I thought about naming this teaching religion non-apologetically, but that might be too narrow of an idea. So instead, I will take up the issue of what it means to teach according to a curriculum, and then apply that concept to my own field, the teaching of religion. When we think about our role as academics, we spend a lot of time thinking and working toward a competency in our research skills and subsequently our writing skills. Our place in academia is defined for us in the simple phrase, though no less real, … [Read more...] about Teaching Religion and the Curriculum
Academic Vocations
How Christians relate to the world — Nigel Biggar
Nigel Biggar[1] How Christians relate to the world (1/26/2013) from oxfordchristianmind (46 min, 32 sec). Teaser: [A] vocation is a very particular duty. Just a word about vocation here. A vocation is not the same as a particular job or a particular career. An academic career is an obvious career for an intellectual. Not the only suitable career, but an obvious one. But not all intellectuals who want an academic career are graced with one and that's especially true right now when the academic job market is so tight. … [Read more...] about How Christians relate to the world — Nigel Biggar
Does your soul cry out?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioMRzpmnl7U With the new year only a few days away, does your soul cry out as mine . . . . . . Jesus, you're the one who saves us constantly creates us into something new Jesus, surely you will find us Surely Our Messiah will make all things new will make all things new. . . . . – Dry Bones. Gungor. 2010. May you find glimpses of and embrace the bursting forth of "Christ's new creation" in your life, on your campus, and to the ends of the earth as part of the Kingdom and … [Read more...] about Does your soul cry out?
Book Review: Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind (2)
Working in university ministry with grad students, I am often asked the question of just how this thing of integration of faith and learning is supposed to work. Mark Noll's Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind (Eerdmans, 2011) is a landmark answer to this question. In one sense, his answer is the very simple, Sunday school answer -- Jesus. Yet behind this simple answer is some very profound theological thinking. Noll not only sees the life of the mind encouraged through our union with Christ, which unites all things … [Read more...] about Book Review: Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind (2)
Time to discuss faith, psychology and neuroscience?
Preface Robert Boyle, illustrious scientist and Fellow of the Royal Society, described how, while in Geneva on a continental holiday, he underwent a conversion from nominal, unthinking Christianity to committed Christianity. As a result of his experiences, he stressed the need for Christians to have what he called an "examined faith." [1] John Stott, discussing Paul's letter to the Christians in Philippi, drew attention to the importance for all Christians to heed the apostle's exhortation to "contend for the faith … [Read more...] about Time to discuss faith, psychology and neuroscience?