I am a Bible believing follower of Christ in the Reformed Tradition. I'm reading and studying such theologians as Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, R.C. Sproul, J.I. Packer, John Piper, D.A. Carson, F.F. Bruce, and Bruce Milne. I also study Christian apologetics (the systematic defense of the Christian faith) and enjoy reading such thinkers and scholars as G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, Norman Geisler, J.P. Moreland, Paul Copan, William Lane Craig, and Ravi Zacharias. I am active in my local church.
Hobbies and Recreational Interests
Guitar
Dr. Hogsette with guitars, September 2007
In June, 2006, I finally got around to pursuing a childhood dream--to play electric guitar. Some buddies who used to play in a band in the 90s encouraged me to buy a guitar and start playing. So I did. And, boy, am I glad. I'm having a blast learning chords, scales, riffs, etc. I started with a cheap hollow body (the white one) and, after playing for a few months, I decided I would stick with it. So, I bought an Epiphone Les Paul (the wine colored one on the left). Its humbucker pickups are very versatile and have a rich sound. As I played more, I decided I also wanted a more classic rock sound, so I bought a Gibson Les Paul Double Cut (the black one on the right). Its P-90 single coil pickups provide a lean, vintage sound. I think I'm set...for now.
One of my goals is to learn to play the song "Xanadu" by Rush. It is based on my favorite English Romantic poem called "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I'm learning it bit by bit... Here is the video of the song (it's from 1974, so forgive the outfits but enjoy the song):
As of Dec 2007, I can play the first 3 minutes or so, slowly. I hope to have a recording soon...
If you are interested, here are a few clips of my playing (I've only been playing since June 2006, so don't expect too much. These clips range from February 2007-January 2008):
I think one of the best bands working today is Dream Theater (hailing from Long Island, NY!). You won't hear them on the radio, because they create complex, progressive music, not commercial, radio-friendly stuff. They are truly innovative. Here's a song called "The Spirit Carries On" from their amazing concept album Metropolis, Part 2: Scenes from a Memory. Those with a discerning ear will hear an homage to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. Enjoy.
This song displays unbelievable virtuosity. Whether you like metal or not, you have to admit the skill displayed here is amazing. This song is absolutely "sick" (in a good way...ha ha). It's from Dream Theater's album Systematic Chaos which is a dark fantasy/gothic album. This particular song is about a frightening mythological Egyptian pharaoh/god. Ultimately, the album is about overcoming evil by acknowledging it in ourselves and then rejecting it...
"The Ministry of Lost Souls" is probably my favorite Dream Theater song. It is about a man who sacrificed his life to save a woman from drowning. Yet, she seemed to not have embraced the life he gave her. Upon her later death, she is in a "limbo" state, and the spirit of the man who earlier saved her implores her to not reject Paradise as she rejected life... (Indeed, Christ, Who sacrificed His life for all who believe, makes this plea as well, yet leaves the choice up to us.)
Part 1:
Part 2
Playing guitar is all new and exciting to me, and I'm so thrilled to be finally learning. I guess you can teach old dogs new tricks...
Karate
I have been training in the martial arts for over 20 years now. I hold a San Dan (3rd degree black belt) in Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu and a Sho Dan (1st degree black belt) in Shotokan. Like the guitar, there is always something more that one can learn, and you can spend a lifetime training and exploring. I thoroughly enjoy that aspect of the martial arts. And, as I get older and as my body doesn't let me do certain things I could do years ago, there are other techniques and moves that I can explore more thoughtfully, now that I have the patience that I didn't necessarily have when I was younger.
