A year of blogging
August 8, 2006
My first post to the Orlop was on August 14, 2005. I managed to fill the year with over 350 posts, ranging from the inane to the almost profound. I plan to change course a bit and concentrate more on what I see as a war for our minds and hearts between competing worldviews.
Here’s a short quotation from Toward an Evangelical Public Policy by Scot Rodin that may help explain the competing worldviews:
In regard to our relationship to the world, Scripture and history of the church instruct us to reject both isolationism and establishment of a new Christendom. Instead, we are to live as critical and cautious participants in the economies and social systems of our day. To be “in” the world but not “of” the world obligates us to cooperate within these systems but never to be conformed to them.
Therefore, we must seek to be one-kingdom stewards in a milieu that promotes two-kingdom living as the norm. In doing so, we must understand our responsibility as evangelicals to speak and live in a way that defines us as nonconforming participants. To do so we must understand the socioeconomic systems in which we live in order to operate as godly stewards within them. For those of us who live in a capitalistic system, we must acknowledge that capitalism is based on the premise of ownership and the power that comes with it. Buying and selling are the foundations of capitalism, and by definition, every buying and selling transaction requires ownership. Positively, capitalism promotes a strong work ethic and a system that links consequences with behavior. Perhaps no other economic system has the potential to lift the poor and create opportunities for those willing to work, invest in good ideas, and create businesses that produce needed goods and services while gainfully employing others in the process. In the hands of good and honest people capitalism can bless society.
That states one aspect of the Christian worldview. I’m not sure yet how best to characterize the opposing wordview, but it does not recognize the sovereign role of God in human affairs, which leaves belief in our corporate selves as competent caretakers of the world we live in. I have a queasy feeling about that, but I’ll work on it.
Writing from the orlop as I enter year two of my blogging life, I will probably tilt more toward opining on church matters, although my list of categories will stay the same. My posts on ‘worldview’ will probably end up under Bible and Religion.
This might also be a good time to remind myself that nobody really cares a hoot what I think about things. So I write mainly for myself, and if anyone wants to waste their time looking over my shoulder, that’s okay with me. Having said that, if you want to kibbitz a bit and make a comment on a post, you are more than welcome.
Dave, trying on his philosophic hat for size.
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3 Responses to “A year of blogging”
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Hey dad… sounds interesting. Kyle loved the book Total Truth you lent us, I am gearing up to tackling it soon. Yeah, I’ll look over your shoulder….. surely your advanced years lend you some wisdom! It’s a funny world we live in and I appreciate all views! Even when they attempt to spiritualize capitalism…. a great system which runs on greed.
Love, Linda…. still basking from the sunshine at Lake Okoboji
Only some wisdom? Anyway, thanks for the comment. We do need to talk, though, about capitalism!
Hey Dad, I am always interested in reading your posts. It should be some food for thought throughout your 2nd year of blogging. It ought to be interesting. I’d say happy blogging but thoughtful blogging seems the better signoff here!
Love, Leslie…. unfortunately NOT basking in Okoboji sunshine. Instead tied to my desk with flashing IMs from 4 people going at once and all want something. sigh….