The topic of free will is one of the most significant questions in philosophy. It has been hotly debated among scholars and authors, but how one answers this question also practically influences how one lives. Do we really have any say whom we marry, what job we get, or even what we eat for lunch? […]
Over 60% of Americans struggle with loneliness, reporting “feeling like they are left out, poorly understood, and lacking companionship.” Anyone can feel alone at times, but a lasting, pervasive sense of isolation can be deeply painful, and such is the case for many people. Loneliness is a serious issue that has ramifications for one’s physical […]
You may have seen a bumper sticker that says “coexist,” written with various symbols. For instance, the Muslim crescent moon represents a “C,” the peace symbol stands in for an “o,” the Star of David represents an “x,” and a cross stands in for the “t.” The sticker rightfully denounces religious persecution, but it often […]
The great Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote that “a beast can never be so cruel as a man, so artistically cruel.” Whatever one’s religious convictions, it would be difficult to deny that people are capable of unspeakable cruelty. There are crimes so appalling that they simply must be deemed “evil.” We abhor such crimes because, […]
You may know that Jesus’s followers read the New Testament, which is about Jesus’s life and teaching. What about the Hebrew Bible? Do followers of Jesus read the Hebrew Scriptures which tell of God creating the universe, claiming Israel as his chosen people, liberating them from slavery in Egypt, and establishing them in their own […]
How did the world become the way it is today? Any serious answer to this question must acknowledge the tremendous influence the Bible has had on the world. Whatever you believe about the Bible’s spiritual claims, the best-selling book in history is foundational to many of the ideas and decisions we take for granted. Let’s […]
Many of us know an arrogant person, whether it is the cousin who boasts about her education at family gatherings, the boss who constantly lists her professional accomplishments, the politician who presents himself as the nation’s savior, or the religious leader who looks down on those who do not follow his high standards. Unfortunately, many […]
Aerial images of Ethiopia reveal small forest enclaves surrounded by large swathes of arid desert. At the center of most of the oases are churches. These congregations have preserved the forest for centuries, motivated by the belief that “every creature is a gift from God and needs its habitat.” In recent years, conservationists have partnered […]
A famous fable tells of a group of blind men who encounter an elephant. One finds the tail and concludes that he found a whip. Another grasps a leg and says it’s a tree. Yet another feels the side and thinks it’s a wall. The blind men begin to argue over who is right. Finally, […]
Atonement is not a particularly popular word in English, but perhaps you are familiar with Yom Kippur, which means Day of Atonement. It is a time when many Jewish people fast and pray, seeking God’s forgiveness. In everyday speech, the verb atone is more common and means “to make amends, to provide compensation for wrongdoing.” […]