Written by Keegan Cheleden “Single-serving sugar, single-serving cream, single pat of butter. The microwave Cordon Bleu hobby kit. Shampoo-conditioner combos, sample-packaged mouthwash, tiny bars of soap,” comments the nameless protagonist in “Fight Club.” In this scene from the 1999 film, the character, played by Edward Norton, is illustrating the idea of a “single-serving” culture. These items listed are meant for a one-time use. Understandably so, once the user has experienced some degree of satisfaction, or lack thereof, the remnants are to be discarded. After all, there is nothing permanent or long-lasting in the affection delegated to these products. However, the narrator expands this depiction to the consumption of people. “The…

Written by Thomas Harlander Rest easy, dear reader. You are not a racist. So why will the topic of racism not go away? Perhaps there has been a huge misunderstanding. After all, many students, especially those in the racial majority, do not see a problem. Racism is their grandparents’ vice, and they readily affirm that we are all one in Christ. For minority students, though, the disconnect is often real. Racial ostracism may be dwindling, but they still feel unwelcome. Racism must be a real force, or it would not keep coming up in chapels, conferences and Biola student magazines. It remains a contentious topic due to a lack of…

Written by Kathryn Toombs It is Sunday morning. You are sitting in church, and the sermon has just ended. The pastor is closing in prayer, and even as you try to focus, your thoughts wander. You have already started to think about what you are going to do for lunch, what you have to do that day and what your schedule holds for the next week. Before you know it, the prayer has ended and you are gathering your things to leave, even though you mentally walked out the door 10 minutes ago. As you exit the building, your eye catches the pamphlets and fliers tacked on bulletin boards announcing…

Written by Tayllor Lemphers Light laughter, soothing conversation, excited exclamation – the melodic sound of women in community. Another sound is woven amidst the female voices, a steady rhythm: the clicking of knitting needles. A single strand of yarn is looped over and over the metal instruments, adept hands orchestrating them in a well-rehearsed routine. Through the process, that single strand is evolving into a circular form. All around the room, infinity scarves of every hue are piled. Sitting among the other women, Sarah Sjoberg pauses her knitting and surveys the scene around her – the many skillfully-crafted scarves, the friends surrounding her, and the needles in her hands. A…

Written by Kahlie Colwell Two Camelback water bottles. A $25 dollar gift card to JCPenney. Brand new Nike Ruckus Low shoes. An Oreck vacuum. Unopened beef jerky. A Timbuk2 bag worth $100. An espresso machine. A $10 bill. These items represent just a tiny sampling of stuff found by Biola alumnus Parker Gross during a dumpster diving expedition around Biola’s dorms during finals week. While scavenging, Gross snagged everything that was in good and useable condition, compiling a list of unwanted and wasted goods that was valued at over $2,000. The sheer amount of stuff Gross found is overwhelming. If you are anything like Gross, such an extravagant example of…