallas. Jeff Fisher may leave the Titans for one of those jobs. Who knows if he's going to leave. If he does, that will really set the Lions back. It's going to happen at some point, but you can see Martz is making real headway with this team.
If you're Mike Martz, and someone throws a lot of money at him to be head coach, how do you turn it around?
Q: Email asks who Millen will blame for his lack of success next?
A: I don't know if he's blaming anyone, but himself. I guess by circumstance you could say he has blamed the coaches that he's fired, but he's pretty much blamed himself.
He's kept a low profile because what can he say at this point? The only thing he can do is hope that Marinelli can turn this around for some kind of positive.
I've got this feeling, the first time I've felt since the Darryl Rogers era -- that people just don't care anymore.
Notes are paraphrased. Download the MP3 to listen to the interview, or subscribe to the Highlight Reel podcast for all of the latest MLive.com Lions audio coverage. | http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/2006/10/kowalski_wdfn_notes_defense_ha.html | 2013-05-18T10:25:18 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Plogs: channelized shovel marketing from Amazon
Recently I visited Amazon.com and was assaulted by a fat stream of marketing blurbs. Amazon tried to convince me that I was actually enjoying an innovative blog written by my favorite authors, each trying to “connect” with me, but I found the attempt to be shallow and annoying. To me, it was still a fat stream of marketing blurbs.
And what do the marketing wizards at Amazon call this blurb stream? Your Plog.
Amazon explains it like this:
Your Plog..
I explain it like this:
Your Plog. Amazon.com thinks you want your time and attention delivered to every guy who wrote a book that you somehow indicated interest in. You don’t. Your favorite authors already have blogs, and you already subscribe to the ones you care about. As a result, Your Plog contains nothing but stuff you don’t care about and stuff you might have cared about, had you not read it five times already from other sources. It is an annoying waste of your time and attention, foisted on you by the ravenous marketing weasels at Amazon.com.
For example, whenever the Pragmatic guys come out with a new book on Ruby or Rails, I hear about it from Andy Hunt’s blog, Dave Thomas’s blog, the Riding Rails blog, emails from Andy, ruby-talk postings from Dave, and now – thanks to “my” Plog – Amazon’s home page. (In fact, my Plog contains no fewer than three blurbs from the Pragmatic guys – all stuff I have seen before. I like the Pragmatic Programmers and think Andy and Dave are good guys, but I don’t see what they gain by being associated with Amazon’s Plog-based marketing.)
Other takes on the Plog
Here’s what other people are writing about Plogs. From Changing Way:
When I go to amazon.com these days, I’m shown a “plog.” What does this ugly term mean? It told that it denotes a weblog personalized to me. What it turns out to be is a blog by someone I bought a book from years ago. I’ve nothing against this person or her book. Neither do I think that her blog is bad. It’s just not of interest to me, and so doesn’t belong on Amazon’s home page, or on my “personalized” version of it.
From FactoryCity comes a post entitled Ohmifrog, Amazon, cut it out!
And here’s my gripe: a “plog(tm)” – if that’s really the best you could come up with – and if it’s supposed to inherit anything from its “blog” heritage – should be about original authorship, not about having other people’s content thrown at you.
Amy Gahran has a more analytical consideration of Plogs in Amazon ‘Plogs’ – What Do You Think?:
I think the idea of plogs may have great potential for relationship-building, if implemented carefully and with an eye toward timeliness and relevance. But frankly, this Amazon implementation feels off-base to me so far…. Well, [an author’s participating in Plogging] could be terrific or terrible, depending on the content quality and relevance [of the author’s contributions].
Bingo. That’s why Amazon’s Plog concept will remain more annoying than useful. Authors do not want Amazon to own what they consider to be their conversations, and thus the Plog will be used as little more than a marketing mailing list.
Authors do not want Amazon to own the conversation
It’s the quality of the conversation that counts, and smart authors will not want their conversations to be confined to Amazon. Instead, they will set up their own sites where they can have greater freedom and greater control. That’s where the authors will open themselves to honest conversation, and that’s where the best stuff will occur.
Amazon’s Plogs will get the scraps – bits of the real conversation that have been converted into marketing blurbs and pushed down the Plog channel. In fact, it already seems to be going that way: a lot of “posts” in my Plog appear to have been recycled from real blogs or web sites.
Amazon, count me out
Even though my immediate reaction to discovering “my” Plog was mild disgust, I did try to give it a chance. After having given it a week to grow on me, I am convinced that I want nothing to do with my Plog. It wastes my time and attention and gives me little in return.
Did Amazon Plog you yet? If so, what do you think?comments powered by Disqus | http://blog.moertel.com/posts/2006-02-13-plogs-channelized-shovel-marketing-from-amazon.html | 2013-05-18T10:53:38 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://community.moertel.com/~thor/pix/20060213/plog.png",
"The plog: marketing drivel posing as bloggy goodness"
]
] |
Should The Driving Age Be Raised To 18?
By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist
.
the driving age should stay at 16 because when 16 year olds can get a part time job and they can go to running start(college).
No, it should not be highered
i have to say this article perfectly articulates how i feel. i blew off driving till i was 16 so i never took an assigned course. the test for my learning permit was comically easy then i faked all my hours and passed my test at the last minute. i am a horrible driver. my friends have expressed fear and shock that i got my license at all and that's after i got my self together. when i first had my license at 17 i was driving with reckless abandon, including but not limited to, a 90 mph speeding ticket in a 45 while under the influence (not alcohol). i was quick to panic and could barley handle myself. i'm still a wreck but the it is only with continued practice and dedication that i feel comfortable driving at all, my instructors were other underaged friends in the back seat yelling at me. a 19 yr. old with a dui taught me to parallel park, a 20 yr. old smoking a bowl taught me how to merge, a 18. yr. old that didn't even have her license taught me how to keep me distance and watch my speed. this whole situation is so sadly ironic and yes, even when i'm following all the rules, i'm a terrible driver.
i lovee driving!!! & im only 14?:D
The driving age has nothing to do with the inexprience of drivers or their age. I am almost 19 years old and I just got my learners permit 2 weeks ago. I drive better than half of the 10-15 year drivers on the road I have been almost hit numerouse time due to the older generation than byt he younger generation. Yes in fact i knwo that some of the teenagers are wreckless drivers but thats not inexepiercve thats them not paying attention and not wanting to be safe while driving. If the drivign age does move it because of pure selfishness. Before i had my permit i had trouble being able to go anywhere. I would ask if i could get a ride to the doctors i would get the no because i dont have time answer. I the driving age goes up there while be the teens on the road driving without their license just like they do with smoking cigarettes and drinking alchohol and smoking pot.
no the age should not be raised because no matter what age we start driving at we dont have any experiance
Yes! You guys took the words right out of my mouth!
I don't think it should be raised because it's the experience that counts.
i think that it shouldn’t be raised cuz then you won’t get the experience that you need in a car or when your with your friends driving so i think you can drive when your in your teen years and if your listening to music then that would be good to because i love to put the music up loud in a car and jam lol
uhhh your dumb that didnt make any sense
It should not be raised because if people had more experience there would'nt be as many crashes. | http://blog.motorists.org/should-the-driving-age-be-raised-to-18/ | 2013-05-18T10:53:56 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://www.motorists.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/ShouldTheDrivingAgeBeRaisedTo18_A42C/youngdriver.jpg",
"Should The Driving Age Be Raised To 18? Should The Driving Age Be Raised To 18?"
]
] |
>>.
The. | http://blog.moviefone.com/2009/11/04/what-were-watching-killer-movie-tormented-orphan/ | 2013-05-18T10:22:56 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/killer-movie.jpg",
null
],
[
"http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/tormented.jpg",
null
],
[
"http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/orphan.jpg",
null
]
] |
Summer weather is here! When you go out to enjoy the sun, take along one of these great reads and then join the discussion at one of MPL's branch libraries.
Wednesday, June 9 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Tuesday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Wednesday, June 16 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
| http://blog.mpl.org/nowatmpl/2010/05/june_book_clubs.html | 2013-05-18T10:21:18 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.mpl.org/nowatmpl/Girl%20with%20the%20Dragon%20Tattoo.jpg",
"Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.jpg"
],
[
"http://blog.mpl.org/nowatmpl/Time%20Traveler%27s%20Wife.jpg",
"Time Traveler's Wife.jpg"
],
[
"http://blog.mpl.org/nowatmpl/The%20Road.jpg",
"The Road.jpg"
]
] |
Neilson Barnard, Getty
What: New trailer for their 3D movie "1D in 3D," which hits theaters August 30.
Why We Love It: From the behind-the-scenes moments with the guys, including Louis Tomlinson trying to balance a China teacup set on his head with the help of Liam Payne, and to the tear-jerking scenes of the boys saying goodbye to their families and mom before going on tour, it's clear this 3D flick is a fan must-see. The movie promises Directioners a chance to "see the world through their [One Direction's] eyes" and we're counting down the days to do just that!
Check Out 1D in Our Gallery of Boy Band Hair Through the Years
-
- | http://blog.music.aol.com/2013/02/19/one-direction-3d-trailer-new/ | 2013-05-18T10:41:10 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
IR the Cowboys rallied for a 27-24 overtime win over the Niners. “And we’re still fragile. I underline the word fragile. We’re still a fragile psyche with our team, up and down, all the way through me. We need some good things to happen. We got to taste it today. We didn’t get it last week, but we got to taste it today. That will give us something to stand on.
“I’m going to say it one more time: I’m glad my team has more heart and guts than I do feeling up there and watching it.” | http://blog.mysanantonio.com/nfl/2011/09/emotional-jones-talks-about-fragile-nature-of-team/ | 2013-05-18T10:44:39 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
It would be perfectly lovely to have the funds and space to invite everyone to your wedding from that coworker that you barely know three cubicles over to distantly related cousins and their plus ones. For most of us, however, there are budget restrictions, people we don't particularly care for but feel we ought to include, space restrictions at the chosen venue, and too many other possible limitations to list. It isn't fun to cut people from your dream wedding list, but sometimes it must be done. Here are a few answers to the most commonly asked guest list questions.
Q: My wedding will be very small. What do I tell people that will not be invited?
A: This is very simple. You tell them exactly that - your guest list is small - limited by funds and space available, so you are only able to invite close family and friends. Don't get too caught up in social obligation or feelings of guilt. It is perfectly understandable to want only those you are most intimately connected with to witness such an emotional event in your life. Your not-so-close friends and distant family will understand this. They may even feel awkward attending if they do not know your group of guests well.
Q: Can I invite guests to the reception, but not the ceremony?
A: It is perfectly acceptable to invite guests to the reception and keep the ceremony private. You may not, however, invite guests to the ceremony and then ask them to leave before the reception.
Q: Can I invite guests to the pre-wedding parties that will not be invited to the wedding?
A: Unfortunately, it is not acceptable to expect guests to come to your bridal shower, engagement party, or other wedding related event if they will not be invited to the wedding.
Q: How can I politely request that children be left at home?
A: If you have chosen not to include children in your wedding, do not list them or the words "and family" on the invitation. This is not enough for some people, however. While it is considered poor etiquette to say "No Children" on the invitations you can include phrasing such as "An adult only reception to follow." The most socially correct way is to enlist family and friends to let everyone know by word of mouth. Just be aware that this may mean some parents cannot or will not attend as a result.
Q: How do I prevent guests from bringing dates?
A: Only including invited guests on the invitation is usually enough to discourage plus ones. Remember to always include spouses as well as live-in or long term partners. However, there are those that do not understand this etiquette rule and will assume a date is acceptable. Crashers are almost inevitable and must be accepted with grace.
Q: How do I decide who to cut?
A: When making your guest list, organize it into priority groups. First priority could include immediate family, significant others of the bridal party, and close friends. Second priority could be extended family, followed by coworkers and acquaintances, and finally friends and colleagues of the parents. Your groups may look a little different depending on who it is most important for you to spend your day with. If cuts become necessary, make them group by group. This way you aren't inviting some coworkers but not others, or this third cousin but not that third cousin. Also keep in mind when making guest lists cuts that 15-20% of guests will decline your invitation.
If your dilemna wasn't resolved here, like us on Facebook to post questions, comments, and ideas. Our staff is available every weekday to assist in your wedding planning. Our loyal community of brides is also always there to offer advice.
~ Jenna
1 comment:
Good informative post. The question and answer that you posted here really effective. Thanks :) | http://blog.myweddingreceptionideas.com/2011/06/managing-your-guest-list-common.html | 2013-05-18T10:41:01 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
The next couple live the 1930s way of life. The kitchen is fully furnished with authentic 30s kitchenalia which they have travelled up and down the country collecting. This couple unlike Kevin and Joanne from the 50s use the internet and hide microwaves. They also both have 21st century jobs. Their 1930s obsession started when they went along to a 30s re enactment day and it started with the vintage fashion and clothing. It has since sky rocketed to a 1930s obsession.
The next lady is slightly different as she is in her 20s. She takes one hour and a half to prepare her hair and make up and is transfixed by the 1940s. Her look is so good that she tells a story of bumping into an elderly chap who simply looked at her and thought he was back in WWII. At her mid 20s she is already dreaming of being the perfect housewife.
This documentary was a fascinating watch and to those of you that I speak to on a regular basis you will know I am always preaching about the Time Warp Wives and their way of life. Well finally due to something very 2009 testtubetelly is letting me show you all again. CLICK ME
I absolutley loved this!! Thanks for the link - I will be watching this again. I really liked the girl in her twenties. I love things like this - is there any more programmes or perhaps books you would recommend like this?
xXx
Fab post!
the last lovely lady is Sammi, we've never met but my mum knits fabulous 40's sweaters for her, and we have an email relationship, haven't watched it yet, but recognised her immediately! Will definately watch it now, didn't see it at the time, so thanks for the post!
I saw this program and loved it too! Unfortunately I've heard that the program mis represented alot of things by chopping what they said etc. There has also been alot of internet bashing towards these ladies, and it's really sad, since they are all so clearly beautiful and amazing!
Happy to see you discovered testtubetelly :) How did that happen and how do you find it?
I found out about testubetelly from Miss Matilda on Twitter! Its a blooming great idea to watch and catch up on your tv box.
Pretty fantastic post!! What a great show, I'm sure its fun to go back in time and live that way.
one hour and a half to prepare her hair and make up??!! *gulp*
otherwise, wow - great post! :) | http://blog.natashabailie.com/2009/07/time-warp-wives.html | 2013-05-18T10:31:06 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sxyIwLHWVN4/SmmHMkWQeBI/AAAAAAAAAnE/6tmSfNnOlW8/s320/timewarp-wives1.jpg",
null
],
[
"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sxyIwLHWVN4/SmmHM5wnSxI/AAAAAAAAAnM/iOmpJw359gI/s320/time-warp-wives-3-245x300.jpg",
null
],
[
"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sxyIwLHWVN4/SmmHM5wnSxI/A... |
The ultimate SO_LINGER page, or: why is my tcp not reliable
Posted by bert hubert Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:03:00 GMT
This post is about an obscure corner of TCP network programming, a corner where almost everybody doesn’t quite get what is going on. I used to think I understood it, but found out last week that I didn’t.
So I decided to trawl the web and consult the experts, promising them to write up their wisdom once and for all, in hopes that this subject can be put to rest.
The experts (H. Willstrand, Evgeniy Polyakov, Bill Fink, Ilpo Jarvinen, and Herbert Xu) responded, and here is my write-up.
Even though I refer a lot to the Linux TCP implementation, the issue described is not Linux-specific, and can occur on any operating system.
What is the issue?
Sometimes, we have to send an unknown amount of data from one location to another. TCP, the reliable Transmission Control Protocol, sounds like it is exactly what we need. From the Linux tcp(7) manpage:
“TCP.”
However, when we naively use TCP to just send the data we need to transmit, it often fails to do what we want - with the final kilobytes or sometimes megabytes of data transmitted never arriving.
Let’s say we run the following two programs on two POSIX compliant operating systems, with the intention of sending 1 million bytes from program A to program B (programs can be found here):
A:
sock = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, 0); connect(sock, &remote, sizeof(remote)); write(sock, buffer, 1000000); // returns 1000000 close(sock);
B:
int sock = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, 0); bind(sock, &local, sizeof(local)); listen(sock, 128); int client=accept(sock, &local, locallen); write(client, "220 Welcome\r\n", 13); int bytesRead=0, res; for(;;) { res = read(client, buffer, 4096); if(res < 0) { perror("read"); exit(1); } if(!res) break; bytesRead += res; } printf("%d\n", bytesRead);
Quiz question - what will program B print on completion?
A) 1000000 B) something less than 1000000 C) it will exit reporting an error D) could be any of the above
The right answer, sadly, is ‘D’. But how could this happen? Program A reported that all data had been sent correctly!
What is going on
Sending data over a TCP socket really does not offer the same ‘it hit the disk’ semantics as writing to a normal file does (if you remember to call fsync()).
In fact, all a successful write() in the TCP world means is that the kernel has accepted your data, and will now try to transmit it in its own sweet time. Even when the kernel feels that the packets carrying your data have been sent, in reality, they’ve only been handed off to the network adapter, which might actually even send the packets when it feels like it.
