In a post on sexuality, I tried to describe reproduction in light of the double bond of love which it uses to weave the human family together. But it must be noted that the tapestry of history and of humanity is tangled and ravaged by death, resentment, violence, and rejection. One need only think of the difficulties of a … Continue reading Platted and Woven, Part 2: A New Sort of Enmity
When the Hairy Hooligans are ambushed aboard their ship, their captors announce a plan to execute Stoick, the head of the viking tribe as well as his heir. It is at this moment in Cressida Cowell’s How to be a Pirate (from her How to Train a Dragon Series) that Hiccup steps forth in heroic loyalty to his father. … Continue reading On the Power of Asking Questions
Human reproduction, when considered in its social context, is expressive of beauty and purpose. Though human history and the human family is marred by division, sorrow, and every form of violence, this beauty and purpose yet remains, albeit obscured and deeply marred. Further, in God’s grace, this beauty and purpose is redeemed and directed unto a new and greater perfection. Not every … Continue reading Platted and Woven: On Human Sexuality
Here is a semi-edited copy of a paper I presented at a Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, MI a few weeks ago. It features: JRR Tolkien Vikings Pictures Torcs Jewelry Monsters Scripture Derrida The Torc and the Text Continue reading The Torc and the Text: Ambiguity in Beowulf
Back in Nashville after attending a Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, MI, visiting good friends in Holland, MI, and spending two days in Chattanooga with my kids, I am in the process of making that strange and sometimes difficult transition into summer. It is not quite like turning a ship around because many of the same … Continue reading Transitio
I am driving 8 hours today to Michigan to attend the 51st annual Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo at Western Michigan University. I’ll be presenting a paper on Beowulf! After that, I get to swing by Holland Michigan to see some old friends. a picture from a recent participatory viewing of the Princess Bride at church, … Continue reading Off to Storm the Castle
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 Continue reading Blessed are the Merciful, For They Will be Shown Mercy
Like a child formed within the body of its mother, nourished by and constituted within her, all creation is constituted within the Image of God. Christ is the womb of all creation. For in him all things were created (Colossians 1:16). The creation bears the stamp of its creator, just as a child bears a likeness to his mother. … Continue reading Matrix of Creation
-True rhetoric must know the nature of things and their ultimate purposes. If we recognize that the body and soul have a purpose and a final end, rhetoric is that which continually persuades us to pursue that end with all are heart, soul, and might. Rhetoric of this kind which persuaded us by logos in … Continue reading The Gorgias: Notes
This lecture was given Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Cornerstone Church in Franklin, Tennessee. It was part of a lecture on speaking and seeking the truth in love. The first half was a presentation by Mark Hays of Classical Conversations. The second-half was presented by me as the following lecture: Introduction There is a lot to … Continue reading To Speak the Truth in Love: A Lecture on Rhetoric in Plato’s Gorgias
Same & Other 