For as long as I have been aware of political goings-on, lawmakers have used scientific research in an attempt to score points about government waste. It's a pretty easy game to play; any robust array of research funding will include some grants for high risk projects, niche studies, or ambitious moon shots. And if your audience has an implicit assumption that funding science basically amounts to buying obvious practical applications of utility to many, it's that much easier to find projects that will fail that … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Scrutiny of the Bounty
Science Corner: Loving Systematically
Disclosure: A copy of A Systematic Theology of Love was provided to me by the author and/or the publisher. No expectation of a review or specific comments therein accompanied that gift. The theology of Thomas Jay Oord has intrigued me since I encountered The Uncontrolling Love of God. I appreciate his desire for logical consistency, his engagement with science, and his reluctance to appeal to mystery if other options are available. His approach to the problem of evil makes more sense to me than any other I've come … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Loving Systematically
Summer Rhythms
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: - Ecclesiastes 3:1 Summer is here or nearly here in the world of academia. What does this mean for you? For some of us, that means our teaching or class load might decrease while our research load increases. It might mean a slight break, or, if not a break, at least a different rhythm to our work. It might mean different connections within our communities as people take off for vacations or visits home in the coming months. I … [Read more...] about Summer Rhythms
2026 ESN Summer Cohort for New Grad Students
Are you preparing to start graduate school this fall? You probably have many questions. Your faith and your work... one vocation, or two competing demands? You know your research interests. Do you know your calling? The academy gives you metrics. Who gives you meaning? If you’ve wondered about the same or similar questions, join InterVarsity’s Emerging Scholars Network Sacred Calling of Scholarship 2026 Summer Cohorts During four online gatherings you will Find a community of other Jesus followers … [Read more...] about 2026 ESN Summer Cohort for New Grad Students
Science Corner: One Button, Two Button, Red Button, Blue Button
Right now, there are generally two types of people on social media: those awash in red button/blue button discourse, and those blissfully unaware of it. For those second types, at the heart of the conversation is the following thought experiment. Everyone in the world has to privately choose to press a red button or a blue button. If a majority of people press blue, everyone lives. If a majority of people press red, only red-pressers live. The current conversation apparently kicked off a few weeks ago with this X poll; … [Read more...] about Science Corner: One Button, Two Button, Red Button, Blue Button