The Michelin Man returns

I was only the Michelin Man with the heavy coat but am now, much less so. I will always have a muscular 'twelve-pack' build and will not be a six-pack, but I do pack a lot of stomach muscle and curl fifty-pound dumbbells, for example.

However, no one giving me thousands of pageviews is expecting Brad Pitt, but rather a theologian/philosopher that looks like a small strong man.

I am not completely stupid.;)


The Michelin Man hitting his black martial arts bag with a right hook punch.


Chucky is ready to try a right-handed bat strike.


Chucky pretending to be a crazed attacker. Behind him is my back-up smaller red bag.


Chuck is demonstrating the left straight knife strike.

These are from Jeff Jenkins:

http://jeffjenkinsocala.blogspot.com/





Happiness can be found at:

http://coffeehouse-journal.blogspot.com/



Thanks Jeff.

Additional:

A joke sent to me:

If you've ever worked for a boss who reacts before getting the facts and thinking things through, you'll love this...

A large company, feeling it was time for a shakeup, hired a new CEO.

The new boss was determined to rid the company of all slackers.

On a tour of the facilities, the CEO noticed a guy leaning on a wall.

The room was full of workers and he wanted to let them know that he meant business.

He walked up to the guy leaning against the wall and asked,

'How much money do you make a week?'

A little surprised, the young man looked at him and replied,

'I make $400 a week. Why?'

The CEO then handed the guy $1,600 in cash and screamed,

'Here's four weeks' pay. Now GET OUT and don't come back!'

Feeling pretty good about himself the CEO looked around the room and asked, 'Does anyone want to tell me what that goof-ball did around here?'

From across the room came a voice, 'Pizza delivery guy from Domino's.'

Newer

Christmas thoughts and satire

Facebook

It would be a cool graphic where someone crazy rides down that mountain.

I am not trying to be offensive or attack anyone with this article, I am making some theological and satirical observations concerning Christmas. The blog is satire and theology, after all.

Teacher fired

Portions:

'A primary school teacher who left a class of 25 pupils in tears after she told them Santa Claus did not exist has been fired.

When excited youngsters became rowdy as they talked about Santa, the supply teacher blurted out: 'It's your parents who leave out presents on Christmas Day.'

The class of seven-year-olds at Blackshaw Lane Primary School, Royton, near Oldham, Greater Manchester burst into tears and told their parents when they arrived home.

Mothers and fathers then complained about the incident and were sent a letter by the school saying the substitute teacher, who only worked at the school for one day last week, has been disciplined.

The school has now said it will not hire her again...

'A lot of parents were disgusted and complained to the school.''

End

I have no strong feelings or thoughts on the above story, but Jay Leno mentioned it on the Tonight Show and it is a good precursor for my presentation with Christmas albums. But, the school story makes me reason that at secular school and within secular society, Santa Claus for the most part, is more important than Jesus Christ and the date of his birth as is traditionally celebrated.

Most of my research for satire and theology and thekingpin68 comes from Jay Leno and David Letterman, by the way.;)

Is the celebration of Santa Claus an aspect of the problem of evil? Well, I think it is an evil as Claus surpasses Christ in importance in the minds of many and is taught to children as the central focus of Christmas. But, Christmas and even Santa Claus can also be used for good as Christians and Christian churches use the Christmas season as an opportunity to present the gospel. The same can be done on Halloween as the occult can be contrasted with the supernatural power of almighty God.

Here are some wonderful Christmas albums to listen to over the next few weeks.

I did a search for the worst Christmas albums.

Brady



This review from Amazon.com states:

'This was the first album released by the Brady Bunch. Unfortunately, it was also their worst album. I could mention the dull arrangements of traditional Christmas carols here. But worse than that is the kids' singing. Marsha was the only one who could come close to carrying a tune at this point. To be fair to them, they worked hard and later became better singers. But at this point in their show biz careers, listening to them sing was unbearable. Greg's singing on "O Holy Night" is particularly painful. By the way, this album is only 20 minutes long, which is fortunate, because that's about all a sane person can take. This album has nothing to recommend about it. Sorry, Brady fans.'