From that point on, the data will traverse many such adapters and queues over the network, until it arrives at the remote host. The kernel there will acknowledge the data on receipt, and if the process that owns the socket is actually paying attention and trying to read from it, the data will finally have arrived at the application, and in filesystem speak, ‘hit the disk’.
Note that the acknowledgment sent out only means the kernel saw the data - it does not mean the application did!
OK, I get all that, but why didn’t all data arrive in the example above?
When we issue a close() on a TCP/IP socket, depending on the circumstances, the kernel may do exactly that: close down the socket, and with it the TCP/IP connection that goes with it.
And this does in fact happen - even though some of your data was still waiting to be sent, or had been sent but not acknowledged: the kernel can close the whole connection.
This issue has led to a large number of postings on mailing lists, Usenet and fora, and these all quickly zero in on the SO_LINGER socket option, which appears to have been written with just this issue in mind:
, we set this option, rerun our program. And it still does not work, not all our million bytes arrive.
How come?
It turns out that in this case, section 4.2.2.13 of RFC 1122 tells us that a close() with any pending readable data could lead to an immediate reset being sent.
“A host MAY implement a ‘half.”
And in our case, we have such data pending: the “220 Welcome\r\n” we transmitted in program B, but never read in program A!
If that line has not been sent by program B, it is most likely that all our data would have arrived correctly.
So, if we read that data first, and LINGER, are we good to go?
Not really. The close() call really does not convey what we are trying to tell the kernel: please close the connection after sending all the data I submitted through write().
Luckily, the system call shutdown() is available, which tells the kernel exactly this. However, it alone is not enough. When shutdown() returns, we still have no indication that everything was received by program B.
What we can do however is issue a shutdown(), which will lead to a FIN packet being sent to program B. Program B in turn will close down its socket, and we can detect this from program A: a subsequent read() will return 0.
Program A now becomes:
sock = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, 0); connect(sock, &remote, sizeof(remote)); write(sock, buffer, 1000000); // returns 1000000 shutdown(sock, SHUT_WR); for(;;) { res=read(sock, buffer, 4000); if(res < 0) { perror("reading"); exit(1); } if(!res) break; } close(sock);
So is this perfection?
Well.. If we look at the HTTP protocol, there data is usually sent with length information included, either at the beginning of an HTTP response, or in the course of transmitting information (so called ‘chunked’ mode).
And they do this for a reason. Only in this way can the receiving end be sure it received all information that it was sent.
Using the shutdown() technique above really only tells us that the remote closed the connection. It does not actually guarantee that all data was received correctly by program B.
The best advice is to send length information, and to have the remote program actively acknowledge that all data was received.
This only works if you have the ability to choose your own protocol, of course.
What else can be done?
If you need to deliver streaming data to a ‘stupid TCP/IP hole in the wall’, as I’ve had to do a number of times, it may be impossible to follow the sage advice above about sending length information, and getting acknowledgments.
In such cases, it may not be good enough to accept the closing of the receiving side of the socket as an indication that everything arrived.
Luckily, it turns out that Linux keeps track of the amount of unacknowledged data, which can be queried using the SIOCOUTQ ioctl(). Once we see this number hit 0, we can be reasonably sure our data reached at least the remote operating system.
Unlike the shutdown() technique described above, SIOCOUTQ appears to be Linux-specific. Updates for other operating systems are welcome.
The sample code contains an example of how to use SIOCOUTQ.
But how come it ‘just worked’ lots of times!
As long as you have no unread pending data, the star and moon are aligned correctly, your operating system is of a certain version, you may remain blissfully unimpacted by the story above, and things will quite often ‘just work’. But don’t count on it.
Some notes on non-blocking sockets
Volumes of communications have been devoted the the intricacies of SO_LINGER versus non-blocking (O_NONBLOCK) sockets. From what I can tell, the final word is: don’t do it. Rely on the shutdown()-followed-by-read()-eof technique instead. Using the appropriate calls to poll/epoll/select(), of course.
A few words on the Linux sendfile() and splice() system calls
It should also be noted that the Linux system calls sendfile() and splice() hit a spot in between - these usually manage to deliver the contents of the file to be sent, even if you immediately call close() after they return.
This has to do with the fact that splice() (on which sendfile() is based) can only safely return after all packets have hit the TCP stack since it is zero copy, and can’t very well change its behaviour if you modify a file after the call returns!
Please note that the functions do not wait until all the data has been acknowledged, it only waits until it has been sent. | http://blog.netherlabs.nl/articles/category/netherlabs/2008/07/2007/01/2008/05/2007/9 | 2013-05-18T10:30:40 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Over on the Your Mom’s Basement forum, Ash Aiwase started a thread where he and his co-conspirator Sean Maher are recommending indie books to buy during the Civil War lull. So there they are suggesting some kick ass books, starting really strong with Image’s Phonogram and kicking it up a level with Oni’s Wasteland, when Ash throws out a preview for the upcoming Joe Casey/Charlie Adlard book Rock Bottom:
Tonight, I’m gonna drop a little bomb of an exclusive on this here thread. It’s gonna hit like a ton of bricks.
I have been waiting endlessly for this book.
Wait, I feel like I’ve been waiting endlessly for this book. I just found out about it a couple of months ago on the sly, and with Codeflesh being one of my favorite modern comics…
So Rock Bottom. We’re all fans of Charlie, right? Consummate storytelling with an efficient, sketchy style?
From page one, this is a completely different Charlie Adlard than you’ve ever seen.
Scroll down to the bottom to see a couple of pages from the book, which comes out in September. “You’re gonna have thirteen bucks weighing down your pockets because Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and the Civil War books are delayed,” Ash says. “Shell ‘em out on something primo. Shell ‘em out on something real nice.”
August 28th, 2006 at 1:18 am
I’d have to say I follow Joe’s work much more closer than Adlard’s. However, he does have a great style and is a versatile storyteller. | http://blog.newsarama.com/2006/08/25/previewing-casey-adlards-rock-bottom/ | 2013-05-18T10:20:59 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"images/thumb_.jpg",
null
]
] |
Women, Seniors, and Teens spike mobile usage
Twenty somethings move over, Mobile Crunch reports that women, seniors, and teens gave mobile a big push this year. The stats were unveiled in the latest Nielsen study..
October 1st, 2009 | http://blog.obopay.com/index.php/tag/mobile-web/ | 2013-05-18T10:12:17 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Portland-area home prices fell 4.7 percent in April compared to the same month a year ago but the declines showed some signs of leveling off, a leading U.S. housing index reported Tuesday.
The Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller index showed Portland-area prices hit a record low for a year-over-year decline in April. This downturn marks the first time the Portland-area has seen such declines since the index started in the 1980s.
But the good news for homeowners is that prices actually ticked up slightly from March to April, a potential sign that prices bottomed out. Of the 20 major cities in the index, Portland was one of eight that reported such an uptick.
Nationally, the index continued to set new record lows in April. The 10-city and 20-city composites declined more than 15 percent. The worst of the price declines continues to be concentrated in Sun Belt states that saw the biggest price run-ups in the boom. Miami and Las Vegas led the way with declines at more than 26 percent.
All 20 major markets reported year-over-year price declines for the first time in the downtown. Charlotte had the lowest decline at .1 percent. Dallas was second at 3.4 percent. Portland continued to be among the national leaders in April when it tied Denver for the third-lowest year-over-year decline.
Case-Shiller measures home prices differently than the Portland's Regional Multiple Listing Service, the leading local home price report. But the measures seem to be showing similar trends. The local listing service reported that the region's median home price was down 3.2 percent in May from a year earlier. | http://blog.oregonlive.com/frontporch/2008/06/portland_home_prices_still_dow.html | 2013-05-18T10:42:13 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Disney Cruise Lines' virtual LED-lit portholes: they appear to be streaming in light from outside.
Ever wondered if an 80-year-old kitchen can become eco-friendly? Designer Cynthia Bennett restored an ancient Pasadena kitchen into a sustainable space.…
How to make your home appealing to buyers: here’s a comprehensive list of things you can do to increase the value of your property. Our favorite? Under cabinet lighting, of course.!
The world of lightbulbs is interesting isn’t it? It will be amazing to see how prices on LED lights will change in the future. It will also be neat to see how the watts change on the LED lights and how that affects us “going green”. Thanks for the post! lighting gal
Thanks for the post! You have an interesting blog. Keep it up! | http://blog.pegasuslighting.com/2010/04/the-pegasus-lighting-roundup-for-apr-19-to-apr-30/ | 2013-05-18T10:53:22 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.pegasuslighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Disney-LED-Porthole-300x227.jpg",
"Disney LED Porthole Disney LED Porthole 300x227 The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for Apr 19 to Apr 30"
]
] |
I've been car shopping with a friend of mine, and I must tell you, I am pretty impressed with what you can get these days for $16,000 - $18,000. I know that for some of you, that is still a lot of money. However these days, that is pretty much where a decent-equipped small car is priced.
I had the pleasure of test driving a Mazda 3 Sport Value Edition, which was quite a lot of fun. The Value Edition gives you 17" alloy wheels, fog lights, and some other perks, which dress up an otherwise plain sedan. I have to tell you, that if you are a person who enjoys driving a stick shift, this car was a real pleasure - very engaging, and a lot of fun to drive. That's a claim I don't use all the time.
Nowadays, cars come equipped with front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, and all sorts of other safe things. What I liked about this sedan was how well laid out the controls were, and how 'flingable' it was to drive. In fact, this 2.0 liter engine and the 5-speed transmission reminded me of my 1991 Madza Miata convertible I had years ago, in terms of how connected I felt while in the driver's seat.
Air conditioning, power windows, remote entry, CD player, and more are all standard equipment, and the alloy wheels really made this sedan stand apart from the crowd. You get a lot of car for the money, and the Value Edition just adds more perks to the deal.
If you're looking for a small, fun to drive, economical car (32 mpg on the highway, and that's with the new, more accurate EPA ratings), check out the Mazda 3 as part of your research. You may really like what you see.
Do you have a Mazda 3? Feel free to share your impressions yourself. Thanks for looking in. | http://blog.pennlive.com/carsandcustomers/2008/05/mazda_3_sport_value_edition_a.html | 2013-05-18T11:02:19 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
It has been over a month since the premiere season of "Amish Mafia" ended. In the concluding episode, Jolin had left Levi's gang because he realized Levi would never promote him. John had fled Pennsylvania after getting in trouble with Levi. Merlin was being shunned in Ohio - courtesy of Levi ratting him out to the local bishop. Levi had waken up to Esther's manipulative ways and the "Amish Mafia" seductress was on the outs. Alan Beiler had just been released from jail and had vowed to take Levi out.
The drama continued in the two-hour special, "Amish Mafia: Amish Exorcism." Here's what you missed.
Job recruitment: With Jolin and John out, Levi's mafia membership is down to just Alvin. So Levi sets about finding some new gang members. A Brethren church member called Caleb shows promise - he has an arrest record and some horse dealing savvy. Unfortunately, he is unable to fulfill the task Levi sets him - which is to steal a horse in the middle of the night from a gun toting farmer. Crazy Dave is another choice. He comes straight from Amish rehab and is on the straight and narrow, having curbed his drinking problem.
Winter arrives: It's snowy on the "Amish Mafia" set. Levi takes a moment from recruiting to share with the camera the real reason he's not a member of the Amish church - a desire to stay warm in a heated vehicle and house. Also, he wants to dress warm too, without anyone telling him what to do. As he says, "I'll wear a fat fur coat if I want."
Sibling reunions: Meanwhile, Esther is baking a shoofly pie and taking a trip to North Dakota - where John is hiding from Levi and Merlin. Esther is determined to get John to return with her to Lancaster, but John refuses to go unless their estranged brother - Freeman - can come along. Freeman, it turns out, was banished by the Amish church in 2008 for pulling a knife on his parents. Esther is convinced he is possessed by the devil. Even John is a little skittish around Freeman. He describes his brother in the following way: "If you stepped on his wrong toe, you will know that you stepped on his wrong toe." Words of wisdom.
An Amish exorcism: Esther states that the only way Freeman can come back to Pennsylvania is if he undergoes a cleansing - which is supposedly what an Amish exorcism is called. During the ceremony - which happens at 2 a.m. by candlelight - Freeman's body convulses, as if a spirit has left his body. Afterwards, however, he does not appear to have changed. He spends the entire episode staring creepily in random directions.
Stalkers: In other creepy moves, since Alan left prison he's been keeping tabs on Levi in a not-so-discreet way. Alan blames Levi for his prison stint and is determined to get revenge, despite his pastor telling him to leave justice to higher powers.
Bestiality: In between stalking Levi sessions, Alan decides to share a bit of Amish gossip. During the winter nights, Alan says, Amish men have been known to become intimate with their sheep. It's a joking matter for the ex-con who promptly begins teasing an Amish man about sheep relationships.
An alcoholic's relapse: Alan sinks to a new low when he meets up with Crazy Dave for a chat and convinces the recovering alcoholic to take a drink. One drink is all it takes - Crazy Dave goes off the deep end and proves to Levi that he is incapable of handling any sort of mafia task. Levi is left again with just Alvin in his gang.
The saving of a damsel: In the meantime, Jolin has been laying low and going hunting. During one of his hunting excursions, however, he gets a phone call - an Amish woman needs help. Jolin decides to do his best to assist her in escaping her abusive husband. He succeeds in helping her run away and realizes that this rescuing people thing might be his true calling. "I don't know if I can make a career out of saving people, but it sure feels good," he says.
Pie temptations: Over in Ohio, Merlin is trying to figure out a way to end his shunning. His sister, Rosa, is determined to help him and does so through baking. First she makes a pie to win back Merlin's minion Wayne - who left Merlin after he was shunned. It works, because no one can refuse a pie. Next she goes door to door in the Amish community with pies. When the community gathers to vote, Merlin's shunning days are over. Victory, it seems, was a piece of pie (sorry for the joke).
The butt that earned Twitter approval: Throughout the episode, Alvin was in Sarasota Florida trying to hunt down an Amish man who had upset Levi. At one point, Alvin put on English clothes and walked around in tight jeans. His butt was blurred and immediately Twitter was intrigued. He may have had the most talked about rear end in the world that night - and most of the feedback was positive. As Twitter user @ileynmey wrote: "I could tell it was amazing…blurred or [not]." By the end of the episode though, Alvin had landed that bum of his in jail - for reasons not revealed on the show. Fun fact, Alvin was arrested in Sarasota on Nov. 30, 2012 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Oh, and in other arrest news, John was arrested in Lancaster during the episode. John was arrested in Lancaster County on Feb. 7, 2013 for avoiding criminal charges since 2008 for five counts of driving under suspension and a hit-and-run misdemeanor.
Also featured in the episode was Alan's Perry County court appearance on Feb. 15.
No word yet on when the next episode of "Amish Mafia" will air, but the series will get a second season. Discovery Channel ordered eight more hour-long episodes, according to TV Guide. The episodes will be airing later this year. | http://blog.pennlive.com/go/2013/03/amish_mafia_recap_episode_6.html | 2013-05-18T10:52:35 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"https://blog.advance.net/static/common/img/blank.gif",
"amish-mafia.jpg"
]
] |
On Friday, Newsweek editor Kurt Soller summarized some of the feedback the editorial team had received, including a response from PFLAG executive director Jody Huckaby:
While some saw the story as a saga of self-discovery, others viewed it as a tale of sexual harassment--in which King's taunting of McInerney, including rumors of a relationship as well as a valentine, crossed the line. "Larry was a bully and was allowed to get away with it because the school officials were fricking afraid to confront him because he said he was gay," wrote Divadawn. "It saddens me that the end result was death and I'm not condoning what Brandon did, but I'm also not condoning what Larry and the school officials did." Other readers wrote that "Larry should have been admonished for sexual harassment," and that given McInerney's declining grades and recent classroom disruption, "the adults in this situation should have been watching Brandon like a hawk."
Jody Huckaby, the executive director of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, who released a statement on our story, echoed that idea: "California has a strong anti-bullying law that specifically includes our gay and transgender kids," he writes. "But it is how adults--both parents and educators--ensure the law is carried out, and that teachable moments are seized, that makes all the difference in the world." There is something to be learned here, he argues, from the death of Larry King and its coverage by the magazine. "We need to give our children the room, and the safety, to be who they are," he adds.
You can read Soller's full report here. And for the full Newsweek coverage of King's death, click here. Then, leave your own thoughts about the story in our comments section here at the blog.
