Monthly Archives: April 2009

Do we engage or avoid and/or create an alternative culture? (or) Die Kulturfrage

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Rick

(I have been wanting to write this for the last few months but have not sat down and taken the time.) There is a polite debate among those of a more conservative political and/or religious persuasion. Let me first establish … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Media, Politics, Propaganda, Religion, Society and Culture, Television | Comments Off

Vivek Wadhwa on Bob Edwards Weekend – why skilled immigrants are a good thing and a vanishing resource

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Rick

Last night while driving to a dinner party at the home of a Chinese family was listening to NPR (I am a glutton for punishment) and heard a remarkable and illuminating interview with researcher Vivek Wadhwa on the subject of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

How did Jesus respond to questions? (or) What Miss California might have said

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Rick

My wife was channel flipping and caught the last several minutes of the Miss USA competition. (Not to be confused with the Miss America competition.) Apparently Miss Louisiana (from Baton Rouge and featured in the Baton Rouge Advocate that week) … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, New Testament, Society and Culture | Comments Off

"Why do Christians hate Obama?" (or) How does one answer a broken question?

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Rick

Note (May 07, 2009): I marked this post as “private” after I wrote it. Was not comfortable with the idea of writing a post responding rather publicly (the Internet is very public) to something a congregant wrote on facebook (which … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Economics, Issues, Politics, Rhetoric, Society and Culture | 2 Comments

The folly of ritual tourism (or) Christian(s doing) "seders"

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Rick

AKMA offers a fascinating and (as always) deeply thoughtful post expressing discomfort with “the increasing frequency with which Christians set up and proceed to ‘enact’ seders“. He offers four specific “answers” on the issue. In his second answer where he … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Judaism, Religion, Worship and Liturgy | Comments Off

(The?) Pragmatic Truth of (the) Resurrection (or) Easter Sunday sermon

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Rick

“The(?) Pragmatic Truth of (the) Resurrection” or “It Is True Because It Works/It Works Because It Is True” 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Easter/Resurrection Sunday | April 12, 2009 Richard M. Wright Church of the Nations It Works Because It Is True … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons, Theology | Comments Off

Giving the president due credit (or) What do you do with a drunken pirate?

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Rick

Three pirates. Three shots. I have been rather harshly critical toward President Obama on this website for a variety of reasons (which still exist). But frankly I think conservatives can and should give him due credit for how he handled … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, News, Politics, War | Comments Off

"Being Theologically Conservative"

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Rick

My friend Joshua (whom I get to visit when in Atlanta for Catalyst Conference) is a self-described “Socially Liberal, Theologically Conservative, Protestant” whose political views are “Very Liberal”. My intent here is not to debate or quibble with the “socially/politically … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Education, Personal, Sabbath, Theology | Comments Off

Sauron the reformer

Posted on April 12, 2009 by Rick

Whilst rereading Unfinished Tales by J. R. R. Tolkien (edited by his son Christopher Tolkien) I came across this footnote. (You do read the footnotes right?) From the chapter “History of Galadriel and Celeborn”: In a letter written in September … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Tolkien | Comments Off

American troops give early buzz on "Star Trek"

Posted on April 12, 2009 by Rick

The director and cast of the forthcoming “Star Trek” movie graciously traveled to and visited with American troops serving in Kuwait. The troops were given the opportunity – in fact two opprtunities – to watch a “special premier” of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun and Geek Stuff, Movies and film, Science Fiction | Comments Off