Sailing the Last Voyage with Newton and Pascal
For all the money they've sent to Richmond, not much to show for it: Whatever the overall totals, what’s striking is the continuing size of the U.S. proportion. The largest 40 or so Baptist groups when combined account for around 55 million people, 40 million of whom adhere to bodies in the United States. That …
Continue reading "Beating the Baptists to the Mission Field"
It's that time of year when most people who graduate from anything actually do it. And graduation brings up more the most important issue: where do I go from here? Really, if you've waited until graduation to answer that question, you're in serious trouble. If you're reading this long before graduation, perhaps it will save …
Continue reading "Advice to Graduates: Consider the Brusilov Option"
It's in front of them: Now, a close associate of the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Rev. Tory Baucum, the Rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, Virginia (along with his eighteen-member vestry), has followed along this postmodern Humpty Dumpty trajectory, re-defining “Reconciliation” away from its biblical meaning of unity in Christ and in the truth of …
Harvard tries to shake things up in its music curriculum: University curricular reform doesn’t typical ignite fiery internet controversy. But last month, when The Harvard Crimson reported on the adoption of a new undergraduate curriculum at Harvard, the classical music corner of the internet—composers, performers, theorists, musicologists – briefly erupted in intense discussion. The college’s …
Continue reading "Harvard's Music Curriculum Changes: Another Attempt to Sidetrack the Asians?"
After putting up the tough fight, a deal: In this Easter season of rebirth and renewal, Truro Anglican Church is pleased to announce a new ministry of peace making and reconciliation called the Truro Institute: A School of Peace and Reconciliation. The Institute represents the continued fulfillment of God’s work at Truro over many decades and …
Our Department of Energy and National Security Agency would like for you to believe this: As China, the US and Japan near the finish line in exascale race, the DOE and NSA are sounding the alarm that the United States is at grave risk of losing its dominant position in high performance computing. According to …
Continue reading "Losing Our Edge in High Performance Computing?"
In the wake his victory, Turkey's President Recep Erdogan does something distinctly Ottoman: As he stood before the tomb of Selim I, Erdogan gazed upon the caliph’s caftan and gently touched it. Would the garment become his, and more importantly, would he inherit the powers of the conquering Turkish caliph? This custom, which finds application …
Continue reading "Erdogan: Touching the Sultan's Garment is Still a Big Deal"
With Holy Week behind us, I'd like to stop and note an interesting email dialogue. My persistent (well, sometimes) Canadian commenter took a catty swipe at my translations of Bossuet's Elevations on the Mysteries, which is an ongoing project of mine. Evidently someone else thinks highly of the effort. I received this from Dr. Mitchell …
Continue reading "Translating Bossuet was Really Worth It After All"
On the day we celebrate Our Lord's resurrection, I usually try to do something uplifting, like this. This year, I dunno, maybe it's time for something completely different. This story goes back a long way, but perhaps it has some relevance for today. Hopefully it will brighten yours. We moved our family business to Chattanooga …
Recently I was speaking with a Nigerian pastor about current attitudes towards adversity in life. I have seen many concerned about the effect of prosperity teaching on African Christians, and this pastor certainly practices an approach to ministry that is full of faith. But he also accepts the reality that there will be adversity in …
Positive Infinity 