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Terry Defoe

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Educated at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia (BA, Sociology, 1978), Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon Saskatchewan (M.Div., 1982), and the Open Learning University, Burnaby British Columbia (BA, Psychology, 2003). Defoe served as a chaplain at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. He has been interested in the science / faith dialog for more than 30 years. His intellectual journey took him from young earth creationism to an evolutionary perspective. Details at www.evolvingcertainties.com

In 2018, two years after he retired, he published Evolving Certainties: Resolving Conflict at the Intersection of Faith and Science which received endorsements from scientists affiliated with the BioLogos Association, including a Foreword from its first president, biologist Darrel Falk of Point Loma University in San Diego, as well as scientists holding membership in the American Scientific Affiliation, a group Defoe joined in 2019.

Recent research shows that many young people consider the evangelical church to be out of touch with scientific reality. Enhancing scientific literacy among evangelicals is, in Defoe's opinion, critically important. Re-establishing trust between science and religion is extremely important in today's highly polarized world. Defoe believes it is time to bring these discussions out into the open, and through a process of respectful conversation, raise awareness and hopefully, in the long run, increase acceptance of scientific expertise among conservative people of faith.

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Books by Terry Defoe

Highlights from Evolving Certainties: Resolving Conflict at the Intersection of Faith and Science

Evolving Certainties: Resolving Conflict at the Intersection of Faith and Science , 2018

A virulent strain of science denial has succeeded in politicizing scientific expertise. Science d... more A virulent strain of science denial has succeeded in politicizing scientific expertise. Science denial, which may involve one third of the US population, may be traced back, at least in part, to the evangelical community which has typically taught that science is atheistic and at war with religion. Newly revised and updated, Evolving Certainties presents a detailed overview of the many issues involved at the intersection of science and faith, as well as a thorough review of the literature. Evolutionary biology continues to challenge many people of faith. Evolving Certainties proposes that evolutionary science, rather than being destructive to faith, has the potential to enrich it in many ways.

Drafts by Terry Defoe

THEORIES OF THE PERSON AND PERSONALITY

The study of personality has long been a priority in psychology. Several schools of thought, each... more The study of personality has long been a priority in psychology. Several schools of thought, each seeking to explain this complicated phenomenon, have arisen over the years. This paper, written more than 30 years ago, was the author's first foray into a discussion of this topic. Information is presented in case study format and describes an individual-in this case a member of the clergy-and interprets the author's personal recollections and impressions in light of these differing paradigms. It applies several theoretical perspectives, one at a time, to the same dataset, demonstrating why it is best to avoid allegiance to a single point of view.

THE GIFTED CHURCH

This paper is about hermeneutics – the accurate interpretation of documents in line with the ori... more This paper is about hermeneutics – the accurate interpretation of documents in line with the original author’s intention-- including the interpretation of ancient documents like those that make up the Bible as we know it today. Defoe wrote this paper in 1981, in his final year of seminary. In the 1970s Defoe was part of the charismatic movement. A reading course provided Defoe with an opportunity to study the topic in detail. In the more than 30 years since this paper was written, priorities have changed, political alliances have changed and declining numbers have only accelerated the process. This paper offers an overview of the history of spiritual gifts in the New Testament and advocates for the ongoing importance of these gifts in the life of the church.

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES -- EVANGELICALS AND DONALD TRUMP

We have all seen the images. And we have heard the various interpretations of what occurred that ... more We have all seen the images. And we have heard the various interpretations of what occurred that day. We saw the crowds on the concourse of the US Capitol building. We saw the flags, the banners, the caps and the other paraphernalia. I was surprised to see the name of Jesus on some of those banners. I was puzzled by the Christian themes and images displayed at this event. The juxtaposition was jarring. I am an evangelical, a member of the clergy for almost 40 years. Something has happened to a significant portion of US evangelicalism. It appears angrier. More blatantly political. There is reason to believe that it is more divided than it has ever been. The idea of the separation of church and state seems to have been tossed into the trash bin by many contemporary evangelicals. Support for the former president has slipped somewhat since November 3rd but remains high. 1 A marriage of convenience, it seems-perceived by both parties to be mutually beneficial. The former president retains a faithful group of followers. And, for their part, his evangelical supporters had during his presidency, and in some senses believe they still have, a powerful politician who puts their concerns high on his priority list. Something ominous is going on in US politics. Intense polarization rules the day. That is certainly true in politics. It has expanded into the wider society as well. This polarization has divided families. It has increased distrust. The whole political system is increasingly dysfunctional. We have become desensitized to bad behavior, to needless attacks, to character assassination, and in some cases, to outright lies. The concept of truth has taken a beating. Truth is defined by many as whatever supports the party line. Many individuals just don't know who to trust. Or what to believe. 2 It's not surprising, given these realities, that democracy 1 Evangelicals are divided over the movement's support for DonaldTrump | The Economist 2 This situation bears some resemblance to a phenomenon called gaslighting, defined by Brittanica as "…an

ISSUES IN ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT

This paper, written in 1995, is a reminder of the kinds of issues being discussed at that time. A... more This paper, written in 1995, is a reminder of the kinds of issues being discussed at that time. Adolescence is often stressful because transitions are often stressful. Well-adjusted adolescents have support from family, from peers, and from significant others. They have parents who provide firm guidance while encouraging autonomy. Well-adjusted adolescents learn how to think critically-how to generate alternative hypotheses and test them. It is important to note that depression and suicide involve only a small percentage of adolescents. Most adolescents make a fairly smooth transition to adulthood. For those adolescents who do run into difficulties, however, many helpful resources are available. Adolescents' emerging formal operational thought opens the door to therapeutic interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Antidepressant Pharmacotherapy

This paper, written in 2001, is a review of commonly-held views regarding the etiology of depress... more This paper, written in 2001, is a review of commonly-held views regarding the etiology of depression being discussed three decades ago. Several hypotheses are explored here, including the neurotransmitter depletion model (Delgado & Moreno 1999), the monoamine hypothesis (Racagni & Brunello, 1999) and the cholinergicadrenergic equilibrium hypothesis (Fritze & Beckmann, 1988). Areas of the brain linked to depression are mentioned. In addition, an overview of various types of antidepressants is presented along with a description of how early medications were discovered. Each class or type of medication affects specific neurotransmitters. And each has a side-effect profile. In addition to the overview of medications, information on the physiological effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is included. As with antidepressant medications, ECT affects neurotransmitter systems as well. The paper concludes with a summary of the kinds of questions being raised at that time and lays out some suggestions for further study. An extensive reference list is included.

BOOK REVIEW --THE TRUTH ABOUT DENIAL

Bardon's book ought to be on everyone's list of books to read. His analysis of our modern society... more Bardon's book ought to be on everyone's list of books to read. His analysis of our modern society is chilling. His analysis, buttressed by the latest academic research, leads him to this conclusion: "We desperately need to make better decisions about energy and the environment, health, and political economy. They are massively exacerbated by the pernicious effects of implicit bias and self-deception." (page 295)

Perspectives on Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory

Human beings have a need to understand -- themselves and others -- the world around them -- and t... more Human beings have a need to understand -- themselves and others -- the world around them -- and the cosmos of which they are but a minute part. That understanding may be based on scientific discovery. And, when that is lacking, speculation will suffice. Each individual cobbles together their particular worldview and, for the most part, clings to it tenaciously. Some individuals, however, experience a profound change in their worldview. This paper, now more than twenty years old, reviews the work of Jack Mezirow on transformative learning in adults and offers suggestions as to why some individuals undergo a radical shift in their understanding of themselves and their world.

Perspectives on an Evangelical Paradigm Shift

Academia letters, Jun 30, 2021

Perspectives on Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory

Changing Minds: Perspectives on Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory , 2000

Human beings have a need to understand -- themselves and others -- the world around them -- and t... more Human beings have a need to understand -- themselves and others -- the world around them -- and the cosmos of which they are but a minute part. That understanding may be based on scientific discovery. And, when that is lacking, speculation will suffice. Each individual cobbles together their particular worldview and, for the most part, clings to it tenaciously. Some individuals, however, experience a profound change in their worldview. This paper, now more than twenty years old, reviews the work of Jack Mezirow on transformative learning in adults and offers suggestions as to why some individuals undergo a radical shift in their understanding of themselves and their world.

AN ANALYSIS OF BERNARD RAMM'S INFLUENCE ON YOUNG EARTH CREATIONISM

Bernard Ramm's influence on the science / faith dialogue continues to this day. His 1954 book, Th... more Bernard Ramm's influence on the science / faith dialogue continues to this day. His 1954 book, The Christian View of Science and Scripture, was critical of what he termed "hyper-orthodox" Christians who adopted an adversarial relationship with science. Ramm's critique of so-called flood geology, a foundational teaching of young earth creationism, prompted Henry Morris and John Whitcomb to write their 1961 classic, The Genesis Flood. Ramm's call for respectful conversation between anti-evolutionists and science unintentionally spurred on an astonishing period of growth in science denial in general and young earth creationism in particular.

Papers by Terry Defoe

THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT Searching for Truth in a Culture of Denial

Modern technology has fostered a revolution in communication technologies. Individuals are on the... more Modern technology has fostered a revolution in communication technologies. Individuals are on the receiving end of more information now than ever before. And that information is increasingly provided by partisan news sources and social media whose journalistic standards are problematic. Individuals are called upon to assess the trustworthiness of this information. With A.I.-generated disinformation making inroads, the gift of discernment is more important than ever.

THE REVOLT AGAINST REASON -- Dealing with Denial in its Various Forms

Modern technology has fostered a revolution in communication technologies. Individuals are on the... more Modern technology has fostered a revolution in communication technologies. Individuals are on the receiving end of more information now than ever before. And that information is increasingly provided by partisan news sources and social media whose journalistic standards are less than optimal. Individuals are called upon to assess the trustworthiness of this information and now with A.I.-generated disinformation making inroads, discernment is more important than ever. Modern media affords consumers the ability to sort through an array of information choices, picking those that tell them what they want to hear. Many individuals respond to information that challenges their beliefs by using the various heuristics and psychological shortcuts (McRaney and Hagen 2011, 268) which are mentioned in this paper. This paper outlines the findings of the social sciences on the phenomenon of denial, in relation to important social policy decisions, such as those related to climate change, which may be made on the basis of politicized, less-than-factual information. The paper also discusses strategies for dealing with denial in its various forms.

PERSPECTIVES ON THE SOCIOLOGY OF SCIENCE

For each of us, there are certain things worthy of preservation. This paper – written more than f... more For each of us, there are certain things worthy of preservation. This paper – written more than forty years ago – was one of them for me. Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn. Important voices in the Sociology of Science. Popper tends to focus on the timeless and universal, emphasizing the importance of falsification in scientific methodology. Kuhn takes a more sociological perspective, stressing that ideas have a social context. Popper the purist. Thomas Kuhn the pragmatist. Both of these voices were important forty years ago and remain so today.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SHAME

Shame is the most social of all emotions. It is also the most human. It seems that the experience... more Shame is the most social of all emotions. It is also the most human. It seems that the experience of shame is the price we pay for being human. Shame involves self-criticism, with an individual’s perception of social impropriety and exposed inadequacy. Shame is a component of human value-systems and morality. It encourages individuals to respect social standards, and the boundaries of respected others. As social standards change so do the roots of shame. Robert Karen says: "Everywhere one looks (today) – dishonorable, indecent, and frightfully 'liberated' people openly violate the standards that shame once guarded." That which causes shame today may be quite different from the past.

UNDERSTANDING TRANSFORMATION THEORY

Theories represent varying degrees of consensus at a certain point in time among scholars in a pa... more Theories represent varying degrees of consensus at a certain point in time among scholars in a particular discipline. This paper, written in the year 2000 as an assignment for a psychology course on adult learning, provides insights into concepts advocated at that time by Jack Mezirow's Transformation Theory. This theory puts adult learning into a social context, describing how individuals take on certain perspectives through socialization. Those perspectives, however, are often faulty, based on misinformation, and when tested by some sort of crisis, fail to provide the required assistance. This crisis may be the catalyst for a process called transformative learning, which updates dysfunctional beliefs with insights that lead to improve coping skills. References in parentheses are from Mezirow, 1991.

PERSPECTIVES ON CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM

Christian nationalism is theocracy in a Christian context. It is being proposed by many evangelic... more Christian nationalism is theocracy in a Christian context. It is being proposed by many evangelicals, especially those in the MAGA movement. Christian nationalism was implemented in a covert sort of way in the Trump administration. Should Donald Trump be re-elected president in November 2024, all indications are that what was covert will move to the overt. Theocracy, Christian or not, is inherently anti-democratic, exclusionary, and divisive. This paper places Christian nationalism into a historical context. It also discusses present developments and plans for the future. This paper argues that evangelicals have drifted far from their original calling and have turned politics into a sort of idol. It calls for a major course correction, for the sake of democracy, as well as for the integrity and reputation of the evangelical faith itself.

