The problem of monofocus

(The outline of McGilchrist’s thesis is here: https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2023/11/07/introduction-to-the-master-and-his-emissary/) McGilchrist suggests that the two hemispheres of our brain tend to perceive the world differently. The left hemisphere tends to have a narrow beam, a tight focus on a specific area. The right hemisphere tends to have a broad awareness of everything that is going on. McGilchrist applies … Continue reading The problem of monofocus →

Freedom of association: the forgotten foundation for a free society

There are high profile campaigning groups for freedom of speech, and in the US a well known constitutional right to it. But many people have barely heard of freedom of association. So what is it, and why is it so important. Article 11 of the 1998 Human Rights Act declares that it is a right: … Continue reading Freedom of association: the forgotten foundation for a free society →

Further thoughts on evangelicalism as a protestant renewal movement

(Following this previous post: https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2023/12/07/an-evangelical-hypothesis/) In my previous post on this topic, I suggested that evangelicalism is best understood as a protestant renewal movement, and that when evangelicalism is unmoored from its protestant roots, it becomes distorted in various ways. Here, I outline three specific ways this happens. 1) Loss of vocation One of the … Continue reading Further thoughts on evangelicalism as a protestant renewal movement →

Direct simplicity and intriguing depths

Pete William's new book, "The Surprising Genius of Jesus" (https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433588365/the-surprising-genius-of-jesus) focuses on one chapter of Luke. He shows that Jesus is able to tells stories that are directly addressing the crowds, understood simply as a direct answer to the challenge of the Pharisees. But he also shows that Jesus is working into his stories layers … Continue reading Direct simplicity and intriguing depths →

God’s word and wisdom

(The outline of McGilchrist’s thesis is here: https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2023/11/07/introduction-to-the-master-and-his-emissary/) Last post on McGilchrist, we saw a correlation between hemisphere processing and Biblical interpretation. This time, we’re going to explore if that applies to God’s own communication to us. A reminder that McGilchrist suggests that the hemispheres’ distinct ways of attending to the world are brought together with … Continue reading God’s word and wisdom →

An evangelical hypothesis

Here are some theses on evangelical church culture (with a UK focus as that is what I know). 1. Evangelicalism is a Protestant renewal movement 2. Evangelical distinctives (relative to historic Protestantism) are a focus on gospel preaching calling every individual to personal conversion, personal heart-felt relationship with God for every believer, excellent mid-level teaching, … Continue reading An evangelical hypothesis →

Hemisphere order of processing inputs and implications for Bible interpretation

(The outline of McGilchrist’s thesis is here: https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2023/11/07/introduction-to-the-master-and-his-emissary/) Fairly early in his book, McGilchrist highlights research showing how information is processed between the hemispheres. This piqued my interest as having implications for the process for interpreting the Bible. McGilchrist suggests that the hemispheres’ distinct ways of attending to the world are brought together with a distinct … Continue reading Hemisphere order of processing inputs and implications for Bible interpretation →

The Secret Place of Thunder John Starke

Subtitle: Trading our need to be noticed for a hidden life with Christ John Starke starts his book with the pastoral crises of professionals during the covid lockdowns. He helpfully shows how we have moved from expressive individualism to performative individualism. People no longer seek to express their inner self with freedom, but a carefully … Continue reading The Secret Place of Thunder John Starke →