Jesus, Beginnings, and Science from ESN contributor David Vosburg and his wife Kate Vosburg is a significant change of pace from the book we’ve been discussing recently, Quantum Physics and Theology. On some level though, the Vosburgs’ aim is the same as Polkinghorne’s: encourage readers to consider or continue following Jesus even as they study science. The approach here is to provide a discussion guide for communities large and small looking to have a conversation about where science, especially contemporary science, fits into a Christian faith serious about Jesus and the Bible. I think this book would be a valuable resource for such communities and conversations, particularly for those new to the topic and looking for somewhere to start. And I would be glad for the opportunity to test it out in such a setting.
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The Secular Academy as a Mission Field: Urbana Panel Discussion
How can Christians be faithful in secular universities, what challenges do they face, and how can we develop our sense of calling and purpose within academia?
From Dec 27 – Jan 1, volunteers with our network of early career Christian academics are liveblogging seminars at the Urbana conference, a mission-focused student gathering of 16,000 Christians from across North America and the world. Photos for this post were by Galina Pylypiv.
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Scholar’s Compass Navigating Knowledge: Creativity That Delights
Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.” – Exodus 35:30-34 (NIV)
Reflection
God delights in making things. We see this in the goodness of creation in Genesis 1 and also in God’s boasting of his creativity and sovereignty in Job 38-41. But Scripture does not limit creativity to God. The Lord invites us to be creative and imaginative, too. God invited people to name the animals in Genesis 2, to wonder (in awe of God’s power) about how the world works in Job 38-41, and to build the tabernacle in Exodus 31-40 so that God would dwell among them. [Read more…] about Scholar’s Compass Navigating Knowledge: Creativity That Delights
Developing a Christian Mind at Oxford
How do we integrate our Christian faith and academic life? How do we worship God with our minds? How do we foster a Christian intellectual community?
These are the questions that drive the Developing a Christian Mind (DCM) initiative at Oxford, and I had the good fortune to attend their two-day spring conference while on sabbatical in England. We met in an Oxford college founded in 1379, with its beautiful gardens and medieval chapel, cloister, and city wall adding to the atmosphere. [Read more…] about Developing a Christian Mind at Oxford