Trinity Magazine, Winter 2003

Leaving the Shire Mentality Behind

by Jonathan Lunde, professor at Trinity College

When we ask "What does it mean to love the Lord with all your mind?" we could focus on numerous things. In his marvelously helpful book Life of the Mind, Professor of Philosophy Cliff Williams discusses several such things, though he really focuses on why we should engage in such a life. His preeminent defense is that the life of the mind has intrinsic value—that is, it is a good thing in itself, apart from any usefulness of it. What makes this activity good, Williams argues, is not so much that we love God intellectually, but that by simply using our minds, we love God.

The Blessings of Forgiveness

by Eric Hesse (MDiv ’02)

Most of our world lives in a matrix of perpetual darkness created by unconfessed sin. Humanity, stricken with a terminal case of pride, cannot bring itself to admit its sinfulness before a holy God. This darkness is so bleak that hope in a bright Morning Star, who is capable of shattering the darkness, no longer remains (Revelation 22:16). For most, the dawn does not exist.

Called to Conflict

by Michael Card

Jesus never claimed that our lives as his disciples would be easy. In fact, one of the realities of encountering Jesus is that when people are truly faced with his being, his truth, they inevitably stumble. He strikes a chord in people’s hearts, and sometimes it is a discordant one. His perfect life exposes all that is imperfect in us, and conflict inevitably results.

Consumer Culture

by Chuck Romig (MA ’79)

Research has shown that much youth violence occurring since the late 1980s is retaliatory in nature, resulting from a way of thinking about relationships. Youth today are more easily offended, less likely to overlook offenses, and more likely to respond with severe and violent actions toward the the perceived offenders. If a youth perceives an experience to be an unjust injury, he or she may feel entitled, if not obligated, to retaliate.

Opinions expressed are those of the contributors or the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of Trinity International University.