Historian Ryan Wilkinson, PhD finished and starting a tenure track job in the fall, writes a letter to himself at the beginning of graduate school. We hope it's a great encouragement, wherever you are on your academic journey. Dear Me, Well, congratulations—you're going to graduate school! So—this is your future self, writing from a decade ahead to let you know that you'll have a lot of fun. On the other hand . . . it won't all be easy. Hmmm? What do I mean? Well, let me give you some examples. … [Read more...] about Letter to My Self, Starting Graduate School
academic vocations
Why I Appreciate Christian Scholars, Post 2
This spring semester, ESN is delighted to introduce a new occasional series, “Why I Appreciate Christian Scholars.” In this series, we'll hear from believers in many vocations and walks of life who want to share an encouraging word on why they value the work of Christians in academic vocations. Our second post is by Christopher Lim, founder of TheoTech, a company activating technologists to use their gifts for the Gospel. See the first post here. Few things are as satisfying as intellectual conversations … [Read more...] about Why I Appreciate Christian Scholars, Post 2
New Series: Why I Appreciate Christian Scholars
This spring semester, ESN is delighted to introduce a new occasional series, "Why I Appreciate Christian Scholars." In this series, we'll hear from believers in many vocations and walks of life who want to share an encouraging word on why they value the work of Christians in academic vocations. We launch the series today with a reflection and prayer by Gary Anderson, a Gordon-Conwell seminary student and Park Street Church pastoral intern with a background in business. “In everything set them an example by … [Read more...] about New Series: Why I Appreciate Christian Scholars
What we learn about Godly Scholarship from Hebrews
Frequent contributor Mark Hansard shares reflections from his campus ministry experience and literary, philosophical, and theological training. See his recent pieces on faith and doubt in an Emily Dickinson poem and what academics can learn from the life of Joseph, or browse his previous work for ESN here. The book of Hebrews, one of the more finely written books of the New Testament, contains several hints for us about what Godly scholarship can look like under the influence of the Spirit. While it is unknown … [Read more...] about What we learn about Godly Scholarship from Hebrews
Returning to Graduate School – Thoughts by Michael Stell (2)
Part Two – Being a Graduate Student When I entered grad school, I entered with a sense of purpose that was in my mind akin to the idea that the Puritans had of vocation or calling. Attending a Catholic university, I realize that many use the word vocation in strictly religious ways, but the Puritans viewed all of life as religious, and so all of life should be understood as vocation. I had been involved in the vocation of teaching, but not at the place where I felt I was fulfilling my true calling. I was going to … [Read more...] about Returning to Graduate School – Thoughts by Michael Stell (2)