Friday, May 20, 2005
He's a good guy alright...AHHH!
Have you ever been talking with a friend and said, in reference to another friend, "Yeah, he's a good guy". For most of you out there, that comment goes in and out of the ear of the listener, giving him no reason for pause or surprise. If you live in my world though, that comment can get you a strange look or even a rebuke.
I'm a Reformed Christian. If you like it, I'm a TULIP Christian (a Calvinist). That "T" on the tulip means "Total depravity". That doctrine states that man has a complete inability to work his own way to God. Salvation cannot be attained by our hands; it is only the gift of God as He grants us faith and repentance, which inevitably cause us to walk down the not-so-primrose path of sanctification. The doctrine is very Biblical and even practical. Total depravity's emphasis on the sinfulness of our hearts and minds rings true of the Biblical text and our human experience.
Yet I feel that Reformed people take this doctrine so far that I cannot even say that someone is a good guy. Am I not allowed to use the parlance of our times to express that a fellow (Christian or not) is a decent human being? Is my language to be so couched in theological terms that if I want to express someone's generally good morals, I have to say "Yeah, he's a good guy, but he's not good enough to earn his salvation!"?
You might ask "How do you know that he's a good guy?" or "What makes a good guy?", and I'll respond: a good guy is a guy who is generally good. A moral fellow. A man of decency, even chivalry. Y'know, Jimmy Stewart in "It's A Wonderful Life". True, I know this man is getting hard to find in this day and age, and I know that even though he's moral, he's still a sinner. Yet, I'd very much like my colloquialism back. It's been hijacked by John Calvin's kids.
I'm a Reformed Christian. If you like it, I'm a TULIP Christian (a Calvinist). That "T" on the tulip means "Total depravity". That doctrine states that man has a complete inability to work his own way to God. Salvation cannot be attained by our hands; it is only the gift of God as He grants us faith and repentance, which inevitably cause us to walk down the not-so-primrose path of sanctification. The doctrine is very Biblical and even practical. Total depravity's emphasis on the sinfulness of our hearts and minds rings true of the Biblical text and our human experience.
Yet I feel that Reformed people take this doctrine so far that I cannot even say that someone is a good guy. Am I not allowed to use the parlance of our times to express that a fellow (Christian or not) is a decent human being? Is my language to be so couched in theological terms that if I want to express someone's generally good morals, I have to say "Yeah, he's a good guy, but he's not good enough to earn his salvation!"?
You might ask "How do you know that he's a good guy?" or "What makes a good guy?", and I'll respond: a good guy is a guy who is generally good. A moral fellow. A man of decency, even chivalry. Y'know, Jimmy Stewart in "It's A Wonderful Life". True, I know this man is getting hard to find in this day and age, and I know that even though he's moral, he's still a sinner. Yet, I'd very much like my colloquialism back. It's been hijacked by John Calvin's kids.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
I'm Posting ?!?
Well, after a two month hiatus, I'm going to post a bit today since I have some time to do so. Let me update on some things that have happened since my last post.
1. Lauren and I have only three months until we get married. I think it's going to be both the longest and shortest three months of our lives. I hope we can enjoy this summer before we get married. Bloomington summers are great.
We have are apartment leased, plane tickets booked, honeymoon planned and taken care of, so we don't have that much to worry about. Lauren is really good at getting things done and helping me remember to get things done. She is going to a great "help-meet"!
2. Lauren had her senior voice recital. She sang magnificently, even though she was coming down with a cold at the time. She performed pieces in Italian, French, German, Latin, and English. My favorite was "Balm in Gilead", although I have to say that some of the German and French pieces were in the running for my favorite. She has copies of her recital, so if you know her and want one, send her an email.
3. I passed my black belt test. I am now a black belt in Ji Do Kwon Tae Kwon Do. Ji Do Kwon is the school of TKD thought that my school adheres to. It was a hard test, but it was worth it. My club's website.
4. In some of the saddest news this year, I found out that my beloved Upland brewery is having personnel problems. If worse comes to worse, there may be no delicious Upland Wheat ale soon. What a travesty!
More blogging to come :)
1. Lauren and I have only three months until we get married. I think it's going to be both the longest and shortest three months of our lives. I hope we can enjoy this summer before we get married. Bloomington summers are great.
We have are apartment leased, plane tickets booked, honeymoon planned and taken care of, so we don't have that much to worry about. Lauren is really good at getting things done and helping me remember to get things done. She is going to a great "help-meet"!
2. Lauren had her senior voice recital. She sang magnificently, even though she was coming down with a cold at the time. She performed pieces in Italian, French, German, Latin, and English. My favorite was "Balm in Gilead", although I have to say that some of the German and French pieces were in the running for my favorite. She has copies of her recital, so if you know her and want one, send her an email.
3. I passed my black belt test. I am now a black belt in Ji Do Kwon Tae Kwon Do. Ji Do Kwon is the school of TKD thought that my school adheres to. It was a hard test, but it was worth it. My club's website.
4. In some of the saddest news this year, I found out that my beloved Upland brewery is having personnel problems. If worse comes to worse, there may be no delicious Upland Wheat ale soon. What a travesty!
More blogging to come :)
