tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82783952024-03-14T05:58:41.693-05:00Wherever I AmConfessions of a Seed-PickerJoshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-34050523229383408262016-03-17T16:05:00.001-05:002016-03-17T16:10:58.366-05:00Early Christians on the Run: Too Busy to Write?When I was growing up in the Church there were some things I questioned, and some I didn't. For instance, I never questioned that the Church went apostate not too long after the death of the Apostles. We knew the early church looked pretty much like an independent Baptist church, but over time it picked up these awful calcifications called "traditions." If the leaders of the early church came forward in time they would be dismayed at all of the baggage the Church gathered over two millennia.<br />
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"If only," I thought, "we had some records from the era right after the Apostles. Then we could really prove what the early church thought."<br />
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I was assured, however, that early Christians were too busy running for their lives to write much. Christian lives were certainly under threat for large swaths of history, but to say that the Apostolic Fathers didn't write is pretty inaccurate. So, for my own sake and for the sake of those who were raised in a similar milieu, I worked up a chart. I'm not usually a chart kind of guy, but I think it captures the information succinctly.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0_CN6MKXII/Vusb5O1iEDI/AAAAAAAAAJY/yo5TFTWxfOw0eey6bxDzWpDo7O12pvXqg/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0_CN6MKXII/Vusb5O1iEDI/AAAAAAAAAJY/yo5TFTWxfOw0eey6bxDzWpDo7O12pvXqg/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's the takeaway. The Apostolic Fathers, who wrote in the generation following the Apostles, wrote plenty of works. The Apostles and those who wrote under their authority penned 27 books in 45 years (if you accept the late date for Revelation). The Apostolic Fathers wrote eight fewer books in four fewer years (if you push St. Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians to it's latest possible date. It may have been written as early as AD 110).<br />
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While the Apostolic Fathers did not write as much as the Apostles, we can still put the thesis that the early church didn't write much to bed. Please note that we no longer have full copies of several of the works I mentioned. The work of Quadratus of Athens, for example, and also the five books of St. Papias. We only have quotations from these.<br />
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<b><i>One Step Beyond</i></b><br />
Now I want to move one step beyond the previous argument. Since the Apostolic Fathers were writing actively, and since they had been taught by Apostles themselves, we need to take what they wrote quite seriously. This is no partial witness made up of men who don't represent the Church in its entirety. This is the witness of men who were directly instructed by men who were taught by Christ himself. Either they accurately represent what the Apostles were taught by Jesus, or the Apostles were the absolutely worthless as instructing their hand-picked disciples.<br />
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You might say, "These men were too influenced by Greek philosophy and/or other ideas floating around at the time. With modern scholarly techniques we are better able to return to what the Apostles meant to write than the Apostolic fathers."<br />
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I challenge this in two ways: First, St. Clement and St. Ignatius were writing in 95 and 107 respectively. By the end of that year St. Ignatius was dead. The Apostle St. John, who was St. Ignatius's spiritual father, had died a decade earlier. Is it really plausible to hold that St. Ignatius departed from St. John's teaching over the course of a decade? Would he not have treasured the instructions St. John gave him? Also consider the fact that St. Ignatius was sparring with Gnostics, who truly were influenced by Platonism.<br />
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My second challenge: It is precisely our modern mentality that prevents us from understanding the Scriptures properly. We are not Platonists, but we are nominalists. We are sons and daughters of the Enlightenment. In the ancient world words like "symbol" and "remember" carried richer meaning--meaning that brought past realities into the present in a real way. A symbol carried with it the thing it symbolized. Rememberance was an actual participation in a past event. This was true even of Ancient Israel in the Passover celebration.<br />
