{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fislandidylls.com%2Fepisodes%2F003-breaking-down-the-system-n45JFnPS","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"03 - Breaking Down the “System”","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/03579ff7-84a8-4a58-9408-8d985126857d/2fddb402-d566-4a31-83b1-e51b14a35069/islandidylls_coverart_1400x1400.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/e91a3f8c-33e6-48e8-ba6a-ea317ea2aed9\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"03 - Breaking Down the “System”\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"Barry and Aaron dive into the deep end of the pool as they discuss Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem, “System,” found in his famous Child’s Garden of Verses. \n\nWhat do most people think about religion? Is it a “system” that blesses the good and punishes the bad--as the poem suggests? \n\nBarry argues Stevenson found comfort (and helped scores of others find comfort) by rejecting this system and seeing Chance as the backdrop of the universe. Resigning oneself to the unknown is the only way one will be better. \n\nAaron presses the question of what the Old and New Testament actually teach about providence and chance, not a tit-for-tat “system,” but a theology of mysterious providence and divine grace. \n\nOn the answer to these questions, father and son agree to differ, and that’s what makes Island Idylls so interesting. \n\nRobert Louis Stevenson, “System”:\n\nEvery night my prayers I say.\nAnd get my dinner every day;\nAnd every day that I’ve been good,\nI get an orange after food.\n\nThe child that is not clean and neat,\nWith lots of toys and things to eat,\nHe is a naughty child I’m sure--\nOr else his dear papa is poor."}