Marsha (Maureen McCormick) actually has been a professional singer:

Maureen McCormick

I have to agree, Greg (Barry Williams) bit of singing on the 'O Holy Night' preview sounds less than sparking, to put it nicely. I would prefer hearing the Kool-Aid man say 'Oh Yea', and hopefully bust through the wall of the Brady's recording studio in the process, ending the session. A bit of 'O Holy Night' can be heard via the Amazon link above.

I have to admit, I have a very difficult time sitting through an entire episode of the Brady Bunch as it is just too corny, and that 'sucky' music that plays, even as a kid just rubbed me the wrong way. But the two made for theatre remake films were funny as spoofs. 'A Very Brady Christmas' is decent and I have watched it with my Mom previously.

Satirically, although I honestly do think Robert Reed was a fine actor, as I saw him in other shows, I do smirk a bit knowing he was playing this wholesome father figure while he was a homosexual.

Even if one is pro-homosexuality he/she can see my point if they have a reasonably open mind.

This strikes me as a classic example of how fact and reality can be so different from fiction. And yes, I realize this is often the case when it comes to drama and fiction.

Sadly, Mr. Reed died from issues related to HIV.

Robert Reed

Quote:

'Reed felt that his career required him to be secretive about his homosexuality.[4] Several of his male partners have since stated that he threatened them after sex, because he wanted his homosexuality to remain hidden.

Robert Reed died in 1992, at age 59, in Pasadena, California, from colon cancer; he was suffering from HIV at the time. He was cremated and his ashes are buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Illinois.'

I would really like to see a cure for HIV and so if there are some radical liberal types reading this article, relax, I am not glad for this disease or any other disease that within my theological approach, is a result of the fall of humanity and a somewhat corrupted physical universe within God's sovereignty.

I am making a legitimate theological and satirical point in regard to Robert Reed having played a wholesome family man on television, when the actual reality of his life was radically different.

Partridge



When I was a child my brother used to watch the Partridge Family which in my view was funnier than the Brady Bunch and a bit easier to stomach for thirty minutes. It would have been nice to have a drummer that actually appeared to be drumming to the songs though.

Death Row



I listened to a few of the preview tracks and I did not hear anything crude, but really this is a sad idea for a Christmas album. I do not post this to promote the album or because I think it is cool in any way. I think rather it shows that some of the dark humour is our Western society is just dark and not really humourous.

Recent comments on other blogs (because that is how I roll)

Graphic artist Jeff Jenkins at Thoughts and Theology in my links, fuels the battle between this blog and thekingpin68.

These are what I view as some of my better comments on other blogs, and so if your blog is not present it is because I did not write memorable comments in my opinion. It is not a reflection on you. I am not ‘dissing’ your blog by its absence!;) Blame me! So please, if you are upset, take some Pepto-dismal or something and take it easy, I still like you.;) I am being somewhat satirical of course!;) Thanks for reading. Concerning my views on music: 

Deityquest

I personally prefer, within my tastes obviously, quite creative music, often on the technical side. Lyrics are a secondary issue to me, and I think it is debatable on how much influence good or bad lyrics have on persons with a set worldview. I do not doubt that lyrics can at times influence some persons that are less philosophically astute and more easily conditioned, and this would include some young people. My problem, as far a taste, with much of Christian music, not all, is that it is more worship than performance orientated, and so it does not personally impact me often, even if I am in theological agreement with the lyrics. And… I like the odd Christian song musically, but besides Rush (mainly 74-82), I like Mahavishnu Orchestra, Allan Holdsworth, later Beatles, and some classical. Basically I like progressive rock, jazz fusion, art rock and classical. Is gay the new black?: 

Jeff Jenkins 

Biblically it is natural to be black, but not natural to be homosexual. Blacks are not condemned for being such, but homosexual acts are condemned. Comments on scholars: 

Sanctifusion 

A scholar's bias can seriously undermine Biblical interpretation, especially when the scholar disbelieves in the supernatural and has a very liberal approach, and as well if a scholar is attempting (perhaps unknowingly) to read a theology, of any type, into the text there is going to be a bias fueled interpretation. Basically scholars are in trouble when they greatly lack objectivity. A discussion of sin: 

Jesusiswondeful 

A limited definition from me: Sin is a creation's thoughts/acts of disobedience against God. Sinful thoughts and acts are a sign of a sinful nature. Animals and heaven: 

