Emerging Scholars Blog

InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network

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Book Response: Desiring the Kingdom, by James K. A. Smith

As part of his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Ministry to Emerging Generations (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Tom’s written a number of book responses and given several short presentations (personal and group). In this series he not only “shares the wealth,” but also looks forward to your feedback as he refines his project: An argument for vocational discernment for graduate studies in the context of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (Stay tuned to learn more!). Earlier posts on the program: Ministry to Emerging Generations and The Big Picture of Ministry to Emerging Generations.

Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation

Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation by James K.A. Smith (Eerdmans, 2009).
Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation by James K.A. Smith (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009).

In Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009), James K.A. Smith hits the mark in “communicat[ing] to students (and faculty) a vision of what authentic, integral Christian learning looks like, emphasizing how learning is connected to worship and how, together, these constitute practices of formation and discipleship” (11). I have longed for a “cultural theory” “to push down through worldview to worship as the matrix from which a Christian worldview is born—and to consider what that means for the task of Christian education and the shape of Christian worship” (35, 11). Although only loosely connected with the Reformed tradition at present, what a joy to consider “the Reformed tradition as an Augustinian renewal movement within the church catholic,” one in which education isn’t “first and foremost about what we know, but about what we love” (14).

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The Big Picture of Ministry to Emerging Generations

the cross photo
Photo by ReneYoshi

Christians must care deeply about culture and they must recognize that true cultural obedience to their Lord has to take place under the cross. — Richard Mouw. Abraham Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction (Eerdmans, 2011), 136.

In Ministry to Emerging Generations I briefly shared my journey to and the beginning of a Doctor of Ministry program (DMin) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Today my intention was to explore the Big Picture of Creation-Fall-Redemption which frames my academic work. But as I reflected upon it, I realized that this was too large a task for a single post. Furthermore, the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) blog already has a number of posts which explore the Big Picture of Creation-Fall-Redemption. David Naugle’s Scholar’s Compass Navigating Purpose series was the first which came to mind.

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Interview: David Naugle on Worldview

David Naugle, Distinguished University Professor, chair and professor of philosophy at Dallas Baptist University

I’ve engaged in periodic conversation with David Naugle, Distinguished University Professor, chair and professor of philosophy at Dallas Baptist University, for quite some time. Why? To wrestle with “the heart” and the history of worldview, not only only in an “academic” sense, but also in the life and ministry to which I have been called as a part of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. As you may remember Mike Hickerson interviewed David on Reordered Love, Reordered Lives: Learning the Deep Meaning of Happiness (William B. Eerdmans, 2008) at the 2010 CCO Jubilee Conference. Before digging into Worldview: The History of a Concept (William B. Eerdmans, 2002) a little more on David . . .

He is married to Deemie Naugle, the Associate provost at Dallas Baptist University and has been for many years; they have one daughter, Courtney who is working in West Dallas at a non-profit organization. He has two earned doctorates, one in theology and the other in philosophy and literature. He has written four books and three screenplays. He attends the Village Church in Dallas.

Alright, now let’s turn to the interview, with me taking fully responsibility for the related pictures and links 🙂 [Read more…] about Interview: David Naugle on Worldview