Carl F. H. Henry on the Christian Stake in Legislation
How should the Church address social issues today? Writing in the 1960’s, Carl F. H. Henry provides us with a framework to think through this essential question. His words on why the Church should address rulers and the public on the theme of proper social principles remain applicable to this day: Even though the Church is not arbitrarily to impose a theology of society, forcing its ideals upon the world, it needs to do more than...
Legacy of Scalia
Consider what fans and critics alike have said about Antonin Scalia: “He was a towering figure who will be remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of the Supreme Court and a scholar who deeply influenced our legal culture” (Samuel Alito, Supreme Court Justice).[i] “No one had more influence on the direction of a Supreme Court, maybe other than Chief Justice Marshall, than Justice Scalia had” (Randy Barnett).[ii]...
A Theology of Suffering from C.S. Lewis
How do we make sense out of suffering? The first step is to realize that suffering is a result of human sin and a consequence of the fall of Adam. Another necessary notion to make sense out of suffering is that suffering may have redemptive purposes or good ends. This should not be confused with saying that suffering is good in and of itself. In other words, suffering is not good, but suffering may have good consequences. C.S. Lewis...
A Good Reminder for “Tech-Savvy Parenting”
Sometimes conventional wisdom, conventional as it may be, isn’t so wise after all. It was thought for many years that one of the reasons why parents should limit or altogether restrict their children’s exposure to video games or films with violence is because they would encourage and foster aggressive behavior. While this no doubt has happened, it isn’t so much due to the “monkey-see, monkey-do” syndrome. It is due to the subtleties...
Edmund Burke on Liberty and Virtue
Religion, law and morality interact with each other in ways that affect the church and culture. In scripture there are types of laws with each having their own purpose. What would happen though if ethics (morality) was no more than just personal choice and private sentiment? Edmund Burke (1729-1797), a leader in Great Britain during the time of the Revolutionary War, responds to this question: Men are qualified for civil liberty in...
Thomas Oden on “Theology”
I’ve often been intrigued by the range of definitions that are suggested for the word “theology.” I recently came across one by Thomas Oden in his memoir which I think does a nice job of combining the academic, teleological, and doxological aspects of theology: “Theology is the study of God. The study of God is simply to be enjoyed for its own incomparable subject, the One most beautiful, most worthy to be praised. Life with God...
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