Academics need partners. Give me a minute to explain. The academic life is not for everyone, but I love it. It is good to be with other like-minded professors at conferences or on campus. There are two groups of likeminded Christian profs I would like to mention. The Consortium of Christian Study Centers is dedicated
Why be in a hurry? Give me a minute to explain. A young leader, a recent president of Liberty’s student government, spent a couple of hours with me last semester. He wanted to discuss his new student life position. He has been tasked to consider an approach with students about their use of technology. I
I would never be the same. Give me a minute to explain. When I first started teaching in 1983, “classroom discipline” was much different than it is now. A young seventh grade boy was – in my estimation – quite recalcitrant in class. I arranged as “discipline” that he come to my house early on
What will A.I. take from us? Give me a minute to explain. [And don’t miss the Afterword!] It happened to the 19th C. whalers who were providing oil for lamps. The discovery of crude oil powering electric lights put them out of a job. You can fill in the blanks here with other jobs. Change
What happens when you break a pattern? Give me a minute to explain. Something sweet happened at the end of my last class last semester. Saying goodbye to my “academic children” is always hard. I was expressing such sentiments, trying to control my emotions. Thinking it was finally time to go I said my final
I forgot a question. Give me a minute to explain. [Don’t miss the slide in the Afterword] Over five decades of teaching there are four questions that I impress on students when studying anything. Number one: What is the source or origin of your subject? Who is the person most well known for the idea
I am tired of rigid thinking. Give me a minute to explain. Our biggest public problems are often not just a single law or regulation, but rather the institutionalized mindset that prevents sensible changes from happening. You and I know a thing or two about “institutionalization.” Institutions are important. I esteem them as necessary structures for
My job on earth. Give me a minute to explain. Bill Murray stars in the movie Vincent. Murray plays a world-weary character who befriends a young boy. At the end of the film the young man praises Murray’s character for his friendly care. St. Vincent teaches us that listening and loving are the best responses
When I was in high school my nickname was Padre. I was always preaching. During football season, my teammates would mock me, until they needed someone to block the middle linebacker. I wood-burned the name Padre into my lacrosse stick. But it wasn’t until I was introduced to Francis Schaeffer that my preaching was
Academics need partners. Give me a minute to explain. The academic life is not for everyone, but I love it. It is good to be with other like-minded professors at conferences or on campus. There are two groups of likeminded Christian profs I would like to mention. The Consortium of Christian Study Centers is dedicated
Atheists believe in miracles? Give me a minute to explain. A number of Christian apologists are pointing out that atheists believe in at least six miracles: (Number one) something must come from nothing, (Number two) reason originates from non-reason, (Number three) life appears from non-life, (Number four) the personal arises from non-personal, (Number five) order
To understand the natural world There is need of a supernatural lens. Give me a minute to explain. In the movie Fallen Denzel Washington plays a detective, trying to catch a criminal. But this is no ordinary criminal. The evil entity in this movie is a supernatural force which is attempting to invade Denzel Washington’s