Politics
Having rules set out in advance is much better than being told that you cannot speak on a motion, just because someone says so. That’s too personal, understandably upsetting, and Robert’s Rules helps us avoid it.
Theology
We cannot pretend that an oath is something other than someone calling upon God as witness and judge.
Theology
I give my frank assessment of the overtures in the hopes that, even if you disagree with me, you can better formulate reasons for why you do so.
Theology
Penal substitution needs natural law theory, because penal substitution depends upon the claim that God cannot let sins go unpunished.
Miscellany
Individual indifference to an institution may reflect the institution’s own indifference to itself.
Theology
To feel grateful, we must have gratitude to someone for something. That’s the grammar of gratitude. For the gift of life itself, we must be grateful to the giver of all life.
Miscellany
I am by no means an expert on email etiquette, but, then again, who is? Besides, as a philosophy professor, center director, and pastor, I get my share of email, so I make up in volume what I lack in wisdom.
The four theories of justice — conservative, socialist, libertarian, and progressive — approach basic questions of life, from work to love, very differently. We look at two examples: the opportunity for an apprenticeship and gay marriage.
The four theories of justice are conservative justice, which is judicial and familial; socialist justice, which is political and familial; libertarian justice, which is economic and judicial, and progressive justice, which is economic and political.
God has a relationship with all people, but he does not have every kind of relationship with every kind of person. Indeed, God’s use of the language of fatherhood underscores, in addition to intimacy and tenderness, the exclusivity of his connection to his children.
I believe in voting, even though, most of the time, I know very little about the candidates and recognize that, except in very unlikely circumstances, my vote will not make a difference to any election, large or small.
To say God must be the father of all people, you’ll need something stronger than the idea of fatherhood to get there.
We all want justice, but we have different ideas about what justice requires. I am convinced that thinking about justice’s relationship to equality can help, hence this flowchart.
Providence and free will, sin and salvation, and heaven and hell come into conflict with certain widespread beliefs about equality and justice.
What causes people to leave the church: evolution, the sexual revolution, or something else? Perhaps all of the above. But let me offer an additional reason why people abandon Christianity: equality. Not every kind of equality casts doubts on Christianity’s core doctrines, but some do.
Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they? Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,— While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day, And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue; Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn Among the river sallows, borne aloft