Eloquence is Overrated Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exodus 4:10 (NASB) Most of us can relate to the idea of speech anxiety. For many, speaking in front of …
New Vlog Entry, Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies, with Stephanie Bennett
Today we look at Marilyn McEntyre’s book, Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies. Our discussion involves finding ways to overcome the challenges of living in a world where lying and all its cousins (propaganda, manipulation, expletives, and other abuses of language) seem perfectly okay as long as there is money to be made. A healthy society is careful about the …
A Prayer for Peace, by St Cyprian of Carthage (210-258 AD)
Prayer for Peace – St Cyprian of Carthage (210-258 AD) We beg and beseech the God whom the enemies of the Church are forever provoking and irritating that he would tame their wild hearts. May their rage subside and calm return to their hearts; may their minds, clouded by the darkness their sins produce, repent and see the light; may …
Free Recording of C.S. Lewis Workshop with Steve Beebe, “Teaching C.S. Lewis: Chronicles of a Master Communicator”
This free offer is available to CCSN members, supporters, and friends, and others who may be interested in being part of the community. Whether you teach C.S. Lewis, or want to include material about him in your class/sermon/teaching/writing, or you want to find out what specific communication strategies and principles he used in his writing and speaking to connect so …
Column entry, “truths or Truth,” by Brandon Knight
Column Title: In Search of Right Words: Saint Augustine, Rhetoric, and Preaching By Brandon Knight, Ph.D. William Carey University September: “truths or Truth” Column Description: Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, in his work On Christian Doctrine, illustrates the important relationship between preaching and rhetoric. Even in his day, many questioned what use the church could possibly gain from the study of oratory. …
Quote of the Week, Wisdom and Understanding
“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” –Proverbs 18:2 (NIV)
Column Entry, Doubting Faith, by Mark Williams
Column Title: Meaningful-Faith: Words, the Word, and a Life of Substance Column Entry: “Doubting Faith” By Mark Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Rhetoric, California State University, Sacramento June 2024 / May 2024 / November 2022 / October 2022 / March 2022 / February 2022 / November 2021 / October 2021 / September 2021 / August 2021 / June-July 2021 / April-May 2021 …
A Prayer to God the Father, by Saint Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202 AD)
Prayer to God the Father – St Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202 AD) I appeal to you, Lord, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob and Israel, You the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Infinitely merciful as You are, it is Your will that we should learn to know You. You made heaven and earth, You rule supreme over …
Column entry, “Pentecost, Power, and Powery’s Becoming Human,” by John Hatch
Column title: Crossed My Mind: Thoughts on Culture and Communication Column entry: Pentecost, Power, and Powery’s Becoming Human By John Hatch, Ph.D. Eastern University (retired) CCSN Senior Fellow Column Description: As Christians, we are called to have the mind of Christ. This goes against the grain of our social and cultural conditioning. We seek personal or political advancement; Christ seeks the lost …
A Prayer for Words, by Timothy Keller
“Make my words honest and true, economical and few, wise and well chosen, calm and kind. Give me so much love and grace that this kind of conversation comes naturally to me. Amen.” —Timothy Keller, (1950-2023)
