POW!

If you were about to be stranded on a desert island, but could choose one book to take with you, what would it be?

I would choose Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. This seems an unremarkable claim until I mention the truth: Watchmen is a comic book.

Comic books are a wonderful way to tell a story. They can be read with a surface appreciation in scarcely any time at all, yet to fully appreciate them can take dozens of close and contemplative readings. For my estimation, the narrative of a good comic flows better than nearly any novel, with the imagery being captured in a glance rather than dragged out. As the old saying goes, it takes a thousand words to be worth a picture. One panel may have dialogue, facial expressions, and religious markers in the background, with a recurring motif beside it. The linearity of pure text does not capture in time and layers what a well-written and drawn comic can.

Not that there aren't drawbacks. Comics would not be my first choice for communicating technical information, not do they usually demonstrate the utter mastery of a language that is possible in novel form.

But what they can capture is an utter mastery of a culture. Watchmen is remarkable because it taps into the deep concerns and fears of its time (the 1980s) and any time: Atomic weaponry, genetic manipulation, abuse of governing power, determinism, homosexuality, justice vs. mercy, conservatism vs. liberality, ethical paradox, child abuse, fetishism, thermodynamic miracles, and the teleology of human history. The story is different from many comics in that no character is pure good or pure evil, the characters thoughts are shown through expression rather than thought bubbles, and there is a balance between the fears of ambiguity and inevitability. The images and words are seemlessly of a piece. A remarkably well written piece which I can read again and again, still finding new connections and contrasts which I had not noticed before. I have never had such an experience from a book, as once it is fully read I cannot re-read it (despite my best efforts).

I have loved comic book characters since I was a child making up my own stories for the gallant adventurers. Vigilantism fascinates me, as does the post script quotation to Watchmen (which after all is just another word for vigilantees): "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes." I think deep down I'd like to write a graphic novel one day, if I knew an artist agreeable to my ideas and mythology. The term 'graphic novel' is silly, I know, but think of it this way: graphic novel is to serial comic book as movie is to television series.

But of course, the communication of narrative in pictures, like all stories, departs from the real world eventually. As Elijah Price said, "It's allright to be afraid, David, because this part won't be like a comic book. Real life doesn't fit into little boxes that were drawn for it. "

Christian Scientists?

Within the bounds of my esteemed field, I find myself drawn to the foundations upon which it is built. I am developing plenty of thoughts and impressions about the real meat and potatoes of economics (If there are some who wish to hear about this, I shall begin building more regularly on my academic blog, http://subliminallyunemployed.blogspot.com), but I still want to know about where the methodology of economics comes from, and the philosophy behind it.

A friend of mine, a professor in the biological sciences, has said that naturalism is the all-pervasive beginning place for his field. Economics is founded in this plus the additional pillar of pragmatism. We assume every decision-making person knows what is best for himself, or at least knows better than we can. De gustibus non est disputandum (I'll let Annie translate this for you all). But as a Christian, can I ascribe to these philosophies? Must I divorce myself from a Christian philosophy in order to practice my vocation? Is there an way of doing economics that uniquely coincides with what Christians believe regarding the nature of the world and human beings?

I shall in short order prepare comments on comic books, gravy, and freshmen. However, before I venture to these lands, I would like to hear about how your various vocations tend to either conflict with Christ or support him. Many will do both (in which case you can mention either or both), but I believe there is no vocation that does neither, so don't throw that card in.

The Honeymoon Is Over

...Literally. It's been just over a month since our wedding, and high time I talked about actually being married. You should know that I am the kind of person who thinks five weeks is plenty of time for me to talk about what it's like to be married (if you don't know me that well, one must wonder why you're reading this blathering in the first place).

First of all, being married is a good thing, a great thing. A host of frustrations melt away the instant you remember "we're married." It is also amazing to suddenly become aware of your life through the eyes of one so different. Things that you do automatically that seem endlessly trivial the day before your wedding will become topics of conversation and confusion the day after. The newness of much of this life has made me feel old and young all at once.

Those things make marriage good. Let me tell you what makes it great. I cannot sum it up any better than Jeffrey Tambor did in the movie Meet Joe Black (an unremarkable movie but for this). He said that being married was wonderful because you each know the others deepest, darkest secrets, and it's OK. And, he says, that makes you free. Free to love each other without reservation.

That is the thing everyone should look forward to in marriage. All of the other benefits are good, but it is the grace found in marriage that makes it great. It makes everything else in marriage possible.


In other news, [WARNING: EXPLETIVES FOLLOW] there was some bastard running around Wal-Mart today taking pictures up my wife's skirt. When she saw him and told him to give her the camera, he ran away like a cockroach. In case you are reading, sir, you are an asshole. To my shame, I was too slow and physically unfit to chase him down and beat the shit out of him with my water jug. I find in this a strong motivation to get into some sort of decent shape. On the plus side, there will be no perverts in heaven.

