Items included on this page come from a variety of sources. The perspectives conveyed may or may not express a Lutheran ethos. They can serve our instruction as discussion-starters, examples (positive and negative), and illustrations of intersections between God’s two kingdoms, intersections sometimes characterized by tension, sometimes by congruence. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Is AI a Threat to Christianity? This more-than-whimsical article may be a way to explore views on soteriology, redemption, restoration, and texts such as Rom. 8:18-25. “While theologians aren’t paying much attention, some technologists are convinced that artificial intelligence is on an inevitable path toward autonomy. This trajectory raises some fundamental questions for Christianity—as well […]
Through a Glass, Darkly: This feature article written for a broad audience looks at some projects investigating dark energy, which theorists say makes up 70 percent of the universe. The search began two decades ago when astronomers measuring the speed of stars learned the universe seems to be expanding faster and faster. What could counteract gravity? […]
The Fantasy of Addiction: Peter Hitchens finds himself in the middle of the addiction debates on a BBC talk show, and offers this assessment. “It was the disaster of the Christian religion that it assumed [it’s] triumph would last forever and outlast everything, and so it was ill equipped to resist the challenge of a […]
In Remembrance of Me: Memory, the Life of Faith, and the Life of the Church — Here are five presentations covering a spectrum of dimensions of memory including the neuroscience, communal memory, Biblical themes, theology, and remembering the sermon. From the 2015 Theological Symposium at Concordia Seminary.
Why Hell Can’t Freeze Over: Quantum Physics And Absolute Zero — We frequently hear popular references to “quantum” in movies and TV. Here is a brief, readable intro to the basic themes in classical “common sense” physics and the quantum world. Instructors and students in various disciplines–psychology, theology, lit, math, and others–can consider the implications.
Disruptive Reproductive Technologies: In vitro fertilization (IVF) represented a transformative technological innovation. Now in vitro gametogenesis (IVG)–the generation of eggs and sperm from pluripotent stem cells in a culture dish–is is poised for future success in humans and promises new possibilities for the fields of reproductive and regenerative medicine. At the same time, IVG raises vexing […]
Is Addiction a Disease? Yes, and Much More: Four core aspects of recovery are essential for addressing addiction, says this article, arguing that we need to recognize at least four dimensions: moral, social, biological, and spiritual. Students can use this piece to explore a multiple-model approach to complex human behavior.
New Gene-Editing Techniques Hold the Promise Of Altering The Fundamentals Of Life: See the archives for other CRISPR articles. This 45 min audio provides a helpful overview of the concept and technique. At 20 min. in, find an important discussion on nature that can inform a theology of creation and anthropology. Students need to know […]
Radio Lab on Blood: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life” (Lev. 17:11). This 1 hr. program offers a variety of vignettes on blood with […]
Where Did The Universe Come From? This is the first of five brief audio clips from an NPR Morning Edition series on contemplating the universe. The series runs from 12/26/2016 to 12/30/2016, closing with “How Will the Universe End?” and might serve as a set of starter pieces for astronomy, philosophy, intro to religion, or […]
True Paradox: How Christianity Make Sense of Our Complex World by David Skeel (Veritas Books IVP, 2014)
David Skeel teaches corporate law at the UofPenn Law School. This book calmly presents five chapters in 160 pages that explain the Christian account of life to a skeptical, distracted, yet still-interested society. No simple answers here to human complexities. Rather, Skeel discusses how these complexities point us toward Christ.
