text:
April 19, 2016
Confronting a Dangerous World
This post originally appeared in the "Peace Advocate News," a newsletter prepared as part of the Peace and Reconciliation ministry of the Northern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren.
Confronting a Dangerous World and Protecting Democracy
Clyde C. Fry, Mansfield, Ohio
1) The Warning
On January 17, 1961, Dwight David Eisenhower, five star general, supreme commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during WW-2, and 34th president of the United States, gave his farewell presidential address to the public. Instead of the "sentimental and valedictory" address that was expected, he gave the nation a stern and serious warning. This is what he said:
"Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a larger arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence–economic, political, even spiritual–is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes." ((Eisenhower, by Paul Johnson, Viking Press, 2014, page 121.))
The next day (January 18, 1961) Eisenhower held a press conference in which he made an "impassioned attack on the way military values were replacing the bedrock civil values of American society" and the risks to our liberty and fiscal security that this change would bring. ((Ibid, page 120.)) Eisenhower worried that our "military strength, and imprudent leadership, could lead the country into interventions all over the world, encouraged by the arms lobby and the military chiefs who were its puppets, and the result would be an over extension of resources and economic ruin." ((Ibid, page 120.))
2) The Problem
The problem that Eisenhower raises is very simple and very dangerous to peace and a democratic way of life. The manufacture of armaments provides employment and taxes for many of our families and communities. But, like any manufacturing enterprise the products produced must have markets that need and will consume them. Without market need and consumption, the industry, with its jobs, income, and taxes will be lost. Like all manufacturing the greater the consumer need the more the industries connected to that consumption will grow and proliferate. Today, every state in our nation has important economic ties to our growing armament industry and its share of the GNP (we are the largest armaments exporter in the world). The armaments that we produce must be used somewhere by somebody making the need for armed conflict itself a vested interest. William Hartung, weapons industry analyst pointed out, "If there's one thing we should have learned over the past 13 years of war, it's that war is good business for those in the business of war."
3) The Giant
The Pentagon employs 3 million people, 800,000 more than the world's largest retailer, Walmart. 70 percent of the value of the federal government's $1.8 trillion in property, land and equipment belongs to the Pentagon. The Army alone uses more than twice as much building space as all the offices in New York City. The Pentagon and the Veterans Administration together constitute the nation's largest healthcare provider serving 9.6 million people and holds more than 80 percent of the federal government's inventories, including $6.8 billion of excess, obsolete, or unserviceable stuff (some of the excess is being funneled into local police departments, which some argue, is contributing to the "military mind-set and policing tactics" that are so controversial today). ((David Gilson, Journalist, a Senior Editor, Mother Jones, Sources: Congressional Research Service, House Budget Committee, Government Accountability Office.))
4) The Necessity
Violent conflict is necessary to keep the armament industry alive! Someone has to use up all that stuff so that we can continue to produce it. Either we must go out and fight somebody "to keep America safe" or we have to sell the stuff to somebody else who is willing to use it in one of their conflicts. The result is that we abuse the sovereignty of other nations by clandestine shenanigans or outright public interference and make "terrorist lists" that keep the public stirred up, afraid, and thus willing to support the big bucks and spilled blood to maintain the system. Because of this need for violence the use of diplomacy and negotiation are suspect or rejected all together (the current negotiations with Iran are a good example; do we need to keep our hostile view of Iran to justify a high Pentagon budget and middle-eastern arms sales alive? Is that why political lackeys in the congress are so anxious to put a possible treaty down even before the details have been settled?). To quote Eisenhower once again: "This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a larger arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence–economic, political, even spiritual–is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society." Is our belief in and economic need for the use of violence in national and international affairs turning our democracy into a hypocrisy or worse?
Clyde C. Netzley Fry is a retired pastor in Northern Ohio District. He has served as a mediator in congregational and community disputes and participated in national and international conferences on various peace related issues. He has written numerous essays on peace topics, the first of which was a brief historical sketch "Whatever Happened to Non- Violence?"
December 15, 2015
Discerning the Mind of Christ: Neither Progressive Nor Conservative
At a not so recent Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren I was sure the delegates had made the wrong decision. And I made as much clear in the last days through several meetings a small action during the closing worship. To be honest, I was a bit proud in taking a stand. I knew what we should have done, and I believed we had gone the wrong way.
In the months after that conference my pride waned a bit. I had to submit my annual paperwork for my license to the ministry and I began thinking about what it meant to disagree with a position of the wider church.
Over a decade later, I found myself writing these words in the middle of our polity regarding congregational ethics. "The prayerful conclusion not to support a denominational position or program should be a matter of anguish, not competitiveness or superiority."
Unfortunately, I often experience disagreements within the church as a matter of competition for power and an assertion of superiority. And often the lines are drawn between what some might call progressive and conservative cultures.
But I have this weird notion that when the church gathers to ask questions about the faithful response to our times, the wisdom of the whole church informs our approach. So when I disagree with what the wider communion has said, my first task is not so much to chastise but to ask myself what I am missing. What part of Christian discipleship have I overlooked in my prideful positioning?
In the years since that conference I have found myself wondering a lot more. I wonder, when I enter a community of progressives, what part of the gospel they are lifting to my attention. And the same is true when I am with conservatives. In this posture towards others, I find myself assuming above all else that the people I am with are sisters and brothers seeking to follow Jesus above all else. Sometimes that assumption is harder to maintain, but I find myself listening differently when I remind myself of our shared commitment to Jesus.
So, then, what I have learned from our conservative and progressive communities?
From progressives I am often reminded that love and grace are the root of the Good News. In order to witness to the wider world, I must act from a posture of grace.
From conservatives I am reminded that grace is the catalyst for transformation. As I have heard said in many places, we are welcomed into the community with the understanding that we will be changed by the Gospel of love and grace. Come as you are are and leave as you never were.
Progressives have taught me that the church witnesses to the ways of God in the world, and we are to act in ways that build up the Kingdom of God in the here and now.
Conservatives have reminded me that this building of the Kingdom of God is not my own doing but something God is doing in and around me.
Progressives have taught me the world is a fallen place, where war and systems of oppression diminish the Image of God in everyone.
Conservatives have taught me that systems do not change on their own, and that as Christians we are to work on our own inner heart as much as we work for justice in the world. In other words, righteousness and justice are two sides of the same coin, and often the most prophetic thing to do is to tend to our own holiness.
Progressives have often reminded me that there are many roads to faithfulness. Each of us seeks after God in our own ways, and just because one's path is not my own does not mean that they are wrong and I am right.
Conservatives have taught me that truth is real and not relative. While we may all be on different paths there is still a need to discern if we are indeed heading in the same direction.
Progressives have taught me to value the experiences of others. In listening to the testimony of others I learn to see more fully the ways God is at work around and in us.
Conservatives have reminded me that deception is a real part of our fallen nature, and that in listening to others I must also test the spirit in which a testimony is given. Part of that testing includes speaking from my own vantage point, articulating truth biblically as well as experientially.
Though the Brethren are not a creedal form of Christianity, I think the greatest reminder of balance has come through the Nicene Creed. In the last section the words are both plain and convicting. "We believe… in one holy catholic and apostolic church…" It is that tension between being one and being holy that gets me every time. How is that we can be both one— work from a place of unity— while at the same time hold up the holiness explicit in following Jesus. We are inherently mixed in our holiness, or as the followers of Wesley remind us, we are growing in our holiness. Put another way, holiness makes clear there are boundaries that often make unity a difficult endeavor. In the practice of "seeking the mind of Christ" I think the Brethren have worked out a way to attend to both boundaries and unity, one-ness and holiness. I am just not convinced that our current models of doing so have actually produced the fruit we seek.
We have simply become too proud of our positions and too often confuse discernment with coercion. We assume that our processes are about setting one another straight, and that one must win the argument in order for truth to be proclaimed.
Since that conference long ago I have come back to the words of Thomas Merton. Just because I think I am following the will of God does not actually mean that I am doing so. But I believe that the desire to please God does in fact please God, and I pray that I (we) have that desire in all that I (we) do.
I need my brothers and sisters to help me see when I am following Jesus and when I have strayed. And when I disagree with my community of faith, my first task is not to chastise others and set the record straight but is to ask if I am working from my desire to please God or if I simply desire to be right. More often than not, I am afraid I want to be right.
November 6, 2015
Beauty in Our Works
I am a Theatre Design and Technology major. Often, people have no idea what my major involves, so I will explain. Technical theatre includes many different concentrations such as lighting, sound, props, costume, set construction/design, and stage management. This major is very hands on and I am learning how to design and construct vital pieces for the shows Otterbein University produces. It is important that I can see the beauty in the art that I design and construct to better express the theme of a show. My perspective of beauty has been greatly influenced by the creations that God has made.