Evangelical Science Denial

God and Nature Magazine, 2020

The author describes an intellectual journey which took him from young earth creationism to an ev... more The author describes an intellectual journey which took him from young earth creationism to an evolutionary perspective. Rather than eroding evangelical faith, science, rightly understood, can lead to a more accurate interpretation of scripture's creation accounts. The author argues that evangelical resistance to biological science is ideologically driven. Scientific evidence is summarily dismissed, based on the presupposition that the young earth interpretation of the Bible's creation accounts is beyond reproach, with proponents either unaware of or ignoring the fact that scientific methodology has built-in limitations with regard to the supernatural and displays a healthy agnosticism toward the spiritual and metaphysical.

LESSONS FROM THE WITTENBERG CIRCLE

This paper compares Babylon's cosmology with the cosmology embedded in the Bible. Certain aspects... more This paper compares Babylon's cosmology with the cosmology embedded in the Bible. Certain aspects of Israel's cosmology persisted until the 16 th century when Catholic priest Nicolaus Copernicus proposed a radically counterintuitive heliocentric model of the solar system. Despite concerns expressed by both Luther and Melanchthon, the Wittenberg Circle, a group of professors at the University, indicated their strong support for Copernicus, an affirmation which was a major boost to the nascent Scientific Revolution. This paper provides a brief overview of young earth creationist cosmology, as an example of a contemporary group that mandates a pre-scientific version of cosmology. The Wittenberg Circle provides contemporary Christians with a viable model for encouraging the continued study of challenging issues despite misgivings by group leaders. It is argued that this kind of respectful compromise will benefit both faith and science.

WHAT KIND OF SCIENCE IS FOUND IN THE BIBLE?

Although the Bible speaks of natural phenomena, it is not a science book. The “science” in the Bi... more Although the Bible speaks of natural phenomena, it is not a science book. The “science” in the Bible provides a valuable glimpse into what was considered the best knowledge of the day – knowledge that we now understand was pre-scientific not anti-scientific. From today’s perspective, that information is often inaccurate, speculative, and at best incomplete. The Bible’s science is an ancient science, phenomenological (common-sense), gathered through limited and often fallible human senses. The motivation of those ancient authors was no doubt honorable. Through no fault of their own, they lacked the proper methods and tools that would enable them to understand these often counter-intuitive facts. Simply put, scientific methodology keeps people from fooling themselves.

Highlights from Evolving Certainties: Resolving Conflict at the Intersection of Faith and Science

Evolving Certainties: Resolving Conflict at the Intersection of Faith and Science , 2018

A virulent strain of science denial has succeeded in politicizing scientific expertise. Science d... more A virulent strain of science denial has succeeded in politicizing scientific expertise. Science denial, which may involve one third of the US population, may be traced back, at least in part, to the evangelical community which has typically taught that science is atheistic and at war with religion. Newly revised and updated, Evolving Certainties presents a detailed overview of the many issues involved at the intersection of science and faith, as well as a thorough review of the literature. Evolutionary biology continues to challenge many people of faith. Evolving Certainties proposes that evolutionary science, rather than being destructive to faith, has the potential to enrich it in many ways.

THEORIES OF THE PERSON AND PERSONALITY

The study of personality has long been a priority in psychology. Several schools of thought, each... more The study of personality has long been a priority in psychology. Several schools of thought, each seeking to explain this complicated phenomenon, have arisen over the years. This paper, written more than 30 years ago, was the author's first foray into a discussion of this topic. Information is presented in case study format and describes an individual-in this case a member of the clergy-and interprets the author's personal recollections and impressions in light of these differing paradigms. It applies several theoretical perspectives, one at a time, to the same dataset, demonstrating why it is best to avoid allegiance to a single point of view.

THE GIFTED CHURCH

This paper is about hermeneutics – the accurate interpretation of documents in line with the ori... more This paper is about hermeneutics – the accurate interpretation of documents in line with the original author’s intention-- including the interpretation of ancient documents like those that make up the Bible as we know it today. Defoe wrote this paper in 1981, in his final year of seminary. In the 1970s Defoe was part of the charismatic movement. A reading course provided Defoe with an opportunity to study the topic in detail. In the more than 30 years since this paper was written, priorities have changed, political alliances have changed and declining numbers have only accelerated the process. This paper offers an overview of the history of spiritual gifts in the New Testament and advocates for the ongoing importance of these gifts in the life of the church.

