a journal of my adventure back to college to finish my degree

 
Life is Religion

On the 4th and 5th of October I attended a memorial academic conference in honor of H. Evan Runner. You can read my Crown article about it. It was wonderful to have met so many leaders in the Reformational movement, and to learn more about the life and work of Runner. At the conference I met Gideon Strauss and we are now colaborating on the online zine "Neocalvinism Today" (I recently posted a brief article mentioning my first Canadian Thanksgiving).

Although most of Runner's works are currently out of print or hard to find, a "Runner Legacy Committe" has been formed to remedy this unfortunate stituation.
Runner titles to search for are:
The Bible and the Life of the Christian
Scriptural Religion and Political Task
The Relation of the Bible to Learning
Promise and Deliverance (translator)
Hearing and Doing (festschrift)
Life is Religion (festschrift)
Here is Dr. Runner's memorial tribute to Herman Dooyeweerd.

In other news: I've found a pleasant pub to visit. I've only been into town twice, but I'm not suffering too badly from campus fever (yet).

We've just had our mid-term exams, and I'm confident I did well... except for French. But I won't let it get the better of me. In good neocalvinist fashion, I shall rule and subdue it.

I have also been attending the OPC services with Grace Covenant in Sheffield (about 30 minutes west of the university). Oddly enough they are all Dutch. But I'm enjoying their fellowship and hospitality tremendously.
posted by Baus at 7:20 PM

 
The Music Returns

I think I’m past all the transition, adjustment, and culture shock. Last night I fell asleep feeling giddy about being here and doing what I love best. The sunlight of an academic environment has even got the long lost creative juices flowing again. I had a song-writing dry spell for about seven years. But it seems the poetry and melodies have returned. Several nights ago I participated in the Student Activities monthly “talent show.” There are two or three students with whom I might form a folk-group. Perhaps it will include cello and/or piano (along side the standard guitars and vocals).

Here are recent lyrics about my running away to California in ‘99. It’s a dark tune, addressing the spiritual trial of those days.

Speak of the Devil

I packed my bags and I headed south
with a handrolled cigarette in mouth
the moon was thin and sickle sharp
but it still cast shadows in the dark

I spent two months at the river’s bend
feelin it be soon but wondrin when
the man who lives by the mountain cave
says not everyone can be saved

The wind blew east so I set out west
lookin for a town where my mind could rest
my horse broke down in Little Rock
a shaggy old crow cried “Ten O’Clock”

When these feet fell on the ocean sand
the sun sunk back to the Underland
I tried not to say his name out loud
talk about him and he’ll come around
posted by Baus at 10:49 AM