Towards a Christian Approach to Academic Engagement

An approach to academic engagement is being developed by, with and for the UK Christian Academic Network. It seeks to engage with mainstream thought, rather than either antagonise or acquiesce. It is motivated by a view of Creation and Redemption:

Why did God create? What was God's intention?
Reality Rejoicing:
The entire Creation works Well together.
Shepherded by one type of creature for the Good of all.
"Very Good".
Shepherding:
Tend and care for;
Investigate and get to know it intimately;
Lead it to its fulfilment;
Open up its potential;
Represent ("image") God to it;
God With Us in all this;
in all its myriad ways of being Meaningful
and Possible and Good.

Academic activity is intended to help us investigate it to build up humanity's bodies of knowledge about the way Creation works, for the Good of the Creation itself. That is what some call our Creational Mandate.

Two strands have so far been developed, SDC: Shaping Our Disciplines for Christ, and LACE: Listen, Affirm, Critique and Enrich. SDC is at a more abstract level, including about motivation. LACE is at a more practical level.

Theological Motivation (Summary)

Covers the Creational Mandate, how it applies to academic activity, the impact of human sin, and the three dimensions of Salvation opened up by Jesus Christ. Christ's people are intended to 'shepherd' academia so that it flourishes as it was intended to.

For now, see Overview essay on The Gospel and Academia: Why and How? covering Theological Motivation, Strategic Approach, Practical Method and Conceptual Tool. A personal reflection, looking back on life as a Christian academic.

But how? What strategic direction should we take?
What methods may we adopt?
Are there any tools available to help us?

Strategic Approach, SDC: Shaping Our Disciplines for Christ

We Christians should engage positively with mainstream thought; this poses six strategic questions on why and how we might do so.

Practical Method, LACE: Listen, Affirm, Critique, Enrich

A way of engaging with mainstream thought.

Conceptual Tool, Dooyeweerd's Aspects

One conceptual tool that provides penetrating focus for listening, affirming, critiquing and enriching is the suite of aspects by the Dutch Christian philosopher, Herman Dooyeweerd. It has proven very useful in both teaching/learning and research, because they enable us to separate out clearly the various spheres of meaning that we find that others discuss. For now, see the following:

Towards a Christian Approach to Academic Engagement

Theological Motivation (Summary)

Strategic Approach, SDC: Shaping Our Disciplines for Christ

Practical Method, LACE: Listen, Affirm, Critique, Enrich

Conceptual Tool, Dooyeweerd's Aspects

See also: