A student of contemporary ethics may be astonished by the variety of theories available: Egoism, Emotivism, Utilitarianism, Deontology, Subjectivism, etc. How is one to make sense of their contrary claims? Is the right action: Seeking my own good (Egoism)? the greatest good for the greatest number (Utility)? Obeying rules (Deontology)? Determined by culture, communities, or … Continue reading Fragmented Anthropology: Contemporary Ethics, I
In a little house in the suburbs of Chicago, a young married couple were enjoying dinner with a rather robust middle-aged woman. Their three children and a visiting relative sat at table quietly listening to the conversation. “Jane, this is the woman I told you about, the one who saved our lives from that awful … Continue reading The Awkward Dinner: A Modern Ethical Allegory
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! –Matthew 6:22-23 Beauty is indeed objective; yet, … Continue reading Beauty as Subjective, I
There is a lot of good literature on shame, but it can be confusing to assess from a Christian perspective. There are three major reasons for this First, many of those with good things to say about shame often dismiss the concept of sin, even treating it as the boogeyman of our psyches. This is … Continue reading On Whether We are to be Ashamed
The solution to loneliness is not connection. Or to put it more correctly, deep social connection is not, by itself, the complete answer to our predicament. This is partly because loneliness is not simply a problem to be solved. As one reads more and more about the ‘epidemic‘, it is worth considering whether the problem … Continue reading Loneliness, Integrity, and the Limits of the Created Person
Richard Carstone in Charles Dickens’ Bleak House is a quintessential gambler. A promising young man who holds the heart of a lovely young lady, who is supported by a wealthy benefactor, and who is surrounded by well wishers, he is only in need of a bit of steady application. But in this he fails because he is … Continue reading The Terrible Fatalism of Gambling and the Providence of God
Listening to the Little House series, following the lives of Laura and her family, has not been without its challenges. They are so strict, so obedient, so sufficient and skillful. They are themselves a kind of law that I will never live up to. Further, Laura always seems a bit hemmed in by her Ma, … Continue reading Mercy in Little House on the Prairie
Grace Alone Conquers This is the motto of Trinity House from the Latin Sola Gratia Vincit. What does it mean. Is it a strategy? Shall Trinity House win the Cup at New College Franklin this year by means of grace? Shall we through grace rise up triumphant over our brothers and sisters? Is grace the master … Continue reading Sola Gratia Vincit: A Charge to Trinity House
In the first book of the Harry Potter Series, Harry discovers a large mirror hidden away in Hogwarts Castle which allows him to gaze upon his heart’s desire. He is transfixed by the living image before him, drinking in the looking-glass presence of his mother and father. He begins to devote all his free time to … Continue reading The Mirror of Erised
King’s of Summer is a film from 2013 that is well worth watching. I imagine watching it with my son sometime late in high school. It captures the ways in which we stretch out toward manhood, fail, and find something far larger waiting for us in the reaching. The film concerns three boys who run away … Continue reading Humility & Manhood in Kings of Summer
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