It seems like when I enter the dialectical process with people, at the end of it, somehow, someway I come tumbling out loving the people I've gone through it with.
I realized yesterday why my closest and best friends are the by and large those whom I have dialogued deeply with.
It's because we see each other's souls in discussion, no more pretense, no presumption, it's a chance to look deeply at a thing outside ourselves and in so doing come to a greater love for each other.
Not that Philosophy's only merit is in bringing people to love one another, but for me, it is at least that.
Looking for the answer to life's big questions and then seeking to live them out.
When it's done right, people become authentic in a way that I just haven't been able to find anywhere else.
Here's to baring our souls so that Christ might somehow, someway conform us closer to His Image.
Good Day!
Showing posts with label Torrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Torrey. Show all posts
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Gratitude
Gabriel Choo
Torrey Academy Banquet Speech
Delivered Friday, May 29, 2009
*Deep Breath* Torrey Academy – the final Frontier, these are the voyages of some overly intellectual students, their 3 year mission, to explore strange, unheard of authors, to seek out ancient truths and age old questions, and to boldly Read, what no normal person has ever read before!
(Joycelyn, you owe me 5 bucks)
Haha, that’s what Torrey Academy would sound like on TV.
But in all seriousness, I just wanted to express this evening, all the Gratitude and Joy I feel. If you asked me what the best thing about my education was, my answer, without a Doubt would be Torrey Academy. How can I narrow down all the wonderful, Wonderful things Torrey is to me? There are the little things: the blinking cursor on an blank screen write before you start the reflection essay that’s due tomorrow morning, the countless inside jokes and references built over hundreds of hours of discussion together, or even the time when our tutor made us go hug a tree! Then there are the big things: that first day of class, when you come out of session knowing that you don’t know anything, or that “ah hA” moment, when the concept you’ve been struggling with as a group suddenly clicks and EVERYTHING makes sense, or the Wondrous moment when you look around the room and you realize, I Love these People.
And when it comes down to it, perhaps the greatest thing the Torrey has given me is Love. Love for the deep friendships I’ve made, Love for the Breathtaking joy of being a part of this academic Community, and best of all, falling deeper in love with the Love that moves the Sun and the furthest Stars. These past 3 years have just been an Endless Chain of Goodness, Truth, and Beauty.
I suppose the best way to describe Torrey Academy would be to compare it with a stained glass window. In those piercingly beautiful sheets of structured light, I see so Many colors of glass form a Wondrous and structured whole. And as the light of the Sun is filtered through that glass and shines through it, beautiful Images of grace, redemption, and Love are silently told. Yet, these individual bits of colored glass never lose their uniqueness but find their greatest fulfillment by being a part of a greater whole. That is what Torrey is like. For in the same way that the light of the sun shines through a stained-glass window, the Light of the Son of God shines through this Community, illuminating our Hearts and our Minds with the thoughts and writings of great thinkers and Christians - of ages past.
These years have been the best of my short life and for these experiences, I will always be grateful. So thank you my friends and colleagues, Thank you Parents, Thank you Tutors, thank you Administrators, but most of all, thank you God for making Torrey Possible. I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful evening.
Torrey Academy Banquet Speech
Delivered Friday, May 29, 2009
*Deep Breath* Torrey Academy – the final Frontier, these are the voyages of some overly intellectual students, their 3 year mission, to explore strange, unheard of authors, to seek out ancient truths and age old questions, and to boldly Read, what no normal person has ever read before!
(Joycelyn, you owe me 5 bucks)
Haha, that’s what Torrey Academy would sound like on TV.
But in all seriousness, I just wanted to express this evening, all the Gratitude and Joy I feel. If you asked me what the best thing about my education was, my answer, without a Doubt would be Torrey Academy. How can I narrow down all the wonderful, Wonderful things Torrey is to me? There are the little things: the blinking cursor on an blank screen write before you start the reflection essay that’s due tomorrow morning, the countless inside jokes and references built over hundreds of hours of discussion together, or even the time when our tutor made us go hug a tree! Then there are the big things: that first day of class, when you come out of session knowing that you don’t know anything, or that “ah hA” moment, when the concept you’ve been struggling with as a group suddenly clicks and EVERYTHING makes sense, or the Wondrous moment when you look around the room and you realize, I Love these People.
And when it comes down to it, perhaps the greatest thing the Torrey has given me is Love. Love for the deep friendships I’ve made, Love for the Breathtaking joy of being a part of this academic Community, and best of all, falling deeper in love with the Love that moves the Sun and the furthest Stars. These past 3 years have just been an Endless Chain of Goodness, Truth, and Beauty.
I suppose the best way to describe Torrey Academy would be to compare it with a stained glass window. In those piercingly beautiful sheets of structured light, I see so Many colors of glass form a Wondrous and structured whole. And as the light of the Sun is filtered through that glass and shines through it, beautiful Images of grace, redemption, and Love are silently told. Yet, these individual bits of colored glass never lose their uniqueness but find their greatest fulfillment by being a part of a greater whole. That is what Torrey is like. For in the same way that the light of the sun shines through a stained-glass window, the Light of the Son of God shines through this Community, illuminating our Hearts and our Minds with the thoughts and writings of great thinkers and Christians - of ages past.
