In this compelling article, Jacob Caplinger explores the rise and fall of Sethianism, a forgotten yet foundational sect of Gnosticism that profoundly shaped early Christian thought. Caplinger traces Sethianism’s theological roots in Jewish priestly tradition and Platonic cosmology, highlighting its reinterpretation of Genesis, its exaltation of Seth as the incarnate Logos, and its sophisticated hierarchy of divine emanations. Drawing on John D. Turner’s scholarship and the Nag Hammadi texts, Caplinger reveals how Sethianism’s eventual rejection by both Christian orthodoxy and Neoplatonism marked its demise. Yet, as Caplinger argues, Sethianism remains a provocative, often overlooked catalyst in the formation of systematic theology.

In “We Got the Beat,” written by Jacob Caplinger, the author explores how music functions as both a psychological and philosophical force. Through an analysis of tempo, instrumentation, genre ideology, and listener response, Caplinger argues that music shapes emotion, identity, and cultural meaning. Drawing on thinkers from psychology and aesthetics, the essay examines how different genres embody worldviews—rock as rebellion, hip-hop as identity, blues as resilience. A proposed listener survey further investigates music’s emotional impact. Ultimately, Caplinger positions music not just as entertainment, but as a profound language of the human spirit, capable of shaping how we feel and think.

Jacob Caplinger writes that while many theists affirm God's perfection, the term “perfect” has a dual meaning in both Hebrew and Greek—referring either to completeness (מִכְלָל / τέλος) or moral purity (תָּמִים / ἄμεμπτος). Classical theism applies these ideas to support divine immutability, claiming a perfect God must be changeless, timeless, and purely actual—actus purus. However, Caplinger argues that this model, though philosophically sophisticated, imposes constraints on divine agency and contradicts scriptural depictions of God’s relational freedom. His essay challenges immutability and offers an alternative model of divine mutability, rooted in God’s omniscience and voluntary interaction with time-bound creation.

In this essay, written by Jacob Caplinger, the author explores the often misunderstood responsibilities of worship artists in the church. He argues that worship music, like the Psalms, operates through metaphor, emotion, and poetry—not systematic theology. Caplinger cautions against holding worship leaders to academic standards meant for theologians, emphasizing instead the need for basic orthodoxy, pastoral accountability, and artistic freedom. By examining songs like Reckless Love and In Christ Alone, he illustrates how poetic language can provoke theological reflection without demanding doctrinal precision. Ultimately, he calls for grace, not elitism, in evaluating worship, reminding the church that art serves a distinct, meaningful role.

In the past few decades, social media has evolved from simple communication tools into complex systems that influence nearly every aspect of modern life. This digital revolution has not only reshaped how we communicate with each other, but it has also had profound philosophical and cultural implications. The rise of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, as well as the advent of smart technologies like smartphones and email, has radically altered the landscape of human interaction, identity, and the flow of information. In what could be called a New Babel, these platforms have both unified global communication and fractured it—creating unprecedented connection while simultaneously spawning confusion, division, and performative identity. While the innovations brought about by these technologies have led to new forms of connection and knowledge sharing, they have also sparked new forms of alienation, manipulation, and identity fragmentation. In this essay, we will explore the inventions and societal changes brought about by the advent of social media, its impacts on both business and personal communication, and the philosophical consequences of this digital age. The essay will also address some critical responses to these changes, focusing on the cultural shifts social media has catalyzed, the benefits and drawbacks of these changes, and the responses from both creators and critics within popular culture.