I’ve been reflecting a lot over the years on the basis of Walter Wink’s insights about ‘the Powers’. I continue to think that these are fundamentally correct and helpful but there are areas where I think we can extend and deepen the work. I’ve begun to do so in papers elsewhere at conferences and in […]
culturalia
A musing about candles, liturgy and culture
I’ve recently been musing about candles. A couple of reasons, I think. One is the increasing use of LED candles (mainly because of concerns about setting things alight and also they work outdoors in a breeze) and the other reason for me is noting that they are being used with particular cultural significances attached or […]
▶A Brief History of Humankind – co-operation is key
This is a really helpful video in setting out briefly and cogently about how culture makes a difference and what the basis of culture is. He contrasts Homo Sapiens with chimpanzees, noting that we can co-operate widely and flexibly in which our relative uniqueness is found. He mentions the shared cognitive space we have and […]
Cracking the Binary Code: homophile relationships and Evangelical consciences
A freely available article from Anvil journal offering an evangelical affirmation of homophile relationships when exclusive life-long intention is present. Abstract: This paper offers a critique of the ‘binary’ nature of much biblical interpretation and ethical belief in the Church, rejecting simplistic ‘either-or’ approaches to both. Instead there is offered an interpretation of key biblical […]
How language transformed humanity
This mini-lecture is useful in outlining simply and easily an evolutionary biologigical approach to the origin of language in a way that makes connections with culture. There is a hint of a possible connection with mimetic rivalry. However, there isn’t really an actual genesis moment, just an explanation of why language makes evolutionary sense. The […]
Phone Etiquette 2.0
A neat example of the co-evolution of artefacts and mores; the conversation between things and usages in culture. Language Log » Phone Etiquette 2.0.
Exploring Urban Foraging Stations
This is a nice intro to considering the way that supermarkets function in urban life and for city-dwellers. As such it opens up some possibilities for a full-blown cultural analysis. It’s also noticing things that help ministers to consider the kinds of things that they may need to know in thinking about church and mission […]