Steyn on The Da Vinci Code

I hope this is my only post on this overblown controvery, but I like both the substance and the style with which Mark Steyn roasts Da Vinci code author Dan Brown.

It's a good rule in this line of work to respect a hit. But golly, The Da Vinci Code makes it hard. At the start of the book, Dan Brown pledges, "All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate." It's everything else that's hokum, beginning with the title, whose false tinkle testifies to Brown's penchant for weirdly inauthentic historicity. Referring to "Leonardo da Vinci" as "da Vinci" is like listing Lawrence of Arabia in the phone book as "Of Arabia, Mr. L," or those computer-generated letters that write to the Duke of Wellington as "Dear Mr. Duke, you may already have won!"....

You can check out the rest of his essay at Macleans.ca.
(Hat tip: filmchat)

Blessed to be an American

Those bumper stickers that say "Proud to be an American" should read, "Blessed to be an American." With that blessing comes the responsibility to make this country the best it can be to its citizens and to the world community. - Ron Erskine (www.commondreams.org)

I had this thought yesterday while sitting in church. One of our members was reading one of Abraham Lincoln's Proclamations for a National Day of Prayer. His "message" was a mix of religion and patriotism with references to our "Christian Heritage". As a historian, I often get annoyed with such references - knowing that our founding fathers were a mix of pious men of faith, enlightened deists, and agnostics. And Lincoln's faith is an enigma at best. He championed our national civil religion, but his personal beliefs are so murky that most scholars would shy away from describing him as a true Christian (and especially not an evangelical Christian).

But beyond the historical debate, there is this notion (made popular by Lee Greenwood) that I should be proud to be an American. I grew up believing in this American exceptionalism - that we as a nation are better than everyone else. And this belief was reinforced in church. American Christians were somehow better than other Christians.

I am beginning to question the propriety of such beliefs. Sure America is a great place to live and we as Americans enjoy unprecedented freedoms and prosperity. But rather than take pride in that, maybe we should be humble instead, knowing that are great achievements are temporal at best. And as a Christian, I am called to be humble before my Creator. He is the one who gives and he is certainly sovereign to take it away. I think it is time for American Evangelicals to put away the rhetoric of pride in favor of that of humble thanksgiving.

Our country's greatest danger does not come from terrorism, communism, or any other ism; It is our own pride that will be our downfall. Someone recently told me that the greatest civilizations on Earth were not conquered from without - they committed social and cultural suicide from within. I think Rome is a good example of this.

That doesn't mean we can't be patriotic - fly the flag, celebrate our freedom, support our troops, participate in our political system, vote! But also remember that we have a responsibility to a higher authority and a higher allegiance.

Do you suffer from Bono Fatigue? Find the help you need in "a Place for Bono Vox Detox."
(Hat tip:Lark News)

Junk Science

I am not a scientist nor have I ever played one on TV. Al Gore is not a scientist either, but that doesn't stop him from pretending to be one in his upcoming film.

I am pretty skeptical of most of the global warming talk and the folks over at Junk Science.com provide some science to back up my skepticism. Go check out The Real Inconveniant Truth.

Bluegrass Worship

It is rare that I buy an album without trying it on for size beforehand. I made an exception with this little gem by Greg Adkins and Friends simply called The Bluegrass Service.

Greg hails from my hometown of Knoxville, TN, and is an aspiring independent artist. The album is inspired by actual bluegrass worship services at his church. The album combines old bluegrass standards like I'll Fly Away, I Saw the Light and When the Roll is Called up Yonder with newer "alt-worship" numbers by Michael Roe (Lutheran Hymn), The Lost Dogs (Pray Where You Are), and Jonathan Rundman (Forgiveness Waltz). For good measure the band includes covers of Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, and Bill Mallonee, but perhaps the best number is Greg's original, Uncle Joe's Bunions - a hilarious yet profound send up of prayer meetings everywhere.

If modern worship albums are beginning to sound all the same, pick this one up and give it a whirl. You won't regret it. I know I don't.

