TheInvisibleDan

Awesome. My wallet hurts just looking at that thing (lol). :blink:

Christian literature abounds with such "records" of the Spirit of Jesus, immediately upon His death, having descended into the underworld and having busted open the gates of Hades to liberate the "captives". Such tales go back to the earliest times of Christian history, apparently having influenced the writer behind "1 Peter" as well as emerging throughout an abundance of extra-canonical literature. Such a episode, as typically described in the "Gospel of Nicodemus/Acts of Pilate", was commonplace among both so-called proto-orthodox and gnostic Christian movements, with a few variations. Danny

Socks- apparently there are a couple of ways (or more) of doing this, but I haven't quite figured that out just yet (lol). I'll be gathering some info in the weeks ahead. I don't know if I have to invest in a old analogue synth, or a CV to midi converter or what. Hopefully there's a simple (and preferably not too expensive) way of doing this. It does sound like a very fascinating feature, to be able to produce other instrument sounds via the waving of one's hands. It will be a blast for multitrack recording once I get this all sorted out. And then, I'm entertaining thoughts about upgrading my multitrack equipment. Yep, "gear acquisition syndrome". It's incurable. :) Danny

(lol).

I love that 60s movie, "One Million Years BC". Talk about primitive blood-thirsty savagry! But the cave-women of the blonde tribe on the beach were absolute knock-outs. I want to go there on vacation.

I imagine the customer service reps are just as much left 'holding the bag' as the customers. They probably have little power to anything, aside from the "consolation" coupons for stuff out of warranty.

I apparently missed out on those "good old days" because at my first ROA ('78), when I sneaked into the Way woods for a couple of this was only followed by an overwhelming sense of PARANOIA. Bummer. Danny

Hi Roy and CM and Goey, If this thread is deleted, then we shall all be deprived of some important lessons from all of this. It's not about who's right or wrong, or whose view is more accurate or better or superior. From where I'm sitting, it's (somewhat ) about how misunderstandings can pile upon misunderstandings, of how we "read" others and how others "read" us. But we're not really "hearing" each other. What's missing from a written page full of words - is the living, animated inflection beneath the delivery of our utterances. Of "how" a person is saying something - or intending such - as opposed to how something reaches us. (and ironically, even here I may not be conveying this all too well). And when attempts at clarification are made from all sides - we tend to tie ourselves into tighter word knots. Isn't it ironic that we argue over the meaning of things people wrote 2,000 years ago - when we experience such great difficulty toward understanding one another even now? To sign off with a quote from "The Lost Skeleton of Cadabra" (another movie worthy a many laughs) - "I sleep now" Danny

"He'd kill us if he had the chance" - from The Conversation , directed by Francis Ford Coppolla I highly encourage everyone to take a break from here for the weekend, and go rent this movie, about a spy (played by Gene Hackman) who records a conversation between a man and a woman walking through a busy plaza at noon. What's going on in this thread plays itself out millions of times a day over the internet. And it's not just over theology, or political views, or sports. I've seen people this past week at each others throats - on a listserve having to do with - of all things - a musical instrument! The same thing seemingly plays itself out a million times a day. Go rent this movie - you'll love it. "He'd kill us if he had the chance" Seems plain enough statement - or is it? Love ya all. Danny

A few years ago, a local radio station was giving away free Rolling Stones tickets. When they played the sound of "the 'ker-plunk' of Keith Richard's I.V.", the nineth person who called in won. It was funny at the time. Now they can use the sound of coconuts bouncing off his head or something.

There's still a Christian bookstore about 20 miles from where I live, where they sell Jack Chic comics and Christian coffee mugs and tee shirts and that sort of thing. I think it's been over 5 years since I've been there. Competition with internet sales is fierce. How can one beat the fact that one can find just about anything for perhaps less the price as local stores are charging, at the click of a button no less. Even used bookstores have vanished in the area. Who needs a traditional storefront, when one can directly market their books online, and upon receiving an order, remove them from the shelf or closet, wrap them and ship them out? I miss browsing the local used bookstore, but I still receive catalogues and lists in the mail, of both new and used books. In many respects the new system has proven to more effective, in that one can find scarce and out of print works far more easily, whereas before there would be much work and time involved in tracking down certain volumes. I'de say the majority of books that I've picked up over the years has been through the internet. Works which I thought I might not lay eyes upon in a million years. Dave, I think I remember seeing that pic of Jesus knocking on the UN building. As I recall, he also looked sort of like Abe Lincoln. Danny