These years have been the best of my short life and for these experiences, I will always be grateful. So thank you my friends and colleagues, Thank you Parents, Thank you Tutors, thank you Administrators, but most of all, thank you God for making Torrey Possible. I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful evening.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Where did it all go?
Why is it that something begins and then when it ends it's so hard to re-apprehend the experience? For example, when I experience a beautiful piece of music it only stays with me for so long. The rightness, the goodness, that desire and ardor that is the stuff of rash vows --can it last? Perhaps this is what corresponds to "the death of Beatrice". In the Vita Nuova, Dante describes his experience and vision of Beatrice when he saw her for the first time. Fifteen years later, she died. And Dante goes on to write, "what has never been written in honor of a lady before". Romantic Theology...
Lewis is characteristically lucid:
"A romantic theologian does not mean one who is romantic about theology but one who is theological about romance, one who considers the theological implications of those experiences which are called romantic. The belief that the most serious and ecstatic experiences either of human love or of imaginative literature have such theological implications ,and that they can be healthy and fruitful only if the implications are diligently thought out and severly lived, is the root principle of all his [Charles William's] work" (Introduction to "Essays Presented to Charles Williams").
How do we stay true to the image of the beloved?
Whatever that image may be, nature (think Wordsworth), the city (Virgil), or a girl (Beatrice), or music (Bach? Rachmaninoff?) how do we affirm and love it in such a way that it is neither blasphemous nor destructive?
In short, how do we love rightly?
This is sort of the question I'm starting with for my paper. I'm pretty sure Dante can help me. =D But what he has to say isn't at all easy. At least for me, I don't think of this as just a paper, for me, what Dante is saying and how I interpret him has real and significant implications. Perhaps Dante is wrong and crazy, if not wickedly lustful...
I sure hope not.
"He who has ears let him hear, he who has eyes let him see."
"This is thou, this also is not thou."
"...lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..."
Lewis is characteristically lucid:
"A romantic theologian does not mean one who is romantic about theology but one who is theological about romance, one who considers the theological implications of those experiences which are called romantic. The belief that the most serious and ecstatic experiences either of human love or of imaginative literature have such theological implications ,and that they can be healthy and fruitful only if the implications are diligently thought out and severly lived, is the root principle of all his [Charles William's] work" (Introduction to "Essays Presented to Charles Williams").
How do we stay true to the image of the beloved?
Whatever that image may be, nature (think Wordsworth), the city (Virgil), or a girl (Beatrice), or music (Bach? Rachmaninoff?) how do we affirm and love it in such a way that it is neither blasphemous nor destructive?
In short, how do we love rightly?
This is sort of the question I'm starting with for my paper. I'm pretty sure Dante can help me. =D But what he has to say isn't at all easy. At least for me, I don't think of this as just a paper, for me, what Dante is saying and how I interpret him has real and significant implications. Perhaps Dante is wrong and crazy, if not wickedly lustful...
I sure hope not.
"He who has ears let him hear, he who has eyes let him see."
"This is thou, this also is not thou."
"...lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..."
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Esolen on Torrey Honors
Thursday, January 29, 2009
In Ecstacy
I just bought Taliessin through the Logres, The Region of the Summer Stars and the Arthurian Torso by Charles Williams.
Yup.
It's 1:00 something AM.
Here are my reasons:
1) Dante.
2) This oh-my-goodness-my-mind-just-got-blown-open-in-a-totally-good-way-by-Charles-Williams (He tends to do that) book.
3) This beautiful essay (I consider it one of my favorite essays alongside "The Weight of Glory").
4) This response to the essay above.
5) This random (or perhaps providential) review of Logres. "Gold" indeed.
6) And one more thing, if people are willing to spend upwards of $70 dollars for an Abercrombie and Fitch(TM) shirt, why can't I spend $55 dollars to buy a rare and beautiful book by one of my favorite authors?
Sigh. Of course, this means that I won't be buying any more books for a long time...then again, I do have that gift card I haven't used...but here's the thing: I promise that (unless it's for school) I will not buy another book for 3 months. Starting today. (So this ends April 29th...if I'm wrong please correct me) =]
Another thing, how do I express strong emotion without looking like a fool? Is being a fool necessarily a bad thing? (Or so Shakespeare would have me ask).
Currently, I am overwhelmed and more in love with Charles William's writing than I previously was. I only pray that his insights into the Christian life will lead me to love God like Dante did. "This also is thou; neither is this Thou".
But remember, dear reader, that Dante, Williams, and all of Western Civilization are but dust without Christ. "You can find Dante and miss Christ" Let us not be Gammaliels. Let us pray for one another, always.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
Yup.