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES -- EVANGELICALS AND DONALD TRUMP

We have all seen the images. And we have heard the various interpretations of what occurred that ... more We have all seen the images. And we have heard the various interpretations of what occurred that day. We saw the crowds on the concourse of the US Capitol building. We saw the flags, the banners, the caps and the other paraphernalia. I was surprised to see the name of Jesus on some of those banners. I was puzzled by the Christian themes and images displayed at this event. The juxtaposition was jarring. I am an evangelical, a member of the clergy for almost 40 years. Something has happened to a significant portion of US evangelicalism. It appears angrier. More blatantly political. There is reason to believe that it is more divided than it has ever been. The idea of the separation of church and state seems to have been tossed into the trash bin by many contemporary evangelicals. Support for the former president has slipped somewhat since November 3rd but remains high. 1 A marriage of convenience, it seems-perceived by both parties to be mutually beneficial. The former president retains a faithful group of followers. And, for their part, his evangelical supporters had during his presidency, and in some senses believe they still have, a powerful politician who puts their concerns high on his priority list. Something ominous is going on in US politics. Intense polarization rules the day. That is certainly true in politics. It has expanded into the wider society as well. This polarization has divided families. It has increased distrust. The whole political system is increasingly dysfunctional. We have become desensitized to bad behavior, to needless attacks, to character assassination, and in some cases, to outright lies. The concept of truth has taken a beating. Truth is defined by many as whatever supports the party line. Many individuals just don't know who to trust. Or what to believe. 2 It's not surprising, given these realities, that democracy 1 Evangelicals are divided over the movement's support for DonaldTrump | The Economist 2 This situation bears some resemblance to a phenomenon called gaslighting, defined by Brittanica as "…an

ISSUES IN ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT

This paper, written in 1995, is a reminder of the kinds of issues being discussed at that time. A... more This paper, written in 1995, is a reminder of the kinds of issues being discussed at that time. Adolescence is often stressful because transitions are often stressful. Well-adjusted adolescents have support from family, from peers, and from significant others. They have parents who provide firm guidance while encouraging autonomy. Well-adjusted adolescents learn how to think critically-how to generate alternative hypotheses and test them. It is important to note that depression and suicide involve only a small percentage of adolescents. Most adolescents make a fairly smooth transition to adulthood. For those adolescents who do run into difficulties, however, many helpful resources are available. Adolescents' emerging formal operational thought opens the door to therapeutic interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Antidepressant Pharmacotherapy

This paper, written in 2001, is a review of commonly-held views regarding the etiology of depress... more This paper, written in 2001, is a review of commonly-held views regarding the etiology of depression being discussed three decades ago. Several hypotheses are explored here, including the neurotransmitter depletion model (Delgado & Moreno 1999), the monoamine hypothesis (Racagni & Brunello, 1999) and the cholinergicadrenergic equilibrium hypothesis (Fritze & Beckmann, 1988). Areas of the brain linked to depression are mentioned. In addition, an overview of various types of antidepressants is presented along with a description of how early medications were discovered. Each class or type of medication affects specific neurotransmitters. And each has a side-effect profile. In addition to the overview of medications, information on the physiological effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is included. As with antidepressant medications, ECT affects neurotransmitter systems as well. The paper concludes with a summary of the kinds of questions being raised at that time and lays out some suggestions for further study. An extensive reference list is included.

BOOK REVIEW --THE TRUTH ABOUT DENIAL

Bardon's book ought to be on everyone's list of books to read. His analysis of our modern society... more Bardon's book ought to be on everyone's list of books to read. His analysis of our modern society is chilling. His analysis, buttressed by the latest academic research, leads him to this conclusion: "We desperately need to make better decisions about energy and the environment, health, and political economy. They are massively exacerbated by the pernicious effects of implicit bias and self-deception." (page 295)

Perspectives on Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory

Human beings have a need to understand -- themselves and others -- the world around them -- and t... more Human beings have a need to understand -- themselves and others -- the world around them -- and the cosmos of which they are but a minute part. That understanding may be based on scientific discovery. And, when that is lacking, speculation will suffice. Each individual cobbles together their particular worldview and, for the most part, clings to it tenaciously. Some individuals, however, experience a profound change in their worldview. This paper, now more than twenty years old, reviews the work of Jack Mezirow on transformative learning in adults and offers suggestions as to why some individuals undergo a radical shift in their understanding of themselves and their world.

Perspectives on an Evangelical Paradigm Shift

Academia letters, Jun 30, 2021

Perspectives on Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory

Changing Minds: Perspectives on Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory , 2000

Human beings have a need to understand -- themselves and others -- the world around them -- and t... more Human beings have a need to understand -- themselves and others -- the world around them -- and the cosmos of which they are but a minute part. That understanding may be based on scientific discovery. And, when that is lacking, speculation will suffice. Each individual cobbles together their particular worldview and, for the most part, clings to it tenaciously. Some individuals, however, experience a profound change in their worldview. This paper, now more than twenty years old, reviews the work of Jack Mezirow on transformative learning in adults and offers suggestions as to why some individuals undergo a radical shift in their understanding of themselves and their world.