I've always wanted to put together a ballet choreographing people driving Cushmans around the stage. It's so stupid and weird, but it just might work. Danny

It's also good for making french fries and onion rings. Yum! Danny

Excellent post, Goey. In the same vein, one of my favorite books is entitled "The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle" by Albert Schweitzer. It's a fantastic work. Danny

It is a rather curious saying. Considering that, without Judas' role in "delivering" Jesus over to his enemies, our salvation may never have come to pass. So it may be reasoned. But the saying "it would have been better..." is not so mysterious when we consider the suffering and anguish Judas underwent over delivering his Lord, as depicted in the synoptics. We can imagine him feeling that sentiment. Which presents Judas as one of the more sympathetic, more human characters in the NT. Is there no hope for Judas? Is he destined for eternal damnation for his predestined role in the divine drama? Danny

Hi Socks, After about 2-3 years of wanting one of these things, I finally ordered the 'partial case' "Theremax" kit from Paia Electronics http://www.paia.com/ 3 months ago, which comprised of the circuit board, a big 'ole bag of resistors/capacitors/diodes/ transistors/oscillators and what-not, a front control panel plate, potentiometers and jacks. I opted to save a few bucks by designing my own wooden case (the final model which I've yet to complete). A couple months prior to getting the kit, I had downloaded and reviewed the pdf version of the manual from Paia's site, as well as reviewing a couple of mod sites (and picking up some parts to do these mods as well). I wanted to incorporate some of the mods from the top, to save trouble later in taking the board apart to add any improvements. I gathered a decent idea of what this instrument's strengths and weaknesses were from reading the experiences of others who had also built the kit, at the forums at "Thereminworld" and from having been on the Theremin "Levnet" mailing list. I think all this obsessive preparation (and taking a couple weeks to solder everything onto the circuit board) paid off, because this thing is running beautifully. I'm also using a custom-made pitch rod (a 17" 3/8 solid brass rod, which I had my daughter take to her machine shop at her tech school to have one end lathed and threaded, for fitting into the cabinet). One drawback with the copper stock antennae that came with the kit is that they are too thin and flimsy. The thicker gauge rod ( designed to the same dimensions as the classic RCA Theremins) makes a significant improvement for the instrument's playability. I've still yet to add a brass "volume loop", but in the meantime, I'm using a metal plate to control the volume. The instrument requires an amplifier, and at the moment I've got a line running into the tape input of my home stereo, which is working fine for now, until I invest in a decent keyboard amplifier. One other incredible feature that the Paia model has is a "CV out" jack and control, which apparently can be plugged into a synthesizer so one can play other voices with the movement of one's hands - hence this Theremin also being called a "gestural controller". But I've much to learn about synthesizers, so it will be interesting to try this feature out further down the road. BTW, some of the old gospel hymns sound fantastic on this thing, like "In the Garden". At some point I'll muster up the courage to record some of this stuff on my computer and post a couple samples. These theremins really are very addicting, and a lot of fun to play. I don't think I've ever encountered an easier instrument, and one so expressive. Whatever you can think, you can play. It's far easier for me to use than even a keyboard. Danny

We picked up this game for my son for his birthday a few weeks ago. He's been having a blast with it. I'm hoping it might spark his interest in taking up some real guitar. Danny

If their "formal apology" was in the form of a letter sent to each one with an enclosed check reimbursing us back all tithes given to them under the misrepresentation that they were a "Biblical Research" group, - in addition to reparations made to all victims of abuse - yeah, I might accept a sabbatical from GS for a spell. But that's total fantasy. A "sincere" apology? To return their words to them, we all know "sincerity is no guarantee for truth". Words aren't enough. They're going to have to prove it. Danny

