COMMENTARY

Clapham Institute Blog

Welcome to the Clapham Institute Blog. You may have followed us previously at doggieheadtilt.com or come across us through a corporate event, church gathering, or online outreach. However you arrived here, we're glad to have you. If you have any questions about the content we're presenting, please feel free to reach out to us at any time.

Shame, Shame

Owing largely to the rise of Internet, social media “shaming” is on the rise. Publicly shaming someone can be mean and merciless. But it can also be redemptive.

Blinded by The Light

Let’s say your intuition is correct. You feel the leading candidates for the Presidency—Republican and Democrat—are taking the country in the wrong direction. It’s less about policy, more about their persona. How could both parties come to see the light?

The Bilingual Dilemma

Bilingualism has many benefits. But it also presents a dilemma—especially for Christians who, in their bones, feel the church is in exile.

The Pitfalls of Platforms

Christians often talk about work as a “platform” for evangelism. Tonight’s NCAA national championship game reminds us of the pitfalls of platforms.

Lake Wobegon?

Most companies view their corporate culture as above average. That’s reminiscent of the fictional town of Lake Wobegon, where all the kids are above average.

Best Book of the Year?

It’s popular to publish end-of-the-year lists featuring Best Books. I’m not that ambitious. Here is what I consider to be perhaps the best book of 2015.

What’s So Surprising About Joy?

I bring you good tidings of great joy. The angel’s announcement took the shepherds by surprise. Joy does that. C. S. Lewis discovered some of its surprises.

Shaken and Stirred

Ambiguity and complexity can shake people up. But they also stir something. That’s why the creation story is a bit disorienting. The Christmas story should be as well.

Divergent

According to Stanford Business School, a divergent opinion can lead to better decisions. Scripture agrees, urging us to heed the divergent voice, especially during advent.

Utopians?

Are exiles genuine exiles? For decades, scholars have described the Western church as toiling in exile. Millions of Western believers feel this. They’re called exiles, but I’m beginning to doubt whether most of them are genuine.