The “sacramental imagination” is closely associated with writers from the Roman Catholic tradition. However, Marilynne Robinson, drawing on the creational and sacramental theology of John Calvin, has successfully developed a distinctly American Protestant sacramental vision in and through her novels Housekeeping and Gilead. In this article, I exa…[Read more]

In this essay I will seek to discern just how seriously Williams intends for his readers to take the notion of substituted love. Specifically, is the picture of substituted love in Descent into Hell simply an illustration of a theological principle, or is the theological principle meant to be inclusive of a real world practice? In order to better…[Read more]

From 40 years of experience it is clear that spirituality has become entangled in abstractions: powers, perfection, supernatural, unreal, limitless knowledge, crystal ball perceptions, etc.
Dr Stephen Farra agreed with that – and went one better. Dr Farra stated “Our models are out reality. But our models are not reality. That coincides with the…[Read more]

This article examines the conflicting representations of plasticity and epigenetics in the work of philosopher Catherine Malabou and evolutionary theorists Mary Jane West-Eberhard and Eva Jablonka. Malabou effaces the unsettled debates within the life sciences in order to speak of a new biological ‘paradigm’ and to attribute values of novelty or…[Read more]

I co-edited this collection of essays about color order and color ordering systems based on a workshop held at TU-Berlin in 2020.
https://bit.ly/Ordering_Colours

The early modern use of vegetal terms to explain the origin and growth of ores was widespread in mining industry, alchemy, and natural philosophy. In the writings of authors from many different backgrounds, mineral veins were often described as ‘trees’ which moved upwards, bore fruits, and underwent a life cycle. Accordingly, the existence in ore…[Read more]

From antiquity, Galenic physicians extensively discussed the active powers of simple and compound drugs. In their views, simple drugs, that is, single ingredients, acted according to their material qualities and the properties of their substance. As for compound drugs, their efficacy resulted from the mutual interaction of their ingredients and…[Read more]

This essay, which expands on my talk at the Colors and Cultures / Couleurs et Cultures conference in April 2021, charts the history and my plans for a broad exploration of Turkey red as both subject and as object in global history. In it, I move between the personal—the compulsions that led me to undertake this series of studies, and which c…[Read more]

Reformed evangelicals do not have a reputation for being ecumenically inclined. The twentieth century saw Roman Catholics, largely as a result of Vatican II, turning their focus toward developing more receptive relationships with other Christian communions. It also saw mainline Protestants engaged in efforts to foster visible unity through the…[Read more]

Lesslie Newbigin’s insights into and example of the missional and ecumenical nature of the Church have exerted influence on Christian churches and communities across the ecumenical spectrum. While Newbigin’s ideas about the shaping effect of cultural pluralism on the Church’s mission have become common currency for many Christians in our post-…[Read more]

One of the defining features of the developing field of the Digital Humanities (DH) is its interdisciplinary character. This paper will attempt to indicate how theological insights can contribute at a more theoretical level to DH. Specifically, it will attempt to suggest a way that Marshall McLuhan can contribute positively to defining and…[Read more]

Though Charles Williams was already an established novelist before his friendship with Lewis blossomed, Lewis played a crucial role in helping to secure an honorary degree and teaching opportunities for Williams when he relocated to Oxford during the war. Their mutual appreciation is well attested to, and it is no exaggeration to say that Lewis…[Read more]

La théorie du chaos n’est pas aussi complexe qu’on le prétend souvent Comme l’observe Robert Juliano, le principe sous-jacent est que “dans le caractère aléatoire apparent des systèmes complexes chaotiques, il existe des modèles sous-jacents, des interconnexions, des boucles de rétroaction constantes, la répétition, l’auto-similarité , fractales…[Read more]

La théorie du chaos n’est pas aussi complexe qu’on le prétend souvent Comme l’observe Robert Juliano, le principe sous-jacent est que “dans le caractère aléatoire apparent des systèmes complexes chaotiques, il existe des modèles sous-jacents, des interconnexions, des boucles de rétroaction constantes, la répétition, l’auto-similarité , fractales…[Read more]

Chaos theory is not as complex as it si often made out to be As Robert Juliano observes, the underlying principle is that “within the apparent randomness of chaotic complex systems, there are underlying patterns, interconnectedness, constant feedback loops, repetition, self-similarity, fractals, and self-organization.”

“Chaos has been for…[Read more]

Chaos theory is not as complex as it si often made out to be As Robert Juliano observes, the underlying principle is that “within the apparent randomness of chaotic complex systems, there are underlying patterns, interconnectedness, constant feedback loops, repetition, self-similarity, fractals, and self-organization.”

“Chaos has been for…[Read more]

Ang pagtanggi na ang “pagkamakasarili” ay ang laganap na pamantayan at mayroon lamang “limitadong mga anyo ng altruismo” Upang magsimula, idiin ko na, “Kahit na ang bakterya ay mas matagumpay sa pagpaparami sa presensya ng iba sa kanilang sariling mga species.” Ang ibig kong sabihin ay may connectivity ang bacteria para sa Diyos!
1. Sa isang araw…[Read more]

The Reformed tradition helped provide the rationale for Southern slavery and for South African apartheid. If Reformed theology is going to speak to the racial issues of our day, it must come to terms with the tradition of Black theology. Some Reformed evangelical theologians have begun to engage with the insights of Black theologians, but they…[Read more]