Bad Analogies of Masculinity: The Warrior Ethos vs. New Testament Manliness (Part 2)

I live in an area that is renowned for hunting. People come from cities like Pittsburgh and Cleveland, from Eastern Ohio and from Southwestern Pennsylvania to come and hunt deer, bear, turkey, coyote, bobcat and other small game. I watch the men arrive on the big hunting weekends. They're often away from their wives and you can see that many of them are acting foolish as a result. 

Bad Analogies of Masculinity: The Warrior Ethos vs. New Testament Manliness (Part 1)

It is undoubtedly true that today's young men need encouragement and in many cases a bit of a 'push' toward adulthood. Lingering adolescence has led many to say (and not without reason) that 30 is the new 18. In other words, many young men are not ready to start adult life until an age that in past generations was already seasoned adulthood, usually including a family, house and probably something akin to journeyman status in a career.

Mythical Animals, Secular Analysis of Religion and the Anti-Sacral Uniqueness of New Testament Christianity

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/darmstrong/the-bible-and-mythical-animals

The King James translation erred in some of its translation choices, particularly with regard to animals and beasts that the translators were unfamiliar with. The cockatrice and unicorn are but a couple of well known examples, and their usage has generated some confusion among readers. In some cases the use of fantastical creature nomenclature has engendered mocking and ridicule from both within and without the Church.

Calvinist Narratives, 19th Century Princeton and Christmas (Part 2)

What would Paul say of those who would borrow from Hellenistic practice and try to bring it into the Church? Actually I think that very thing was happening in Colossae and in the letters to the Seven Churches and let's just say that neither Paul nor Christ (via John) have any time for it.

Calvinist Narratives, 19th Century Princeton and Christmas (Part 1)

https://calvinistinternational.com/2019/01/24/charles-hodge-and-a-19th-cent-presbyterian-christmas/

 It's a little disturbing to me but for some the idea seems to be that if Charles Hodge said Christmas was okay, then it's okay. I suppose some might feel they have some ammunition for their pro-Christmas/revisionist argument if they can pull out a 'big gun' like Hodge.

Europe's Ghosts, Essential Questions and the Ever-Problematic Balkans

https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/europe-risks-losing-strategic-clout-in-western-balkans/

In some respects I was surprised by the candid language in this editorial. I was not surprised by the message but by its directness.

While democracy is evoked and prosperity mentioned, the key term is security. The EU project needs to consolidate all of Europe in order to meet its goals. To create a bloc, a fortress Europe it cannot have dissenting or even rebel provinces rooted in its underbelly.

At a time when everyone is reflecting on the thirty year anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the event which effectively shifted gears and set the European project in full motion... the anniversary is marked by angst and frustration. The project of consolidation under the auspices of the EU and NATO has experienced great success but its failures are glaring and represent existential dangers.