Dave Allen

 

The late comedian Dave Allen discusses God and Adam and Eve. I watched Dave Allen as a child and his skits were often good. In this satirical monologue he attempts to analyze the beginning of the book of Genesis. Allen makes the common mistake of claiming that Eve ate of an apple. According to Strong's, in Genesis 3:6 Eve is said to have taken a fruit and eaten of it. Strong (1986: 499). Strong explains that the word for fruit used here is priy (per-ee) in Hebrew. Strong (1986: 127). I can agree with Allen that it is wise to avoid contact with talking snakes! As my PhD and prior studies have shown, the book of Genesis does in places use poetic language and so although I do believe in a literal, historical, Adam and Eve, I am not certain of the exact appearance of the serpent described in Genesis, Chapter 3. Strong writes that the word used here for serpent can also be defined as snake. Strong (1986: 102). The Hebrew word used for serpent or snake here is nachash (naw-khawsh). Strong (1986: 102). I sometimes find satirical, secular monologues concerning religion interesting because they at times show secular assumptions and bias. 

In the case of Dave Allen these presentations can also be amusing. I still somewhat remember a certain Dave Allen skit. A young man stands before a British judge wearing one of those long full bottomed powdered wigs and is asked if he has anything to state before sentencing. The young man replies, "Yes, get a bloody haircut". 

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

Tower Bridge, London: trekearth

Turkish Football: Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray

I do not know why some European countries (Turkey is part of UEFA) allow flares and fireworks within the stadium. This clip features the largest football fire I have seen in recent memory.

From The New American Standard Bible:

Proverbs 16: 29-30

A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.

La Villa Strangiato-Pinkpop 1979

A fine instrumental clip from the Netherlands in 1979. This piece features hard rock/classical fusion.

Some points:

In Bible Study the last two weeks there has been a "Phantom flatulator" who does rather loud ones from another room as the study is ending. I am not sure if this is an unofficial signal that the study has ended and that we should all go home. I personally would prefer a bell sound.

According to The Worst-Case Scenario: Little Book for Dating:

One should ask a date a personal question and if the person looks to the right when the answering he/she is often recalling and telling the truth, and if he/she looks to the left they are creating or spinning events. p 10. Hmm, I would like to see the scientific data on that claim!

In regard to the problem of evil questionnaires, I appreciate the support I have received so far with a few people accepting and returning surveys via the internet and a few friends locally who are willing to hand them out to people that attend churches. My previous advisor had suggested I would need 400 surveys filled out but my new advisor has not provided a number. My goal is to have at least 100 questionnaires completed. A pastor today suggested that it would be great if I could sample everyone, including those of other religions such as Hindus. I completely agree that this would be fascinating and would make my work easier, but because my University requires me to obtain my information from a sample, I have to limit my questionnaire to a group. Since I attend a Christian church and I am writing Christian theology, persons that attend Christian churches are my sample group. As noted previously I can send the questionnaire out to anyone upon request even if I cannot count them in my sample group. The following article explains sample:

http://thekingpin68.blogspot.com/2006/12/sample.html

I listened to this interesting discussion on global warming the other day:

http://www.albertmohler.com/radio_show.php?cdate=2007-01-23

Donald Trump is asked about President Bush:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdxFn8FfauU

Russ:)

The problem of evil: your input requested

Lake Ohara, BC

Greetings,

As part of my PhD dissertation, I am issuing a short and completely confidential and nameless problem of evil questionnaire through the internet. Anyone who is attending a Christian church, my sample group, that is interested in filling one out please let me know by leaving a comment or contacting me at rnmwales@shaw.ca

I will send a copy to those who are not within my sample group upon request as well. I will shortly be looking to sample local churches.

Here is an explanation of what is basically contained within the questionnaire.

Part 1:

Questions on basic background information, but the questionnaire remains nameless.

Questions on the church attended and religious beliefs in general terms.

Part 2:

Questions on the nature of God.

Questions relating to free will, sovereignty, and soul-making views on the problem of evil.

Questions relating to practical theology from a feminist perspective.

Part 3:

Questions concerning society and the problem of evil.

Thanks for reading.

Russ Murray