AN ANALYSIS OF BERNARD RAMM'S INFLUENCE ON YOUNG EARTH CREATIONISM

Bernard Ramm's influence on the science / faith dialogue continues to this day. His 1954 book, Th... more Bernard Ramm's influence on the science / faith dialogue continues to this day. His 1954 book, The Christian View of Science and Scripture, was critical of what he termed "hyper-orthodox" Christians who adopted an adversarial relationship with science. Ramm's critique of so-called flood geology, a foundational teaching of young earth creationism, prompted Henry Morris and John Whitcomb to write their 1961 classic, The Genesis Flood. Ramm's call for respectful conversation between anti-evolutionists and science unintentionally spurred on an astonishing period of growth in science denial in general and young earth creationism in particular.

THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT Searching for Truth in a Culture of Denial

Modern technology has fostered a revolution in communication technologies. Individuals are on the... more Modern technology has fostered a revolution in communication technologies. Individuals are on the receiving end of more information now than ever before. And that information is increasingly provided by partisan news sources and social media whose journalistic standards are problematic. Individuals are called upon to assess the trustworthiness of this information. With A.I.-generated disinformation making inroads, the gift of discernment is more important than ever.

THE REVOLT AGAINST REASON -- Dealing with Denial in its Various Forms

Modern technology has fostered a revolution in communication technologies. Individuals are on the... more Modern technology has fostered a revolution in communication technologies. Individuals are on the receiving end of more information now than ever before. And that information is increasingly provided by partisan news sources and social media whose journalistic standards are less than optimal. Individuals are called upon to assess the trustworthiness of this information and now with A.I.-generated disinformation making inroads, discernment is more important than ever. Modern media affords consumers the ability to sort through an array of information choices, picking those that tell them what they want to hear. Many individuals respond to information that challenges their beliefs by using the various heuristics and psychological shortcuts (McRaney and Hagen 2011, 268) which are mentioned in this paper. This paper outlines the findings of the social sciences on the phenomenon of denial, in relation to important social policy decisions, such as those related to climate change, which may be made on the basis of politicized, less-than-factual information. The paper also discusses strategies for dealing with denial in its various forms.

PERSPECTIVES ON THE SOCIOLOGY OF SCIENCE

For each of us, there are certain things worthy of preservation. This paper – written more than f... more For each of us, there are certain things worthy of preservation. This paper – written more than forty years ago – was one of them for me. Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn. Important voices in the Sociology of Science. Popper tends to focus on the timeless and universal, emphasizing the importance of falsification in scientific methodology. Kuhn takes a more sociological perspective, stressing that ideas have a social context. Popper the purist. Thomas Kuhn the pragmatist. Both of these voices were important forty years ago and remain so today.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SHAME

Shame is the most social of all emotions. It is also the most human. It seems that the experience... more Shame is the most social of all emotions. It is also the most human. It seems that the experience of shame is the price we pay for being human. Shame involves self-criticism, with an individual’s perception of social impropriety and exposed inadequacy. Shame is a component of human value-systems and morality. It encourages individuals to respect social standards, and the boundaries of respected others. As social standards change so do the roots of shame. Robert Karen says: "Everywhere one looks (today) – dishonorable, indecent, and frightfully 'liberated' people openly violate the standards that shame once guarded." That which causes shame today may be quite different from the past.

UNDERSTANDING TRANSFORMATION THEORY

Theories represent varying degrees of consensus at a certain point in time among scholars in a pa... more Theories represent varying degrees of consensus at a certain point in time among scholars in a particular discipline. This paper, written in the year 2000 as an assignment for a psychology course on adult learning, provides insights into concepts advocated at that time by Jack Mezirow's Transformation Theory. This theory puts adult learning into a social context, describing how individuals take on certain perspectives through socialization. Those perspectives, however, are often faulty, based on misinformation, and when tested by some sort of crisis, fail to provide the required assistance. This crisis may be the catalyst for a process called transformative learning, which updates dysfunctional beliefs with insights that lead to improve coping skills. References in parentheses are from Mezirow, 1991.

