I do like the cool sand-being-formed-into-shapes-on-a-drumhead opening. Wasn't there another opening filmed with molten metal pouring down ring molds, though? Is that being saved for later?
What's with the tattered awning thing? Does this franchise actually remember that orcs can't handle sunlight very well -- unlike a certain Peter Jackson I could mention?
So, the presumably-Numenorian sailor uniform looks cool but I can't help but think long jerkins and gambesons will be constricting if they have to go aloft. Don't you boys have to reef the topsails sometimes? Keep your legs free!
Top two pictures are from the show: bottom two are what I'm guessing are the real-world inspirations. Greco-Roman islander, but with some kind of twist.
The unexpected hug. Classic Rogue move. Okay, I think I've got this guy just about statted out in my head. High DEX, high CHA, decent but not above average WIS, mysterious backstory...
Anin -- from "anha," "give"
apsene -- from apsen, "release" "forgive"
"Forgive me."
Both words can be seen in "...ar ámen apsenë úcaremmar sív’ emmë apsenet tien i úcarir emmen." ("Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.")
It's easy to accidentally project modern knowledge backward on the ancients.
Here's a thing to consider: the Church Fathers that were against contraception also had no idea what actually *happened* at conception. "Implantation"? "Zygotes?" "Fertilization"? What's that?
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We think, "A sperm plus an egg and they combine genetic material." Well, that knowledge came later.
Aristotle and Pythagoras, a few centuries before, had thought all genetic contribution came from the father, while menstrual blood was "raw material" incorporated into the fetus.
Earlier Mesopotamian thought likewise put all emphasis on the father and the sperm: a woman only "nourished."
The Holy Spirit *does* communicate the meaning of Scripture to us, throughout a Christian's life. This is called "illumination."
A thread of quotes on the subject:
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"The Reformers... stressed the way the objective, written Word and the inner, supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit work together, the Holy Spirit illuminating the Word to God's people. The Word without the illumination of the Holy Spirit remains a closed book."
--Boice
2/9
"The Spirit, however, opens and unveils our minds and attunes our hearts so that we understand (Eph. 1:17-18; 3:18-19; 2 Cor. 3:14-16; 4:6). As by inspiration he provided Scripture truth for us, so now by illumination he interprets it to us."
I think Christian kids raised in Youth groups that never get past pizza and a few basic Bible stories are actually HUNGRY for big theological conversations.
Case in point: it only took ten minutes into my 8th grade Bible class's first class for them to send me back to research.
8th grader: "Wait, so does Jesus have the same will as God the Father, or does he have his own separate will?"
Me: *pretty sure Jesus had a human will AND a divine will but not sure enough to risk saying something incorrect*
Me: "...Let me look it up and get back to you."
(And this question came out of just my simple introductory summary of the idea of Jesus as a sacrifice! *I'm* not the one who took it that deep!)
2018: Tom is disappointed he couldn't publicly ask Russell Moore a "gotcha" about if the SBC should host conferences named after abusers. (This was a reference to the SBC-hosted MLK Jr. conference.)
Also: Doug Wilson quote?
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2019 : Tom Ascol is VERY upset about Resolution 9 b/c it cautiously says CRT can be a useful tool.
Also 2019: Tom Ascol records Kyle J Howard w/o his knowledge, through a lapel mic, under false pretenses, for a documentary filmed by Marcus Pittman & Jared Longshore.
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2020: In the months previous, Tom quotes his own documentary regarding the SBC, urging his followers to "take the ship," a phrase that would be endlessly re-echoed by his CBN "pirate" allies a year later.
He also critiqued SEBTS for talking about racial injustice.
In 2005, Al Mohler wrote on how severe a doctrinal disagreement might be. He ended up using the terms "First-Order, Second-Order, and Third-Order Doctrines," which I find helpful.
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A 1st-Order Doctrine is one that defines the basics of Christianity.
A 2nd-Order Doctrine orders church life but doesn't define the Gospel. Those who disagree probably couldn't share a congregation.
And a 3rd-Order Doctrine is relatively unimportant.
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So this mindset should be an aid to Christian unity, yes?
If you disagree with me on a 2nd-order issue, we'll probably end up in different denominations, but I can affirm you as my sibling-in-Christ. If we disagree on a 3rd-order issue, we could easily still share a pew.
2yo: "Why he wants the Ring, Dada?"
Me: "It used to be *his* Ring, and he wants it back."
2yo: *processing* *thinking of where she puts things when she doesn't want her brothers touching them*
2yo: "Where he gonna put the Ring, Dada? He don't have a room!"
2yo wandered off into the kitchen for a snack. She came back just as the Riders of Rohan come circling Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas.