Assuming Nothing by Assuming Everything: The Metaphysics of Education
Both of my parents were educators. My mother taught elementary school until I was born, and my father taught secondary mathematics for a few years more. In addition to homeschooling me and my four younger siblings, they also sold Saxon math books. So, I grew up in a home where educational concerns were discussed on a regular basis. Now, I am starting my own family. With the birth of our first son earlier this year, my wife and I are...
2013 Theological Symposium: Summary & Reflections
Anytime believers from different regions, vocations, and intellectual backgrounds can assemble to think theologically together, it is likely an occasion worth attending. The annual Free Will Baptist Theological Symposium is such a setting for this type of activity. The Symposium is sponsored by the Commission for Theological Integrity, a historically important arm of the Free Will Baptist movement. The annual meeting met on the campus...
Science & Knowledge: Clearing the Air
The story of Western thought is rich, but fraught with twists and turns when we turn back the pages. Most of the time these changes were prompted by sudden discoveries, new inventions, and revolutionary theories. But all of these are somehow related to what we call science. Far from being focused on test-tubes, scientific thought and activity was originally a much more integrative activity. After all, the word science itself refers to...
Shaping Not Shielding Our Students
by Dr. Ian Hawkins I recently had an interesting conversation with some friends from graduate school. One of them is a lesbian, and the other a Mormon. The lesbian mentioned that she does not believe that science is as objective as she once thought. However, the Mormon began asking me why I didn’t believe in evolution. I found this ironic: the lesbian seemed more sympathetic to my perspective on science than the Mormon. What was most...
Revisiting the Scopes Monkey Trial
by John Carter Particular events have a way of describing certain decades, or defining certain eras. The Scopes Trial is one such example. The “Scopes Monkey Trial” reinforced a movement in the country away from its moorings. It isn’t the only event, but it was advertised as confirmation that the U. S. was systematically inching its way into the scientific and technological modern world. Any vestiges of a religious or theological past...
Christianity and Science: Shall the Twain Meet?
The relationship between the Christian faith and science stands at a fascinating place in the early years of the 21st century. Much of the last century found the two in a rather awkward relationship. At their worst moments, the two were seen as wholly antithetical to one another. At best, they were seen as authorities feuding over their share of cultural real estate. For many, science got the best of that battle. Sadly, this grim...
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