I do like being right
I do so enjoy being right! 
A while back, I posted an argument that we are all theologians. Now, it seems, I have been vindicated by the Rev. Paul McCain who, in a recent Cyberbrethren entry opined,
These are two phrases that drive me bonkers. Let me explain. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard a pastor preface his remarks this way. It is a sort of defensive weapon in an argument, “Well, I’m no theologian, but…” and then the pastor proceeds to regale the listener with his theological opinion, or …. is that a non-theological theological opinion?
Yup, that’s about it, isn’t it? Check out the rest of his posting, and you’ll be glad you did.
Then, check out the discussion over at Worldmagblog.com, where they blogged about Rev. McCain’s posting. It’s an interesting discussion, for the most part. I’m not sure I wholly agree with the conclusions that are being drawn by some of the commenters. At the very least, however, the three definitions/classifications of “theologian” is thought provoking.
-ghp
AI, 3/7 - the guys
Ok, the pressure ratchets up this week on American Idol (AI from here on out), with the final 2 guys & final 2 girls getting eliminated, resulting in the Top 12 of 6 guys & 6 girls. Next week begins the long march of theme weeks & whittling the 12 down to 1, eliminating 1 singer a week.
First, though, a general observation. The 3 judges obviously fill 3 distinct roles: Randy = the “cool” judge, Paula = the “nice” judge, & Simon = the “mean” judge; however, this typecasting (which the producers encourage & play up) can be detrimental, IMO. Simon is, quite honestly, usually very accurate when he gets critical. The audience tends to shout him down, and Randy & Paula (esp. Paula) can almost always be counted on to be aghast at how “mean” Simon’s being. I don’t buy it. Generally speaking, if you objectively listen to what Simon is saying, he’s usually right, if not dead-on right. He’s an arrogant so-and-so, but he knows the business.
My quick & dirty analysis:
Who I want to be/think should be eliminated: Travis (he’s a dancer/performer, not a singer) & Constantine (he’s a pretty boy pretender/poseur, not a rocker — The comparisons with Bo bring this out in such strong relief, I can’t help but be amazed that folks think he (Constantine) has some sort of charisma. He has a middling voice, he looks pretty, and he cultivates a type of innocent-badboy persona.)
Who’s at-risk: Anthony (if he isn’t related to former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov, he should be!) — I’d like to see him in the Top 12, but I think he’s most at-risk, probably to switch spots with Constantine.
Who’s money-in-the-bank: Bo (not only is he good, he’s just so genuine/authentic, and he rocks!), Anwar (I don’t always like the style - e.g., his Moon River - but vocally, he’s just top-notch), Mario (he’s a bit too “boy-bandish” for my taste, but I can see that he’s definitely talented), Nikko (I think his finish with the “money note” on Georgia last night saved him, and his Let’s Get It On last week was outstanding), and Scott (he’s looking less & less like a Gump/Serial Killer every week, and he is just so darn good vocally — I really want him in the Top 12!)
Which guy would I pick to win it all? Well, at this point, I’d be happiest with either Bo or Scott, but I could rationalize Anwar (if I had to). The others, while good, just aren’t good enough, IMO, to rise to the top.
Tonight, the girls!
-ghp
Mind Candy
Well, given that the only feedback to my inquiry was positive, y’all have only yourselves to blame…
TV — I watch it, and like watching it, both probably more than I should. My mind is cluttered with a plethora of useless pop-culture trivia… TV, movies, music, sports, etc. - particularly as relates to the 80’s. I must also confess that I like “reality” TV. I know it’s not “real” reality, it’s unscripted TV, where the Heisenberg Principle is fully in effect; however, when it’s well done, it can be highly entertaining without being unduly exploitative.
My wife & I started watching the genre back with what I would contend is the granddaddy of them all, The Real World. The first season (New York) was actually quite interesting, and nowhere near the cesspool that TRW has become. The 2nd (L.A.) season went downhill & wasn’t all that good, and the 3rd season (San Francisco), while beginning to show signs of the seedier side of the genre (e.g., Puck), was quite interesting. The 4th season (London), quite honestly, sucked, and we stopped watching TRW.
All was quiet, then, until Survivor arrived. I fought getting drawn into the hype, until about halfway through that first edition. After that, though, I was hooked. In many ways, that first Survivor was the best, because it was the “purest” - the participants more or less invented the game, while those since have merely refined it. The strategic & interpersonal elements of Survivor are also quite interesting to watch. It’s not high art/culture, but it is entertaining.
Amendment A
Lots of talk going on in the usual places (blogs, CAT41 lists, Lutherquest) about the recent announcement that Amendment A (approved by a 71% majority at the 2004 LCMS Convention) was defeated when it did not get the required 2/3 majority “yes” votes by the 6000+ LCMS member congregations. The results were 52% “yes” & 48% “no” — about the same margin by which the current Synodical President was reelected — with about 56% of member congregations actually voting.
I’m somewhat sanguine about it. I’m happy, because it deserved to be killed. It was a bald-faced attempt to neuter the duly-elected Board of Directors, so that it’s legal power could be given to boards/committees appointed by a/the sitting Synodical President. That’s a bad idea no matter who the sitting President is… And the analysis of the voting numbers is quite fascinating, although it would be nice to know why the 44% didn’t vote. It’s also fascinating to watch the political machinations unfold. The current SP has started the process by which he will (IMO) attempt to begin consolidating his control over the synod. Initially, this will be done via his “Blue Ribbon Task Force” that’s being assembled to investigate the …great need for a thorough and fundamental review of what our Synod is, how it is organized, and how it functions. What was first created as an organizational system for a Synod made up of a small number of congregations now struggles to serve more than 6,150 congregations.
I guess that, at the heart of it, I’m (take your choice) too much of a realist/fatalist to think it’ll make that much difference. I’m saddened that the LCMS is on a downward trajectory in it’s lifecycle as an orthodox organization, even as I’m heartened to know that God’s Church will always survive, as will Confessional/Orthodox Lutheranism.
I guess it’s a good thing I have a dark sense of humor…
-ghp
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