Last Post With Blogger

Several of my friends have moved their blogs from blogger to wordpress, and now it is time for me to join them. Wordpress is simply easier, more user-friendly, and just better. This will be my last post on lincolntylerdutcher.blogspot.com. I will move a few post to my new wordpress blog, and will keep this one up, but go to lincolnblogs.wordpress.com to see new posts.

Amazing Bowling Trick Shot

Frog Puzzle

This is a second grade computer test in China. Switch the frogs to the opposite side within two minutes. The can hop over only one stone per jump. It is easily accomplished if you take a moment to think before you proceed.

Spring Break Fishing

Sorry I have not posted in so long, I've been on Spring break vacation in Bartlesville. I had a good trip fishing, golfing, and just relaxing at my grandparents house. Here are some pictures from fishing.

My grandfather and I went crappie fishing first and filled up an ice chest with twenty. These two above are average size out of what we caught.

Then we went bass fishing and I caught, among others, this lunker above that weighed five pounds even on digital scales.

Refutation of Orpheus and Eurydice

This is another myth I refuted for writing class.

There is an old myth of a brave husband and his wife, that has a good story line and is enjoyable to read. But it is only a myth, not to be taken as historical fact.

The myth is as follows: Orpheus, the poet of Rhodope, fell in love with the beautiful Eurydice and asked her to marry him. She agreed, and a splendid wedding was held. Hymen, the god of marriage, attended the feast, but did not bring his usual blessings. As a result, the new bride Eurydice was bitten on the ankle by a poisonous snake and died. Longing to see his wife again, Orpheus went to the Underworld to beg Pluto, god of the Underworld, and his wife, Persephone, to reverse Eurydice's swift death. Pluto, Persephone, and all those in the Underworld were moved to tears after hearing how much Orpheus loved and missed his wife. Pluto agreed to reverse Eurydice's death, but on one condition: Orpheus was not to look back at Eurydice until he had emerged from the Valley of Avernus. He excitedly agreed, and Eurydice was presented to him. Orpheus headed out on the journey, with Eurydice following closely. After a short time, Orpheus longed to look at his wife, and began to worry she was no longer behind him.. As he did, she dropped back, and Orpheus clutched for her, only to reach for the receding air. Eurydice said her final goodbye to Orpheus, and died a second time. Devastated, Orpheus spent the rest of his life alone and heartbroken.

This myth is false for a number of reasons. It is improbable, obscure, impossible, and illogical. I will show this in the following paragraphs.

The narrative, first, is improbable. There are no motives for any of the actions, except of course when Orpheus goes after his bride.Why didn’t Hymen bring his usual blessing to the wedding? Did he have something against Orpheus or Eurydice? Also, why wasn’t Orpheus allowed to look back at his wife until they were out of the Valley of Avernus? It is not likely that Hymen, a god, would just forget his blessing, or that Pluto would just make up a rule for no apparent reason, preventing Orpheus from looking at his wife. Unless the author just forgot to include these necessary details, these important missing parts of the story are improbable.

The story is also very obscure. There is no physical evidence of this actually happening, and no one claims to have witnessed it. The tale is not found in any historical documents, either.

Not only is the tale improbable and obscure, but it is impossible. It breaks the laws of nature that a person could die, be rescued from the afterlife by a mortal and then die again and return to the afterlife. You might respond to this point by bringing up the fact that Jesus died and was resurrected and also brought other people back to life. The apostle Paul also raised a man from the dead. The difference is, Jesus was God, and therefore had the power of God, and it wasn’t really Paul who raised that man from the dead, but God working through him. Orpheus just marched right into the underworld, got his wife, and then went back to earth.

Besides being improbable, obscure, and impossible, this myth is also illogical. It says that because Hymen didn’t bring his blessing, a snake bit Eurydice. That is clearly the logical fallacy of “post hoc, ergo propter hoc”, which in Latin means “after this, therefore because of this.” Just because she was bit after Hymen failed to bless them, it doesn’t mean that she was bit necessarily because of it. That would be like saying, “He ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich the other day, and broke his leg the next day. I’m never eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich again.” It is obviously a fallacy.

