One of the main reasons I chose to attend the Following Christ conference and the ESN Day Ahead was to help me discern my place on campus. I do feel called to academia, at least for this season, yet I was not sure exactly how I was to carry out this calling. The ESN Day Ahead turned out to be extremely valuable for junior faculty on the tenure track. I was reminded by the panelists' (Ken Elzinga, Christy Moran, Alec Hill, and Terry Morrison) exhortations to stay physically healthy, keep the Sabbath, find a strong … [Read more...] about Following Christ 08 – Day 2
Following Christ 2008
Evil,Subjectivism, and the Gospel
The ESN Day Ahead ended well, and the main Following Christ conference has begun. I am assisting with the Humanities track, chaired by Michael Murray of Franklin & Marshall. In his opening remarks about human flourishing, Dr. Murray described the danger that ethical subjectivism poses to the gospel. If there is no right or wrong, if "evil" is an outdated concept and what we think of as "sin" is really just "bad manners," then the gospel no longer makes sense. God seems cruel and vindictive to send his only Son … [Read more...] about Evil,Subjectivism, and the Gospel
Giggling and Mother Teresa
What does it mean to follow Christ? Is this a somber and serious thing, or a playful experience with surprises? These questions weren't on my mind until after I heard Claremont Graduate University professor Mary Poplin speak Saturday afternoon. She spoke about her coming to Christ, from being a “very dark” person who experimented with New Age spirituality to inexplicable weeping bouts before teaching her classes. The crying made no sense to Poplin, especially as she is a “Thinking” type on the Myers-Briggs … [Read more...] about Giggling and Mother Teresa
Following Christ 08 Day 1 – ESN Day Ahead
Greetings! I look forward to sharing with you over the next few days my experience at the Intervarsity Following Christ 2008 conference in Chicago, IL. Saturday marked the first day of the conference; while the official conference program starts on Sunday, I chose to come to a Day Ahead event. I have been a member of the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) since its inception in 2004, but have recently decided to be a little more involved in the mentoring program. Thus far, I have really enjoyed my interactions … [Read more...] about Following Christ 08 Day 1 – ESN Day Ahead
Following Christ Has Begun!
The first part of Following Christ has started. I'm with the ESN Day Ahead, listening to "stories of calling" from Christian professors. More details to come. … [Read more...] about Following Christ Has Begun!