Thursday, December 8, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 138

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 138,

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 136

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 136,

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 133

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 133,

Friday, December 2, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 131

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 131,

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 130

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 130,

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 128

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 128,

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 127

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 127,

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 121

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 121,

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 118

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 118,

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 116

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 116,

Psalm Cloud ~ 115

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 115,

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 112

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 112,

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 101

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A word cloud based on a personal confession based on Psalm 101,

Friday, November 18, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 94

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 94,

Friday, November 11, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 71

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 71,

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 66

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 66,

Monday, November 7, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 62

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 62,

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 57

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 57 ~

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 56

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 56,

Monday, October 31, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 52

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 52,

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 46

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 46,

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Friday, October 28, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 40

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 40,

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Psalm Cloud ~ 37

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A word cloud based on a personal confession of Psalm 37,

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Friday, October 21, 2011

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Summer Reading: Should Christians Embrace Evolution?


Recently finished reading this one, along with several other books this summer on the them or origins (evolution and creation).

Should Christians Embrace Evolution: Biblical & Scientific Responses
edited by Norman C. Nevin

From the back cover:
We are witnessing an aggressive attack on the credibility of the Christian faith. Christians are increasingly called to embrace Darwinian evolution — or acknowledge that they are altogether opposed to science.

But for the contributors to this volume, this is a false premise. Committed to the authority of Scripture, the need for careful exegesis, and the importance of rigorous scientific investigation, these thirteen scientists and theologians offer valuable perspectives on a controversial area of debate for concerned Christians who are determined to draw their own conclusions.

“Helpful to [anyone] who wants to expose their thinking to top-quality, cutting-edge arguments.” ~ Richard A. Carhart, Professor Emeritus of Physics, University of Illinois, Chicago.

“The experts in science and theology who have contributed [these] chapters … will be very helpful to Christians who are struggling to sort out conflicting claims and arrive at the truth.” ~ Phillip E. Johnson, Author of Darwin on Trial, Cofounder of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture.

“This is a most helpful compilation, which is designed to make one think very seriously about the whole issue of evolution and the Bible. To those who love the Scriptures, and seek to be faithful to them, this will prove enormously helpful.” ~ Rt. Revd. Wallace Benn, Bishop of Lewes

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Summer Reading: Did Adam and Eve Really Exist?

The kids may be back in school, but there is still a good bit of summer left. So I'm still working on my summer reading. Earlier, I read C. John Collins' Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary. Now, I am following that up with this.

Did Adam and Eve Really Exist? Who They Were and Why You Should Care
by C. John Collins

From the product description:
“We need a real Adam and Eve if we are to make sense of the Bible and of life,” argues C. John Collins. Examining the biblical storyline as the worldview story of the people of God, Collins shows how that story presupposes a real Adam and Eve and how the modern experience of human life points to the same conclusion.

Applying well-informed critical thinking to questions raised by theologians and scientists alike, Collins asserts that only a real man could participate in God’s plan to use his human partners to bring blessing to the whole creation, a blessing that requires “redemption” for all people since sin entered the world.

Did Adam and Eve Really Exist? addresses both biblical and Jewish texts and contains extensive appendices to examine how the material in Genesis relates to similar material from Mesopotamian myths. Collins’s detailed analysis of the relevant texts will instill confidence in readers that the traditional Christian story equips them better than any alternatives to engage the life that they actually encounter in the modern world.

C. JOHN COLLINS (PhD, University of Liverpool) is professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis. With degrees from MIT and Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, he pursues such research interests as Hebrew and Greek grammar, science and faith, and biblical theology. He is the author of The God of Miracles.

“Dr. Collins has presented a careful defense of the existence of the historical Adam and Eve. This methodologically rigorous study reflects a critical awareness of contemporary discussions on both biblical and extra-biblical literature and further contributes to the wider discussion on science and religion. Perhaps more importantly, he has successfully demonstrated the theological significance of this traditional reading, all the while using language that an informed layperson can digest and engage. This work deserves to be widely circulated.” ~ David W. Pao, Chair of the New Testament Department, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Working through questions of myth and history, Bible and science, harmonization and complementarity, Collins brings fresh arguments to stimulate wide-ranging thought and improved appreciation of the way the first chapters of the Bible affect the whole.” ~ Alan Millard, Emeritus Rankin Professor of Hebrew and Ancient Semitic Languages, The University of Liverpool

“I could hardly imagine a more honest book on this controversial topic. Its openness (in a user-friendly format) is no naivety—it is combined with undeniable competence on the ancient Near East, recent literature, and methodological discussions. Standing firm on vital issues, accepting diversity on others, the reader meets in C. John Collins a sensitive and godly guide.” ~ Henri A. Blocher, formerly Gunther Knoedler Professor of Systematic Theology, Wheaton College Graduate School

Friday, July 15, 2011

Summer Reading: God and Evolution ~ Jay W. Richards

God and Evolution: Protestants, Catholics and Jews Explore Darwin's Challenge to Faith
Jay W. Richards, editor

From the product description:
What does it mean to say that God “used evolution” to create the world? Is Darwin’s theory of evolution compatible with belief in God? And even if Darwin’s theory could be reconciled with religious belief, do we need to do so? Is the theory well established scientifically? Is it true?

