Scripture reveals a coherent vision of God’s story, which helps us to discern the path of a faithful response in our specific context. As with all stories, knowing how the biblical story begins and ends is critical to understanding the pivotal action in the middle. The story of God’s interaction with humanity starts in a Garden (Eden) and ends in a City (the new Jerusalem). The cross on the hill of Golgotha is the fulcrum in between.
In our story’s beginning, God delegates authority for the upkeep of the earthly kingdom to us, the creatures he has made to be most like Him. Under His sovereignty, humans are charged with the stewardship of every living thing: “Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28). This command, also called the Cultural Mandate, is an original blessing of God purposed for our good and the well-being of the garden-planet entrusted to our care. Here in Eden humans have communion with God, unity with one another, and peace in our environment. This is God’s design. [Read more →]
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Culture, according to Webster’s Dictionary, refers to “the sum total of the beliefs, accomplishments, and behavior patterns of a group of people.” Culture captures the way in which our collective actions develop into habits, rituals, values, worldviews, and lived-out aspirations.
Each metropolitan area can be associated with a unique set of overarching cultural themes, along with many subcultures. Describing the culture of Knoxville1 is akin to asking the proverbial blind men to describe an elephant: Point of view is everything. Looking at the big picture, Knoxville is a suburban culture with an Anglo-American ethos (with Caucasians making up 88% of Knox County residents).2 That we live in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains and on clear days can enjoy their natural beauty seems to exert a certain influence upon us all. We enjoy four distinct seasons and the social rhythms associated with a university town. [Read more →]
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January 20th, 2009 · Events
New City Resources in partnership with Regent College is proud to present our Winter 2009 Seminar:
Webs, Calls, Texts, and Tones: Practicing the Presence of God in a Wireless World
Jennie McLaurin, Medical Doctor and Associate Professor of Bioethics and Dean of Students at Regent College, will be our guide as we explore what it is to practice the presence of God in an ever increasing world of ubiquitous communication. Details and registration information for this event are as follows: [Read more →]
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An Essay on Knoxville Culture
By Kenny Woodhull
Occasioned by a Request to Contribute to Knoxville Salt & Light Guidebook (2009)
Describing the culture of Knoxville is akin to asking the proverbial blind men to describe an elephant. One man, grasping the trunk, says an elephant is like a large hose. Another, holding the tail, declares an elephant resembles a stiff rope. A third, clutching a leg, says an elephant is like a sturdy tree. A fourth declares that the other three are altogether wrong: an elephant, he explains, is an immovable wall of skin and muscle as big as a house.
Point of view is everything. Let me acknowledge at the outset that this perspective on Knoxville culture is one man’s limited assessment of a monumental issue, a subject so large and diverse that no single person or perspective can hope to do it justice. [Read more →]
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July 5th, 2008 · Events
New City Resources and Regent College present our Fall 2008 Seminar: Worldview at Work. Our principal speaker will be Paul Stevens, Professor Emeritus from Regent Collge, Vancouver, Canada. In addition, several local professionals will contribute and share their case studies.
[Read more →]
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