Here's an excerpt of what I view as a funny conversation:
friend: so who was that KFC guy on the webcast?
me: what do you mean?
friend: you know, that Colonel Sanders guy?
me: oh, you mean the Director-General of CERN?!
Showing posts with label famous people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label famous people. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Conservative Majority Government
Wow, this was the most unpredictable election I can remember....(maybe 1993 comes close).....
Here's a map of the electoral landscape, entirely changed:
and the new House of Commons layout for the 41st parliament.
I think it was really historical, who would have bet, at the beginning of the campaign, on such an utter collapse of the Liberal party, gaining only 19% of the vote, and reduced to 34 seats?? I wasn't voting Liberal, but I'm a bit sad to see it in such a sorry state. I hope it regains its lost support at some point in the future. Michael Ignatieff, while not the most inspiring leader, was definitely an example of decency and honesty, and he conceded defeat and resigned in grace. In fact, as Liberal leader, he is better than most that I can imagine....and in my mind has more integrity than Stephen Harper.
My regret, is that like other Liberal leaders who also showed much promise (like Paul Martin), he decided he wanted to paint everything conservative and market-oriented as "Un-Canadian" and foreignly "American". I regret this mode of campaigning, which has kept me from voting Liberal in the past. I think the Liberal party can indeed present a credible, alternative platform without resorting to simple-minded America-bashing and meaningless labeling of "American vs. Canadian values", which may provide good sound-bites in the short term, but do nothing for a party that needs to be stronger on solid policy. Their unwillingness (along with the NDP) to have an adult conversation on health care and its realities and ever-rising costs also prevents Canada from implementing measures to sustain health-care on a longer-term basis.
Who expected the NDP's rise to the Official Opposition with 31% of the popular vote, and 102 seats?? Their previous best was 43 seats captured by Ed Broadbent in 1988. I think they will make a decent opposition, but I'm really glad they didn't seize power at all. I think their fantasy-land economics, and lavish spending promises are a danger to Canadian economic fundamentals. Their eagerness with state intervention and social reengineering, without any consideration of individual responsibility make their platform entirely unattractive to me.
The best result, from my point of view, of this electoral shift, is the demise of the Bloc Quebecois. Reduced to a paltry four seats, and losing official party status, my hope is that French-Canadians take ownership of Canada, and realize that they are part of a country that can help them achieve their hopes and aspirations. The contribution of French-Canadians to Canadian culture is bountiful and priceless. Their contributions have made Canada richer, and my hope is that they will see themselves as an integral part of a great Canadian nation.
The Conservatives have their majority mandate, something they've been striving for since 1988. In this campaign, I was a reluctant Conservative voter, disappointed with increasing concentration of powers in the PMO (making Harper akin to Chretien and entirely abandoning original Reform party populist principles), as well as government secrecy and Harper's disdain of parliament. Nevertheless, the Tories presented the only credible platform to govern Canada....an economic plan based on solid market fundamentals, reasonable and controlled government spending, and reducing expenditures and growing the economy to restore Canada's balance sheet. It's resistance to make government a be-all and end-all solution was to be lauded, and this result mercifully ends Canada's election cycle for at least four years.
However, Harper should note that Canadians are not pleased by his lack of transparency, his petty political games, nor his lack of respect of parliament. He should reform his top-down conservative approach and moderate it with bottom-up initiatives and respect for democracy that he and Preston Manning once advocated during his Reform party years. His sound economic management should include strategies on reducing Canada's environmental footprint in terms of harmful emissions, and greenhouse gases. He needs to realize that conservativism and environmentalism don't have to be at odds with each other....(again the green conservativism that Preston Manning has been calling for).
Canadians have put their country in Conservative hands for the next four years. We expect them to rise above pettyness and squabbling, and govern for all of Canada. If Mr. Harper continues to show Chretienite autocratic tendencies, then Canadians, including myself will not entrust him with power the next time around.
Here's a map of the electoral landscape, entirely changed:
and the new House of Commons layout for the 41st parliament.
I think it was really historical, who would have bet, at the beginning of the campaign, on such an utter collapse of the Liberal party, gaining only 19% of the vote, and reduced to 34 seats?? I wasn't voting Liberal, but I'm a bit sad to see it in such a sorry state. I hope it regains its lost support at some point in the future. Michael Ignatieff, while not the most inspiring leader, was definitely an example of decency and honesty, and he conceded defeat and resigned in grace. In fact, as Liberal leader, he is better than most that I can imagine....and in my mind has more integrity than Stephen Harper.
