So I have started teaching Cultural Anthropology again. In my intro to the class, I like to start with Anthropology as a general term to describe "The Study of Man." And then I like to add my little note that in Old English, "Wer" meant adult male, "Wif" meant adult female and "Man" or "Mann" …
Month: August 2020
Potential Authoritarian
As most of you have probably noticed, in the last few years there has been an increase of popularity of demagogues. Demagogues are individuals who tend to "speak the language" of the masses with a level of charisma, and do so expressing themes that often emphasize empowerment and national identity, all the while commonly stoking …
Counterproposal Regarding Truth
I saw this picture on LinkedIn. I get the logic. I even think one could put together a few Biblical verses to support the saying. Nevertheless, I think I can come up with a statement that is better. Truth Sounds Like Hate to Those Who Have Never Heard Truth From One Who Knows How to …
Member Care and the Mission Agency
I am teaching Missionary Member Care this 1st Semester. I have taught it before, and have had some formal training--- in seminary, in retreat, and online. I have been in missions for 16-1/2 years so I feel like I know a bit about the topic. The week area I have is with mission agencies. I …
Getting One’s Message Heard, Lessons from the “4th Umke”
Stephen Larsen tells a story of the Umke, "In the late fifties and early sixties a strange little man used to stand with his podium and flag on the corner of 116th Street and Broadway in Manhattan, across the street from Columbia University. He would preach loudly and emphatically to whoever would listen, and even …
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Speculating on the “Mark of the Beast”
Okay, so when I was young, like in the 1970s and 1980s, I was told in books (Hal Lindsey's books come to mind, but there were others) and occasionally in some church groups that the "Mark of the Beast" on the forehead and hand (Rev. 13:16-17; 14:9-10; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4) was some sort of tattoo. …
Ethical Loyalties in the Church (by looking at the same in the military and police)
I was reading an interesting article entitled, "Why the US Military Usually Punishes Misconduct but Police Often Close Ranks." The article promotes the idea that while both the military and paramilitary (police) may cover-up crimes done by members, it is far more likely for the police to do this, and more likely that the military …
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Jesus Caught Being Weak in the Garden of Gethsemane?
Okay, it happened again. I was reading some commentary on a Biblical passage. This one was from when Jesus said to His disciples in the garden, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, …
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Missionaries as Colonizers
The following is an extended quote from the new book by Adesegun Hammed Olayiwola, "PERSPECTIVES OF THE AFRICAN CHURCH ON AFRICAN MISSIONS: The Past, Present & Future Challenges to Missions In Africa." Missionaries during the colonial era struggled with their role of utilizing the advantages of having colonial powers in charge in their mission field …