Was there anyone in your high school class whose favorite course was language? Math? Language and math? Chances are your answer to the first two questions would be "yes" and to the third "no". My observation is that those who do well in math do not do well in language and vice versa. I have no explanation for this phenomenon but it seems to be universal.

My theory on the matter is that there are two natural people categories. First category: those who love and do well in language. They do not like to be tied down to hard and fast rules. You know them - they are the ones who are positive that i comes before e all the time except the times not covered by all the time. Their favorite word is except. "N.," say they, "you have a good lay Christian's viewpoint except…except…except.

Second category: those who do well in math. They generally love math because the rules are absolute, i.e., predictable - exceptions are rare - non-existent from a practical standpoint. You know them - good is good, bad is bad and twelve is a dozen. Not a maximum of twelve or a minimum of twelve, just twelve. "It's only your theory, N., so why are you concerned?"

My concern stems from those who attempt to influence my life and who seem to have a split language/math personality that causes me and perhaps you a lot of anguish and confusion, present day preachers and evangelists in particular. Preachers and evangelists are or should be very learned about the words that are in the Bible. Yet, all too often, the words they quote are biased in favor of the language side of the equation and rarely, if ever, is the math side mentioned, forget emphasized. For example, I must have heard several hundred times in the last five years from live but mostly TV evangelists the expression "in these last days". And let me quickly admit that the expression "last days" shows up many times in the scripture but present day preachers and evangelists mostly speak only the language side of the expression. This side comes through loud and clear and is unquestionable used as a fear tactic and a play on ignorance. When they say "last days" they are suggesting these last 24 hour days, which is totally unscriptural. What I hear them saying is, "give me all your money now; otherwise you may be in hell 24 hours from now, slain by God with a rod of iron." They, of course, may be absolutely correct on their timing, but that would be purely coincidental, and to the many they know that. Meantime, in the process they are merchandising God's holy church. Bad news.

"Too harsh, N!"

Maybe. After the New Year I'll write you more on the subject of "these last days" and the math side of the equation. In the interim

Have a good week!

Love your God, your neighbor and yourself.

Have a Merry Christmas

And a Happy and Prosperous New Year.