tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100098572012-01-09T12:09:52.187-05:00WHO/WHAT IS THEOPHILUS PUNK? The name is a conflation of several plays on words. (see more @ http://theophiluspunk.blogspot.com/2005/01/whowhat-is-theophilus-punk.html)Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.comBlogger1131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-71953351721627476872010-08-10T14:51:00.000-04:002010-08-10T14:52:34.225-04:00

Confused and unsettled; I have no focus or calm center.Lord, separate the threads. Take away worry about money, worry about CCA and KCU and SACS and Kayla and Anna and Beth and Josh and this / that / the other. Pull those threads away, let them evaporate in the sunlight. Calm me.Calm me.Calm me.Give me calm, peace, a mind-like-water. Let me focus my attention on the tasks at hand. Let me write

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-6984328090690978412010-07-28T15:47:00.003-04:002010-07-28T15:52:55.127-04:00

What follows is the full text of Newt Gingrich's newsletter for 28 July 2010, as published by Human Events. He describes beautifully some of the issues I've been trying to wrestle with, thoroughly and articulately.--------No Mosque at Ground ZeroOne of our biggest mistakes in the aftermath of 9/11 was naming our response to the attacks "the war on terror" instead of accurately identifying

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-39139428434948783252010-07-21T10:31:00.004-04:002010-07-22T11:21:01.182-04:00

Monday night, my wife and I made a date of dinner and a movie. The movie was INCEPTION, the apparent blockbuster of the summer. I enjoyed the movie, though not as much as I'd hoped. My wife hated it. Anyway.Since leaving the theater, one of the thoughts about the movie that's been nagging at me is that the ethical aspects of the premise were barely explored. The premise of the movie is that

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-21420068131604399322010-07-19T15:12:00.002-04:002010-07-19T15:21:39.767-04:00

For years, I've watched as the Republican establishment tittered in embarrassment at the greatest President of our lifetime, Reagan. And wondered why my party, whose values should have broad, populist appeal, is painted time and again as "the party of the rich."The idea that Republicans represent "big business," "the rich," etc., is a baseless canard; big business gave more money to Obama than

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-38009060322723982832010-07-18T19:51:00.003-04:002010-07-18T19:55:52.538-04:00

I started down this road while reading news coverage of the women in Iran who have been sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery. Keeping in mind that in those cultures, adultery is basically (or exclusively) a woman's crime--men don't commit adultery, only women; and that the accusation itself is all but considered proof of guilt.(I had also read something recently about Islamic female

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-13819257502671711762010-07-12T22:09:00.003-04:002010-07-12T22:44:01.697-04:00

How can Islam and the West coexist?I've been musing on this topic for some time. My musings are admittedly ethnocentric. Western culture pursues (however imperfectly) certain ideals--equality, the dignity of the individual, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". The following is me attempting to work out the differences in values, and how different groups of people might peacefully

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-26565851827085452192010-07-12T16:37:00.000-04:002010-07-12T16:37:06.018-04:00

Losing Nate Henn - The Daily Dish By Andrew Sullivan

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-68826232718396004552010-07-10T22:05:00.002-04:002010-07-10T22:08:42.631-04:00

Well, I emailed a huge post from my BlackBerry to Theophilus Punk on Friday morning, describing all the events Thursday and Friday at the NACC. It never arrived, and my gmail doesn't have it (at least not from my laptop). I hope it's saved on my cell somewhere. I don't think I can reconstruct it from memory. Urk!

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-64071629156693370142010-07-08T10:23:00.001-04:002010-07-08T10:23:54.338-04:00

Wednesday was a great day @ the NACC. Four highlights among the many:1. KCU's reception was a wonderful time of meeting KCU alumni &talking about the past & future of the school that's closest to myheart. Larry Marshall (our Director of Alumni Relations) is the BruceLee of Alumni relations, with a fifth-degree black belt in promotions.Honestly, I think he has the spiritual gift of networking,

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-60662981799799728912010-07-03T19:08:00.003-04:002010-07-03T19:48:16.493-04:00

This past week, Michael Steele said some (at best) poorly worded things about the war in Afghanistan. Many Republican leaders are calling for his ouster.This past week, WV Senator Robert Byrd (a former KKK leader, organizer, and recruiter) died. As a Senator, supposedly post-KKK, Byrd fought against the Civil Rights Act. To the end of his day, he said very ugly things about race, including

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-91118232746046869282010-07-02T23:16:00.002-04:002010-07-02T23:18:58.678-04:00

Two articles that ran on PoliticsDaily.com enumerated the 25 most influential conservatives on Twitter and the 20 best political journalists on Twitter. Here are the links.http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/06/18/the-top-20-political-journalists-on-twitter/http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/07/01/the-top-25-conservatives-on-twitter/?icid=PoliticsDaily-iphone-urlJust in case you didn't have enough

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-64740486742022405912010-06-28T08:36:00.001-04:002010-06-28T08:36:02.086-04:00

It's hard for me to think of former Senator Robert Byrd as anything but a cartoon character.  The first time I remember seeing him was during the Reagan presidency, I believe.  Byrd was leading a filibuster of something; he went from talking about how funny his bird dog looked when you first woke him up in the morning to mint julep recipes to these huge, Shakespearean gestures and grandiloquent

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-54782822040671630612010-06-26T13:58:00.003-04:002010-06-26T14:03:29.797-04:00