My regret, is that like other Liberal leaders who also showed much promise (like Paul Martin), he decided he wanted to paint everything conservative and market-oriented as "Un-Canadian" and foreignly "American". I regret this mode of campaigning, which has kept me from voting Liberal in the past. I think the Liberal party can indeed present a credible, alternative platform without resorting to simple-minded America-bashing and meaningless labeling of "American vs. Canadian values", which may provide good sound-bites in the short term, but do nothing for a party that needs to be stronger on solid policy. Their unwillingness (along with the NDP) to have an adult conversation on health care and its realities and ever-rising costs also prevents Canada from implementing measures to sustain health-care on a longer-term basis.
Who expected the NDP's rise to the Official Opposition with 31% of the popular vote, and 102 seats?? Their previous best was 43 seats captured by Ed Broadbent in 1988. I think they will make a decent opposition, but I'm really glad they didn't seize power at all. I think their fantasy-land economics, and lavish spending promises are a danger to Canadian economic fundamentals. Their eagerness with state intervention and social reengineering, without any consideration of individual responsibility make their platform entirely unattractive to me.
The best result, from my point of view, of this electoral shift, is the demise of the Bloc Quebecois. Reduced to a paltry four seats, and losing official party status, my hope is that French-Canadians take ownership of Canada, and realize that they are part of a country that can help them achieve their hopes and aspirations. The contribution of French-Canadians to Canadian culture is bountiful and priceless. Their contributions have made Canada richer, and my hope is that they will see themselves as an integral part of a great Canadian nation.
The Conservatives have their majority mandate, something they've been striving for since 1988. In this campaign, I was a reluctant Conservative voter, disappointed with increasing concentration of powers in the PMO (making Harper akin to Chretien and entirely abandoning original Reform party populist principles), as well as government secrecy and Harper's disdain of parliament. Nevertheless, the Tories presented the only credible platform to govern Canada....an economic plan based on solid market fundamentals, reasonable and controlled government spending, and reducing expenditures and growing the economy to restore Canada's balance sheet. It's resistance to make government a be-all and end-all solution was to be lauded, and this result mercifully ends Canada's election cycle for at least four years.
However, Harper should note that Canadians are not pleased by his lack of transparency, his petty political games, nor his lack of respect of parliament. He should reform his top-down conservative approach and moderate it with bottom-up initiatives and respect for democracy that he and Preston Manning once advocated during his Reform party years. His sound economic management should include strategies on reducing Canada's environmental footprint in terms of harmful emissions, and greenhouse gases. He needs to realize that conservativism and environmentalism don't have to be at odds with each other....(again the green conservativism that Preston Manning has been calling for).
Canadians have put their country in Conservative hands for the next four years. We expect them to rise above pettyness and squabbling, and govern for all of Canada. If Mr. Harper continues to show Chretienite autocratic tendencies, then Canadians, including myself will not entrust him with power the next time around.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Championship Saturday
What a Saturday this is going to be!
The Auburn Tigers and Oregon Ducks face their final tests, before the bowl season starts! Both teams are a joy to watch, explosive offences that play in permanent hurry-up mode. Both teams have a tendency to fall behind, and then explode in the 2nd half, coming back from large deficits....if they both win, they'll play each other in the BCS championship game! I'm crossing my fingers for such an event - I think it would be spectacular!
Cam Newton plays for Auburn, and is the clear cut Heisman favourite....he can run over defenders, or run past them, and he has a lethal throwing arm, too. And although the Tiger secondary gives up big plays, the front seven is solid, led by a dominant Nick Fairley that creates havoc on opposing offences. They have gone undefeated in the toughest conference in NCAA football, and need one more victory in the SEC championship against the ever-improving and SEC East champion South Carolina Gamecocks.
LaMichael James and Darron Thomas lead the Oregon Duck offence, which averages about 50 points per game! The zone-read offence is really tuned as well as it can be at Oregon, and Jeff Maehl is a solid, reliable and underrated receiver that puts up big years on play-action, when defences sell-out to stop the running plays of the Ducks. Their hurdle is their in-state long rival: the Oregon St. Beavers in the Civil War. Although the Beavers have had a disappointing season, they always show up for the Civil War, and have a history of being giant-killers....