It's 1:00 something AM.
Here are my reasons:
1) Dante.
2) This oh-my-goodness-my-mind-just-got-blown-open-in-a-totally-good-way-by-Charles-Williams (He tends to do that) book.
3) This beautiful essay (I consider it one of my favorite essays alongside "The Weight of Glory").
4) This response to the essay above.
5) This random (or perhaps providential) review of Logres. "Gold" indeed.
6) And one more thing, if people are willing to spend upwards of $70 dollars for an Abercrombie and Fitch(TM) shirt, why can't I spend $55 dollars to buy a rare and beautiful book by one of my favorite authors?
Sigh. Of course, this means that I won't be buying any more books for a long time...then again, I do have that gift card I haven't used...but here's the thing: I promise that (unless it's for school) I will not buy another book for 3 months. Starting today. (So this ends April 29th...if I'm wrong please correct me) =]
Another thing, how do I express strong emotion without looking like a fool? Is being a fool necessarily a bad thing? (Or so Shakespeare would have me ask).
Currently, I am overwhelmed and more in love with Charles William's writing than I previously was. I only pray that his insights into the Christian life will lead me to love God like Dante did. "This also is thou; neither is this Thou".
But remember, dear reader, that Dante, Williams, and all of Western Civilization are but dust without Christ. "You can find Dante and miss Christ" Let us not be Gammaliels. Let us pray for one another, always.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
In Which we Discover that Gabriel Generally Functions Much Better With Sleep
I've been slaving away at my Term Paper for the past two weeks. I haven't kept my journal since my birthday, I haven't done my devotions since last week, and I haven't slept for more than 10 hours in the past three days. Which is why I feel like singing odes to Coffee...and my friends who have so graciously helped me through this. (There is no intended order of importance in that short list!) Coffee is sooooo good! All hail Cappuccino!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Grateful...But Worried
From The Imitation of Christ:
"Thou hast not yet resisted unto blood."
(Thomas A Kempis, Third Book, section 19, pg. 200)
I am grateful that no one is waiting to inflict unimaginably horrible tortures upon me for being a Christian. (Been reading Eusebius' History of the Church)
I am worried over the fact that I would probably deny my Lord if that were ever to happen.
How do we strengthen our faith so that we achieve a state where "perfect Love casts out all fear"?
From Shakespeare:
"Come, lady, die to live. This wedding day..."
(Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV.1.253)
There's so much meaning packed into that line...
The Bloodless Martyrdom.
Actual Martyrdom.
Being a Christian in general.
Needless to say, there are more ways to die than one.
"Thou hast not yet resisted unto blood."
(Thomas A Kempis, Third Book, section 19, pg. 200)
I am grateful that no one is waiting to inflict unimaginably horrible tortures upon me for being a Christian. (Been reading Eusebius' History of the Church)
I am worried over the fact that I would probably deny my Lord if that were ever to happen.
How do we strengthen our faith so that we achieve a state where "perfect Love casts out all fear"?
From Shakespeare:
"Come, lady, die to live. This wedding day..."
(Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV.1.253)
There's so much meaning packed into that line...
The Bloodless Martyrdom.
Actual Martyrdom.
Being a Christian in general.
Needless to say, there are more ways to die than one.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Silliness in Torrey
Heh, we can't be serious all the time! Some funny tidbits:
Me: Nooooooooooo! It can't be! No it's true, Disneyland is EVIL!
Mr Buhler: Really?! Why?
Me: Well the classical underworld was called Dis and it's the name of the city in the Inferno. Dis - ney land? Coinkidink? I think not!
Mr. Buhler: *Chuckle* Silly Mr. Choo, Disneyland isn't evil, it actively combats evil. You see, the archaic form of "no" is "nay" and a variant spelling would be "ney". So it's actually Dis - ney land, the land where we defy evil and say "NAY!" to all of Hell.
=]
Mr. Bartel: Guys (Mr. Chavira, Mr. Diaz, me) if an attractive woman came up to you and said, "God told me to become romantically involved with you, would you believe her? What would you say?
Mr. Chavira and Mr. Diaz: ............
Me: "PRAISE GOD!!"
ah....you had to be there. ;)
Me: Nooooooooooo! It can't be! No it's true, Disneyland is EVIL!
Mr Buhler: Really?! Why?
Me: Well the classical underworld was called Dis and it's the name of the city in the Inferno. Dis - ney land? Coinkidink? I think not!
Mr. Buhler: *Chuckle* Silly Mr. Choo, Disneyland isn't evil, it actively combats evil. You see, the archaic form of "no" is "nay" and a variant spelling would be "ney". So it's actually Dis - ney land, the land where we defy evil and say "NAY!" to all of Hell.
=]
Mr. Bartel: Guys (Mr. Chavira, Mr. Diaz, me) if an attractive woman came up to you and said, "God told me to become romantically involved with you, would you believe her? What would you say?
Mr. Chavira and Mr. Diaz: ............
