Uncivil Speech Name-calling (pinhead, jerk, bozo, idiot, moron, stupid, etc.) Attacks on character. Intentional distortion of opponent’s/opponents’ views and argument. Humor directed at the person of the opponent so as to cause shame or embarrassment. Monopolizing the discussion. Sloppy argumentation; attempts at obfuscation in order to win the argument. Return abuse with abuse. Civil Speech Respect…
Title of this article is found in the prologue to Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Two young people who love one another are caught up in the strife between their families, the Capulets and Montagues. These families represent the high level of civil conflict in the city of Verona. We can imagine that a war of…
In his epistle, James warns his readers that not many of them should become teachers, because God judges teachers with greater strictness. He goes on to say that one who does not stumble with his tongue is perfect, for ability to control the tongue means one is able to control his whole body. A small fire…
During his first missionary journey the Apostle Paul spent some time in Athens. While there, he noticed with great dismay that “the city was full of idols.” He had a dialogue with Jews in the synagogue and with people he met in the marketplace (agora in Greek). In addition, he had a discussion with some Epicurean and…
The waning of Christian faith among the people, especially the intelligentsia did not happen over night. In the middle of the nineteenth century Matthew Arnold wrote poems concerning this development. His well-known “Dover Beach” and “Stanzas from the Grande Chartreuse” are prime examples of his own yearning in the midst of the waning of Christian faith…
What questions may unbelievers (especially atheists) ask you in a dialogue or conversation? Here are a few: Why is there so much suffering in my life and in the world? (Subset: Why is my mother dying? Why is my daughter on drugs? Why did all of those people die in that earthquake? Why doesn’t God prevent…
A fundamental factor in the interface of those with very differing views about the nature of the world and our place in it, especially the believer with the atheist, is the deep conviction and commitment that the parties bring to the table. The stakes are high in any conversation whether formal or informal. We put before other individuals what we believe…
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord . . .” (Isaiah 51: 1 ESV) In the scene of the Transfiguration, the Father calls on us to listen to the Son. The voice from the cloud says, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” (Mark 9: 7b ESV) We are to listen to…
In what is called “The Synoptic Apocalypse” (found in variant forms in all three Gospels) as presented in Mark, Jesus says, “”But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And…
In the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus engages in controversy with His opponents. These controversy narratives are short encounters, ending with a definitive statement by Jesus. The Pharisees and the Saduccees test Jesus (Matthew 16: 1), and the Pharisees accuse Him of working for Satan (Matthew 12: 22ff). These two groups, representing different views…