1 comment:
I read the Newsweek story, and it did not disrespect or criticize Larry King. As a crime victim advocate, I commend the article as being well-written and thorough. We cannot begin to grasp the enormity of the crime unless we begin to understand the background of the victim. In criminology, this is known as "victimology." It does not demean any victim of any crime, but anyone looking into a crime must understand the motivational factors behind it, and must have a thorough understanding of the victim. Nothing in the Newsweek story impugned the reputation of Larry - but simply identified who he was and his background, and his 'issues.' There was absolutely no valid reason for anyone to have objected to this article. The Newsweek story gives us all a better understanding of who Larry was, but does not lessen our love, or sense of loss for his life. I commend Newsweek for researching and printing the story, and giving it the prominence it does. | http://blog.pflag.org/2008/07/pflag-newsweek-and-larry-king.html?showComment=1217269440000 | 2013-05-18T10:31:17 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://bp2.blogger.com/_1JK9JXnidqU/SIzHzNE0_cI/AAAAAAAAAHg/twv9u8uo5DE/s200/newsweek.gif",
null
]
] |
Geography 101: The Basics of Getting Found in Local Search
When customers are searching for your business online, what do they find? If your online marketing isn’t optimized for local search, they might not find you at all. Even worse, they might find your competitors who are using local search marketing tactics to target customers searching for local businesses or services.
In order to help your local customers find you when they search for you online, make sure you are implementing these basic strategies to optimize your presence in local search results.
Claim Your Listing on Google
Claiming your local business on Google Places is a simple way to help improve your performance in local search and boost your ranking on the local search engine results page. A well-optimized Google Place Page can rank at the top of the search results page and show up well in the map section, too.
Claim Your Google+ Page for Google+ Local
Yesterday, Google announced a new initiative called Google+ Local. Essentially, this will update the look and feel of Google Place Pages and integrate them into the Google+ community as well. You will still manage your listing information, including business details, through Google Places for Business, and Google recommends that businesses claim a Google+ page as well. The company will share how to link the Google Place Page and Google+ page for a business at a later date.
Another feature of Google+ Local is that it will integrate information from Zagat, a review site acquired last year by Google. This change will allow users to see local business information, reviews and recommendations from others within the user’s Google+ circles. This new “Local” tab in Google+ is designed to improve local search for consumers by displaying more quality and targeted search results and will be integrated across Google Search, Maps, Android devices, and soon iOS devices.
Claim Your Business on Local Directories
Signing up your business on local directories is an easy and inexpensive way to help your business appear in local search results. In addition to Google Places, both Yahoo! and Bing provide local businesses the opportunity to claim their businesses and locations. Other local directories to consider using include Yelp, MerchantCircle, SuperMedia, LocalPages, and Citysearch. A quick search can generate dozens more, including directories that are specific to your industry. Signing up for as many as you can manage and keep regularly updated can help boost your ranking on search pages and maximize your visibility to potential customers. But realize that it’s critical to keep these updated and accurate, otherwise you may actually hurt your local search results. So don’t commit to more than you can reasonably manage.
Include Your Location on Your Social Media Profile Pages
Social media sites are becoming top of mind when it comes to consumers searching for local businesses. And since engineers at Facebook are working on social search engine, being found on social media may become even more important than it is now. Sites you should highly consider building a profile page for your business include Facebook, Foursquare, and Twitter.
Bid on Local Keywords
Localizing your keywords helps you target your local audience and helps ensure that potential customers searching for a local business find you in their search results. Consider bidding on keywords for your neighborhood, town, city, or general area, and on local keywords that your customers may search for.
Check for Consistent Information Across Profile Pages
If your business information doesn’t match across your profile pages and local listings, your efforts may not be as successful. Make sure to check that all of your information, including business name, hours of operation, phone numbers, and especially your location, are consistent. If not, you may risk losing potential customers because of an error that’s easy to avoid. Plus, the accuracy of your business detail information across your business web presence can affect the optimization of your Google Place Page in search.
Extra Credit:
Here are a few additional ideas you can consider to help local customers find you.
- Adding a Google map to your website is a free feature offered by Google that allows you to embed Google Maps on a Web page. There are many options available, so determine which makes the most sense to reach your local customers.
- Optimizing your site for mobile devices is becoming more important as more people search for local businesses and services on the go. By 2015, mobile local search volume will catch up with desktop local search volume. Making sure your website and search advertising is optimized for mobile will help local customers find you when they search away from their computers.
- Leverage partner or community websites to target specific local customers. Neighborhood, homeowner association and apartment complex websites are great places to advertise to large groups of local customers. If they accept advertisers, ask them to include a link to your business. If your business gains new customers from these partner websites, make sure to ask your new customers to leave you a review on your review site.
Have you tried any other ways to make sure your local customers can find you? Let us know in the comments!
Related Articles
- Google Places Address Tips for Businesses With No Service Location
- How Google Search Intent Affects Search Engine Results Pages
- 5 Mobile Statistics That Affect Your Small Business
About the Author
Tara Banda writes about how small business owners can reach local customers through online marketing for the ReachLocal blog. You can connect with her on Twitter. | http://blog.reachlocal.com/458724/2012/05/31/geography-101-the-basics-of-getting-found-in-local-search-.html | 2013-05-18T10:52:53 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Monday Redskins Links – 2/23Posted by on February 23, 2009 – 4:19 pm
- You know, I’m not sure I understand the quotations that start off each of Michael Lombardi’s Diner Morning News columns at National Football Post, but that’s my only knock on what’s become a very solid news-n-rumors spot. Today, he asserts that the Redskins are working to trade Shawn Springs. This is the time of year to do it, I guess, as they do have at least a little history of using the combine to successfully move cornerbacks who wear #24.
- Meanwhile, ProFootballWeekly is running a series of free agent scouting reports, and today is DeAngelo Hall‘s turn. If the Springs rumor and a Hall departure via free agency both come to fruition, that leaves Carlos Rogers as the undisputed number one corner going into 2009, which is somewhat ironic given that the offseason started with rumors that Rogers wanted out.
- Many thanks to Sugar at Hogs Haven, who manages not only to watch the Combine, but to offer some recapping and analysis as well. It’s a much-needed service, at least for me, since I can only watch a few minutes of the endless coverage before my mind starts wandering and it all devolves into a blurry sort of Under Armour commercial. Mark Newgent at the Washington Redskins Examiner offers a similar service for the free agent defensive tackles as well.
- And Chris Chase at Shutdown Corner finds an eerie similarity between Marcus Washington and the annoying FOX NFL robot. It’ll make sense once you see the videos.
Tags: links
Posted in General | No Comments »
Monday, February 23: A Potential Downside To Brian OrakpoPosted by on February 23, 2009 – 1:10 pm
Brian Orakpo — DE/LB out of Texas — has been rumored as a potential Redskins draft pick pretty much since the projections started coming out this season. Yesterday, those rumors stepped up to the level of “reports,” according to the Washington Times.
Hours after they released former Pro Bowl linebacker Marcus Washington, the Redskins’ search for his replacement began when they told Texas standout Brian Orakpo they envision him as the strongside linebacker in their 4-3 defense.
The top pass rusher in the draft, Orakpo is out to prove he’s versatile enough to play defensive end and linebacker regardless of the scheme.
“The Redskins said I could be a ‘Sam’ backer in their 4-3 and, when it’s time to rush the passer, get down to it,” he said Saturday at the NFL scouting combine.
The move to linebacker would make sense, especially given the Yahoo Sports report that Jason Taylor is indeed expecting (and expected) to return to the Redskins to finish out his contract. And, in fact, the more I’ve researched Orakpo, the more I’ve found to like about the guy — and the less I’ve found to criticize him for.
But if I had to find a negative side to Orakpo (aside from the fact that he could very well be off the board by the time the team picks at 13), it would be Vernon Gholston.
Posted in General | No Comments » | http://blog.redskins.com/2009/02/23/ | 2013-05-18T10:21:35 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://nflredskins.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/springs24.jpg",
null
]
] |
Monthly Archives: August 2008
Savannah Morning News: Posters generate nuclear discussion
From the Savannah Morning News: When Scott Boylston began hearing about nuclear power as a clean, safe and cheap solution to global warming, he knew it was a great topic for his graphic design students. “Poster design is all about …
Posted in SCAD Sustainability Council 2008-2010 Comments Off
Solar-Powered Fuel Cells
MIT just announced what may be one of the most important breakthroughs of all time in the field of alternative energy. They have demonstrated how to use solar power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen to be stored inside …
Posted in SCAD Sustainability Council 2008-2010 Tagged alternative energy, fuel cells, green technology, photosynthesis, solar power Comments Off | http://blog.scad.edu/sustainability/2008/08/ | 2013-05-18T10:53:40 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Apologies for using the form of hints and teasers, we are still waiting for final legal steps to be able to officially announce a second project in development at SCS Software, but for now, we can unveil at least a few bits of background info.
Back in 2010, an unfortunate sequence of events caused another small Prague-based independent game development studio to shut down. Suddenly we had the opportunity to hire several senior people in one swoop, basically a nucleus of a very talented development team. It would be a pity to miss such an opportunity, but we knew we just could not afford growing our head count at the time. The higher monthly burn-rate just wasn't in line with our revenues, and looking at where the extrapolated lines on the cash flow graph were intersecting, it was clear that we wouldn't be able to sustain so many people until the end of ETS2 project, even if a few extra programmers and artists could possibly speed up its development.
As we were scratching our heads on how to have our cake and eat it too, we came up with an idea: let's take a risk and do an experiment to pursue smaller opportunities - try to produce limited-scope projects next to the opus magnum of Euro Truck Simulator 2 project. Basically the goal was to explore additional aspects of the truck driving phenomenon, build smaller games quickly in a few months, and try to see if they can bring back the investment as fast and hopefully even indirectly help the progress of ETS 2.
This was the road which has led to creation of Trucks & Trailers. This project turned out to be a success - new 3D models were built that ETS2 benefited from, new engine effects were created for T&T which ETS2 immediately took advantage of, we could spend more time on AI now that multiple projects benefited from it, and both teams were providing each other with inspiration. And almost as a side effect, a little application which could help wannabe truck drivers get some insight into trailer maneuvering was born. Last but not least, the accounting books looked a bit better with another game providing helpful revenue.
As we were getting close to release of Trucks & Trailers, a very exciting opportunity appeared in front of us, in the form of close cooperation with a leading truck manufacturer. We did not think twice about it, this was a chance to learn from the "big boys" and of course a chance to bring our game to wider audience than just our loyal but not so numerous fan base. We also knew that this time we could aim higher and be more ambitious about the feature set of this project, we were sure we could build something that more of you would find worth playing.
Here we are some half a year later, with an almost finished game.. Stay tuned!
first))))
Comment deleted, IP's banned
3rd screenshot looks epicReplyDelete'
What about double treilers?
Make this
I agree with the solos in front of me. I hope at some point once more will appear in the trailer type trucks simulators in.
So a new game is coming soon.. great to hear that. The pictures look a lot like reality. Keep yp the good work!
Also check
Great Job scs team Please Double trailer screen..Please new tank trailer model please..
YES ! Please Double trailer screen.
I think the double trailer would be the real challenge.
It looks like we will have to supply all materials to a construction site, there and back, until the project is finished. All equipment, tools etc have to be taken to the site from different sources, as if you undertake a contract maybe.
I would love that.. real oversized loads, too
Good idea! I agree.
yes is a good idea i loveania P Series.)etc.You have a long time to relase date.You can do this.Thanks for everything.Please make this detail.
7,5 tonnes and 12 tonnes trucks
e.g: MB Atego + tandem trailer
I AGREE
Hopefully,SCS Software makes it.It shouldn't be too diffucult.
vey good idea. ♥
I hope these parts of the track will be included in the ETS2 well.
i think i know which manufacture it is; it's scania isn't it
you might think why have i come to such idea ,well the real name scania was in trucks and trailers no other company was and when we received the news that you received a test driver from scania and then they let you use one of their trucks and you showed us the scania demo center
so that's the most likely "leading manufacture" scs is talking about
Noooo i dont think its scania??? Hehehe i think people can se it...
maybe some people don't but yh i know it's a bit obvious
Is this another game as well as Euro Truck Simulator 2 in 2012, This is going to be a great game!!!!
Actually as the Letter to the community says there'll be ETS2 + 2(two) MORE! games, wich will even release a lot befor ETS2 .. that means till August we'll have 2 more EPIC truck games and than .... BAM! ETS2 in the first week of august!
I am from Brasil and I want to play this game very much.
The game will be sold here?
Thanks !
Gean from Belo Horizonte.
we have
Splendid images. I am very excited about this project as well.
Keep up the amazing work SCS Software team.
Incredible!
This is great news for fans hungry for a good Simulation. Keep up the good work!
The purchase of this project is already programmed.
Rafael Brusque Toporowicz
São Mateus do Sul - Paraná - Brasil
Wow, look at the road in the background at picture number 3! Amazing, can't wait to try it out :)
We knew six months period will not exceed the empty
The new game will be good for us in your
Good work
hasan525 - EuroTruck2.com - TURKMods.com - OyunMods.com
don't forget to change those tank trailers, they not proper, you should make new models of them...
Just can't wait!
Visual looks very nice,I believe that the physics,gameplay and sounds are equally good.
That's good to know, that small projects that make great effect, in addition you can earn an extra income in order to cover the budgets of the company, too, always to make something of this little game to apply in larger games.
Now I had two little ideas that might improve this game
1) Create an account. Like, you create a website for registration, then I'll do it register and download the game, then I'll want to play it, then I see entering the game, but before you see the main page of the game, put a login page, I put a name and password, then this is just enjoy the game. The advantage is, so I can access my account of the game on any other computer, so no need to start a career from scratch, just download the game, making it much easier our lives.
2) About a month before the premiere, making the site a lot, I make an application to test the game before launch to the world, like there are at most 30, 40 drawn in order to test the game, i tested it for a while like, a week, some days, so the game to prevent the mistakes that some times the SCS team did not notice this error, so every day for example, send notes about the game , type errors in the game, some bug's.
They are two things that would be very effective for this game and know the staff here blog, will agree with me about it.
Eric
SP/BRASIL
a very good idea
öncelikle sizi izlemeye devam ediyorum hep takip ediyorum başarılar harika görüntüler ilham verir umarım size elinize emeğinize sağlık herkese iyi çalışmalar oyunu bekliyorum ne kadar uzun bir süre olsada :)
BU ARADA YENİ RÖMORKLAR ÇİFTLİ RÖMORKLAR HATTA 3 RÖMORK ARKA ARKAYA :) DEĞİŞİKLİK İSTİYORUZ AMA BİLİYORUZDA SCS BİR HARİKA!!!:))))))))))))
I think this is wrong politics,better is one bigger and complete game which can be more upgraded with patches than two small games with childish gameplay...I would never bought a game as "Trucks & Trailers" because it has no logic and reality(except graphic) and I was disappointed by level of stupidity in this game.
yeeeeeeeeeeeeessss!!! Nice work scs!!! this could become Scania Simulator!! bye from Italy (and my english is quite bad)!!
noo scania simulator volvo and daf simulator yeesss
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT ABOUT THE LITTLE PROJECT, INFORMATION PLEASE!
and i thoought it be something completely diffrent like loading trucks from ware houses. or something diffrent. but yet SCS it looks like it's another pick up a trailer from here with the cargo on it. and yet it looks like just a bit of trucks and trailers and eurotruck 2 and sadly rest of your trucking game's so at the moment with your picture's it's not really brand new yet.
I really liked the past 3 posts because of the amount of writing so keep it up.
I was thinks about pedestrians in ets 2 and one of the things you can do is make the pedestrians dodge the truck just before the truck hits them like in the link below but make it so that the pedestrians cant get hit.
keep up the good work scs.
here is the link
18 Wheels of Steel Extreme Trucker 3 Across the Europe
très jolie travail, rien a dire.
En espèrent que ETS2 seras complet au niveau des possibilité que ça soit en étant ouvrier et patron de sont entreprise. J'atten beaucoup de votre jeux et je suis plient désespoir.
PS: faite un maximum pour avoir des bruitage et des sons réaliste pas comme GTS, ETS, UKTS... et tout vos ancien jeux car ça enlève énormément d'immersion
merci pour votre écoute (un de vaux grand fan de FRANCE)
Got curious about what will it be ^^ But well, one truck / one class of cargo likely one company ? "yet it looks like just a bit of trucks and trailers and eurotruck 2 and sadly rest of your trucking game's so at the moment with your picture's it's not really brand new yet." Dude what do you expect ? Flying trucks on airport lands ??
Make the latent roads where on a card aren'ted (for example soil, or narrow
Greetings from Russia
Scssoftware! What if you add real adverts in the game to make money? It would look so nice to see real adverts on cities and highways. Google adwords would be one good choice. For example, gamer gets adverts in Berlin that are keyworded/tagged to Berlin. In-game-advertising would help you, but it takes time to make it real...
Not a bad idea!!! Nice trucks & trailers from europe with logo on it and stuff.. like a DHL Depot or something in it...
Will there be a black interior for Scania.
I have seen different screenshots with black interior black exclusive interior and a beige interior with dark brown colors...
Where have you seen it?
Mitsos from Greece.
Please make this Scania is Class B.
Link:
I think their secret project is about extreme trucking.
Anything that can help fund The Dream is welcomed, at least by me. Sorry to hear about the end of a company but happy to hear it has help produce what we will see in the future -- and cannot wait to learn more about this game while waiting for ETS2.
