2012 Research Theme: Christian Scholarship in the 21st Century (sponsored by Biola University)
What is Christian Scholarship?
Christians throughout history have pursued careful scholarship, to better understand God and his Creation, and to seek the good, the true, and the beautiful. But what does it mean for scholarly pursuits to be distinctly Christian? As the saying goes, “What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?”
What are the marks of Christian scholars?
Christians involved in academic research and education hold a place of public influence. How should a Christian scholar think and act? What are the moral and intellectual virtues of a Christian scholar?
What are the contemporary challenges to Christian scholarship?
The Church in the 21st century is faced with serious issues, and many of them are ideological at root. Is science compatible with religion? What can be done to address global poverty? How should Christian scholars respond to these and other issues?
Are faith and reason compatible?
When it comes to matters of religious faith and the search for truth, is your heart battling your head? How can you integrate your faith with your rationality? The Christian tradition has upheld faith seeking understanding as one model for integrating the heart with the mind. What are contemporary approaches to understanding the relationship of faith and reason?
How can Christian scholarship serve the Kingdom of God?
Ideas matter: we’ve seen how even one idea can profoundly shape human life and history. Consider the Love Commands of Jesus; how might those commands shape Christian scholarship? And what other might scholarship be put into the service of the Church, the broader culture, and the Kingdom of God as a whole?