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If we as moderns miss this, then we will not be able to interpret Scripture properly. We will read the words and assume that the realities behind these words are only subjective cognitive associations. A symbol is nothing more than a stand in. A rememberance is merely an act of the mind. The Apostolic Fathers were much closer to the mind of the Apostles. We should accept their authority over and above modern methods of Biblical interpretation.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-38172460340411865322010-11-23T06:56:00.001-06:002010-11-23T06:56:34.294-06:00Husbands/Dads, Do You Shepherd Your Families?I loved this short article. I would really like to implement this sort of thing at home.<br />
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<a href="http://theresurgence.com/2010/04/13/how-i-pastor-my-family">"How I Pastor My Family"</a> by Justin Hyde<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-83754576145515094102010-11-11T07:06:00.000-06:002010-11-11T07:06:10.854-06:00So You Want to be Holy?"Let no man think he makes any progress in holines, who walks not over the neck of his lusts."<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">--John Owen </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>The Mortification of Sin</i></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-73649777085785729942010-09-06T08:17:00.000-05:002010-09-06T08:17:21.975-05:00The High Priests Have Spoken--Trade Your Geneva Gown for a Lab CoatStephen Hawking has recently declared that, based on his work in physics, God is not necessary to explain the origin of the universe.<br />
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“Because there is a law such as gravity,” writes Hawking in his new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Design-Stephen-Hawking/dp/0553805371?ie=UTF8&tag=whe0e2-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Grand Design</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whe0e2-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0553805371" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, “the universe can and will create itself from nothing."<br />
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Christians have been quick to respond, of course (see The Solas Centre's response<a href="http://www.solas-cpc.co.uk/blog"> here</a>), and I'm sure there will be many more articles to come in the future so I'll keep my response short.<br />
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Hawking says that, given gravity, the existence of the universe is inevitable. Now I need his help in completing this sentence:<br />
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"Given _______, the existence of gravity is inevitable."<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-83883986001931485432010-08-30T06:52:00.002-05:002010-08-30T06:53:27.818-05:00Bono, Bonhoeffer, and Carl"It would be tragic and a travesty of New Testament church life if, in spending so much time listening to everybody else out there, pastors ended up with no time on their schedule to listen to the voices of their own people."<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">--Carl Trueman in <a href="http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2010/08/life-together-or-not.php">"Life Together--or Maybe Not" </a></div><br />
I love Carl Trueman. Lately it seems like half the quotes that grab my attention are from him. If you're a pastor, I highly recommend the above-linked article. If you're not . . . read it anyway and forward the link to your pastor!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Together-Classic-Exploration-Community/dp/0060608528?ie=UTF8&tag=whe0e2-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whe0e2-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060608528" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-76419785692148815442010-08-24T06:52:00.000-05:002010-08-24T06:52:07.865-05:00#651; Those Volatile Menu OptionsI currently work at a hospital. A doctor, you ask? No, I'm a receptionist. And being a receptionist I spend a lot of time on the phone. It's startling how accurately Dave Malki captured my "on-the-phone" experience in today's <span style="font-style: italic;">Wondermark.</span> Enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="http://wondermark.com/651/">#651; Those Volatile Menu Options</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-15031910915671526782010-08-17T21:01:00.000-05:002010-08-17T21:01:07.762-05:00Good Reading + Raising the Bar for Biblical Studies=the everlasting covenantI met a lot of cool people in seminary, but one of the coolest was definitely Chris Morgan. We had a lot of fun getting to know him, his wife Michelle, and their kids while we lived in St. Louis. I was thrilled when I found out he started a blog because that meant I could regularly hear from a friend I miss.<br />
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As it turns out, Chris's blog--called <a href="http://www.morganarmy.me/PhDPartnership/blog/blog.html"><i>the everlasting covenant</i></a>--serves a two-fold purpose. First, it will allow Chris to share his learning with the rest of us, and believe me, Chris is a sharp and careful thinker. There's plenty to share.<br />
