Greg's Essays

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Greg's Essays

Opinions. Everybody's got an opinion on something. I have opinions on lots of things. The trouble is that I tend to write up my opinions editorial-style. But, as it happens, no major magazine has asked to print them up. Isn't having your own web site handy, though?

My opinions, expressed thus, fall into several categories:

Computers
Cultural Observations
Sexual Issues
Theology

Computers

I have been publishing a Christian computing newsletter called CAMsoc Update for some years now, and in it, from time to time, I voice a few opinions in amongst the news. (Some might say that I squeeze in some news in amongst my opinions.) For instance, in the first issue, in November, 1988, I asked the question, "Who else is out there?" In December, 1988, I asked, "What Can I Use a Computer For?" Between June and September, 1989, I commented on how CAMsoc was, "Catching On, Catching Up." In the February, 1996 issue, I had something to say about Netscape extensions and coding pages for the Web. In the March, 1996 issue, I had something to say about the big online services. In Mid-March, 1996, I pondered aloud about the effect of online communications after the death of a "friend" I had never met. During May, 1996, I mused on some of the implications of the information revolution, and possible impacts on Web advertising. In December, 1996, I revealed my secret loathing for the telephone and my preference for asynchronicity. In January, 1997, I shared my views on the (then) hot, new idea of the Network Computer (NC) and Microsoft's counter-proposal of the "NetPC." In September-October, 1997, I gave my reaction to Apple Computer's decision to stop licensing Mac clones. In September, 1998, I gave my opinion on the Millennium Bug. In October, 1998, I discussed Apple's new iMac. In July, 1999, I lamented the tendency of web designers to lock out web surfers who don't have the latest and greatest technology. In June-July, 2000, I vented about viruses and Microsoft. In August, 2004, I ruminated on the possibilities of online ministry.

Cultural Observations

A lot of my opinions are prompted by things I see going on in the culture around me. In fact, I wrote a series of pieces which I call "From Where I Stand." It starts with a piece prompted by the time I was sitting in church and heard The Siren. Next, I try to respond to people who think they're Not Good Enough to be Christians. Then, I talk about a culture which denies people when they ask, Hold On To Me. Next, I talk about the way churches pressure pastors to act "Holier Than Thou." Then, I talk about whether rock music is a forbidden pleasure for Christians, or whether we can use it as our Rebel Yell. Next, I discuss whether what people really want is not choice, but Freedom From Choice. Another issue is the problem of people who see Christianity, not as a radical change which challenges everything in our lives, but merely as a matter of Fitting In with the "right people." One thing many Christians need to hear is a Welcome to the Ministry. Something most people need more of these days is Peace. A common justification for questionable practices these days is the argument that "the end justifies the means." To that, I reply that The Means are the End. Some people have a hard time seeing any connection between God's Love and Wrath, so I've talked about that as well.

Sexual Issues

Sex is always a biggie. Just do a keyword search on your favourite search engine on the word "sex." The mind boggles that there could be so many people who actually spend that much time thinking about it, doesn't it? Now try doing a keyword search on something important, like "chocolate." Hmmm... In any case, I've pounded the keyboard a few times on the subject. For instance, a few years ago, I posted a message in the rec.music.christian newsgroup, as part of an ongoing discussion about Christians who have compulsive sexual drives. Also, a user on a (now defunct) online system called "Suzy" once asked me if there is a place for gay people in the church.

Theology

As you might expect, theology is a biggie with me. One of the issues which comes up quite frequently is the basis of authority for Christian theology. So, I once wrote A Defence of Biblicism. I have also written a series on what I consider to be theological errors, which I call the Heresy Files. The first heresy file is on the subject of Fundamentalism, the second is on Liberalism, the third is on Experientialism, and the fourth is on Cults. In the fifth heresy file, I take on Civil Religion. Just in time for the upcoming release of the next Star Wars movie, I have re-released the sixth heresy file, which discusses The Force. The seventh heresy file is about the human propensity for Filling in the Blanks. In the eighth, I discuss The Double Standard, and in the ninth, I talk about the need for Consistency in our public ethics. Finally, I discuss the relationship of Christ and Culture.