Do Christ followers have a mission in, to, and alongside the university? Yes. Is the university a global mission worth significant investment of time, resources, and energy? Yes. How do we embrace, engage, and give voice to the university mission? Recently I listened to the 2012 Henry Martyn Lectures, delivered by Dr Vinoth Ramachandra. Ramachandra's overall topic is Mission as Prophetic Engagement. Lecture 1 focuses upon Engaging the University. As you may already know, Ramachandra serves on the International … [Read more...] about A Mission to the University
knowledge
The Temptation of Knowledge and The Goodness of God
Before I begin a series on Lenten spirituality (come back on Ash Wednesday), it would be beneficial to tell you a bit about myself. If you're going to find truth in what I say, I suppose you'll need to see that Truth lives in me. I was raised in a strict Christian home where I, like many others, quickly lost interest in the gospel. Rather, I lost interest in what I misunderstood the gospel to be—that disgusting imposter of a gospel; that anathema of shame and guilt and hiddenness. At 18 I left home to “go to … [Read more...] about The Temptation of Knowledge and The Goodness of God
Reading Pagans (and Christians) with Charity
Two weeks ago, James Sire addressed a question from me about learning from artists and writers who have a different world view than my own. In his response, he mentioned Alan Jacobs's A Theology of Reading, which I have been reading and blogging through lately. I'd like to expand a bit on Jim's reference to Jacobs's book with a few examples of charitable reading. Throughout the book, Jacobs offers “interludes,” which are essentially case studies of different styles and methods of reading. “Interlude D: Two Charitable … [Read more...] about Reading Pagans (and Christians) with Charity
Insights from works by people from other worldviews?
James W. Sire addresses another excellent question from Micheal Hickerson, ESN Blog Contributor: Should Christians worry if they find themselves enjoying or gaining insight from artistic, literary or academic works by people from other worldviews? I know that this has been a question within the Christian world from the ancients to the present. Didn't Tertullian (c. 160-230) ask, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” But, though I was brought up in a modestly fundamentalist community, the question has always … [Read more...] about Insights from works by people from other worldviews?
What is the biggest challenge to today’s apologist?
James W. Sire addresses: What is the biggest challenge to today's apologist? -- A question received by email inquiry. I doubt that there is a “today's apologist.” Every person engaged in presenting the Christian faith is “today's apologist.” Moreover, I can address the question but I am no longer an active traveling apologist with exposure to “today's” campuses. Among my current friends are a bitter Dawkins-type atheist and retired scientist, a mid-forties New Ager, a curious high school grandson, a liturgical … [Read more...] about What is the biggest challenge to today’s apologist?