Joshua Gibbs

Education, Mildness, and Apostasy

“By the time I finished school I was an imperfectly informed but convinced socialist, pacifist, and agnostic… I had been brought up as a member of the Church of England, liking God. He knew everything about me but was Love and he was Understanding, so it would be hard to do anything for which heContinue reading “Education, Mildness, and Apostasy”

Compulsory Learning Does Not Stick

“A little more than half way through Plato’s Republic, Socrates says something that’s bold, honest, and dispiriting enough to send even the heartiest of high school teachers on a two-day bender: “Compulsory intellectual work never remains in the mind.” He means exactly what you think he means. You can’t force someone to learn anything theyContinue reading “Compulsory Learning Does Not Stick”

The Enduring Appeal of “The Grinch”

“The Grinch can’t steal the thing that bothers him most about Christmas, which is the singing, but he can steal everything else—and in stealing everything else, the Grinch is fairly sure he’s going to steal their singing, too. He’s going to prove them all a bunch of hypocrites. While the Grinch never makes a wagerContinue reading “The Enduring Appeal of “The Grinch””

New Interview

Dean Abbott invited me on his podcast this week. You can hear the episode here.

Nudify: “Ahead Of Its Time” Was An Insult All Along

I would love for the Christian tech defenders who endlessly repeat the mantra, “Tools are morally neutral,” to weigh in on this. How do you suggest we redeem this one for Christ?

Socrates/Homer/Peter Jackson

Socrates’ complaints about Homer are my complaints about Peter Jackson.

Trust Your Enemies

“A man usually has no idea what is being said about him. The entire town may be slandering him, but if he has no friends he will never hear of it.” -Balzac “If a friend tell thee a fault, imagine always that he telleth thee not the whole.” -Thomas Fuller

A Brother Offended

A brother offended is not easily won; a brother easily offended is never won.

A Solution To The Problem Of People’s Phones Going Off During An Event

“Good evening, everyone. We’re so glad you’re here. I’d like to ask everyone to take this opportunity to silence your phones. If your phone goes off during the performance/service, we ask you make a $20 donation to our cause. You’ll find boxes near the exits where you can leave your donation. Thanks, and enjoy theContinue reading “A Solution To The Problem Of People’s Phones Going Off During An Event”

Christmas Comes But Once A Year

The latest episode of Proverbial is committed to the only real proverb which concerns Christmas.