PERSPECTIVES ON CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM

Christian nationalism is theocracy in a Christian context. It is being proposed by many evangelic... more Christian nationalism is theocracy in a Christian context. It is being proposed by many evangelicals, especially those in the MAGA movement. Christian nationalism was implemented in a covert sort of way in the Trump administration. Should Donald Trump be re-elected president in November 2024, all indications are that what was covert will move to the overt. Theocracy, Christian or not, is inherently anti-democratic, exclusionary, and divisive. This paper places Christian nationalism into a historical context. It also discusses present developments and plans for the future. This paper argues that evangelicals have drifted far from their original calling and have turned politics into a sort of idol. It calls for a major course correction, for the sake of democracy, as well as for the integrity and reputation of the evangelical faith itself.

Evangelical Science Denial

God and Nature Magazine, 2020

The author describes an intellectual journey which took him from young earth creationism to an ev... more The author describes an intellectual journey which took him from young earth creationism to an evolutionary perspective. Rather than eroding evangelical faith, science, rightly understood, can lead to a more accurate interpretation of scripture's creation accounts. The author argues that evangelical resistance to biological science is ideologically driven. Scientific evidence is summarily dismissed, based on the presupposition that the young earth interpretation of the Bible's creation accounts is beyond reproach, with proponents either unaware of or ignoring the fact that scientific methodology has built-in limitations with regard to the supernatural and displays a healthy agnosticism toward the spiritual and metaphysical.

LESSONS FROM THE WITTENBERG CIRCLE

This paper compares Babylon's cosmology with the cosmology embedded in the Bible. Certain aspects... more This paper compares Babylon's cosmology with the cosmology embedded in the Bible. Certain aspects of Israel's cosmology persisted until the 16 th century when Catholic priest Nicolaus Copernicus proposed a radically counterintuitive heliocentric model of the solar system. Despite concerns expressed by both Luther and Melanchthon, the Wittenberg Circle, a group of professors at the University, indicated their strong support for Copernicus, an affirmation which was a major boost to the nascent Scientific Revolution. This paper provides a brief overview of young earth creationist cosmology, as an example of a contemporary group that mandates a pre-scientific version of cosmology. The Wittenberg Circle provides contemporary Christians with a viable model for encouraging the continued study of challenging issues despite misgivings by group leaders. It is argued that this kind of respectful compromise will benefit both faith and science.

WHAT KIND OF SCIENCE IS FOUND IN THE BIBLE?

Although the Bible speaks of natural phenomena, it is not a science book. The “science” in the Bi... more Although the Bible speaks of natural phenomena, it is not a science book. The “science” in the Bible provides a valuable glimpse into what was considered the best knowledge of the day – knowledge that we now understand was pre-scientific not anti-scientific. From today’s perspective, that information is often inaccurate, speculative, and at best incomplete. The Bible’s science is an ancient science, phenomenological (common-sense), gathered through limited and often fallible human senses. The motivation of those ancient authors was no doubt honorable. Through no fault of their own, they lacked the proper methods and tools that would enable them to understand these often counter-intuitive facts. Simply put, scientific methodology keeps people from fooling themselves.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION

Very few experiences in life are transformative. This paper describes a therapy that, for this au... more Very few experiences in life are transformative. This paper describes a therapy that, for this author at least, was just that. Submitted nineteen years ago as an honors thesis, prior to earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, this paper marks the end of a twelve-year journey from an individual suffering from a debilitating depression to a person describing the therapy that not only dispatched the depression, but also realigned his subsequent thinking patterns and motivated him, while he was involved in full-time parish ministry, to earn that psychology degree. This paper is a snapshot of cognitive-behavioral therapy (C-BT)at one stage in its evolutionary journey -- one iteration of many. It outlines the historical and theoretical foundations of C-BT, as well as process and outcome variables. In addition, it provides a sampling of the literature current at the time.

PERSPECTIVES ON DEPRESSION IN WOMEN

This paper discusses the strong correlation between women’s socialization and the occurrence of d... more This paper discusses the strong correlation between women’s socialization and the occurrence of depression among women. It reviews Jack’s (1991) argument relating women’s depression to the sacrifice of the self required of women by a patriarchal society.
It suggests strategies for counseling based on a feminist perspective. It makes suggestions regarding assessment, treatment, and follow-up. A role- model for women struggling with depression is presented. This paper argues that depression can be an opportunity for a woman’s personal growth. A woman’s encounter with depression, in the context of a supportive therapeutic relationship, may in fact serve to strengthen her sense of self and empower her to renew the important relationships in her life

The Ethics of Abortion Circa 1982

This is an edited version of a fourth-year seminary paper submitted nearly 40 years ago. The subj... more This is an edited version of a fourth-year seminary paper submitted nearly 40 years ago. The subject matter is unchanged. This material is presented with the hope that it provides an overview of the kinds of issues related to abortion that were being discussed in the evangelical community in the early 1980's, providing a baseline against which today's issues may be compared.

