Nate Larkin Goes for A Walk

Taking a Fence Down

by ACS

| QUESTION
I remember reading somewhere that John F. Kennedy quoted Chesterton as saying something about not taking a fence down until you know the reason why it was put it up. I think the idea was if someone says they don’t understand why something is the way it is and wants to destroy or change it, don’t let them. Any help?

ANSWER
Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations says that the quotation, “Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason why it was put up,” was ascribed to Chesterton by John F. Kennedy in a 1945 notebook. (Bartlett is not a very good source for Chesterton quotations, by the way: a pitifully small selection, and citations like this one, that reflect zero research. But then, that’s why we’re here!)
The quotation you’re looking for is from Chesterton’s 1929 book, The Thing, in the chapter entitled, “The Drift from Domesticity”:

In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.

Audio Sermon Prescription Warning
Sermons by Gospel Centered Churches is one way of hearing the word.   But do not think that listening to sermons is a way to make yourself justified with God. You are only forgiven through the work of the Godhead (Father. Son. Holy Spirit.)  Your own efforts outside the Godhead (God, Christ, Holy Spirit) will end in disorder, despair  and feelings of being cheated.  Your feelings of being unfairly treated by God, are out of focus and  a readjustment from a Pastor, or Elder,  at your Local Church would be recommended.  These sermons, no matter how tremendous,  do not replace the need to go fellowship with other believers. Fellowship is one of the four means of Grace: The Preached Word, Prayer, Sacraments  and Fellowship.  I find that fellowship keeps me from tainting the news with my own biases.  These biases taint the message being delivered.

Apologetic

I can see the argument of those that attack the Gospel use one weapon that only goes one way.... they stick to this idol with a cathexis, a focus so strong as to be unhealthy, they become obsessed with defacing the Gospel. But what will make them rethink may be the Centipede dilemma, where if you ask them why they will get to a point where they can no longer answer it... and in their frustration they will loose their ability to reason accurately. We have a truth that is the truth... and guided by the holy spirit we can stand to reason.

Heretical Jukebox

It’s All Meshugas to Me

(B. Joel, C. Srulowitz, G. Veroba)

What’s the matter with the Kiddush I’m giving
Can’t you tell that your cake’s too dry,
Maybe I should just eliminate the kugel,
Well, in our shul, you’d better not try!
 
Where have you been hiding out lately, sonny,
You can’t give a Kiddush til’ you spend a lot of money,
Everybody’s talkin’ ‘bout the right foods, funny,
But it’s all Mishegas to me…
 
What’s the matter with the chulent I’m serving,
Can’t you tell that its got no meat,
Maybe I should serve some cole slaw and salad,
That would look like you were trying to cheat,
Borrow money from your family pushka,

And serve four kugels with a healthy slice of kishka,
Potato, rice, lukshin twice, one sweet, one spice,
All a Mishegas to me!

Oh, it doesn’t matter what they serve at a Kiddush
It’ll always be the same old thing,
Your wife is gonna deal an entire Shabbos meal
And you’d better savor everything,
I’m sure you know what I mean…
Have some wine, or some Shnapps for Kiddush,
Don’t you know that I only use scotch,
Forget Red Label, just go with the green one,
Or the Blue, if it’s not too much
Plain gefilte fish is not very daring,
Your best bet would be twelve types of herring,
Cream cakes, potato knishes, table cloths, hot dishes
All a Mishegas to me
What’s the matter with the Kiddush I’m giving,
Can’t you see that the place is too tight,
Don’t you know you need at least 10 tables
If you have 80  men to invite
Nowadays, you gotta be very cautious,
Pick the wrong food and your guests will be nauseous,
Right food, right place, scotch and bourbon by the case
It’s all a Mishegas to me
Everybody’s talkin’ bout the food at the Kiddush,
But it’s all Mishegas to me! 

Review of Timothy Keller's The Freedom of Self Forgetfullness

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book is short and profoundly challenging. The simplicity of the message will rattle around in the tombs of our soiled memories.
Tim Keller looks at our condition in this inflated/deflated world. The world is flat and black and white; while we perform in our shadowed reality. There is only one way to the truth and the light. We find ourselves off the beaten track and lost. Until, we are picked up for vagrancy.
We are then brought to a trial room with only the smiling mob and the Court Jester. Every day we wake to a trial, much like the trial of the main character in Franz Kafka's The Trial.
We find that all the jurors are pointing at us and laughing at our hopeless condition, because we still think we can save ourselves. We think that there is a away for us to justify our actions. We cower at our reflected image and our ballooned ego lets out a gasp and we find ourselves thinner than Jack Sprat.
Where is your heart (insert your name here)? is the first question the Supreme Court Jester asks.
We say in response, "I played the game! I played by the rules! How can you accuse me of being a loser on my own?"
The Jester replies, "Who do you want to be son, than be that person."
We wake up and the trial resumes.
Keller shows us how to break out of this fun house mirror and self delusion through the reliance of Christ. This book must be read by anyone who struggles with depression or anxiety in the modern world.



View all my reviews

Heretical Jukebox

Men Beating Drums: Stewardship

Stewardship From the Eyes of a Dog?

Good stewardship begins at home with a smile and a willing ear, maybe a waggle of a tail.   I am called to take joy in God and love my neighbors, through an endowed abundance of joy. Also if my master throws a ball I am to go after it and bring it back to him, for it makes him  so happy. I am not to spend all my hours in private daydreams.    Rather, I am called to be an encourager and a bearer of the gospel, in this darkened world.  For a later promise, could it be a bone?