Art and Christian Excellence
As I was browsing home décor items recently, I encountered some interesting (to use a kind word) pieces. One was a reprint of DaVinci’s Last Supper, which is all well and good, but this was not the only image in the picture. Superimposed over the famous painting in a 1990s holographic nightmare was an atrocious rendering of Jesus on the cross. I don’t think this particular piece nor two other similar works were intended to mock the...
Agree to Disagree? Resurrecting Universals
Often in life we make compromises so that the wheels of society will remain greased and day-to-day matters will continue unimpeded. However, in the modern world we cite even extreme disagreements over universals as mere differences of opinion to avoid confrontation.[1] We set aside disagreements over human nature and God so that society can function with “efficiency.”[2] But this is a materialist understanding of the world and as...
Recognizing the God Who Is There, Despite our Best Efforts
by Andy Ball The Critical Posture How ironic is the contemporary mood: despite how technologically advanced and developed our society is, we are so untrustworthy about many beliefs. Even though we can be more certain than ever before about numerous things, we are cynics. Just consider the plethora of conspiracies that are so popular. If you’re not familiar with any, go check your Facebook wall. Someone will surely have posted in the...
Thomas Aquinas and the Role of Reason: An Epistemology of Faith
by Kevin L. Hester Epistemology is the philosophical study of how truth claims are justified. It answers the question how we know what is true. Since God is revealed to us as “truth,”[1] it must then have bearing upon our faith. But what is the nature of faith? Is faith only faith when there is no evidence? If faith depends upon evidence, is it still faith? The relationship between faith and reason is a foundational theological and...
Rethinking Apologetics for Students
I’ve often said that modern youth ministry puts the right emphasis in two places: evangelism and apologetics. While other areas and elements of youth ministry are debatable, there is hardly a youth group I know that doesn’t consistently emphasize these areas—and rightfully so. In many ways, evangelism and apologetics represent the foundational dimension of a student’s faith. How a student is able to articulate and share their faith...
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