A notorious New York composer used to produce the …
Thomas on In The Studio (Day…:This might sound like a strange question, how do …
Show today in Lewisburg.
Pics and more afterwards.
And I still owe you the same for last night’s show. As soon as I get a break.
Then tomorrow I leave for El Salvador for the week. So SHLOG.COM will probably go dead for a few days. I doubt I’ll have internet access in a third world country. I’ll catch up when I get back.
-SG
PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS SERIES:
JUST WAR PART 1: THE TIMES OF AUGUSTINE
JUST WAR PART 2: THE THEORY OF AUGUSTINE
JUST WAR PART 3: AQUINAS BUILDS
JUST WAR PART 4: UNDER THE INFLUENCE (Crusades)
Aquinas wasn’t just under the influence, to some degree, of Catholic crusaders though. He was also blazing a new trail for Catholic theologians by allowing the writings of Aristotle and other non-theologians/philosophers to color his thinking on God. Specifically, Aquinas was among the first to say out loud that he believed a theology (a belief about God) could be arrived at and supported by natural law alone with no backing from scripture or Church tradition.
Natural law, dumbed down so that I can better understand it, is the common sense or practical considerations behind what’s “right” and “wrong.” It’s the “it makes sense” part within us all. People with no understanding of God, who’ve never read the bible, can know not to steal, for instance. Their reasons for respecting the property rights of others are governed by natural law or instinct. That law causes them not to steal on the grounds that they A) don’t want their property taken away in a reprisal or don’t want to be harmed if they get caught stealing and/or B) think that stealing would hurt the common good, the society and therefore possibly hurt them. So with no influence from the bible human beings, because we all follow natural law within us to some degree, may still ACT “right” if “right” works best for us and our society.
Aquinas admitted to forming his additions to Augustine’s Just War doctrine based not upon scripture (Divine law) primarily, but upon this built-in need to be practical and preserve society and self (natural law). He believed this natural law in us all was inherently good because God put it there. So what works, what is arrived at by observing natural, is divine law, is what God calls “right”. This was the beginning of a new era of practical or natural law theology within Christendom which is still alive today.
What beliefs do we hold that have their basis in natural law more than biblical revelation? I have plenty. When, if ever, is that a bad thing? Why?
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I played on a stage just outside the entrance to Pringles Park , the stadium built for the Jackson, TN Jacks. A radio station was there. Veggie Tales’ Bob and Larry were there. Fans of Christian music were there.
But so were many non-Christians. And I wondered how “Faith Night” looked to them. And as I did I began wondering if I should do shows like this again. Should I throw out shows in shopping mall food courts as well? I’m just thinking - and maybe that’s my problem - maybe I should just take my check and go home - but I’m wondering how this kind of taking-church-public show is different from praying on a street corner. Just wondering for now.
The ball park does the show to increase attendance and make money. The radio station increases listenership and might even get advertising money from the ball park. I get paid. But I’m unable to do what I do well in this setting. And I’m uncomfortable trying to.
What I do is like the musical version of a family meeting. It’s not about “yea Jesus” or “every head bowed, every eye closed”. It’s about having fun while provoking us all to think about what it means to follow God and not just believe in Him. It’s an intimate conversation. Serious at times. Light at others. But a dialogue with other Christians always. It’s an effort to preach to the choir until they leave the loft and serve outside stained glass walls. Feels out of place, like a bad fit, to do that publicly as non-Christians are winding through the crowd of “Do the Jew” and “Property of Jesus” shirts worn by Christians with their hands raised. Very odd. Not a show built around communication. Didn’t fit me. Seemed pointless to me. Fun, but pointless.
Got me thinking more about what Andrew Osenga and others have touched on here. What is the point of Christian music...for me? I sometimes wonder, on days like this, if it isn’t just about making money off of Christians and making Christians feel like evangelism is taking place because of the money they spend. I’m wondering. Wonder with me.
I know I did this show for the money. I confess. I “needed” it. And when I sell my house I won’t need it as much. So I probably won’t do this kind of show again...unless I find a better reason than bill paying to do it.
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Here are just some of the searches leading seekers of many things to SHLOG.COM - combined for your pleasure (or just mine) into a new form of “art” (looks like a list to me) I’ve dubbed “HaiGoo.” Enjoy.
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Anyone wanna claim these? That first one in particular?
One of the things I missed about my “real job” is cheap insurance. I didn’t realize how much my employer’s group plan truly saved me until I became a musician by trade.
My insurance company - found after a long thorough search for the best - charged me over $6,000/yr for a very basic health policy and only paid me $325/yr in actual benefits. So I canceled. And I signed up with Samaritan Ministries.
Their program is like no other, and it’s not an insurance policy. For all you musicians and ministers, self-employed or just jobless out there, I’d highly recommend Samaritan Ministries’ program as a replacement for your current over-priced basic health insurance coverage.
If only local churches would create programs like this of their own, for their own, and then use the money members save on covering the health needs of those outside the Church. Now that would be better for everyone.
Got thoughts? Post a comment below or discuss on my message-board.
