Language Games in the Public Square
Ludwig Wittgenstein was arguably the most important philosopher of the twentieth century. He insisted that words could only be understood in the context of the activities in which they are used [1]. It is only then that their meaning and significance can be grasped. Despite some of the problems of Wittgensteinian thought, he does offer some useful insights. He regarded philosophy as a task for clarification that would prevent us from...
Diversity and the Sliding Ethical Scale
Essay by Tim Campbell Diversity has always existed in the Church. There have always been issues about which people have disagreed. However, the conventional use, understanding, and application of varied opinions has undergone a radical alteration in relation to ethical relevance. Historically, persons recognized a standard of evaluation. Yet in the present age, such a standard has been thrown to the wind. A Framework for Ethical...
The Need for Theology in the Fight for Hope
In a world filled with grief and tragedy, the gospel promises hope for the hurting. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:3 ESV) [1]. Yet many faithful Christians wrestle daily with the fact that this hope does not coincide with their reality. Regularly, faithful believers find themselves battling emotions of despair, anguish, and suffering. It seems as if the gospel they were called...
Christianity and Creation Care: Living Faithfully in the Age of Efficiency
The 21st Century: A Culture of Efficiency Many have described the 21st century as “busy”. There are emails to check, bills to pay, kids to feed, grass to cut, work to finish, ad nauseam. As a result, people view the standard of efficiency as a good thing. And indeed it is! It is no wonder that we appreciate people who arrive to a meeting on time or who are not unnecessarily wasteful. Whether in the context of time constraint,...
Clarifying the ‘Culture’ Debate
Culture is unquestionably a buzzword of the contemporary era. Evangelicals seek to “engage the culture” for Christ, while PBS journalists aim to capture the cultural moment in documentaries. Even politicians speak of cultural developments and trends in public speeches [1]. However, when using the term ‘culture’, do these parties mean the same thing? Whether it is T.S. Eliot’s classic Notes Toward the Definition of Culture, Alan...
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