A few weeks ago I wrote about purpose; I presented a handful of perspectives on the purpose of our human existence and asked the question, Why should I go to grad school, anyway? Today I want to zoom in on one particular thread that, as you may have noticed, traced prominently through two of the given perspectives. That thread is the glory of God. Now, before I lose you completely with those worn out old words, let me shake them off and give them back their . . . glory. Irenaeus, a father of the early church, … [Read more...] about How to Be a Christian Academic: A Brief Theology
graduate school
Why Should I Go To Grad School, Anyway?
Committing to grad school means time, money and, for most of us, anxiety. An early graying head is a sign of a PhD candidate. Despite the cost, many of us enter into this commitment without much deep reflection on the function of grad school. Sure, we consider the end result—a higher pay rate, power to help those who can't help themselves, accomplishment of our dreams, and so on—but questions of real, ultimate purpose often go unanswered. Why is a higher paying job more desirable? Why should we want to help the poor … [Read more...] about Why Should I Go To Grad School, Anyway?
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)
Returning to Graduate School – Thoughts by Michael Stell (1)
Introduction After several months of connecting on-line, I had the privilege of meeting Michael in Lancaster, PA. What brought him to my neck of the woods? His research on John Williamson Nevin (1803 – 1886). John Williamson Nevin not only taught in the seminary of the German Reformed Church in America in the mid-nineteenth century, but also served as the president of Franklin and Marshall College. Furthermore, he was a friend to James Buchanan, the 15th president of the United States. Did you know that … [Read more...] about Returning to Graduate School – Thoughts by Michael Stell (1)
Candidate for What? — InterVarsity staff
Introduction Thank-you to Dwight Schwartz, Ph.D., for sharing a glimpse of his academic/vocational journey through Candidate for What? A few questions for the reader as we wrap up the series with Part 5 (Click here for Part 1 on Pre-collegiate chemistry, here for Part 2 - 3 on Collegiate Chemistry, and here for Part 4 on his Postdoctoral Puzzle): How do you understand the purpose/value of academic studies? What do Emerging Scholars have to offer not only to the academic community, but also to other … [Read more...] about Candidate for What? — InterVarsity staff