Category Archives: Philosophy

Love, Jesus, and the Bible

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Richard Heyduck

I saw this cartoon on Facebook this morning and found it stimulating. First thought: Who are the people in the picture? Reading left to right, as we do in English, we see five people who are dressed in modern western … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Culture, Hermeneutics, Jesus, Language, Liberalism, Love, Philosophy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What About History?

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Richard Heyduck

There’s been much talk about history lately. From doing family history research for over forty years to being a history major in college and having history as my minor field in my doctoral work, I’ve given quite a bit of … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Philosophy | Tagged | Leave a comment

Believing Scientists?

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Richard Heyduck

Some suggested that if people believe science when it comes to eclipses and hurricanes, they ought to believe science when it pronounces on climate change as well. Speaking as one who does not deny “climate change,” I think these folks misunderstand … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Philosophy, Science | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Dead Men Don’t Bleed?

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

You’ve probably heard this old joke. Once upon a time there was a man who was convinced he was dead. After being badgered by his friends, he finally gave in and went to a doctor. The doctor took it upon … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Dealing with Anger: Pessimism or Contentment?

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

In class today I showed the students Alain de Botton’s presentation of the philosophy of Seneca. I think Seneca (as interpreted by de Botton) is genuinely insightful. The richer and more successful we are, the more prone we are to … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus, Philosophy | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Beauty in the Eye?

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

Beauty in the Eye Most of my students express the conviction that beauty is always and only in the eye of the beholder. In the face of differing accounts, assessments, and experiences of beauty, this position seems natural. I take … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Teaching Philosophically

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

Few of the courses I teach, whether in a college or church setting, are officially called “philosophy.” Having a philosophical temperament, however, and finding value in a philosophical approach to learning, I find it difficult to avoid a common approach … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Philosophy, Teaching | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Problem of Sustained Personal Identity

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

In a recent essay a the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company) Religion site, Stanley Hauerwas raises the issue of the sustaining of personal identity over time. It is by no means clear to me that I am the same person who … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Stanley Hauerwas, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Epic Win!

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

Kenda Creasy Dean is our guest speaker at the Texas Annual Conference this week. Having read her books, I knew where she’d be coming from. If you have the least interest in youth ministry or leading a church that disciples … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Ecclesiology, Metanarratives, Philosophy, Youth Ministry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Capitalism and Epistemology

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

Inasmuch as markets exist to provide knowledge (what I/we should do with regard to the resources at our disposal or over which we have influence) modern capitalism is a reductionism parallel to centrality of epistemology in modern philosophy (the requirement … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Economics, Epistemology, Philosophy | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment