Belief in a Disenchanted World: A Review of George MacDonald in the Age of Miracles

As a MacDonald enthusiast, I have no significant complaints about Larsen’s delightful little book. Nevertheless, I will register one quibble and one question. Posting about ­­­­­­­­the book George MacDonald in the Age of Miracles from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation. https://inallthings.org/belief-in-a-disenchanted-world-a-review-of-george-macdonald-in-the-age-of-miracles

Beyond Hero Stories

Missionary stories don’t often go viral, but Chau’s death elicited strong reactions. Posting about the martyrdom of John Allen Chau from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation. https://inallthings.org/beyond-hero-stories

The Gift of the Artist: A Review of Art and Faith

In a culture of haste, busyness, and distraction, attention is one of the most important skills we can cultivate, one of the best gifts we can offer —to the Lord, to our loved ones, and to the world. Posting about the book Art and Faith: A Theology of Making from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation. https://inallthings.org/the-gift-of-the-artist-a-review-of-art-and-faith

Factors Influencing the Spatial Distribution of Southern rust in Corn

Southern rust caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora (Underwood) is the most economically important foliar disease in corn (Zea mays) (Linnaeus) (Cyperales: Poaceae)) for Arkansas. The objective of this work was to determine distribution of southern rust in corn and to determine factors that may control its distribution. During the 2017 and 2018 season, seven corn fields in Arkansas were rated for southern rust. After disease confirmation, fields were marked with GPS sample point locations in a grid pattern across the entire field. Ratings for disease severity were taken below, at, and above the ear leaf at each point every two weeks until maturity. Data analyses showed that southern rust did not occur randomly, which is common thought about foliar diseases. However, the disease spread in a uniform fashion across each field but also built in localized areas and were statistically clustered (P = 0.05). This distribution indicates the disease is likely dependent on clustered environmental phenomenon’s that favor development. Soil samples were collected at each GPS point. A significant positive correlation existed between relative levels of phosphorus and southern rust severity in five of seven fields (P = 0.05). A normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) ratio was calculated for four fields. There was a significant positive correlation with relatively higher canopy density in early June and relatively higher southern rust severity weeks later (P = 0.05). A planting date study was conducted over the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. The trial was conducted in randomized 4-row wide plots in 2017 and 2-row wide strips in 2018 with six planting dates (15 May, 1 Jun, 15 Jun, 1 Jul, 15 Jul, 1 Aug). Objectives included if southern rust severity influenced pre-harvest lodging, and disease severity relative to date and growth stage. Lodging was not observed in either year and southern rust was most severe in early planted plots compared to later planted plots. In both years, southern rust infested the three earliest planting dates 2-3 weeks prior to the later three planting dates. These results suggest that southern rust severity is dependent on another factor in the field, likely environmental

The Theodramatic Imagination: Spirit and Imagination in the Work of Kevin Vanhoozer

This article situates and evaluates the cultural hermeneutic method of theologian Kevin Vanhoozer. His “theodramatic imagination” sets forth a method for rightly interpreting both Scripture and culture. Fellow theologian William Dyrness criticizes Vanhoozer’s model as theoretical rather than theatrical, focused on extracted ideas instead of embedded imaginaries. The article argues that, although Dyrness’ critique misses its mark, the true disagreement is pneumatological in nature. In the view of the author, this is the real limitation for Vanhoozer’s method: he prepares us to recognize and respond to the Spirit at work in shaping the Church’s “theodramatic” imagination, but we are less equipped to recognize the same Spirit outside the walls of the church, where much of the drama of redemption is set. Constructively, this article develops Vanhoozer’s cultural hermeneutic with a stronger connection to the presence of the Holy Spirit in the wider world, employing an underdeveloped concept from Vanhoozer’s theology

Shows that Shape Us: The Office

Laughter might express a diagnosis of what’s wrong with the world, or it might point the way to things somehow being made right. Posting about ­­­­­­­­the television series The Office from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation. https://inallthings.org/shows-that-shape-us-the-office-beauty-in-ordinary-things

God\u27s Sabbath with Creation: Vocations Fulfilled, the Glory Unveiled (Book Review)

Reviewed Title: God\u27s Sabbath with Creation: Vocations Fulfilled by James W. Skillen. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2019. 348 pp. ISBN: 9781532659508

Fruit in Keeping with Repentance: A Review of Reparations

I found this book to be clear, clinical, and devastating. I thank Kwon and Thompson for reminding us of our proper work, and that the Christian life is one of continual repentance. Posting about the book Reparations from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation. https://inallthings.org/fruit-in-keeping-with-repentance-a-review-of-reparations