So my grandmother has Alzheimer disease or some other kind of dementia. At this point she can still dial numbers and remember names (although it can take a while to recall names, so she may tend to say phrases such as, “your husband told me” rather refer to a specific name). But there are large gaps in her memory, so Continue reading
This is another heavy post. More lighter posts scheduled this week. In science, in philosophy, and in all intelligible discourse, we try to prove that we are right using various tools, usually logic and science. The problem is that in the modern and postmodern era those means (science and logic) were called into question. In other words, we can’t prove Continue reading
I reached a point a couple of years ago where I was no longer comfortable referring to those in Asia (both locals and expats) as Christians vs. everyone else. I did not want an “us and them.” I wanted an “us.” As a foreigner, this meant it was my job to enter their world, which meant me learning their customs Continue reading
I was taught that tolerance was the moral enemy of the church. I was taught that tolerance meant to endorse or permit wrong doings. I was taught that tolerance was incompatible with my faith. I was taught that I could not love my neighbor and tolerate him or her at the same time. Many christians have proudly worn the label Continue reading
In this series I use progressive Christian in its very broad sense simply because it’s a well-known word, and the one patheos uses. I admit the word is too loaded. I have stated that I consider myself progressive but have become disgruntled with the progressive Christian church. This series will first talk about the philosophy that was the forerunner of Continue reading
So I went to the library today and found a book by Spong called Resurrection: Myth or Reality? This book looks at the origins and development of Christianity, asking if Jesus ever had a bodily resurrection. And that reminded me of why the “progressive” church today is hard for an evangelical or fundamentalist to grasp. (I know I’m using the Continue reading
I decided to join the forward thinking dialogue with my thoughts on public education. This week the prompt asks, “what is the purpose of public education?” The question is loaded. First, “what purpose” begs the question, “whose purpose?” Many people have pointed out links between school and the work industry. Henry Ford built and funded schools that in return trained Continue reading
I am doing a series on the questions that haunt progressive Christianity. Read this introduction. In classical orthodoxy, or classical Christianity as some may call it, historical events of the Bible happened. More importantly, these Biblical stories or events are not only true, but they have profound significance upon our lives. The problem one faces, of course, is the problem Continue reading
I found this comment on HSLDA’s FB page, presumably by some homeschool mom who has been trained to laugh at the socialization question. And it made me angry. See, its fine if homeschool parents want to tell their stories about how they were socially awkward as public school kids, or how they are a social misfit. I will not laugh Continue reading
As I have written, I have rejected Calvinism, sola scriptura, and fundamentalism. Additionally, through my studies in philosophy, I lost much faith in the traditional arguments for the existence of God (what we call natural theology). And somehow that has left me reading the blogs of progressive Christians, hoping, searching for faith in an existential world. I’ve turned to progressive Continue reading