Speaking of deplorable music, check out the new pop ground called “Bond.” What is Bond? They are a classical quartet, including cello, violin, bass, playing a modified version of Classical music. Its called “cross-over” classical music, that is, classical music with modern drums and guitar overlay, a la Andrea Bocelli.

But this mix of contemporary and classical has been done before. What is different about Bond? They are all gorgeous twenty-something models. Ha! Their music video gives them away. Their main intent is a kaleidoscope mix of pop, orchestral noise, and sex.

Its as if Brittany Speares took 2 years of Piano lessons and got together with several other (admittedly) gorgeous semi-musicians.

Although I was repulsed, I was strangely fascinated. They are, after all, beautiful women playing energetic music. Yet I am ashamed of my intrigue, and think the whole project quite offensive. Perhaps offensive is a bit strong. It is either objectively reprehensible or, at the very least, cheap and musically unimpressive.

I rest content, though. Classical instruments ruled by pop sensibility is the same ol’ same ol’ form with novel content. Who cares? Pop will die; Bach will live on.

Now it remains for me to spurn cheap appeals to my sex drive and cultivate my taste for good music.

The doctrine of the knowability of God depends (as does everything else!) upon our understanding of God. An infinite, transcendent God is only knowable on the condition that He wants to be known. He will not be known, however, by those who will not wait for Him. He does not reveal Himself to the impatient. “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” It is no wonder that in a culture that is much maligned for its instant gratification personal holiness has diminished. We are not a patient people, and so we are not a holy people. Only when the disciples gathered in a room and waited and prayed did Pentecost come. The strength to renew and transform our degrading culture will come when we learn to wait upon God.

First Theology: God, Scriptures & Hermeneutics

In his excellent book, VanHoozer argues that religious pluralism, so oft espoused as more “tolerant” than traditional Christian exclusivism, is actually imperialistic and dogmatic in a way that Christian theology has never been. Christian theology has sought to respect other religions AS OTHER, while religious pluralism “respects” other religious systems AS THE SAME. The exclusivism of Christianity allows us to treat Muslims as wrong, but respectably wrong, rather than (as pluralists would have it!) unwittingly deceived along with the rest of us.

VanHoozer’s book is a must read for those interested in a responsible “conservative” criticism of many of the fads of modern theology.

Along with 500 other Biola students, I am a recent college graduate. Having been told that I am part of Christianity’s “best hope” for the future all weekend long, I have been convinced of one thing: the ability to impact the world in a significant way is not the property of the young or the educated. The young are often cynical, have too often quit loving this world and so have no desire to change it. The educated are often snobbish, too isolated to get their hands dirty. The ability to change the world is the property of those who believe in a mission, who have a calling to be a part of something that is larger than themselves. In this way, the ability is not even the property of Christianity, though Christianity claims the only means to eternal significance.

The Church will not live or die, rise or fall, on the strength of Biola and Torrey Honors Institute’s graduates (thanks be to God!). It will live or die, rise or fall on the strength of saints, an occupation open to all men and occupied by few. May all Biola grads and Torrey grads, as well as the whole Church of God, aspire to that office.