I find that it is easier to see the beauty in my surroundings because I am a follower of Christ and I have so much appreciation for God's creations. I tend to see beauty in the world around me and in the art that I create, as well as the art of my peers. Though my assignments may be challenging at times, I find that they are simpler to complete when I strive to reflect God's beauty. When I see what God has created, I see the beauty and perfection in it. When I see an amazing sunset, I want to be able to paint it and make it as perfect as what I see before my eyes. Every day God's creations encourage me to strive to create art that reflects such beauty.
When it comes to my artwork, I feel like I often see God in it. I have created paintings, costumes, and props that I never thought I had the talent to do so. I have seen the art work of others and admired the beauty it has brought to the stage. Everyone I work with has their own special talent, which I believe is a gift from God. Romans 12:6 says "In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well." If God has blessed us with a talent, shouldn't we be using it to the best of our ability? There is not a doubt in my mind that God has blessed each and every one of us with our own unique talents and skills. Whether we acknowledge that or not on a daily basis, we can see it in our finished products. I see this when a show opens and all the aspects of it have come together on the stage to complement each other and paint a picture of beauty for the audience to see.
As Brethren, simplicity is one of our core values we believe in. I believe that being simple is quite important, especially when it comes to our material and earthly possessions. I think that we should use what we possess and not have so much that it is wasteful. Simplicity comes into play quite often when I am working in the theatre. We try to use only what we need in order to complete a job in a safe and successful way. Simplicity helps us cut back on waste and save money for other aspects of a show we are producing. Simplicity is a good value to have whether you are using it in the workplace or in your church.
While simplicity is an important value to have, I believe the church has become too comfortable in it. Ministry has become something that we have made simple. I believe ministry shouldn't be simple; it should be bold and take us out of our comfort zone. Often in the world of theatre, we are asked to step out of our comfort zone; whether it is to take on a leadership position or to create a significant piece for a show. Churches need to be willing to be bold and step out in their faith to reach others. The disciples are amazing examples because they got up and left everything they knew to follow Jesus and preach his teachings. Matthew 4:19 says "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Shouldn't we strive to do the same? We should spend less time focusing on how others perceive us, and more time on pointing them in the direction of Christ. If we are afraid to step out in our faith, how are we to further the kingdom of God?
For more information about Otterbein University's department of Theatre and Dance go to http://www.otterbein.edu/public/Academics/Departments/TheatreDance.aspx
Melissa Schlecht is a sophomore at Otterbein University pursuing a degree in Theatre Design and Technology with a concentration in Costume Design and Construction and a minor in Film Studies. An active member of the Potsdam COB (when she's home), she recently helped lead Potsdam's Youth Theatre Camp this past summer. She hopes to bring her heart for God and his Kingdom to the world of theatre and film.
October 20, 2015
Reflections on Rooted and Grounded at AMBS
Are human beings given free dominion of the land, or does God care what we do with the creation? Participants explored these and other profound questions at the Rooted and Ground conference held at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. Six students, from Bethany Seminary and Earlham School of Religion, and two Bethany professors attended the creation care conference from Thursday, October 1 through Saturday, October 3rd.
Around 140 participants brought a range of ecumenical perspectives to address a variety of environmental concerns. Activities at the three-day conference included presentations, worship services, and immersion experiences. From the assorted presentations and conversations, participants envisioned a variety of Christian responses to the ecological crisis.
The bulk of conference events centered on a multitude of presentations. Several papers and workshops focused on biblical, theological, and ethical principles in relation to creation care and social justice. Nate Inglis, Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Bethany Seminary, presented "Conversion to the Community of Creation: Bridging Anabaptist Theological Anthropology and Ecology" on Thursday afternoon. Scott Holland, Professor of Theology & Culture at Bethany Seminary, and Bethany MA student Kristy Shellenberger presented a workshop about theopoetics and creation care on Friday morning.
Presentations also featured practical suggestions that care for the land and local communities. Farmers described their methods of organic production. At the urban level, pastors shared how gardens were employed in liturgical practices and served the food needs of marginalized communities. "As demographics continue to shift in this country, it is important that the Church adapt and be equipped to minister in these new realities," remarks Shayne Petty. He continues, "It is crucial that we expand the conversation about eco-theology to include the voices of those, demographically, not typically associated with agriculture. It can be incredibly empowering for persons of color, most of whom, especially Blacks, living in urban areas to be given theological language to reflect upon the beauty of God's creation in the city."
Worship services employed rich liturgical themes of creation's praise to God through hymns and responsive readings. Three keynote speakers presented thought-provoking messages for conference attendees.
Wilma Bailey, Professor Emerita of Hebrew and Aramaic studies at Christian Theological Seminary, spoke at the Thursday night worship service. She explored various Hebrew terms found in the creation accounts of Genesis 1-3. Bailey also reflected on the wildness of creation. Lions and other predators caution us humans that we are not as fully in control of nature as we like to assert.
Our Friday night speaker provided even more profound reflection. Sylvia Keesmat, an organic farmer and adjunct professor at Toronto School of Theology, interpreted from the Letter to the Romans, particularly between chapters 1, 8, and 12. She claimed that the apostle Paul expressed profound grief over the Roman imperial occupation – an occupation that degraded both social and ecological health – and explored how that grief still pervades in our present global crisis. "It was humbling," notes Katie Cummings, "to lament together our shortcomings and to confess our idolatry." Keesmat also professed an inspiring hope, following Paul's message, that God's love for all creation will prevail and includes faithful acts of earth care.
Ched Myers, biblical scholar and activist theologian, spoke as keynote for Saturday morning worship. He explained the principles of "watershed discipleship," a recent model of Christian community formed by natural bio-regions and local economies. It recognizes the sacredness of the land in providing not only for human needs, but also for all processes that God created to sustain life.
Before the conference began, participants selected between options for immersion experiences scheduled on Friday afternoon. Four Bethany Seminary participants, myself included, went on the "Trail of Death" tour near Plymouth, Indiana. A Potawatomi tribe once inhabited two sites around the Twin Lakes area until they were expelled in September 1838 by military force. For the next three months, the tribe marched west under oppressive conditions. The survivors settled in Oklahoma territory in November. As we walked between sites, I took time to reflect on the plight of the Potawatomi tribe and what true reconciliation with American Indian communities would look like. We then made a brief tour of the Indian exhibit at the Fulton County museum and headed back to AMBS.
The Rooted & Grounded conference reminds us that the whole creation knows God as Creator and is eagerly waiting for God's people to return to this understanding. Oscar Lugusa Malande, a student at the Earlham School Religion, states this insight well: "At this conference, it occurred to me that the revelation of children of God is being fulfilled. [For a long time] the creation has been groaning for this revelation." Compelled by this humbling truth, Christians must allow God's priorities to inform our role in becoming responsible stewards for the health of the land, of our communities, and of other living creatures.
For more background information about activities and speakers, go to the Rooted and Grounded conference website: https://www.ambs.edu/news-events/Rooted-and-Grounded.cfm
Jonathan Stauffer is a member of the Polo (IL) Church of the Brethren congregation. He is currently a student at Bethany Theological Seminary and beginning his second year in the Master of Arts program with a concentration in theological studies.
September 16, 2015
Becoming Ecologically Aware
By Jonathan Stauffer
Several experiences in the natural world heightened my self-awareness and spirituality. These experiences began as a child living in the country and continue into my adult life. I once took for granted the value of Earth, but these experiences built the case for greater appreciation and protection of God's creation.
I grew up on a family farm and had many outdoor experiences through work and play. One of my jobs during the summer was to pull weeds out of the corn fields. I fed calves as a part of our dairy operations as a year-round job. Each of these tasks gave me a sense of what living things need to grow, which I attribute as an early ecological awareness. I also had time to play on the farm. I pulled off the heads of dandelions and climbed trees. On clear nights, I beheld a multitude of stars. Looking back, these childhood memories often contained moments of wonder.
By my high school years, however, my attitude had changed. I underestimated the value of outdoor experiences, and I did not see farming as an appealing profession. My interests focused on science, and I wanted to become an engineer. I studied physical sciences as an undergraduate at Manchester where I learned about universal laws of nature as they pertain to energy and matter. I also realized concerns arising from pollution and climate change that I felt needed solutions. But looking back, my efforts to understand the crisis focused more on human interests than the broader issues of ecology.
A profound change to my ecological awareness came about 7 years ago. I agreed to teach nature classes at a Brethren youth camp with my friend, Randall Westfall. Randall introduced me to wilderness awareness skills. I learned practices for how to walk quietly, listen intently, and observe carefully in whatever place I walked. These practices added a greater definition to my vocabulary of the natural world and invoked my childhood wonder once again. I also received joy from teaching the youth some of these same wilderness techniques because I saw their own spiritual and intellectual growth develop at camp. From these experiences, I have a continued interest to serve in outdoor ministry and learn about the local place that I reside.
I believe that wilderness skills are practice that contributes to human wholeness. Over time, I studied field guides to develop further knowledge of plants and animals. I learned about the ecology in my region. I no longer saw trees as green tops and brown trunks, but distinguished them by their leaves and bark. I memorized the features of several common medicinal plants and a few common bird songs. In this way, my awareness of biodiversity within creation increased, which is a natural order that God allows humans to comprehend.
