Jonathan L. Best Liminal, Space, Walking

Walking in the City: A Reflection on Michel de Certeau

Unlike Rome, New York has never learned the art of growing old by playing on all its pasts. Its present invents itself, from hour to hour, in the act of throwing away its previous accomplishments and challenging the future Michel de Certeau - The Practice of Everyday Life Whenever I walk in a city I … Continue reading Walking in the City: A Reflection on Michel de Certeau

Jonathan L. Best Meaning and Expression, Philosophy, Space

Digital Social Space? Interpreting Digital Action and Behavior for Today’s Churches

Another blast from the past. A paper I presented at the Association of Practical Theology in 2014. I explore the internet as a digital social space. I think my thoughts on the internet and social media have drastically changed (not for the better). However, I still hope that our digital tools can be a force … Continue reading Digital Social Space? Interpreting Digital Action and Behavior for Today’s Churches

Jonathan L. Best Justice, Liberation, Theology

The Purgatory of the Future

The most powerful and the deepest reality exists where everything enters into the effective action, without reserve the whole man [or woman] and God the all-embracing – the united I and the boundless Thou. Martin Buber, I and Thou, 89. The progress of time is exhausting. Seemingly against our will, we're pushed forward toward growing uncertainty … Continue reading The Purgatory of the Future

Jonathan L. Best Boundary Thought

Living on the Boundary

I've always been fascinated by the boundaries. Perhaps I can blame this on my background in practical theology, which emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration and learning (especially in the social sciences). Truth be told, my own interests have always bordered somewhere between theology and philosophy. I've never wanted to blindly isolate myself into one camp. Of course I still believe … Continue reading Living on the Boundary