Several web sites list concepts for which we have no words in English. Those who speak more than one language often say, “There’s no word in Spanish for that English word.” For example, the Hebrew word “chesed” poses considerable difficulties when translating it into English. The King James Version of the Bible uses ten different […]
As Israel completed 40 years of living in the wilderness isolated from the world around them, Moses gave three lectures to prepare them for living in a culture that would be hostile to their faith. We call those lectures Deuteronomy. Part of their preparation included this passage: 5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and […]
The inventory of the stores where we shop determines to a large extent what we buy. We can’t get a soda at the auto parts store or a dress shirt at the coffee shop. We don’t furnish our contemporary living room by browsing at the antique store that sells only primitive style furniture. So we […]
Do we have one or two sources of knowledge? We all agree that we can know things by observation, by investigation, by thinking. All disciplines find foundation in such human endeavors. We all agree that human effort produces knowledge. Many of us believe in an additional source of knowledge. A divine being, who created us, […]
The World Bank uses the term “intangible wealth” to refer to resources such as the trust level in a community, personal freedoms, a fair court system, common standards regarding property rights and an effective government. They reason that in addition to natural sources of wealth (such as minerals or land) and in addition to produced […]
We recognize the difference between the core of some object and its outward appearances. We understand that the color of a car has little to do with its core qualities of providing safe and reliable transportation. Color has little to do with how well a car performs on the road. Whether my winter coat buttons […]
“As I look back over my life, I find that I got upset too much about things that don’t matter.” I heard that line twice last week. Two older men, in two different places, reflecting on life came to the same conclusion. Both Christians. Both filled with some regret. Both changing course. The first man […]
Occasionally in literary history some writer claims to be somebody he is not. The Book of Enoch and the Gospel of Barnabas both make the list of such works. We call these pseudepigrapha, literally “false title.” Last weekend somebody created a Facebook page in my name and sent messages to my friends that appeared […]
Fear seems to dominate the headlines: Dread of catching the flu makes many get the shot Reports of coming inclement weather send fretful shoppers to stock up on food and batteries The uncertain economy prompts apprehensive investors to move their retirement funds to safer havens Recent school shootings make many parents nervous as they send […]
Parents and prospective students often wonder about the quality of education at various universities. Recently one of our sophomores who graduated from a large competitive high school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, spoke about the challenge and rewards of the academic life at OVU. But it’s not just anecdotal evidence that points to OVU being a good […]