In today's Scholar's Call piece, Paul Yandle meditates on how the experience of teaching shows him more about God, even in those moments when a student's response is not what the professor was hoping for. … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Call: The Student Who Walked Away
Scholar’s Call: The Joy of Becoming a Generalist
The first day of the fall semester of my senior undergraduate year, I ran into a friend of mine, a fellow history major, outside of the student union building at the research university we attended. We stopped and talked for a bit, updating each other on our lives and comparing our fall schedules. My friend had just been to the university bookstore, and he showed me a textbook he had just bought for a History of the Old South class that the history department was offering that fall. Intrigued, I sat in on the class and … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Call: The Joy of Becoming a Generalist
Harper Lee and the Unintended Prescience of Go Set a Watchman
When Harper Lee's massively anticipated Go Set a Watchman came out this summer, ESN author Paul Yandle sprang into action and sent us a thoughtful review within a week, including both his experience of the book and how it impacted his experience of current events this summer. Unfortunately, we weren't as fast at the blog due to a packed conference schedule. We share Paul's reflections now as he wrote them this summer, recognizing that the issues raised by Go Set a Watchman remain unfortunately timely. … [Read more...] about Harper Lee and the Unintended Prescience of Go Set a Watchman
Scholar’s Compass: Surely the Lord Was in the Rare Books Room, Part 2
In Part 1, Paul Yandle described a challenge to his faith in Scripture brought on by study in the archives. Here he explores some aspects of his life experience that made that challenge especially strong, then tells the story of what he came to realize through it. “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2) Reflection One of the biggest mysteries of all is the fact that God works in the seemingly mundane. Though I was a Christian by the … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: Surely the Lord Was in the Rare Books Room, Part 2
Scholar’s Compass: Surely the Lord Was in the Rare Books Room, Part 1
"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." (Isaiah 53:2) If you are committed to the life of the mind or serious inquiry you will probably find that some of the questions that challenge your faith the most come while spending time alone doing research. And in academe, there are ample opportunities for solitude. In my case, one such moment took place in the rare books room of the main library for the university from which I received my master's degree. … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: Surely the Lord Was in the Rare Books Room, Part 1