So....here are my predictions (I hope they're not a jinx)....I think both the Tigers and Ducks will prevail, but the games will be very close:
The Civil War: Ducks 48 - Beavers 38
SEC Championship: Tigers 34 - Gamecocks 28
The Auburn Tigers and Oregon Ducks face their final tests, before the bowl season starts! Both teams are a joy to watch, explosive offences that play in permanent hurry-up mode. Both teams have a tendency to fall behind, and then explode in the 2nd half, coming back from large deficits....if they both win, they'll play each other in the BCS championship game! I'm crossing my fingers for such an event - I think it would be spectacular!
Cam Newton plays for Auburn, and is the clear cut Heisman favourite....he can run over defenders, or run past them, and he has a lethal throwing arm, too. And although the Tiger secondary gives up big plays, the front seven is solid, led by a dominant Nick Fairley that creates havoc on opposing offences. They have gone undefeated in the toughest conference in NCAA football, and need one more victory in the SEC championship against the ever-improving and SEC East champion South Carolina Gamecocks.
LaMichael James and Darron Thomas lead the Oregon Duck offence, which averages about 50 points per game! The zone-read offence is really tuned as well as it can be at Oregon, and Jeff Maehl is a solid, reliable and underrated receiver that puts up big years on play-action, when defences sell-out to stop the running plays of the Ducks. Their hurdle is their in-state long rival: the Oregon St. Beavers in the Civil War. Although the Beavers have had a disappointing season, they always show up for the Civil War, and have a history of being giant-killers....
So....here are my predictions (I hope they're not a jinx)....I think both the Tigers and Ducks will prevail, but the games will be very close:
The Civil War: Ducks 48 - Beavers 38
SEC Championship: Tigers 34 - Gamecocks 28
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Law and Gospel
Here's an article/commentary on the Galatians that I wrote in July 1999:
LAW AND GOSPEL
The relationship between Law and Gospel continues to be entirely misunderstood by almost all Christians. The failure of Christians to understand the role of Law in this age of Grace has caused congregations to become thoroughly legalistic, and has degenerated the Gospel proclamation of the pulpit into a guide for human conduct. If we as Christians are to preach the Good News of Christ to the entire world, then we must understand this precarious relationship between Law and Gospel to ensure that God’s Grace is never substituted with human effort.
Perhaps the most articulate expression of the relationship between Law and Gospel is found in Paul’s epistle to the Galatians. Further, Paul’s affirmations in this letter are restated with increased force by the vivid imagery and colourful language in Martin Luther’s “Commentary on Galatians”. The relationship between Law and Gospel becomes fully exposed in these two theological masterpieces.
The Law is Oppressive
The Law of God is indeed holy, but is at the same time weak. The Law is not weak in itself, for it is the perfect exposition of God’s will; but when applied to humans, it can never be obeyed, no matter how earnestly we try. Our total depravity, corrupt nature, and weakness of the flesh render the Law useless. For the Law does not demand only external obedience, but the internal obedience of our hearts, minds, and souls that man is altogether incapable of.
Not only is the Law of God unable to enforce obedience in humans, but it is an oppressive device which tortures the souls of those confronted by it. For “all who rely on observing the Law are under a curse.” (Galatians 3:10) Indeed “the Law is most excellent: yet it is not able to quiet a troubled conscience, but increaseth terrors, and driveth it to desperation.” (Commentary on Galatians) When confronted with the strict and holy demands of the Law, man is driven to despair and hopelessness. For by his own efforts, he fulfills none of the Law’s righteous demands; rather, the Law oppresses him, and causing him not to love God, but to hate him instead. Striving to keep the Law actually alienates one from God, since “to live to the Law is to die to God.” (Commentary on Galatians)
To seek salvation by adherence to the Law is to seek salvation in vain “because by observing the Law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) The Law does not work for us in seeking salvation, but against us. “He that liveth to the Law … is dead and condemned. For the Law cannot justify and save him, but accuseth, terrifieth, and killeth him.” (Commentary on Galatians) It is “so intolerable a tyrant and cruel tormentor” such that “the devil is wont by the Law to make us afraid.” (Commentary on Galatians) We conclude that the Law is our enemy, our oppressor, and our tormentor. Salvation must lie beyond the scope of Law.
