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BOOKS on my bedside table |
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The Beauty of Holines and the
Holiness of Beauty: Art, Sanctity, and the Truth of Catholicism |
| TUNES on itunes |
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Songs of Greg Brown |
| Blogs of note |
| Art
Blog by Bob Catholic Dads Get Religion Looking Closer Journal Church of the Masses The Roving Medievalist |
| WHAT'S UP |
| Who am I |
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James (Jim) Janknegt 52 year old, husband of Lissa, father of Emma (almost 11), visual artist, christian (former episcopalian becoming Catholic), building manager at UT Harry Ransom Center, native Austinite, current elginite, and chainsawweilder. everything on this web site copyrighted by
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Archives |
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January
2003
Web Pages
referring to this page
Link to this page and get a link back!
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Darwinism
I finished reading Did Darwin Get It Right? Catholics and the Theory of Evolution, which I highly reccomend. The author, George Sim Johnson, clearly and succinctly sets forth that although there seem to be some real problems with Darwins theory of evolution from a scientific perspective Catholics are not to be threatened by the notion of physical change over time. Catholics do not interpret the book of Genesis literally by-in-large , although one can if one chooses to, but read it as a pre-scientific, poetic way of tranmitting truth about the world, it's creation by God and man's place in it.
What Catholics do have a problem with is science usurping the role of philosophy and theology with a scientific materialism that attempts to exile God from the universe. Here is a quote that sums up the point of the book: " If asked his views about Darwin, an intelligent Catholic might say something like this:
"The hypothesis of the common biological descent of species is interesting and worth exploring. But a hypothesis is one thing and proofs and demonstrations are another. Common descent (oh, all right- call it evolution, although the fossils suggest a phrase like abrupt appearance) is no more than an inference based on similarities of body plans and the fact that all creatures are genetically coded. But a purely naturalistic theory of evolution like Darwin's is going to have trouble explaining the discontinuities between major animal groups and the sudden appearance of new species. Nobody, in fact has ever seen one species change into another. Macroevolution, Darwinian or otherwise, is a theory in search of a real event. The claim that natural selection explains all biological phenomena is supported neither by empirical evidence nor logical argument. Darwin cannot explain the origin of the higher animal groups. Nor are we any closer than the Victorians to explaining the origin of life. Life only seems to come from life. But even if some day the origin of life were proven to be a mechanistic phenomenon (which is not very likely), I would be unperturbed, because such a mechanism would not be incompatible with the Caholic doctrine of creation. Creation from nothing is beyond scientific explanation. The greatest scientific genius will never be able to produce being, or even to discuss it with his scientific vocabulary. Ditto for human consciousness."
"Finally, the Church insists that humankind is not an accident; that no matter how he went about creating Homo sapiens, God from all eternity intended man and all creation to exist in their present form. Catholics are not obliged to square scientific data with the early verses of Genesis, whose truth s- and they are truths, not myth - are expressed in words addressed to an early people whose undrestanding of the physical world was very different from out own. And as Pope John Paul II keeps insisting, Cathoics can anticipate with serenity modern scientific discoveries that, more often that not, raise fundamental questions science itself cannot answer."
I also watched Expelled- the Ben Stein documentary about the lack of freedom of inquiry in academia concering Darwinism and Intelligent Design. I liked the documentary. I know it has gotten a lot of harsh reviews but I think Stein was trying to make a point using the modern style of documentary making that is not some much about presenting an unbiased approach but, rather using visual and interviewing hyperbole to drive home a point. I agree with his premise and think he did a good job of setting it forth.
Several years a go I read Bill Bryson's a short history of everything in which i found good example of what Stein is describing. I think it was the section on genetics and DNA, Bryson was talking about the statistically improbablity that there was about a zero chance that something like DNA could randomly by chance have come into existence. But Bryson just sidesteps the impossibility by saying but the fact that it does exist means that it did happen defying the improbabilty completely. That is looking at the data with Darwin-tinted glasses.
Ultimately, I think scientific materialism was already in existence and Darwin came up with a rationalization to exclude God from the universe. The aftershocks continue to be felt with the impact of Darwinism on the ideas of Marx, Stalin, Hitler, Sanger, Singer and on and on. Ideas have consequences and I appreciate Ben Stein standing up in the face of great hositlity to point out that the emperor is indeed naked.
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An Open Letter to President-Elect Barack Obama
November 14, 2008
President-elect Barack Obama,
As American Catholics, we, the undersigned, would like to reiterate the congratulations given to you by Pope Benedict XVI. We will be praying for you as you undertake the office of President of the United States.
