Alert: This post may contain spoilers of the movie, Selma. The biblical content referenced here may also spoil our desire to rule over others. Those who take themselves too seriously are easily slighted; they are not meek. Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5; ESV). The meek are not easily provoked. Following on from the preceding beatitudes in Matthew 5, those who are poor in spirit mourn their sinful, fragile, and broken state;... Read more

This blog post is part of a series of entries on education in contemporary society. Education is essential to human formation and flourishing. So, too, are mentorship and friendship. In fact, the best kind of education includes mentorship and friendship in various ways. In view of such education, human society forms and flourishes best. Trinity Academy in Northeast Portland seeks to embody these qualities in its approach to education. Trinity is a classical Christian middle and high school open to people... Read more

Have you heard the expression, “God comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable”? It does not originate from Jesus or from Monty Python’s cult classic Life of Brian, for that matter; rather, it originates from journalism. According to blogger Tim Stewart, journalists referenced it in terms of the “watchdog” role that they felt newspapers were obligated to have. To journalists, the “afflicted” were the victims of crime or corruption in the big city. The “comfortable” were the fat cats in... Read more

Science fiction often gives us a sense of the future, as a Complex article notes. Britain’s Ministry of Defence alluded to science fiction’s The Terminator in its discussion of drone warfare back in 2011, according to the UK’s Guardian.  As noted in The Guardian, The report warns of the dangers of an “incremental and involuntary journey towards a Terminator-like reality”, referring to James Cameron’s 1984 movie, in which humans are hunted by robotic killing machines…“It is essential that before unmanned... Read more

I suppose it is easy for many people to feel a sense of superhuman capability when entering the New Year. After all, a new year of life brings confidence and hope and new beginnings. Couple this with the American “can do anything” attitude and one can feel like Superman or Superwoman. A sense of optimism and an unconquerable spirit certainly have their place and can be of great help when facing significant obstacles and overwhelming odds. Against this backdrop, it might... Read more

Laughter is good for one’s well-being, as some researches will tell you. But not any kind of laughter, I’m sure. Mocking, cynical and disbelieving laughter only poison one’s being. Laughter bound up with joy, gladness and thanksgiving are very powerful forces. Just think of the following text: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22; ESV). I was reminded of this reality when reflecting upon the lives of Sarah and Abraham in... Read more