Of course, there are also natural hazards that humans must heed. Caution towards the wilderness is not just for our own protection, but also serves to protect the rest of creation. We are reminded that God established creation a long time before humans came on the scene. As powerful as human knowledge has become, we are still limited in understanding the processes of the wild. Natural hazards provide a wisdom that humbles and sets ecological boundaries.
We must remember that humans are not detached from the creation. I believe wholeness (Shalom) includes turning to sustainable farming practices as well as developing renewable energy technology alongside ecological conservation. In order to best enable these changes we need to increase our understanding of the ecological processes that benefit our daily lives and pattern our build environments after them. Failure to do so will harm all creatures, including humanity.
Today, I view creation not only as a means through which God provides our food and fiber, but also as places for renewal and revelation. From this understanding of creation, I am grateful for the sacred intent that the Creator gives through nature. Such an understanding fosters simple living by assessing what are truly basic needs and what are empty desires. In fact, I question the accelerated pace of technology over the last fifty years, and wonder whether there are limits to its perceived benefits. I now am concerned about wholeness for both human and non-human inhabitants of the planet Earth.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to care for God's Earth. Reading the Bible enhances our ecological imagination in addition to faith formation. Beyond the account of creation in Genesis, poems and wisdom teachings in the Old Testament relate to nature (Psalm 104 and Job 38-39). In the New Testament, the parables of Jesus employ nature as analogies for the kingdom of heaven (e.g. Matthew 13). Human interests are deeply intertwined with other creatures and the land, and God intended creation to be this relational. The Creator establishes these relationships to keep us in communion with all living things and the Divine.
As Brethren, we have traditions of simple living and covenant relationship, lifestyles that foster wholeness and aid in restoring the planet. Let us enjoy the God-given benefits of creation while also relieving the pain that we and other humans impose on it. Failure to act will be a missed opportunity in witnessing to the abundant living that Christ modeled for us.
Jonathan Stauffer is a member of the Polo (IL) Church of the Brethren congregation. He is currently a student at Bethany Theological Seminary and beginning his second year in the Master of Arts program with a concentration in theological studies.
September 9, 2015
Stop Serving!
This video from Homeboy Industries came across my Facebook timeline the other day. If you don't know about this amazing ministry in Los Angeles started by Father Greg Boyle, you can check out their website.
In his thought of the day, he dropped this fantastic quote. "The measure of our compassion lies not in our service to those one the margins, but in our willingness to see ourselves in kinship with them."
At some point we need to drop all this talk about service. For Brethren, I am probably nearing the line of outright heresy, but hear me out.
For the early Brethren, the idea that we care for one another was not based in the language of service, but in mutual aid. Sure, this made sense in the days of our more sectarian past. We did care for our sisters and brothers of faith. It wasn't until the 20th century that this core idea shifted into the language of service. In my more generous moments, I can see how this shift in terminology helped the Brethren claim a role within the world. Talking about service in essence broke us out of the me and us view of care for others.
However, we must come to terms with how the language of service continues to separate us from others. Basically, those who "serve others" are often working from a significant position of privilege. Whether it is economic or social privilege, those who can take time off for service projects locally or around the country do so because they can. While we rightly acknowledge that those who have privilege should use it to care for others in need, the very idea that we serve them has an overtone of condescension. We literally come out of our privileged social location so that we can minister to "those in the margins."
An interesting thing happens, however, as people go on service trips. Inevitably, they return with a bit of cognitive dissonance. I hear it most often expressed like this: "I went there to offer something to them, but they gave me so much." In the midst of the relationship building with those whom we "serve" the lines between those in need and those from privilege blur, and uncomfortably so. Here we are, the ones who are to care for others and we find ourselves ministered to.
This is why we must finally let go of the service interpretation of feet washing. Put another way, washing feet is NOT about serving others. In John's account, Jesus does name the roll he takes as a servant, but that is only half the story. When Peter chastises him for doing what is not appropriate for teacher, the conversation turns to washing, and alludes to baptism. "If I don't wash your feet," Jesus says, "then you have no part with me." Brash as always, Peter responded that if that is the case, then he should be completely washed. "You have bathed," Jesus said, "and are thus clean except for the feet."
This exchange with Peter is a clear reference to baptism, sin, and grace. And when Jesus says that we are to do this for one another, he highlights the priestly role we offer one another. There is no privileged place since all must wash and be washed. All must confess to one another and all must receive grace from others.
This is why I think people are so put off by washing feet. Some say that it is the idea of feet alone that turns people off. However, when we talk about "serving others with the basin and towel," it is much easier to kneel down and wash another person's dirty feet. It is when we must receive the grace of having our feet washed that we get weirded out. In the language of service, it is always better to give than to receive.
This is why we don't know what to do with the gifts we receive when we are on a service trip. It is why we feel so guilty about coming away with so much more than we actually give.
If we can finally recover the mutuality of feet washing I think we can finally move towards what Father Boyle called "kinship with those on the margins." We can go out from our houses of privilege and finally enter the cycle of grace upon grace where we finally see Jesus in one another.
July 28, 2015
Theology and Troubling Theologians
What do we do with quality theology from troubling theologians? Does bad behavior discredit good scholarly work? When concerning behavior is made public, what should be our response? When repentance has seemingly taken place, is there an appropriate length of time before the public forgives?
We recently examined what happens in baptism. My understanding has been heavily influenced by the work of two troubling theologians. Mark Driscoll and John Howard Yoder are two of the most famous theologians of recent times. They are, also, two of the most controversial. For my fellow theology nerds out there, it might seem odd that my theology could be influenced by two folks who are so different. If Driscoll and Yoder would have been locked in a room together, Yoder might have re-thought his pacifism. For now, though, let us focus on the questions from the previous paragraph.
Mark Driscoll is the former founder and pastor of Mars Hill Church, a multi-site megachurch in Seattle, and the former head of the successful para-church ministry Acts 29 Network which focuses on church planting. Driscoll was an early supporter of the Emergent Church movement and later became one of the most influential leaders in the New Calvinist movement.
Though Driscoll consistently received critiques from progressives for his complementarianism and hyper-masculine style, he started receiving nearly universal criticism in 2013. In May of that year an elder resigned and lodged a formal complaint against Driscoll stating that Driscoll's sins included "not being self-controlled and disciplined, being domineering, verbally violent, arrogant, [and] quick-tempered."((Murashko, Alex. "Charges Against Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church Executive Elders 'Non-Disqualifying,' Says Advisory Board." Christian Post. March 27, 2014.)) In November of that year, Driscoll was faced with multiple accusations of plagiarism in both his published books and sermon supplemental material. The next year, it became public that Driscoll had used hundreds of thousands of church funds to purchase copies of his books to engineer sales numbers in order to suit his desire to make the New York Times Bestseller List. Things came to a head when a forum thread resurfaced and circulated online from 2000 in which Driscoll, under his pseudonym William Wallace II, was shockingly aggressive and vulgar – even for him. He was removed from the Acts 29 Network and resigned from Mars Hill Church which subsequently disbanded to form 11 independent churches.
John Howard Yoder was a theology professor with an expertise in Christian ethics. A Mennonite, he was a famous Christian pacifist. Yoder ended his career working at the University of Notre Dame. He began, however, working for Goshen Biblical Seminary and Mennonite Biblical Seminary. The two institutions later joined to form Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary which has since been renamed Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS).
Unlike Driscoll, Yoder was not particularly controversial and was even well liked by many across the theological spectrum. Even when his status as a troubling theologian became well-known he was, for the most part, not publicly lambasted or shamed. Folks in the seminary community had been aware, to varying degrees, of Yoder's sexual behavior which was at its mildest strange and its worst violating. Numerous groups were formed to try to intervene with no success. The first group to really take any major action was from his congregation. This group received reports from 13 women of sexual violation which took place "in many places: conferences, classrooms, retreats, homes, apartments, offices, parking lots."1 Due to the work of this group, Yoder's credentialing was suspended and was never reinstated. This seems shamefully minor in comparison to Yoder's actions, however. Though this initial case of 13 led to some action, once one digs deeper it becomes apparent that Yoder's deviant behavior stretched much farther. During the 70's and 80's Yoder sexually violated over 100 women in multiple countries. What's more, many knew and seemingly covered it up. Seminary president, Marlin Miller was not only aware, he took detailed notes about allegations, compelled women to remain silent, and later ended up destroying the majority of evidence against Yoder and the seminary. AMBS did finally apologize in a worship service on March 22 of this year in which folks close to the seminary community, including victims, were invited for a service of lament, open sharing, and prayer. Though this certainly is a step in the right direction, the overall response to Yoder's actions is both perplexing and vexing.
Though these two stories have some similarities, the differences are what I find truly interesting. On the one hand, we have Yoder who actually broke the law – though he was never charged. Yoder also used methods – abuse of power, manipulation, and coercion – in his illegal activity which stand in conflict and diametric opposition to the Christian pacifism upon which his life's work was based. All the while, Yoder's fall from grace has not been widely discussed outside of Anabaptist circles and, as mentioned earlier, when it has been discussed by the broader public, he has not faced the sort of public backlash as others have for doing much, much less.