The Law leads us to the Gospel
What then, was the purpose of God’s Law? Did God bring to us his Law in order to prepare us for destruction? By no means! Instead, the Law’s purpose is meaningful, since its oppressive nature curiously leads us to the Gospel promise. Paul states this clearly in his epistle: “What, then was the purpose of the Law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.” (Galatians 3:19) By increasing transgressions of humans, the Law makes our depraved nature and utter imperfections clear to us as we fail to execute God’s will for us. Only by recognizing that we are shameful sinners who are unable to face the presence of a holy God, will we cry out for help in desperation. Without the Law, we have a high view of ourselves, and we convince ourselves that our human efforts, works, and deeds are substantial and procure justification. But the Law makes it abundantly clear that the opposite is true. When confronted with the Law, we then understand how hopeless we are, and that our works and deeds amount to nothing.
Thus in despair and desperation, we cry out to the promise of God. We cry out for Grace and mercy from our loving Saviour. “When a man is humbled by the Law, and brought to the knowledge of himself, then followeth true penitence.” (Commentary on Galatians) Being convinced of our own unworthiness, we look no longer to our own strivings, but to God’s Gospel of Grace, given freely for sinners. Man, “being terrified with the Law, utterly despaireth of his own strength: he looketh about, and sigheth for the help of a mediator and Saviour. Here then cometh in good time the healthful word of the Gospel.” (Commentary on Galatians) Thus we conclude that the Law leads us to the Gospel. “The Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)
The Gospel brings Salvation
Gospel, not Law, gives us the way, the life, and the resurrection. If the Law drives us to the Gospel, then the Gospel provides us salvation. The Gospel is summarized by the following: God’s Grace is given to us freely on the grounds of Christ’s death, and those that receive this Grace through faith are justified as righteous before God. Paul declares that “we have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ.” (Galatians 2:16) “By faith only in Christ we are pronounced righteous, and not by the works of the law or charity.” (Commentary on Galatians) God has promised us his Grace, so that all who receive it by faith in Christ will be saved.
Further, this Gospel of Grace requires no human effort, works, or deeds to effect salvation. Rather, the mere apprehension of this promise of Grace through faith ensures a righteous standing before God. Thus the righteousness that we attain by grace through faith is entirely passive, and God’s Grace extends to us no matter how repugnant our deeds are. Indeed, “the afflicted and troubled conscience hath no remedy against desperation and eternal death, unless it take hold of the promise of Grace freely offered in Christ, that is to say, this passive righteousness through faith.” (Commentary on Galatians)
It is only this passive righteousness of God’s forgiving Grace that justifies us. There is no dependence on human effort, but rather, salvation is attributed to God alone. He is from first to last the author of our salvation. Our hope lies not in our capacity to do good works, but in God’s loving initiative manifested in his death on the Cross. In him our hope lies, and thus our salvation is assured, since it does not depend on our own fickle abilities, but God’s steadfast resolve to reconcile his people. For “there is no comfort of conscience [that is] so firm and so sure, as this passive righteousness is.” (Commentary on Galatians)
There is no Law in Grace
Grace, by definition, comes with no strings attached and does not require any prior condition for its procurement. Law, on the other hand, consists solely of demands upon the human conscience. There is no harmony between the two, and there is no Law for those who have received the Grace of God.
Martin Luther draws this antithesis between Law and Grace with impressive determination. We should “teach Christians to be ignorant of the Law” since “a Christian man is free from all laws.” (Commentary on Galatians) Christians are “children of Grace which are under no Law,” and “must have nothing to do with [the Law].” (Commentary on Galatians) There is no compatibility between Law and Gospel since “between the righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of Christ, there is no mean.” (Commentary on Galatians) Paul confirms Luther’s statements by exclaiming, “if righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing.” (Galatians 2:21) For “now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the Law.” (Galatians 3:25) For the Christian, the Law “is utterly abrogate.” (Commentary on
Galatians)
Not only are Law and Grace held at an antithesis, but Grace itself has defeated the Law and has set us free from the Law’s oppression. The Gospel abolishes the Law, and is our victory over this cruel tyrant. “Wherefore the Law has no right to accuse me, or to hold me any longer, for I am risen again.” (Commentary on Galatians) “The Law is void, and I am escaped out of my prison and grave.” (Commentary on Galatians) “By Christ [we are] utterly freed from the Law” since “the Father [has] abolished the Law, sin, and death.” (Commentary on Galatians) The Law which had previously kept us in bondage is now entirely nullified since the Gospel has won a victory over the Law. “Before faith came, we were held prisoners by the Law, locked up until faith should be revealed.” (Galatians 3:23) Thus Christians who possess the Gospel promise of Grace shall be no longer under the Law, but set free from it, having nothing to do with it.
