Thursday, May 17, 2007

Useless Theology

After finishing three (count 'em - THREE) research papers on esoteric theological topics* in less than a month, I had a great laugh over this from Everything2.com:

What was once just a rhetorical illustration used to demonstrate the futility of out-of-touch theological debates is now a exciting science experiment you can conduct in your very own home!

What you will need:
  • pencil and paper
  • one pin
  • a large number of angels (Note: Seraphim and cherubim are most desirable, but almost any angels will do. The garden Anaheim variety of angel should be avoided.)
  • one copy of "The Song That Doesn't End (Extended Version)"
Instructions: Insert the pin upright into a sturdy surface, such as a pin cushion or Styrofoam block. Begin playing "The Song That Doesn't End (Extended Version)" and instruct the angels to step onto the pin and begin dancing. Count each angel, stopping only when no more angels can dance on the pin, and remembering to make sure all of the angels are dancing on the pin and not just hovering above it, so as to avoid a potential source of error. Repeat several times, removing all angels from the pin after each trial. From these trials, determine the average number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin.

Not being a math-oriented person, I could not come up with a good algebraic equation as an adequate basis for this "study" but perhaps one of you left-brained-math-types will.

And now... back to Present Active Indicative and other fun endings in Greek. (Procrastinating is fun while it lasts!)

Deb

* Topics - Biblical women of the post-exilic period; Missional Churches and the Lord's Supper; The Corruption of Wisdom in I Corinthians 2:6-16 (all great cures for insomnia!)

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