So, now we get to Driscoll who is one such person. Driscoll has been outright ostracized, as of late, for being un-Christ-like, unethical, and engaging in suspect business practices. Driscoll has, for the most part, been lambasted and shamed for behavior some, if not many, people are probably not surprised by. Anyone who has ever heard or read Driscoll's works would describe him as aggressive, crass, and unapologetically blunt. For those outside the New Calvinist movement, his views on gender roles seemed backward and offensive long before his public fall from grace. Why, then, was the resurfacing of this blog thread from 2000 such a big deal? This is a serious question for a couple reasons. First, Driscoll had already confessed to this in one of his books, classifying his William Wallace II days as his angry prophet period – one he had since outgrown. Sure, you could still make a very compelling argument that Driscoll still was not acting Christ-like long after his angry prophet stage, but his behavior had noticeably improved upon his open confession and recognition of his former wrongs. Second, I wonder about the influence of our current internet culture on this storyline. If Yoder's behavior, or at least its coming to light, had taken place in a world of social media and 24-hour news cycles, would things have been different for him?
Driscoll continues to be an outcast, some would even say he has been demonized. There was recently public uproar because Driscoll had been invited to speak at a recent Hillsong conference. He was not giving a plenary. He wasn't even giving a speech or being asked to speak from any sort of position of authority. He was to sit down for a conversation with Hillsong pastor Brian Houston to talk about what if anything Driscoll had learned in the past year. People threw a fit to the point that Hillsong had to come out with a statement saying that Driscoll would not be present at the conference. The interview still took place and was broadcast via video at the conference which still got a number of people upset. Hillsong and Houston never endorsed Driscoll. Hillsong is a neo-Charismatic multi-site megachurch which differs from Driscoll and the former Marsh Hill Church in a variety of ways. Both are conservative evangelical, but Hillsong is egalitarian and has surprisingly moderate views on LGBT inclusion. So now what? Are we not even allowed to have civil discourse in public anymore? Are we not allowed to openly discuss our failings, and the failings of others, and examine what we've learned and how we've grown?
So, what do we do with quality theology from troubling theologians? Ed Setzter says that while repentance must be both public and thorough, it must also ultimately lead to restoration.2 This is huge. Yoder has passed on. There is no longer opportunity for his public and thorough repentance and his restoration this side of the Jordan. There are opportunities, though, for the AMBS and broader Mennonite communities. It seems, too, that they are moving in the right direction. The same could be said of Driscoll. You may not like him as a person. You may not like his theology. But he does seem to be in the process of a public and thorough repentance. When, then, does restoration occur? Is there a time limit? What if God treated us the way many of us treat folks like Driscoll and other famous pastors who have public falls from grace? Can we forgive without forgetting, being permissive or affirming?
Two stories from Scripture, the parables of the prodigal son and the unforgiving servant come to mind. We are to forgive and welcome back into the fold those who turn and come back home. We are to forgive others who act inexcusably because God has done so for us and will punish those of us who refuse to forgive. I think of Noah and his naked drunkenness, David the murder and rapist, Moses and Paul who were also both murderers. God did amazing things through these broken people. I might not be a drunk, rapist, or a murderer, but I know how dark my sins are. I know that I've done things that are truly terrible and I know that I have hurt a number of people in my life, especially during my adolescence. I also know that I have helped positively shape the spiritual lives of many people by the Grace of God who chooses to use broken sinners for his glory.
So, I ask again, what do we do with quality theology from troubling theologians? I, for one, acknowledge that the theology is good while also acknowledging that the theologians sometimes were bad. Yoder and Driscoll have hurt countless people. That is a serious, serious issue and should never be minimized. Yoder and Driscoll have helped positively shape the spiritual lives of countless people. That is a serious, serious issue and should never be minimized. So, that's what I do. What do you do?
- Waltner Goossen, Rachel. "The Failure to Bind and Loose: Responses to Yoder's Sexual Abuse." The Mennonite A Publication of Mennonite Church USA Providing Anabaptist Content The Failure to Bind and Loose Responses to Yoders Sexual Abuse Comments. January 2, 2015. [↩]
- Setzter, Ed. "When Pastors Fall: Why Full and Public Repentance Matters." The Exchange. April 22, 2014. [↩]
June 26, 2015
What Happens in Baptism
This post begins a two-part series. Part I will deal with the question "What happens in baptism," an important question for many Anabaptist-Pietists. Part II will deal with the question of "what to do with quality theology from troubling theologians." At first glance, I imagine that these two questions seem pretty far removed. You might be wondering how they connect as parts of a two-part series. Read on and I hope it will become clearer.
Baptism is: an act of discipleship; our dying and rising with Christ; our joining the fellowship of believers, which is the new humanity. Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears write of this theology of baptism succinctly by saying:
We believe that water baptism is for those Christians who have already received Spirit baptism, making them part of the church. In water baptism, Christians are immersed in water, which identifies them with the death and burial of Jesus in their place for their sins. Coming up out of the water identifies them with the resurrection of Jesus for their salvation and new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. … [It] is a symbol of something far bigger. It is a visible declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Being baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit expresses the believer's death to sin, burial of the old life, and resurrection to a new kingdom life in Christ Jesus.1
Baptism is an act of discipleship.
Scripture teaches that Jesus and the apostles charged all Christians to be baptized. Baptism identifies one as a disciple. Jesus commissions the first apostles to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)." Peter, too, speaking to the crowds after Pentecost calls the crowd to believe, repent, and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Acts records how baptism accompanied conversion. After Peter had finished preaching to the crowd, Acts explains that "those who accepted his message were baptized (Acts 2:41)." Acts 8 shares of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch who eagerly exclaimed, "Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?" After being baptized, he "went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:36-38)2
Baptism is our dying and rising with Christ.
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
One of the central claims of the gospel is that God is reconciling people to himself (2 Cor. 5:18-19). We go from spiritual deadness and separation to being counted as alive in Christ. We are united with Jesus and submit to becoming part of his death. In Christ, though, we experience death that conquers death for in Christ "death is nor more" for it has been "swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor. 15:54).
Baptism is our joining the fellowship of all believers, which is the new humanity.
In addition to being united with Christ, baptism unites us with the global church of committed disciples – the fellowship of all believers. In baptism, we proclaim that we are part of the true church of those converted, born-again, being regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and priests with unmediated access to God.
The church is the new humanity in which there is "a new inter-ethnic social reality."3 The church is a people made up of all kinds of people. In Christ, God creates a new humanity that wrestles deeply with the problem of togetherness. In fact, this new humanity envisions a new way of living together "[as] a 'multi-ethnic community,' [that] does not quash ethnicity but relativizes it to the central claim that Jesus is Lord."4 The same is said for other carnal attributes. This new path that showcases egalitarian living is a foretaste of the Kingdom of God. The church is corporately made up of heirs of the Kingdom. "As 'joint heirs with Christ' (Rom. 8:17) we receive the title to the coming kingdom, and even in this life we receive the 'earnest' or first installment of this inheritance."5 In the church, and even more so in the coming Kingdom, God fulfills the promise to "take … from all the nations [and] gather … from all the countries" and give them his Spirit (Ezekiel 36:22-32).
Even the individuality of joining the church has the potential to lead to this togetherness as part of the New Humanity. Baptism, an act commonly associated with inauguration into the Church family, is rooted in many ways to the forgiveness of sin. It is a new birth – a new start that is available to the proverbial you. "The you here must refer not just to each person but to the other person – the stranger, the outcast, even the enemy or oppressor that one is inclined to view in terms of their past actions."6 Because God can forgive you, he can forgive anyone. As all can be forgiven, the forgiven are one with Christ. As part of the new humanity, we are called to see passed our individual sinfulness and the sinfulness of others to our oneness in Christ. The new humanity aims to serve both the guilty and the hurting through reconciliation to God and to humanity. This new humanity works in the world, to bring about holistic change, under the guidance of Jesus Christ who is leader, shepherd, and judge. Under Christ's supremacy, the church brings people into newness, continuing to proclaim that "The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
So, what do we do when theologians don't live up to their theology? What do we do when it seems as if the old things have not, indeed, gone away? Are they hypocrites? Do we dismiss their quality work because of their personal missteps? Does grace abound? Check back in next week as I ask the question: "What do we do with quality theology from troubling theologians?"
Shayne Thomas Petty is an emerging missiologist currently serving as Associate Pastor for Outreach & Discipleship at Potsdam Church of the Brethren in the Southern Ohio District. He is pursuing an M.Div. in Intercultural Ministry, Evangelism & Missional Leadership at Bethany Theological Seminary. Shayne holds a B.A. in Theatre Studies & Religion from Wright State University. He is extremely passionate about the ministry of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, and his involvement with them as a student leader, alumni volunteer, and ministry partner. A Charismatic Evangelical with ties to the Neo-Anabaptist and Hebrew Roots movements, Shayne sojourned with the United Methodist Church, Messianic Jews, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Brethren in Christ, and the Association fo Vineyard Churches before becoming a licensed minister in the Church of the Brethren. He currently resides in West Milton, OH with his wife, Erin, and their two cats.
- Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears, Doctrine: What Every Christian Should Believe (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010). [↩]
