My AO discovers "planet"

Mike Brown is my AO, which basically means he gives me and my fellow postulants (shall we say) the advice they need to get through their first two years. He also discovers planets, KBOs (Kuiper Belt Objects), and other celestial bodies in his spare time. He has been having a great last few weeks. Nature this week mentions another discovery of his. Sadly, this is a bad day for him, since he had to reveal the existence of this object to the world without exact data. I have no idea what name Mike submitted to the Nomenclature Committee of the International Astronomical Union, but I hope it's one that third graders will not have too much trouble spelling. Congratulations to Mike and his colleagues, who join three Herschels, Le Verrier, Adams, Lowell, Tombaugh, and unknown ancients in finding the largest wanderers amdist the waves of the Stellar Sea.

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And then I was hungry

The problem with starting work three hours earlier than your colleagues is that essential information often is not received by you until very late in the workday. Hence, I was about to start some coding until I realized that it was 6 PM and I was getting hungry. No problem, I thought, I can work from home after I cook dinner. And if I'm done too late, I can roll into bed.

ESA(20050727.1)

This Code Be Funky

Source code is a nuisance to read. But not necessarily when the comments are in French. It's when the variables seem to be in French that the trouble arises.

Thoughts for the Day

Hooker thinks arguments between Anglicans should be settled by disputation. Boy, that would make "theological presentations" more interesting.

Hooker on St. Paul:

"But consider I beseech you first as touching the Apostle, how that wherein he was so resolute and peremptory, our Lord Jesus Christ made manifest unto him by intuitive revelation, wherein there was no possibility of error. That which you are persuaded of, ye have it no otherwise than by your own probable collection, and therefore such bold asseverations as in him
were admirable , should in your mouths but argue rashness. God was not ignorant that the priests and judges, whose sentence in matters of controversy he ordained should stand, both might and oftentimes would be deceived in their judgment. Howbeit, better it was in the eye of His understanding, that sometime an erroneous sentence definitive should prevail, till the same authority perceiving such oversight, might afterwards correct or reverse it, than that strifes should have respite to grow, and not come speedily to some end" ( Laws of Ecclesiasticall Politie Preface, VI).

St. Gregory Nazianzen:

"My mind leadeth me (sith there is no other remedy) to fly and to convey myself into some corner out of sight, where I may scape from this cloudy tempest of maliciousness, whereby all parts are entered into a deadly war amongst themselves, and that little remnant of love, which was, is now consumed to nothing. The only godliness we glory in, is to find out somewhat whereby we may judge others to be ungodly. Each other's faults we observe as matter of exprobation and not of grief. By this means we are grown hateful in the eyes of the heathens themselves, and (which woundeth us the more deeply) able we are not to deny but that we have deserved their hatred. With the better sort of our own our fame and credit is clean lost. The less we are to marvel if they judge vilely of us, who although we did well would hardly allow thereof. On our backs they also build that are lewd, and which we object one against another, the same they use to our utter scorn and disgrace of us all. This we have gained by our mutual home-dissensions. This we are worthily rewarded with, which are more forward to strive than becometh men of virtuous and mild disposition" (Tr. Hooker, Preface, IX).

To the Commenters

1. Until the Roman Catholic Church produces an aetiology and ontology of homosexuality that is more in line with Scripture (1 Samuel 18, Matthew 19, and Romans 1 and related texts), the workings of nature, which Chrysostom, Aquinas, and Akinola all seem to be ignorant of, and tradition (particularly the Passion of SS. Sergius and Bacchus), it will be impossible for me to say anything measured and charitable to Roman Catholics about the theological direction of many Episcopal bishops on the issue of homosexuality. I will continue to seek their commisseration about the drift of Episcopal bishops away from belief in the Creeds or the efficacy of the Scriptures in any respect whatsoever. I know the same Spirit blows through our neighborhoods. I'll wait.

(I need to read John Boswell and Alan Bray at some point. If anyone is willing to read them first, I would love to hear what you think. The Titusonenine crowd apparently pretends they don't exist, and I need a diversity of opinions to consider in future disputations.)

2. Anna, the problem is that the bishops have not given anything more than wishy-washy statements about why they believe as they do. I have met a few of their theological experts, who give slightly better but not particularly complete answers. I genuinely want to be instructed by them rather than by bloggers (despite the great potential talent in that sphere.)

3. It is true we have no common deposit of faith in the sense I think you mean, but lex orandi, lex credendi is very strong in us. Thus, I am most worried about the gradual move away from the Benedictine influences in our liturgy. I also am shocked by the replacement of the Creed in some places by "a mission statement," even one taken directly from the Scriptures. Apparently, we also have become divorced from the useful hermeneutic which Hooker laid down. By the way, GZT, have you ever read Chrysostom's Peri hierosynes . What did you think of it?