I joke with people when they talk about how soccer is the most popular sport in the world, especially when that statement leads to something like, "Isn't it awful that Americans don't pay more attention to soccer?" No, it's not awful. We have a unique culture and we pay attention to sports that the rest of the world doesn't care much about (e.g., American football); their loss.And it gets my

theophiluspunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09917822808519826393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-21383478271771179262010-06-25T22:50:00.001-04:002010-06-25T22:50:15.221-04:00

I started working at Kentucky Christian University seven years ago, inthe summer of 2003. I started preaching shortly afterwards.Over the past 6.5 years, I have probably preached every Sunday withonly about a dozen exceptions. But I've been preaching at churchessome distance from our home, and my wife & kids have been going tochurch here.I'm tired of not being in church with Beth & the kids. I'm

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-78056365362790766582010-06-25T08:30:00.000-04:002010-06-25T08:31:01.339-04:00

Today is a big day at our place.For the first time ever, all three of the Stepp-children (yes, we callthem that in public, just to ruffle feathers) are working!At jobs!Outside the house!Making real money!Getting paid by someone other than their parents!I don't know if you've ever thought about it, but it's a realmilestone when the youngest gets his/her first job. Wow.I feel old, now.-- Sent from

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-14568003009827790522010-06-24T09:15:00.002-04:002010-06-24T09:16:43.651-04:00

A hypothetical situation: What would you do if someone was telling lies about you, for the purpose of making you look bad, but the circumstances were such that you could not say anything to defend yourself?

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-48290029489867952302009-04-19T21:27:00.002-04:002009-04-19T21:58:20.839-04:00

Last night, I started a meditation on the future of the party to which I have belonged my entire life, the Republican party.I want to unpack something. I mentioned "traditional values." That's a slippery term; it means different things to different people. So here's what I mean by "traditional values.""Traditional values" = values based on the commonly accepted reading of the Bible, based on

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-63235829694294331662009-04-18T23:25:00.002-04:002009-04-18T23:40:12.441-04:00

Since the Obama victory in November, I have been thinking and reading and wondering about the future of the Republican party. I'm a conservative Republican, with the accent on conservative. Modern conservatism (small government, low taxes, traditional values: a modified brand of libertarianism) has had its home in the Republican party since the days of Reagan. Since the 1980 election, if you

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-68658285369192178152009-04-12T22:13:00.002-04:002009-04-12T22:23:19.558-04:00

Now that BSG has finished its run, what are the most satisfying dramas on TV?I watch Lost and 24 regularly; I've also gotten caught up in Friday Night Lights, because it reminds me of Sweet Mother Texas.The Unit is a very good show. Dennis Haysbert is a fabulous actor; he has the presence of a John Wayne. (I kind of wish David Palmer had been elected president last November; I'd be more

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-76728052685731638762008-08-04T10:36:00.002-04:002008-08-04T10:51:17.574-04:00

Sunday night in the Theophilus household; the TV is on, and the dulcet tones of Al Micheals and John Madden can be heard throughout the house, describing the Colts vs. Redskins in the Hall of Fame Game.Football season is here. It doesn't get any better than this.---------------------Alright. I'm having problems with my left knee. I have arthritis under the kneecap, and the muscles that control

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-60957207816038199492008-07-22T22:56:00.000-04:002008-07-22T22:57:24.061-04:00

That's all I've got to say about THAT!

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-28071064176601907522008-07-17T21:41:00.002-04:002008-07-17T21:51:23.502-04:00

It's the end of Junior High Challenge, a summer camp for kids entering 6th - 8th grades, here on the campus at KCU. I've been sponsoring this week, because a. my son wanted to attend, and b. our church didn't have any sponsors attending the week.So here I am.We're staying in the dorms, and I'm not sleeping very well. I'm not going to bed until 1 or so; normally, I go to sleep around 11.30. And

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-72293794617268170422008-07-17T16:38:00.002-04:002008-07-17T16:48:36.586-04:00

We've been trying to refinance our house. We currently have our mortgage through Beneficial Finance, and our interest rate is fairly high.(Why is our interest rate high? Well, in 2001 we bought a house in Cartersville, Georgia. I was pastoring a church there. The church split, and I got fired. We moved back to Texas, to Waco, and I finished my Ph.D. But we still owned the house. So we rented it

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-91776751312430857652008-07-16T21:52:00.002-04:002008-07-16T22:05:41.699-04:00

Last week, I finished the manuscript for my commentary on Philemon and the Pastoral Epistles, and mailed that sucker off to Smyth & Helwys. The title of the book will be Reading Paul's Letters to Individuals: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Letters to Philemon, Titus, and Timothy.This commentary has an interesting history. Three senior Southern Baptist NT scholars were supposed to

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-87944264309845852112008-06-21T14:46:00.002-04:002008-06-21T14:53:53.123-04:00

Since January, I've been working on a commentary in the Smyth & Helwys Reading the New Testament commentary series. The editor of the series, Dr. Charles H. Talbert, is my mentor. He was my doctoral adviser at Baylor University.The commentary is Reading Paul's Letters to Individuals, and it covers the New Testament letters of Philemon, Titus, and 1 & 2 Timothy. The series is pitched at

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-61950974712752351382008-04-12T21:16:00.004-04:002008-04-12T21:26:13.065-04:00

