You've heard it said "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." What exactly, though, does that really mean? While it is true we all seem intuitively to know beauty when we see it, we find it difficult to pin down an exact definition of what beauty actually is. Is it subjectively determined or is beauty as objectively real as the stars above us?

This week and next on the Profile, we tackle this engrossing question with philosophical theologian and assistant professor of theology at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. We discuss his new book What Is Beauty?

Dennis Bray (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a philosophical theologian who integrates insights from philosophy, biblical and systematic theology, history, and the empirical sciences. He is assistant professor of theology at Taylor University.

Thumbnail image credit: The Orion Nebula. NASA, ESA, M. Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute/ESA) and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team.

Watchman Fellowship's Brand New Book on engaging Mormon Missionaries with compassion and truth, Trading Questions - Trading Questions - Twenty Essential Conversations To Have With Your Mormon Friend.

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

In the chaotic times in which we live, how can we navigate through its darkness? Where can we find the light of true wisdom? Where can we find rest for our souls?

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”

Jesus also tells us He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And by being in Christ, we have been declared righteous. We are on the path of righteousness, and,

"...the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day" (Proverbs 4:18).

By not leaning on our own understanding, by trusting in the Lord with all of our hearts, we act virtuously and shine as lights in a dark world. But even our virtuous acts are all of grace (Ephesians 2:8-10).

This is part two of our conversation with English Professor at Oklahoma Baptist University Dr. Alan Noble about his latest book To Live Well. Come and see!

From AlanNoble.com
Alan Noble is Assistant Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University. Alan launched the group Public Faith with Michael Wear to offer an alternative evangelical political voice. He also joined The AND Campaign as an advisor, were he served for a number of years. Alan has written articles for Christian publications such as Modern Reformation, InTouch Magazine, and Christianity Today and for secular publications like VOX, Buzzfeed, and The Atlantic. He has been interviewed, quoted, or cited in The New York Times, The Washington Post, MTV News, MSNBC, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, Politico, Village Voice, Yahoo! News, ThinkProgress, The Blaze, WORLD Magazine, and Slate. And he has spoken at colleges, organizations, churches, and youth groups on a range of topics related to the church and culture. In 2023, Alan became a “fellow” at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.

Free Watchman Profile articles. These profiles provide an overview of the person and ideas as well as a concise biblical response.
Naturalism
Deconstruction
Atheism
Carl Sagan's Cosmos
Richard Dawkins
Nihilism

Additional Resources:
FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (two volumes totalling over 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/Notebook
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

In a world that often seems to be chaotically out of control, in a world of an endless cacophony of competing voices, in a world that encourages us to do whatever we want, in a world that relentlessly encourages us to pursue our own interests and desires, how can we possibly even begin to "live well"? What does that mean? Is it pursuing personal peace and affluence? The perfect job? The perfect spouse? The right college? The right neighborhood?

Our guest this week on the Profile, Dr. Alan Noble of Oklahoma Baptist University, has written a helpful little guide that answers these and other questions about what it means for Christians to live well.

This is not a self-help book or a name-it-and-claim-it prosperity treatise, but an invitation to meditate upon and pursue the ancient virtues. Noble does not advocate that we are earning God's favor by pursuing the virtues. Rather, because we are made righteous in Christ, we have the freedom in Christ to pursue patience, wisdom, charity, love, courage, and resoluteness. The pursuit of virtue is not dry religious legalism, but an adventure, accomplished by and through the Holy Spirit. Come and see!

From AlanNoble.com
Alan Noble is Assistant Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University. Alan launched the group Public Faith with Michael Wear to offer an alternative evangelical political voice. He also joined The AND Campaign as an advisor, were he served for a number of years. Alan has written articles for Christian publications such as Modern Reformation, InTouch Magazine, and Christianity Today and for secular publications like VOX, Buzzfeed, and The Atlantic. He has been interviewed, quoted, or cited in The New York Times, The Washington Post, MTV News, MSNBC, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, Politico, Village Voice, Yahoo! News, ThinkProgress, The Blaze, WORLD Magazine, and Slate. And he has spoken at colleges, organizations, churches, and youth groups on a range of topics related to the church and culture. In 2023, Alan became a “fellow” at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.

Free Watchman Profile articles. These profiles provide an overview of the person and ideas as well as a concise biblical response.
Naturalism
Deconstruction
Atheism
Carl Sagan's Cosmos
Richard Dawkins
Nihilism

Additional Resources:
FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (two volumes totalling over 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/Notebook
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.