Greg also has a blog on the emergent church movement at www.emergingminister.com

Pater familias

Check out Wikipedia for a good definition of this term for father figure made popular by George Clooney's character in O' Brother Where Art Thou.

Nord's space

I'm now on my space too. www.myspace.com/nordmoe

Texas Vacation (the rest of the story)

Day 2

Besides visiting with our friends, we explored the Texas countryside around Austin. Highlights include seeing the junkyard where portions of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre were filmed (Harold’s junkyard in Briggs, TX), experiencing the Bush twins’ favorite TexMex eatery, Chuy’s, and enjoying a Texas steak for dinner.

Day 3

On Saturday, we hung out in our room for a few hours so I could grade some papers. Then we did some more exploring as we drove up to Waco to hook up with Scott and Jenn. Once there, we hung out with Scott all afternoon and evening – watching Drop Dead Gorgeous and Rat Race, eating pizza and M&Ms, playing Settlers of Catan, listening to Scott’s iPod, and waiting for Jenn to return home from Little Rock. Oh, we also celebrated the time change by actually springing forward at 2am.

Day 4

With only 5 hours of sleep, I woke up and graded some more papers. Then it was off to church (with a quick stop at Shipley’s Donuts for some Czech. kaloches for brunch). Scott and Jenn attend Dayspring Baptist Church. The service is far more liturgical than your typical SBC, and the building was gorgeous (a mix of wood, stone and glass that allowed us to enjoy the beauty outside as well as inside). I enjoyed the emphasis that they place on the substance of what is read and sung. One hymn we sang (Here I Am) was new to me and yet ministered to me in current circumstances.

After lunch, we drove through Dallas to McKinney, TX where Janell’s cousin lives. We last saw Billie Jo and John at our wedding (nearly ten years ago), so we really enjoyed getting to know them and their three girls (I also made fast friends with their dog, Dixie). We look forward to seeing them later this year, when they will drive through Nashville on their way to Pennsylvania.

Day 5

We had to leave early this morning in order to get back to the southside of the city. While we enjoyed the skyline views and impressive highway projects, we don’t care to experience the gridlock of morning rush hour again.

Once we were through the traffic, we enjoyed a morning of Christian fellowship with our brothers and sisters at Wycliffe International. They were excellent hosts and we learned so much more about this wonderful agency that we have followed and supported since we were each kids. It is amazing to see and hear about the work God is doing both in Dallas and around the world.

After a quick lunch, we hit the road so that we could return to Austin to catch our flight. You may ask yourselves why we didn’t just fly out of Dallas. The answer is that Southwest Airlines is prevented by federal law from operating direct service from Dallas’ Love Field to states not bordering with Texas. It is an arcane law and you can visit setlovefree.com to learn more.

We made our flight just fine and I finished my grading in the airport (Phew!!!). That pretty much takes to the present where I am composing this post. Thanks for reading.

Austin, TX day one.

Tonight I'm blogging from the outskirts of Austin, Tx. We flew here this afternoon for a couple days of rest, relaxtion, and to visit old friends and new friends. Craig Miller, from Global Impact, picked us up from the airport and drove us to Round Rock on the northside. There we hooked up with his wife and kids and enjoyed some Texas BBQ ala Rudy's Country Store (imagine a Texas Roadhouse without the peanuts and or a Cracker Barrell with a gas station). And the brisket was excellent along with the cream corn, beans, and banana pudding. I don't think I'll need to eat for another 24 hours....


The kids are spending the weekend with a variety of friends (thanks to J&T, the Carrs, and Catherine). We are enjoying the peace and quiet of the hotel room along with the blissful prospect of sleeping in past 6am. Its been a while since Janell and I have spent time in a nice hotel. Every once in awhile it is good to be pampered.
:-)

The McPassion

For those of you with a highspeed connection and an appreciation for satire, check out the McPassion.

The greatest story ever told
and a fast food giant unite
to deliver the tie-in of tie-ins.

But hurry, The McPassion is being served for a limited time only...

Also check out Christianity Today's interview with the film's director.