In the paragraphs above, I have stated clearly why this narrative is a myth. I have shown how it is improbable, obscure, impossible, and illogical. Readers, after reviewing the evidence I have presented, I urge you to read and enjoy this story not as a historical account, but a myth.

'I Do Not Want to Believe in God'

In the latest edition of Biblical Worldview Magazine, Gary DeMar has an interesting editorial. In it he points out the folly of a quote by Nobel Prize winner George Wald.

[Wald said], "There are only two possible explanations as to how life arose. Spontaneous generation arising to evolution or a supernatural creative act of God.... There is no other possibility. Spontaneous generation was scientifically disproved 120 years ago by Louis Pasteur and others, but that just leaves us with only one other possibility... that life came as a supernatural act of creation by God, but I can't accept that philosophy because I do not want to believe in a God. Therefore I choose to believe in that which I know is scientifically impossible, spontaneous generation leading to evolution."

If a theologian had argued this way, he would be accused of letting his religious assumptions interpret the facts, But when a scientist follows a similar methodology in defense of evolution, hardly anyone blinks a questioning eye because the declaration is made in the name of science.

I cannot help but laugh at what Socrates would do if he heard someone say, as Wald did, something like, "It is obviously true that God created the world, but I won't believe it because I don't feel like believing in God. Instead, I'll believe the impossible. I will deny truth because I don't want it to be true." The great philosopher would probably die a second death after hearing that.

Human Nature

I am currently reading The Early History of Rome by Titus Livius (Livy) for school. In the part of the book I read today, the common people (plebians) of Rome want land from the rich people (patricians), but there is none available because the patricians have it all. The plebians are mad at the patricians because of this. But then the Romans acquire more land, and they decide that the plebians can have it. "Human nature, however, does not change," says Livy. "The mere fact that there was plenty for everyone blunted the edge of appetite and so few applied [for the land] that Volscian families had to be induced in order to bring the number of settlers to a satisfactory figure. The bulk of the plebian families preferred to demand [other] land." Even Livy, who lived in the pagan ancient Rome, identified man's nature to sin. He did not, however, realize that although sin will always dwell with us until we reach heaven, it will not reign over us if Christ regenerates us, and thus can be changed.

Refutation of Jason and the Argonauts

In the writing course I am taking, we are learning about how to refute a myth. Here is one that I did. I know it may seem obvious that it is false, but this makes it more clear why. Click here to see another refuted myth.

There is a story of Jason and the Argonauts, in which Jason performs many acts of bravery and heroic deeds. This tale is exciting and enjoyable to read, but it is sadly false.

The myth is as follows: Jason—who was raised by a centaur (a creature who was half horse and half man) far away to avoid being killed by his uncle—and his men the Argonauts were on a dangerous mission to recover a golden fleece, which would make Jason king of Thessaly. They were headed to the kingdom of King Aeetes, where the fleece was at that time. Jason was sent on the mission by his uncle, Pelias, who had overthrown his father.

After surviving many dangerous ordeals, the Argonauts arrived at Aeete's palace. At first, Aeetes denied that he had the fleece, but finally, he decreed that he would award it as a gift to anyone who could yoke two fire-breathing bulls to a plow, sow a dragon's teeth into the plowed land, and overcome the fierce army which would spring up from the dragon's teeth. Jason accepted the challenge, although it seemed impossible.

In the middle of the dark night, Aeetes' daughter, Media, came to Jason and said that if he would marry her, she would help him. Jason promised to make the princess his wife and she gave him an ointment to protect him from the bulls' fiery nostrils. She also gave him a stone to throw among the armed men; she promised that the stone would cause their defeat.

