And so it begins…
January 28, 2005
We’ve only had classes for 5 days, and already my room is an absolute MESS. Things are wrapping up from last semester and I’m just waiting on 2 papers now. I’m experiencing a bit more “variety” in my grades this semester than I’ve been used to in any previous years of school, but nothing is too bad so I’m happy. The Hebrew exam came back today, and they were gracious in their grading, so that was good for us all.
This semester, things are going to be busy. I’m taking Hebrew (part 2!), Speech, Systematic Theology, God of the Old Testament, and Sin & Salvation in the Old Testament. In addition to academic work, I need to continue working on my preparation for my grant-work this summer with the money from the Fund for Theological Education. I was also asked to create a website for the Christian Education Department’s Lilly Grant on “Faithful Practices.” It is going to be a great chance to get to know some people in the Christian Ed. and Practical Theology Departments much better. I think I may also be a Research Assistant for another professor here and work on creating the Christian Education Department’s website as well (which is different from the Grant website). So, it is going to be an incredibly busy semester. Already, just after one week of Systematic and reading Cone, Ruether, Tillich, Calvin and Gutierrez, I feel like I have so much for the blog…too much. Oh well. I hope to post soon about some of those issues.
Anyway, one other random piece of fun news. I sent my PowerBook to Apple to get worked on, and they ended up fixing some of my screen issues I was having…and the best part? Well, I was told to take out the battery when I sent it in. And I did. And then I got it back. And there was a battery in it….oops. So, I scored a $130 rechargeable battery courtesy of Apple. Thanks! Now, if I were in a Christian Ethics course, I may have to worry about that, debate about it, and think about how to handle that situation. Luckily, I’m not in a class like that, and I don’t have to think about it…
There’s a little ‘life update…’
Tags: Academics, Apple, Life, Seminary
Posted in General, Technology
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
January 29th, 2005 at 8:45 am
Are you going to set the staff up with their own blog space? that would be interesting…
much more interesting than a static website.
January 29th, 2005 at 10:13 pm
It amazes me how Christians often seek to be faithful in the larger moral decisions in life, and yet let the “little” ethical situations slide by. I know its “just a battery” and Apple is a large corporation… and they made the mistake, but at the end of the day, the battery does not belong to you. Is this the “Christianity” that you really want to portray to your 1000+ readers who check this site? Is that really what your character boils down to? To much is given, much is required.
January 30th, 2005 at 10:25 pm
i hope jimi isn’t a christian, cause any of those 1000+ readers of jimi brilliant insights will think christians are nit picky, judgmental complainers. i believe it’s a “little” decision to be quick to listen and slow to speak. i guess not for some.
January 30th, 2005 at 10:36 pm
cleave,
i believe the monopoly card goes something like: bank error in your favor, collect 200 dollars.
who is to say apple didnt give it to you in the first place? subtle marketing, perhaps? i dare say it was a good move on apple’s part, and not an issue that invites serious theological reflection. you’ll remember that one. most corporations that are that successful dont do stupid things like forget to take out the 130 dollar battery. especially if they are smart enough to fix the computer.
enjoy the battery.
February 1st, 2005 at 8:12 am
Allow me to respond:
First to Adam: perhaps I was too harsh in my tone… I did not intend to make a judgment on your decision (naming it right or wrong), but on the manner in which it was made. While I caught the humor in the latter part of this post, I also sensed some flippancy. My question is more‚Ķ what is our responsibility in the ‚Äúlittle‚Äù things? Is a casual, ‚Äúits not our problem‚Äù response suitable, or are we called to be faithful in the little as well. Perhaps Apple did give you the battery, and maybe if that question were posed to them, they would say ‚Äúyes‚Äù or ‚Äúno, but keep it anyways.‚Äù Then the battery becomes a blessing‚Ķ something good that has come your way‚Ķ Not something you have gained possibly on someone else‚Äôs mistake.
To Zach: I regret to inform you that I am a Christian, and in your statement ‚Äúi believe it’s a “little” decision to be quick to listen and slow to speak‚Äù is quite ironic considering it was purported in the same comment that you characterize me as a ‚Äúnit picky, judgmental complainer,‚Äù and then assert that I am not quick to listen and slow to speak. Seems like a harsh statement to make concerning someone you‚Äôve only read 5 sentences from. I was, at least, commenting on a particular situation in which I understood the circumstances that lead up to Adam‚Äôs decision not inquire about the battery. Pot‚Ķ Kettle‚Ķ Black
And to Cleave: Good thing Monopoly was created with the Scriptures in mind… that way we can use it to help us make life decisions… And while its plausible that Apple intended to send the battery for good measure, speculation of subtle marketing is far from an adequate rationale to keep something that is not yours. Also, I beg to differ concerning your assertion that this issue doesn’t involve theological reflections… all our decisions must be strained through a theological filter. That should be the result of a theological education… the ability to think theologically about issues, both big and small. Finally, corporations do make mistakes, because they are not one big super employee, the are comprised of regular people who went to a trade school to learn how to fix computers… they are capable of making mistakes, just like all of us.
Finally back to Adam: I apologize for making a judgment on your character… that wasn’t right of me. You are, however, in an environment that should push you to deliberate these sorts of things theologically. And, I’m willing to bet that you would serve your “readers” better, by processing both the theories of the atonement and small ethical issues like this… regardless of the result. Either way… I do hope you enjoy your battery.