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Second, it will help Chris and Michelle prepare for their future. All that learning and careful thinking Chris did in seminary lead him to three different opportunities for PhD work in Biblical Studies. That's exciting, but Chris and Michelle are facing some financial hurdles. The blog, along with the rest of Chris's website, will serve as their on-line 'home base' for fundraising.<br />
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I know Chris will do excellent work as a Biblical scholar and I want him to be able to take advantage of the opportunities God has given him. We need evangelical voices in Biblical studies, so go to his website, find out more about him, and pray. Pray to see if God wants you to support Chris and Michelle, but most of all just pray that God will buoy the Morgans up during an uncertain time in their lives.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-83109220610632628152010-08-16T22:30:00.001-05:002010-08-16T22:31:24.497-05:00Straightforward Words from a Straightforward Boy<i>This conversation took place yesterday:</i> <br />
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Max: Dad, can I talk to you?<br />
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Me: Sure, buddy.<br />
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Max: There are three things I know about you, Dad.<br />
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Me: Yeah? <br />
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Max: Your skin is the same color as mine.<br />
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Me: True.<br />
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Max: You have blue eyes.<br />
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Me: Yes.<br />
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Max: And some of your teeth are green.<br />
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Suddenly dental hygiene became a higher priority . . .<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-71798661579408958682010-08-11T21:16:00.004-05:002010-08-11T21:22:23.899-05:00Gospel Challenge"Because of this reality of disobedience, the Gospel will always be experienced as a challenge. It will challenge the mind, for it confronts false belief with the truth. It will challenge the will, for it cuts to the core of our insistence on turning away from God and going our own way. It will challenge our heart, for for our hearts are devoted to many masters in place of the one true Lord."<br /><br />---Jerram Barrs, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Heart of Evangelism</span>, p. 267.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-90242962845204803092010-08-10T21:50:00.003-05:002010-08-10T22:21:26.847-05:00Whither Joy and Slavery?Welcome to "Wherever I Am," the blog formerly known as "Joy and Slavery," which was formerly known as "The Lazy Logician." Back when I started the first incarnation of this blog I wanted to focus on philosophical issues with occasional forays into every day life topics. I did that for a while, but my interests shifted to theology. In the interest of appropriate signage I changed the blog to "Joy and Slavery," which I took to be a "theologically friendly" title. A friend told me it sounded a bit more like a blog for masochists, but the title hung around until this year.<br /><br />After graduating from seminary (and failing to get into an MFA program) I realized that I had a problem: my interests are too diverse. I kept waiting for something to hook me and keep me forever, but now I realize it's not going to happen. There is no ONE THING that will be my eternal writing topic.<br /><br />I like fiction, but I also like essays. I like theology, but I also like philosophy. I like football, indie rock, comic books, serious lit, etc. I suppose most of us are like this, but I needed this blog to be a place where I could feel free to write on any of those topics.<br /><br />So the name change happened. The title "Wherever I Am" can be taken in a few ways.<br />First, the "Wherever I Am" could be interpreted as allowing a day-to-day topic shift. I'll write from wherever I happen to "be" mentally that day. There is, however, a sort of back door theological reference some of you may have noticed.<br /><br />In Exodus 3 the Lord told Moses to that his name was "I AM." The second way to think of the blog's new title is to stick a comma in the middle. "Wherever, I AM." In other words, I don't know where you're taking me, but that's where I want to go, Lord.<br /><br />And that's the way I want to live life: pursuing the interests that God has given me with his direction serving as the backbone.<br /><br />So, wherever I am I say, "Wherever, I AM."