By: gfesadmin on September 27, 2012
It was a beautiful morning in late May as we worked our way through the streets of Jerusalem. For most of our students there was not a care to be had. For myself and my co-leader we understood the gravity of what we were about to experience. All of sudden off in the distance we…
By: gfesadmin on September 27, 2012
In the second half of Anthony Elliott’s book, “Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction,” I found myself intrigued by much of the writings of Jurgen Habermas and how his views with media, the bourgeois, theology and feminism. In his work entitled, “Reconciliation through the Public Use of Reason,” Habermas makes a powerful statement. He writes,…
By: gfesadmin on September 26, 2012
There is a joke that has been around for quite a while. A young man is helping in the kitchen, watching his new bride prepare a ham for Sunday dinner. As the wife cuts off an inch from each end, the husband asks why. She replies that it must make the ham more delicious. She…
By: gfesadmin on September 26, 2012
I found the section, “Baudrillard: postmodernity as simulated media culture” a fascinating read (even though I struggled to understand the interrelated intricacies of the fragmented views that make up the post-modernity social theories). In particular, I was very interested in his theory that viewing social interplay as “signs and spectacles” leaves simulation the only reality.…
By: gfesadmin on September 26, 2012
Abstinence before marriage has long been held as an ideal; from the tribal Middle East origins of the monotheistic traditions to contemporary Christianity. Even the “mother of God” was abstinent as well as a virgin when she delivered Jesus. As the Christian church evolved, some traditions like polygamy and arranged marriages were left behind; while…
By: gfesadmin on September 26, 2012
The world is getting smaller, or at least it seems to be, because of globalization (or maybe it’s because I’m sitting in South Africa with 24 people from the United States). Globalization is the intensifying of relationships around the world, be it economic, technological or others. We might answer the age-old question of, ‘What does…
By: Joy Mindo on September 24, 2012
I have spent the week walking in the political capital of USA; visiting malls, museums, galleries and monuments that depict the past, the present and the future of men and women who have excelled in all many different spheres of life. This lay a good foundation for me as I read the book on social…
By: gfesadmin on September 23, 2012
Even the mention of social agendas can frustrate the common man, especially when politics are involved. However, one leading issue of our day, the education of our children, is an elephant in the room that we cannot ignore. It is an issue with international impact, one that effects how future generations will find their place…
By: gfesadmin on September 22, 2012
I traveled to Phoenix this week for a series of meetings. I commented to a stranger in the security line that this is my favorite place to publicly undress. He laughed and agreed. I looked up and saw the sign that all liquids and gels had to be in three ounce containers and that…
By: gfesadmin on September 20, 2012
Experiencing our Indian traffic can be quite an adventure. An outsider would easily assume that the average Indian is well versed with an extreme sport. And to a westerner, particularly, it would be completely chaotic, reckless, and dangerous. At first glance, there seems to be no order or structure to the way the traffic flows.…
By: gfesadmin on September 20, 2012
Two things, one from the past and one from the present weigh heavily on me during this present reading and even as I write now. Having had very little exposure to the study of social theory in the past, the initial reading of ’ Contemporary Social Theories’ by Anthony Elliot was a little tough but…
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…
