An Uncommon Logos and “A Common Word”: Reformed Reflections on Epistemological and Ethical Normativity within a Current Christian-Muslim Dialog

Introduction
In February 2008 Dr. Miroslav Volf presented four lectures on the Yale Response to A Common Word at my seminary. (Read my notes for each of the lectures.) Then, in May of 2008 I used Volf’s lectures as my topic for two term papers: One paper dealt with Dr. Volf’s methodology from the perspective of [...]

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The Ancient Sociological History of Atheism

Professor Edwin Judge briefly surveys the ancient sociological history of atheism in his interview with Greg Clarke:

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“a sufferer for Christ will be made to know himself” – Rutherford Thursdays No. 15

To Lady Boyd – Knowing One’s Self in Suffering
Madam,
Grace, mercy and peace be unto you.
The Lord has brought me to Aberdeen, where I see God in few. This town has been advised upon of purpose for me; it consisteth either of Papists, or men of Gallio’s naughty faith. It is counted wisdom, in the most, [...]

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An Uncommon Logos Between Christianity and Islam

Note: this post and the papers referenced below have been superseded. Please see the updated paper: An Uncommon Logos and “A Common Word”: Reformed Reflections on Epistemological and Ethical Normativity within a Current Christian-Muslim Dialog.
Abstract
My papers evaluate Dr. Miroslav Volf’s publications and lectures related to A Common Word. In the epistemology paper I examine Volf’s arguments [...]

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Review: Fools for Christ: Essays on the True, the Good, and the Beautiful by Jaroslav Pelikan

Summary
Through colorful biographical sketches of six “fools” from Christianity’s history, Pelikan presents a poignant exhortation: unless one’s head, hands, and heart being “foolishly” committed to Jesus Christ at every point, then one’s pursuit of dogmatics, ethics, and aesthetics become idolatrous journeys into insanity.
Review/Reflection
My response to Pelikan’s book is part review and part autobiographical reflection:

On Mastering [...]

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A Friendly Critique of Richard Hays’ Hermeneutic Step in Ch. 13 of The Moral Vision of the New Testament

Overview
My senior seminar class is reading through Richard Hays’ ethical masterpiece, The Moral Vision of the New Testament. This profound book has prompted deep reflection upon the proper use of Scripture in Christian ethics, and Hays’ work has provided an opportunity for us students to evaluate our Reformed (i.e. Vantillian/Framian/Prattian) metaethic with a metaethic outside [...]

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Review: A Biblical Case for Natural Law by David VanDrunen

Overview
In this 69 page monograph, A Biblical Case for Natural Law, professor David VanDrunen explains the elements of a historic, Reformed, orthodox doctrine of natural law. After defining the term and showing how natural law is rooted in God’s creation of man in His image (imago Dei), VanDrunen

explains how natural law fits within redemptive history [...]

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Historicity, Exodus, and the Tale of Sinuhe

A couple interesting short reads on the historicity of Exodus:
(1) Giving several evidences, Richard Pratt downplays (perhaps as a version of “parallelomania“) the work of Old Testament scholars who would seek to deconstruct the book of Exodus into an ahistorical account in light of the genre of the Egyptian Tale of Sinuhe:
Unfortunately, students who are [...]

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The Myth of Secular Neutrality (Part 5 of 5)

In part 5 (see parts 1, 2, 3 and 4), Dr. Bahnsen continues his presentation to high school seniors on why Christians cannot be “neutral” when they go off to college.
The philosophies of the world rob the treasure of truth which is found only in Christ.
Colossians 2:8 (ESV) “See to it [...]

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The Myth of Secular Neutrality (Part 4)

In part 4 (see parts 1, 2, and 3), Dr. Bahnsen continues discussing specific ways in which universities are not intellectually “neutral.” Part 3 introduced intellectual bullying and double standards, and we continue with the latter.
2. Double Standards and Hidden Agendas cont.
If you think that universities are objective, even-handed dispensers of [...]

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