An Evangelical Perspective
Theology, Science, Ethics,
plus a little woodworking and photography just for the fun of it
The Latest
Book Review: Amusing Ourselves to Death
If you’ve read my past reviews, you know that they’re really perspectives. I don’t generally take a lot of time to thoroughly analyze the substance and soundness of the author’s argument. Rather, I like to look at the character of the argument, whether or not I agree...
Announcements
The Marketplace is Open!
Ok, so there's just one item listed for sale. Don't worry -- there will be more. They'll come in my favorite categories: Books, woodworking, and photography. So go ahead and look. Things will add up quickly. Just click on Marketplace in the top menu and you are...
Book Review
Book Review: The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcey
The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcey We live in interesting times, as the Chinese curse goes. It seems like there is a distinct division in the styling of Christian books. Those that are academic in nature tend to be polite and unoffensive while communicating...
Movie Review: West Side Story
Last evening we went to see the new West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg. It was an interesting experience. The choreography was outstanding. This movie was able to work with larger available “real estate” that a stage play (and an almost-direct adaptation of...
Christianity & Society
How is the Evangelical Church Breaking Apart?
A response to Peter Wehner's article in The Atlantic. There’s trouble a-brewin’ in churches today. Yes, there’s division. Some of the division is good and is needed to provide some doctrinal house-cleaning. We’ve invited all sorts of heresies into church life these...
The Problem of “Woke” Theology
Introduction I’ve been a Christian 52 years this Summer. Since coming to Christ in the Summer of ’69, in my early teens, my life in Christ has been a fascinating ride. I’ve been in both fundamental and modern evangelical fellowships, engaging in local church,...
Two Collapses in One Week
This past week a nation collapsed: Afghanistan. This past week a political ideology collapsed: Wilsonian global governance. Management of other nations by whatever means does not work. That's not peace. Just as about a century ago the political ends of postmillennial...
Ethics
Reasons to Behave
There is no proper virtue outside a duty that provides scope; there is no proper duty without a virtue that gives it purpose.
Do Progressivism and Rationalism Bear Moral Responsibility?
What if this were to happen: Seismologists Tried for Manslaughter for Not Predicting Earthquake? What mindset is behind this way of thinking? Is it reasonable to think that scientists bear moral responsibility for their secular efforts? These people are not...
Preparing for Change on Sexual Issues and Government Demands
Being prepared for the upcoming marriage issue it seems important that churches and related institutions prepare with biblical definitions of marriage as well as the liberties and obligations of staff, workers, and members. This goes for churches as well as...
Crafts
The Konica AR 57mm f/1.4 on a digital camera
I haven't posted anything in a long while. Today provided me an opportunity to test a lens. Recently at an estate sale I acquired on the desirable Konica AR 57mm f/1.4 lenses. This is the second version of the lens, having the cool bluish coatings. The first version...
The Novice Woodworker
Or, Getting out of the “Not Really Good Enough” Rut I have been at it about 6 years now. As a hobby it can be rewarding. It is always satisfying to see a quality piece finished for home, family, or friends. You know the sensation. It is more than just a feeling. It...
Theology
Why Biblical Theology is Not Enough
It seems like it has been around forever -- the idea of just studying the Bible and letting things fall into place. It is how most Bible study groups behave. It allows for an inclusiveness that transcends denominational and theological barriers. That's a good thing,...
Worship Is a Relationship
The way He wants us to worship Him, not the way we want to worship Him. What is this relationship? In a loving and committed relationship we serve each other. That's the normal behavior of all of us. Is you friend hurting? You put your arm around him or her. Sometimes...
Calendar
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Apologetics
Crazy Rich Asians, an Apologetic Perspective
Caution: Spoiler Alert! This movie is fun. It's a romantic comedy (or romcom as they say today). It's about a cohabiting couple (living in the US) visiting his best friend's wedding in Singapore and spending time with his rich family. I mean rich like crazy rich. Of...
A Picture of Apologetics
The first title I thought of was “Make Apologetics Great Again” but that really didn’t seem appropriate. The topic of apologetics has been on the upswing for the past two centuries. While apologetics has always been a part of theology the past few decades has seen a...
John Gray’s “Seven Types of Atheism” and the Problem of Ideas
The Problem of Ideas John Gray's "Seven Type of Atheism" My first reading of John Gray was his book "Black Mass, Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia." It's a good and useful piece, outlining the historic theological structure of the liberal/progressive...
Education
Let’s Study Historical Theology
Just two hundred years of church history says a great deal about who we are. The more history we read the more we understand ourselves. With the proper attitude, the more this understand can help us correct ourselves and fix our errors.
A Systematic Inquiry: Reconstructing Dispensationalism Without the Rapture (Part 1)
It is fascinating to look at theology from an historical perspective. Good theology has often developed out of conflict and challenge, like the doctrine of the Trinity. Various proposals were made but the final product came out of sound exegesis to give us a result...
Ministry
Factions, Ignorance, and Issues
It’s easy to blame revivalism and the “Second Great Awakening” for many of the problems in evangelical and even fundamental Christianity. The movements took us into anti-intellectualism and radical individualism. They turned us into something other than confessional...
Two Books for Elder Training
During the mid and late 1970s the church were I fellowshipped was making to bold move toward multiple elder leadership and away from the senior pastor structure. It was a bold move at the time. Other local church pastors of the same association took offense to this...
Politics
What the Left Should Know: Thoughts on the American Empire
Can one be both blindingly honest and blindingly naive at the same time. When I listen to conservative voices speaking about the American project the concentration is on principle -- freedom -- and little about what it took to accomplish that freedom. There is talk of...
Reflections on Jonah Goldberg’s “Suicide of the West”
Conservatism has become as pessimistic as liberalism. While both were founded in the context of postmillennial optimism with is dream of a better world and improved human condition. The wish was to build God's Kingdom, or at least something that closely resembles it....
Science
Can Evolutionary Directionality Be an Internal Characteristic
simpler approach is James Shapiro’s informational assumption. Think of it as a variation on Dawkin’s selfish gene but going one step further. The gene is not only selfish but smart, too. It’s the biological equivalent of Adam Smith’s economic self-interest. Genes may now be seen as producers and investors rather than as mere consumers.
Can Artificial Intelligence Be Held Morally Responsible?
It seems at first that morality is always being coded. The idea that a vehicle should stop and avoid an impact describes the computer’s duty.
Essay
The Christian Mind in a Contrary Culture
Some History of the Ideas That Affect Our View of the World and of God’s Workings Introduction This is my perspective regarding the place and implementation of clarified discernment in my own Christian life and in my field of ministry. It encompasses my motivations...