This is a blog to discuss philosophy, chess, politics,
C. S. Lewis, or whatever it is that I'm in the mood to discuss.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
lucky to be alive
I was in a car accident, and broke my hip. I got the worst of it, my wife and daughter are OK. A speeder got us. They're out of the hospital, I have a couple more days.
Whenever I visit the USA, I'm so scared of the traffic. All the sane people here in Tokyo take public transport. If you have to drive, you could at least stay on the proper side of the road!
Well, it looks like we'll soon have cars that drive themselves, and that might be safer.
Awful news Victor. It's a relief to read your wife and daughter faired well. I think car accidents are such terrible experiences at the best of times and a frightful risk we all take that comes with enjoying the great benefits of personal transport. But in your case I hope the speedster [speeder] gets the book thrown at him/her. It's rather a stupid misnomer to call it an 'accident' when one of the parties deliberately puts the lives of others at risk.
Get better and real soon. I have lots more sparring work with you on the matter of supernaturalism and its waning explanatory influence.
Kinda puts all our conversations here in perspective. Keep us informed, Victor! You can bet we're all praying for you and your family.
And I agree totally with Linton. If the guy was speeding, then that was no accident. You were criminally assaulted! I watch jerks tear down my residential street all the time at 60 mph (the speed limit is 30, and there are kids everywhere).
If you don't care for that answer, might I suggest you read The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything, which (among many other topics) covers the subject of prayer better than nearly any other contemporary book I can think of.
"Book title looks little suspicious, but thanks for the tip."
If you're suspicious of the title, then this is one case where reading the book would be all the more profitable.
Accepting the efficacy of petitionary prayer is one of those areas where the true definition of Faith comes in really handy. Because it's not a matter of a priori blind acceptance, but rather one of trust after intellectual assent to the Big Picture. Once you realize that the Resurrection is a historical event, that Jesus is alive today, and that you can trust His word, you don't have to agonize over every nit-picking quibble. You can trust the details to be faithful.
And no, praying is not some sort of magic want to get what you want. God is not our servant, to be summoned like a genie.
Sorry about the accident, but glad you are on the mend and your family is well (or OK).
From the Book of Common Prayer:
"O GOD, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers; Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to thy servant the help of thy power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
I sometimes wonder what it would be like without people like you around to challenge us. This reminds me how much I would actually miss you. So glad to hear you'll be okay. Get better, quickly.
I'm guessing from that line you may know some words of the faith in other languages (just a guess). If so, a few thoughts on the faith in another language?
I don't know Victor, but he seems to me to be a good man. I'm glad he has a loyal friend like you. Friendship goes a long way in the world.
"I'm guessing from that line you may know some words of the faith in other languages"
I regularly listen to Russian Orthodox liturgical music (the only other language I am fluent in), and attended services in German when I lived in that country for 6 years. I pray 2-5 times daily in Latin (using the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary). And I'm one of those dinosaurs who still consider the Vulgate to be the authoritative text for the scriptures, and refer/defer to it whenever I have any issues about the wording of a specific passage.
Sorry to hear about that Dr. Reppert. Glad to know your family is okay.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I visit the USA, I'm so scared of the traffic. All the sane people here in Tokyo take public transport. If you have to drive, you could at least stay on the proper side of the road!
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks like we'll soon have cars that drive themselves, and that might be safer.
Holy buckets. Glad that you're okay.
ReplyDeleteYeah, best wishes for your full recovery.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers with you and your family as you recover, Vic. Glad you're still alive at least.
ReplyDeleteWill pray for full recovery.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that your family and you (assuming a full recovery) are OK, Victor! Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear, glad you survived.
ReplyDeleteHope things heal quickly and the leg rehab goes well.
Thoughts and prayers with you and family.
ReplyDeleteGraham
Sorry to hear about your accident! I'll be praying for your recovery.
ReplyDeleteSad news, but good to know you'll all be out soon. Take care!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you and your family are okay, Victor. Wow.
ReplyDeleteBe well Dr. V, glad to hear that the family is ok.
