Category
Category: Academic temptations
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Temptations of the academic life (5): Seeking novelty for its own sake, and over-correcting imbalances
In this short video from Biola University’s Centre for Christian thought, James Houston succinctly sketches two temptations of the academic life: to seek after novelty for its own sake, and to address a problem by over-correcting its errors. The temptation to over-correct is often born of a desire to differentiate ourselves sufficiently from those who
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Temptations of the academic life (4): cynicism
A few years ago I had the privilege of spending a week with a group of Christian painters and sculptors. God showed me something important through being with them. He showed me just how cynical I have become. There was a lot of talk among these artists about joy in creation, about creativity, and about an
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Temptations of the academic life (3): Idolatry of work
One of the main challenges we face in the academic life is not to make an idol out of our work or status. I gain great satisfaction from my work and enjoy it intensely, but I know that the moment it becomes the place where I run for my consolation or for affirmation, instead of being able
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Temptations of the academic life (2): combs and mirrors
When the Conquistadors sailed for the New World they brought along chests of mirrors and combs to dazzle the indigenous peoples and to give away in exchange for their land and their bodies in slavery. In my experience, the academic system can operate in a similar way. It is great at flattering us, preening our
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Temptations of the academic life (1): Making a name for myself
When God descends to the lofty tower of Babel (note the irony) in Genesis 11 to pronounce judgment on it, what is he judging? Certainly the people’s direct disobedience to his command to scatter over the face of the earth. Most probably the great evil that could be caused by a human race united in its