Me: "PRAISE GOD!!"
ah....you had to be there. ;)
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Foof!
Or Faith of Our Fathers.
It's going to be an amazing Torrey year!
I have never been this excited to take a class. It's seriously jumping up and down bounce off the walls kind of exciting.
And what's even better than spending time with some of the greatest minds of the West? Spending time with some of the most ridiculously beautiful people for a whole YEAR of course! =P
There will be Goodness. There will be Truth. There will be Beauty.
...And silliness! =]
Here's to a wonderful, wonderful life!
P.S. You can tell that summer does wonders for stopping that mushy grey stuff in your noggin from growing. =]
P.P.S. La Mirada should definitely take over all the other torrey classes! That way all the beautiful people could be in class together!
...And join the tissue box cult...but that's another story. ;)
It's going to be an amazing Torrey year!
I have never been this excited to take a class. It's seriously jumping up and down bounce off the walls kind of exciting.
And what's even better than spending time with some of the greatest minds of the West? Spending time with some of the most ridiculously beautiful people for a whole YEAR of course! =P
There will be Goodness. There will be Truth. There will be Beauty.
...And silliness! =]
Here's to a wonderful, wonderful life!
P.S. You can tell that summer does wonders for stopping that mushy grey stuff in your noggin from growing. =]
P.P.S. La Mirada should definitely take over all the other torrey classes! That way all the beautiful people could be in class together!
...And join the tissue box cult...but that's another story. ;)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
2007-2008 Alphabetized
I found I had more to say than 10 things so I'll try for an Alphabet. =]
A - Annabelle - My lovely, lovely piano who (like me) is quite talkative at the moment (her dampers don't come down quite like they're supposed to so she tends to be long winded whenever I give her something to sing). I think I can safely say that Annabelle is an amazing piano.
B - Buhler - Mr. Buhler is an awesome teacher. He's crazy, but he's awesome. I think I've praised him before in another post, but for this one I shall say that FAT year would not have been as funny/silly/thought provoking/and interesting if not for him.
C - Christian Bearup - Always towering over us and making me laugh and talking about movies and generally being an all around great guy. I am very very very glad of your friendship.
D - Dante - Is definitely going to be a huge favorite of mine. (Going through Purgatory now) =] (Gasp!)
E - Edwards - I need to re-read a Divine and Supernatural light. In fact, I need to re-read the whole Foundations curriculum! I don't think I'll ever understand them completely. I don't think we even read them completely!
F - Foundations - I've often wondered about the structure of the Three TA classes. Why are they put in that order? Inklings, Foundations, Faith. Hmmm. From Inklings to Faith. Someone should write a memoir. =]
G - Gabriel - Is a name an inseperable part of a person? Would a person still be that person if they had a different name?
H - Hobbes - AHHHHHHHH!!! (H could also stand for um let's see...HERESY!) But it's okay Hobbes, at least you can pull some weight against Calvin in Faith.
I - Independence - That and Freedom. They are way more complex than I ever imagined. We're just a few wrong words form being a nation of rebels.
J - John Locke - I like Locke; in fact, Locke could possibly be my favorite political text of the year, after Tocqueville, of course, but then that defeats the purpose of saying that Locke was my favorite in the first place; oh well, I guess I should find something else to say about him; I think his views on property were quite ingenious, the way he gets us from the State of Nature to having the right of owning things, mixing ones labor, man, what a genius; in conclusion, Locke makes me think of a long long long car ride with no bathroom breaks, in fact, I'd tell my mother, "Just one more sentence" instead of "Just one more paragraph"; I think I over did that a bit. =]
K - KUSC - Last classical radio station in SoCal. If you listen, go support. I cannot imagine losing this station to pop.
L - Learning - A supreme joy.
M - Montesquieu - 20 years! A third of his life! "If anyone worked as hard as I did, he would have done better." I really want to be able to say this. haha.
N - Nelsons - A lovely, lovely clan. Charming and very sweet except when they decide to take advantage of my gullibility. Jessie, Katie, Kevin, and Mrs. Nelson. I am very glad I had so many study hall sessions. =]
O - Oh, Emily - We have very much in common. Insecurity, enthusiasm, indecision, love of food, many questions, borderline neurotic Asian drive to excel, etc. Yay for being able to talk more next year! It is a priviledge to know you. =]
P - Peterson, Danielle - Wonderful, Artistic, funny, undeniably intelligent, lover of chocolate, wholly herself. I think I win the title of supreme procrastinator of emails. =] I can't think of many other people I'd rather talk to than you. Hope to see you soon friend!
Q - Questions- "Further up and Further in!"
R - Rachmaninoff or the Reynolds - I can't decide! They're both so absolutely amazing. Really! Mary Kate and L.D. and Jane and Ian and Dr. Reynolds and Mrs. Reynolds. If they were characters in a book it would be my favorite on in the world. But they're not, (Aren't we glad they're not!) they are too good for words. =] Very Rachmaninoff - ish.
