John Runciman, King Lear in the Storm, 1767 Act III of Shakespeare's King Lear gets to me every time. Lear, spectacularly blinded by pride and bereft of power in his old age, having foolishly exiled one daughter and exposed himself to betrayal by the other two, retreats into a storm with his Fool and descends into madness, shaking his fist at nature, railing, “Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!” … [Read more...] about “Your crooked heart”: Literary Study and Spiritual Formation (Scholar’s Call)
Love Your Academic Discipline
Scholar’s Compass Navigating Knowledge: Creativity That Delights
Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others." – Exodus 35:30-34 … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass Navigating Knowledge: Creativity That Delights
Navigating Knowledge: The Conflict of Gratitude and Equality
Love Your Academic Discipline Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. – I Peter 4:9-10 (NIV) Reflection I have recently been analyzing large datasets of appreciation for research on cooperation and diversity online. I used to think that thanking others was an straightforward good, but a literature review has changed how I see the role of gratitude in my life as a … [Read more...] about Navigating Knowledge: The Conflict of Gratitude and Equality
Scholar’s Compass Navigating Beginnings: Learning Scholarly Virtues from the Iliad
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” – Matthew 25:35 (ESV) … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass Navigating Beginnings: Learning Scholarly Virtues from the Iliad
Navigating Beginnings: Glory-Seeking Ministry in the Academic Life (Scholar’s Compass)
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord's glory, as the waters cover the sea. -- Habakkuk 2:14 (HCSB) Reflection I didn't want a career in the university world. That's not how you were expecting this devotional to start, is it? My original intention when I began studying physics as a university freshman was to become a high school physics teacher. Then, I became involved in campus ministry (with my weeknights full of meetings and my backpack full of gospel tracts) and fell in awe over Bible … [Read more...] about Navigating Beginnings: Glory-Seeking Ministry in the Academic Life (Scholar’s Compass)