And now that I've written so many bothersome things, adieu.

ESA(20050721.1)

If You Wonder What I'm Doing

I'm currently reading the transcript of the Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut's meeting with the parishioners of St. Paul's in Darien in late 2003. I'm doing so in order to figure out what I should think in charity about the Connecticut Six . And despite my severe misgivings about the theological worldview at St. Paul's, (the direct homology of the Old and New Testaments with Jesus Christ on page 8 was especially frightening [and I will debate all comers on this one].), I am in great sympathy with the Connecticut Six (parishes or priests).

To show you what I mean, here's a brief synopsis of the exchange at this meeting.

St. Paul's Parishioner: What you're doing is wrong. It says so right here in the Bible.

Bishop Smith: Thank you.

From what I can tell, the two sides have reached no further understanding of each other's positions since that time. Nor is Bishop Smith very clear on why he's doing those wrong things he's doing. He's dealing with people who are obviously eager to learn. When their questions are not somewhat insulting, they are certainly very insightful. And he rarely tries to teach them.

I also am very mystified by this speech by Reg Jones, "To posit that same sex marriages or relationships which you may be forced to employ by the government in some day to come is not a minor thing. Every dam gets a hole somewhere where the water starts. I believe our Episcopal Church has cut the first hole." If the government ever forces me to form a coniunctio with man or woman, they will get Romans 1, Matthew 19:12, several other judicious passages, and the United States Constitution thrown at them in every public forum.

At the moment, my thoughts and prayers are with twenty bishops of the Episcopal Church who are meeting very near to me (the meeting is hosted by my new Diocesan Jon Bruno. I can't remember whether he is prayed for by name at All Saints. We pray for ++Rowan and George W. Bush (but not for Ahnold or the Mayor of Pasadena). From all sides of the impending schism, they meet in search of some way to continue as a church.

Karl Rahner writes in his lovely little tract on the episcopate that within the Church Universal there are many particular Churches with their own culture and institutions that are distinct from those of the other Churches but not abhorrent to the common deposit of faith of the Church Universal. It's a useful thing to think about even if the Church Universal imagined is the Roman Catholic Church in the form of an idealized Roman Empire (which is some of the inspiration for Rahner's ideas). Folks like me are at most socii in this scheme. But I do wonder whether reasserters or reassessors (or plumbifiers or eviscerators, if you prefer malice) are part of the same culture anymore. But were High Church, Broad Church, or Low Church folks ever part of even complementary cultures? [Maybe, I only worry about this because of my own selfish desire to raise my children in a similar but less corrupt ecclesiastical culture than the one in which I was raised.]


ESA(20050720.2)

Model The History From First Principles And Then Forge the Records

It's too bad you can't quite do this for human history (Isaac Asimov's dreams of psychohistory aside.) But I want this to be my first contribution to Martian history. My inquiry into the theory of forgery begins tomorrow. Bwahaha! (I needed some evil laughter there.)




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I Think I'm Finally Settling In Here

I managed to talk to the boss today. I had e-mailed him first, which definitely helped. It turns out we are basically on the same page. I spent the afternoon working on integrating a dust injection scheme into our model. I do not know Fortran 90, but it's not too alien to me. And best of all, I share an office with the conceptual designer of the scheme.

ESA(20050719.1)

Work Is Boring

I can't run our model, and it's not my fault. Apparently, no one can run our model presently. So the most exciting event of the day was having lunch with Anna. After work, I walked to BevMo for beer for Social Hour tomorrow and went to Pavillions for snacks. Peets' Mocha Freddo is good.

Thoughts for the Day:

Quote: Nothing is as it seems, nor is it otherwise-Confucius (This is posted somewhere on the third floor of Eckhart. Whenever I need to deal with some form of cognitive dissonance, I think about this first. It puts things in perspective.

Question: Is truth both one and hierarchical?

Translation: honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on him who thinks evil [of this]). It's Norman French and the motto of the Order of Garter to boot.

ESA(20050714.1)

Ugh

Have you ever had one of those days when you think you should be strangled? You don't want to die, but you would understand if your boss came by and put you out of your misery. Today was one of those days. But tomorrow will be better, especially since my kitchen stuff arrived today, and I realized that Ralph's is 0.8 miles away instead of 3.0 miles away. I'd tell you about the most enjoyable part of my awful day, but then I would have to invoke honi soit qui mal y pense , which would be no fun at all. Best of all, tomorrow, lunch will be ala Laurel Kirkland, a style all geologists should emulate. (Lunch ala Andy Ingersoll, however, isn't too far off.)

