As cynics scoff and agnostics yawn, Christians, once again, are getting to work both praying for and providing relief to Myanmar. I have linked a story here about the tragedy in Myanmar and about the work that one Christian organization is doing to provide relief for the tens of thousands who have lost everything. This... Continue Reading →
Back to Consequences
Ok, we took a detour to the movies. Now, back to ethics. We have looked at Shaw's plea for choosing the action that brings about the best consequences. Today, we will hear from Peter Vallentyne on why Consequentialism cannot stand alone. Peter Vallentyne takes issue with the kind of consequentialism proposed by William Shaw. Vallentyne... Continue Reading →
I Am Legend
Ok, I need to take a break today from outlines of ethics and offer a brief critique of the movie I Am Legend. I wasn't sure of what to make of this movie from the previews, but I can tell you that I was pleasantly surprised at how the movie turned out. There was no... Continue Reading →
Action Consequences
William Shaw, “The Consequentialist Perspective,” in Contemporary Debates in Moral Theory, James Dreier, editor (Blackwell Publishing: Malden, 2006), 5-20. Shaw, not a professing Christian as far as I know, approaches ethics from a consequentialist perspective. The consequentialist views rightness or wrongness as a consequence of action. If you choose to swerve your car so... Continue Reading →
Muslim Milestones
Seyyid Qutb, Milestones, Dr al-Ilm (Damascus, Syria). (I have heard it pronounced "Koot-buh," with the last syllable pronounced very quickly). This is a book Dr. Mark Coppenger describes as “bed-time reading for Osama bin Laden.” This book was referenced by both Huckabee and Romney in the Republican presidential debates. At any rate, this book... Continue Reading →
James Cone Black Liberation
I am beginning a new series of book reviews for you. Each day, I will put out a new book review for you in the area of ethics. Many of you keep up with theology and biblical studies, but you may not be as familiar with ethics. Ethics is, of course, an area that affects... Continue Reading →
San Angelo
Ok, loudly and clearly, let's all agree it is wrong to force children to marry adults. Laws against statutory rape are (we can agree) very good laws. Adults do not have any business having sexual intercourse with children. These things being said, I have some questions about the LDS sect in San Angelo. More than... Continue Reading →
Olympic Persecution
Many have begun to protest China. I read yesterday that a human rights torch relay is taking place all across the USA. I have linked an article here which demonstrates that the Chinese government has a thorough cleansing policy ahead of the '08 Olympics. The article tells of the persecution of 2 Christians in particular... Continue Reading →
Another Ill-fated Peace Ploy
I cannot imagine how King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia will ever pull off this ambitious attempt to dialogue with Jews and Christians. Apparently, he is trying to arrange a summit for the world’s monotheistic religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. But it isn’t clear that Jews would be invited, even though they represent the Torah and... Continue Reading →
Huckabee’s Cross
My own opinion is that Mr. Huckabee was not elected because he was formerly a Baptist Minister. Americans will not discriminate against a woman candidate or a black candidate, but a Baptist minister is certainly fair game for discriminating Americans. According to this article, the discrimination against Huckabee was at least partly based on his unyielding... Continue Reading →
Gas Got You Down?
I remember the trucker shutdown of the 70's. Apparently, there are some who are going to give it another go. This time, the shutdown is scheduled for April Fool's Day; so, it's hard to take seriously just yet; it might be a big April Fool's joke. At any rate, I am glad someone is doing... Continue Reading →
O-Gospel
Barack Obama, who didn't know his pastor and mentor of the past two decades was racist and anti-American, knows well and preaches often the gospel--the gospel of Obama, that is. We have already seen how--according to the gospel of Obama--the Sermon on the Mount teaches that America ought to allow gay civil unions. Now, we... Continue Reading →
Leben
I have linked here an issue of Leben that has a short article on the life of Paul Schneider. Paul Schneider was the first Christian Pastor killed by the Nazis in Germany for his "intolerance" of what the rest of the culture [and Christians] were willing to tolerate. May his continue to be a voice... Continue Reading →
Southern Baptist Climate Initiative (Pt. 4)
Actually, I have posted the complete article on the Southern Baptist Climate Initiative on a separate page which I have linked here. I also encourage those of you who would like to explore the issue more to visit the Cornwall Alliance.
Southern Baptist Climate Initiative (Pt. 3)
This article is part 3 of a 4 part article on the recent SBECI. My second major concern is on the latter point: Clarity. What is it exactly that is being proposed? What is the major concern driving the initiative. Is it care for creation, care for the environment, or the more specific concern of... Continue Reading →
Gregory C. Cochran 