Christians no longer need the Law as a guide, but will respond to the Gospel of Grace so gratefully, that good works automatically flow. Christians will declare their absolute loyalty to Christ and will do everything in their power to ensure that his will is done. For Christians, God “will put his Law in their minds and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33) and thus the “the entire Law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14) For when brought under Grace, a Christian will desire to follow the Law, not under external compulsion, but by sheer gratitude of God’s Grace given for him.
Conclusions
The righteous Law of God, by its strict demands, tortures the human soul by demanding what cannot be given. Man despairs of his standing before a righteous, holy God. But convinced of his utter helplessness, the Law leads man to cry out in desperation for the unconditional Grace of God. This Grace, this Gospel, does not fail when received through faith, but ensures salvation. Thus the Gospel has triumphed over the Law, and has gained a glorious victory for all Christians. May God bless us evermore with his Gospel of Grace. Amen.
LAW AND GOSPEL
The relationship between Law and Gospel continues to be entirely misunderstood by almost all Christians. The failure of Christians to understand the role of Law in this age of Grace has caused congregations to become thoroughly legalistic, and has degenerated the Gospel proclamation of the pulpit into a guide for human conduct. If we as Christians are to preach the Good News of Christ to the entire world, then we must understand this precarious relationship between Law and Gospel to ensure that God’s Grace is never substituted with human effort.
Perhaps the most articulate expression of the relationship between Law and Gospel is found in Paul’s epistle to the Galatians. Further, Paul’s affirmations in this letter are restated with increased force by the vivid imagery and colourful language in Martin Luther’s “Commentary on Galatians”. The relationship between Law and Gospel becomes fully exposed in these two theological masterpieces.
The Law is Oppressive
The Law of God is indeed holy, but is at the same time weak. The Law is not weak in itself, for it is the perfect exposition of God’s will; but when applied to humans, it can never be obeyed, no matter how earnestly we try. Our total depravity, corrupt nature, and weakness of the flesh render the Law useless. For the Law does not demand only external obedience, but the internal obedience of our hearts, minds, and souls that man is altogether incapable of.
Not only is the Law of God unable to enforce obedience in humans, but it is an oppressive device which tortures the souls of those confronted by it. For “all who rely on observing the Law are under a curse.” (Galatians 3:10) Indeed “the Law is most excellent: yet it is not able to quiet a troubled conscience, but increaseth terrors, and driveth it to desperation.” (Commentary on Galatians) When confronted with the strict and holy demands of the Law, man is driven to despair and hopelessness. For by his own efforts, he fulfills none of the Law’s righteous demands; rather, the Law oppresses him, and causing him not to love God, but to hate him instead. Striving to keep the Law actually alienates one from God, since “to live to the Law is to die to God.” (Commentary on Galatians)
To seek salvation by adherence to the Law is to seek salvation in vain “because by observing the Law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) The Law does not work for us in seeking salvation, but against us. “He that liveth to the Law … is dead and condemned. For the Law cannot justify and save him, but accuseth, terrifieth, and killeth him.” (Commentary on Galatians) It is “so intolerable a tyrant and cruel tormentor” such that “the devil is wont by the Law to make us afraid.” (Commentary on Galatians) We conclude that the Law is our enemy, our oppressor, and our tormentor. Salvation must lie beyond the scope of Law.
The Law leads us to the Gospel
What then, was the purpose of God’s Law? Did God bring to us his Law in order to prepare us for destruction? By no means! Instead, the Law’s purpose is meaningful, since its oppressive nature curiously leads us to the Gospel promise. Paul states this clearly in his epistle: “What, then was the purpose of the Law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.” (Galatians 3:19) By increasing transgressions of humans, the Law makes our depraved nature and utter imperfections clear to us as we fail to execute God’s will for us. Only by recognizing that we are shameful sinners who are unable to face the presence of a holy God, will we cry out for help in desperation. Without the Law, we have a high view of ourselves, and we convince ourselves that our human efforts, works, and deeds are substantial and procure justification. But the Law makes it abundantly clear that the opposite is true. When confronted with the Law, we then understand how hopeless we are, and that our works and deeds amount to nothing.
