I am intrigued by a new book by James Davison Hunter called To Change the Word: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. I just read a summary of the book and an interview with Hunter in Christianity Today (May 2010). He argues that the common evangelical goal of changing [...]

“What Darwinism has never been able to account for is human kindness or altruism. . . . The evolutionary explanation for altruism is really just selfishness in disguise. . . . But that, of course, isn’t altruism at all. . . . In contrast, Christians understand that while all of us are born with the [...]

One of my favorite class discussions in our Public Speaking class at Appalachian State is on “Building Powerful Arguments.” In it we talk about logos, pathos, and ethos, and deductive and inductive reasoning. In order to demonstrate how a logical appeal (logos) can be made with a deductive argument, we use the topic of abortion. [...]

We find in Livy’s The Early History of Rome assurance that corruption in politics in not a new development. It is fascinating that such strategies have changed very little. “In and out of the houses of patrician families–the ‘lesser’ families especially–he began  to solicit their support; he reminded them of the favours his father had [...]

It seems to me that this verse has something to say about the idea that the existence of life will ultimately be threatened by global warming: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” Gen 8:22

I spoke with a friend this morning about this challenging Proverb, so I am reposting this entry from April 1 of this year. “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” Prov 12:11 What a great standard for the activities we choose for ourselves and our [...]

I had so many hits on my last post, “New Life at Our House,” I was suspicious that people thought it was an announcement that we were having another baby. Well, it wasn’t; but this is! The perfect number is seven, thus we now have “the perfect number of children.” I’m sure you know I [...]

I started reading Ecclesiastes today and am fascinated by the mystery and wisdom is holds. I enjoy poetry and riddles. The reoccurring theme is: “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (1:1) Vanity literally means vapor.  And we are not just talking about vapor, but the vapor of vapor! Vapor [...]

“Free markets and property rights stimulate the technological innovations and behavioral changes required to protect our environment and ecosystems. We realize that our planet’s climate is constantly changing, but environmental advocates and social pressure are the most effective means of changing public behavior.” – From the National Platform of the Libertarian Party

I always enjoy seeing what my Public Speaking class students select for their persuasive speech topics. It reveals, at least for a small (possibly regionally representative) group of college students, what topics are important to them and what positions they take on those issues. Here is the list of topics for the first persuasive speech [...]