Logos for Mac

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A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections

A free digital copy of Jonathan Edwards' A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections is available this week through Logos Software!  

Frame MP3s

Once again Monergism has made MP3s available for FREE!!! This time around 43 lectures given by Dr. John Frame, and they are titled "Pastoral and Social Ethics."

Bergen's Article Review

A overview and critique of Robert Bergen's article, Text as a Guide to Authorial Intention: An Introduction to Discourse Criticism.

Bergen’s article[1] examines various aspects within written human communication that allows the audience to accurately perceive and understand the author’s original intent.  His article articulates and explains several “language-specific parameters” within linguistics which exist on a conscious and subconscious level.  This type of analysis of written human communication is referred to as “discourse criticism.”  Discourse criticism is especially crucial for the Biblical/theological community because theology and exegesis are utterly dependent upon the very text of the Scriptures.  Bergen deals with the following three aspects of discourse criticism in his article: 1) basic assumptions of discourse criticism, 2) discourse-grammatical features which point to authorial-intended significance, and 3) a discourse-critical strategy for discerning authorial intention.

From the outset Bergen lays out that within discourse criticism there are underlying “assumptions about language” upon which this linguistic analysis is grounded.  He succinctly articulates the five most basic assumptions undergirding discourse criticism.  First, Bergen asserts that all parties within communication must agree upon a “set of symbols” or “code” that exude certain meaning.  He refers to this mutual agreement of both parties as a “convention of significance.”  The writer and the reader must come to this median in order for written communication to be effective.  Second, he argues that a majority of written communication takes place on a subconscious level.  Because of the vast amount of data being taken in much of the information received is processed subliminally.[2]  However, Bergen rightly points out in his third assumption that although much of the data taken in is at a subliminal level, this does not decrease its importance or its contribution to communication. 

His final two assumptions deal with parameters that universally guide all language codes.  Genre obviously limits communication to specified realms while hierarchical organized units of language dictate the application of a language code.  According to Bergen language is “multi-tiered.”  The higher levels (i.e. stories, scenes, episodes, etc.) of a language text govern the lower levels (i.e. letters, vowels, words, etc.) of which they are made.  Therefore, the principles that govern a language code are equally dependent upon the higher and lower levels of a language text.  The pattern is cyclical for without the higher levels, the lower levels have no guidelines and therefore no significance.  Likewise, the reverse is true.

Bergen proceeds to explain three discourse-grammatical features that point to authorial-intended significance: 1) order, 2) quantity, and 3) type of information.  He bases these “hints” which point to authorial significance upon the “norm-deviation principle.”  When any of these three categories of information deviate from their “normal” use the author is in some way signifying precedence.  In his last two points Bergen gives a staggering strategy for doing proper discourse analysis and then lists the incredible benefits of such analysis. 

In critique I felt Bergen beautifully summarized the art of discourse criticism.  He was realistic, yet optimistic in his approach.  I appreciate that from the outset he readily admitted that “discourse criticism works from a set of assumptions.”  Whether one agrees with the accuracy of his presuppositions laid forth will determine their acceptance of such research.  I also thought his observation of the subliminal level of human communication was insightful.  So much of why we as 21^st century believers have a hard time understanding the text is that we are ignorant and oblivious to the subliminal factors that even we subconsciously use in our everyday language! 

A few other things to note: on pages 330-331, his fourth and fifth sub-subpoints seem to be saying the same thing, just reworded.  I personally was not seeing the difference between the two?  His second main point in his article was straightforward, and his third point concerning his strategy is where he nails the difficulty in discourse criticism studies.  People fitting such a description are definitely “in short supply.”  Lastly, I wholeheartedly agree with his three concluding thoughts concerning the potentially revolutionary ramifications of discourse analysis.  By the will of the Father via the Holy Spirit such research could open up the text of Scripture in an astounding new light as never seen before in the history of the Church!

 

 

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[1] Robert D. Bergen, Text as a Guide to Authorial Intention: An Introduction to Discourse Criticism, JETS, 30/3 (September 1987), 327-336. 

