New Year’s Resolutions in February I generally do not make New Year’s Resolutions. I am just too tired and worn out after completing another semester with its plethora of grading and then throwing myself in to all the holiday preparations and celebrations. So, at the end of the year I have little energy to even consider resolutions. Therefore, I make …
Smurf-blue Pride and the Power of Forgiveness
Smurf-blue Pride and the Power of Forgiveness * Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. (Proverbs 14: 9-10) The 10 year-old boy visiting our home that day was bored so my wife let him play in the pool room. He was thrilled. His mother soon noticed him touching the cue stick tip and …
Walk Tall and Carry and Gentle Stick
Walk Tall and Carry a Gentle Stick * 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (Proverbs 15:1-2) In 2009, Republican Mark DeMoss and Democrat Lanny Davis founded the Civility Project. They asked national politicians to sign a …
The Light Shines in the Darkness
The Light Shines in the Darkness Annalee R. Ward, Ph.D. Guest Columnist Annalee Ward, Professor of Communication, currently serves as the Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque. This Initiative promotes excellent moral character and lives of purpose. Passionate about interweaving faith, life, and learning, Annalee is grateful for the work of the Christianity and Communication …
Words: 100 percent Natural Manufactured Fakes?
Words: 100% Natural Manufactured Fakes? Guest Columnist Mark Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Rhetoric California State University, Sacramento I recently bought some frosted toaster pastries that were boldly described as “ORGANIC!” on the box. The same store was selling organic chocolate flavored syrup. Organic frosted toaster pastries? Organic chocolate flavored syrup? I’m pretty sure this means civilization is winding down. Nothing wrong with that. It’s …
C.S. Lewis and the Rhetoric of Glory
C.S. Lewis and the Rhetoric of Glory Brandon Knight, Ph.D. Asst. Professor of Communication William Carey University Have you ever felt disconnected? With the presidential election looming in the not-so-distant future, politics often places feelings of discontent on display; many Americans place their hopes in nominees who will possibly bring to fruition the expectations and dreams of many. Yet the …
Blind(ed) Faith
Blind(ed) Faith Guest Columnist Mark Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Rhetoric California State University, Sacramento A national politician recently touted his “great and unmatched wisdom” in a twitter expression. This seems as good a time as any to talk about blind faith. Blind faith is a cage-free confidence about my beliefs. Think of the cages as (what we used to call) …
Let’s Have a Conversation about The God Problem
Let’s Have a Conversation about The God Problem Mark Ward Sr., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Communication University of Houston-Victoria Fifteen years ago, Quentin Schultze spoke to the annual awards banquet of the Religious Communication Association. His address on “The ‘God-Problem’ in Communication Studies” was subsequently published in the Journal of Communication and Religion. The essay put the problem succinctly: If …
Compassionate Communication
Compassionate Communication Annalee R. Ward, Ph.D. University of Dubuque Annalee Ward, Professor of Communication, currently serves as the Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque. This Initiative promotes excellent moral character and lives of purpose. Passionate about interweaving faith, life, and learning, Annalee is grateful for the work of the Christianity and Communication Studies Network whose …
The Rhetoric of Place
The Rhetoric of Place Annalee R. Ward, Ph.D. University of Dubuque Annalee Ward, Professor of Communication, currently serves as the Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque. This Initiative promotes excellent moral character and lives of purpose. Passionate about interweaving faith, life, and learning, Annalee is grateful for the work of the Christianity and Communication Studies …
