Friday Fun: "Just Don't Go"

The Oscars are this Sunday, and it appears Frozen's "Let It Go" is the new "Gangnam Style." Parodies and memes abound on social media. Here's one that I enjoyed from a Cincinnati news station, and I hereby dedicate this post to all my fellow Americans who've suffered through the polar vortex and the named winter storms.

Pascal on Ministry

I had no idea that one of the 17th-century mathematicians I learned about in high school would also speak to ministry methods and cultural exegesis with words and wisdom that are almost prophetic:

Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is.


You can read Tim Keller's summation and unpacking of Pascal's thoughts here.

Faith in God? Or the Seattle Seahawks?

A seminary colleague posted this from FoxSports:

Adam Muema came all the way to Indianapolis only to skip workouts at the last minute.

Why, you ask?

Well, the running back from San Diego State had a religious reason for leaving LucasOil Stadium on Sunday. He said he was "following God," who told him that if he skipped workouts, he'd end up playing for the Seattle Seahawks, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Playing for the birds is Muema's dream and apparently, every NFL team is aware of that.

"Can't go wrong with God," he said.

So, instead of working out for NFL scouts on Sunday, Muema caught a flight and headed back to San Diego. He can still get his day in front of NFL personnel at the San Diego State pro day in March.

"(God) told me to sit down, be quiet, and enjoy the peace," Muema said.

Well, all right then.

I don't think this is smart. What if the Seahawks don't ever sign him? Wouldn't this qualify as "putting the Lord God to the test" (Deut. 6:16)?

Thoughts? 

New Collaboration Between Science and Religion?

The recent debate between the Creation Museum's Ken Ham and Bill Nye "the Science Guy" (whose TV show was the most successful in making science fun for me during my childhood years) most likely reinforced and re-popularized the notion that science and religion must be virtually (if not completely) mutually exclusive. It almost felt like the Scopes Trial and Inherit the Wind all over again.

But what do evangelicals and scientists really think about said relationship? Here's an interesting piece by the Huffington Post.

Theology of Frozen's "Let It Go"

Some good points here about Disney's "Let It Go" from Frozen. A few minor points I'll add:

-I'd argue that Frozen is a well-written song, save for its title. Disney's songwriters have always achieved popularity in their compositions by entitling their songs with common catchphrases (e.g. "Be Our Guest," "Mother Knows Best"), and "Let It Go," while a common phrase, has difficulty fitting in with the rest of the song's lyrics. To "let something go" usually involves sacrifice and the severing of an emotional attachment, whereas the song is about the opposite.

-I should point out that "Let It Go" is performed, in the movie, by the light and laser-like pipes of Idina Menzel, who also most famously portrayed Elphaba, the "wicked" witch of Wicked, who again discovers her dangerous potential and needs to relocate and build a kingdom. Elphaba's likely most popular song from Wicked, "Defying Gravity," has some very similar (and stronger) rebellious themes to "Let It Go," and it's not nearly as seen (if at all) as "Let It Go" to fly into the face of the Wicked's message.

-I would be surprised if "Let It Go" upset U2's "Ordinary Love" for the Academy Award for Best Original Song that's going to be handed out a week from Sunday. I've always respected Disney's creativity and execution, and it's good to see some fresh blood in Frozen's music department. But they're not U2. And Elsa is not a real person.   

9 Things You Should Know About George Washington (And His Birthday)

Happy Presidents Day!

You can read the quite informative article here.

Also, since it's Presidents Day, let's remember 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

Friday Fun: Super Mario Violin

I'm a sucker for when musical excellence and Super Mario collide. Have a great Valentine's weekend!