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The Pharisees’ Argument: Five Logical Fallacies
The fruitless argument surrounds us these days, permeating all forms of media, the classroom, and even the dinner table. As I was reading in John 9 where Jesus comes into conflict with the Pharisees because He healed a blind man on the Sabbath, I found the arguments hauntingly familiar. Rife with logical fallacies, the arguments of the Pharisees have one goal only: to maintain power at any cost. The story begins with Jesus rubbing clay on the eyes of a blind man and instructing him to wash it off in the Pool of Siloam. Instantly his sight is restored. The Pharisees perceive that given this ability to heal, Jesus could…
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Discipline and Abuse: Discerning the Difference
Control The most important aspect of emotionally healthy, loving discipline centers around the idea of control. Discipline should be designed to give the child control, to give them a choice. Too many parents think that the control should belong to the parent, but this is wishful thinking. You draw a distinct boundary and let your child know that he or she must not cross it. The choice to obey you belongs to them. Consequences will occur should they decide to ignore your boundary, obviously. But the locus of control belongs to them. After all, they must make choices their whole lives. It is never too early to start them learning to…
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The Five Languages of Apology and How They Work
A familiar chain of events in families today is the roundabout argument that goes something like this: “I’m sorry.” “No, you’re not.” “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it” “Yes, you would. You say it all the time.” This is the anatomy of the typical apology; one we learned as children. We offended our sibling and were forced to issue a half-hearted apology, which in their turn, they were forced to receive. In effect, Mom and Dad knew we were just going through the motions, and we became suspicious of apologies ever after. After all, we said them to get out of trouble, and it often worked. Most…
Healing Through Art & Words