<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-75134805879358917582010-08-10T21:18:00.006-05:002010-08-11T21:16:04.473-05:00Good Eating<span style="font-weight: bold;">Good Eating: <span style="font-style: italic;">A poem about sin.</span></span><br /><br />Sin is a many-toothed mouth;<br />broad, flat, and iron black.<br />grinding, crushing, cursed.<br /><br />Sin is a many-toothed mouth;<br />wet edges glistening,<br />broken like glass<br /><br />Sin is a many toothed mouth;<br />we gorge tooth to tooth and forget<br />it is not food if it eats you back.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-14495446530211456972010-01-03T17:05:00.010-06:002010-01-03T17:45:33.087-06:00Still More Applications<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I completed a cluster of applications over the Christmas/New Year's holiday season. The candidates are:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Indiana University</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0EoKsqPjiI/AAAAAAAAADY/MYBjBiR_l2k/s1600-h/indiana-university-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0EoKsqPjiI/AAAAAAAAADY/MYBjBiR_l2k/s400/indiana-university-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422659590582930978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span>Another Big 10 school not quite in the top tier, but very close. In terms of program quality and funds, Indiana would be tough to turn down. Not that I would turn them down . . . it would just </span><span>be tough.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />UNC-Greensboro</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0Em-UJXSEI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ySKUasVKarc/s1600-h/uncg_logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 247px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0Em-UJXSEI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ySKUasVKarc/s400/uncg_logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422658278332516418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span>UNC-Greensboro is a good solid program. The funding is good, though not every student gets a stipend as I understand it, and I have heard very good things about the atmosphere cultivated there.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>It's also much closer to the beach than we have ever lived, so Mary Ann would be pleased with that.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />The University of Michigan</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0EkdDp-M0I/AAAAAAAAADA/bA7XGfVKsf0/s1600-h/michigan-dm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0EkdDp-M0I/AAAAAAAAADA/bA7XGfVKsf0/s400/michigan-dm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422655507946943298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Michigan ranks up there with the best of the best in the MFA world. Another tough admit for me, but it doesn't hurt to apply, right?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Washington University in St. Louis</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0ElSELCH7I/AAAAAAAAADI/BUSGkdnSElM/s1600-h/washu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0ElSELCH7I/AAAAAAAAADI/BUSGkdnSElM/s400/washu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422656418618679218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >'Wash</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span>U,' as it's known, is one of the best academic schools in the country. The MFA does not rank in the top tier, but is still highly regarded. They get fewer applicants, so that's good for me, and they're more known for poetry than fiction. That also works in my favor. It would also mean a mere cross-town move, so that would be less expensive.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">University of Iowa</span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0EotDD8nXI/AAAAAAAAADg/sD_7Y7AjhRw/s1600-h/Iowa_hawkeyes_logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 310px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/S0EotDD8nXI/AAAAAAAAADg/sD_7Y7AjhRw/s400/Iowa_hawkeyes_logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422660180711873906" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>The granddaddy of them all. The first Creative Writing MFA. Flannery O'Connor's MFA. The MFA that has the spectacular Marilynne Robinson on staff. I don't reckon I'd shred that acceptance letter if I got it.<br /><br />Nearly there. Just a few applications left to go. Then it's that horrible waiting game.<br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-76775345560154289142009-12-25T07:48:00.004-06:002009-12-25T07:54:48.029-06:00Another Application CompletedSent in another submission. Add this one to the list:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/SzTDpApGzhI/AAAAAAAAAC4/m02iVcXVv14/s1600-h/Alabama_Crimson_Tide_al30_large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/SzTDpApGzhI/AAAAAAAAAC4/m02iVcXVv14/s400/Alabama_Crimson_Tide_al30_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419171360948014610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Roll tide and stuff.