Monthly Archives: December 2024

An Analysis Of Contemporary Christmas Songs As A Sign Of A Change In Culture

Posted on December 24, 2024 by nathanalbright

At the outset, I feel it necessary to point out that neither I nor a substantial portion of my readers celebrate Christmas, a matter which I discuss regularly this time of year. However, even those of us who do not … Continue reading →

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Today In History: On December 24, 1814, Diplomats Signed the Treaty of Ghent

Posted on December 24, 2024 by nathanalbright

The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, marked the formal end of the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States. The path to this peace agreement was complex and deeply intertwined with the broader context … Continue reading →

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On Themes In The Music Of The Bee Gees

Posted on December 23, 2024 by nathanalbright

The Bee Gees’ remarkable five-decade career was characterized by several consistent thematic and musical elements that helped define their distinctive artistic voice. One of the most prominent themes throughout their work was the exploration of romantic relationships in all their … Continue reading →

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On The Difference Between Biblical Identity And Contemporary Identity

Posted on December 23, 2024 by nathanalbright

The Biblical Identity Model: Israel’s Self-Understanding The Biblical texts present Israel’s identity as constructed primarily through: Contrasts with Modern Identity Politics Modern identity politics differs from this Biblical model in several crucial ways: Key Implications This contrast suggests several important … Continue reading →

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Biblical Cultural History: A Field Analysis and Research Landscape

Posted on December 22, 2024 by nathanalbright

Introduction Biblical cultural history represents an interdisciplinary field that examines the cultural, social, and historical contexts in which biblical texts were composed, transmitted, and interpreted. This report explores the current state of the field, ongoing research directions, and promising areas … Continue reading →

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Judging Nathan Bedford Forrest

Posted on December 22, 2024 by nathanalbright

[Note: The following is the prepared text of a #2 speech given to the Portland United Church of God Spokesman’s Club on Sabbath, December 21, 2024.] For those of you who have never heard of Nathan Bedford Forrest, he is … Continue reading →

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Undermining Social Cohesion

Posted on December 21, 2024 by nathanalbright

The deterioration of social cohesion represents a critical challenge in contemporary societies. Research has identified several interconnected factors that significantly undermine social bonds and collective solidarity. Economic inequality stands as a primary driver of social fragmentation. As Wilkinson and Pickett … Continue reading →

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The Development and Origin of Colonial Urban-Rural Divides: A Global Analysis

Posted on December 21, 2024 by nathanalbright

Introduction The urban-rural divide that emerged through colonization represents one of the most profound and lasting impacts of colonial ventures on global development. This analysis examines how different colonial powers created and reinforced urban-rural divisions across their empires, establishing patterns … Continue reading →

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Deciphering The Elamite Language

Posted on December 20, 2024 by nathanalbright

Elamite was the language of Elam, an ancient civilization centered in what is now southwestern Iran. The language was written in cuneiform script and was used from around 2300 BCE to 350 BCE. The decipherment of Elamite presents an interesting … Continue reading →

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On Aligning Elected Officials To Serve The Public

Posted on December 20, 2024 by nathanalbright

The relationship between elected politicians and their constituents presents a classic principal-agent problem that parallels challenges in other domains where alignment of interests proves crucial. Political scientists have long analyzed how electoral systems attempt to create mechanisms that encourage politicians … Continue reading →

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