N.T. (W)right

"The biblical language of resurrection ('standing up', 'awakening' etc.), when it emerges, is simple and direct; the belief, though infrequent, is clear. It involves, not a reconstrual of life after death, but a reversal of death itself. It is not about discovering that Sheol is not such a bad place after all. It is not a way of saying that the dust will learn to be happy as dust. The language of awakening is not a new, exciting way of talking about sleep. It is a way of saying that a time will come when sleepers will sleep no more. Creation itself, celebrated throughout the Hebrew scriptures, will be reaffirmed, remade. " (127-128)

Man. When he is on, he is on. Killer.

Champions League Champions!

FC Barcelona defeats Manchester United 2-0 to become the first Spanish team to win a treble.
Brilliant goals by Eto'o and Messi!

Cafe Brioso

Armed with vaguely memorized Google maps directions and a three-day jones for some good espresso, I went looking for Cafe Brioso today. Columbus has a whole bunch more cyclists than Louisville, so I felt relatively confident navigating the busy downtown traffic.

It turned out to be well worth the trip, as the latte I got was been the best I've yet to have in the 614.

The milk was a bit foamy but treated delicately- poured with what ostensibly was attempted latte art ( a heart perhaps? maybe a triangle.) The baristas were a little standoffish but the espresso was tasty and it proved to be a pleasant experience.

I imagine I will be spending a lot of time there.

Intern: Day One

First day of interning at Veritas recap:

My intern projects for the day included: installing window AC units, organizing receipts for expense reports, editing/formatting the Veritas Kids ministry handbook, and strategizing over coffee.

I had the worst latte ever at the Short North's best coffee shop. Steaming milk should sound like gentle chirping... not a battlefield. Thankfully, Nick told me about this spot down town which looks promising. He says they pour some mean latte art so I am interested to see what these Buckeye baristas got.

Researching my neighborhood online the first article that came up was this one. I ate lunch at #3 today...before I read the article. Get your mind out of the gutter.

After work I did a little detective work and found that there is a big, weekly bike ride on Monday nights that meets a few blocks from my apartment. When I asked Dan at Paradise Garage if the riders were inclusive, he advised me to "let the hot shots be the hot shots." Not sure what that means but it seems like a good idea... my ankle isn't quite up for any "hot shotting" anyway.

Columbus

Tomorrow I move to Columbus for ten weeks to intern with Veritas Community Church.

And I haven't packed yet... yikes! 

Yesterday mewithoutYou released their fourth LP, it's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright!

The most compelling track on the album is "the Angel of Death came to David's room", a biblical dialogue that's equal parts negro spiritual and middle eastern folk ballad. The lyrics appear as follows in the album booklet:

"ANGEL: Friends, it's time to go
DAVID: Angel, no, I think you've come too soon!
ANGEL: Sorry, friend, now put your hand in mine..
DAVID: but good Angel, don't I get a warning sign before it's my time to go?
ANGEL: a sign? come now David? where's your Grandma gone? and where's your Grandpa gone? their time came to go
DAVID: but I slew Goliath with the sling and stone! it's not my time to go
ANGEL: and he'll be waiting for you when we get back home it's time to go - come now David! Where's you're [sic] Mama gone? and where've all you Aunts and Uncles gone? their time came to go
DAVID: can I tell Solomon the things I've learned before it's my time to go?
ANGEL: I'm sorry, friend, that none of my concern, it's time to go - come now David! Where's Uriah gone, stranded on the battlefield, the troops withdrawn? his time to go come now, David! where's Bathsheba gone? and where've your binoculars and rooftops gone? and the unexpected Baby-from-the-bath-night? their time came to go

Come now, David!
Where's everybody going?"

In many ways, this songs speaks for itself and demands little commentary. However, it almost seems that Aaron Weiss has shifted from inclusivism to full blown pluralism in the line "he'll be waiting for you when we get back home. " I know of very few theologians of who would suggest that David, the allbeit sinful but still anointed leader of God's people, faced the same eternal fate as Goliath, the enemy of God' people whose head is crushed by God's annointed one (cf. Graeme Goldsworthy's Gospel and Kingdom).

Nevertheless, this song serves as a haunting reminder of the brevity of life and the impartiality of death.

500!

This is my 500th blog post here on mjbutterworth.blogspot.com

Congratulations to myself for being narcissistic enough to stick with it this long.

Graduation Pics

Ouch!

Jess Brit got hit by a car today, exact same scenario as my accident- failure to yield right of way on the part of the car. Amazingly Jess broke the car's windshield with his shoulder but managed to escape serious injury himself. He's definitely in a lot of pain and may lose his job from having to miss work. Suck.

Be careful out there dudes! That's 3 Sojourn cyclists hit in as many months.

The Resurrection of the Son of God

Yesterday I bought this book. So far I have only read most of chapter one, but it has been baller. I especially liked the following quote.

"George Caird once pointed out, when a speaker declares 'I'm mad about my flat' it helps to know whether they are American ( in which case they are angry about their puncture) or British (in which case they are enthusiastic about their living quarters). (9)

Understanding the cultural context is not just for missiologists folks. In this area Wright seems to know what's up.