- See also: Acts 8-10, 16, 18-19., 22; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-15; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:1-14; 1 Peter 3:21. [↩]
- John Howard Yoder, Body Politics: Five Practices of the Christian Community Before the Watching World (Scottsdale, PA: Herald Press, 2001), 30. [↩]
- Russell Haitch, From Exorcism to Ecstasy: Eight Views of Baptism (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007), 28 [↩]
- Haitch, From Exorcism to Ecstasy, 127 [↩]
- Haitch, From Exorcism to Ecstasy, 35. [↩]
June 3, 2015
Join the Conversation
By Bekah Houff
Informative. Enlightening. Thought-provoking. Insightful. Energizing. Stimulating. Engaging. Refreshing. Challenging. Inspiring. Interesting. Hopeful. Enriching conversation.
I could go on. These are just the top reflections from the participants at Bethany Theological Seminary's inaugural Young Adult Forum entitled "Anabaptism, the Next Generation."
The goal was to bring young adult ministry practitioners together for a conversation about Anabaptism and its influence on and appeal to young people today. Instead we fostered an intergenerational conversation from college students to seasoned pastors. Some attendees were currently practicing ministry with young adults and some were simply interested in the conversation or were young adults themselves stepping into leadership and ministry.
The Ted-Talk inspired format encouraged speakers to share a "big idea" instead of an all-encompassing lecture. The format left space for short conversations between talks and allowed for more than just one or two keynote speakers as we are accustomed to at academic conferences. Talk-back sessions brought more than one speaker together so that their talks could interact with one another – music with spirituality, discernment with relationship, leadership with hermeneutics, and so on.
We heard talks that set the background with Anabaptist spirituality and biblical hermeneutics; we heard and experienced how we practice our Anabaptism through music; learned about practicing discernment together, being leaders, and making peace; we also addressed current concerns and practices of ministry with young people considering the multi-ethnic church and ministry with college students. Participants continued conversations in talk-back sessions, during lunch discussions where participants chose topics by sitting at tables with others interested in that conversation, and even during breaks as people met in the hallways of the seminary.
We also embarked upon a new adventure, taking what we were learning inside the walls of Bethany out into the community. We provided a list of locations for participants to go and observe how the context is appealing to the community, particularly young people. They engaged in questions such as, why do people come here? What is the role of this place in the community? How does this place and the work that it does interact with the conversations we've been having at Bethany this weekend?
Participants went to restaurants, a church, an ice cream place, and even bars and local hot spots to engage in these questions and observe the context and community in Richmond, Indiana. The goal was not to proselytize or make ourselves known but to take the first step from academic conversation to the streets and neighborhoods of our own cities.
I am grateful for the places where Bethany can grow into this forum and humbled by the things that others got out of the experience. The one thing that struck me the most after poring over the evaluations from this event is how much relationships were a part of this forum. Participants reflected on learning about the importance of intergenerational relationships, different ways to disciple others, the importance of discernment with the body of Christ, becoming partners instead of leaders, making connections, embracing multiculturalism, and connecting young adults to the church in new ways. We were invited into relationship with each other during the forum and encouraged to nurture relationships back home.
How are you engaging with each other in your faith community? What do you observe of different generations, ethnicities, and cultures? What is the importance of relationship for you and for your church? How do we marry our Anabaptist heritage to the neo-Anabaptism appealing to many young Christians today? These questions and many others still linger in my mind weeks after the forum. I look forward to observing and engaging them as I continue to participate in my faith community and in denominational gatherings.
If you would like to view the talks from this forum or for more information about this and other Young Adult Forums you can visit www.bethanyseminary.edu/YAForum2015. You will find the list of speakers from this spring, videos of their talks, and the schedule for the event. If you have questions you can be in touch with Bekah Houff or Russell Haitch of Bethany's Institute for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults at email@example.com.
Inspiring and educational talks. Thoughtful and engaging conversation. Friends, old and new. Beautiful singing. Connecting with the local community. Meaningful worship. These are just a few of the things we did together at the 2015 Young Adult Forum. We hope you will come and join us for the next Young Adult Forum April 15-16, 2016 at Bethany Theological Seminary.
Let's continue the conversation!
Bekah Houff is Coordinator of Outreach Programs for Bethany Theological Seminary. She received her MDiv from Bethany with an emphasis in Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Bekah has been active in summer camping ministry, district youth ministry, and served in the Youth and Young Adult Office of the Church of the Brethren. Needless to say, she loves ministry with young people!
April 14, 2015
Book Review – The Slow Fade: Why You Matter in the Story of Twentysomethings
Interested in networking and engaging with others who are passionate about young adult ministry? Anabaptism, the Next Generation is a learning forum on ministry with young adults being hosted at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, IN April 17-19. Speakers include Chuck Bomar, Josh Brockway, Jeff Carter, Dana Cassell, Russell Haitch, Tara Hornbacker, Steve Schweitzer, Laura Stone, Dennis Webb, and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. For more information and to register, go to https://www.bethanyseminary.edu/YAForum2015.
Bethany's upcoming young adult forum is an event I am very excited about. As one who has been active in young adult ministry for the duration of my young adulthood thus far, I am always looking for others who share my passion and want to engage biblically and critically about the issues currently facing the Church – particularly from a young adult voice.
In addition to engaging in conversation, reading has been an important tool that has aided my ministry. Having sojourned with Quakers and, now, Brethren, I would like to think of myself as fairly simple. My book collection – and yes I mean real paper books – would tell a different story. I love books!
One book I have become especially fond of recently is The Slow Fade: Why You Matter in the Story of Twentysomethings by Reggie Joiner, Chuck Bomar, & Abbie Smith. You can purchase the book here. The book, written from the perspectives of a senior pastor, a college pastor, and a twentysomething, compels churches to move the finish-line of early Christian discipleship past 18 years old and calls for meaningful, intergenerational relationships as the answer to the "slow fade" of young adults leaving the Church.
In what I would consider the heart of the book, chapters three and four, we're introduced to three ideas which serve as our framework for engaging with young adults: wonder, discovery, passion. Bomar writes of his two young daughters and how imaginative they are. He remarks on how as we get older our sense of imagination seems to fade. Western Christianity is often uncomfortable with how magical and mysterious our God is but, Bomar asserts, we must recapture "this sense of wonder in our own lives[1]."
As we get older, we become surer of ourselves and the world around us. As time goes by, we can even get rigid in our understanding. Young adulthood, though, is anything but rigid or certain. A person's twenties are all about discovery.
Not only is this a time dedicated, largely, to cultivating self-awareness, it is also a time full of many transitions: high school to college, high school or college to the workforce, single to dating, dating to engaged, engaged to married, childless to a parent, and the list goes on. I think the transitory nature of young adulthood is another major reason why embracing discovery is so important. Young adults are not only discovering who they are, they are discovering how to successfully live into these various seasons or stations, of young adulthood.
This season of discovery should never end, according to Bomar. "Too many don't want to admit this, but embracing our identity in God is never done. …The choice is always before us. Are we willing to remain teachable and continue moving toward discovery[2]?"
Also, as many get older, passion becomes "a faded memory, forgotten like teenage love and letter jackets. …At some point maybe we thought we could impact the world, but now, well, we've resigned such childlike thinking[3]" writes Smith. This definitely hits home with me.
As a young pastor, I often have my energy and idealism scoffed at by elders in congregations. People get set in their ways. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the phrase "well, that's how we've always done it." People frequently see my and other's idealism as foolish and naïve.
This is particularly the case in my interactions with Baby Boomers – understandably so, however, as they grew up during a time when outspoken idealists were killed at places like the Lorraine Motel and Ambassador Hotel. Sharing one's passion for new ideas takes vulnerability. Even so, doesn't the call of the gospel necessitate vulnerability? It is a summons to die, after all. But, that's for another blog post.
Toward the end of the book, Bomar writes an appendix called A Note to Ministry Leaders. If you didn't already know Bomar, you learn more of his story here. He was the college pastor at Cornerstone – the southern California church planted by Francis and Lisa Chan – when the college age ministry grew from nine people at a barbeque to over nine hundred meeting at the church each week.
While the "ministry looked great from the outside," Bomar writes, he began to question what he was doing and came to discern that they needed to shift their focus from programs to relationships.[4] He lays out the following necessary steps for ministry leaders seeking to successfully engage young adults: Define success by relational connection; Help older believers embrace their responsibility; Invest in families; Value difference in a healthy way; Allow college-aged people to have a voice.[5]
Slow Fade is full of valuable advice and is sure to get you thinking. I, for one, am a verbal (linguistic) learner. It is not enough for me to simply read a book. I have to process what I've read through more words – via speaking. That's always better when others are involved in the conversation. So, please take time to converse here on the blog. We shouldn't have to wait until next weekend to start engaging these topics and addressing these concerns. I look forward to responding to your comments here and to seeing you at Anabaptism, the Next Generation at Bethany April 17-19.
Shayne T. Petty, Contributing Editor, is an emerging missiologist currently serving as Associate Pastor for Outreach & Discipleship at Potsdam Church of the Brethren in the Southern Ohio District. He is pursuing an M.Div. in Intercultural Ministry, Evangelism & Missional Leadership at Bethany Theological Seminary.
[1] The Slow Fade: Why You Matter in the Story of Twentysomethings: David C. Cook (May 1, 2010), 50-52.
[2] Ibid. 53
[3] Ibid. 55.
[4] Ibid. 112-114.
[5] Ibid 115-121