Friday and Saturday of this past week, around 200 scholars from the various branches of the Stone Campbell movement met at Cincinnati Christian University for the annual Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. I was sick as a dog; Friday, I had a sore throat and stuffy sinuses, but I thought I was just suffering from horrible allergies. Since then, I've since started coughing, etc., and am fairly

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-45560842764806231432008-03-24T09:28:00.003-04:002008-03-24T09:36:09.349-04:00

I believe this picture is the most talked about secret EVER on Post Secret.(For those who aren't familiar with Post Secret, it's a website that publishes pictures of homemade postcards. People make the postcards to express their deepest secrets--sometimes rather mundane, sometimes incredibly dark and disturbing--and send them to the publisher's address, and he posts them on the website and [

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-34576103301690580222008-03-22T22:09:00.002-04:002008-03-22T22:18:41.950-04:00

I turn 44 today. It hasn't been a festive day, just a good day of working at home with my wife and kids. The highlight was a 2 hour nap in my big chair in front of the basketball games. Other than that: cooking, cleaning, eating, working on a sermon for tomorrow (I'm back to preaching at Ringo's Mills tomorrow.)A song I always think about on my birthdays is Randy Stonehill's "Turning Thirty."

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-47471035202938693752008-03-22T22:07:00.001-04:002008-03-22T22:09:13.585-04:00

I'm a professor, OK? (You already knew that.) And as a professor, I NEVER buy books in bookstores, unless there's a huge discount. I can get most books that I'm interested in for free (or at least at a big discount) from the publishers.I read a LOT of fiction, but I get most of that from the Ashland library or via interlibrary loan. So I don't buy fiction books, unless I'm flying.Anyway. Every

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-65361099704868575062008-03-12T10:26:00.002-04:002008-03-12T10:28:52.117-04:00

I think the contest is already over. The best and most significant "theology for the undergraduate or the educated general reader" book of 2008 is N.T. Wright's Surprised by Hope. It will be required in my Theology classes from now on.

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-48469790460239028552008-03-12T10:14:00.002-04:002008-03-12T10:25:04.084-04:00

Crazy week, so far. We've been interviewing another candidate for our open Youth and Family Ministries position, so I've been acting as tour guide, buying dinner etc., PLUS teaching my normal classes, getting mid-term grades turned in, etc.Lectures have gone well, although I HATE teaching the first few days after the spring time change. My students yesterday were comatose, much sleepier than

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-88465600382070794212008-03-10T10:14:00.000-04:002008-03-10T10:16:36.998-04:00

My daughter, who celebrated her 18th birthday locked up in a hotel in Louisville (okay, snowed in, not locked up), has just informed me that she won 3rd place in the state of Kentucky HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Medical Terminology competition this last weekend.She is also a state registered nursing assistant. She passed her test!But now she won't leave my office and let me get

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-29566033434394419602008-03-09T19:38:00.004-04:002008-03-09T22:14:38.625-04:00

My lecture in Columbus has turned into a casualty of the 20+ inches of snow that fell there Friday / Saturday. They've canceled tonight, and moved me back a week.I'm supposed to lecture there for six weeks, four of which I have completed. I was originally scheduled to be finished on Palm Sunday. But #1 now I will need to do one more lecture, probably on the Sunday after Easter (they won't want

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-29845601047035365512008-03-08T21:32:00.002-05:002008-03-08T21:35:40.209-05:00

I'm scheduled to go to Columbus tomorrow night, for week 5 of my six week series of seminars on Biblical Theology at East Pointe Christian Church. But we've caught the east edge of the Blizzard of 08--three good inches of snow in Grayson, with ice underneath. And Columbus got hit MUCH harder than we did.So I'm worried that I may not be making the trip tomorrow. I really enjoy that church, and

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-29790050333584502022008-03-06T13:32:00.003-05:002008-03-06T13:43:50.775-05:00

Ya gotta love Bob Novak; what a great writer, what fabulous analysis.-------From today's Warshington Post:The scope of Hillary Clinton's latest resurrection can be appreciated only in light of the elaborate preparations that had been made for her expeditious burial. That she is very much alive can be attributed to her true grit but also to the revelation that Barack Obama is not a miraculously

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-80786219039944303922008-03-06T09:00:00.004-05:002008-03-06T09:07:06.030-05:00

1. My back is feeling much better, thanks for asking. Either I'm mending or I'm just so happy over the fact that I get to give a test today that my giddiness has driven the pain from my body.I DO still have a general ache located somewhere above and outside of my left hip. That hip always hurts; I wonder if I'm going to have it replaced someday.2. My eldest daughter is in Louisville for the

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-46440335374513850682008-03-05T10:12:00.002-05:002008-03-05T10:29:17.524-05:00

To be honest, I'd thought that this morning would bring the news of the end of Queen Hilary's quest for coronation. But she won both Ohio and Texas. The woman has more lives than Vlad Dracul; she's Michael Myers, I tell ya.At the same time, she remains FAR FAR FAR behind Obama in delegates. Her "big comeback wins" in Ohio and Texas are really more about perception than reality. In most state

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-40748613217428835122008-03-03T22:55:00.007-05:002008-03-04T09:08:52.784-05:00

I hurt my back yesterday; I was getting ready to go to Columbus, to give my lecture at East Pointe Christian Church. I was standing at a table, putting books and my laptop into my computer bag, and just happened to reach the wrong way while my back was just slightly twisted in the wrong direction, and MY BACK WENT OUT.And of course, I had to spend six hours in a car right after that. Driving is

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-38400809912056630072008-03-01T23:28:00.002-05:002008-03-01T23:44:28.251-05:00

William F. Buckley died this week.I have very strong memories of my dad watching Buckley and Firing Line when I was a kid. My dad was very interested in politics and conservative ideology. He believed that Soviet Communism was a great threat to the Church and Christianity. My dad used to sketch, just line drawings on scrap paper with ballpoint pen, but he had a really good eye and technique.