Thus in despair and desperation, we cry out to the promise of God. We cry out for Grace and mercy from our loving Saviour. “When a man is humbled by the Law, and brought to the knowledge of himself, then followeth true penitence.” (Commentary on Galatians) Being convinced of our own unworthiness, we look no longer to our own strivings, but to God’s Gospel of Grace, given freely for sinners. Man, “being terrified with the Law, utterly despaireth of his own strength: he looketh about, and sigheth for the help of a mediator and Saviour. Here then cometh in good time the healthful word of the Gospel.” (Commentary on Galatians) Thus we conclude that the Law leads us to the Gospel. “The Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)
The Gospel brings Salvation
Gospel, not Law, gives us the way, the life, and the resurrection. If the Law drives us to the Gospel, then the Gospel provides us salvation. The Gospel is summarized by the following: God’s Grace is given to us freely on the grounds of Christ’s death, and those that receive this Grace through faith are justified as righteous before God. Paul declares that “we have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ.” (Galatians 2:16) “By faith only in Christ we are pronounced righteous, and not by the works of the law or charity.” (Commentary on Galatians) God has promised us his Grace, so that all who receive it by faith in Christ will be saved.
Further, this Gospel of Grace requires no human effort, works, or deeds to effect salvation. Rather, the mere apprehension of this promise of Grace through faith ensures a righteous standing before God. Thus the righteousness that we attain by grace through faith is entirely passive, and God’s Grace extends to us no matter how repugnant our deeds are. Indeed, “the afflicted and troubled conscience hath no remedy against desperation and eternal death, unless it take hold of the promise of Grace freely offered in Christ, that is to say, this passive righteousness through faith.” (Commentary on Galatians)
It is only this passive righteousness of God’s forgiving Grace that justifies us. There is no dependence on human effort, but rather, salvation is attributed to God alone. He is from first to last the author of our salvation. Our hope lies not in our capacity to do good works, but in God’s loving initiative manifested in his death on the Cross. In him our hope lies, and thus our salvation is assured, since it does not depend on our own fickle abilities, but God’s steadfast resolve to reconcile his people. For “there is no comfort of conscience [that is] so firm and so sure, as this passive righteousness is.” (Commentary on Galatians)
There is no Law in Grace
Grace, by definition, comes with no strings attached and does not require any prior condition for its procurement. Law, on the other hand, consists solely of demands upon the human conscience. There is no harmony between the two, and there is no Law for those who have received the Grace of God.
Martin Luther draws this antithesis between Law and Grace with impressive determination. We should “teach Christians to be ignorant of the Law” since “a Christian man is free from all laws.” (Commentary on Galatians) Christians are “children of Grace which are under no Law,” and “must have nothing to do with [the Law].” (Commentary on Galatians) There is no compatibility between Law and Gospel since “between the righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of Christ, there is no mean.” (Commentary on Galatians) Paul confirms Luther’s statements by exclaiming, “if righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing.” (Galatians 2:21) For “now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the Law.” (Galatians 3:25) For the Christian, the Law “is utterly abrogate.” (Commentary on
Galatians)
Not only are Law and Grace held at an antithesis, but Grace itself has defeated the Law and has set us free from the Law’s oppression. The Gospel abolishes the Law, and is our victory over this cruel tyrant. “Wherefore the Law has no right to accuse me, or to hold me any longer, for I am risen again.” (Commentary on Galatians) “The Law is void, and I am escaped out of my prison and grave.” (Commentary on Galatians) “By Christ [we are] utterly freed from the Law” since “the Father [has] abolished the Law, sin, and death.” (Commentary on Galatians) The Law which had previously kept us in bondage is now entirely nullified since the Gospel has won a victory over the Law. “Before faith came, we were held prisoners by the Law, locked up until faith should be revealed.” (Galatians 3:23) Thus Christians who possess the Gospel promise of Grace shall be no longer under the Law, but set free from it, having nothing to do with it.
