Civility requires that we reduce the psychological distance between ourselves and others. We need to develop a sense of commonality with people who initially strike us as very different from ourselves. One important means of doing this is by cultivating empathy. "Empathy" literally means "in-feeling" -- it is to project myself into another person's feelings so that I begin to understand what it is like to have his experiences. If I want to gain empathy for a neighbor who is consistently defensive and insulting, I can … [Read more...] about Cultivating empathic sensitivies vital to “Uncommon Decency”
Richard Mouw
The Day for “Uncommon Decency” has come. Let’s embrace it!
As Martin Marty has observed, one of the real problems in modern life is that the people who are good at being civil often lack strong convictions and people who have strong convictions often lack civility. I like that way of stating the issue. We need to find a way of combining a civil outlook with a “passionate intensity” about our convictions. The real challenge is to come up with a convicted civility. Civility is public politeness. It means that we display tact, moderation, refinement and good manners toward … [Read more...] about The Day for “Uncommon Decency” has come. Let’s embrace it!
“The Lordship of Christ” (Richard J. Mouw)
On Sunday, Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (the local congregation of which I am member) and the Emerging Scholars Network hosted philosopher, scholar, and author Richard J. Mouw as part of a developing Christian Scholar Series. Richard J. Mouw preached on The Lordship of Christ -- follow the link to hear him :) As you may remember, ESN has previously touched on Mouw's excellent work. In follow-up to this presentation (and post) I am going to share some material which I have particularly … [Read more...] about “The Lordship of Christ” (Richard J. Mouw)
Three Concerns about Anti-Christian Rhetoric
Last week, I asked how you handle anti-Christian rhetoric. This week, let me share my three concerns about verbal attacks on Christianity —specifically, those that come from academic scientists like Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers. Spiritual/Theological: I'm currently reading Richard Mouw's Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World (InterVarsity Press, Revised and Expanded, 2010), in which Mouw calls for Christians to exhibit a "convicted civility" that honors justice, truth, and the divine image in … [Read more...] about Three Concerns about Anti-Christian Rhetoric
Do You Have a Mission Statement?
Several weeks ago a physician encouraged members of the Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine to develop personal mission statements. Yesterday morning I engaged in an on-line discussion regarding ministry mission/vision statements. In the afternoon, I came across an "amusing" but "hard" video regarding the realities/challenges an Emerging Scholar in the Humanities faces (and/or perceives), So you Want to Get a PhD in the Humanities (see below)?* All this leads me to … [Read more...] about Do You Have a Mission Statement?