text:
CRETCSDB4.2 Appendix 1 Update
This update to the list of numerical ages of species and marker events revises ages of Albian ammonites of the US Gulf Coast and of Aptian-Albian geochemical stages.Read More
Robert W. Scott is president of Precision Stratigraphy Associates, which provides quantitative solutions to stratigraphic problems and training in sequence stratigraphy. Our current research is compiling a Cretaceous chronstratigraphic database and applying it to interdisciplinary international team research on Cretaceous oceanic red beds (CORBs).
Robert W. Scott, President
918.243.5418 phone/fax
149 West Ridge Road Cleveland, Oklahoma 74020

subset: commoncrawl


text:
bookmark + share
Order Trandate Safely
Our Wedding
January 12, 2017
78 days to go!
Order Generic Trandate 200mg Online! Trandate Medstore chosen by thousands!
Order TRANDATE 200Mg Online
Best Quality Drugs
Best Online Pharmacy to Buy Trandate
24/7 Live Support. Free Consultation
Also like most knitters, What is fatty liver disease? beneficial vitamin supplements to takeThat covers some of the bad habits, you will feel better, there won't be immediate results. The most prevalent sexually transmitted organism, 15 UPLC16 and potentiometric determinations using ion selective electrodes17 for the estimation of TL and its metabolite. where to buy trandate over the counter canada Trandate 10 and 15 The different extracts of G. cheap trandate pills free shipping trandate The affected areas should be kept very clean all the time. the information provided cannot be deemed as conclusive. and normal functioning of the brain. Generic Trandate is an alpha- and beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure. labetalol A tear or burst can occur inside the vessel causing a blood clot to form that can lead to heart attack or stroke.
best buy trandate sf, generic trandate buy online with mastercard, order trandate online sale, ordering trandate com, buy labetalol uk 2015 cheap, trandate cheap europe, best way to buy trandate, order trandate canada online, buy synthetic trandate, buy trandate london uk tesco, trandate buy Rockford, how to buy trandate netherlands, generic trandate buy cheap
canadian pharmacy cheap trandate online, where to buy trandate with trandate, order labetalol 50 mg canada, buy trandate guide usa online, trandate to buy new zealand, labetalol on line orders, trandate 200 50 to buy, buy trandate uk generic, online trandate cheap, how to buy trandate online no prescription in uk, labetalol 100mg buyers uk, ordering trandate online is it real, how do you buy trandate, buy trandate uk paypal, where to buy trandate cheap online, buy trandate forums, cheap labetalol uk org, buy trandate cabo, cheap trandate net, trandate 100mg to buy, buy trandate cornwall, buy trandate online uk fast, buy trandate web, where to buy trandate europe, buy trandate stores uk paypal, where to buy trandate online in australia online, cheap trandate safe, womens trandate buy online, ordering trandate from mexico, order trandate cheapest, trandate generic cheap from canada pharmacy, buy trandate without rx us, where to purchase trandate canada, cheap labetalol fda, trandate order online uk, trandate can purchase, buy trandate for women online canadian pharmacy, buy trandate buy, trandate buy sale, trandate buy where to, cheapest trandate with prescription, trandate purchase forum, what store can i buy trandate, buy trandate online without perscription, buy trandate with discover card, how to buy trandate pills uk, trandate order online pharmacies, buy trandate online pill for, buy trandate professional
order trandate 50 mg tab, how to buy trandate australia online, can u buy labetalol ireland, order trandate 50, trandate to buy it, can you still buy trandate online, buy trandate for women uk net, order trandate 100 mg canada, trandate pharmacy order, buying trandate legally online, cheap trandate uk reviews, www trandate cheapest com, purchase trandate cod online, trandate com to buy, trandate to buy on line, trandate cheapest canada, trandate for women where to buy it, buy trandate cheap online no prescription, trandate online for sale cheap, getting trandate singapore where to buy, where can you buy trandate over the counter in uk, trandate buying in uk


text:
Our Audio visual Equipment Services including Projector Installation, Projector Screen Installation, Audio visual Sound Systems, Audio Visual Equipment, Interactive Touch Screen Installation and Cabling / Connection plate repairs.
We cover most areas within West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and North Yorkshire including Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Rotherham, Huddersfield, Halifax, Dewsbury, Normanton, Castleford, Pontefract, Wetherby and Harrogate.
See below for the full list of areas that we cover for Audio visual Equipment Installation.


text:
games like halo download now X7Da full file
Publisher's Description
Title: games like halo
Languages: Multiple languages
Last week:
Last updated:
03/18/2015 12:49:08
OS support:
Windows (all)
User rating:
[4.2 out of 5] (193 votes)
TOP Downloads games like halo:
03/18/2015 12:49:08
Halo is a best-selling military science fiction first-person shooter video game franchise created by Bungie and now managed and developed by 343 Industries, a ...Product Overview "Halo: Reach," developed exclusively for Xbox 360, is theblockbuster prequel to the landmark "Halo" video game franchise and is the biggest ...War Games is the canonical explanation for Halo 4 ' s multiplayer. Members of the SPARTAN-IV Program train with one another inside the War Games simulator on …The best blockbuster games and entertainment for the whole family.Halo 4: Game of the Year Edition is packed with hours of new content, including the Halo 4 Champions Bundle and the War Games Map Pass at a fantastic value. As a ...Halo 2 is a 2004 first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. Released for the Xbox video game console on November 9, 2004, the game is the second ...9/28/2012 · Subscribe to Smosh Games! http://bit.ly/Sub2SmoshGames The entire team gets together for this weeks Game Bang w/ Halo Reach! The teams are picked, the ...11/26/2008 · HALO 3 RECON : Developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by acclaimed developer Bungie, Halo 3: ODST is a stand-alone expansion that extends the award …Our collection of games like Call of Duty (CoD) offers the best first person shooter games for fans of the fast paced and action packed genre.1/17/2013 · But do we really need more research? What about the studies that have already been done? Have researchers found any links between video games and …
games like halo
Last Updates:
how to print to text windows
registration code crack egirl
georgia bulldog flight song
1000 gym instruction total
bjorgvin mp3
powerbook g4 17 latch
cheat enter gamecube matrix nintendo
Scar Symmetry - Obscure alliance mp3
cocina vegetariana de la india pdf
massive b torrent
party bus to camden yards
how to do ie cleanup
how to jab
fantasia baby mama download
top round how to cook
xerox 5225 review
muter gamertag powered by vbulletin
rome italy travel packages
bill mccracken ca board of directors
wedu programs
top kanye west songs
klondyke card game
manual shift cars
coloring pages of book
ups tuition programs


text:
Business Owner? Add your logo and more…
Banks and Financial Institutions in Coalville
Be the first to review
42 High StreetCoalvilleLeicestershireLE67 3ER
Show map
01592 7...
01592 720280
Fax: 0153045...
All fields are required. Your review will appear immediately.
By leaving this review, you agree with our Terms of membership
Similar nearby businesses
25-27 New Broadway, Coalville, LE67 3XF
47 Belvoir Road, Coalville, LE67 3QJ
62 New Broadway, Coalville, LE67 3XB
42 High St, Coalville, LE67 3EE
42 High Street, Coalville, LE67 3ER
High Street, Coalville, LE67 3EN
© 2016 The Independent - part of the network


text:
Animal Biology BSc (Hons)
What makes Animal Biology at the University of Worcester special?
From the phenomenon of evolution to our curiosity regarding animal behaviour, we have always found ourselves enthralled by the wonders of the animal kingdom. Animal Biology explores this fascinating realm, from the functioning of a single cell right up to the processes that control reproduction and survival in complex organisms.
At Worcester, Animal Biology has a strong practical emphasis, reflecting the discipline's increasing importance to our understanding of some of the major challenges facing society today, from the environment and global agriculture to international economic dynamics. This applied approach also gives you the opportunity to develop a range of skills and expertise invaluable in future employment.
Key features
- Expand your studies with a fascinating Joint Honours degree pathway –study Animal Biology alongside Ecology or Physical Geography
- Shape a degree to suit you - build a firm foundation in core principles, whilst selecting from a diverse array of options including human origins, genomics and invertebrate biology
- Take Animal Biology somewhere it has never been before with your independent study. Past studies have looked at DNA extractions from faeces of the Western Lowland Gorilla, the effect of raptors on roosting behaviour of waders, and the distribution and abundance of snakes in degraded forests in Madagascar
Entry requirements
What qualifications will you need?
UCAS tariff
96 UCAS Tariff points MUST include A2 Biology and A2 another science, maths or statistics.
104 UCAS Tariff points MUST include A2 Biology.
The points above are the new UCAS tariff, which will be used for courses starting from September 2017. See our new UCAS tariff page for more information.
Other information
The University will consider each application on its individual merits and will recognise a range of qualifications not currently included in the Tariff, including Access courses, European Baccalaureate and pre-2002 qualifications such as GNVQ.
If your qualifications are not listed, please contact the Admissions Office for advice on 01905 855111 or email firstname.lastname@example.com for advice.
Book your place at an Open Day
Want to know why so many students love living and studying in Worcester?
Our open days are the perfect way to find out.Book your place
Course content
What will you study?
Here is an overview of current modules available on this course. Regular updates may mean that exact module titles may differ.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Student experiences
In the first year the modules allow you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the key elements of animal biology. In Years 2 and 3 the subjects become more specialised and our modular scheme allows you to focus on the aspects of animal life which you find most interesting, ranging from animal behaviour to eco-physiology. A strong practical emphasis runs throughout the course, complementing a traditional approach to learning and giving you the chance to develop the practical skills which could be of great value in later employment.
In your final year you will undertake an Independent Study on a subject of your choice, having been well prepared for this by a Project and Career Development module in Year 2. Past studies have included topics such as a comparison of two methods of DNA extractions from faeces of the Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla spp.gorilla), the effect of raptors on roosting behavior of waders, and the distribution and abundance of snakes in degraded forests in Madagascar.
Teaching and Assessment
How will you be taught?
You will learn how to:
- Become an independent, life-long learner
- Understand and apply knowledge and concepts in Animal Biology and so continue to understand new techniques and discoveries in the subject area
- Develop, design and carry out an independent piece of research
- Critically analyse new theories and conceptual issues in Animal Biology.
Teaching approach:
- A variety of teaching methods are used, including lectures, practicals, discussion groups, seminars, tutorials, videos, on-line and interactive resources and directed- and self-directed study
- An emphasis on activities which allow you to develop practical and transferable skills to enhance your employability
- Some double modules to allow suitable development of the subject and for the delivery of important subject-specific and transferable skills
- You will be taught in a friendly, supportive learning environment by enthusiastic staff
- Three special, course-based weeks each year to support skills development and employability
- Regular Academic Tutorials on a one-to one basis to help guide and support your studies.
Former Shop Keeper Discovers a Talent for Academia on His Journey to Become a Zoo Keeper
A shop keeper who dreamt of becoming a zoo keeper has discovered a talent for academia, which has resulted in him being awarded Best Research Paper of the Year by a leading science journal.
Rob Shotton, who left school with no qualifications due to health problems, joined the University of Worcester's Animal Biology degree at the age of 30 with hopes of pursuing a new career with animals.
Where could it take you?
This course will prepare you for a number of different career paths including wildlife warden, health services, scientific research, teaching and education, as well as progression to higher degrees such as a PhD.
Request or download a prospectusRequest now
How much will it cost?
Full-time tuition fees
UK and EU students
The standard annual fee for full-time UK and EU students enrolling in 2017 will be no more than £9,250, subject to approval by Parliament.
For more details, please visit our course fees page.
International students
The standard annual fee for full-time international (non-EU) students enrolling in 2017 will be £11,700 per year.
For more details, please visit our course fees page.
Part-time tuition fees
UK and EU students
The standard fees for part-time UK and EU students enrolling on this course in 2017 will be no more than £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20 credit module and £2,313 per 30-credit module, subject to approval by Parliament.
For more details, please visit our course fees page.
Additional costs
Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.
Visit our Money Advice pages for information on how much you should budget for your course.
Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience, and our welcoming student communities are great places to live and study.
We have over 1,000 rooms across our halls, 358 of which were new in 2009. We offer halls of residence to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £91 per week to the £149 per week 'En-suite Extra'.
For full details visit our accommodation page.
In addition to being intrinsically fascinating, the study of animal biology is becoming increasingly important to our understanding of significant aspects of the environment, agriculture and the wider economy.
Dr Rob Herbert, Head of Applied Sciences
How do you apply?
Applying through UCAS
Single Honours:
Animal Biology BSc (Hons) - D300
Joint Honours:
Animal Biology and Ecology - CC31
Animal Biology and Physical - Geography FC83
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.
Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.
Get in touch
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Admissions office
01905 855111
Lorraine Weaver
Head of Biological Sciences
01905 855598
ISE Academic Support Unit
01905 855201/02/23


