On Sculpting Ivory; The Idea of Nature In a Theology of Culture

In this essay, the author seeks to understand the way in which a theology of culture can develop an understanding of nature. He begins by giving a definition for a theology of culture, using the work of Paul Tillich. It is in defining, next, what is meant by nature that many of the peculiarities and problems within this subject are discovered. Finally, it is only by looking at the notion of historicality that he finds the answer to the question

On Sculpting Ivory; The Idea of Nature In a Theology of Culture

In this essay, the author seeks to understand the way in which a theology of culture can develop an understanding of nature. He begins by giving a definition for a theology of culture, using the work of Paul Tillich. It is in defining, next, what is meant by nature that many of the peculiarities and problems within this subject are discovered. Finally, it is only by looking at the notion of historicality that he finds the answer to the question

In Defence of Anthropomorphic Theism

I reply to seven objections to anthropomorphic theism: (1) That anthropomorphic theism is idolatrous. In reply I rely on the concept/conception distinction. (2) That faith requires certainty. In reply I argue that full belief may be based on probable inference. (3) That the truly infinite is incomprehensible. In reply I distinguish two senses of knowing what you mean. (4) "You Kant say that!" In reply I distinguish shallow from deep Kantianism. (5) "Shall Old Aquinas be forgot?" In reply I discuss the simplicity of God. (6) What those garrulous mystics say about the ineffable. In reply I argue that mystics should be anthropomorphites. (7) Antitheodicy. In reply I distinguish the community of all agents from the community of finite frail agent

The Growing Threat of Agroterrorism and Strategies for Agricultural Defense

Due to the dynamic nature of human conflict, non-traditional terror tactics have evolved to undermine the socioeconomic stability of targeted societies. Considering the landscape in which terrorists operate, emphasis on more subversive methods of biological terror have become prominent in recent decades. Agroterrorism, or the use of plant pathogens to infect a nation’s cultivated crops, is an emerging topic due to its threat to global food security and economic stability. Although emergency preparedness objectives have been enacted at national, state, and even local levels, preemptive measures can no longer remain the sole responsibility of intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The agricultural and scientific communities are responsible for collaboration to improve security and pioneer new methods of disease resistance in susceptible crops. Plant immunology is an expanding field which explores the molecular defense mechanisms innately present within the plant kingdom and provides insight concerning novel methods of boosting the immunity of susceptible crops to existing and emerging pathogenic agents. This thesis serves to define the threat of agroterrorism from a national security and scientific perspective, identify notable plant pathogens, provide a brief survey of plant immunology, and discuss topics which can aid scientists, policymakers, and growers in efforts to secure the global food supply from those who would cause harm

Fear, Where Is Your Sting?

Exploration, it appears, is a family trait. I can recall the feeling of Mama and Daddy’s hands holding my tiny ones as they guided me into partially-built houses with for-sale signs poking out of the front lawns. At five years old, I could march confidently into any framed structure, swiftly identify the unfinished rooms, and definitively pronounce my opinion of the floorplan. Over the course of the next seven years, looking for the property of our dreams became as much a hobby as a necessity. Although we’d nearly fallen through floors in fixer-uppers, harmlessly trespassed in neighborhoods of new construction, and once been entirely unnerved by a basement full of peculiar painted people, nothing could have quite prepared us for the fiasco at Jack’s Creek Polo Club

Is the Search for God Fact(oid) or Fiction?

This essay opens with an presentation of the postmodern crises of knowledge and method in both the scientific and the theological disciplines. There is potential for science and theology to work through these crises together. To do so, however, a new model of relating them needs to be used. One such model is found in following the discipline of the interdisciplinary