I passed a milestone today that may be worthy of comment. John Calvin (1509-1564), Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), and J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937) — the three Johns — did not live to see their fifty-sixth birthday. In fact, Calvin and Edwards both died just short of their fifty-fifth birthday. I, on the other hand, made it to the beginning of my fifty-seventh year today, thus meaning that I share the same birthday as Michael Jordan (which is about the only thing we have in common despite my slow, white man attempts at basketball).
All of this leads me to wonder if God knows what he is doing. Okay, I’m no fan of Edwards but perhaps if had lived longer he could have straightened out the Connecticut River Valley and prevented the rise of Hopkinsianism, Taylorism, and the New Measures. And surely, Calvin and Machen could have accomplished a lot more if they had lived into their seventies. Yet, God in his infinite wisdom takes superior churchmen and theologians in their prime and allows also rans to meander on.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. (And if anyone attempts to reply with birthday greetings, to borrow a line from Karl Hungus, I’ll cut off their johnson comment).
24 Comments
Happy birthday. But leave me Willie alone.
Bill, okay, but it’s only for the sake of Willie.
Congrats.
You’re 3 months older than I am. Yes, it did occur to me when I past the last birthday that I’d outlived Calvin.
Happy Birthday…to MJ! White Russians all around in celebration.
DGH,
It’s good to know that the Dude abides. The Reformed world would benefit greatly from another couple of decades of ruffled feathers compliments of OldLife.
Congrats Mr Hart!
I’m trying to think of the line about the candle burning bright burns short but Elton John keeps intruding.
Not doubting your intent to interpret providence, but maybe these guys died young because they worked their hearts out for Christ. I mean, Calvin clearly crammed 80 years of writing into those 54+ years.
Not calling you lazy, or anything.
Cheers!
happy marmot day.
Jed, thanks. A reformed rendition of the Dude might be that the Lord abides, the Dude endures.
Brian, I should ban you from Old Life for mentioning E— J—.
But it would be okay to call me lazy.
Happy BD to a great Christian brother who just CAN”T, with 24/7 @ the keyboard, write all you do! I often wonder if ALL issues you raise are necessary for me to agree or disagree with. My closest co-guy is Pete Lillback, Pres of Westminster Theological Seminary, my alma mater, 1954. Old definition for old age— “Old Age is when you FINALLY have a few great answers and nobody asks you any questions!” Doesn’t a “kid” like you have any questions for a 84 year old guy fantastically happy in marriage since 1953 and 25 grandkids, have even ONE question for Old Bob here? Love in Jesus, Old Bob
No wonder you are so crotchety. You are getting old. This corner of Christ’s Church is thankful He has kept you around so long.
Meine dispatcher says there’s sumsing wrong with deine kable?
PS – I think it’s spelled “CHONSON!”
L’Chiam! And a merry un-birthday to you!
“…despite my slow, white man attempts at basketball”
“Air Hart” just doesn’t ring the same. Despite that, Amelia already owns that one. I don’t know you outside of the computer world so a ‘happy birthday’ is meaningless.
Happy Birthday from a fellow Hilltop Ranch and WTS alum. Hang in there brother.
I’m right behind you.
Hoist a Caucasian in honor of your “all about you” day!
DGH: I started my 57th six months ahead of you. But it’s all relative, or a state-of-mind or something. Oh, right: It’s not the years, it’s the miles.
To stay young, get an English Setter and take her for long walks and runs in the field. That or a nice gold ring, Preciouss!
-=Cris=-
Cris, it’s true that wandering with dogs is good for gaining perspective, but doesn’t getting older beat staying younger?
Thanks, Cris. After seeing The Artist tonight, the canine juices are flowing. I know a Jack Russell doesn’t measure up to a Setter, but darn that dog, Uggie, should get an Oscar.
Zrim: Up to a point that’s true. Getting older, maturity has something to be said for it. But here on our broken, silent planet, it’s only true up to a point.
Ever see the humorous piece about success.? There are a number of steps I’ve left out (to show my maturity). I call it the “Success Chaism”
At age 12 success is having friends.
At age 16 success is having a drivers license.
At age 70 success is having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is having friends.
-=Cris=-
See http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=success
“Yet, God in his infinite wisdom takes superior churchmen and theologians in their prime and allows also rans to meander on.”
Greg Bahnsen was taken in his 40′s.
Happy birthday Old Timer. Reaching 57 must really perplex your non-smoking evangelical friends (assuming you have any)! Thanks for helping this pilgrim on his way out of a sea of subjective-ism.
Thanks, Nick. But let us be clear. I have started on my 57th year, but I have not crossed the finish line (PTL!).