I thought about naming this teaching religion non-apologetically, but that might be too narrow of an idea. So instead, I will take up the issue of what it means to teach according to a curriculum, and then apply that concept to my own field, the teaching of religion. When we think about our role as academics, we spend a lot of time thinking and working toward a competency in our research skills and subsequently our writing skills. Our place in academia is defined for us in the simple phrase, though no less real, … [Read more...] about Teaching Religion and the Curriculum
religion
Book Review: Allah: A Christian Response
A number of years ago a student asked me, "Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?" That is a question that has lingered with me over the years and so I turned with interest to this book in which Miroslav Volf explores the same question and the implications of how we answer it. An important thing to understand about this book is that it is not written in the vein of the "all religions are pointing to the same truth" or that Christianity and Islam are different paths leading to salvation. What Volf, who would … [Read more...] about Book Review: Allah: A Christian Response
Book Review: Doing Philosophy as a Christian
In Doing Philosophy as a Christian, Garrett DeWeese, Ph.D.[1], contends (contra Kant) that our approach should be one of Reason within the bounds of Religion (rather than the reverse). For him, this is a basic governing principle for how Christians do philosophy. Here is his thesis: Doing philosophy as a Christian means doing philosophy under the authority of the Lord Jesus and of the Bible, the Word of God. It means reasoning within the bounds of religion. It means, in the end, doing philosophy in a way that aims … [Read more...] about Book Review: Doing Philosophy as a Christian
Science in Review — February 2013
One of my favorite Scripture passages is the parable of the sower. It's botany! It's metaphor! And it's a rare parable to include an explanation... sort of. Sure, Jesus decodes the allegory for his disciples, but what is the application? Is it a call to sow our seeds lavishly because we are not responsible for the condition of the soil, or is it a lesson on how to use our time and energy efficiently? Are we being encouraged to prepare the soil before we go about sowing? Are we being asked to reflect on the condition of … [Read more...] about Science in Review — February 2013
Religion, Education, and the Meaning of Life
Over the last couple of weeks, I've been sharing my reflections on Anthony Kronman's 2007 book Education's End: Why Our Colleges and Universities Have Given Up on the Meaning of Life. While I believe that his core argument is insightful, it's marred by a few blind spots. Originally, I was going to address Kronman's treatement of religion as one of his blind spots, but I've decided that his handling of religion is so problematic —and so harmful to his case —that it deserves its own post. Here's a brief summary of … [Read more...] about Religion, Education, and the Meaning of Life