Find out what they are by watching our Truth in Two (full text below).
Support MarkEckel.com (here). Find the MarkEckel.com YouTube Channel (here). Mark is President of The Comenius Institute (website). Dr. Eckel spends time with Christian young people in public university (1 minute video), teaching at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, and interprets culture from a Christian vantage point (1 minute video). Consider becoming a Comenius patron (here).
Picture Credit: Josh Collingwood, Snappy Goat
FULL TEXT
When I teach the college course “Argumentative Writing” I have students read Aristotle. The ancient philosopher outlines three key ingredients toward any discussion. “Pathos,” in the ancient sense, was about the emotion stirred in an audience by the speaker based on the argument made. “Ethos” is about the credibility or authority of the speaker. “Logos” maintains that arguments should be based on logic, an ordered approach to debate. If we jettison any of these components, or highlight one over the others, we cripple our discourse.
One of the reasons I love teaching on the public campus is the opportunity to be with others who may think differently than I do. I grow in my understanding of people who have varying points of view. Neither of us is necessarily giving up our beliefs; but because we are face-to-face, civility returns. We hear each other. Friendships are born. Camaraderie is built; even between people who disagree with each other’s point of view. Persuasion is based not on volume but on the value of an argument.
As a researcher and writer, I care deeply for factual transparency and honesty in reportage. I read across a wide spectrum of viewpoints. To obtain various points of view I read from The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic, National Public Radio, and The Wall Street Journal. But I have not found anyone who reports facts with such transparency and honesty as Bari Weiss. I spend money on subscriptions because I care to be widely read in culture, politics, ethics, economics, and religion. Bari Weiss is not conservative or progressive, Democrat or Republican. She is, in the truest sense, in the classic sense, a reporter. And I believe Aristotle would appreciate how Bari maintains pathos, ethos, and logos in her argumentative writing. For Truth in Two, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, President of the Comenius Institute, personally seeking truth wherever it’s found.
“In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom.” – Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley contributed the first publication by an African American in 1773; a book of “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.” What attracted me this past week to Wheatley and her writing was a letter she penned to Reverend Samson Occum, a Mohegan Indian and an ordained Presbyterian minister. Occum had written an indictment of slave-holding Christian ministers. The contradiction between colonists who wanted freedom from England but were determined to uphold slavery was obvious. Take a few moments to read Wheatley’s words as she points out “the Absurdity of their Conduct.” Her “Cry for Liberty” reverberates to our own day.
Letter to Reverend Samson Occum
Rev’d and honor’d Sir,
I have this Day received your obliging kind Epistle, and am greatly satisfied with your Reasons respecting the Negroes, and think highly reasonable what you offer in Vindication of their natural Rights: Those that invade them cannot be insensible that the divine Light is chasing away the thick Darkness which broods over the Land of Africa; and the Chaos which has reign’d so long, is converting into beautiful Order, and reveals more and more clearly, the glorious Dispensation of civil and religious Liberty, which are so inseparably Limited, that there is little or no Enjoyment of one Without the other: Otherwise, perhaps, the Israelites had been less solicitous for their Freedom from Egyptian slavery; I do not say they would have been contented without it, by no means, for in every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance; and by the Leave of our modern Egyptians I will assert, that the same Principle lives in us. God grant Deliverance in his own Way and Time, and get him honour upon all those whose Avarice impels them to countenance and help forward tile Calamities of their fellow Creatures. This I desire not for their Hurt, but to convince them of the strange Absurdity of their Conduct whose Words and Actions are so diametrically, opposite. How well the Cry for Liberty, and the reverse Disposition for the exercise of oppressive Power over others agree, — I humbly think it does not require the Penetration of a Philosopher to determine.
“How do I know if it’s the right thing to do?” This question has been asked often by students in my four decades of teaching. Many years ago (first published online in 2009) I developed what I call “The S.P.U.D. Test.” I was using it again this week in classes. Perhaps this work page will be of help to you in your decision making.
“The S.P.U.D. Test”
Dr. Mark Eckel, IUPUI Senior Associate Faculty, English
Is the belief sensible to what is? Is it prudent and logical? Or is the viewpoint based solely on emotion, experience, or the desire of the moment? Is the thinking true to life or do you respond, “Oh, come on!”? Words that correspond to sensibility would be validity, genuine, truthful, legitimacy, or authenticity.
How is your idea “sensible”?
Is the belief practical and workable in everyday life? Can people live this way? Or when applied to reality is the viewpoint useless and unbeneficial? Words that correspond to practicality would be realistic, pragmatic, rational, reasonable, concrete, or expediency.
