1 Corinthians 12:8-31

Feb 28th, 2014 | By

Further discussion on how the diversity of spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to followers of Christ makes a unified body of the Church.



The Lessons from World War I

Feb 22nd, 2014 | By

This coming summer the world will observe the centennial of the ?Guns of August,? historian Barbara Tuchman?s phrase for the beginning of World War I. Most historians would argue that this was a war that should never have been. A few weeks ago, I read historian Margaret MacMillan?s gripping The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914. She charts quite methodically the events and culture that produced the outbreak of World War I in the summer of 1914, which ended nearly 100 years of peace. (The last major European war had been the Napoleonic wars, which ended in 1815.) How could the major European powers permit one of the most horrific wars in history to occur?



Polygamy: The Next Frontier of Human Sexuality

Feb 15th, 2014 | By

What was once unthinkable, becomes debatable, and gradually becomes acceptable. That proverbial statement captures more than anything else what has been occurring in the realm of human sexuality over the past few years. Once personal autonomy and self-gratification take center stage in all matters sexual, most boundaries fall. The next boundary being tested in American culture is that of polygamy. This stunning and rapid cultural transformation did not begin with the same-sex marriage boundary falling; it began with the culture?s embrace of sexual libertinism.



1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Feb 12th, 2014 | By

Paul teaches that spirituality is not about self-elevating gifts to glorify the individual; rather, spiritual gifts are given to believers for the purpose of edifying & building up the Body of the Church.



The Debate over Income Inequality

Feb 8th, 2014 | By

In President Obama?s State of the Union address it was one of the primary themes. It is the centerpiece of almost everything MSNBC features in its cable news coverage. The Democratic Party is banking on this as the cornerstone of its 2014 campaign to retain control of the Senate. Income inequality is once again a ?hot issue? in American politics. Talk of increasing the minimum wage, taxing the wealthy to fund additional programs for the poor, and extending unemployment insurance are all examples of federal programs being discussed. More specifically, significant tax-the-rich proposals are being suggested to fund pre-Kindergarten educational programs. That there is income inequality is a given in America; in many ways it has always been so. There is a growing gap between the very wealthy and the very poor.



Israel: Academic Bigotry in the American Academy

Feb 1st, 2014 | By

Speaking of the detached nature of higher education, we often hear of the ?ivory tower? or of the ?absent-minded professor.? Both metaphors communicate a separation from the real world, even an intentional detachment from reality. Usually, we use such figures of speech with humor or even mild criticism. But, the American Studies Association (ASA) and its recent actions concerning Israel reflect a deep-seated academic bigotry, not a detached pursuit of academic freedom. Why would a group of American scholars bitterly attack Israel? Israel is the only functioning democracy in the Middle East. Further, as columnist Charles Krauthammer observes, Israel has ?the freest press in the Middle East, a fiercely independent judiciary and astonishing religious and racial diversity within its universities, including affirmative action for Arab students.?