As we begin Advent, we bring you a special edition of our Time Management series. Anthropologist Kevin Birth draws on his extensive research on concepts of time in different cultures to challenge our modern concepts of time management and point us to other possible ways of experiencing time. We hope that his description of "kairotic time" helps you find a meaningful way of experiencing time, especially as we enter the Advent season with its liturgical timekeeping that points us to God's presence. Kevin is the … [Read more...] about Time Management (is a modern fantasy)
Holy Week: Contemplating an Uncanny Calendrical Coincidence
This week, we'll have what may be the last opportunity in our lifetimes to experience the intersection of Good Friday and the feast of the Annunciation. We invite you to read Kevin Birth's thoughtful exploration of this calendrical coincidence below, and to consider meditating on John Donne's poetic exploration of the same coincidence tomorrow, on Good Friday itself. This post came about as a result of a conversation between Andy Walsh, author of ESN's Science Corner, and Kevin Birth. See previous posts here, here, and … [Read more...] about Holy Week: Contemplating an Uncanny Calendrical Coincidence
Lent: Frames of Reference and a Global Perspective (Scholar’s Compass)
Anthropologist Kevin Birth explores what it means to have a global perspective on the church calendar. Estamos en el sur y como estamos en tiempos de recuperar nuestra identidad, el Gobierno boliviano está recuperando nuestro Sarawi, de acuerdo a nuestro Sarawi, que significa camino, de acuerdo con nuestro Ñan, en quechua, nuestros relojes deberÃan girar a la izquierda. Translation: We are in the south and since we are in times of recovering our identity, the Bolivian Government is recovering our Sarawi, and … [Read more...] about Lent: Frames of Reference and a Global Perspective (Scholar’s Compass)
Scholar’s Compass: Lent and Easter’s Timing
The time when Easter is ordained to take place is, like the Paschal celebrations as a whole, redolent with sacred mystery. In the first place, we are careful to wait until after the equinox to celebrate the Lord's Passover . . . so that the feast-day on which the Mediator between God and man, having destroyed the power of darkness, opened the way of light for the world, might show its inner [significance] by means of the order of time. -- Bede, 0 (trans. Faith Wallis) Reflection It was a revelation to one of my … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: Lent and Easter’s Timing
What I Wish I’d Known about Faculty Life: Any Regrets?
This is the final post in Kevin Birth's series, What I Wish I'd Known about Faculty Life. Previously: Departmental Politics, Teaching the Curriculum, The Tenure Track. It was one of those gloomy days when even a cup of coffee had no warming effect. Edward and Gretchen were chatting in one of the college's cafés. Fitting the melancholy tone of the day, Gretchen was morose about Edward's impending retirement and move to a warmer climate. He had been a mentor to her – guiding her through the various minefields of … [Read more...] about What I Wish I’d Known about Faculty Life: Any Regrets?