Reaching Out

I hope you forgive me for acting outside the norm, but earlier I noticed you sitting in your car listening to some sort of hip-hop music.  Also, given your “illist” decal, I figure you for a lady who’s enamored with a people and culture unrelated to her own.  So I thought I’d reach out to you in a small way.

I’m not against cosmopolitanism, of course.  I think a healthy understanding and respect of other peoples and cultures has its benefits.  But I also wish there was a more robust representation of our people and our culture on the average radio station.

Who are “our people” and what is “our culture”?

Well, in my spare time (when I’m not writing semi-anonymous letters to interesting young ladies), I like reading about history, philosophy and sociology.  A large portion of these disciplines is devoted to answering those questions.

I’ll not bore you with controversial historical theories concerning  Anglo-Celtic Southerners, but I would like you to know that there is a beautiful and flourishing musical tradition derived from these people (our mutual ancestors by way of England and the melting-pot).

Also, being somewhat of a Romantic, I believe that when someone hears music performed from the depths of European hearts, their soul responds.

So, in a gesture of good-will and friendship, and also in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, I’m giving you this CD of Celtic music.  It’s my personal mix of favorite songs and while  not all of them are Irish (some are Welsh or Scottish), I believe they all represent a wonderful musical tradition.

I hope you enjoy it.

From,

~ The guy in the Mustang that was parked next to you ~

P.S.

Some of the songs start off slow, but pick up later.  I know that’s the case with the first one.  Give em a chance and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Moving Forward (and Blowing Smoke)

To — Admissions,

Enclosed in this package are the materials that I hope will be sufficient to ensure my acceptance into your institution.

While true, I have been absent from the world of academia for some time, my mind has not been idly engaged nor have my habits been less-than-educational. In my travels with the Navy, I’ve seen and experienced parts of the world that many Americans will never have the opportunity to see.

I’ve enclosed a copy of my Naval transcripts as well as two of my award certificates in hopes that my military experience may persuade you when considering my application.

However, while examining them, a question may arise. According to my application I wish to major in Philosophy (…actually, during the application process, I was unable to fully explain my desires. My real hope is to major in both English and Philosophy!) That may seem an odd desire for someone versed in photography and life on the high-seas.

How does the company of Sailors (with all its honorable bickering and blue-collar work ethic) produce someone with an interest in thinking about life and explaining his conclusions with poetic prose?

My story is a long and convoluted one and I look forward to sharing it with my professors and fellow — students! (Although, I hope that my letter doesn’t make it sound more dramatic than it actually is. One’s own life is often more interesting to himself than it is to someone else.) In short, I began reading. Sir Walter Scott and T.S. Eliot captured me along with Lewis and Chesterton. The circle of Inklings (at Oxford) drew me in and I became acquainted with Owen Barfield…(a masterful story-teller and poet!)

It was through Barfield’s work that I was introduced to the Romantic movement (and philosophy in general) specifically, Goethe and Rudolph Steiner. Eventually my tastes for the poetic began to be tempered by more contemporary analytical schools of thought and I found an interest in debates surrounding transcendental arguments (with an eye towards applying Steiner to problems posed by the likes of Barry Stroud.) As an aside, I’ve found some of the works of Dr. — online and I greatly look forward to learning more about the human mind and the concept of “essence” while at —.

That’s really what it comes down to in the end. I view — as a vast tool-shed which houses every conceivable tool I desire for the sharpening of my ponderings and poems. I also highly anticipate the “study abroad” program I’ve been reading about on your website! Should I be accepted, it would be a dream come true to visit Britain! (Sadly, the Navy seldom calls sailors to those ports and I never got to visit.)

Thank you for your time.

Hope in the Darkness

Dear Friend,

Genuine cultural expression of a Christian people is sometimes mitigated by harrowing circumstances (like a bad economy or depressing political situations.)  In troubled times, some are tempted to turn away from cherished traditions.

But despite the general pessimism that characterizes contemporary society, you have decorated your house with enthusiasm and a pride in something that cannot be seen, touched, tasted, or spent.

