Preface Robert Boyle, illustrious scientist and Fellow of the Royal Society, described how, while in Geneva on a continental holiday, he underwent a conversion from nominal, unthinking Christianity to committed Christianity. As a result of his experiences, he stressed the need for Christians to have what he called an "examined faith." [1] John Stott, discussing Paul's letter to the Christians in Philippi, drew attention to the importance for all Christians to heed the apostle's exhortation to "contend for the faith … [Read more...] about Time to discuss faith, psychology and neuroscience?
Mentoring
New Vision in an Academic Desert
Monica Greenwood (pseudonym) is semi-patiently excitedly awaiting the day she walks into her first graduate seminar in philosophy. Until then, she is an undergrad studying philosophy at a state school known for its agriculture program. ----------------------------- In contemporary America, we have whittled the purpose of college down to pre-job entry training and partying on the side, so it makes sense that a Christian's vision of college is blurred by the misconceptions of their culture. Indeed, it makes further … [Read more...] about New Vision in an Academic Desert
Find Your Voice and Own It: Women and the Academic Life
Thank-you to J. Nathan Matias (@natematias), Research Assistant, MIT Media Lab Center for Civic Media, for venturing into and reporting on Women and the Academic Life as part of his Urbana12 series.* We're looking forward to your responses to this material -- any seminar participants with thoughts to add? Note: In addition to ESN's mentoring resources, be sure to visit The Well -- a website designed to support women in graduate and professional schools and women faculty as they seek, in their full and complex … [Read more...] about Find Your Voice and Own It: Women and the Academic Life
Steve Simmons: Students Are a Lot Like People
Steve Robert Simmons is Morse-Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota. He served for 32 years in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics where he taught and conducted research on topics ranging from plant physiology to agroecology. He continues to serve as a mentor for graduate students and pre-tenured faculty through the university's Center for Teaching and Learning Services. In his retirement, Steve is writing creative nonfiction and is working on a book of personal essays. He and … [Read more...] about Steve Simmons: Students Are a Lot Like People
A Christian Theology of Mentoring: History, Scripture, Virtue, and Discipline
Christians are characteristically convinced of the importance of mentoring because of the deep way it is embedded in their faith. Understanding God as Trinity presses on us the conviction that loving relationships are at the center of reality. We note that Jesus' own ministry was centered on the mentoring of the Twelve, and especially the Three. This focus on the intensive formation of a “school of thought and practice” accounts in large part for the durable power of Jesus' influence. Further, the maintenance of … [Read more...] about A Christian Theology of Mentoring: History, Scripture, Virtue, and Discipline