Wishing you much good will, we hope we will be able to work with you, your administration, and our fellow citizens to move beyond the gridlock which has often harmed our great nation in recent years. Too often, partisan politics has hampered our response to disaster and misfortune. As a result of this, many Americans have become resentful, blaming others for what happens instead of realizing our own responsibilities. We face serious problems as a people, and if we hope to overcome the crises we face in today’s world, we should make a serious effort to set aside the bitterness in our hearts, to listen to one another, and to work with one another
One of the praiseworthy elements of your campaign has been the call to end such partisanship. You have stated a desire to engage others in dialogue. With you, we believe that real achievement comes not through the defamation of one’s opponents, nor by amassing power and using it merely as a tool for one’s own individual will. We also believe dialogue is essential. We too wish to appeal to the better nature of the nation. We want to encourage people to work together for the common good. Such action can and will engender trust. It may change the hearts of many, and it might alter the path of our nation, shifting to a road leading to a better America. We hope this theme of your campaign is realized in the years ahead.
One of the critical issues which currently divides our nation is abortion. As you have said, no one is for abortion, and you would agree to limit late-term abortions as long as any bill which comes your way allows for exceptions to those limits, such as when the health of the mother is in jeopardy. You have also said you would like to work on those social issues which cause women to feel as if they have a need for an abortion, so as to reduce the actual number of abortions being performed in the United States.
Indeed, you said in your third presidential debate, “But there surely is some common ground when both those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together and say, ‘We should try to prevent unintended pregnancies by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred and that they should not be engaged in cavalier activity, and providing options for adoption, and helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby.’”
As men and women who oppose abortion and embrace a pro-life ethic, we want to commend your willingness to engage us in dialogue, and we ask that you live up to your promise, and engage us on this issue.
There is much we can do together. There is much that we can do to help women who find themselves in difficult situations so they will not see abortion as their only option. There is much which we can do to help eliminate those unwanted pregnancies which lead to abortion.
One of your campaign promises is of grave concern to many pro-life citizens. On January 22, 2008, the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, when speaking of the current right of women in America to have abortions, you said, “And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president.”
The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) might well undermine your engagement of pro-life Americans on the question of abortion. It might hamper any effort on your part to work with us to limit late-term abortions. We believe FOCA does more than allow for choice. It may force the choice of a woman upon others, and make them morally complicit in such choice. One concern is that it would force doctors and hospitals which would otherwise choose not to perform abortions to do so, even if it went against their sacred beliefs. Such a law would undermine choice, and might begin the process by which abortion is enforced as a preferred option, instead of being one possible choice for a doctor to practice.
It is because of such concern we write. We urge you to engage us, and to dialogue with us, and to do so before you consider signing this legislation. Let us reason together and search out the implications of FOCA. Let us carefully review it and search for contradictions of those positions which we hold in common.
If FOCA can be postponed for the present, and serious dialogue begun with us, as well as with those who disagree with us, you will demonstrate that your administration will indeed be one that rises above partisanship, and will be one of change. This might well be the first step toward resolving an issue which tears at the fabric of our churches, our political process, our families, our very society, and that causes so much hardship and heartache in pregnant women.
Likewise, you have also recently stated you might over-ride some of President G.W. Bush’s executive orders. This is also a concern to us. We believe doing so without having a dialogue with the American people would undermine the political environment you would like to establish. Among those issues which concern us are those which would use taxpayer money to support actions we find to be morally questionable, such as embryonic stem cell research, or to fund international organizations that would counsel women to have an abortion (this would make abortion to be more than a mere choice, but an encouraged activity).
Consider, sir, your general promise to the American people and set aside particular promises to a part of your constituency. This would indicate that you plan to reject politics as usual. This would indeed be a change we need.
Sincerely,
Deal W. Hudson
Christopher Blosser
Marjorie Campbell
Mark J. Coughlan
Rev. James A. Nowack
Craig D. Baker
Susan DeBoisblanc
Megan Stout
Joshua D. Brumfield
Ashley M. Brumfield
Michael J. Iafrate
Natalie Navarro
Matthew Talbot
Paul Mitchell
Todd Flowerday
Henry C Karlson III
Darren Belajac
Adam P Verslype
Josiah Neeley
Michael J. Deem
Katerina M. Deem
Natalie Mixa
Henry Newman
Anthony M. Annett
Mickey Jackson
Veronica Greenwell
Thomas Greenwell PhD
Robert C. Koerpel
Nate Wildermuth
New, Online Signatures:
Mary Ruebelmann-Benavides
Jesus Benavides
Steve Dillard
Toby Danna
William Eunice
Mark Shea
Fr. Phil Bloom
Christopher Gant
Robert King, OP.
Peter Halabu
Kelly Clark
Mark Gordon
Linda Schuldt
Michael Mlekoday
and Jim Janknegt
Reading Update
I just finished reading Acedia and Me by Kathleen Norris. I found it very thought provoking and identified with much of her experience. I think it is an important book for many of us baby boomers. The author explores the distinctions be tween depression, despair and acedia. When you are depressed you care that you are depressed. When you suffer from acedia you don't care about anything and you don't care that you don't care, a much more dangerous state to be in spiritually. The book is a mixture of the history of how this idea has been thought about, the authors personal experience with acedia, her husbands struggle with spiritual and physical health and how his struggle affected their marriage.