You have peered through the dark times and seen, shining behind them, the Christmas spirit!  This has inspired you to decorate your house with excellent lights and greenery above and beyond the efforts of your neighbors.

For this, I am very grateful and wish to thank you kindly for lighting up the darkness with your decorations.  The spreading darkness can be turned back if we only trust to the traditions of our fathers and faithfully light up the night with our love for the cherished Christmas season.

May the echoes of the Christ-child, and all the good news that comes from His wonderful cry, reach you and yours.

Merry Christmas

From:

His faithful servant,  St. Nick

From the Soon to be, Former, Occupant of #429

To Whom it May Concern,

I greatly appreciate the anonymous letter and I’m honored that someone out there thinks kindly of me.

It’s a great comfort in life to know that not all people are bad, and not all secret thoughts are evil.

Sometimes I’m tempted to think otherwise in this city. Men and women seem to have lost all compassion and honesty is a virtue left for fairy tales.

But if ever there was something from fairy tales that is meant for real life, it is honesty.

So, I have to be honest now and admit that I’m a long way from being suited for a decent woman. I have my flaws. The weight of them keeps me from sleep some nights. But we fortunate few have a Savior who delights in taking our burdens, and is most strong when we are weakest!

I’ll take my cares and my personal dramas with me when I leave this city in a few days. I regret that you had to find out this way, but I am moving away. My apartment is to be turned over at the end of this month, and I’ll leave this town with very few good memories…some of which your anonymous letter has provided.

I hope God blesses, and protects you as well, and I would add, furthermore, that he keeps you from being burdened with guys like me in the future! ; )

In Him,

-

Scott Terry – the soon to be, former, occupant of # 429

Not Sure How to Take This…

Dear Scott,

Here is a letter that I’m writing you but you don’t know who it is that is sending you this.  For one thing I would like to tell you that you are a very handsome and attractive man and that you have gorgeous looking eyes.  Every time I see in the morning I would like to tell you that I like you a lot but I don’t want you to be offended by this and that you may be upset.  I see you every morning when you go to work.

Maybe you are wondering who sent this to you and if you want to find out who, then come down to the lobby on Friday the 27th at around 11:30 and you will see you sent this and from whom it is from.

I will send you a gift and that May God Bless you and protect where ever you may go.

Shotgun’s comments:

This note was addressed to me, and left by my door along with a box containing a bag full of cologne and other men’s products.

Now…I’m moving out of this apartment in just a few days, and so whomever left this at my door 1. Must have heard I was leaving and felt compelled to act in this way.  2.  Must either work here during the day, or work at nights because the note was left some time between 11 and 1400.  (Either that or this person works in the area and came back to the apartment during lunch to drop it off?)

The ONLY woman I see on a regular basis is one of the hispanic maintenance ladies, who looks like she’s in her late twenties, perhaps mid-thirties?  Could it be her?  Oh, I hope not.

It may be her though, because what white woman would act so forward?  So, the slight disregard (or ignorance of) social decorum, plus the bad grammar in the note (AND my last name was spelled wrong on the shipping address…), plus the fact that she’s the only one I see on a regular basis in the mornings, (and she would know that I was leaving since I’ve told the office in advance)…leads me to believe that it might be her.

This is the last thing I needed right now…but, I guess I can’t blame her…I DO have gorgeous looking eyes!

What do you guys think I should do?

Office Humor

(How would you feel if you received the following email in the midst of a busy day at the office?):

Dear Mrs. Meeks,

I remain in an unresolved disposition in reference to our mutual project left incomplete earlier this week. I am, of course, referring to the DVD label that you so graciously printed for me and with wisdom, predicted the changes that were to be required.

Events have painted you quite the prophetess. Mr. Langdon (our mutual acquaintance and my immediate superior) did indeed settle on various small tweaks which I have endeavored to change.

Having completed my task, I now seek your assistance, once again, in printing the attached label.

I thank you on behalf of all involved for the labor you’ve invested in this project.