 

[2] Bergen gives a couple factors that contribute to this subliminal level of communication.  He states, “in normal communication people choose to overlook them,” and that in basic Biblical language grammars such subconscious levels of communication are oftentimes “ignored or inadequately treated.”

Martin Luther King Jr. on Social Justice

Dr. MLK Jr. spoke at Western Michigan University on December 16, 1963 concerning Social Justice.  Check out this speech transcription.

ht: jt

Clowney and Keller on Preaching in Postmodern World

35 sessions in which Keller and Clowney team-teach through RTS.  Find it here.  All lectures are free!!!

HT: JT

God of This City

Katie and I just recently bought Chris Tomlin's newest cd, "Hello Love."  His fourth track is called "God of This City" and as I listened to the lyrics for the first time, the Lord instantly turned my mind to the people of Vancouver.  God is God, and we are not.  He is in control, and His will is sovereign.  He choose to use us as broken, dirty, and useless vessels to carry out His cause and His kingdom!  What an incredible and humbling privilege and calling!  As I listened to this song the Spirit of God just burned in my heart, and I became so excited for the future ministry and the people of Vancouver, BC which God has divinely given us a burden to reach with the Gospel!  Ironically, the week in which we bought the cd was so hectic that Katie and I didn't see each other until several days later, and when we finally had some down time we immediately asked each other about this song, and we both felt the Spirit of God moving our minds and thoughts to the ministry and people of Vancouver!  

"Lord use us as you want whatever the cost.  By faith we'll preach your Gospel till our dying breath!  Let your kingdom come.  Let your will be done, so that everyone might know your name!  Let your song be heard everywhere on earth.  Until your sovereign work on earth is done!  Let your kingdom come!"

Driscoll lays down the hammer in Sydney

Mark Driscoll spoke to the Anglican clergy concerning what was hindering evangelistic ministry in Sydney.  Some hard-lined statements were laid down in his 18 point critique!

MP3 is also available!

HT: MB

Ray Boltz announces that he's gay.

The well known Christian musician in the 90's announced that he is gay.  He is best known for his GMA song of the year in 1990, Thank You.  I grew up listening to this guy.  His song, I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb was one of my favorites growing up.  I listened to it all the time.  Crazy.  You can read about it here.  

"In my flesh dwells no good thing."

Palin vs Obama

This post by Jeff Emanuel is pretty hilarious.  Check it out here.

HT: AN

Driscoll interviews Piper

Mark Driscoll sits down with Dr. John Piper.  Check it out here.

Best Commentaries

Over at JT's blog, Naselli has posted a really sweet commentary site!  Check it out here.  It's got forthcoming commentaries as well as divisions between testaments, authors, sets, and best 2 of each Biblical book!  Sweet stuff...check it out.

HT: JT (Naselli)

I Can't Say I Had the Same Reaction

Ray Ortlund just posted a powerful personal post about concerning today's entertainment.  Michael Spencer's response to Ortlund was quite powerful too.  This is all continues to speak to me as I work through what it means to live a "cross-centered," gospel-saturated life.  I can talk and talk about it all day long, but at the end of the day does my life betray my speech?

HT: JT

Guns and Martyrdom

John Piper posted an article today on Desiring God's web blog entitled Guns and Martyrdom, and this piece spoke volumes to me in light of some recent events.  Last weekend I completed my concealed handgun training course, and Monday I turned in my application and course completion certificate to the VA Beach City Police Precinct.  I am now registered and licensed to carry a concealed handgun in the state of VA.  I know scary, huh?  Yeah, yeah, yeah.  (I can hear the onslaught of heckles coming now.)  Needless to say, I was quite thrilled and excited to complete this course seeing that I have been looking forward to it for quite some time.  However, I must confess, I have not given the entire situation much thought.  

