In response to Tim's blog entry: "spark a revolution"

(Brief thoughts about Tim: an awesome guy, love his thoughtfulness, excited for what lies in his future, you know i love him, blah blah..)

Am I a patriot? That was the first question I had after reading Tim's entry. Well, most certainly depends on what the term "patriot" means. Patriot: a person who strongly supports a country and is prepared to defend it. So am I one? I don't know. I've never really asked myself that. If by "country" one means a geographical area or a name or a flag, I hesitate in saying "Yes." But if one takes the word "country" to mean people, then yes, I think that I would like to be called "patriot."

'People' is my country. Humans with a heartbeat, air in their lungs, and bad breath in the mornings. They are my concern. On the contrary, I don't give the slightest hoot about race, geographical boundaries, symbols of national pride, flags or inanimate mannequins. They all fade away; a mere vapor. They are some of those things that burn to the ground when the final trumpets sound.


But People, People, People

These are eternal entities. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whomsoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. I believe in that. For God loved all tribes, in all places and in all times. With fear and trembling, I hope to do the very same. If God does not limit his salvation and love and favor based on ethnicity, then who am I to elevate one "country" above the other?

I love democracy. In fact, recently in one of my classes I waged rhetorical battle against a bunch of frikkin idiots who were throwing around the word "freedom" and yet have never known life without freedom. Frikkin pseudo patriots who boast about asinine pseudo-democracies! But I meander.

I love democracy because at its very core it recognizes an essence of the Gospel. That all men are fallible; because all men fall short of the glory of God. It absolutely humiliates us as "intellectual" and "moral" beings; but unites us in our equality of depravity. Truth is not the sole property of one person; we arrive at it together and only by being together. Finally, I am cheered by the fact that democracy, as good as it is, is not the supreme end. That means our purpose of life is not to achieve democracy. Democracy does not save, only Jesus Christ saves. It is very important for all you readers to understand this, no matter where you're from. Democracy is a pawn; merely a means to an end. Free unrestricted access to the story of Jesus Christ. So thank God tonight that you know that story. Thank God that He still "seizes" people for His kingdom, from every country of the earth.

Yeeha
Here's a paper I wrote that I'm quite proud of. I'm waiting for (hopefully) a good grade back. Redemption Theory.

(So I got the grade back, it's not bad, but I guess it's not that great a paper. heheh)

O Art Where Art Thou

Occurring recently was a tense discussion between Meg and I. The word "tense" in this case is a term of assuagement. I believe our conversation was tense but honest; or perhaps more precisely, it was tense because it was honest. Reflecting on that episode now, I am thankful for the patience, graciousness and magnanimity shown to me by my companion.

Before I reveal the gist of that conversation, note the following: Meg is an artist, while I - am not.

My complaint revolved around what I call the "esotericism of visual art." Esotericism describes something which is intended for or understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge. I neither understand art nor the artist community. This dissatisfaction goes beyond just my inability to create good art. I was incensed because (it seemed to me) people who do understand, feel no need to reach those still fumbling in the dark. In general. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one asking:

1. Why is this considered "good" art?
2. How can people stare at a coat of black paint for 2 hours?
3. Why art?
4. Why create something that no one "gets?"
5. I've perused through the museum, so now what do I do?

At that point, I found it too easy to drift towards apathy or anger. Most would incline towards these two options. First, is to say: "I don't get art, I will never get it. It's dumb and I don't care." That's apathy. Second, is to say: "I don't get art. My friends don't get art. So we're forming the anti-art alliance." That's anger; the natural response to an undesirable "inner-circle" is to conjure a bigger, more vicious "outer circle."

I do not "understand" it. But I want to. And I intend to with time and with much searching. Already I sense a "deep gnawing" (it's not gas) signifying impending change in thought. A conversation with Jason helped much too. Until then, though, I shan't be a poser. Something in me does not permit.

Merry Christmas to All
Finals are over. A bunch of us going to New York. Praying for safety. And hope I never forget my ballroom dance steps.