Reuchlin Is All of Us Right Now

Erasmus, Reuchlin, Petrarca und Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

The Truth about ‘White Supremacy’

White supremacy is not only a vile sin, it is pure unadulterated unmixed stupidity.

Only the lowest of lowest intellects could actually believe the lie that one race is superior to any other.

Rather than being the best of all, White supremacists are literally the worst of all.

American ‘Evangelicals’ in a Meme

Or more properly, American Molechgelicals, since that’s what they are.

Two or Three Years does Not A Competent Translator Make

“True, increased practice in translation develops one’s skills in finding adequate equivalents, but it takes years of intensive work—to say nothing of the need for an inherent linguistic and literary gift— to become a truly competent translator. There is an important lesson here for the many students, and even professional scholars, who think that after two or three years of Greek they are qualified to translate the New Testament.” – Moisés Silva

Via Nick Norelli, and utterly true.

Supreme Court: ‘We Wear Gold Crowns Now’

The Onion.  Once again proving that their headlines are usually prophetic and that this one will be too.

In a rare unanimous opinion that did not pertain to any case pending before them, the nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court issued a brief but official order Wednesday that stated, “We wear gold crowns now.” “In addition to our long black robes—which henceforth will be woven from the finest velvet and trimmed in ermine—we have decided to don ruby-encrusted crowns of gold,” read the announcement, which went on to describe how the justices would be conveyed to the Supreme Court Building each day in ornate palanquins borne upon the shoulders of musclebound clerks. “From this moment onward, let it be known that we will hear public grievances for no more than one hour each day, and those seeking our favor will be required to grovel for it. They must also dance for us. If we are amused, we may rule on their behalf. If not, we may choose to spit upon these supplicants and have them removed from our presence.” Reached for comment, the justices told reporters they were not required to disclose which courtiers had paid for their jewels and other finery.

Sarcasm, sure.  But it reflects the arrogance of the Supreme Court supremely.

To Whom it May Concern

Stop being that way. Just stop.

Karl Barth Couldn’t Do It But Emil Brunner Did- Brilliantly

‘It’ is complete a systematic theology. Barth couldn’t manage it (probably because he spent too much time at the Bergli and its ‘distractions’) but Brunner can, could, and did.

It was on the 14th of May, 1960 that Emil Brunner published the third volume of his fantastic Dogmatics. With the publication of that impressive volume, again, Brunner achieved what Barth never managed- the completion of a systematic theology.

Brunner was the most insightful of the 20th century theologians.  His work is still very much worth reading, even 50 years after its first appearance.

And he did it all in the old fashioned way- by actually reading books and typing on paper.  With that ancient technology he accomplished more than 99% of our modern theologians with all their tools and means.  Because, it has to be said, he was a thinker and a Churchman.  Far too many modern theologians are neither.

So do yourself a favor and read a bit of Brunner’s Third today.

In These Troubled Times…

This is true:

Via Christian Brady on the FB.

Ben Sira’s Advice on Friendship

Some smart stuff from ben Sira-

6:7-10 If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily. For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble. And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches. And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.

Yup. All true.

6:14-16 A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure. Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity. A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.

Yup, again, all true.

12:8-9 A friend shall not be known in prosperity, and an enemy shall not be hidden in adversity. In the prosperity of a man, his enemies are grieved: and a friend is known in his adversity.

Word, Sirach, word.

37:1-2, 4-6 Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death? But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy. … There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him. There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly’s sake, and he will take up a shield against enemy. Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.

It sure happens sure enough.

True friends are hard to find. Friends for the moment are Legion.

One More Time: The Best Free Bible Software

The SOTS President’s Bible (held by John Barton)

Students might find this suite of bible study tools very helpful.  It’s from Tyndale house in Cambridge and is called ‘STEP’ – scripture tools for every person.  You can download the contents from http://dev.stepbible.org/downloads.jsp .