ESA(20050711.1)

They Made Me Read This in SOSC, But I Didn't Realize How Funny It Was Until Now

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The Falls Church of the Left Coast

One of the most remarkable books I have ever encountered is a little volume from the archives of St. Peter's Church, Third and Pine in Philadelphia. It is from the turn of the century and describes the activities (we would call them ministries, I'm not sure what they called it) of a large, well-off, and socially engaged Episcopal church at the turn of the last century. The book is filled with facts and figures, numbers of participants or amount of money disbursed. Does it smack of paternalistic Victorian philantrophy? Yes. Is it clear that the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed was being preached through the activities described? Yes. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Moreover, the activities of St. Peter's in the early 1900s also are indicative of a church community as strongly engaged inward as outward. There was some small group in which Mother, Father, Grandmother, and little Jane could find community.

I recall this little volume, because I have on my desk its 21st century analog. It is the "Celebration of Ministries, 2004-2005" of All Saints Church, Pasadena." Apparently, the 21st century analog of early 20th century St. Peter's could be described as liberal Quakerism in Episcopal form. Since I believe that Quakerism and Episcopalianism lie on the same continuum, it is no surprise to me that aspects of a community in both traditions could be very similar. Fortunately, the liturgy is Episcopal. The music is wonderful. Their love of inclusive language also means that I actually said a version of the Nicene Creed today that accurately translated the word enanthropopesanta or homo in the Latin version.

But they remind me of Friends. Much of the community grew up in other traditions or perhaps actually were evangelized by All Saints. Their ministries would do a Quarterly Meeting proud. For example, Coffee Hour is effectively a very low-pressure bake sale to help local homeless shelters. They showcase their ministries at booths on the Lawn between services. And I saw the fullness of American liberalism mediated through Grace. And that explains the title of the blog entry. Like Falls Church in Virginia, the fashionable Episcopal church of the conservative Republican players in Washington, All Saints Pasadena is very much in the world. I met the Associate for Spiritual Growth etc. today in the midst of her agreeing to lobby Senator Feinstein this week.

It is a large church by Episcopal standards (in sanctuary, in plant, and in numbers). It has three services (two with music). I went to the 9 AM service, which was packed as densely as a 9 AM during the school year at St. Martin's in a sanctuary about 50% larger. Its budget must be huge. And it is very skillful in dealing with newcomers from outside the Episcopal Church or folks coming back to church. I was very impressed. I'm not sure they are used to dealing with newcomers from within the Episcopal Church.

What worried me immediately is whether the community, inclusivity, and love of narrative that hit me walking around All Saints is grounded on what Holy Scripture plainly teacheth, right reason further instructeth, and the tradition of the Church maketh clear or on an American liberal worldview which honestly might be (gasp!) partly mistaken. Also, I'm curious to know when will be the next time I hear the words of Paul in the liturgy. Yet despite these concerns, I'm an Episcopalian. And Episcopalians of all stripes really shouldn't run from communities like this while they're young. There are lessons here for any future Kendall Harmon on how one does church.

ESA(20050710.1)

It's Friday Night

And I am presently compiling a Martian general circulation model. But I am going to a movie in a little while. Life is so cool.

ESA(20050708.1)

Alumni E-mail Forwarding Address Is Up And Running

For you who know what this means. I'll still check the old account until December 31.

ESA(20050707.2)

Hostes Humani Generis Brittanicique

Today, I awoke in a cozy room in Pasadena, CA for the first time and went to check the Web. Consequently, I'm listening to Virgin Radio, which has become a fine radio news channel interrupted by some inspiring light rock music.

This attack was strategically idiotic. The will of the British people like the will of our own people can be exhausted by the deaths of our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their will can be exhausted by the futility of operations on land against a wily enemy at a safe distance. The morale of Britain during the Boer War or the Crimean War was challenged. As much as Orwell and others have found an authentic cultural jingoism in the late 19th century, politics often told a different story. The Empire was built in easy ways, because the stability of a government in Parliament could not depend on a pro-Imperial coalition.

But in the First World War, anti-German sentiment was strong enough to change the name of the British ruling house. Napoleon is still despised. You don't threaten their island. As much as I doubt the utility of the Iraq war in fighting terror, Al-Qaeda et al. have made Iraq part of the war to the harm of the Iraqi people. With the will of Great Britain bolstered as it was today, everyone will lose. The vengeful spirit of another great nation has been roused.

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