Keep up the good work, SCS, hope you have a long productive career ahead of you. (c:
Wow I haven't seen such positive atmospehere between the developers and the game. I honestly haven't come across any dislikes about the game, everyone just can't wait for the game to come out, patiently.
You SCS, are a unique company that respects their fans and keeps them informed about almost everything. You are doing a great job, a revolutionary trucker game that noone can beat.
Respect to you guys and keep it up!
SCS please go through as muddy roads to our dirty truck and be able to wash it.
Please do so, it would be great if it's in the game.
SCS can you make your original wheels of the trucks as in real life.
The wait for this game will be VERY allowance!
All I see in the news are AWESOME! I can not wait ...
Will I be able to run it on my computer? because I see that the graphics are very realistic ...
My Computer:
i3 550 3.2
HD6770 1gb
4gb ddr3
If anyone can give an opinion ...
It will run. I have an Dual Core 1.8Ghz processor,HD4650 1Gb,1.5Gb ddr2. And I run GTS at full detail without a problem. You wouldn't need to make any problem! Sorry for my english!!!
Instead of spending money and time on different project, you could have released ETS2 on time, and only afterwards focus on different project. If you think that just because you throw another small game like T&T at us we'll forget about you delaying ETS2 and about not listening to our demands you're wrong!
They didnt give us t&t to be patient .... read their blogs! It was a money thing.......! Scs software are maybe 10 developpers all their money is on ets2. A really small company with damn good ideas. Do your homework before the talking
Come on you little annoying pig,
why are you still complaining, you have made your point allready, we know, SCS suck, I will pirate, and all that other blabla bullshit!
Just be happy that SCS is making this gamegenre and appreciate it, these guys are doing a hell of nice job.
So please stop talking about ur demands and shit, you're not allone on this world, remember that, you're not the only one with demands, they can't put in every demand, so!
Talk normal or stop posting stupid posts that is only annoying the rest.
Thanks.
You stop posting stupid replies to my posts. If you bothered to read them, you'd know that I'm not implying that they should take into consideration every little demand a fan has, but when it comes to the things that most of the fans ask, such as having pedestrians on the streets, implementing those things in the game is a MUST !!! So don't give me this "they can't put in every demand" shit, because I didn't say that !
And no, I shouldn't be happy just because they make the genre. If you work on a thing, do a quality job or don't do your job at all !
Nelutu, you're a very complicated person.. You hate SCS but you'll love to play their games ?! .. And about the pedestrains, do you fucking know how much work will it be to make pedestrains AI, so they wont just come out on the street, on T&T they were puted chaoticly, just for fun! ..
SCS will have to delay the game more if you want the pedestrains, becouse they have to create all new 3D models for ETS2 engine, all new 3D models of people, new AI for their mooving, new map AI so they could mark the place they'll moove, quit asking for pedestrains and try to learn how's a game made and what's needed to be done so it'll run smooth
Like I said, you're complicated and not as smart as you think you are. Do you get it clear now, dumbass ?
Nelutu, the small projects are for earning extra money to make ETS 2 even better, and those projects are not delaying ETS 2, they said both things in THIS post, i guess your just a little kid who doesn't know how you make games and just want everything you want in it or you are just going to pirate it, by that i know your a little kid.
@Michael: Please read what I wrote above. I didn't say that SCS should add everything I want in the game, and it isn't just about me either. What I complained about was that a lot of people (including myself, but not only myself) have asked for pedestrian, and yet SCS answers to this with their butts. That's what I'm all angry about.
@Anonymous: I think that you don't know too much about creating games either ... They could just add a script that randomly places pedestrians in cities, gas stations and rest places. And they could add another script that doesn't allow the truck to hit them. I for one wouldn't mind if they were placed chaotically, just as long as they would be there.
The problem is that many people ask for pedestrians, but not many people take more attitude If more people complained the way I do and keep asking SCS about pedestrians, maybe they would give us an answer to our requests. The problem is that too many people don't realize that they have some rights and they're just happy that SCS makes the game, as if they weren't creating it for money, as if they made the game as a favour to us, not as a source for their own profit.
THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT ADDING PEDESTRIANS BECAUSE THEN YOU CAN RUN THEM OVER AND THE GAME WOULD BE RATED HIGHER, SO THEY ARE NOT ADDING THEM, you are just a kid who doesnt read posts made by scs software
Nelutu
What is this suppose to mean
"If you think that just because you throw another small game like T&T at us we'll forget about you delaying ETS2 and about not listening to our demands you're wrong!". Do you actually realize how uttlerly ridiculous that statement is? Demands!!! You do understand you're talking about a video game right??? not a hostage situation.
People asked for more minor road SCS added more minor roads
People asked for better hadling SCS implemented better handling.
Better rain effects
more realistic trailers
Darker nights
More diverse truckstops
more diverse management system
Need I continue to list things or does you tiny brain understand what I'm getting at??
I've bought every GTA game do you think Rockstar cares.... or even listens to my demands.
SCS are a small developer with a limited budget.
stop behaving like a cretinous little urk.
Anthony
@Michael: It seems to me that you are the retarded one here, because it is you who don't read or don't understand my posts. As I said, they could add a script which prevents the truck from stepping over pedestrians.
@Anonymous: Yeah, I agree, they've added some stuff that we wanted there. But that doesn't mean they've added enough. Especially since pedestrians could be easily implemented..
Nelutu age of 7 again hehe are you having a hard time in your romanian day care today hehe..
We ope the best.
Regards from your MODS&MORE
TrucksimCom
It is obviously scania look at the picture in previous post
The best game ever SCS well done!!!
Mitsos from Greece.
i tottaly agree with mitsos!!!
ΠΕΣΤΑ ΡΕ ΜΗΤΣΟ!!!
Great.. but tell me, where is the update with some new missions for T&T you announced some months ago? =)
I'm glad to see the pictures showing the new project from SCS. It show us some cool new features that we may expect for ETS2, but I think the Scania R-Topline cab is not the suitable cab for construction sites (assuming that the project has a construction-related content). Usually, we see 6x4 G or P cab with short roof in that scenario.
I liked so much of the light spot on the wall and the ground full of water!
Good work SCS. This is an amazing idea. This project will bring some money to make ETS2 more better. And Nelutu,you make Romania of laughter! I'm romanian too but Nelutu is a stupid child! So fans of the SCS games,don't listen to him! Sorry for my english!
Great news ! Still there are work to be done, in the 4th picture the gravel, sand, ore (opentop) trailer has just 6 total wheels not 12 (in Europe) like this :
And I hope for new companies in ETS2.
I am saving money to buy the game :X:X:X I cant wait
Why the fuck are you showing random screenshots? Atleast explain why the fuck are you parked in the first screen, why are you manuvering that truck like that in second, where is the 3rd screen and why isn't in the last screen trailer turning as it should?
I wonder myself the same thing. It seem that SCS simply can't stop from mocking us.
SCS:
"Here we are some half a year later, with an almost finished game.. Stay tuned!"
That means, the game is 90% done and when it's 100% they'll explain everything .. the ".. Stay tuned!" means that in very short period we'll have all the information.
As about the question for the trailer.. I asume that you've never even got close to a truck with semitrailer (.. well in Europe), the truck isn't going into the curve as it should, if you have taken a look at the cab you'd see that the cab isn't straight but against the grass, not as the curve goes. If you don't know smth, just don't talk about it..
Oh 1 more thing, if you were smart, you'd take a look at the next Scania coming.. ;)
go ahead be a smartass, in the 4th screen the trailer isnt hanging as it should, meanwhile truck behind it IS hanging, I guess it's reparked to take the screenshot but why the fuck would you to that? What does "next scania comming" got to do with anything related to these screenshots?
OMFG, you didn't understand why this guy asked, he was asking why when you take the turn with the truck the trailer is in this position, he ment that when you turn, the trailer doesn't moove, I got it that it's becouse of taking screenshot >.>..
"why isn't in the last screen trailer turning as it should?"..... He didn't unerstand it >.> Don't try to make yourself smarter..
i love you strange haters.
Well about teh screen, its fast taken, and it meant to see the backgroudn as well. Truck is parked like the dude above me said. You can be shure for that cuz the AI Scania in back is braking (when you play ETS/GTS you wont get such situation for shure =D if you exp the games you will know what i am writing)
Can you do have a storm and the trees swaying strongly
and rain but very strong.
Hello like to know if possible if my computer can handle the new ETS2 video card ATI RADEON HD 4850 SERIES,PENTIUM DUAL-CORE CPU E5700@3.00GHz, 4.0GB RAM WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE 64-BIT SP1
You will be able to play it.
ok tanks :)
You only brag or what?
rafael podes falar portugues
can anyone talk something about the hardware requirements of the ETS2 please?
SCS you are doing a great job. I Have a question is the game compatible with logitech g27? well done from italy
Can't see the reason why it won't be compatible! :P im buying one too fro that game!
I'm so pleased to read that SCS is going from strength to strength. Very good news for us truck simmers !!
Any provisions about the requirements? I wanna know if i need to upgrade my pc:
ATI Radeon HD 4850
2 GB RAM
Intel Dual Core @ 3.00 GHz
Thanks!
The processor is good, but I'm afraid you will need to buy 2 more GB of RAM.
Yeah ive been thinking that and for other applications. What about the graphics card?
Hmmm, I think it's good enough for ETS2. If you can play Trucks and Trailers then ETS2 will work fine too.
Ok, thx!
Wow I have a idea of a game yall can make while we whait. Yard Truck Simulater!!! Driveing Mule trucks or yard tugs or shunt trucks whatever u call em picking up trailers and moving them around kinda like trucks and trailers u could use real brands Terberg Mifi Kalmar Autocar Ottawa Dina if u like or just make um look like em just a thought though im sure others have ideas
I have a idea and its that this is a dumb idea thay wouldent make any money off of it cuz know one knows about them I mean it might but thay had trucks and tralers why would thay make the same game twice?
there are much more stupid simulators available look at street cleaning simulator
MIchael, I totally agree with you!!! I prefer to have a couple of short truck driving/skylling games that so much useless simulator that you find around the web. And they are crap fpr the 90%, I test personally 9-10 of these product and bleah, they're AWFUL!!!
Nice!!
MI PC:
INTEL DUAL CORE 2
2 GB RAM
GEFORCE 8400 512 MB
WINDOWS XP
WILL ETS2 RUN?
On minimum settings would be fine.
But if you want to run at geat settings then i recommend to buy a GTX 550 ti or the new HD 7770 as graphic card. they just cost around 120-180$ and you will be able to play all games at highest settings and Full HD. And i recommend you to buy 4 GB DDR2 kit Ram.
180$ for graphic + 40$ DDR2 4 GB
Just 240$!
*just cost total around 220$ for the upgrade
(sry for the mistake)
I will buy Geforce gt430 1gb ddr3
Its a better choice to choose a video card with GDDR5, they have more bandwidth and certainly will run the game better!
my pc :
intel quadcore i 5
nvidia geforce GTX 560 TI
MEMORY PC 12 gb
windows 7 home premium x 64 bit
CPU :AMD FX AM3+ 8 coeurs OV-4.2GHz
Carte mére : ASUS-ROG Crosshaire V AM3+
GPU : SLI GTX590 ASUS 3Gox2 DDR5
RAM : Corsair Dominator 4x 8Go_DDR3_CAS7_1800MHz (24Go)
Windows 7 Intégrale 64x
CPU:Intel Xeon E7 2x Ten Core 2.4Ghz
GPU:ATI Radeon HD6990 CrossfireX 4Gb
RAM:24 Gb DDR 3 1333Mhz
Windows 7 64 bit!!! BLAH BLAH BLAH!!! I will run ETS2 o this computer????????????
You only brag or what? You are so stupid!!!!
Will it run on this pc?
AMD Phenom X4 965 Black Edition 4x3,4GHZ
8GB DDR3 1333
GeForce 460GTX
Win7 64Bit
I have played GTS with opengl settings and it was on 15fps in a town. I was wondering because Battlefield 3 runs faster on VeryHigh Settings.
SCS can learn what the requirements will be in the new game so long is probably the game will require a lot by that time probably can udet computer in the trash thrown out
This waiting is killing me :/
Stop whining!
If your waiting kills you then go watch far cry 3 trailer on youtube :) It's 7 minutes long
Sounds like you're a man of experience.
I'm excited, SCS. Now it's obvious that this is Scania dedicated game and it looks it'll be similar to Extreme Trucker in certain way. Environment looks very promising, I'm sure it'll be fun - can't wait to play it! :-)
amd sempron le-1200 , 2.1 Ghz
ati radeon hd 3400 series 500 mb
1gb ram
this week i will buy 1 more Gb of ram , will ets2 run on minimum settings on my hardware :( ?
SCS can you do in ETS2 be other oversized loads such as rollers, asphalt pavers .... such as this machine in the middle.
Link:
SCS make proper anti-alising engine NOT blurry images! Textures of edges in T&T were horrible. Blurry light are so awful i won't even comment.
I think this game will be named Scania Truck Simulator.. it will have the missions from Extreme Trucker.
SCS, please make adjustable rear suspension on trucks :O)
I think it's safe to say, this game really is going to be amazing.. I love the choice that you took to ditch the way ETS, GTS, UKTS and the others could be run on almost every machine. This will make the game last a long time. GTS and UKTS were outdated as soon as they came out, but Trucks & Trailers is still a mile ahead in the gaming industry. Keep the good work coming, this truly is going to be amazing.
A loyal fan in the UK
Just as results from the shooting this I want all Warning lights to be functional both on the tractor as well the trailerwhether they be installed on the back or sides and please try to add that option
Katalava giati tha kikloforisei ton Augousto to ets2...ton paizetai kanonika!!!!!!
Mitsos from Greece.?
Great scs continue like that I am on that ETS2 will be great, one thousand times to superieur to ETS.
I just have a wish it is to make apparaitre the trucks that we achete in the garage:)
SCS if you`re wandering what your fans want from ETS games its already in the name of the game:
Euro:Larger map including eastern europe and the Balkans
Truck:Legal truck brands
Simulator:A game as close as possible to real truck drivers life
Keep up the good work.Greetings from Bulgaria!
what's this game name ????? information SCS team ?.
I hope for your attention.
SCS two posts every week please,every Tuesday and Saturday:)
Mitsos from Greece.
It looks like extreme truck simulator on ETS2 engine. Maybe it will be oriented in Europe :)))
its nice if you guys put the customization in this game for us experiencing the most cool thing in game
Hy SCS'team.
In the first picture of the windshield is too low.
It's a small problem, it's not realistic.
But it's a good job.
Aty (HUN)
BUY THIS GAME JESUS!!!!! SO THEY CAN MAKE ETS2 AND MORE !
why are the lights going through the cars, wall is lit up even though the car is in the middle of the truck and the wall.
Balkan map???
that yellow scania , is it on trollstrigen... | http://blog.scssoft.com/2012/02/industrial-cooperation.html?showComment=1329468016293 | 2013-05-18T10:52:59 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Cooper
This is a story we published in the January 19, 2008 Angel Animals Story of the Week () newsletter. We loved it. Be sure to use the URLs to read articles and view videos of this amazing story.
FROM HOMELESS DOG TO CELEBRITY by Leila Burwell, Houston, Texas
In December 2006, Cooper, aka 3-legs, was living on the porch of a rundown abandoned house, eating whatever scraps he could find. That’s when a free lunch in a trap turned his whole life upside down.
Bad luck? Not for Cooper — just an angel in disguise.
There seemed to be many angels watching over Cooper.
His old, dilapidated neighborhood was being bulldozed to make way for new, improved three-story town homes. Everything familiar was vanishing, including the family he had claimed. They moved away, took his black Lab companion with them, and left Cooper abandoned and alone.
Cooper’s first angels were his neighbors in the new town homes. They were concerned for the little dog and tried to help him. No one could catch him despite his busted back leg. He was just too afraid.
Enter the second angel, Jim Burwell, Houston dog trainer and owner of Jim Burwell’s Petiquette. The local paper, the Houston Chronicle, was writing an article about Cooper’s plight. Knowing of Jim’s expertise and compassion, the reporter called him for help.
A veterinarian had told the reporter that Cooper’s case was hopeless. The vet said, “He is feral, afraid of people, and has a broken back leg. Just leave him alone. The outcome won’t be pretty.”
Jim’s response was, “Let’s save him. He deserves a chance.” Jim placed food into a pet friendly trap, and Cooper was just hungry enough to take the bait.
Enter the third angel. Westbury Animal Hospital in Houston, Texas donated all of Cooper’s medical care for heartworm treatment, vaccinations, and an amputation of the back leg that couldn’t be saved. We named Cooper after the veterinarian who took care of him. “I’m honored,” said Jonathan Cooper, Westbury Animal Hospital vet.
Jim and I then brought Cooper home and began to rehabilitate him. We took him to an animal chiropractor and veterinarian acupuncturist. We also started working on obedience training with Cooper, such as leash-walking and house-training.
Sound like a great ending? It is, but it’s only part of the ending.
There was one more angel waiting to help Cooper — a thrown-away, three-year-old black Lab named Sammy Burwell. Sammy had also been cast aside. We found him under a truck at seven weeks of age on a hot August day. After rescuing Sammy we had to provide the major hip and elbow surgery he needed.
