R. Douglas Geivett's Blog, page 12

Novel Quotation—What University Professors Do

This quotation comes from the novel A Novel Bookstore, by Laurence Cossé. It speaks knowingly of the professor’s vocation. ‘That’s the way they are, those university professors,’ said Madame Huon, ‘they work one day a week.’ ‘One day!’ echoed Madame Antonioz. ‘You need at least two hours to get to Chambéry. If you take off […]

The Docetist Heresy—Implications for the Incarnation and Resurrection of Jesus

A question about christology was posted in the “About Doug” section of this website. It seems fitting to copy my reply here. That questions seems to assume a view about Jesus Christ known as “Docetism.” Docetism is a heresy that confronted the early Christian church and was summarily condemned at the First Council of Nicaea […]

Forgiveness and the Problem of “Betrayal Bonding”

When I began writing about the virtue of forgiveness I recognized the need to identify prevalent yet mistaken attitudes about forgiveness. For example, many think that forgiving someone who is no longer living a meaningful act. But I maintain that this misunderstands forgiveness. Sometimes a virtuous form of behavior is confused with forgiveness. What I’ve […]

Animated Video on the Problem of Evil

I’m pleased to direct your attention to a new series of videos on the problem of evil for Christian theism, narrated by my friend Greg Ganssle. Greg is a philosopher at Yale University and a Senior Fellow of the Rivendell Institute at Yale. These are effective animated videos that encapsulate a treatment of the problem […]

No One Born on June 8? Context Matters

At the university where I teach there is a convenient website called “Inside Story,” intended for the edification of Biola University Employees. The page is updated daily. There are regular features—Announcements, Community News, a Schedule of Events, the Cafeteria Menu, etc. In one column there is a daily list titled “Happy Birthday!” Today (June 8, […]

First Lines: On Not Knowing the Answers to Questions Raised by Knowing

Who wrote this? Human reason has this peculiar fate that in one species of its knowledge it is burdened by questions which, as prescribed by the very nature of reason itself, it is not able to ignore, but which, as transcending all its powers, it is also not able to answer. Immanuel Kant, of course. […]

Not many people…

English: W. Somerset Maugham British writer (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Not many people know how much bitterness, how much bargaining, how much intrigue goes into the awarding of a prize or the election of a candidate. From the Preface of W. Somerset Maugham, A Writer’s Notebook This is true regardless of profession, and it shows up [...]

It is well that…

English: W. Somerset Maugham early in his career. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) It is well that a writer should think not only that the book he himself is writing is important, but that the books other people are writing are important too. From the Preface to W. Somerset Maugham, A Writer’s Notebook Filed under: Quotations, Quotations [...]

It Works for Me: Cleaning Drill Bits

If you’re looking for a way to clean those caked or otherwise dirty drill bits, here’s what I suggest: Squirt a small amount of Goof Off The Miracle Remover (available pretty much wherever hardware is sold, Home Depot included) on a small piece of cotton cloth or the corner of a cloth. Seize the drill [...]

Doug on Day of Discovery Broadcast/February & March 2013

Day of Discovery is re-airing a couple of programs that included Doug’s participation. The programs are “What Jesus Said About God: Is There a Higher Power?” and “What Jesus Said About Life After Death.” Following is the upcoming broadcast schedule:   Sunday, February 24, 2013         “What Jesus Said About God” Sunday, [...]