Popper, Uhlmann, and Monbiot

Those one or two of you who read this blog know that I have soft spot for Karl Popper. I've been interested recently to read two articles on Climate science/ politics that reference the Popper, and that I find refreshing - refreshing because they seem generally more interested in science than politics.

Not that I know much about science - I take almost everything regarding climate change on the authority of those who assert that they are in the know.

Anyhow,

One article is by ABC reporter Chris Uhlmann, and is found here.

The other is by Guardian reporter George Monbiot, and is found here.

The Book Depository

Not the one in Texas. And not the Texas Cheesecake Depository.

Tom Pietsch put me on to the Book Depository a couple of months back. They have a very good selection of books with no shipping costs. I've ordered a number of books (what with the exchange rate being so good at the moment), and they have come up trumps every time. I don't know how they stay in business.

Anyhow, if you're an Australian reader who likes buying books, you really ought to know about this lot.

Das Lied von Manuel

A straight line from this to Jeff Buckley's Grace.

Joining the Unchurched

This is an interesting article by ELCA pastor James Nestingen.

On the Authority...

...of the Billboard Book of Number One Hits I can assure you that this song was number one in the USA the week of October 29, 1966.

Defeater Beliefs

If you’ve been reading this blog then you will know that I’ve been recently listening to talks by US Presbyterian pastor Tim Keller. Keller, in talking about how to communicate the Gospel, recognizes the reality of what he calls ‘Defeater Beliefs’. Defeater Beliefs are culturally generated beliefs about reality that will, as long as they remain unquestioned, defeat any presentation of the Gospel.

Keller maintains that you have to show every doubter that their Defeater Beliefs are not simply doubts about Christianity, but actually alternative beliefs, and that these alternative beliefs are culturally conditioned and demographically peculiar.

Keller recently did a survey of a group of under 25’s - ivy-league educated types- in order to understand their main objections Christianity. In order, that is, to understand their Defeater Beliefs. Thi sis what he came up with:

1. There can’t just be one true religion – all religions must be equally true.
2. Evil and Suffering.
3. The sacredness of choice – the idea that each human being must individually decide what is right or wrong.
4. The record of Christian history – injustices and oppression.
5. Anger – not human anger, but the Bible’s teaching regarding God’s wrath and the cross.
6. The Bible itself – not so much historical or scientific objections regarding the Bible – but that the Bible is socially regressive.

In this talk he goes on to give his responses to these Defeater Beliefs. It's the talk 'Preaching to Believers and Unbelievers'. It’s well done and worthy of listen.

A page of Keller's talks for audio download is here.

The Lutheran Study Bible

The 31st of October is the official release date for the new Lutheran Study Bible, published by CPH. I have a particular interest in this project, because I contributed to the comments on 1 Samuel, Deuteronomy, Micha, and Hebrews. I know that Vernon Kleinig was another Australian Lutheran contributor.

There are some reviews starting to appear on the net. I’ll link here to a particularly interesting one that was linked form Pastor Weedon’s blog.

I’m looking forward to holding a copy in my hands!