Mucky Declarations

I have now made the shift back to daytime hours. It is marvelously different (and better) sleeping at night, rather than in the middle of the day. I'm not sure why. I'm currently doing quite a bit of reading. I am in the middle of a book called "Against Christianity" by Peter Leithart, who is not, as the title may insinuate, a non-Christian. He is instead, a Presbyterian Minister who is boldly challenging many of the ideas, customs, and general thinking of the mainstream Christian sub-culture. The book is in an interesting format, as it is divided firstly into five "chapters" wherin he states that he is against something (ie, Christianity, Theology, Ethics), upon which the reader's initial reaction is "Whaa??" This, however, is supplemented in the chapter by fragmented thoughts and ponderings, rarely more than a page long, realising what these terms have come to mean in everyday society, exploring this changing of definitions, studying the origins of Christianity in public society, and challenging the readers to look at the path that they may very well be riding along on unintentionally. here is a much more thorough review, with a good bit of information about the author that I was not aware of. I am a bit up in the air as to what I think about much of the stuff in the book. Most of you know that I did not grow up in a Reformed church or home, which makes my perspective of his sociological concepts much more that of an outsider. I also wonder if I can agree with some of his ideas without adhering to all of his (reformed) theology. I will probably post more on this when I am done with the book. --- In line with reading this book, I have decided to make a lifetime goal of achieving an, albeit informal, theology/philosophy "degree" without ever setting foot in a seminary. The person who posted the review above, a fellow whose screen name is Westmin on Dwebb, and I have discussed many issues of late that he has made it clear that a short easy answer is impossible. One of these issues, for example's sake, is the one of God and his relation to time. This is one that has profound impacts on one's theological stance. Westmin was even so kind as to send me an introductory book on the subject (his words were something along the lines of "I know college students are often short on money, so I'll just send it to you"), which is close in line on my summer reading list. I'll post more on that when I get into that book a bit. It is a "four views" book, which is a series put out by the publishing company InterVarsityPress that explores the major views on several issues within theology and Christianity such as the sovereignty of God vs. man's free will (or how man is saved, soteriology. I have this one as well. It is next in line on the reading list.), end times (eschatology), and other more applicable ideas such as science vs. Christianity (beaker-ology), and women's role in the home (barefoot-in-the-kitchenology **so kidding**). He has also given me the beginnings of a list of books for the purpose of obtaining said theology/philosphy "degree." I have found most of them on my amazon wish list, posted conveniently to your right. (hint hint) --- Wedding stuff is coming along. We've driven back and forth to Fulton three times this week, arranging various things. All in all, I think we'll be good to go in 13 days.