Kindest Regards,

Scott Terry

A Van Tillian Hat-Tip

Dear Sir,

As you probably know, there is a somewhat friendly (though sometimes unfriendly) intramural debate among Christian apologists as to the correct methodology one should utilize when approaching intellectual objections.

Of course, apologists are infamous for sagacity, not civility, and so the outside observer may, at times, be tempted to over-play the rivalry and raise their hands in feigned dismay at the supposed turmoil within Christianity.

Well, the divide isn’t as great as they would assume, but it is significant all the same.  And so it’s in the spirit of good-natured Christian civility that I offer you this book by Cornelius Van Til in the hopes that we Presuppositionalists have a competing call to your attention, alongside Mr. McDowell (whom, I noticed, has managed to get his book on your desk.)

In contrast to Mr. McDowell’s classical apologetics, Cornelius Van Til approaches the unbeliever with the God of the Bible firmly presupposed at the outset.  In a way, Van Til’s method is the proactive and assertive presentation of Christian theology in the arena of debate.

The idea is to demonstrate that the preconditions of human intelligibility necessarily presuppose Christian theism, and that for the unbeliever to debate at all, he must already depend upon the truth of Christianity!

Van Til has a famous quip for summing up this method:

“The proof of the Christian God is that without Him, you can’t prove anything!”

Proof itself presupposes Christian theism!

Now, I don’t intend to downplay the brilliance of Mr. McDowell.  I readily acknowledge the value in his work and wish it the best.

Additionally, if you are already well-aware of the discussion over apologetic methodology, and perhaps already own a version of Van Til’s “Defense of the Faith”…then forgive me for being presumptuous.  Perhaps, at worst, you can pass the extra copy on to someone else who may enjoy it?

At any rate, I hope you are blessed in your apologetic endeavors, and I hope this, if nothing else, serves to brighten an otherwise dreary work-day.

Soli Deo Gloria!

-

A fellow laborer

(Post Script for the readers of my blog:   I don’t post this here with the intent to brag of my own holiness or some such nonsense.  The anticipation of that sort of criticism has, in fact, kept me from posting this for some time.  However, arguments in favor of the posting won out in the end.  Maybe someone out there will be inspired to act in a similar fashion? 

I made quite the sight; surreptitiously sneaking down the hallway with a copy of “Defense of the Faith” under my arm.  The one possible witness to my plan was on the phone and temporarily glancing down at her notepad.  I made my move…slipped in and dropped the book on the desk of my co-worker, and hopped out of the room!

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, Ihope to pass on the spirit by which this action was carried out.  I was thinking nothing of myself, but was concerned solely for the excitement of my co-worker.  My subsequent “high” is a distant benefit in light of his surprise…(at least, I hope he was surprised.)

A Letter to Shotgun from His Knees:

Dear Sir,

Our doubt in respite,
We take great delight,
In examining your plight…so listen to we:

It can’t hardly be fair,
To crouch in despair,
With considerable air…mourning to your King!

We’re pressed to the ground
While you bay like a hound,
And make all sorts of sounds…He will sustain!

The Word is your blade,
the mind, your aid,
wield them together and be not afraid…of anything!

But your heart got divorced,
from reasoned discourse,
which made your ridicule worse…Oh, it’s happening.

If (P) then (Q)
What will you do?
Madness ensues…it’s deafening!

Only when reason
Does NOT act as treason
In any time or season…well; then you’re thinking!

But in all this remember,
To please treat us tender,
We’re not the sender…you can’t complain!

It’s not from us that your cries begin,
From the floor, through us and round-bout your chin,
The cry comes from a fire within!…so constant a flame!

So how can the tongue
Befriend heart-fire and lung
And all work as one…along with the brain?

A bit of advice from our constant work,
(Yes, even we knees have pragmatic quirks,)
Hear a wise and stable alert…

BEND!

Sincerely,
Your knees.

