A shorter version of this was published as
“An Immodest Proposal for the Practice of the Lord’s T... more A shorter version of this was published as “An Immodest Proposal for the Practice of the Lord’s Table” in Beyond 400: Exploring Baptist Futures, ed. David Cohen and Michael Parsons (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2011).
Everyone wants to get ahead. Who can blame them? For most people, the good things in life do not ... more Everyone wants to get ahead. Who can blame them? For most people, the good things in life do not simply drop into their lap. Life is work-more often than not, hard work. The good life-in virtually all credible definitions-entails expending effort; sometimes engaging in intense struggle, and perhaps enduring suffering. If our conception of the good life includes not only doing right but also, more broadly, doing well, then we might understandably welcome any advantage on offer-whether from our family or socio-economic inheritance, natural or genetic endowments, divine grace or, more recently and increasingly, the promise of technological enhancement. What kind of enhancements are on offer? Among other things, "genetic engineering, psychopharmacology, nanotechnology, information technology, and neural interface technology… to alter human characteristics." 1 This is a "brave new world" indeed that calls for moral reflection.
The question "How shall we live?" is, quite simply, a question that will not go away. Whatever ou... more The question "How shall we live?" is, quite simply, a question that will not go away. Whatever our gains in scientific knowledge as we penetrate deeper into the structures of the natural world; whatever our advances in technical expertise as we attempt feats of impressive engineering and pioneer new modes of medical research; whatever our wealth amassed in business enterprise, we must return again and again to questions as ancient as recorded history: How can we co-exist with neighbours, with nations and with nature? And not merely co-exist but positively flourish together as communities of human beings? These are fundamental questions that have exercised the minds not only of the world's great thinkers but concerned members of all societies, especially in times of crisis and social change. And, for the most part, these questions have been considered in relation to the 'big questions' of metaphysics, religion, and theology.
A shorter version of this was published as
“An Immodest Proposal for the Practice of the Lord’s T... more A shorter version of this was published as “An Immodest Proposal for the Practice of the Lord’s Table” in Beyond 400: Exploring Baptist Futures, ed. David Cohen and Michael Parsons (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2011).
Everyone wants to get ahead. Who can blame them? For most people, the good things in life do not ... more Everyone wants to get ahead. Who can blame them? For most people, the good things in life do not simply drop into their lap. Life is work-more often than not, hard work. The good life-in virtually all credible definitions-entails expending effort; sometimes engaging in intense struggle, and perhaps enduring suffering. If our conception of the good life includes not only doing right but also, more broadly, doing well, then we might understandably welcome any advantage on offer-whether from our family or socio-economic inheritance, natural or genetic endowments, divine grace or, more recently and increasingly, the promise of technological enhancement. What kind of enhancements are on offer? Among other things, "genetic engineering, psychopharmacology, nanotechnology, information technology, and neural interface technology… to alter human characteristics." 1 This is a "brave new world" indeed that calls for moral reflection.
The question "How shall we live?" is, quite simply, a question that will not go away. Whatever ou... more The question "How shall we live?" is, quite simply, a question that will not go away. Whatever our gains in scientific knowledge as we penetrate deeper into the structures of the natural world; whatever our advances in technical expertise as we attempt feats of impressive engineering and pioneer new modes of medical research; whatever our wealth amassed in business enterprise, we must return again and again to questions as ancient as recorded history: How can we co-exist with neighbours, with nations and with nature? And not merely co-exist but positively flourish together as communities of human beings? These are fundamental questions that have exercised the minds not only of the world's great thinkers but concerned members of all societies, especially in times of crisis and social change. And, for the most part, these questions have been considered in relation to the 'big questions' of metaphysics, religion, and theology.
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Books by Ian G Packer
Papers by Ian G Packer
“An Immodest Proposal for the Practice of the Lord’s Table” in Beyond 400: Exploring Baptist Futures, ed. David Cohen and Michael Parsons (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2011).
“An Immodest Proposal for the Practice of the Lord’s Table” in Beyond 400: Exploring Baptist Futures, ed. David Cohen and Michael Parsons (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2011).