Starting back in February, we have been attempting to piece together elements that would assist in addressing the large and multi-faceted notion of "Social Justice."  We discussed biblical definitions of terms like justice and forgiveness, we reviewed the history of the social justice movement starting in the 19th century, we had a conversation with a philosopher to address the reasons social justice is so persuasive among Evangelicals, and we have tried to find the good in the movement. In this episode, Director Hodges gathers together some of the salient points in those past episodes, and draws 8 conclusions that might serve as a Christian response.  We invite you to write us if you would like to ask questions that might arise from these episodes, or debate (serious debate only - we have no time for flaming) with us.  We all want to grow in our understanding and to walk in the Spirit, for the glory of our Lord.  Director@centerws.com.

From the Center

Responding to Social Justice: A Summary of our Recent Podcasts

In this episode, Director Hodges gives an apology for Fairy Tales.  Borrowing extensively on the writings of GK Chesterton, he shows how our present culture often misunderstands the purpose for Fairy Tales, and thus misses out on what can be learned from them.  

Magic in the Mundane: The Real Reason for Fairy Tales

We live in an interesting time.  Christians and Atheists find themselves on the same side in a debate against those who would reject Reason and put the ideology/religion of "Theory" (Critical Theory) in its place.  In this episode, Director Hodges and Pastor Kyle Dillon discuss the book "Cynical Theories" written by Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay.  These two self-described atheists investigate the various facets of "Theory" -- anti-colonialism, feminism, homosexuality, and critical race theory, among others, and reveal the dangers of embracing them.  The fact that SOME Christians and SOME atheists have joined together on the side of Theory, while others of each stripe are against it proves this issue is not an easy one to discern.  This episode attempts to show the strengths and weaknesses of the book's arguments.

The Enlightenment Strikes Back: Reasoning Atheists Oppose "Theory"

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?"  How many times have we heard that?  But the implication that beauty is purely a subjective thing is a relatively recent notion.  It comes originally from Plato, but Irish novelist Margaret Hungerford may have coined the phrase in the 19th century...but what about the Medieval notions of beauty?  Those are pre-modern, pre-Romantic, and quite profound.  In this shorter-than-usual podcast, Director Hodges investigates some of the ways beauty has been understood in the long past.  The builders of the great cathedrals of the 12th and 13th centuries had some specific ideas about number, light, and symbol that were specially relevant in their day, as they still held that there is an invisible spiritual realm that could be reflected to us in materials like stone, light, music, and space.  Perhaps they are still relevant today?

Beauty in the Middle Ages: The Wonders of Number, Light, and Symbol

In this, the second part of a discussion with Cal Beisner, Director Hodges and he continue their discussion on the nature of rights.  What is justice, and how can it be properly understood?  What is the place of forgiveness, and grace, and can they be distributed by a government?  And as Christians, do we have any rights before God?  Is it wrong to demand that we be treated fairly, or given what we want in life?  Director Hodges discusses these questions and more with Dr. Cal Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of the Earth.  The hope is to clarify what we can and should expect from government and from the Church by considering the government's role in God's economy. Government, charity, rights, church, critical theory, racism, sexism

Of Negative and Positive Rights: What Part Do They Play in Culture? Part 2

Negative rights and positive rights are not the same things.  To provide what you do not have is a positive, to keep you from losing what you already have is a negative.  Are either of them truly rights in the way that the American Declaration describes unalienable rights?  The government is geared to provide the second, that is, protection by law, but completely unable to provide first, that is, charity, without coercion.  Director Hodges discusses this aspect of our cultural debate with Dr. Cal Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of the Earth.  The hope is to clarify what we can and should expect from government and from the Church by considering the government's role in God's economy. Government, charity, rights, church, critical theory, racism, sexism

Of Negative and Positive Rights: What Part Do They Play in Culture? Pt 1.

Director Hodges sits down with Philip Himebook and talks about Christians in the performing arts, their collaborations (Hodges conducting, Himebook on stage), and their approaches to social media.

Tenors are People Too: A Conversation with Philip Himebook

The Evangelical Church is struggling to make sense of the Social Justice movement.  Why is it so attractive?  How does it engage with bible-believing Christians?  What does it offer the Church?  Director Hodges discusses these questions with Dr. Doug Groothuis, professor of philosophy and apologetics at Denver Seminary.  This episode refers to some articles that Dr. Groothuis has written.  These can be found here, and here.  We also recommend his book TRUTH DECAY.  

The Attraction of "Wokeness": A Conversation with Doug Groothuis

Director Hodges discusses the roots of what is called "Critical Theory," with faculty member Jonathan (Jack) Vowell, who is working on his PhD in literary criticism. In this second of two parts, they discuss how Marx's ideas have been adjusted to address more generally the entire culture, going beyond economic conflicts alone.

History of Critical Theory Part II: Neo-Marxism in the 20th century

In an ongoing effort to make sense of the ideas that are most influential in our present day, Director Hodges discusses the roots of what is called "Critical Theory," with faculty member Jonathan (Jack) Vowell, who is working on his PhD in literary criticism. In this first of two parts, they discuss the idealism of GWF Hegel and the materialism of Karl Marx and then set the stage for part two, in which these two address how these ideas have influenced the 20th century, and today.

History of Critical Theory Pt I: Marx and Materialism

For centuries we held that logical reasoning, supported by Revelation, was the way to get to the truth of any issue. At least to the best our finite minds can accomplish. In the last couple of centuries, while we have lost our communal trust in Revelation, we have at least retained the notion that logic and reasoning is the best way to know what is true. Today, we are hearing that logic and reasoning are only ONE way of many to approach truth, and logical fallacies that used to be "points off" in a debate are now allowed, and even encouraged. One of the most recent and prevalent logical fallacies is a combination of "begging the question" and "ad hominem" that Eric Raymond coined "Kafkatrapping." In this podcast, Director Hodges considers the Kafkatrap, where it is being used in our day, and how it might be addressed.

Does Reason Get Us to Truth? The Kafkatrap Defined and Addressed

Since justice is on so many minds these days, we thought it would be good to discuss the call to forgive. Director Hodges has a conversation with world-class bible teacher, writer, missionary, and pastor Ronnie Stevens.

On Forgiveness: A Conversation with Ronnie Stevens

How does the bible approach the idea of Justice? It seems to be on everyone's mind these days, so Director Hodges and Pastor Kyle Dillon discuss how the word is used in the bible, and what implications it might have on our considerations of Social Justice.

Of Tzedek and Mishpat: A Biblical View of Justice

This is the second part of a two-part investigation into the history of the ideas that brought us to this place today. It began with Descartes and Rationalism, but in this episode, we begin with Nietzsche at the end of the 19th century and work our way to today. Hodges and Vowell in the continuation of a conversation from last May.

Post-modernism, part II: The Roots of Irrationality

At the end of our year at the Center, we offer an extended lecture on Post-modernism, and set of ideas closely related to Modernism, and to a degree outdated now, as we are moving into a new era, too new to name completely. In this first half of a long episode that we have broken into two parts, we ask faculty member Jack Vowell to give us the highlights of this year's lecture on post-modern thought, and in it Hodges and Vowell consider the effect that the assumptions of Modernism have had on our day, including sowing the seeds of a kind of irrationality that seems to be influencing our debates today.

Post-modernism Part 1: The Roots of Irrationality

Discussions about ideas, the arts, and culture, with Director John Hodges & Jack Vowell of the faculty of the Center for Western Studies