text:
I. Introduction
This short extract gives you a taste of your personal "Career and Vocation" horoscope by Liz Greene. The small samples taken from various chapters convey an impression of the complete vocation horoscope (18-25 pages) which can be ordered as an E-Horoscope or a bound book in the AstroShop.When we are children, people say to us, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" At that age, we usually have dreams. When we are children, we are still capable of hearing the voice of the soul. As we grow older, the questions change. There is no longer time for dreaming; we must now "face reality" and think about how to survive in the big, bad old world. This astrological report is about your vocation. It is meant to help you get a sense of what you might be good at and what might be good for you, so that your working life has a meaning as well as a pay cheque. II. How You See the World
This chapter briefly describes your personal perspective on life and explains how you can best express this in your career.III. Your aptitudes and strengths
This chapter, which contains 8-10 pages, is one of the most comprehensive sections in the "Career and Vocation" horoscope. Here is a short selection of three samples from the numerous aptitudes described in the complete report.An honest and realistic understanding of your fundamental strengths can help you to orientate yourself in the world and put your energy into areas where you can hope to shine and achieve at least many of your most cherished goals. [..] But because you are well anchored in the world, this service has to be practical; you would not be content to work at a meaningless job and then go home and quietly meditate. Your ideals have to be translated into everyday actions and everyday work. You need a vocation which [...] [..] You need to bridge these opposites within you by creating material forms which can express your inner vision. You could do this through one of the creative media - writing, painting, working in theatre or film - provided what you create is able to convey a message rather [...] [..] You are committed to a higher reality, but you need to deal with the depths in terms of your work - not necessary the pathological depths, but the hidden undercurrents which move the collective psyche and motivate groups as well as individuals. In fact you are a natural [...] IV. Know Your Limits
This chapter describes your personal limitations and suggests how you can deal with these in your professional life. In the complete horoscope, this chapter is about 5-7 pages in length.Recognising your innate limitations can help you to focus your energy in the right direction and get the maximum fulfilment from your work. [..] But you may sometimes forget that pleasure, joy, and the ability to live in the moment are equally part of life. You can be very intense, sometimes to the point where you deny yourself the kind of ordinary everyday pleasures that, for many people, constitute their reason [...] V. Working with Others
The two final chapters of "Career and Vocation" deal with the way you work together with your colleagues in your everyday working life, and what success means to you personally.One of the most important factors to consider in terms of your direction in life is how you work with others. Everyone has his or her own style of relating in the working environment; everyone has different needs and requirements. VI. What Success Really Means to You When people speak of "success", they generally mean a position of importance in the world's eyes, or a job that yields lots of money and all the material pleasures and comforts that implies. But success, in terms of the deeper issue of vocation, is a highly individual thing that means different things to different people. Appendix
These small samples from different chapters convey an impression of your personal Career and Vocation horoscope which comprises 18 - 25 pages. It can be ordered as an E-Horoscope or bound booklet in the Astroshop. Please read a complete sample report (of a different person) to get an overview of the extent of the complete horoscope.You may wish to take a look at the range of our reports.


text:
This small park in Glenwood, Arkansas is next to an old train trestle over the Caddo River. (I've recently learned that it's called – appropriately enough – "Trestle Park"…)
Comments on this post:
Your comments are welcome!
Trackbacks from other sites or posts:
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tom's Show, Mark Corder. Mark Corder said: Caddo River – Glenwood Park – http://bit.ly/9bfOgM […]


text:
Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'RS4 Forum (B5, B7 & B8 Chassis)' started by K7ERG, Jan 17, 2007.
Click here to see Video
Sweet mary mother of god!
its not an rs4 guys its arek,s audi s4 but yes its quick !!
you would not want to be the car behind that at the lights would you?
ive had loads of arguments over this vid. Yep, it is an S4, but some people say the drivers misses 2nd gear and hits the limiter, I think that the wheels spin, what do you reckon ?
neither he doesn't miss second nor the wheels spin...
he has the anti lag set to run for slightly to long,so the anti lag is still running in second gear.. ill post up the rest of ozz's vids after hes set the anti lag up right it doesn't kick in in second anymore...!!!:icon_thumright:


text:
With a stay at OYO Rooms Water Park Rajarhat in Kolkata, you'll be connected to a shopping center and close to Ecospace Business Park and Ecospace Business Park. This hotel is within the vicinity of Nicco Park and Salt Lake Central Park.
Make yourself at home in one of the 15 air-conditioned rooms featuring LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include phones, as well as desks and ceiling fans.
Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless Internet access and tour/ticket assistance.
Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour room service.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk.


text:
Outrageously Soft Sheets that are Ethical? Welcome to Your Best Sleep Ever
October 24, 2016 • 5:37 PM ET
As the old adage goes, if it's good enough for three living Presidents, it's good enough for you. Okay, we made that up, but here's the thing, Boll & Branch sheets are actually good enough for three Presidents—Clinton and both Bushes sleep on...Read more
Melissa Gorga Embraces Her Inner Dorothy for Some Early Halloween Antics
October 24, 2016 • 5:34 PM ET
Boo! Melissa Gorga caught the Halloween spirit a little early over the weekend when she was photographed in the Garden State in full costume. The Real Housewives of New Jersey fashionista broke out her Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz garb to...Read more
Take a Spinning Class in Your Bedroom with This Bike
October 24, 2016 • 5:16 PM ET
Let's face it: It's hard to get your butt to Soul Cycle on a beautiful day, never mind when it's snowing or raining outside. But thanks to the Peloton bike, one only has to roll out of bed and walk a few steps to partake in a live spinning class....Read more
Which Celebrity Snacks Should You Be Eating, and Which Ones Are a Total Lie?
October 24, 2016 • 4:19 PM ET
Step away from the almond cheese. Read Blog
Why Is Taylor Swift Keeping a Baby Nurse Schedule At Blake Lively's House?
October 24, 2016 • 4:18 PM ET
Is she secretly a doula? Read Blog
The Must-Have Accessory of the Season? Fuzzy Balls
October 24, 2016 • 3:55 PM ET
Do you love your tried-and-true handbag, but yearn for a way to reinvent it? While it might seem an odd choice, It Girls like Emma Roberts, Bella Hadid, and Kendall Jenner are opting for giant fuzzy balls to do the trick. Specifically, we're...Read more
Gotham's Robin Lord Taylor Reveals the "Most Annoying Part" of Having Billy Eichner as a Roommate
October 24, 2016 • 3:51 PM ET
Having Difficult People star Billy Eichner as a roommate sounds like it would be a blast, but it wasn't actually 24/7 fun, according to Gotham's Robin Lord Taylor, who roomed with the actor while the two attended college at Northwestern University...Read more


text:
Fiscal Autonomy and Tax Morale: Evidence from Germany
This paper analyses fiscal autonomy in Germany. First, it provides an overview of fiscal autonomy. What is novel in this paper compared to previous studies is the development of a fiscal autonomy coefficient for the states, based on communal data. The basic intention in the empirical part is to analyse how fiscal autonomy affects tax morale, defined as the intrinsic motivation to pay taxes, in Germany. Strong evidence has been found that a higher fiscal autonomy leads to a higher tax morale, controlling in a multivariate analysis for additional factors. Thus, this paper fills a gap in the tax compliance literature, which has rarely analysed the impact of fiscal autonomy on compliance
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the proper application to view it first. In case of further problems read the IDEAS help page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS site. Please be patient as the files may be large.
|Date of creation:
|Feb 2005
|Date of revision:
|Contact details of provider:
| Postal: Gellerstrasse 24, 4052 Basel
Web page: http://www.crema-research.ch
More information through EDIRC
No references listed on IDEAS
You can help add them by filling out this form.
This item is not listed on Wikipedia, on a reading list or among the top items on IDEAS.
When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:cra:wpaper:2005-07. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.
For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: (Anna-Lea Werlen)
If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.
If references are entirely missing, you can add them using this form.
If the full references list an item that is present in RePEc, but the system did not link to it, you can help with this form.
If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.
Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.


