Film – Operation Finale – 7/10
If you have Netflix then don’t miss this film. The story of the capture of Adolf Eichmann is fascinating enough and this film certainly captures that – but it also raises some great questions and teaches some important lessons.
- Why do people hate the Jews so much? “The history of the Jewish people is steeped in suffering and persecution” says one of the political leaders. It is remarkable that currently in 2019, hatred of the Jews is a hot political issue in the UK, the EU and the USA (to say nothing of the Arab and Asian worlds).
2. What was wrong with the Holocaust? It seems a ridiculous question but if what Eichmann states is true – “We are all just animals, it’s just that some have bigger teeth than others”, then what is the logical moral basis for arguing against the Holocaust? In a debate at the University of Cambridge I was told by the president of the atheist/agnostic society, citing Bertrand Russell, that it was not a fact that Dachau and Auschwitz were wrong. He thought they were wrong but it could not be proven as a scientific fact such as gravity. Eichmann’s view was that killing the Jews was protecting his country from a virus and anyway it was just the rearranging of chemicals in the universe. On the purely atheistic materialistic scientific perspective, he was right. Incidentally at that debate I was asked by my atheist opponent to prove that Auschwitz was wrong. I answered. “You cannot prove that Auschwitz was wrong because your basic presupposition, your basic starting point, is that there is no absolute God – so ultimately you cannot get to absolute morals or absolute right and wrong”. His response was “But your starting point is that there is a God”. “No, my starting point is that killing six million Jews is wrong. But you are right – then I ask – why is it wrong? And I keep asking the question until the only answer that comes up is the one that Richard Dawkins states – to have absolute morals you need an absolute God. The irony is that my acceptance of evil leads me to God, your rejection of God leads you to the notion that ultimately there is no such thing as evil”. It was a revelatory moment for me and I ended up developing this Apologetic of Evil…
3. Evil often appears banal? If I recall correctly it was a journalist writing about 
Books – John Owen Vol 9 – 8/10
“Faith will give us such an experience of the power, efficacy, sweetness and benefit of gospel ordinances and gospel worship, as shall cause us to despise all that the world can do in opposition unto us.”
Owen states his purpose clearly:
“The last day will discover I have nothing but a heart to lead you in the ways of God and into the enjoyment of God”
Podcasts – From Our Own Correspondent 9/10
From Our Own Correspondent is the BBC at its best. Hosted by the experienced 
Album – The Beatles – White Album – 8/10
I used to own this album on white vinyl. I regret selling it after I became a Christian (thinking it was ‘worldly’ to have such a large record collection!) – because it would be worth a fortune now. It is a double album with 30 varied songs. From the rock of Helter Skelter to the pop sing-a-long of ObLa-Di- Ob-La-da and Back in the USSR. My favourite is a catchy and simply ditty – I’m so Tired.
Although 50 years old The White Album does not sound dated and is miles better than any album in today’s charts – none of which will be around in 50 years time!
TV – Masterchef -6/10
Cafe Scilia – 7/10
One of the places I will miss most in leaving Dundee will be my second office – The Cafe Scilia. This is just down from St Peters – a former launderette It’s small and in some ways basic – but it really is excellent Scillian food and coffee. I especially love the pasta