How is your idea “practical”?
Is the belief universal for all people in all places at all times in all cultures? Has the viewpoint produced a helpful impact for people throughout history? Or are people hurt by the ethics of the platform? Words that correspond to universality would be general, worldwide, comprehensive, or commonality.
How is your idea “universal”?
Is the belief dependable and consistent? Are the ideas based on a changeless set of standards? Or are they based on the whim of human decision? Words that correspond to dependability would be honest, standard, trustworthy, responsible, constant, continual, or reliability.
Helping students to understand the outcomes of their assumptions.
These are comments I send to each student after they have written their final project for one of my classes. The lines of thought deal with issues of anthropology, sociology, and economics based on the movie “Parasite” (Joon-ho, 2019). Most students write about class, capitalism, discrimination, equity, or the like as a theme that they draw from the movie and then do a semester full of research on their topic. I have suggested alternate viewpoints throughout the semester, pointing out socio-economic approaches students in a public university do not always hear. Student tendencies espouse a general socialistic perspective where “government” is seen as having jurisdiction over monetary affairs. I never press my views on students but I surely have them consider the implications of theirs (or any) socio-economic theory.
My general comments about the “Argumentative Writing” final project:
Definitions of words matter. Words such as flourishing, economics, discrimination, prejudice, class, status, bourgeoisie, or capitalism all deserve to be defined as they are used in your paper. And remember, whoever controls the definition, controls the conversation. Your responsibility is to be evenhanded in your coverage.
Humility and charity matter even with those groups with whom you desperately disagree. Verbiage that demeans any individual or institution detracts from rather than adds to your position.
Beliefs about humanity and authority are woven through every single discipline. What you believe about the nature of people – whether people are perfectible or corruptible – and what you believe about authority – is the source of right and wrong solely human or does it include a transcendent source? – will impact every single point of view you hold.
There are three “families” in Parasite, not just two. Joon-ho’s point is that status is not simply one pitting the “rich” against the “poor” but includes how the “poor” treat those who are “poorer.” The “human condition” intersects all ethnic, national, and class lines.
Try to consider problems as “human” rather than pitting one group against another. To point out a problem and seek a solution is one thing; to disparage others – and in the process, making enemies – is quite another.
Discussions of economics are, at their core, ethical discussions. The trust we put in a system of stewarding wealth assumes our predisposition to right and wrong. And if the “human condition” is the central problem of ethics, then any economic system can degenerate.
If you believe you must replace an economic system such as capitalism, you must immediately ask, “What is the replacement?” And if you choose a replacement, have you investigated how that economic system has been a benefit or a detriment to the poor where it has been tried elsewhere in world and throughout history? How does any economic system impact the poor, whom you wish to serve?
Considering your general concern for the poor, what will you do personally to care for those less economically fortunate around you, right now, where you live? Remember, change begins with you.
Never forget that a government does not have any money. Government does not create wealth (though its policies surely impact wealth creation). Government services are available only through taxpayer dollars. When you say, “The government should pay . . .” remember it’s your money you are talking about.
Always remember that there are different points of view on any subject. Be wary of accepting the arguments of those with whom you already agree. Search out the other side. Consider your sources. Ask, “Am I being fair to the position or people I’m critiquing?”
Quotes About, Concerns For, Comments On, & Encouragement Toward Education
It’s the end of the semester for most of us teachers. Robin, my wife, is retiring from full time teaching in May. Final papers and grades are due soon. Perhaps this is why I decided to focus on education this week at MarkEckel.com. On this page, find exactly the title you see above.
In a long email I wrote to one of my students this past week I said,
And it should remind us that writing, argument, English, any educational subject is hard work. I hear people say, “Wait til you get into the ‘real world’.” Well. This IS part of the real world! And what you and every student is doing, is hard work. Thank you for the work YOU are doing!
I have never understood why students are told they are not in the real world! All of my students are juggling a myriad of responsibilities in work, family, money, and shoehorning in their studies. They work hard! Isn’t that the real world?!
Here is a quote that should make us sit up and take notice! Meritocracy at the U of Chicago Prof A professor explains that creating elites is human nature. Here is a quote worth pondering about the current state of university instruction and its ultimate goal:
I can only observe that every system of education aims, whether anyone acknowledges it or not, toward producing and privileging a certain human type, and that every society has an elite. Beyond the noisy conflict between defenders of meritocracy and their woke opponents, our society has chosen, and continues to choose, to educate its children with the apparent aim of making a class of leaders who are disconnected from any real solidarity to others but unable to think for themselves, combining the worst qualities of individualism and conformism. Students’ test scores and racial demographics dominate our public debates, but ultimately matter less than the implicit moral ideal towards our institutions teach them to aspire.