text:
9 posts tagged with culture and China.
Displaying 1 through 9 of 9. Subscribe:
How do you make a splendid cup of tea?
As an Englishman, I am familiar with how some of my fellow Anglo-Saxon brethren make a cup of tea. Some make a pot of tea and decant when appropriate, and the rest, for speed, laziness or an unappreciation of our noble drink, use a teabag in a mug. But, apart from a few of our distant cousins, I remain ignorant as to how Americans, Canadians and others across the waters typically make tea (as in the hot drink made from the conjunction of tea leaves and hot water). If applicable, how do you? Are there unique variations in procedure pertaining to your locale? [more inside]
Gift Giving in China
I'm planning to give all of my teaching assistants a present for Christmas. Would it be rude to not give a present to the managerial staff? I've also heard that it's rude to give people higher up the same present. Please help me understand appropriate gifting. [more inside]
What's it like to live in Shanghai from a native's perspective?
Recommendations for Chinese literature that presents average Chinese citizens in context of a modern Chinese urban setting [more inside]
Cultural values affecting foreign policy?
To what extent do cultural values affect foreign policy making between U.S. and China? [more inside]
Movies about ancient India or China?
Movies about Ancient Chinese or Indian history or culture? [more inside]
What specifically is wrong / bad about skeletons in Chinese culture?
Skeletons wrong / bad / taboo in Chinese culture? [more inside]
Are bald girls in Russia okay?
My friend is planning on shaving her head before travelling for a year through Russia/China/Eastern Europe. Will she run into cultural difficulties because of this? [more inside]
Etiquette for China?
What cultural differences from the U.S. that should I be aware of and practice while living in China for a year? [more inside]
I'd like to enroll in the Chinese Graphic Designer 101 program, please.
I'd love to get tips/resources for 1) learning more about the Chinese language and culture for work travel, 2) doing graphic design for a Chinese audience and 3) learning more about working with Chinese writing (this was helpful, for example).* Thoughts? *Bonus points if anyone can tell me if there are any Chinese typefaces I could access that have a particularly whimsical, fun, or child-like feel. [more inside]
Page: 1


text:
Explore these ideas and much more!
Free Printable Chalkboard Quote - 'Take Time To Do What Makes Your Soul Happy' || Sweet Little Sparrow
//Upgrade your skincare routine today for healthier & amazing looking skin, using our discount code 'Pinterest10' at herbavana.com
You are a warrior. No matter what you are going through in life, you have a deep-seeded strength within you that will help you overcome all odds. Believe in yourself! Print out this free piece of art and frame to keep inspired and motivated!
The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet. - Mohadesa Nujumi
"Like wildflowers; you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would." – E.V.


text:
Whats going on every one
Lunia's community is sooo stale compared to what it used to be years ago.
Just wanted to say Hi and ask you guys a question. MAYBE one day it'll be seen and we can have the game we once loved back again.
What changes would you like to see to the game?
Removal of flinch resist in PvP... once you start hitting 1s from air decay people super armor through your attacks -_-
I still want Asuka's speed debuff on hamstring back : <
Even if the game were changed back, the charm it once had is forever lost.
Just sit back and enjoy the good memories with a cup of hot coco by the fireplace :py38:
I think part of the charm of playing this for the first time was having to figure out how to counter the monsters/bosses. Unless they figure out a way to make them harder besides tacking on another 200 life bars and increasing damage 100x, it's just... not the same.
I kinda miss the times, when I was a complete newbie in this game. Everything simply felt new and I enjoyed almost every single stage. Even the annoying stages had something, that I'm still missing, but nowadays it's way too repetitive except for PvP and the combo system maybe.
I don't know what you are referring to, when you say "Lunia's community is sooo stale compared to what it used to be years ago", but I guess this sick amount of repetition (rebirth, title quest, myth grinding etc.) might be the cause of it.
Flinch resist raped combo system in stages, and in PvP you can't combo people infinitely because it eventually starts making you do 1s and people flinch resist through that.
If only they had leveling like Disgaea... :py01:
It solves the repeating of quests and stages all over again, but ... :rabies:
Game won't need to worry about level cap and they can add in stuff like class fusion etc.
Add game modes other than Myth... like an actual storyline/campaign mode that requires 1 player or a certain combination of classes + people to fit the storyline(ie 1 knight and 1 mage or something). Story mode could have something where there are multiple paths in a story that you can take and each leads to different stuff you could get (ie Route A unlocks character X and class G fusion, Route B unlocks character Y and class H fusion, Route C unlocks skill for existing class Z)
FFA PvP, 1v1 boss rushes could also be added.
Just a thought :U
I'm pretty sure the idea could be refined into something (lol MMORPG Disgaea) but I doubt that it would ever happen... unless we somehow take over a game company lol.
I've no real problem with the rebirth concept itself, just the way Lunia handled it. (As well as myth being separate)
Rebirth should be something only preformed when you've hit the maximum point, in this regard being level 90-99 with every 2 additional levels being the +1 SP and level 99 being the final 2 addition (being 5 total)
The person is then torn between using rebirth and losing the level 90+ for bonus stats, or remaining as is.
As it stands, rebirth happens at level 70, which is easy to get too, reaching level 80-90 when you're above 6 rebirth is a joke.
That's what made it more redundant for me, was just the ease and the choice was a no-brainer, you rebirth the moment you hit the monthly timeline.
Though I can already hear the screams of "oh my god that would take forever to grind"; but that's the point.
Torn between two decisions.
Wings and the level circle would actually have meaning that way; you'd actually be "pro" for having wings and getting 3 damn rebirths to do it.
Myth has to go..
Game Stagewise- all about gear. No skill required just hax gear.
Game pvpwise - people just suck. 90% of pvping people basically can not play and they prettend to be pro. They keep crying crying if u accidiently hit sum1 at Forest battlefield. Yeah and no1 plays team battles, just 4vs4 which is actually 1vs1 at forest.
That is what makes ppl cry about lunia
If u thought 2 years ago it had been bad. I gotta say now it's hell
Except now staging is probably more active than before.
PvP is in a better place mechanics wise because of stat caps and you can't infinite someone without knowing how to reset. However, the community is still terrible. I had a pvp level 34 Tia give up on fighting me because I random d.fisted her through her Whisper for 3k (crit, mind you) when everyone has 13k HP with 500 stat caps.
more things about pvp
1) HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA AT losers fighting themselves.
2) Rebalance destroyed dainn D:. We can't spam anymore
3) Nobody plays for fun. People take pvp too seriously.
@ada So freaking true
However we still can pm old friends and fight em. It ensures fun and no whinning unless lagg :P.
Well, looks like I was right the game died a long time ago just people still don't realize it.
It's like I have to collect peoples testaments just to prove a point.
People obviously want to state whatever they have to state and when I feel I need to say something about it I will say something about it.
It seems like you have some illusion of me going around this forum everyday to argue about every possible thing there is.
You are the one that needs to move on in thinking that I have to make everyone on this world agree with me.
|All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:27 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2016, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.


text:
By Mark Fowser 1:16pm, June 14, 2013Republicans in the State Senate say state spending can be cut safely without a heavy impact on the state's work force.
State Senator Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, tells our sister station, Delaware 105-9, that spending reductions are a much better option than increasing the gas tax, motor vehicle fees, or highway tolls.
"We don't want the police, the teachers, DelDOT workers to shoulder the brunt of a one-percent cut, so we're asking them to look in contractors, look in spending for supplies, and cut everything one-percent across the board first," says Sen. Pettyjohn
Governor Markell's administration circulated the revenue-raising ideas this week, but now the Governor says it's unlikely they will be considered or implemented before lawmakers adjourn in two weeks.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


text:
Who? Kim and Kourtney Kardashian
Where? Out and about in LA
What? Where did that come from?! It feels as though Kourtney Kardashian's baby bump has doubled in size overnight. The 33-year-old was keeping cool in the LA heat wearing a white macrame maxi dress, with a shorter mini dress preserving her modesty underneath.
Suggested For You
Get top stories and blog posts emailed to me each day. Newsletters may offer personalized content or advertisements.Learn more