Monday, July 26, 2010

The Eagle Driver

My name is Garry Goff and I consider myself somewhat of a Theologian and a Philosopher.


My background begins growing up as an Air Force Bomber Pilot's "brat". I lived in 26 houses in my first 18 years of life and attended 8 different Elementary schools in 8 different states, one Junior High School, and 2 High Schools (sure miss the old SAC). I completed my Business degree from Texas A&M University and entered the USAF in 1980, following the footsteps of my father. While in the Air Force I flew the OV-10 Bronco in a Forward Air Controller role throughout Western Europe. Following the Bronco I flew the F-15 Eagle throughout the Far East in the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron called "The Vampires". I completed my USAF commitment and was hired by American Airlines in 1988 and settled in the DFW area. I am currently a Captain flying throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico.

One of my interests is in World War I aviation, specifically the Fokker Triplane. In the future I will begin a blog on WWI aviation.

I am completing my Masters in Biblical Theology at Tyndale Biblical Institute. I am a Biblically conservative who subscribes to 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Additionally, I am encourage by Glenn W. Campbell's commentary of Ephesians - Paul's Conclusive Treatise (Bloomington, Indiana: Author House 2005, pg. 12). I quote from Campbell's exposition of the verse found in Ephesians 3:10

"God has waited until this historical era to take this intiative of training human beings to achieve mature mastery over the multi-faceted ethical and political skills required to live with and lead others effectively."

I have been studying Philosophy with an emphasis on the teachings of Aristotle, Aquinas, and Hegel. I have recently enjoyed reading about doing the right thing from Hegel's Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion (pg. 90 of Vol. 1, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2007):

"The planets, plants, and animals cannot deviate from the necessity of their nature, from the laws of their species, (i.e.,) from their truth. They become what they ought to be; "is" and "ought" are not divided. But human freedom contains free choice within itself and can sever itself from human necessity..."

It is quite incredible that he wrote this in the early 1800s. My how little has matured from then. I agree with Hegel that history is linear and is leading to a purpose. With the current "dumbing down" intellectually of Americans and Christians, I find my lifework to remind us of our past so as not to repeat the same mistakes. This is why it is so critical for us to read historical masterpieces like Winston Churchill's History of the English Speaking Peoples and the six-volume set The Second World War.

I have also spent time studying "Spirituality" with emphasis on the teachings of Dr. Wayne Dryer, Ken Wilber, Joseph Campbell, Richard Bach, Alan Watts, James Allen, Mary Baker Eddy, Dan Millman, the Dahli Lama, Rhonda Byrne, etc. These and other authors of similar genre write of many answers (however none have provided THE answer that I have found in Jesus Christ of the Bible) to life and how to improve one's life. From Millman's book Way of the Peaceful Warrior (Tiburon, Calif., New World Library: 2000, pg. 53) where his teacher "Socrates" tells him:

"You have an angry thought bubble up and you become angry. It is the same with all your emotions. They're your knee-jerk responses to thoughts you can't control. Your thoughts are like wild monkeys stung by a scorpion."

May this blog be a lighthouse in a troubled dark sea of being relative. Stand for nothing and you fall for everything. Truth requires diligence. Jeremiah 6:16 says

"Thus says the LORD,
Stand by the ways and see and
and ask for the
ancient paths.
Where the good way is,
and walk in it;
And you shall find rest for your souls.

But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"

May history not repeat itself on my watch.

C'ya
Eagle Driver
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