S - Shakespeare - With Mr. Bartel! The greatest playwright and a highly intelligent poet. I am very happy I get to take this class next year. =]
T - Thoreau - Had his suits laundered twice a week. Turns out he lived only about a mile from town. Isolation my foot. =] Civil Disobedience. Good idea.
U - Unworthy - Jesus spoils me. (not enough smilely faces in the world).
V - Vision - Can we trust memory? (you can tell I'm starting to run out of things, problem is the moment I hit "publish post" I'm gonna think of something)
W - Wheatstone - Enough Said. http://www.wheatstoneacademy.com/content/
X - X-Files - Our Foundations class should be writers on that show. We had Wyoming seceeding from the union on the count of not being able to wear big hats. That and Iran managed to seperate the state and invaded it. In mid-air. Don't ask.
Y - Yes? - I seem to be saying that alot these days.
Z - I need to get some of these. =]
A - Annabelle - My lovely, lovely piano who (like me) is quite talkative at the moment (her dampers don't come down quite like they're supposed to so she tends to be long winded whenever I give her something to sing). I think I can safely say that Annabelle is an amazing piano.
B - Buhler - Mr. Buhler is an awesome teacher. He's crazy, but he's awesome. I think I've praised him before in another post, but for this one I shall say that FAT year would not have been as funny/silly/thought provoking/and interesting if not for him.
C - Christian Bearup - Always towering over us and making me laugh and talking about movies and generally being an all around great guy. I am very very very glad of your friendship.
D - Dante - Is definitely going to be a huge favorite of mine. (Going through Purgatory now) =] (Gasp!)
E - Edwards - I need to re-read a Divine and Supernatural light. In fact, I need to re-read the whole Foundations curriculum! I don't think I'll ever understand them completely. I don't think we even read them completely!
F - Foundations - I've often wondered about the structure of the Three TA classes. Why are they put in that order? Inklings, Foundations, Faith. Hmmm. From Inklings to Faith. Someone should write a memoir. =]
G - Gabriel - Is a name an inseperable part of a person? Would a person still be that person if they had a different name?
H - Hobbes - AHHHHHHHH!!! (H could also stand for um let's see...HERESY!) But it's okay Hobbes, at least you can pull some weight against Calvin in Faith.
I - Independence - That and Freedom. They are way more complex than I ever imagined. We're just a few wrong words form being a nation of rebels.
J - John Locke - I like Locke; in fact, Locke could possibly be my favorite political text of the year, after Tocqueville, of course, but then that defeats the purpose of saying that Locke was my favorite in the first place; oh well, I guess I should find something else to say about him; I think his views on property were quite ingenious, the way he gets us from the State of Nature to having the right of owning things, mixing ones labor, man, what a genius; in conclusion, Locke makes me think of a long long long car ride with no bathroom breaks, in fact, I'd tell my mother, "Just one more sentence" instead of "Just one more paragraph"; I think I over did that a bit. =]
K - KUSC - Last classical radio station in SoCal. If you listen, go support. I cannot imagine losing this station to pop.
L - Learning - A supreme joy.
M - Montesquieu - 20 years! A third of his life! "If anyone worked as hard as I did, he would have done better." I really want to be able to say this. haha.
N - Nelsons - A lovely, lovely clan. Charming and very sweet except when they decide to take advantage of my gullibility. Jessie, Katie, Kevin, and Mrs. Nelson. I am very glad I had so many study hall sessions. =]
O - Oh, Emily - We have very much in common. Insecurity, enthusiasm, indecision, love of food, many questions, borderline neurotic Asian drive to excel, etc. Yay for being able to talk more next year! It is a priviledge to know you. =]
P - Peterson, Danielle - Wonderful, Artistic, funny, undeniably intelligent, lover of chocolate, wholly herself. I think I win the title of supreme procrastinator of emails. =] I can't think of many other people I'd rather talk to than you. Hope to see you soon friend!
Q - Questions- "Further up and Further in!"
R - Rachmaninoff or the Reynolds - I can't decide! They're both so absolutely amazing. Really! Mary Kate and L.D. and Jane and Ian and Dr. Reynolds and Mrs. Reynolds. If they were characters in a book it would be my favorite on in the world. But they're not, (Aren't we glad they're not!) they are too good for words. =] Very Rachmaninoff - ish.
S - Shakespeare - With Mr. Bartel! The greatest playwright and a highly intelligent poet. I am very happy I get to take this class next year. =]
T - Thoreau - Had his suits laundered twice a week. Turns out he lived only about a mile from town. Isolation my foot. =] Civil Disobedience. Good idea.
U - Unworthy - Jesus spoils me. (not enough smilely faces in the world).
V - Vision - Can we trust memory? (you can tell I'm starting to run out of things, problem is the moment I hit "publish post" I'm gonna think of something)
W - Wheatstone - Enough Said. http://www.wheatstoneacademy.com/content/
X - X-Files - Our Foundations class should be writers on that show. We had Wyoming seceeding from the union on the count of not being able to wear big hats. That and Iran managed to seperate the state and invaded it. In mid-air. Don't ask.