If I have anything to say about it, my life has been dedicated to getting students to think for themselves!
Our goal at the Comenius Institute on the campus of IUPUI was for me to attain another degree (M.A. in English) so that I could be inside the university. By God’s good grace I have been teaching there since Fall 2018 and I finished the degree in December. Well, one of my academic, apologetic friends, Donald Williams, made some interesting comments this past week on social media,
You will be handicapped in winning elections if you cede education and culture to the enemy. You will be handicapped in winning souls if you cede education and culture to the Enemy. The best and brightest conservatives tended to go into business, not education, music, literature, or film. The most serious Christians went to the mission field rather than into those callings. Now we are trying to fix this problem by going into politics. Well, some of us should be going into politics. But who was forming the minds and hearts of the people–potential voters and converts–all this time? If you want to go to Washington, you had better first go to Berkeley, Nashville, and Hollywood. If you want to help people go to Heaven, you had better first go to Berkeley, Nashville, and Hollywood.
Our point at Comenius and hopefully for all churches is to be teaching folks how to think Christianly inside the places where they live and work.
And check out some of the educational places I have visited lately:
Christian History has much to teach us, especially about educators who have gone before us. Check out the inventor Hannibal Goodwin and all the free information at the site.
Thomas Sowell, one of my favorite intellectuals, is profiled in the article Tragic Optimist. Here is an excerpt from the article telling the story that first motivated Sowell.
In his 2000 memoir A Personal Odyssey, Sowell recounts a parable that was read to him as a young boy and which he never forgot. “One story I found sad at the time, but remembered the rest of my life, was about a dog with a bone who saw his reflection in a stream and thought that the dog he saw had a bigger bone than he did. He opened his mouth to try to get the other dog’s bone—and of course lost his own when it dropped in the water. There would be many occasions in life to remember that story.”1 This set the tone for a life and career committed to closing the gap between image and reality. This is why Sowell’s contributions extend beyond partisan politics. His basic concern is with the dynamism, diversity, and development of living human beings, not inter-temporal sociological abstractions or racial archetypes that can be leveraged for political or moral power.
In The Virtue of Irrelevance the author argues that studying classic reading is more important than “being relevant.”
One of my former undergraduate and graduate professors (who has PhDs in both Greek and Hebrew!) David Turner, writes on speaking truth to power, to Pilate on Good Friday. His background research is fantastic! Dr. Turner has done this kind of work all his life.
Deep Sea MonstersUnderwater Photography (NYT) See what I wrote on Social Media this week about what scientists “never knew”
Ever heard of “blackwater photography”? If you’re like me, you had no clue. Scientists who are observing these pictures are doing so, often for the first time. Right now. In 2021. [Find the article link in the first comment below.] I am often reminded how little we humans know of our own world, and how scientific discoveries continue. “Science” is not static. As a Hebraic-Christian thinker I am always reminded of Job’s words; we know only a “fringe” of God’s created world (Job 26.14).
Lester Holt accepted Edward R Murrow Award for Lifetime Journalism (embedded speech in The Hill). What he said about information and knowledge – not to mention journalism – is VERY disturbing. Mr. Holt would *not* do well in my Argumentative Writing course! In his words:
[We need to] call out misinformation permeating the political media ecosystem and separate facts from falsehoods forcefully to combat that trend.
“I think it’s become clearer that fairness is overrated,” Holt said Tuesday as he accepted the Edward R. Murrow Award for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism. “Before you run off and tweet that headline, let me explain a bit. The idea that we should always give two sides equal weight and merit does not reflect the world we find ourselves in. That the sun sets in the west is a fact. Any contrary view does not deserve our time or attention.”
Evidence is mounting that a tiny subatomic particle called a muon is disobeying the laws of physics as we thought we knew them, scientists announced. “I feel like this tiny wobble may shake the foundations of what we thought we knew,” one scientist said. https://nyti.ms/3mtAyCX
From the Transgender debate comes the story of Keira Bell As a teen, she transitioned to male but came to regret it. Her story is how it felt to enter history in the trans debate.
“We’ve bought into the idea that marriage is an end state, something to be added to the pinnacle of a list of achievements. But the truth is the opposite: for adult life, marriage isn’t an end state so much as an enabling condition.”
