Vincent Visits Sydney


Wassup!

Here we are sitting at some isolated alley way at the Sydney Rocks.

The Eternal Revolution

(chapter seven, Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton)

The following propositions have been urged: First, that some faith in our life is required even to improve it; second, that some dissatisfaction with things as they are is necessary even in order to be satisfied; third, that to have this necessary content and necessary discontent it is not sufficient to have the obvious equilibrium of the Stoic. For mere resignation has neither the gigantic levity of pleasure nor the superb intolerance of pain. There is a vital objection to the advice merely to grin and bear it. The objection is that if you merely bear it, you do not grin. Greek heroes do not grin: but gargoyles do - because they are Christian. And when a Christian is pleased, he is (in the most exact sense) frightfully pleased; his pleasure is frightful. Christ prophesied the whole of Gothic architecture in that hour when nervous and respectable people (such people as now object to barrel organs) objected to the shouting of the gutter-snipes of Jerusalem. He said, "If these were silent, the very stones would cry out." Under the impulse of His spirit arose like a clamorous chorus the facades of the medieval cathedrals, thronged with shouting faces and open mouths. The prophecy has fulfilled itself: the very stones cry out.

If these things be conceded, though only for argument, we may take up where we left it the thread of the thought of the natural man, called by the Scotch (with regrettable familiarity), "The Old Man." We can ask the next question so obviously in front of us. Some satisfaction is needed even to make things better. But what do we mean by making things better? Most modern talk on this matter is a mere argument in a circle - that circle which we have already made the symbol of madness and of mere rationalism. Evolution is only good if it produces good; good is only good if it helps evolution. The elephant stands on the tortoise, and the tortoise on the elephant.

Obviously, it will not do to take our ideal from the principle in nature; for the simple reason that (except for some human or divine theory), there is no principle in nature. For instance, the cheap anti-democrat of to-day will tell you solemnly that there is no equality in nature. He is right, but he does not see the logical addendum. There is no equality in nature; also there is no inequality in nature. Inequality, as much as equality, implies a standard of value. To read aristocracy into the anarchyvof animals is just as sentimental as to read democracy into it. Both aristocracy and democracy are human ideals: the one saying that all men are valuable, the other that some men are more valuable. But nature does not say that cats are more valuable than mice; nature makes no remark on the subject. She does not even say that the cat is enviable or the mouse pitiable. We think the cat superior because we have (or most of us have) a particular philosophy to the effect taht life is better than death. But if the mouse were a German pessimist mouse, he might not think that the cat had beaten him at all. He might think he had beaten the cat by getting to the grave first. Or he might feel that he had actually inflicted frightful punishmnt on the cat by keeping him alive. Just as a microbe might feel proud of spreading a pestilence, so the pessimistic mouse might exult to think that he was renewing in the cat the torture of conscious existence. It all depends on the philosophy of the mouse. You cannot even say that there is victory or superiority in nature unless you have some doctrine about what things are superior. You cannot even say that the cat scores unless there is a sytem of scoring. You cannot even say that the cat gets the best of it unless there is some best to be got.

Spring Rains

The weather is turning balmy - one last spurt of cold and that it! But oh, what a bout of cold it is. Gale strength storm system over this last week, plunging the thermometer to a wintry 10 degs, when it was a beautiful 25 degs the week earlier.

Been a quiet last few weeks, mostly in the labs. However, then end of August was marked by a quick weekend get-away up in balmy Townsville, QLD. The main deal was to meet Benny, a dear friend of mine... amazing chap, tremendously gifted, humble and used of God on platforms (literally) closed to the Gospel.

We got to minister together in 2 churches and met loads of his friends. Warm loving people - wholesome families who love Jesus and stand bright and salty. Talented, gifted kids weaned on truth. Was nicely warmed that pockets of solid family and wholesome outlooks still is found in the heartland of the nation. Even thought its a mere 3% of believers... (compare with 14% in spore). The nicest bit about meeting these folk in townsville is how the believers (5000 out of 150,000), will come together and work in unity for a weeklong Christmas presentation, a highlight of the town called "Stable on the Strand", a christmas celebration for the whole town (yes, real camels included!!). With amazing professionalism (my jaws totally dropped watching the DVD of their previous years!) and one clearly sees their heart and unity and joy. Not preachy stuff. Just being real and FUN.

Anyhoo, so we got to meet more believers, meals with pastors and families (real WHOLESOME aussie homecooked meals), did some jamming, chat chat chat, and bugged Benny during his recording appointment. Really blessed. =)

pix to be added eventually.

Mmm this last week had a friend's wedding (AC classmate), and some church friends visiting. More to report later. Research is moving. Tired. Due for a conference presenation end Nov. Not much data to present yet. My proff is sorta egging me to submit a conference paper for the BIG conference in Madrid next year. Lets see how it goes. Stressed. Sept is such a busy time. I need to breath. Grouse grouse grouse... But i'm glad for it. Sorta.