Author Archives: hessd

Unknown's avatar

About hessd

Here is all you need to know to follow this blog. I am an old man and I love to think about why we say the things we do. I've taught at the elementary, secondary, collegiate, and doctoral levels. I don't think one is easier than another. They are hard in different ways. I have taught political science for a long time and have practiced politics in and around the Oregon Legislature. I don't think one is easier than another. They are hard in different ways. You'll be seeing a lot about my favorite topics here. There will be religious reflections (I'm a Christian) and political reflections (I'm a Democrat) and a good deal of whimsy. I'm a dilettante.

And don’t forget to wash your hands

Posted on January 2, 2016 by hessd

According to John’s account, Jesus turned water into wine, really good wine, at a wedding in Cana. I have enjoyed that story for years and now, as an old man, I am beginning to get the beginnings of an idea … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wheaton College: Conduct Unbecoming an Evangelical

Posted on December 30, 2015 by hessd

Wheaton College has recently disciplined a political science professor for saying something that embarrassed them. Since the handiest charge is that she has violated her doctrinal commitments, that is the charge they used, but that is not what she has … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Education, Political Psychology, Theology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unitasking. Really.

Posted on December 26, 2015 by hessd

Studies of efficiency by multitaskers have been nearly unanimous and almost entirely dismal. The more tasks being attempted at once, the lower the efficiency of each task performance. But what if we did it the other way around? Work is … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Paying Attention, Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Matthew Tree

Posted on December 21, 2015 by hessd

At our house, we are really serious about telling Matthew’s story one year and Luke’s the other year. This year, it is Matthew so we are decorating the tree the way Matthew would have wanted it. Every now and then, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Living My Life | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Being “happy”

Posted on December 17, 2015 by hessd

What do people mean when they say they are happy? Is it a state? A direction? A blissful moment? You are the one who most needs to know. I finished sending out our Christmas letters before my birthday (today) this … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

God’s DNA

Posted on December 13, 2015 by hessd

We’re going to have to talk just a little about the Virgin Mary today. My strategy in entering this field is to begin on the outrageous end of the row and pick my way back to where I parked the … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Theology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Matthew prepares us to receive Mary

Posted on December 10, 2015 by hessd

I really think Matthew puts as much effort into preparing his readers to understand Mary as Luke does. Luke is famously Mary-centered. In Luke, Joseph is part of the ensemble, back there with the oxen and the asses. He doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Four Years Early?

Posted on December 8, 2015 by hessd

George Orwell wrote 1984 in 1948. It wasn’t a prediction, really; more of a convenience just to flip the numbers around. Robert Reich wrote Aftershock: The New Economy & America’s Future in 2011 and in it, he imagined a boiling over … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Psychology, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tidings of Delicious

Posted on December 4, 2015 by hessd

There is a bright red banner across the glass front of the pastry case at our Starbucks in Multnomah Village. It says, “Tidings of Delicious.” Every time I see it, I think of Matthew’s strategy for placing the birth of … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy New Year

Posted on December 2, 2015 by hessd

Happy new year to all. As you know, there are as many different calendars as there are reasons to establish a cycle of days. We think first of the annual calendar. [1] It starts in January, to honor Janus, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Living My Life, Words | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment