Aristotle on War: Aristotle wrote in Nicomachean Ethics that we make war so that we can live in peace. But do we? I doubt it. I think this claim implies a much too optimistic view of human nature. I think that so much of what drives various wars throughout history is greed, plain and simple.
A Great Prayer: Sometimes we are so fixed on what we want or what we envision God wants that we can veer to the right or left in our prayers. Here is a prayer that I believe is biblical, humble, and powerful: Lord, invite me/us somewhere.
Helpful Comment by Herman Bavinck for Understanding the Law in the New Covenant: “The Reformed insisted that for the believer, only the curse of the law was abolished, not the law itself” (Reformed Ethics: The Duties of the Christian Life). And yes, I just received Volume II in the series for my birthday!
The Word “Friendship” in Church: While a word like “fellowship” has its place in the church because of its use in the Bible, sometimes I wish that the more ordinary word, “friendship” was used instead. I will hear a pastor say, “Come and enjoy a time of fellowship.” That is fine. That is biblical. But I would like the term “friendship” to be used more. “Come and build good friendships here in this church.” People need friends.
An Easy Way to Learn Philosophy: While no article, book, or YouTube video is perfect, Crash Course does a nice job of introducing a subject on YouTube. For example, the philosophy series of videos (Crash Course Philosophy)—all about ten minutes long—contains 46 videos. I enjoy creating worksheets for each and selling them on my online store. There is a series on sociology, psychology, and various other topics. Try it out.
BJ Condrey, Ph.D. 