Torrey Gazette is the combined work of everyday Christians blogging on books, family, art, and theology. So pull up a seat and join us. Family Table rules apply. Shouting is totally acceptable.
In his essay 'On Evil Euphemisms', Chesterton points out that “when someone wishes to wage a social war against what all normal people have regarded as a social decency, the very first thing he does is find some artificial term that shall sound relatively decent.”
In my frailty, I cannot endure keeping my eyes perpetually open and focused. Sometimes I need to take a break. Thankfully the Scriptures call me to keep my eyes on the cross.
There are no perfect systems. They each have potential flaws due to the sinfulness of man. Ultimately, Calvin supports aristocracy since "Owing, therefore, to the vices or defects of men, it is safer and more tolerable when several bear rule."
We value “realistic” stories over “fairy-tales.” The problem is that these realistic stories are all too often void of true beauty and imagination yet blatantly promote some “social or ethical or religious or anti-religious ‘comment on life.’” This is one of the main avenues that we have been deceived as a culture. We have sought to avoid deception through the very means that deception is most likely to come: “realistic” literature.
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There is a special way that music touches our lives. Specific songs, playlists, and albums are able to etch themselves into the very fabric of our history.
I still advocate for educating your taste, in all things - food, drink, music, film. It is important to know what is worthy and what is cheap. I'm not saying that only religious music is worthy.
Yes, the sacrament is no longer found in heaven. It has been brought down. But it is not so abstract as to be unseen. There is truly a man who stands before us. He stares us right in the eyes.
Christian are in a tough spot today. The old "sin free" stigma is refuted at almost every corner of the church. But the world demands the old facade if only as a rhetorical device. It allows them to love the broken but not the forgiven.
If we want to “follow Jesus” then it makes no sense to shun His Body the church. That is why Paul says that it makes no sense for a husband to treat his wife
The main distinction Lewis makes between the literary and unliterary person can be seen in their approach to literature.
I won’t regret anything at all
if the only world we see is
outside the windows of our minivan
They say that you should seek to make a profession out of the things you would do even if no one was listening/reading/buying/paying attention. Hmm. Here I am talking about music again.
You see, I like oldies. I cut my musical teeth on the hits from the 50's, 60's, and 70's. In our home my parents preferred Easy Listening, but my friends listened to Top 40. Needless to say, I learned to appreciate a wide variety from both sides.
Many set beauty and darkness against each other, but I believe there is real beauty in darkness. This is not the time or the place for that debate, but that is where I am starting.
Despite my lack of a musical background (even the humble harmonica eludes my mastery), I do love, need, and crave music. I also love sharing it with people.
Eschatology must submit to the story of Scripture and follow the story as it leads us to Christ. Too often eschatology (and theology in general) has abandoned the narrative of scripture. This can only lead to confusion and ultimately away from Christ.
A faithful child of the Reformation would answer Ramirez with "Christ is in the word and sacraments."
In the meantime, if you need me, I'll be in a corner near an exit. Probably scowling, drinking bourbon, and imagining that I'm the only one in the room.
