Dirty political tricks

On a recent flight I watched the movie Our Brand is Crisis. It chronicles the inward and outward battles of a burned out American political consultant who is drawn into a presidential election campaign in Bolivia. It is inspired by a documentary of the same name about the real election in 2002. On the one hand the dirty tricks, cynicism, and immorality are depressing. On the other hand, I fear it is pretty close to the truth.

Science and theology resources in French

Next weekend I am part of an IFES meeting in Francophone Africa where Christian academics will be discussing the relationship between science and theology. I have been tracking down useful resources in French. Here are some of them.

Science et Foi (is like a French version of Biologos, covering similar topics, includes videos and blog articles.

Réseau des scientifiques évangéliques (like a French version of Christians in Science in the UK)

Faraday Papers have been been translated into French.

Test of Faith video (dubbed in French)

Benno van den Toren and Klaas Borm recently completed a relevant research project.
Two of the papers they have produced are
 A Contribution to the debate on science and faith by Christian students from Abidjan

On the Value of Action and Participatory Research for Intercultural Theology: Reflections in the Light of a Research Project on “Science and Religion in French-Speaking Africa

Here are the slides (in French) for two talks I have given previously in France.
Un scientifique porte un regard sur la Bible

La science nous libère-t-elle de la religion?
[This one may be of less interest to people outside of France as it engages with The Pantheon, Victor Hugo, and Les Miserables].

I welcome other recommendations.

When and why do institutions fail?

Living in stable and prosperous Western countries for decades I took institutions (governments, courts, banks, businesses, universities, churches, charities) for granted. However, over the past decade, I have spent more time in the Majority world, where many institutions struggle to be effective because of corruption or lack of resources. Unfortunately, in the West now many institutions are under siege, starting to fall apart, or doing significant damage. Thus, I have gained a new appreciation for just important institutions are for human flourishing. In November, I have been asked to give a talk to stimulate a discussion about this issue. Hence, I am thinking about the issue more. An article I found helpful and stimulating is this book review by Andy Crouch.

A question I have been thinking about is,
When and why do institutions fail to promote human flourishing?
I believe there are two primary reasons. Often they become intertwined. Both are associated with an inward focus rather than an outward focus.

People within the institution use (abuse) it for their own personal gain (money, power, sex).

Preserving the institution becomes a primary goal in decision making.

Australia has recently seen powerful and painful examples of both reasons.
The first example was documented in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation_and Financial Services Industry
Banks created perverse incentive schemes that employees used to enrich themselves at the expense of customers.

The second was documented in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Churches (of many different denominations) covered up abuse for decades in order to protect the "reputation" of the institution.

Most institutions are started by people who have a vision of contributing to the  ``common good, '' whether it is providing a needed service, protecting the innocent, or providing a worthwhile product. However, the problems often begin in later generations when members of the institution are not so passionate or committed to that vision, and have more self-centred goals. Unfortunately, this is transition reflects some common features in the growth and evolution of large organisations.

Praise the Creator and Redeemer

Last month my wife and I visited First Presbyterian Church in Evanston, Illinois (North of Chicago). I attended there for 18 months in the late 80's when I was visiting Northwestern University while finishing my Ph.D. During this time I met my lovely wife. It was a trip down memory lane. At church we sang this song which I really liked.