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-85717212834400396472008-03-01T23:26:00.001-05:002008-03-01T23:28:15.429-05:00

I need to revise my "Top Five Guy Movies List". I completely forgot The Outlaw Josey Wales, the greatest of the great Westerns.So what will I remove to make space for Outlaw? I guess I'll have to move Shawshank Redemption into the Honorable Mention category.

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-88980589880934152802008-03-01T23:16:00.004-05:002008-03-01T23:26:01.452-05:00

I've been working most of the day today on my lecture / session for tomorrow night; in case you haven't heard, I've been teaching my Theology 420 class on Sunday nights at East Pointe CC in Columbus.The class consists of 12 sessions, 50 minutes in length. Now: my theology class has 25 lectures, 70 minutes each. So in order to get the lectures together, I have to shrink my class materials

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-81017426556098128292008-03-01T17:27:00.002-05:002008-03-01T17:29:39.651-05:00

Tried to watch it this afternoon on IFC. Hunh? What? (Perry looks puzzled.) What does this have to do with Mike Huckabee??????(That's a joke, btw. But I truly did hate the movie, barely got twenty minutes in.)

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-84190188205075171942008-02-29T11:08:00.002-05:002008-02-29T11:14:16.511-05:00

As some of you know (particularly my current and former students), I have a real bug about plagiarism. There's no insult I take more personally than when a student of mine cheats on an assignment.When I grade papers, I'm constantly looking for things that don't sound "student-ish," etc., some of the tipoffs that plagiarism has taken place.I've been grading papers this week, summary & response to

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-8384658549309805032008-02-28T22:11:00.002-05:002008-02-28T22:26:09.394-05:00

What are the top five essential ultimate GUY movies? I mean: the movies that, if you're male and you don't like them, you have to forfeit your Man card. What are they?Here's my list.1. The Godfather I and II; okay, that's cheating. But it wasn't personal, it was business.2. Animal House; the funniest movie ever made; Caddyshack is a distant second. Best line (of many): "Fat, drunk, and

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-4230520149527898642008-02-28T22:06:00.002-05:002008-02-28T22:10:22.125-05:00

Ah, what a perfect episode, and what a perfect ending!Man, I love this show. I'm haunted by the likelihood that the producers won't be able to pull it off, at some point they're going to pull a Twin Peaks and give us a stupid explanation. But Lost is the most fascinating sustained puzzle I've ever watched.Part of it is that the characters are interesting and appealing and have incredibly

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-81369780779662002062008-02-27T23:11:00.002-05:002008-02-27T23:15:12.049-05:00

From Charlie Wilson's War, a darn good movie:"A boy is given a horse on his 14th birthday. Everyone in the village says, 'Oh how wonderful.' But a Zen master who lives in the village says, 'We'll see.' The boy falls off the horse and breaks his foot. Everyone in the village says, 'Oh how awful.' The Zen master says, 'We'll see.' The village is thrown into war and all the young men have to go to

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-90032212246634377662008-02-27T14:59:00.003-05:002008-02-27T15:13:32.043-05:00

Caffeine, how I love thee! Let me count the ways!Most of the flavor that you get from coffee comes from volatile oils that the beans contain. The problem with volatile oils is that they're volatile; in other words, they dissolve / evaporate / degrade when they come into contact with heat / air.This, btw, is why coffee made in a percolator smells so good (all the volatile oils are evaporating

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-66746221501813000342008-02-26T13:35:00.003-05:002008-02-26T13:51:44.262-05:00

Two 75-minute lectures today; Tuesday & Thursday are my heavy days. (I have an online class that I tend on MWF, no lecture classes.)In my Gospel of Matthew class, we covered Mt 12.22-50 (which sets the stage for the parables in chapter 13) and then chapter 13. It's always interesting to watch students, most of who are VERY familiar with these parables, try to read them historically. I take them

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1508894704889128512008-02-25T22:49:00.004-05:002008-02-26T13:53:00.687-05:00

One of my addictions (no pun intended) is A&E's show Intervention. It follows an addict--usually drugs or alcohol, but also occasionally people with eating disorders, or who cut themselves, etc. The producers pretend that they're shooting a documentary on addiction--which in truth they are. But the kicker is that there's an intervention at the end, and the producers will pay for the addict to

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-67642177240751801462008-02-25T15:54:00.004-05:002008-02-28T15:39:27.698-05:00

Here's what I did today:Graded a TON of papers: seriously, I graded papers for at least six hours today, and I'm not done;Made phone calls;Set up an interview; we're hiring at least two new profs, and I set up the travel arrangements, etc., for one of the candidates;Ate a crappy lunch in the KCU cafeteria;Went to the bank and signed a paper;Gassed up the KCU car that I drove to Columbus last