What am I going to do if I'm in a situation where I might "have" (for a lack of a better term) to take someone's life?  Sure, I can sit back and smugly remark now that, "Pffhh, I'll just blow his freakin' head off!"  But what will I really do if it's my life or his?  As Piper noted (my paraphrase), "I'm ready for heaven, he's not."  I am now sitting back thinking about the Gospel.  Is this the Gospel?  Is my life so dear to me that I can't afford to lose it?  I mean, my initial reaction was, "Wait a second, that's extreme stuff Piper!  I mean we're talking about my second amendment rights here!"   But in reality, do I really have any rights?  

As Americans, "rights" seem to be prevalent in our society.  No where in the current known world or in the history of the world has an individual's "rights" been so prominent as in the United States of America.  

Let's set aside rights, martyrdom, and a man's initial reaction to protect what's "his" (i.e. his life, family, possessions, etc) for a moment.  What about the Gospel?  What about taking someone's life so that they will never have the opportunity to hear/receive the Gospel again?  Is my life really more valuable than theirs?  Is that really my call to make?  I think not.  But is this whole thing Biblical?  Is it Gospel-centered?  I mean, the only reason that I took this course and obtained this permit was so that I could protect those that I love most: myself and my wife.  To be honest with you, I'm not sure if I'm ready to die.  Honestly, I think I still love myself way too much.  But then again is the end of my life for me to decide?  

I must admit that I am struggling with this present issue even as I sit here and type.  For those that know me, I'm pretty sure that you would all agree that I am fairly strong sovereign-tist.  So how does my theology (i.e sovereignty/providence of God) control they way that I live?  In the larger scheme of the eschaton is it wise, biblical, or Gospel-centered that a Christian take another's life to save his?  And I'm not talking about martyrdom here...(i.e. my life is not being threatened b/c of what I believe.) 

Any thoughts?  Insights?

EXPELLED!

Theology hits the theater in Ben Stein's documentary: Expelled! In theaters April 18th. Check it out!

Zondervan's New Hebrew Reader!

Dano gave me the tip about his sweet gem!  A Hebrew Reader!

Some cool features are of course the Italian Duo-Tone Leather cover, it's 1680 pgs., and the binding is on the right side (rather than the left) so that on a normal book you would be starting from the back and working your way to the front!  Cool stuff!

Interesting side note...the general editors are 2 Bob Jones grads.

Top Ten Things to Say on Returning Home with Conference Book Plunder

I came across this today and thought I'd post it:

Here are some verbal tactics you might find useful as you bring your conference book plunder home under the scrutiny of your nonacademic spouse. The premise is that, arriving at the airport, you can’t manage to drop the books off at the office.

10. “Look at how much money I saved! These were all forty to fifty percent off!”

9. “You should have seen the temptations! This is the small price of my restraint.”

8. “Remember, I’m writing a book, and the royalties will more than cover the price of these books. It’s just a temporary investment that we’ll recoup.” (Oh sure. Like your monograph on Athanasius Against the Ariansis going to cover the cost of even one of those Brill titles in your bag!)

7. “Look! I’ve taken care of a lot of our Christmas shopping!” (When he/she tells you that no one on the Christmas list wants those books, you act disappointed and rejected, and absorb them into your library.)

6. “Oh, so you’re going to complain about your husband/wife squandering money on books! Do I blow money on alcohol? tobacco? gambling? drugs? sex? stadium box seats? No! Just books on justice and peace, Jesus and Paul, trinitarian theology and the evils of, uh . . . consumerism!”

5. “Don’t worry. It just looks like a lot. Amortized over my lifetime, I’m not spending very much on books at all. Certainly nothing like You Know Who.”

4. “These are all tax deductible.” (This only works if he/she is under the illusion that you somehow subtract the book bill from the tax due.)

3. “These are all tools. Just the cost of doing business in my trade.”

2. Dull the impact by itemizing. “Some of these are for Christmas. Some of these are for the new class I’m teaching. Some of them are for my research. Some of them I might adopt as texts. And one of them is for you!”

1. “Folks who had lost their homes in the fires were selling these books on the streets of San Diego. I couldn’t resist helping them out. If you had looked into their eyes . . .” *

Next year, perhaps we can offer ideas on how to hustle the plunder onto the premises and avoid this conversation.

*This one shows just how low one can go.