On Sarah Palin

Like most of the country, I’m still trying to figure out what I think about John McCain’s pick of Alaska governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate. While it’s way too early to draw any real conclusions, here are a couple of thoughts on the matter:
Initially, I felt what Joseph Bottum at First Things called a [...]

Sobering Up

Maybe I’m just suffering from a DNC hangover, but apparently I’m not the only one. You have to read David Brooks’ column in the New York Times today. It’s a little cynical for him, but see if you can spot some truth in and among the overstatement. Here’s his opening paragraph:
“My fellow Americans, it is an honor [...]

The Reverse

As mortgage payments tend to be more than the rent kind, I started a second job this week working part-time in Covenant Seminary’s bookstore. It’s a good schedule for me that works with my teaching: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m., and about every other Saturday from 9:30-2:30. In addition, Megan will cover the [...]

The Facts of Truth

One of the first things I tell my New Testament students is that, while I can’t prove God exists, I can prove the accuracy of the biblical record that claims he does. The kids are usually pretty interested by both statements, and we had some really good discussions last week on topics like general and [...]

Summarizing on a Saturday

I recognize the past week has been less than impressive in terms of original content. Here’s an attempt at righting that wrong:
1. As I see it, the selection of Joe Biden as Barack Obama’s running mate makes a lot of sense…in the short term. Biden personifies age and diplomacy more than Obama does, and his [...]

“…to serve musicians, to serve artists, to renew the city…”

Our associate pastor, Greg Johnson, just forwarded a review of the art show going on at The Chapel, the “sanctuary for the arts” run by our church. We’re thrilled about the good press, especially coming from The Vital Voice. Here’s an excerpt:
“I must confess that when I got there my mood was as wrinkled as my slept-in [...]

2:23 a.m.

Megan: (sits up in bed, then mumbles as she falls back against the pillow)
Me: (groggily) What’s wrong?
Megan: There’s a child lying across the foot of the bed.
Me: Is it one of ours?

Summer 2008: Closed

This weekend marked the official end of summer for us, and none too soon.
Thursday saw the start of school at Westminster, and that made for a couple of overwhelming (but still enjoyable) days. I have 106 students (mostly freshmen and sophomores) this year in three sections of Biblical Ethics and two section of New Testament, [...]

Thinking Teaching

School officially starts tomorrow and I’ve got my back against the wall getting ready. Despite what today (and tonight) looks like, I’m excited to get back in the classroom.
My friend, Ken, is a teacher and, while his situation in the public school is a little different from mine in a Christian school, I couldn’t help [...]

Eating (and Experiencing) God

“One’s position on the Supper is an accurate index of one’s understanding of the Christian faith as a whole.” The Lord’s Supper by Robert Letham (23)
Previous to embracing Reformed doctrine, I lived a majority of my Christian life with a Zwinglian understanding of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper; that is, communion is a memorial [...]

Man School

We’ve had both an electrician and a carpenter working in our home this week; early next week comes the plumber. Both have been very professional; both have known exactly what they’re doing. All we’ve done is try to stay out of their way, which has been as much of a challenge as anything.
Let me make [...]

Slow Motion

For whatever reason (rainstorm from last night? Amtrak passengers speeding by trying to hack our signal? millions in China logging on for the first time?), our Internet connection is painfully slow today. As babies are born in the time it takes to load a page, I’ll post something later when we’re back up to speed.

Retail Therapy

In honor of Missouri’s sales tax “holiday”, I actually looked at – lo, even tried on – hangers full of “upscale resale clothing and accessories” this weekend at both locations of St. Louis’ Scholar Shop (caution: clever homepage, though a bit naked).
After a family trip Friday night to the first store (in which Megan took [...]

New Look

No, you’re not on the wrong page (actually, you could be, but not if you’re looking for Second Drafts). I’ve wanted to change things on the blog for some time, so while listening to six systematic theology lectures today, I multi-tasked and came up with this.
The header is temporary (904×160 pixels if anyone wants to [...]

When Teachers Dream

I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that it’s August already. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I (vaguely) remember it being June; July, however, is a 31-day block gone missing. Maybe I’ve repressed it, but the fact that I’m blogging about this is a prime sign [...]