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-87725509863891670212008-02-24T23:11:00.003-05:002008-02-26T13:54:25.170-05:00

For the last few weeks, I've been driving up from Grayson (Kentucky) to Columbus (Ohio) every Sunday afternoon. The purpose of the trips is to teach my theology class at East Pointe Christian Church.It's been a blast. I really enjoy the people there, and theology is my favorite thing to teach. The trip is a little over 2.5 hours, which is enough to unwind but not too much, and the scenery is

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1006659667171278492008-02-24T23:10:00.002-05:002008-02-26T13:55:17.405-05:00

Husband of 22 years to Elizabeth, father of Kayla Josh Anna.Christian, Conservative, Deadhead, (Dallas) Cowboy fanDean of the Sack School of Bible and Ministry, Kentucky Christian UniversityAssociate Professor, New Testament and TheologyContributor to the scholarly NT studies blog, Pastoralepistles.comAuthor of two scholarly monographs and the forthcoming Reading Paul's Letters to Individuals in

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-44172878430259614972008-02-24T23:08:00.002-05:002008-02-28T15:40:41.289-05:00

The name, "Theophilus Punk": it's a conflation of several plays on words.When I was in Bible College (Dallas Christian College) back in the early 1980's, I wanted to get together a group of freaks like myself to play improvised heavy-metal-acid-jazz music--imagine REM meets Black Sabbath meets Grateful Dead meets In a Silent Way-era Miles Davis, and I wanted to call the band Theophilus Punk. Of

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1167097108170860162006-12-25T20:35:00.001-05:002008-02-28T15:41:36.469-05:00

What a way to ruin a Christmas!The Cowboys have been SO up and down this year. Two weeks ago (at home, against N'Orleans), they looked FREAKING PUTRID! Last week, against Hotlanta, they looked GREAT, like worldbeaters.So: today, they had a chance to virtually wrap up the NFC East and a first round bye. The hated Philthydelphia Iggles were coming to town. So what did the 'Boys do?Not a

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1167096895150660402006-12-25T20:33:00.000-05:002006-12-25T20:34:55.153-05:00

Mirrored from www.pastoralepistles.com:So what am I doing over my Christmas break?BIG TASK #1: generating syllabi for not one but TWO Pastoral Epistles-related classes for the spring. FIRST is a 300-level class in the Pastorals. I've taught this class every spring since I've been at KCU and have NOT been happy with it, ever. Previously, I've taught it where the students had to write several

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1167096820690497752006-12-25T20:32:00.000-05:002006-12-25T20:33:40.693-05:00

Mirrored from www.pastoralepistles.com:In the previous post, I wrote that last Spring semester, I required my undergrad Pastoral Epistles class to purchase and write book reports on my book, Leadership Succession in the World of the Pauline Circle. I want to unpack my comment.I came to KCU in fall 2003. I have taught the Pastoral Epistles to undergrads (300-level) every spring since then. I

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1167096732469822022006-12-25T20:28:00.000-05:002006-12-25T20:32:12.480-05:00

I am now part of a group of bloggers writing at www.pastoralepistles.com. I will also continue to post here (at theophiluspunk), and I PROMISE TO BE MORE ACTIVE.I will try to consistently mirror my pastoralepistles.com posts here, but I invite you to check out that blog. I and the other bloggers are scholars who focus on the Pastoral Epistles, 1-2 Timothy and Titus, from the New Testament. I

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1159275587998409402006-09-26T08:56:00.000-04:002006-09-26T08:59:48.016-04:00

"They write conservative Christians as if they've never really met one, . . ."Another good episode. The Christian character was a little more human and a little less a caricature. A little. More sympathetic, less cardboard. Really an intriguing character, able to be serious about her faith without taking herself too seriously. I liked that. Well written and acted.The actress (Sarah Paulson)

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1158669341982934582006-09-19T08:35:00.000-04:002006-09-19T08:35:41.993-04:00

Last night, I'd planned to do my normal Monday night dance--flicking back and forth between football and CSI Miami. But I got sidetracked with the new Matthew Perry show, Studio 60, on NBC. It's a Tommy Schlamme (rhymes with "salami") show (what kind of parents name their son "Tommy Schlammy"? To quote my 16-year-old daughter, "Who does that?), so it's very well written. Brad Whitford is great

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1155078146105673972006-08-08T18:52:00.000-04:002006-08-09T10:04:45.210-04:00

Some days have more than their share of sadness.My friend Jim passed away Saturday morning (for the story of his illness, see "Dying Lessons," below.) I went to his funeral today.This morning, I got on my computer and checked my email while preparing to go to Jim's funeral. One of my best friends from Texas--the little brother I never had--sent me an email letting me know that his sister was

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1154538952081016322006-08-02T13:14:00.000-04:002006-08-02T13:15:52.096-04:00

Alright, so we're having all this drama with our vehicles. We've settled on a plan. We're going to get the engine replaced in the Escort, which should cost around $700. And a friend has a 1997 Chevy Lumina (not a sexy car, but it runs) that he's had for sale for several months, he wants $700 for it. Simple, right?My friend was going to bring the car to my office last night and let me drive it

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1154465660401186692006-08-01T16:47:00.000-04:002006-08-01T16:54:20.413-04:00

