New Testament Books: Survival of the Fittest

Good timing on the Ehrman post about supposedly forged books of the New Testament. David Lose gives us some encouraging history about the canonization of these books, arguing that inclusion was mostly based on their popularity among congregations, being the books that the early Christians found most helpful in keeping the faith. I can see how that might be. I know I can reread them again and again. I find a certain cozy, spiritual comfort in them.

( extended excerpt )

New Testament Books: Survival of the Fittest

Good timing on the Ehrman post about supposedly forged books of the New Testament. David Lose gives us some encouraging history about the canonization of these books, arguing that inclusion was mostly based on their popularity among congregations, being the books that the early Christians found most helpful in keeping the faith. I can see how that might be. I know I can reread them again and again. I find a certain cozy, spiritual comfort in them.

( extended excerpt )

1984 (1,5) Proles

“The Proles are not human beings.”
-- Syme

This line just jumps out at me, and I think it is worth a particular mention. Well, I do not come from a family of lawyers or doctors or businessmen. We necessarily bring our own particular sensibilities into our reading.

As such, I take Syme’s observation to be a truth not only of dystopian Oceania, but a truth that has marked all urban living since the beginning of civilization. This is part of the kernel of reality that gives Orwell’s Oceania a striking bit of verisimilitude. As Jesus said, the poor will always be with us.

In the interest of context, Syme was discussing how Oldspeak will be entirely replaced, so that eventually no one will be around who will even know that language, as those fortunate denizens will only know Newspeak. Winston was about to point out that the proles will still know Oldspeak, and understanding the drift of Winston’s mind, Syme points out that the proles hardly matter.

Winston will express mixed feelings about the proles, which I imagine is fair to say of Orwell himself, but that Orwell also had a deep appreciation for their humanity, and this may be an expression of some of his lefty inclinations. We will monitor these attitudes as they are expressed in "1984" as we go along.

1984 (1,5) Proles

“The Proles are not human beings.”
-- Syme

This line just jumps out at me, and I think it is worth a particular mention. Well, I do not come from a family of lawyers or doctors or businessmen. We necessarily bring our own particular sensibilities into our reading.

As such, I take Syme’s observation to be a truth not only of dystopian Oceania, but a truth that has marked all urban living since the beginning of civilization. This is part of the kernel of reality that gives Orwell’s Oceania a striking bit of verisimilitude. As Jesus said, the poor will always be with us.

In the interest of context, Syme was discussing how Oldspeak will be entirely replaced, so that eventually no one will be around who will even know that language, as those fortunate denizens will only know Newspeak. Winston was about to point out that the proles will still know Oldspeak, and understanding the drift of Winston’s mind, Syme points out that the proles hardly matter.

Winston will express mixed feelings about the proles, which I imagine is fair to say of Orwell himself, but that Orwell also had a deep appreciation for their humanity, and this may be an expression of some of his lefty inclinations. We will monitor these attitudes as they are expressed in "1984" as we go along.

Tiger's Ex Moves On

Tiger’s scorned bikini model wife is now with a high-profile international businessman — and he hates golf!

Elin Nordegren has finally moved on from her scummy ex-husband Tiger Woods — and her new man’s quite a catch!

Elin, 31, is so in love with investor Jamie Dingman, the New York Post reports. He’s a high-profile businessman who has managed his family’s funds in China for six years. Jamie, who previously dated Bridget Moynahan, has been seen with Elin in both Florida and her native Sweden.

-- ONTD



Well, Tiger knows there's a lot more where that came from, so long as you got millions of dollars and even celebrity to boot.

Tiger's Ex Moves On

Tiger’s scorned bikini model wife is now with a high-profile international businessman — and he hates golf!

Elin Nordegren has finally moved on from her scummy ex-husband Tiger Woods — and her new man’s quite a catch!

Elin, 31, is so in love with investor Jamie Dingman, the New York Post reports. He’s a high-profile businessman who has managed his family’s funds in China for six years. Jamie, who previously dated Bridget Moynahan, has been seen with Elin in both Florida and her native Sweden.

-- ONTD



Well, Tiger knows there's a lot more where that came from, so long as you got millions of dollars and even celebrity to boot.