hughbiquitous

I’ve rediscovered Doug Groothuis (the “Constructive Curmudgeon”) this week. I recently purged all the RSS feeds from my overloaded subscription list and I’ve been adding them back one at a time if they prove worthy. Doug has returned and has found a place in my “A-list” folder.

(I’ve started using Google Reader, too — what GMail did for e-mail, Google Reader does for blog reading.)

I offer here a handful of entries Doug has posted over the last few months by way of introducing Dr. Groothuis:

The First Ever: Curmudgeon Cruise

On tap:

1. Eight principles on how to offend friends and enemies with the truth.
2. How to dissolve an audience in mirth without ever smiling.
3. Six principles for using the Bible to embarrass yourself and others.
4. How to insult others without them knowing it–right away.
5. Speed reading Kierkegaard (and other curmudgeons) for fun and profit.
6. Nine ways to denude celebrity Christians.
7. Seven ways to refer to obscure thinkers and jazz musicians in everyday language such that others are amazed, perplexed, and dismayed.
8. And much, much more!

Nontasking as a Way of Life

“Some things should not be multitasked, such as God and philosophy and conversations. Be there or be nowhere; but don’t be there and not there. There.”

The New Nihilists

An excerpt:

We don’t care much for philosophy, theology.
We can’t tell you what they mean.
But “whatever” is what does the trick.
“Whatever” is the scene.

YouWorld

Welcome to YouWorld. YourWorld, all the time, for You.

You matter to us. You do. You are worth it. It’s all about You. You can do it. You have done it. You can have it. You have it all. You will do it. We know You. You are special. Everyone will like You; it is guaranteed. You deserve the best. In fact, You are the best. You for You, in You, ever You, world with You, Amen…

Greg Koukl on Truth, Faith, and Belief

Greg Koukl has written a superb article on truth, faith, and belief. This distills paramount truths that so many are missing, especially those stupified under the spell of postmodernist philosophy. These concepts are vital to every aspect of the church’s witness today. Spread the word. Bravo to Mr. Koukl!

Ten Irrefutable Laws of Curmudgeonly Leadership

Coming soon to the “Management” section of Barnes and Noble:

1. Irrefutable Law #1: Never trust irrefutable laws of leadership. You may get refuted.
2. Irrefutable Law #2: Pundits are typically not to be trusted, except to be pundits– sell many books, mug for many cameras, speak at many conferences with jumbotrons, and make much money.
3. Irrefutable Law #3: Small books featuring big print, many endorsements, and lots of illustrations make for poor flyswatters, but adequate coasters.
4. Irrefutable Law #4: Curmudgeons lead by lamentation.
5. Irrefutable Law #5: Curmudgeons lead by failing often.
6. Irrefutable Law #6: Curmudgeons lead by being unpopular, misunderstood, and neglected. Who they lead is another question.
7. Irrefutable Law #7: Curmudgeons will be curmudgeons.
8. Irrefutable Law #8: Curmudgeons tilt at windmills, defend lost causes, try to turn back the clock, and wait eagerly for the Last Judgment.
9. Irrefutable Law #9: Curmudgeons perpetuate gloom for the common good.
10. Irrefutable Law #10: Question Irrefutable Laws #1-#9 whenever possible.

John Piper: Truth About Television

Groothuis quotes Piper:

…your capacity to know God deeply will probably diminish in direct proportion to how much television you watch. There are several reasons for this. One is that television reflects American culture at its most trivial. And a steady diet of triviality shrinks the soul.

Ian McKellen ups the ante… what’s really interesting is that he is the only actor drawing praise for his performance. Maybe he’s the only one who identified with the story.

Da Vinci Code Actor: Bible Should Have ‘Fiction’ Disclaimer

(The site has been down, so I’m citing the text…)
(more…)

…the story we tell is loaded with all sorts of hooey and fun kind of scavenger-hunt-type nonsense.

If you are going to take any sort of movie at face value, particularly a huge-budget motion picture like this, you’d be making a very big mistake.

Tom Hanks on The Da Vinci Code (emphasis mine)

I love it. The sound bite on Da Vinci: hooey and nonsense.

Then he says this:

It’s a damn good story and a lot of fun… all it is is dialogue. That never hurts.

Now that’s nonsense.