The Dawn Treader

Ten hut! Next Pigfest is Friday, February 17th at 7:00 pm at our house.  Bring your truth proposition written out neatly on a 3 x 5 index card.  Put your name on it and the subject area.

Example:

Joe McSchmo   Subject: History   "My proposition is that today's clash between radical Islam and the West is viewed by Islamists as a continuation of a jihad that is over 1000 years old; it is a war of worldviews, not a war about poverty or oppression."

Remember, high school diplomas are not required for Pigfests.

Brian posed an excellent proposition at the Pigfest on Friday night.

"Those who speak truth from the word of God (i.e. prophets) should not apologize for telling the truth."

Imagine the prophet Amos ending his book with, "and I am very sorry for what I wrote in chapter 8 about turning your religious feasts into mourning and your singing into weeping.  It was insensitive on my part."

Ridiculous.

When we speak God's words truthfully, we should not follow that with an apology.  I believe Brian's proposition is correct.

How can we apply this truth?

Friday the 13th was a historic day in Roanoke, Virigina.  Something happened that has never happened in Roanoke before.  A Pigfest happened.  I was there and this is my story.

Now a Pigfest, mind you, is not a luau.  It is not a pig picking.  It is not a pig party.  Pig, per se, is not even on the menu ... or at least it does not have to be.

A Pigfest is a time to gather together to indulge piggishly on food and to feast on ideas.  You might think of it as a modern day Junto society.  The Junto society was the brain child of a young Benjamin Franklin.  Franklin's group met weekly in Philadelphia from 1727 until 1767.  Their desire was to improve themselves, their community, and to help others.  William Wilberforce had a similar group which met in England from 1790 to 1830.  Remarkable things came from these groups.  In Franklin's case, the first public hospital, the first public library, the first fire department, and even the concept of paved streets.  In Wilberforce's case, the group focused more on social and moral issues.  History records Wilberforce and his Clapham group as responsible for abolishing slavery in Great Britain.

We had twenty four people over to the house on a rainy Virginia night.  We set up two long tables in our basement and surrounded them with twenty chairs.  Platters of delicious food filled the tables.  As people began eating, I explained the purpose for why we had gathered.

"We are here as part of history.  As many who have gone before us have done, we gather for the purpose mutual betterment and to enjoy some conviviality.  Indulge yourself on food, and let us discuss the ideas of the day."

After going into more depth about the historic nature of Pigfesting, and allowing everyone to introduce themselves, the Pigfest began in earnest.

I turned to my good friend Brian, who was seated across the banquet table from me, and said.

"Brian, you are on."

Brian replied.  "My proposition, ladies and gentlemen, is that Pat Robertson should not have apologized recently, if he really thought his original comments about the land of Israel reflected the very words of God spoken through the prophet Joel."

There was a collective stunned silence.

Then hands shot up all around the table.  The Pigfest had begun.

The Pigfest is on!  Tonight.  Seven o'clock.  Wear your pig slippers.

Come pig out on food and feast on ideas.

High school diploma not required.

Interrupting my own hiatus for this important reminder.  Pigfest at my house tomorrow night!  Wear your pig fest caps.  Seven o'clock.  Come be part of history. 

High school diploma not required.