Category: Faith
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‘Learning Toward Transformation’: A working paper from my time in Kenya
In the year following my graduation from college, and before starting up graduate studies at Michigan State, I lived and worked in Western Kenya. I was working with the Africa Theological Seminary, which was developing a new economic development program and wanted some evaluation work done on this new program. When I arrived in Kitale,…
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Faith Meets the Evidence-based Spirit
This week I was forwarded an article in which Jessica Jackley (the co-founder of Kiva and crowdfunding aficionado) was interviewed in Christianity Today. The article, entitled Faith Meets the Entrepreneurial Spirit, deserves a read. That being said, I’d like to comment on several points made in the interview: In your book, you share how the…
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There are Still ‘Good Guys’ in the NFL
Ben Watson has always been one of my favorite all-time (non-superstar) professional sports players. Primarily due to this play… (P.S. I STILL don’t understand how that play did not result in a touchback. Like, I don’t understand the physics. But ANYWAY.) Ben sealed the deal for eternity with the following statement he posted on his…
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Kuyper’s Politics Today
Retrieving Calvin’s emphasis, Kuyper stands in the tradition of placing attention on creation and God’s sovereignty. A Reformed understanding of politics—as opposed to Anabaptist, Lutheran or secular perspectives—has traditionally recognized God’s sovereignty in the political realm and suggests that our political activities ought to mirror and glorify God as they rectify God’s creational purposes (in that arena).…
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“Faith and Business on the Razor’s Edge”: Some Post-Op Notes
During the past year I’ve had a distinct pleasure hanging out in Kenya working with Churches that work with businesspeople. Lately, the concept of integrating religious faith into business has been somewhat of a headline topic. Yesterday, I had a piece run in the CRCNA’s Do Justice Blog, a publishing site (presumably) for members of the…
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The Traveler’s Curse
Anyone who has spent significant time in more than one place knows that the moment you leave home; you never return. Sure you almost certainly may physically go back home but it will be different. With experience of life in a different place comes the fragmenting of your conceptualization of “home”. I’ve tried to define…
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The [RTC] for His Glory
I have (again) guest blogged in the blog of my colleague/boss/mentor. The Story RTC for His Glory If you want to read more about randomized control trials, how they work, why some people don’t like them, and why some people like them; read more here, here, here, here, here, here, here, or here.
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“Mission Trip” Syllabus
Over the past month or so I’ve received several requests (or invitations) to support various upcoming “Mission Trips” (or voluntourism trips). Some are weeklong trips over spring break and some are a couple weeks scheduled sometime in the summer months. Without going on for too long about my opinion of Mission Trips I would like…
Jeffrey R. Bloem 