We're thrilled to share this new InterVarsity reading group welcoming all scholars to discuss what it means to work toward human flourishing in harmony with God and each other. This opportunity is sponsored by our colleagues in InterVarsity's Black Scholars and Professionals (BSAP) network, part of Graduate and Faculty Ministries (GFM). Find dates and details on Facebook. Book/Additional Resource List September: Introduction to Racial Justice - Why Should We Care as Christians? The … [Read more...] about In Search of Shalom: A Race & Justice Book Discussion Series
Academic Ethics
Writing Exercises My Respect Muscles (Writing As a Spiritual Discipline Series)
“Respect, I think, always implies imagination—the ability to see one another, across our inevitable differences, as living souls.” (Wendell Berry, The Art of the Commonplace) In South Africa where I lived for many years, the basic “hello” greeting, sawubona, translates literally, “I see you.” In this mundane greeting, people declare to each other a tiny reminder that “I see you as a human, and I respect you.” Writing offers an opportunity to say the same: “I see you; I respect you.” In writing, we slow down long … [Read more...] about Writing Exercises My Respect Muscles (Writing As a Spiritual Discipline Series)
The Spiritual Act of Naming: Truth Telling in Writing (Writing As a Spiritual Discipline Series)
Heather Walker Peterson continues our new series, Writing As a Spiritual Discipline. See the first piece in the series here, and see other work by Heather here. Telling the truth is a task entrusted to Adam as he names the animals; it is a responsibility of redeemed humankind which has been told the truth about itself in Jesus. Oliver O'Donovan My desire to write comes from an experience of reading. I read a transforming word. As I am transformed, I wish to influence transformation in a confusing and unjust … [Read more...] about The Spiritual Act of Naming: Truth Telling in Writing (Writing As a Spiritual Discipline Series)
Academic Lessons from the Life of Joseph
InterVarsity graduate staffer and frequent ESN blog contributor Mark Hansard applies ideas from the life of Joseph to the calling of Christian academics. For reflections by Mark on the fruit of the Spirit in academia, see his series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. For other work by Mark, including literary reflections and faith/science interviews, see this link. The story of Joseph's life, beginning in Genesis 37, offers us a number of lessons that can be applied to the academic world. As you recall, Joseph was the … [Read more...] about Academic Lessons from the Life of Joseph
Plagiarism & the Faithful Presence?
As I read Stanley Fish's Plagiarism Is Not a Big Moral Deal (NY Times Opinionator, 8/9/2010), two responses immediately came to mind. What do you think? (1) I disagree that every sin is learned. My own experience and that of raising my kids (and my own responses to raising them), indicate that there is something not quite right inside which influences our behavior unless grace is given to go an "unnatural direction." Note: the Biblical story provides helpful perspective on this frustrating condition. … [Read more...] about Plagiarism & the Faithful Presence?