Theologians ≠ Quants

Who'd have thunk it? Theologians aren't known for their quantitative orientation.

I was treated to a brief discussion of Orthodoxy by a noted quant, Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

Better yet, read the whole thing.

Catechisms and Anglicanisms

Fr. Stephen has expressed his intention of writing an Orthodox catechism. I commented in forthright fashion.

Well...at least he'll be able to testify at Judgment that I once gave him a cup of cold water.

While I'm on the subject of Fr. Stephen, let me sing his praises for a moment. He's a good example of what I love about Anglican-tradition believers and, especially, Anglican-tradition converts to Orthodoxy. He and I agree on little other than Orthodoxy, but he brings to the table articulate erudition, good humor, and collegiality. He's a real pastor, and, as a bonus, his parish's nave is pewless.

Sympathizing with the secularists

The Ochlophobist opened up the evolutionism/creationism can of worms, and I couldn't resist voicing my meager opinion. I further made my sympathies known over at Gabriel's site.

I congratulate Gabriel on his new employment.

I'm sorry to hear that the Ochlophobist is becoming anti-science. You know, I think a lot of confusion about science and Orthodoxy would be solved if we were able, through some simple technique, to erase the unwholesome influence that the Western heresies have had in framing the religion/science issue. The solution, of course, is more Orthodoxy, but that isn't implemented simply.

My view is that the evolutionism/creationism controversy is simple, rather than grandiose. It only seems grandiose because of the disingenuousness of some folks involved in the controversy.

Let me be plain about this: my sympathies lie with Truth and with particular truths. Scientists who endorse evolutionism are merely picking the best explanation out of a sorry lot, and man's life in the created world often involves such tradeoffs. Man is endowed with reason, not omniscience. Scientists necessarily hold a truncated view of reality--that is, a view of reality that includes only the created world--because they are doing science, not theology.

The creationism and ID folks aren't grappling with issues like intellectual honesty, but rather foisting their perversely nominal Christianity on every endeavor, including science.

Give me the sparkling prose of an anguished soul like Christopher Hitchens. For that matter, I like Camille Paglia, too.

Maybe I love absolute monarchy after all?

Yeah, right, but I posted this little comment about the OCA scandal over at The Ochlophobist. I wish someone would tell me something about the scandal that would upset me, because, right now, I am yawning.

Perhaps I should read some Fr. Schmemann so I can contribute to the real discussion.