Archive for the ‘An Englishman in…’ Category

Posted on March 14, 2008 - by Calvin L. Smith

Englishman Near New York (19)

Settling down now. Nice to be permanently connected to the Internetat last (my in-laws, Kay’s parents, bles `em, don’t have an internet connection back in Ohio). My daughter (who is over visiting them) and I had to go out every night looking for a hotspot outside of restuaurants etc. There are lvarious free hotspots in some US cities but you have to find them. I have a little device which can pick them up, so Gabriella (my daughter) and I drove all around Toledo looking for hotspots. I was a bit concerned, though,  keeping on stopping outside restaurants for us both to work on our laptops in the car. (more…)

Posted on March 13, 2008 - by Calvin L. Smith

Englishman Near New York (18)

Sorry I haven’t posted anything today. Been travelling all day (started off at 6 am). Got to Detroit Airport early, was asked if I wanted to go an an earlier flight, and then the `plane broke down! Anyway, I’m in North Carolina at last and it is warm! (about 75 F, 24 C)  I’m in my hotel ready for the conference at Duke University and I have access to wifi the whole time I’m here, so I’ll be able to keep you updated on developments much more easily now. Right now, though, I intend to unpack and grab some food, then I’ll be in touch again later this evening (our time). So TTFN (yes, I watch it with my kids… a special marking dispensation to whoever can tell who says this ).

Posted on March 12, 2008 - by Calvin L. Smith

Englishman in New York (17)

Last entry looked at some of the things I didn’t much like about America. For the sake of balance (although I’ve already said plenty of good things), here are some things about America which for me stand out positively. Here goes… (more…)

Posted on March 12, 2008 - by Calvin L. Smith

Englishman Near New York (16)

I’ve shared various positive aspects of America, together with some of its quirks and idiosyncrasies. Today I thought I’d list a few things about it I don’t so much like. If you are an American, please don’t be offended; after all, no country is perfect, not even England (I know, I know, it is hard to believe, but it is quite true I assure you). The following is just a snapshot of one Englishman’s thoughts at this moment in time, all in the original spirit of the blog, namely to give people back home an insight into what life is like here, as well as American’s an insight into how others perceive them. Of course, being an utter and hopelessl manic depressive, ask me again tonight what I think and most of the following on the list may well be construed as positive. Anyway, enough babbling, here goes… (more…)

Posted on March 11, 2008 - by Calvin L. Smith

Where Are You? (ENNY 15)

Where is everyone? I can see from our stats that many people are reading these blog entries, we’ve also had some comments, but there are far too many silent readers and not enough comment. Or maybe you’re jealous of all the restaurants I am being taken to? Well, to rub it in more, last night we went to Red Lobster and ate seafood galore. Superb! Among other things I had some of the Alaskan King Crab legs. Mmmmm! I am in Australia in September for my first visit and everyone Aussie I know has told me once I get there I’ll never look back, that no country will ever be the same. So why aren’t the many Aussie readers of this blog speaking out as I sing America’s praises, then? This Pom wants to hear how much better Aus (Oz?) is, and also from Americans defending the land of the free (and the fat). And what about those Brits who have been here? Where are those comments?

Posted on March 11, 2008 - by Calvin L. Smith

Englishman Near New York (14)

Interesting Christian talk show on the radio the other day in which people call in and raise Bible verses for discussion with this old, grizzly hyper-dispensationalist, the aim being to explore short texts that are controversial and unclear. The old fellow (US: `fella’) then sets abouts interpreting it according to his theological scheme and system. BTW, I note he had far more time for those who listened respectfully and never disagreed than those who sought to engage his views (their `phone line tended to be cut off cuneremoniously). But tleaving aside some of his wildly allegorical interpretations, this whole proof-text verse interpretative methodology raised various problems for me. As Evangelicals we are suspicious of much of the historical-critical method because its overriding philosophy and approach is to reject inspiration and revelation, and as such fragments the text. Thus, passages and Bible books are studied indepedently, because a rejection of the concept of inspiration means they have no relation to other texts or Bible books which might shed light on them. But at the other extreme, the kind of single-verse and short text interpretations by Evangelicals which i heard on the radio the other day equally fragments the text. After all, Bible texts must be understood in light of other biblical passages, themes that run throughout the Bible, and the Bible’s overriding narrative as a whole This approach, known as Biblical Theology, focuses on the unity of the text and as such is instrumental in making sense of short texts that, in isolation, make little sense. I am convinced most of the weird ideas and silly petty doctrines doing the rounds within Evangelicalism would never have arisen but for a stronger focus on Biblical Theology. We have a new Level 3 module on Biblical Theology and its role in Hermeneutics coming online in September, which looks at this whole issue. For more on Biblical Theology and its essential role in the field of Hermeneutics, see here, here and here.