Norel Iacob
Norel Iacob has been editor-in-chief of Signs of the Times Romania since 2009. In 2010 he relaunched semneletimpului.ro, which now hosts over 20,000 articles. In 2020 he introduced the English platform st.network, an international interface for worldwide authors analysing from a Christian perspective topics of interest to a general audience. Iacob studied theology at Adventus University, Romania, and has a Master of Arts degree in Religion from Andrews University, USA. He is currently a PhD candidate in Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Tilburg University, Netherlands. He has edited or authored several books, including “The End of Uncertainty: Returning from Exile” and “Fathers: The Meaning of Being a Father in Today’s Society.”
Uncertain certainties and the fragility of reason
“For a long time I supposed that somewhere in the university, there were really clever people whom I had not yet met, and whom I should at once recognise as my intellectual superiors, but during my second year, I discovered that I already knew all the cleverest people in the university. This was a disappointment to me, but at the same time gave...
The future is best seen with your eyes closed
When I watch chicks hatch in a nest and begin to perform the instinctive behaviours of their species, I think about what we might understand about ourselves, the human species, if we had the perspective of such a privileged observer.
The missing filter
At a time when the abundance of information makes it imperative to talk about information hygiene, critical thinking should be the first missing filter we talk about.
Death is never wonderful
Socrates is surrounded by his disciples on the day of his death, but he discusses immortality with them calmly. Jesus, on the other hand, only a few hours before His death, asks His disciples not to leave Him alone. Socrates drinks the cup of poison quickly and joyfully, without fear or doubt, while Jesus, troubled, asks the Father to take the cup from...
Tangible happiness
It's intuitively inappropriate to talk about happiness when the subject is depression. But it is even more inappropriate to talk about abnormality, inadequacy or maladjustment in the same context.
Dusty mirrors in a cynical world
In a cynical world, just as certain otherwise healthy nutrients could cause cancer, correct formulations develop cynicism because they are easily suspected of hypocrisy. In order to believe again, cynics need different, experiential perspectives.
Dialogue with Infinity
We are beings designed with an innate thirst to know and be known. This explains why we feel that this endless quest for connection and meaning transcends the status of a mere human trait. It is not just a peculiarity of human nature, but an essential requirement, a deep calling of our soul—a human imperative.
The truth about ourselves
History doesn't resemble Hollywood films. However self-evident this statement may be, it still comes as at least a partial surprise to many who imagine that history, while not quite like the movies, is still pretty close to the dramatic depictions.
Free to make decisions for only 10% of the time
Of the approximately 26-28,000 days (73-79 years) that the average person lives, only a maximum of 10% of that time is actually spent as an adult making decisions about what to do. The rest of our time is spent in activities that are generally unavoidable.
Is capitalism compatible with the Bible?
Many will admit that they have never thought about this question because they live the status quo without critically evaluating it.
The Great Fire of Rome and the “hidden hand”
The Great Fire of Rome broke out on a hot summer night in July 64 AD.
We are not creators, but inspirers and witnesses
It is not we who educate our children, they educate themselves. Unique, complete, amazing. Every child and every childhood is a challenge to discover and respect their individuality. Let's enjoy the revelations they give us and grow ourselves by observing and facilitating their growth.
Answers hidden in plain sight
I grew up on the border between two different universes, not geographically but spiritually. There, across that fine line, lived more than half of my extended family, with a different worldview.
Confronting deception: from Jesus to the Internet
Let's go back in time to the day when Jesus spoke His apocalyptic words. At that time, rather than giving a revelation about the future, He was more concerned with warning about the dangers of deception.
Before drawing a conclusion
From my experience and the conversations I have had so far, I have found that there are two major categories of people who come to doubt the existence of God.