In the century and a half since Charles Darwin first proposed his theory of evolution, Christians, Jews, and other religious believers have grappled with how to make sense of it. Most have understood that Darwin’s theory has profound theological implications, but their responses have varied dramatically.

Some religious believers have rejected it outright; others, often called “theistic evolutionists,” have sought to reconcile Darwin’s theory with their religious beliefs, but often at the cost of clarity, orthodoxy, or both. Too few have carefully teased out the various scientific, philosophical, and theological claims at stake, and separated the chaff from the wheat. As a result, the whole subject of God and evolution has been an enigma wrapped in a shroud of fuzz and surrounded by blanket of fog.

The purpose of this anthology of essays is to clear away the fog, the fuzz, and the enigma. Contributing authors to the volume include Jay Richards, co-author of The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery; Stephen Meyer, author of Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design; William Dembski, author of The Design Revolution; Jonathan Witt, co-author of A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature; Denyse O’Leary, author of By Design, or by Chance?; and David Klinghoffer, author of Shattered Tablets.

About the Author


Dr. Jay Richards is a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute and Director of Research for the Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. His previous books include The Privileged Planet; Money, Greed, and God; The Untamed God; and Are We Spiritual Machines? Dr. Richards holds a Ph.D. (with honors) in philosophy and theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. His work has been covered in publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, and he has appeared on many national radio and TV programs.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Summer Reading: Genesis 1-4 ~ C. John Collins

Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary
by C. John Collins

From the product description:
Much controversy surrounds the opening chapters of Genesis. They are "front-loaded" with all manner of vital topics - such as God’s work of creating the world and mankind; what it means to be human; why our present experience is so different from what we find in Genesis 2; how we come to know God and to be sure of his love.

Collins employs a literary-theological method informed by contemporary discourse analysis in order to read passages as coherent wholes. He shows how later biblical and inter-testamental writers have used Genesis 1–4, and reflects on how these chapters shape a Christian worldview today.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Flash Mob in a Beirut Mall

This is a flash mob in a Beirut mall, sing that Jesus is risen.


Translation:
This it the day the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Jesus is risen from the dead,
Defeating death by death
And giving life to those in the grave.
You can read the English subtitles by clicking on the little red CC button on the control bar.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Friday, April 8, 2011

Marry Me Everyday

Today my wife and I celebrate 12,053 days (33 years) of marriage, and I am happy for every one of them.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

What is the Nature of Hell?

A brief discussion by N. T. Wright on the nature of hell and why what we do in this life matters.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Parousia and Our Citizenship in Heaven

Interesting, especially in regard to "parousia" (the Second Coming of King Jesus the Messiah) and our "citizenship" in heaven.


Thursday, March 31, 2011

Listening at the Cross

This is the music of my brother, Gary Doles, and the artwork of his wife, Jan Richardson, for a wonderful Lenten reflection. The song is called, "This Crown of Thorns."

Friday, March 4, 2011

Faith Cloud

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A word cloud of Hebrews 11 ~ the Hall of Fame of Faith.

Monday, February 28, 2011

The Love Cloud

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A word cloud of 1 Corinthians 13, a.k.a. "The Love Chapter."

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Colossians Word Cloud

This week, at our weekly Bible study, we are beginning a study of Paul's Letter to the Colossians. Here is a word cloud I just made. Words that appear more frequently are larger.

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Here is what the Colossians cloud looks like from the Greek text

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Saturday, February 12, 2011

The Sermon of Heaven on Earth

This word cloud is generated on the text of the Sermon on the Mount (I call it the Sermon of Heaven on Earth). The words that are most prominent are the words that are most frequently used. For example, notice here: Father, heaven, whoever, kingdom, blessed.

Click image to enlarge.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Walking Barefoot

Here is a word cloud generated from my book, Walking Barefoot: Living in Prayer, Faith and the Power of God. What is interesting about word clouds is that they are generated according to word frequency in a document. Words that occur more frequently appear larger in the cloud.


There is an interesting effect that occurs here with red, blue and green on a field of black. The red stands off the page a little bit. Click the image above for to see this more prominently.