A blog by Tom Sheepandgoats (aka Tom Harley)
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Save Us from the Trolley Problem
The trolley problem: it’s a great philosophical puzzle to occupy the musings of that bunch and keep them off the street where they might do harm. Maybe you’ve seen the drawing. By pulling a lever, you divert the trolley to the track on which one person is lying, killing him. By doing nothing, the trolley rolls ahead and kills 5 on the main track. What…
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When the King is a Boy and the Princes Start Their Feasting in the Morning
In government, when people enter office with modest means and a few years later have amassed wealth far beyond what the paycheck would account for, is that an example of the following? “How terrible for a land when the king is a boy and the princes start their feasting in the morning!” Ecclesiastes 10:16. [The king is a relative “boy” who allows them to get…
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An End of War: What is God Waiting For?
Q: If God really can bring an end to war so easily, then what is he waiting for? After all, the longer he delays, the more generations live and die in suffering. Yes, they do, but it is reversible through the provision of resurrection. In time, former distresses will be forgotten, as though a bad dream. One must not rush a trial. One must allow…
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A Gilead Instructor Speaks About Job
In a group, one Witness said. “I really like Brother Noumair’s talks. He’s a good speaker.” My friend waited . . . and waited . . . and waited . . .and then burst out laughing. She was waiting for a B part—an example, a qualification, a contrast. Nope. That was it, the complete comment. “*Everybody* likes Brother Noumair’s talks,” she told me. She had…
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What is it With Pharaoh’s Obstinacy? A Lesson from Football
What is it with Pharaoh’s obstinacy as his land and people in it are being destroyed? It’s been the content of the mid-week meeting for two weeks running. Frogs, gadflies, boils, locusts, hail, darkness, etc. He just gets more stubborn! I mean, you can admire a guy for sticking to his guns, but there is also such a thing as taking a hint! Maybe the…
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The End of War—When?
Humans can overcome physical limitations like flight and diving, yet struggle with self-rule, leading to corruption and conflict. A talk highlighted the only true solution to war is divine intervention: ending human governments, raising humanity to perfection, and removing Satan’s influence. Many faiths inadequately address this complex issue.
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Exploring Themes of Ecclesiastes in the Poconos
The Book of Ecclesiastes examines themes as the vicissitudes of life, that the swift do not always have the race, nor the strong the battle. This implies a certain “vanity” should one gloat too much over one’s accomplishments, as well as a certain “futility” brought on by the relative brevity of life. On a trip to the Pocono hills of Pennsylvania, I explored these themes…
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“There is a Generation Pure in its Own Eyes that has not been Washed . . . ”
“There are many capable women, But you—you surpass them all,” says the appreciative man to his wife. (Proverbs 31:29) Can the same be said of proverb writers and Agur? Just as Proverbs’ long series of one-liners nears ‘Been There – Done That’ status, the Bible book takes an abrupt turn and introduces Agur, who tops them all. Like this one: “There is a generation that…
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Jacob’s 12 Sons, Blessings to Each Over the Course of Two Watchtower Studies:
At first glance, the Watchtower Study for Sunday seemed it be something of a yawner. Jacob’s deathbed prophesy to the last eight of his twelve sons (the first four were last week), and for most he didn’t have much to say. At least it was blessings, the Watchtower conductor observed, and not ‘You kids are driving me crazy! You’ll be the death of me. In…