Modern Diplomacy’s Post

The new December 2024 issue of Themelios has 234 pages of editorials, articles, and book reviews. It is freely available in three formats: (1) PDF, (2) web version, and (3) Logos Bible Software (coming soon). In this issue: 1. J. V. Fesko | Editorial: The Goal of Theological Scholarship: Academy or the Church? 2. Daniel Strange | Strange Times: Selfish Preachers? 3. Robert A. J. Gagnon | The Deepening of God’s Mercy Through Repentance: A Critical Review Essay of The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story 4. Colin J. Smothers | The Image of God and the Plight of Man 5. M. Jeff Brannon | Resurrection and Reign: The Inseparable Bond Between Resurrection Life and the Kingdom of God in All of Scripture 6. Joshua Pittman | Misunderstanding the Gaps: A Critique of Bryan Bibb’s Interpretation of the Nadab and Abihu Episode 7. David M. Howard Jr. | Destruction and Dispossession of the Canaanites in the Book of Joshua 8. S. D. Ellison | Reading the Psalter as a Book 9. Joel White | Who Was Philemon, What Did Paul Want from Him, and Why? 10. Jared Compton | “Made Lower than Angels”: A Fresh Look at Hebrews 2:5–9 11. Christopher Green | Baptist Catholicity in the Ecclesiology of John Gill (1697–1771) 12. T. Michael Christ | Why a Purely Natural Theology Could Lead Us Astray: Karl Barth’s Response to the Theology of Gender and Marriage Sponsored by the Nazi Party 13. Scott D. MacDonald | Making the Lion Lie Down Hungry: Forgiveness as Preventative Spiritual Warfare in 2 Corinthians 2:5–11 14. Robert Golding | The Devil Is Not a Christian: Critiquing Christian Universalism as Presented by David Bentley Hart And more. Get the free PDF or read online today!

The latest from SLICES: Harry James explores the profound connections between literature and religious scripture in his article, “What Makes a Book Holy? Metaphors and Isomorphisms in Literature.” Read Now - https://lnkd.in/ePqwCtd6 In this article, Harry delves into how great literature and religious texts convey eternal truths about the world, using extended metaphors and the concept of isomorphisms. The piece challenges readers to consider the accuracy and depth of these metaphors and how they shape our understanding of life, love, and death. It raises intriguing questions about the nature of faith and the fidelity of stories in scripture and literature. 

The first step is to embrace the need for new criteria, based on principles of Christianity rather than changing worldly fashions and fads. It means rectifying the definitions, challenging words whose meanings are false, invalid, and don’t correspond to reality. It means not only pointing out the way that corrupt political actors weaponize language like “victim” and “justice,” but also asserting a positive vision of those notions. It requires Christians willing to engage in Critical Theory on behalf of the Church rather than political, worldly factions, and if necessary to expel leaders and churches who insist on using perverted language against their fellow Christians. It means unplugging ourselves from the contemporary worldview in which secular academia and mass-media assign the meanings to our words and turning to ourselves for resources in a renaissance of authentic, explicitly-Christian philosophy. 

A fascinating philosophical reflection on the role of the face in thinking about humans and God by the philosopher Roger Scruton. My description and appreciation of his project.

#LaoTzuQuotes Although many scholars doubt that there was an historical person named Lao Tzu - as there are similar doubts for several other religious and philosophical personalities, both in the East and in the West - the writings compiled in the Taoist tradition definitely offer a particularly practical way to approach life, not too dissimilar to the tenets of Greek and Roman Stoicism. Can you see some of the similarities?

-- Seneca Seneca, often known as Seneca the Younger, was a prominent Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist of Ancient Rome. Born around 4 BC in Corduba, Hispania (modern-day Spain), he was also a notable writer, with works that include tragedies and various moral essays. Seneca's philosophical writings are significant contributions to Stoic thought, particularly his moral essays and letters that address ethical issues. His works have had a lasting impact on Western philosophy and literature, influencing generations long after his time. Seneca's life, marked by political intrigue and drama, ended when he was forced to commit suicide in 65 AD due to alleged involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate Emperor Nero, a charge widely believed to be unfounded. His teachings on ethics, rationality, and virtue continue to be studied and revered for their depth and practical wisdom. Seneca's approach to Stoicism emphasized personal ethics informed by its system of logic and its views on the natural world. #inspirationalquote #motivationalquote #wisdomquotes #lifelesson #seneca

FLASH BACK OF (2022/06/10) THE COMPLEXITY AND COMPLICATION OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD The philosophical complexity of the existence of God is first complicated by the compartmentalization of philosophical enterprise,wherein philosophers aligned with different ideological positions, necessitating different knowledge and understanding. The greatest challenge of Philosophers in understanding the existence of God is underlined in jettisoning these diverse schools of thoughts and conglomerating together for a unified knowledge of the existence of God,whereby that is an outright neglect or abuse of philosophical traditions of compartmentalization of ideological schools of thoughts.or phenomenon. ISN-ODP/FMP: Nebeolism-Igweism (2024/06/10)

In an era where division seems to be the prevailing theme, the quest for unity has never been more critical. This blog entry explores how biblical principles can guide us back to a path of unity, not only in spiritual terms but in the practical application of our daily lives. https://lnkd.in/gAwmvBwV

How do we talk about sin in a world that doesn’t recognize it? Michael F. Bird explores the need for cultural hermeneutics to bridge the gap between biblical teachings and contemporary understanding of sin and evil. Read more: https://bit.ly/3LjIZ0T