Believing in Evolution

Last updated on: March 10, 2014 at 11:47 am By James F. McGrath

The very terminology of “believing” in evolution is controversial. Two contrasting views on the subject popped up on blogs I read yesterday. Paul Braterman emphasizes the problems with using such language. Here is a sample from his post: Evolution, whether we mean changes in the genetic make-up of populations over time, or the common descent of living things on earth, is a fact. It is supported by, and explains, innumerable more specific facts concerning the fossil record, molecular phylogeny (the same... Read more

Cut It Out #thingsjesusneversaid

Last updated on: March 10, 2014 at 9:30 am By James F. McGrath

The sermon at my church yesterday was about sin. The pastor preached about Jesus’ statements (clearly not to be taken literally) about cutting off one’s hand, or foot, or plucking out one’s eye. The context in Mark suggests that there is a real danger of judgment, with fire, but also that the fire has a purifying rather than an ultimately destructive aim. That in itself would be worth talking about further. But the main point of the sermon was how... Read more

Eve: The Motion Picture

Last updated on: March 10, 2014 at 8:39 am By James F. McGrath

From Saturday Night Live, via Hemant Mehta. What struck me most was the parental nature of God as depicted in the sketch. Disobedience wasn't something surprising, and Eve is not told “Get out of this house, you disobeyed my rules” or something authoritarian like that, but rather than she was going to need to move out on her own sooner or later. I think much of that is true to the symbolism of the story. Human beings are not meant... Read more

Reading Genesis With Ancient Eyes

Last updated on: March 10, 2014 at 7:36 am By James F. McGrath

John Walton discusses the interpretation of Genesis’ creation stories. HT Allan Bevere Read more

Fruit or Vegetable?

Last updated on: March 9, 2014 at 1:15 pm By James F. McGrath

I thought this cartoon by Chris Bambrough was worth sharing. I think it is the first one I have ever seen focused on the creation of the tomato! Read more

In The Beginning

Last updated on: March 9, 2014 at 12:16 pm By James F. McGrath

This song by My Brightest Diamond caught my eye and ear on the album All Things Will Unwind. I heard the singer, Shara Worden, perform as the soloist on Gorecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra last weekend. It was a fantastic concert, also including Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto No.1 and Kilar’s Krzesany. Read more

Albert Schweitzer Documentary

Last updated on: March 9, 2014 at 11:02 am By James F. McGrath

HT Dănuț Mănăstireanu Read more

God’s Plan

Last updated on: March 9, 2014 at 8:19 am By James F. McGrath

The above Pie Comic illustrates the danger of responding to tragedy, or anything else perplexing and troubling, by invoking God’s plan. The impression conveyed is inevitably of a highly anthropomorphic God whose benevolence and/or competence are placed in serious doubt. Read more

Professor Vader

Last updated on: March 8, 2014 at 10:28 pm By James F. McGrath

Via Brad Matthies on Twitter. Read more

Spring Ahead: A Daylight Saving Reminder

Last updated on: March 8, 2014 at 8:07 pm By James F. McGrath

This is a reminder to those in the United States and other parts of the world where clocks need to be changed early tomorrow. Kindly sleep an hour less, be a little grumpy as a result, and still get where you need to go on time. For more information, see Scot McKnight’s post about Daylight Saving Time. And some cartoons and images related to the topic follow below. Read more