Y - Yes? - I seem to be saying that alot these days.
Z - I need to get some of these. =]
Monday, May 26, 2008
The year I became FAT
Since I won't get to attend the last week of TA because of Economics. Thursday was my last day of Foundations. =[ It's been a lovely/funny/weird/growing pains/happy/beautiful/absolutely amazing year. The books had a reputation of being dry, but come on, who doesn't love Tocqueville? =] I'm horrible with actually expressing myself through words so I shall spare everyone and keep myself to a few words. I present to you: 10 Things I learned this Year.
1. My friends are absolutely, positively, incredibly, undeniably, quite simply, some of the most wonderful people I've ever met.
2. Humility truly is "endless". (I make no claims as to my attainment of this virtue, only a claim to strive for such a goal)
3. The teenager can deprieve himself of many, many, many hours of sleep...and still function. Haha (Don't push this one).
4. God, Family, Friends, Ideas, Books, Music. I want to be near all of these for the rest of my life. (As to how they're all going to fit in, I'm pretty sure that if I keep things in proper relation to each other, it'll turn out fine.)
5. The struggle against self will be a life-long battle. However, by the Grace of God...etc.
6. Thank God I get to go to Torrey Honors. =] =] =] =] =] =] =] (Yes, that really does need 7 smiles and many, many more)
7. All good things will become corrupted and evil when set up as an idol.
8. I am (mostly) a prideful, arrogant, obnoxious, stupid and sinful creature. (Have I covered them all?)
9. God likes to rehabilitate such people. In fact, He loves them, hard to believe as it is. How incredibly powerful is the Love which sacrifices all for the beloved. How wonderful, how beautiful.
10. Faith is going to be an awesome, awesome year. =]
There you are. 10 things I learned this year. They're certainly (I hope!) not everything I learned, but they are what come to mind at the moment. =]
Goodnight, goodyear.
1. My friends are absolutely, positively, incredibly, undeniably, quite simply, some of the most wonderful people I've ever met.
2. Humility truly is "endless". (I make no claims as to my attainment of this virtue, only a claim to strive for such a goal)
3. The teenager can deprieve himself of many, many, many hours of sleep...and still function. Haha (Don't push this one).
4. God, Family, Friends, Ideas, Books, Music. I want to be near all of these for the rest of my life. (As to how they're all going to fit in, I'm pretty sure that if I keep things in proper relation to each other, it'll turn out fine.)
5. The struggle against self will be a life-long battle. However, by the Grace of God...etc.
6. Thank God I get to go to Torrey Honors. =] =] =] =] =] =] =] (Yes, that really does need 7 smiles and many, many more)
7. All good things will become corrupted and evil when set up as an idol.
8. I am (mostly) a prideful, arrogant, obnoxious, stupid and sinful creature. (Have I covered them all?)
9. God likes to rehabilitate such people. In fact, He loves them, hard to believe as it is. How incredibly powerful is the Love which sacrifices all for the beloved. How wonderful, how beautiful.
10. Faith is going to be an awesome, awesome year. =]
There you are. 10 things I learned this year. They're certainly (I hope!) not everything I learned, but they are what come to mind at the moment. =]
Goodnight, goodyear.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Thoughts on Creation
(This came about while reading Emerson and loathing the twisted shadows of truth which he propounds for the real thing. Wishing to right his wrong, I (though if presumptuous, time will tell) endeavored to articulate feebly an aesthetic which is based upon Dorothy Sayers essay, but also, hopefully sheds some light on what creation of art, literature, or music is.
We esteem great men because of their ability to see what is true and to communicate that truth. By learning from them, we also learn to see the truth and hopefully will see more truth. But the truth is not new, it was not created, it always was. The truth did not come from men, but from God. Why then should I seek truth within when it is without? What I say will simply be feebly articulating what has always been and always will be. True, anything I create will have my unmistakable personal stamp, but what I do either conforms to the Good, True, and Beautiful or it does not. A story may have been born of the author’s personal experience, but we esteem it because it is true, good, or beautiful and because it says something that is universal. The very fact that we can recognize it as truth proves that it is saying what already existed in some form. By conforming to these principles, we articulate some aspect of reality in the unifying context of God’s goodness, truth, and beauty. By the mere fact that another man can recognize what I say as being true, I prove that all truth is God’s truth. When we see Rembrandt’s painting or listen to Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto and rightly agree that it is beautiful and admire the author for seeing what we did not see, we come to know and see what the author saw. Art is communication. Proving that by being able to see what he saw, there is an underlying reality of which he is only uncovering our eyes from. Human creation, if good and true is showing others the reality which we glimpse. If art is creation, then creation is a mirror through which we see God, Reality itself, reflected. A mirror because the there are varying degrees of light and truth which are shed from an object.