Hi Sir Guess, Yes, I've enjoyed one such older work providing a survey along the lines that you describe, entitled "Spiritism and the Cult of the Dead in Antiquity" by Paton, in addition to some of Joseph Campbell's works. I also have a Tibetan work on the topic of dying/afterlife hiding in my bedroom somewhere...and I must confess, I've been tempted to check out a spiritualist church someday. It seems folks in the 1920s-30s were quite sensitive to that sort of thing. During those years, my great grandmother, upon experiencing a heart attack at home, had an out-of-body experience and upon being "brought back" by the efforts of family members who massaged her chest, described a beautiful garden and complained quite angrily, "Why did you bring me back!?" This was long before Raymond Moody and the all the out-of-body stuff became all the rage since the 70s. The greatest loss was ancient material was the destruction(s) of the Library of Alexandria. Tis a shame. But, I agree, I also gather the impression that the Roman empire during the first century onward was flooded with a variety of spiritual views, of which the Christian movements were only one. And goodness knows how many elements Christianity absorbed from other contemporary spiritual movements at the time, in the same way Judaism was greatly influenced in their "resurrection" ideas from contact with the Egyptians and the Persians (to name only a couple). Goey mentioned the Sadducees earlier. They were perhaps akin to some fundamentalists today (of any number of religions), striving for the purity of their religion, and rejected the idea of "resurrection" precisely because they recognized that it had originated elesewhere, outside of what they believed to be their older form of Judaism... it's too bad we don't possess writings from their movement. Such would have filled in a many gaps... Danny

The media buzz surrounding its publication was lots of fun. It's good for raising awareness on the subject, and getting discussions a-going on the obscure topic of ancient gnosticism. It's an interesting work, which reminds me a lot of the style of the Nag Hammadi writings. I found most fascinating the usage of pronouns, in Jesus describing "my Father" as opposed to "your God" ( the god of the disciples). Hope to live to see another lost work enjoy the same media blitz. As to the Way's response to it all - who cares? (I mean, given their past non-interest in such literature such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Nag Hammadi library, the Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha, and the Patristic literature, I'm hard pressed to imagine them having any response at all to the latest discovery in this regard. Which is kind of sad...for a supposed "Biblical Research" outfit). Danny

As a writer/scholar with my own opinions concerning the origins of Christianity, I find Arinze's views unsettling as well. What's next - setting a bounty on any writer or scholar's head for writing something "The Church" disagrees? (recall Salmon Rushdie a few years ago). However - the fact that this man did not become Pope may also suggest that cooler heads in the Roman Catholic Church prevailed. Danny

(lol). I would sooner give more weight to the Mayan calendar prediction of 2013. But even then I wouldn't sell my farm either (if I had one). I almost moved into a "Way home" with Bill about 20 years ago. Perhaps such is like the psychadelic (sp?) band that didn't happen, like Jimi Hendrix joining Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Danny

When I review the debates in the Patristic literature concerning physical resurrection vs. "resurrection" of the spirit only, it indeed becomes very interesting to wonder to what degree "physical" resurrection had taken hold of the Roman imagination, and how long it had actually been in its conscience. Add to the question, that even Jews and Christians were not in full agreement as to the details to "resurrection". This was a point of fierce contention among them. Again, I wonder what form Egyptian beliefs concerning resurrection had taken at the time. I'll have to review again E.Wallis Budges volumes on "Osirus" when I get opportunity. Danny

Good point, though I wonder to what degree views might have developed since the times of Aeschylus and Theocritis (about 300-400 years B.C. though Catullus would appear the more recent, circ. 80 BC) - and of course, locale is to be considered. Thessalonika, as you mentioned earlier, indeed appears to have been heavily influenced by the Hellenist culture, and may have retained many of the attitudes concerning death here, as the tone of the writer of "Thessalonians" would seem to suggest. Danny

Thank you, Belle. I must emphasize that it is a draft, and it is a bit wordy and sloppy in places. But it was interesting to notice various parallels between some things being stated by dispensationalists and what was believed among Marcionites. This might be taken in a positive or negative light, depending again, on the views of the beholder (lol). I finally got to listen to the first part of your interview of "GS radio' last night (the computer at work is much more modern than my home computer). Very nicely done. Can't wait to hear the second part. Danny