Last time around, I wrote about some conditions which I would consider necessary to a Christian faith, but that are not sufficient for me to be satisfied with one. If you're not familiar with the notion of necessary and sufficient conditions, let's think about what you need to start a campfire. Generally speaking, kindling and firewood are both necessary elements; it's very hard to start a fire by lighting firewood directly, and kindling alone won't burn long enough. However, those two things alone are not sufficient … [Read more...] about Why I’m (Still) A Christian — Part II
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Who’s Afraid of Angels and Aliens, Alienation and Etcetera?
Socially speaking, as opposed to orations in solipsism, it can be quite alienating to bring up the promises and perils of alien life, especially in the middle of a serious conversation. By aliens, I do not mean our fellow human beings who rarely ever garner the support of rabid nationalists anywhere. Imagine the late Jean Marie Le-Pen breaking a baguette with a North African immigrant, not for the sake of a photoâ€shoot but out of a genuine sense of ubi caritas et amor. It is nearly impossible to persuade an … [Read more...] about Who’s Afraid of Angels and Aliens, Alienation and Etcetera?
Top Read Posts of 2011
Periodically, we like to look back to see what our most popular posts have been. We did this in 2009, in July 2010, and again last December. You can also see a running log of our top posts. Popularity isn't everything, but Tom and I like to keep tabs on what generates interest and spurs conversation. Here are the most popular posts we published this past year. Jesus Didn't Choose Scholars’ (which was also our most commented-upon post of the year) What I Wish I'd Known: Balancing Life and Graduate School … [Read more...] about Top Read Posts of 2011
Advent: Set the Captive Free
More children, women and men are held in slavery right now than over the course of the entire trans-Atlantic slave trade. This comes from the web page of the International Justice Mission (IJM). This is not to denigrate the horror of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but to underlines the horror of the current situation. Check out IJM for more information. Photo credit: Andrew Mitchell via Flickr I am reminded of IJM's work this Advent because the word “captive” is common in the songs and readings in Advent: O … [Read more...] about Advent: Set the Captive Free
Advent: Walking in Deep Darkness
Are you scared of the dark? My two daughters don't like the dark. At night, when it is time for them to go up stairs to bed, they want lights on. And then they need a nightlight all night long. I think they will grow out of it – for now we leave the hallway light on for them. Photo credit: SkyD via Flickr Advent is a season for contemplating darkness. We remember the 450 years the people of Israel waited for God to act, and think about the “darkness” of this period when it seemed God's light had been withdrawn. … [Read more...] about Advent: Walking in Deep Darkness