Blake and the Bible: Biblical Exegesis in the Work of William Blake

Abstract:  William Blake's biblical interpretation relied on allusive, imaginative and even prophetic modes. Here this is explored through his vision of the divine in Europe: A Prophecy and by exploring his views on the relationships between the testaments. In the first part, a comparison of his vision with the book of Revelation shows similarities in imaginative attempts to subvert ingrained religious assumptions. In the second, Blake's ambiguous attitude towards the Old Testament, coloured by his sustained polemic against religion and law, is discussed. Finally, some thoughts on the continued relevance of Blake's imaginative exegesis are offered.     

The Impact of Musical Lyrics on the Lives of Graduate Counseling Students

Abstract

This study surveyed 28 graduate students in counseling on the meaning of lyrical music in their lives in a CACREP accredited program at an independent, southeastern university. Results showed that some songs were more popular or better remembered than others. It also showed that while some lyrics are personally meaningful and others convey important messages, a number of lyrics are just relaxing, joyful, and entertaining without a deeper level of significance to them.     

The Impact of Society's Attitudes Toward Aging on the Lives of Older Adults in America

For four decades, John Wesley's indomitable faith complemented his spiritual strength, physical energy, and extraordinary sense for organization. During the last fourteen months of his life, the printed record (Wesley's diaries, journals, letters) seems to reveal an eighty-seven-year-old man who, physically, had come to his end. But that same record also yields the activities of an evangelical missionary still traveling and preaching throughout Great Britain, still administering the details of his Methodist or anization. He would continue, as he once remarked, to "do a little for God before he dropped into the dust." Wesley did not seek to avoid old age; he simply never considered it!     

Immigration Policies in Italy: Their Impact on the Lives of First-Generation Moroccan and Egyptian Migrants

This paper analyzes the impact of Italian immigration policies on migrants’ lives. Policies and changes in policies can affect migrants’ capabilities to stabilize themselves in the host country, in terms of legal residence and secure labor conditions, as well as their chances of becoming part of the host society. We argue that, together with border controls, these are crucial ways through which immigration policies may have the postulated effects on the lives of migrants. We use data from 59 in-depth interviews conducted with first-generation Moroccan and Egyptian migrants living in two Italian cities, Turin and Rome, in the period 2011–2013. The results show that Italian immigration policies do not successfully control migration inflow, but effectively hinder the stability of migrants’ legal status and the status transition from temporary residence to permanent residence and subsequent Italian citizenship. In this way, Italian immigration policies largely affect migrants’ capabilities to be part of the host country; this gets in the way of integration, social cohesion, and future migration projects.     

《周易正义》的注疏特色

从形式上来说,唐代的注疏之学,是在南北朝的义疏之学的基础上发展而来的。至唐初孔颖达注疏《周易正义》时,受了南北朝义疏的影响,即以一家之注为底本,兼采诸经、诸家之说。而从内容方面来说,《周易正义》则以儒为宗,兼采老庄之说,并掺杂佛风,同时,重义理而不废象数,是儒家思想主导下儒、释、道三家合流、象数与义理互融的结果,在学术上显示了兼容并包的盛唐气象。     

The Holy,Catholic Theater: Exegesis of Life on the Stage

This article explores the theological/philosophical resonances of the theater. “Holy” and “catholic” are the key terms that shape the reflection. The holy is masked in the ordinary details of plays and musicals. Thus, it is fitting to say that the theater is “God-haunted,” a place of transcendence and transformation. The catholicity of the theater is found in acknowledging its inherent commitment to telling the whole truth, or at least endeavoring to tell what is true, about human existence. We are by nature story-telling creatures, and the narratives embodied in the theater aid in interpreting and reflecting on mystery and truth, in the exegesis of our lives and of our way of being in the world. Two plays and a musical are representative anecdotes that flesh out the ideas advanced in the essay—Equus, Auntie Mame, and A Chorus Line.     

The Impact of Early Loss on Depression

Abstract

This article reviews psychodynamic theoretical claims linking childhood losses to depression later in life and explores contemporary empirical studies that are congruent with those claims. Biologically mediated responses to grief, empirically supported pathways that link loss to depression, and factors that distinguish normal from pathological grief are identified. Trajectories that may lead to the development of psychotic-like, instead of neurotic-like, symptoms of depression are also explored, and empirically supported internal and external vulnerability factors that may lead to depression are reported. Several clinical vignettes are included to exemplify theoretical claims. Implications for assessment and treatment are discussed in light of these findings.     

Fishapod in the Rocks: Fossils and Biblical Creation Texts

Abstract

Genesis 1:20–25 speaks of God creating water and land creatures. The fossil record suggests that vertebrates on land evolved from vertebrates of the water. In this article about creation through evolution, the author discusses a progression of fossil discoveries pertinent to the evolution of tetrapods, keeping in view the detractions of a Young Earth creationist, and finishing with a biblical-theological perspective on the evolution of tetrapods. The author's work grows out of his interest in exploring how a specific science (paleontology)—as viewed through specific discoveries and a specific evolutionary lineage—might engage actively with biblical creation passages.     

Technology and Early Literacy: The Impact of an Integrated Learning System on High-Risk Kindergartners'Achievement

Two hundred sixty-five kindergarten children from a high-risk community participated in an 10-month evaluation of the effectiveness of the Waterford Early Reading Program, a software program designed to facilitate early literacy development. One hundred fifty-one students in eight experimental classrooms used the program for approximately 15 minutes per day. One hundred fourteen students in seven nonintervention classrooms had varying amounts of access to older hardware and software that was not systematically utilized by their teachers. Students were individually pre-and posttested using the TERA-2, the Lindamood Auditory Conceptualization Test, and the Waterford Inventory. Results indicated that students in the experimental classrooms performed significantly better than nonintervention students on the TERA-2 and the Waterford Inventory. Students in the experimental classrooms also showed a trend to outperform nonintervention students on the Lindamood, although not to a significant degree.