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-40038627956037798652009-12-17T23:03:00.006-06:002009-12-18T06:20:46.461-06:00The Submissions have BegunThe first two applications are away.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"> UT-Austin</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/SysPDxo3KPI/AAAAAAAAACo/rcVDBpjGF-w/s1600-h/texas-longhorns-logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 258px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/SysPDxo3KPI/AAAAAAAAACo/rcVDBpjGF-w/s400/texas-longhorns-logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416439534381902066" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Michener Center at Texas, my friends, is one of the most selective MFA programs in this good US of A. Few slots, lots of applicants. Texas is attractive for several reasons: you don't have to teach, the professors are quite good, and the stipend is absolutely unbelievable. Plus there is an excellent screenwriting program that I could basically 'minor' in.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"> <br />The University of Illinois</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/SysQWQ8S6aI/AAAAAAAAACw/YrLnZH8nE_w/s1600-h/illinois+logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 289px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Fouky_MnocI/SysQWQ8S6aI/AAAAAAAAACw/YrLnZH8nE_w/s400/illinois+logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416440951534184866" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Illinois is still in the 'up and coming' category as far as I know. They are one of the programs from the 'Big 10' that have cropped up in recent years and instantly made a splash. I feel like I stand a better chance here than Texas, but they are still fairly discriminating.<br /><br />So that's it for now. Only 12 more programs to submit applications to. Easy as pie.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-59256476534765127472009-11-30T17:33:00.003-06:002009-11-30T17:34:35.389-06:00Max Duncan, Literary GiantIn case you're wondering, the previous post is indeed a story dictated by my story-tellin' son, Maxwell Isaiah Duncan. Getting into the family business already . . .<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-79001419415111174482009-11-30T17:26:00.001-06:002009-11-30T17:33:02.478-06:00Max and Dad, Kamen Riders by Max DuncanMax and Dad wanted to go outside to fish with their own fishing rods. When it was night, they went to bed and went to sleep and when they woke up in the morning they wanted to fish again. When they saw their skin they got so scared of their skin that they tried to get it off but it wouldn’t come off because it was hero skin!<p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>When Max saw himself he looked like a knight from his favorite TV show and his Dad didn’t know what it was. It was called ‘Kamen Rider’ and when Max saw what it was he knew what it was. It was called ‘Strike Knight.’ When Max saw his Dad his Dad looked like ‘Thrust Knight.’ When they saw different cards, Max started to look like his Dad. Then Max started to look like his brother Finn, who was ‘Sting Knight.’ Max’s Dad started to look like his son Leo who was ‘Wing Knight.’ </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>When Leo and Max did ‘Kamen Rider’ training, Max won and Leo hit his back on a wall and erased away. Then guns came drifting down from the sky that go on ‘Torque Knight’s’ shoulders. Max’s Dad decided to keep them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Something drifted down from the sky. It was ‘Siren Knight’s’ sword, and Max decided to have it. And then something else drifted down from the sky. It was ‘Siren Knight’s’ staff, and Max’s Dad decided to keep it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>The ‘Dragon Knight’ that Clem is, is red. There was another ‘Dragon Knight’ that wanted to fight Clem. This one was called ‘Shadow Dragon Knight.’ They had a surprise. Four of the decks had persons from inside and first came Finn, Mom, Clem and Leo. Then they started attacking Max and Dad. General Zaviax tricked them. General Zaviax made them come back. When they got General Zaviax out of Kamen Rider Ray, they put him back together in his regular Kamen Rider form. And then when they started fighting four of them they tried and tried and Max and Dad won! When they erased away again the older son knew how to bring them back and they all attacked General Zaviax and they put him back in his home.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-12503027235554105582009-11-14T09:13:00.005-06:002009-11-14T09:36:35.936-06:00MFA AnxietyMicrosoft Office is downloading an update to the ol' computer. So I'm going to flex my writing muscles on the blog this morning. This has been a jam-packed semester, so blogging has been a low priority for the last couple of months. Now, though, I'm going to take advantage of this lull to blog about my anxieties. Hooray!!!