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.
How Science Became a Weapon in the Mommy Wars: In the shifting battle lines of the mommy wars (nursing, vaccination, gender), scientific studies have become a common weapon. Discerning pseudo-science from bona fide science takes work–research isn’t as straightforward as we might hope. Science is a messy pursuit for understanding, but learning a bit more about the […]
The meaning of a religious ‘moment’: In this brief, to-the-point comment, Martin Marty cautions about confusing human politics and social engineering with solutions to the human condition. The teacher might use this item as an introduction to the grand claims of political campaigns and the quasi-messianic trappings of political movements.
After crash, Hoboken residents ponder God and fate: This article on victim and observer responses to a commuter train wreck presents common views and reactions to tragedy. Possibly useful for courses in psychology, apologetics, health, and technology.
Shaun Casey on Religion and Diplomacy: Critics have long charged that the US government has not done a good job in acknowledging the role of religion in foreign policy. PBS talks with US Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs Shaun Casey about this new office in the State Department.
How Does Molecular Action In The Brain Make Thoughts? — Consciousness is among the BIG problems in biology, psychology, and and philosophy. This brief essay sets out that problem for students along with the opportunity to share or dispute the writer’s hint of optimism for solving it.
Euthanasia at the Paralympics: Does Belgium have a problem with disability? — This article from the Director of The Anscombe Bioethics Centre in Oxford, England, can help students compare and contrast current differing policies and laws emerging on assisted suicide. The writer links the differences to differing views on disabilities.
Our Prison Ministries are Too Small: Just 1 in 5 churches (22%) that average 250 or more attendees have formal ministries for people leaving correctional facilities. Many pastors just aren’t aware of how dramatically incarceration affects their congregation, says Dominique Gilliard, a pastor at Convergence Covenant Church in Oakland, California.
Why we need anger: This review take issue with a new book by Martha Nussbaum, Anger and Forgiveness: Resentment, Generosity, Justice (Oxford University Press, 2016). Students might use this essay, the book, or the topic to explore carefully the role of emotions and related Biblical themes.
The Political Magic of C.S. Lewis: This op-ed column presents an overview of several themes from Lewis that intersect with perennial issues in politics and religion. Student can agree or disagree with the columnist while considering the views. The article also cites the new book, C.S. Lewis on Politics and the Natural Law by Dyer […]
Christians and Secularists Under the Same Umbrella: It would be quite wrong to see the Hong Kong democracy movement as either Christian or crypto-Christian, and most of its adherents are secular idealists. But Christians have provided crucial leadership, or to use a biblical term, they have been the leaven in the loaf.
