By: Michael O'Neill on March 3, 2023
Evangelicalism and capitalism have long been intertwined, but the relationship has shifted dramatically in recent years. For Max Weber, Émile Durkheim, and Georg Simmel, the exploration of the institutions of modern capitalism was an important part of their respective social theories, and the neglect of this issue left a void in sociological scholarship during the…
By: Shonell Dillon on March 3, 2023
Tempered Resilence: The author is attempts to explain to us how one becomes a leader after being subjected to challenging circumstances. The author uses the analogy of going through the process of blacksmithing. He explains that those that can stand to go through the tempered times are true leaders. He predicts that those that can…
By: Audrey Robinson on February 26, 2023
This week’s readings couldn’t be more dissimilar on the surface. The Map That Changed the World by Simon Winchester and Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall are very different stories. As I pondered to find commonality – I realized it is the difference between them that I found merit and will explore. I will briefly…
By: Michael O'Neill on February 24, 2023
The Map That Changed the World by Simon Winchester offers an engaging perspective into one man’s incredible journey towards creating something truly revolutionary, driven solely by passion and dedication. Similarly, Marshall’s book, Prisoners of Geography, provides a comprehensive overview of each region’s geopolitical dynamics, as well as its cultural influences from ancient times to the…
By: Kristy Newport on February 21, 2023
When I began to read The Map That Changed the World by Simon Winchester, I began to wonder what it would have been like to be William Smith, finding different strata in the rocks and discovering coal…coal that could be traced and mapped. Having no background in geology, I thought: “I wonder if Bill has…
By: Audrey Robinson on February 19, 2023
In his book, The Protestant Ethic and the “Spirit” of Capitalism and Other Writings, Max Weber (1864-1920) utilized his professions of sociology and history to investigate the causality of modern capitalism and the religious forces of his day known as the Protestant Reformation. It is important to note that his work is considered a classic,…
By: Michael O'Neill on February 17, 2023
Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is one of the most influential books in modern sociology.[1] Written by German sociologist Max Weber, this book examines how religious beliefs can shape economic behavior. Weber looks at how Calvinism, a branch of Protestant Christianity, encouraged what he called “the Spirit of Capitalism.” His…
By: Shonell Dillon on February 12, 2023
The War of Art I did not read the books in any specific order but it was fitting that I read “The War of Art” last. When I learned that the author was talking about resistance, I knew that it was quite a familiar topic. Instead of tackling the things that were important I decided…
By: Audrey Robinson on February 11, 2023
I have always enjoyed the creative process of developing a new course, training seminar, or workshop. So, this book, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, by Steven Pressfield, spoke to many of my experiences. Two key topics from this week’s assigned readings provided insights into why it…
By: Greg McMullen on February 9, 2023
As we dig for gold in ourselves and others, we begin to overcome anxiety and become a pro. Resistance no longer has a hold of us, we become masters of our environments. We have become doctors no longer easily rattled, but focused on the task and having the best interest of our Heavenly Father, but…
By: Michael O'Neill on February 8, 2023
The world is fast and we accelerate it with the ability to keep up. There is an inversely proportional relationship between peace and chaos; and the antithesis of our over-committed stressful routines, poor choices, and difficult roads to completion – is occasional freedom. I often find myself somewhere on the spectrum near procrastination and “inspired…
By: Audrey Robinson on February 4, 2023
Reading Evangelicalism in Modern Britain raised and answered quite a few questions regarding the overall impact Christianity has had on many global issues. Although Bebbington’s work focused primarily on the effect in Britain, there were references to America, which helped to situate the historical trajectory across the two continents. However, the most troubling question I…
By: Michael O'Neill on February 2, 2023
Evangelicalism has been a major force in modern British history, the following resources provide an in-depth look at this important movement. David Bebbington’s Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s and Jason Clark’s Evangelicalism and Capitalism explore how evangelical Christianity shaped British society during this period. In his book, Bebbington…
By: Shonell Dillon on February 1, 2023
The Protestant Ethic & The Spirit of Capitalism In the anxiousness to have the woman he loved get to him one of my favorite singers says the line “be it train, plane, automobile, …get here. His feelings said by any means necessary I want the goal to be you here with me. Many things in…
By: Shonell Dillon on January 27, 2023
Anxiety Disorder: Separation anxiety (f93.0) Developmentally inappropriate and excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from those to whom the individual is attached. Selective mutism (f94.0) Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations in which there is an expectation for speaking despite speaking in other situations. Specific phobia (f40.248) Marked fear or anxiety about a…
By: Michael O'Neill on January 26, 2023
I do not believe in coincidence. I often smile when puzzle pieces emerge uniquely by the Spirit though. There is something that is so incredibly cool and fulfilling when the fingerprint of the Spirit is all over you or the things you come in contact with. Whether it’s being assigned a book at the perfect…
By: Audrey Robinson on January 26, 2023
While preparing to write the third Syntopical Essay last semester, I was reviewing notes collected from Friedman’s book Failure of Nerve. Chapter Seven, titled Emotional Triangles, caught my attention, and aroused my curiosity. However, due to time constraints, I had to ‘file that one away,’ as my husband would say, so I could return later.…
By: Michael O'Neill on January 20, 2023
Mining for Gold by Tom Camacho is an inspirational and empowering book that encourages readers to take risks and find success in their lives. The book dives deep into the concept of gold mining and makes the correlation of how we can use our own life experiences to uncover hidden gems within ourselves and others.…
By: Audrey Robinson on January 19, 2023
We should always mine for the gold in people’s lives. “Look for the good.” Pastor Mack Timberlake often bellowed from the pulpit on Sunday mornings from the large Church planted in the middle of a country field in Creedmoor, NC. Just as that seed (phrase ‘mining for gold’) inspired me all those years ago –…
By: Michael O'Neill on January 12, 2023
The Molecule of More by Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long is a fascinating exploration of the role that dopamine plays in human behavior. This book focuses on how dopamine, also known as the “molecule of more,” impacts our lives from day-to-day decisions to large-scale societal trends and habits. Together they have created a…