The minute Cooper laid eyes on Sammy, a truer love has never been seen. Cooper adored the gentle black Lab giant. The two dogs sleep, play, and go on walks together.
The angels would not give up on the gentle giant and the little three-legged dog. They are now safe, happy, and warm.
BIO:
Lisa wrote the bio about her husband Jim Burwell.
“Jim never intended to build a career as a dog trainer. He didn’t even intend to buy a dog. But one evening in 1986, Jim found himself in a tuxedo with an eight-week-old golden retriever he’d ‘won’ by successfully bidding in a charity auction. He named his new pal Charlie. Over time, Charlie proved to be headstrong, dominant, and tenacious. But Jim was equally determined. Through obedience training they both learned, and their bond grew. Through Charlie, Jim found new motivation, new inspiration and a new business opportunity. Charlie inspired Jim to change to a dog training career in mid-life, and what a change it was! After two decades working in Houston’s corporate world, Jim began looking for a new and more fulfilling career opportunity. Our website is.”
Has an abandoned animal won your heart and the hearts of others?
Links to learn more about Cooper’s heartwarming story:
5402602.html
templates/listpop.html?mcVideo=1046149551
templates/listpop.html?mcVideo=1046971142 | http://blog.seattlepi.com/angelanimals/2008/page/19/ | 2013-05-18T10:34:18 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.seattlepi.com/angelanimals/files/library/COOPER.jpg",
"Picture"
]
] |
1997-2010; Over a Decade of Memories
c Diane Rich2010
Most of us deeply love each and every one of our dogs that enrich our lives but
there is that one or possibly two of those companions that get under our skin. I am lucky to have had a couple of those companions.
May 13th, I had to help my Fraser make his way to the rainbow bridge.
A couple months ago, I had shared Fraser’s diagnosis of bone cancer with a few close friends and some current and former clients. Pet parents of dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma may be advised to amputate the affected leg and then have their dog undergo chemotherapy. At Fraser’s age, almost 13 years young and with a front leg being affected, this was not the path to take. Pain meds were the course of action for this very aggressive, painful, disease. At diagnosis, life expectancy was 1 -4 months. I was gearing up emotionally as I knew I was going to have to put him down within the next two weeks due to quality of life. The cancer eats away at the bone and in many cases, the bone fractures. That is what happened to Fraser at 4p.m. on May 13th which expedited the decision to help him end his pain.
The lifespan for most Dobermans is usually 8- 10 years of age as cancer or cadio claims many Dobes. It was a gift to parent this special boy for his very full lifetime. I sent out an email blast to friends and clients about his passing and want to thank everyone for their heartfelt cards, emails, phone calls, gorgeous flowers and gifts. I am grateful to a Vet friend who came to my home for the final goodbye. His compassion was a gift for which I will be eternally grateful.
.
Over Fraser’s lifetime, he had probably met and befriended thousands of humans and at least a thousand animals of various species. My clients called him their pet’s mentor, first boyfriend for their female dogs and first buddy. He was described as a gentleman and all of his 100lbs was sweet and gentle with 7 week old pups he helped train and socialize. They followed his lead which expedited their learning curve. Shy and nervous dogs relished in his presence and gained confidence quickly and aggressive dogs learned he was unflappable and learned to relax around the triggers that set them off.
1:1 Training
Fraser with client’s dog and Camp Fraser guest (c Diane Rich 2010)
He was the lead dog on hikes with packs of dogs, a great host to our Camp Fraser guests, demonstrated skills at classes, started three pet therapy programs in the Seattle area loving babies to seniors and volunteered for years as a therapy pet. He had been on television and came to the studio every Sunday for my radio show on Pets.
Hiking
Fraser takes Witty over log bridge (c Diane Rich 2010)
Camp Korey
Pet Therapy (c Diane Rich 2010)
1:1 Training
Fraser with Dubs, the U.W. mascot and camp Fraser regular, Tazz (c Diane Rich 2010)
Washington Coast 1:1 Training
Fraser and Camp Fraser guest accompany us at the beach. Training our guest dog for off leash skills around horses (c Diane Rich 2010)
Lovin’ Llamas
Fraser helps a young llama learn pet therapy behavior (c Diane Rich 2010)
Gentle Mentor
c Diane Rich 2010)
Our lives can get so busy that some dogs may just get a pat on the head at the end of our busy day, some dogs get daily walks and some are lucky enough to share more time with us and are truly a part of our lives. Dogs have no choice of home or lifestyle to spend their lives so make your time count with your beloved dog as time goes by way too fast.
In 25 years of being a professional dog trainer and getting close with thousands of dogs and pet parents I know each time we must say goodbye to a beloved dog never gets any easier.
I kiss Fraser’s heart so long but not goodbye. I would like to feel that as he
crossed that rainbow bridge all the pets he met throughout his lifetime, who are
also pain free, romping playfully have greeted him on that side. I know he has
play bowed to them all.
c Diane Rich 2010
You were one in a million, my boy.
Diane
Diane Rich Dog Training, LLC
Follow me on twitter | http://blog.seattlepi.com/caninechat/author/diane_rich/page/60/ | 2013-05-18T10:57:19 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.seattlepi.com/caninechat/files/library/Happybirthday_2009professional_head_shot_fraser.jpg",
"Picture"
],
[
"http://blog.seattlepi.com/caninechat/files/library/blog_training_mini_group_shiba_golden_fraser.jpg",
"Picture"
],
[
"http://blog.seattlepi.com/caninechat/files/lib... |
Support for same-sex marriage is up sharply in a dramatic public opinion shift from as recently as three years ago, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released on Monday morning.
Kara Haney, left, and her partner of 8 years Kate Wertin, right, embrace in the Lobby Bar in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood as the Washington State Senate passes a bill that would legalize gay marriage in Washington..
In 2004, Republicans used more than 20 statewide ballot measures, defining marriage as between a man and a woman, to get evangelical voters to turn out at the polls for President Bush’s reelection.
Same-sex marriage was opposed by a 30-62 percent margin in an NBC/Journal survey taken at the time.
“Progress is happening: The Republican Party, in what its presidential candidates are saying, is out of step with the mainstream,” said State Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, sponsor of Washington’s marriage equality legislation.
The shift registered in the NBC/Journal poll has been reflected here in findings by the Washington Poll. The survey has shown steadily rising support, first for domestic partnership rights and, in a poll released last October, same-sex marriage.
Washington and Maryland recently became the seventh and eighth states to legalize same-sex marriage, in each case with a vote by the legislature. A pair of pro-equality Catholic governors, Christine Gregoire in Washington and Martin O’Malley in Maryland, championed the legislation.
Three states are likely to vote on marriage equality this November.
Opponents in Washington and Maryland are vowing to collect enough signatures to force a referendum in November.
In Maine, where a Republican governor opposes marriage equality, supporters of same-sex marriage have submitted more than enough signatures to put the issue on the November ballot.
The Washington Poll last fall found that 55 percent of Evergreen State voters would give thumbs-up to marriage equality were it enacted by the Legislature and then put to a public vote.
Same-sex marriage is currently legal in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia. | http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/category/same-sex-marriage/page/6/ | 2013-05-18T10:15:22 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/files/2012/02/20120201marriageblog_02-150x150.jpg",
"gay marriage washington gay marriage washington"
]
] |
Successful Developers Are Willing to Change
Here is some of my coverage of the 2012 Silicon Valley Code Camp at Foothill College in Los Altos, California where I was reporting for Dice and Dice News.
If you’re a developer you need to make sure you’re part of the next big thing, said Peter Kellner, founder and coordinator of Silicon Valley Code Camp. Kellner has been running this event for seven years and the one constant he’s seen over all those years has been change.
Developers are trying to figure out what the next big thing is going to be, said Kellner. This year the conversation was around HTML vs. native. Now that Facebook has made the switch to native for its phone app, what does that mean? If you’re an HTML5 and CSS programmer, should you switch to native? What’s the right thing to do?
Education is critical to a developer’s life, not just with programming languages, but all aspects of their business which are heavily represented at Code Camp. Kellner mentioned they had one session with an attorney who talked about patents.
Having been in the coding game a long time and having run Code Camp for seven years, Kellner has noticed that successful developers are willing to change. They’re willing to throw out what they know and learn something else.
“Their skill is not the thing that they know, but their ability to learn the next thing,” said Kellner who admits it’s frustrating when you have to become a newbie in a new language. You get made fun of and people roll your eyes when you ask stupid questions.
If you’re not willing to pay the price to go through that you’ll be stuck working on 15-year old technology, said Kellner. You can still make a living on old technology though, he admitted, assuming you just want billable hours and be the leading expert in a technology that hasn’t been popular in a long time.
That’s not what Kellner wants to do. He loves coding and he’s willing to pay the price to be on the leading edge of the next big thing.
Tags: Presentations, Sessions, Speakers
2 People have left comments on this post
I’ve always sold my ability to be able to pick up whatever libraries, languages, or systems I need to solve the problem at hand. I learn very quickly. And I’ve demonstrated this at many jobs.
However, unfortunately, most development managers don’t seem to consider this interesting. Screening candidates seems to be a matter of going through a checklist of things they think they need right now, and if you are missing something on the checklist, you go to the bottom of the pile. Even claims of working on hack projects (or taking workshops) don’t seem to satisfy the requirement, as they want you to have already spent a few years doing whatever it is they think they need. Naturally, this leads people to keep doing the same thing, because it’s much harder to get jobs doing something new.
Hi Chris,
Interesting comments. On the flip side, I was having lunch with a friend today who was saying that in Silicon Valley, managers are not interested in you if all you have is current standard technology. I guess the answer is “it depends”.
-Peter | http://blog.siliconvalley-codecamp.com/2012/11/07/successful-developers-are-willing-to-change/ | 2013-05-18T10:30:33 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
The page or service you have requested is not available.
Here are some considerations for why this occured:
The page you requested doesn't exist, may have moved or has been removed from the site.
The service is temporarily inoperative.
If you have bookmarked a site section, find it using our navbar at the top of the page.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We strive to constantly improve the site for our Singersroom.com visitors.
If you have suggestions as to how the site can be improved, please email us | http://blog.singersroom.com/celebs/index.php/2008/09/19/rumor-alert-justin-timberlake-and-jessica-biel-to-record-album/ | 2013-05-18T11:01:29 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Follow St. Patrick’s on RadioTuesday, March 16th, 2010
Tomorrow, March 17th, will be St. Patrick’s Day! Honoring the most recognized patron saint of Ireland, we’ll turn this post green right now. :)
Although St. Patrick’s is an Irish celebration, over time it has become a world wide event since it is also celebrated in countries like Argentina, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK and the United States, among many others.
To fully enjoy this event, of course, we specially recommend listening to Irish music stations, for example:
Additionally, check out these tribute stations for Irish bands U2 and The Cranberries:
That’s all for now. If you still don’t have plans for tomorrow, we suggest you head to the nearest Irish pub – everyone’s Irish on March 17th. :D
Stay tuned!
The Streema Team | http://blog.streema.com/tag/st-patricks/ | 2013-05-18T10:52:17 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Is purchasing a game or war?? (more…) | http://blog.supplymanagement.com/tag/david-grove/ | 2013-05-18T10:31:14 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
2012 EAPrep Summer STEM Institute Comes To A Successful Finale
After seven weeks of science and computer projects, field trips, and time spent at the local pool, East Austin College Prep’s Summer STEM Institute has come to a close. On Thursday, July 26th, students spent time with all manner of furry animals in a small paddock provided by Fry’s Fun Farm. While groups of students rotated out to the petting zoo throughout the morning, other groups spent time building Lego robots for competitions with their peers. In the afternoon, a closing ceremony was held for students and camp staff to celebrate the culmination of their hard work over the summer.
With the end of the second annual STEM Summer Institute, we would like to thank everyone who worked to make the camp such a great success: the wonderful and talented STEM and Boys & Girls Club staff, the KDK Harman Foundation, the bright and energetic students, and their dedicated parents! | http://blog.swkey.org/2012/07/31/2012-eaprep-summer-stem-institute-comes-to-a-successful-finale/ | 2013-05-18T10:22:22 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
The latest addition to Technology Evaluation Centers’ (TEC’s) Web-based software evaluation system, TEC Advisor, is the new Express Software Comparison Report. This report allows you to compare the strengths and weaknesses of enterprise software solutions on a functional module-by-module basis. If you’re an organization in the early stages of your software evaluation process, the “express” report is a good starting point. You’ll get the online report comparing your selected solutions free of charge in just a few minutes.
Here’s how to generate your custom software comparison report in 5 easy steps: Read the rest of this entry » | http://blog.technologyevaluation.com/index.php?tag=comparison-report | 2013-05-18T11:02:41 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Archive for the 'Exhibition' Category
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Big Week for Fairey Amidst Growing Controversy
Art of Elysium’s 2010 Heaven Gala (Image via Art of Elysium)
»
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Marcel Dzama at Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art
Marcel Dzama - On the banks of the Red River, 2008 (Collection Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal)_3<< »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Erik Parker in Copenhagen
(All Images: Anders Sune Berg, courtesy Faurschou CPH)
Faurschou Copenhagen is currently exhibiting new works by New York based painter, Erik Parker. Along with his previous exhibit at Paul Kasmin (NY), Parker’s tightly rendered, candy-colored psychedelia are easily his most accomplished works to date. As the show’s title suggests, Adapt signals an artist who, after more than a decade of patient development and experimentation, has reemerged with a bold and compelling style that no doubt can catapult him to increased notoriety.
Read On For More Images Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
MOCA Cleveland Hosts Major Survey of Contemporary African American Art
Romare Bearden, Conjur Woman, (Image: © Romare Bearden / R.T. Miller Jr. Fund, 2001 Collection of the Allen Memorial Art Museum)
In a critical event, MOCA Cleveland is currently playing host to the first ever public survey of contemporary African American art in the Ohio region. From Then to Now : Masterworks of Contemporary African American Art, features 27 artists, sourced from important regional collections – The Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College, the Akron Art Museum, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Progressive Corporation, and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Kara Walker, Untitled, 1998, (Image © Kara Walker / Collection of the Progressive Corporation)
Beginning with works from pioneering figures of the 1970s and 80s, such as Romare Bearden and Alma Thomas, From Then to Now continues to the present, with prime examples of works by artists including Lenardo Drew, Alison Saar, Willie Cole, David Hammons, Lorna Simpson, Carrie Mae Weems, René Green, Kara Walker and Kehinde Wiley. TAC applauds MOCA Cleveland and curator Margo Ann Crutchfiel for presenting this unprecedented exhibition.
Kehinde Wiley, Passing/Posing, (Image: Collection of the Progressive Corporation, Mayfield Village, OH.)
From Then to Now : Masterworks of Contemporary African American Art
Jan 29 – May 9, 2010
MOCA Cleveland
8501 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106, February 9th, 2010.
With In Case You’re Lost, Tomokazu Matsuyama not only works towards reconciling the cultural tensions of his own Japanese-American identity, but addresses larger issues of nationalism and global relations. Here is a complex mix of autobiographical and socio-political commentary.
Surrounded by new paintings are the show’s centerpieces – two large-scale sculptures that contemplate notions of cultural heritage and nationalism, flip-flopping symbols of American and Asian identity. Wherever I Am, a life-size reworking of Frederick Remington’s Bronco Buster, recasts the famed late 19th century American sculpture with a Japanese-pop sensibility, replacing the iconic cowboy rider with a Playmobil character. Chogen, based off the original 13th century Japanese treasure, substitutes the praying monk’s prayer beads for beer cans and cigarette butts, and his original meditative state, for a glazed-over drunken one.
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Lowride to High Art :: Dzine at The Bass Museum
(All Images © Jeff Newman/TheArtCollectors)
Chicago based artist, Dzine (Carlos Rolon) appropriates the aesthetics of lowrider “Kustom [car] Kulture” into high art circles. In doing so, he redefines these objects, deeply rooted in Chicano ethnic and communal identities, as vibrant and viable works of sculpture.
As noted by Denise M. Sandoval in Cruising Through East Los Angeles: Chicano Lowrider Stories, “lowriders can be seen as embodiments of Mexican-American or Chicano social history, a heritage that is often misunderstood by other segments of the American populace…and speak to the creation of cultural space[s] within the urban environment…” While celebrating this heritage, Dzine simultaneously urges the viewer to see beyond such connections. “On one level its a folkloric tradition, but its also just one degree away from a Mariko Mori sculpture,” the artist reflected. “To put my work in a different environment where people might look at it as its Starke or Gerhy did it, is to make it aesthetic rather than sociological – to see this like I do, as a sculpture (Paper Magazine; Carlo McCormick, May 2008).
Dzine’s works are currently on view at The Bass Museum of Art, Miami (he also had a new work on display earlier this month with Deitch Projects at Art Basel, Miami – pictured below). The most innovative piece in the exhibit it a customized chandelier, tricked out with 24 karot gold, crystals, speakers, velvet, and rear view mirrors. Here, Dzine has flipped his usual method appropriation on its head, taking a high culture status symbol and reworking it into the lexicon of the street. With such compelling and instantly accessible works of art, we can’t help but imagine one of his wheeled-wonders bulldozing over Damien Hirst’s Diamond Skull. Here’s to wishful thinking.
