In today's Advent post, David Russell Mosley reflects on the figure of Father Christmas. Drawing on Tolkien's argument in On Fairy Stories, that fairy tales and mythical figures point beyond themselves to the truth of the Gospel, Mosley describes how he sees the Good News in Father Christmas. David will share more about Faerie and the Gospel in future Scholar's Compass posts. Quotation Some of the pictures of Father Christmas in our world make him look only funny and jolly. But now that the children actually stood … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: Learning From Father Christmas
C. S. Lewis
Re-Examining Lewis’ Trilemma
In the world of apologetics, there are few arguments more famous than C.S. Lewis' trilemma, which is found in his most popular apologetic work, Mere Christianity. Even classic arguments like Anselm's famous ontological argument for the “being greater than which nothing can be conceived” and Pascal's wager, while still part of the discussion of apologetics, have not in recent years been as popular, or reviled, as Lewis' trilemma. It even spawned a book (Josh McDowell's More Than a Carpenter) and a song (Dana Key's “Liar, … [Read more...] about Re-Examining Lewis’ Trilemma
Summary and Reflection on the Christianity and Science Series
Introduction Are Christianity and science at war? This was a major concern for me when I came to faith in Christ 22 years ago in the middle of my career as a biology professor at Iowa State University. Although it did not prevent me from coming to faith in Christ, it continued to trouble me and caused doubts about my faith in the early years after my conversion to Christianity. I wondered whether modern science is really compatible with belief in God and whether it is possible to reconcile the Bible's account of … [Read more...] about Summary and Reflection on the Christianity and Science Series
Review: March Madness ’14 Finals, Dialogue . . .
Integrating faith & field vs. Realizing justice in action Yes, we've made it to the finals of ESN March Madness '14. I have learned a lot as we have wrestled with the question: What is the most pressing issue for the Christian to engage when journeying in higher ed? Please share your vote and invite others to do likewise. Winner will be announced on Good Friday (4/18). Note: If you haven't voted in ESN March Madness '14 (and invited others to do likewise), now is the time to engage to make sure your … [Read more...] about Review: March Madness ’14 Finals, Dialogue . . .
Book Review: The Language of God
The value of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief is that it was written by the Director of the Human Genome Project. Francis Collins'[1] personal narrative of coming to faith and his sometimes eloquent plea for an end to the warfare between science and faith are the most valuable parts of the book. These are the strengths of The Language of God and worth the price of admission if you have not heard his story. Likewise, Collins gives a good, if relatively brief, narrative of his work in … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Language of God