Ard Louis, Prof of Theoretical Physics, 6 min vimeo one of the great voices in the science and religion dialogue tells his story. The event today (Friday 9 April 2021), sponsored by the Bradley Study Center, Chesterton House, and Veritas Forum includes Dr. Louis https://lnkd.in/dMRGaBn
Academic Freedom Alliance The mission, in part, “The Academic Freedom Alliance is an alliance of college and university faculty members who are dedicated to upholding the principle of academic freedom. This principle is central to the mission of our institutions for the pursuit of truth and knowledge. Our members from across the political spectrum recognize that an attack on academic freedom anywhere is an attack on academic freedom everywhere.” The WSJ post is a salutation (while it is mystifying that AFA is referenced as a “left wing group”).
Matt Walsh Blog. This article is anti-science drivel. Inane, misleading bullshit from start to finish. The people who advocate for putting males in female sports have no case. No argument. Nothing. They know it. So they give us this. I can’t stress enough how bad their argument is: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trans-girls-belong-on-girls-sports-teams/
FROM MY POST ON FB THURSDAY 18 March 2021 From a distinctively Hebraic-Christian POV, God is Sovereign. He controls all events. He is actively involved with all people, places, times, cultures, and events (Genesis 45: 5-9; 50:20; Daniel 2:20-23; James 4:13-15). There are no accidents or coincidences. Not luck, nor destiny, nor chance, nor fates, contribute to any earthly event (Matthew 6:25-34; 10:26-33; John 1:12-13; Acts 2:22-24; 4:27-28; 17:24-28).
Theologically “the human condition” (sin) is woven through each person. The heinous act of any individual is their responsibility. Cultural blame on external forces views the problem *out there* instead of *in here* (the person). One either assumes humanity is (1) perfectible and evil forces are external, environmental, biological, psychological or (2) both dignified (embodying God’s image) and depraved (embodying Adam’s choice), evil permeating our nature. One of my many mantras: “Environment (+++) may accentuate my behavior but is not the root cause of it.” The vile acts of individuals, institutions, or nation states begins internally, within persons. There is but one solution to an internal problem and that is an external Savior: Jesus.
These are the first questions I ask myself whenever I hear the news, watch a movie, take a class, or enter a Zoom meeting. Why does silence dominate one agenda, noise, another?
As a professor, I press students to hear another voice other than the one constantly in their ear, in front of their eye, prominently “app’d” on their phone, or emblazoned on a t-shirt.
What is most distressing in news coverage, Hollywood pulpiteering, or social media suspension is the idea that some other person might have a different view, another explanation. But we are often left with no countervailing weight, nothing to scale our measurements, against the pundits on the screen.
“Silencing” opposition takes place by downplaying, defaming, diminishing, or disparaging others. To silence opposing views – no matter the idea, person or event – conforms to an arrogance-arc: I know what you need to know and will tell you so.
Theological Roots of the Abolitionist Movement in Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” and Angelina Grimké’s “Appeal to the Christian Women of the South”[1]
Multipotentiality Interview with Worthington Christian School, Worthington, OH, December, 2020 “Give your children a wide berth. Children should be given to play … Allowed to build cathedrals in their minds.” (minutes 7-9). https://bit.ly/3mq9Ucj about children having multiple potentials (27 minutes total).
Honesty in research is imperative in research. In order to be honest one must examine a broad range of literature in any field to assess any and all points of view. Researching perspectives theologically necessitates reading these points of view to discover what one believes. Holding a theological position demands both a robust defense to substantiate one’s own beliefs and a rigorous investigation to evaluate the beliefs of another.
Biblical Theology of Research
All research begins with presuppositions. Research by Christians should begin with the presupposition that God is eternal. Everything temporal—reality, knowledge, ethics—comes from Him (Isa. 44:24; 45:7; Jn. 1:3; Acts 7:5; 14:15; 17:24; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6). Since God is The Creator of all things (Pro. 16:4; 26:10; Eph 3:9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 2:10; Rev. 4:11; 10:6), humans do not create but simply discover truth. All things are created through, by, and for God (Ps 8:6; Jn. 13:3; 1 Cor. 15:27, 28; Eph.1:22; Ph. 3:21; Heb. 2:8).
God’s world is coherent; all things fit together in it (Col. 1:15-17). The complexity of all disciplines is under the jurisdiction of God (Heb. 1:3). Learning benefited from the fact that God created this world as stable, ordered, structured, and consistent (Ps. 111:2). The researcher depends upon the “uni-verse”. As such the diversity of all things is understood within unity (Ps. 104).