Christians no longer need the Law as a guide, but will respond to the Gospel of Grace so gratefully, that good works automatically flow. Christians will declare their absolute loyalty to Christ and will do everything in their power to ensure that his will is done. For Christians, God “will put his Law in their minds and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33) and thus the “the entire Law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14) For when brought under Grace, a Christian will desire to follow the Law, not under external compulsion, but by sheer gratitude of God’s Grace given for him.
Conclusions
The righteous Law of God, by its strict demands, tortures the human soul by demanding what cannot be given. Man despairs of his standing before a righteous, holy God. But convinced of his utter helplessness, the Law leads man to cry out in desperation for the unconditional Grace of God. This Grace, this Gospel, does not fail when received through faith, but ensures salvation. Thus the Gospel has triumphed over the Law, and has gained a glorious victory for all Christians. May God bless us evermore with his Gospel of Grace. Amen.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Duck juggernaut gives USC the beats
Is this the most prolific offence you've ever seen? I still think Newton should get the Heisman, but this Oregon offence is just a treat to watch......what a clinic by Darrin Thomas and LaMichael James!
Wouldn't it be great to see Auburn vs. Oregon in the BCS championship?
Wouldn't it be great to see Auburn vs. Oregon in the BCS championship?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Cam for Heisman
Really, my jaw drops, everytime I see Cam Newton play.....
He is really something....I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon, but this guy is way more impressive than Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Troy Smith, and Tim Tebow.
Look at this 49 Yd TD run against LSU, which is a very good defence!
And check out this clinic against the Razorbacks....
Cam for Heisman! (and I'm hoping that Auburn takes the SEC)
He is really something....I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon, but this guy is way more impressive than Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Troy Smith, and Tim Tebow.
Look at this 49 Yd TD run against LSU, which is a very good defence!
And check out this clinic against the Razorbacks....
Cam for Heisman! (and I'm hoping that Auburn takes the SEC)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Jose blasts #50!
Nice job Jose Bautista! The Blue Jay slugger has given the Blue Jays its first 50 HR performance by a player with a HR shot to right field!
What a season!
What a season!
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
So in our family, we don't say too many things that are on the emotional level, especially since we all have science and engineering backgrounds.
But on this day, I think it seems fitting to say:
Thanks Mom for being the best Mom one could ever ask for!
And it's cool that Mom can even beat up Rocky....
But on this day, I think it seems fitting to say:
Thanks Mom for being the best Mom one could ever ask for!
And it's cool that Mom can even beat up Rocky....
Friday, May 07, 2010
UK Twins?
So it seems that the UK has had their election, and there's a lot of talk about hung parliaments and such....here are some key players....
This is Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg - he may be the kingmaker in deciding whether the UK gets a Tory or a Labour government. He also probably can pull the plug on the government when he wants and have the UK go to new elections.
Here's Tory leader Dave Cameron - winning the most seats and popular vote of all parties, but not enough to form a majority government on his own.....
The main observation I have is.....don't they look very alike? I mean they're almost twins! Imagine if they make a coalition government, no one will be able to tell them apart!
This is Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg - he may be the kingmaker in deciding whether the UK gets a Tory or a Labour government. He also probably can pull the plug on the government when he wants and have the UK go to new elections.
Here's Tory leader Dave Cameron - winning the most seats and popular vote of all parties, but not enough to form a majority government on his own.....
The main observation I have is.....don't they look very alike? I mean they're almost twins! Imagine if they make a coalition government, no one will be able to tell them apart!
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Monday, February 01, 2010
Phaneuf a Leaf!
Wow....Dion Phaneuf a Leaf. The trade yesterday sent Phaneuf together with Fredrik Sjostrom and Keith Aulie from the Calgary Flames to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs give up meanwhile, Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White. It's hard to tell (as the trade only happened yesterday) who will end up getting the upper hand in the deal - but I'm betting on the Leafs being very satisfied with this.....who knows, maybe it's the Doug Gilmour trade redux!
Here's to Phaneuf, and lot's of success in a Leafs uniform!
Here's to Phaneuf, and lot's of success in a Leafs uniform!
Monday, January 18, 2010
The best six minutes anyone's ever played...
Doug Gilmour of the Toronto Maple Leafs played the best six minutes of hockey ever against the LA Kings during Game 1 of the Campbell Conference Finals.
