Back in the Saddle

Back from vacation.




I officiated at a wedding for my sister-in-law.







And at a baptism for the child of my other sister-in-law.









Hung out with my folks.











And finished reading Michael Ruppert's, Crossing the Rubicon: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil.







It is always important to mix the joyful with the apocalyptic. Makes you appreciate the moment.

I wondered what my first post would be about upon my return. Thanks to the LayMAN for saving the day.

The LayMAN reported upon (but does not approve of) a campus chaplain at Duke University, Rev. Mark Rutledge.

Rutledge is one of the five non-believing clergy in Daniel Dennett's study. To refresh your memory about that study, Parker Williamson of the LayMAN and I had a go about it a few months back.

This is from the LayMAN regarding Rutledge:

Rutledge does not fear retribution like others in the report, and is unapologetic about his unbelief, as demonstrated by comments in the article, “Pastor sticks up for modern view of God.”

Rutledge describes God as “a process of mysterious cosmic creativity that makes for greater love and justice … a force working within human beings and nature.”

What about Jesus? In the article, Rutledge said Jesus is the “exemplar” of divine character that he tries to imitate.

“The cosmic guy in the sky is not a credible image of God,” he said.

Congratulations, Rev. Mark! Good to hear what you are doing at Duke.

By the way, Presbyterian Student Fellowship at ETSU is starting up at the end of the month.

I look forward to corrupting young minds at the Presbyterian Campus House. I will make and publish a schedule of events this week.

It was a great vacation and it is great to be back in the saddle.