Embodied Theology: Or, a Brief Investigation of How Theology Applies to Life

Last updated on: April 3, 2008 at 9:35 pm By Owen Strachan

I’m taking a PhD class on the Enlightenment with the master historian John Woodbridge. He’s a genuine gem of a Christian scholar, as he combines humble piety with an academic pedigree including a PhD on the Enlightenment era from the University of Paris, a teaching stint at Northwestern University, and multiple monographs, including the hugely influential The History of Biblical Authority (Zondervan 1982). In the course of this class, we’ve covered many of the “philosophes”, hugely influential 18th century thinkers... Read more

What We Know About Self-Control, and What This Means for Students Who Check Their Facebook Page in Class

Last updated on: April 2, 2008 at 6:01 pm By Owen Strachan

A couple of neuroscientists published an article in the New York Times today on the biology and effect of willpower. The article, “Tighten Your Belt, Strengthen Your Mind”, by Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang, gives scientific verification to a principle your grandmother has been trying to teach you for years: self-control is good for you. This piece dovetails interestingly with another feature by Slate writer Laura Moser, “Footloose and Sugar-Free”, in which the authors discusses her discovery that eating little... Read more

One Thing Jeremiah Wright Has Right: The Pastor Is a Theologian (and the Theologian Is a Pastor)

Last updated on: April 1, 2008 at 8:21 pm By Owen Strachan

There’s been much to-do about Barack Obama’s pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I came across a helpful collection of resources from NPR on the theological stream in which Wright fits, the black liberationist theologians and preachers. If you have a few moments, take a listen. NPR, of course, slants strongly left, but they’re well-researched. Beyond that, I don’t have much to say personally about Rev. Wright that has not been said. (Russ Moore, for example, has some helpful thoughts on... Read more

August Rush: Another Movie Searches for Transcendence and Finds it in Music, and Family

Last updated on: March 31, 2008 at 8:28 pm By Owen Strachan

The movie August Rush, which debuted in November 2007, presents an uneven but inspiring tale of one sweet boy’s search for transcendence in a world of isolation and evil. The movie is not flawless, but its depiction of the power of music alone makes the film well worth watching. The plot centers in two musicians (played ably by Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) who chance upon one another, sleep together, and then lose touch completely with one another, despite the... Read more

The Week-est Link, March 28. 2008: Blogging Tournaments, Disney World, Blog Gems, and Violence

Last updated on: March 28, 2008 at 10:28 pm By Owen Strachan

1. Whew. It’s been quite a week here at consumed. This little blog has seen a relative avalanche of comments due to some controverted content. I’m really thankful for those who have weighed in, and it was interesting to hear another side of the Billy Wolfe saga. Thanks again to everyone who wrote in. I don’t have time to respond to comments, but I read every one of them, and I’m often pushed to think by them (as you can... Read more

Further Thoughts on Guys, Fighting, and Needless Violence

Last updated on: March 27, 2008 at 5:19 pm By Owen Strachan

There have been some great comments on recent posts. Thanks to all who have written in with thoughtful things to say. Even when folks have disagreed with me, they’ve been charitable and reasonable. I’ll focus today on how Christians might understand needless violence. With pursuits like football, or backyard boxing, or karate, how are we to think as Christians about these things? Let me first say that I don’t think that there is an easy answer here. In other words,... Read more

Is Vicious Combat Between Guys a Good Thing? The New York Times on Mixed Martial-Arts

Last updated on: March 26, 2008 at 6:52 pm By Owen Strachan

The New York Times magazine just published a story on mixed martial-arts fighting that caught my eye. Paul Wachter has crafted “Gladiator” as an exploration of the culture and morality of this “sport”, which is rapidly growing in the United States. I’ve read material on this sport before but had not encountered an article of such length and depth. This piece raises questions that many folks would have about “M.M.A.”, and leaves one wondering whether it is appropriate for Christians... Read more

When a Lawsuit’s a Boy’s Only Hope: Billy Wolfe, Bullying, and the Results of a Peer-Based Culture

Last updated on: March 25, 2008 at 6:39 pm By Owen Strachan

It’s not every day that you see a story about one boy being bullied without headlines accompanying headlines announcing a vicious death or a closeted homosexuality. Yesterday, though, the New York Times published just such a story. Dan Barry wrote the piece, entitled “A Boy the Bullies Love to Beat Up, Repeatedly”, as a sober, quiet reflection on bullying. Though there is no grisly headline attached to the story (thankfully!), the piece is worth reading and thinking about. Barry notes,... Read more

The Week-est Link, March 21, 2008: Devotions?

Last updated on: March 21, 2008 at 2:32 pm By Owen Strachan

1. Video of Tim Keller speaking apologetically. Keller’s talk is not to be missed and can be used both to edify and instruct Christians. (HT: Justin Taylor) 2. Helpful discussion of how to tackle the sometimes thorny subject of morning devotions. Covenant Life members CJ Mahaney, former pastor, and Jeff Purswell, pastor and theologian, are the writers here, and they have some very helpful things to say. This topic can befuddle many Christians, and we can easily condemn ourselves on... Read more

What’s More Valuable: Putting in Time or Preaching the Truth? Kingdom Considerations

Last updated on: March 19, 2008 at 7:43 pm By Owen Strachan

The answer to the above question must be carefully qualified, in my humble opinion. Both pursuits, offered out of a redeemed heart, are honoring to God. God has given His creation and His people the opportunity to labor for His glory (1 Co. 10:31). As with all things that we do, we have the opportunity to present our works and deeds to God as gifts. How do we do so? By performing them out of a heart of love. Though... Read more