Take a look!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Celebrities in Tana
So in August, I was in Madagascar - it was a great trip! It's a beautiful country with very nice people.
Another nice surprise is that the food was excellent there! Great authentic French cuisine that costs 5-10 times less what one would have to pay in France.
Because I was attending a conference, I stayed 8 nights at the Hotel Sakamanga in Antananarivo. The restaurant at this hotel was quite good - in fact here's a picture of myself with others dining at this restaurant.
Even Dustin Hoffman enjoyed Madagascar!
Another nice surprise is that the food was excellent there! Great authentic French cuisine that costs 5-10 times less what one would have to pay in France.
Because I was attending a conference, I stayed 8 nights at the Hotel Sakamanga in Antananarivo. The restaurant at this hotel was quite good - in fact here's a picture of myself with others dining at this restaurant.
Even Dustin Hoffman enjoyed Madagascar!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
The Republic of Canada
In this nice opinion article by the Globe and Mail's Jeffrey Simpson, he argues that when Queen Elizabeth departs -long may she reign! - that we should look into making Canada a republic.
I fully agree. Especially I don't want to see Prince Charles ugly face on Canadian currency!
I fully agree. Especially I don't want to see Prince Charles ugly face on Canadian currency!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Spiffy hockey jerseys
Have you ever seen hockey jerseys like this?
Apparently they were worn by the Kingston Frontenacs for Don Cherry Military Night, with the jerseys being auctionned off for Soldier On - an organization that helps injured Canadian soldiers.
Apparently they were worn by the Kingston Frontenacs for Don Cherry Military Night, with the jerseys being auctionned off for Soldier On - an organization that helps injured Canadian soldiers.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Harper with a little help from his friends
Who knew? Apparently Stevie Harper can play the piano and sing! And not bad for an amateur player! Here he is with Yo Yo Ma and Herringbone (a three-man band) performing "With a Little Help From My Friends".
I think the audience was really surprised!
I think the audience was really surprised!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Elvis Rocks!
Elvis Stojko is the best figure skater EVER, and this just confirms it:
Athletes should think twice about heading to Beijing: Elvis Stojko
Athletes should think twice about heading to Beijing: Elvis Stojko
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Billary in trouble
Man, how the mighty have fallen...Billary Clinton is truly reeling after the Potomac primaries and this:
Clinton Ex-Campaign Manager Backs Obama
This primary season is soooo interesting!
Clinton Ex-Campaign Manager Backs Obama
This primary season is soooo interesting!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
What would Martin Luther King Jr. say?
The Toronto District School Board trustees have approved a plan of the first publicly funded black-focused schools. The Globe and Mail has an article on McGuinty's unwillingness to take a stand:
Read the article
Isn't this a step backwards? Why are we encouraging segregation?
Read the article
Isn't this a step backwards? Why are we encouraging segregation?
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Jimmy Carter is ...
So today, Former President Jimmy Carter was invited to give a talk at the UC Berkeley campus. Luckily, one of my officemates couldn't go, and gave me his ticket.
For some really odd ODD reason, Jimmy Carter is my Dad's favourite President all time. However, today I learned that most Taiwanese people don't like Jimmy Carter since he broke off some diplomatic agreement with Taiwan when he was in office. So why does Dad like Jimmy Carter so much?
I have no idea. But then again, it's hard to explain Dad!
Anyway, Jimmy Carter talked about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He gave this cool quote from the late Pope John Paul II. Paraphrasing this quote, the Pope had stated:
There are only two ways to have peace in the Middle East: realistic and miraculous. A realistic method would be divine intervention from heaven above. A miraculous method would be for Israel and Palestine to reach a peace agreement.
For some really odd ODD reason, Jimmy Carter is my Dad's favourite President all time. However, today I learned that most Taiwanese people don't like Jimmy Carter since he broke off some diplomatic agreement with Taiwan when he was in office. So why does Dad like Jimmy Carter so much?
I have no idea. But then again, it's hard to explain Dad!
Anyway, Jimmy Carter talked about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He gave this cool quote from the late Pope John Paul II. Paraphrasing this quote, the Pope had stated:
There are only two ways to have peace in the Middle East: realistic and miraculous. A realistic method would be divine intervention from heaven above. A miraculous method would be for Israel and Palestine to reach a peace agreement.
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