As usual in books of this sort, one has to spit out the bones. In this case, sadly, there seems to be a pretty big bone. Is it just me, or does there seem to be an unstated assumption that everybody, no matter what gets to go to heaven? Her husband, a fallen away Catholic, never makes his way back to any kind of faith that I could gather from the book. Yet the author seems assured that he is experiencing the afterlife.
The other thing that kind of bothered me was she never self-identifies what church she goes to. She says her leaning towards the Catholic Church discomfited her husband. She never says she converted but next thing you know she is talking about being a Benedictine Oblate. Kind of confusing??
But overall I would recommend it as I do think she is right in identifying acedia as being a prevalent but unnamed sin that afflicts many of us on our spiritual journey.
I received Fra Angelico by Stephan Bessel in the mail yesterday. Another of my birthday gifts I purchased from the money I was given. It is a very beautiful book with lots of great color reproductions. Oddly though, the cover is different than the one depicted above. No big deal, just odd. The more I look at the paintings of Blessed Fra Angelico, the more I like them. Not to mention he is the saint I took as my name saint when I was confirmed.
Pray for me Blessed Fra Angelico!
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Trip to Nashville
I had a lot of time to visit with my cousin Ann and my Aunt. They showed me around Nashville on Saturday afternoon pointing out many interesting buildings and beautiful parks. The old train station being one of the most amazing. We stopped and ate greek food at the Farmers Market. We toured the Frist art museum, which is a beautiful art deco building.
I was able to attend vigil mass at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, a very beautiful structure. I was particularly taken with the stations of the cross, which I found to be one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Very large carved marble bas-relief sculptures that are in the place where stained glass windows would be.
Sunday we went to Trinity Presbyterian Church where I gave my talk about my work. They had a brand new, large HD screen to use for my PowerPoint presentation and we had no technical difficulties. I think the talk went well, as everyone seemed engaged and asked lots of questions. The worship service included a dedication of my painting, A Little Leaven. The whole service incorporated themes and symbols from the parable and it was the scripture basis for the sermon. All in all a lovely service and very kind and gracious congregation. I am appreciative.
Sunday afternoon my aunt and cousin took me to lunch at Cheekwood, the old mansion of the Maxwell House coffe magnates which has been turned into a museum and botanical garden. The weather had turned cold and overcast so we didn't see the gardens but the lunch was delicious and the museum was a treat. We got to see an exhibit of Red Grooms art collection, most of it humerous or whimisical. I also discovered an outsider sculptor, a native of Davidson county, William Edmondson.
It was a wonderful and grace-filled weekend. I don't want to put my aunt and cousin on the spot but I must say they are both an inspiration to me. My Aunt was in an auto accident 4 year ago that left her a paraplecgic with very little use of her hands. My cousin lives with her and is her caregiver. My aunt is more alive now, I think, than before the accident and has been given the grace to see the hand of divine providence in the accident. I am amazed and encouraged by her response to life in the face of such difficulties and I greatly admire my cousin for her commitment to and care of her mother. They have my hearfelt thanks for commisioning the painting for the church and for bringing me to Nashville for the weekend and taking such good care of me. I am truly grateful.
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Nashville
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A Tough Week
I don't like to complain, as a rule, but this has been a tough week. My lovely wife has been sick for a week. She tried to tough out a cold, continued working for a few days, but kept getting worse. She finally went to the doctor who told her she had a raging sinus infection and an ear infection. She got antibiotics and started taking them but she is wiped out. I have been taking up the slack, which I am glad to do, cooking and cleaning. Emma has been helping with the laundry.
Then we found out that our two guard dogs, Crash and Luna, were caught attacking our neighbor's goats. They killed one and injured another. Our neighbor was very civil about it and we gave him two of our goats as reparation.
Sadly, the dogs went back the next night and attacked the goats again. Our neighbor shot and killed Crash. My wife called me from home to tell me that she had found him dead in the field across the road about 60 yards away from the fence. As soon as I got home, I changed clothes, drove my truck down the road and crawled under the fence. I wrapped Crash in a sheet and drug him back to the truck. I drove him home in the dark as the sun had set. I set the truck so the headlights could shine on a spot where I could dig a grave. I buried Crash and put a piece of sheet metal covered with rocks over his grave to keep the varmints from digging. So we have lost two goats, Bree and Noel, and Crash this week. We are all stunned and saddened.
After burying Crash I took a shower and cooked a quick supper of pancakes and bacon. I am beat and so is McCain. I am happy that an African-American has been elected president. I think that is a good thing for America and for the healing of this country. I am sad it is Obama mainly because of his disrespect for the sanctity of life. I wish when he speaks of being for "the least of these" he would broaden the definition to include the unborn. May God have mercy on us all.
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