<br /><br />Things are going fairly well for my MFA application process at this point. The GRE is over and done with, I have two out of three people I need to recommend me, and I'm actually staying on top of the process. I have two stories I like and am working on a third. All of these are good.<br /><br />However . . . I am constantly having to pray about the subjectivity of MFA admissions. You can write an excellent story, but if the wrong people don't like your stuff, you're out of luck. In a recent article in <span style="font-style: italic;">Poets and Writers</span> Benjamin Percy (an excellent writer, in my opinion) mentioned that one of his stories was rejected for publication 39 times. Once it was finally published, Salman Rushdie picked it as an honorable mention for Best American Short Stories. That was a happy ending for Benjamin, but my mind keeps going back to the strong possibility that I won't have a 'Salman Rusdie.'<br /><br />I suppose it's a good thing that these thoughts move me to pray, but I think it would be better to just not be anxious. "Be anxious for nothing" and all that. I think the anxiety rises from a few sources:<br /><br />1. I've never been this uncertain about applying for anything. I was quite certain I would get into my undergrad schools and seminary. But for MFAs there are so many applicants and so few slots nationwide that the percentages are against me.<br /><br />2. I've never wanted something as much as I want this, career-wise. This is the path I want to take, so not getting into the MFA would be a blow.<br /><br />3. I don't have a good solid idea for what I would do in the immediate aftermath of 14 rejection letters. I reckon it would involve a hasty retreat to West Virginia, but what then? Apply again? Distance programs, maybe? What do I do in the meantime? I can teach, but how many jobs are there available for chaps like me?<br /><br />All that said, I do have good reasons not to be anxious. I believe God called me in the direction of writing. That doesn't mean that I'm guaranteed an MFA slot, but it does mean that God is taking care of me. God surprises us sometimes (surprise, Paul! You've been bitten by a venomous snake!) but then he surprises again with his deliverance (the venom won't harm you. Surprise again!).<br /><br />Thanks, God. I feel better.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-5922502653580567162009-10-17T17:54:00.002-05:002009-10-17T17:55:23.492-05:00Marshall vs. WVU24-7: This is what happens when you fumble twice in the red zone.<br /><br />Back to the C-USA schedule!<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-68834468065425217412009-09-29T11:41:00.004-05:002009-09-29T11:58:28.318-05:00The Time Draws Near, The Writer Readies Himself . . . Kinda . . .MFA application season approaches. I still don't feel like I have a great writing sample, but I've come to the conclusion I never will. I will never feel like I have written well enough until I get an acceptance letter, and even then I'll think, "whew, I snuck one past them." That's the trouble with finding your self-image as a writer in the opinions of others.<br /><br />Honestly, I do think the stories I've written are good. The fact that not everyone agrees highlights the subjective nature of reading fiction. That's what makes me nervous about MFA applications. I can't be guaranteed a spot by just getting a certain score on the GRE (which I still need to take). I've been recently that I will just stop worrying about others opinions (within reason) and write what I believe God is leading to write.<br /><br />The good news for today is that I finished the first draft of "Miracles for Americans." It needs a lot of work, but it's good to actually get to the end of a story. It's my longest story so far, coming in at 19 pages and around 7200 words, but I'm hoping to lop a bit of that off. So I'll be editing that and taking another pass at "Come on, Casper" to look over some changes I made a month or two ago. Hopefully I'll be able to communicate the humor I intended in"Miracles." I haven't had a lot of experience at humor writing, so we'll see how that goes. It'll never be a laugh riot, but I think it will have a lighter tone than "Casper."<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-39623984769784841472009-09-17T06:31:00.002-05:002009-09-17T06:44:05.650-05:00Still Pluggin' AwayJust another productivity report:<br /><br />I've been waking up at 5:30 am this week. On purpose. Mary Ann and I have been struggling to find a good time for me to write these days, and I think this is the best solution. I've tried to do the late night thing; it seems the more 'writerly' thing to do, right? Writers are supposed to stay up late to drink and be tortured by their demons. Unfortunately (?), my demons kept standing me up, so Mary Ann and I broke with our 1-2AM tradition and started hitting the sack at 11:00. Since then things hve gone much better in the writing department.