Nitewrit 

 I personally doubt that animals have immaterial spirit's that go to Paradise/Abraham's bosom or Hades as do human beings (Luke 16), but I certainly think it possible that in a new heaven/new earth scenario (Revelation 21) animals could be present and precious pets resurrected. Would these animals be immortal or need to be energized for life now and then? I do not pretend to know. If there is plant life there is likely some cycle of death present in the new order, but I reason we could keep pets forever. And… Osterhaven explains that Biblically animals are considered to have a soul. Osterhaven. (1996: 1036). The most commonly used Greek word for soul ‘psuche’ psoo-khay according to Strong's Concordance. Strong (1986: 106). Osterhaven also notes that beasts as a principle of life are stated to have a spirit as well in Genesis 6:17 and 7:15. Osterhaven (1996: 1041). Strong is in agreement on the verses and the most common Old Testament word for breath or spirit ‘ruwach’ roo’-akh is used. Strong (1986: 142). 

Theologically in Scripture animals are not described as communicating with God in a spiritual way, and therefore theologically the soul/spirit nature of animals is considered unable to spiritually communicate with God. The theological assumption can be made that the animal soul/spirit is limited to the temporal earthly realm and when an animal body dies, so does the soul. I lean toward this understanding. 

OSTERHAVEN, M.E. (1996) ‘Soul’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books. 

OSTERHAVEN, M.E. (1996) ‘Spirit’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books. 

STRONG, J. (1986) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company. Dealing with fellow Christians: 

Imouser 

Good points. Various church denominations stay divided at times over often legitimate doctrinal differences, but to judge others incorrectly who believe and trust in the Biblical Christ is dangerous. A failure to recognize the spiritual and theological value of those with various views within the body of Christ, even if for the sake of argument some are incorrect on points, is one of the reasons it is difficult to build up blog links as a Christian blogger, in my opinion. Multi-faith services: 

Shalom is the word 

A good point, and a reason I would not participate in a multi-faith service. And… One problem with a multi-faith service for me, there are many, would simply be that besides the fact we would not all be worshipping the same true God, if I was to lead prayer I would insist in praying in Jesus name. Some would not mind, but perhaps some would, but that is how I roll.;) War: 

Life on the blade 

Romans 13 allows the state to maintain law and order, and so I reason this includes the potential use of military force. But in a fallen world, as we have it, even a just war would be a lesser of evils. And… Yes, my research at a Mennonite Bible school and later, taught me that turning the other cheek meant that one was not to seek personal vengeance as issuing justice would belong to the state. The issue of self-defence becomes more complex when a police officer or soldier is not there to protect one in the time of need. But, the law is still to be obeyed if at all reasonably possible I would reason, even in self-defence.

New thoughts on deism

I have described and discussed deism on thekingpin68 blog previously.

M.H. Macdonald writes that deism describes an unorthodox religious view expressed among readers in the first half of the seventeenth century, most notably Lord Herbert of Cherbury. Macdonald (1996: 304). Deism is from the Latin for deus in contrast to theos from the Greek. Macdonald (1999: 304). Deism is different than theism and is connected to natural religion that thinks religious knowledge is gained through reason and not revelation or church doctrines. Macdonald (1996: 304). There is a belief in a supreme being, but this being is not directly involved in the affairs of his creation. Macdonald (1996: 304). In agreement with Christianity, would be an understanding of God as first cause and the creator of universal laws. Macdonald (1996: 305). David Pailin defines deism as coming from the Latin word deus and parallels the Greek which is theos. Pailin (1999: 148).

In modern times deism is used to define a supreme being who is the ultimate source of reality, but does not intervene in the natural and historical processes through revelation or salvific acts. Pailin (1999: 148). Pailin writes that the common use of the term ‘theism’ does not carry the same negative implications. Pailin (1999: 148). He explains that historically deism is not so much a set of doctrines, but a movement, largely British, that became popular in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Pailin (1999: 148). Many within deism will have doubts concerning concepts of supernatural religious doctrines, revelation and the authority of the Bible. Pailin (1999: 148). Pailin notes that some within deism desire to replace Christianity with a more ‘reasonable’ faith, and for others it is an attempt to produce a more ‘reasonable’ version of Christianity. Pailin (1999: 149).