I am going to need some new themes to work with now that the engagement is over, so if anyone has any matter they'd like to read my thought on, leave a comment.

It's Time

Listen to the music. It speaks of Christ and his Bride as I prepare to meet my own bride. As Jessie put it, "You actually are Jesus in this story!" That is a humbling thing.

Headship transfering, ascending to the altar, the making of covenants, the giving of signs,
the blessing by a minister. All of these things are going to happen before our eyes today, and before the eyes of hundreds as they look at us. Bridesmaids and groomsmen will stand at our sides like apostles and prophets. These are all dear friends.

It will be boring if you let it. But for me, there is meaning in everything that is about to happen. I am whelmed with meaning. Jesus Christ, God and Man, Savior, Teacher, and Lord, is the groom. The Church, the Body, we whom have failed and been bought for the groom at the price of his own life, are the bride clad in pure white. The celebration will be more joyous than anything you can imagine, and the marriage supper does not end.

"I am my beloved's and my beloved'’s mine
So you bring all your history and i’ll bring the bread and wine
And we’ll have us a party where all the drinks are on me
Then as surely as the rising sun you will be set free."

Listen carefully on my Wedding Day.

On Being Known

As many of you know by now, Jessie and I will be sticking around for the next two years as I read for a master's degree in economics. I plan to reapply to UBC and Virginia in a couple of years, but for now I am going to boost my application and spend some time being married.

Something that has been a huge surprise to both of us as we've made this decision is how genuinely glad people have been that we are going to be around. I was a little overwhelmed at the last RUF meeting when a friend came up to me afterwards and said that while I might be a bit disappointed that we're not going anywhere, he is really glad we'll be here. I didn't know what to say. Apparently Jessie has had similar experiences.

How did we get to matter so much to these people? I don't recall any special effort to be a big influence. It's not like I'm indespensible to the elders like Andy, or consistently part of RUF leadership like Annie. I have tried to get to know both the older graduates and the younger students in RUF, but much of that has been little more than knowing people's names. Yet somehow along the way, God has used both of us to impact people's lives, apparently for the better. I'd like for us to be even better at that as a married couple.

So, to all of you who have expressed your appreciation for us in the last few weeks, thank you. It is a joy to know you and be known by you. In the garden of Eden mankind lost the ability to relate properly one to another, so the Christ-centered friendships we have made in the last four years are truly a testament to the victory of King Jesus over the curse. Please build these kinds of relationships with the newcomers to RUF next fall. I think you will find it to be as big a blessing to you as it is to them.

The Voices of Saints

Maybe it's because I'm graduating, or maybe I'm just tired, but I was just listeing to some RUF songs, and I wonder if we really hear the confessions and prayers we offer with these words:

Laden with guilt, and full of fear, I fly to thee, my Lord, and not a glimpse of hope appears, but in thy written word. The volumes of my father's grace does all my griefs assuage. Here I behold my savior's face in every page. This is the field where hidden lies the pearl of price unknown. That merchant is divinely wise who makes the pearl his own. Here consecrated water flows to quench my thirst of sin. Here the fair tree of knowledge grows; no danger dwells within. This is the judge who ends the strife where wit and reason fail, my guide to everlasting life through all this gloomy veil. Oh, may thy council, mighty God, my roving feet command; nor I forsake that happy road that leads to thy right hand.

Without thy sweet mercy I could not live here; sin would reduce me to utter dispair. But through thy free goodness my spirits revive, and he that first made me still keeps me alive. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart, which wonders to feel its own hardness depart. Disolved by thy goodness, I fall to the ground, and weep to the praise of the mercy I've found.

The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegrooms face. I will not gaze at glory, but on my king of grace. Not at the crown he giveth, but on his pierced hands. The lamb is all the glory of Emanuel's land.

The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord. She is His new creation by water and the Word. From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died. Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth, her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth. One holy Name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses,with every grace endued. Though with a scornful wonder men see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping. Their cry goes up, "How long?" And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song. The church shall never perish, her dear Lord to defend, to guide, sustain and cherish, is with her to the end. Though there be those that hate her, and false sons in her pale, against a foe or traitor she ever shall prevail. Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace forevermore. 'Til, with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blessed, and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest. Yet she on earth hath union with God, the Three in One, and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won. O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee.

Jesus, with Thy church, abide! Be her Savior, Lord, and Guide, while on earth her faith is tried: we beseech Thee, hear us, we beseech Thee, hear us. Keep her life and doctrine pure; grant her patience to endure, trusting in Thy promise sure: we beseech Thee, hear us, we beseech Thee, hear us. May she one in doctrine be, one in truth and charity, winning all to faith in Thee: we beseech Thee, hear us, we beseech Thee, hear us. May she guide the poor and blind, seek the lost until she find, and the brokenhearted bind: we beseech Thee, hear us, we beseech Thee, hear us.

Do these words bring tears to your eyes? Tonight, they did me.