Introduction Are Christianity and science at war? This was a major concern for me when I came to faith in Christ 22 years ago in the middle of my career as a biology professor at Iowa State University. Although it did not prevent me from coming to faith in Christ, it continued to trouble me and caused doubts about my faith in the early years after my conversion to Christianity. I wondered whether modern science is really compatible with belief in God and whether it is possible to reconcile the Bible's account of … [Read more...] about Summary and Reflection on the Christianity and Science Series
Tim Keller
Becoming a Thoughtful Christian in the Secular Academy
One month ago yesterday I walked the stage to pick up a diploma in Religious Studies at a secular institution. And I'm a stronger Christian than ever. In the Religious Studies department at the University of Montana I learned how to study history with careful eyes, how to debate subtle philosophy with gentleness and confidence, how to respect professors and peers with opposing views on foundational beliefs, and, perhaps most importantly, I learned how to critically examine my place in and beliefs about the story that … [Read more...] about Becoming a Thoughtful Christian in the Secular Academy
Is a Tenure-Track Job a Futile Dream?
Probably. Last week, I addressed the question of whether graduate school was a path to certain doom. In the comments of that post, John questioned my use of statistics to show that people with Ph.D.s had relatively good job prospects in this economy. He shared a personal experience with trying to find a tenure-track faculty position in the humanities. Now that is a completely different matter than simply getting a job, and the outlook isn't nearly as bright. James K.A. Smith has written a series of posts offering … [Read more...] about Is a Tenure-Track Job a Futile Dream?
What do “the righteous” look like in higher education?
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? -- Micah 6:8 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. -- Proverbs 11:10 What do you consider the characteristics of "the righteous," particularly in the area of vocation? How do you (as an individual and as a member of God's people) envision, glimpse, even embody "the righteous" on … [Read more...] about What do “the righteous” look like in higher education?
Lenten Wrestling w/God, Natural Disaster, Suffering, Good, Evil
The Doors of the Sea: Where Was God in the Tsunami? (David Bentley Hart. Eerdmans. 2005) came to my attention at last week's national staff meetings for InterVarsity Graduate & Faculty Ministries.* I've found the reflections of the Eastern Orthodox scholar and First Things contributor a timely Lenten follow-up not only to After Shock: Searching for Honest Faith When Your World Is Shaken (Kent Annan. IVP. 2011), but also an extended discussion of How Could A Good God Allow Suffering (Chapter 2 of Tim Keller's The … [Read more...] about Lenten Wrestling w/God, Natural Disaster, Suffering, Good, Evil