Read on for our extensive images – click for larger views. Read the rest of this entry » | http://blog.theartcollectors.com/category/exhibition/page/2/ | 2013-05-18T10:41:12 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.theartcollectors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/shepard-fairey-art-of-elysium-gala.jpg",
"shepard-fairey-art-of-elysium-gala"
],
[
"http://blog.theartcollectors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/IMG_05161.jpg",
"sheaprd-fairey-cincinnati-supply-demand-18"
],
[
"http://blog.th... |
The “Millennials” or often referred to as “Generation Next” are not only coming, they are already here. With this new generation 80 million strong (born between 1980 and 1995) and rapidly taking over from the baby boomers who are now pushing 60, we are being forced to look at Talent Management in a completely new way. We must take a Next Practice approach to managing “Generation Next” or lose the war for talent altogether. 60 Minutes’ MorIey Safer did a report a few years ago entitled “The Millennials are Coming” where he discusses some of the challenges being faced in the workplace as we deal with this new generation of workers. Safer says, ”. Where there are challenges there are also opportunities and Supply Chain leaders have the opportunity to turn these young, multitasking, tech-savvy, “I come first” workers into the most innovative, productive workforce of our time.
I was sitting in a conference yesterday listening to a number of speakers discuss the challenges we will all be facing with “Generation Next” (I have three sons in this category and am quite familiar with both the joys and challenges of this generation). As I was listening, I was also thinking about all the Next Practices we (The Mpower Group “TMG”) have been trying to drive home to the Supply Chain community. The thought occurred to me that some of the attributes of “Generation Next” may very well be THE personal attributes of a successful “Next Practice” Supply Chain professional:
- Well educated
- Hardworking
- Self-confident
- Team players / collaborators
- Inclusive and diverse
- Technology / social media savvy
- Socially responsible
- Information gatherers
- Communicators
Would these not be the very attributes that would be required to attack the Supply Chain from a value focus as opposed to the traditional (they are not even familiar with this approach) TCO approach as Dalip Raheja laid out in “Friends, Romans and Countrymen – Lend Me Your Ears! I Come to Bury TCO . . . . . .” or tackle the Social Media issues as depicted by Crystal Jones in “Social Media and the Supply Chain” or help solve the adoption issues (has this generation not been the faster adopters of new solutions and technology?) as discussed in “Old MacDonald Was Right — It Is About E-I-E-I-O!”
In addition, “Generation Next” has very specific requirements as they are choosing a career. They are looking for the following:
- Flexibility
- Work / life balance
- Direction / roadmap
- Interesting work
- Training & development
- Career advancement
- Frequent feedback
- Coaching / mentoring
In other words, they are literally crying out for Competency Based Talent Management (“CBTM”) which is what I was at the conference to present AND TMG has had numerous posts on
- The Difficulty of Finding Qualified Supply Management Candidates
- Our People Are Our Key Asset
- Help!!! Recruiting Next Practices Needed!
- Mind the Gap – Training vs Competencies
- Fighting the War for Talent – Focus on Career Management!
- An Annual Necessary Evil – The Performance Evaluation
- Succession Planning – Where the Present Meets the Future
In a nutshell, CBTM starts out by defining the demonstrable skills, knowledge and behaviors (competencies) required to be successful within your role to meet and/or exceed the goals and objectives of your organization – direction and roadmap. It then uses those competencies as the foundation for an integrated talent management program:
- Recruiting (you must have all the other elements in place or you will be forever recruiting)
- Performance evaluation (frequent feedback focused on demonstrated competency)
- Training & development (a MUST – focused on APPLICATION of new competencies)
- Career Management (coaching / mentoring to advance your career)
- Succession Planning (identification and movement of high potentials)
Interesting work – I may be a geek but I think Supply Chain is diverse, exciting, challenging and offers a wide range of career opportunities within and across organizations and industries!
As for flexibility, work / life balance and social responsibility – well, maybe we Baby Boomers could learn a few Next Practices from “Generation Next”.
If you don’t have a competency based talent management program in place for your organization you may want to step on the Next Practice bandwagon before “Generation Next” passes you by and goes to the Next company.
Join the conversation . . . . . .
Pingback: Take Care of your Best People or Someone Else Will | News You Can Use
Pingback: What Is a Millennial to Do? | News You Can Use | http://blog.thempowergroup.com/2012/05/03/next-practices-with-%E2%80%9Cgeneration-next%E2%80%9D/ | 2013-05-18T10:21:21 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
>><<
"A DIVA?" Aslan thought it was so funny he fell to the ground laughing (that is where ROTFLMAO came from).
"Oh, Aslan, you are so immature." Mr. Tumnus drawled in his best Sno-Julia Childs Diva voice (while eating his breakfast).
But, by the end of the day, they just didn’t think their outfits were perfect for Dancing With the Stars. You know what that means. Watch for another costume searching adventure with Aslan and Mr. Tumnus.
Oh, these adventures are VERY entertaining!! Keep them coming!
Oh I LOVE it !!! Great job, Keeper, great job!!!
Just a day in the life at Wunsapana Farm! LOVE LOVE LOVE the photo story!
You need to collect these photos and stories and WRITE A CHILDRENS’ BOOK!!!!!!!
I *LOVE* the photo of Mr Tummus walking with the boa. I *swear* he’s got a little sashay going there! And Aslan with the grass skirt — hilarious! Aslan just seems so “reserved” to me, I haven’t a clue how you managed to keep him in it, no less get it on him!
Adrianne
They are so cute – I love these Teri, thanks for sharing them with us!!
I need to come visit you!
I love this…. | http://blog.timesunion.com/farmlife/9024/chapter-2-aslan-and-mr-tumnus-preparing-for-dancing-with-the-stars-a-photo-story/ | 2013-05-18T10:22:22 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.timesunion.com/farmlife/files/2012/08/008-600x399.jpg",
"008"
],
[
"http://blog.timesunion.com/farmlife/files/2012/08/060-600x399.jpg",
"060"
],
[
"http://blog.timesunion.com/farmlife/files/2012/08/050-600x399.jpg",
"050"
]
] |
Kristi forwarded this blog post to me this morning about a bus driver who was texting while driving kids to and from school.
As noted in the post, none of us should text while we’re driving. It’s stupid and dangerous. But a bus driver? C’mon, you’ve got a little bit of added responsibility here.
It turns out this bus driver was investigated because a bullying incident that occurred on her bus — that involved the bus driver’s daughter, the bus monitor (Mom’s eyes and ears while she’s texting driving).
But here’s what all of this really made me think about. True Mom Confession: As much as I try to get to know my kids teachers — and look into who they might get even before they’re assigned to the class — I don’t even know the bus driver. But it’s a pretty important role we should take more seriously.
Do you know your kid’s bus driver?
Ha! Just remarked to husband that if granddaughter was still living with us, I would not allow her to go on the school sponsored bus trip to DC in a few weeks. When she was in 5th grade,we went to the Bronx Zoo on a well known bus line. The driver was older-at least 65-and he was on the cell, texting,talking and -oh,yeah!-driving with his ample tummy at one point. The bus frequently but gently swerved as he tried to manage all of his business. he could also write in a log from time to time while driving. It was the most exhausting and wracking trip ever! He did nod off a couple of times-you could see him nod and then sit up straighter. A teacher and I sat in the first row opposite him;the principal and another parent in back of him.
Now,having made clear my concern of who the commercial drivers are-I rode North Colonie school buses from kindergarten through senior year. Joe Carey and John Liburdi were my grade school drivers and terrific men! Lived in the community,had kids,were known to parents. High school bus also had responsible and caring men. A friend has been driving for the system for many years now. I believe that most school systems have good policies and records regarding their employees. The trouble may be when you are a district that hires out,as Schenectady does. Then,as a district, you are not part of the hiring process and have little recourse until something happens such an accident or a child left on the bus. Living in the city here,I have seen more transgressions such as cell phone usage and speeding on the buses that travel briskly down my street twice a day than I have with Nisky or South Colonie drivers. Thankful,that for the years our kids went to school,we provided our own transportation!
I have commented before and other parents probably recognize that I am far from a helicopter parent. But I think knowing the bus driver is very important.
My situation is a bit unusual, but I have made sure I knew my son’s bus drivers and aides. He is bussed from Rensselaer County to Guilderland for special education preschool. Rensselaer contracts with bus companies for this service. I called the bus companies prior to the school start to talk and understand the driver’s background, as I think driving 3-5 year olds is different than transporting middle/high school students. This year the driver personally called me at home in early September.
Having them know me is also helpful, like last summer when they pulled up the first day with a backless booster seat, based on age. I commented to the driver and it was replaced with a full seat the next day. | http://blog.timesunion.com/parenting/12279/how-well-do-you-know-the-bus-driver/ | 2013-05-18T11:02:16 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Supercharge Your Microsoft Outlook Calendar with TimeTrade
Microsoft Outlook gives you some basic calendar functionality, sure, but it falls short when you need to schedule time with others outside your company. Even for those within your company, you don’t have the control over what times people see, and what times they are allowed to pick from when scheduling with you..
It also gives you the capability to click a button right in your Outlook account and automatically insert a “Click to schedule” link for email recipients. Once you’ve set up the Outlook Connector, you can get all the benefits of TimeTrade without ever having to leave your Outlook account.
Adding TimeTrade to your Microsoft Outlook account turns Outlook into the perfect appointment scheduling machine. Once you’ve set it up, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it!
Visit our Knowledge Center for details on how to set up the Outlook Connector. | http://blog.timetrade.com/2011/02/04/supercharge-your-outlook-calendar-with-timetrade/ | 2013-05-18T10:20:27 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Picasso watch shows time using Cubism.March 23rd, 2012
Design submitted by Heather (USA) and Peter (UK).
Heather & Peter say: Artist Pablo Picasso was one of the pioneers of the 20th century avant-garde art movement called “Cubism”, where objects are broken up, analysed, and re-assembled in an abstracted form. The digits created for this watch design were inspired by his work.
Read the rest of this entry » | http://blog.tokyoflash.com/tag/avant-garde/ | 2013-05-18T10:30:27 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.tokyoflash.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Picasso-009-300x225.jpg",
"Picasso-009 Picasso-009"
]
] |
Top 5 Attraction Queues at Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park is widely praised for having the highest density of highly-themed attractions of any American amusement enterprise. But one area in which the original Magic Kingdom falls behind some of its younger siblings is in the theming of its queue lines.
Back in Walt’s day, the “switchback” queue was an innovation, encouraging face-to-face interaction between strangers waiting in line. Today, with many guests engrossed in their digital devices, people need something more enticing that other humans to hold their interest. Hence, the highly-detailed holding area, filled with scenic elements and effects engineered to import the backstory information riders need to fully enjoy their imminent adventure.
Currently, the world’s top themed queue environments can generally found in Disney parks outside of Anaheim, such as Expedition Everest at WDW’s Animal Kingdom, or Journey to the Center of the Earth at Tokyo’s DisneySea. And while this article only touches on the original Disneyland Resort gate, Radiator Springs Races may make that list once cars Land at Disney California Adventure opens in June. But the Happiest Place on Earth can still lay claim to a few top-flight queues.
Here is my personal top 5 favorite pre-attraction areas inside Disneyland Park. Please add your own nominees to the comments below!
5. The Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion was the last attraction Walt had direct input on, and is justly regarded as an essential example of the Disneyland experience. The Omnimover ride vehicles and elaborate ghostly effects inside the ride certainly are a big element of that, but the attraction’s brilliance begins long before you board your Doombuggy. After entering the Southern Gothic mansion’s front gate, you’ll pass a pet cemetary filled with witty monuments to departed furry friends. Upon crossing the threshold, you’ll enter the infamous “Stretching Room,” and encounter your “Ghost Host” (voiced by the immortal Paul Frees). And there’s still the corridor of transforming paintings and seemingly-shifting statues to traverse before your voyage into the netherworld really begins. As a bonus, during the Halloween and Christmas holidays the exterior and interior are adorned with decor inspired by Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas.
4. The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Since this theater presentation is rarely full, most guests see it without having to wait more than a few minutes in its Main Street lobby. But it would be a mistake to miss the mini-museum that makes up this attraction’s pre-show, and not only because it it blissfully air-conditioned. Start by examining the exhibits dedicated to the development of Disneyland, especially the lovingly-detailed model of the park as it looked on opening day. The retrospective video starring Steve Martin and Donald Duck shown here was originally created for the park’s 50th anniversary in 2005, but is still well worth watching in full, with a wealth of historical footage. Next, move on to the inner pre-show room, home to a stunning scale model of the White House (made by hand, based on the original blueprints) and maquette miniatures of the Spirit statues found in Epcot’s American Adventure. Finally, a second video fills you in on the origins of the Mr. Lincoln show, and Walt’s personal interest in Honest Abe. By the time they enter the main theater, patrons who have seen all the pre-show has to offer will have a much fuller understanding of the historical importance of this still-impressive patriotic performance.
3. Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin
Based on a film franchise that the Disney corporation seems to have largely forgotten, Cartoon Spin is a hybrid between Mr. Toad and the Mad Tea Party that doesn’t have a lot of fans among Unofficial Guide reviewers. There are some nifty effects, and it’s certainly more detailed than some of the classic Disneyland dark rides. But some of us feel that it falls short because the spinning makes for a chaotic, incoherent experience. Still, one strong suit everyone can agree on is the elaborately detailed queue line. A tour of the seamy side streets of Toontown, visitors get to see a landmarks like the Ink & Paint club (knock on the door for an interactive surprise) and a Dip-making facility. Roger Rabbit’s queue is often overloaded, and its Fastpasses are disconnected from the rest of the park, so I often skip the line when I ride, which is a shame.
2. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
The original Star Tours queue was among the first with first-class theming, featuring an authentic-feeling Star Wars spaceport complete with animatronics of C-3PO and R2-D2. When Imagineering refreshed the ride in 2011, they upgraded the already-amazing queue as well. A razor-sharp hi-def screen in the initial room now broadcasts a steady stream of saga references, and a pair of wisecracking security robots in the second room spout side-splitting inside jokes about Lucas and Disney characters. Even the pre-boarding safety video was beefed up (some dodgy CGI aside) with some droid-based humor. (Classic Star Tours fans, fear not for the original pre-show’s distinctively coiffed narrator; she and her hair can still be glimpsed in the new film.) Best of all, when you use Fastpass at this attraction (a must on busy days) you still get to experience all the same sights as the standby line.
1. The Indiana Jones Adventure
This one wasn’t even close. More than a decade an a half after its debut, Disneyland’s Indiana Jones attraction still has no real competition for the “best queue” crown on the West Coast (though Universal Studios Hollywood’s new Transformers ride is making a run for it). Only Unversal Orlando’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has truly surpassed Indy effort in completely immersing guests in a complete world before they board. The journey from Adventureland into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye feels like an epic (and lengthy) adventure in of itself. Born of the necessity to get guests beyond the park’s berm and into the former parking lot where Indy’s show building was constructed, the extensive line effectively builds anticipation for the groundbreaking ride at the end. Treacherous tunnels, decorated with dangers such as spiked celings and realistic-looking bat guano, sport interactive elements that (when working) will prompt surprised smiles; just be sure ignore any “don’t touch” signage. There are even ancient codes on the walls that you can learn to decipher. Frequent guests will often use the single rider option to board quicker, skipping the queue, but this is one line that every theme park fan needs to wait in at least once.
All photos copyright Disney. | http://blog.touringplans.com/tag/roger-rabbit/ | 2013-05-18T10:53:01 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Dakar dafa lekk xalis!
Trip Start Mar 11, 2007
1
21
27Trip End May 2009
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
Dakar has been very hectic and I really do try to avoid coming but if you are at all ever missing home, Dakar is a great place to go to visit the super market and eat at some restaurants of food you are missing. However this means that your salary that is meant for village life does not hold out long in the big city. After visiting a friend in another village and doing a 40 k bike ride to the famous bird park of St. Louis, Dakar was hardly relaxing. However it does bring some perks, like the super market, free modern dance show at the French cultural center, great great Lebanese food and Thai (which was eaten on my birthday) and fun surrounding islands like Ils de la Madelene and Ngor Island. I got my fix of nature and exploring and am now ready to return to the desert.
I am doing OK these days, still a little frustrated with the school, but the ideas keep coming so I am bound to find something that'll work eventually, also we had an "all volunteer conference" and I really like the new county director. It felt good to be in the room with all volunteers and really feeling like we were a part of the bigger picture. We will all have to work on Ending Malaria initiatives and tree planting. I now feel motivated to go back and keep trying.
I miss you all so much. Also if anyone knows of schools or classes that want french or even English pen pals from Africa, please let me k now I would love to start a pen pal exchange. My next projects include a possible collaboration with the middle school on teaching about alternate sources of energy. A theater and art class and Karate group. Working on strengthening the Environmental Education club, a kids garden and getting each of the classes to come to the garden once a week. Also Earth Day is coming up (April 22) and myself and the surrounding volunteers are planning some festivities. Also I will try to get a small celebration for International Women's Day on March 8th. Always things to do or try to do so I will continue to do what I can.
