By: gfesadmin on September 20, 2012
“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?” This song by Five Man Electrical Band coming out of the 60s in the U.S. represented a huge social shift in the culture. Some say this message was the youth culture reacting…
By: gfesadmin on September 20, 2012
Is Marx right in his critique of capitalism? When we examine the current situation that exists in the U.S. at first glance, it may appear the Marx’s point is well taken. For example, on the one hand, Marx argues that the obvious economic inequities that are visible in our capitalistic society are due to structural…
By: gfesadmin on September 20, 2012
During the Zoo TV U2 international tour in the early 90s, Bono would often appear on stage for a few songs as MacPhisto. Wearing gaudy, glittering golden clothes and red devil horns, Bono would ape the devil while money fell from the sky and pop-culture images flashed in the background. For many Christians (including me)…
By: gfesadmin on September 20, 2012
I find the study of social theory fascinating, indeed delicious! Treats of theories about why we are the way we are. Anthony Elliott, in his book Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction gives us bites of the variety of social theorists’ dishes. From Adorno and Horkheimer with their analysis of human barbarism and fascism to Freud…
By: gfesadmin on September 20, 2012
A few years ago my family and I lived at a home which was located in the middle of no where. Great for silence and solitude, but horrible for the daily work commute. It was a killer on our cars as well as the gas budget! Just commuting one direction was 46 miles and took…
By: gfesadmin on September 19, 2012
Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction by Anthony Elliot is a challenging read for me. I have not studied sociology in any formal way beyond taking basic undergrad courses. However, I am thankful for the assignment as it has provided me with an opportunity to read about some of the social theories and how they might…
By: gfesadmin on September 19, 2012
Who do we give the chance to speak into our lifes? What is the society we are surrounded by and that we ally with (lat. societas/socii – eng. allies)? The literature in our DMin program led us this week to a introduction in social theory. Anthony Elliott presents in his book “Contemporary Social Theory”…
By: gfesadmin on September 19, 2012
Social theory isn’t something that is readily studied in Christian circles, at least the circles I’m familiar with, and therefore something that I’m a neophyte in. After a rather in-depth overview of several aspects of social theory in Anthony Elliot’s Contemporary Social Theory, I think ministers should give social theory more attention and thought. I…
By: gfesadmin on September 18, 2012
As I began the quest of reading, and trying to understand, Contemporary Social Theory by Elliot, I was surprised how interested I became. This is new ground as I’ve had precious little study personally or academically in this area. Some of the names and theories are familiar but precious few. Therefore I am grateful how…
By: gfesadmin on September 17, 2012
Challenge Critical thinking does not come naturally to everyone. How then do community leaders start the process of teaching this skill to groups such as children and adolescents who are victims of poverty and illiteracy? Two Evolving Solutions 1. Relationships are vital to any functional community. At one point in the USA’s history, the local…
By: gfesadmin on September 13, 2012
Critical thinking is needed in all areas of our lives, especially in the leader’s life. My first memory of formally learning about critical thinking was when I took a class on Argumentation and Debate for my Speech Communication Degree at the University. I learned how to take an issue or a problem and argue both…
By: gfesadmin on September 13, 2012
The concept of “intellectual empathy,” when critically thinking about critical thinking, intrigues me. Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder, in The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools under “Essential Intellectual Traits,” state “Having a consciousness of the need to imaginatively put oneself in the place of others in order to genuinely understand…
By: gfesadmin on September 13, 2012
Thinking deeply is one of the reasons I am taking a doctorate in ministry. It is in questioning much of what it means to lead in a church that energizes me for leadership. Paul and Elder state, “Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improvement”. Improving the very process…
By: gfesadmin on September 13, 2012
The Ferris Wheel It was the last full week of summer vacation and my family was looking for one more big adventure. So I packed the car, and off we went for a day of fun an thrills at a central Pennsylvania amusement park. Now, none of us had ever been to this park, so…
By: gfesadmin on September 13, 2012
“….critical thinkers are clear as to the purpose at hand and the question at issue. They question information, conclusions and points of view. The strive to be clear, accurate, precise, and relevant. They seek to think beneath the surface, to be logical and fair.” Richard Paul and Linda Elder…
By: gfesadmin on September 12, 2012
The western world has a high regard for Indian students on account of their ability to excel in certain areas of education. India has always been known for strong culture of learning. However, the Indian method of learning is truly a mixed bag. It is quite interesting to trace the historical process to this present…
By: gfesadmin on September 12, 2012
I have not read other books which purpose to present the reader with information used to build a good critical thinking process. Therefore, I cannot honestly evaluate the book’s quality with reference to other works on the same subject. However, the book does seem to cover quite a breath of aspects that do impact the…
By: gfesadmin on September 12, 2012
I enjoyed reading, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools by Richard Paul and Linda Elder. As I read through their book, three main thoughts came to me. First, the authors pair ‘Universal Intellectual Standards’ with ‘Intellectual Traits or Virtues.’ I’m not sure which is more difficult to acquire, but the later is…
By: gfesadmin on September 12, 2012
“God is in control.” This is a phrase I often hear within the evangelical circles in which l live and work, and it has always bothered me. It seems as if it is expressed not in times of great movements of the Spirit but rather in resignation, trying to make sense of a wrong decision…
By: gfesadmin on September 11, 2012
In our weekly reading my cohort is engaged with the book The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking. Concepts and Tools by Richard Paul and Linda Elder. (You can download a short abstract of the book here). In this short mini-guide the authors seek to provide essential concepts and tools as an introduction to the method…