William J. Wainwright explains that deism understands true religion as natural, as opposed to supernatural religion. Wainwright (1996: 188). He writes that some self-styled Christian deists accept revelation although they argue that the content is the same as natural religion. Wainwright (1996: 188). Most deists reject revelation as fiction, but many reason that God has ordained that human happiness is possible through natural means that are universally available. Wainwright (1996: 188). Salvation therefore does not come via divine revelation. Wainwright (1996: 188).

My recent thoughts on deism relate to the following comment cited in my own words from Wainwright.

Most deists reject revelation as fiction, but many reason that God has ordained that human happiness is possible through natural means that are universally available. Wainwright (1996: 188).

Even if Christian revelation via the New Testament and Hebrew Bible is abandoned by a critic, it can still be reasoned that God existed prior to finite time and matter. God is infinite. Reasonably, all of God's attributes are infinite, and therefore God has unlimited life as eternal, unlimited power as omnipotent, unlimited knowledge as omniscient and unlimited goodness and is perfectly holy.

Now, I reason this rules out the notion of God being evil at all, even if one abandons the Bible. If God was both infinitely good and infinitely evil, this would make God a contradictory being, as evil would be contrary and opposite of good. I therefore conclude that whatever, if any, evil occurs is used by God for the greater good. This could be concluded philosophically, even without the use of Scripture.

Even abandoning the Biblical concept of sin, it seems as clear as day philosophically that all persons are morally corrupt and imperfect. Also, all persons eventually die and suffer prior to death. Under a deistic model where God does not reveal himself directly and provides no means of salvation, it seems reasonable and likely that human happiness at best is limited and would cease.

Why under a deistic system should one expect everlasting life from a God that has not revealed himself, and as the first cause has willingly allowed his creations to suffer and die?

His creations would not be worthy of being in his direct presence everlastingly, as even without a concept of sin, philosophically, human beings are corrupt and evil and God is not. Under deism there seems to be no way to close the gap between imperfect humanity and perfect God, and no very good evidence that God is interested in this concept.

If I was a deist, with what I know presently, I certainly would continue to seek God and ask for his best forever, but as I, like all persons are under the curse of suffering and death, I would see no solid philosophical reason within philosophical deism itself to expect anything other than eventual death, and would not have anything other than unsubstantiated hopes for a seemingly disinterested God to extend my life post-mortem.

In all this there is no very good answer to what many perceive as the problem of evil. Why under deism does the perfectly good and holy God create human beings and then abandon all of them in ultimate death?

Perhaps as with plant death for the sake of food and the environment, human suffering and death would and should be considered a good thing within a deistic concept. God would therefore not have a desire to provide any person with everlasting life.

However, within a Christian worldview the problem of evil is viewed as something willed and allowed by the infinite God for the greater good, with the atoning and resurrection work applied to believers within a culminated Kingdom of God as the ultimate remedy for humanity.

I seriously doubt a long lasting, everlasting happiness is available by natural means, and/or from God with a deistic approach.

MACDONALD, M.H. (1996) ‘Deism’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.

PAILIN, DAVID A. (1999) ‘Deism’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

WAINWRIGHT, WILLIAM J. (1996) ‘Deism’, in Robert Audi (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.


I am still here...Mr. Thekingpin68!


Hmm, crush the kingpin, what an idea.

Dumb quotes/some posted on this blog previously

1. Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?
Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever."
- Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest

2. "Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death stuff."
- Mariah Carey

3. "Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are."
- Matt Lauer on NBC's Today Show, August 22

4. "I haven't committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law."
- David Dinkins, New York City Mayor, (answering accusations that he failed to pay his taxes)

5. "Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life."
- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign.

6. "I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body."
- Winston Bennett, Univ. of KY basketball forward

7. "Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country."
- Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, DC

8. "We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees."
- Jason Kidd, upon his drafting to the Dallas Mavericks

9. "I'm not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We? are the president."
- Hillary Clinton (commenting on the release of subpoenaed documents)

10. "China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese."
- Former French President Charles De Gaulle

11. "That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it."
- A Congressional Candidate in Texas

12. "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
- Former U.S. Vice-president Dan Quayle

13. "Without censorship, things can get terribly confused in the public mind."
- General William Westmoreland

14. And last but not least, a parting word from Dan Quayle: "I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix."


Merry Christmas


Okay, I will add this as well and it relates to the previous photo.

Thanks, Mom.