Anti Intellectualism

"If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you."
- Don Marquis

If there was a theme for this past week in my life it is anti intellectualism, the steadfast refusal from people to learn or admit the value of a formal education. This is first of all an insult to me, my husband, my sister, our friends who are pursuing higher education. They are not going to school to arrogantly amass knowledge-- many are, like Alan, devotedly learning so they can teach others.

It is a particular problem in some parts of the church. To all you sisters and brothers in Christ who turn your nose up at philosophy I say quit reading Paul's letters as they are full of the wisdom of Greek philosophers.

Hate Church History? Stay away from the book of Hebrews, or Chronicles, or the beginning of Matthew-- all precursors to the discipline of Church History.

And you think seminary is a waste of time, that knowledge of God is only found in life experience? Better put down your Bible all together as it was most likely translated by seminary-trained scholars. And forget even reading a Greek version because it was assembled after countless years of educated people pouring over texts and using their wisdom to make decisions about what should be included. Maybe you should learn ancient Hebrew and Koine Greek and stick to pdf versions of manuscripts if you want an unblemished read of God's word.

Life experience is obviously important. We need to live the virtues to show we've truly learned them. But I'd like to see some of you live the life of faith without the hard work and sincere learning of scholars who see education as a ministry to the Body.

So please, anti intellectuals, next time you read your Bible or sit at your computer-- even as you enjoy the comfort of your home-- please have a little more respect for the "intellectual" people who had a part in affording you those privileges.


"Fools hate wisdom and teaching." Proverbs 1:7b

Ordinary Days

not much for conversation
i still find need to pray
sometimes i get tired of walking
through these ordinary days

if nothing else i get to see you
even if we never speak
the harm of words is sometimes we don't
quite know what they really mean

i don't know where
i don't know how
i don't know why
but your love can make these things better

let me lay down in this field
and stare up at the sky
i hope the days and clouds turn into something
as they pass us by

jars of clay

Are the Stars Out Tonight?

I was feeling a bit down last night and needed something to cheer me up. So once I had a chance to hand Lucy off to Alan I ventured out under the night sky to see what I could see.

A few days ago my new binoculars arrived. Very Rear Window, but I bought them hoping I could catch a better look at the planets and stars. Always at odds with the weather here, the clouds kept me from seeing a thing the first few nights.

But last night was clear enough. Orion was about to set but not before I saw the traces of the nebulae in this favorite constellation. I saw Saturn, red stars, blue stars, a cluster of something (I still have a lot to learn about what's up there), and spotted asterisms I could never pick out before.

It is amazing what a pair of binoculars can show you! I'm glad plenty of amateur stargazers warned against telescopes for the beginner. My bino's require no setup, are portable, and offer a wide field of view to see all the marvelous stuff of the universe.

Art of Country Chattiness

From "Golden Girls"--
Blanche: I'm jumpier than a virgin at a prison rodeo.
Dorothy: That's pretty jumpy.


Overheard at Fitch's IGA (local grocery store)--
Cashier: Aren't you gonna buy your husband a candy bar?
Customer: No, he's not much for sweets.
Cashier: Well he likes you, doesn't he?
Customer: (laughs) Maybe that's it, I'm just sweet enough for him.

I am no good at sweet talk. Maybe sweet talk isn't the word for it; I'm referring to that cheeky, quick way people speak here in Kentucky. Its a little like flirting and sarcasm and banter.

And I can't get a handle on it. Like Dorothy, I'm left only to agree with the cashier or whoever-- "Yep, that's right" when I know there is a more appropriate, mildly witty response. When Dorothy responds to Blanche its their shtick, its funny. Dorothy is in a position to make Blanche seem over dramatic, an oddity because of her rural eloquence. But I'm far from being able to criticize humorously as I am odd woman out.

People in NJ don't seem to talk this way in public very often. If they do it is not the modest and yet provocative art of country chattiness.


From "The Office" (the funny BBC one)
David Brent: Its Banter.
Finchy: Its not Banter.
David Brent: No its not banter, no.