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-56347547280743236072009-08-17T07:13:00.003-05:002009-08-17T07:27:37.568-05:00I FINALLY Got ArrestedSo I finally gave in. After years of people telling me I should watch Arrested Development, Mary Ann and I rented the first DVD from the first season. The straw that broke the camel's back was the fact that the guys who do <a href="http://www.steelehouse.com/">The Steelehouse Podcast </a>named it as one of their top ten shows of the decade. You should check out that podcast, by the way. A thoughtful and enjoyable look at pop culture from a Christian perspective.<br /><br />But back to the show: Typical. Really. I don't mean Arrested Development was typical. What's typical is that it was cancelled after three seasons. Good shows don't make it much longer than that. Mary Ann and I are joining the chorus. Arrested Development was quite hilarious.<br /><br />For those of you who are slow to take recommendations like me, now is the time. Outside of 30 Rock I doubt there's a show that even approaches Arrested Development's level of hilarity. Quirky characters can get old quickly if poorly written, but the cast of Arrested Development, while quirky, never fail to surprise.<br /><br />If you watch the show now, you can see how much of the writing and direction has pointed the way for comedies currently on the air. If you promise to watch the show that started the trend, then I promise to stop reviewing shows that have been of the air for six years.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-79344259893535201292009-07-21T07:37:00.004-05:002009-07-21T17:15:23.360-05:00A Breakfast TragedyI went to open my cereal this morning--a new box. Carefully, I pushed my finger underneath the cardboard tab. I gingerly scooted said finger to the right, in order to preserve the integrity of the cardboard tab. It helps in the resealing process.<br /><br />But, as you might predict, my efforts were fruitless. My finger tore through that fragile box top as though passing through the air unimpeded. My cereal is compromised.<br /><br />And THAT, my friends, is how you know that General Mills hates you.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-83461842997961710462009-07-13T17:30:00.002-05:002009-07-13T17:31:29.555-05:00Writerly FrustrationsIf I could just write 1000 good words a day, I would be so happy that I would wet not just my pants, but everyone else's too.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-81956977324208921422009-07-06T00:28:00.003-05:002009-07-06T00:39:49.745-05:00Two Gross-Out HaikusHere are two Gross-Out Haikus stemming from the same incident. I'm thinking of making these a significant part of my writing sample.<br /><br />Finn's oranges, juice<br />and pizza revolt, dripping<br />down in my pocket<br /><br />My Steeler's T-Shirt<br />Piled high with half-gnawed foodstuffs<br />The Superbowl one<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278395.post-65125406247788976862009-06-11T12:48:00.002-05:002009-06-11T13:01:22.580-05:00He Thinks as He TypesI'm at the library right now. It's time to write, but I'm having a hard time bringing myself into the 'writerly mindset,' whatever that may be. It's that post-lunch energy dip, I guess. It's annoying because I have these times carved out to write every day, and if I don't do it now then I'll get nothing. But the ol' brain is in sleep mode.<br /><br />Besides, I'm not sure what I'd write right now. I can always do VFO, but Rex is alerady working something I sent him a few days ago so I feel kinda 'caught up.' It's a dangerous feeling, but I'm going with it. I'd like to do some short story work, but I don't want to do any more editing on "Come On, Casper" until my group of readers give me their feedback (Thanks for yours, by the way, Mary Ann and Rex. You were both quite helpful). I could try and figure out a title, but I don't want to spend two hours on just that. I can brainstorm for titles while I clean at work tonight, or do my security runs.<br /><br />I have a bunch of story ideas, but I don't want to work on another story where the protagonist is a jerk. I'd like to do something with a pleasant lead character, but I most of my ideas involve bad things happening big jerks. I do have one idea, though, that might fit the bill. But I've started on it before and it didn't feel right. All I have is a fairly bare concept. I guess I could work on plotting that story . . . I don't have to jump right into the first draft of the thing.<br /><br />I think that's what I'll do. Thanks for helping me figure this stuff out, guys.<div class="blogger-post-footer">All original material copyright to Joshua Duncan</div>Joshua Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04883909628473838341noreply@blogger.com0