On the Common 128
Commandments and Olympic feats.
Hello friends,
My hometown of Sterling, Massachusetts, and the nearby city of Worcester, have all gone crazy for Pommel Horse Guy, Steve Nedoroscik, who is from the area. He is so much from the area, in fact, that the text my sister sent me went something like, “He used to train at the gym that’s across from where the town dump used to be.”
Congrats to the entire team—which includes another Massachusetts resident, Frederick Richard—on their shiny medals!
The Part Where There’s an Essay: The Commandments of Social Media (Election Year Edition)
It’s an election year, friends! Time to revisit these greatest hits from the dark ages of this newsletter. What would you add?
Thou shalt treat other humans as image-bearers, regardless of their political affiliation or lack thereof.
Thou shalt interact with individual arguments or trains of thought and refrain from painting with a broad brush or setting up straw men.
Thou shalt refrain from using the words “always” or “never,” especially as regards the actions of thine opponents, political or otherwise.
Thou shalt give the same benefit of the doubt to one’s opponents that one awards oneself.
Thou shalt acknowledge that thou probably dost not have all the information.
Thou shalt not be passive-aggressive. If thou canst not speak directly to a person as regards a matter, thou shalt not be hedgy, shady, or otherwise indirectly aggressive and hope those individuals “get the message.”
Thou shalt represent the statements and opinions of another truthfully.
Thou shalt not pass on nor distribute on social media: gossip, uncharitable speculation, or insult.
Thou shalt be quick to name and publicize the virtues of actions of thine opponents -- political or otherwise -- whenever possible.
Thou shalt not “vent” publicly.
Thou shalt live one’s life in real time with three-dimensional people and have productive discussions in contexts that provide community and require accountability.
Thou shalt be quick to listen, slow to speak, quick to forgive.
Thou shalt recognize that it is the Lord Almighty who makes kings and nations rise and fall.
Thou shalt recognize thine own need for snacks, naps, and sunshine over and above thine own need for winning an argument (online or otherwise).
For the Anglophiles
This is an older article, but it’s finally out from behind a paywall: In Secular UK, Evangelical Alliance Experiences Record Growth. It’s an interesting picture of the landscape for evangelicals in the UK:
“…we don’t have quite the same marrying between evangelicalism and politics. That is quite liberating. We have a member of Parliament for the Labor Party and a member of Parliament for the Conservative Party serving….”
Reads & Listens of the Week
Fellow Caedmon’s Call fans might be interested to know that they are hosting a livestream show to benefit Garrett and Carrie Buell’s international adoption. More details here.
America’s government teacher, Sharon McMahon, informs us of a disturbing new trend: contesting someone else’s ability to vote. Read her newsletter, and then check your voter status right here. Don’t wait—many states have deadlines for the fall elections. (Note to my Charlotte readers: a reminder that I’m an election official and happy to answer questions. You’re not bothering me!)
Jonathan Rogers spends a few minutes with Paradise Lost and CS Lewis’ introduction to it: “We’re all in danger of being of the Devil’s party without knowing it, when we confuse self-aggrandizement and the pursuit of power with the pursuit of happiness.”
Here’s an amazing picture of that 100m men’s final. I read that Noah Lyles was in last place (8th) for half the race!
Construction is the best way to rebel against the established rebellion. - Zach Franzen