The next morning Jason spread the ointment on his body and on his spear and his shield. Then he went to the field to do battle. Just as Medea had promised, the fire did not harm him. When the warriors sprang up from the dragon's teeth, he threw the stone and the warriors became so that they turned on one another. He obtained the fleece, and returned home with it.

This tale, although exciting and enjoyable to read, is quite simply a myth, as opposed to a historical account, for a number a reasons, namely that it is improbable.

First, it is extremely improbable. There is no reason in the text as to why Aeetes would care for the fleece. Why does he make Jason accomplish the nearly impossible tasks for such a simple thing? Also, why would the king's daughter favor Jason so much against her father’s will, without even meeting him? No answer to these questions is given in the tale.

The story, besides being improbable, is terribly obscure. It is very old, and most likely grew more and more mythical as it was passed from generation to generation. This story is not found in any historic documents, and no one claims to have witnessed it.

It is also inconsistent and illogical. How was Jason able to yoke two fire-breathing bulls to a plow, sow a dragon's teeth into the plowed land, and overcome the fierce army which sprung up from the dragon's teeth, but not able to kill one man, Pelias. It is also illogical. Why would a simple fleece make a man king of a nation?

Finally, the narrative, as well as improbable, obscure, and illogical (as if that weren't enough), is impossible. It breaks the laws of nature for someone to be half horse and half man, as the centaur at the beginning of the story was credited as being. A person might answer this by saying, "Well, maybe they existed in that time, but are extinct today." Then, where is the archeological evidence? There is none. It is also impossible that an army could come out of a single dragon tooth, and that a bull could breathe fire. Obviously, the author just wrote this to make the myth more exciting.

As much as we wish this story were true, that Jason really was as brave as in the story, and that he defeated two fire breathing bulls and an entire army, we simple have to read it as a myth.

Bad Parenting

Socrates Meets Jesus

I read an interesting book last week by Peter Kreeft, titled Socrates Meets Jesus. The book is organized as a Socratic dialog, and it tells of Socrates on the campus of a major university and enrolled in the divinity school. Kreeft, a Christian philosopher and long-time admirer of Socrates, imagines what Socrates would think of human progress since his day, our values and culture, and Jesus. Socrates argues about issues like miracles and whether Jesus was God. I would recommend this book to Christians and non-Christians alike.

Happiness Is ...

... beating OSU ... and Bobby Knight ... all in a period of five days.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

“Actions speak louder than words.” The author of this proverb should be praised for his knowledge and understanding of man's nature to not support his words with his actions.

This proverb means that a person's actions communicate more clearly than his words. If a person wants others to believe his words, he should "speak" with his actions.

If a person talks with his actions, he is more convincing than if he were just speaking, and if his actions are consistent with his words, people will think him more trustworthy.

Consider this analogy: Two candidates are in a political race, and each one wants to impress the voters. One man speaks of how good he is, in an effort to win over the voters, whereas the other goes out and actually works and accomplishes things. The people will trust the one who let his actions speak, instead of just talking.

Judas Iscariot said that he was a loyal follower of Christ; if a person just heard his words, and not his actions, he would think of him as a good disciple. But his actions spoke louder than his words, as he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

John Locke, an influential English philosopher, once said, "I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts." In the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

In an effort to be trustworthy and not hypocritical, we should let our actions speak louder than our words.

Vinsanity

Here is a dunk from the 2000 Summer Olympics by Vince "Vincanity" Carter. Yes, it is real.

Roads Scholars

I have basketball practice at a public elementary school in Edmond, and this is a sign on a wall inside the school. It is incorrect not only morally, but logically.

Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Jesus says clearly that not all roads, or gates, lead to success. Even if we did not have Bible references to tell us how wrong this sign is, we can easily disprove the sign logically. For one thing, two opposite roads cannot both lead to success. Also, if all roads lead to success, their would be absolutely no failures, which of course, there are.

The one good thing about the sign: I always get a laugh before basketball practice.

