With Christmas less than two weeks away, I imagine many of us have babies on the brain. Apparently I did, because when I went looking for a paper to discuss, what jumped out at me was this paper on infant cognition (Preprint for those without access). It's not an especially splashy paper; it's not getting the news coverage of the latest AI developments or the claims of a theory which can reconcile gravity and quantum theory (a claim which awaits independent verification). But I suppose that's in keeping with the themes … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Deck the Halls with Balls of Agency
incarnation
Fourth Week of Advent: The Coming King (Scholar’s Compass)
Scripture He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. - Luke 1:52-53 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. - 1 Peter 4:10 … [Read more...] about Fourth Week of Advent: The Coming King (Scholar’s Compass)
Third Week of Advent: The Incarnation (Scholar’s Compass)
Scripture Christ Jesus . . . who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. - Philippians 2:6-7 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of … [Read more...] about Third Week of Advent: The Incarnation (Scholar’s Compass)
Science Corner: His Mother’s Son
Jesus did not share in any way the DNA of either Mary or Joseph. Otherwise he would have shared in original sin. A friend of mine asked for my take on this statement from a sermon he heard online. I certainly appreciate why, theologically speaking, one would want to make this kind of distinction in order to clarify Jesus' relationship to original sin. I also appreciate the effort to engage with a scientific understanding of inheritance. Given the testimony of scripture, I can't entirely rule out the possibility that … [Read more...] about Science Corner: His Mother’s Son
Make Reconciliation, Not Just Peace: Lessons from Burundi at Urbana
How can Christians seek racial reconciliation in cultures with deep historical and political antagonisms? From Dec 27 - Jan 1, volunteers with our network of early career Christian academics are liveblogging seminars at the Urbana conference, a mission-focused student gathering of 16,000 Christians from across North America and the world. This post was written by Rebecca Carlson and Nathan Matias Speaking at Urbana today is Emmanuel Bagumako, general secretary of the Union des Groupes Bibliques du Burundi (UGBB), the … [Read more...] about Make Reconciliation, Not Just Peace: Lessons from Burundi at Urbana