Here is an interesting article on a proposal to reform the Canadian Senate. The suggestion is that the Senators all renounce party affiliation and form regional caucuses instead. I wonder how good that would be. The House of Commans is already becoming balkanized because of regional voting. Would there be a benefit if the Senate became a body of regional representation? What do you think?
(The link is to a google translated article from Devoir and is a bit "bumpy" in places, but still very readable. Google translator and Babelfish at Yahoo do amazing translations.)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Post Modern Collaboration
For years I've had an affinity to some types of Jazz and and to what some call techno-music. Here is a very interesting piece of music done collaboratively via YouTube. The coordinator asked for slow music in Bb for about two minutes. He has compiled sixteen files. Start any or all or some at the same time; use the volume controls as a mixer board. Enjoy your very own post modern mix. It's brilliant.
www.inbflat.net
You can search YouTube for inbflat and find scores of scores. Just start playing them concurrently in separate tabs and create your own song!
h/t to my son, Chris.
You can search YouTube for inbflat and find scores of scores. Just start playing them concurrently in separate tabs and create your own song!
h/t to my son, Chris.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Most Unusual Gathering
Through the means of breakthrough technology, all 6 previous ministers were present in Ottawa at the celebratory gathering for Jubilee Church's 50th anniversary. Left to right: Gerhard Visscher 83-86; Marc Jagt 99 - 07; Hendrick Krabbendam 60-64; John van Popta 93-98; George van Popta 87-92; George van Popta 08- present.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Romans 4 and the New Perspective on Paul: Faith Embraces the Promise
My good friend and colleague Dr. G.H. (Jerry) Visscher has published an
important book entitled "Romans 4 and the New Perspective on Paul: Faith
Embraces the Promise." (Dr. Visscher is the NT Prof at the CanRC Seminary in
Hamilton.)
It has been published by Peter Lang, in the influential series "Studies in
Biblical Literature."
The editor of the series writes in a general preface:
"This series seeks to make available to scholars and institutions, scholarship
of a high order, which will make a significant contribution to the ongoing
biblical discourse."
This book definitely makes a significant contribution to the discussion on the
so called "New Perspective on Paul" (NPP).
Dr. Visscher surveys 5 scholars favoring the "NPP". Then he surveys 5 opposing
the "NPP."
He then extensively investigates the context of Romans 4, and follows that with
a careful exegetical analysis of Romans 4, whereby he shows that the "NPP"
cannot be maintained without substantial revision.
Anybody who is remotely connected to the discussion in our churches about the
"NPP" and interested in understanding what exactly the proponents of the "NPP"
are promoting, needs to read this book.
The concise and thoughtful analysis of the "NPP" scholars and their opponents is
worth the cost of the book itself. The careful analysis of Romans 4 is a
masterful work of Reformed exegesis.
One of the proponents of the "NPP" surveyed in the book, Terence Donaldson,
writes (on the back cover!) "In this thorough and perceptive investigation,
Gerhard H. Visscher draws attention to the weaknesses in various New Perspective
readings of [Romans 4:4] and thus adds his voice to those that call for a new
appreciation of old perspectives."
Dr. Visscher is to be commended for this important and helpful book whereby he
makes a significant contribution to the scholarly discussion taking place in the
theological academies of the world. But this book is doubly important in that it
makes the discussion accessible to pastors, preachers, elders, and to the member
in the pew.
Congratulations to you Jerry. May the Lord bless this work in the studies and
pulpits of many Reformed pastors and churches around the world.
For our American friends this book can be found at
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Romans-New-Perspective-Paul-Literature/dp/1433105373/ref=s\
r_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242164216&sr=8-1
or
in Canada at
amazon.ca
http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords\
=Gerhard+Visscher&x=0&y=0
important book entitled "Romans 4 and the New Perspective on Paul: Faith
Embraces the Promise." (Dr. Visscher is the NT Prof at the CanRC Seminary in
Hamilton.)
It has been published by Peter Lang, in the influential series "Studies in
Biblical Literature."
The editor of the series writes in a general preface:
"This series seeks to make available to scholars and institutions, scholarship
of a high order, which will make a significant contribution to the ongoing
biblical discourse."
This book definitely makes a significant contribution to the discussion on the
so called "New Perspective on Paul" (NPP).
Dr. Visscher surveys 5 scholars favoring the "NPP". Then he surveys 5 opposing
the "NPP."
He then extensively investigates the context of Romans 4, and follows that with
a careful exegetical analysis of Romans 4, whereby he shows that the "NPP"
cannot be maintained without substantial revision.
Anybody who is remotely connected to the discussion in our churches about the
"NPP" and interested in understanding what exactly the proponents of the "NPP"
are promoting, needs to read this book.
The concise and thoughtful analysis of the "NPP" scholars and their opponents is
worth the cost of the book itself. The careful analysis of Romans 4 is a
masterful work of Reformed exegesis.
One of the proponents of the "NPP" surveyed in the book, Terence Donaldson,
writes (on the back cover!) "In this thorough and perceptive investigation,
Gerhard H. Visscher draws attention to the weaknesses in various New Perspective
readings of [Romans 4:4] and thus adds his voice to those that call for a new
appreciation of old perspectives."
Dr. Visscher is to be commended for this important and helpful book whereby he
makes a significant contribution to the scholarly discussion taking place in the
theological academies of the world. But this book is doubly important in that it
makes the discussion accessible to pastors, preachers, elders, and to the member
in the pew.
Congratulations to you Jerry. May the Lord bless this work in the studies and
pulpits of many Reformed pastors and churches around the world.
For our American friends this book can be found at
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Romans-New-Perspective-Paul-Literature/dp/1433105373/ref=s\
r_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242164216&sr=8-1
or
in Canada at
amazon.ca
http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords\
=Gerhard+Visscher&x=0&y=0
Monday, May 4, 2009
Who Would Have Thought?
A new study links the kind of sexually explicit movies and television programming young children watch to the age at which they engage in sexual activity. Who would have thought?
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