This whole argument needs clarification in that I still have not made the important distinction between good, true, and beautiful art and just plain bad music, art, literature, etc. This difference does exist, but I will need further reflection to come to an articulation of its cause.
The passage that specifically prompted this barrage of incoherency and muddled thought was this.
“Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another you have only an extemporaneous half possession…Where is the master who could have instructed Franklin, or Washington, or Bacon, or Newton? Every great man is a unique.” (Emphasis mine, from the essay Self-Reliance page 199) I apologize for the pompousness of this post. Emerson’s radical individualism is starting to affect me. =] I humbly submit this little kernel of mine to the scrutiny of anyone who happens to read this. Feel free to rip, tear, and batter it to pieces, hopefully we will gain a sliver of silver from all this dross.
We esteem great men because of their ability to see what is true and to communicate that truth. By learning from them, we also learn to see the truth and hopefully will see more truth. But the truth is not new, it was not created, it always was. The truth did not come from men, but from God. Why then should I seek truth within when it is without? What I say will simply be feebly articulating what has always been and always will be. True, anything I create will have my unmistakable personal stamp, but what I do either conforms to the Good, True, and Beautiful or it does not. A story may have been born of the author’s personal experience, but we esteem it because it is true, good, or beautiful and because it says something that is universal. The very fact that we can recognize it as truth proves that it is saying what already existed in some form. By conforming to these principles, we articulate some aspect of reality in the unifying context of God’s goodness, truth, and beauty. By the mere fact that another man can recognize what I say as being true, I prove that all truth is God’s truth. When we see Rembrandt’s painting or listen to Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto and rightly agree that it is beautiful and admire the author for seeing what we did not see, we come to know and see what the author saw. Art is communication. Proving that by being able to see what he saw, there is an underlying reality of which he is only uncovering our eyes from. Human creation, if good and true is showing others the reality which we glimpse. If art is creation, then creation is a mirror through which we see God, Reality itself, reflected. A mirror because the there are varying degrees of light and truth which are shed from an object.
This whole argument needs clarification in that I still have not made the important distinction between good, true, and beautiful art and just plain bad music, art, literature, etc. This difference does exist, but I will need further reflection to come to an articulation of its cause.
The passage that specifically prompted this barrage of incoherency and muddled thought was this.
“Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another you have only an extemporaneous half possession…Where is the master who could have instructed Franklin, or Washington, or Bacon, or Newton? Every great man is a unique.” (Emphasis mine, from the essay Self-Reliance page 199) I apologize for the pompousness of this post. Emerson’s radical individualism is starting to affect me. =] I humbly submit this little kernel of mine to the scrutiny of anyone who happens to read this. Feel free to rip, tear, and batter it to pieces, hopefully we will gain a sliver of silver from all this dross.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Took Hall
Yesterday, I had the priviledge of staying over at Took Hall in order to attend some Torrey Honors Sessions. =] It was great, my thanks to the guys of Took Hall. Anyway, here's a funny bit of dialogue that happened while I was there:
Me: You guys have a complete set of the Western classics?!!!! You have bigwonderfulawesome library!!!???? AGGGGHHH!!!!! *Turns green with envy*
Peter: OOoooooo Envyenvyenvyenvyenvy, Covetessnesscovetessnesscovetessness
Me: Guiltguiltguiltguiltguiltguiltguilt
Peter: Condemnationcondemnationcondemnationcondemnation
Dan: Gracegracegracegracegracegracegracegrace
Me: Santificationsantificationsantificationsantification
Me: You guys have a complete set of the Western classics?!!!! You have bigwonderfulawesome library!!!???? AGGGGHHH!!!!! *Turns green with envy*
Peter: OOoooooo Envyenvyenvyenvyenvy, Covetessnesscovetessnesscovetessness
Me: Guiltguiltguiltguiltguiltguiltguilt
Peter: Condemnationcondemnationcondemnationcondemnation
Dan: Gracegracegracegracegracegracegracegrace
Me: Santificationsantificationsantificationsantification
=]
Torrey: Goodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgood
Beautifulbeautifulbeautifulbeautifulbeautifulbeautifulbeautifulbeautiful
Truetruetruetruetruetruetruetruetruetruetruetruetruetruetruetruetrue
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Humility
This week, I've had to learn a hard lesson. That is, how to be humble. My teacher whom I respect and admire very much for showing me my weakness and sin pointed out in his evaluation of my Term Paper that I was acting as if I were an exception towards the general rules, not only was the quality of my paper unacceptably low, but so was my attitude. "Pride cometh before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall". Sigh. At first, I was able to see it from a third persons point of view, I knew that this would not only be a growing experience (being reprimanded) but that it would also be painful. I was overjoyed at being corrected, for I had noticed my own academic slipshodedness for quite some time already. But as the hours passed and my teacher's words took on more personal weight, the burden and shame did begin to seep into my heart. Throughout the (continuing) ordeal I've been very grateful to Mr. Buhler for pointing out my arrogance and snobbishness. This lesson is hard, but at least my lesson in humility has begun. But I recognize this: if I had maintained a loving, trusting and dependent relationship with God, this would not have happened. And until I learn to be humble as Christ was humble and depend upon my Heavenly Father as Jesus depended upon the Father then my Pride will continue to rear its ugly head.
