In this two part series, Lauri Swann reflects on Navigating Justice for the Scholar's Compass Lent series. “God was the first to cry.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma Reflection In the movie Selma, Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen consoling Mr. Cager Lee, an 82 year old man, who is in the morgue identifying the body of his grandson, Jimmy Lee Jackson. Jimmy, killed in 1965 during a peaceful protest in Selma, Alabama by a state trooper, was only 27 years old. With no other words worthy enough to … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: God Was the First To Cry, Part 1
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Finding Light in the Darkness: Reflections on Recent Decisions in Missouri and New York
Image: Christ on Gethsemane, Jesus MAFA Isaiah 61:1-3b, 8 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of … [Read more...] about Finding Light in the Darkness: Reflections on Recent Decisions in Missouri and New York
After Ferguson: Seeking Justice as the Semester Starts
Editor's Note: As we begin a new semester, ESN seeks to support Christian scholars seeking to act justly as teachers and researchers. Later in January, we plan to post a longer reflection by a friend of ESN who is giving deep thought to these issues. As the semester starts, ESN writer Katelin Hansen makes some reading and teaching suggestions. As we continue to process last year's heartbreaking news stories, Christians on academic campuses can play an important role in the ongoing process of lament and reform … [Read more...] about After Ferguson: Seeking Justice as the Semester Starts
Scholar’s Compass Thanksgiving: Expect the Unexpected
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV) Reflection It was a beautiful, hot summer day; yet, I was full of despair and anxiety. While taking a walk with my Dad, I was explaining to him my dilemma. Finally, my dream of attending the university was coming true, but there was no money. Nada. Dad asked me if I was sure that God wanted me to get a college degree. “Of course,” I replied. “Then,” he said, “Believe God. He will provide.” … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass Thanksgiving: Expect the Unexpected
Scholar’s Compass: A Journey of Thanksgiving
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! Psalm 95:2 (ESV) Reflection A journey. A place to leave from. A destination you are going to. There is preparation, and there is a time of traveling by faith with the hope to arrive safely at the destination. As students who vacillate between leaving the security of post doc work to employment, or from employment to reentering the world of academia, there is anticipation and fear mostly because we … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: A Journey of Thanksgiving