My monograph, Leadership Succession in the World of the Pauline Circle, has been reviewed in two forums (that I know of) over the past several months.Ron Clark has written a good, detailed review in RBL. He says some very kind things about the book, and recommends it for both biblical studies and ministry classes.And Charles Talbert, my Doktorvater, informed me last week that a new review is out

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1154458459239835582006-08-01T14:38:00.000-04:002006-08-01T14:54:19.353-04:00

Shortly after my family and I moved to Grayson, J., one of the elders at the church we attend (First Church of Christ, an instrumental [as opposed to a capella] Christian Church/Church of Christ) was involved in a motorcycle accident.While the doctors were treating J for the injuries he sustained in the accident, they discovered something serious: cancer. (I think it's stomach cancer, but I'm

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1154439569974500672006-08-01T09:34:00.000-04:002006-08-01T09:49:29.243-04:00

You know the story about the Boston Strangler, who wrote a note to the police: "Stop me before I kill again"? Well, I feel like that: "Stop me before I touch an internal combustion engine again."As of Saturday: this summer, I have replaced EVERYTHING I own that uses a gasoline engine.OK, so we're surviving all the vehicular drama, right? We've replaced the dear, departed SUV. A very generous

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1153947485624625302006-07-26T16:51:00.000-04:002006-07-26T16:58:14.620-04:00

It's strange to write these words. I've been a believer all my life, and I've always known that God could and did provide. I've seen it in my own life, time and again.Still, I had a moment this afternoon that brought tears to my eyes, as I saw how God is AGAIN providing for us at just the right time.With the vehicle problems we've been having (read the last four or five entries to see the whole

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1153944554438372062006-07-26T16:04:00.000-04:002006-08-01T09:49:18.420-04:00

OK, so one month ago (15 June or thereabouts) my Isuzu Trooper broke down on the last leg of the Great Western Family Vacation of 2006 (16 days, from Kentucky to California and back.) It made the first 5,200 miles of the trip, but couldn't make the last 400 or so.We had to replace the vehicle. And we had to borrow some money from the bank, in addition to the car loan, for the down payment,

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1153944241639797562006-07-26T16:02:00.000-04:002006-08-01T09:49:54.066-04:00

This is a diary entry from 1 July.We bought the Trailblazer. It's beautiful, and my wife loves it. It's her first new vehicle. I have thus insured domestic tranquility for a time.I'm now driving her 1999 Ford Escort, which is fine EXCEPT it's a small car and I am NOT a small man. (I'm an ex-football player, 6'6" and 350 lbs. Picture Tony Soprano with a Ph.D. and better hair.)Between the

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1153944114229858172006-07-26T16:00:00.000-04:002006-08-01T09:50:12.290-04:00

This is a diary entry from 28 June.2006 Trailblazer EXT, slightly used (15,000 miles). INCREDIBLE deal (well under $20,000). GORGEOUS. Charcoal grey. It'll be my wife's vehicle, and I'll just be jealous.It's in the hands of the bankers, now. I know we'll get approved, but the monthly payment must be under the magic number or we're not going to do it.

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1153944000366679002006-07-26T15:55:00.000-04:002006-07-26T16:00:00.370-04:00

This is diary entry from 28 June.Ok, so: we're trying to decide if we should a. replace the engine in my 2001 Isuzu Trooper, or b. trade it in, blown engine and all, on a new Chevy Trailblazer.The issues:We still owe $$ on the Trooper. We'd be WAY upside down on the new vehicle.It will cost as much or more to repair the Trooper than it would to go on Ebay and buy a Trooper of the same year with

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1153943737969856072006-07-26T15:52:00.000-04:002006-07-26T16:10:36.910-04:00

What follows is a personal diary entry from June 20.The Great Western Family Vacation of 2006 is over. We went through Colorado Springs, Denver etc., through Utah to Las Vegas to Anaheim (Disneyland), then Laguna Beach, then the Grand Canyon and Albuquerque and Muskogee OK etc. and then back to Kentucky.The vacation lasted two weeks on the nose. Everything was wonderful, EXCEPT my SUV broke down

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1153773970276739452006-07-24T16:44:00.000-04:002006-07-24T16:46:10.286-04:00

Okay, the typepad thing wasn't worth spending $4 / month. I didn't blog that frequently--best intentions, road to hell, etc.But blogspot is free, so I think I'll keep this one. More in a minute (or so.)Perry

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1122669680980566672005-07-29T16:37:00.000-04:002006-08-01T09:50:59.063-04:00

Lassitude.Man, I can't seem to focus on getting anything done.I'm staying up too late at night reading, I'm getting up late in the morning. I'm not eating right.I have some serious work to do in the month remaining before the start of school. I have LOTS of writing to do. But I can't seem to get anything started--it's like I'm in one of those dreams where a train is roaring down the tracks toward

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1122669414548816782005-07-29T16:35:00.000-04:002005-07-29T16:36:54.556-04:00

For now, at least, I've moved all blogging activity to my typepad site. Hope to see you there!