So what I've learned so far:
1) I have been ignoring my classmates. Torrey is about learning from a community, for many months now, I have (consciously or not) been almost ignoring the comments of my friends during class, I've isolated myself in the dungeon of my own mind, which (to a certain degree) is a type of insanity.
2) I cannot conquer my pride alone, only God can. Although I am still unsure of how to destroy my pride, by God's grace I am determined to depend upon Him daily for guidance and for mercy.
3) This has certainly been an experience with God. Now that I think about it, this event was a direct answer to my prayer! I had asked God to "destroy my pride, for it is an abhorrent thing to You", God never really works the way we think He will, and that's a good thing.
I've seen now how disgusting my pride has been and I can do nothing but beg for forgivness and grace from my classmates, my family, my friends, my teacher, but most of all, from God. This is a small step, but a step nonetheless. I am still a boy and quite a stupid one, but I thank God for showing this to me. I hope I don't remain one. =]
So what I've learned so far:
1) I have been ignoring my classmates. Torrey is about learning from a community, for many months now, I have (consciously or not) been almost ignoring the comments of my friends during class, I've isolated myself in the dungeon of my own mind, which (to a certain degree) is a type of insanity.
2) I cannot conquer my pride alone, only God can. Although I am still unsure of how to destroy my pride, by God's grace I am determined to depend upon Him daily for guidance and for mercy.
3) This has certainly been an experience with God. Now that I think about it, this event was a direct answer to my prayer! I had asked God to "destroy my pride, for it is an abhorrent thing to You", God never really works the way we think He will, and that's a good thing.
I've seen now how disgusting my pride has been and I can do nothing but beg for forgivness and grace from my classmates, my family, my friends, my teacher, but most of all, from God. This is a small step, but a step nonetheless. I am still a boy and quite a stupid one, but I thank God for showing this to me. I hope I don't remain one. =]
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Salvation?
John Wesley has got to be my favorite author so far in Foundations.
So our class was discussing the topic of Justification and Sanctification and Faith. (Oh Boy!) This has got to be my favorite discussion so far too! It's going to be hard to distill our entire ream of thought but I shall try:
3 Analogies
1)
Good Tree=Good Fruit,
Good Faith=Good Works
The whole relationship is organic. By not doing some good works your faith doesn't automatically shrivel up and die, it moves in degrees towards being alive or dead. Also, when too many fruits are being supported and there are not enough resources to go around, all the fruits suffer. Same with good works. When one is spread too thin, all good acts suffer. This is, of course, a very incomplete and inept summary of this (awesome) analogy.
2) A Muscle is either: Healthy and Fit, weak and flabby, atrophied, or dead.
Same with Faith. It works (so we think) like a muscle. More it is used, the stronger it gets. When it doesn't get used, it starts getting weaker then shrinks then dies. (eventually...I think)
3) Vine:
Sometimes the vine needs to be pruned in order to be able to focus it's resources in order to produce better fruit. Same with us. In order to produce a few excellent good works, sometimes it requires just focusing on those few.
Those were the main analogies we had. We only had two hours but we covered alot! However we didn't go too much into what we meant by good works. Or maybe we did....Anyway, these questions about Faith, Justification, and Sanctification are some of the Cornerstones of Christianity. I hope I never stop learning about them.
So our class was discussing the topic of Justification and Sanctification and Faith. (Oh Boy!) This has got to be my favorite discussion so far too! It's going to be hard to distill our entire ream of thought but I shall try:
3 Analogies
1)
Good Tree=Good Fruit,
Good Faith=Good Works
The whole relationship is organic. By not doing some good works your faith doesn't automatically shrivel up and die, it moves in degrees towards being alive or dead. Also, when too many fruits are being supported and there are not enough resources to go around, all the fruits suffer. Same with good works. When one is spread too thin, all good acts suffer. This is, of course, a very incomplete and inept summary of this (awesome) analogy.
2) A Muscle is either: Healthy and Fit, weak and flabby, atrophied, or dead.
Same with Faith. It works (so we think) like a muscle. More it is used, the stronger it gets. When it doesn't get used, it starts getting weaker then shrinks then dies. (eventually...I think)
3) Vine:
Sometimes the vine needs to be pruned in order to be able to focus it's resources in order to produce better fruit. Same with us. In order to produce a few excellent good works, sometimes it requires just focusing on those few.
Those were the main analogies we had. We only had two hours but we covered alot! However we didn't go too much into what we meant by good works. Or maybe we did....Anyway, these questions about Faith, Justification, and Sanctification are some of the Cornerstones of Christianity. I hope I never stop learning about them.
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