Ring out the WRAG
Monday, 07 November, 2005
I love how college still gives us lunch during Stuvac. I had thought that last week would be my last sit down college lunch but no! A lot of students still come in every day to study—either in the library (too cold), Nathaniel Jones room or Room C. I went in at about 11:30 to photocopy articles for History of Christian Mission and Biblical Theology. I also discovered that Moore Books had some of their old stock on sale so I got At the Heart of the Universe for 30% off.
Then it was time for the WRAG (World Religions and the Gospel) exam (which Mike Raiter announced by playing the drums in DBK). It was supposed to go for 2 hours and we had to answer 3 questions. The format is generally the same year after year: you have to answer one question on Hinduism, one on Buddhism and one on Islam. Within each question you get a choice of two—one usually on the religion's beliefs and the other on conducting evangelism towards Hindus/Buddhists/Muslims.
Strangely I ended up answering the former for all three. That was because
Discuss the assertion that the Allah of Islam is the God of the Christin Scriptures
was far more interesting than
State the principal objections that a Muslim raises to the gospel and give an appropriate answer to each objection.
and in answering the former I was able to make use of material from my Moore College interview (“How is Allah not like your marriage?”, etc.).
I think I got two fairly good answers. The third one was tricky but I hadn't studied for
What are the most common mistakes Christians can make when talking to Hindus, and what are the most common ways for them to become Christians?
and so I had to answer
Discuss the view that Hinduism is more a way of interpreting the universe, life and death than a creed.
I'm hoping I get brownie points for even attempting it as I think most people would have attempted the former.
Blinks:
A way of funding writing in the future: pitch and idea and get people to support it.
Place where you can hire play equipment for parties, etc.
How to recalibrate the home button on your iPhone.
Unsolicited manuscripts accepted by Pan Macmillan with certain conditions.
Thought Balloon is a group blog in which the writers tackle a new theme every week? month? with one-page scripts. This URL is for their Phonogram ones.
How to sew a zipper on a knitted garment.
Issues organised by tale.
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Do you think you’ll post some version of your answers? It would be interesting.
Btw, you’d have read some of Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling’s fairy tale anthologies, wouldn’t you? They’re retellings & darker versions (some I wish I could forget), but all very good (and all by very good authors). “Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears” had Gaiman’s “The White Road” in it. At any rate, if you haven’t read them, they’re probably up your alley.
RE answers: maybe. The quality of my exam answers are always very poor though. And I know the answer to my last question was pretty weak.
RE the fairy tale anthologies: yes, I used to be really into them—I used a couple for my Honours thesis. I think I have all of them except the last two. I really liked the series of novels they edited too—among my favourites were Tam Lin (Pamela Dean: sets the story on a university campus in the 70’s; a bit obscure in places [lots of literary references] but still quite cleverly done) and Jack the Giant Killer (Charles De Lint: Jack is a “Jacqui” and she kills giants!). Even though I own White as Snow, I still haven’t read it. And I’ve been meaning to get Fitcher’s Brides some time ...