Send me your thoughts, pics, pretty things to put on my wall and music. I will post pictures soon!
love Diarra Coundoul
Hi Desneige from Eileen in NYC
Greetings!
Always so great to hear from you and read your news! Life in NYC & Stuyvesant Town is good. The girls are great...Erika in SF & Elena in Boston. Am looking for new gals to be here with me, too. Not much snow this winter in NYC, which is sad. The photo studio is doing better!! :) Keep the letters coming. Much love and congratulations on all your accomplishments! Love, EILEEN xo
Hello from a snow covered Belfast
Hello, Desneige. I enjoyed reading your latest entry. I'd love to have my class be pen pals with the children in Dakar, or any other place in Senegal. I have 11 boys, age 8-9 and they'd be very excited about writing to children in Africa. I can e-mail you a list of their names or vice versa.
Question: When you sat with the elders at the ceremony, were you able to understand what they said and could you converse with them? It sounds like you're experiencing a study in contrasts in many ways - but lately a contrast between city and country life in Senegal.
Congrats on your position on the gender committee. I'm glad to hear that such a group exists and that you're part of it. I'd like to hear more about the election. This has been school vacation week, so I've been in San Francisco, California visiting my step-daughter, Laurel, age 35, who works as a guidance counselor/drama therapist at an East Oakland elementary school. Everything was green and flowering in SF. My e-mail is lgarsonsmith@sad34.net. Love, Linda
Hey, nice summary
You forgot to mention your birthday cake story. I enjoyed this latest summary of your past few weeks, though. I'm in Tampa right now, getting ready to head back home after a conference. Mom tells me there is snow back home but we're starting to get lazy about shoveling it and hoping it just melts before the next storm. I know you wish we could send you some and we'd sure like to at this piont in the winter!! Tampa has been nice but very expensive and ostentatious. For a place that could be underwater with global warming there isn't too much carbon sparing activities (at least from the rich downtown areas where the hotels and conferences are). Best of luck with the desert. I've been wondering, did you get a good view of the recent eclipse? Your skies must be terrific for astronomy! | http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowinsenegal/senegal/1203455100/tpod.html | 2013-05-18T10:53:01 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://images.travelpod.com/bin/dashboard/throbber-big.gif",
null
],
[
"http://images.travelpod.com/bin/dashboard/throbber-big.gif",
null
],
[
"http://images.travelpod.com/bin/blog/bg/tripwow-shadow.png",
"shadow"
]
] |
L-3 Communications announced that its Link Simulation & Training division has been awarded a $20.9 million contract option on the F-16 Mission Training Center (MTC) program. This contract option, received from the Aeronautical Systems Center’s Training Systems Product Group at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, brings the total contract value on the program to $109.1 million.
Under the contract option, L-3 Link will build and deliver an F-16 MTC suite that includes four high-definition simulators. The Boeing Company will provide the instructor/operator stations and brief/debrief systems. This marks the second four-ship F-16 MTC the U.S. Air Force has ordered from L-3 Link.
All F-16 MTC suites under order are being integrated with L-3 Link’s HD World™ simulation product line. HD World combines high-definition databases, image generation systems, physics-based processing technology and visual system displays to create highly realistic and relevant environments for F-16 pilot training. SimuSphere® HD, the visual display component to HD World, provides each simulator with an immersive, 360-degree field-of-view.
“The technologies being delivered on the F-16 Mission Training Center simulators are providing a solution that will maximize pilot operational readiness while reducing training costs to the U.S. Air Force,” said Bob Birmingham, president of L-3 Link. “For the first time ever in a simulator, F-16 pilots will be able to detect, judge the orientation of, recognize and identify targets from the same distance as when flying an actual mission.”
Under the program, the U.S. Air Force could order as many as 20 four-ship F-16 MTCs for delivery to installations in the U.S., Europe and Pacific region. High-fidelity F-16 MTC simulators, which will accurately model all of the fighter aircraft’s weapon systems and ordnance, will be delivered in Block 40/42 and 50/52 configurations to support basic and advanced pilot mission training, tactics validation and mission rehearsal.
L-3 Link Simulation & Training.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs approximately 67,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2009 sales of $15.6 billion. | http://blog.uius.com/2010/03/ | 2013-05-18T10:31:20 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Affordably adapt, or lose.
I am fine with the notion that enlisted benefits will be reduced. That is with a caveat: as long as it leads to a positive impact in our ability to win wars.
When I returned to my home town for the first time as an E-4, I discovered I made more money than my close friends, as well as my mom who is an elementary school teacher. Granted I am much more trained and perform much more demanding skills than most of my friends. But, even with those who are skilled and trained in their demanding tasks commensurate with my own: I am still earning more, and will have a pension and an IRA when it’s all said and done. As an E-5 with BAH, I make significantly more than my friends. Now, in Afghanistan I cost something like a million dollars a year by just having my boots on the ground. How is that sustainable?
What concerns me the most is that we’re in an adaptation race with terrorists; the cost of their adaptation is orders of magnitude lower than our own. If we do not change the costs of our adaptation and/or our ability to afford adapting, we will not be able to win this war. Just as the Soviets could not sustain their efforts against us in the Cold War. We had the Anti-ballistic Missile treaty which put an end to the most visible aspect of our adaptation race with the soviets. But, we will have no such a treaty with terrorists, nothing is sacred anything can be used to defeat us. To stay competitive against this in our current war on terrorism we need to make our ability to adapt sustainable, possibly for generations. I think the Secretary of Defense knows this, and I believe that is why he said nothing is sacred and everything must be looked at to see if we can cut costs, or if we really need it. If a reduction in enlisted benefits directly contributes towards winning, then it must be done. However, when it is done, it will be a challenge to make sure the deckplates understand this fact and it should be directly demonstrated to us how the Navy is better off for it.
>: benefits, enlisted personnel, GWOT, pay
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. | http://blog.usni.org/2010/06/24/affordably-adapt-or-loose | 2013-05-18T10:31:08 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.usni.org/wp-content/themes/Unleashedprint/images/spacer.gif",
null
],
[
"http://blog.usni.org/wp-content/themes/Unleashedprint/images/spacer.gif",
null
],
[
"/images/spacer.gif",
null
]
] |
Despite the competition, sailor and soldier refused to leave a fellow female soldier behind, crossing the finish line together at the 2010 Warrior Games. (Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/theUSO).”
…
Pingback: Tweets that mention Warrior Games Wrap Up, but Their Impact Remains « the USO -- Topsy.com
I preformed in a USO Band in Europe over 30 years ago for 2 years. I ‘ve always want to know how to get a USO patch. Can you direct me to one?
By the way, I love the Pacific Miniseries.
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your support! If you could send us more details to commrequest@uso.org, we’ll see what we can do!
Awesome Games-Awesome Heroes!
Pingback: WTS 2 acc Wiz/cl and Warrior/cl | Silkroad Summit
Five from our organization volunteered at the games and the words that keep getting repeated by all of us is “life-changing”. There are really no words to express the experience of being there with the athletes and their families, hearing their stories, watching their competitions, hugging them and crying with them. It was an honor to spend the week with our warrior athletes! Thank you to all involved for creating a part of our country’s history that I know will continue! | http://blog.uso.org/2010/05/15/warrior-games-wrap-up-but-their-impact-remains/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=7f23597d43 | 2013-05-18T10:31:59 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://theuso.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/4604432779_0cb2df3f6e_b.jpg?w=500&h=373",
"4604432779_0cb2df3f6e_b"
],
[
"http://theuso.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/scr_100514-d-1852b-048a.jpg?w=500&h=333",
"scr_100514-D-1852B-048a"
]
] |
Future teachers participate in poverty simulation
Playing the role of a 43-year-old father of two or a 1-year-old girl, future teachers at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point learn firsthand about the effects of poverty on families and children on February 15. A total of 102 students, faculty and staff participated in a two-hour hands-on simulation designed to help them better understand what it’s like to live in poverty as part of the annual School of Education Okray Colloquium.
Trina Fuehrer, who was assigned the role of a 19-year-old unemployed teen with a son, found the experience valuable. “My favorite part was the overall stress level that occurred over the course of the ‘month’ and the lesson learned of this was reality for some.”
Other students acted as businesses owners in the town of “Realville” and experienced a different side of the situation. “It was an eye-opening experience,” said Christine Malkiewicz who worked at Big Dave’s Pawn Shop. “My ‘co-worker’ and I wanted to be a helpful, yet thriving, business in the community of Realville; however, the families were in so much need that we ended up bankrupt!”
CAP Services facilitated a poverty simulation for students in UWSP’s School of Education. The discussion that followed included some strategies the soon-to-be teachers can use to better understand, serve and engage students and parents who are struggling financially.
The event was sponsored by the UWSP School of Education, Association for the Education of Young Children, Kappa Delta Pi, Student Council For Exceptional Children, Student Council for the Social Studies, Student Wisconsin Education Association and CAP Services. | http://blog.uwsp.edu/cps/2012/02/15/future-teachers-participate-in-poverty-simulation/ | 2013-05-18T10:21:10 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
VantageTrade Eagle Eye: Indian markets open flat following global peers
Yesterday’s trading session was volatile as the markets were impacted by all the news clarifying General Anti Avoidance Regulations (GAAR) provisions which will be applicable from April 1. Indian markets ended up more than 1% today. Due to new tightening regulatory norms by the RBI, the selling pressure was observed in gold loans. Nifty ended up 58.9 points and closed at 5243.15. Sensex finished up 204.58 points, at 17,257.36.
Asian and US shares fell today as investors are waiting for more information about the condition of the US economy. Japan's Nikkei 225 index was trading 1.07% lower at 10,145.62, reversing from 2.4% yesterday which was the higher level since the tsunami happened on March 2011. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was trading lower at 20,904.12, down 0.7%. South Korea's Kospi index was trading 0.2% lower at 2035.45. China's Shanghai index was trading at 2324, down 1.03%. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 43.90 points, or 0.33%, to close at 13,197.73. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index dropped 3.99 points, or 0.28%, to 1,412.52. The Nasdaq Composite Index dipped 2.22 points, or 0.07%, to 3,120.35.
Nifty and Sensex, following the global peers, started the session down. It’s mainly due to no positive global triggers, as well as profit booking by investors. Nifty opened 11.45 points down, at 5,231.70 and Sensex was down 22.88 points, at 17,234.48. The main focus today will be put on Kingfisher Airlines shares as it terminated operations to 28 of its 56 destinations over the past two days and made at least 40-50% staff redundant. The close eye will be also kept on SBI after the public sector bank raised interest rates on term deposits for up to a year by 1%.
The rupee fell today on dollar demand from oil importers while weak equities across Asia created doubts about the pace of capital inflows. The rupee was at 50.86/$. In the meantime, the crude oil continued to remain firm at $124.90 per barrel.
Other Economic and Political News:
- 65% of government’s borrowing to be in 1HFY2013
- No subsidy for digitalization but implementation on track: Government
- Rs.2.73lakh cr of I-T dues locked up in disputes: Government
- REpower signs contract for supplying 54 turbines in Germany
- Patni gets Rio Tinto outsourcing order
- Gammon Infra bags Rs.935cr road project from NHA
Try VantageTrade for FREE Today! | http://blog.vantagetrade.com/2012/03/28/?calcat=148 | 2013-05-18T10:11:57 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
The Holiday Conversation: Communicating Your Gluten-Free Needs
By Rachel Begun, MS, RD
Every holiday season, articles abound providing gluten-free individuals with tips for navigating celebrations while staying gluten free. Over the years I have written many such articles myself. There’s usually a tip about having a conversation with the host to communicate your needs. But the advice ends there. They don’t tell you HOW to have the conversation, which can be the most daunting part for those who are gluten-free. | http://blog.vitacost.com/tags/almond-butter/www.vitacost.com/www.vitacost.com/the-great-life/page/2/ | 2013-05-18T10:52:33 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Stretch Mark Survival Kit
Some: | http://blog.vitacost.com/tags/cocoa-butter/ | 2013-05-18T10:52:36 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Hi my name is Debbie and I would like to share my experience of the first ever London Sun Walk.
I have walked many Walk the Walk challenges and when I saw there was to a Sun Walk in London I had to enter. I also wanted to include my parents in the experience as they have been huge supporters of my challenges and my Autistic son ,Ben, too.
The build up to the walk was brilliant lots of messages on the Forum and updates on the Walk the Walk facebook page. At this time I had been asked to decorate a few people’s bras so I set up ‘Budgie’s Bras’ a page where people could share links and bra decorating ideas and it helped with my fundraising too. I set about about making my parent’s and Roy Gale’s bras. Then 3 days before the walk I received Nina’s bra to decorate too.
Two days prior to the walk was my dad’s 70th birthday and to celebrate this Nina invited my parents, myself and Ben to be her special guests. We were all so proud when we received our invites. I was a little worried about Ben, my son, as he was to go on stage with Nina, being autistic I wasnt sure how he would cope with the noise and crowds but gave him plenty of talks and he ended up by being really excited as were my parents too.
24th July..the day….
We left early in the morning and drove to London and I had a virgin walker with me, Kelly, a newbie to walking and the week before we had walked across 18 bridges in London for a work’s challenge she had going and she only applied on the monday to do the Sun Walk!!. We had our picnic and our bras and found the site. I had seen pictures thats Guy had posted on Walk the Walk facebook but the scene that greeted us was amazing..Tippees, wagons, line dancing arena oh and lots more. First call was to introduce my parents to Jo, the forum administrator, and some of my dear friends from the forum too. Everybody made them and Ben feel so welcome.
We then made our way to the VIP area where I saw Zoe and Chris whose wedding I had attended on the 22nd July, introduced my family to theirs. I gave Nina her bra which she was pleased with..phew! and then mum and dad went to get changed into their bras and indian wigs!! They looked great ( I dont really remember seeing my dad with hair before!!!!
Roy Gayle arrived, Ben was so excited to meet him as he calles him ‘Roy the boy 123′. Roy was fantastic with him talking to him and Ben was so happy it brought a tear to my eye.
I took Ben back to the forum stand where he met more of the ‘forum girls’ as he calls them and I bought a Cactus ticket and won a pamper day!!
The entertainment was brilliant. Took Ben to see the animals and the owls which he loved and had pictures taken with Roy and my parents.
Then it was time…we were at the back of the stage listening to Nina talking to the crowd, must admit my tummy went over!!! It was lovely Nina called me on to the stage and mentioned her bra…I was beaming, so proud!!! She then called her special guest up, my Ben, he came on the stage, he looked a bit bewildered and kept holding my hand for reassurance but was so happy. Then it was my dad’s turn. Nina called him up and told everyone it had been his 70th birthday and then the whole site sang happy birthday to him, thought I saw a little blush on his face!!! And I thank you if you are reading this and were there for joining in the ‘happy birthday to you’!!
Mum came up too bless her…my mum is partially sighted so walking with my dad and Ben for 3 miles was going to be a challenge for her but she was eager to do it.
Nina invited other guests on to the stage including Mary, now Mary is I think the oldest walker with Walk the Walk and walks full marathons and sun walks, one amazing woman.
After the introductions it was time for the minutes silence, remembering survivors and people we had lost to this horrible disease, at this point I made eye contact with Sharon, a dear friend who I have met through the forum, on occasions we have hugged and shed a tear togther after the minutes silence.
After the hugs and emotions was the warm up…with Roy the Boy. He too liked his bra, he wears them so well!!!
Now this is when Ben came alive, not a very active boy is my Ben but he was jumping around and waving his arms with Roy it was lovely to see. Dad was a bit nervous about doing the warm up as he..im sure he wouldnt mind sharing this with you, but has no rhythm at all but he was brilliant and enjoyed it too.
I left the stage to take some pictures and then it was time for the off for the half marathon.
It was such a warm day and took me a while to get going but soon got into the stride. It was lovely walking along some of the sights that I have only seen during the night. The crowds were very supportive and the volunteers were as usual fantastic. It was so warm and for some reason I experienced a really painful foot…’ignore it Debbie I kept telling myself’ , kept the fluids up and carried on. After about 5 or 6 miles a lady caught up with me and said ‘Hi Debbie..you’re the bra lady’ i didnt recognise her, and to this day wish I had got her name. We walked together until the end. I am usually a solo walker but I was finding it hard going as was this lady. She was clearly suffering from the heat and I was really worried about her at mile 11 when I thought she was going to faint so I held her hand until the end.
We finished together but I knew she need a medic. Another friend Colette who was at the finish line managed to call for one. We took her to the stage and the medics arrived, I quickly went and got her a medal and gave it to her and then she was gone. I do hope she was ok.
Mum and dad were waiting for me with Ben and Ben so chuffed with his medal. We had more pictures taken and then dad went to get the picnic. We sat on the grass with our picnic watching everything going on around us.