Annoying Letter to a Neighbor

Dear Neighbor,

Last night, someone placed an anonymous letter on my door explaining that loud noises had kept them awake…so loud, in fact, that the individual couldn’t sleep even with earplugs! The letter indicated that these noises were coming from my apartment, and suggested that I use discretion in the future when carrying out noisy activities at odd hours.

Now, I’m certainly sorry that one of my neighbors has had to go through this ordeal. However, during the times indicated in the letter, I was sound asleep. I didn’t have the TV on, nor did I have music playing. I fell asleep around 10:30 PM and woke up the next morning around 7:00. Additionally, I don’t have any habits or routines that would normally produce loud noises during the early hours of the morning, (even on weekends.)

After racking my brain, and trying to figure out if I were (in some way) at fault for my neighbor’s discomfort, I finally gave up, and decided that I have been mistakenly identified as the culprit. (Unfortunately, the letter didn’t explain the types of noises, and so I can’t do much by way of investigation to see what could have been causing them.)

I don’t know who the author of the letter was, but I’m placing this response on the doors of people in close proximity to my apartment. Perhaps the concerned letter-writer is not the only one having trouble sleeping through the loud noises? I personally do not hear any noises that keep me awake, nor have I ever heard any…nor have I heard anyone complain about any.

Nevertheless, there remains a noise problem and maybe this letter will help solve it?

If you are (by chance) the author of the anonymous letter…then please, don’t hesitate to knock on my door for a friendly chat.

Hopefully, we can keep this complex a pleasant place to live for everyone.

Thanks,

-

Scott

Letter to an Atheist Friend…

Since it looks like we’re not going to mass-debate together, I thought a parting gift was in order. What sort of Christian would I be if I didn’t try to leave some bit of wisdom, or at the very least, condemn you to Hell a few times before parting? In lieu of a volley of Bible strikes I figured I’d give you this book by Cornelius Van Til.

Kant deconstructed the Ontological argument (sorry Plantinga)…David Hume demolished any form of the Cosmological argument (William Lane Craig be damned), and Darwin sufficiently neutered the Teleological argument, (Hugh Ross needs a tissue!) With all the traditional Christian arguments dealt with, how can an intellectual case for God be constructed? What would one even look like?

An unfortunate truth about the history of Christian thought is our propensity towards allowing secular philosophy to shape fundamental elements of our position. It is this weakness that causes the above listed arguments to fail. St. Augustine wasn’t immune to this either, though he did attempt to differentiate between the philosophy of Jerusalem, and that of Athens. What emerged was a truly Christian attitude often summarized in a famous statement:

I believe in order to know!

Unlike Thomas Aquinas, (who “knew in order to believe”!) St. Augustine saw faith itself as the foundation for all of our knowledge. This set the stage for later Reformed theologians, especially the Dutch reformers like Bavinck, Kuyper, Dooyeweerd and Vollenhoven to construct their reformed theology based on a transcendental principal. From Christ, to Paul, to Augustine to Calvin, to the Dutch reformers, a strong view of faith has been developed…finding the most clarity and coherence in the statement given by Cornelius Van Til, (the late professor of apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary.)

Within this reformed theological context, the traditional arguments can be reformulated in such a way that the classic deconstructions of them are no longer valid. Many naïve Christians refuse to believe that the classic arguments are weak. Atheists become used to responding to the futile attempts of these Christians to hang on to the validity of the classic arguments. However, when an atheist is confronted with transcendental reasoning, and the solid (coherent) theology of reformed orthodoxy…they are often caught off guard.

I hope that doesn’t happen to you, and so…I’m giving you Van Til’s most popular work “Defense of the Faith.” He demonstrates why a correct understanding of the Christian concept of God should be a vital element in defending the Christian faith. Unlike Aquinas, who started his defense by assuming the mind of man as the ultimate interpreter of reality (and then worked up from empirical data to God), the Transcendental argument says that the empirical data of our experience cannot make sense unless the Christian God were true to begin with.

Anyway…if nothing else, at least you’ll have a new book to add to the shelf.

Been fun!

-

Scott Terry