Bible-Minded Cities in America — The popular press has, for some reason, taken note of this study from the American Bible Society. The ABS asked a random sample of more than 46,000 people nationwide if they had read the Bible in the past seven days. If they had, and if they “agree strongly in the […]
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.
Global Hostilities Toward Religion
Global Hostilities Toward Religion — A third of the 198 countries studied had a high or very high level of social hostilities involving religion in 2012. About three-in-ten countries had a high or very high level of government restrictions on religion, roughly the same as in 2011.
Are We Genetically Inclined to Be Materialistic?
Are We Genetically Inclined to Be Materialistic? — New research suggests certain cultures place a brake on what social scientists call “the endowment effect,” whereas capitalistic societies put it on steroids. This 5 min. audio clip might be used to explore a biblical anthropology, the nature of community, or other themes related to human nature.
Christian Perspectives on Animal Rights
Christian Perspectives on Animal Rights — Animal welfare is a lively topic among Christians in the United States and England, including some political or theological conservatives. As Christians ask how their faith requires them to treat animals, they may force animal rights activists, a mostly secular lot, to reconsider their views on Christians.
How Christianity Makes Emotional Sense
How Christianity Makes “Emotional Sense” — A discussion on the limits of reason and argument in witness and apologetics as well as the role of the affective character in faith and convictions.
Two Inventories on Moral Response and Reasoning
Two Inventories on Moral Response and Reasoning – These two unrelated sources offer a variety of topics, features, and examples that might be used in various disciplines from genetics to philosophy. Radiolab Season 2/Episode 3, Morality, includes several vignettes of the current usual topics in science and morality. The Evolution of Conscience from First Things […]
Eight Landmark Church-State Supreme Court Decisions
Eight Landmark Church-State Supreme Court Decisions — As the Supreme Court struggles in Greece v. Galloway to decide just how “religious” prayers at public meetings can be, here is a starter list of past decisions that continue to inform the Christ-and-culture relationship in the U.S.
Malcolm Gladwell: the Unheard Story of David and Goliath
Malcom Gladwell: The Unheard Story of David and Goliath — A 16 min. TED Talk from popular writer and speaker Malcolm Gladwell who offers his take on the event from 1 Samuel 17. Possibly useful for content in literature, hermeneutics, the sciences, and the psychology of perception.
Why Apologetics is Different in the ‘Hood
Why Apologetics is Different in the ‘Hood — In Detroit, Christopher Brooks believes that the apologetics he studied at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics needs to be adapted to that urban context. “We realized that we needed to respond to not just the historic topics of theology and philosophy, but also to the pressing, […]
Bread for the World: About Hunger Today
Bread For the World: About Hunger Today — David Beckman’s article on the biblical/practical issues of why hunger remains a perpetual problem and why simply donating food is not sufficient to address the crisis.
