How to harmonize two undesirable ideals — The political back-and-forth on Twitter between self-identified proponents of “the left” and “the right” regularly revolves around the issue of equality in society. These conversations more often than not degenerate into shouting matches about caricatures of each other’s definition of equality. The two main forms of equality operative in these…

We’ve all known the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs since childhood, but have we learned its lessons? The story starts with Snow White, a pretty princess named for her stark white skin that contrasts sharply with her charcoal dark locks. Snow White’s stepmother, the Queen, is an…

Or, more traditionally, between love and judgement — Inclusion and justice are two buzzwords that probably deserve to be so. They reflect two virtuous impulses: the desire for all to share in ‘the good life’, and the desire to see good triumph over evil. Or, in more traditional language: an unconditional love for people, and a longing for…

Bruiloften in het Midden-Oosten zijn meestal heel anders dan hun West-Europese tegenhangers. De bruiloft van vandaag was dat nog veel meer. Hoewel, onze vriendin droeg wel een oogverblindend witte jurk. En er werd ook wel gedanst en gegeten, met een fotograaf aanwezig om alles vast te leggen. Tot dusver klinkt…

Weddings in the Middle East tend to be quite different from their Western European counterparts. Today’s wedding was even more so. Still, my friend did wear a dazzling white dress. And there was dancing and food and a photographer to capture it all. So far, so familiar. The location, however…

Hoe kunnen we daarmee omgaan? — De aarde is plat. De maanlanding heeft nooit plaatsgevonden. Er zijn buitenaardse wezens in Area 51. Helaas worden deze feiten voor ons verborgen gehouden door de verschillende regeringen van de wereld om hun duistere doelen na te streven. … Of zo zegt men. Dit zijn klassieke voorbeelden van samenzweringstheorieën. Wat…

How can we deal with that? — The earth is flat. The moon landing did not happen. There are aliens in Area 51. Unfortunately, these facts are concealed from us by the various governments of the world to advance their dark purposes. … Or so it is said. These are classic examples of conspiracy theories. What makes…

Black lives or all lives? — A few weeks ago, half of my Facebook feed was emphatically shouting that black lives matter. The other half was equally emphatically shouting that all lives matter. So which is it? Who is right? As a follower of Jesus, I try to look to him for wisdom. …

An historical, scientific, philosophical and theological long-read — Consider the following quote by a very influential 18th century philosopher: It forms a strong presumption against all supernatural and miraculous relations, that they are observed chiefly to abound among ignorant and barbarous nations; or if a civilized people has ever given admission to any of them, that people will…