We watched the line dancing and the man with the whip, which Ben was transfixed with and popped back to the forum stand to see the girlies again. But Ben was tired and at that time I thought it was best to come home.
The whole day was amazing, the organisation that goes into the walks is huge and from my parents, Ben and I would like to thank Walk the Walk for a very very special day.
To my Mum and Dad if you are reading this, a huge well done to you both for walking your first Walk the Walk challenge and a huge thank you for looking after my Ben too.
Oh and for anyone who is thinking of walking a Walk the Walk challenge…DO IT!!!
Walk the Walk is not only a fantastic Charity to help but has helped me in my life…thank you Walk the Walk and well done on another fantastic day…heres to next year!
Debbie xx
Keep up to date and subscribe to our blog. Every time we publish a new post we’ll send you an email
I had forgotten I had written this!! Thank you Guy brought back some lovely memories x
Thank you, that was another reminder for a Sunwalk virgin of a lovely summer’s day, a fantastic organised event and for the provision of unusual entertainment for the citizens of London. Yet it was only a month ago.
Hi to all you lovely ladies (and men) who are involved in Walk the Walk challenges. It’s Debbie’s (Budgie’s Bra fame) Dad here. I echo Deb’s feelings about this latest walk. My wife, Eileen and I felt privileged to have taken part in the London Sun Walk in Battersea Park in July, and we hope to take part in more next year. However, I may not wear “the hair” anymore. It felt so unnatural and it kept getting in my eyes! I wondered how many thought it was real?
I really enjoyed the day apart from three bruised toes and a parking ticket. | http://blog.walkthewalk.org/debbies-sunwalk.htm/ | 2013-05-18T10:21:31 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Outers® is known for providing hunters and shooters with consistent and reliable gun care products for over 75 years. New 32 and 62-piece Universal Gun Cleaning Kits include all of the necessary components to service shotguns, semi-auto and bolt-action rifles, pistols, revolvers and other handguns quickly and effectively. Foaming Bore Cleaner is easy-to-use and produces superior results without brushing.
ONALASKA, Wis. – June 23, 2011-Outers® Gun Care introduces new 32 and 62-piece Universal Gun Cleaning Kits and a new size of Foaming Bore Cleaner. Kits contain high-quality accessories to quickly clean several different firearms and are available on store shelves now.
Universal Cleaning Power
New Universal Gun Cleaning Kits (MSRP: $27.95 – $63.49) feature a specialized 32 or 62-piece assortment of gun care products to clean most firearms. Kits come in either soft-sided or blow-molded cases. Strong, solid brass rods with high-quality tips, mops, brushes and patches help service a large variety of firearms. Learn more about the new kits online, at.
Blow-molded kits have specific compartments for most parts within the kit. Different sized compartments provide convenient and organized access. Plus, additional compartments hold extra gun care accessories. Hard-plastic, durable maroon cases securely store these accessories for quick use at the range or in the field.
Soft-sided kits feature a rugged, slim and lightweight design for easy storage and transport. Carrying cases include compartment pockets for easy-access. Wrap-around dual zippers provide secure storage.
Powerful and Effortless Cleaning
New Foaming Bore Cleaner is easy-to-use and produces excellent results, all without brushing. All shooters need to do is spray, wait and wipe away. A flexible dispenser tube allows for easy application directly into the bore of a firearm. Foaming Bore Cleaner dissolves copper, lead and powder residue quickly and effectively. Learn more about this powerful solution online, at.
“The new universal cleaning kits are a great value for shooters,” said Product Marketing Manager John Huse. “Cleaning a variety of different firearms is quick and easy with so many quality components in each kit.”
To learn more about the new Universal Gun Cleaning Kits, Foaming Bore Cleaner and all the other great gun care products from Outers, visit.
Part No. and Description
42492 Foaming Bore Cleaner, 3-ounce Spray
70072 32-piece Blow-Molded Universal Kit
70074 62-piece Blow-Molded Universal Kit
70060 32-piece Soft-Sided Universal Kit
70062 62-piece Soft-Sided Universal Kit
About Outers® Security and Sporting. For more information on Outers, visit. | http://blog.webyshops.com/?cat=367 | 2013-05-18T10:40:27 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
The 5 W’s of WiseStats db
Reprinted from the Bet Smart Media blog
Yesterday I proclaimed this to be “The Week of WiseStats db” as Bet Smart Media gears up for the start of the 2011 MLB season this Thursday, which also happens to be the day we launch WiseStats db in closed beta. WiseStats db has been baking in the oven for 3 months, and we’re pumped to finally show sports fans like you what this innovative statistics engine is all about and why it will become a key weapon in your arsenal!
What?
WiseStats db is a probability engine that allows you determine how likely your favorite sports team is to win any given game. It does this by looking at different conditions that exist in an upcoming game that your team is playing, and then evaluating how well your team has performed historically under the same game conditions. It is based on the fundamental principle that says past performance is the best indicator of future performance. If your team wins 82% of the time when they play on the road on a 2-game winning streak, then all else remaining equal, your team should win 82% of future games that are played under the same conditions.
Who?
Well, since WiseStats db is a probability engine that helps you determine how likely your favorite team is to win any given game, the people that will find it most useful are people that are trying to pick the winners. Put it this way – our company is called “Bet Smart” for a reason! WiseStats db was developed for people that bet on sports… if this is you, then you have to try WiseStats db. We guarantee that it’s unlike any tool you’ve ever used to help make betting decisions!
Why?
You probably haven’t used a horse-drawn carriage to get around town since the invention of the combustible engine. So why are you using raw statistics published in the newspaper to make betting decisions when there is innovative technology like WiseStats db available to do the analysis for you? It’s 2011, and it’s time that you had a tool to make decisions supported by actual historical outcomes! WiseStats db is leading the ‘Sports Statistics 2.0′ revolution.
Where?
WiseStats db will be live at. It will be launching in closed beta, which means that you need an invitation to check it out. Want an invitation? Don’t be shy! Just send us an email to request one at: invites@betsmartmedia.com. No skill-testing question required!
When?
WiseStats db launches in closed beta this Thursday, March 31. To begin with, you will be able to use WiseStats db to evaluate teams and games in Major League Baseball. Throughout 2011, we will add support for new leagues as new seasons begin, with a focus on North America to start: MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA Football, and NCAA Basketball. And yes, we’re already looking at expanding our reach outside of North American leagues with the addition of soccer (errr, football)!
How?
Like the letter ‘y’ is to English vowels, we’ve snuck in ‘how’ to the 5 W’s, as in: “How does WiseStats db work?”
1. Define: With the easy-to-use interface, define your team’s game conditions to create a “game scenario”. WiseStats db will find all of the historical games your team has played in the that game scenario (back to 2005).
2. Review: Not only will WiseStats db show you all the historical games your team has played in the game scenario, but it will automatically show you what your team’s win-loss record is for the games played, and calculate the amount of money you would have won/lost by betting the same amount of money on each game using the actual odds for each historical game! WiseStats db is the easiest way to find out how profitable different scenarios are.
3. Follow! Uncovered a profitable game scenario? Great! But what do you do with that information? With a single click, you can ‘follow’ game scenarios, and every time your team has an upcoming game where the conditions are present, WiseStats db will send you an email alert before the game starts so you can place your bet! NOWHERE ON THE INTERNET is anything this powerful available.
WiseStats db is an homage to Bet Smart Media’s mission to democratize the way people access and use sports statistics to help make decisions. We’re not interested in being just another provider of sports statistics. Instead, we’re here to shake things up and turn the world of sports statistics on its head — bet on that!
- Jesse | http://blog.wisestats.com/the-5-w%E2%80%99s-of-wisestats-db | 2013-05-18T10:12:24 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"http://blog.betsmartmedia.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif",
"More..."
]
] |
Sure, it's blazing hot now, but we're just around the corner from fall, meaning we can start thinking about outdoor dining again. So where to head when the temps eventually start dipping? Read on for some must-try alfresco options, courtesy of our Texas Restaurants guide.
Contigo
Food: -
Decor: -
Service: -
Cost: -
This “rustic” find in the new Mueller development takes its inspiration from the owners’ ranch in South Texas with low-cost Eclectic fare that pairs with “seasonal cocktails” and beer in a laid-back setting; a major draw is the all-weather patio strung with Christmas lights.
2027 Anchor Ln.; 512-614-2260
JMueller BBQ
Food: -
Decor: -
Service: -
Cost: -
A large parking lot in Bouldin Creek is the site of the long-awaited return of pit master John Mueller – of the famous Louie Mueller BBQ family in Taylor – who barbecues housemade sausage, pork chops and short ribs (along with prime rib on Fridays) and sells it from a truck; picnic tables are available for alfresco chowing, but many folks call ahead and get it to go.
1502 S. First St.; 512-229-7366
Moonshine
Food: 24
Decor: 22
Service: 23
Cost: $27
Set in a “lovely historic home” Downtown right across the street from the convention center, this well-priced charmer serves “dressed-up” Southern-American cuisine with “modern” touches; “tasteful” decor, a lush patio and “busy bar” make it “pleasant” all around, not to mention a must for its “epic” Sunday brunch.
303 Red River St.; 512-236-9599
Paggi House
Food: 23
Decor: 24
Service: 21
Cost: $54.”
200 Lee Barton Dr.; 512-473-3700
Perla's
Food: 26
Decor: 23
Service: 23
Cost: $44
“Even Bostonians rave about the lobster roll” at this SoCo hot spot serving a “wonderful” Cape Cod–style seafood menu featuring “rich chowder”, “fresh fish” and loads of oysters; add in a “pro” staff, moderate bills and a “laid-back” setting with a “marvelous” deck for “excellent people-watching” and you have a “winner”; P.S. brunch is also popular.
1400 S. Congress Ave.; 512-291-7300 | http://blog.zagat.com/2012/08/austin-areas-5-best-restaurants-for.html | 2013-05-18T10:36:10 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Follow Zap2it:
'Awkward' Season 2 finale: Nikki DeLoach teases Jenna's choice, the secret blogger, and more mother-daughter turmoil to come
There's just something about a girl torn between two really awesome guys that makes for fantastic, iconic teen television (we're still talking about Ben vs. Noel, though the Dawson vs. Pacey debate has officially been settled). Watching Jenna (Ashley Rickards) ping-pong between the hunky Matty (Beau Mirchoff) and the endearing Jake (Brett Davern) has been a blast.
But that's not why we watch anymore.
A show that could have easily been a superficial series about the trials of first love has become a powerful, refreshing, honest look at a complicated mother-daughter relationship that we can all relate to. Playing the deeply flawed Lacey, Nikki DeLoach began her "Awkward" run as the comic relief. In Season 1, Lacey had little dimension -- she was ditzy, selfish, and mostly oblivious to the needs of her teenage daughter. But when it was revealed that the anonymous "carefrontation" letter Jenna received in the pilot was actually from Lacey, everything changed.
Season 3 opened up old wounds for the mother and daughter. At the beginning, things were incredibly tense -- Lacey was deeply ashamed of herself and suffering consequences throughout her life, and Jenna was still an exposed, raw nerve -- angry and hurt and confused about the measure of her self-worth.
"At the end of the day, friends come and go and boyfriends come and go, but as a girl, it's that relationship with your mother that is supremely foundational and that you carry with you the rest of your life," DeLoach tells us. "It's been really fantastic that the fans have responded to this storyline the way that you have."
When we last saw Jenna and Lacey, they'd worked really hard on rebuilding things. Lacey put it all on the table when she told Jenna that she'd always love her -- "But you don't have to love me." Talk about a tear-jerker. Later, when Lacey was beating herself up for the umpteenth time, Jenna crawled into bed with her mom and sang her a lullaby. It may not be a forgive-and-forget moment, but it showed the profound bond between two characters and reminded us that their history together extended far beyond the scope of the last two seasons.
It would appear that after the traumatic letter experience, these two may emerge with an ultimately stronger bond -- but the story doesn't end here.
"Just like any mother-daughter relationship, there's going to be missteps, there's going to be fights," DeLoach says. "Lacey is going to upset Jenna. Jenna's going to upset Lacey. But they are on this road to forgiveness, which is the first step with any relationship. In order to have forgiveness there has to be some sort of understanding. These episodes leading up to [the finale] helped Jenna understand that her mother didn't always have it so easy, and her mother was always there for her, even when she didn't know it."
It strikes a personal chord for DeLoach. "The same thing happened to me when I became an adult and realized that the whole entire time my mom was there loving me, and fighting for me, and I just didn't know it. My eyes weren't open to it," she says. "They're on the road to recovery in a lot of ways."
The Season 2 finale airs Thursday, Sept. 20 at 10:30 p.m. EST. "The secret blogger will be revealed," DeLoach teases. "I'm really looking forward to seeing how fans react to that because there have been tons of murmurs on Twitter of who that person is, so that will be really fun -- but also, Jenna is finally making a choice. We're ending the show with a very philosophical ending. It's a question of 'I got what I wanted, but was it necessarily what I needed?' I love that."
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Photo/Video credit: Elisabeth Caren
Related pics
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd | http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/09/awkward-season-2-finale-nikki-deloach-teases-jennas-choice-the-secret-blogger-and-more-mother-daught.html?aid=zap2it | 2013-05-18T10:53:57 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"/frominsidethebox/images/from-inside-the-box.png",
"From Inside the Box: TV News and Buzz"
],
[
"http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/nikki-deloach.jpg",
"nikki-deloach.jpg"
]
] |
Follow Zap2it:
Jennifer Aniston accessorizes black-and-white dress with giant engagement ring
The actress opted for a black-and-white strapless Valentino gown, coordinating with fiancé Justin Theroux, who wore a classic tux to the event at the Beverly Hilton.
While Aniston and Theroux skipped the press line, arriving just before the show started. During the gala, Aniston, who co-starred in "Along Came Polly" with Stiller, presented a video package of the comedian's onscreen romances.
"His package is surprisingly large," she jokes. "Very expansive, and its lasting power speaks for itself."
Aniston was one of several of Stiller's past co-stars to honor him: Will Ferrell, Jack Black and Patton Oswalt shared stories of working with Stiller, as did Tom Cruise, who appeared in a surprise video.
Take a closer peek at Aniston's ring below.
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Photo/Video credit: Getty Images
Related pics
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd
Featured Partners | http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2012/11/jennifer-aniston-accessorizes-black-and-white-dress-with-giant-engagement-ring.html | 2013-05-18T11:02:58 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [
[
"/pop2it/images/pop2it-logo-632.jpg",
"Pop2it: Culture. Celebrity. With a Twist"
],
[
"http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/jennifer-aniston-justin-theroux-american-Cinematheque-awards-gi.jpg",
"jennifer-aniston-black-and-white-dress-engagement-ring-pics-photo-justin-theroux-american-Cinematheque-awa... |
Eric Blehm's book explores the life and death of ranger Randy Morgenson.
Ben Fisher and Mike Henderson continue the hard-hitting supernatural tale of Darklings in this second volume.
A fascinating and detailed courtroom mystery.
A page turner full of love, murder, and the sobering issue of gender selective abortion in India.
This Prohibition Era supernatural crime story delivers monsters and action from beginning to end.
'A Boy's Own Story' is an autobiographical account of how an adolescent discovers and comes to terms with his homosexuality.
Spunky bad girl masks her wistful heart with stubborn independence and a sharp tongue in debut novel by Christa Parrish.
The Integrated and Sustainable School Cafeterias Program is a community-based model, which can be used in other African countries.
Life of Brian, sheep, a pipe band, and Eric Idle - in an oratorio.
Monique Coleman (High School Musical) Packs Food For the Hungry In Hollywood, CA
"The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" returns to work magic under the stars in Central Park.
Experience what is perhaps the world's most coveted Cognac.
Curious about how climate change will affect your favorite wine?
Extra money for a service is expected. Y'know, some industries could call that price gouging.
The theatrical version is supremely satisfying, however the unrated version is completely unnecessary.
Not a blockbuster, but a quiet triumph for the series.
A modern day remake of the cult classic.
Seth Rogen and James Franco DARE to get viewers into theaters to see their new stoner comedy.
Solid indie thriller will have you squirming.
Cleverly placed products in a TV show can be a beautiful thing.
Get a head start on the weekend, see your movies now.
In this Sisterhood, the motto seems to be: Have Jeans, Will Travel to Greece.
Can the Doctor and Donna save Earth after the Dalek invasion?
Matt Cameron's jazz trio is impressive and exciting.
Video from GravelRoad, Pussycat Dolls, and Zebraheads and a new single from Todd Rundgren.
Another must-have country CD.
You can't just get up on stage at a huge festival no matter who your dad is ! This girl rocks.
Jimi Hendrix: Chapter 1. Are You Experienced?
Strong debut release. If you like music, give this a shot.
Celebrating the music of a Latin jazz legend with some of his best live appearances.
A lost jazz-rock classic finally emerges on CD.
The largest known hacking group stealing credit and debit card information from merchants was indicted yesterday after a three year investigation.
Everyone's being so hard on Manny Ramirez, but not me. | http://blogcritics.org/archive/2008/08/06/ | 2013-05-18T10:34:16 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | 1368696382261 | [] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.