A HOUSE DIVIDED: EVANGELICALS, AN INSURRECTION AND DONALD TRUMP

This paper is a sequel to an article published in Academia Letters titled Perspectives on an Evan... more This paper is a sequel to an article published in Academia Letters titled Perspectives on an Evangelical Identity Crisis. This paper was published in RightingAmerica.net in January 2022. It investigates the participation of evangelical Christians in the uprising at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ADULTHOOD AND AGING

This paper is based on information gathered in a structured interview. Written in 1997, the paper... more This paper is based on information gathered in a structured interview. Written in 1997, the paper is based on the life-experiences of an 88 year-old woman. After a description of the interview process, a brief biography is presented. Patterns of development are interpreted in light of the life events framework as well as the life period analysis. Finally, information about life experiences in the areas of work, family, and friends are related to research current in the late 90's. The author concludes that the life-events framework is a better explanatory model in this particular scenario than the life-period analysis. Adult development is a continuing process and much important developmental work can occur in the retirement years. Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.

An Opportune Time -- Encouraging Evangelicals to Re-engage with Science

Many evangelicals are uneasy with biological science. It has to do with a perceived challenge to ... more Many evangelicals are uneasy with biological science. It has to do with a perceived challenge to long-standing doctrines and teachings regarding origins. Science raises important issues such as the authority of the Bible, its inspiration and the basic understanding among evangelicals that the Bible, the very Word of God, is inerrant. Many mainline Protestants as well as Roman Catholics have made peace with science. Its time for evangelicals to do the same.

A Sociological Analysis of Neo-Pentecostalism

Neo-Pentecostalism has had a major impact on the contemporary Christian church. Also known as the... more Neo-Pentecostalism has had a major impact on the contemporary Christian church. Also known as the charismatic renewal, this movement impacted many Christian denominations, introducing Pentecostal-style worship and teachings. This paper covers the time period from the late fifties to the late seventies. Items of interest to the sociology of religion include the positive reception afforded by Christian academia as well as affluent individuals. Also of interest are unusual religious practices such as glossolalia (speaking in tongues), the so-called baptism of the Holy Spirit, faith healing and other expressions of supernaturalism.

PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER AND THE EXPERIENCE OF DIVORCE

This paper explores the influence of gender on the experience of divorce as it was being discusse... more This paper explores the influence of gender on the experience of divorce as it was being discussed in the literature in the late 1990's. A discussion of traditional gender-based expectations related to divorce is supplemented by research on the effects of divorce on men and women-with special emphasis on factors that either buffer or exacerbate common stresses and strains associated with divorce. In addition, an overview of the personal, social, and employment-related resources that men and women may bring to bear on the process of divorce is included.

Perspectives on an Evangelical Identity Crisis

Academia letters, 2021

PERSPECTIVES ON AN EVANGELICAL IDENTITY CRISIS

Academia Letters, 2021

We have all seen the images. And we have heard the various interpretations of what occurred that ... more We have all seen the images. And we have heard the various interpretations of what occurred that day. We saw the crowds on the concourse of the US Capitol building. We saw the flags, the banners, the caps and the other paraphernalia. I was surprised to see the name of Jesus on some of those banners. I was puzzled by the Christian themes and images displayed at this event. The juxtaposition was jarring. I am an evangelical, a member of the clergy for almost 40 years. Something has happened to a significant portion of US evangelicalism. It appears angrier. More blatantly political. There is reason to believe that it is more divided than it has ever been. The idea of the separation of church and state seems to have been tossed into the trash bin by many contemporary evangelicals. Support for the former president has slipped somewhat since November 3rd but remains high. 1 A marriage of convenience, it seems-perceived by both parties to be mutually beneficial. The former president retains a faithful group of followers. And, for their part, his evangelical supporters had during his presidency, and in some senses believe they still have, a powerful politician who puts their concerns high on his priority list. Something ominous is going on in US politics. Intense polarization rules the day. That is certainly true in politics. It has expanded into the wider society as well. This polarization has divided families. It has increased distrust. The whole political system is increasingly dysfunctional. We have become desensitized to bad behavior, to needless attacks, to character assassination, and in some cases, to outright lies. The concept of truth has taken a beating. Truth is defined by many as whatever supports the party line. Many individuals just don't know 1 Evangelicals are divided over the movement's support for DonaldTrump | The Economist