Human Flourishing

Review of Them before Us: Why We Need a Global Children's Rights Movement

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Them before Us: Why We Need a Global Children’s Rights Movement, by Katy Faust and Stacy Manning, was written to persuade the reader that “adults need to do hard things so kids don’t have to” (xxix). The rights of the child are often neglected when discussions of marriage, divorce (specifically no-fault divorce), gamete donation, surrogacy, and adoption occur.

C. S. Lewis and The Abolition of Man

Thursday, June 15, 2017

In The Abolition of Man—published nearly 75 years ago—C. S. Lewis speaks indirectly, though perhaps prophetically, to our current complexities—reminding us that there is truly nothing new under the sun. In the title chapter of the book, Lewis asks the question, “In what sense is Man the possessor of increasing power over Nature?”[2] Are we able to have the control over Nature and live the autonomous lives we desire? In our attempt to understand and fully live out what it means to be human, is it possible to conquer those aspects of Nature we believe hinder, diminish, or destroy our flourishing, thereby solidifying our humanity?

Celebrating WALL-E’s 10th Birthday

Thursday, February 28, 2019

For those with eyes to see, the movie WALL-E (Disney and Pixar, 2008) can be something of an apocalypse, revealing God’s Kingdom and stoking a Christian imagination. 800 years from now the remnant of humanity exists on the Axiom, a space cruise ship. The high-tech deck chairs supporting their overfed/corpulent bodies double as hovercraft to move them around the ship. All interaction between humans is mediated by a device. Every hobby is virtual. Every meal comes in a cup. The trip on the Axiom was initially billed as a five-year cruise. But 700 years later, the remnant is unaware of any other existence, or indeed, of their ancestral home which had been so thoroughly trashed (literally) that it can no longer support life of any kind.

A Podcast for the MedTech Age: An Interview with Zac and Sally Crippen

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Zac and Sally Crippen host Vernacular, a podcast that explores human flourishing through a broad range of categories, from sports, creative media, and food to philosophy and science. This interview highlights their work, experiences, and advice relating to bioethics.

What Do We Make of the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Friday, April 30, 2021

As more and more of our friends, neighbors, and family members get vaccinated, it occurred to me that it would be helpful to offer some biblical counsel on the topic. As Christians, we must take every thought captive to Christ (2 Cor 10:5) as we consult both God’s Word and His world (i.e., scientific research) to discern whether the COVID-19 vaccine(s) are helpful and wise. To that end, I want to offer a set of biblical touchpoints to consider as you think about this issue.

Chasing Methuselah: Theology, the Body, and Slowing Human Aging

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

In Chasing Methuselah, Todd Daly examines the modern biomedical anti-aging project from a Christian perspective, drawing on the ancient wisdom of the Desert Fathers, who believed that the Incarnation opened a way for human life to regain the longevity of Adam and the biblical patriarchs through prayer and fasting. Daly balances these insights with the christological anthropology of Karl Barth, discussing the implications for human finitude, fear of death, and the use of anti-aging technology, weaving a path between outright condemnation and uncritical enthusiasm. Below is an interview with Daly on his book.

Ivan Illich on the Convivial & Industrial Society

Dignitas, Vol. 28, No. 3-4 (Fall-Winter 2021)

Can Virtue Be Taught? Neuroscience and Moral Formation

Dignitas, Vol. 28, No. 3-4 (Fall-Winter 2021)

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