Author Archives: PaulVK

The Atlantic

The Atlantic I think religion should be taught in college. I’m not talking about “religious studies,” that is, the study of the phenomenon of religion. I’m talking about having imams, priests, pastors, rabbis, and other clerics teach the practice of … Continue reading →

This sermon illustration writes itself. 

http://theallendercenter.org/2012/09/the-power-of-the-pastor

HT The Dish Molly Alice’s “every conversation I’ve had this week” Both sides give in to condescension. Why is the Christian so reactive? Probably self-righteousness and the Christian can’t stomach a challenge to their own morality, which is a common but … Continue reading →

Commonweal HT Dreher Friedrich Nietzsche has a strong claim to being the first real atheist. Of course there had been unbelievers in abundance before him, but it is Nietzsche above all who confronts the terrifying, exhilarating consequences of “the death of … Continue reading →

The Week For many advocates of gay marriage, liberalism is a holistic, comprehensive ideology with its own distinctive vision of the human good. This vision advocates the autonomy of individuals from received traditions and their liberation from constraints both external … Continue reading →

Unwholesome Complexity Literalism simply isn’t possible. Attempts to hold fast to a literal interpretation lead to a multitude of speculations, twists and contortions – from the crystalline canopy theory (here) to the suggestion that the plants of Genesis 1:11-12 didn’t include agricultural … Continue reading →

Slate HT The Dish “Yoga is the new prayer” and Buddhism, How the 1% hijacked mindfulness. Of course, Ream’s criticism is nothing new. Marxist philosopher Slavoj Žižek has long argued that “Western Buddhism,” as he calls it, is an ideal palliative … Continue reading →