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1121781015348085542005-07-19T09:47:00.000-04:002005-07-19T09:58:28.033-04:00

I've spent several months reading about Emergent. I've watched the PBS reports on Emergent several times over the past week, read the transcript of the first installment, etc. I've read the blogs, etc.I'm still excited about the Emergent conversation/movement. I think that, in contrast to mainstream Evangelicalism, we are trying to answer the right questions. Honestly, the world around us is

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1121711164252763452005-07-18T14:23:00.000-04:002005-07-18T14:26:04.263-04:00

Well.Yesterday afternoon I watched Donnie Darko for the first time--after months of urging from friends and students (and my daughter, who went out and bought a copy just so I would watch it.)I found it fascinating, disturbing, brilliant. The people who urged me to see it had already provided me with an interpretive framework (i.e., "it's a story about time travel," "find The Philosophy of Time

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1121439915373251432005-07-15T11:04:00.000-04:002005-07-15T11:06:33.520-04:00

Offered without comment. Enjoy!

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1120879252756780902005-07-08T23:19:00.000-04:002005-07-08T23:20:52.760-04:00

Every morning, I spend 20 minutes at www.sacredspace.ie. This is a fabulous daily devotional website, run by Irish Jesuits. It may be too "new-agey" for some of my friends, but I love it. "Joe Bob says, 'Check it out!' "

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1120683234937053682005-07-06T16:52:00.000-04:002005-07-06T16:53:54.943-04:00

Really, really bad. I'm obsessing: the family and I went on vacation a couple of weeks ago, and saw all these people driving their Goldwings and BMW's through the mountains of E. Tennessee, and it struck me: THAT'S what I want. I want to be sitting on a big cruiser or touring bike--Valkyrie? Sportster? even a Goldwing?--flying down the road, with my wife snuggled up to my butt.

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1120242285987822472005-07-01T14:23:00.000-04:002005-07-01T14:26:21.803-04:00

(in progress)To Be Made NewMy deepest need, my darkest fear, my strongest desireIs just one thing:To let go of what I am, the self-made manThe things I use to create the illusion of safety and securityThe things of which I am proud (my delusions of achievement)The things I cling to in order to preserve the chimerical semblance of peace, satisfaction, warmthTo release the phantom things I cannot

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1120090242159942242005-06-29T19:57:00.000-04:002005-06-30T11:20:39.416-04:00

For me, Emergent is and has always been about mystery. Even when I was young--my sarcastic teen-aged years (which I don't seem to have outgrown, even at 41), for example--I distrusted easy, glib answers.Conversations would go something like this: "God is good.""What do you mean, 'God is good'? My best friend's parents just died in a plane crash. How is that a sign that God is good?" (When I was

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1120073358767886172005-06-29T15:26:00.000-04:002005-06-29T15:29:18.773-04:00

This prayer, usually known as St Patrick's Breastplate, is a beautiful expression of devotion to which I find myself returning in times of dryness or doubt.I bind unto myself todayThe strong Name of the Trinity,By invocation of the same,The Three in One and One in Three.I bind this day to me foreverBy power of faith, Christ's Incarnation;His baptism in the Jordan river;His death on the Cross for

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1120070690271301462005-06-29T14:42:00.000-04:002005-06-29T14:44:50.276-04:00

Today I went to my mailbox and what did I find? A box containing the first copy of my new book, and the promise of five more free copies to follow. IT'S HERE! And it's beautiful.

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119990821200154182005-06-28T16:27:00.000-04:002005-06-28T19:45:17.806-04:00

Above is the cover of my new book, Leadership Succession in the World of the Pauline Circle. It's a highly revised version of my doctoral dissertation, written at Baylor University under the direction of Charles H. Talbert. You can see the publisher's blurb, sans cover photo, at www.sheffieldphoenix.com.The jacket copy reads:Leadership Succession in the World of the Pauline CircleSince New

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119903248608949162005-06-27T16:12:00.000-04:002005-06-27T16:14:08.613-04:00

To quote the great theologian Garth Brooks, "Damn this wasted day."I'm going to get SOMETHING productive done today if I have to kill myself to do it. Maybe. Or maybe I'll just keep surfing ebay for used Excursions and listening to old Kings X.

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119646505235561132005-06-24T16:38:00.000-04:002005-06-24T16:55:05.240-04:00

Still stumbling around in the dark, trying to find a light switch (or a doorknob).Here's another attempt to describe postmodern evangelicalism, in terms of the convictions I hold that lead me to believe it is necessary. Regarding the Bible, I believe . . .. . . that the Bible is inspired by God in a way no other work of piece of communication can claim. Therefore, the Bible has a unique

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119628294621357512005-06-24T11:42:00.000-04:002005-06-24T11:54:04.250-04:00

A different description of postmodernism: postmodernism--accepts the inevitability of subjectivity in human observations--what we see depends a great deal on where we sit;seeks to regard all viewpoints as equally validrecognizes the multivalence of texts (i.e., that texts can be interpreted in a number of valid ways; most texts do not have only ONE correct interpretation)understands that our

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119627157384801762005-06-24T11:26:00.000-04:002005-06-24T11:38:48.030-04:00

In What Is New Testament Theology? (Guides to Biblical Scholarship: Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002), 95, Dan Via describes modernity as the "rejection of tradition and the authority of the past.""The dominating thrust of modernism was to employ reason in order to gain a truly objective knowledge of the real order of the things of the world."Against the backdrop of the last few posts, hear again

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119625837921596852005-06-24T11:10:00.000-04:002005-06-24T11:33:38.853-04:00