The personal, eternal, Triune Creator, who has revealed Himself in His Word, His world, and His works, prompts the passion of the researcher to learn (Eph 1:15-23; Phil 1:9-11; Col 1:9-10). As theological researchers we ponder what God has done (Ps 64:9), stand in awe of His wonders (Ps 65:8), benefit from all His works (Ps 66:5), all of which cause a fear of Him to spread throughout the earth (Ps 67:7). The Christian researcher acknowledges Truth wherever it is found, whomever discovers it, while pressing for the unity of all truth under the authority of God (1 Chr 29:11-16; Neh 9:6; Ps 33:6-11; 50:9-12; 89:11). Truth for the people comes from common grace (Pro. 25.2; Acts 14).
The next presupposition of Christian research after God’s eternality is the fallen nature of humanity that includes finitude. Any research must begin with an acknowledgement of limitation. The finite cannot define the infinite; the imperfect cannot understand the perfect. God can be known but human knowledge of God and His work is necessarily incomplete (Job 26.14; 28).
Biblical Philosophy of Research
God is the source and unity of His creation, therefore all truth is God’s Truth wherever is found, from whomever it is stated (Ps 119:152, 160; 1 Kgs. 3:1-15; 4:29-34; 10:1-9) in accordance with the previous presuppositions.
Multiple perspectives of peer review is essential. Experts in a field of study must evaluate the work of others for honesty, accuracy, and fairness. Research is better for the analysis and critique of others.
Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research are necessary for theological study. Qualitative research acknowledges the various interpretations of individuals and their experiences. Quantitative research gathers data, substantiating points of view with numerical analysis. Mixed-methods provide more complete analysis.
Listening to people (all ethnicities, all experiences) is imperative. Some Christians believe Scripture is their sole source of authority in life. Other Christians believe that Scripture is the final authority in life but also accept Christian tradition (writings of other believers in Church history), human reason controlled by Revelation, and experience (prompted by The Holy Spirit or Providential movements) as valuable adjuncts to biblical teaching.
Statistics can be useful within proper boundaries but can also be made to substantiate any position. Multiple sources, multiple reviews can function as a frame within which numerical points of view can be validated. Mathematical precision is contained within the wisdom of creation. Properly mined, data can unearth jewels of truth (Pro. 8).
Verbal clarity is crucial. Words must be used carefully. Definitions need to be agreed upon to have a coherent dialogue (Col. 2.2-3; cf. 1.9, 2.4, 8).
Validity is vital in any research. Valid research means the study has worth, strength, value, truthfulness and effectiveness. A standard of measurement for any endeavor that will be accepted by all people, in all places, at all times is the aim of valid research.
Humility is the essence of knowledge. The researcher remembers how much is unknown (Job 11:7; Isa 55:9-11; Ph. 2:1-4).
Joy can be the result of both the opportunities and outcomes of research (Ps. 111:2; Ecc. 5:18-20).
Thankfulness should pervade the spirit of the researcher who knows that it is by The Spirit’s work within the person and creation that allows any opportunity in this life. God has crowned the researcher with honor, who then reflects all glory back to God for His works and His work in the researcher (Deut. 8:11-20; Ps 8:5; 115:1; Rom. 11:33-36; Eph 5:20; 1 Thes. 5:18; 1 Tim. 6:17).
Christian Practice of Research
Creational beneficence for all people, God’s common grace, is the basis for all research (Gen. 39:5; Ps. 107:8, 15, 21, 31, 43; 145:9, 15-16; Mat. 5:44-45; Acts 14:16-17). God’s generosity to nations through creation is the reason Christians can celebrate their research with others.
The Church fulfills Jesus’ great commandment through research: loving God means loving others by sharing truth that is discovered (Mk. 12:30-31). The research of creation is a direct response to loving God (Gen. 1:28). Vocational commitments because of The Spirit’s gifts to God’s people allow the practice of research. This shows love for others.
The Church and its leaders bear the responsibility of defending those who cannot defend themselves via research that counteracts cultural error and deception (Pro. 2:1-6; Col. 2:8; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Ti. 1:9; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Jn. 4:1).
Other Helps
Robert W. Pazmino, Doing Theological Research: An Introductory Guide for Survival in Theological Education (Eugene, OR, Wipf and Stock, 2009).
Cyril J. Barber and Robert M. Krauss, Jr., An Introduction to Theological Research: A Guide for College and Seminary Students, 2nd ed. (Millburn, NJ, University Press of America, 2000).
“In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom.” – Phillis Wheatley
Thanks to INC., I use this article: “7 Mental Exercises to Make You a Better Critical Thinker”