Failure Breeds Success

“Failure breeds success.” The author of this proverb should be praised highly for his knowledge and wisdom.

This statement means that people can learn from past mistakes that they or others have made. If we examine past errors, we can not only prevent them from happening again, but change them to success.

Just as a writer has to review and edit his work, finding and correcting mistakes, so we should review our own actions and, like the writer, find and correct mistakes. By contrast, if the writer did not review his paper, there may be many errors in content, structure, and grammar. In the same way, our lives will be more flawed if we do not realize and learn from our errors.

Consider Abraham Lincoln. He failed many times as a politician, but, rather than give up as a result of his failures, he learned from his mistakes, and went on to become President of the United States.

Samuel Smile, Scottish author and reformer who wrote many biographies, once said, “It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done.”

We, like Abraham Lincoln, should examine our failures, that we may learn from and correct them.

Thanks for the Memories

Adrian Peterson declared Monday for the NFL Draft. He leaves Oklahoma as the third leading rusher in school history with 4,045 career yards. He eclipsed 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons in a Sooner uniform, and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in his first year at OU. This is a video I made as a salute and goodbye to A.D.

Another Interesting Thought From 'A House for My Name'

Here is another great excerpt from A House for My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament.

After the fall, cheribum are placed at the gate of the Garden, which is on the east side (Genesis 3:24). This means the entrance to the Garden is toward the east. If you want to return to the Garden, you have to travel west, and moving east is moving away from the Garden. All through the Bible, east and west have this meaning. Cain is cast out of the land and wanders in Nob, which is east of Eden (Genesis 4:16). Lot moves east and settles near Sodom (Genesis 13:11). When Israel enters the land from Egypt, they circle around to Moab and cross the Jordan from the east. This shows that entering the land flowing with milk and honey is like returning to the Garden. Later, when Israel goes into exile, they are taken to the east, away from the land, and to return they travel west. In the New Testament, the wise men come from east to west, seeking the Garden and Jesus, the real Tree of Life (Matthew 2:1).

Practice Makes Perfect (part 2)

An Interesting Analogy of Creation

This is an excerpt from A House for My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament, an excellent book by Peter J. Leithart.

It takes God six days to build his house ... During the first three days, God makes a three-story house by dividing one thing from another. On the first day, He divides light and darkness; on the second, He divides waters in heaven from waters on the earth and puts the sky or firmament in between, and on the third day, He divides the waters on the earth to make the dry land and the sea. The next three days, He fills up the three stories of His house. On the fourth day, He puts the sun, moon and stars in the sky to fill up daytime and nighttime. On the fifth day, He creates birds to fly across the sky and fish to swim in the waters. On the sixth day, He makes Adam and animals that live on land. What's interesting is that the first three days match the second three days.

Dividing
Day 1: Light/dark
Day 2:Waters above/below
Day 3:Waters/land

Filling
Day 4: Sun, moon, stars
Day 5: Birds and fish
Day 6:Land animals and man

And so, at the end of the six days of creation, God has finished a "three-story" house.

Sweet and Sour

My dad and I left for Glendale, Arizona and the Fiesta Bowl on Sunday and just arrived home tonight. Although the Sooners lost, we still had a great time. The day of the game we hung out at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, a beautiful resort where the team was staying. Cacti (above) and palm trees were all around us, players were roaming around everywhere, and we were constantly snapping photos. Here are some good ones from the trip.

The photo above shows OU radio play-by-play man Bob Barry and me.

Q: Which one of these football players under 5' 7" can bench press 430 pounds?
A: Running back Jacob Gutierrez.

Here's former Sooner J.D. Runnels, now a running back for the Chicago Bears.

Former OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops (brother of Bob), now the head coach at the University of Arizona, was also at the hotel and is pictured here with my dad and me.

Here I am with OU athletic director Joe Castiglione.

Because I have so many photos, it requires more than one post for all of them. Scroll down to see the rest.