ReplyDeleteAwful news Victor. It's a relief to read your wife and daughter faired well. I think car accidents are such terrible experiences at the best of times and a frightful risk we all take that comes with enjoying the great benefits of personal transport. But in your case I hope the speedster [speeder] gets the book thrown at him/her. It's rather a stupid misnomer to call it an 'accident' when one of the parties deliberately puts the lives of others at risk.
ReplyDeleteGet better and real soon. I have lots more sparring work with you on the matter of supernaturalism and its waning explanatory influence.
Kinda puts all our conversations here in perspective. Keep us informed, Victor! You can bet we're all praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree totally with Linton. If the guy was speeding, then that was no accident. You were criminally assaulted! I watch jerks tear down my residential street all the time at 60 mph (the speed limit is 30, and there are kids everywhere).
I am also very glad that dr. Reppert and his family is alive and I wish him a full recovery soon.
ReplyDeleteNeverheless, sorry for off-topic comment, following reminded me of my long-term question:
we're all praying for you and your family
if traditional theism is right and there is no passive potency in God, what is the sense of praying for somebody?
"what is the sense of praying for somebody?"
ReplyDeleteThe simplest answer is that we're instructed to.
If you don't care for that answer, might I suggest you read The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything, which (among many other topics) covers the subject of prayer better than nearly any other contemporary book I can think of.
Book title looks little suspicious, but thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're okay.
ReplyDelete"Book title looks little suspicious, but thanks for the tip."
ReplyDeleteIf you're suspicious of the title, then this is one case where reading the book would be all the more profitable.
Accepting the efficacy of petitionary prayer is one of those areas where the true definition of Faith comes in really handy. Because it's not a matter of a priori blind acceptance, but rather one of trust after intellectual assent to the Big Picture. Once you realize that the Resurrection is a historical event, that Jesus is alive today, and that you can trust His word, you don't have to agonize over every nit-picking quibble. You can trust the details to be faithful.
And no, praying is not some sort of magic want to get what you want. God is not our servant, to be summoned like a genie.
God be with your Victor.
ReplyDelete"lucky to be alive"
ReplyDeleteOr more/other than lucky. ;) Either way, one is happy to hear that you (plural) are (mostly) well.
===
"... what is the sense of praying for somebody?"
The point of prayer isn't to "change God", but to change ourselves.
I said it in a religiously neutral way, but you know what I believe.
ReplyDelete"I said it in a religiously neutral way, but you know what I believe."
ReplyDeleteHence the winkie.
"I said it in a religiously neutral way ...."
ReplyDeleteAll kudos to you Victor. It makes for a less religiously partisan world. Now we just have to work on politics.
Sorry about the accident, but glad you are on the mend and your family is well (or OK).
ReplyDeleteFrom the Book of Common Prayer:
"O GOD, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers; Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to thy servant the help of thy power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Wonderful words, Dave. The Coverdale Psalms have yet to be matched in English, and the Book of Common Prayer remains the standard to be met.
ReplyDeleteBe assured, Victor, that Heaven is under siege with prayer for you and yours.
I sometimes wonder what it would be like without people like you around to challenge us. This reminds me how much I would actually miss you. So glad to hear you'll be okay. Get better, quickly.
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDelete"...yet to be matched in English."
I'm guessing from that line you may know some words of the faith in other languages (just a guess). If so, a few thoughts on the faith in another language?
I don't know Victor, but he seems to me to be a good man. I'm glad he has a loyal friend like you. Friendship goes a long way in the world.
I have to go to rehab for a couple of days to regain my walking skills,
ReplyDelete"I'm guessing from that line you may know some words of the faith in other languages"
ReplyDeleteI regularly listen to Russian Orthodox liturgical music (the only other language I am fluent in), and attended services in German when I lived in that country for 6 years. I pray 2-5 times daily in Latin (using the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary). And I'm one of those dinosaurs who still consider the Vulgate to be the authoritative text for the scriptures, and refer/defer to it whenever I have any issues about the wording of a specific passage.
"I have to go to rehab for a couple of days to regain my walking skills, "
ReplyDeleteErp!