Another way of starting the discussion would be to describe what modernity is, and then draw contrasts between modernity and postmodernity.As I see it, modernity is the culmination of a way of observing the world. This perspective begins with the pre-Socratic Greek philosophers, who sought to apply mathematics to logic and metaphysics. It comes down to us through Socrates and Plato and Aristotle,

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119621737986330532005-06-24T09:58:00.000-04:002005-06-24T10:02:17.996-04:00

From Alfred Webber's History of Philosophy (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1908) (http://www.class.uidaho.edu/mickelsen/texts/Weber%20-%20History/Descartes.htm), my emphasis added:In order to understand Descartes the philosopher, we must remember that he was an emulator of Gassendi, Galileo, Pascal, and Newton, the successor of Viète, and one of the founders of analytical geometry. Descartes was a

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119618386199514942005-06-24T08:56:00.000-04:002005-06-24T09:06:26.200-04:00

As I've already indicated, finding a starting point when discussing postmodernism and theology is a slippery proposition. So where to begin? AKM Adam, in What Is Postmodern Biblical Criticism? (Guides to Biblical Scholarship: Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995), 5, uses Cornell West's description of postmodernism. Adam writes:Postmodernism is antifoundational "in that it resolutely refuses to posit

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119617778029198162005-06-24T08:54:00.000-04:002005-06-24T08:56:18.033-04:00

Alright, so yesterday I complained about my posts not appearing immediately. And--of course--that post immediately appeared.But the post that I wrote yesterday afternoon did NOT immediately appear--it wouldn't show up until this morning. And now it's got a huge white space at the top: what's up with that?

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119560397928687572005-06-23T16:35:00.000-04:002005-06-23T16:59:57.933-04:00

OK, I HATE the term "postmodern." As something separate from modernism, I don't think postmodernism exists--it's the logical conclusion of modernity, not something big and new and different and revolutionary.That being said, some of the basic tenets of postmodernism--(There's a phrase to choke over, "basic tenets of postmodernism." Does anything as diverse and nebulous as postmodernism even

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119535402999966982005-06-23T10:02:00.000-04:002005-06-23T10:03:23.000-04:00

Of course, now that I've complained about my new posts not showing up, the post in which I wrote that complaint appeared immediately!Ah, well.

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1119535091039808352005-06-23T09:55:00.000-04:002005-06-23T09:58:11.043-04:00

Is there a reason why new posts to this blog don't show up for several days? It's kind of strange. I'll write a new post (believe it or not, I DO write new posts from time to time) and save it. I'll click on the "publish" button or whatever, etc. But when I go back to the blog--theophiluspunk.blogspot.com--the new post doesn't show up for several days. Was gibt?

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1118863079640095612005-06-15T15:14:00.000-04:002005-06-16T10:24:50.250-04:00

What? Is this thing still here?February 22? Man, I haven't been around here in a while, have I?Lessee, what's been happening?Survived a semester, bought a house.Survived a family reunion.Finished the proofs on my book--it'll come out later this summer, here's the link: http://www.sheffieldphoenix.com/showbook.asp?bkid=16. The website STILL does not show the beautiful cover that Sheffield

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1108995770900598352005-02-21T09:17:00.000-05:002005-02-21T09:22:50.903-05:00

The past week has been one of those deceptively quiet weeks that potentially changes your life.1. I was very sick. I had a stomach virus, and spent most of the night/early morning Sunday - Monday in the bathroom. I was violently ill.2. My younger sister, who is a missionary/English teacher in China, came to visit, and she and I got to sit and really talk. I'm forty years old: this past week

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1108157882740429212005-02-11T16:30:00.000-05:002005-02-11T16:38:02.743-05:00

For the last couple of weeks, I have been avoiding this place, this blank page. I haven't wanted to write here. I've been WAY too busy.It's the time of year (I guess) when they have faculty play for worship in chapel. So I have played guitar or bass in each of the last three chapel services. Which has added four practices to my already crowded schedule.Let's see. What else is going on?I'm

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1106920809382197062005-01-28T08:17:00.000-05:002005-01-28T09:00:09.383-05:00

Copied and pasted from dickstaub.com: "God did not reveal himself in Auschwitz or in other camps. . . . A doctor who survived, from a religious background, who sailed to Israel with us in June 1946, told us: "We didn't see God when we expected him, so we have no choice but to do what he was supposed to do: we will protect the weak, we will love, we will comfort. From now on, the responsibility

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1106918219883428842005-01-28T08:09:00.000-05:002005-01-28T08:16:59.883-05:00

A caveat: in my writing and preaching and teaching, I almost never reference the Holocaust. And I'm beginning to question my motives. I'm wondering if the reason I avoid the topic is because I think that the people I'm talking to are incapable of contemplating / accepting the reality of human evil in that scope. Maybe I'm incapable too: it doesn't fit with the optimism that I try to live my

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10009857.post-1106862399826414012005-01-27T16:39:00.000-05:002005-01-27T16:46:39.826-05:00

I am whipped. Beaten-down. Part of it's that it's January. (Hey, two "it's" in a sentence, and properly--if colloquially--used!) January sucks. It's cold. The Cowboys aren't playing football anymore, so I can't even pretend they're playoff bound. Part of it's that I'm getting sick, I do believe--there's a heaviness in my chest and an itching in my sinuses that doesn't bode well. Part of

Theophilus Punk (PLStepp)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01412517670858015000noreply@blogger.com0