Column title: Crossed My Mind: Thoughts on Culture and Communication Column entry: “Ashes and Light, Children and Lightness” By John Hatch, Ph.D. Eastern University (retired) CCSN Senior Fellow Column Description: As Christians, we are called to have the mind of Christ. This goes against the grain of our social and cultural conditioning. We seek personal or political advancement; Christ seeks …
Devotional, “Impression Management: What My Things Say about Me,” by Donna Elkins
Impression Management: What My Things Say about Me I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. Ecclesiastes 2:4–6 (NIV) Two examples recently inspired me to think about how we choose the items we …
Devotional, “Assume the Best First,” by Lakelyn Taylor
Assume the Best First Lakelyn Taylor University of Central Florida The one who searches for what is good finds favor, but if someone looks for trouble it will come to him. (Proverbs 11:27) I received news one evening that a good friend of my father’s had died rather unexpectedly. As soon as I heard the news, I called my dad …
Christian Scholar’s Review Blog, Whither Christian Civility?, by John Hatch
Enjoy this piece by John B. Hatch (PhD, Regent University), recently retired from Eastern University as Professor of Communication Studies. John currently serves as Senior Fellow for the Christianity & Communication Studies Network. In this Christian Scholar’s Review blog, John reviews Integratio Press’ recent book, Humility and Hospitality: Changing the Christian Conversation on Civility (2022).
New Column, “Let’s Talk Family,” with Jonathan Pettigrew and Diane Badzinski
Column: Let’s Talk Family: Conversations about Faith and Family Flourishing Column entry: Can We Talk about It? By Jonathan Pettigrew, PhD, Arizona State University; Diane Badzinski, PhD, Colorado Christian University Column Description: Let’s Talk Family: Conversations about Faith and Family Flourishing is a monthly column offering a space to consider research-based, biblically-sound practices for family communication. We all have families. …
Devotional, “Park Bench Conversation,” by Bill Strom
Park Bench Conversation “He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” John 2:25 Have you ever wondered how a personal encounter with Jesus would go between you and Him? Imagine that you have taken a break for lunch on a park bench. A man approaches and sits down at the end of …
Vlog entry, “What is Too Much Information, or TMI?”, by Stephanie Bennett
Description: In this installment of The Secret Place (Ps. 91:1-2) . . . Some things are not meant to be self-disclosed. What? Isn’t self-disclosure a good thing? Yes, indeed It can hep solidify and ground those relationships that are primary importance to us, but let’s be discerning. Holding back information about ourselves sometimes Is not about being shy or introverted. …
Column entry, “Talking About Race: Truthfully, Lovingly, Productively,” by John Hatch
Crossed My Mind: Thoughts on Culture and Communication By John Hatch, Ph.D. Eastern University (retired) CCSN Senior Fellow Column Description: As Christians, we are called to have the mind of Christ. This goes against the grain of our social and cultural conditioning. We seek personal or political advancement; Christ seeks the lost and the least. We grasp for cultural ascendency; …
Devotional, Silence is Golden, by Donna Elkins
Silence is Golden When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour (Revelation 8:1, NIV) Western culture, and those of us in the United States in particular, believe talking is more desirable than silence. In fact, silence is often viewed as embarrassing or awkward. When I was a newspaper reporter, a communication technique …
Communication Devotional, “Fighting Against the Empathy Deficit,” by Donna Elkins
Fighting Against the Empathy Deficit When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So, he asked Pharaoh’s officials, who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” Genesis 40: 6–7 (NIV) Empathy has been defined as “one’s ability to connect with others and discern how they’re …